Lorena Martin:
Riding on an old saddle is almost as bad as riding bareback Lorena thought to herself. She had been riding all day and now her tailbone was sore. She hoped that she wouldn't get any more bruises on her butt, after all they made sitting down such a painful experience.
Lorena jumped off her horse to walk towards the ranch house she was in front of, a small box tucked under her arm. She knocked on the door of the house and set the package down on the stoop. She then turned and walked back to mount Champion much to her butts chagrin. Lorena put a leg in the worn stirrup and hopped onto the horse. "Come on Champion, lets go home boy." She nudged her feet into the side of her horse and he took off at a brisk trot.
About five minutes later they arrived outside Lorena's modest home. As she jumped off Champion to dismount she heard a very familiar giggle. Her daughter Callie was tottering out of the house towards Lorena as fast as her little legs could carry her. She tied up Champion to their fence and then moved to pick up Callie. "Well hey little girl! How are you? Did you have a good day?" She said most of this in a baby voice.
"You know Lorena I don't think I'll really ever get used to how you talk to the twins."
Lorena's cousin whom she lived with, Sidney was walking across the front yard holding Lorena's other daughter Bridget. Lorena gave a small laugh, "And why would that be Sidney?"
"A few years ago you played quite loose and fast if I remember. You were smiling and happy only because you were drinking out on a kick. Now I see you happy to be with your two daughters."
Lorena still playing with Callie merely nodded at the suggestion. "Yeah you're right, it was rough few years although it wasn't a total loss since I got these two." She caused Callie to giggle by poking her on the nose. She turned back to her cousin and set Callie down at Sidney's feet. "Anyway can you watch the two girls for another few minutes while I put Champion away in the stable?"
While Lorena was taking Champion's saddle and stirrups off he neighed to her softly. "I know you're tired boy but you have a good nights rest in front of you and a nice full trough of food." Lorena walked away from the stable wishing that she could give him better care. She worked dutifully but all of her income went towards the twins. She was worried what she would do when Champion became too old to work anyway.
She organized her thoughts as she moved into the house and started to play with her daughters, for now it wasn't important. She could focus on her income later, she wanted to spend time with her girls, and it wasn't very often that she got to spend time with them.
Marshall Prescott:
"Come on now, no, no, come back! Come on girl." Marshall was struggling against a large sow trying to move her in the direction he wanted. She was digging in her hoofs as if she knew what was coming.
Marshall's father came out of the slaughterhouse and laughed at the sight of his son. "Come on son, it's not that hard."
"I'm trying dad but she won't budge. You know I'm not as good at this as you."
His dad chuckled then moved towards his son. Being more muscular than his son he bodily lifted the sow and carried her into the slaughterhouse. Marshall stood outside the house where he heard the pig squeal some more then fall silent as quick as the swish of a knife.
His father came out his apron stained with blood and a cloth in his hands that he was using to clean his hands. "Come on son, you've got to watch, how else will you ever learn how to do it on your own."
Marshall looked down at his feet, "I guess, I don't know I just accepted that they have to die but watching them die, it kind of freaks me out dad."
His father gave him a grimace and seemed to collect his thoughts. "Alright son, go inside and help your mother or ride your horse, you're no good to me when you're shaken, the animals can tell."
Marshall moved into their house where his mother was examining a large sheep dog in their living room. "Oh hi Marshall!," his mother had looked up from the large dog and gave her son a warm smile, "could you help me with this dog. He needs an injection of antibiotics into his paw and I can't get him to stay still."
"Sure mom. Thanks for letting me help you, I just can't seem to help dad anymore."
Mrs. Prescott didn't even bother to look up from the syringe she was getting ready. "I know it's hard because your father and you really don't share any interests but being out there even for a little bit brings your father pleasure, even if it's only for a few minutes."
"I know but he doesn't seem to show any reaction on his face and I've even taken to looking at his body to see how he reacts and he just stands there." Marshall liked trying to learn about people and why they did what they did.
"Well Marshall, you ask questions of everyone else so why don't you go ask your father questions if you really want to know if he enjoys working with you or not."
Marshall didn't know how to respond, so he just shifted uncomfortably in his place and stayed with his mother, a few seconds later she looked up from the dog she had just injected. "You're still here Marshall? Go outside with your father."
Marshall outwardly sighed and trudged outside.
Lorena Martin:
The muggy environment of District 10 made Lorena hate where she had to be outside for hours on end and the reaping was no exception. She hated how her hair looked lank and drab, and that her already tight clothes felt even more constrictive around her hips and body.
Lorena stood alone, having twins and having a full time job really left little time for socializing. Besides, she was the pregnant girl, the girl whom in many of her classmates minds had been stupid enough to get knocked up.
Lorena watched as Gratiana, their escort moved towards the microphone. She was a full woman with a physique consistent with childbirth and over eating. A physique that Lorena told herself that she would have to avoid.
"Welcome, my children, back to the District 10 Reapings!" Lorena squirmed, now that she had her own children she couldn't imagine calling thousands of people her children, even if in a maternal role to them like Gratiana. "I am very excited to find out which of you lovely children will be able to visit the marvelous Capital with me. Now then time to find that lovely lady!"
Lorena held her hands close to her chest and suddenly became very interested in her cuticles. After all she was an 18 year old who had been taking out the maximum amount of tesserae for years. Her breath hitched in her throat.
"The female tribute this year will be, Lorena Martin!"
Lorena had to tell her to remind herself to breath, she had been holding her breath for so long. She looked up at the stage and met eyes, countless eyes staring at her, taunting her.
Lorena begin sliding her feet and slowly making her way up to the stage. The only thought one her mind was her girls.
Marshall Prescott:
Marshall stood with Gannon, shoulder to shoulder. They were right between all the other 16 year olds as if crowding together in a herd could ward off the reaping and allow them to survive another year in District 10.
Marshall wasn't too worried though; after all he was from a decently wealthy family and never had a need to take out Tesserae for his family. He was more scared for his friends like Gannon who occasionally had taken out tesserae for their family.
"The female tribute this year will be, Lorena Martin!"
Marshall watched a short girl with large hips slink her way onto the stage. He thought he recognized her; she either was pregnant or dropped out of school or something. Marshall never really paid attention to gossip, he had more important things to worry about.
"Welcome, Lorena I'm sure you'll make a great addition to the District 10 team this year. Alright, then, time for the lucky young man!"
"Marshall Prescott!" Marshall didn't know how to react he just stood there quietly.
Gannon turned to him expectantly, "Marshall, are you ok? Marshall?"
Marshall murmured an "I'm fine," so softly that Gannon wasn't sure he heard it. He turned away from his friend and made his way to the stage, his face flush, but looking the perfect picture of composure.
When he started walking up the stairs into Gratiana's waiting arms he was surprised at the feelings he had. He wasn't annoyed, he wasn't scared, no Marshall was annoyed. Annoyed that he wouldn't be able to continue on his farm with his parents and help them with the harvest in a few months.
He didn't know what to think of that, but he figured he would think of it on the train, he would be doing a lot of thinking in the next few weeks.
Hope you like these tributes! Can't wait to introduce all the tributes to you we're almost there!
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