Beg me for mercy
Admit you were toxic
You poisoned me just for
Another dollar in your pocket

Nestor Andreas

District 5, Male, 12

(3 Months Prior the Reaping)

...

I roll out of my bed, bringing my covers with me as I fall, I try my best to make it look as real as possible and I know my mission is accomplished when my mother giggles a little. I fake a yawn and act as if I've just woken up, it's really nice to see the smile on her face and it's so contagious that I can't help sharing it.

"You rolled of your bed! What were you doing in that sleep of yours?" She jokes to me as I get up and start looking through my wardrobe for some clothing.
"I must've thought my arm was hiding under the bed!" I exclaim, turning around and winking at her, she responds by shaking her head and chuckling. Mom doesn't always know how to react when I use dark humour and it's hilarious to me.

I lost my arm around a year ago from an accident at work, it was a tough time for a lot of my family and I guess that's when comedy really brightened up my life, I used it to help us through the tough times. I know they'll never stop feeling guilty for not protecting me enough but even if I can take a bit of that guilt away, that's enough for me.

I slip a dark red shirt on and some dark denim jeans, it's my usual work uniform. I was fired from working at the power plant because of my newfound disability and I knew that would really effect the family so I began working on my own out on the streets, telling jokes and making people laugh. It's a win-win for me, I get to make people laugh and brighten up people's days and in exchange I get money, it's almost as if I'm living the dream.

I rush downstairs after changing and hear my Mom shout from my room that I need to start the day with some breakfast. I sigh because I so badly want to get out on the streets to tell some new jokes I've been working on but Mom knows best and if me having breakfast makes her happy, I'll have breakfast every day. My siblings all sit around the table already and I join them by taking the empty seat besides John.

"Hey Nestor! What's up dude?" John asks, while giving me a noogie. I'm the youngest of the 4 so it's occasional for me to get babied but I don't mind it. I mean, who doesn't want the most attention in the family? Losing my arm definitely gave me a bonus in that area.
"I'm good, about to go to work." I answer, my mouth full of cereal, I"m in a big hurry to get outside and Sam laughs at me when I accidentally have some running down my chin.

"Alright, I"m off to work people, catch you later!" I yell as I jump out of my seat and rush to get my shoes on. I leave my home with a joyful skip and start making my way to my usual spot at the edge of town. It's a busy spot for people that are on their way to work from the rich side of our District and makes for a bigger pay check. Rich people are also always so moody so it's fun to cheer them up.

I remember thinking, when I was much younger, that my family was rich because my house always seemed bigger compared to most of my friends' but I sadly realise that they were just in poverty and we were middle class. My Mom always says we hover above the poverty line and that someday, we may need to sell our house and downgrade which just makes me work all the more harder to keep her happy.

After around a 15 minute walk, I set the platform that I had brought with me from home and stand on it. As the first people start coming, I begin my first joke.
"You know, I was in the second hand shop the other day and this one lady came up to me and told me I likely wasn't going to find what I was looking for!" A woman slightly chuckled as she walked back and quickly circled back around to give me a coin. I thank her and continue,
"Earlier this year, I got stuck on a tree after climbing it and (to get me down) my Mother told me to wave at her. It wasn't the preferred method but definitely the most efficient so props to her."

I gain another couple of coins for that one and the process continues for around an hour until most people have already made their way to work and there doesn't seem to be anyone else coming. I count a total of 20 coins which my family will definitely be happy about, as usual, I start my way back home with a large smile plastered across my face.

Emerald "Emmy" Silore

District 5, Female, 13

(Reaping Day)

...

"Thank you, Mother." I say, nodding my head as she places my reaping day dress on the bed. It is a simple green dress that shimmers in the sunlight and it's the perfect thing to show off to my friends. I excitedly put it on and then admire it on myself in the mirror, I do a couple of twirls and a curtsy or two, it's such an incredible dress.
"I love it Mother, thank you." I'm careful not to raise my voice too loud as it's common etiquette and it is what my family expects from me, I have been taught it from the day of my birth and I learned it's a good way too make sure adults always view you as better.

"Are you ready Emerald, darling?" My Mother asks and I nod, following her out of my room and to the front door where I slip on my burnt orange high heels. MY family is fortunate enough to be able to buy all this stuff for me, I couldn't imagine what it's like not to have a wardrobe full of dresses. My parents both very well paying jobs and we are one of the wealthiest families in District 5.

My Father meets my Mother and I at the front of the door and we all make our way to the reaping together, both of them holding one of my hands. When we reach the reaping, I see my friends (Kelly, Abby and Morgan) waiting for me next to the line. "Goodbye Mother, goodbye Father." I say and kiss their cheeks before rushing off with my friends.

As I run, I feel a sharp pain in my right leg and almost fall over, luckily Morgan is there to catch me. "Are you okay, Emerald?" She asks and I nod.

"Don't be silly, I get this all the time. It's just a broken leg that didn't heal properly, nothing to worry about." I tell her and then bring my friends into a group hug. I met the 3 of them when I was 8 and we have been inseparable ever since then. "Well come on then, let's get in line." I snap and we get into the line. We don't wait very long until we get our fingers pricked and I lead the group to our section.

It isn't long before the reaping starts and a slightly overweight short man exits the Justice Building, looking as happy as ever. He has rosy red cheeks and fluffy white hair that stick up way too high for it to make any logical sense. "Hi District 5! I'm so excited to be here and be your escort!" He squeals through the microphone and there are a couple claps but mostly silence.
"Firstly, my name is Marco Summer! Secondly let me introduce your mentor...the winner of the 8th Hunger Games...Kara Filer!" There is many applaud for Kara and I find myself clapping along with the crowd as well, I'm not quite sure why she won helped us but it did somehow.

"Thank you everybody." Kara says through the microphone and takes a few steps back and to the right of Marco.

"Now time for the moment we've all been waiting for..." Marco pauses for suspense but nobody seems to care and just stares back blankly at him. "Reaping our tributes from District 5!" Again, Marco pauses for applaud but none comes so he continues. "Now, now, I am feeling a little bit spicy today so...lets pick the male tribute first!" He cries and dips his hand into the bowl on the left, he chooses carefully and plucks it out.

"Nestor Andreas!" Marco exclaims and the TV screens show a young boy, even younger than me, with dark messy hair and tanned skin I sort of recognise him from somewhere but I can't put my finger on it. I catch him wince a little but he collects himself and makes his way up to the stage, that's when I see his missing arm and realise he's the boy who tells jokes in the District centre. My parents occasionally give him money.

"Well, I guess I'll have to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow with my feet!" He jokes through the microphone and I hear a few chuckles from the crowd, as well as chuckles I hear sobs. Most likely his family, Reaping Day is always sad no matter what.

"How funny! Now let us choose our female tribute." He picks from the right bowl this time and as the slip comes out he reads it aloud.

"Emerald Silore, what a pretty name!" He cries and I gasp. It can't be me, right? My family promised it would never happened to me, there's still so much I haven't seen yet. Tears are already starting to flood down my face and blind me. I catch a glimpse of the TV and reality sets in once I see my sobbing face staring back at me. I slowly make my way up to the stage and stand on Marco's right.

"Your tributes from District 5...Emerald Silore and Nestor Andreas everybody!"

A/N: I'm back! I know it's been a while but I've been on vacation and I got back a couple of days ago so it's time to get this back up and running again. Thank you to Very New To This for Nestor and owlthewriter for Emerald, I really appreciate it! Also, thank you so much on a full tribute cast, it means a lot to me and I can't wait to start the Games. Here are some questions for you:

Who is more likeable?

What do you think of Emerald? Nestor?

What placements are they likely to get?

- Neb