Here we go! Reapings part 1 of 3: every 'real' tribute will get a POV before the Capitol, so you can meet them 'in their natural habitats'. These are chosen randomly, not by district or anything, and scenes will range from a few days before the Reaping to the ceremony itself. Each chapter will be in chronological order.

I have also decided to write POVs in first person, because it lends itself particularly well to what I have in mind for some How-To-Guide moments later on!

There will be very little Guide content in the reaping chapters, in order to get an earnest first look at the submitted tributes. Just FYI.

KEPLER MALLIS, DISTRICT FIVE MALE

I don't think I've ever seen it rain this hard. I mean, it must have rained like this before, it's not like hard rain is a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, but still. It's shocking how sharply the water droplets hit my shoulders and my back as I scramble down my familiar back alley pathway, heavy backpack bumping against my shoulders. The street lights are blurry in the night rain- if I wasn't familiar with this path, I'm sure I would be lost. My father would get lost trying to find me out here, I reassure myself.

"Wes!" I shout as I see my friend's familiar silhouette slouching underneath the awning of his favorite bar. He turns, brow furrowed, but smiles when he sees me.

"Kid! What's got you in such a rush? Play it cool!"

I try to slow my momentum and bring my pace to a cool walk, but I'm running downhill and can't stop myself. My overbalanced top half tips me forward and before I know it I'm on the muddy ground in front of Wes. Shoot.

A few of the women who are chatting under the awning turn and look at me, and then giggle to themselves. My cheeks burn as Wes helps me to my feet. My trousers and shoes are covered in mud. How am I going to explain that to my parents? A loose cobblestone on the library steps? Someone from school tripped me, maybe? Yeah, that would be believable. And then I'll get home late because I "lost track of time studying", and then "prayed for forgiveness".

As long as I make curfew, I should be in the clear. Especially if Mom is the one to open the door when I get home. If I'm especially lucky, neither of my parents will notice when I slip inside tonight.

I shake my plans out of my mind and look up at Wes, who's chuckling over my fall. "Big night, huh? What's chasing you, Peacekeepers?"

"It's just dark. I wanted to get here quickly from the library is all. That's why I still have my backpack. I got some more philosophy books today, and I didn't want to take them home in case my dad saw that I was exploring those sorts of academic pursuits, and-"

"Whoa, whoa, it's okay, bud. Peacekeepers would have been cool, though. Would have definitely gotten you a free drink once you lost 'em." Wes puts his hand on my shoulder and I take a deep breath and try to relax.

"Maybe… maybe next time. That would be cool." I desperately want to be cool.

Wes steps into the bar and I follow close behind him. The bartender, a gruff older guy who looks like he could snap me in half, nods to Wes as we enter. "How's it going, Burdett?" Wes greets him.

"Not half bad, even with all this rain. I already told you, Wes, stop bringing your pipsqueak friend in here. I don't want to get busted for kids in my bar at night. Especially kids who look like Mormons. No offense."

I don't know what a Mormon is- must be something from before the Dark Days- but I make a mental note to research it. Either way, I get the point—I'm young and out of place. I turn to leave, but Wes wraps a brotherly arm around my shoulders.

"C'mon, he's not a baby. Besides, it's the Reaping tomorrow. What if Kep here gets chosen, huh? You'd deny him one night of manly camaraderie?"

The old barkeep sighs and rolls his eyes, but doesn't protest as Wes and I find a table in the shadowy back end of the bar. I know Wes will probably slip him some extra money to continue ignoring my presence, and then I'll do my best to slip some of my pocket money into Wes' wallet to thank him.

One of Wes's friends crosses over from the dartboards and joins us. "What're you drinking tonight, boys?"

Wes glances over at the bar. "Feels like a liquor kind of night for me. Kepler, want me to sneak you anything tonight?"

I rack my brain to think of the drinks I've tried, and what from my secretive research on drugs and alcohol might be good to try the night before the Reaping. I know that relatively, yes, the odds are in my favor and I most likely won't be chosen tomorrow, but I don't want to miss out. "What about… a joint? Could I try a joint?"

Wes and his friend burst into uproarious laughter. "What? What did I say? Do they not have that here?"

"Kep… a joint is weed, not a drink. We don't have access to that kind of stuff."

His friend keeps laughing. "You really thought- a joint- aw kid-"

I can feel my face going red again, but Wes elbows his buddy in the side and stands up. "Leave him alone, how's he supposed to know? We both know in about three minutes he'll say something that neither of us have any clue what he's going on about, but he doesn't mock us for it. Kep, I'll grab drinks. I'll slip you one of the beers you like, and I'll let you try my bourbon. Best to keep a good mood tonight." He heads towards the bar.

"Sorry, kid. I don't mean to be rude, it's just funny is all."

"It's okay. I know you're just poking fun." We sit silently for a few seconds, and I watch Wes talk to the bartender. Another few beats, then I start to feel the urge to talk. I don't know this friend of Wes's too well, but I've seen him around. He's okay. Should I say something else? Start a conversation? Will he treat me like a child, or ask about my family? Is it weird to sit quietly, or is it cool and adult? I can't stay quiet. "Besides, I know I'm weird. Wes tells me so all the time."

"Yeah, little buddy, you are an odd duck," Wes chimes in as he arrives back at the table, drinks in hand. "A really fucking weird kid. Remember that first time you marched up to me and asked to bum a smoke? I still can't get over the way you asked if you could 'please maybe have a cigarette?'. Wearing your tie and everything. Made me laugh."

I smile a little as I take a sip of beer and settle back into my chair. In the back of my mind, I'm thinking of ways to hide the scent of alcohol on my breath when I get home, but I also doubt my parents would ever assume I wasn't actually at the library. Occam's Razor and all. It's unbelievable that their pious, studious son would ever deviate from the plans they have for me.

I'm so glad Wes doesn't expect anything like that. I don't have to be perfect, he's never even asked me about my parents. I don't even have to be cool. I can just try to… have fun.

"So, Kepler," Wes says, pulling me back into the conversation, "take a sip of this bourbon. I shelled out for a slightly higher quality drink this time, so you could give it a try. You know, just in case you're reaped tomorrow morning."

I grin and take an eager sip. It burns like fire, and I cough as it pours down my throat. Nasty… but worth it.

INAYA STRATTON, DISTRICT EIGHT FEMALE

"Breakfast is ready!" booms my father's voice through our house. I pull my comb through my dark hair once more and then rush downstairs, joining the stampede of my brothers also hurrying to get food. My mother, clever as always, is already at the table with her plate of food by the time the rest of us hit the kitchen. I step back to allow my three older brothers to fight each other over the plates and forks and serving spoons.

"Inaya, are you all right?" Mother asks.

"I'm fine. Just, you know, waiting for the boys to get out of the way." I motion to the tangle of arms and bacon that currently is taking up all the space in the kitchen. I'm not that hungry, anyways.

Father laughs at that and steps over to kiss me on the forehead. "Smart girl. Let's hope they leave some for you."

I fold my arms and lean against the wall as I wait my turn. Veschi and Jun jostle each other good-naturedly over the scrambled eggs and then go to their seats at the table. Lebric, however, hands me a plate before grabbing a final piece of toast and following our older brothers.

"Thank you!" I scoop the remnants of breakfast onto my plate and then find my empty seat at the table between Mother and Lebric.

By the time I finish chewing my first bite, Veschi is almost done with his meal. "You know, Mom", he says, "I'm really going to miss your cooking when I move into my new place next week."

"I'll miss you too, but I can't say I'll miss cooking for five!" she teases.

Father frowns. "You know, I help with the meals. I did the eggs this morning."

"You too, Dad. I'll miss your cooking too."

Lebric rolls his eyes. "It's not like you'll be going that far away, V. We'll see you every day at the dye shop, and I'm sure we'll even bring you packed lunches if you start to go hungry!"

"Little bro, I'll take you up on that offer any day!"

"Speaking of the shop," Father says seriously, interrupting the banter, "are you all coming in with me today? I know it's officially a District holiday, but we got a major order for indigo and you know the artificial dye takes ages to process. I could use some help to get ahead."

"I'll work with you, love." Mother takes her finished plate to the sink and heads back to her room to get ready for the day.

"I can come in, Dad," says Jun.

"Me too!"

"Me three!"

"Oh, come on, Veschi, don't you have enough to do? You haven't even started packing to move out!"

"I can't, I have-" I try to jump in, but my brothers' ribbing is loud and raucous.

"I bet I can pack in one night! You have no reason to talk about being busy, you've skipped out on helping Dad in the shop three nights in a row to go see your new lady friend, Jun!"

"I have the Reap-"

"Well, you certainly didn't mind then! If I recall, you told me it went way smoother without me there to screw up the pigmentation! Oh wait- that was YOU who misread the powder formulas!"

"Guys, let Inaya finish!" Lebric cuts into their teasing. He pats my dye-stained hand and smiles at me.

"Thank you."

"What have you got planned, Inaya?"

"The Reaping ceremony is today. I might be able to help after that if you need another hand still? But I can't be in the shop til the afternoon."

A somber hush falls over the breakfast table.

"Right. I forgot about that. It's weird how it slips your mind once you aren't in it anymore." Jun says.

Lebric offers me a comforting smile. "At least you're more than halfway over with those now?"

I grin back. "Only three to go! I'm sure I'll be fine." A white lie. I'm always nervous, but there's no point bringing it up with my brothers. I don't need to be told to 'just not think about it'. I love my siblings but they're not especially helpful when it comes to emotional distress.

"I'll walk with you to the ceremony, Inaya," Lebric offers, "so then at least you'll have a familiar face in the audience. We can head to the shop together afterward."

"Sounds great!" The thought of having Lebric there with me is comforting. His last Reaping was just last year, so he's freshly relieved from the stress of the ceremony.

"That's fine with me," Father says, "Inaya, do you have any plans to meet up with your friends before? Those girls, Jesslyn and Nyala? I haven't seen them around in a while."

"No, not today," I shrug it off, and Lebric pats my shoulder. He's the only one I've told that my old friends don't really talk to me anymore. It's just… easier to deal with it alone. It's easier to accept the fact that my brother is the closest friend I have. "Anyway, I have to get ready. See you later."

"See you later, sis! We'll save some of the raw cloth for you!" I smile. The whole family knows my favorite part of the family trade, and they know I like to work alone.

I make my way back up the stairs to my room. Three Reapings left. Only two more years of constant low-level stress. Maybe, when I'm eighteen and get through my last one, I'll be able to relax some more. Maybe that stress is what's keeping me anxious about so many other things, too.

I shrug it off. For now, I just do my best to put it out of my mind and pick a suitable outfit for working after the ceremony. It's just an ugly ceremony. It's tense and scary, but at least it's short. Some part of me feels bad for trying to brush it off, but every year my brothers and I feel nothing but relief that it's not one of us. Somebody will be chosen and I always hate seeing the reactions, the Games, all of it. I feel bad for them… but I'll feel better if it isn't me.

TIMOLEON CABRERA, DISTRICT NINE MALE

"Timo!" cries my girlfriend Vaida when she sees me approaching the bus stop. I rush over to her and catch her in a hug, spinning her around. Her skirt whirls through the air, sending up a little dust cloud from the ground. She laughs her beautiful silver-bell laugh, and I give her a kiss on the cheek when I set her down.

"How are you doing today, babe?"

"I mean, I can't complain," she rolls her eyes, "I'm doing pretty good but I wish we didn't have to go all the way into town for this bullshit. What about you?"

I grin. "Same. It's the worst journey of the year. Are your parents coming this time?"

"No, just me. Dad's not feeling well, so Mom wanted to stay home and look after him. I wish this thing was like school, where we could skip or leave if we wanted."

"Could you imagine? The biggest skip day of the year." I laugh at that. If only.

"Where are your parents? They usually come with."

"They couldn't get off work."

"What do you mean? It's Reaping Day, it's a holiday."

I shrug. "I wish I knew. The plants don't know about the holiday, and the supervisor is acting like he doesn't either. He told them if they don't come in, they're out of their jobs."

"That's so illegal!"

I scoff. "Like anyone cares what's legal or not, all the way out here."

"What would they do if you- oh never mind, I can barely say it."

I wrinkle my nose at Vaida. "I have no clue, and honestly I'm banking on not getting picked. Like everyone else, obviously. Honestly I wish I could use work as an excuse to stay at home too! Like, I'm the only person of Reaping age at the farm right now—from the boss's perspective, it basically looks like I ditched work. I could be there earning bonuses by outpacing everyone else, but noooo. The Capitol dictates my life."

"I'm sorry, babe. That's stressful."

"It makes me feel like a failure, even though I know it's not my fault."

Vaida rolls her eyes at me. "You're literally required to go to this. They'd do something horrible if you didn't show up, probably. Plus, you overwork yourself anyway. Why do you feel like a failure for it?"

"I don't know, I just do. Makes me feel like I'm a child who got in trouble or something."

"You'll be fine, Timo. I promise." At that, I smile and wrap my girlfriend in a long hug.

After a moment, she pushes away and looks around. "Where's the damn bus, anyway?" I check my watch. Sure enough, it's at least twenty minutes late. And I thought I was running behind.

"How much time do we have to spare?"

"Not much. I don't see it in the distance, either. No dust clouds from vehicles or anything."

"Can we still make it on time?" My heart rate is speeding up and I can feel it pounding in my throat. I'd hate to find out what happens if you don't show up to a Reaping, no matter how much I want to skip it. The Capitol is serious about this kind of stuff. Officials barely ever notice our little farm town on the outskirts of the district, but they'll make a fuss if kids don't show to their ceremony.

"Maybe. If we walk fast."

I groan. "Walking? We have to walk?"

Vaida sighs too and pulls a face at the thought. "The bus doesn't exactly drive fast. It's just to keep the journey less strenuous. We can do it if we have to."

"And it looks like we're going to have to walk. All right then."

As we leave the dusty bus stop and start making our way down the road, I offer Vaida my arm and she links her elbow in mine. "You know, Timo, I'd rather walk to the Reaping with you than take the bus and leave you behind. I was worried it would show up before you did."

"Oh, really?" I chuckle. "Yeah, I was running a little late, but since when does public transportation run on time? I'm pretty sure those bus drivers aren't paid a damn cent. They just do it out of the kindness of their hearts when the feeling strikes them. There's not exactly a lot of traffic out here."

"You're certainly right about that."

"It's almost like our little town has been completely forgotten by the rest of the world."

"A little bit, yeah. Except for the supplies that get shipped in."

"Maybe after the ceremony we can swing by the town hall? Maybe if we remind them that we exist it'll help. Or we can at least let somebody know that the bus didn't show up on Reaping Day and we had to walk all the way to the city."

"What do you think they'll do about it? It's not like they're going to send us home with armfuls of food and money if we waltz in like 'hey, we're poor!'. I'm sure they get plenty of that from people in the city already."

"I'm not sure, Vaida." I take a moment to gather my thoughts. "Maybe, if we advocated for ourselves, they could at least send someone to look at our farms. Then they would see that we need new equipment and supplies. And maybe my boss would give everyone Reaping Day off like he's supposed to. And it would be great if the buses had more of a schedule."

Vaida nods. "That sounds like a good place to start. Maybe, after the ceremony, we can walk around the market a little to let the town hall clear out? Then we could try to talk to someone without it being so busy."

"Perfect! Sounds like a date to me." I give Vaida a kiss.

She smiles at me. "We just need to get there on time first!"

CYRUS AUGUSTIN, DISTRICT TWO MALE

"Hi, I'm here to check in for the Reaping ceremony?" I smile at the Peacekeeper who's taking down names. He gives me a curt nod.

"Name and age?"

"Cyrus Augustin, eighteen years old."

"Hm, last time. You're registered. Have a pleasant Reaping Day, and may the odds be ever in your favor."

"Thanks. And, by the way, my little brother Conrad will be checking in shortly- he really wants to be a Peacekeeper, could he, like shadow you or something? Watch what you do? I did it last year, and our older brother is in the Peacekeeper academy. It would be a really cool opportunity."

The man smiles briefly. "That can be arranged. Make sure he introduces himself to me later on."

I nod, making a mental note to let Conrad know, and then brush past him and make my way into the town square. It's still relatively empty, and I easily spot Klaus and his girlfriend Sabella. They're both tense, glancing around nervously.

"Ooh, what's shining star Klaus Celeste doing here so early? Don't tell me you have Reaping Day nerves?" I tease, pointing out my friend from across the square.

Klaus manages a small smile, but he isn't in the mood for joking. I drop the hype man act and stride over to him quickly.

"Cyrus. Are you still in?"

I nod, trying my best to stay dead serious. Klaus and Sabella visibly relax when I respond in the affirmative.

"Bro, I can't thank you enough. You don't know what this means to me. You're literally saving lives out here."

Sabella gently places her hand on her stomach. "Cyrus, you're the best friend Klaus could have ever asked for. It really means the world to both of us."

I grin. "No worries, Bella. Just be willing to name me the godfather when I get back, all right?"

Klaus and Sabella both nearly lunge at me. "Not so loud! You're the only person who knows, okay?"

"Oh! Sorry! Sorry. Gotcha. But- it's a deal, right?"

Klaus smiles. "A Victor as a godfather sounds like a pretty sweet arrangement to me."

"You're literally doing us the biggest favor imaginable, that's a small ask in return!" Sabella gushes.

I pull Klaus aside. "You're sure you're sure about all of this, right? Like, you were chosen by the whole training network in Two to volunteer. Everyone agreed that you should do it because you have the best chance and they didn't want fighting at the ceremony. I know you don't want to risk it because of-" I drop my voice to a whisper, "-the baby, but you think this is the best way to solve everything?"

Klaus nods, his face steely. "Bella and I can't tell anyone yet. We're going to have to elope- her parents and all that. I can't tell our trainers because they'd tell her family. And, honestly, I wish they hadn't picked me. If it was still a free-for-all, I could back out and people would just assume that I wasn't fast enough."

"You're sure about me taking your place, though, right?"

"Cyrus. Of course I am. There's no one else I'd trust. You're just as good as I am in combat, and no one would get angry about you getting up there to represent Two. You're incredible, man. And the best friend I could have ever asked for."

I grin. "I am pretty great, aren't I? The whole package."

Klaus rolls his eyes. "I'm honestly shocked I have a steady relationship before you do."

"Well that's because you can't keep it in your pants, bro."

Klaus playfully shoves me, and I punch his shoulder in response. Sabella giggles at our antics. The square is starting to fill up now, and I drift away from the assumed volunteer to avoid drawing a crowd. I still have to remind my brother about the Peacekeeper thing. It would have been easier to walk with him to the ceremony, but I had to check in with Klaus privately. Just bros being bros.

I see Conrad in line to check in, and I wave to catch his attention. He makes a face at me and I point to the Peacekeeper I registered with. Conrad gets my message and grins at me. I shoot him a thumbs up and then turn my attention back to the square. The air is jovial and lighthearted. The preteens and younger trainees are joking around, unbothered by the prospect of a Reaping. They know that some older teens will have their backs if they're selected.

I make my way into the rope section and find a spot at the edge of the growing crowd. Easy access to the stage is my priority now.

Should I have told my brother about my plans to volunteer? I feel guilty not letting my family know ahead of time. No, I couldn't let Klaus's secret slip. They'll come see me for goodbyes and it'll be fine.

It won't be too long until I see them again, anyway. They won't have to worry. I can fight, I can strategize, be who I need to be in order to win. That's not the biggest struggle. I've been trained for this, and now Two's training programs are competitive enough that volunteers are elected, not just racing for the stage. That means we're good enough to win. I can do it, no problem.

Why am I so nervous about it? I'll win. I'll win for my family and for Klaus and Bella.

I don't really have another option at this point.

CAELLE LOVAGE, DISTRICT TWO FEMALE

"Are you actually going to go through with something this time?" Someone mutters as I take my spot in the town square. I whip my head around to search for the speaker, but there's too many people and I can't figure out what direction it came from. Ugh. Rude.

I roll my eyes and hold my chin high. I can feel the eyes of the other girls on me. Maybe they're gossiping, maybe they're in awe. Today, I don't care. I was chosen by all the training schools in the district to volunteer for the Games, which proves I am the best. I mean, I've been saying that for years, but it's true now. Affirmed and encouraged by external sources, including authority figures. Nobody can deny it- I'm the best around.

Maybe it helps that all my biggest rivals turned nineteen this year. Plus, Ita, the only girl who would probably have beaten me out, volunteered last year and then died, so I'm the top remaining student in the academy.

I worked hard for this. I deserve it. And, for the nosy bitch in the back, yes. I am going through with volunteering because I'm just that good.

"Look who it is!" shrieks Rheece from behind me, and I relax from my poised stature to turn around and greet my friends. Rheece and Trina grin and hug me, and my excitement level rockets when I see how happy they look to be here.

"Today's the day! Our friend's going to volunteer!"

"Oh, hush," I say, swatting Trina's shoulder.

"No need to be humble, girl. Today of all days! You really earned this one." Rheece's affirmation buoys my spirits even more and I release my anger at the girl who mocked me earlier.

"I can't believe all the training schools worked together to pick one volunteer!" I gush, basking in the glow of my own achievement.

"Yeah, all the years of girls fighting tooth and nail to get to the stage, solved! Now it's just you and you have the guarantee of the spot! That's so smart of them." Trina grins at me. I was worried that she might be upset that I was chosen over her, but she seems fine. Good.

A hush falls over the crowd as our Victors, Tiberius and Agate, and the Capitol escort file onto the stage.

"Here we go!" Rheece whispers in my ear, squeezing my hand in encouragement. I grin.

Trina leans in to speak to both of us quietly. "I heard that Tiberius Chan helped pick this years' volunteers! Like, he was actually present at the meeting of training school coaches and looked at all the candidates and everything!"

"Seriously?" I hope it's true. Having a Victor handpick me as the volunteer would absolutely prove that I am good at what I do. My parents, my sister, everyone in the academy and at school- none of them could deny it. It's not something I have to claim and prove any more. It's just a fact. Caelle Lovage is the top of the class, cream of the crop, and there's nothing anyone can do to change that. Especially not 23 other tributes, most of whom are helpless nobodies from the lower districts.

My heart starts beating faster as the escort steps to the microphone. He's really embracing his feminine side this year- always androgynous, this year he's emphasizing that by wearing a long gown and headdress and pairing it with masculine contouring. It's a look, I suppose. Capitol fashions don't make a lot of sense anyway.

"Welcome, District Two, to the Reapings for the Twenty-First Annual Hunger Games!" The crowd cheers, and I find myself shouting along with everyone else. It feels good- like we're determined and ready to bring home a Victor. Me.

"I know you're excited and ready to get to business, so let's begin!" At the back of the stage, Agate and Tiberius smile as the two bowls full of names are placed on their pedestals. The selected slips of paper don't really matter, and they know it. "Ladies first!"

I've never been more ready for anything in my life. The only thing that could possibly go wrong is if my name is the one drawn from the bowl. What would I do, volunteer for myself?

"Paulina Astrell!"

I know Paulina from the academy, she's a few years younger than me and hoping to volunteer in a few years' time. Good thing today won't have any effect on her plans at all.

I flip my hair over my shoulder and step into the aisle. "I volunteer as tribute!" My voice rings powerfully in the silent square. I march unopposed to the stage and take my place next to the escort.

"And you are?"

"Caelle Lovage." The district bursts into applause for me. Ugh. Yes. Perfect. The confidence, the poise, the preparation. I nailed it. And, to be honest, it feels incredible to have the whole district supporting me. They have to believe that I'm the best, and that reassures me immensely.

The escort smiles before moving to the other bowl of paper slips. "For the boys— Altus Cambridge!"

My district partner will be Klaus Celeste. He's not from my training program, but he has a fantastic reputation around town and the two of us will undoubtedly work well together. I'm ready to get to know him as an ally.

"I volunteer as tribute!"

Wait. Excuse me? That's not Klaus, that's Cyrus. Everyone knows Cyrus. And, more importantly, everyone knows that Cyrus wasn't picked to volunteer. A ripple of confusion passes through the crowd as they realize that the plans are not being followed. Where's Klaus?

I find him in the crowd, looking perfectly fine with this turn of events. What?

Cyrus makes his way up to the stage, and nobody stops him. He's not bad. He trains well and he looks good, so I can't complain. Honestly, having a less-prepared district partner will only benefit me when it comes down to it in the Games.

"And what's your name?"

"Cyrus Augustin." The applause is a little hesitant this time, but I clap for Cyrus along with everyone else.

District Two is still in great shape.

All right! I really do love my dialogue. See you again in a few days with another Reaping chapter.

What did you think of these first five tributes: Kepler, Inaya, Timo, Cyrus, and Caelle?

Drop a review and let me know!