-Serafina Anya Lecter, 17- Xx-Katerina-xX-

Ohen was the one sent to wake me up. He flicks the lights on of my bedroom, causing me to groan and bury my face in my pillow.

"It's time to get up!" he says cheerfully. My 14-year-old brother pulls the covers off of me, the cold hitting my body and making me want nothing more than the warmth of being covered. "Time to get out of bed Serafina Anya! It's reaping day!"

He says it so cheerfully. He doesn't know. I sit up and rub my eyes. My brother's black hair, usually messy, is combed down all neat, or as neat as it can be. His eyes are bright. "Hurry up or else I'm going to have to pour a bucket of seawater on you!

I get out of bed, stretching with a yawn. My little brother goes bounding back to the kitchen, all while I go to the bathroom to get ready.

I wash my face, brush my teeth, comb my hair, black like my brothers. I pull my hair back into a wavy ponytail. I look in the mirror and put on some make-up, glancing at my brown eyes as I put on some eyeliner. I tie a white ribbon around my wrist, to keep for later. When that's done, I step into a dress, the news replaying in my head.

"Serafina Anya, it has come to the attention of the trainers that the female volunteer for District 4 is dropping out due to an injury. You are number two in training. The opportunity is yours to volunteer for the Games. It is essential that District 4 have two volunteers as we hope to become a permanent Career District in the near future." I nodded and smiled, of course. After all, volunteering is a privilege and an honor. I should be pleased to volunteer.

I told my best friends the news, and I was beaming. Lowell hugged me tight and beamed with congratulations, Camilla said something inappropriate but was happy for me, Sessa tripped over her own feet in an excited effort to hug me. My mother and step-father gave me hugs and congratulations. My older sister Vandala was impressed, Ohen was bouncing off the walls.

The truth is, I don't want to volunteer. Not at all. I never liked the Games, really. And seeing that malicious Diesel Bundren on my television, promising that these Games would be the most dramatic, troublesome, violent Games the Capitol's ever seen, isn't helping.

I put on a short, puffy green dress with a sweetheart neckline, and put on a nice silver necklace to match my silver wedges. I go to the kitchen for breakfast.

Vandala is in the kitchen, waiting for me. She has a plate with a crepe on it, topped with some fresh fruit of all things, waiting for me. I take it gratefully and sit down to eat. Ohen scarfs down a generous helping of food before putting his plate in the sink and running to the door.

"Where are you off to so fast?" I ask, but I already know.

"Shut up," he says, his tan face going red with embarrassment.

"Tell Evie I said hi," I tell him, smiling, trying to get rid of the heavy weight resting in my stomach.

Vandala doesn't look as amused with our fun and games. She's ready to be her own person.

"Okay, okay," he says, running out the door. His girlfriend Evie is so sweet, she's a year older than him at 15. I like the girl quite a lot, and their young love is cute. I know he wants to spend lots of time with her before the reaping, even if there isn't a fear of either of them getting reaped.

I eat with Vandala, who keeps mature conversation. "How's your next routine going?" she asks me.

I think about it, smiling. "It's going well. I'm still working on the choreography, but it should go well." I'm a dancer by nature. I've been dancing since I could toddle, though I didn't start properly taking lessons until age 4. Thanks to my practicing ballet, I'm both strong and flexible, which helps more than you'd expect in Training.

"Nice."

"How's your next masterpiece?" I ask her.

"Still in the works. I need to go to Artisan and see if there's more red paint there."

"Ah, I see." I smile. My sister is a painter, her favorite subject being the countryside. We don't really have much experience with it, but she's a very creative, clever person that has a lot of artistic vision. Since we're really quite fortunate, we can express ourselves.

Next year, Vandala will be 21 years old, and she'll be ready to move out and get her own small place. Next year, I could be dead. Yeah, I try to avoid that thought.

I have to keep a smile on my face through this whole thing, as is the usual. I'm a very positive, bubbly person. When people need a smile, they come to me. I couldn't burden anyone with my problems. It wouldn't be right of me.

I finish my breakfast and rinse off my plate. Vandala puts her plate in the sink as well as our mother and step-father come out of their bedroom, dressed nicely in their reaping clothes.

"Good morning, my Beauties," says Stan, hugging Vandala and then me, and we greet him.

Mom hugs Vandala and then gives me a tight hug. "My volunteer," she says, hugging me tighter. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks," I say, trying to fend off the sense of dread in my stomach. I really don't like this feeling of nerves and of dread. I swallow hard, keeping the laidback, casual smile on my face.

"I want to go catch the others before my reaping," I say, keeping my same, cheerful tone of voice.

"Oh, of course." Mom kisses the top of my head. "Good luck. Smile pretty. Stand tall."

"I will," I promise. Then, with one last wave to my family, I leave the house and make my way to the beach to meet my friends.

On any other day, District 4 citizens would be shot for having recreational time on the beach. But, since it's reaping day, the beach is open to all. The summer sun is already bright and hot. Some groups of people are meeting on the beach, and I don't stop until I find a group of my besties hanging out by the water.

"Serafina Anya!" Lowel shouts, waving his scrawny arms at me. I smile at my friends and rush down the sand to meet them.

"Hey!" I greet my friends.

"Hi!" says Lowel, giving me a hug. I stay away from the water to prevent it from ruining my reaping clothes and make-up. Lowel is one year older than me, meaning this is his last reaping. He wasn't chosen to volunteer, but he doesn't mind. He's so happy-go-lucky and optimistic that the Games don't mean much to him.

"Aren't you excited!?" gushes Sessa. Sessa has the prettiest ginger hair ever, and though she gets flustered easily and often trips over herself, she's still so sweet and lovable. Sessa's actually closer to my brother's age than mine, at 15. She wears a loose-fitting dress because she's insecure of her body. She says she's fat, but she's not more than cutely chubby. She's adorable, but she doesn't see it. Hopefully someday soon.

"Yeah, of course!" I lie seamlessly. Nobody knows what I'm dealing with, all the negative emotions threatening to come out if prompted. I wouldn't want them to know, though.

"I'm so happy for you, Serafina Anya!" Lowel looks at me, admiration in his eyes.

"Me too!" says Sessa.

Camilla smirks at me, her shoes long-since abandoned on the shore and her feet in the water, not even minding if the waves accidentally graze the bottom of her dress. "Congrats, man," she says. "You're going to be the goddamned best tribute the Capitol's ever seen."

Sessa and Lowel exchange a look at Camilla's bad language. She swears often, and when she does we cringe, but we still care a lot for her. It's what friends do.

"You're going to the Capitol! You're going to be a star!" Lowel says. "That's awesome! I'll be able to say-" He strikes a dramatically thoughtful pose. "Who, Serafina Anya? Well yeah, she was my best friend way back in the day!"

"We're going to be best friends even after I win," I tell him. "There will be none of this-" I make finger quotes- "way back in the day."

Sessa beams. Lowel shrugs, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Let's just enjoy this time together," I say. I want to have happy last memories with them. I'm not saying that they're for sure last memories, heavens no, because I am trained and strong. I'm just saying that right now I have to live like I'm dying. Just in case.

After some more fun and conversation, my friends and I get out of the water and walk to the reapings together. We stand in line together to get our fingers pricked. They take the blood from my finger and that pit of apprehension form in my stomach again. I know that if I don't volunteer, there will be a severe price to pay. Especially if a young girl is reaped.

My fate is sealed, but I try to keep calm and keep the smile on. First, we bid farewell to Lowel as he goes to the boys section and we go to the girls'. Camilla and I drop off Sessa in the section for 15-year-old girls before we walk together to the section for 17-year-old girls.

I start to get more and more nervous. I know that when the reaping starts, I'll have to volunteer. I'll have to be strong and powerful. As soon as the cameras start rolling, I'm going to be judged by the Capitol. I'll be competing for sponsors. I'll have to intimidate tributes. I have to prove why I can be a Victor.

Suddenly, the mayor begins to speak, and the time is now. I stand up taller. I ball up my hands into fists. I keep a determined look on my face, a smile (as is usual for me) but a powerful one instead of a friendly one.

The mayor stops talking and a video plays, a video with the Capitol anthem, and plenty of dramatic actors drying and feigning and pretending.

The escort takes the stage, an absolutely disgusting-looking man that's grossly overweight with blue hair, overly red lips, and no neck. He's a literal sphere save for his stubby legs, and you could roll him down a hill if you wanted to.

Hydra Ploughman. I always hoped I wouldn't have to deal with him, I'd never have to even think of communicating with him, but here I'm going to have to.

"Good morning District 4," he says, a smile on his face. "And welcome to the reaping for the 84th annual Hunger Games!" He smiles at us. The crowd applauds politely.

"So, without further ado, let's begin. First, I will pick our female tribute." He picks a piece of paper, clears his throat, and reads the name. I don't pay attention, everything starts to blur, it's time to be brave…

"I volunteer as tribute!" It doesn't sound as scared as I thought, which is good. I put my head up, keeping a smile on, and walk to the stage.

"Wonderful, just wonderful! Tell me, dear, what is your name?"

I clear my throat. "Serafina Anya Lecter," I say, flipping my ponytail over my shoulder.

"Very nice! And now for our male tribute!" Hydra waddles over to the male's bowl. He reaches into the bowl and picks out a name as everything becomes clear again. I look out into the crowd, see my family and friends, the many citizens of our District, all watching me.

Soon, I'm joined on stage by a tall boy with tan skin and bronze hair. His brown eyes stare at me, quietly, coldly. He seems detached from the people around him.

"Yes, and what's your name?"

When he speaks, his voice sounds dead. "Collin Glaucus."

"Oh, yes, wonderful! Everyone, your District 4 tributes, Serafina Anya Lecter and Collin Glaucus!" The District claps. I hold out my hand to Collin, who takes it and shakes it with a strong, choking grip.

We go back into the Justice Building.

~.~.

-Collin Glaucus, 17- A-Bookworm-Named-Steph-

The boat is sinking. Waves rock it violently. Men are screaming: nine of them, plus me. My father is at the very head, giving commands.

"We're going to keep this vessel afloat!" his voice booms, as he gives commands to others. Water spills over the safety railing, soaking up to my waist as the boat rocks.

"Dad! What can I do?! Dad!?" He has a lot of other things to think about, but I want to help.

Suddenly, the boat shakes violently. Waves crash against the side. The sky is dark and there's a rumbling of thunder.

"Get the rafts! Macentire, take Collin on the lifeboat! Abandon ship! We're sinking!"

"Dad! No!" I want to be with my father. I'm pulled off and things start to blur. "DAD!" I shout, not wanting to be taken with him. "NO!" We're loaded onto an inflatable lifeboat, me and one of my Dad's associates. "Row!" he shouts. "Row for your life!" The boat rocks and my vision blurs, but I row with what I have. Soon, Macentire is whisked off the lifeboat in a huge wave, and I try to find him but can't do it.

I keep rowing, vision blurred, focused on staying alive, trying to keep moving as it goes silent except for the sound of the ocean.

The ocean, which used to mean everything to you, my favorite toy, now turned against me.

I wash up on the beach, stumbling out on the boat and sprawling out on the dry land, the sand, exhausted, shouting with wails and tears and crying out, longing for my father and his crewmates to come back even though I know they're gone.

A group of people come to me, but I don't want to see them. I don't want to talk to them, I'm too overcome with grief. Their voices, all frantic, blur together, I can't hear what they're saying, I want my father back, I can't, I hate them, they're not letting me alone, I'm not answering their questions-

I'm tackled to the ground by a boy a couple years older than I am, shouting at me, but his voice sounds like it's under water and in a faraway tunnel, I can't make sense of his words, I can't hear him, I can't hear anything, everything is blurred together…

I feel a dull pain but I can't compute what's happening to me, all I know is that my father is gone, he's gone, my Dad is gone, I'm going to have to tell my little brother Tryin that Dad is gone, what am I going to do…?

Uncle is the one that wakes me up from that horrible nightmare. I sit up, breathing heavy, tears dotting my eyes. I wipe them away, angry at myself for crying even if it was in my sleep.

That happened two years ago, but I haven't stopped reliving it since. Ever since that day I haven't been able to trust anything. I haven't wanted to trust anyone. I've closed myself off to protect myself. The walls I've built around my heart protect my emotions from pain like I felt that day.

I get out of bed slowly, going to the bathroom. I still walk with a bit of a limp from that day, when I was the only one of ten that washed up to shore and was practically delirious with grief. One of the brothers of the crewmates attacked me, and ever since I walk with a bit of a limp. I wash the tears from my face in the bathroom.

Just to add to the misery, I'm volunteering today. I have to win the Games and make something of myself. I was chosen and to say no would have consequences. I'm strong and a fighter, and I'm so closed-off… I have what it takes.

I get dressed in a nice shirt and pants, going downstairs where Tryin is waiting for me for breakfast.

"Collin!" he says, hugging me. I smile a bit and hug him back. My brother is only seven years old, and he's the most important thing I have. Everything I do, I do with him in mind. I need to win to get home to him, and so that we can live away from Uncle and burden him no longer.

I eat breakfast with Tryin when Uncle comes in. He looks sympathetic. He knows we're nothing but poor, sorry orphans. And yet he has compassion on us anyways.

"Did you enjoy your reaping breakfast?" Uncle asks.

"Yeah!" says Tryin enthusiastically. I nod curtly. "Thank you." I don't want to have another relationship like I had with my father if I can help it. The world out there is just too cruel for love. You love someone who loves you back, and then tragedy strikes and who's left alone? You are. I am.

I've been hurt too much to open up again. I don't even treat my friends the same way.

The cousins come downstairs for breakfast, chatting up a storm. Tryin is soon dragged into the conversation, giggling and chattering with the other five boys. I just can't make myself be that loud, fun-loving kid anymore. That died when I lost my father.

With a quick goodbye to Tryin, I leave the house. I see groups of people walking to beach, happy that this is the only day it's open to the public to enjoy. I immediately get tense as the horrible memories come back, and I turn the other way.

Nowadays, I avoid going to the beach. The ocean is no longer my friend. I work out on a boat from dawn to dusk each day, but I hate it. When I was a boy, I was loud and innocent and naïve, the ocean was one of my best friends. I used to love it, I used to be enthused when we would go out on a boat to the ocean.

Now, though, I know better. The ocean's become an adversary, an old enemy. I don't like to think about it, it's associated with too many bad memories.

Instead, I go toward the town. There are plenty of little shops that will be there to entertain before the reaping.

People stare at me as I go into the many stores. They know that I'm the scheduled volunteer. Some little kids stare at me in awe. Some people stop me and say congratulations, but I shrug them off with a scowl. There's no way I'm opening up.

I stand in a small pawn shop, looking at some of the old antiques that are in there, when I hear a conversation between two of the guys in the store.

"Did you hear what happened to Millicent!?"

"Poor girl got injured!"

"Did you see the girl that's going to take her place?"

"She's so damn happy all the time it's pointless."

"District 4 doesn't have what it takes to be a full Career. Both the volunteers this year are 17!"

"What about the boy?"

"So freaking quiet. He's always scowling and angry. Might have what it takes but won't get any sponsors because he's just a sourpuss that never smiles."

I tense up. I leave the store quickly, and I still don't think the boys ever noticed me there. I know that I'm detached, it's not news, but it still hurts. I wish I could be the boy who loved everyone, had fun, smiled big, laughed loud, but that's not who I am anymore.

I see Phillip in one of the stores. He turns around and waves to me. Phillip works on my boat with me. He's one of the only people I could find that would help me participate in the necessary rituals to protect my boat from bad spirits.

"Hey!" he says cheerfully. He's very much unlike me in personality.

"Hi," I say. I don't want to get to close to him in fears that we might… Sink.

"Are you ready for your big day?" He pats me on the back, flashing me a white smile.

"As ready as I can be," I say, sighing a bit.

"You're going to be awesome," he says, smiling. "Like, amazing awesome."

"Thanks. I have to go meet Josh, but I'll talk to you later."

"Alright. See you!"

I wave. Then I walk to the place I know Joshua will be waiting, hopefully without a group of girls surrounding him. He so often has ladies surrounding him, especially nowadays. He's just the kind of guy that has some major popularity.

He has so many friends, and so many admirers, I still don't know why he's hanging out with me. He has so many friends, and I have basically none. I haven't opened myself up enough to have any.

"Hey!" he says, "It's the volunteer!"

"Hi," I mumble, relieved that there don't seem to be any girls in sight.

Joshua is such a catch because he's everything that I'm not: loyal, optimistic, friendly, amiable… He deserves a friend that actually wants to talk to him instead of one that constantly tries to push him away like I do. I just don't want to get too close to him. I don't trust that he'll be around my whole life. I can't trust that anyone will be around.

"Are you ready for the reaping?"

I shrug my shoulders. He starts walking that way and I walk with him.

Together, we start walking to the Square for the reaping. Josh makes small-talk, and I contribute nothing. He smiles and waves at groups of people as we go, excited bubbly girls that oooh and aaah when he looks their way.

We get our fingers pricked and together we walk to the section for 17-year-old boys. "Today's all about you," he says, "Don't even mind the girl. Today is for Collin Glaucus." I shrug a little bit. I don't really care for the attention.

All I know is that I have to win for Tryin.

The mayor begins to speak and the reaping officially begins. He goes on and then the escort takes the stage.

Hydra Ploughman is someone who most District 4 recoils from. He's so grossly overweight, and so incredibly fake. People have said that he's a nice man, but I'm not so sure I believe them.

"Good morning District 4," he says, smiling. "And welcome to the reaping for the 84th annual Hunger Games!" The crowd claps, as is custom for District 4. We don't go crazy like other Career Districts, but we do make some noise.

"So, without further ado, let's begin," Hydra says. I watch intently for the first impression of my competition. "First, I will pick our female tribute." The District isn't too worried, because we know there's a scheduled volunteer as Four tries to challenge One and Two for most Victors. He picks a name.

"Kamini Farrows!" A girl from the 13-year-old section starts toward the stage. There's a bit of a delay before someone shouts, "I volunteer as tribute!"

It's loud and confident. A girl with a dark, wavy ponytail and brown cat eyes struts up to the stage.

"Wonderful, just wonderful! Tell me, dear, what is your name?" Hydra looks thrilled as she smiles, clears her throat and announces, "Serafina Anya Lecter," She seems confident.

"Very nice! And now for our male tribute!" My moment has come at last.

Hydra picks a name from the bowl. "Faraji Greco!"

The boy starts out from the 14-year-old section, but I stop him short. "I volunteer!" It's the loudest I've spoken in a long while. I realize that soon, I'll be fighting for my own survival, and swallow a lump in my throat as I start up to the stage.

"Yes, and what's your name?" Hydra asks.

I mumble into the microphone, "Collin Glaucus."

"Oh, yes, wonderful! Everyone, your District 4 tributes, Serafina Anya Lecter and Collin Glaucus!" The District claps for us. The girl smiles and holds out her hand to me. I take it and shake it with a strong, firm grip to show her that I'm not playing around.

Then, we turn around and go back to the Justice Building.

Uncle visits first, Tryin in tow. My brother immediately clings to me and cries. Ever since he was informed of what the Games really were, he's been horrified of them.

"Collin!" he cries, sitting in my lap. "You're really going away!" He hugs me and I just hug him back, not knowing what to say to him.

"I'm going to come home," I try.

"You could die! What if you die!? Like Dad!? I don't want you to die, Collin!" he sobs. I hold him tightly.

"I won't. I'm coming back to you." I say it certainly. He buries his face in my chest, sobbing and hiccupping with tears. I hold him close.

"I'm going to take care of the boy," whispers Uncle. "No matter what. I promise. I owe it to your father."

"Thanks," I whisper back, holding the sobbing Tryin close to me.

"I love you," I whisper to them. "I'm coming home. You'll understand why I have to do this. I have to get money and a good life for us."

Uncle ruffles my hair. "Love you too."

"I love you Collin," sobs Tryin. I kiss the top of his head, holding him close, whispering reassuring words as much as I can.

The Peacekeepers escort them out, Trying shouting and sobbing. "NO! COLLIN!"

Joshua and some other friends come in, greeting me and taking a seat.

"Good luck," Josh says awkwardly, not really sure what to say. This should be a happy thing, but I think Josh knows how I'm dreading it.

"Thanks."

"You'll do well," he says awkwardly.

"Thanks."

We sit in silence.

"Josh?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks for being a friend."

He nods. "Sure thing." He pats me on the back. "Good luck. Again."

"Yeah. Thanks." He leaves.

~.~.

-Seraphina Anya-

Stan is the first to come in, Ohen going with him.

"That was totally awesome, Serafina Anya!" Ohen gushes, bouncing happily. I smile at him, accepting his hug. "Be the best tribute ever, alright?" he asks, his eyes sparkling with awe at what I've done.

"Of course," I smile at him. "I'll be home soon." I have to be. My family and friends need me.

I just keep that light, friendly, bubbly smile on my face as I hug my brother and step-father goodbye.

"Where's Mom?" I ask, confused.

"She has to be at work. They're doing an analysis of your volunteering as we speak. It appears that Training doesn't stop for anything, now that Four wants to work up to District 2 and 1 standards in terms of the Games."

"Oh." My mother trains the youngest age group at the Academy.

"What about Vandala?" I ask, looking. "Is she coming on her own?"

"She got swamped up in her moving plans. She just has too much to do." My heart sinks. If only I had known at the time that this morning would've been my last goodbye to my mother and sister. I have to get home, now. That wasn't a proper final goodbye!

"Don't worry," Stan says, seeing how upset the news must have made me, "They said to send their love."

"Right." I smile again like it doesn't bother me that much. "I'll be back soon, anyways."

Stan hugs me. "Yes, that's the spirit."

"Time's up," the Peacekeepers say.

"Good luck!" Ohen says, "Don't forget to be awesome!"

"I love you guys," I say. They both return it as the Peacekeepers escort them out.

Next come my friends. Each of them gives me a hug.

"That was great!" says Lowel.

"Amazing," agrees Sessa.

"Fucking rad," Camilla grins, causing the others to roll their eyes. I keep my smile on.

"Thanks. I'm really going into the Games. I can't believe it."

"What are you taking as your District token?" asks Lowel.

I show them the ribbon I'd tied around my wrist earlier this morning. "I always tie it around my ponytail when I dance. It will give me good luck."

"It's beautiful," says Sessa, her eyes wide.

"Thanks," I smile.

"You're going to be wonderful,' Lowel says.

"I'm so happy for you," gushes Sessa. "You were great and you're going to be great."

"Show them who's boss," Camilla says, patting my back. "I know you've got it in you."

"Thanks guys." We go into big group hug. "I love you guys."

"We love you too," they all say, smiling.

"I'll be home soon."

"You'd better be." says Lowel with a grin. The other two agree.

"Time's up!" the Peacekeepers say. The group walks out together, still smiling.

I keep that toxic smile on my face, hiding what I really feel. That's the best way to win the Games, after all. Hydra leads Collin and I out to the train together, smiling. I keep my chin up.

Soon, we're speeding away, toward the Capitol.

A/N: Yay, another chapter! I enjoyed writing these tributes! Let me know what you think!

I started a blog for this story/all my SYOT madness! It's celtic-syot-shenanigans . blogspot . com and it doesn't have much on it yet but it will have mentor profiles, the bios of the head honchos, one-shots, head-canons, and AUs that don't fit in the story, sneak peeks, and updates. Check it out, let me know what you think!

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