A/N: Ok. Time to start with the actual storytelling and get on with the reapings. Let me know what you think of things and any ideas you have by leaving me a review. Different chapters will have different POV and some will have more than one POV in the chapter so I will put at the start of things who's POV it is from.
Disclaimer: I do not own the hunger games or the characters.
1. Capitol Reaping
Effie's POV
Well, the day is finally here that everyone has been talking about for weeks. It is the day of the reaping for the 50th hunger games. This is going to be the most exciting reaping so far for the Capitol since this year one of our very own is going to be going in to the arena to represent us. It has been the talk of the Capitol ever since the announcement was made. My mother has been going on about how much of a proud time it is for the Capitol and she hopes that they choose the right tribute who can win for us. It isn't just her though. Most of my friends in school have been chatting excitedly about what they are going to look like at the reaping. In the districts it seems to be tradition to dress in your best clothes so out class has recently been filled with chatter about clothes and hairstyles. There are a couple in my class who have been noticably terrified of the idea that there is going to be a Capitol tribute and it could be them. To them we have all tried to give the same reassurance. There are hundreds of us and we all only have our name in once so it is extremely unlikely that it will be them. Others are wondering whether or not they should volunteer for whoever is picked. It is a once in a lifetime thing after all since there will only ever be one Capitolite that is picked out for the arena at a reaping.
When I arrive, I can see that the city circle has been set up much like the town squares in the districts. There are roped off areas for the eligible children to stand in according to age and gender. A long queue has started to form at the entrance to the area and I know that I must join it and check in ready for the proceedings to begin. I look at my parents, who are standing next to me and I wave with a smile. "Good luck dear," my mother says softly. I don't know whether that is supposed to mean she wants me to get reaped or not. That woman has always been an enigma to me. "See you later sweetie." My father is much easier to read. He doesn't want me to get chosen today because as much of an honor as it would be, I think he would prefer me alive. I can't really find the words to say so I leave them behind in silence, heading for the desk. The line dies down and I get to the front where I go up to the desk where a peacekeeper is sat and they prick my finger to draw blood. How uncivilised. They didn't even give a warning of what they were about to do. It is certainly no way to treat a young lady.
Once all that awful business is dealt with I make my way to the area that I am supposed to be in and stand with some of my classmates. Most of them seem pretty excited and there is a lot of chatter between them all. I join in when they start discussing outfits, hoping they will like my black and white dress with a lovely hat to match. My hair is backcombed and looks rather wild but it suits the outfit in my opinion. I stand in the back row of my section so I can turn backwards and chat with my school friend Portia, who is a year younger than me. Her outfit is absolutely stunning but I would expect nothing less. My friend is mad about fashion and someday wants to be a stylist. She certainly has the talent for it so maybe one day. If it weren't for the ropes, anyone would think that we were stood in the school field sharing our conversation. It was then that silence fell suddenly and the reaping begins. It starts with the history of Panem and the dark days. Having heard it so many times at school it is actually quite boring to listen to here. I pity those in the districts who have to listen to it at the reaping every single year. Then Sapphire, the escort chosen to pick the Capitol tribute, stood up and greeted us the traditional way. "Happy hunger games and may the odds be ever in your favour." With that she reaches her hand into the bowl and reads out a name.
"Euphemia Trinket!"
Wait. What? Out of all the reaping aged Capitol citizens did Sapphire really just pick my name out of that glass ball? The others in my section glaring my way and moving aside to make a pathway tells me that it is not just my hearing. There are different looks on the faces of the people I pass on my way forwards ranging from sadness to jealousy. I look back for just a minute to try and locate Portia, who is stood with a blank expression on her face. The emptiness in her eyes gives her away though. She doesn't want me to go and get killed in the arena. My feet take me up to the stage and Sapphire ushers me up the stairs and into position, her heels clunking loudly as she does so. I can't really focus on her introducing me to everyone as I am too busy trying to think of what to say if the microphone is sent in my direction. Of course I am honoured because nobody else from the Capitol is ever going to be a tribute in the games but there is something else. Fear. I don't want to die and it is going to be near impossible to beat people who have trained for this for years. Besides the fact someone from the Capitol is going to be such a targeted so much I might as well have an archery board stuck to me. Sapphire tilts the microphone towards me and I can only manage a short sentence. "I will try and win for everyone." That is the truth at least. I will try and win even if the odds are against it. It would be an outrage if the Capitol tribute didn't even try to survive the arena. "Good luck Miss Trinket, and may the odds be ever in your favour," Sapphire concludes before the anthem plays and a peacekeeper directs me into the city hall where I will say my goodbyes.