Here are the District 14 Reapings. Also, I realized I made a mistake in the last chapter. The fire starter from the Hunger Games was District 8 not 9, but oh well. One thing for this chapter, Suzanne Collins never mentioned months in her books so I had to make a rough estimate for the next part.
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Capitol Video Library- Section B, Subsection D, Video Number 16
The following video is for authorized Capitol citizens only! Any viewers found going through said video without previously approved papers will be dealt with immediately. You have been warned.
The following video presents the beginning and development of District 14. All information has been verified.
District 14 was first proposed during the 60nd Hunger Games on May 17th. The idea was immediately shot down due to space problems and population size worries. However, the idea became more realistic when a Capitol scientist proposed new forms of energy sources for Capitol use. When considering using these sources, the logical way of adapting to them was to build a District to test them.
District 14 was proposed again and approved by Coriolanus Snow two years later during the 62nd Hunger Games on May 20th. Construction began immediately on what was known as Energy 14. The date marking the first day of construction is unknown.
The project was kept a secret from all of Panem for simple security reasons. Construction was completed less than six months later. The President himself arrived to on the finishing day to confirm completion. The new District was up to standards and crowned District 14, home of Testing Energy Sources.
The Capitol refused to solicit living spaces in the new District and did not speak of the new District at all. The reason given was that the Capitol was unsure how the District would manage and didn't want to shine spotlight on it before it proved successful. Instead, twenty people per District were shipped to District 14 as a test population for the new environment.
The District thrived with the little spotlight put on it. However, some Capitol officials began getting restless over the fact their children were not subjected to entering the Hunger Games. After a year long debate, the Capitol decided it would enter District 14 into the Hunger Games when its population of children reached one hundred.
It is unexplained how District 14 managed to avoid the Hunger Games for fourteen years. Many Capitol officials blame it on the Capitol directly telling them they didn't have to submit children until they reached a child population of one hundred. The officials think District 14 purposely kept their child population down. The mayor of District 14 denies such claims.
District 14 as a whole is marked the fourth richest District behind 1, 2, and 4. It is largely due to their small population though. Still, most of District 14 remains in the middle class area, more than most Districts boast.
Currently, District 14 cultivates solar power and wind energy. Capitol scientists are still looking into hydropower. Their industry proves to be very successful. Most of the population works to maintain the machinery and processes required to harvest these types of energy. Like all Districts, a small population works as shop keepers.
The people of District 14 are shown to be quite rigid, determined people. They work hard at what they do and with great results. The people enjoy the lifestyles they live and it seems to be a relatively happy District. However, not much else has been documented about their behavior.
District 14 remains mostly a mystery. Information has been leaked here or there, but the country still remains in the dark over District 14. When the District reaches the child population of one hundred though, they will be known.
Edit: Let the record show District 14 has been announced publically and will be participating in the 77th Hunger Games.
End of Video
District 14: Astrid Aelish's POV
District 14, what a joke. It isn't even a real District if you think about it logically. All we do is provide energy. But not the normal kind of energy, no we provide energy that no one even knows exists. I have lived here for fifteen of my seventeen years and that is what I think of my home sweet home.
Real I could get past all what District 14 does if it wasn't for the people of District 14. They are just so happily and obliviously stupid. They don't work for anything. The Capitol tells them what to do, they push a couple of buttons, and they are finished. The rest of the day they spend wandering around town just smiling with each other. There is absolutely no productivity. It is not like it is even sunny in our District anyway. District 14 is just full of mindless socialites.
It is a dog eat dog world and they are little cats compared to that. However, they are sheltered cats. Cats that don't do anything and still get tuna at the end of the day. I hate cats.
I manage to run through that whole mindset while reading a book on the full History of Reapings in Panem and walking to the first actual District 14 Reaping. I am actually happy on the inside. Finally District 14 is getting some reality.
"Are you excited for the Reapings?" Wessen asks me. My flicker up to his face and my brother is indeed smiling. I would be elated if he smiling for the reason I would be smiling. But he is just smiling to smile. In other words, he is wasting my time.
"I love the idea of two of the little children in our District being sent to their death," I mumble to him while skimming a brief section on volunteering. "By the way, that brush of sarcasm will cost you later." Wessen laughs at this, but he says no more.
People like my brother are my real problem. It is people like him who bother me. He goes through life without taking anything seriously. My parents didn't work their way to middle class for us to have their oldest son wasting away to the socialite bug. I am not working my ass off to support people like him either.
That is why District 14 is a joke. There is nothing logical about District 14. There is no substance to District 14. There is no hard-work in District 14. There are too many stupid people in District 14. There is too much of District 14.
Logically, the world would be a better, more productive place with out District 14.
Karter Neandra's POV
I never imagined this day would come. No one ever imagined it would come. The District had worked so hard to keep down the population, but I guess the Capitol really does always win. Ah well, whatever happens, happens.
"Ready for our first Reapings, Tommy?" I ask my best friend who is walking at a slow pace behind me. He narrows his eyes at me at the nickname. I can tell he isn't as excited for the day off as I am. Some people view the world like that though.
I myself view the world as a great place. I moved here to district 14 when I was two years old from District 2. I think that was when my life turned lucky. Not only did I get to avoid the burden of training, I didn't have to worry about Reapings at all. I just went to school, worked odd jobs, and let life take me where it wanted to. You could call it a charmed life.
As I've said, I never believed this day would come. The Reapings were somewhat of a joke here in District 14. Kids used it as a term when picking teams for football or other sports. It was actually good to get reaped first. However, now it has a new meaning and not a good one.
Kids have been nervous for weeks over the real Reapings. No one enjoys a good joke or prank anymore. Everyone has turned into such downers. Leave it to the Capitol to ruin the best District, one that is not blood thirsty or penniless. Now we were just a bunch of nervous wrecks.
Well not me, but everyone else.
I reach the large town square with Tommy right behind me. It is strange to see the usually bustling, jolly square turn into a crowed mess of sullen people. Not one person in the crowd is smiling. The younger kids are crying and clinging to their mothers' shirts. The older kids are trying to mask their obvious fear, but it is easy to see through their lies.
I wish this was all just a joke.
Tommy and I are verified by the Peacekeepers and soon we are in the newly roped seventeen section. Our classmates give us waves and a few boys try to start up a conversation. I happily join in, throwing in a few of my best jokes. However, Tommy just brushes off every single one. I can't believe what just a Reaping has done to him.
"After the Reaping, do you want to go outside the fence and try to catch a few animals?" I whisper to Tommy. That is one of our favorite activities besides playing video games at Tommy's house. I secretly prefer the outdoors over artificial games, but I would never tell Tommy that. Once you are introduced to the rich life, you are addicted forever.
"Whatever," Tommy mutters, staring straight ahead.
"Wow, what a great amount of enthusiasm you have," I say sarcastically. I see Tommy rolling his eyes at my sarcasm. I give up. I turn my back to him and begin to talk to the few boys who are trying to remain normal and I do so until the Reapings begin.
"Hello District 14 and welcome to your first Reapings!" The mayor only gets a faint clap. He doesn't ask for more. He didn't want to have our District subject to Reapings either. But, here we are. He makes it through the first History. We don't have a Victor List since this is our first Games. We actually do have some old victors who came here from other District, such as Tommy's father, but I guess they don't count.
The mayor hands the microphone over to an aqua haired lady with what looks like stenciled in tattoos all over her face. She gives a shining smile before starting. "Hello District 14! I am Kizzy Waterston and I am soooooo honored to be at this new District." She goes on to tell us all about herself before moving on to the first Reaping ball, the girls.
There are only roughly fifty or so names in the ball. No child in the District had to take out a tesserea and most of our kids are still only twelve or thirteen. Kizzy digs into the ball and pulls out the name for District 14's first ever female tribute. "Astrid Aelish!"
I know the girl well enough to know she hates me. We have only ever met once and that was when I was heading down the hall and I accidently knocked her books to the ground. She screamed something to me about how I shouldn't be wasting her time like this. I told her she shouldn't worry about wasting five seconds picking up books, but not in a cruel way. I still remember what she said to me afterwards.
"But if I waste five seconds every day picking up books because people like you don't watch where they are going, I would be wasting twenty eight minutes a year. That is probably about how long it takes you to process what I just said. So, I should worry about wasting five seconds of my time. And now I have wasted a whole two and half minutes explaining to you why I should be worried about it. This is why I don't associate with the likes of people like you. I won't be seeing you around."
She stormed off, leaving me astonished and a bit confused. I didn't ever see her around after that. Well, I did see her in class, but I never even talked to her again. That was five years ago. I would like to say it is a just a coincidence, but I know she tries to avoid interacting with me.
I see her now walking up the stage. She looks just like she always does: driven and above all determined. I'm sure she doesn't know what she should be driven to do or why she should be determine, but she just is. Her focus in the worst situation is truly astounding.
I remember her being the girl with her face in the books. She always was carrying something. Her life was work. It wasn't that no one liked her. She just seemed like she never had time. I'm positive that deep down she is a somewhat pleasant person who could even be popular. Maybe if she wins the Games she will relax and get a nose job. I think that is where all her stress comes from.
The crowd gives her a token of applause as Kizzy struts across the stage to call the next, now male name. The crowd holds its breath again, awaiting the name. "Congratulations Karter Neandra!"
I don't register really anything directly around me. I don't even get my own thoughts in order. My eyes just got to one place. I get a good glimpse of Astrid's face only to see the look of disgust on her face. Her eyes lock with mine for a brief, anger filled second before I have to look away.
If only I could joke my way out of this mess.
Capitol: Roxlie McNeely's POV
I jam my thumb on the off button on the remote and sink further into the couch. My mind felt numb from all the Capitol talk of the Reapings. It must be at least ten, far past the bedtime my parents set, but do not enforce. Since my sister isn't here to carry out said bedtime, I got to stay up far past it. I don't find it as enjoyable as I thought I would.
"How were the Reapings?" A huge grin spreads across my face at the voice. I turn my head around and the voice indeed belongs to Shaw. I jump off the couch and wrap my tiny arms around his waist. He gives me a kiss on my forehead. I can't help, but notice the foul smell of cheap liquor all over him.
"They were really good," I say into his lower chest. I pull away to look at him. I haven't been able to for awhile. He looks the same, but at the same time different. His eyes look more sunken in and his face is so hollow. I hardly recognize him.
"Any cute boys this year?" he asks me with a smirk. I smile back, but with less enthusiasm this time. He is missing a tooth on the bottom and his teeth in general are yellowing. Still, his smile is always welcoming.
"I like the boy from four," I remark with a huge smile at the thought of Karter. I usually went for the boys from District 1, since they were usually bred to be handsome. This year though, I am being drawn to Karter's boyish charm.
"Isn't he a bit old for you?" Shaw asks with a chuckle. I give him my best fake pout and shake my head.
"He is only older by year," I correct him, crossing my arms across my chest, thinking it will prove my point. Shaw just laughs again and ruffles my hair. "It is only a year," I insist more strongly. He looks like he is about to respond when the door creaks open and Jazz comes in. She looks at Shaw first, a burst of rage entering her eyes.
"Roxlie, get to bed," Jazz says sternly, but her scornful gaze stays on Shaw. I do as I am told and walk down the long corridor towards my bedroom. However, I stay outside my door, hiding behind the bog fern my parents placed there years ago. I can't hear them well from my own room.
"What are you doing here and playing with her emotions like that?" Jazz snaps first, beginning what might prove to be their biggest argument. I hear the dropping of bags and the sound of hurried footsteps crossing the living room.
"I am not playing with her emotions. She is my baby sister. I can talk to her," Shaw remarks softly. I know he is scared of Jazz deep down, even if he won't admit it. Boys aren't supposed to be afraid of their younger sister.
"Sure, you can talk to her tonight and in the morning. Then you can disappear again before she gets home and crush her yet again. You know who has to be her shoulder to cry on? Me," Jazz yells as quietly as she can. It astounds me she feels that way. I never thought she loathed me whining to her about Shaw.
"It won't be like that this time. I'll talk to her tomorrow and say good-bye to her for good. I am moving out tomorrow. It is all worked out," Shaw tells her. I snap a part of the fern from gripping the plant to hard. Shaw was planning on moving out.
"What?"
"I have got it all ready. I bought an apartment as far away as I could and I am going to wait up for mom and dad. I'm sure they won't be too angry. They might be elated."
"You can't do that. How the hell are you ever going to support yourself? The only thing you do is sleep around and co-run an illegal teenage casino. Things like that are going to land you in jail or worse. And if you don't end up there you will just end up on the streets of dying of a drug overdose. You're just a shameless funky, Shaw!"
"And what are you Jazz? Some uptight, self-serving bitch? All you care about is getting ahead now. I think I liked the old Jazz better. At least she knew how to keep her mouth shut and just go along with the crowd. The new Jazz just wants to shove Capitol propaganda down the country's throat!"
"There was no old Jazz, but that night is never coming up again. Maybe it will be a good change when you move out. At least I won't have to listen to your crap anymore!"
"But right there you just proved there was in fact a more fun Jazz. This Jazz would never keep a secret like the Fiona thing."
"Don't bring up the Fiona thing."
The Fiona thing. That was something I have been hearing come up so many times. It mostly in the arguments between Shaw and Jazz, but sometimes Daze mentions it too. I hardly remember my other older sister. She was younger than Jazz and Shaw, but my parents told me she moved out about a year ago. I believed it until the night of Jazz and Shaw's first major fight. They were throwing insults at each other up until Shaw yelled something about what happened to Fiona. I didn't hear it clearly, but it opened my eyes to the fact that she didn't just move out.
"I am so glad I am moving out. I am done with this life. I would leave the Capitol if I could. Unfortunately, that isn't an option for me."
"Well, I am glad you are leaving too. Have a nice life!" I hear footsteps storming down the hallway and I recede farther back into the fern. Luckily for me, Jazz's room isn't as far down as mine.
"Same for you Jazz!" The door slams after Shaw's final sneer. I hear Shaw collapse on the couch and turn the TV on. I strong blast of blue light fills the dark hallway. Despite this, I come out of the shadows and put my back against the wall. I feel as if someone has just dropped a massive weight on to my shoulders. I do what anyone would do.
I slide down the wall and let the tears come streaming down.
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There you go, the last Reapings. I hope I did my new District justice. I don't think I did, but I'll try to shine more light on it as we go along.
Next order of business, alliance and romance nominations. Go on to the We Live As We Die forum to nominate anyone and everyone for alliances and romances. This is the only way your character will get a romance. If you can't comment on the forum, look at it then do your nominations here.
I hope you liked it. Reviews are just one button click away. Peace, Love, and All That Jazz.
-Emma