'And so it was decreed, that each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up in tribute, one young man and woman…'
Gah. I'm so sick of this video. I would be rolling my eyes right now if I was sure that I wouldn't be on camera. I learnt after an unfortunate incident during the reaping for the 71st hunger games- the first one I mentored- that they love to do cutaways to victors during the film and it simply doesn't do to be caught yawning or sarcastically mouthing along to the words. I'm sitting at the back of the stage in between Hibiki, who I know is as bored as I know I am, and Mayor Kafka, who will be extremely anxious that the broadcast goes smoothly (Occasionally there have been serious glitches in transmissions and recording. They are widely rumoured to be hackings and deliberate interruptions but the mayor's office has declined to officially comment on it). I keep blank faced but in my head I mimic President Snow's pompous voice.
'To fight to the death in a pageant of honour, courage and sacrifice. The lone victor bathed in riches, would serve as a reminder of our generosity and our forgiveness…'
HA! 'our forgiveness'? you're the ones that need forgiveness. The film is all wrong- making it seem as though we should be grateful for the opportunity to have our children killed.
and victors as a sign as of generosity? I let out a little snort. I hope that wasn't televised.
'This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future'
Dun dun dun. End of the crappy film.
Faunus claps his hands together.
"Ok gals and fellas without further ado let's get down to it- The reason we are all here- lets pick some tributes! Woooooo!"
The silence is deafening but Faunus doesn't seem to care.
"Fellas first this year! "He skips over to the little table at the front and fishes around in the boys container for a name
"Come on up Noah Tikvah! Come on up!"
I look out into the crowd trying to spot the boy. Our reaping is always held inside in the main hall of the Justice building. I think it was built especially for the purpose of reapings and public announcements. I've seen other reapings being held outside with the crowd standing. Here we have long benches and assigned seating. Extremely efficient and organised- it's the district 3 way.
A tiny figure emerges from the far end of the right benches and silently makes his way up the aisle with a peace keeper following close behind. He's around 14, small, black haired, pale- your typical district 3 boy.
Next Faunus enthusiastically calls up a girl named Amber Al-Rimah. The last name seems vaguely familiar- perhaps our families know each other. She's easy to spot as she makes her way to the stage. She's very distinctive looking for district 3. Her hair is light and she is very tall but also extremely thin and weak looking. She totters along like a broken puppet, taller than the peace keeper following her.
Faunus makes them both shake hands as is custom and then bellows his favourite line
"Let's get rrrready to rumble!"
He says it every year but no-one ever really responds. He has often lamented to me that if it were district 1 or 2, his 'catchphrase' would have really taken off.
The official broadcast and has now ended and it's time for a few rounds of publicity photographs .I stand next to the girl for the first time and she is visibly shaking. In fact she looks like she might faint. So I put my arm around her shoulder to prop her up.
I help her across the stage and she grips my hand tightly. As soon as we get to the justice hall foyer, before we can even speak, she faints into my arms. This happens a lot. The heavy bright stage lights and the whiteness of the room combined with the camera flashes and of course, the horror of being reaped, cause many knees to buckle. 2 years ago the boy tribute hit the ground as soon he got up on the stage, falling flat on his face. The clip was shown over and over again all over the Capitol because it apparently had comedic value. It was humiliating for the poor boy. Occasionally they still show it. I saw it a few months ago during Casesar Flickermann's 'most hilarious games moments' montage show. In case you're wondering- Yes. The boy died in the first 5 minutes at the Cornucopia.
Two peacekeepers swiftly come to take the girl off my hands and I watch slightly mournfully as they carry her away. I hate coming to the reapings because I always feel like I'm reliving my own. Except unlike me, the girl won't survive this. I Know that. She knows that. Every year it's like watching a lamb being lead to the slaughter and it's excruciatingly painful to watch.
"well at least she didn't fall on stage" Hibiki whispers in relief, sidling up next to me. He must have already sent his boy off to the 'farewall room'.
"yeah that's something" I sigh "how's the boy?"
"He's fine. Seems smart- I can work with that" He hugs my shoulders "You ready to head down to the village?"