Nenna Charber

Nenna swayed back and forth on the balls and toes of her feet. She was excited. After training for six years at the Career Academy, she'd finally been good enough to be able to volunteer for the games. Not just good enough. The best. Nenna had come in first place and won the right to volunteer first in the quell. She'd be the first tribute, and the last tribute, from Four this year. She didn't care about the rule change. She'd be on top, and if anyone else from Four wanted to come out with her, they'd have to earn it.

Nenna made a gagging noise to her fellow Career, Thalassa, as the District escort, Meena, took the stage. No one liked Meena, and her bubblegum-pink look that she sported 24-7 made Nenna want to be sick. But she held herself together. Meena would get her sponsors, and help her win, so she would have to deal with her.

Meena knew that four was a Career district, so she didn't bother making a big speech about how lucky the tributes were. She knew no name called would matter. There were enough tribute Careers this year. So Meena plucked the microphone from its stand and brought it to the ball with her, so she could save herself a few trips in her obnoxious pink shoes that looked like they were made of glass or crystal.

"Alina Gradier." She said. Nenna shot her hand up to volunteer.

Mayra Rienne

Mayra saw Nenna make a face at her as she passed. Really, one small slip up on a rope after three hours of holding on and suddenly I'm no longer competition? Mayra had always hated Nenna's superior attitude. She'd just barely won, and if Mayra's hand hadn't suddenly spasmed, the smirk on her face wouldn't exist. Mayra was the newest girl in the Academy, having only been there for a year now, so the fact that she was able to place so high should prove to Nenna, and the rest of the Careers, that she wasn't someone to mess with.

Mayra had always wanted to be a Career, but her mother wouldn't allow it. So when Mayra's mother died of sickness a year ago, she'd signed up right away. Besides, if she hadn't gone there, she would've been forced to live at the horrible Community home. Those kids were constantly abused and starved. That life wasn't for Mayra.

Meena called out the next name, "Giana Lerthe", and Mayra jumped from the crowd, ready to take her place as a tribute at last.

Thalassa Pearl

Thalassa waited for Meena to call the next name so she could volunteer. This quell had come at a perfect time. She looked over to the boys' side of the crowd, and found Ronan instantly. In a district know for reddish hair, his jet black mane was hard to miss. As if he knew she was looking, Ronan turned around and saw her, and winked. Although Thalassa couldn't tell anyone, not even Lunara, who she was closest with, she and Ronan would be the final two out of the Arena.

They'd been together for a few months now, and it was just starting to get serious, so when the President had announced that there could be two winners, Thalassa knew they'd both be going into the games. Without meaning to, Thalassa twirled in place, letting her long white skirt balloon out. Ronan smiled, but then quickly put a face on. Meena was speaking again.

"Kiki Lemarsh." She called for the third tribute. Thalassa caught another wink from Ronan, and stepped forward from her group.

"I volunteer," she said loudly.

Lunara Scheff

Lunara wasn't too happy that she'd come in fourth in the tribute competition. Especially since the newbie girl had gotten second place. At least she was getting to go. Lunara's sister, Jules, had come in sixth, and was stuck sitting this year out. She was only fifteen, though. She'd get it next time. Since Lunara had made it to the Games, her father had sprung for a good Reaping dress, soft blue with gold accents. Unlike many Careers, Lunara's family wasn't part of the upper class of the district. Aside from training, Lunara was a diver, collecting coral, sea glass, and oyster pearls to sell at the market. If she was lucky, the entire arena would be water.

"Our fourth tribute from four will be," Meena plucked the last name from the ball. "Julia Scheff." Lunara looked back to her sister. She was completely excited, but then she remembered what would happen. Lunara gave her an apologetic look, but then stepped out into the aisle, staired at Meena, and said, "I volunteer".

Ronan Sonaville

Ronan couldn't help but watch as Thalassa stood there, trying to look stronger than the other girls on stage. She was definitely the tallest of the four, but a few of them were sporting these absolutely evil smirks. They were even frightening Ronan a bit. A few short moments and he'd be up there too,having come in first in the competition. He might have been the youngest guy, but he was the strongest overall. What with Ember and Ruben trying to outdo each other all the time, Ronan's only real competition had been Leon.

"And now for the boys." Called Meena. Ronan waited as she dug through the pile of names, and pulled one from the bottom of the ball. His hands fidgeted with the small silver ring his father had given him years ago. "Alec DeWell."

"I volunteer," shouted Ronan. He climbed the stairs to the stage, and standing next to the girls, he towered over even Thalassa. He afforded himself a quick smile to her. They'd be going to the Capitol together.

Ruben Jackson

Ruben had beat Ember in the tribute contest. He was the better tribute. Ember would have to deal. The two of them had had a rivalry since they entered the Academy together five years ago. While Ruben was waiting for Meena to pick the third name, who he'd volunteer for, he glanced over at Nikki, his girlfriend. They'd been together for three years now, and he knew why she wasn't looking back at him. She was mad he was volunteering. She wasn't a Career, and didn't understand the mentality. She couldn't be mad forever, though. Once he came home a Victor, she'd have nothing else to be but happy. They'd live together in the Victor's Village.

Meena had just picked the third name out of the ball. Took her long enough, although Ruben wasn't even paying attention. He didn't hear the name she had called out, but he took one last look at Nikki before he stepped forward to take the kid's place in the Hunger Games.

Ember Cunsen

Ember laughed. It was hard not to; Others were. Even the non-Career people were in hysterics. Ruben must not have been paying attention. Meena had called his name. He had been Reaped, and yet he still stepped up and volunteered. He'd look like the biggest idiot once the Reapings went into recaps. He saw Ruben realize what had happened once he was on stage. He ducked his head, avoiding the eyes of people laughing.

Ember could care less right now about the standings. In his eyes, Ruben just went from second to last place in Four. Now it was Ember's turn to shine. When Meena plucked the third slip from the boys' Reaping ball, Ember jumped forward before she even had time to finish the name. All Ember would know about the kid who had been reaped was that his name started with a 'B'.

Leon Marvash

Leon wasn't a normal Career. He was more level-headed, which would keep him alive longer in the games. The other Careers were so eager to kill off the competition, they might overlook good allies. Leon was all for leaving the predetermined Career alliance if it would keep him alive longer. He wasn't one to assume he'd win. He knew the risk he was taking in doing this, and he was already planning out different strategies. If these other Careers wanted to see the end of the games, they better be smart and follow Leon.

Meena had drawn the last name of the Reaping, and was walking back to the podium. Leon saw the eyes of his fellow tributes watching him, waiting for him to volunteer and complete the powerful octet. As Meena called the name, Leon pulled his hands from his pockets, walked to the edge of the crowd, and volunteered himself, calmly, as a tribute.