Donquixote "Don" Esperanza, 18

District 2 Male

I fiddled with my golden rings and examined my appearance in the floor-length mirrors in our basement gym. A bruise was forming on my right side, but it was nothing compared to the injuries I'd given my sparring partner. I doubted he would be walking anytime soon.

Tomorrow I was volunteering. I'd show the world that the strong ruled the weak, and only the bravest and boldest survived. It was a lesson I lived by, and I would eliminate anyone who believed otherwise.

There was no room in this world to be soft. Everyone had a dark side and denying that was foolish. My dad was an honest, peaceful man. He and my older sister donated goods to the quarry workers and volunteered at a local soup kitchen. It disgusted me. Even though I was only ten years old, I knew they were weak links in the family. If I was going to dominate, they'd have to go. So I killed them both.

"Hey Don," a voice said as the door opened. I turned to see my little brother Jose peeking his head around the corner. "Sorry I'm late. Mom was asking about school."

"It's fine. I'll make sure she doesn't keep bothering you," I told him. Our mother was soft, but not nearly as much as my dad and Valerie were. Besides, we needed someone to keep providing for us. Our family was rich already, but with Mom working we could keep raking in money and Jose could keep training.

I carefully slid my rings off my fingers and placed them on a shelf where they'd be safe. They would be my token when I volunteered tomorrow and they needed to be in perfect condition. But first I would beat the snot out of my little brother.

I slid on my brass knuckles and Jose did the same. We usually sparred with padded armor, at the insistence of our mother, but I was going without it today. I'd even forgone a shirt, purely to show off my strength.

Jose and I circled each other for a moment before I threw a quick jab at his face. He dodged to the side but didn't see my uppercut coming. It hit him square in the jaw and he stumbled back, whining in pain.

"Take it like a man!" I yelled, lunging forward to kick him. He knocked my foot aside and retaliated with a jab of his own. I took the blow to my already-bruised ribs with a soft wince and then slammed my foot into his chest. He fell back, hitting the mats with a thud and crying out as I kicked him in the side. He curled into a ball as I kicked him again. I was about to deliver the third blow when the door slammed open.

"Don!" my mother shrieked. I turned to see her standing in the doorway, looking frazzled and worried. "Leave your brother alone!" she cried.

"We're just training," I protested, looking down at my pathetic brother. My mom frowned heavily and looked me up and down.

"You don't need to keep training," she said in a measured voice. "You're the best of the best. And you both need to look presentable for Reaping Day tomorrow. You want to make a good first impression, right?"

"Of course I do," I snapped. "But Jose doesn't." Mom narrowed her eyes, looking ready to argue, but I slipped off my brass knuckles and tossed them to the ground.

"I'm going to take a shower," I announced. "It's Jose's turn to clean up in here."

I stalked across the room and slid my rings back on, caressing them lovingly as I did so. Then I pushed past my mother and headed upstairs, rolling my eyes as she began to coo over Jose. If he was going to be strong like me, he was going to need to learn to take a hit.

Artemis Shale, 16

District 2 Female

I threw a hard punch, reveling in the way the bag shook under the force. The chain wobbled and clinked as I continued my workout, mercilessly pounding blow after blow into the thick fabric.

I could feel someone's eyes on my back as I punched, but I didn't bother turning around to face them. They could wait for me to be done. I wasn't going to interrupt my routine for them.

Finally, I delivered the final strike and stepped back, breathing hard. I turned as I began to unwrap my fists and found myself locking eyes with Mozu Striker. The victor had a worried expression on her face as she observed me, and flinched when our gazes met. She looked away first and hurried out of the room. I wrinkled my nose and pushed the interaction away.

Some of the victors and trainers looked at me funny after I killed Ambrosia. Two years ago my sparring partner lost her life at my hands, and it only reassured me that the Games were my calling. I'd dedicated my entire life to them and there was no way I could fail. The trainers knew that, and that was why they chose me to volunteer, despite being younger than the usual Games hopefuls.

I tossed my handwraps into the bin for the janitor to wash later and brushed some of my sweaty hair off my forehead. The brown locks were getting longer and would need a trim soon, but I figured my Capitol stylist would take care of it.

As I began my cooldown stretches, a group of younger trainees filed into the gym. They looked my way and began to whisper amongst each other. I glanced away. Whatever rumors were circulating about me didn't matter. I had a goal and I would accomplish it, and nothing else mattered.

After a shower and a change of clothes, I returned to my dorm room. It was a simple space with two bunks, a dresser underneath each, and a desk at the end of the room. My roommate Hera had several books tucked neatly against the wall, which I never disturbed. She didn't get in my way and I didn't get in hers… unless she gave me a reason to.

Hera was at the desk when I came in.

"Hello," she said smoothly. I nodded in greeting and climbed onto my bunk.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" she asked in an attempt at making conversation.

"I am," I said. I sat up awkwardly and leaned on my elbow to look down at her.

"When I win, I'll miss training with you. You're strong."

Hera looked up at me in surprise.

"Oh! Well, thank you. But you're the strongest."

"I know," I said, sinking back down onto the lump mattress.

It was so strange to think that tomorrow night I'd be in the Capitol. The Academy was my life. I had no family; no friends. All I had was the Games. I wasn't afraid, but I knew the change would be jarring. But I would take every life I needed to take to win the Hunger Games. It was what I was made to do.

Vivi Garcia, 38

District 2 Escort

I was overjoyed to be back in District 2. It was always so refreshing and inspiring to see the past victors and meet their newest representatives. I adored the Capitol and my life back home, but there was something so steadfast and powerful about the people of 2. Their courage and dedication far surpassed that of many Capitolites. Escorting their tributes was an absolute honor.

And District 2 was happy to see me as well. Mayor Michaelson greeted me with a hearty handshake and a smile, and several victors gathered around to welcome me.

Our most recent victor, Enobaria, was among them. The tips of her black hair were dyed purple and I grinned when I saw it. Purple was my favorite color! We'd be matching.

My hair was always dyed a dark purple, but I changed up the colored streaks quite often. This month I had pale pink. And my thick wavy locks were all tied up in a big bun on top of my head, revealing the delicate silver necklace around my throat. It paired perfectly with my strappy silver heels and baby blue pantsuit.

After a bit of mindless chatter, a Peacekeeper came to fetch Mayor Michaelson and I. I just had time to compliment Enobaria's new look before I was rushed onto the stage.

"Hi everyone!" I said brightly as I strutted across the stage to the podium. It was a bit of a gloomy day and everyone seemed subdued. We'd been robbed of our victory last year and everyone was still feeling the effects of that loss.

"I'm so delighted to be back," I continued. "I just know we'll be bringing home another victor this year. But first, please join me in welcoming our past victors!" We all applauded as Enobaria led the way to the featured chairs, followed by Mozu and the rest. A few people in the audience whistled and Brutus pumped his fists in excitement.

"What lovely specimens," I gushed. "Living proof of the strength of this district. Now we'll just watch a short film and then everything will be on its way!" I pressed a button on my podium and the Capitol-mandated short film began to play. We all waited patiently for it to wrap up and applauded when it did.

"It's time!" I sang, unable to keep the excitement out of my voice. It was very unlikely that whoever I reaped would actually go into the Games, but it was always so thrilling to watch the crowd react to the name. And the volunteers would be absolute sweethearts.

I picked a slip from the boy's bowl and read the name aloud.

"Rocco Salisbury!"

"I volunteer."

The voice was smooth and confident, and the boy it belonged to was as well. He was tall, with stylish blonde hair and piercing green eyes. His white dress shirt had several buttons open at the top, showing off his golden necklace and sculpted chest. He waved as he strutted to the stage, his gold rings catching the faint bits of sunlight.

"Hello," I said, holding out the microphone. "What's your name?"

"Donquixote Esperanza," he said, squaring his shoulders and staring out over the crowd. "And I'll be your future victor."

"Ooh, such a confident young man," I cooed. "I can't wait to see how you do, but it's time to select your partner!" Again, I sashayed over to the glass bowl and selected a slip with my perfectly-manicured white nails.

"Viola Clemons!"

"I volunteer as tribute!"

The girl's voice was cool and level. She had dark brown hair in a pixie cut and was wearing black athletic clothes. She was only sixteen, but carried herself with a mature air.

She walked up the aisle and gave me a polite nod as she mounted the stairs. I held the microphone out to her so she could introduce herself.

"I am Artemis Shale," she said, her voice as collected as ever.

"Welcome Artemis," I said as she went to shake hands with Donquixote.

"District 2, I give you your tributes: Donquixote Esperanza and Artemis Shale!"

Hello! Here's the next intro chapter, featuring our pair from District 2! Thank you to DariDark for Don, 4everlark for Artemis, and KitKathy520 for Vivi! These three are going to have some very interesting interactions and I'm so excited to write them! Please leave a review and let me know what you think of these characters! Oh, and I have PMed everyone whose reservation deadline is coming up. If you don't respond, your spot will be offered to someone else, since several people wanted to submit and weren't able to. You'll have until the end of the day of your reservation. I don't mean to be harsh, and I will offer extensions if you ask, but you need to talk to me!

Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!

- Fiona