BETA Reapings

[Aria]

DISTRICT 9 REAPINGS

Eva Mercer held the edges of her full dress as she waited her cue to step onto the District 9 stage in front of The Hall Of Justice. It is always so wonderful to be so close to the tributes and their mentors during the Games. However... not when they die by natural causes or by some other stronger tribute. It is always difficult for Eva, since she likes to get close to her tributes. She shook the thoughts from her head as she gave her sweet smile, stepping onto the stage and giving small waves to practically no one.

Eva spoke in her soft and distinct Capitol accent. “Hello! Welcome. And Happy Hunger Games!” Her enthusiasm was not being reflected by the people of 9, however Eva gave no mind to it and went on. “The time has come for the thrilling moments of the day. I hope you all are ready! And may the odds be ever in the next tributes favors.”

As usual no great response, which to Eva meant that they were good listeners and she was a great speaker. Her confidence grew and so did her posture as she moved swiftly, her heels knocking on the wooden stage, toward the glass bowls. Eva wasted no time circling her hands in both bowls and pulling out two slips at the exact same time. Her glowing eyes looked back at the crowd as she walked back to the microphone stand.

“Here are our lucky tributes for this years Annual Hunger Games. Ladies first as usual.” Eva pursed her lips and raised her brows, opening the tiny piece of paper. Her voice was excited and welcoming as she announced the female tributes name.

“Ayelen Heartly.”

Eva looked around with her mouth open in excitement for her tribute to walk upon the stage. She clapped her hands before announcing her male tribute. She let out a little cheerful gasp as she looked at the name. The reason only to add to her happy act.

“Talon Haskel.”

[/blockquote]

[Talon Haskel]

"Talon Haskel."

His body was frozen but he felt his stomach twist and turn. The voice was familiar, but because he was still coming out of the deep sleep he had been in, it seemed far away. The voice repeated his name, more urgent this time. He tried to answer back but couldn't find his own voice. Instead he let out a groan, or a mumble--he wasn't sure. Only that the voice that was calling his name was now irritated. Before he knew it the warmth that had been covering him was gone, replaced with a cold sense of reality.

Today was the day of the Reaping.

"Tal-"

"Okay, okay mom!" he snapped at her, pushing himself up to a sitting position. Each part of his body felt like it weighed thousands of pounds and he groaned again. His mom stood at the edge of his bed, his blanket that she must have pulled off of him dropping from her arms as she crossed them. Her expression was angry, but behind that he could see the distress in her eyes. In a gentler tone he apologized, "I'm sorry. I just..." It was useless; there was nothing to say. No way to explain himself. She knew, he knew--everybody knew it was a somber day for everyone.

"I know," she replied with a weak smile, "what were you thinking, sleeping in the day of the reaping like this?"

He shrugged. "Didn't want to worry about it all morning I guess." That wasn't the entire truth, of course. He didn't have the heart to tell her that he was actually out in the forest all night and early morning though. For some reason being out there put him at ease, despite all the extra peacekeepers in the district.

"Alright. Well, here, hurry up. In a minute we have to go."

Groggily he nodded, watching her leave the room. At the edge of his bed where the blanket had been sat a set of clothes for the reaping. His father's. After a moment of silently staring at them he forced himself out of bed and dressed. The sleeves were bit big on him so he rolled them up, fingers trailing upon the rope-bracelet he wore that also had been his father's. If only he had gotten a chance to really know him...

The next moment he could hear the scratching sound on the floor coming his way. Before the smile could spread on his face Rascal was leaping towards him. The dog was about hip-height, a warm brown color that was normally darker since he was covered in dirt. His mother must have given him a bath this morning, prepared for this moment. "Good boy," Talon laughed, kneeling down so he'd be at the dog's height. Rascal took this time to give his best friend some kisses on the cheek. "When I come back we'll go do some hunting, okay?" The dog barked as if he understood, tail wagging in excitement.

"Oh you little rascal!" Talon stood back up, scratching his dog behind the ears and looking at his mom who had returned. He opened his mouth to say something but she was suddenly upon him, pulling him into a tight hug. "You look just like your father." He could feel the wetness on her cheeks and knew she had been crying, but he didn't want to point it out. He only whispered a 'thank you' to her. Pulling away she told him, "Let's get going." After giving Rascal another hug he nodded and followed her out the door.

***

He hated this part. Where they made you stand in the square and watch the horrible video, waiting to be called off to be the "lucky tributes" who were going to "honor your district". This attitude was reflected within the entire district, all silently staring down the people of the Capitol. When Eva Mercer stepped on the stage he rolled his eyes--she was always in those ridiculous dresses. The boys next to him snickered, and he heard one say something about the other owing him over a bet of what color dress she'd be wearing this year.

The fun and games ceased when it was time to call the names. He could practically hear everyone's breath stop when they waited for the girl tribute's name to be called.

"TBD."

When the girl was finally brought to the stage he watched her with pity. Taken from her family, her friends, her home and having to be put into these Games to possibly die.

Of course, his expression changed when Eva Mercer was suddenly happily gasping and calling out another name.

A familiar name.

His name.

Once again he felt frozen and that each part of his body weighed thousands of pounds. Only this time, there was no loving mother calling him to wake up. This time, it was that ridiculous woman from the Capitol standing up on the stage and waiting for him to join her and the girl he had only a few seconds ago been pitying.

His body moved without his say-so, and he felt like it had a mind of its own as it took him up there. Knowing all of Panem's eyes would be watching him at some point or another he wondered just what he looked like. When he reached the woman who had called his name, he looked out into the crowd for the only eyes that mattered to him. When he met their gaze he forced a small smile, hoping she would understand that it was okay, he would be okay...

Inside, of course, he knew...

He was anything but okay.

NOTES: Will edit if/when a District 9 Female Tribute replies.

[ayelen]

'Just one more year after this... just one more year...'

Ayelen looked in the small mirror, taking deep breaths as she brushed her wavey brown hair. Well... today was the day... another year another Reaping. Unlike some of the richer districts, 9 weren't usually ecstatic about picking the Tributes for the Hunger Games. Ayelen was no different, especially since every year, the odds just weren't in her favour. The additional tesserae she received were usually pretty pitiful in amount, but it was certainly better than nothing. Taking another deep breath she, put down her hair brush and then quickly tied her hair into a proper ponytail.

She actually looked pretty presentable compared to most days where she always had a little bit of dirt on her cheeks, or bits of straw sticking out of her hair. If the reason weren't so grim, she might actually like being dressed up like this more often.

"You alright there, 'Lyn?" she felt a strong hand on her shoulder behind her. Green eyes looked up to see her older brother, Theo standing behind her. Whilst he wasn't in the brightest of moods as he normally is, there did seem a bit of relief on his face. Probably because this would be the first year that didn't have to worry about his name being drawn.

A forced half smile formed on her face. "Well, as alright as I can be,"

"Hey, don't worry about it, okay? If I could manage going six years without getting my name drawn once, I know you can too. By tonight, we'll all be around the supper table, eating some groosling and bread, " Even despite the somber mood of everyone, Theo did always have a way of being the optimistic one out of the family, which did provide some comfort when feelings were low.
They had always done almost everything together, the tesserae, hunting, school, the reapings. He always had her back if she was being bullied, and she always made sure that he wouldn't get into too much mischief. This was actually the first year where they didn't have one thing in common. He wouldn't be in line with the rest of the kids, hoping for their name not to be drawn, and the twins were still (thankfully) two years away from putting their names in as well. It would just be Ayelen this time, and she'd have to tough it up.
----------------------------------

Ayelen always sort of wondered if the Capitol Representatives they just had to act this way because of their job, or they really honestly believed that the Districts would be excited over an event like this? It always really irritated her, but maybe that was the point. To be irritated, but you couldn't do anything to prevent it anyway. Eva Mercer herself didn't seem like a bad person... just really naive about how everyone in in District 9 felt.

As usual, Eva announced everything in a chipper voice, which either made things more or less bearable depending on the person. If Ayelen closed her eyes, she could pretend that she wasn't there at all... that they were announcing that the Hunger Games were cancelled and there wouldn't be anymore need of such bloodshed. However, she almost always snapped out of reality once a familiar name was called and a gasp or cry of a relative could be heard.

Now it was moment of truth...

And the moment of truth hit her like a wall of bricks.

“Ayelen Heartly.”

Her green eyes shot wide open. No... no-no-no... this wasn't really happening. She was at home, she was out in the woods, she was doing something, but not this. This was all just a really bad dream. That's all that she wanted, but she knew it was no use. This was the reality now. There was no getting out of it this year. If she could just walk to the stage without crying, then maybe it would be less bad.

As she made her way to the stage, she could hear her younger sister, Fae starting to cry as her older sister Briar try to hush her. Briar was never the one to go into hysterics... she was always the strong one, and now Ayelen had to be strong too.

With every tribute, Eva was ever excited and pleased, which made the teen feel more miserable. She just sort of nodded to her quietly and then faced the audience. She could see her family properly now, the twins digging their faces into Briar's dress and her big Brother Theo looking as though he was ready to punch something. He was holding every bit of anger in as to not create a scene. All that he could managed was a gruff nod to her, and she nodded slightly back to him.

Now it was time for the boys... who would be other unlucky soul to join her up here?

“Talon Haskel.”

She had heard the name before and had seen his face around town, but beyond that, she was not too familiar with the boy. Well, she would be now before being thrown into a arena where she may possibly have to kill him or vice versa. Lucky her...

Looks like she wouldn't have to wait one more year after all.