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Post by Katniss Everdeen on Sept 7, 2010 20:22:26 GMT -5
The announcer stood up on the podium, ready to make the announcement of who was picked in the reaping for District 1. As the announcer silenced the crowd, with all the parents watching, knowing that he was sending their children into certain death. Unless they beat the odds.
"Attention" his voice boomed out. He knew that Careers would most likely step up and take spots, but then there was also times that they wouldn't and they'd let little pests get taken care of.
"The two Tributes will have to step up here, Adora Valentine and Ren Huff" he said as he saw an older teenager walk up towards him, while another moved towards the Girl's pen. Must be relatives. Then the girl made her way up towards him.
"Anyone willing to take either of their spots?" he said as both tributes had finally made it to the platform.
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Post by Adora Valentine on Sept 7, 2010 21:07:41 GMT -5
Everything was normal to her. She stood in line with her hands clasped behind her back, swaying lightly on her feet as if she hadn’t a care in the world (she really just can’t stand still). From the sides, she could feel Bradley’s eyes bore into her. Occasionally, she’d smooth out her light dress but her hands would always return to their spots behind her back.
Adora really didn’t think she had too much to worry about. Despite the morbid setting around her, she wore a bright smile and the innocent life was still sparkling in her eyes, bringing forth the frosty beauty that was held within them. She could hear Bradley’s worried thoughts without actually visiting his mind. To her, he was just being silly. She honestly didn’t expect what was to come.
The announcer stepped onto the stage and she giggled in nervous anticipation, her eyes scanning the crowd as she tried to predict who would get chosen. Her attention had even drifted to a thought about the dinner that would take place later that night. Bradley would fix something special with their mother and everyone would be happy – especially Adora because she was always just… happy.
That was until her name shattered the reality she had just built inside her happy little mind. Always, she had said she was not afraid about her name being drawn. That she wouldn’t care. That she’d just let what happen, happen. She was wrong. Her smile was wiped from her lips and she could feel the blood draining from her face. Spots flashed across her vision in panic and she didn’t move forward at first. She didn’t even realize she was holding her breath and shaking until she felt secure arms wrap around her. A little whisper in her ear and she was weakly pushed off towards the stage. Mechanical steps guided her to the first stop of her almost certain death. Slowly, she turned her head and watched as Bradley retreated to where their mother stood, tears streaming down his cheeks.
This instantly caused her own eyes to water. How badly she just wanted to sprint over to him and hug him close, to bury herself against his chest like she did so many times when she was younger. But she couldn’t. She wouldn’t. She’d have time for that later. Swallowing a thick trace of bile that had rose in her throat, she continued on towards the stage, ready to stare the Grim Reaper dead in the face. Uncertainty clouded her eyes as they flickered over to Ren. She could feel her fingers twitch, she needed something to hold. Almost on reflex, she reached from him when he was close enough. But she stopped herself. As quick as the action had been administered, it had been stopped and subdued, her arm forced back at her side. She hoped no one had noticed. It was just a little twitch. Just a little twitch...
With her smile bright once again - but still forced - she gazed across the crowd that stood before her. At least she'd have a chance to say goodbye. She was going to let what happen, happen and wish for the best. She wasn't the only one facing this. Ren was, as well. Which made her feel at least a tiny bit better.
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Post by Ren Huff on Sept 8, 2010 6:57:54 GMT -5
The Huff house had been strangely quiet as Ren and his brother had readied themselves for the Reaping. It was strange, as it was every year, to see Hugo buttoning up his jacket and finally smoothing down his messy blonde curls. Ren turned to face himself in the mirror, uncomfortable by what he saw. Turning away, he led the way out of the bedroom they shared, down the stairs, and out of the house where their father was waiting for them. He could tell that the once strong, bold man he'd knew, would be different, at least for today. Ren nodded, both Hugo and him would make it passed the Reaping today, and his father would go back to his cheerful, demanding self.
As Hugo and Ren took their places in line, Ren couldn't help scanning the crowd for the two girls he'd met only what seemed like the day before. He spotted them, of course, both in the girl's line, but he didn't try to get their attention. Turning back to the crowd, Ren's eyes scanned the faces until he found his father. He was standing alone, staring at the platform like a deer in headlights. At the sound of footsteps on the platform, Ren turned his attention to the announcer, unaware of the quick racing of his heart.
He had trained months and months for this day. There was no need for him to be as nervous as he was, or at least, that's what Hugo had said. It was weird, to see his brother more ready for the Reaping than he was. Ren was usually the calm, prepared one, except when it came to his name being drawn and being sent off to die in the Hunger Games, of course. He'd seen the way that tributes die in the arena, was he doomed to the same fate? Ren shook his head, he was being foolish. He had a fair chance, as well as anyone else in District One. Taking a deep breath, Ren tried to calm down. That is, until the announcer called his name.
For a moment, Ren could only stare at the slip of paper in the announcer's hand. His mind was whirling with different thoughts and feelings and he couldn't seem to focus on just one. He remained still, almost like his father, until Hugo lightly kicked the back of his leg. Stepping forward, Ren tried to lift his head, to let the people, especially his father, know that he wasn't afraid. He tried to remember the training skills he'd learned, to distract him while he made his way up the stairs, but nothing came to him. His mind was concentrated on the fear and shock of the situation.
He turned to see Adora making her way through the crowd and up the steps to join him. He tried to meet her eyes, tried to see what she was thinking, but eventually he looked away. He could see the twitch of movement from the corner of his eye and suddenly wanted to offer her his hand, anything to make her know that she wasn't in this alone. His arms wouldn't move from his sides and while the announcer's question hung on the air, Ren forced himself to swallow. Let the Games begin, was all he could think about.
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Post by Eliza Taylors on Sept 8, 2010 9:20:43 GMT -5
Eliza looked over towards the boys. She hated being at the Reapings, she knew that she wasn't supposed to be picked anyways. But that would screw up some plans. The Girl thats never to be reaped gets reaped and no one takes her spot! Eliza considered raising her hand and stepping up for the girl tribute. As she noticed Ren looking at her she smiled. Nothing like seeing each other this soon again. At least her hand had healed. As she heard him and Adora get called her breath hitched. Both of her friends were being sent to die. What!
She raised her hand. "I, Eliza Taylors, will take Adora Valentine's spot in the Reaping" she said as she made her way towards the stage. This was never supposed to happen. As she made it to the stage she hugged Adora and looked at her family and the mayor. All had their mouths opened wide. They couldn't believe what she had done. She smiled, and held her head high. This is her time. Her time to show that training or no training, she would be strong.
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Post by Adora Valentine on Sept 8, 2010 15:30:55 GMT -5
N-No! No! Eliza wasn’t supposed to go. Bradley had informed her of that earlier in the morning. She could recall his exact words to perfection. A first. But the grim determination to get it through her skull was present in his eyes, which made her concentrate like no other to take in the information. And it had stuck.
Adora’s eyes widened when Eliza had volunteered to take her place. And though she knew Bradley would trade anyone – even himself – to take Adora’s place, she couldn’t let the other girl do it. A shaky breath parted her lips and her smile faltered just a tiny bit. Though it was soon stretching her pale lips in the corners and a somber yet youthful glitter sparkled in her eyes. Reaching forward when Eliza had relinquished the hug, she gripped her forearms and shook her head slowly, determined. Taking a deep breath, she spoke as calmly as she could – the calmest she had ever managed in her entire life.
“No, Blackberry – I mean Eliza. No. I don’t… I don’t want you to take my place. You’re not supposed to take my place… Please, you’re meant to live. The Games aren’t for you. I like games! I’m the best at games! Just let me go… Please?” Her head shook once more, one hand reaching forward to stroke at the other girl’s hair, her eyes pleading for her to just go back and stand in the line she was meant to be. Eliza was not supposed to be here.
The frosty eyes glanced at the announcer, unsure of what to do. Slowly they slipped back to Eliza. Adora couldn’t – she wouldn’t – let Eliza do this. She couldn’t send the other girl to her fate. Adora’s name was called, not hers. This was meant to be. Why couldn’t she just let what happen, happen?
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Post by Eliza Taylors on Sept 8, 2010 18:13:22 GMT -5
Eliza smiled as Adora tried to get her not to. It wasn't up to her, but obviously Bradley had told her that a person was supposed to take Eliza's spot, regardless if they died or not. She was not to be sacrificed. She was a capitol child, she didn't understand all the rules, but when her parents moved here, they expected her to do the same things as the other kids, but the mayor had other plans.
She smiled at Adora, "Go spend the day with your family, for me" she said as she stood up on the stage proudly. She wanted to have her time in the arena, whether she lived or died would be another thing.
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