The Reaping! ((Open to all in District Five!))

There was no denying the fact that Xander felt significantly less excited today than he had before his previous reapings – in fact, from here on out, his enthusiasm would most likely just continuously decrease. The perky Capitolite tried to pass the feeling off as simply being tired from all the travel and excitement, but he knew that really, District 5 was just much less exciting than 1, 2, and 4. The citizens were always oh so happy to see him and hear him call out their names, and he could always count on a couple of volunteers, people to watch in the Games. They were the cream of the crop. Not to mention their districts were just nicer in general, more well tended than the rest were. And this was only District 5 – you can bet Xander was not looking forward to the later Districts, particularly 12. All that coal dust was not good for his hair.

To add to his tragic problems, it was also a bit of a disappointment that Mr. Snow wouldn’t be joining him again – he’d been such a hit in the previous districts! – but Xander didn’t really have any say in the matter. He was fairly positive the boy had been sent home to the Capitol, as a matter of fact. The man didn’t blame the president, actually. He was perfectly safe in the Career districts, but they tended to get more and more unpleasant and hostile the farther away from the Capitol they were. Not that Xander considered Five to be hostile. More like boring. But really, that was just another reason for the young Snow to skip out on the rest of the reapings. He’d been through the exciting parts, after all.

Nevertheless, the young man knew it was his job to look happy and excited to be here no matter how he really felt, so after draining two large cups of coffee and making some adjustments to his wig, Xander was able to plant a large smile on his face as he took the stage in the center of District 5. Xander Petry never let his fans down! In fact, as he looked out at the crowd of young people, wondering who his magic fingers would choose, the Capitolite didn’t even need to fake the excitement anymore. Really, his job was just so wonderful! He was responsible for getting the districts excited about the Games! He was the one who got to give these lucky kids a chance at eternal glory! He got to introduce the tributes to the viewers at the Capitol for the very first time! All of Panem knew the name Xander Petry!

Now beaming, Xander waved enthusiastically at the crowd. “Helloooooo, District Five, and Happy Hunger Games!” He shouted over the crowd – it was electrifying, the way they all immediately fell quiet as soon as he spoke. In the lovely Career districts, he could count on the crowd to energetically respond to whatever he said, but Xander knew better than to try that kind of tactic here. So instead of trying to pump up the crowd, he just kept on going. “You all know what time of year it is! REAPING DAY!” Pause for cheers that may or may not come. Xander didn’t particularly care – as long as they were watching him, the man was perfectly content. “I’m sure you’ve all been looking forward to this just as much as I have-” as if it were possible for any of these people to mirror Xander’s enthusiasm. His face felt like it might be stuck this way, he was smiling so hard. “-So let’s get on with it, shall we? As they say, ladies first!”

Convinced he was doing them all a great service, he took his place in front of the large glass bowl filled with girl’s names, placing a hand over it then pausing for dramatic effect and looking back out towards the crowd.“And I almost forgot – May the odds be ever in your favor~!” Ahh, that was lovely. Right, it was time! Xander plunged a hand into the bowl, making a show of fishing around for just the right name. This was not a matter to be taken lightly, after all!

((Xander Petry is the equivalent of Effie Trinket. April is not doing the reaping, obviously xD

Post Away! If you are planning anything special, such as volunteering, please PM me!

Tributes, remember tallying points for the Games starts now!))

Geforia stood close to her parents as they went toward the Town Center. She was happy to be close to her parents--the Reaping was one of the few times that her parents weren't working. They didn't say a word to each other, not that they had anything to say to each other. Geforia didn't expect this to be her last day with her parents. Her name was only in that bowl twice, after all. Her parents dropped her off at the line with the other girls of District Five and hugged her. They told her that they loved her, and then stood behind the line of the children being Reaped.

The peacemaker pricked her index finger, and which caused her to jump. Her finger was still bleeding as she walked away, so she stuck it in her mouth. She flowed with the crowd and they settled her into her spot for her. She was in the middle of the crowd, but she could still see the stage. Glancing around, she looked for anyone she knew. She thought that she may have seen her friend Hunter with the boys, but she couldn't be sure. She waved at the boy anyway.

Geforia stood in the crowd, waiting for the Reaping to begin. She was jumping with something, and she knew it wasn't excitement--who would be excited about the Games?--it was nervousness. Geforia had told herself that she wasn't nervous, but there was still that edge at the back of her mind. She knew that there was a chance she would get reaped, no matter how many other names were in that bowl. She tried to make it seem like she didn't care, though she knew no one else really cared whether or not she was nervous.

A voice sounded out, catching Geforia's attention. “Helloooooo, District Five, and Happy Hunger Games!” the man said. She couldn't remember his name, but it was probably because she didn't like the Games. He was obviously from the Capitol. He was wearing a wig, and that was obvious in the way that it moved. She wondered what he did outside of life as an escort. She guessed that he spent all year dreaming about the Games. What a sad life.

He went on with a bravado that no one really cared about. The excitement wasn't needed, and seemed out of place with the serious, slack faces of those around her. Geforia didn't know a person who got excited about the Games in District Five. She tuned his speech out. She didn't care, and had pressing questions in her mind. All thoughts of not being Reaped were gone. She found herself glancing around, making an estimate of how many girls were in the District.

There are a lot of girls, Geforia thought. It won't be me. It can't be me, why would I even think of such a thing? It won't be me, won't be me, won't be me... She told herself that, but she knew she didn't believe the words. They didn't even reassure her, really. Actually, they only made her more nervous. Maybe I could get picked. Wasn't there some twelve-year-old from, like, District Eight last year? She only had her name in once, and she got Reaped. I've got mine in twice. The girl shuddered, and her attention turned once again to the man on the stage.

“-So let’s get on with it, shall we? As they say, ladies first!” he said. That same excitement was there, and it made Geforia's stomach turned more than anything. She wrung her hands together, and they started to sweat as well. He started to speak again, and Geforia held her breath, but he was just talking about the Games again, so she tuned him out. It won't be me, it won't be me, it won't be me.

Then he put his hand in the bowl. Geforia held her breath, and she felt like throwing up in the seconds that he was digging around in the bowl.

It won't be me.

He began to say the name.

Huntley felt the usual feeling of fear as he awaited the calling of the names. He even now after going through this for 17 years it feels like, it still feels the fear that every 12 year old feels when they are first entered into the games so this wasn't anything new. Nothing is going to change, Hunter thought to himself as he listened to the old spiel about the history of the games and was basically starring into space as they spoke. Hunter looked around and saw his friend Geforia, since this was her second year going through the games he noticed the same look of terror that he must have shown in his eyes. He continued to look around and he saw his mother, father, and two young siblings; they shared his look of terror and unsuspecting danger that must be waiting for the two new tributes for his district.

A voice broke out after the history of the games that had snapped Hunter out of his thoughts; it was none other than Xander Petry. “Helloooooo, District Five, and Happy Hunger Games!” As the crowed quieted down Hunter knew that this was going to be the last time two of his friends would ever see their district ever again, or might return. As Xander spoke Hunter didn't pay attention, but as soon as he heard him say that it was ladies first Hunter snapped back to attention “So let’s get on with it, shall we? As they say, ladies first!” Xander fished through the glass globe he finally picked a name, when he read the name hunters mind just stopped "Geforia Summers!"

Hunter didn't dare look up at the mortified face of the girl who he had only met a few months ago, he adored her but now he would have to watch her die and not be able to do anything about it. Hunter waited for the boy's names to be picked; it felt like an eternity. “And I almost forgot – May the odds be ever in your favor~!” When Xander plucked out the name he held his breath preying that it wan't him. But when he started to read it Hunter's spirits dropped, he stood there for a moment then felt someone yank him from the line. Hunter looked at the ground and just randomly walked aimlessly to the front stage. My life is over.

((I probably did this so wrong, but I hope it's ok. I apologize now ))

Huntley was full of anger as he stood in line at the reaping for god knows how many times now, anger that was directed at the capital for making them do this. Why can't they just forgive us for what happened all those years ago instead of making all of us suffer? Huntley knew that he should deem himself lucky that he's still alive, but watching all of his friends die out in the arena for some sick entertainment for the capitals pleasure. And who knows how the families of those chosen must feel now that they know what there fate is; If anything happens Huntley will most likely be writing a very angry journal entry.

It wasn't until Huntley heard the names being pulled that he was finally back in his unfortunate reality, that he would have to watch two more of his own being slaughtered by others like them. When he saw the girl tribute Huntley knew that she was no more than twelve or thirteen maybe, and he felt the anger swell until he looked down and saw that his knuckles were ghost white from clutching them so tightly; Huntley saw the other tribute and knew that he was about seventeen, he was someone that he knew from school. But what made him stand out in Huntley's mind was that he showed a face that was full of fear and longing to just be shot down right here, right now in front of the entire district.

Sucks to be you man! Good luck out there Hunter Adler. Huntley knew that this must be hard for his family, Huntley knew Hunter's mom cause his own mother worked rather closely to her. But he has never met Hunter, now he wishes that he had gotten to know him before he has to watch him be ripped apart. Huntley wanted nothing more than freedom from this hell of a life, only if there was someone out there that shared his views for the ending of the Hunger games. But instead of telling anyone this he played the part of happy not to be them.

Ooooh, this was so fun! Which name would he pick, hmmm? Xander let his hand linger in the glass bowl for several moments before he finally allowed his fingers to close around a single slip of paper. He was barely able to contain his excitement as he slowly, slowly unfolded the paper and glanced down at the name of the lucky winner. This was a moment he always enjoyed, when he saw the name but had yet to put a face to it. Would this person be big and strong? Small and weak? Arrogant? Scared? Intelligent? Beautiful? Pathetic?

After pondering this for a few moments, Xander looked up from the paper and turned his face to the crowd – the crowd that was dead silent, eyes glued on him. Ah, it was wonderful! But right, he had to get on with it! Beaming, he called out in a loud and clear singsong voice, “Geforia Summers~!” He paused, giving the crowed some time to react, casting his gaze through the masses of people for some sign of where the new District 5 Tribute was. “Come on now, Geforia, don’t be shy! Come on up!”

Finally, Xander’s eyes landed on the area where the crowd began to part, making way for a small, redheaded girl. She was a bit disappointing, really. Cute, yes, but she probably wouldn’t be much of a threat. And she looked very nervous indeed as she made her way up to the stage. Such a shame. But it was Xander’s job to stay positive and make sure the Capitol saw each tribute in a positive light. And who knew, maybe this girl had something hidden up her sleeves, yes? That was what made the Games so exciting, after all!

Xander welcomed the girl on stage with a huge smile and a handshake. “Welcome, welcome Geforia! We’re all thrilled to have you here!” He gave her a pat on the back before turning back to address the crowd once again. “Alright, let’s move on to the boys, shall we?”

Making his way to the second glass bowl, Xander stuck his hand in, once again taking his time with fishing out the tribute’s name. This was not a job to be taken lightly, after all! Ah, there it was! Xander’s finger’s closed around a paper, and he once again took a moment to read the name before he addressed the crowd. “Hunter Adler!” He looked around expectantly, beaming as usual. “Come on up, Hunter!”

It was Geforia. Her. Her heart started to beat wildly out of time, and her eyes darted around the crowd. No, no, no, no, no. She was only thirteen. Her name was in twice. She didn't have a chance. Geforia had never touched a weapon in her life, unless you counted a butter knife as a weapon. The only reason she would ever have a chance of winning was if everyone killed themselves off first, and she just happened to be able to hide before they could get to her. It was a sad fantasy, and she knew it wasn't happening.

With any thought of winning out of her mind, she moved on to the next thing that came up:nThis wasn't happening, this was some sort of twisted dream, and she wasn't really awake. Even as she thought it, she knew it was untrue. She went onto the next possibility: maybe they wouldn't recognize her, maybe they wouldn't be able to choose which one was her. It was a stupid thing to hope, she knew, but she was grasping for anything here. The crowd was already parting around her, and the peacekeepers coming closer.

Geforia didn't struggle. She didn't have any energy to. Any energy she'd possessed a few minutes ago was gone, as if it flooded out of her fingers and toes and onto the pavement underneath her. She couldn't even make her jaw clench shut. Her jaw was hanging open, her eyes still wide. Geforia knew she looked like a deer in headlights, but she didn't care. She was going to die anyway. She slumped into the peacemakers' arms, and they took her to the stage.

On the way up, Geforia wrenched around in their arms, trying to find the faces of those she knew. She spotted her mother. Her face had fallen into a stricken expression, her eyes wide with tears spilling for her lids. She cried onto Geforia's father's shirt. His expression mirrored his spouse's, though he seemed more steady. He was the one holding Geforia's mom up. It looked as if he might fall over himself. Geforia couldn't stand it any longer. She turned to face the stage, where that man who was in love with the Games stood. Now she was part of his obsession.

“Welcome, welcome Geforia! We’re all thrilled to have you here!” she heard him say. No one was excited that she was a tribute, she knew that. No one in District Five was ever excited to see who the Tributes were. He grabbed at her hand and started to shake it, but she didn't shake back. She let him stand there, with his loud words and excitement. Geforia glared at him. He was symbol of the Games, something that would most-likely kill her. In the back of her mind, she knew it wasn't his fault. It was the president that had started it all, all those years ago, before Geforia had even been a thought. That didn't matter at the moment. This man was present, here. Something she could see and latch on to. She decided that she hated him.

The chaperone must've decided that Geforia was boring, because he moved right along to the boy's bowl. She tried to keep up the pretense that she was tough; putting a mean look on her face and crossing her arms. Even as she did this, she was holding her breath for the boys, hoping it wasn't one of the few people she knew.

“Hunter Adler!” the chaperone said with the same level of excitement.

As if this day couldn't get any worse. Hunter was one of the only people around her age that she considered a friend. She had really only had one conversation with him, so maybe they really weren't friends. It didn't matter now. She wondered if he was confident in his abilities; if he thought he had any chance. She couldn't tell from his face what he was feeling. He was looking at the ground, so probably not too confidant.

Geforia's arms dropped to her sides, and her eyes turned back toward the cloudless sky. Maybe she would ally with Hunter, and then ditch him when people started to turn on each other toward the end of the Games. Maybe she would ally with some other Districts, and ditch them too. She knew she couldn't stay on her own, she wouldn't survive. She didn't know how to make a shelter, or how to find food. Not to mention how to defend herself. She would learn some things in training, but she knew that you couldn't learn everything in a week. It was impossible.

The only way she was going to survive this was to latch on to someone else, and she knew that. She would figure out a plan. Maybe she wouldn't win it, but she would find a way to last longer than the bloodbath. She had to last that long for her family, if no one else. She wasn't going to just give up, like she'd felt like doing moments ago. She would try her hardest.

Geforia knew that things must be happening around her, but she was oblivious to everything. She was creating a plan.

Hunter stood on the stage and starred coldly out into the audience knowing that this would be the last time he would ever see his beloved district ever again. He saw his siblings huddling around his mother crying while his father stared back at him; Hunter gave him a small wave knowing that this was winding down that even though he was only a year away from ever having to go through this that he would have to die out there in the arena. Hunter was not going down without a fight, but he also knew that Geforia wouldn't stand a chance on her own and that he would need to be there for her in the beginning but would have to leave her near the end if he lived that far.

Hunter swallowed his pride and gazed out into the crowds looking at all the people that would have to watch him die for the sick entertainment of the capitol but he knew that here they would truly mourn his death and Geforia's; but in every fiber of Hunter's body did he wish that Geforia would win the games and have a chance at life a life that she might never get a chance to have in the arena. He would do everything in his power to keep Geforia safe even if it meant making the chances of his survival slimmer than letting her die in the bloodbath. Hunter looked down at Geforia and knew that he was going to be the difference between life and death if anything he was not going to fail her.

Standing there as the anger swelled up in his chest made Hunter want to break something. It made him upset that another two families would lose there children to the sick entertainment like his family lost his brother but to Hunter's family they were losing a son, an older brother, and to many others he was sure they were losing a friend. Hunter knew that if he had any money he would bet on Huntley and Geforia, counting that they were the only two tributes that he wanted at least one of them to win. Yeah, Let the games begin, Huntley thought to himself as the minutes seemed to be hours. And another day would go by and those two might never be seen alive again.