CuteLikeMurder
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As if killing the bard impresses us.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Dec 1, 2013 23:25:33 GMT -5
The morning of the Reaping came to District One and the level of excitement was growing as the hour of the Reaping drew near. It was a clear day, cooler than one would expect in the earlier summer.
The square was beautiful. Large screens bordered it and colored lights beamed down at the ever growing crowd in the square. Citizens wore fine silks and jewels. Some even had spun gold weaved into their hair. Others looked poised for war. Students of the Academy; would be Tributes. Which one of them would step up and try their luck in the Arena? Would any of them step up at all?
The girls took their places, as did the boys. Arranging themselves in order by age; youngest in the front. The district escort took the stage wearing a soft blue gray dress with sea shells in her hair.
“Welcome. Welcome to the 28th Annual Hunger Games! And now for a special message from our beloved president.”
“War... Terrible war...”
The special message ended as it always had and the Escort rapped the mic again. Everyone’s eyes were focused on her, once more. She introduced District One’s victor. Karrigan first, looking like an angelic vision in a white gold dress that shimmered in the light. Then it was Bronze. He was wearing a form-fitting suit. Light blue with pale gold accents. Diadem was the last to take the stage, a hard look on her face. Each Victor took their seats and the Escort spoke again.
“And now for our tributes,” the Escort said. “We will start with the girls first.”
“REGINA GLOSS!”
The crowd gave way and a small girl walked up onto the stage.
“Don’t be shy, dear. Let us have a look at you.”
The little girl, barely 14, inches toward the Escort, put off by her wide grin.
“You’re Regina?”
The girl nodded.
“Well, Regina, maybe the odds are in your favor… Is there a volunteer for Regina?”
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Post by Seryna on Dec 2, 2013 1:12:30 GMT -5
Crystal Stone has chosen to wear a razorback white shirt and brown pants for the reaping - plain and well made. She wouldn't be wearing fancy silks in the arena and she wouldn't wear them now. Her long brown hair is pulled away from her face into a ponytail, adorned with a jeweled pin with four different gemstones - Diamond for Thespian, ruby for Gemma, Tanzanite for her elder brother and a black flint of Obsidian for her second brother. She turns and watched the girl edge towards the platform. She'd already told her father that if the girl looked like she had a fighting spirit and a solid chance, she could wait until next year. She could wait two years. Yet as Regina passes her, Crystal stirs uneasily. A child. A shy child. Crystal shook her head, not liking the choice. Twelve, thirteen and fourteen seemed too young to be Reaped. It could only be fair if they were blessed with incredible speed or stealth to hide them from the elders in the arena, and Regina did not seem to be confident in her abilities. Someone beside her stirs and Crystal stares down the pretty girl beside her. A head shorter and at least a year younger. "Put your hand up and I'll put you down."Crystal rolled 8 dice to "Intimidating potential volunter (specialty Staredown)" 4,9,7,2,10,10,7,6,2,4 (3 successes) Crystal draws herself up to her full 5'9'' hieght, turning to face the girl. She crosses her arms and her back ripples with lean muscle. She looks to a Peacekeeper and winks, giving him a moment to get into place. "I volunteer as tribute!" Crystal announces firmly. The brunnette strides into the aisle, pausing for the Peacekeepers to hedge her in. She then strides forward, her head held high. Crystal sets a brisk pace; ascending the stairs and pausing near the escort's microphone. Strong Back
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CuteLikeMurder
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As if killing the bard impresses us.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Dec 2, 2013 1:35:59 GMT -5
The pretty girl back down with her hands up in mock surrender. Her time would come, perhaps. But that day was obviously not today. Crystal was obviously built like she was born for the Arena. This girl needed a few years to hone her craft. This was her year. There are a few peacekeepers that smirk at Crystal’s display. She could hear a few of them, mumbling back and forth to each other as they lead her to the stage. “She’s got spunk.” “Doesn’t look like one of those noble tributes either.” “Thank the One for that.” “Oh, a volunteer!” the Escort squeals in delight. “My dear you must tell us about yourself. What’s your name and why did you volunteer? Are you and Regina related?” Congrats! Credits have been added to your account.
+30 for Intimidating Someone +50 for Volunteering
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Post by Seryna on Dec 2, 2013 3:45:50 GMT -5
"No, ma'am, we are not related."
"I am Crystal Stone, sister of Tanzanite Stone -" Crystal introduced herself clearly for the cameras. Surely people would remember the volunteer of the 23rd Hunger Games. "- and of Obsidean Stone."
Crystal scans the crowd and points to a boy in the 18th year corral. Obsidean stands at 6'3'' with blonde locks that fall to his ears. He has a strong, muscular physique. Obsidean stood tall, but those who knew would point to his foot - which was slightly curled around the pinkie toe.
"My family offered Tanzanite to the #23rd Hunger Games. He played well, but luck wasn't in his favor. My brother adored 'Zan and wanted to bring home the crown for him two years ago. A training injury sidelined Obsidean just before the Games." Crystal shook her head, meeting eyes with her brother for a moment. Crystal turns back to the Escort as she explains.
" My family had been preparing me for the life of drudgery in our jeweler's shop-"
She flashes a quick grin.
"- but I prefer a different sort of goal."
Crystal turned her body to the fourteen year old Regina.
"Hello, Regina." Crystal extends a handshake to the girl. "I'm Crystal. I appreciate you getting the crowd so excited for our District, but I hope you don't mind if I take this one?"
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Dec 2, 2013 15:10:06 GMT -5
"Oh, a girl after my own heart. Seeking fame, fortune, and glory, eh? Not a bad aspiration if you ask me..." She chuckled at her own joke. "And perhaps you'll bring home the crown for Obsidean this year. These three victors here have been so lonely over the last eight years. They are eager to have another tribute from District One to join their ranks."
Karrigan smiled, with a small nod. Bronze grinned, wide and almost menacing, and cheered for Crystal. And Diadem just studied her, withholding judgement.
Regina nodded. She was going to hug Crystal but thought better of it. Crystal was from a Career District. She would have ruined her image. Instead the girl smiled. "It was my pleasure. I just need a few more years then maybe I could follow in your footsteps. Just win. And we'll be even."
The Escort was absolutely thrilled by the exchange. "Well, very good. Very, very good. I'm sure everyone will be looking for Crystal Stone, District One's Female Tribute!"
The Victors of District One motioned for Crystal to join them. The Games began now. And they had a lot to go over before the Arena.
The Escort continued. "And now for your boys. Who will it be? Hmm..."
Her hand hovered over the bowl.
"Watch closely and then tell us what you see," Karrigan told Crystal.
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Dec 2, 2013 15:35:43 GMT -5
Jaeger Thorn, District 1 MaleI stood there fuming, anger clearly visible in my expressive eyes as I waited for the Reaping to get a move on. It had been there since I got home from talking to Crystal earlier. It had been been there since my father told me in no uncertain terms that I was going into employment at the Tribute Training Centre after today's Reaping whether I liked it or not. Since I was told that NO son of Chester Oakley Thorn was going to spend his life lazing around bringing down disgrace on the family name. Since I was told that I was going to damn well pull myself in line unless I wanted my own father to hand me over to the Peacekeepers himself for my own damn good. I watched as the hand of the Escort drew every closer to the bowl full of male names. In a few moments, that one draw would seal my destiny in stone, forever unchangeable by my own hand. Jaeger Thorn rolled 9 dice to "Rock Throw" 9,8,9,2,6,9,10,1,9,7 (6 successes) The rock was off the ground, whizzing through the air before anyone could even react to stop me. My name is Jaeger Thorn of District One and I choose my OWN destiny!
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CuteLikeMurder
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As if killing the bard impresses us.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Dec 2, 2013 15:46:02 GMT -5
The glass globe practically exploded. The names spilling out like water. The Peacekeepers flinched but the Karrigan convinced them that it was all a part of the show and they relaxed. Bronze whooped loudly. “Now there's a tribute!”Diadem sighed and looked at Crystal. “Don't let him discourage you. He's a showman. All glitz and glamor. It'll take more than that to win the Games.”“Who was that? My boy please come up here and let Panem take a look at you.” Congrats! Credits have been added to your account. +50 for Volunteering +60 for Epic Rock Throwing [/color]
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Dec 2, 2013 15:51:38 GMT -5
Jaeger Thorn, District One Male The Boy Who Chose His Own Destiny! I strode confidently up onto the stage, not even sparing my family a glance as I passed them by. Joining Crystal at the top of the stage, I turned around to face the crowd. "Jaeger Thorn, reporting for the 28th Hunger Games."
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CuteLikeMurder
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Gamemaker (HG Mod)
As if killing the bard impresses us.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Dec 2, 2013 15:59:33 GMT -5
The escort chuckled. “My dear, boy if you wanted to volunteer all you had to do was ask.” She was eating it up. And perhaps that meant the Capitol citizens were already talking about him. “So tell us about yourself Jaeger. I know Panem's dying to know more about you.”
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Post by Seryna on Dec 2, 2013 16:09:29 GMT -5
"You got it, Regina." Crystal smiles at the girl. "I was in your shoes two years ago. I knew I was going to volunteer, but I knew I wasn't ready yet." A hand was placed on the girl's shoulder.
"I waited and nothing bad happened. You can join us in two years." A wink. Sixteen was better than fourteen.
Crystal smiled as Jaeger made his mark on the Reaping. She yields the stage to the new tribute, standing beside Diadem. "I met him yesterday," She says quietly to Diadem. " - and I get along with him. He has these two talents that will really help district one."
As the bowl explodes, she jerks slightly. "There is one," Crystal laughs. "- the other one probably shouldn't be displayed here. " At Bronze's whoop, she shoots Jaeger a grin of approval.
"We know how to volunteer." She says to the boy.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Gamemaker (HG Mod)
As if killing the bard impresses us.
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Dec 2, 2013 22:51:30 GMT -5
Regina nodded, with a relieved smile and scampered off the stage. She couldn't wait to get away from the watchful eye of the ever-present camera. Live feed, to those that could afford it. Otherwise they would catch it later. Diadem looked Crystal right in the eye. She didn't nodded until the end of it. She wanted to make sure that she understood it. “We'll speak more on the train. After you meet with your families.”Diadem seemed to stress that. Like there was a time when she had the opportunity and didn't. It had cost her. Bronze smirked. Geniunely pleased with both tributes. He hadn't been a fan of Riven. And Laz, well, he hadn't lasted very long. And part of that he blamed on Diadem, filling some of these kids' heads with this unfounded sense of nobility and honor. So what if she betrayed her alliance and killed most of them in their sleep. So what. She did what she had to do and that earn her a crown and a ticket home. “Yes,” Karrigan said, with a smile. She took a ushered Crystal back over to center stage. “Look at these two tributes. Strong, powerful. They already carry themselves as victors. We need a victor. And that victor will be one of these two. Anyone that speaks differently is making a fools bet.”Congrats! More credits have been added to your account.
+60 Credits for Karrigan's endorsement Karrigan Sheen rolled 12 dice to "Charm" 9,9,2,5,3,7,8,1,2,6,10,9,9 (6 successes)
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Post by Seryna on Dec 3, 2013 0:03:45 GMT -5
"Oh, I can't wait to hear what Dean says. I'm sure he'd think that Jaeger made a bigger bang than me." Crystal smiles at Diadem, happy at the thought of seeing her family again. Of seeing Nell one more time. Dean would be coming to the Capital with her- every one seems to bring their brothers, sisters and cousins to be hosted. It was the 'in' thing now. Yet Crystal wouldn't let the Capital get a good look at Nell - she was different. Special.
Crystal gave Karrigan a nod when she was ushered back to the center stage. A nod of gratitude. "Thank you, Karrigan." Crystal says sincerely.
"I'm been hearing strategies for the Games for four years now, Karrigan." Crystal kept it conversational with Karrigan. If the cameras picked it up, it'd be all right - but it was the mentors who now captured her attention. These living legends were speaking with her. It was exhilarating.
"I don't intend to lose." She smiles. "Riven was a great contender, good skill with a blade. I don't intend to make the same mistake."
She left it at that. Vague. Make the interviewers wonder what 'mistake' she was referring to and how Crystal would be different. Keep them talking about district one. She looks over to Jaeger and relaxed her face, pressing her lips tightly together for a minute when he looks at her. She signals that she's done talking for the Reaping. Was he going to go out with a proclamation or would the escort give a polished speech to see them out, she wondered.
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Dec 3, 2013 5:05:04 GMT -5
Jaeger Thorn, District One Male The Boy Who Chose His Own Destiny!I spoke up on cue, feeling out the crowd's emotion by reading their body language as I said what I had to say with determination and conviction. Jaeger Thorn rolled 6 dice to "Wits + Empathy" 8,7,8,2,5,6 (2 successes) "This Games, we have something to remind Panem. We are District One and proud. We are Careers, forged in fire and steel. We were raised for this and this year, we're going to show you exactly what Careers can do!"
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