Sure, Kat, you can join! Do you die, and if so, when?

I'm just gonna start with the reaping and work my way up from there. :)

//Amali/

/Reaping/

I ran through the warehouse, surrounded by bright colors and patterns, only a blur of that myself. My dark redish brown curls bouncing around my head. I was late, as always, but late to a reaping? I had to be crazy if I thought I wasn't going to be caught. Oh well, I had to try.

I slipped out of the warehouse and into the crowded square. I started to edge along the side of the warehouse, towards the group of 16 year olds. They called the boy first, but I wasn't paying attention. Just as he started making his way up to the stage, the Peacekeeper infront of me turned around.

I started, because I knew him. It was Huliam, who had guard duty in my section in my factory. He was always kinder to me than the other Peacekeepers and we had shared jokes together before. He glanced around to make sure there wasn't anybody watching before grabbing my arm. I was dead, he would take me somewhere and I'd be killed. Nothing we shared before mattered.

I was shocked when he shoved me into the crowd of 16 year olds. He looked at me and tried to say somthing, but he was cut off by the name reverberating through the square.

"Illan, Amali Illan!"

I turned to face the stage, and started walking, in a trance, up to the stage. The little bubble of hope that had grown in my chest at Huliams kindness burst. I was going to die.

/Makeover/ (not sure what else to call this)

I was stripped down and cleaned. Scrubbed, shaved, plucked, and generally beautified. One of my stylist team was a girl with a head of brown, black, blonde, light red, and (just for fun, she told me) neon blue curls, of all sized and textures. From ringlets to waves, pin-sized to fist sized, all done up afro-style. Her skin was light but had a chocolaty tint to it. She was wearing what looked like an army green tent as a skirt, and her top was made of light silvery fabric draped over her arms and torso. Her name was Maiam, May-ee-am, she said.

Then there was Dakiss. His skin was tinted an unattrative light orange. His hair was short in back and long in front with yellowish red (no, not orange) ringlettsthat reched at least 6 inches out from his head at a 90 degree angle. He was wearing a simple red suit. Kinber had straight black hair, and deep blue skin with sparkling silver swirls and paisleys. She was short, about 5 feet 2 inches, and was older than the rest. She seemed to have the kindness and brains the others lacked.

Finally, I was handed a thin robe, which I draped over myself gratefully, and I was left to sit. A few minutes later, a young man stepped out of a side door.

"I am Takami, your stylist!" he said beaming, and swept into a low bow, making me blush, but dully (if you can blush dully). He seemed sincerely happy to meet me, and though he said nothing on the subject, sympathetic for my position. I was to depressed to care though. A lot of people were sympathetic, but that didn't change the fact that I was going to die.

//Takami//

She was prettier than I thought, and she seemed so lost I felt horrible, I was dressing her up to die. But I pushed that to the back of my mind as I led her to a small room over looking the city for lunch.

She served herself some of a chicken dish with honeyed beets and a fruit gelatin.

I didn't toutch anything but leaned back and surveyed her as she ate. She really was quite pretty, and as I looked closer at her I realized that she had purple eyes. Light, almost blue, and very pretty.

I opened my mouth to talk to her, but stopped short. I sighed and grabbed a glazed roll. There was no point trying to get to know her if she was just going to die anyway.

Leo-

The whole process of being clothed is degrading. My stylist, a woman with abnormal turquoise skin and matching hair pulls my body into a costume that looks like a tree.

“Just for the record, I’m District 11 and not 7.”

“I know.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, obviously annoyed.

“So…”

“You aren’t a tree. You’re an apple tree. And the other little one--Magnolia, right?--is a pear tree. It’ll be so cute. And when you get out, you will wait a moment. Then you will shake. The apples will fall off creating a sort of smoke. You have thirty seconds to press this button and turn into an apple.” She shows me a button that blends in with the “tree bark” on the costume.

“Am I expected to get sponsors being an apple?”

Her answer is a tinkling laugh. Obviously, I am supposed to be laughed at. Turning into an apple. Idiotic idea. 

Prep team! *Smacks Head* that's what they're called! I get it now. :) And I think she dies but I get dibs on her death scene!!!

//Jonatte//

District 3 strode out from the canopy, clad in a black body suit with eletrical lights all over it. Theirs was pretty cool. Then it was our turn. Arab was there, smiling at me, and I realized that he was actually trying his best to help me live. I like him even more now. Kili's stylist was with him, and before the horses pulled our chariot into the line, she called out, "Smile, and look happy!" That'll take all my will power, just to pull out a smile. A roar welcomes us, and I catch a glimpse of the two of us in one of the screens. The lights were moving back and forth on us, and we looked like something of a wave. Everyone in Panem was watching this. Ma, and Jimetri, and Eli and her family would probably be watching on the old TV by the table in our hut. I was suddenly terrified at the crowd, some of these people will assist in my being murdered. I grasped Kilian's hand. He looked at me. "Are you alright?" I gulped, and nodded. "Yeah...It's just...So many people." He nodded and squeezed my hand. I pulled out my most dazzling smile, trying my best to gain at least one or two sponsors. No, it wasn't enough. With my free hand, I waved to some of the people closest to us. A few blew kisses. I returned them. Looking over to Kili, he was trying his best too. A nice smile, a few waves. But soon, we were in the training center, rushed off to our floor to watch everything, to prepare for training. Training! What was I going to do? I could tie some knots, throw some spears. But I would figure that out later. Tonight, it was just how many people loved us.

//Menola//

Oh. My. Gosh. I thought that with all the 'style' in the Capitol, they could at least give us a decent costume! But nooo, I had to walk around as a pear tree. How're we EVER going to get sponsors?! Never. Leo was dressed as an apple tree, with his arms as the limbs and his face in a hole where an owl would roost. At the sight of him, with that scowl on his face, turns all my anger to joy. "We look ridiculous!" I call out, trying but failing at stiffling my laughter. Seth comes in, and even for him it's hard to keep a straight face. "They really know nothing about our district." He says to us, making sure that none of the Capitols can hear. This sends me into another fit of giggles, until Seth puts his hands on our shouldars and steers us away and into the elevator. After that, we were loaded onto our chariot. After 30 seconds of waving and smiling, we pushed the button and our costumes went into a fit. They were smoking and shaking, until, at last, I was a pear and Leo an apple. This sent us both into laughter, which we kept the entire way back, smiling and waving, and for the first time since I've gotten here, I was honestly happy.

//Jonatte//

We were led into the Training Center, and Kili and I both split up. The rest of the careers are by the weaponry area, so I join them, hoping to get a few pointers. I grab a spear and strike it at the target, hitting the dummy right through the heart as if it were a fish. Then, after a few more rounds of that, I went to the archery station, trying to learn something new, at least. A little girl, about 12, was there, talking with the trainer. I chose a pretty-looking brown bow and its matching quiver of arrows. Putting the arrow to the string as instructed, I let go and let it fly, at least three feet away from target. The 12 year old stiffled a giggle, and I couldn't help but smile. "And you can do better?!" I scoffed. She grabbed my bow, plucked an arrow, and let it soar through the air, piercing the center with surprising accuracy. Astounded, I retrieved my bow. "Nicely down, little girl. I'm Jo, 4." "Menola, I'm from 11." A larger boy, around my age, came and steered her off in the seperate dircetion, towards the acrobatics section. I warded them away, and tried now to use the same form that Menola had been doing. I lunch bell dinged, and Atala (was that her name?...) led us into the dining hall, where Kili, the tributes from one and two, and I ate lunch, chatting about the games and training.

//Menola//

The training center. The exact place where your life is decided, whether you live or die. I walked in with Leo, and we decided to split up to cover more ground. I started with the plant section, completely surprising the instructor by my ability to identify plants in seconds, by sight, touch, and smell. I moved onto the knot tying station, then proceded to spear throwing. A tall boy with brownish hair was there, and his form was incorrect. Back home, we would sometimes use spears to kill neighboring tree squirrels that were eating all the fruit. He missed the target by a couple of inches, so I decided to help him out. "You're holding that wrong, you know." "I'm a fisher. I hold it the way I do in the water." I nod, "Well, that's wrong then. It'll get you nowhere above water." I picked up a spear and threw it, breaking the fabric that was the target. "See," I say with a smile, "It won't fall down." 

I walked towards archery, towards the thing I'd been looking forward to all afternoon. I chatted with the instructor, exchanging tips, debating whether or not there'll be bows at the Cornocopia. Soon another girl came by and started shooting, though her form was all wrong. I helped her with it, but then Leo called me over. "Look, don't make friends. Those are Careers, OK? They're the ones trying to kill us. Just stay with me for now, alright?" I nodded.

//Amali//

/Training center/

In the training room, I didn't exactly know what to do. I walked over to the knot tying station and looked around for a smaller rope.

"Is there a small one?" I ask the instuctor timidly. He proceeds to produce about 12 feet of waterproof shoelace from who knows where. I sat down cross-legged and began to work. Soon I was holding a small water-tight cup, just big eneugh to sit in the palm of my hand. I smile and look up at the instructor, but he's fast asleep. I roll my eyes and look around.

I see a camouflage station and go over to that. I take some reddish brown clay and start mixing it with dirt and sticky berry juice. I soon have a thick paste, and I spread it around the outside of my shoelace cup. I grab a handful of leaves, press them into the clay. I ask the instructor if I can leave it there to dry while I try out another station. She nods and I set it down.

I work my way around all the stations over the next couple of days, per my mentor's instructions, and try to figure out what I'm best at. My camouflaged shoelace cup was a pretty good success, but I don't have time to make a whole one during my private session so I've decided to first tie a small square out of the shoelaces, and then smear it with mud so it's sticky. I'll cover it with other things to make it blend in with the dummy used for knife practice, then stick it on there and spear it with a couple of knives. I'll proceed to complete the obstacle course and finish off with a bout of spear throwing and archery.

~~~~~~~~~~

4. 4! I'm going to die first in the arena, mark my words. I missed the first knife throw because I was so nervous and then they stopped paying attention. I was dismissed when I fell flat on my face off the obstacle course. I can't stand it anymore! My interview is going to be horrible.

//Jonatte//

District 2. Then 3. Finally, it was my turn to perform for the Gamemakers. I glanced at Kili, he gave me a smile, and I walked into the training room. The makers only seemed midly drunk, and only a few were eating, so I guess that it was a pretty good shot. I walked to the spear station and hit most of the targets, the ones I missed only by a couple of inches. I exceled at the knot tying course. And finally, I went to the archery station. I chose the same boy that I had had before, strung it, loaded an arrow, and pulled the string back. Remembering what the little girl, Menola, had said before, I readjusted my fingers on the wood and pulled back my arm further. Finally, content with my form, I released, and the arrow went flying, landing on the red. Full of excitement, I shot a few more, and most of them hit the red also. The Gamemakers pushed a buzzer, telling that it was time for me to leave. I smiled to Kili, and he walked into the station. I waited in a separate room for him, so we could go up to our rooms together, and he entered the room, face full of excitement. "It went well?"

"Yeah, you could say that." I smiled at him and we entered the elevator. We were alone becaues everyone else was busy celebrating and ordering up the sponsors. After a few seconds of silence, I burst into tears. "I'm so scared," I whispered, barely audibly because of my hiccups and sobs. He embraced me in a hug, and I got his shirt wet. "I'm not a career like you or the others. I'm going to die at the Cornocopia, I know it." He awkardly patted my back, which made me sob more. "You're going to kill me."

"No, no, Jo, I couldn't do that."

"But what if it comes to that?! What if I'm the only thing in the way from your going home? What if it's like that? You will win, Kilian. You have to win."

Hah, CAPTCHA says trim. 

//Menola//

In the training center I tied some knots, threw some spears, shot some arrows and played with some plants. Nothing really special. I sure wan't expecting anything above a five. It'd be a miracle if I even got a five. Okay, my spears and arrows were all on target. Okay, I can identify plants in seconds. But still, I'm an 11. I'm 12 years old. If they were going to give me a high score, it'd probably just be so the Careers can get me over with faster. Leo'll get the better score of us two. When we were both done, we were instructed to take the elevator up to our floor and eat, waiting for the scores to come on. We did so, but when we got there Seth wasn't there. Huh. He must still be in the control room. 

I feel so bad for not posting... like at all!

Luxuria Salman

I am the second one. I should be first, because I'm better than Krisitrian, but they say I have to go second because I'm a girl. It's not fair. I'm better. I'll kill him.

I walked into the room, and I didn't know what to do. I don't remember much after that. But when I did start remembering again, there was dummy stuffing all over the floor, the Gamemaker's mouths were all perfect little "o"s, and there were knives and swords and very pretty pointy things everywhere. I think I ripped all the dummies apart. Some with my hands, because they're red. They don't hurt though. Ripping dummies apart was fun, I think.

The Gamemakers kept looking at me. I think they love me. Very, very much. They want me to win.

They love me. I am happy, and I will win, and then not just the Gamemakers will love, but everybody else too.

* * * * * * *

Thanskyder Talorian

I didn't see the remains of whatever Luxuria did, but the Gamemakers were shocked. Mouths wide open, scared. There were less dummies, and I saw a few traces of stuffing. I wonder what she did. Her score should be interesting.

I knew what I was going to do. I'd had the idea for a while. I'd checked all the stations before hand, and there seemed to be everything.

From the camouflage station, I took a jar of gold glitter paint. Why it was camouflage, I don't know. From that same station, I took a piece of cloth that seemd to have an electronic pattern. From the weapons station, I took a trident. From a station that had flashlights, I took a battery. A piece of paper. A piece of cloth. An arrow. A chart showing livestock. An orange. A piece of coal.

District 1. District 3. District 4. District 5. District 6. Districts 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.

I got a sword, and smashed everything to bits. Then I smashed those bits to dust. But for the piece of paper, for District 7, I saved for last. I slammed my sword into the wooden floor and picked up the piece of paper, covered in dust and paint and glass.

And I ripped it. Into dust.

I didn't wait for them to tell me to leave.

************

Fortisarbor Vest

When I walked into the training room, I think all the Gamemakers spilled their drinks. It wasn't that hard to guess what happened. Thanskyder Talorian, the guy who wanted to rip me limb from limb, had done something. Something that probably involved ripping a look alike me limb from limb.

I just swung my axe around.