User blog:Rose Hathaway/The 1st Hunger Games

The 1st HUNGER GAMES
Message from the Capitol:

To the citizens of Panem - 

''The first Hunger Games will be set to begin within the next week or so. The Reaping for each individual district will be held in their respective town squares. Prior to the Games, twenty-four tributes will be selected to be sent into the Arena, one girl and one boy per district. The tributes will then make their way to the Capitol where the following will take place before the action starts:'' Be sure to keep on your toes, good luck, and may the odds be EVER in your favour.
 * A walk through the centre of the Capitol.
 * Standard training sessions.
 * Private training sessions and distribution of training scores.

THE TRIBUTES
''Enter your potential tributes into the Reaping by filling in the comment box below with their details. Required information to be included:'' Tributes will be Reaped when enough Potentials have either been messaged to the Capitol (my talk page) or via the comment box below.
 * Name.
 * Age.
 * District.
 * District token.
 * Skills.
 * Weaknesses.
 * Personality.
 * Weapon of choice.
 * Family background.
 * Brief history.

THE WALK
District 1 - Jewel and Everest

JEWEL'S POV

As we wind through the streets of the Capitol, I glance at my fellow tribute and District partner, Everest. Of course, we're stunning; I'm in a white, ankle-length dress with a silver-plated bodice, while Everest is in a dashing suit with silver cuffs. But I'm don't give a damn about how amazing we look, or even care to notice the raging crowds which have gathered here today. No. Instead, I'm looking under my eyelashes towards Everest Sateer, and as his head turns towards me, I allow myself a grin; I take his hand. Here's a tribute I can use.

District 2 - Amazon and Nathan

AMAZON'S POV

I glare at the crowd, completely ignoring their sounds of appreciation as they take us in. I know what I am: dangerous, cunning and out for blood. I can tell from some people in the crowd that they fear me, and with that, there's admiration too. I tug roughly at the belt in my waist and suppress the urge to scream out. Sure, it looks as if it's designed to hold my favourite things: knives, guns, battle axes. But, while I know it's irrational to think they'd let me carry a gun, even just for show, I hate it. I shoot Nathan a look of disdain, seeing him reel back briefly, and then I can't stop the derisive laugh that escapes my lips...

District 3 - Jackie and Ray

RAY'S POV

I don't know what to feel as Jackie and I begin the walk through the centre of the Capitol, drawing stares and roars of support from all round with our costumes which I know involves so many electronic intricacies. I look towards Jackie and start to say something, but she gives me an ugly grimace and I have the sense to stop. But she's not finished with the threat. She leans in close, and then I'm feeling pain rip through me as she digs her fingernails into my arm. I'm shocked, but as I survey the crowds I know I can't show pain and weakness now. Jackie smiles thinly and leans away, but I'm not paying attention to her anymore. I can't give her any piece of satisfaction. Not one.

District 4 - Michelle and Cod

COD'S POV

It's our turn, the tributes of District 4. We turn quite a few heads; Michelle looks great in fishnets and a dress which has hooks attached, and for a second I feel inferior to this gorgeous girl. But then I remember. The girl's depressed. I grin despite myself, knowing I'll be able to take her down easy. I look down, noticing my own fish hooks glint under the sun. Shaking off any doubt I have left, I stride with much more confidence. Michelle notices the change and I can see questions gathering in her eyes. But she knows I won't answer them. After all, who is she to me? Her being from Eight means a little shy of nothing to me. Nothing. But hey, she won't be my priority target. It's District 3 who need to to watch out. I grin again.

District 5 - Cathy and Malt

CATHY'S POV

The enthusiasm of the crowds is amazing. I blow kisses; I wave. Everyone goes nuts, and I beam, flashing my teeth to the people of the Capitol. Malt and I aren't particularly good-looking, but we more than make up for it with our easy smiles and fun personalities. I squueze Malt's hand and feel his tighten in mine. We both know only one of us can survive in these Games, but that doesn't mean we'll end up killing each other. The warmth of Malt's gaze permeates through every part of me, but the moment is cut short as I notice we're reaching the end of the Walk. "Good luck," I whisper softly, and then I touch my fingers to his.

District 6 - Kajama and Reed

KAJAMA'S POV

I don't care much for anything as I step with Reed on to the street to begin our walk through the Capitol. All I can think about is Finnick. Finnick, whose infectious personality and laugh sticks in my head when noting else does. I notice the crowds are a lot quieter now, but I instantly know why. Reed and I both don't give a thought to working the people of the Capitol, and for that I sort of admire him. As I break away from the image of Finnick in my mind, I turn to Reed for the first time to find him looking at me, and any admiration I feel fades to dust. His expression is malicious, just plain awful. And most of all, his eyes rage with bloodlust, and they're directed at me. Me.

District 7 - Sadie and Bay

BAY'S POV

As Sadie and I take to the streets, I feel a whip of nervousness hit me. It's not the crowds. And it sure as hell isn't the costume. It's her. Sadie. Sure, at first glance, I thought I could take her down in seconds, but as our proximity slowly grows closer, I know she's different, and I get the impression that her being my first choice to take down in the arena would be a bad move. And as confident and uncaring as I am, that ripple of nervousness starts to escalate, and soon, I'm fighting to throw it off. But I can't. Inwardly, I'm cursing Sadie, and the ghost of a smile I had on my face vanishes. I hate her.

District 8 - Shay and Felton

FELTON'S POV

I'm am hating this to no end. I look at Shay, and she manages an apologetic grimace when I know she's probably laughing inside. Seriously, we're District 8, Textiles, and Shay and I got the most stupid and tasteless stylists in the Games. Tie-dye. That's what we're wearing, and it's absolutely hideous. I suppose Shay looks alright, since she's wearing quite a showy dress in vibrant colours, but I'm a guy. Although those from the same districts are supposed to look the same, I still resent it. And I resent Shay, for looking so much better than me and giving this crowd someone to look forward to in these Games. I mean, really.

District 9 - Campbelle and Damien

CAMPBELLE'S POV

I feel like I'm about to cry, but unlike the other tributes, not from anticipation. I'm pretty much shaking in my anxiety, and my mind's just spiralling out of control here. Ever. Damien. Death. I'm one of the youngest in the Games, and already I'm feeling the heat. I know I can't survive this onslaught, but I also know that what I can do is make sure Damien does. He volunteered in that brutish boy's place to save me, and I'll live with guilt for the remainder of my life if I don't choose to help him now. But the decision isn't that hard really, and as I look from the streets ahead to the boy by my side, I have faith that things will be okay. It's between Damien and me. And I choose Damien.

District 10 - Pilla and Brick

BRICK'S POV

I heard Felton from District 8 complaining about having the most flavourless stylist in the Games, but I beg to differ. I'm looking from Pilla's two piece cow-print ensemble to my own, and I have to choke back laughter and... I guess anger. I can feel Pilla's palm become increasingly more clammy by the minute - she must be thinking along the same lines as me. The cruel snorts and laughter become nearly unbearable, but I know I must be strong, or at least look it. My name is Brick, after all.

District 11 - Max and Kira

KIRA'S POV

I'm loving the moment; it's just so different from the tiresome routines and rules that are District 11. Here in the Capitol, there's freedom. Room for creativity. The crowd are positively shrieking right now, and I think it's got something to do with the costumes Max and I are wearing. I'm wearing a beautiful green and silver dress which is weaved with wild grasses and flowers. But even in the excitement, I sense something's profoundly wrong. I turn my head towards my district partner, and I have my answer. Max. I start to open my mouth to ask him about whether his stoniness has something to do with the Capitol, but he jerks his head roughly to the side. I stop. And then I realise it has everything to do with the Capitol.

District 12 - Nemphisi and Faust

FAUST'S POV

I was expecting the coal-inspired suits, so I guess I'm cool with the whole "smoky" get-up. But, as much as everything seems out of control, I still think about Nemphisi. And I feel sad, because we haven't spoken a word since one time on the train when she told me to get lost. But this is partly why I love her so much. I know that under the hostlile exterior, something beautiful lies underneath. As we near the end of the Walk, I seize the moment. I know that if I just place my hand in her's she will pull away and give me an angry glare, so I quickly grab it and squeeze hard before pulling away. It has the desired effect; shock registers on her face, and temporarily, her beautiful face loses its trademark scowl. I mentally capture the moment - when I die, I want to remember her like this.

STANDARD TRAINING SESSIONS - Highlights
THE CAREERS

JEWEL'S POV

As soon as we arrive at the Training Centre, I'm going for a pair of lethal battle axes. Using a wide wooden pole as my target, I get a good, firm grip on one axe and send it across the room. My aim is perfect, my strength causing it to stick solidly into the pole, and in a heartbeat, the other axe is in the air and lands right next to it; it's exactly where I wanted it to be. I catch Everest looking at me and I smile. These Games are mine for the taking.

EVEREST'S POV

I survey the Centre for my ideal weapons, and it's not long before I head to the knive-throwing station and come up with an impressive number of throwing knives. Out of the corner of my eye I see Jewel's expertly hurling a pair of axes into the wooden pole across the room from her. This grates on my mind, but I jerk my head back to my set of knives and at the target before me: a huge dartboard. I register it for a moment longer, and then, I'm throwing my deadly weapons towards the bulls-eye. All five knives hit it dead-on and are lodged firmly into the dartboard. I give myself some time to congratulate myself before homing in on an elongated silver spear just to my right.

AMAZON'S POV

Immediately, I spy a mace to my left and move swiftly to retrieve it. Without hesitating, I grab it, and in the same movement, I throw it with incredible force towards the wall opposite me; I know and don't care that I've ignored the target provided for me, and this has the desired effect as four or five tributes stop in their tracks to stare at me. As soon as the mace has stuck in the wall, I grab a knife from the next station and send it into a table half way across the room. While this demonstrates excellent speed and skill, I'm not satisfied and I decide to be naughty, driving a throwing axe into Brick Merlack's target, a sturdy wooden board. It sticks into the board faster that his spear and he looks down, embarrassed as it bounces off my axe and onto the floor. He looks at me, shocked, and I stare back, daring him to challenge me. Unsurprisingly, he doesn't.

MICHELLE'S POV

As I head into the Training Centre, I see a set of tridents a few steps away from me. I look back and forth between my weapons and the other tributes before I bury them into the heart and eyes of a wooden dummy about a one and a half metres away from me. Next I pick up two spears to try out, one very long and the other short. As I skewer the dummy's neck I realise that I actually prefer a short spear to a long one; I'm not exactly sure why but maybe it's because it fits way better in my hand and so I can direct it more accurately and faster as well. Using the tridents and spears has also caused me to see the extent of my skills, and I know I will never underestimate myself. Ever.

THE UNDERDOGS

BRICK'S POV

I feel my cheeks grow hot as I shoot a look at Amazon. She had no right, and I feel like yelling at her, but I know that it won't affect her in the slightest; she'd just brush it off, laugh even. So I turn from her, and concentrate on the bow and arrows I have selected from the archery station. The weapons are beautiful as well as deadly, the bow a polished ebony and the arrows with golden tips. Still sort of steaming from Amazon's show of power, I string back my first arrow and face my target, a wooden dummy. My hands are not used to this bow, and my first arrow - aimed for the dummy's left eye - ends up just above its bottom lip. I grit my teeth and string another arrow, this time raising the tip to an even deadlier position: the space right between the eyes. Before I release it though, I imagine Amazon as my target, and then I send the arrow... straight between the eyes. I blink for a moment, and then I laugh. And then I think Amazon might not be so bad after all...

SADIE'S POV

I roll my eyes at all the tributes using fancy weapons, and instead make my way towards the trapping station. It doesn't take me that long to rig up about a dozen snares, and I smile as I know that my trapping ability combined with my solid climbing skills and knowledge of plants, will allow me to survive, food-wise. I then make my way to the camoflauging station, thinking what I could learn there would be an absolute asset if some Career comes my way. But that's only if I've got no weapons left.

RAY'S POV

I'm so bad at using weapons, and hopeless at knot-tying and plant identification. Dejected after about half an hour of trying to use a mace, I shuffle over to a table and pick up a slingshot. It looked easy enough to handle, unlike those heavy battle axes and swords. The supervisor at that station showed me the basics of the weapon, and in no time at all, I was hitting somewhere on the target every time with stones. While I still wasn't nearly good enough to handle a deadly weapon yet, I knew this was the first step.

PRIVATE TRAINING SESSIONS - Highlights
JEWEL - She throws two battle axes into a wooden dummy's right eye and neck. Then she grabs a spear and sent it straight into a sandbag, which bursts open.

Training Score: 11

EVEREST - He hurls half a dozen throwing knives at a wooden statue, pinning it to the wall. Then he picks up two sandbags and takes the statue's head off.

Training Score: 10

AMAZON - She drives several knives straight through the heart of a dummy, and then uses a whip to latch onto a hanging light and pull it down.

Training Score: 10

NATHAN - He throws two axes into moving targets simultaneously, and then shoulder-rolls forward to hurl a mace into the wall.

Training Score: 11

JACKIE - She throws a spear at a wooden board two metres away, but her aim is off and instead, the spear sticks into the leg of a nearby chair. Then she snatches up two short knives and throws them at a dummy, managing to skewer both eyes.

Training Score: 7

RAY - He flings rocks from a slingshot towards a moving target, but only half of them even make it to the target. Then he ties a simple knot around the head of a dummy.

Training Score: 4

MICHELLE - She hurls a trident at a large vase in one corner of the room, shattering it. Then she gathers up the longer and sharper glass shards and throws them at a wooden dummy, managing to lodge one into its throat.

Training Score: 9

COD - He punches the head off a dummy and then lobs it towards the wall; while the head is in the air, he sends a broadsword into it and is successful in pinning it to the wall. Then he frees the broadsword and drives it deep into the table next to him.

Training Score: 12

CATHY - She sets up a few snares, and attempts to stick a knife into a dummy, but it falls well short of the target. Then she climbs up a rope ladder to the right of the dummy.

Training Score: 3

MALT - He uses a sword to slice open a sandbag, and then he pulls it out, sending it through the chest of a dummy.

Training Score: 5

FINAL SCORES:

JEWEL - 11

EVEREST - 10

AMAZON - 10

NATHAN - 11

JACKIE - 7

RAY - 4

MICHELLE - 9

COD - 12

CATHY - 3

MALT - 5

KAJAMA - 8

REED - 6

SADIE - 9

BAY - 5

SHAY - 7

FELTON - 4

CAMPBELLE - 6

DAMIEN - 10

PILLA - 6

BRICK - 9

KIRA - 7

MAX - 9

NEMPHISI - 10

FAUST - 6

THE ARENA
Announcer: 

For the very first Hunger Games, we've decided to make the arena... hard to get to. Tributes will be standing on five metre high platforms on their metal plates. Remember, if you move before the minute is off, you have no chance of winning the Games.

To get on the ground and into the Arena, tributes must climb down a rope ladder hanging off the edge of their respective platforms. If you're afraid of heights, well, this may not be a pleasant experience for you.

Once tributes have successfully reached the Arena, the Cornucopia will be in the centre, an equal distance from the raised platforms. For this Games, there won't be specific items to pick up from the mouth of the horn, so tributes will be able to supply themselves with: weapons, food, backpacks etc.

There is a lake to the left of the circle of five metre high platforms, and forest to the right. There will most definitely be twists and turns along the way, but those won't be revealed until they are uncovered personally by the tributes in the Arena.

Oh, and by the way, if a tribute stays on their metal plate for longer than five minutes, a land mine will be detonated that will destroy all twenty-four platforms.

May the odds be EVER in your favor...

SPONSORS
This is important to all mentors (that's all you users out there who submitted tributes). Each of you will be supplied with a balance of $250 which you can use to buy weapons, food or particular survival tools for your tributes. Remember that this balance does not have to be used on YOUR tribute/s only - if yours doesn't make it, that doesn't mean you can't aid other tributes.

WEAPONS

Standard knife - $80

Dagger - $100

Awl - $150

Throwing knives (half a dozen) - $200

Standard axe - $130

Throwing axes (pair) - $230

Blowgun - $200

Bow and arrows (dozen) - $200

Mace - $180

Net - $110

Slingshot - $50

Spear - $200

Broadsword - $240

Trident - $240

Whip - $150

FOOD

Strips of dried beef - $50

Egg rolls (half a dozen) - $80

Loaf of bread - $100

Basket of apples (half a dozen) - $130

Basket of strawberries (dozen) - $180

Tureen of stew - $200

SURVIVAL TOOLS

Backpack (empty) - $50

Rope (half a metre) - $100

Essentials Backpack (empty water bottle, iodine tablets and a blanket) - $140

Weapons Backpack (a set of throwing knives and an awl) - $200

Tent pack - $240

THE GAMES - Day 1
PILLA's POV

As I'm released onto my metal plate, I look around. All the tributes are standing on metal plates which in turn are on platforms five metres above the ground. This doesn't pose a threat to me, but I can tell by the looks on many of the tributes' faces that they are going to have trouble getting into the actual arena.

The minute's up, and I don't waste time; I have to get to the Cornucopia first if I have a chance of winning the Games, for myself, for my sister Mim. The rope ladder's kind of flimsy, and it hangs dangerously off the edge of the platform, but I handle it with ease, hitting the ground in no time. Then, I run straight towards the centre of the ring of platforms, heading for all the items I will need to stay alive in these Games. I quickly pick up a navy blue backpack from just outside the mouth, shaking it briefly to check that it's not empty. I shove a set of half a dozen throwing knives into my belt, and then I'm out of there. Disappearing into the woods.

I allow myself a smile - there's no-one behind me.

NEMPHISI'S POV

I'm just get off my rope ladder to see Pilla Gapsin running unpursued into the woods which ring the right half of the arena. Damn, she's fast, I think. I'm fully pelting towards the Cornucopia, but just a few paces behind me is that boy from Eleven, Max Summers.

I reach the mouth of the horn, knowing I have to get my hands on a bow and arrows, but I realise I have my work cut out for me when I see two of those vicious Careers - Jewel and Nathan - already armed with spears and battle axes. I decide to risk it all when my eyes catch the glint of an ivory bow and a matching sheath of arrows, just out of arms reach.

Using all the speed I have, I bolt towards the weapons, feeling an axe whiz just behind my head. I manage to grab the bow and sling the sheath of arrows over me, but not without getting a knife in the leg from Nathan. The pain is shocking, but I know I'll be able to handle it if I can just get away. Knowing my life is on the line here, I sprint away from the Cornucopia and into the woods.

I just make it.

SHAY'S POV

I'm jumping off the end of my rope ladder. I'm sprinting like mad, but just as I can really see the mouth of the horn, I also see Malt Easer being brutally knifed in the back by Amazon over at the Cornucopia. He crumples to the ground, blood leaking everywhere, but I don't let this get to me as I grab my first weapon: a knife. And then it happened.

I turn around, just in time to see Ray Plug's platform collapse underneath him, and within moments, everything is self-destructing around me. I tried to outrun the explosions, but it got to me. Before I got my legs blown off from beneath me, I think, What a way to die, at the hands of this filthy thing we call the Capitol.

CATHY'S POV

I see Cod Harbor from District Four coming towards me from the left hand side of the Cornucopia, his fists raised. I can see an array of knives at his belt, but he doesn't draw a single one as he charges at me. I'm not prepared as he slams into me, and I fall roughly onto the hard-packed earth below.

I find myself begging for mercy, for this powerful boy to somehow have the goodness spare me, but it doesn't happen. He picks me up and throws me back down onto the ground head first, and as I feel my nose break his fist hurtles towards my head, without a doubt a one-hit death strike.