The Tribute Youth Programme: June

[etcircenses]

Who| Any Tribute character aged 18 and under. This is ICly Mandatory for Tributes under 18 so your character will be there even if you don't tag in.
What| June's TYP round; school is not out for summer
Where| A private school building within the Capitol.
When| Regular school hours (8 AM to 3 PM) four days a week (Monday-Thursday)
WARNINGS| Mind-altering juice boxes, indoctrination. Place any needed warnings within comment headers.
NOTES| If you would like your character to be caught trouble-making, please contact mods. We are looking for both Mentors to speak of the District they hail from (or represent), and Capitolite characters to talk of Panem's greatness. If you would like your character to stand as a guest speaker for the next round, please refer to this post. The fantastic Tribute Youth Programme uniforms are designed and drawn by Reiko.

The moment Tribute youths start to trickle back in, the Tribute Youth Programme kicks back up. The Teacher took the break to mark your work-- and bring out the special surprise of getting some letters in for all the kids who participated! Did you enjoy your break class? Those watching sure did.

Class will go much likeit did before, anthems, uniforms, and all. By now the new badges should all be sewn right in. You still have the opportunity to earn more, and on top of all this, your letter replies have at last come in!

Comments

Guest Speaker - Capitol

[etcircenses]

Sadly, not all of the students here understand the values that make up our fine Capitol. Sacrifice, Honor, Equity, Glory. These are the values we seek to uphold both here within the Tribute Youth Programme, out in the Capitol, and competing within the arenas. Here to talk to you all a little bit about the Capitol is our first guest speaker...

[currupted]

Good morning. My name is Cyrus Reagan.

[Tributes don't often get to see him acting the politician. His demeanor around the Training Center is more stern, more focused, than it is now; he speaks more quickly than he's speaking now, and with less a range of inflection.

In front of the students, though, he looks and sounds more relaxed. His suit is cut more daringly than the more sober clothes he wears to the office, and his smile is natural. This is what Cyrus Reagan looks like when he's speaking to the public. This is what he looks like when he's delivering a speech.]

I know many of you have met me before. I've spoken with some of you over the network, or over my personal line, and others I've had the opportunity to speak with in person. I know some of you are under the care of my brother Stephen, in District Six. [A brief pause and a smile, to scan the room for familiar faces.] However, some of you may not know that I have a job in addition to my duties to you and the other Tributes. For more than ten years, I have been a member of President Snow's cabinet of ministers. I supervise District Affairs, just like my father, Julius Reagan, did before me.

[They have no reason to care what Cyrus' family has done, of course; but including it is deliberate. Both a lesson about how power passes between people in the Capitol, and a reminder that his family has always been powerful here.]

That means that I know a great deal about the Districts-- more than most of the people you've met in the Capitol. It's my responsibility to understand the Districts, their people, and all of the ways they contribute to life in the Capitol. I take that responsibility very seriously.

[There is nothing in his tone, his expression, or his demeanor to indicate that this is not true.]

…But enough about me. I'm here to speak to you about something bigger than me-- bigger than you, or any District. I'm here to speak to you about the Capitol, and its duty to you.

[The careful weight he gives the word, his slight lean in as he speaks, makes clear how he wants it to be received.]

I know many of you feel that you haven't been given any reason to care about Panem - that you have been asked for great sacrifice against your will, and been given nothing worthwhile in return. [A small, wry smile--] No, I know. It isn't against the law to think so. I promise.

And so you must understand: We of President Snow’s cabinet, we who are writing the laws that will keep Panem strong as it moves forward into a bright and glorious future—we are working, every day, to find new ways to repay you for the vital work you do for us. You may have been told – you may have thought yourselves, even – that the Capitol does not care about its Districts. That we take without giving. But to think so shows a terrible lack of understanding on your part – and, perhaps, even a failure on ours.

[Look at his face. This is the face of someone who really believes what he is saying.]

I think the most important thing for you to learn from our Youth Program is that you-- yes, all of you—are important to us. And not just important, but vital. Without you, the future of Panem is simpler, maybe—but also duller. Uglier. Less complete. Every person, in every District, has a part to play in making Panem great. And that includes you. The Capitol cares about you. Every individual person in the Capitol is invested, personally, in you. That is, I believe, the most valuable piece of knowledge you can take from your education here.

You must not be afraid to be as great as Panem wishes you to be. You must not be afraid to fill the place that you have been given, to the best of your ability. Panem will be better for it. And that makes all of us better.

[Cyrus smiles.]

Thank you for your attention. I’ll take your questions now.

Guest Speaker - Districts

[etcircenses]

What a wonderful thing it is to learn more of the Districts you all fight for! Especially from a Mentor who exemplifies the District 10 value of compliance. Pay attention class, our guest has much to say.

Was it mentioned that these speeches will be broadcast to the world for all other Tributes, Capitolites, and even District citizens to see?

[impaledqueen]

Good morning, citizens of Panem, and especially good morning to you boys and girls. A special thanks should go to the Youth Program for allowing me to speak today.

[Peggy Carter is even more impeccably dressed than usual. She has a dark red dress on, loose-fitting around her hips and legs and modest for the sake of propriety around children, and a dark red scarf tight around her neck. She wears the same shade of red on her lipstick, and her makeup hides any flaw the camera might have picked up.]

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Peggy Carter. I’m a mentor of District 10 and victor of the 67th Hunger Games. You might have seen me around the Tribute Center.

[You don’t want to ask how long it took her to figure out how to describe life in District 10 without being wildly anti-Capitol.]

District 10 is the livestock District, located in the Midwest of Panem. We produce meat, dairy, and other animal products that are shipped directly to the Capitol. We also produce skins and furs, which go straight to District 8 to be processed and used in textiles. As you can imagine, we have more animals than people.

[She leans on the podium, looking away from the cameras so she can smile and hold eye contact with the kids she’s supposed to be talking to. She’d rather put a show on for the off-worlders than the Capitolites anyway.] And I really mean that. The animals outnumbered us by far. Ride down any road in District 10 and you’ll see about ten animals for every person. We’re lucky most of them aren’t terribly smart, or we might have had problems. As it stands, they’d give us enough headaches just being animals. Every now and then, some would break out of their pens and we would have to chase them around. Some of them were eaten by wild animals while others would kill a coyote and proudly present it to the barn hands like we might give it a treat for exacerbating the farm animal/coyote turf war.

But some of the escaping animals would stay closer to civilization. I once woke up to find that a fugitive baby alpaca had somehow broken into my house in the middle of winter and was eating my blanket. If you’ve never seen a baby alpaca, they’re some of the warmest, softest things you’ll ever find. Since it was freezing that night, I decided to just grab it, roll over, and fall back asleep. Easily the best sleep I had all season.

[The next morning, she, Steve, and Bucky carried the baby back to the barn it had escaped. It kept trying to eat Steve’s hair, to his dismay. She and Bucky had a lot of fun telling him how much better his hair looked when slicked and spiked with alpaca teeth and saliva.

She flashes a smile at the camera. Bright and brilliant, completely real even though it’s hard to differentiate from her fake ones. That smile isn’t for the Capitol—it’s for someone else who may not even be able to see it all the way in 13.]

In exchange for wrangling the troublemakers long enough to give Panem food and skin, the Capitol gives us security, order, and resources. It’s thanks to the Capitol that we have teachers, medical supplies, and a peacekeeping force. It’s also thanks to the Capitol that all the Districts are connected—that we can get flour from District 9, food and cotton from District 11, power from District 5, and so on. [This can be seen as an extra lavishing of praise on the Capitol. This can also be seen as a subtle reminder that the Districts help each other even if they can’t communicate.] We’re eternally grateful to the Capitol, and raising animals for Panem is a small price to pay for all it does for us in District 10.

I welcome any questions you may have.

[After questions]

[She waits until there aren’t any more hands up to ask something before she pushes away from the podium.]

Talking’s all well and good, but a fifteen minute lecture is hardly enough to describe a culture. A young person from District 10 usually has experience riding everything from horses to ostriches around town. As much as I would like to bring in an ostrich for everyone to ride, that may not be as safe as we’d like.

[She steps off stage, gesturing the children to follow her.] So instead, I’ve brought a pony. Anyone who’s interested in having a taste of District 10 culture and learning how to ride it can follow me.

Recess Break - Kid’s mingle

[etcircenses]

June is for tasting the fruit of your labors. Although most of you have clearly not borne the fruit of an arena Victory, you have worked hard nevertheless. The yard has changed some from the last time you all were here. Now, where once were simple bushes, grow fruits of all kinds; blueberries, cherries, and did you know that strawberries were a part of the rose family? And to wash it all down, a watermelon keg has been set up outside, free for use.

But that’s just one way the tributes can keep cool. The mist off the fountain blows across the yard, keeping the yard green and and children keen. And if not rested upon one the pleasant red and white checkered blankets strewn about, why not take the time to explore? Bugs like nothing off-worlders have ever seen before can be found. Further oddities like strangely-patterned caterpillars, ladybugs that spell letters and numbers with their dots, crickets that will echo any song you sing with soft chirps, can all be found. There are even small plastic nets one can use to catch the butterflies that roam through, some of them changing brilliant color after color.

Those kids not interested in that, or in settling back with some Instant-Form Bubble-Blowing-Formula, will still find little chance of being bored. Projections have appeared on the far fence, showing off the still on-going arena with witty commentary by Caesar Flickerman. There is no chance of changing the channel.

Kurt - OTA

[middleversed]

They told him it had been about three days since the Arena, that he lost and better luck next time and now off to school without really any time to process what exactly had gone on. He'd been ushered around the suites in a daze, going through the motions of getting washed, dressed, eating breakfast. It's like they expected him to just take it in stride, but he had died. He can't wrap his head entirely around that no matter how hard he tries and it makes it impossible to concentrate on whatever the teacher had been saying all morning.

Finally they're let out into the sun and Kurt wanders the yard aimlessly at first, his fur catching the mist from the fountain like dew and shimmering where he walks. The fruit tastes good - sweeter than fruit has any right to taste - and he finds a quiet corner with a blanket in the shade on which to sit and everything seems so calm and peaceful that Kurt almost feels guilty for not feeling more happy or grateful.

Instead he curls his arms and tail around his knees and hides his face. A moment later his shoulders are shaking as he tries to muffle the soft crying from carrying past his little shadow of relative safety. He mentally berates himself, you're an X-Man, X-Men don't cry. What would Professor Logan say? What would Scott and Jean think?

It doesn't help. He can't stop it.

Eventually, he tires himself out and simply sits with his chin on his knees, staring vaguely with red-rimmed eyes as a ladybug lands on his finger. At least he thinks its a ladybug. It's still red with black dots, but it's faceted like a ruby and has delicately curling antennae longer than its entire body. It's beautiful, but Kurt only admires it as if from a long distance. He has too much else on his mind.

((ooc: Feel free to approach Kurt while he's breaking down or after he's done.))

Sandy Marko OTA

[justoutrunyou]

She hesitant to try the fruits since she's become suspicious of the Juice boxes, however much to her relief they taste exactly how fruits should. And her focus doesn't seem to be altered at all.

So with a small pile of picked fruit she sits watching the arena with morbid focus. She might as well make the most of this time and try and learn from the other competitors right? It beats watching the bugs spell things in the grass. And she's too modest about her own singing voice to sing to the crickets.

Gary Epps OTA

[a_minute_younger]

He won't eat any of the food. It pains him absolutely--the whole yard reeks of delicious fresh fruits that all look so ripe and inviting, and every time Gary passes them by he wonders just how right Punchy was to tell him to avoid Tribute-specific foods. Surely a couple wouldn't hurt? A handful? He would probably be safe with a handful.

Or they could make him feel like he did after having that juice box they gave him during the first weeks of class. It only takes that thought to convince him otherwise; but then that leaves the entire yard to work with, and no food to keep himself occupied. Thankfully, it appears that the Capitol heard his complaints from the last round of school.

Gary finds the bubble-blowers first. It's a marvelous thing, and within minutes he has terrorized everyone in the immediate vicinity of the central fountain with them. Huge bubbles drift along the water's mists, distracting the unwary while Gary ambushes them from behind with sudden streams blown from the little soapy circlet in his hand.

At some point he either gets bored or the bubble-maker is forcibly taken away from him, at which point Gary has to find something else to do. He's distressed at first to find all options removed, but eventually he locates the prized jewel of the playground: the singing crickets. Gary is quick to find out what they do and kidnaps a tiny swarm of them, which he relocates to a checkered blanket and coos to, softly, trying to harmonize with them as they echo his whistled tunes.

This is all well and fun, but even those outlast their charm. Eventually Gary will start trailing discretely after people, and the crickets will end up in people's drinks or their hair. Or he'll attempt to get them there, anyways--maybe someone will catch him as he dangles the poor insects over their head.

Field Trip - Open to all

[etcircenses]

Today the class has been gifted something special. A field trip! Tributes are gathered into the bus and driven into the depths of the city’s center. Here a large metal flower blooms. This flower just so happens to be the brilliant and sprawling Capitol Art Museum, set within the art district. Within those walls hang paintings of all kinds, thought-provoking installations, and proudly standing sculptures.

This museum features the only collection in Panem with art from before the Dark Days, when war was rampant. Tributes from worlds called earth may recognize some of them and will be cheerily informed via tour guide about the destruction that came to many pieces no longer around-- like the original Mona Lisa!

The only art collection that can compare is the of the President, you will all be informed. The president’s mansion dates from before the Dark Days as well and within those walls is a set of bronze doors done by the 15th century artist Donatello himself. But wonder can still be found in the new! There are many amazing and even climbable installations. There are art pieces and artists come from the Districts, and all around the main gallery are smaller ones and artists looking to sell their pieces. And stylists too! Some are even willing to paint a Tribute’s face or do their makeup for free. If one does like it, they may always attempt washing their face off with the fountain water.

At some point during the tower you may notice a girl, and what appears to be her father, talking rapidly. Once the tour group moves close enough some of the conversation can be made out.

“--and even graffiti counts as art you know, I think there should be a place here for it among the greats!” Says the girl. The man scoffs, “I think it’s a pain for everyone who works there.” “Yeah but it must meaning something, I mean, look what it says!” “They’re scientists, of course they’re playing with fire--” and that is the most anyone will hear before the tour guide calls out and directs them elsewhere.

Later Tributes are gifted another trip, this time to the Potentia Performing Arts Complex. Ballet, opera, orchestra and theatrical performances happen nightly here, and if one looks closely, they may be able to see that not all the talent is Capitol born. Maybe Districters of exceptional skill have been brought here, given better lives (whether they like it or not).

Normally they don’t do performance like this in the day, but they arranged this piece special for you. Tribute youths are indulged with brief stints of theatre performances, opera, and dance. Swelling musical masterpieces set the mood for each, culminating in a grand show. Following the show, Tributes are invited to seek out any of the performers they would like and try their hand at the chosen art with respective instructors.

Tribute youth are reminded that even they can one day devote themselves to a career of this nature. It is only a matter of working hard enough at one’s studies, finding an area they made dedicate themselves to, and petitioning free of the arenas. Then they may grow and live just as other people in the Capitol do.

As always, the Tributes are guarded by Peacekeepers. For their protection of course.

Field Trip with Sandy! A,B or C

[justoutrunyou]

[A]

What a surprise, Sandy is gloomy.

Upon finding out where they were going, guilt swelled in her stomach and felt like a stone that she couldn't digest. As if she wasn't feeling bad enough about yet another loss in the arena, now she was coming to a place like this?

She had once been excited to come to the museum, back when Effie was promising to bring her here. It was going to be something they could do together, to share a mutual love of color and creativity.

Barely a week after that promise had been made Sandy had gone into the arena, and once she was out Effie was gone.

**************************
[B]

Her glum demeanor struggles against her love of art however and soon the frowning, pouting girl is gone and instead Sandy is studying each piece with fascination. She even cracks half a smile when encouraged to climb on one of the installations.

She shows particular interest in work from the districts, and peaces from Panem's history. The guilt is still there lurking over her shoulder like a shadow threatening to dim the colors and light of this collection, but for the time being she's able to be self indulgent and soak in the ambiance of it all.

***************
[C]

The dancing stuns her however. She had never thought much of the fancy ball room dancing the Effie taught her but this...this was like telling a story through action. Her eyes are wide and at times her mouth falls open at the steps the dancers manage. The operatic singers are a bit above her level of appreciation, and while she can appreciate the spoken word performances nothing captivated her nearly as much as the dancers.

Lilah Cadash, chaperone!

[cartas]

Lilah still wasn't sure how she'd managed to get roped into this. She wasn't particularly good with kids, and that went double for human kids, most of whom were far taller than her and likely wouldn't take any shred of authority she had as a chaperone seriously. All in all, she's not a very good role model. The art museum bores her, and when she's not slouching along reluctantly after the tour guide she's finding excuses to break away from the main group, a child or two in tow, pretending to be a snobby art critic complete with fake Orlesian accent one moment, and slipping under the rope separating the exhibits from the visitors the next, seeming entirely unimpressed at the stone carvings they pass, the smidgen of dwarven pride that remains inside her, inherited through the generations of the once proud House Cadash knowing that none of these so called masterpieces were a patch on anything found in Orzammar.

She's only slightly less bored at the performance, sat in a plush theatre seat with her arms crossed over her chest, fidgeting a little and trying to work out how much time is left until she can get out of there. If anyone within reach looks equally bored she'll reach over as surreptitiously as she can and poke them in the ribs, to see if they can keep their reaction in check and not disturb both the performers and audience. Afterwards she has to grudgingly admit that the troupe were extremely talented, though she'd be more than happy to teach them a real song.

Gary Epps, the OTA continues

[a_minute_younger]

A - Art Museum

Gary's been to the art district before--he's been pretty much everywhere in the Capitol at least once by this point--but he's never been interested enough to actually look around inside any of the buildings. It's all just a bunch of pictures and rocks carved into more pictures and some weird little buildings...he's got to find something else to do in here. Can he touch the things? He wants to touch the things. At every opportunity, Gary tries to touch the things. It soon becomes a sort of game for him and it's inevitable that he's going to get his hand slapped, but it's fun while it lasts.

Finally, finally, they come upon a construction that they are actually encouraged to touch. Gary hardly waits for any description on its significance or production or any such nonsense--immediately he's sprinting and leaping at it like a spider monkey. There's entirely too much pent-up energy there to deal with, enough that even just clambering all over this display isn't enough to satisfy him. If anyone else has decided to join him, Gary will waste no time in shoving them roughly in the shoulder to get their attention. "Hey," he says through a breathless grin. "Wanna race?"

There's nowhere to race to. It's a bowl. Gary is far too excited to care about such trivial matters.

B - Potentia

Surprisingly, the concert is much more tolerable. Gary wasn't expecting it to be, going in, and spends the first ten minutes or so as the acts are introduced squirming and sighing dramatically in his seat, but by the time the performances actually start Gary is entranced. It's loud, people are constantly moving, everyone's wearing very bright and extravagant costumes, and he has to admit that it all does sound very, very good. He is honestly impressed.

Gary hardly needs the invitation to stick around afterwards to try and talk to some of the performers, though he tries to be discrete about it. Something about trying to ask advice from opera singers strikes him as embarrassing on an instinctive, mortified-teenager level--like maybe, as a professional singer already, he shouldn't be so enthusiastic as he is. But he is, and he will, so he does. Quietly, trying to dodge the watchful eyes of the Peacekeepers, Gary lingers in the shadows of the stage, peering over the edge with wide eyes while he waits for the opportunity to flag someone down.

Talk To The Teacher

[etcircenses]

The Teacher is always willing to answer any questions you may have. She is here to help you, advise you, and give you direction. Whether this comes through kind word or disciplinary action is up to you. Two Peacekeepers stand attendant behind her at all times.

She seems in a particularly good mood this time, enough to take kids aside at various time and speak to them privately, seeing whether or not they're doing well. And of course ask if they've noticed anything "off" about any of the other children. Anyone willing to take the bait may be pried into revealing rebellious Tributes. Those who don't are merely smiled upon and ushered off.

Merit Badges

[etcircenses]

Students involved in the Tribute Youth Programme will be able to earn merit badges that may be sewn onto to their uniform (by their Stylist). These badges will win them favor within the Capitol and in turn may bring them reward within the arena by way of sponsor! Many adult Tributes are able to get jobs within the Capitol to show their support. Now kids can take part too! By doing the following things students can win badges:

-Writing letters to President Snow
-Writing letters to Fans
-Writing letters to children of the Districts (Like a penpal! The child's name will be unknown. They will be advised to write "Dear friend in District [Blank]".)
-Writing letters to the Teacher; detail what you've learned!
-Writing a description of a recent Pro-Capitol duty preformed by you!
-Creating a piece of art in honor of the Capitol and President

All of these things will be looked over and approved by the Teacher at her discretion. Simply leave them at her desk and she will go over your work and see whether or not it meets student criteria. The child with the highest number of badges by the end of each month will receive a special prize.

It should be noted that even greater reward shall come of those willing to keep the peace within Panem and spill the names of any suspected brainwash victims or traitors.

Sandy is over achieving this month.

[justoutrunyou]

Having seen the rewards provided for participating in the program, Sandy has decided it's worth the trouble and risk, and makes a genuine attempt this time.

1. A letter to President Snow:

Dear President Snow,

I heard back home that the President always had to be married, and had to have a dog. My dad said it was to make him seem trustworthy and likable. Are you married? Do you have children like me? Any pets? What was your job before you were president?

Thank you for starting the youth programs. I guess I never thought about how far behind I was probably falling in school, then again since I don't ever age more then a few months I guess it didn't matter as much.

Enjoy the rest of this arena, I'm obviously hoping for a third win for District 12 even if I wasn't strong enough to make it happen.

Sincerely,
Cassandra Marko

2. Letter to Fans:

Dear Fan,
It feels weird to think that I still have fans despite everything. I'm not exactly the most likely to win even with all the extra studying I do. But I really appreciate anyone and everyone willing to help me out, fans included. I don't know if the other tributes realize how helpful the fans are just by being...well fans!

What about me do you like? Is there anything I should work on? What are you like? I haven't made that many friends in the Capitol so I'd like to learn more.

Thank you for your support!
Sandy Marko


3: Letter to Children of the District
Dear Char,
Thank you for writing back. I was a little worried that I wouldn't hear back from anyone. I guess I'm always a little worried I'm letting you guys down. I've been taking more risks in each arena because usually if I survive the risks pay off big. This time it just got me smashed by some monster guy (I kind of hope you didn't have to watch that part).

A little bit about me I guess so we can know more about each other. I was born in a place called New York City...actually I don't know how much about me you already know from the Capitol programs. I'll just tell my side of it I guess. My Dad was a criminal with powers before I was born. He could turn himself into Sandy and transform his body into different shapes. Once I was born though he quit that life and got a regular job to take care of me and my mom. Some time later the Mayor of our City made it illegal to have powers at all even if you weren't using them. So my Dad got arrested and my mom and I were left alone. Thankfully no one at home other then Mom ever found out about my powers.

New York is a huge city though. Like as big as the Capitol but darker and dirtier unless you have lots of money and can afford to live in the nice parts.

Thank you for stopping by the bakery. So far my favorite thing to make that Peeta has taught me about is cookies. It's fast, easy and you can cut them into whatever shape you want. My favorite are these cranberry, white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

What can you tell me about you? And about where you live?

Your friend,
Sandy Marko.

(Enclosed she would like to send a plate of cookies including some of the white chocolate macadamia nut)

4. Letter to the teacher
Dear Ms. R,
Thank you for taking us to the museum on our field trip. I've been wanting to go there for a long time but never got around to it. Do you really think if I win in the arena I could make a living with the arts? My mom always said that the only way to make a living that way was to be super talented and lucky. And While I think I'm probably lucky I don't know if I'm talented. I just know what I like you know? Well either way I learned that it really pays to pay attention in class and participate with this program. No sense in wasting everyone's time.
Thanks again,
Sandy Marko

5. Pro-Capitol duty:
After the Field Trip Sandy inquired to the staff at the museum about volunteering to help out there. She's waiting to hear back from them on how she can provide support for the arts.

6. A piece of art:
This months art is drawings of some of the tributes dancing like the dancers she saw at the museum, all younger tributes like herself including Karkat, Clementine, and Arya. President Snow can be seen in a box overlooking the stage, but his face is hidden by the shadows and the focus is on the tributes dancing and looking very focused, each of them holding a weapon of some sort.

[crabmunicator]

Karkat barely expected to get anything back when he wrote his first two letters, if they were even sent to real people at all. But here he's gotten solid replies for both, and they read like they could be legitimate. Maglev's strikes him in particular, and it's that one he takes the longest on. Drusus's is all expected, though. This is a Capitolite from start to finish, and the words would blend into the haze of yet more fans if not for the issue of merit badges laying around it.

His writing is less stilted this time now that he knows he's writing to a name. It's written in his distinctive allcaps again.

---

Drusus Yourlastnameiswaytoolong,

My teacher complained about my swearing so you will have to excuse me for laying off my trademark bile this time around. Wait for the next arena or my interviews and there will be plenty there. The latter should be enough to tell you what I think of dying the way I did this time. (Hint: lamest death yet holy shit crap)

You will probably see my face around more now too. I've been talking with sponsors a lot more this time and trying to build up my PR, so I know for a fact there's going to be more products than I can remember bearing my face and endorsement after this.

Dying in a blaze of glory is definitely an aim for trolls if we have to die at all. Back on our planet we could get culled for any stupid reason, so making death count was like a badge of pride. But even dying of old age had its honor to it: it meant you were such a badass so awesome that nothing could take you out but the Handmaid herself. (The Handmaid was like this demonic servant of Death in our culture.)

That "other troll girl" you mentioned is Terezi Pyrope. She was a teammate of mind before this place, and so fixed on justice that it makes absolute sense she would go for that position here. I don't think it's for me, at least not at this stage in life. I have arenas to worry about, and if I win then I'm going to devote myself to being the best Mentor I can for my District.

Since you care about the Training Center: I've been keeping up on my own while Shepard's in the arena. I try to keep my sickle skills sharp while learning how to better wield a knife, since those are more common in the arenas. Seriously, I doubt I'll get the chance to use a sickle again, and I am still mad I didn't get to grab that one last time.

Was the massive card of tantrums I filled out for Dave not enough? Seriously, go back and find the highlights from week two, because I sent him a copy of Celebrus with something for every square. But if you are that set on witnessing my rage, then keep your eyes peeled. I signed up for this charity blind date event that's going to be televised, and I am absolutely not going to be quiet if I get a bad date.

Speak up if you ever spot me on the street and I'll sign your face or something stupid like that,

Karkat Vantas ♋

---

Dear Maglev,

That is the most trollish name I have yet encountered here that didn't belong to an actual troll, and it is bizarrely relieving to see it. Logically I know full well it has nothing to do with my culture, but small things like this stand out when I'm awash in a sea of humans. I've been here about half an Earth year now, but I still feel like I'm adjusting sometimes.

(Alternian solar sweeps were a little over two years long. I'm seven now, but if the headache of math I went through to figure it out is right, then I'll be eight in a little over half a year. Trolls don't celebrate wriggling days like humans, though. We spend them lamenting our faults so that we can be less godawful in the coming sweep.)

Alternia wasn't all bad, but it's better for me here because I have chances to do something for people like you that I wouldn't otherwise. I won't pretend the arenas aren't hard, but I patently refuse to petition out because my duty isn't done. If I do win someday, and I am absolutely determined to last next arena, then I will do everything in my nubby, trollish power to help the other tributes of District 6 secure their own victories.

Worrying about your hand is not remotely silly to me. I can rest easy because the injuries I get are all healed after the arena. (I hurt my leg training before the last one, and now it's like it never happened.) You're important, okay? Be careful out there. Work hard still, but be careful. I know for the fact that luck is absolutely real, so I wish you as much as a grumpy alien can send.

Thanks for the well wishes,

Karkat Vantas ♋

P.S. Alternia's astrology is entirely different from Earth's. We had different constellations because we had different stars, and we had two moons (bright pink and green) instead of your single pale one. But we are each given a personal sign, and it's as much a part of our identity as our name is. I don't mind sharing mine with you.

[wickedgoogly]

Merit badges, huh? Rose finds the whole premise patronizing, as if a few scraps to be sewn on her uniform would placate her rebellious little heart. But she knows too that beyond the ridiculous lies a sharp whip ready to crack, and that after her recent display she should probably take steps to build a better reputation. To this end she takes up pen and paper and sets to writing, all in smooth, flowing cursive.

---

Dear President Snow,

It is an honor to be given the chance to write to Panem's own illustrious president. Though I didn't know about you until a scant few days past, I assume you must deserve the moniker for running such a sprawling and complex country. How tiring it must be to keep the Districts in line! At least the masses are kept entertained by the many and various circuses of the Hunger Games.

Speaking of which, I should apologize for the chaos I caused in the current arena. Being new, I wasn't quite aware what I am and am not allowed to do, and wasn't quite feeling like myself after hallucinating the voice of my dead mother, cat, and absent friends for days on end. It is my only hope that the citizenry found my breakdown entertaining.

It's good to know that should I step out of bounds, there are harsh punishments waiting to put me in my place.

All the pictures of you I've seen have conspicuously associated you with roses. With my name being what it is, I felt inspired, and have so included a piece of artwork expressing the overflowing support I wish to offer you from here on out.

Sincerely,
Rose Lalonde

---

Included with the above is a drawing, not terrible but not the best, of President Snow sitting on a throne made of abundantly blooming rose bushes. The flowers are all purple, matching the ink she's written in.

(She hopes he pricks himself on the thorns.)

She has a copy made and submits that for the merit badge it may net.

---

Dear friend in District 5,
(Presuming we will be friendly when I don't yet know a thing about you,)

I have been told that District 5's purview is the nebulous domain of power. I'm not sure of the particulars when current studies have been focused on District 10 and its livestock, but I presume that living in the centralized power hub of an entire country must be an interesting experience.

I lived in a house situated over a waterfall in the middle of a forest, and then over a waterfall in the middle of an iridescent planet of light and rain. Now I have a room in District 5's floor of the Training Center, and I suppose it's nice enough.

Do you watch the Hunger Games out there in your district? I have to apologize for not doing better. It's hard to focus on fighting for a place I've never seen and people I've never met when I had yet to even see the Capitol, beyond the briefest glance of some inner facility before I was whisked away to the arena. I'll do better next time, without blowing things up like a hamfisted buffoon.

I suppose I should ask something mundane like, "What are you hobbies?" (I've never had a mystery penpal before, if it wasn't obvious. Please pardon my stilted efforts while I get the hang of it.) Apart from knitting, which if you've seen the arena came up a number of times, I also enjoy reading and playing violin.

Sincerely,
(Inasmuch as this directionless flow of words is worth being sincere about,)
Rose Lalonde

---

Dear mystery fan, assuming I yet have one,

The experience of having a fan is entirely new to me, so assuming you do in fact exist and care about my exploits in the arena, I'd like to ask what it is that makes me appeal to you. If it was the careless destruction of local architecture, then I'll have to disappoint you: I've been informed quite firmly that I'm not allowed to do so again. I don't want to incur any avoidable wrath.

If it was the part where I frequently snuck off to engage in aimless chitchat with strangers, though, then you're in luck. That part was (for the most part) an experience both entertaining and enlightening. So long as I'm here I'd like to learn from what sources I have available, and it passed the time nicely when the rest was spent surviving or looking for Dave again.

The whole brother and sister thing was true, by the way. We lived separately for the first thirteen years of our lives and didn't learn of our relation until (from my perspective) the day I arrived in Panem. Or perhaps the day before? Night was a little meaningless where I was previously, and experience of one seemed to flow on into the next, but for the startling change in locale and company.

I was only about to die when I left. What a relief to learn I wouldn't have to for several days!

Now that I'm out of the arena, it's pretty weird settling into such a mundane routine. It feels out of place to attend school four days a week, in uniform no less, when after I can turn on any TV in the Capitol to witness friends and strangers surviving the same circumstances I was just in.

My brother's still in there.

I suppose I should offer myself up to whatever questions you might have, though I can't guarantee which ones I'll answer. I know I'd have plenty to ask if I'd ever been able to write to my idols.

Sincerely,
Rose Lalonde

Letter to the District

[actually112]

Dear friend in District 4,

I wish I knew your name, but for now, I'm going to call you Friend. I hope that you're okay in District 4. I heard yours was one of the Districts with more food and money, but I've never been there and I don't know if that's true. I used to love traveling in my world, but I can't do that much here.

What's District 4 like? I heard that you're the seafood District, so have you ever been fishing? I've never fished, but I swam with elephant koi back home. They're giant colorful fish that you can climb on and ride.

The Capitol isn't like anything I've seen before, and it's pretty strange. Everyone keeps talking about clothes and makeup and parties and class, and I'm just a simple monk who doesn't know anything about any of that. It's not like back home. I come from an Air Temple, where we're supposed to live life simply. We spent all our time doing work for the community and meditating and learning things. It sounds boring on paper, but it was great.

I want to hear about what life is like for you. What's District 4 like? What's your family like?

Aang

[fintastic]

[ Well, this went pretty well for Feferi last time, so she might as well take some time to respond back. Getting letters back was unexpected, and it actually charms her a bit, and gets her mind off losing for at least a little while. ]

---

Dear President Snow,

Thank you for taking time out of your probably very busy day to write back to me, I did not expect to have this letter waiting for me when I got back from the Arena! I am including my favorite monster drawing. I wanted to do more, but since I am so busy with my school work, I didn't have a lot of time. Hopefully I will be able to send more in the future!

- Feferi

[ Attached is a drawing of a fishman, with all the dangerous parts labeled, signed with her Pisces symbol in one corner. Though it might not reflect in her drawing skills, she really did put a considerable bit of thought into this monster-- particularly in the kinds of threats she knows will be both scary and deadly, and that she already knows how to counter. ]

---

Cassia,

I'm cute?? You are cute! AdoraBUBBLE even!! I wish I could see you with your tiara. I hope now that the Arena is over, princesses will still be cool, at least for a little while! I do not want to go out of style!!

Sorry I couldn't win and get a real crown, but there is always next time, right? How did you enjoy the Arena? Did you get to see my SUPER cool sword? And how about that dragon?! That was pretty crazy! If there is any way to go out, fighting a dragon is a pretty cool way to do it. If it was an underwater dragon, I totally would have kicked its tail!

Keep up the fish puns! I will get my chance someday, and then fish puns will be super big, and you can say that you were totally into them before anyone else does!

Lots of glub,
Feferi

---

Sheen,

Oh my cod, the necklace is gorgeous! I am going to see if they will let me take it into the Arena next time, so everyone can see how pretty it is! I do use a lot of fish puns, you are right, because they are fun and funny! I think I would have liked District 4 a lot too, but District 1 is great, and it means I get to talk to you!

I am so sorry I couldn't win for you, I tried so hard! I think I did a lot better this time. We have a lot of great training opportunities here and I am taking full advantage of them. It's hard learning to fight on land instead of underwater, but I'm going to train really hard so that I can win next time. I hope you still enjoyed the Arena, I thought it was a really interesting setting, and definitely not what I expected!

If you like training, you should keep doing it! There is nothing wrong with a little hard work, and there is no such thing as a bad skill to have! I think if you are having fun and learning something, then that is payoff enough. Oh and tell your friend's little brother that I am sorry, but I'm already taken! A long distance relationship would probably be pretty hard anyway. But I hope he finds a nice girl in District 1! I bet you have lots of cute girls there!

- Feferi

---

Dear Teacher,

Thank you for being so patient with me. I know I am not very good at math or science, but I am really trying, and I think I am getting better every day! I am really enjoying learning about history. Alternia, where I am from, also has a very rich history, so it's really interesting to compare the two! I think I understand a lot better that we are not so very different after all. We don't have districts, but when our society rebelled, our Empress decided to send all the adults into space so that they would have jobs to do. I guess what I am saying is that it makes me feel a little more at home! There are a lot of things here that we did not have on Alternia though, like schools, and parties, and fancy shampoos, and I like those things a lot!

So... thank you again, for teaching us, and I hope I can keep learning more and get my grades up!

- Feferi

Ruffnut turned in her homework late because she was in the arena.

[ruffntumblenut]

Letter to President Snow:

Dear President Snow,

I know that a President is just another word for chief, but is there any differences in what the two of you do?
I heard that you got made President because people wanted you to do it. Normally a chief has to fight to be the boss because we need strong leaders.
Have you ever fought anyone? Like with your hands? Do you have a favorite weapon?

Thanks for being President,
Ruffnut Thorston.

Enclosed: A drawing of the same macaroni picture she sent him last time but without the noodles because apparently those were bad.

_____________________________________________

Letter to Fan

Dear Fan,

Sorry I didn't win this arena either. That creepy little girl was such a sneak! But I've never been crushed to death in an iron maiden before so that was pretty cool I guess? I mean not while it was happening while it was happening I was in terrible pain. Did you like the helmet I made out of the little metal ball thing they send gifts in? I always feel so weird not wearing a helmet everywhere I go. I used to wear my helmet all the time back home but apparently pointy horned helmets are a safety risk here.

I'll try harder in the next arena! Keep cheering me on!

Truly,
Ruffnut Thorston

Enclosed: A drawing of Ruffnut in her viking helmet with her arm around some nondescript figure with the letter "U" on their shirt high fiving each other.


Bonus letter

Dear Aelius,

Yes, an isle is an island. We're a really big cool island with lots of caves and a big mountain and trees and stuff. We're part of a big chain of islands called an archipelago. The only reason I know that word is the smartest guy in our tribe says it a lot when talking about the islands around us.

Keep cheering me on!
Ruffnut Thorston
_______________________________________________________

Letter to the District Kid

Dear Hemlock,
I hope you enjoy the necklaces! It took me a while to make them all. I'm also sending a bottle of my favorite sauce to put on them. It's really spicy so don't cry if your tongue catches on fire!

Sorry for another loss. That creepy pale girl tricked me! And then I find out she's actually in our district!? What the heck?

Anyway I'll try harder next time too. Hopefully I won't get my face burned off right in the first few minutes next time.

Yours,
Ruffnut Thorston

P.S: See? They did give me your letter!

Enclosed: About fifty macaroni necklaces that she made herself.

_____________________________________________________

Dear Teacher,

Since I was in the arena most of this month I'll tell you what I learned there.
If a mysterious tag on a flower says to do something, I should do it.
A pear of Anguish is used to shove inside people and open it up to kill them.
A Iron maiden is used to shove people inside and close it to kill them.
Wednesday Adams is really creepy and shouldn't be trusted but deadly and that's kind of cool.
Rubbing Alcohol is not the same as drinking alcohol.
That Nux guy doesn't know the first thing about the afterlife.

Hope you enjoyed the videos,
Ruffnut Thorston

________________________________________

Does it count as both pro-capitol duty and art in honor of the Capitol if Ruffnut makes a box full of macaroni bracelets and passes them out to anyone who walks passed the training center? Because that's what she's gonna try and do.

LETTERS CLOSED

[etcircenses]

Sorry, all letters have been sent in the mail. You'll have to wait until next month.

Re: Merit Badges

[pythianjudgment]

There are no children left in District 3, so Terezi begins making out a letter for a child in District 7. Seven, like the district that her Meulin used to represent. Seven, like the mysterious Hannah that she'd made that promise to. She's not even sure that it's allowed, but what's the worst that they're going to do? Not send it? At least she has something to keep her busy.

Dear friend in District 7,

I don't know you, and you probably don't know me. At least, not as well as your usual Tributes. But that's okay. I wanted to write to this District anyway.

You used to have a Tribute named Meulin Leijon--the Disciple. She was kind and brave and strong. She went to visit your District once and sent me pictures. It was really beautiful. I told her when I got out of these Arenas, I wanted to go live there. It reminded me of my home. I grew up in a forest, probably larger than yours. The trees were as tall as skyscrapers, and the forest stretched on for miles. You could walk for days through the branches and never have to touch the ground. I've always felt more at home in the trees than on the ground.

Anyway, back to Meulin. She really loved your district. She loved everything about it, but especially the people. So if I win, I'm going to try to send some of my winnings to Seven. I don't know if they'll let me, but it's worth a try. Meulin was one of my closest friends, but she's not around to fight for you anymore. I want to do something in her place.

This probably sounds far-fetched and out of the blue. It's okay if you don't believe me. You don't have to thank me or anything. If you actually get to read this, write back and tell me more about yourself. I want to know more about the District that Meulin liked so much.

Terezi Pyrope, District 3

She scribbles the Libra symbol under her name, then folds up the letter and hands it in.

Letters & Gifts

[etcircenses]

Looks like you've all got some messages back. Well, go on, open the envelope up and see what they say!

Feferi D1

[etcircenses]

Dear Feferi,

The Capitol is pleased that you are enjoying the school so much. It's a true shame that your planet is in such a primitive state that it cannot offer the valuable education that it's clear your kind desperately need. Your request will be considered, but as of now for safety it is best to restrict all training to the training center. However, you are more than welcome to send in your scribbles for consideration, we're always looking for new and exciting ways to thrill our tributes and viewers alike.

Sincerely,
President Snow

~~~

Feferi!

Oh my gosh you are so cute! I didn't think I'd ever get to send an actual real letter to one of you for you to read, this is so exciting! I've already framed your letter!

And now you're going to school just like we do! I'm a little sad you can't come to school with US! That would be so much more fun, don't you agree? Then I could tell you about the trends in PERSON!

You're in luck right now! Princesses are very in vogue! I'm wearing my tiara right now! But I will happily take all the granulated sugar hehe. You're always so in with it, I can't see you won't blow the trends away either way.

KICK THOSE TAILFINS, FEFERI! ALL HAIL THE IMPERIUS TRIBUTE! That's what they call you right?

SinSEArly yours,

Cassia!

~~~

Feferi,

It's not really a choice. It's a matter of discipline, like all things, is what my trainer would say. But then, he would probably be able to bore someone to death with math. Math gets put into a lot of things here to make the things we do. Doesn't modelling mean even more sitting and listening anyway? Or walking and listening?

I guess my favorite might be math. That's rare though. Most people hate math, as I hear it. I would've said that it would be better to learn alone a few years ago, but I think that's changed since I've learned more.

I help out in my Uncle's shop sometimes and do work with my trainer, even though it's pointless now. My friends say I work too hard for little payoff but I think that's just because most of them would rather goof off. I have a couple friends. One of my friends has a little brother who has a pretty big crush on you. He told me to put a word in, so I thought I'd give the kid a chance.

You do a lot of fish puns. I have to wonder why they didn't put you in District four instead. But then, they say you're a Princess or something like that, so maybe you fit in with luxury afterall. I've put in a little something from my Uncle's shop in light of that.

-Sheen, District 1

[Tucked into the envelope with the letter is a necklace of a pink fish.]

Karkat D6

[etcircenses]

Karkat,

My name is Drusus. I won't bore you with how much of an honor it is to write to a famous Tribute, how cool it is for the Tribute to be an alien, and how extra awesome it is that it's you. I bet you hear that all the time. But you and me, we're going to be totally cool, right?

I don't really care about past Karkats. It's not a past guy I'm writing to, just you man. I remember the bear death! That was pretty freakin wild. Really intense. But you've been doing way better since then. A shame you died from that sabertooth man, those scars could've been pretty cool!

Dying doesn't look fun, but I don't know! I think it'd be really great to go out in a blaze like you say. We don't really get to do things like that in the Capitol since they don't do Reapings here. It wasn't the Capitol who started the war seventy five years ago and betrayed everyone, which I guess makes it weird but, I think it would've been cool to bring honor to a District like you do.

Totally blows you didn't get sickles this round. You could've gone out swinging then too. Hey, it's not sickles, but maybe you could be a Jr. Peacekeeper like that other troll girl, the one lost her arm saving you that one time (so cool by the way). Peacekeepers are sort of the opposite of what you're saying since they're all about keeping the peace but I bet you could totally kick the butts of some rebels and bad guys that way. They're kind of like soldiers and all.

Super cool to hear about what it's like in the Training Center man. Nobody who's not a Tribute (or a gamemaker) has ever been allowed into that place. At least that's what got said to me.

You should throw more tantrums! They're funny and all but mostly I want to try and win Tantrum Bingo next week, haha. I'm messing with you. You're a cool guy. Or alien.

I can't read Alternian things anyway, so I will write in English too.

Drusus Fabbiannocus, happy to meet you.

Write back!

~~~

Dear Karkat Vantas,

Gee, I've never had someone fight for me before! It's a little flattering! I guess I could count some of the old Tributes but I think most of them just fought for themselves. Not that they’re selfish but that it’d be really hard to think of anyone else in there while trying to win.

When I first went to write this, I didn't know if you would win either. I think I hoped you would. I'm nearly old enough now that I don't have to worry being reaped anymore. Not that I would with you people around. I can't imagine how much work it must be! Haha, I think if it were me I'd be so boring they'd never bring me back. Or maybe I could use my face-making skills on everyone until the whole arena died of laughter.

Your world sounds like it kind of sucks. No offence. I think you're a hero. I think a lot of people here would agree. I don't know if I could say my District is very exciting, but I'm sure the Capitol is. I hope they keep giving you back that breathing air because you definitely deserve it. Even if maybe you could use some time for chilling out with it. Kidding, kidding.

I'll be starting work in the factories soon. A lot of kids don't go to school here, but no one works until we're old enough to use the equipment properly. I showed them your letter and they were super excited to see it. It’s a secret but, I’m a little worried I’ll lose a hand at the factory. Then I won't be able to write any more letters! This is probably silly to you, with all you go through. But then again, if it's not, wish me luck! And I will wish luck to you.

Sincerely,

Maglev ( ♋ I’m a cancer sign too! :) )