The Tribute Youth Programme: May

[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| The Tribute Youth Programme kicks off.
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| Please contact mods if you would like your character to stand as a guest speaker for the next round. 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. Please refer to this post. The fantastic Tribute Youth Programme uniforms are designed and drawn by Reiko.


As promised of Snow's broadcast, come Monday morning, all youths in the Tribute tower 18 and younger are rounded up to take part in the Tribute Youth Programme. The boys and girls are all given uniforms to be worn for the programme. Those who resist will be met with consequences.

The young Tributes will be ushered onto a bus with barred windows and armed peacekeepers protecting the driver and watching their every move. Those with Curfew upon them, exempted only for this programme, will have an extra close watch.

They will be driven to a small but rather grand white building where more peacekeepers await them. They will be marched off the bus and into their shared classroom of clean white walls on which the symbol of the Capitol is featured. The only spot of color is the red and gold flag that hangs off to one side. Each Tribute youth will have their own assigned desk and seat, lined in rows before the Teacher's. No need to worry about supplies; it's all done on digital projectors that will appear before each student, responsive to touch and voice.

The Tribute Youth Programme curriculum will consist of much of the basics; math, reading and writing, art, the most basic of sciences, even a little geography. However, there will be much greater focus on history of Panem. Tribute Youth will learn of the tragedy of the last rebellion, the war that came of it, and the history of the Games. They will learn all the ways that President Snow has brought in a new era of peace, what the Games offer the whole of Panem in keeping that peace, and how each Tribute's sacrifice does further good for the people of the Districts-- not to mention the gifts of food, healthcare, and teachers that go to the winning Districts.

Tributes will be expected to sing Panem's anthem, pledge to the nation of Panem (Panem Today, Panem Tomorrow, Panem Forever), and sit for a number of videos promoting that of the Capitol and the work of the Districts. These videos may contain some subliminal messaging, not that anyone will notice.

They may, however, notice something strange with the complimentary juice boxes set out for each youth. The head feels lighter, but the Teacher insists that is merely the young mind opening up for learning. And indeed, those who have them are prone to absorbing much more of their lessons. However, for those not interested in their education, there is always the water fountain.

The Youth will only be here for two weeks before being sent into the games, so this will be considered merely a "preview" for them. In due time, Tributes will get the full experience and get the great opportunity of working in service to the community!

Because of being Tributes and still needing time to train, homework loads are minimal. You're welcome.

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...

[lex_paciferat]

[Dealing with kids is one thing Quintus' career hasn't exactly prepared him for. He's already run this speech by one of his colleagues who has children, wanting to make sure it's not too difficult to understand, but there's still an uneasy stiffness in his posture as he gets up to speak.]

Hello. I'm guessing some of you might know who I am. For those who don't, I'm Quintus Falxvale, security coordinator of the Training Center. I'm here today to talk a bit about what me and the other peacekeepers do and why that work is so important.

[He taps something on the tablet in his hand, the screen behind him shifting from the Capitol symbol to a photo of himself and some of the other security staff standing in the Central Commons, all in uniform. From the lighting and framing, it appears to be a posed press release.]

What happens in the Games means a lot to a lot of people. As Tributes, you'll find that there are many people that want to help you out and make sure you do the best you can. Unfortunately, there's also some jerks that want to hurt you or make fun of you. Our job at the Center is to make sure you stay safe.

We do this in a couple different ways. One of them is putting up cameras that can watch and hear what's happening around the building. This is what they look like. [He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a round, black device slightly bigger than an M&M--a broken camera, still sticky on one side from the adhesive that'd held it to the wall. Holding it between his thumb and forefinger, he hands it to the nearest child, motioning for them to pass it along after they're done examining it.] Another way is by having special locks on the doors that can tell you apart from other people that aren't supposed to follow you upstairs. The third way is us walking up and down the halls ourselves so that whenever something bad happens somewhere, we're nearby, and can get there fast.

[He taps the tablet again, advancing to the next slide, which bears another photo of some peacekeepers--this time somewhere out in the Districts, farm fields stretching to the horizon. They're standing with their arms around each other, grinning for the photographer, clearly good friends. Quintus himself is towards the right side of the group, pumping his fist comically, and if one looks closely it's apparent that the scar on his face is absent.]

There are also peacekeepers that work in other parts of the Capitol and in every District. Their goal is basically the same as ours--to keep people safe. They make sure that people follow the law and aren't hurting anybody.

A long time before I was born, the Districts decided to not obey the law and fought against the Capitol. They started a war that caused many people to die. If they had won, then our country would have become a place without order, where bad people could keep harming and killing others without anyone stopping them. Luckily, the Capitol beat those rebels back into place.

[Another tap, and the screen changes to display a photo of two sullen children amidst some demolished buildings. They're holding hands and, rather than looking purely sad, are glowering slightly at the photographer, indicating that the photo was probably staged.]

There is nothing worse than that kind of fighting. It doesn't help anyone. The Capitol and the Districts are supposed to work together, giving each other things so that we can all live happy lives. As Tributes, you are part of this balance. You both help the Districts remember their mistakes and give them something to be proud of.

[His tap this time is a tad quicker than before, though his voice never wavers. A beautiful shot of the Capitol skyline at night graces the screen.]

The Capitol is a great place to live--an exciting place with big parties, bright lights and many interesting people. The reason it can be this way is because of what the Districts give back in return for law and order. Make sure to remember why we have those good things here, and what can happen when the rules are broken.

I know very well what awful things people can do to each other. [He traces the edge of his scar with an index finger.] That's why I work hard every day to protect you. I'm proud to serve our nation, and I hope you will be, too.

[After a pause, he shuts the screen off, folding up the tablet and pocketing it, the tension leaving his frame now that that's over with.]

Thanks for listening, guys. Do you have any questions?

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 7 value of courage. 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?

[conifer]

Good afternoon, everyone. And thank you to the Youth Programme for inviting me to speak today.

[She smiles at the students seated before her, glad that she recognises a few of the faces, as she's never been good at public speaking.]

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Emily Finch. I'm from District Seven, and I won the Sixty-Ninth Hunger Games. If I look familiar, you've probably seen me around the Training Centre - I mentor the current District Seven Tributes.

[She nods toward Vivi and Ruffnut, the only ones of her Tributes young enough to be enrolled in the programme.

The screen behind her changes from the Panem symbol to show a pine forest, a natural wilderness a world away from the so carefully structured parks and gardens of the Capitol.]

District Seven is around 1100 miles north of the Capitol. We're one of the biggest Districts-- [The picture changes to a map of Panem, to illustrate the size] --and as you can probably guess, our main export is lumber. In fact, anything you've used that's made of wood during your stay in the Capitol, everything from furniture to firewood to the foundations of many of the buildings, it's originally come from my District. [Emily looks immensely proud of this fact, and this at least is not an act.]

We live in a city to the west of the District, but of course the forest is spread over hundreds of miles, so the lumber teams often spend days or weeks away at a time, living and working in camps at the site of the trees they're felling. [The next slide in her presentation: a typical camp.] Most of those on location are lumberjacks, but they have a whole support network too - cooks and doctors and foremen travel with them, as well as a number of Peacekeepers, to keep them all safe, for there are still a lot of bears in the forests.

[There's also the task of keeping them from running off into the woods and escaping forever, as well as the heavier Peacekeeper presence that was needed in a District where everyone had to know how to wield axes to do their job, but she was quite sure those were points that were better left unsaid. This was supposed to be a message of harmony, after all.]

Once the timber has been cut, it's transported back to the city where our carpenters and craftsmen turn it into essential objects for use both in the Capitol and all the Districts. Our wood carving is a skill that's been passed through families for generations, in fact my mother is one of our master carvers, and hopefully at least one of my brothers will follow in her footsteps.

[There's a second where Emily's sadness breaks through the composed mask she's putting on, knowing that would have been her life if she hadn't been reaped, but it's gone as soon as it arrives. The picture on the screen is of an elaborate carving by Emily's mother, one that Emily herself likes immensely, but that she's certain would not suit Capitol tastes at all.]

Looking at a tall pine and seeing not just a tree, but a table or a window frame, or a beautiful carving, and knowing that it's your hands that have shaped it, that's a very wonderful feeling. It's even better knowing that our products are used all over Panem, that they've gone from being something you've conceived or helped to build, to something that's a part of someone's life every day, you get a great sense of pride from that. I can only imagine that the other Districts feel the same; that the men and women in District Six who build the trains we transport our lumber back from the logging camps, and the farmers of District Eleven, who supply food for so many lumberjacks working out in the forests, know that they play a vital role in keeping District Seven running, and so too the whole of Panem.

[The image on the screen has changed back to the Panem symbol now.]

Just as we provide lumber for the Capitol, the Capitol in return provides so much more for us. It provides us with food, healthcare, and an education for every child. They provide Peacekeepers to keep us safe not only from the wild animals in the forests but also from the far bigger danger of forces who would wish to undermine Panem and everything it stands for. The Capitol does far more for us than we can ever hope to do for them, and we are both proud and honoured to give everything we can in return. Long may we do so. Long may the forests fall to our axe, and long may District Seven, and all of Panem, profit from their bounty.

[She pauses for a moment after she's finished, half expecting applause from how rousing she'd tried to be at the end there but knowing realistically that would be asking too much of an audience of bored offworlder children who probably didn't want to be there in the first place. She smiles around at everyone, making eye contact where she can.]

I'm happy to answer any questions you have.

Recess Break (Mingle)

[etcircenses]

You've been temporarily freed from your class work for a few minutes of break time. Feel free to converse with your classmates.

Students are brought out to a grand and beautiful yard with grass so green it seems unnatural. Towering bush-sculptures are set all over, some in shape of familiar animals to the Tributes, others a little stranger, products of fantasy or Capitol genetic experimentation. But even with the sculptures, hedges, and white-rose bushes (all smelling more strongly than any natural rose), there's still plenty of room to play and run. A pleasant breeze even comes through the yard-- one can almost forget that there are peacekeepers stationed around the entirety of it.

There appears to be a fence going around and over the yard. Anyone who tries to climb it will be in for a shocking surprise however. Much like those who try to test their luck with the Tribute Tower roof, Tributes will be bounced back by force-feild and given a sharp, but non-lethal zap. The bird fountain at the center of it all is similarly blocked off, but there's no ripple in its image when touched and students may still feel a mist.

The circular garden hosts beautifully carved white stone benches. Those with a sharp eye who step up on top of these may notice what the garden has been shaped into; the symbol of the Capitol.

When recess ends a bell will sound and peacekeepers will see to it that students are ushered back to class. Once again, students who resist will be met with consequences.

Sandy Marko

[justoutrunyou]

As much as Sandy hates to admit it to herself, like everything else in the Capitol the yard is beautiful.

Once she's released for recess she begins a slow methodical exploration of the yard starting along the edges and working her way towards the middle. She's trying her best to look casual, like she's just a normal kid exploring the new surroundings, but of course she's getting a lay of the land in case some kind of escape needs to be mounted.

Still that was a flimsy hope to be had in the first place. What was she expecting a hole in the fence? A secret trap door hidden under a bush? No instead all she finds is pretty smells and ominous looking fences.

Despite the lack of progress, Sandy has been sitting for a long time so she'll keep walking around, watching the others and scanning the area for something she might have missed the first time.

Ruffnut Thorston

[ruffntumblenut]

Bzzt!

"Heh heh...ow."

Bzzt!

Sharp but non-lethal is probably the best kind of zapping in Ruffnut's opinion. She got a taste for the tingling burning pain of a force field zapping when she was imprisoned for trying to break Hiccup out of prison. Upon discovering that the fence also provides the painful jolt of energy she can't resist toying with it till her hair starts to curl and smolder. Her finger is already blackened from touching the thing and she's breathing heavily, sitting on the ground enjoying the pins and needles sensation racing along her body. Sometimes the shocks would be so strong she'd be stunned and have to lay still

This was much more fun then math.

Feferi Peixes

[fintastic]

This schooling business seems like it's going to work out pretty well for Feferi, on two levels at least: one, she's not actually that into juice. That's kind of Dave's thing, but it's a little too sugary to really do anything for her. More of a treat than an actual drink, so water it is for her. Two, it plays right into her own top-secret plans. You know, the one's she's never, ever told anyone about. They can try to indoctrinate, but if Her Imperious Condescension and all her Alternian propaganda failed, a human's going to have a tougher time of it. That's how she's coming at it, but at least if she pretends to be good and like she's really learning something here, all the better for her.

And she hates to admit it, but the uniforms are kind of cool.

So she tries her hardest to pay attention. It's difficult, because she'd really rather be up and about and doing something active. Sitting around for hour stretches at a time and having to focus on one thing isn't really her style, but she does put in an effort. Even if she doesn't understand everything (math and science never were her forte), she still answers questions, and does whatever else she can do to actively insert herself into the lessons. Let no one say that Feferi Peixes is not as manipulative as other trolls-- she just finds her own way to do it.

Still, when recess comes around, she's mentally exhausted from all that effort, and clocks out momentarily on the grass. It's so nice, and relatively warm compared to her cool body temperature, and she can't help but roll around in it a bit. She's disappointed that the fountain is apparently inaccessbible. Who even does that? What kind of mischief could they possibly get up to that way? But laying down is nice enough for her anyway, despite all the grass she gets in her hair in doing so.

Karkat Vantas

[crabmunicator]

When Karkat is first brought out with the rest, he almost feels like it's a mistake. It's enough that he's been allowed out of the tower itself (if under highly strict watch), so to be put out among the other students in actual grass and greenery... But then he spies the fence, and it clicks why he would. He can't be certain without touching it (which he has no intent of trying, figuring even getting near would be suspect), but he imagines it must have some discouragement installed to keep students from tampering.

Still, he's not going to be doing much running around. He still feels a little lightheaded from the juice he tried earlier (and has since abandoned for that exact reason), and his leg is still not fully healed. He expects it won't be until after the arena, and even with troll genetics helping him, two gunshots through the thigh just don't go back to normal so easily. At least his limp has lessened, and the injury itself is well-hidden by the absurd, poofy pants they've stuck him in. The other bruises and scratches from his imprisonment are gone by now, so even with what little shows of his knees between them and the boots doesn't give anything away.

But lingering soreness or no, Karkat has not come outside just to stand in one place. All that sitting has left him stiff as a motherfucker, no matter how much fidgeting he did (and got reprimanded for) to try to mitigate it. The only other opportunity he gets for fresh air is on the tower roof, anyway.

Strolling around means seeing the topiary, though, and seeing the topiary means outright gawking at it. There's a lot of it, and it will surely get boring once the newness has worn off, but right now he keeps turning and staring at the various shapes they've--

Hold on a minute, his cape is snagged. (Stupid, useless, miniature curtain of shame.) He tries to reach behind and unsnag it from the bush it's caught on, but it's hard to see what he's doing, and harder still with the funny chain that circles from his chest around back under the flap of fabric. (What half-blind moron designed these?) Soon enough he's somehow got the cape half-pulled behind that chain, but with it a stubborn, snaggly branch, and his arm gets caught through the other way when he tries to get the plant back out. (Won't one of you snouthuffers come help?!)

He just might have been yelling those thoughts aloud. More than might. He is definitely yelling.

His free arm is flailing, too, and if someone doesn't stop him he's liable to get it stuck with the rest.

[needlebearer]

The garden is far too structured and pristine for Arya's tastes. It felt like something that belonged in the South, perhaps at Highgarden. She craved the wilds of the North, running and diving in the snow, wandering among the ancient trees of the Godswood. Still, the chance to actually play with other children again is something she thought long gone, and after being cooped up inside the classroom she's ready to run off some energy.

She doesn't really know the other Tributes her own age too well, though. So she's going to just set herself up in one part of the garden, alternating between running and weaving through the topiary, and waving around a stick as a sword, trying to look as though she was having all the fun in the world so that everyone else would just beg her if they could join in. She's got a little too much pride to go and ask if she can join in their games, feeling like an awkward outsider.

Clementine

[smarterthanthem]

Clementine forgoes the benches in favour of flopping right down onto the grass. It's warm out and after hours crammed against the stupid desk inside she's ready to just stretch out and enjoy the open air while she can.

Hopefully it'll finish clearing her head too. There was something in that juice box, she was sure of it. She'd felt pretty weird after drinking it and as soon as she realised that fact resolved never to drink one again. It wasn't like she minded the taste of plain old water enough to call it a loss anyhow.

This whole thing was so, so stupid. From the uniform to the lessons to the teacher. Anything useful she could've learned from Bruce anyhow, without all the bullcrap attached to it. Clementine was resolved not to let them mess with her mind, not one bit.

Bored, she keeps her eyes on the sky, trying to pick out interesting shapes in the clouds.

Re: Recess Break (Mingle)

[yoknapatawpha]

Bayard's first day at school has been a delight. First they brought him in on a bus, which would have been excitement enough for the day, but then they added actual education into it, and while Bayard's left feeling a little stupid compared to his classmates, he's never been one to shy away from hard work. Any of his teachers would note his enthusiasm and effort, if not necessarily his skills at, well, any of the basic courses.

At recess, he's eager to meet the other children, some of whom he's acquainted with but others not so much. He gulps from a sugary juicebox and eats from the lunchbox Miss Tabris packed him, sighing slightly when he realizes she's stuffed it with vegetables instead of the cakes and donuts he was silently hoping for. After he's eaten, he washes his hands and face, then returns to the yard and starts pacing around the fence, looking through it with keen suspicion.

He occasionally approaches people, a wide and somewhat mischievous grin on his face. "Where do you suppose they keep the bus?"

Vivi Ornitier | Have lunch with him? :3

[steepled]

Vivi's feelings about all this is mixed. On one hand, he gets to meet other kids roughly around his age. On the other hand...the lessons given have a suspicious air to them that even someone as gullible as him could detect. The uniform was strange but comfortable enough for him to not be too bothered. It's meant to make him feel like he belongs, but he still feels out of place.

That's probably a good thing, somehow.

He goes over to take a seat at one of the stone benches, marveling at the statues and and the sculptures. He unzips his lunch bag and his eyes widen at what's there. The lid of the box is decorated with a design of a cat's silhouette and when he lifts it, one side has noodles in a tomato sauce (Daryl called it 'spaghetti'), some fruit and vegetables on the other, and some water in a bottle that matches with the box.

"Wow..."

He twirls the noodles into a bundle with his fork and eats, letting out a happy hum at the sweet and savory taste. The Youth Programme may not be his cup of tea, but it's made bearable with knowing that he has made friends that look out for him. Grandpa was right that there's nothing like having a home cooked meal.

Daryl and Rick were kind enough to pack this for him; a gesture he hadn't expected but took it with gratitude. Those two had been very kind to him, among several others, since his arrival here. "I should find something to do for them in return...they've been so nice to me." He says after swallowing the bite. It's only then he realizes he's not alone and looks at the other kid with him.

"O-oh! Hi." He isn't sure how long they had been standing there, but he scoots over in case they wanted to sit.

Dave Strider

[shenunigans]

The bitterness that overwhelms Dave from the moment Snow's bearded face appeared on the communicator screens has been indescribable. If there was anything good about the apocalypse, about leaving Earth at the ripe age of Thirteen and never looking back, it was leaving school behind. It was never his scene, he never really made friends and he really didn't care for the conformity of desks and chalkboards and lockers. Uniforms, however, were a new addition to the monolithic herd of spoon fed children all nubile and ready to be lied to.

The shorts would have to go, eventually, but any attempt to slowly eradicate them from his visage by pulling his boxers out the top had been circumnavigated eventually. The shades would have to come back, but it isn't worth the risk of having them confiscated. He feels naked and ugly like a newly born child ready for a photo shoot in a tasteless costume, so his focus for the day has been shot to hell. Great portions of class had been spent tracing faces into his desk with the tip of his fingers while he longs for a pen. Occasionally he'll interject with questions or answers that are both long-winded, go nowhere and only semi-related to the topic or so wildly off-base that it's hard to even imagine his trajectory. Quite soon, the teacher learns not to call on him when his hand is raised.

Recess should be good, but it isn't. The outdoors is a particularly trying place when you've trained yourself into light sensitivity. Who would have thought years of wearing shades would compromise his vision where bright lights are involved? As such, he spends most of his time skulking around the bushes and the shadows while frowning as nonchalantly as he can. It's impossible to look casual in these shorts, it truly is. His travels take him to the rose bushes and his line of thinking isn't hard to guess. Flowers are pretty, girls are pretty, he'll give his girl a flower. It's a particular one he has his eye on and he's weaving his skinny arm into the bush while humming the mission impossible theme. Every time he nicks himself, the start of a swear begins and fades into something innocuous. "FUH-abio. SHorts" is something you're liable to hear a lot of.

Toward the end of break, he winds up lying face down under one of those ceramic benches. The idea of a nap had appealed to him, but so did the shade. Clearly he's a genius of encompassing his two desires in one.

Later in the week, bartering with Feferi has earned him the god given right to swap the bottom half of their uniforms. Is a skirt more embarrassing than those shorts? No. No it isn't. He can easily pass this off as a kilt, and he feels a little like Mel Gibson when he does. Besides, if he doesn't mention it then the herd will likely just accept it like they damn well ought to. This would probably be easier if he weren't entirely unaware of skirt etiquette. He sits on top of the bench this time, legs crossed and skirt hitched just enough that his boxers are semi-visible. Perhaps in his youth he would have been ashamed, but nowadays he just makes do with a sense of aloof superiority that only comes from sitting like a a pro-wrestler in a dainty, pleated skirt.

When hunger takes him and his own lunch is gone, he leers at people with full hands and boxes and approaches them with his hand raised in greeting. "Hello fellow comrade. Blessed day to you."

Gary Epps

[a_minute_younger]

Gary isn't doing a great job at this whole 'school' thing. But that's nothing new for him. That's why he'd been so happy on the last day of classes, senior year, mere weeks before they took him to the Capitol--he was done! College would be so much different, if he even went at all. And this school session was for kids eighteen and younger, anyways, so with his nineteenth birthday months behind him, Gary was confident that he was free here, too.

That was how he almost got in trouble on the first day. The second was when he remembered Punchy warning him about Capitol-provided beverages and tried to squirt his juice box in an unsuspecting student's face. Then he was whistling during the pauses in lectures, and there was that one time he started scribbling dicks on his desktop projector...

Maybe Gary would be in a better place to forget all of his close-calls during recess if there was something to do out there. The gardens are pretty and spacious and everything, but Gary is sullen, anxious, and bored, the greatest crime of all. He paces circles around the central fountain (jabbing it with a stick to see what would happen quickly lost its charm), pausing occasionally to tug at his uniform's puffy shorts, whistle a few bars of nonsense, sigh loudly and dramatically at anyone who looks at him for too long.

Eventually Gary ends up lying on a bench. Sideways, face-up. Linden's rooftop tactic seems to have rubbed off on him; this position is significantly less comfortable on his back and he's probably getting dirt in his hair, but the odd perspective is interesting and all the blood in his brain keeps him from thinking too hard. A good distraction, albeit temporary.

Better distractions happen when people pass him and Gary either tries to shove them in the shoulder or trip them, respectively. He doesn't mean any harm in it, but all that energy has to go somewhere.

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.

[justoutrunyou]

[well Teacher, let's see how this goes. Sandy is hesitant to speak unless promoted but eventually she will approach at some point when allowed]

What made you get into teaching?

[a_minute_younger]

[Gary's hesitant to approach at first, even though he feels he has a very good reason to speak to her and perhaps negotiate some terms, because of those Peacekeepers by her sides. He's got a few good reasons to be afraid of them, too. But surely they wouldn't attack him in front of a bunch of kids, right? They've got to have some kind of conscience. Or at least realize that he's not trying to start anything. It's only a few questions. He'll be fine.]

[This is what Gary tells himself during one of their breaks, mentally pumping himself up as he strolls by the Teacher's desk, hands behind his back, then pretends to remember something and slingshots back around to face her.]

Excuse me! Miss, uh...?

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.

Ruffnut's attempt for badges

[ruffntumblenut]

Ruffnut's spelling is horrible (Thanks spellcheck!) , but after hearing that the badges could earn her some good will she's decided to give it a shot.

Dear President Snow,

I am writing this letter to you because I am sorry for the trouble I've caused. My mentor says that I'm an idiot and I've made his job harder because he has to keep saying he's sorry for me. So I'll just say it myself.
I really do like the hunger games. The fighting is a lot of fun and the arenas are really cool and usually creepy.
And in the Capitol the food is really really nice.
Please accept this necklace.

Thanks,
Ruffnut Thorston of the Isle of Berk and District 7

She then attempts to copy that letter for a fan and for a child in the district each with a necklace made out of macaroni noodles and yarn.

Feferi writes many letters. To be continued...

[fintastic]

Letters. Feferi has never been much of a letter writer, more of an instant message kind of girl herself, but she can write, and she will! Are they serious? Is she trolling? No one knows, but she writes them with her fins perked up and a big smile on her face. She writes a few to fans and district children alike, and many of them go the same, with small variations here and there, specifics based on district, or different accomplishments of her own.

And yes, she does in fact draw emotes into her hand-written letters.

To my friend in District [X],

Your human schools are so weird! How do you do this all day, all the time?? It's really hard to sit around and listen all day. 38( And it is really cutting into my modeling time! Ugh!! Oh well, it is still a new opperchtunaty, and I am okay with that! I just hope that it does not start to cut into my training time, too, because I don't think I will do very well in the next arena. Unless I can bore someone to death with math! Hmmm, maybe that's a better idea than I thought! Heheh.

What's your favorite thing to learn about in school? On Alternia, we did not have school, so we just had to learn everything on our own, I think I would have liked to learn history and geography a lot more. What I have learned so far seems way more useful than math and physics!

What kind of other things do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have a lot of friends? Please write back to me, you probably know tons about my life already I bet, I would reely like to know more about yours!

All the best fishes,
Feferi


To my fan,

Did you hear that they are sending us to school now? I know I promised lots of new promo spots but I guess that will have to wait! But education is important, right? Once I'm done, I can do all the modeling I want, maybe I will see if they let me do a shoot in my cool uniform! It kind of makes me feel like a warrior princess. Like I should be out there kicking some tailfins instead of sitting around all day on mine!

What gossip is there from the outside world, anyway? Any cool new trends I should know about? I do not even have time to keep up anymore, with all this learning and homework, so I am going to be counting on you to keep me up to date! You'll do that for me, right? Pretty please, with granulated sweetener on top?

Well anemoneway, I gotta go! Write back and let me know how you are doing, okay?

Sinsearly Yours,
Feferi


Dear President Snow,

This school is very nice. At least I think it is. I don't have anything to compare it to, but I am going to assume that it is very nice! I like the recess area a lot. Do you think we can get some training equipment sometime maybe? By the way, I have some drawings of ideas for monsters in the next arena, if you want, I can send them to you! Then maybe you can use them. I really liked all the aquatic monsters in the last one. Even the geese weren't so bad, once you cooked them.

Okay I think it's almost time to get back to class, I'll write again tomorrow!

Thank you,
Feferi

Sandy is cautiously participating

[justoutrunyou]

In Sandy's first attempt to play the game the Capitol has set before her, she will paint a picture of an elegant Capitol party, the last one she attended with Effie actually. She may get a little too caught up in the art because Effie ends up looking like a fancy queen holding her hand while Sandy is still dressed in street clothes looking up at her. It's nothing worth hanging in a museum but it's clear she practices her painting a lot.

Once she's finished she feels a little ill because she's invoking Effie's image to try and appear like she's favoring the capitol in the picture. She'll sign her name and turn it in all the same. Effie would be glad she was helping...probably.

Then she writes a letter.

Dear Friend in District 12,

Hello, this feels strange to be writing to someone I don't know that well, but I hope we can get to know each other better through these letters. Ever since I was brought to visit District 12 I've wanted to come back and see you all again.

I hope you enjoyed the feasts and things from the last two victories from The Signless and Tony Stark. Did you know that in my world he was a legendary hero? It was a long time before I was born but my dad used to tell me all kinds of stories about the heroes that were from before I was born.

I'll try my best to win in the next arena so that you guys can have more food. I'm sorry it's taking so long for me to win but I'm trying my best.

Hope to hear from you soon,
Cassandra Marko.

P.S: If you happen to stop by the Mellark family bakery, can you thank them for me? Peeta has taught me how to make all kinds of breads and cakes and since they taught him I just wanted to say thanks.

Karkat is actually writing something wow dang

[crabmunicator]

While patriotism for Panem is nothing Karkat is ever going to seriously espouse, he is not so stubborn that the opportunity would slip past his notice. He knows well from the close watch of the Peacekeepers that he's on thin ice here, and the proper officials should know even better that he actively participated in leading rebels against the Capitol before they captured him. He'll find ways to rebel again in the future, but the trick is to keep that secret and allay suspicion while he can.

So what better way than taking advantage of this system?

He takes some time to consider his options and weight them against what his frayed dignity will withstand, and he finds something more easily than he expected. He has sympathy for the Districts, especially since he's learned more about them, and as he gets to thinking he finds the proper angle to approach things.

Dear friend in District 6,

I know even less about you than I do about our District, but as knowledge filters in like sand through cracks to fill the vast well of my alien skull, the more I realize exactly why I should be doing my best to bring you glory.

On my own planet, Alternia, a troll like me would not have been given this chance. Rather than being allowed to serve, I would have been culled: killed off as something "lesser" and not deserving the air I breathe. Here the Districts serve the Capitol like our castes served our Empress, but the Capitol carries the magnanimity our Empress never knew. It has given chances to tributes like me, people who would have nothing else if not for Panem, and it is our privilege, duty, and honor to prove ourselves deserving of that opportunity.

I cannot promise that I will win the next Arena, but I know that in strengthening myself and putting forth my strongest effort, I draw closer to bringing victory for District 6. To win is not only to bring my own fame and celebration to the Capitol, but to strengthen you and others of your District, so that you can strengthen Panem in turn.

Being brought here may have been a surprise, but Panem has become the only home I can claim, and I won't rest until I've done my utmost for its sake.

Karkat Vantas

The style of writing is much more subdued than he would usually go for, lacking both his typical flair for metaphors and crass vulgarity, but the constraint is meant to show seriousness and respect. He doubts his teacher would accept anything else. He doesn't even know if it will actually reach someone in District 6, either, but the thread carrying through - that he only has this place, and he must fight for its sake - is true, regardless of the false trappings of patriotism it is couched in.

It still stands out, though. His writing is all jagged capital letters, and below his name he has included the curling shapes of his sign, the Cancer symbol.

Aang makes art

[actually112]

Art comes pretty easily to Aang. Art--the recording of one's perception of the world--was a standard part of any little monk's education, and it includes things like carving and drawing and calligraphy.

When he draws the Capitol, he draws its spires. The giant gleaming towers of glass and steel, feats of architecture that he has never seen anywhere else. The spires are not evil. They are products of human ingenuity and beautiful in their own way, even if they're also cold and uninviting in their lack of organic aspects. He wishes he could write in the characters he has known since learning how to read, but his hand stubbornly refuses, so he has to settle on lines instead of words within the lines to communicate. The spires are beautiful and grand, but they all cast long shadows.

Arya tries to write letters

[needlebearer]

There's nothing Arya wants to do less than write about how wonderful the Capitol supposedly is, but at least it's something to keep her occupied. She'd detested having to sit through the speeches, wanting to run around outside or throw something at whoever was seated closest. So when it comes to writing letters, she finds she's more grateful for something to do than balking at the content. Her handwriting is crude and childlike, and she'll pretend that it's only because she's not used to using pencils, though truthfully it's even worse when using a quill.


Dear President Snow,

I'm glad I get to go to school here. So far I like science lessons the best because we don't have any technology like this where I come from, and it's fun to see how everything works. I like training even more though. I got a gun in the last Arena and I hope I get one again because I didn't get to shoot anyone with it last time and I want to show how good my aim is now. My favourite things about living in the Capitol are cheeseburgers and ice cream. My brother has the same name as you, but he's a bastard and you're the President of Panem, so you can't be. It's nice that 'Snow' means something good here.

Arya Stark



Dear friend in District 10,

I promise I'll win the Games next time.

Arya Stark