The Tribute Youth Programme: July

[etcircenses]

Who| Adults who act as chaperones on the field trips. 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| July's TYP round; Summer School Blues, field trips, and more...
Where| A private school building within the Capitol, a waterpark, a zoo.
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 Tribute Youth Programme is back in full force. The Teacher missed you all!

Class will go much like it 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! Along with all the (questionably subsisting) pet bats promised of Panem Nightly.

This time is extra special, however, for there is a secret surprise planned for next month that the Teacher is preparing for. Something about partners for tents and canoes? Whatever that means. Maybe if you sign up early you'll get a partner you like. And perhaps asking among the adults if any would like to chaperone for the mystery trip.

As for this current trip, those who earned the bonus will get a free ride around the park on one of the elephants, front row seats to a live performance in the aquarium area, and a custom photo souvenir with their favourite animal.

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...

[capitolprivilege]

[Stephen looks relaxed and at ease. It's not the first time, after all, that he's stood in front of children and told them why their death sentence was a good thing. His smile isn't genuine, but it's a very, very convincing fake.

He's also perfectly groomed. There's no glitter, and the shimmer is limited to the lining and lapels of his suit-jacket. The piercings up and down his ears are small, and the makeup is understated and tasteful.]

Hello, everyone. Some of you I know, some of you I don't, but just about all of you talked to my brother, Cyrus Reagan, last month. I'm sure he had a lot to say to you about responsibility and reciprocation. He always seems to have a new way to say follow the rules, doesn't he?

Yes, he is like that all the time.

[A flash of a grin, which quickly fades.]

But we Escorts are pretty guilty of that, too. It's an easy job for Tributes to resent. You give us your lives in the Arena, and then when you come back, here's your Escort, asking you to do more. We're always making you get dressed up, smile for the cameras, go here, go there -- it's not fun.

We know that.

But part of growing up is doing things that aren't fun. No one wants to eat their vegetables -- until they realize that it's the candy that gave them the bellyache and made them cranky all day. No one wants to wash behind their ears, until their hair starts feeling disgusting and their friends tell them they smell weird.

[He makes a face, a sympathetic wince.]

That's when you start to remember who told you to eat your vegetables and wash up in the first place. I know we have some aliens here who were raised in a different way, but for most of you, that'd be your parents, or your guardian, or whoever was responsible for taking care of you while you were growing up. They told you to do a lot of things, didn't they? Some of them, you didn't understand at the time. Some of them you still might not understand. But there was always a reason.

[A breath, a further sobering, a gentler tone.]

Sometimes, when you didn't obey, you were punished. You might have resented that, too. But the truth is, no one likes punishing their children. Seeing them sad, seeing them angry, is hard. But a good parent is patient. A good parent knows that a child acts out because they're too young to understand why the rules are the way they are, and knows that one day, that child will grow up, and will understand, and no one will need to be punished anymore.

[Acting out is childish, Stephen is saying. Be grown-up. Be part of the system. Even if you don't understand it yet, pretending you understand it and obeying it is cool.

Of course, there's another side to the parent-child symbolism, for the sharper-minded. If the Capitol is like a parent to the Tributes, one day, the Tributes are going to have to grow up. One day, they won't need the Capitol anymore.

But Stephen means the former. Of course he does. Why wouldn't he?]

Some of you understand already. It is the very rules we ask you to follow that have made Panem, well, what it is today. It works like a well-oiled machine -- in fact, I've always thought of District Six's transportation industry as the wires and the pipes that ensure that each part gets what it needs. But it's not just Panem's efficiency or stability that makes it great. Panem is beautiful. From the lush fields of the Districts to the shining skyscrapers of the Capitol, Panem is living proof of what the human race can achieve -- with the right set of rules to give it focus.

[Stephen gives a smile that's a little shy -- the shyness lends it sincerity.]

I'm proud to call the Capitol my home, and it's always been a private hope of mine that one day all of you will come to think of it as yours, too.

So, in that spirit, I'd be glad to answer any questions you all might have. I might not know the Capitol in quite as much detail as Peacekeeper Falxvale, and I'm no minister in Snow's cabinet, but I can certainly tell you a thing or two about more ordinary life in the Capitol, and I also know a thing or two about what it's like helping to represent a District in the Hunger Games that you aren't from.

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 2 value of allegiance. 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?

[bravelyplucked]

Good morning, everyone. I'd like to thank you all for having me here to speak today. I'm delighted to be a part of this program, and I do hope you're all learning a great deal here.

[Torin pauses to assess the crowd. He looks very sharp in one of his trademark white suits, and he appears to be relaxed. This sort of thing has never been his favorite, but he's had to talk to school groups back in Two often enough that it's a familiar experience for him. As he speaks, he occasionally makes gestures with his hands, though it's obvious that something about his right arm doesn't work quite right. It's not moving as well as the other.]

My name is Torin Byrd. I'm a past Victor of the Games, and one of the Mentors for District Two. I hope you all realize what a remarkable opportunity you've been given, both with the Tribute Youth Program here and with the opportunity to participate in the Games. In District 2, the highest honor one can hold is to be permitted to compete in the Games. It's very common for volunteers to jump in there ready to compete, and I know that everyone back home there would give anything to be in your shoes. You've all got a lot to live up to.

[He's just going to gently sidestep the issue of Two spending time training would-be Tributes like they're technically not supposed to, even if it's one of the worst-kept secrets in Panem and no one cares. He so rarely gets to exercise any sense of fairness these days, if ever.]

The Capitol provides for us, and so too do we in District 2 provide for it. A great deal of the stonework and masonry here has been imported from District 2, and many of our residents also go on to serve as Peacekeepers, my family among them. If I hadn't been fortunate enough to get to compete in the Games, I likely would have ended up in that profession myself.

[He puts the proper amount of District 2 pride into that and continues on.]

Masonry and stoneworking is the backbone of District 2's economy. The District itself contains several fine utilitarian examples of this work, and we send the true art on to the Capitol itself. The bulk of our population is employed in this industry. There is a great deal of work that goes into this, from going into mines to obtain the raw material to shaping it in workshops to getting it loaded up to send to the Capitol. We can provide the raw stone material, or, if the builder wishes, shape that material into something that's a little more immediately usable.

District 2 values strength, for it is through this strength that we are able to prove ourselves and our allegiance to the Capitol. The strongest and bravest of us go on to become Peacekeepers, but masonry requires its own strength. The mines are no place for those who cannot carry their own weight, and it is through carrying one's own weight that one can do the very best of work. There are no substandard bricks that come out of District 2.

[Wow, he hates this speech. This speech is just dripping with the Capitol Kool-Aid everyone in the District gets fed from a very young age. Torin feels like he's going to have to go take a long bath after saying all of this crap. At least he's trying his hardest to make sure the crap sounds sincere.]

A typical worker's day in District 2 is hard, but it is infinitely rewarding. There is no feeling quite like knowing that you have helped to create the building blocks that help the Capitol create things for everyone's benefit. Even the smallest contribution helps build to greater and grander things. Quality materials make all the difference in the world. Some bricks are cut directly from the stone itself, but others are crafted through different means. The simplest bricks start out as materials that wouldn't be used for building without a lot of work, such as shale--even the flakiest rock can be made into something strong through the attentions of a dedicated craftsman. The bricks start out as weak stone like shale, which is then ground into a fine powder and mixed with water. Different additions to this mixture create different types of bricks. Once the bricks are expertly shaped and fired in a kiln, they're remarkably durable and resistant to damage--perfect for creating structures that last.

[How he's managed to keep on with a straight face, he doesn't even know.]

I won't distract you from your studies too much longer, but I will, however, take any questions you might have.

[And he'll stop and survey the group of kids. Part of him hopes someone will call him out on his bull, but for the most part, he hopes they understand that now is not the time or the place to call attention to the Capitol's problems. Not with such a wide audience in such a public venue. Plus, if they don't have any questions, he gets to stop talking and spewing all of this ridiculous propaganda. That would also be a win.]

Recess Break - Kid’s mingle

[etcircenses]

June’s idle lounging has been replaced with leisure and activity! Some of the bugs have gone away and so too has the lovely picnic set for the children, but in it's place is a giant colorful playground! It just so happens, this playground has been modelled after the most recent Victor.

A swing set has been put up, the top bar in the shape of Tom's twirly moustache. A large replica of Black Tom's shillelagh stands high, a slide twirling around it, and a staircase and bridge modelled like plants to reach the top. A bat-winged teeter totter has been made, modelled after Tom's symbol.

But that's not all there is! The yard now features paved sections for chalk, sports, and hologram skipping ropes. Frisbees have also been made available for the kids.

FitzChivalry Farseer OTA

[witbastard]

Fitz is rather bitter about this whole thing. He always used to love his schooling as a child, sitting at the hearth with the other children of the castle, listening to Fedwren the scribe and practising their letters on wax tablets, then later the praise Fedwren gave him for things that were nothing to do with his bloodline or his killing or his service to the throne, but his skill with brush and pen and his artistry with paints and inks. And late at night, sitting by the fire in the secret room with Chade, learning about poisons and herbs and the weak spots of the human body, experimenting with explosives and reading through battered scrolls. He has always loved learning. What he doesn't love is being forced into school at his age. He's an adult, for El's sake! He has a daughter, and he had a wife, and he has fought in wars and died for his king. He doesn't see why he has to go sit with the children when he could be working and training.

He has been refusing to shave in an ironically rather childish protest, and he now has a beard that is both fairly full and incredibly itchy. He really hates having a beard. He scratches absently at it, and decides he's probably made his point and either way the damn thing is going to come off as soon as he gets a chance to shave.

He sits sullenly by the edge of the playground, pretending to sip the juice box in his hand, and watches the others play. The chemical taste in the juice on his first day alerted him immediately to the fact it had been tampered with, even before he started to feel the dizziness kick in. But he decided swiftly that he would be better off if they thought whatever they were drugging him with was working, so since then he has been pretending to drink a juice box when he's in school - just letting the juice come up the straw and then drop back into the box - and observing how the people who do drink the juice respond. He's come to the conclusion that it isn't poison or designed to weaken the system, but weaken the mind and induce compliance, which is unfortunately familiar to him as a concept. He really, really hates this place.

At the same time, though, he's watching the younger kids in the playground and almost finds himself smiling. He wonders if he'll ever get to see Nettle play like this. He wonders if it helps the kids feel better about what they have to do in the arena.

Field Trip - Open to all

[etcircenses]

Two more field trips carry on into July, breaking up the monotony of school days. The first of these trips is to the Capitol Zoo and Aquarium.

Children and chaperoning adults alike are greeted with balloon animals and ice cream stands.

Within the zoo are specimens found all throughout the Districts that most people in the Capitol would not see otherwise. From sea lions to armadillos to alligators, and of course plenty of creatures that offworlders have never seen before, half-mutt creatures who survived the war. There is a small petting zoo area for children, and education tours about the Districts and their local flora and fauna.

Surprisingly, the education tours actually tell the truth-- so long as they are only asked about the flora and fauna.

As July goes on and heat waves hit the classroom, only the teacher seems unaffected. But just as the capitol is here to help the Districts, she is here to help all of you. The next trip takes students to the Oceanus Water Park.

A massive indoor ocean is the centerpiece of this amusement park. Built up onto one of the mountains, a mass of slides twist down into the pool. Waves move across the surface, and the park also features a diving hole and a real sand beach, along with it's own water coaster. Inside it is always nice and sunny, no matter what storm might rage outside it's walls, but thankfully, here the heat is something bearable.

All in all, the trips go smooth and uneventful-- but some may not help but notice the silvery steel trucks that drive through town while they're out, windows tinted dark. At one of the trucks have been stained red, only the ghost of a spray painted mockingjay with its wings spread remaining.

Vivi

[steepled]

Capitol Zoo and Aquarium

There are many animals here Vivi has never seen before in his life. Some of them remind him of the ones back home, like certain large cats or wolves - but he had never seen a giraffe before. Throughout the entire trip, the tour guide never mentioned anything about Mist or creatures that are born from it. Vivi had long since expected that Mist just doesn't exist here, but it's still interesting for the mage to learn. The half-mutt creatures were difficult to keep his eyes on without feeling some morbid fascination he's afraid to admit to anyone.

It's good that the Capitol can't utilize the Mist in this case.

The aquarium is Vivi's favorite part of the tour. The mage is mindful to keep his hands from pressing against the glass by cupping his hands together to look into the tank that seems to go on forever. Watching the glowing jellyfish is probably the most mesmerizing thing out of the exhibit for him. He lets out a gasp when an octopus comes out of nowhere to tuck itself under a bed of rocks, seemingly disappearing under the sand.

"Wow! Did you see that?!"

Water Park

The water park sounded neat initially. Vivi was nothing short of amazed at the construction of the whole place, but seeing all the pipes and tubes and the deep, deep pools of water has him quickly realize that he doesn't know how to swim. His clothes and hat are left behind in one of the lockers as he's adorned with a simple pair of swim shorts along with a life jacket that covers up his whole chest. The employee behind the counter apparently knows the mage for his propensity to trip, so he's supplied with non-slip swim shoes. To no one's surprise, Vivi falls on his face on his way out of the locker room, but he pays little mind because it's just something that happens for him.

Even with the "mostly guaranteed" safety of this life jacket, it's still nerve wracking for the mage as his eyes trail way up at where the line starts for the steep water slides. The ones on the round tubes sound more appealing...and safe.

[justoutrunyou]

Zoo

Sandy loves the Zoo even if it reminds her of someone she's lost. Most places she's familiar with does that these days.

This Zoo was one of the last places she and Pruna went together before Pruna's final arena and revisiting it hurts...but the happy healthy animals and her special reward make it better.

Riding on the back of an elephant it's hard not to look too pleased with herself. She's wearing her uniform with all it's little badges and a pin from one of the district children she wrote to. She's got a leather bracelet with a bejeweled charm on it another gift and she's looking down at the others alternating between beaming with delight at the activity and smiling sheepishly at any who might either be jealous or thinking of her as a suck up.

So what? Who cares what they think? You're just doing what you gotta do to keep out of trouble. The rewards are just a bonus. She tried to tell herself as she absentmindedly stroked the Elephants head.

When she wasn't riding the creature she was reading the charts and information on the animals. A lot of the words flew over her head, but she was doing her best to cram her brain full of facts.

You never knew when one of these things might try to kill you in the next arena.

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

Aquarium

Her guilt at playing along with "The system" rears up again when she's sitting in the front row for the liver performance at the Aquarium, but it's easier to become distracted from this one because she's in front of everyone and doesn't have to turn around and look at them starring at her.

...are they starring at her? No probably not. It's just her imagination...right? Maybe just one peek...

The show has her utterly entranced though. All manner of aquatic acrobatics and splashing. It's amazing to see these creatures performing so skillfully and naturally. By the time the show is over Sandy is buzzing with delight and once again finds herself moving from section to section trying to read all the information offered about these carefully pampered beasts.

She does however give a startled yelp when she rounds a corner and finds herself face to face with a giant eel. It's large eyes practically glow in the tank and she scrambles backwards crashing into people as she tries to put some distance between her and it. As if somehow it's going to burst through the glass to eat her.

Eyes wide with genuine fear she's reliving one of her deaths and it has her white as chalk.

[ruffntumblenut]

Zoo

While Ruffnut is impressed by the variety of creatures this Zoo holds she finds herself decidedly disappointed and asking "Where are the dragons?"

When there are no dragons to be found she manages to enjoy the trip despite this incredible lack of dragon. In fact some of the lizards are almost like tiny dragons and she's willing to accept that. Her eyes light up when she sees the boars however.

"Aw yeah! Now that's a boar pit!!"

The pit was actually a large habitat for the creatures but to Ruffnut it was the biggest most decorated boar pit she'd ever seen.

"When do they lower people in to make them fight?" She asked completely misunderstanding the concept.

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

The Aquarium.

The fish all around her just makes her hungry. It surprises her to see how many fish have big teeth though and that pleases her enough to press her face to the glass watching them glide through the water. Ruffnut smudges are left on the tank of just about every predator.

She laughs when she finally sees a familiar face however and comes up to the shark tank watching the oblivious beast swim around.

"Didn't you eat me once? I was gonna punch you in the nose and that Clementine girl threw me in."

That wasn't exactly how it happened but what did he know? He was a shark, he probably didn't get to watch the replay videos.

A Selfish Chaperone.

[revvinguptheharley]

The idea of leaving Harley Quinn in charge of any children might have once been an extremely laughable idea. She was practically a child herself sometimes.

But when Harley found out the tributes were going to the zoo she HAD to visit. She'd been there a few times already but it was one of her favorite places in Panem and if she wasn't trying to save money she'd be there every day.

Of course she was drawn like a magnet to the most lovable, beautiful, graceful and fabulous creatures in the park.

Laughing Hyenas.

"HI BABIES! MOMMIES COME BACK TO VISIT!" She called down into the carefully crafted home that the Hyenas were lounging around in. They yipped and bounced around for a few minutes hoping perhaps if they entertained the loud human they might get fed extra, but when no meat was forthcoming they went back to laying in the shade and panting peacefully.

Wiping a tear from her eye Harley sighed and lounged on the railing...oh wait wasn't she supposed to be keeping an eye on the students? She cast a quick glance around to see how many were still in this area.

[needlebearer]

a) Zoo and Aquarium

Arya's surprised to find something about going to school that she rather likes, though she's too proud to admit to the teacher just how much she loves the trip to the zoo. The majority of the animals she's never even heard of, though there are a couple she recognises from vague descriptions on Maester Luwin's scrolls about the distant continent of Sothoryos, a place she'd dreamed of exploring herself when she was younger. She stares with wonder and awe, asks a hundred different questions about what the animals eat and how they live, and for the only time in her life - outside of combat training at least - is the model of a perfect student. Her excitement is somewhat dimmed in the aquarium until she finds displays of sharks and octopuses and other great sea creatures, and then she perks up again in the same way she had when seeing tigers and elephants in the zoo.


b) Water park

She hadn't thought anything could top the zoo, but as she stares wide eyed at the water park, she knows how wrong she is. At first she's a little suspicious, trying to find the catch, to see where the Youth Programme are going to try to slip in education amongst the sheer fun that this place looks to be, but she soon forgets she's supposed to be at school entirely, zooming down the water slides for most of the afternoon, playing on the beach, and splashing anyone who came too close.

Emily | Chaperone

[conifer]

a) Zoo and Aquarium

Emily knows the petting zoo is really supposed to be for the younger children, but she feels a little wary among the big predators and muttations despite the glass between them and the visitors, recognising their vicious nature and having seen it in people far too many times to be impressed by them. She spends most of the time sat in a quiet corner of the petting zoo with a large rabbit in her lap, stroking it absently and looking about to keep an eye on the children she's supposed to be chaperoning.

The aquarium is like being transported to another world. Emily knows little of the ocean and can imagine even less, and she's enchanted by the more colourful fish and the plant life too, watching the exhibits mesmerised and wishing she didn't have to leave.


b) Water Park

She's kept to the beach most of the afternoon, running the sand between her fingers and letting the waves lap over her toes. The slides and water coaster make her stomach turn, though she spends a lot of time staring at them, worrying when the younger children went on the faster slides and ready to jump up to help. It's late in the afternoon when she finally ventures into the water herself, and then she only goes up to the bottom of her ribs, bobbing there in the waves with her feet firmly on the floor, embarrassed to admit that she doesn't know how to swim.

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.

The Teacher's good mood still lingers but she appears a little... frazzled. Her perfect hair has started slipping out of place. She's more insistent than before, checking up with Tirbute youth, prying a little more obviously than the last time. When asked, she points out she's merely worried for their health, but she never forgets to remind children to report suspicious behaviour. There's an edge to her voice by the time she's done, but she quickly goes back to her desk and pretends it is nothing.

[ruffntumblenut]

[You wouldn't expect Ruffnut to be the one to notice these sorts of things, and it's even more surprising that she'd care, but she finds herself wandering over to the desk and studying the teacher with a puzzled look on her face. Finally she decides to handle this with all the grace and care for which she is known.]

...are you sick or something?

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.

[witbastard]

Fitz toys with the idea of writing a letter to President Snow on paper treated with some sort of slow-acting poison, but decides that would be suicidally stupid, even for him. And that there's almost certainly more wrong with the system than its figurehead. Nevertheless, he's spent some enjoyable hours considering in detail what poisons would best suit the man, how he would treat the paper without being spotted, and the nasty ways he would make Snow suffer as he died. Stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting...he doesn't have access to much in the way of herbs, but he's pretty sure he could pull something together given time.

However, he doesn't particularly fancy getting Avoxed, so he's shelving that thought for a while. He still wants to give the impression of compliance, though, so he writes to the children of his District, for whom he has nothing but sympathy.

Despite himself, he's enjoying using the smooth paper instead of the vellum he's used to, and drawing on it pleases him immensely. His handwriting is neat and flowing, albeit archaic, and since he has little better to do with his school days he spends a happy hour or so illuminating his letter to the District, filling out the initials with illustrations he remembers from books of his youth, tweaking them to fit what information he's been able to find of District 11.

Dear friend in District 11,

I know less than I would like about your District - the District I have been chosen to represent. Some day I hope to visit, but until then rest assured that when I am called upon to fight, I will do what I can to win for you. I can promise nothing but that I will fight to my last breath for our District as long as I am representing you. I hope I will not let you down.

I doubt you know much of me, little more than I know of you. I am but new arrived, and as yet untested in the Arena. I can promise you my mettle in battle has been proven, and I will do what I can to prove myself a worthy champion, though I am little used fighting for other's sport.

In all honesty I would like to know what you can tell me of your home. I have read a little about District 11, and know that you are farming folk, but beyond that I know very little. I fear that our lives here are distant enough as to be near incomprehensible, so I would know more about the lives of the people I fight for.

I have never been a farmer, though I have known farming folk and worked with herders. I grew up in a city, but a city as unlike the Capitol as day to night. Buckkeep sits high on the cliffs above the sea, with the town below sprawling down the cliffsides to the beach. All around is hilly farmland and forest, where the hunts would ride for boar or deer. The horses and dogs in our stables were the finest in the land, for our Stablemaster knew each animal like his own child. In Buckkeep Town, you could walk from the keep to open fields in perhaps fifteen minutes, and men would ride through the town past fish stalls and tailors and jostling crowds.

Here he has painted a vignette of a bleak black castle standing high above crashing waves. The quality of the drawing suggests it's a place he remembers well.

The country I am from is called the Six Duchies, and in a way the Duchies are something like the Districts of Panem. North of Buck was Bearns, and to the south along the coast, Rippon and Shoaks. The coastal lands are harsh places, but they were always filled with good people. Inland are Tilth and Farrow. From what I know of District 11, these are lands more like what you would be used to. They are low and fertile, and the people of the Inland Duchies were prosperous in the richness of their land, and traded with the Coastal Duchies for goods and fabrics from abroad, and with the Mountain Kingdom to the west. The King lived in Buck, and so in a way I suppose Buck was to us something of what the Capitol is to Panem, although in truth the Capitol to me resembles more the rich towns of the Inland Duchies. I went to Tradeford, which is in Farrow, not long before I was brought here, and the Capitol reminds me most strongly of my experiences there.

The Capitol is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The city stretches as far as the eye can see, and it is all very clean and opulent. The people are like painted jewels, all glitter and colour, and the city is rich and magnificent. It is taking me a time to adjust, since I have lived a very simple life and do not easily understand the complexities of Capitol living. In truth, although life in the city is very full of wonder, I often feel I would give it up in a heartbeat for the spread of the sky and the feel of earth underfoot. Someday, I hope I will be able to come to District 11 and live in the open air, though I am sure I would be sacrificing the ease of living that many here are accustomed to.

I look forward to hearing about your home with great anticipation, now I have told you of mine. Though I am not a native of your District, I aim to support it in every way I can, and I would like to know more about your life and world.

Your Tribute,
Fitz

He has also, after some thought of what he could do which would seem pro-Capitol but would not make him puke at his own hypocrisy, put some serious work into a painting of the Capitol's spires and arches, rising vast above a landscape patchworked together from pictures of the Districts. The flag of Panem looms in the background. It depends how you look at it - it could be an image representing power and unity, or it could be about how the Capitol puts itself above its districts. Either way, it's well-drawn, albeit a little sketchy, and he put a lot of work into it.

[steepled]

The response he received last month makes him frown a little. He isn't like other kids. The adults have been nice to him mostly, but he knows that when it comes down to it...he's not like them. He stares at the paper thoughtfully, trying to assess how much he should write.

Dear Hemlock,

Hello again. I'm sorry I couldn't write back last month. I think you already saw but I was in the arena. I lasted longer than my first time but I'm going to keep trying.

I'm also sorry that my face is scary to you. I promise I'm not scary! I'm a black mage. There are others like me where I'm from. And they're not scary either.

As for his age...well.

We don't get to live long like most other people. It's still something I'm trying to wrap my head around, but I'm probably younger than you.

My grandpa wasn't my grandpa, but he raised me and was really nice. He passed away recently, but he told me not to be sad about it. To be honest, I still get sad sometimes...but I think he's still watching over me.

What about your grandparents?

Sincerely,

Vivi Ornitier

He folds the paper neatly and sets it aside as he works on his second letter.

Dear fans,

Hi. Thank you for your support. I know it's thanks to you that I was able to make it as far in the arena as I did. I'm sorry I couldn't do better, but I'll try harder next time. I'm learning to not rely on magic so much.

Sincerely,

Vivi Ornitier

A letter to D4 and a picture for the Capitol

[actually112]

Mollusc,

I'm glad to hear back from you. I wasn't sure if my letter would actually go anywhere. They talk a lot about Districts over here, but we don't really get to meet anyone from them except our Mentors. Chuck and Derek are our Mentors, but they don't really talk about District 4 that much. They're usually talking about training or trying to convince me to kill people in the arena. I've heard that some people from the District train their whole lives to volunteer in the Hunger Games, though. Were you doing that before we came along? Or are you happy to stay out of the arena?

Elephant koi are really big. You could probably mistake them for waves if you couldn't see how colorful they are. You can also hold onto their fins and ride them. It's a lot of fun, except the last time I was riding them, a giant sea serpent called the Unagi tried to eat me. That wasn't as fun.

Monks are men who live in Temples and devote themselves to achieving enlightenment, so basically they spend all their time meditating and teaching kids. They separate themselves from worldly things like soft beds or wealth or families. Nuns are the same thing, except they're women. Sometimes they separate themselves from eating, too. There was one monk who didn't eat or drink anything for over 98 days to achieve enlightenment. I assumed that would be how I'd live my life too, but things haven't turned out like I expected.

What's your sister's name? What's she like? Where I come from, babies are taken from the women who give birth to them and given to the monks if they're a boy, and the nuns if they're a girl, so we don't have things like siblings or parents. It sounds like you like having a sister.

I hope it cools off in District 4, but I bet it's nice to swim in the ocean on a hot day. I hope the fishing is good.

Aang

Aang once again draws a picture of the Capitol. This time, he draws the people walking in the streets. There's a surprising amount of skill in his art--while everything gleams and shines with artificial beauty, all the faces of the people are turned away until you can't see them. It's like they don't want to look at anything completely.

[needlebearer]

- Reply to the letter from the District penpal:

Dear Bison,

I was so close to winning this time, but I couldn't keep my promise. At least Tom won, so District Ten will get the benefit anyway. I hope you have everything you could want now. I want to come and visit the Districts, they sound more familiar in some ways than the Capitol. If I ever come to District Ten I want to meet you.

Arya.


- Art in honour of the President:

Arya's submission is pretty basic, depicting her holding her pet bat in one hand and a donut in the other - the two good things she's been able to find about the Capitol. President Snow looks a little sketchy, but is offering her the same white rose that she'd received from him through the Youth Programme a couple of months ago. From there she's deviated a little from the brief, portraying how great the people of District Ten must think she is for literally dying out there in the Arena for them.

[crabmunicator]

Dear Jackie (Maglev),

It makes sense. Even living on Alternia there was a lot to learn just about my own culture. No troll is hatched knowing everything, no matter what the highbloods act like, and the act of being able to adapt and learn is a part of basic survival. If you can't live up to the right expectations and rules, chances are you won't get to keep living at all.

But as rough as it was, it did have some good things. There were the moons like I said, and everything had different colors here. Your clouds are really boring, you know that? They kind of look like home when sunset or sunrise happens, but they're so boring and white or grey most of the time. And why are your trees all green? My friend had her hive in a tree with blue bark and pink leaves. We didn't really distinguish between rabbits or hares. Everything was hopbeasts to me.

At least the sun's not completely blinding here, even working with a diurnal schedule feels unnatural.

And I'm not sweet, okay? I would put it more colorfully if I had the liberty to do so, but basically you haven't given me any reason to be rude or dislike you, so I'm not going to wish harm on you. Just stay safe and you won't have to worry about writing with your teeth or any other miscellaneous body parts. My growly troll exterior is maintained, and I intend to show it.

(Seriously. I might have been taken out early last round for completely stupid reasons, but I still want to win for you guys.)

Sincerely,

Karkat Vantas ♋

P.S. Happy late birthday, even if that feels really weird to say, culturally speaking. How old are you now? Just list it in years and I'll try to figure out the conversion to sweeps on my own.

P.P.S. What's your gender? I can't figure it out from your name alone and the other details present don't make it much clearer to me.

P.P.P.S. Cable sounds like an aggravating guy to put up with, to put it in a mild and linguistically acceptable way. I'm going to write to him of my own decision and you can show him this if he tries to say you put me up to it.

P.P.P.P.S. I used to go by carcinoGeneticist (CG) on an old chat program. It's not the same and I have no reason to use it anymore, but it's as close to a nickname as I can put here.

---

To Cable in District 6,

So what's your deal with Maglev? I am not looking to insert myself into the thick of your issues, but so long as I'm doing the human thing and writing letters, guess what, you are the brand new recipient of my correspondence.

But seriously, what gives? Invading someone else's hive without an invite on my planet would be an invitation to either get yourself killed or a blatant attack on the other person. Please, educate the alien on your weird human culture, because I'm stuck here for the forwseeable future. And if you are a fan of mine, I expect answers before I start shelling out my own for you.

Karkat Vantas ♋

---

The letter from Drusus is the hardest to respond to. He feels like he has to, is the thing; it would be too obvious if he cut off now. But to think this kid is looking to become a peacekeeper, that he harbors the hate for all rebels that led to things like his imprisonment... It takes a while before he can figure out how to respond to that part, but he keeps it as respectful and deferential to the role as he can. He can't afford to look treasonous.

---

Drusus,

I've made my opinions on Gary clear enough elsewhere that I'm not going to repeat them here. Besides, I can't in full fidelity because I'm not even allowed to cross out profanity in these. Reading my letters without their full linguistic color might be boring, but it can't be said that I'm not observant of the rules provided.

On that topic, it would probably be better if I don't hang out with you while you're on hypothetical Peacekeeper duty. I would be a distraction from your job, both as a celebrity and in the way of taking up time that could be spent working, and I'm not here for that.

I am going to try again next time, though. I've got enough sponsors expecting results out of me that I can't hang back and play nice until some arena trap kills me. I'm not going to pretend it's not daunting to imagine, but I'm a troll, right? I have to live up to the good qualities of my species, and that means being brutal where it's merited. Besides, what interest does Panem have in a tribute who doesn't try?

If you want to get my merchandise, there's some (fake) sickles coming out soon. There are plastic ones for kids, but there's also going to be some higher quality replica type stuff for collectors. I had them designed after the ones I used in Sgrub: a black, white, green, and pink one (Homes Smell Ya Later); a black one with swoopy designs (the Regisickle), and an orange-red one shaped like a crab pincer (the Clawsickle). This pastry shop I really like has some stuff themed after me too, now. Horn-shaped croissants and coronet pastries, cookies frosted to look like my face, things like that. [The name and address are included.] And I nabbed a deal with promoting/reviewing romance novels recently, so if those are your thing then keep an eye out.

Karkat Vantas ♋

[pythianjudgment]

Terezi wasn't expecting a response back. She's a little surprised when the envelope is handing to her, and even more so that it's actually from a child in District 7. It's a few days before she manages to write back to her new pen pal.

To Hemlock,
[There is a dragonfly scribbled with crayon next to the name.]

Thank you for the sympathy. I'm not very good at this emotional stuff. This whole friendship and caring thing is kind of a weird concept for me. My species is kind of crazy like that. Even if we do get attached to people, we definitely don't like to admit it.

I'm just glad that people remember her.

Do you often go a long way from home? I don't actually know anything about what you do. Except I guess harvest trees and make little wooden statues. Meulin brought one back for me. It really smells good.

I like bugs, too. I like them best sauteed with some butter or sauce. Hehehe. A lot of people say that trolls are bug-like. I can't argue with that. We come from eggs like bugs, can chirp like bugs. We spend the first sweep or so of life as grubs--up until we pupate. Maybe bugs were our primordial ancestors, like monkeys are for you. It's weird to me how fleshy and soft humans are.

I left a gift for you in the envelope. I hope it gets to you in one piece, since I have heard horrible things about human postal systems.

In the world I came from, we didn't have mail. Almost everything is electronic, so there wasn't any need. Being in this world is strangely rustic, even here in the Capitol. But I try not to say that too loudly. >;] I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Everyone always seems to be trying very hard to be as flashy and spectacular as possible.

Speaking of spectacular and flashy things, we're all very sorry if we put the burden on you for all of our excessive purchases. We had no idea where the money was coming from, but we're all working hard to pay it back as fast as possible.

(I bought the present with my own money, so you don't have to worry.)

I wanted to send you some live bugs, but I wasn't sure how you would feel about that. And I'm not sure how I feel about sticking things in jars and cages just so people can look at them. Things that come from the forest don't do well in captivity, huh?

Anyway, I'm done rambling at you for now. I'll draw a bunch of our bugs for you, so you can compare notes. Just pretend they're a lot bigger than the paper I'm drawing them on. >:]

Yours,
Terezi Pyrope of District 3

True to her word, Terezi scribbles a bunch of Alternian bugs on the margins of the paper--even a mothergrub. When she's finished, she folds the paper around a small dragonfly necklace, then slides the paper into an envelope and sets it on Teacher's desk.

LETTERS CLOSED

[etcircenses]

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

Sneaks these in

[justoutrunyou]

Dear President Snow,

Sorry if it seemed like I was prying into your life with my last letter, I just wanted to get to know you better and the only way I know how is to ask questions. I could always just read about your life but that almost seems creepy and stalkerish when I have this way to write to you directly and get the message from you rather then from some guy who thinks they know you.

Would it even be possible for an off worlder to become a politician in Panem?

I really would love to be a victor and uphold the honor and all that. I feel like I owe it to District 12.

Thanks for reading my letter,
Sandy Marko

****
For Sandy's Pro-Capitol duty and artwork she talks about her latest volunteer work at the Museum, where they've asked her to help work on a mural of all the different arenas that she's been in and some of the most amazing things from them. Mostly she describes fierce creatures that were usually attempting or succeeding at eating her, but she had some very vivid descriptions that their professional artists used. Mostly just having her involved drummed up some publicity for them.

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]

Feferi,

I'm glad you like it, Peixes. We'll be sure to keep an eye out for it if you do. I know it'll make a lot of people here proud. I guess ain't so bad talking to you either.

It's alright. I'd offer tips for next time but that's pretty hard to stick into a letter. The arena was alright. It was different than the old ones used to be that's for sure. My trainer said it was "the horsemen of the apocalypse". Might need his eyes checked since I only ever saw horses. How about you? Seemed like there were a lot of holograms that arena.

You're right, Peixes. I'll say that next one of my friends wants to complain. Speaking of, the kid is heart broken, but he's not given up. Even though there are a lot of pretty cute girls around here. They're tough too, hard-working. Hope things with that Dave kid are alright.

Was nice to write to you again.

-Sheen, District 1

~~~

Feferi!

Here I sent a picture! [Enclosed is an image of a gap-toothed girl with curly hair, tinted blonde and pink at the ends, wearing a small pink-jeweled tiara] Now if you see me you can say hello!

It was great! Oh my gosh, I watched ever second of that part. You were so cool! Your sword was cool but you were way cooler! I got so emoceanal at the end. Next time you'll get it I'm shore of it! I bereef in you!

That's what I keep saying to everyone! I'm going to keep wearing princess things. Mom is all whinny cause she thinks it's going out but I will MAKE IT go back in. And then, when it's back in, people will give you more sponsors and you'll definitely win!

You're the best fef!

~Cassia

~~~

Dear Feferi,
It is, of course, my greatest pleasure to write to those in the programme. After all, how can I expect to gain your respect if I am but an enigma behind the scenes? I do hope you're paying attention in class and that this doodling of yours isn't distracting from your studies, however. I do appreciate the sentiment, however, and rest assured I've had only the best muttation specialists go over your drawing to determine whether or not it will ever be a feasible addition to our arenas. The results are pending, but in the mean time please enjoy the enclosed statuette of your drawing, made by one of the Capitol's most talented artisans.

Sincerely,
President Snow
P.S. I could not bring myself to keep such a work of art, so rest assured your drawing has been given to the less fortunate to gaze upon.

~~~
Dear Miss Peixes,

It pleases me that you've decided to put the effort forth into these things you struggle with most of all. I have noticed considerable improvement in your work and encourage you to keep it up. Perhaps go over some of the notes I left you last week.

It sounds as though your Empress was very wise. Not so wise as our President if you children were left all alone to fend for yourselves, lacking in proper education, but nevertheless.

I am so very glad you are enjoying yourself, dear. It was a pleasure to see your letter upon my desk.

Regards,
Ms. R