thecapitol | The Tribute Youth Programme: August

Entry tags:

The Tribute Youth Programme: August

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| August's TYP round; pack your bags, we're going camping
Where| A private school building within the Capitol, Camp Capitol.
When| Regular school hours (8 AM to 3 PM) four days a week (Monday-Thursday)
WARNINGS| Mind-altering juice boxes, indoctrination. Place any needed warnings within comment headers.
NOTES| If you would like your character to be caught trouble-making, please contact mods. We are looking for both Mentors to speak of the District they hail from (or represent), and Capitolite characters to talk of Panem's greatness. If you would like your character to stand as a guest speaker for the next round, please refer to this post. The fantastic Tribute Youth Programme uniforms are designed and drawn by Reiko.

Kids from modern times might bemoan the lack of summer vacation, or at least a vacation that doesn't involve death matches. But fear not! The Teacher's worked up to wonderful surprise for you all!

Introducing, Camp Capitol! For a good full week, TYP children and chaperone volunteers will get the chance to embark upon a once in a lifetime opportunity. Located by the beautiful shores of the resevoir, guests will get to enjoy sessions of canoeing, crafting, swimming, trust excercises, ghosts stories around a campfire, and much more! Trade in your unifroms for t-shirts and shorts, it's time to hit the woods.

On top of this, the Capitol is looking to introduce the Big Sibling program. Young Tributes will be charged with looking out for one another, the elder of the pair teaching them something new and offering guidance. Sign up now to be partnered!

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[OOC: Please fill out the information below. This mini event is to strength old or foster new CR among District kids. Older kids will be assigned a young kid to look after. You will be expected to have at least one thread with your partner by next TYP.]

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...

What a wonderful thing it is to learn more of the Districts you all fight for! Especially from a Mentor who exemplifies the District 6 value of unity. 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?

The camp-site, only just outside the city, sits surrounded by forest and the resevoir shores. Tents are set up around the camp, with cabins for those especially good students.

Canoes and Kayaks sit by the water, each paddle beautifully carved with nature scenes by District seven. Out in the water is a tall structure with a ladder and a diving board at the top.

A table is set up for crafts where campers can make lanyards, friendship bracelets, paintings, and even bird houses, among many other things.

A large climbing course can be undertaken, with, of course, a zipline to fly along on. Games on the ground run through all hours of the day; capture the flag, red rover, and duck duck goose.

Campers are served hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, pizza, fish, and fruits-- unless, of course, they've been given special exception.

In the late nights, a camp fire is lit and all campers are gathered around to sing songs, and tell jokes and scary stories, not to mention nice memories of their worlds or time in the Capitol.

Then, it's time to retreat to the tents or cabins, though there's no one stopping anyone from laying out under the stars. Funny, there doesn't seem to be anyone stopping people from simply walking off into the woods either. But then... maybe it's best to wait for the hiking trip in the morning to go exploring. Simply running off may invoke dire consequences...

What is Camp without a talent show? Is there a special out of arena skill you've always wished to share? Now's your chance! Singing, dancing, juggling, jokes-- whatever you got, flaunt it!

Artists are honored as well, with the collected art of all their TYP sessions set up on wooden stands. Featuring art from Feferi Peixes of District one, Terezi Pyrope of District three, Aang of District four, the now passed Rose Lalonde of District five, Ruffnut of District seven, Arya Stark of District ten, Fitz of Distrct ten, Sandy of District twelve, and more!

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.

Out of the classroom, the Teacher seems to have calmed a little since last month. A little.

During their time in camp, she calls TYP children into her private cabin to speak with. After serving them tea and sweets, she asks, very seriously, if the young Tribute has noticed any suspicious behavior among the other children. She assures the Tribute need not worry about their friends finding out; nothing will leave the cabin, she promises, unless of course the Tribute wants it to.

Should the Tribute deny knowing anything, the Teacher's smile becomes strained, but nothing else happens. They will be allowed out no worse for wear.

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.

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

Dear Terezi,

Don't worry about it. I'm no alien but I'm not very good at this emotional stuff either. A species where everyone's stabbing each other in the back, what a wild concept. They should make a show about it.

I remember her. I remember a lot. You don't have to worry about me forgetting.

I've been away from home a long time. I'm probably not ever going back, but home is home. I haven't forgotten it either. You're pretty much on the money though. Trees, statues, pine smell. We make that too, by the bulk, and send the solstice tree shapes to District six for their cars. Unfortunately, by the time you read this A districter from six will have taken the one for you.

So you're a bug who eats bugs. Makes sense. A lot of bugs in here, Pyrope. Pretty quality. You should tell me what they all are some time.

I like the shiny one. It did get to me, by the way. It's cool.

Don't worry about the burden. I don't think it would have mattered.

Thanks,

Hemlock

[Tucked in the envelope are some pressed leaves and pine needles. To remind a tree-dweller of home.]

Aang, a.k.a Snakebait.

You're magic or something. Cold front came in knocked us on our backends. Bad weather made tips a little lower in the restaurant but nothing we couldn't bear.

My sister's name is Mura. She's stubborn, but not as much as me. She works too hard, but she's not uptight or anything like that. Tells good jokes but has an awful laugh. Sounds like a dying fish. No offence, but I'm glad that kids being taken away isn't a thing here. I don't really know my parents but still. It's always been me and my sister against anything.

Well, I don't have a soft bed or a lot of wealth. Two out of three. Tip? Don't go without eating. Come here and try some of my cooking. You won't regret it.

Elephant koi sound awesome. Actually, the sea serpent does too, snakebait. Nice job not dying. We don't have those sorts of things here, even if the old sailors migh try to disagree. Crazy people get to see all the cool stuff, don't they?

Mollusc

Karkat Vantas,

Jackie's been talking crap about me hasn't she? I don't just let myself in, I'm practically family. I visit all the time, her parents let me because mine are broke.

She acts like she doesn't like it but she asks when I'm coming back all the time. She's crazy. Girls are crazy.

But whatever. Me and Maglev are friends. We're practically family. We've been that way forever. So we hassle each other sometimes. It's just what we do.

Look, I think you're a cool guy. I promise I wouldn't mess with her in any way that made her upset. At least, I'd try apologize or something. She's not actually upset is she? I just do half the stuff I do because it makes her laugh ~~and her laugh is really nice~~

Whatever. Just don't tell her what I've said. But maybe find out if she's upset? Thanks.

Cable, District 6.

~~~

Dear Karkat Vantas (CG),

Ugh, Karkat, it was so hard not to read Cable's letter. He said he'd watch me send it off just to make sure I didn't. If I haven't crossed this out, then you know he did. You'll tell me what he said though, right?

I'm a girl by the way. And thanks for the Happy Birthday. I'm actually kind of older than you! I just turned eighteen. I don't know what that could be in sweeps but i'm pretty much an adult now. Except I don't actually feel like one. I keep wondering if I messed something up somehow.

Your life sounds like it was really hard, Karkat. A lot harder than mine. I can see why Cable likes you. I mean, I like you a lot! More than he does! But it sounds like something he'd get.

I never thought of the clouds as boring. I always liked them. I guess when you see amazing things like that, nothing compares. I'm not sure why trees are green. That's probably some science but I can't remember it right now. They don't teach about that in this District. Maybe District seven.

I can't imagine being asleep all day. But sometimes I can't imagine being asleep all night either. The sky is beautiful here, even if it's not as nice as your world's was.

I hate to break it to you, Karkat, but you are definitely sweet! Not everyone is nice just because! I'll do my best to stay safe, mr. totally sweet. And growly.

Good luck.

Sincerely,

Maglev ♋

P. S. Jackie was here

~~~

Karkat,

Do you think I shouldn't be a Peacekeeper? You sound kinda I don't know. I thought it would be cool. Like how you're fighting in the arenas. You wouldn't be a distraction! You'd inspire me and I guess I thought you'd think it was good.

I was gonna sign up but I got your letter. I told the other guys maybe next time. Just feels kind of useless, sitting around.

I'm still cheering for you, man! You're gonna win next time, I know it! Or next next time. That's probably it. You always try! And you can be super brutal! It's gonna be awesome!

I bought all sets of sickles. The fake and the nice ones with all the different designs. I'm going to learn how to use them. Everyone says the black ones are the best but I think they're wrong. Homes Smell Ya Later is the coolest. Romance novels aren't my thing but I figured I'd try one and give it to mom. I think she likes them more than I do.

Thanks for the letter!

Write back!

Drusus

Edited 2015-08-17 04:08 (UTC)

Dear Ruffnut,
If you can write letters, then you most certainly can read. It's true that with enough dedication, anything is possible, but it is important to keep in mind that not all those who strive for greatness will succeed. Or even come close, for that matter. I think, then, that those who struggle in life should set reasonable goals, so as to avoid disappointment.

Sincerely,
President Snow

Dear Vivi,

You're not scary. You're spooky. It's different. Like a spider web. It's not actually scary. But you're still a kid. Kids aren't scary. You're definitely younger than me.

About the letter, It's alright. I figured you were busy.

I'm sorry you don't get to live as long.

I didn't know my grandpa for a long time. He died too, back when I was a kid. Mine didn't raise me but he taught me a little bit about the crickets I found. My Gran liked to bake. She wasn't amazing at it, but it was what she liked to do.

They were pretty cool.

Just one question this time; What's a black mage supposed to be?

Sincerely,

Hemlock

~~~

Dear Vivi Ornitier

My Son is a little young for letters, so I'm writing for him in his place. He loves your magic and he loves you. You're his hero, Vivi. He's wearing his Vivi-hat and holding his Vivi plush right now. He's told me to let you know that you are the most coolest.

Thank you for being such a wonderful role model for my son. We make sure never to miss a thing. Good luck, little one.

Sincerely,

Madis Octivilia

To Arya Stark,

Wasn't a promise you could keep. It's fine. Bet you're a girl of your word otherwise. Things're good. Emil is pretty happy and so's Milla and and Hutch and Ven. Made sure everybody's getting their share. Thanks. For trying and all.

That'd be cool, meeting you. Got a lot of people you could meet. They're rooting for you. Especially that one girl I told you about last time.

Bet it's weird there. You get by though.

Bison. District Ten.

You're not my friend. You're just a stranger.

I don't want to talk about it here.

To Fitsz

We do fruit and stuff. We climb the trees and pick and grow it. We do vegetables too. There's a lot of it and everyone else eats it all or something.

There's a lot of fighting here but I'm not supposed to tell you that. I don't care. The ~~fight~~Peacekeepers patrol a lot.

We don't do animals, that's District ten, I think. There aren't a lot of cliffs. Or beaches.

The Capitol ~~is dumb~~ sounds cool. I guess. I bet their flowers aren't as good. I bet their birds aren't as any good either.

You write a lot.

But you draw nice. I don't draw nice.

From Bacopa

[A scratched out drawing of the fields is there. As if to cover it, and maybe make up for everything else, a flower has been pressed into the letter.]

Dear Sandy,
Only those with a guilty conscience would consider it a form of stalking to read about those in history books. I do hope that your curiosities are as innocent as you would have me believe. I'm afraid I cannot answer your question with anything satisfactory as of this moment, but let it not be said that it is a very, very ambitious dream you have there.

Sincerely,
President Snow

Name: Sandy Marko
Age: Physically 11, mentally 13
District: 12

Name: Ruffnut Thorston
Age: 16
District: 7

Name: Karkat Vantas
Age: 16 (in human years)
District: 6

Edited 2015-08-17 15:32 (UTC)

Despite how anxious being out in the wilderness makes her (It's too much like being in an arena) Sandy can't help but allow herself to get caught up in the activities of camp.

Of course she spends most of her time at the crafts table, making a stack of bracelets with "Sand Sisters" on them, three different colorful bird houses, and a small box of boondoggle that she plans on giving out to friends and fans.

At some point she'll even try the rope courses, though she doesn't take to it as much as the crafts.

As the night winds down she, like most tributes has an appetite about her, and hopefully they don't have to pay for this food right?

Bundled up in a blanket from her cabin Sandy sits around the fire at the end of the night swapping stories, though her stories tend to be less scary and more about super heroes and their deeds of daring do. She's more then happy to share.

Cable,

First off, I'm not going to do the moronic he-said-she-said deal with either of you. If you want to know what each other thinks, sit down and talk to each other. Not like jerks making accusations, but ask honestly. You will do yourself a favor that way.

Secondly, yes girls are crazy. I have seen the actual craziest of them, but until Maglev starts mind controlling people into their deaths to feed a giant spider, she is not remotely something to worry about. She seems nice from our letters, and I saw what you tried to cross out there.

Listen, I know what you're trying to do here. You want to be taken seriously, right? You are acting tough because you don't want to be looked down on, and it's easier to be abrasive and push away anything that digs at your soft spots than to open up about them. You obviously care about Maglev, but take it from someone who's been there: keeping your guard up all the time and giving mixed signals is going to end in frustration and embarrassment. Do you want to get tangled in a cape and suplexed onto a table? No? Then learn from my flailing, convulsive example.

If you want to know if you upset her, go to her and ask her. Apologize if you messed up and fix it by acting better.

If you need any other advice, that's what I'm offering here. Trust me, I've done this several times with people in way more messed up circumstances.

Karkat Vantas ♋

P.S. I hope Phil's victory in the Mini-Arena helps your District out. I don't know how the multiple victor thing is handled compared to the singular ones from normal Arenas, but it should do some good, right? Let me know.

---
Dear Maglev (Jackie),

Nope! I am not playing he-said-she-said with either of you. If you're hitting your human adulthood then you two can talk to each other like it. Dancing around your emotions will end with your legs tangled in nearby furniture and your head with a faceful of floor. But seriously, if you have issue with each other, talking it out openly will save you both some hassle and foster better understanding or whatever the best cliché for this is. You obviously lack the psychic powers necessary to read each other's minds, but I am confident you two can work out your feelings in a positive direction.

Anyway, if I'm doing the math right, 18 years is around 8 sweeps. I'll be Earth 17 before I'm Alternian 8, and after that I'll be 18. But I'm not 17 for... a couple months? Ugh, this conversion stuff is a pain in the adipose sitting pads. Does it even count when I don't think I've been aging? Dave's been here for ages but he doesn't look any older than I remember him.

In the interests of steering this chain of letters away from whose life sucks more or how sweet I am or am not, here's a picture of my lusus.

[Included is, indeed, a snapshot of a small, carapaced creature, white with four eyes, four limbs, and a bipedal build.]

Okay, technically not my lusus since the real one is long gone and Signless is the official owner, but he was designed after mine. For some reason they had him at Signless's Crowning despite him never having one. But he got to keep him, and now we look after him. He snips and screeches at strangers (my actual lusus tried to eat them), but he's also the kind of affectionate tool that will curl up in my lap and sleep there if I sit down where he can get to it.

Sincerely,

Karkat Vantas (CG) ♋
---
[Drusus's letter, as is now becoming a pattern, takes some freaking out, some time, and some very careful wording before Karkat's satisfied with what he's sending.]

Drusus,

That is the exact opposite of what I meant to say. Peacekeepers are integral to the function of Panem and the Capitol, as implied by the very nature of their name. How can peace be kept if there aren't people taking on the job? Watching out for the country's citizenry and keeping dangerous elements from interfering with the system that makes life here what it is isn't something that can be allowed, but without people to find and stop it, those subversive elements will destabilize Panem's very foundation. You would be doing a duty to the Capitol even more important than mine as a Tribute.

On a lighter note, thanks for buying my merchandise. You are 100% unmistakably correct that Homes Smell Ya Later is the best one. I made that from my old plain one and a DVD of Thresh Prince of Bel Air, which was a classic of modern television on my planet. I would show you if I could, but I don't have access to any of my own shows or movies here. It is a disgrace and a shame that I can't show anyone the cinematic majesty that is Troll Will Smith's unparalleled skill as an actorturer.

Unfortunately I didn't win in the mini-arena, but I traded for a sickle(!!!!!!!!) and went down fighting actual people this time. Do not even tell me that's not a step up from before.

Karkat Vantas ♋
---
[Lastly, somewhere between paranoia, obligation, and covering his ass after misplaced guilt following a certain dream and Terezi's conspicuous absence post-arena, he writes this:]

I don't know the standard format for writing about pro-Capitol activities, but I did this. My letter partner, Drusus Fabbiannocus, was considering becoming a Peacekeeper. When he wrote to me about it, he took my caution in not wanting to distract him from the job as a cause for doubt. When he told me this, I wrote back emphatically endorsing him to take on the role and exalting the qualities of Peacekeepers that keep the Capitol safe and secure.

I stand in support of the Peacekeepers and their efforts, and if Drusus continues to doubt, I will be there to back him up in letter and continue pushing him to serve as I know he can. I will insist on not hanging out with him while he's on duty so that he can devote all focus to doing what he must.

- Karkat Vantas ♋

Edited 2015-08-17 18:06 (UTC)

Ruffnut is all ABOUT these camp games even if she's never heard of Duck Duck Goose or Red Rover. She can be heard laughing delightedly however as she rides the zipline through the air after her fifth time racing through the climbing corse.

It is decidedly less scary when there isn't boiling acid below or animatronic animals trying to kill her.

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

Sporting what may very well be the most comfortable blanket in the history of all civilization, Ruffnut is drawn to the crackling warmth of the campfire.

She's always been a bit of a pyromaniac so watching the crackling orange blaze, sitting around with other kids sharing stories...it reminds her of home in a way that makes her stomach knot up uncomfortably.

Still she's more then happy to share her own particularly spooky story, the tale of breakneck bog. A spooky story about a monstrous fog that rolls in and devours vikings whole.

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

As the camp settles down for the night, under the stars Ruffnut can't help but feel tempted, compelled to test the limits of her freedom and explore the edges around camp still wearing her super comfortable blanket like a cape.

If anyone asks she'll just...say she was looking for a good bathroom or sleepwalking or something. It's not like she's actually trying to escape, all the food is here in camp!

Sandy's finally ready to show off about a years worth of guitar lessons from a capitolite who was teaching her in exchange for free promotion.

She nervously drags a stool and a guitar out onto the stage, fiddling with the mic so it's at the right height before she climbs up onto the stool and stares out into the audience.

Swallowing hard she begins and it's actually pretty good considering her practice gets interrupted every time she gets dumped in an arena.

Long proud strides onto the stage armed with only a large bottle of fizzy soda.

Ruffnut delivers a truly...audible performance.

Once she's finished she bows and strides back off the stage chugging the rest of the bottle.

Name: Arya Stark
Age: 12
District: 10

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 4

The Tribute Youth Programme: August

Big Sibling Sign Ups

Guest Speaker - Capitol

Guest Speaker - Districts

Camp Capitol - Open to all

Talent and Art show - Open To All

Talk To The Teacher

Merit Badges

Letters & Gifts

Terezi D3

Aang D4

Karkat D6

Ruffnut D7

Vivi D7

Arya D10

Fitz D11

Sandy D12

Re: Big Sibling Sign Ups

no subject

no subject

Feel free to catch her at any of the activities for fun.

no subject

Camp games or campfire, poking around the camp at tnight

no subject

no subject

no subject