Oxford Wichita

## bio

*Oxford Wichita (he/him). District Nine Tribute. Twenty-two.* *Connor Swindells.*

The Wichitas had a simple life in District Nine. Leander and Brinny Wichita had a simple goal: live a small, unbothered life, raise good, strong children, and die happily at their family home. For the most part, they were successful. Their first son, Buxley, grew into a farmhand and married. Their first daughter, Flor, made her family proud. Then came Oxford, the second son, shortly followed by Baley, the second daughter.

The family lived near the Capital of Nine, and all four attended school near the orphanage in town. Oxford was a middling student, as he knew his future wasn’t in academia. After graduation, he’d go to the outskirts to be a farmhand. So he felt right in place with the orphans and others who attended the crowded school - and he met Enna, who became a fast friend. She was talkative and boisterous, whereas he was reclusive and quiet. She led the study groups; he sat in the back and shot spitballs at people. She took notes; he fell asleep. But once she got called up to the Capitol, they lost touch.

Eventually, though, tragedy struck, as it is wont to do to those most down on their luck. The Games were an oppressive force, but somehow the Wichitas had thought themselves immune - as all families did. But years of tessarae would hit them, and into the machine went Flor Wichita. The Wichitas watched the Games every day, hoping for the best, but there was nothing for them to do. Even on the day her death was announced, Oxford had to pick up a batch of tessarae for the family’s dinner. They ate in silence that evening, with the sound of the cannon overarching the meal.

Time dulled the loss, and Ox graduated (though just barely). Buxley married and had three daughters, of whom Oxford is the stoic, scary uncle that they are obsessed with. Ox did indeed get a job on a wheat farm just outside the city, and it has made enough income to help keep the littlest, Baley, from putting her name in more times than needed. She remains in school, often eating the leftover tessarae from dinner for lunch the next day with the orphans.

Never one for the spotlight, Oxford enjoyed his time on the wheat farm. It was simple, hard work with a good payoff at the end. He isn’t required to talk to people, which has never been a strong suit of his, and it keeps his body active. Many have described him as a “gentle giant,” but he doesn’t particularly understand the phrase. The Games haunt him, as they do with all people who fall collateral to their damages. While Ox claims not to fear them, he still tells himself that he would do anything - anything - to win them if the impossible ever happened. There would be no need for remorse, he figured, no need for altruism. It was Flor’s downfall, as it turned out; she had thought the best of other people and it had gotten her killed. So Ox keeps his head down in the field, and keeps his thoughts as far from the Games as he can.

Still, the Games also continue trudging along, like the harvesters in the field. And every six months, the Wichitas make the short walk from their home to the Capitol building, feeling invincible - as all families do - but more so because lightning can’t strike twice.

+ physical strength, resolution, driven to a fault

- antisocial, awkward, uncaring

PENNED BY: M