PROLOGUE
AUGUSTA CSEZAR, HEAD GAMEMAKER
GAMEMAKER HEADQUARTERS
THE CAPITOL
23:53
Augusta Csezar stands alone in the central Gamemaker office, the place devoid of any humans apart from herself. It feels strange; the place is usually buzzing with activity and noise during the day, and seeing it so quiet and serene at night is like seeing it in an entirely different dimension. Even though staying in the office after hours isn't much of a rarity for Augusta, particularly of late, she has to admit that seeing the office like this always made her feel out of place. Like she shouldn't be there.
But alas, with the anticipated annual Hunger Games approaching in just a few short weeks, there is not much of a choice. The Gamemaker team cannot disappoint with the new arena. No room for error, no place for mistakes – because if there is, the consequences could range from getting fired to execution. Worst of all, accountability for such mistakes would land on the Head Gamemaker's shoulders; that is, Augusta. She has the most to lose out of anyone.
As such, she saw it her responsibility to stay back that night and review all the work her team had done. It's the end of the week, and the other Gamemakers are surely taking advantage of the last weekend they would be allowed to have before the workload really started to kick in. Augusta doesn't mind too much that she can't join them in partying. For one, her fate lies in the hands of this arena. She could lose her job, her life, her family – or all of the above. Devoting all of her time to the Games doesn't seem like much of a choice as it does an act of self-preservation. Anyway, she doesn't like partying. Alcohol makes her sick and she hates dancing.
Augusta had already reviewed the outfits and weapons earlier, and now, all that remains is the arena itself. A detailed hologram of the arena floats in the centre of the room, and she needs only to tap on a particular area for it to display a larger picture of what she wants to see. Augusta circles the virtual arena, taking notes on her tablet as she admires her and the other Gamemakers' handiwork. She has to admit, she's proud of her team for coming up with the idea; it has never quite been done before. Indoor arenas were not exactly a new concept in the Hunger Games, but they are fairly rare, and Augusta likes to think that this one is much more exciting than any of the previous ones.
The arena is modelled after castles of a civilisation long before the rise of Panem. It consists of a large concentric castle with an open courtyard at the centre – this is where the Cornucopia is located – and a vast network of pathways, rooms and yards surrounding the middle, much like a maze, connected to the central courtyard by numerous doorways. An electrified moat and force field surround the outer wall of the castle in case the tributes get any ideas about jumping out. Aside from the Cornucopia, some rooms within the maze contain supplies and weapons free for the tributes' taking. Some rooms, however, contain dangerous mutts. The Gamemakers can also manipulate the maze walls should they feel the need to – to lead tributes to each other, or to lead them to other threats. There are other open-air areas aside from the central Cornucopia, including a garden filled with both poisonous and harmless plants for the tributes to discover. If the tributes are lucky, they could find a way to the top of the walls, where they would have the advantage of both height and isolation – though they might find it difficult to obtain supplies.
Augusta smiles as she comes to a stop in front of the virtual arena. She doesn't often do that – smile, that is – and her lips are almost always twisted into either a straight line or a sour frown. But this is a relief. There are a few minor details here and there that need fixing, but otherwise, it appears that her life – and those of her fellow Gamemakers – would be spared this year. Of course, she shouldn't speak too soon. The final judgement lies in the opinion of President Snow.
Speak of the devil, Augusta has a meeting scheduled with him in a few days, where she will show him the finished arena. She'll need her team to fix the details she had taken note of before that.
Augusta sighs. She doesn't have much else to do now that the others have gone home – she may as well turn in for the night. Turning the hologram off, she rubs her tired eyes and runs a hand through her short, magenta hair. She walks to the door, where she switches the lights off and leaves the office, her mind filled with thoughts of the Hunger Games and her bed at home.
Hello there! So I thought it over for a while and now I've decided that I want to try writing an SYOT. I have a very busy schedule (I should really be doing homework right now, to be honest) but what's life without a little rebellion, y'know? Pardon the cheesy title I've given this story. This prologue is only a short preview of my writing style, I suppose, since I know we all don't really like reading these little prologues before submitting our tributes lol. It must be done, unfortunately, for I do not wish for my story – and account – to be terminated.
The form and tribute list is on my profile for easy access, as well as the rules (which you should really read, even if you've already submitted a tribute!) Please PM me your submissions (I won't accept them in the form of reviews, sorry! Reviews of other kinds are very welcome, however). Entitle your message like this: '71st Hunger Games: District, Gender, Full Name'. For example, '71st Hunger Games: District 3, Female, Chelsea Sparks'. Thanks so much for reading, and I look forward to receiving your tributes!
EDIT [24/03/17]: Thanks so much to everyone for submitting such creative tributes! I'm seriously so happy with all of them. The tribute list is now almost halfway full. I'm working on the District One chapter as we speak, so expect it do be done by either this weekend or next weekend.
~ Princess Clove
