Ah yes I have decided to try my hand at a SYOT. The tribute form will be on my profile, and submissions are limited to two tributes per person, please pm for a submission.
Also I received some lovely constructive criticism from Radio Free Death (Thank you! I appreciate it!) and have touched up this opening introduction a little. I am far from a professional writer and constructive criticism is always appreciated.
Jade Emmersen reclines against the velveteen upholstery and watches the fingers of smoke curl from the end of her lit cigarette. Two manicured nails click against the arm of the chair. Across the dusky lounge the TVs on the wall blare, broadcasting the first of what is sure to be an endless stream of Gamemaker interviews.
"You think they'll give it a good show this year?" Next to her Atius Carsons swirls his drink thoughtfully, his voice raised just enough to be audible over the television and murmur of customers. The burn scars across his face look practically livid dim lighting.
"Have to, don't they?" It's no secret the last few years had been something of a disappointment. Dull arenas and anticlimactic victories had left the blood thirsty captiolites rather bored. A few scrawny outer district kids and one career everyone knew from day one would win, it didn't exactly make for good entertainment. "From what I've heard old Darius is at the end of his leash. Either these games go well or that's the end of his career."
"Old bat. Wish he could've been a bit less creative with my games eh?" Atius lets out a bark of laughter and Jade scowls. She remembers Atius' year—almost everyone does it seems—watching on the rug in her parents living room as the District 2 tribute crawled out of the smoking volcanic crater to be hailed a victor. His laughter subsides and he steeples his fingers, despite the fact he's missing the tips of a few. "I wonder what the arena will be this year."
She just shrugs. "Who knows." Last year had found the tributes in a bleak landscape of tall grass and nothing else. With any luck this year would be more eventful. "Why? Trying to get an advantage for your tributes?"
"Aren't we all? I thought maybe you would have heard from one of your patrons."
She laughs but there is something mirthless about it. "They might be rich men, but not that rich. You're mentoring this year then?"
Atius nods. "Figured I'd come out of retirement, give it a last good run. God knows we need it."
"Hmmm." It's true. 2 hasn't brought home a tribute in over nine years, something of a record.
"I assume you are?"
She gives him a brilliant smile, the guarded kind she usually reserves for patrons. "Of course! You know me, I could never stay away for long."
He inclines his head, catching the weight behind her words. The capitol won't let her stay away for long, just like they won't let him. But even here, in the dregs of the capitols underground talking about such things is dangerous.
"You work too hard Jade." He can't help but frown a little, the concern evident in his voice.
She shakes her head and reaches forward to tap the ashes of her cigarette into a delicate silver tray. "And you party to hard Atius." A grim smile plays at her lips, as she raises it back to her lips.
"Old habits die hard I suppose."
"They do indeed." Jade lifts her drink, "Cheers?"
"To our tributes then, another year another 24." Arius raises his drink to clink their's together. "And to the 46th annual Hunger Games."
Jade presses the glass to her lips and took a sip. On the TV the interview blares on. "May the odds be ever in our favor."