Disclamer: Characters (except Rose and a few others) and some plot elements belong to the Hunger Games franchise and Suzanne Collins.
As daughter of the pompous President of Panem, I had many 'duties' and 'official responsibilities'. I performed my duties diligently. I met with Head Peacekeepers and various government officials on a regular basis. I traveled to Districts and promoted government programs and initiatives like the 'Clean Up Panem Act' and the 'District Enhancement Program'. I basically represented my father in trivial matters and events of the state when he could not attend. I have been working for 3 years, since I turned 13. You could say that I matured rather quickly.
While I was the perfect daughter in most aspects, there was one duty I could not perform. When it was time for the Hunger Games, I had to act as Tribute Liaison. That meant hosting dinner parties for the Tributes and their entourage, visiting the Districts at the time of the Reaping and smiling vacantly for the many, many cameras. I loathed it. I did not want to come face-to-face with people who would soon become savages. It sickened me: watching them slaughter each other for glory. But what glory is there in bloodshed? I preferred to keep my distance and avoid all personal contact with the Tributes.
Instead, my duties would be taken over by one of daddy dearest's many friends. By friends I mean, buxom blondes who keep him company at night. Then I usually feigned illness and avoided being in the public eye until the excitement from the Games had boiled over. It was the only way I could keep somewhat sane.
Today, the Reapings from all over the country were being televised. As always, I was sitting by the window, head buried in an ancient novel about wizards and half-giants and house-elves. It was a really strange book. The story was amazing and funny, but I questioned its validity. Obviously, people couldn't fly on broomsticks and change their appearances by drinking potions! Sometimes, I felt that the people of the olden times were slightly mental.
"Come, come Rose," my caretaker, Bauble, said in a voice sounding like wind-chimes. "The Reaping in District 2 is about to start."
"I don't want to watch it." I muttered and continued to read.
Bauble frowned looking as if I had mortally wounded her and I immediately felt bad. It wasn't her fault she was so irritating. It was just the way she was brought up. At first I couldn't stand her aqua nails, her bubblegum-pink afro, the intricate arrangement of knots tattooed over her brown arms and her lilting accent. But after a while, Bauble grew on me like mould. Cursing myself for giving into her childish behaviour, I hauled myself over to the couch and sat beside Bauble who threw her arms around me and screeched like a howler monkey. Oh dear.
"This is going to be so much fun!" she sang and turned up the volume of the television. The screen showed a gathering of young people standing in a large courtyard. All of them had identical expressions of grim determination. Frankly, it was a bit unsettling.
After the obligatory national anthem, the real 'fun' began. A woman dressed in the absolute height of Capitol couture staggered up onto a podium in ten-inch heels. She had neon-blue hair and wore a dress made entirely of shimmery sequins. Her name was Cyan. She was one of daddy's lackeys who often invited me on her many day spa trips in an effort to befriend me. A morbid little voice in my head wished that she would fall.
"Good day District 2!" She giggled like a child. Who was she kidding? Everyone knew she was well past the age of thirty-six, yet she insisted on acting like a toddler. "I say enough suspense! Let us get on with the show!" Every word Cyan said seemed to be punctuated with exclamation points. I mentally smacked myself for giving in to Bauble's pity-face and watching this silly program with her.
Cyan reached into a glass bowl and pulled out a small square card. "The Tribute girl from District 2 is…Clove!" A petite girl climbed onto the podium grinning from ear to ear. Her family cheered wildly and there was a lot of enthusiastic clapping among the crowds. "Now!" Cyan said as the applause died down. "It's time for the maaaaale Tribute!" She reached into the bowl and pulled out a card, but before she could read it, a young man lunged forward desperately. The Peacekeepers surrounded him immediately. Wow, desperate much?
"I volunteer as tribute!" he declared. Cyan smiled and burst into a chorus of giggles. "That's wonderful! Come on up!" The boy climbed onto the stage and waved at the crowd. He was ridiculously gorgeous and he seemed to exude charm and confidence. He had blond hair and bright blue eyes. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular. Bauble sighed and cocked her head to the side. "He's so handsome. I hope he wins."
"What's your name sweetness?" Cyan said, her voice like saccharine, and handed him a microphone. Her fingers lingered around his for far too long. It was so indecent and unexpected that I couldn't help snorting in laughter.
"My name is Cato." He grinned. I was sure that thousands of girls worldwide were breathing sighs of longing. He would be definitely popular among the female crowd.
"That's wonderful!" Cyan smiled. "Thank you, citizens of District 2!" There was a round of applause for the Tributes followed once again by the anthem. Then the screen faded to black.
"Well that was fun," I said and jumped to my feet. "But enough bonding Bauble." I awkwardly patted her on the shoulder and walked away before she could get all emotional and tear up. Bauble and I were at opposite ends of the spectrum and our 'bonding' time usually left me uncomfortable and vaguely disturbed.
"Aren't you going to get fitted for gowns?" Bauble asked bewildered. In her mind, anyone who put off gown fittings was clearly insane and needed to be institutionalized.
"I don't need any. I'm not going." I said and continued to read.
"Can't you come just this once?" Bauble pouted.
"I can't," I said. "I'm sick." I faked a cough, but unfortunately a bit of spittle caught in my throat causing me to double over coughing violently for a good two minutes. Bauble must have bought it because she left me alone after that.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of my flat. "I'll get it!" Bauble sang and rushed to answer the door, only stopping momentarily at the mirror to straighten her hair.
Unfortunately, it was Keenan. One of my father's many Secretaries. Of all the people who kiss my father's arse, Keenan kisses and licks the presidential arse clean every morning. I despise Keenan. He always looked down on me and commented harshly on my lack of support for the Games. One time, he had given me a contemptuous glance and said: "Lay off the sweets darling." It had taken two Peacekeepers to pull me off him. I had given him a black eye and a bruised lip. He later went around telling everyone it was a fashionable affectation. Soon, people started to copy the slimy bastard. Once, I had even found Bauble, in a moment of weakness, desperately covering her right eye lid in black eye-shadow in an effort to stay abreast of trends.
"President Snow desires your presence in his office." Keenan said snottily. "Come now." I sighed and followed him. Daddy rarely saw me. We weren't exactly the happiest family. Ever since mom died of lead poisoning from the lead-based lip stains she always used, dad and I have had a strained relationship. Mostly, we kept out of each other way. However, every year on my birthday, he would come to my flat and give me a present that one of his 'friends' had chosen. He didn't know what to give a girl, so every year I ended up with gowns, jewelry and makeup that I barely used.
As I walked into daddy's office, the scent of roses overpowered me. Father loved roses. He said he had named me Roseline after them. His spacious office was immaculate and well-decorated. The Panem seal was carved into the wood of his massive desk. He sat with his finger interlocked and a faint smile on his puffy lips.
"Hello father!" I smiled and walked over to give him a hug. I did not agree with my father's policies and behavior, but I loved and respected him greatly. He had done his best in raising me. He had educated me far, far away from Panem so that I would not end up like the other citizens of Panem.
As I hugged him, I could smell the faint scent of dried blood that always lingered around his face. You see, my father was always sick. And he has been for as long as I can remember.
"Hello Rose," he half-smiled and hugged back. He then gestured towards the chair in front of him. I sat down and looked at him expectantly.
He took a deep breath and shuffled through the papers on his desk. I could see that he was nervous. I wished he would just spit it out before I started to get tense too.
"Rose, the reason that I called you here today is I would like you to do something for me." He said. I nodded hesitantly.
"Rose, every year at the time of the Games you disappear." He sighed and rubbed his temples. "The people are stupid but they're not that stupid. They will soon realize that you do not support the Games. And how will that sit with the people of Panem? The president's own daughter against his regime? I'm asking you, as your father, to act as Tribute Liaison this year."
"I don't want to." I said stonily. He knew I despised the Games. My father pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers and continued in a monotone, "Please Rose. I'm only asking you to do this just this once. Then you don't have to do it ever again. Just let the people see that you like and agree with the Games."
My father rarely begged. The fact that he had said 'please' made his plea even more serious. He really wanted me to do this. While every fiber of my being screamed "NO!" and a thousand voices erupted in my head chastising and discouraging me, I nodded. "I'll do it."
"That's my girl!" My father immediately brightened. "Thank you, sweetheart. You won't regret it."
I really, really hope I don't regret this.
A/N: Hello everyone! This is my first Hunger Games fanfic and I'm not sure how to proceed.
The entire fic takes place during the 74th Hunger Games, but the plot lines are slightly blurred.
Reviews really help me out. I really want to know what to do with the characters.
1) Should I continue in this first person POV?
2) What about Rose, what do you think about her character?
3) Is the style of writing good? Or is it bad?
Thank you very much for reviewing xx