"You're late, Head Gamemaker."
Andronicus Rome chuckled softly, trying not to give away his nerves. Standing in front of the president's desk was an intimidating task, yet nevertheless, it was necessary. He had been in the presidential office before, when white roses covered every surface and it was impossible to escape Snow's constant leer. With a new president came a new look. The white was gone, replaced by heavy black drapes and obsidian embellishments on the mahogany desk.
The new president had swept into power almost overnight. It had been a mere two weeks since President Snow's funeral, and President Scarus had taken up permanent residence in the seat of power. That was how politics in Panem worked, Andronicus mused, one man falls and another rises. It was best to always play to the winning side, and President Scarus's quick ascension to power exhibited a strong tendency to win. At only thirty-seven years old, he was the youngest president in Panem's history, and was certainly headed to be its most notable.
"My apologies, sir. My meeting with Caesar Flickerman ran a bit long. The man does love to talk," he said.
President Scarus waved his excuse aside and motioned for him to sit. "I trust you received my instructions for restructuring?"
"Yes, sir. I've taken care of the situation already. The gamemakers who weren't prepared to cooperate with new leadership have been terminated from their positions. You can rest assured that our team is ready to move forward." Such nuisances were common in the life of a gamemaker. After almost twenty-five years of Plutarch Heavensbee's leadership, many of the gamemakers didn't want to be led by a young, upstart engineer like Andronicus.
The president nodded in a slow and emotionless way that didn't convey an inch of his ulterior motives. Andronicus could respect that in a man, but it was something to be feared in a man as powerful as Voltimand Scarus. He sat in a seat of power like he was born there. In his eyes, there was a sharp edge that could cut through a person he didn't like.
"Something to drink, Mr. Rome?" President Scarus asked, gesturing toward a bottle of expensive liquor on his desk.
"No, thank you," Andronicus said quickly.
"Smart man. I understand my predecessor had an affinity for poisons. No matter, then, I'd like to hear about the districts."
There was a momentary pause, and Andronicus cursed himself. It was a mistake to look caught off guard in the high-stakes world of politics.
"Sir?"
"I'm sure you understand. I'd like to hear about the districts, what sort of state they're in now that we're preparing for a new game." President Scarus eyed him coolly, expecting an eloquent response. Andronicus realized what was happening. Of course the president had his own advisors and ministers who could update him on the condition of the districts, but he wanted to know what Andronicus knew. Was he just some mindless Capitol man who paved over the real issues in Panem, or would be straightforward enough to address them? It was a chance to prove his worth, and far be it from him to let it slip away.
"Districts One and Two are under control, as usual," said Andronicus, "and District Four isn't giving us any trouble. Production is steady in Three, Five, and Six. Seven is exceeding production quotas, although I believe there have been several rebel executions within the past three weeks. A special task force of Peacekeepers has been deployed to restore order."
The president nodded. "And the outer districts?"
The outer districts were always giving Andronicus a headache. Poor, scrappy, hungry, and always rebellious, they could never be subdued by the Games. They always seemed to want more than what the Capitol had so generously provided.
Knowing there was no way to bend the truth, he continued. "District Eight is facing several workers' strikes. It appears that they're unsatisfied with their working conditions and so-called 'unacceptable wages'. In Nine, it seems that the longer work hours are causing riots. Ten is stable for now, but I don't expect they'll take to the proposed cut in pay very well. District Eleven has fallen below expected production rates, but I think that the stricter punishments for failure to produce the daily quota will change that. Twelve is as poor as always. As long as there's coal to mine and mouths to feed, that won't change."
President Scarus took in the information calmly, and folded his hands in his lap. The riots and strikes had been going on for months. No matter how many Peacekeepers were deployed and how many rebels were executed, the people of the Districts still wanted to lash out against the Capitol. Andronicus wondered what would happen if they succeeded. Would President Scarus still stand in all his glory?
"I value your input, Head Gamemaker," he said, "and I thank you for your efforts in creating this year's games."
"It's my pleasure, sir. In fact, I wanted to-"
Andronicus was cut off by the door of the office opening. The president's wife, Valeria Scarus, stood in the doorway. She was a twig of a woman, always blending into the shadows. It was easy to forget she even existed when she was overshadowed by her husband's power. In all the grandeur of the Capitol, Valeria remained quite simple.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, I just wanted to know if you're coming to supper," she said quietly. "Mr. Rome would be welcome to join us, of course."
"Matters of state, my darling. I'll be working late tonight," was the president's response.
"Will you come say goodnight to the children? They miss you terribly."
"I'll try."
Valeria nodded and left, her plain black heels making sharp clicks against the hard floors. As the door shut, President Scarus sighed.
"Are you married, Mr. Rome? Any children?" he asked, picking up a pen to tap on the desk. It was less of a nervous tick and more of an annoyed habit.
"No, sir. Never had the time."
"I have three girls and a boy." Andronicus knew this, of course, but he let the president continue. "My Antony is eleven. He wants nothing more than to be a victor. I don't think that he quite understands that it's impossible for a Capitol boy to win the Hunger Games, but such is the mind of a child. Always hopeful."
President Scarus's words struck an odd chord in Andronicus's gut. The Capitol practically fed on hopeful children. Year after year, hopeful children entered the arena, filled with the shining dream of victory. No matter where they came from or who they were, they had hope. Where did that hope come from, and where did it go? Did it vanish when they died, or did it find a new home in someone else's heart?
It wasn't like Andronicus to question such things, and the thought fled almost as soon as it had arrived. He had his orders, and he would follow them.
"I nearly forgot, sir, I wanted to ask you if you've seen the finished arena. My secretary should've sent you the pictures," said Andronicus, quickly changing the subject. President Scarus could obviously sense his move, but he made no comment on it.
"I have. I must commend you on your work. I never did have a taste for Heavensbee's theatrics. Better to keep it simple and let the games do their work, yes?"
"Of course, sir."
President Scarus checked the ornate grandfather clock on the opposite wall. The sun had gone down a while ago, but the tasks of a head gamemaker and a president never seemed to stop.
"All in good time, Mr. Rome. You have a busy day ahead of you. I'll let you get back to your work."
Both men stood and shook hands. Andronicus fixed his suit jacket, and with a final thank you, sir, he left.
Outside of the president's office, everything seemed easier. A great weight melted off of his shoulders, yet there was the constant pressure of his new position that bore down on him like an anvil. The trip back to the gamemaker's center passed in a blur. All the while, his mind wandered to the coming weeks. What would his life be like after these games had passed? Perhaps he'd be immortalized for a job well done, or perhaps he'd suffer a sharp and unforgiving fate.
His gamemakers were hard at work when he arrived. The final details of the arena were being put in place, the escorts had arrived in their districts, and the Capitol was thirsty for new entertainment.
All in good time, as President Scarus had said. The games will do their work.
hello, everyone! my name is amanda and i'll be hosting this SYOT! head on over to my profile for all the information, and PM me with any questions or if you want to make a reservation. below, you can find a tribute roster, although the one on my profile will be more current. thank you!
CHAPTER SUMMARY & NOTES: We get to meet President Scarus and the Head Gamemaker, Andronicus Rome. Both men will have a recurring role in this story. Voltimand Scarus is 37, and has taken over as president after Snow's death (of natural causes). He has appointed a new Head Gamemaker to replace Plutarch Heavensbee. They meet, and President Scarus gets to see what kind of a man Andronicus is. He interrogates him on the state of the districts. Andronicus leaves feeling the pressure of the games. We also meet Valeria Scarus, the president's wife, who will appear in this story again.
NEXT CHAPTER: The first two reapings.
district 1 male: paris wood, 18. fc: martin garrix (by Zacksteel)
district 1 female: RESERVED
district 2 male:
district 2 female: juno veritas, 18. fc: aiysha hart (by PhoenixGrace)
district 3 male:
district 3 female: ignis mago, 14. fc: francesca capaldi (by DMonkey1607)
district 4 male: calder forde, 18. fc: timothee chalamet (by PhoenixGrace)
district 4 female: maraline nereid, 16. fc: jessica barden (by earthflowers)
district 5 male:
district 5 female:
district 6 male:
district 6 female: RESERVED
district 7 male:
district 7 female: indigo lapahe, 17. fc: amber midthunder (by PhoenixGrace)
district 8 male: cyan jaconet, 17. fc: neels visser (by Zacksteel)
district 8 female: athena jacquard, 18. fc: sophie turner (by unfortunatebamboo)
district 9 male: marlowe hayes, 17. fc: noah centineo (by unfortunatebamboo)
district 9 female: cordelia hartshaw, 17. fc: golshifteh farahani (by earthflowers)
district 10 male:
district 10 female:
district 11 male: dinos papastolous, 17. fc: ~andres risso (by DMonkey1607)
district 11 female: eira talahm, 18. fc: ruth negga (by unfortunatebamboo)
district 12 male:
district 12 female:
