Aenea Chariton stood, imposing and cold, staring at the polished oak door. President Gaius Snow waited on the other side, eager to see her plans for this year's Hunger Games, the tenth installation in the brutal series.

Her assistant, Prima, had her hands wrapped firmly around the handle of the iron cart. On top was a projector, which would create a 3D image of the arena. Already, construction on it had begun, but President Snow could cancel the project with the wave of his hand. Aenea was intent on impressing President Snow this year. It was only her third year; three years ago, the previous Head Gamemaker, Cicero Avitsio, retired to care of his growing children.

The door opened, and the pale face of the President's personal adviser appeared in the door.

"He is ready to see you," the man, a tall, rail thin creature, murmured. He stepped away from the door, making room for them to enter.

President Snow stood when they entered.

"I am intrigued to see what you have contrived this year, Aenea," President Gaius Snow mused. "I have heard whispers of oceans and islands, but nothing more."

In response, Prima flicked on the projector. In minutes, a 4 foot by 4 foot hologram of the arena floated in the room.

"The arena is indeed on an island, surrounded by the sea," Aenea declared. The centerpiece of the island is an abandoned resort, a place where people in a time before Panem left work to go relax and enjoy their lives. The area is decrepit and beautiful, perfect for a Games," Aenea said.

Prima zoomed in on a spot in the map as Aenea continued to speak.

"Here is the large hotel, with broken windows and abandoned rooms. There are three large pools, numerous smaller ones, several dozen bars and eateries, and a tennis court. There are vast areas of dunes, as well as thick jungle on the northern and southern ends of the island."

"Do you think that the island is too small? The Games may end quickly if the tributes are confined as so," the President inquired.

"We are adding several smaller islands, easy to swim or wade to. They will be abundant with food and other supplies, as to draw tributes to them."

"And the Cornucopia?"

"Being built as we speak, right here," Aenea said, pointing to a spot near the decrepit resort, separated from it by some sand dunes.

"Perfect. I am impressed, Aenea," the President said. Aenea hid a prideful smile. "Get to work. The Reapings are in four months, the Games not soon after. The arena must be as flawless as always."

"Of course, President Snow," Aenea said, bowing. Prima also bowed and shut off the projector, and the pair left the office of the President.

"That went better than expected," Prima murmured as they left.

"Yes. Too easy," Aenea muttered, a little confused, as she and Prima left behind the President's mansion.

...

A/N: Hello there! My name is Tracee, and this author's note has been written the day after I completed this SYOT.

I will be honest. I started this story never having written fanfiction before, and not being as great as I writer as I am now. I was inexperienced, and that is why many of the early chapters are short and disjointed. The Reapings are not my best work, not by a longshot, so if you find them hideous, I agree with you. But I'm not fixing them. I like how the story shows my progression of maturing as a writer, and getting more experienced.

Not that any of this is bad. A great deal of people loved this story, even the parts I thought were terrible. By the time you get to the Games chapters, however, the story really starts to hit its stride, and becomes better. The farther we got into the Games, the better the writing got and the more exciting the Games became. The climax, the finale, was beautiful, and this story really culminated at the end well.

I am now an old, hardened SYOT writer looking back at their first chapter, and I have to say I'm surprised I got as many submissions as I did.

If you're just finding this story now, go ahead and enjoy it. It's one of the few completed SYOTs out there these days. I hope you love it as much as I do. While I'll be moving on to bigger and better things, and my other SYOTs will surely be just as great, probably better, Oceanside will always hold a special place in my heart, along with all of her characters. It brought tears to my eyes to write the finale, and this story is one of the most emotional at the end that I've ever written.

Ignore my rambling. I feel like an elderly writer now. XD Sorry for that. Go ahead. Read. Enjoy. Root for your favorite. Cry when they die or emerge Victorious. Drop a review. I'll always be happy to hear what people have to say about this lovely story.

Until Next Time,

Tracee