Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.

AN: Here's another short chapter! The Reapings will begin as soon as the tribute list is full. As of right now, we just need the male tribute from District 1.

Super thankful to everyone who submitted a character! They were all incredible and I can't wait to get this really started. Thank you all!

Chapter Two: Your Favorite

Seraphine Sumner, President of Panem

There are never a shortage of events to attend in the Capitol, especially not this time of year when everyone's anticipation is boiling over for the games. I can afford to miss the endless parties almost any other time, but not when tonight is the evening before the Reaping.

I am surprised to find Techne here, fluttering among the crowd like a pixie. Her light blonde hair, short and tactfully fussed serves to enhance the look. Unbothered by the two peacekeepers who never stray more than a few feet away from me in public, she greets me with a broad smile and extends her hand.

"Madam President," she says cheerfully, bending to kiss my hand after I've extended my arm to her grasp.

"Techne."

"Are you enjoying the party?" Fear is absent from her eyes; it always is.

"Yes, I am," I answer, inflicting a harsher tone. "I am surprised you found a moment to step away from work for a party."

"You saw the arena," she retorts, upbeat and unmoved. "It's complete. You approved it yourself. There's nothing that can be done for now."

"Except checking for flaws," I remind her.

"Which has been done." Her smile brightens. "Everything's been double, triple, quadruple checked. Camera audio and vision is perfect and I haven't located any issue in the arena or our equipment. Of course, it's still customary to keep checking, but that's a menial job. My subordinates have that handled for now and I'll be back to work after we've started to learn a bit more about our tributes."

"May we speak privately?" My question is more commanding than a request.

Techne obliges with a nod. Her expression never falters, but I hardly expected it to. Techne has never been the type to crumble under pressure, a quality that led her to the Head Gamemaker position.

I have the pair of peacekeepers serving as my personal bodyguards for the evening lead us out of the crowd. Most are cautious enough to avert their eyes back to their dancing and drinking, even as we disappear down the garden pathway leading away from the large manor where the party's being hosted.

For a few minutes, no noise besides the music from inside and the sound of our shoes clicking on the stone path reaches our ears. Techne and I turn the corner and we find a long bench to rest on. I motion for the peacekeepers to stick back out of earshot.

"The Reaping is tomorrow," I begin.

Curiosity displays itself on Techne's face. Her eyebrows lift and her head tilts to the side. She waits for me to continue.

"I am sure you are aware, but because this is your first year as Head Gamemaker I must be certain you are prepared to do what needs to be done."

"Of course," her voice glides. "Give me their names as soon as you know them, if there are any."

Traitors, Techne means, though she doesn't speak it out loud. It's rare to have a known rebel in the games, but it does happen. In the circumstance that it does, it is important to have a Head Gamemaker able to follow orders. However, rebels aren't the only threat. Some traitors are born through the games and it's essential that those sort be spotted and obliterated early on.

"A tribute doesn't have to become a victor to be a threat," I tell Techne. "Sometimes they go in with a death wish, knowing that one way or another treason is a crime punishable with execution even if you're the Capitol's very favorite victor. You have to recognize them early on."

Techne nods her understanding.

"Seraphine." She says my name without its title, a privilege few are granted - her not included. "The Reaping is tomorrow. And then the parade and the interview. Just point one out to me and I'll make sure your favorite will be victor of the 74th Annual Hunger Games."