A/N: I know, I know. Late update. I'm sorry, it's school. Please forgive me and read?
Terkast hurried along the hallways of pure white tile. It was blinding with the artificial lights, but his control room offered relief from it. He trusted Maylin so far, because she seemed quiet, and not the person to tell secrets.
He made a sharp left at the next intersection, grumbling at how the bathroom was so far away from his room. Maybe he should convert the closet next door into a bathroom? However, Terkast shrugged it off. Although he had to hurry during the Games, as not to miss any tributes killing each other, it was his last year.
The dark door stood out from the monotonous white walls, and Terkast pushed it open. Maylin still sat in her chair, her eyes glued to Chastity. She seemed to mouth some words that the announcer was speaking, as if wishing she could speak once more.
"Maylin?" he called softly, and the Avox jumped in her chair. She looked ashamed, but Terkast ignored that and sat in his chair. He saw with satisfaction a leg of lamb on a plate in front of her had been nibbled slightly.
"And for the 732 Games!" Chastity crowed, clapping her hands together in excitement. The fact that the Head Gamemaker, Terkast, as you all know, made it like the inside of a computer! That definitely gave the edge to District 3 that year! Which is why Milwake Freeg is still alive, people. The viruses that attacked them. I personally think that was Terkast's best arena!"
Chastity looked at her fellow Capitolites, viewing their expressions. "Anyway," she said, "it's time for us to go to District Seven, to see who their tributes wind up being!"
The screen flashed to the District Seven Town Hall, which was surrounded by immense trees. The four other TVs followed suit, except at a different angle.
"I'm Grensboro Liffwood," the escort said slowly into the microphone, his voice deep and melancholy. "For these Games, it's a Quarter Quell, and I hope we can get some good competitors this year."
As usual, the crowd was silent at his introduction. Unruffled, Grensboro dipped his hand into the pink ball, moving his hand around. "Harley Wiskon is our female tribute. Come on up, Harley!"
A tall, athletic girl emerged from the 16-year-old section, but she tripped halfway up. A small boy helped her up, but there were tears in her eyes. Grensboro looked at her quietly before digging around in the boy's bowl.
Terkast let out his breath in an angry sigh. District Seven was usually a good competitor, especially the girls. However, this Harley seemed as weak as Frankie from Five!
"Duggan Chase," Grensboro read out, waiting patiently for the older boy to emerge. However, a slightly younger boy strode up while shouting out that he volunteered. Terkast's bad expression turned into a happy one as the strong boy was on the stage.
"Your name?" Grensboro asked. He sounded slightly confused, but his solemn voice hid all confusion. Terkast was only able to pick it out because of his many conversations with Grensboro.
"I'm Gyton Howell, future Hunger Game champion," Gyton announced. He gained some disgusted looks from the crowd, who were upset they had a near-Career in their presence. Grensboro nodded, and thanked the District Seven crowd.
Vera Yervat showed up for District Eight, calmly waiting in front of a smaller crowd. She introduced herself before picking up a slip from the girl's bowl.
Terkast didn't hear the name, because he was writing down furiously for the District Seven tributes. "Harley," he muttered, "weak, crying. Need to see if she's good at anything. Gyton is strong, confident. He'll be a good contender. What was her name, Maylin?"
He looked at her for a few seconds before realization dawned on his face. "I'll just wait, then." Vesture Buchannan was called up as the male tribute. He looked weak, but what would a District Eight tribute be other than weak? Their District produced no good tributes, since all they did was make cloth and clothes. No chance to create a strong tribute in that equation.
Vera thanked Lavinia, a tall girl wearing revealing clothes, and Vesture before the crowd. Terkast wrote down their names and 'weak' beside each of them as well. Maylin closed her eyes to ignore this, and started humming a small tune to keep herself occupied.
"That's my other brother, Worsol," Terkast said, nudging Maylin. She observed a tall man with dark green hair and gold stars around his eyes. He looked weird for an escort, she decided.
He picked out two names, Brenda McArthy and Tristan Workle. To Maylin's surprise, he didn't write down any condescending words next to their names, watching the screens. It was probably what he had to do with District Three. His brother would come and contact Terkast about the tributes.
District Ten arrived, a peaceful place filled with wide open fields. A few brown cows were in the background, the silence broken by their mournful lowing.
"I'm Chiara Raxtus, and I'm your escort for this year. Our girl tribute is… Kacey Fickus!" A young, twelve year old girl came out, her face set in a defiant scowl. "Our male tribute is… Arrett Hayes!" Another twelve year old came, trying to contain his fear. He did a good job of it, with Chiara smiling warmly at him.
"Both twelve, hm?' Terkast noted, writing what he said next to their names. "I have no hope for them in these Hunger games. District Ten won't win this year."
District Eleven's Town Hall came on screen, along with a considerably larger crowd. Sendra Culock came on screen, addressing her crowd with some regret. She was a smart one, and knew that people wouldn't be happy about the hunger games.
Sendra was an older woman, and felt the sadness after 53 years of being their escort. She learned to feel their pain at losing their children year after year. Sendra might actually be welcome if she wanted to move to District Eleven.
"Your tributes this year are Livianna Chayro and Indas Uctabel," Sendra said quietly into the microphone. A groan went through the crowd as a strong male stepped onto the stage, and a tall female. Terkast understood their actions, because the stronger the people were, the less work they had to do.
"Both seem strong. The District seems upset at losing both of them, so they have to be worth something!"
Terkast looked expectantly at Maylin, but she was looking away. Maylin seemed to be studying the dark wall, but he knew she was just trying to cope with the idea of watching the Hunger Games from a controlling point of view. He knew she came from the Districts, and it must be hard for her.
"District Twelve is never that good. They haven't won in around… 43 years? Their mentor is still young though, sine she won when she was 14. They better win soon, though. I have no clue what they'd do after she dies."
Regien Illstro stepped onto the podium, and called out in welcome to his District. There were a few responses, but most were quiet. They stared at Regien with large, dark eyes, hoping against hope that their family wouldn't be picked.
"Virgo Irving?" Regien questioned, looking out into the silent crowd. A small 16-year-old girl stepped on to the stage, her younger sibling crying out in the crowd. Everyone turned towards her brother, who was crying at her mother's side.
Regien patted Virgo on the shoulder, and pulled out a slip of paper from the blue tinted bowl. "Sheave Trackman?" he asked, looking up with hopeful eyes. A strong male emerged, his face set in determination.
"There are your tributes!" Regien called, and the screen went back to Chastity.
"What a wonderful array of tributes, don't you think?" she asked. Going by how many wins each district has is a good way to say who'll win this year, right Javi?"
An older woman with dark brown hair raised her eye brows. "That'll mean District Two will win, One, Four, Ten, Nine, Eleven, Six, Three, Seven, Eight, Five, and then Twelve. The Careers have the best shot," Javi stated.
Terkast nodded, and switched the TVs to the building of the arena. It was nearly finished, with holes being dug up for traps. There would be a lot of fire in this arena, for it was easily combustible.
"These Games will be very interesting Maylin, dear," Terkast said, looking into her eyes. She nodded, the blood flowing from her face. He could tell that she felt uncomfortable watching these Games, since Avoxes usually just served the tributes.
He patted her shoulder, and escorted her out of the room. He went back to the table in front of the TVs, and grabbed his notebook. He skimmed over the pages one more, and planned out certain Mutts and traps to set on each of them.
These Games would be fun to watch, and control. He stepped out into the pure white hallway, and followed Maylin down towards the sleeping chambers. The next time any excitement would arise was when the tributes would come into the Capitol.