Victor #10:
Name: Current Ripper
Age during games: 18
District: 4
Games: 010
Death: Games 072, Jake
"So, any reason that we all aren't meeting in the Victor's lounge?" Spindelly asked to no one in particular. The ten of them, Lupus, Torrent, Leif, Romulus, Acacia, Legume, Leopold, Gerrian, herself, and their newest, Current congregated on the top of the tribute/mentor center, sitting uncomfortably along a large glass table in chairs. "So sorry that you have to go through this just as soon as you got out of the infirmary, normally we'd greet you and get to know you better, but it appears that we can't do that for you."
"Yeah, we'd just talk, the handful of murderers we are and tell tales and engage in various acts of comraderie with you," Leopold added.
"Let's try to begin now," Lupus interjected. "Normally we'd do this in the privacy of the room but seems just as good a time as any. Lupus Marterus, first victor."
"Torrent Swell, second victor but you knew that already."
"Leif Vanas, third victor."
"Romulus Cobalt, fourth victor."
"Acacia Quills, fifth victor, and the first girl."
"Legume Nitrate, sixth victor."
"Leopold Mustang, seventh victor and first volunteer."
"Gerrian Tomion, eighth victor."
"And Spindelly Baker, ninth victor," Delly concluded after they went around the table. "So, who are you?"
The newest, a muscular man tanned from the seas of District 4, sank in his seat as nine pairs of eyes faced him. "Current Ripper, tenth victor, and the first one not from your guys' arena?" he hesitantly said.
"Don't worry, it's better to talk when there's food around, I should know," burly Legume said heartily, slapping his stomach in jest.
"Just don't get near Gerry and Leo, they're closer than rabbits, and as straight as them, " Acacia said as she leaned over.
"I'm afraid I lack the context," Current uncomfortably said. "I assume, that you're a mom?"
"Yeah, the baby gave it away?" Acacia replied.
Before Current was able to answer, the door opened and head gamemaker Silvanius, emcee Ponicherry, secondary gamemaker Phyle, and a smartly dressed politician walk in the room. All at once, the victors rise and part for their guests, remaining standing until all four seat themselves at the ends of the table. "Hello Victors," Ponicherry trills.
"Today, the four of us have a proposition for you," Phyle says respectively. "Minister Snow, shall you present the files?"
The politician, dressed in all white save for a rose pocketed away in his coat pocket, smiles thinly. "I do not believe that I am the most well known amongst you District citizens, so let me introduce myself. I'm Games Minister Copernicus Snow, one of the lead supporters for the hunger games," he says with a smirk. They pale in his presence, but grip the table so hard that cracks begin to form. "Heh, If I'd have known that you'd have been so adamant about meeting me, maybe I wouldn't have come."
"Maybe you shouldn't have," Current whispers under his breath.
"Ah, Current, how exactly did you enjoy last week? You were the first in what we call, multi terrain arenas. See, we wanted the field to be as even for the tributes as possible, so we gave a lake, yes, but there were also caves, trees, deserts, fields, even the odd power cable or some form the cabins we had there. We are sure glad that we have you as our first victor from there, and must I say, you looked rather, ravishing with the girl from District 7." Snow paused for a moment and let the victors remember just after the bloodbath, when Current and Acacia's girl, Sarah, were allied and decided to-engage in a teenager's favorite group pass time.
"Please Minister Snow, continue," lead Game Maker Silvanius interjects.
"Ah, my mistake, but the gamemakers and I agreed on something a little while back, just after Mr. Ripper here threw the boy from District 1 off of a cliff. Mr Marterus, Hadrius, Vanas, Mustang, Svell, and Ripper, this mainly involves the six of you, but we'd rather have all of you hear this. Seven Districts have had victors in this first decade of the games, and we would like to bless them with a training facility. It'll enhance your youths to their fullest potential and provide proper citizens for the bountiful nation that is Panem. However, we agree that we'll also give the youths a rather unorthodox opportunity to say the least, Mr. Tissera?"
The lead gamemaker clears his throat and takes the files from Snow's hands. "The games need a little extra bit of excitement, and as Mr. Mustang exemplified several years ago. If I recall correctly, the male tribute from 1 in Gerry's games trained under Mr. Mustang." Leopold nods slowly, and keeps his mouth shut as he continues to hold Gerrian's hand. "Final three, and the number of adept youths for the hunger games has seemingly skyrocketed afterwards in District 1. It's a shame we couldn't get any of them this year. However, District 2, 4, and 7 have all produced volunteers in recent years, have they not?"
The five victors from the named Districts nods. "Okay look, if you don't mind Silvia," Ponicherry interrupts. "We give you this facility, and the youths they produce may very well be created just for the Hunger Games! THink of the fun they'll have!"
No one speaks for several minutes. It's Acacia who speaks up. "You're telling us that we'll train our children, to kill other children, for the sake of some endorsements in the Capitol, and their lifelong memory being marred with the blood of others?"
"Why yes, Ms. Quills," second gamemaker Phyle says.
"I'm sorry, but forgive me if I already disagree with this plan outright. I have to take the twins down to get their shirts changed," she says as she leaves, one baby in each hand. "I'll meet the rest of you down in the Victor Lounge if you wish to join."
"I also apologize," Legume speaks up just as Acacia shuts the door to the roof behind her. "District 11, we have a thing of respect going on, we don't volunteer, ever. It bites us in the ass, but our community is there to pick us up immediately after. I wouldn't have it any other way, and they could be learning better things than which vein to slice."
The man from District 11 leaves as well, taking the file handed to him and discarding it off of the roof. "If anyone else has any objections, or wishes not to hear the rest of the plans, please leave now," Snow tells the remaining eight victors. Delly gets up first, leaving the men and Ponicherry to deliberate. After a heated and quiet argument, Leo lets Gerry go, promising to make it up for the night. "Very well gentlemen," Snow says to the victors from Districts 1, 2, and 4. "What's the consensus?"
Lupus raps his fingers on the table. "We are still allowed to incorporate whatever programs we wish into this, right?"
"But of course, after all, the victors will be some of the best teachers the Districts can offer, and they'll be running the institutions," Silvanius cheerfully says. The 28 year old man turns to the only other victor from District 2, lean and mean at six foot six and 2% body fat. They work out an agreement between themselves before turning to the gamemakers with simultaneous nods.
"All I need you to do, is sign here, and you're free," Phyle says, bringing over a sheet of paper to their hands. They sign it quickly, and leave just as quickly, Lupus slapping his partner's back in affection.
District 1 takes somewhat longer, what with Leif being somewhat adamant and Leopold being all for it, considering he saved his brother by volunteering and made it back. They can have more heroes, more panem citizens, and could save the community home kids, Leo argues. Leif, already out of it, asks for the slip of paper, which they sign and leave shortly after. "Current, I don't want to have you thinking about decisions like this so soon, but, do you want to?" the older District 4 mentor asks his victor.
Current thinks for a long time, never slipping his hard mask on his face. He recalls the 8 tributes slaughtered at the bloodbath last week, the mutts chasing him and Sarah through the pine forest, two girls caught struggling out of the desert, only to be put down by Current. "They won't know what they're getting into," he says with a released breath.
"We can prepare them, they won't have to starve, and they'll be good for the year," Torrent argues. He senses the newest victor clenching his fists back and forth, blinking in and out, temples throbbing, before he manages a slight nod. Snow hands them the papers, and they sign.
"Nice doing business with the two of you," Snow says as he leaves with the three gamemakers in tow.
"Current, come on, we're doing what's right for them, they'll be in good hands," Torrent whispers after they leave. "They'll be safe, and we can protect them. They won't be one of the 23 dead."
"I hope you're right," Current says before turning with his fists raised against his mentor. "
"I'm still your mentor, and I can still kick your ass even after eight years from my arena," Torrent says bravely, grabbing the shorter man's wrist. "Let's go, if Gerry and Leo are making out then we're fine."
Hey guys, hopps here.
New chapter, new victor, new arena, and gasp! the careers are formed shortly after! I thought I'd try something a bit new here, and if you guys want to know a bit more about Gerry and Leo then maybe I can slip something in there next chapter, which, spoilers, will have the first official career victor. Ok, about Current, I'm sorry if he didn't seem to get the spotlight here, but maybe you caught enough of his personality to like him? And, check out my new poll for favorite victors, it'll be updated everytime I add a chapter, so new victor, new option. How about that?
Hopping out
Hopps