Trigger warning: Some slightly homophobic comments in Hera's first POV.

Palatino Clear, 12
District 3 Male

Six months before the Reaping

"Addie! Acer! Where are you!? I need help!"

The two servants jumped to their feet as Palatino stormed into the room. They had been gathered around a television, featuring President Snow talking about the Quell twist.
Palatino folded his arms and scowled. "I can't find my computer!"
"Ah, yes sir..." Acer glanced around, avoiding eye contact. "You see, you were complaining about it being buggy, so Wyatt went to go take for repairs. We promise, it will be back soon-"

"Do you nitwits even know who my father is!?"
"Of course!" Addie spluttered. "We...we live here, sir."
"Right...so you wouldn't mind if I went to my father and complained about your complete and utter lack of productivity in this room!? I want my computer now!"

Addie dropped her head into her hands. Behind her, Palatino could see the glow of the television screen. "What are you watching?"
"Just a broadcast from the Capitol."
"Is that the President?" Palatino shoved the servants aside. "I wanna see the President! Rewind it!"

Acer grabbed the remote and pressed a button. The scene rewinded, until President Snow was standing back on her balcony, patiently awaiting the arrival of a box that contained every last Hunger Games Quell. She selected a yellow envelope and opened it up.

"For the sixth Quarter Quell, as a reminder to the rebels that they were responsible for teaching their children to turn their backs on the Capitol, the Reaping age bracket has been widened. Anyone from the age of 12 to 25 is now eligible to participate in this year's Hunger Games."

The servants understood the severity of the Quells words. Palatino didn't. "What's so bad about that?"
"They changed the Reaping bracket," Acer said. "Normally, you have to be between 12 or 18. Now, adults are going to end up competing as well."

"So?" Palatino frowned. "It's not a big deal."
Acer frowned. "I suppose it isn't...after all, it could be worse...it's still a big change for anybody within that age bracket."
"Well, I don't care. Now, where's my computer?"

"We told you, sir. Wyatt took it for repairs. It will-" Addie was interrupted by a knock on the door. "Well! I bet that's Wyatt right now."
Palatino flung the door open and snatched his computer from Wyatt's hands. It looked good as new.
"Do you like it, sir?" Wyatt asked.

Palatino muttered a quick thanks, then ran off to his room. He had already forgotten about the Quell twist. Instead, his mind raced with all sorts of programs, codes, and blueprints he could download on his brand new computer.

Hera Myrana, 24
District 3 Female

Two weeks before the Reaping

"What's your problem, bitch?" Hera snapped. "Ever seen two ladies kiss before?"
"Hera, that's enough!" Freya hissed, dragging her wife away. "You're making a scene."

Hera allowed Freya to drag her off, but not before she glared at the woman who was clearly judging her. They soon disappeared into the crowded market streets. Hera quickly grabbed onto Freya's hands so they wouldn't lose each other. Most people couldn't even care less about two women in love, which Hera was grateful for. She had put up with plenty of disapproval before.

Freya picked up a blue silk sash and wrapped it around her waist. "What do you think, dear? Does blue look good on me?"
"I think everything looks good on you. Except yellow."
Freya looked relieved. "Oh, thank goodness. I hate yellow."
"I know, sweetie. I know."

As Freya rummaged through her wallet for coins, Hera drifted off to look at a jewellery stand. As she marveled at the glistening gemstones and shiny bracelets, she felt somebody give her a shove. Hera stumbled forward and almost crashed into the stand.
"OW! Watch it, bastard!"

The face that turned to confront Hera was a rather familiar one and she couldn't believe she had just the luck to run into him today.
"Young lady, how dare you disrespect your own father like that! Where are your manners!? Or, did you just happen to forget them when you ran off with that skank you dare call a girlfriend!?"

Hera folded her arms. She ran a finger up and down her ring. Her engagement ring. "She's my wife now, Eric."
Just like his daughter, Eric Galisto had a short temper that could easily burn with the smallest of kindling. "Is that so? Well, I hope you're aware."

"Aware of what?"
"How disappointing you are. I raised you, I molded you, I turned you into the perfect little daughter and this was what I ended up with. You...you...you disgrace."

At this point, Hera was seeing red. She was ready to snap, to lunge at her father, but someone grabbed her arm and held her steady. Freya.
"Hera, there you are! I thought I lost you! Come on, we still have a lot of shopping to do."

Relieved, Hera gave her wife a peck on the cheek and followed her back onto the streets of the market.

Palatino Clear, 12
District 3 Male

Reaping Day

Palatino was eating breakfast in his room. Normally, he'd be expected to join his parents downstairs, but he had a huge coding project he wanted to finish. In between bites of scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, his fingers eagerly tapped away at the keyboard of his computer.

Once Palatino had finished and all his breakfast was gone, he finally headed downstairs. His parents were sitting in the living room. Trebuchet Clear was scribbling some notes down on a piece of paper, while his wife, Verdana, was doing her makeup and checking her reflection in a mirror.

"Good morning, son," Trebuchet said, finally looking up from his notes. "Did you have a good breakfast?"
"Have my video games come in yet?"
"Not for another week."

"Aw." Palatino flopped on one of the velvet couches, then curled up next to his mother. She placed an arm around him and gave him a kiss; a smudged lipstick stain was now present on Palatino's right cheek. "Good morning, Mom!" Palatino giggled.
"Good morning, dear."

"Wanna see my project, Mom? I spent all morning on it. It's a model airplane! I then ran a program, which allows me to control it from the computer! Doesn't that sound cool? It's gonna be so awesome, because it can do stunt like flips and spirals and stuff like that. I wanna add some smoke effects too, but I'm not sure how. Eh, I'll figure it out-"

"As long as you don't fly that thing in the house!" Verdana ruffled her son's hair. "You've caused the servants enough heart attacks already, with your robot spiders and snakes."
"I didn't do that, they escaped on their own! And it wasn't my fault Addie stepped on one. It took me a week to repair it."
"Sure thing, baby."

Trebuchet was now going through a stack of files, frowning at some of the numbers. As the mayor of District 3, he had a lot of responsibilities to take care of. Palatino could tell by watching his father's body language for the past few days that some sort of important event was coming up, but he couldn't figure out what. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try and ask...

"So, what are we doing today?"
Verdana gasped, then exchanged worried glances with her husband. There was a moment of awkward silence before Trebuchet spoke. "Well...this afternoon, District 3 is hosting something called the Reaping. They have it every year, where two people get chosen to go to the Capitol...you see, son, they get to spend the rest of their life there living in paradise."

"Oh." Palatino frowned. "Well, I don't wanna get Reaped. I'm not leaving you guys!"
"Oh course you won't," Verdana said softly. "But you can't tell anyone, alright? It's supposed to be a big secret and your father only has access to this information because he's the mayor."
"Can you keep a secret, Palatino?"

Palatino nodded. "Yes I can!"

Hera Myrana, 24
District 3 Female

Reaping Day

Sunlight shone through the window and Hera groaned as the light blinded her. She wanted to get up and draw the curtains, but didn't want to leave the bed. Not when Freya was there.
Hera flipped herself over and curled up next to her wife. Freya stirred, then pushed her away. "Ughhhh...go back to sleeeeeep..."

"Nope!" Hera wrapped her arms around Freya. "I'm gonna pester you until you get up."
"I don't want to..."
"I don't care..."

Freya finally got the upper hand and nearly shoved Hera off the bed. "Go back to bed."
"How about a pre-breakfast quickie?"
"Nope."
"Waffles?"

Frye opened one eye. Her blonde hair was all over the place. "This is what you've been after the whole time? Waffles?"
"You make good waffles."
"Alright, alright. I'm up."

The two women made their way into the kitchen. Freya rummaged through the cupboards, looking for her waffle maker. Hera watched over her wife's shoulder as Freya prepared a batch of mix, then poured it into the maker. Soon, the house smelled like freshly baked waffles.

Freya dumped a stack in front of Hera. "I hope you're happy."
"I love you!"
"I know."

Hera dug through her waffles, insisting on feeding Freya a couple of bites. She loved mornings like this. Where the two of them didn't need anything but each other to be happy. Freya was the complete opposite of Hera. Sweet, quiet, and could never, ever say something bad about someone else. How she ended up married to Hera was a true mystery.

"You're so funny when you eat," Freya chuckled. You must have a hollow leg."
"Oh shaddup," Hera muttered through a mouthful of waffles. "You're so embarrassing!"
"You're the embarrassing one! Sorry..."

Hera playfully rolled her eyes and polished off the rest of her food. "What am I going to do with you?"
"I've been asking that question myself for two years."
"So...more waffles?"
"I think you've had enough, sweetheart."

Apollonius "Apollo" Karaigme, 25
Head Gamemaker

Reaping Day

The highlights of Districts 1 and 2 had already been shown. Sitting in the control room with the other Gamemakers, Apollo kept his gaze focused on District 3. It did excite him a little bit to see his twin sister standing on the stage. Artemis had not bothered dressing up for the occasion. Her dark brown hair was streaked with silver, as usual. She wore a silver summer dress with black leggings and grey ballet flats underneath. She had on a pair of sunglasses, so Apollo couldn't see her eyes.

Cherry frowned. "Who wears silver over black!?"
Mercutio, Apollo's second-in-command, gave her a light punch. "You're in no position to be discussing fashion like that-"
"Both of you, shut up!"

"Happy Hunger Games," Artemis mumbled; the microphone barely picked up her words. "May the odds be ever in your favour."

Behind Artemis, Byte Tivone began to shake. Gibson LePaul quietly reached out and took their hand. The colour returned to Byte's cheeks as they gripped onto Gibson's hand. Apollo felt a bit bad for the Victor, since Byte had lost their son to last year's Hunger Games. It was amazing they looked this put together right now.

Meanwhile, Artemis fumbled with the slips. She eventually picked one out and opened it up. "He...Hera Myrana."

Apollo cringed slightly as the woman in question began screaming and cussing as she stormed towards Artemis. Hera had dark brown hair that went all the way down her back. Her skin was dark and Apollo noticed a long scar running down the side of her face, near her bright blue eyes.

"Welcome.." Artemis was avoiding eye contact with Hera. "Is...there anything you'd-"
"Yeah. Fuck you! I hope you know what you've done!"

Artemis picked a second slip. Whoever the tribute was, Apollo hoped they didn't cuss out his sister or insult her. Nobody was allowed to do that to Artemis!

"Palatino Clear."

The control room exploded in panic. Apollo jumped up form his chair, which fell over behind him. He quickly grabbed his phone and dialed a number, ignoring the chatters of the other Gamemakers. On the television screen, a pale, chubby boy with brown hair was screaming as Peacekeepers dragged him towards the stage. Mayor Clear looked ready to faint.

The President must've seen the Reaping too, because the first thing she said to Apollo was, "We've got a problem."
"Of course we do!" Apollo snapped. "How do we get Mayor Clear to trust us now!?"

There was no answer. As a way of keeping control in the districts, President Snow and Apollo would secretly rig elections in the favour of the most Loyalist candidate. As a reward, their children would have their names pulled from the Reaping balls when they came of age.
Palatino should not have been in there at all.

"Miss Karaigme should not have pulled his name if the slip didn't exist."
Apollo took a deep breath. "I'm aware of that...oh..."
"Apollonius..."

"Oh shit."

Apollo collapsed in the nearest chair. The other Gamemakers watched him nervously. He pressed his free hand against his head. Everything overwhelmed him at once and he couldn't make sense of a single detail. His head hurt. The room was spinning. Apollo pressed the phone against his ear, but all he heard was a dial tone.

What had his sister done!?

Bam! Spicy subplot time!

Hope everyone is having a good 2019 so far. Here we've got Hera, Palatino, and Artemis. Hera is another one of Mars's children. Palatino was a bit of a more complicated character to capture, but I think I did well with him.

Shameless self-promotion, I've set up a Discord server for Psycho Circus, plus my other SYOTs! If you're interested and want to the link, shoot me a PM, and I'll send it to you!

-Vr