Tiberius Whetston 15th Games

Two days before the reapings.

Romanus Aurelius wakes up at 3.00 am and once again his wife is not beside him in their bed.

After nearly a decade of marriage and two children he has never seen his wife behave as she is doing currently.

She has become obsessed with her new task and he isn't sure what he can do to help her.

Romanus supposes it is because Sarah has never experienced the emotions she is currently feeling.

Sarah doesn't tend to put much stock in emotions given she can't really feel much in most circumstances but she is capable of some affection and bonding with a select few people.

Romanus can think of less than a dozen people who might draw an emotional reaction of any kind from Sarah were they to pass away at the present moment.

Of that dozen only about four would elicit a stronger response that might be interpreted as a form of grieving.

A response probably on par with what is occurring now.

Greg had attempted to warn them the second he had managed to crack open the terrorist cell in 6. Greg would have noticed earlier had it not been for a depot manager who had been bribed by a wealthy drug pusher to look the other way at the train station in regards to anything suspicious.

Greg had executed both men publically.

And gruesomely.

Romanus didn't even want to imagine what had been done to the rebels that Greg found. Greg had the tendency on occasion to get more than a little carried away in interrogations and punishments especially since his son had been born shortly before the 8th games.

Maybe it was an increased protective instinct associated with fatherhood.

Or perhaps District 6 just had something in the air in regards to getting carried away.

Nevertheless the call from Greg arrived minutes too late to contact Sarah's parents who were arriving on a train from District 5 for their annual trip to see their grandchildren and Sarah.

The train de-railed in spectacular fashion as the terrorist cell had intended three minutes after leaving the station in 5.

It was meant to be a spark that lit the touch paper for a major uprising according to reports from Greg's interrogations in 6.

What actually occurred was the opposite.

Mass purges in 6, 8 and 11 even more extreme than those that occurred during the rebellion took place.

Reduced rations to set an example occurred in all 3 districts after the attack. There would be starvations this year as a lesson even with the help of tesserae.

(In 8 the Victor who helped cause it all tried to bring himself to care. Years of solitude however didn't leave much sympathy left in a young man abandoned and ostracised from his district years before the games even began. After all Woof hadn't encouraged people to rebel he had just tried to make it out alive. The burning of the community home didn't even particularly bother him. He didn't have any friends there.)

(Woof didn't have friends anywhere.)

Immediately after the attack the Mayors of all the twelve Districts were called to the Capitol and instantly revisions were made to what occurred after the games.

The Council contained The Twelve Mayors, The President, and The Head Gamemaker along with half a dozen of the most senior politicians and Generals of the Capitol.

As well as The First Lady.

All present in a grand dining room of The Presidential Mansion to discuss the key issues.

Revisions to the original Treaty of Treason and other changes that would further drive the Districts apart.

Firstly the parcel days were to be modified. Before it had been a year's supply of tesserae grain for every citizen in the district. Now it would be proper food items. Luxury's unavailable at any other time of the year in many of the outlier districts. The new situation would breed envy whenever a district won the games as other districts starved while costing the Capitol comparatively little.

If it was one of The Career districts who didn't really need said packages even better.

Secondly an additional aspect to the Victory tour would occur. Not only would the Victor give speeches emphasising what had occurred but the Victor would now be encouraged to pick up a hobby the progress and enjoyment of which would be broadcast throughout Panem. This in turn placed even further emphasis on how little power the Districts themselves had in addition to emphasising the lives of luxury and frivolity Victors led in comparison to the average District citizen.

If some Victors were seen to live in luxury and frivolity while causing others in their district to suffer through a Victor's own actions in the arena even better.

Lastly and unbeknownst to any but the people in the room the next two games would have a guaranteed minimum six tributes of age twelve.

This was to drive home the point that the Capitol could make the games terrible if they wanted to even if officially it was pure bad luck and chance.

All the Mayors agreed to these rule changes. The new rules would undoubtedly foster resentment between the districts with the exception of The Careers who would probably suffer the least.

All agreed it was a good plan.

The First Lady seemed to agree as well but as she left the room she whispered to her husband three important words.

"It's not enough"

That was why Romanus was now walking along to the office in the east wing of the Mansion that Sarah had claimed as her own.

Already he could hear the depressingly familiar music, more clearly now, echoing from behind the door to the room.

"Defer, defer"

"To the Lord High Executioner!"

"Defer, defer"

"To the noble Lord, to the noble Lord"

"To the Lord High Executioner!"

Romanus sighed to himself as he knocked on the offices door.

Since the loss of her parents Sarah had buried herself in her favourite music. Political satire from many hundreds of years ago that skirted the line of being just that bit too pointed to be allowed outside of the higher echelons of The Capitol.

As a grieving method listening to music was not that unusual. Even if the music within was a strange way of coping given its comparative jollity of tone most of the time.

What was unusual was how Sarah was going about doing so in her listening.

She had taken to listening to the same recording of the same work over and over and over again.

Which given the pair behind the works made at least a dozen other similar works was most unusual.

Sarah had made a habit of always listening to the work while she worked on a task that Romanus still knew little about.

Sarah had said the recording of the operetta in question was the ideal accompaniment to the work she was currently doing.

The Mikado being one of the few works that Sarah thought treated the issue of violent death appropriately.

Then she had asked Romanus a pertinent question in her mind.

Considering the task she was undertaking what else could she listen to?

To which Romanus had no appropriate answer due to his lack of knowledge on Sarah's mysterious but apparently crucial task.

In addition to an unfamiliarity with the work in general.

Although he had heard enough of The Mikado at this point to know large chunks of it.

The sheer amount of focus that Sarah had on her task however was more than concerning.

Sarah had said it was an innovation to The Hunger Games that was necessary to ensure the continued stability of Panem.

She had called it "A timely reminder of how rebellion failed and will always fail."

Romanus confessed himself still slightly confused. Although as he had seen glimpses of what was being developed by his wife he was starting to make guesses as to what it is his wife might be doing.

Coming out of his brief musings Romanus waited only a moment or two before his wife's voice called him in.

"Come in Dear. I've made significant progress."

His wife was surrounded by identical slips of paper with various sentences neatly handwritten.

Romanus caught a glimpse of some of them:

On the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary, as a reminder that the youngest are the most vulnerable among us the male and female tributes will be reaped only from those aged twelve.

On the three hundred and seventy fifth anniversary, as a reminder that supplies were disrupted by rebel forces there will be no sponsorship available in the arena.

On the five hundredth anniversary, as a reminder that parents can suffer just as much as their children the male and female tributes will be reaped from those aged twelve to eighteen who already have a child.

Romanus saw dozens upon dozens of these slips and his wife was still writing more.

She had been writing them for the past fourteen nights ever since she heard the news about her Mother and Father.

On a board with a large sheet of paper he saw more writing.

Everything looks fine but arena actually poison? Chat to Ga Ga

Arena divided into segments. Maybe a Clock? Chat to Ga Ga

Arena all in underground crypts? No Cornucopia? Chat to Ga Ga

No day. Only Night? Chat to Ga Ga

No night. Only Day? Chat to Ga Ga

Mutts start out fine but turn rabid and carnivorous? Chat To Ga Ga

That list went on as well. Inventive ideas for arenas that were impressive and more expensive than the usual.

"Are you ready to tell me what this is yet my Darling?" Romanus asked his wife kindly.

She looked up at him her eyes slightly erratic from a lack of sleep not only caused by their young son but also the madness this task, and the loss of her parents, seemed to have induced in her.

"Not yet Romy. But soon. Very soon." Sarah replied.

"Alright Darling. Come to bed in a few minutes though you need the rest." Romanus responded to his wife kindly.

"Yes yes I Will do." Sarah said in a distracted voice as she resumed her task.

As Romanus exits the room the strains of music continue even as the current song began to end.

"Defer, defer"

"To the noble, noble Lord"

"High Executioner!"

The Day before the reaping.

In The Duelling Pit of The Academy in District 2 an eighteen year old judged as one of the best in The Academy falls to the sandpit of the floor exhausted.

From the centre of The Duelling Pit a voice rings out like a clarion bell with more than a hint of pride in its tone.

"Come on! Aren't there any more takers! What are you lot 2s or bloody 12s!"

The voice comes from a young man who was touching six feet tall and seems to be made of muscle and pure strength.

On a balcony above three men and woman watch on with interest.

"I still think he's too young to go in." Julius Monaldo says.

"I wasn't much older when I went in. Only by about four months." Vespasian Grantston replies.

"I agree with Vespasian. I've visited the academy enough times at this point to know that boy wants nothing more than to enter the games. I'm not certain but I think it's all he's ever wanted." Callixtus Villiers the Mayor of 2 says.

Julius Monaldo grimaces to himself while Vespasian gives a snort of satisfaction.

Callixtus just smiles to himself.

Callixtus had been one of the major supporters of the idea of The Academy when Julius has first brought the idea to him in the aftermath of the 2nd games. At the time the young Mayor who was only a scant four years older than his Victor was unsure. In the aftermath of the war and the death of his father in a legendary sacrifice that sealed the Capitols victory both Callixtus and his brother Gregorious were at a loss.

They had both been of an age with Romanus though and Gregorious had been great friends with The President since childhood. After the deaths of Commodus Aurelius and then the death of Vincent Villiers the First the mutual loss seemed to have brought the two men only closer together.

Callixtus had in all honesty felt a little put out. Callixtus shouldn't have really been surprised however. He and Gregorious had never gotten on well despite the fact they were twins. Callixtus had emphasised valour in his dealings while Gregorious was ever the pragmatist. It was perhaps inevitable the two had developed some sort of feud. Uncle Gabriel hadn't really helped with that by clearly siding with Gregorious during the humiliation he'd undergone during The Presidential Wedding. A fact that still left a frog in Callixtus' throat.

Still just after the war Romanus had at least named him Mayor of 2. It was undoubtedly a great honour to be named to the Capitols most loyal District but it still left a sour note in his mouth even now.

As the most loyal district there was no way for Callixtus to really prove himself. 2 hadn't really rebelled and was thus quickly brought to heel before Callixtus had even arrived in the district. After that it was pretty much standard administration. Callixtus hated to admit it but he found the entire role rather boring most of the time.

Gregorious meanwhile had proven himself by brutally crushing dissent in 6 and receiving all the respect and honour associated with that.

Then Julius Monaldo had come to him with The Academy idea and Callixtus had been hooked.

Callixtus was determined that 2 would have the most Victors of any District and the young man fighting in the pit looked like a very good bet indeed.

"I'm sorry Mayor Callixtus sir but I still think he's too young. After all he's only fifteen. Would it hurt too much to wait another year? Ensure he'd win." Julius Monaldo pleaded to both Callixtus and Vespasian.

"Let him Volunteer." A quiet voice came from the three men's female companion.

Julius had a look of betrayal while Vespasian and Callixtus both smiled softly.

"Dilly how could you say such a thing. He's only a boy." Julius said with an equal mix of horror and despair.

"Tiberius Whetston will enter the arena this year regardless of what we say Julie." Claudia told her brother kindly. "He is too far gone now not to try to volunteer this year. We barely stopped him last year after all."

Julius Monaldo's face twisted into a grimace before finally settling in to an expression of defeat.

"I never wanted him in there. I did it for Plautia. To make sure he stood a chance if he was reaped." Julius said in a resigned voice.

Callixtus Villiers isn't surprised at this. In many respects though Julius had ensured the exact opposite scenario would occur.

Tiberius Whetston had known all his life his mother's fate in The Hunger Games. Stories of what occurred told to him by an aged grandfather and the boys surrogate family of Julius, Claudia and Vespasian.

Funnily enough however it was not his mother's fate which angered him most but the fate of his father who had died fighting in District 11.

Then Tiberius had learned the fate of Julius and Claudia's brother who had died to a rebel in District 8.

Further information of the rebel atrocities which had taken the Monaldo siblings mother and father had only made him even angrier.

Then the victory of Silver Glassman had happened when the boy had been ten nearly eleven years old.

The death of Jason in the colossal screw up at the start of the 10th games followed by Alba's death before entering the privilege of the final duel by the stealthy actions of Electra Dent had brought about emotion in Tiberius Whetston.

Anger.

Anger which he honed at the academy and turned into ever increasing amounts of skill.

Every single day during the year after the 10th games Tiberius pushed himself.

Then the 11th games happened.

Tiberius hadn't liked Caecilius much but it still angered him that neither 2 made the final duel.

What really angered him about the 11th games though were the words of the boy from 8 Esau Shepherd.

After that year and the rebellious things that Esau had said the anger in Tiberius had become a monstrous thing for an eleven year old boy.

He didn't let it control him though. It was as though Tiberius tapped into the anger to make himself better and better.

It was working. By the time of the 12th games Tiberius was a danger to most of the fourteen and fifteen year olds in the institute.

The 12th games happened.

Simon Sator slaughtered his way through the Career pack like a knife through melted butter over the course of four days and the only reason he didn't kill the 4 boy was because the boy was already dead.

The fact that Simon humiliated Lauretta in the final duel just emphasized the point.

Tiberius was still angry during the 12th games but he learned a lesson from the games as well. Stealth was just as important as strength.

Tiberius added more to his repertoire. He became quiet as he could when fighting. In addition he trained himself further running to become as fast as he could so now he wasn't just overpowering strength.

He was quick as well.

At this point the Twelve year old had a reputation in The Academy. The fifteen year old tributes began using him as a test of skill. If you failed to beat Tiberius you weren't allowed to spar in The Duelling Pit.

By the time of the 13th games the practice had ended. If it hadn't there would be too few fifteen year old left to spar in the pit.

The 13th games had been an eye opener for everyone at The Academy. Tiberius absorbed every single lesson and during the following year must have watched the games recap at least a dozen times.

Spatial awareness and a truly massive amount of reading had been done by Tiberius that year. Hilarion had died from being an idiot and Ida had died from a lack of dodging or awareness of where everyone else was in a fight.

That was when Tiberius had begun fighting three opponents against him at once.

It had started out with Tiberius routinely being beaten in a short amount of time. The thirteen nearly fourteen year old may have been broken at the start.

Throughout that year as he celebrated another birthday he improved more and more.

Three fifteen year olds became three sixteen year olds until by the time the 14th games came about it took three seventeen year olds near the top of the year for The Academy to have a decent chance in a spar with Tiberius.

He had wanted to enter the 14th games and it had taken the persuasion of Carnell himself to personally advise Tiberius against it.

"You deserve a better arena than me Ti." The friendly but deadly Carnell had told him. "It will be a drab arena this year after that Palace last year."

Carnell had convinced him and Tiberius had watched as Carnell had done so very well for most of the games.

Until bloody Woof had killed him because the idiot boy from 8 had got lucky with The Mutt and practically everything else in the 14th games.

At that point the anger that Tiberius had used to power him in his studies had roared into an inferno of hatred and rage without comparison.

Tiberius was already dedicated to going into the arena. To show what a 2 can do at full power. After the 14th games he knew he was going to volunteer.

To do that he had to be the best in the whole of The Academy.

The entire year Tiberius had fought fights one on one against the strongest tributes in The Academy. All of them had fallen to him with ease.

The Melee that had just occurred had been Tiberius against the top three male contenders to be volunteer this year.

Tiberius had fought with immense viciousness and the three potential's moaning bruised forms lay scattered on the floor of The Duelling Pit.

"He won't take no for an answer Julie." Claudia Monaldo said. "If you truly want to save him from falling even further down the hole he's currently plummeting down Ti needs to go in. He needs it." Claudia finishes emphatically.

"None of The Academy will be surprised" Vespasian muses "We can announce it at Dinner tonight. Ensure no one else will even contemplate trying this year."

"Would you mind if Vincent and I come to dinner as well. I know Vincent is excited to start at The Academy next year." Callixtus Villiers asks the three Victors.

"Perfectly fine Mayor Villiers. It would be an honour for The Academy to have your son and yourself joins us for dinner" Vespasian replies. "Will your wife and daughter be joining us as well?

"I think it might be a touch too overwhelming for a five year old. Aurelia can maybe join us in a year or so when she's a little bit more mature" Callixtus replies. "Vincent on the other hand will be elated."

"I'll fetch him now and see you there" The Mayor of 2 smiles before going to get his son.

As the Mayor leaves the three Victors talk for a moment more.

"I still don't like it." Julius Monaldo mutters.

"Tiberius wants this Julie. I know he'll come back if you give him the chance." Claudia says.

"He's like a son to me" Julius confesses in a very quiet voice.

"He'll come back Julius" Vespasian replies in an attempt to comfort his mentor. "We'll make sure of it."

The Capitol on the Day of the reapings

"I'm just not sure what to do Greg." Romanus says to Gregorious Villiers as the Mayor for District 6 walks alongside him as they make their way to the children's playroom. "She hasn't been the same since her parents were killed. I'm confused though. Given her normal behaviour I thought she'd have just shaken the loss off."

"It's her Parents Rom. If anyone could elicit a reaction like this it would be them or Virgilia and Laertes. Despite everything else she had a bond with them. A strong one if our letters are anything to go by. The fact that they were taken away from her… The fact that someone had the audacity to kill people she made the effort to try and care about is something that was always likely to elicit a strong effect."

"She cried when she found out." Romanus' confesses. "I'd never seen her do that before. She ordered her own cousin reaped and watched with a smile as Alice jumped off a building. I never thought I'd see Sarah cry. It worries me." Romanus finished deep concern lacing his voice.

"It's right that you made me stay after the others had left. We can at least keep her preoccupied during the day. Uncle Gabe won't be able to be around now the games have started and you can't support her alone. A sabbatical away from 6 given what's happening at the moment in the District is expected as they know I'll be needed in the Capitol. I trust my Head Peacekeeper to keep things in order. He's a better man than most."

"Lupus Thread yes?" Romanus enquired. "Certainly the man you want for a crackdown."

"Indeed" Gregorious smiled. "Whole family are obsessed with duty. I think he was one of seven? Five of them became Peacekeepers and I think four of those are now Head Peacekeepers in their districts.

"That's correct." Romanus replied "Numitor Thread is head of 11. Lupa Thread is head of 8. Faustulus Thread is head of 12. They are all very efficient. Lupa was the one who made the ultimate decision to burn down Esau Shepherd's home you know."

"The family are absolute gems. I don't know where I'd be without Lupus. The man's as effective as he is merciless." Gregorious chuckled.

"Indeed. 6 is safe in a Thread's hands without doubt." Romanus agreed. "Anyway. Do you have any idea how we can get Sarah out of this obsession she is currently in? "

"I'd say wait for the end of the games. That might bring her out of it. It likely won't be very long. Uncle Gabe wasn't feeling too generous to the tributes this year." Gregorious responded.

Romanus snorted as the two finally entered the playroom.

Two seven year olds with toy swords were circling each other as if to begin fighting.

"I'm sorry Minnie but it's you or me." Vincent Villiers the Second says to his playmate in a clear and very well remembered recitation of Julius Monaldo's words from the 1st games.

"No hard feelings Julie. I know what it is." Virgilia Aurelius replies her memory equally as good.

The two seven year old's prepare to lunge into mock combat before they notice the arrival of their fathers in the room.

The Playroom has clearly been the sight of more than one "Combat" that day as toys are strewn everywhere. Including what looks to be a bunch of silver plastic stars and a lot of red tissue paper.

Both Gregorious and Romanus are more than amused if just a little angry the playroom isn't in a fit state to sit down comfortably before the reapings begin.

Simultaneously both children attempt to blame the other for the mess.

"It was Virgilia when she threw the stars when she was Electra." Vincent says.

"Nu-oh it was you when you pretended to be Simon and used all the red paper." Virgilia retorts.

"It was you when you were pretending to be Diamond." Vincent accuses.

"It was you when you pretended to be Gilbert." Virgilia accuses right back.

"Enough!" Romanus orders. "Both of you tidy the mess now before the Avox has to wear herself out tidying up."

In the corner AV1 would sigh with relief if she didn't know that making any sound might lead to torment.

"Avox would you fetch the Jamón Ibérico from the kitchen." Romanus then requests the Avox.

"I've not heard of that before." Gregorious says in reference to the aforementioned food.

"A ham originally from the country of Spain from The Time Before. The geneticists managed to revive the type of pig it came from five years ago. There is a sizeable herd now in District 10 managed by the Sullivan family. As ever they have heavily researched the original method of production for the finest quality of product."

"Fascinating. The sheer work that family put into meat is always astounding." Gregorious replies with admiration.

"Indeed. Their family wealth is well earned. They were loyalists during the rebellion as well. Helped ensure that 10 came quickly back under control in the last days of the conflict as I'm sure you know. Their dedication not just to making standard fare but going above and beyond for improved luxury and quality is what grants them so many privileges. An exceptionally fine family for one based in the Districts."

Gregorious nods in agreement before a thought occurs to him.

"On that note of fine families in the Districts it still surprises me the Oxford boy was reaped for the games. Their horses have always been something special. It seems an unnecessary risk even if Gilbert Oxford did manage to win the 13th." Gregorious noted.

"Wealth, loyalty and quality all mean a lot but we need to have at least an illusion of fairness. 'The Excluded list' can't have everyone on it Greg. It needs to 'not exist' lest there is rampant rebellion once more. Gilbert had very low odds, I checked after, it truly was just bad luck."

Gregorious nods in agreement as a large plate of ham is brought in along with some freshly baked baguette.

At this point the room is almost tidy and the young Vincent and Virgilia quickly find a space near a settee closely located to the television.

"Who do you want to win?" Virgilia asks her friend.

"4. I want 4 to win. They're my favourites." Vincent replies.

"I want 1. The 1's are pretty. Pretty should always win the games." Virgilia says confidently.

"Papa. Who do you want to win?" Virgilia asks Romanus.

"Yes Father. Who do you want to win?" Vincent asks Gregorious the same question.

"The tributes haven't even been reaped yet Gilly. I'll defer my judgement." Romanus responds to his daughter.

"I shall also defer my judgement Vin. Though you know I'm quite fond of 4 myself." Gregorious tells his son.

"Alright Papa." Virgilia responds brightly. A nudge in her friend's side confirms Vincent's nod to his own father.

"Gilly." Vincent asks in a quiet voice their fathers pretend they can't hear.

"Yeah" Virgilia responds just as quietly.

"What does defer mean?" Vincent asks confused.

Virgilia shrugs also without any idea before the reapings finally begin.

Gregorious and Romanus lazily talk as they devour the plate of ham in front of them while AV1 brings in cool glasses of lemonade as the reapings begin.

1 holds no surprises with two competent looking volunteers.

2 is where the action begins.

The girl is a standard Volunteer but the boy who volunteers seems different.

"Wow." Virgilia and Vincent say as they see the boy who immediately volunteers to go on stage.

He looks very impressive being 6 feet of muscle and with a cocky even arrogant smile on his face.

And anger in his eyes.

Romanus smiled when he saw the boy and his smile only grew when the boy introduced himself to Hestia Flickerman who looked at him with more than a trace of familiarity and a distinct lack of any surprise.

"Tiberius Whetston" Is the name the boy says.

Gregorious notices his friends smile and thinks to himself why that might be.

In the corner of the room AV1 forgets herself for a moment at the sound of a familiar first name before seamlessly resuming her normal stoicism.

"Is that the boy who Sarah mentioned in her last letter? The one who's the son of that dopey girl from the 2nd games who Sarah euthanized for stupidity." Gregorious says. "Because if that's the fifteen year old Sarah mentioned I think these games might be even quicker than Uncle Gabriel planned."

Romanus laughed in response to that.

"We'll see." he says.

The Night before the Bloodbath

Romanus and Gregorious are both feeling rather tired after the previous few days.

When Gabriel Villiers had stopped by to watch the release of the scores it was pretty clear he was excited at who the favourite was.

Tiberius Whetston had scored an eleven.

Gabriel had excitedly rambled to Romanus and Gregorious about how good the tribute for 2 had been while Virgilia and Vincent had listened intently to what the Head Gamemaker was saying.

Afterwards the judgement of the two young games fans was clear.

"I want Tiberius to win now." Virgilia had said.

"Me too" Vincent had replied.

Both children had been excited at that point for the interview.

At the time Romanus and Gregorious had just been glad that Sarah seemed to have calmed down. Sarah had slowed down her mad quest to finish her task once she had met her tributes off the train. Sarah would likely remain committed to the games until such point as the 5s died.

The interview had not disappointed anyone. Romanus had to as usual watch the games in the studio but Gregorious had a pleasant enough time watching the games with the two children.

Gregorious felt most of the interviews had been forgettable this year.

Once again it seemed to Gregorious that Uncle Gabe had really lucked out with the tributes he had gotten for the 13th games.

Then again there are always exceptions.

This year the exception was the obvious one.

The fifteen year old who had volunteered for the games. The fifteen year old who had got a score of eleven.

The Capitol were hooked and Tiberius didn't disappoint.

The young man was funny and charming and only a few people who focused especially closely saw the way that he was glancing at the tributes from most of the outlier districts.

Like last year's Muttation when it first saw the tributes from 5.

Gregorious smiled at the screen when he noticed that.

His uncle had said that this year he wanted to emphasize the fact that Careers should win the games.

He had made sure that it would be very difficult for a non-career to win.

In fact it would be difficult for any tribute to survive more than a day or two given where the arena was this year.

They hadn't even needed force fields according to Uncle Gabe. He claimed it was the cheapest arena he'd ever made. Including the first one.

Gregorious was very excited at that point. A short bloody games was likely to unfold. Possibly the shortest since the first.

Even if it wasn't that short it still promised to be bloody.

Gregorious couldn't lie he was looking forward to watching the games so he went to sleep hoping to get a good night's rest.

It was 1:00 am when he was woken up.

He left the bed without managing to wake his wife Felicity who had taken the opportunity of a rare trip to the Capitol to catch up with her sister, a stylist, in person for the past few days.

He encountered Romanus similarly attired to himself in pyjamas and a dressing gown wandering to the office where Sarah worked.

Romanus sighed at what they heard and Gregorious wanted to sigh along with him.

Music from the same damnable operetta as always was once again emanating from the office.

"My object all sublime"

"I shall achieve in time —"

"To let the punishment fit the crime —"

"The punishment fit the crime;"

Both men looked at each other and went ahead to enter the room.

Interestingly enough the room looked significantly less cluttered than it had the last time Romanus had visited a few nights previous.

There was now a stack of closed envelopes with numbers written on them on the right hand side of the desk. On the other were envelopes numbered but not yet filled or closed.

Even as they watched a piece of card was placed inside an envelope by Sarah.

"Sarah what are you doing?" Gregorious dared to ask.

"Hush now Greg. I'm almost finished. With a bit of luck I can be done this stage in the next few hours." Sarah replied still focused on her task.

"Sarah. We're only concerned about you. It's a busy day tomorrow after all." Romanus said to his wife."

Sarah took notice at that. She turned around to face the two men and her eyes for once in her life seemed to be utterly genuine in their emotion.

"Please just let me finish this Romy. I need to do this. I need to let them know that they can't try something like what happened to mother and father and get away with it." Sarah pleads with her husband.

For both men it's very disconcerting. Sarah doesn't plead with people. Ever.

Both men decide to make a hasty exit from the room.

"Don't worry about me though Romy or you Greg. I'm nearly done for tonight." Sarah says as both men retreat out of the room and away from the significantly less stoic spectre that seemed to have taken control of the First Lady.

"Soon you'll never have to worry about something like this happening ever again." She finished with determination. "You can count on that"

Neither man sleeps after that as well as they would like to. The words still echo in their minds.

Day 1 The Bloodbath

When the tributes of the 15th games first saw the arena it was rumoured that nearly five of them started crying.

This was hardly surprising as both tributes for 8 and 11 one for 6 and one for 12 were all twelve years old.

In addition the male tribute for 5 was thirteen and the female tribute for 12 was also only thirteen.

The arena for the 15th games however would have made anyone who wasn't utterly stoic cry.

Later recollections said that only one tribute looked entirely unconcerned.

It was the obvious answer.

Of all the arenas to precede it the only one close to it was the arena of the 5th games.

A desert like in the 5th games is a very inhospitable place.

A salt flat however is in many ways worse than a desert.

The 5th games arena had a large oasis at its centre.

The 15th games arena had an even bigger lake.

Such a shame that it was a saline lake.

Scattered near the salt lake were a large number of intrigued pink birds. .

For once the birds were not muttations but were in fact actual normal flamingos. The birds had been left untouched for the nearly 400 years since the cataclysm that had destroyed society of The Time Before and led to the birth of Panem as a nation.

The death of most of humanity seemed to have greatly benefited the flamingos at least.

When Gabriel Villiers had seen the birds as he scouted near the outskirts of the arena he thought they added some colour to his salt flats so proceeded to carve a niche and transport enough water to create a large if shallow salt lake in the middle of the massive flats. Once filled with brine shrimp and other assorted goodies he had left his happy kidnapped flamingos to their own devices.

As the arena came on the screen and the pedestals were dropped shortly to be followed by waiting tributes the play room of The Presidential mansion was silent bar the contented snores of Laertes as he took a nap in a corner of the room.

Virgilia was entranced by the pink birds she saw on the television.

"Papa. What are they?" Virgilia asked.

"Flamingos my dear. They're birds." Romanus replied indulging his daughter's eager curiosity.

"Are they going to attack the tributes?" Vincent asked eagerly.

"Unlikely Vincent. They are not particularly aggressive birds from what I've gathered from my reading." Romanus responded to the young boy.

"Oh. That's kind of boring." Vincent sulked before looking back at the arena.

"The birds are super pretty though Vin." Virgilia interjected beside him.

Except for the salt lake filled with flamingos the gold of the cornucopia and dry mountains far in the distance most of what can be seen is pure white stretching for miles.

"No wonder Gabriel didn't need any force fields in this arena." Romanus chuckled. "Any tribute who attempts to run here is only running to a near certain death."

"That's what he told me." Gregorious smiled. "This year it's going to be a purely combat focused games. Any tribute who tries to run is going to die of dehydration or else exposure when the sun goes down and the arena drops below freezing. Drinking the water from that salt lake will only kill them quicker."

"How very clever of Gabriel. I knew he'd lost his patience but this is truly cruel for all those involved." Romanus mused.

A device near Romanus gives a short ping.

"The prices of food supplies has been tripled while water has dectupled. In addition the water amount sent has been quartered according to Sarah. She's just messaged it through." Romanus states as he looks at the device in his hand.

"Uncle Gabe is taking no prisoners this year is he." Gregorious says giving a chuckle of significant mirth.

"It appears not." Romanus agreed. "Here they come"

24 young men and women appear on the pedestals centred around the cornucopia on the gigantic salt flats and the looks of despair and copious tears were almost overwhelming.

Only Tiberius Whetston seemed to be taking proper stock of the situation.

His eyes were locked on the weapons in the pile.

Eventually the countdown finishes.

"Would you look at him go. Cal might be a dick but if this tribute is his pick Cal's at least not a stupid dick." Gregorious says with admiration as Tiberius reaches the pile and picks up a sword before cleaving the 9 boy almost into two separate pieces.

Both men watch as the bloodbath at the cornucopia continues.

All eight of the tributes thirteen and under are rendered dead in under five minutes. Tiberius personally takes out both of the pairs from both 8 and 11.

. The rest of the careers manage to dispatch the pairs from 6, 7 and 12 and the boy from 5 as well as the girls from 3 and 10

Only the girls from 9 and 5 and the boys from 3 and 10 have fled into the wider wilderness even if in the unbroken horizon of the salt flats they cannot remain hidden for long.

Tiberius laughs to himself at this turn of events before he sees all the remaining members of the career pack eye him with a certain glint of malice.

Romanus and Gregorious' eyes widen as they come to the same realisation as Tiberius.

The pack has decided the fifteen year old is too dangerous and could turn out just like Gabi Godford at the end of the 7th games. They don't want to repeat another final battle where they die to an over skilled tribute whose not even sixteen yet.

Tiberius Whetston proves his worth though cutting down his own traitorous District partner and the boy from 1 before the other three decide to cut their losses and run.

All three are injured enough that they can't run for more than a half hour.

Tiberius is uninjured but exhausted by what he just accomplishes and looks dead on his feet before a silver parachute appears from the sky.

In fact a lot of silver parachutes appear from the sky.

Romanus begins to chuckle before he starts to laugh heartily.

Gregorious watches his friend for a moment before he joins in.

By now it is clear what has happened.

All the Parachutes that Tiberius receives are in fact the ones meant to be for the entire career pack.

In the process of betraying Tiberius and failing the others have ensured they are without supplies for tonight.

Meanwhile Tiberius has supplies worth 6 career tributes.

The Boy from 2 doesn't stop laughing for five minutes.

"I think Gabriel is going to be both very happy and yet a tad disappointed." Romanus remarks.

"I have a feeling it's going to be a very long night in the arena." Gregorious smirks.

Day 2

The next day Gregorious wakes up to find that overnight the remaining members of the career alliance all died to exposure.

The lack of even a blanket and the -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) the salt flats dropped to that night ensured that the rash actions of the career pack in attacking their leader and thus obtaining no supplies guaranteed their deaths.

Especially as any scant sponsorships they did receive were to treat wounds in the hope they could salvage the situation.

Tiberius on the other hand fashioned himself quite the comfortable nest with the blankets he received.

He even hung two of them over the front of the cornucopia to keep out any wind chill.

That night he slept like a baby even as his fellow Career Pack members fell into deeper sleeps caused by Hypothermia and the stress of injuries. Sleeps they would never wake from.

As the Career packs collective coffer was wiped out and the individual totals were mostly non-existent after their beating by Tiberius the conclusion was foregone for the 4's and the remaining 1.

Other tributes managed to survive the night due to Gabriel Villiers having dropped the price of blankets by a significant amount after the career packs collective stupidity.

He ensured the number would remain too high for what money the former career packs could scrounge together but it was just affordable for the rest.

Tiberius got even more blankets after the price was dropped as his personal funds were still healthy. His nest in the cornucopia looking positively luxurious.

None of the remaining four tributes in the arena had anywhere close to the precious resources Tiberius now had in abundance.

The problem for the remaining tributes wasn't hunger though. It had after all been less than a day since they'd eaten.

Neither was warmth a problem the night before after the massive reduction in blanket prices.

Thirst though. Even after only 24 hours thirst had become a problem.

It was a situation both Gregorious and Romanus realised was going to end this games quickly.

The Games that day were primarily spent by the Capitol and Panem watching Tiberius do a series of graceful sword practices much closer to a dance by the lake.

There were no deaths on day 2 but games historians later said it had one of the most beautiful moments ever caught in the hunger games.

Gregorious and Romanus thoroughly agreed with the assessment as did Virgilia.

Vincent thought the day was boring but he was also a seven year old boy who wanted to see the fighting start again.

As the sun set over the lake, while Tiberius practised his drills, an entire flock of Flamingos choose that moment to lift into the air and fly behind the tribute from 2.

The sheer beauty of the scene, as Tiberius calmly continued the dance with the sword he'd been performing all day, was repeatedly regarded as among people's favourite moments of any games just for the sheer natural wonder and beauty that it encompassed.

More silver parachutes rained down upon Tiberius once the sun had finally finished setting.

He ate well and drank heartily that night.

As was proven with Edwin and Angelina in the 13th games it is not only violence or intelligence that earns sponsorships.

Love and beauty earns its fair share as well.

As Tiberius Whetston sits to eat his evening meal donated by the sponsors the voice of Gabriel Villiers rings out across the arena.

"Congratulations to you the final five tributes of the 15th annual hunger games"

"I hope you are enjoying the beautiful scenery and wildlife of the Salar de Uyuni and hope that you thirst for even more of its natural beauty"

Both Romanus and Gregorious have to stop themselves from laughing too much at what Gabriel says here.

Neither Virgilia nor Vincent get why the grownups are laughing.

"Speaking of thirst there will be drinks a plenty at the cornucopia come sunset tomorrow."

"Any tribute within a mile of the Cornucopia will be able to hear the bell signifying the hour before drinks begin."

"Feel free not to come but I warn you."

"Walking through salt flats is thirsty work."

"Good luck."

Both Gregorious and Romanus can barely conceal their smiles.

"Uncle Gabe really enjoys the dramatics when he calls feasts doesn't he." Gregorious states with amusement.

"According to Sarah it makes him very happy indeed." Romanus shrugs.

Both men laugh once more at that.

A slow day for the games but no one is under any illusion that it will be so the next day.

Final Day

The 15th hunger games began at 16.00 in the afternoon local time for the relevant tributes.

All tributes involved had drunk a glass of water before they entered the arena.

The feast on the third day of the hunger games took place precisely 50 hours and 21 minutes after the time all five of the tributes in the arena took a sip of free fresh water.

Of the four tributes who didn't have direct access easily to fresh water as Tiberius did this is how they quenched their thirst.

Seventeen year old Benjamin Carlisle of District 10 successfully kill three flamingos on the other side of the lake and drank their blood.

Fourteen year old Peregrine Morley of District 3 used his shirt, his blanket, his district token and a plastic tub and film Harry Miller donated to create a water filtration system early in the second day that gave him just enough water to walk to the feast after he'd utilised the salt lake.

Eighteen year old Elle Lewis of District 9 utilised the fact she knew she was the most attractive tribute in the arena that year to great advantage and decided to frolic in the large salt lake for a while without any clothing whatsoever. As she had anticipated the outrageous display nominally scandalized much of Panem while also getting her a ridiculously pricey single small cup of water from sponsorship funds.

Sixteen year old Mina Renfield from District 5 did something that no one ever talked about in later years for hydration in the 15th games having thought ahead on what was to come. Let it just be said that she was a light sleeper, she had a container plus a knife from the cornucopia, the boy from 1 died less than 150 metres away from her on the first night, and that flamingo blood is not the only kind that can provide temporary hydration.

By Sunset of the third day of the games everyone left in the arena except Tiberius would both figuratively and literally kill for water to drink.

Which had obviously been the point of the exercise.

Tiberius Whetston was perfectly prepared for what came next.

Tiberius was fairly disappointed he wasn't going to make twelve kills in the games given all his hard work but when he thought about it he realized the symbolism of an eleven score having eleven kills had a nice poetic ring to it.

The White Feast as it became known due to the colour of the salt flats was nowhere near as impressive as The Feast of Blood and it's melee is primarily remembered only for the amount of skill Tiberius demonstrated in managing to combat four desperate tributes at once.

Three of the tributes were dispatched brutally by Tiberius Whetston in less than thirty one seconds of fighting.

Only Elle Lewis of District 9 distinguished herself in the final battle. Having scored a nine in training she managed to make Tiberius Whetston fight for seventy eight seconds at the end one on one even managing to get a deep cut on his shoulder blade with her scythe before she was promptly decapitated.

It may have been only a small consolation but Elle had actually managed to last longer one on one against Tiberius than anyone had in over a year.

Which explained why she was inducted into The Silver Hall at the Presidential couple's and Tiberius' own recommendation.

Tiberius Whetston after the final kill of the games seems almost serene. As though a great weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He gives a smile.

The joy and also sheer relief that came from the voice of Gabriel Villiers as he announced the Victor was palpable in a way that was rarely heard. It was perhaps unsurprising though given the disaster for him personally of last year's games.

"Tiberius Whetston of District 2 you are the Victor of the 15th Hunger Games." Gabriel Villiers joyful voice rang out across the arena.

The reactions of the six people present in the playroom as they watch the victory are varied but mostly content.

Laertes as he is only just nearing eighteen months has no reaction as he doesn't understand at all.

AV1 has no reaction as she is busy entertaining Laertes and desperately trying not to think of her own son who she hasn't seen in five years.

Virgilia is happy that the 2 boy won. He was strong and good at what he did. She thinks the best person won the games.

Vincent is just happy the ending was violent. Sometimes he wonders what it would be like to go into the games himself. He thinks he'd give the people a show to remember.

Gregorious has somewhat mixed feelings. As ever he is happy a strong career tribute won but those thoughts are as ever tainted with the mental picture of his arrogant brother getting yet another winning tribute. He is still angry that his holier than thou brother had the audacity to name his son after their father despite the fact Gregorious had already done so. Now both boys are named Vincent which is bloody ridiculous and a blatant insult to himself by Cal.

Romanus however is content. Three years of outlier Victors had started to unnerve him quite a bit. He is more than happy to finally have a Career Victor again. Especially one who gives as good a show as Tiberius did.

All are happy that it was a successful games.

Unfortunately one problem still persists.

At close to midnight an hour and a half after he and his wife nominally went to bed Romanus is awoken my faint strains of music in the background.

He is once again joined by Gregorious and this time Gregorious' wife Felicity as well.

"Flick was already awake when we heard it and she hasn't seen what Sarah's doing yet." Gregorious explains.

"Maybe she can convince Sarah where we've failed. Let's go see where 'The Task' has gotten to now." Romanus says resignedly as all three head towards Sarah's office.

Once more as they get closer they can hear music from the same recording once again.

"I am so proud"

"If I allowed"

"My family pride"

"To be my guide"

"I'd volunteer"

"To quit this sphere"

"Instead of you"

"In a minute or two"

"What's that" Felicity asked.

Both men merely grimace and without answering Felicity's question Romanus opens the door to find Sarah once again working. Writing away at a ledger that's nearly full.

He doesn't catch much of what it says but he manages to see a few lines.

Volunteering to be limited to district 1, 2 and 4 for First Quell later Quells to be left at Presidential and Head Gamemaker discretion.

Arenas to be left to discretion of gamemakers if arena illustrated proves to be impractical or outdated with current technology.

Quell to be announced at least three months prior to the games.

Romanus observed that it looks as though a lot of work has gone into this ledger.

"Sarah my darling this has to stop soon. You know it isn't healthy for you to keep doing this so late at night to so early in the morning. You haven't slept properly in weeks." Romanus pleads with his wife gently but more insistently than he ever has before.

"Romy? Greg? Flick? When did you get here?" Sarah asks only noticing their presence in the room after Romanus has spoken directly to her.

"Please go to bed Sar. We're all starting to worry about whatever it is you're doing. It's going to start impacting on your health soon." Gregorious begs his friend.

"Don't worry I will go to bed soon." Sarah replies before returning to her task.

"Do make sure you try and get some rest very soon though Sarah. I know that Virgilia was looking forward to seeing you when I caught her yesterday morning." Felicity says with kindness to The First Lady. "I'm sure Laertes would like to spend some catch up time with you as well."

It is these words concerning her children that seem to snap Sarah out of her obsession for more than a moment. As she looks at the rules she has been writing she slowly seems to come to a conclusion.

"You're right Flick. There isn't much left to do. I can finish it tomorrow. Then I can finally tell Romy Greg and Ga Ga all about it." Sarah smiles.

The other three people in the room are relieved.

The music is turned off by Sarah and the two couples make their way to their respective rooms.

Romanus and Gregorious are both happy to see Sarah finally seems to be coming out of her current funk.

The day after the games

The Hospital

"Do you want to go in first?" Claudia Monaldo asks her brother and other fellow Victor.

"I think he might still be mad that I didn't want him to go in. Plus he knows that I'll be unsettled by how much he seemed to enjoy the experience." Julius replies.

"I can't be the first to go in. I'm close to him sure but you're like an older sister to him Dilly and I think he'd prefer you to the cripple or the cyclops."

"Hey." Julius interrupts with indignation while both Vespasian and Claudia giggle.

"My point still stands Julius. Tiberius is the first male tribute from our district to make it out of the games whole and not permanently injured. Plus you know Dilly has always been his favourite." Vespasian continues.

"Don't pretend I don't know Dilly isn't a 'favourite' of yours as well Grantston. I might be half blind but I'm not deaf. Don't forget she is my little sister and you two haven't exactly been quiet at night in our rooms the past few days." Julius retorts.

The looks of utter mortification on both Vespasian and Claudia's faces cause Hestia Flickerman, who has been quiet up until this point, to laugh loudly along with Julius.

Spluttering, but unable to voice a reply, a thoroughly embarrassed Claudia practically breaks the door into Tiberius' room to escape the situation. She is perfectly willing to leave who she thought was her 'secret lover' to the tender mercies of her big brother and escort.

Nothing could prepare her for the sight she sees before her.

For the first time in half a decade the tightly wound Tiberius seems to be thoroughly chill and serene while sitting up in his hospital bed.

Which given that he hasn't had any drugs bar a standard anaesthetic as they quickly sewed up his minor shoulder wound is certainly a big difference.

Dare she say it but it almost seems as though Tiberius is mellow.

What Tiberius is actually doing is even more unusual.

He is scribbling lazily on a notepad in his lap while watching his own final duel with Elle Lewis from District 9.

All tributes are made to watch a recap of their games at some point shortly after their conclusion but she's never heard of someone watching their own games just after the event by choice. Claudia watches fascinated as Tiberius rewinds the recording to the start of the duel once he makes the killing blow for a second viewing.

"Ti." Claudia begins slowly "What exactly are you doing?" She asks.

"Come look Claudia it's fascinating." Tiberius beckons her over. "Look at how she moves with the scythe. Fighting her isn't like fighting with swords or maces at The Academy. It isn't even similar to pikes or tridents. It's something very very different. I needed to know how she did it."

Claudia looks at the notes that Tiberius is making.

Every movement made by Elle in the fight has been noted, amended with thoughts, and then a solution on how it could be countered.

"You're trying to see how the scythe fighters work?" Claudia asked cautiously.

"Exactly!" Tiberius smiled good-naturedly. "It took me over a minute to defeat her one on one with her skill at the scythe. If I wasn't quite as good at the sword I'd probably be a dead man. It's a hole in The Academy's weapons training. We didn't have proper data before for an expert scythe wielder against a strong sword fighter. Now thanks to my duel we can really start to get better at it!" Tiberius finished calmly.

"You want to teach straight away?" Claudia asked.

She thought for a moment and almost cursed herself for being stupid because of course Tiberius Whetston would want to take over the combat training if he was allowed.

Tiberius must have read her expression because he started sniggering.

"Oh be quiet Tiberius Caecus Whetston and focus on making sure your shoulder is better for the games recap viewing. They are going to do it tonight after all."

The cheerful middle finger as well as the peaceful aura that surrounds Tiberius as Claudia leaves the room leaves her content at one thing.

In the serenity of the salt flats where Tiberius proved District 2 were the true rulers of the Games the rage that had been building inside him for five years has disappeared as quickly as a flamingo can take flight over a briny lake.

It might sound ludicrous even to Claudia but somehow the Hunger Games haven't damaged Tiberius Whetston.

Instead they might well have cured him.

The Presidential Mansion

"You Sarah are a genius" Gabriel Villiers says to his best friend once she has finished explaining what her task had been about.

In the office she has been using are gathered four people.

Romanus Aurelius President of Panem.

Gabriel Villiers Head Gamemaker.

Gregorious Villiers Mayor of 6.

And last but certainly not least.

Sarah Aurelius First Lady of Panem.

"I agree with Gabriel my darling. If the Hunger Games were my personal revenge then I can think of no better punishment for your parent's deaths by the district traitors than these Quarter Quells." Romanus says with evident pride.

"They're a great idea." Gregorious says significantly more muted than the others.

"Greg you know why it has to happen this way. The first one has to be something big and significant. There's a reason I've told you this now. It gives you ten years to prepare for the worst case scenario." Sarah says to one of her only other friends.

Gregorious adopts a slight mask of anger before a look of profound sadness overtakes it.

"I understand. Lesser men would have been executed for how I failed to spot the cell. As punishments go you're being very fair. More than fair actually you're giving me a proper warning. An edge in what is to come. I won't forget this Sarah." Gregorious says.

"Anyway, I need to see my son." Gregorious adds before leaving the room.

"I'm not trying to punish him specifically Romanus. Greg does know that right?" Sarah asks her husband.

"He knows Sar Sar don't worry. He'll come around and his Vincent is on the excluded list otherwise correct?" Gabriel Villiers says to Sarah.

"Of course Vincent is. The Quell though is an exception to all the normal rules. No one can be excluded from Quells who fall under their specifics." Sarah says primly.

"I loved your arena designs by the way Sar. I'm looking forward to utilising one of them for the very first Quell." Gabriel Villiers says excitedly. "It will be a games to remember I'm sure."

"I think everyone will be glad to know that your task is complete my darling. Now I can finally sleep a whole night without ever having to hear the blasted Mikado ever again." Romanus said with a voice laden with relief.

At that comment Sarah smiles her infamous smile before going forward to turn on the music.

Gabriel laughs along with her as it begins to play.

Laughing along himself at the somewhat petty joke at his own expense Romanus just sits back and relaxes for a moment his thoughts only somewhat distracted as the music begins.

The Quarter Quells certainly are an excellent idea in addition to the cathartic vengeance they provide.

They are the correct tool to install further balance in Panem. Choices made in the rebellion made to echo in the miserable citizens of the outlier districts for potentially centuries after the rebellion passes from living memory.

"With aspect stern and gloomy stride"

Choice especially is such a funny thing. That the First Quell emphasizes the choice in such a brutal fashion is a truly inspired thought.

"We come to learn how you decide"

Even now Romanus can recall the exact wording for the First Quarter Quell.

"Don't hesitate, your choice to name"

On the twenty-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their choice to initiate violence, every district shall hold an election and vote on the tributes to represent it.

"A dreadful fate, you'll suffer all the same"

Romanus chuckles to himself that although the games may be very different the outcome remains so tragically familiar for the districts involved.

"A dreadful fate, you'll suffer all the same"

I

I

I


A/N Hello Vesine here.

A somewhat different authors note this time as I feel I should explain myself.

This fanfiction is not going to become a "song fic" in the worst sense of the term. I promise now that there will never be an occasion where all three verses of a random indie or popular song will be printed in full during my story and never one susceptible to copyright.( all song lyrics in this fanfiction have been out of copyright for nearly 40 years)

In fact any occurrence of music as happened this chapter is unlikely to occur again unless it can be heavily justified in the context of the story.

(Nursery rhymes are excluded from this exemption due to obvious reasons e.g Wiress)

More likely if music is referenced it will be a casual referencing as was done in chapter 6 to La Forza del destino or a vague allusion to a particular song as in chapter 13. (If anyone didn't guess the song Alexis and Aline was humming it was 'Here comes the sun king' by The Beatles)

On this occasion I angsted to myself over a significant period of time as to whether this idea would work and not feel shove in or unexpected.

I like to hope that it did. While it may seem an unusual choice at first choosing an operetta from the late nineteenth century the casual flippancy with which innocent life and execution is treated in The Mikado as a source of humour and the oddly appropriate lyrics for the hunger games (I didn't change a single word!) helped to justify myself in this choice as examples:

I volunteer to quit this sphere

Lord high executioner

Let the punishment fit the crime

And pretty much the entire last five song lyric lines I used near the end which in the context of the first quarter quell seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

The Mikado incidentally is not my favourite Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta that would be Princess Ida.

(If you're going hang on wasn't Ida the female tribute for 2 in Gilbert's games. All of the tributes in the 13th games were in fact named after Gilbert and Sullivan characters with the exception of Gilbert himself.

Who is a reference to W.S Gilbert obviously.

Also Elsie is also named after a character due to her being Jacks ex gf.

Many congratulations if you spotted that Easter egg as it was mainly done for my own amusement. .

Getting back on topic.)

As someone who has grieved a number of relatives myself in recent years I know that music can be utilised in such a way as Sarah does in this chapter even if the method she uses to cope with grief (albeit a very twisted possessive form of grief) is clearly unhealthy overall in many ways though I also hope that this behaviour seems hopefully plausible.

That being said justifying the use of song lyrics is always a difficult decision to make in a fanfiction even if the author feels it is appropriate and well integrated into the story and I hope I've justified myself here.

On the other hand if anyone is interested in further exploring the song fragments used or the particular recording referenced I am happy to say that it is the 1973 Doyle carte recording with John Reed. (Available on YouTube without much searching)

For specific links.

For the song from the first night.

From 0.37 to 0.58 and 2.07 to end watch?v=2qSCx0xIvaA (This whole song has a lot of similarities with Sarah's character arc in how she became first lady as well as how she perceives herself in regards to Capitol society including the parts I didn't explicitly write out.)

For the second night.

From 3.47 to 3.57 watch?v=hSr3pCqs1ns (also elsewhere in that song but the last one is the cleanest example.)

For the third night

From 0.00 to 0.21 watch?v=5p4Jub7cMtM

And for the last occasion and the one I first thought of when I knew the quarter quell would come about due to a terrorist attack caused by Woof (a plan brewing since Mags chapter was written)

From 0.00 to 1.09 watch?v=fwN2l16nWGU

I feel it fortunate however that due to W.S Gilbert's lyrical prowess the impact of the lyrics doesn't particularly need Sullivan's music to have an emotional or intellectual effect al that less pronounced as it would be with Sullivan's music playing in the background.

That being said if you do find the time to read the relevant parts while listening to the links attached I feel it may add a tiny smidgen to the weight of the chapter.

Also if I successfully managed to make Gilbert and Sullivan somewhat creepy twice in this story (Alexis and Aline named for a pair from 'The Sorcerer' remain my proudest creation as a fanfic writer next to my Capitol gang) I will be most pleased.

As always reviews (even to shout at me for song ficism with promises never again to read) favourites and follows are always appreciated.

Beta oh beta where for art thou beta. (This is starting to become a running joke in my author's notes at this point.) Given people are still reading my work I must assume it to be mostly ok despite the occasional typo or misplaced/misused comma.

Thanks for reading once again.

Vesine

P.S It is dissertation crunch time so no promises on a chapter next weekend although I will try. Next chapter is a complex one though so I really can't say for sure.

P.P.S This fanfic will never be a 'submit your own tribute' but on the other hand if you wish to submit your own victim I am quite happy to kill them off if I like them (I promise them at least some development and might even be able to work them into my cannon). As I've already got two so far I am quite happy to have more private submissions messaged to me for review and posible acceptance.