This is a collaboration project between me and some other authors. We all get the same Tributes but we will each have different Arenas, placing, and most likely different victors. They are all under the same name 'Organised Chaos: 27th Hunger Games' so feel free to check the others out!
Our first chapter. I've done this a bit differently because I'll be honest, I hate Reapings and wouldn't enjoy writing them. This is part one because not all of the forms were in when writing this. So they'll be another chapter like this introducing the final Tributes then we get onto Tribute POVs that will take place from the Chariot rides.
Monarch Sparshott, Head Stylist
The room was silent as we sat around the mahogany table, our folders neatly placed in front of us. Nine of us had been gathered, the most integral people to the Hunger Games. Gamemaker Draco Stiletto and his underlings, Interviewer Marcelene Chaplin, and eventually President Vispasian Ginger. Then there was me. Seemingly out of place with my over the top colourful costume and long fingernails that made it difficult to even hold a pen. This hadn't gone unnoticed by the other bigshots in the room who judged me from their velvet red seats.
"And who are you?" Draco finally asked, leaning back in his chair while twirling his pen in his right hand. I made sure to sit up straight to address him.
"Monarch Sparshott-"
"I know who you are, your name was on the email." He sighed. "What are you? Why are you in any way important to the Games?" The rest of the guests looked on with anticipation, all wanting the answer to the question only Draco had been willing to ask.
"I'm a head stylist...I lead the Tributes stylists." Draco gave a nod, his gaze moving from the door he soon hoped the President would enter through and over to me. He looked at my suit made of fake Monarch butterflies and frowned.
"So not very important then-"
"Mr. Stiletto," one of the other Gamemakers, Cordelia whispered. He ignored her, leaning forward with his right arm folded Infront of him.
"I mean no offense of course, just I don't think your expertise are really needed in a meeting about the Tributes. Afterall, it's not even you that chooses the designs of their outfits." I gave a nod at the man's words. I expected there to be pushback when it came to the stylists being included in the inner workings of the Games for the first time. Even more so when the whole idea of so much attention being on how the Tributes were dressed was still confusing to the higher-ups.
"Well, Mr. Stiletto, the President felt it was time the stylists were introduced. Say you have a rebellious Tribute or just someone you don't like. I can instruct my stylist for that District to make sure they are the worst dressed that year. You can have the most glowing personality but a rock is going to struggle to be memorable among a cluster of diamonds. Which means your people will meet less outcry when you make sure they never make it out that Arena.'' Draco gave an understanding knod, once again leaning back in his chair.
"Still-"
"The President!" Saffron called, quickly standing up and flattening out her yellow pencil skirt. The rest of us followed, standing up straight as the President opened the glass door and gave a quick flop of the hands for us to sit down. She gave a quick sigh as one of her Avoxs pulled her fur coat from her shoulders.
"I trust you have already started reading through this year's harvest?" She glanced around the quiet room and looked at the untouched folders In front of us.
"Well, erm, Mrs. Ginger, we thought it was best to wait until you had arrived to...start." the President paused at these words before giving a defeated sigh.
"Of course you all did. Well, let's get to work because I have dinner arrangements that can not be changed." We all nodded as we opened the folders and pulled the first photo and accompanying document out. A beautiful girl with raven hair and artificial purple eyes. I could already see how stunning she'd look in our Capitol garments.
"First up we have Allure Beldam from District One and is Eighteen years old." Draco said, reading off the document. I removed the paperclipped photo and read along.
"Volunteer I assume?" The President said, not reading the document but looking at the photo.
"Yes Ma'am. She comes from old money. Only child who has been spoiled her whole life. Weapon of choice is a rapier that she seems to be decently skilled with. Bad attitude and big ego that could rub the other Careers the wrong way. Not the strongest Career but definitely a potential Victor choice from our side."
The President gave a nod. "Next?"
"Right, next we have Nero Inclulta from District Two-"
"Wait, what about the male from District One?" The President asked, looking through her folder for the missing Tribute. "Not all the forms are here. What is the meaning of this?" She asked Draco.
"Well, erm, there was an issue with processing so we have yet to get all documentation for all of the Tributes by the intended meeting day. So...this is what we have?" The President opened her mouth to say something but quickly composed herself and dismissively waved her hand for Draco to continue. We flipped over to the next Tribute, a strong, attractive male with slicked back red hair, large green eyes and an attractive smirk.
"So, we have Nero Inclulta. Typical Career. Nephew of Victor for the second Hunger Games of the same name. His father died when he was young and his heritage means he has been hailed
as a somewhat God in Two. His grandfather was clearly the reason he was the chosen Volunteer but Nero himself seems unfazed by this. Good leadership capabilities but very laid back and dark humoured which could pose an issue for any uptight allies. Skilled with throwing knives."
"Next we have our District Two female, Nailah Nebit. Eighteen years old with nothing noteworthy within her backstory. Loving family, no broken home or issues. She is more of a stealth hunter, taking out her targets from afar. She's up there as a potential Victor but she suffers from anxiety which could affect how many sponsors she could pull in." The girl was beautiful with her darker skin tone and short cropped black hair. I could see no reason why she would struggle to pull in sponsors even with her issues.
"Wow, his eyes are bloodshot!" Cordelia said, looking at the photo of the next Tribute. The older boy looked exhausted with his worn out eyes behind his thick glasses and overgrown, shaggy brown hair.
"Ah, that's Preji Soultier, the District Three male. He works in a tech factory in Three or at least he did. He is noted to be rather self centred and prone to outbursts-"
"Do you think these could be of the rebellious nature?" The President asked, reading through his document. I noticed his was smaller than the Careers.
"No, although he may place blame on his situation with the Capitol. We can just cut away from him during these moments. For his Allies though, his outbursts could push them away." The president gave a nod, and moved onto the next one, clearly bored.
"His District Partner is interesting. Cheyanne Talor, seventeen. On the surface she seems like a typical girl her age. Loving parents, well liked and taking a liking more to physical activity then the typical Three pastimes. Here is the thing, she found out just before the Reaping that she is in fact adopted. If she is smart, she could use the need to find her birth family to her advantage with the sponsors."
"Do we know who her birth family is?" I asked. Draco shook his head.
"Not anything reliable. Different Districts, the Mayor, everyone that comes forward has a different story. Our best sources say she knows her mother but the father remains unknown." I felt sorry for the girl. It was one thing to find out your life was a lie, that your original parents didn't want you. I couldn't imagine going through that during the Games. Would she even have time to process it? I looked at the red-headed girl and her large grey eyes. Whoever her birth family was, they were sure to be watching the daughter they gave up die or come out victorious. I wondered how they would feel.
"Moving on to Four, we only have one again for the moment but our male is called Anthony Morgan, aged eighteen." I looked at his photo, a tanned, blonde haired beauty with bright green
eyes. "He is a District heartthrob, a flirt. Girls and guys love him alike. However, he is Anti-Capital although the full reason and to what extent is unknown as of yet. He would be a valuable Victor but depending on how deep his hatred lies, we might need to terminate him."
"District Five?" the President asked, pushing on.
"Yes, Connor Merlyn, eighteen. As you can see by his photo, he is muscular so it can be assumed he has some strength behind him. He is a prankster, a good friend, and has a girlfriend back home. Nothing really special that could help him in the Arena. Could be a dark horse depending on how strong he is."
"Mac-ready?" Saffron asked, confused.
"It's pronounced Ma-creedy. But as you can see, our District Six male is R.J. MacCready, sixteen. He comes from a long line of surgeons and was raised in that type of environment. Safe to assume he knows at least basic first aid. Unlikely he will fall to something such as an infection. He is very intelligent. Based off test results from their schools, R.J has proven to be one of the, if not, the smartest Tribute this year. It's just if he has the personality to carry it. He seems a bit of a loner." I looked at the blonde boy with thick glasses. With a little work, he could have the looks of a Victor.
"Our next Tribute is Desiree Redwood from District seven. Seventeen years old. As you can see, very tall at 6ft 5. Headstrong, friendly and strong. Most likely to join the Careers from our Outer Tributes." I was a lover of underdogs so strong Tributes like Des and the Careers didn't impress me much. I always ended up rooting for a weak child from a poor background.
"For District Eight we have Archibald Pell for our male. An early death. He is thirteen. Looks underfed and pale. By all accounts, he seems like a street smart kid, one of the ones who didn't deserve it. I wouldn't get attached." My heart sank, he was the type of Tribute I always wanted to win but Draco was right. Chances are he would be hunted down early. If he did manage to make it to the final few, the chances he would win against whatever Tributes were strong enough to get to that point were slim.
"His District partners' chances are slightly better but not amazing." I looked at the girls photo. She has her black hair cut into a bob and had green eyes. She looked young. "Sixteen, Kjole Schmeichel came from a loving family with a Danish heritage. She isn't very social but she is a goalkeeper in her school's soccer team. I think she will make it out of the first few deaths but i'm not sure we have a Victor on our hands here."
"Please tell me we have both documents for District Nine." Draco looked at the President and shook his head.
"We only have our District Nine male, Emery J Spelt. Genderfluid. Pronouns are Fau and faun. Fau froze at the Reapings and had to be carried on stage, so it's unknown if that is something
that could happen in the Arena. Fau is a street rat, fau place of work is unknown but we have confirmed reports that he is an extrovert, an optimist and a bit of a joker." He flinched before speaking of the next Tribute, knowing that it was another incomplete District.
"For District Ten we have Bess Carver, seventeen. She comes from a family of hard workers and she herself is involved with manual labour. She is a go getter, makes friends quickly and is likeable, She is no doubt strong enough to hold a weapon and she should have no issue finding allies. Possible Victor. Ermm...that's it for District Ten but Eleven is complete." He looked over to President Ginger who just shot daggers at him.
"So erm, our District Eleven male is Colter Spring." He had the most beautiful eyes. A combination of grey and brown. They stood out against his dark skin. "He comes from a dysfunctional family. Very large with seven siblings. As you can tell, he is very strong and is apparently skilled at hand to hand combat." I was never sure why the outer Districts had so many children. Maybe they didn't have contraceptives like us. Then again, the more children, the more future workforce Panem had.
"His District partner is Soleil Kingston, also seventeen. Fun fact, she is engaged, and is due to get married next summer after her final Reaping. Very introverted, shy, and not one for public speaking. Early death if you ask me." it was a shame. She would have been a beautiful bride.
"Next we have an interesting case...Our District Twelve volunteer Morty Sonym, seventeen. His whole family was killed in a house fire, a fire he got scared from." I looked at the sad looking boy, his gaunt features and burn covered face. "He has a missing finger and that's where his interesting background ends. He has no valuable skills, not much of a social magnet. We have strong reports that he takes part in self harm frequently and has attempted suicide. It is safe to assume his heroic act of volunteering is him trying to get himself killed-"
"You can't let him kill himself," the President cut in. "Last thing we want is a large number of children volunteering just to get themselves killed. Make sure something gets to him before he has the chance. Make it painful so children considering following the same path as him are too frightened to ever try and take their life with the Games. Make them fear it more than any death they could inflict on themselves." Draco gave a nod, pulling an ink pen from his coat pocket and scribbled a note on Morty's document. "Is that everyone we have for now?"
"Yes...we will have to call another meeting when the other documents have been processed." The President gave a nod.
"Agreed. How is the Arena coming along, Draco?"
"Very well. The Arena is complete, we just have to finish the mutts."
"Outstanding. Chaplin, I want you to draw up some interview Questions and run them by Draco before anything is finalised, understood?"
"Yes Ma'am." she replied with a smile.
"Sparshott, Draco will send you a list of favoured Tributes and Tributes we would rather didn't make the best first impression. Pass these on to your stylists." I gave a nod.
"Ye-yes Mrs. Ginger."
"Wonderful. If that is everything, I will be heading off." She looked around the room and was met with silence. "Oh thank the Lord for that!"