Orion Hardbloom, Head Gamemaker

As I stare longingly at the computer screen in front of me, my eyes and brain begin to feel dreary with tiredness and frustration. I rub my forehead in an exhausted pain while the glare from the screen has begun to water my eyes and sting deep into the front of my head. However, I have no choice. I have to get it done or the alternative is losing my job and facing the wrath of the higher ups. They don't care much about excuses or the details of the games, they don't even care that after almost 100 years, ideas for arenas and new surprises have mostly run dry. All they care about is that the people of The Capitol enjoy the show and laugh at the humiliation and bloodshed of the Districts. Their motivations don't bother me in the slightest, nor does the suffering of the children. The only thing that's important to me is that I maintain my status and my job because my job means the security of my family is in place and yes that's all that matters to me.

After President Snow died he was never really replaced by anyone in particular. There was a brutal power struggle and instead for some reason it was agreed that a committee would replace him, I've never really claimed to understand such things. At first there was some secret rejoice, especially amongst the Districts but the committee turned out to be even worse. Anyway, I was never a big one for politics. As long as they're satisfied, I am.

The piles of paper cover what used to be my desk. Every time I move one, another takes its place. I rub my eyes, the screen is now providing the only light in the room. Darkness covers the Capitol around me, except for the glimmer of lights from the people still awake however, outside even those who stay up late have now returned home, leaving an eerie silence.

"No one likes to be out this late it seems," I mutter to myself, finding my attention drifting slowly to the streets of the capitol.

Damn it! I need to stay focused! I must stay up to finish my designs of this year's arena tonight! Otherwise the higher ups will be questioning me tomorrow! Asking where the plan for the arena is this year. This is what happens when you procrastinate Orion, mistakes get made. Although the Games are still a while out, they need to know everything now! They don't seem to understand that creatives don't work like politicians, accountants or investors. We have moments where we explode with ideas and motivation but most of the time we don't operate by a strict schedule! I do need to be prepared though, there is no mistaking that. I need to step it up from our previous Games, which were nearly regarded as a disappointment. Although it did end in the girl from 2 killing the boy from 10 with a pool cue which a lot of people seemed to enjoy. If the final days weren't so tense with combat, they might have been regarded as a failure. And I don't fail. It's going to be a tough job though that's for damn sure. The job of a gamemaker is getting harder as the years go on, it's just not easy to satisfy people with the games anymore… I never thought I would say this but they are getting bored…

I slam my fists on the desk in frustration, grimacing heavily with annoyance until suddenly a grin forms as an idea sparks in my mind. I quickly write it up as the ideas start to flow! Arena designs and mutt designs coincide in my mind and I don't want to lose any of these precious ideas, the way my mind works they often disappear in a flash like a dream after you wake up!

After a long write up, I feel satisfied enough to save my work and turn off my computer. Tomorrow, I'll put my team to work to begin bringing my creations to life. Until then, I need to sleep...desperately…

3 days later

The sound of a knock at my door seems to have only half registered in my lucid state, then a second one startles me awake! Anxiously, my arms fly around the desk sending paper and stationary to the floor!

"Enter!" I call out, trying to sound assertive as if I've been awake for hours!

A young skittish man cracks open the door slowly. I think he is one of the new junior assistant Gamemakers, which at least causes me to relax at his low status.

"Sorry if I'm interrupting sir b...but Dio sent me to report to you on the progress of those mutts you requested in your game plans," he stutters.

I roll my eyes at him, already losing patience. Why does Dio have to be such a lazy assistant? Always sending his incompetent juniors to me.

I gesture forward with my hand, ordering him to deliver the information.

"W-with all due respect sir, I think it would be much better if I show you," he says, recoiling nervously afterwards.

"Very well," I agree.

Standing up, I quickly fix up my tie and follow him outside. After making it into the corridor we take a sharp left until we end up in an elevator. His finger twitches nervously before he presses the button for the lab and all the while we are standing in the elevator together his anxiety around me increases. I can see the sweat pulsating from his forehead and his skin is almost as red as a peach. Do they really not hire people with a spine for these jobs anymore?

The elevator doors slide open and the junior staggers along ahead of me until we reach the labs. We stop in front of the lab door until it clicks open with a buzz after it has scanned his eyes and we enter. I never normally like coming down here since it's the job of the scientists and I am above them after all, of course. Still, it does please me to see my progress every once in a while.

"Sir, your request was very specific and not something that's been done in a very long time," he explains as we move through the labs.

"Can you do it or not?" I demand impatiently.

"We did a bit of digging and the closest we could find was a mutt in the 29th Hunger Games…"

Of course! I remember now, that was one of the most horrifying mutts that has appeared on Panem's screens. The 29th Hunger Games were nice and long ago as well, so only the older generations will remember it.

"Although it's not exactly what you were looking for, our scientists took a sample from it and I believe we will be able to bring your… excellent vision to life," he smiles awkwardly.

"Show me."

He opens the door to reveal on the inside multiple glass tanks bubbling away with subjects inside, with multiple wires attached almost mechanically. They almost cause me to gasp in shock but I just manage to maintain my composure…

"They're perfect," I grin eagerly.

Hey everyone this is Nautics and Team Shadow! We are two writers looking to bring our own unique styles to a hunger games syot! This is a pretty chill story and an AU. We just want you to have some fun so get submitting your tributes! Send us villains, heroes, quirky, eccentric and whatever tributes you want! The tribute submission form is on our profiles, it will not be first come first serve at first but depending on interest that could change. But if you have an interest in a particular spot then let us know and we can put you down as interested. To send a tribute please pm us on here or on discord. No review submissions please.

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon and of course have fun!