Juventia Ruso

Head Gamemaker

Tonight is a wonderful party. Extravagant outfits. Excited guests. All of the Gamemakers are here, along with the stylists, and around fifty of the most important people in the Capitol. There are a few others, as well. One of the other Gamemakers, Corinna Dusk, has been introducing Allora to people outside of the Gamemaking team. It looks like they're having a wonderful time.

"Ms. Ruso, is there anything you can tell me about the arena?" Asks Decius. He's probably hoping for me to tell him something to make his job more interesting. I'm tempted to tell him, but there are rules for a reason.

"Sorry, Flickerman, but my lips must remain sealed. You'll find out soon enough." I tell him.

"Oh, come on, I'm sure there's something you can tell me." He says, and then winks at me. Then he bursts out laughing and catches the attention of Axia, who tells him one of the Gamemakers is telling stories about how last years Hunger Games worked behind the scenes. I thank Axia, and then she leaves with him and I'm left alone. Well, not alone. As alone as you can get in the middle of a party.

"Juventia. We haven't talked in a while." Says someone from behind me. I turn to see Hera.

"Miss Snow, it has been too long, hasn't it." I reply.

"How are things coming along with the planning?"

"I'm sorry, I can barely hear you. It's very loud. Shall we go and find somewhere less crowded, and I'll tell you all about it." I tell her. She nods, and we make our way to a less crowded corner where there aren't many people.

"Well. It's going well. No one's found out who isn't supposed to know."

"That's good. I hope it stays that way."

"Me too. I hope that the people are surprised by what happens. But then again, not everyone is a fan of surprises."

"No, they aren't. Well, I'm sure that the vast majority will enjoy."

I notice a few people hanging around, hoping to hear more about the Games. This area is suspiciously absent of Gamemakers. I take no notice, and glare at them until they leave. Hera laughs.

"You were always good at making people leave you alone. I always wondered how you didn't get lonely."

I glare at her, which only makes her laugh more.

"Maybe I prefer my own company." I reply, hoping she'll leave that particular topic.

"Suit yourself, Juventia. If you want to spend your whole time planning the Hunger Games, then I won't stop you." So we're definitely talking about the Games now, which is good, because there are definitely people noticing that we've disappeared into a corner together. "Shall we go and get a drink?"

We've barely been gone, but people here notice more than some would think. Titus, now mildly inebriated, welcomes me back. I notice that he and Kinnick appear to be joking with each other. For once, it's actually fun to see them being friendly with each other and not debating which weapons we should put in the Cornucopia this year. By this point, we don't have much to do apart from watching the tributes, until after we see their private sessions.

"So, what can you tell me about how things are going so far?" Hera asks.

"You know I can't tell you that much. It'll ruin the surprise!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Miss Snow. I can't discuss the Hunger Games with someone who is not on the Gamemaking team."

"Ah, well. I suppose I'll see soon enough." Hera says. And then she walks off to talk with somebody else. I turn back to the other Gamemaker, and decide that, well, it's a party. I may as well enjoy myself.

I find myself listening to Allora talk about her time as a student. Apparently as a teenager, she and a friend bonded over the fact they had parents who were Gamemakers. Her friend Voula's mother was Bryony Avienus. I didn't know she had a daughter. She retired after the 80th Hunger Games. Avienus would get them good seats at the interviews, and then Allora and her friends would sneak out to see them. I assume that she's lying about her parents not letting her go, and therefore making her sneak out. I don't think Maelia would do that.

But it's fun. I don't think I've had this much fun in... I don't know how long. Maybe we should do this more often.

"So, how many years did you do this?" I ask her.

"Well, it was always me, Volusia, and Myron for five years, but Voula and Lucius came twice and Stelios came once." Allora replies. It's so...odd. For a second I find it crazy that someone so young can be excited about organising so much violence. And then I realise that that is stupid to think that. I was like that when I was her age.

I decide to think about something else.

So for the rest of the evening, I listen to stories, smile, laugh, and socialise. I forgot that socialising is actually interesting. It's not something I find myself doing particularly often. Maybe I'll make an effort after this year's Games, when I have more free time. And I could lighten up with Orithya. I'm going to be too busy to keep worrying about her so much, and she's fifteen. Maybe when she's sixteen, seventeen. Not quite yet. By next year's Games everything will have changed, so I'll cross that bridge when I get there. But partying more should be easy to do. More Gamemaker celebrations maybe?

I think I should go home. Maybe. Or maybe I should stay here a little longer? Should I do that? I don't know.

I think I'll stay.

I don't have anything else to do, and right now what Orithya might be doing is not to worry about. She's my daughter. No one in the Capitol would dare to hurt her, I'm sure. And she'd only be hanging out with friends.

I'm sure it will be fine.

The fact that I am now being approached by the President, however, could cause a problem.

Did he see me talking with Hera? No. I was too careful. I'll deal with anything he has to say, I'm sure.

Placus Larcgrove

President of Panem

I wish people would stop wishing me luck with my time as President of Panem. I understand, of course, that people need to do it so that they feel they've done something to help, to reassure themselves. But it's been several weeks, and it's getting tiring, much as I try and tell myself that they just mean well. If only my brain would believe me.

As I look around for any more well-wishers, I notice that there are two people suspiciously absent from the party. Head Gamemaker Ruso and the late president's granddaughter, Hera Snow. They should be at the party. In fact, they were here a few minutes ago, but I can't see them anymore. Odd. Maybe they've just disappeared to talk with some other people, or there was a family emergency for one of them. But it's weird, both of them vanishing at the same time. For a minute I remember Juventia saying the Snow family saying. Maybe that has something to do with it, although neither Hera nor Juventia has ever mentioned that. Oh well. It's probably just coincidence, anyway.

"President Larcgrove, I hear you're going to be working rather closely with the Gamemakers this year. I have to say I'm excited to see if I can see which parts you've influenced." I turn to Ermis, who has appeared from behind me.

"I must say, Mr. Silentstone, that Head Gamemaker Ruso and her team have done almost every part of the planning. I am very busy at the moment." I reply.

"And I'm sure that she's done a very good job. I only hope that she will be able to cheer the Capitol in the absence of their leader."

All of these words to say that he doesn't think I'm a proper leader. Hopefully that will change. I wonder how many other people would think the same as him. And which of them would say it.

"I'm sorry, President Larcgrove, but I must leave for a meeting. We need to examine the reports from the Districts." He says, before leaving. I really must replace him as the nation's Head Peacekeeper. I'll replace him with the one from... Four, I think, and send him off somewhere else. I don't need him spreading uncertainty in the Capitol, not at the moment. And he's not somebody I want around, whereas I can trust Peacekeeper Naevius.

I notice Juventia again, this time chatting with one of the newest Gamemakers. I think I might go and look for Hera.

When I eventually find her, she's in the middle of a conversation with Decius Flickerman. I remember watching the Hunger Games for the first time when his father Caesar used to present the Games. She glares at me, so I decide that I'll talk to her some other time. In private. So now I'm going to go and talk with Juventia.

By this point, she's listening to a story about... I'm not really sure. It doesn't really matter.

"I'm sorry Miss..."

"Stavriades." Replies the girl.

"Stavriades, but could I borrow Ms. Ruso?" I ask.

"Of course, President Larcgrove," Juventia says. "What do you need?"

"Let's find somewhere else to talk." I say. So we walk away from where Miss Stavriades has started talking to another Gamemaker. "Stavriades, she said her name was?"

"Allora. And yes, before you ask, she is Maelia Stavriades's daughter."

"Ah. I bet she shows great promise."

"She does. Although I assume you didn't ask me to hide in a corner and talk to you about my newest employee."

"No, I didn't. Ms. Ruso, how much was President Snow involved in planning the Hunger Games?" I ask. As soon as I say it, I know I've done something stupid. Why did I ask that?

"If you're wondering if your contribution is normal, then you must remember that this is not a normal year. We have talked about this before, I'm sure."

"No. I'm just wondering... I was just thinking that maybe the Capitol might have an odd reaction if things change drastically."

She fixes her eyes on me in an icy glare. "Trust me, President Larcgrove, you don't have enough influence on the project to change it that much." It's obvious she wants this conversation to end.

"Ah, of course, it's just-"

"I'm sorry, but if that was all you wanted to ask, then I'll be going." I understand what she's saying: this conversation is over. And before I can stop her, she leaves. Well that went well, didn't it? I'll have to talk to her again some other time. After I talk to Hera. I just can't shake the feeling that something is...off. Odd. Something isn't right, and I need to find out more.

And here we are, at the end of another chapter. The next chapter should be out early-mid January 2022. And wow, it's been over a year since I started this fic. Thanks to everyone who's read this far, and especially to those who review each time. Happy New Year, and I'll see you all in 2022.