Welcome to wonderland
Look where you're at
Maddest of hatters
The Cheshire Cat
Magical cabins and lovely white rabbits with clocks
Red Beaumont
The Head Gamemaker, He/Him
(The Capitol)
...
I slip off my sunglasses and slide open the door of my limousine, thanking the driver as I leave. It's just another day in The Capitol as The Head Gamemaker, most would take pleasure in the job, but I loathe it with a passion. It simply means - not good enough to be the President, but skilled enough to run The Capitol while Catalyst sits in her office doing a whole lot of nothing. Catalyst is my wife, of course, but I would never truthfully consider myself her husband.
Vibrations signal a call from my phone as I saunter through the monstrous glass door of The Headquarters, I casually take the phone from the pocket of my formal trousers and answer a call from an unknown number. It's peculiar, not many know the number of The Head Gamemaker and I cannot imagine why people should start to find it now. There is someone other than a Capitolite looking for fame that could be calling me, but I ignore that thought, it would be ignorant of them to do so.
"Mr. Beaumont, sir?" A deep voice sounds into my ear. I recognise it almost immediately and have to hold back my anger as I rush toward my office, avoiding the eyes of the other Gamemakers going about their day. I reach my office and slam the door shut, locking it.
"Do you know how dangerous it is for you to be calling me at this time?" I snap, my face going red with rage.
"I know. It's important, sir." The now timid voice comes from that of a man I had recently sent to get something done for me, it sounds like he failed in doing so.
"Spit it out."
"She escaped. I didn't expect her to be so forceful." My breathing stops and my eyes grow wide. The only emotion I currently feel is that of anger building up inside of me, wanting to burst out. I can't, I must keep myself composed.
"You better hope she didn't see you." I say through gritted teeth and I swiftly hang up the call and drop my phone back into my pocket as a knock comes at the door.
I take a deep breath and place my typical warm smile upon my face before opening the door. President Catalyst Beaumont stares back at me, worry and stress clear upon her beautiful face. She is beautiful, there's no denying that, her hair is dark and wavy and her skin is glowing and soft. She's also very kind, she cares about her citizens, unlike most presidents. Although I value all these things about her, I don't love her the way I say I do, I never have. She is simply a strategy in my way to gain power.
"How are you, dear?" I ask. My mannerisms and emotions are all planned out to be exactly what she envisions in the perfect man. It's almost second nature to me after putting up with it for seven years.
"Terrible." She sighs, wrapping her arms around me and resting her head against my shoulder. "Kathryn Mallerd was attacked last night. It's just like what happened to Pluto, except, Kathryn was able to get away." Pluto Rose had won the 22nd Hunger Games and disappeared just a few months after, nobody knows what happened to her. Well, actually, I do.
"The Peacekeepers will sort it out, I bet they're already planning extra protection." My tone is hopeful as I say this but, inside, I'm furious by the fact Kathryn was unsuccessfully captured. It just means more waiting. I don't think I can wait much longer.
Catalyst nods and smiles up at me. "You know you're perfect?" She whispers. If only she knew what was hidden behind the filter I wear when she is around, she'll find out someday, and it will break her heart.
"I just do as every husband should." I stroke her hair as she embraces me. "I've got a meeting with the other Gamemakers. We have to discuss arena ideas."
"Okay." She sighs, pulling away from me. "I'll see you at home." I nod firmly and she smiles one last time before walking out the door.
I follow her out a few minutes later, a stack of papers in my hands, and make my way toward the consultation room.
A/N: Okay, I'm not extremely happy with this chapter but I really wanted to get both the prologues out. I've tried to write it a couple times and I just couldn't find a way I liked but I think this was the best outcome. I hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about Red and about the subplot that will hopefully continue along my SYOTs. Now that intros are beginning, please try and get your reserved tributes in!
- Neb
