Sapphira Starlett - District 1 Female - Age 17

"And remember," Sapphira smiled at the crowd, "Be a star and vote Sapphira!"

Sapphira hopped off the stage to thunderous applause at "Blitz," District 1's premier steakhouse and concert venue and into the arms of her adoring and loving father Saffron.

"I'm so proud of you sweetie!" He clapped, "Surely you've got this nomination in the bag!"

"It's all because of you daddy," Sapphira exclaimed, "Thank you for booking this venue for my final rally. It's absolutely ravishing."

"I appreciate the compliments," He said, "I'm so pleased I can give you this opportunity."

"Oh! It's going to be the best time ever!"

"Well if you're happy, then so am I!"

Sapphira never thought she'd be a tribute in the Hunger Games until the twist was announced. If she had wanted to be a tribute her family could have easily sent her to the training academy so she could volunteer, but she didn't want that at first. Technically, anybody could volunteer, but the Quell was different. If she were to be reaped it would be because her District personally chose her, and that was such a prestigious honor, Sapphira would be a buffoon to not go for it and Sapphira is not a buffoon. So, she asked her father if he would send her to the training facility and obviously he complied because there's no point in entering the Hunger Games on purpose if you're not going to win. Training was hard, but Sapphira knew it would all be worth it when she saw her name in lights on her Victory Tour after winning the 25th Hunger Games. Another reason Sapphira's father was so keen on allowing her to train was because it gave her something to do instead of her typical activities. It's not that Sapphira was depressed, but rather the only reason she wasn't was due to her constant pursual of sex and drugs. Pining for stardom was also a popular topic in Sapphira's brain as she wished more than anything to be on a movie screen. Her mother was often busy so she would put on old movies which led to Sapphira adopting the personality and poise of the movie stars she adored. The sex and drugs put a damper on her reputation, but winning the Hunger Games would allow her to have the film career she so deeply desired.

"I appreciate you showing up, darling," She said to her friend Giselle at her post-rally reception, "It means more than you know."

Giselle was the most popular and hottest girl her age in all of District 1 and securing her vote would mean the nomination was hers.

"I had a splendid time!" Giselle exclaimed, "Your speech was phenomenal."

"Why thank you dear!"

Yeah, Sapphira could count on Giselle to vote for her. She was fairly uncertain before the rally, as Giselle can be unpredictable at times, but Sapphira was confident she'd stand her ground this time.

"Oh and by the way," Giselle said, "You look absolutely ravishing!"

"So do you, darling!" Sapphira commented, "That eyeliner you've got on is to die for."

Giselle and Sapphira had always had an odd sort of chemistry. They woke up hungover in the same bed on multiple occasions but they never really spoke about it.

"I'll definitely be voting for you," Giselle smiled.

"I appreciate it, love."

Sapphira went on to mingle with the other party guests, one of which was Brycen Rosenthal District 1's undisputed male tribute. He was just as much of a star as she was, and she was ecstatic to take the Capitol by storm with him.

"So Brycen," Sapphira tapped his arm, causing him to nearly spill his drink, "Did you have fun tonight?"

"I had a blast Sapphira." He sighed, "But I don't know why you're being so dramatic with all this campaigning. I don't think any other girl wants to be elected."

He was right, but to Sapphira, simply assuming she'd get the vote was no fun.

"Oh lighten up darling!" Sapphira laughed, "What's life without a bit of drama."

"I guess you make a point."

"Are you excited to go to the Capitol with me?"

"Trust me I'm thrilled."

Sapphira was used to Brycen being so stoic. She'd be wildly offended if she wasn't so familiar with him by now. She knew he meant well and probably was actually excited, though he was probably more than willing to kill her when the time came. Besides, the boy was so fine, she couldn't blame him for being so self-obsessed.

For once, Sapphira arrived home at a reasonable time, and only had one drink, because she wanted to get as much beauty rest as possible before the reaping. She woke up with the sun beaming down on her face through her curtains and she knew right away that it would be the start of something fantastic. She obviously had to dress her best, which meant her fanciest red gown with a beautiful matching headpiece, along with a matching ring which she planned to take in the arena with her for good luck.

"So, how do I look daddy?" She said as she walked down the stairs of the Starlett family Mansion.

"So beautiful!" He exclaimed.

"And mommy?"

Her mother looked up from the computer she had been typing on for work, "So stunning, dear. I mean it"

Sapphira's mother was often busy at work, but even she couldn't hide her excitement for her daughter's brilliant look.

Sapphira took her time as she ventured to the town square to vote for her. She spoke to everybody who's path she crossed, reminding them to vote for her.

"Be a star and vote Sapphrina!" was something she said at least twenty times before arriving at the town square where she voted for herself obviously and Brycen. She sat down at the bench next to Giselle who said she had voted for her.

"I hope you're not the only one!" Sapphira laughed, "This is going to be the best day ever."

Brycen Rosenthal - District 1 Male - Age 18

"I don't know why you're still here" Victoria Mercedes, Victor of the 23rd Hunger Games, approached Brycen at the archery station of the District 1 Training Academy.

"Victoria." He said, stern in tone, "The reapings are in two days. I need to be ready."

"Well technically the reapings are tomorrow!"

"What time is it then?"

"It's 2 in the morning."

"Well then why are you still here?"

"I can't leave until you do."

"Ah. Well I'm so sorry." Brycen sighed, "I'll be out in a minute then."

Brycen really wasn't sorry. He had to be his best before the reapings, even though his election was inevitable. Victoria had been training Brycen, as well as the rest of District 1's hopefuls ever since her victory two years ago, and theoretically she'd train him further when they arrived at the Capitol. But, Brycen had heard rumours that she was more interested in socializing with the other Victors, but he couldn't complain since he surely had more experience than most of the other tributes, not that he needed experience. Brycen had always been known to be a "lucky piece of shit" and while he neglected to refer to himself as shit, he definitely was lucky. If life were a ballroom, he and Lady Luck herself would be in the middle of the dancefloor, doing the tango for eternity. Brycen was even born lucky. Just look at him! Being attractive shouldn't be a personality trait, but anybody who looks like Brycen with his crystalizing green eyes and jawline that could inflict pain, it would be weird to not talk about it whenever given the opportunity.

Looking good was only the basis of Brycen's incredible luck, and it often helped him in his endeavours. He could wink at somebody with so much charm, they would have no choice but to do what he wished. He was able to convince the mayor's bodyguard to let him into parties, and he got a bull's eye with the first arrow he shot. He had slept with over a dozen people, both men and women, he was too attractive to have a preference, and those he hadn't slept with, wished he had. There simply wasn't a known thing that Brycen couldn't do, so naturally winning the Hunger Games was his next step. Ever since he was 8-years-old and saw Olive Hudson from District 10 charm the mutts into submission, he knew a victory for him was not only possible, but extremely plausible. He believes nobody is perfect, but he knows damn well that he is close.

When Brycen woke up and it was officially the day before the reaping, he unfortunately could not train, as the gym was closed, but he could do one of his favorite hobbies, walking around District 1 and advertising himself.

"You're going to vote for me, right." He said to a girl who couldn't be older than 15 that he saw by the marketplace.

"Of course Brycen!" She blushed.

"Good." He smirked, "I appreciate the support."

Brycen didn't need to campaign, and for the most time he didn't, but hearing people commit to voting for him was extremely satisfying and amazing for his ego.

"Brycen!" A young boy ran up to him as he ate a sandwich for lunch on a park bench.

"Yes?"

"I'm totally voting for you!"

"Thank you sir! I appreciate it!"

Those interactions were typical.

After a good three hours of gloating, Brycen decided he might as well attend the rally Sapphira Starlett, a girl from District 1 was hosting in order to convince people to vote for her. She'd had many of these rallies, and Brycen found it endearing that she was under the impression she thought people would vote for anybody but her. She wasn't as popular as he was, but she was definitely the ideal tribute, and he thought they would compliment each other well.

He wore black slacks and a slightly unbuttoned white shirt to the rally, and Sapphira was particularly excited when she saw him.

"Brycen! You came!"

"Why wouldn't I?"

She blushed. He wasn't sure if he had feelings for her, but he wouldn't be surprised if she did, since most people did. The rally was wildly entertaining. She started with a shockingly well-written speech about why people should vote for her, but by the end of the event, Sapphira had broken out into a dance routine to a rock and roll remix of Panem's national anthem.

Gem of Panem

Mighty city

Through the ages you shine anew

We humbly kneel

To your ideal

And pledge our love to you

Gem of Panem

Heart of Justice

Wisdom crowns your marble brow

You give us light

You reunite

To you we make our vow

Gem of Panem

Seat of power

Strength in peacetime, shield in strife

Protect our land

With armoured hand

Our Capitol

Our life

The national anthem was fairly odd, but somehow it worked as a rock song, and seeing Sapphira's version of "dancing" was laughable but enjoyable. He stayed a bit after for the reception, but decided to go home in order to get enough sleep before the reaping.

He awoke to his parents who were already dressed to go to the reaping.

"Well," Brycen's mother said, "Today's the big day! Are you excited?"

"I guess."

"Why so unenthusiastic?"

"The reapings are one thing, but the actual games are more important."

"I suppose you make a point." His father said.

He did. The reapings were nothing but the launchpad to his future victory. Brycen arrived at the town square early enough to get a nice look at those around him before casting his votes for himself and Sapphira. He wished he could sit next to a friend before the reaping, but honestly, Brycen didn't have any. While the world did favor him, most people were too afraid to get to know him on a personal level so he mainly had acquaintances.

"Here goes nothing!" He said to himself as he saw the District 1 escort take the stage.

Victoria Mercedes - District 1 Mentor

Honestly, being a mentor was hard for Victoria. She knew all the tributes on a somewhat personal level, either from training them at the gym, or because they were basically her same age. It was odd for her to be in a position above them, but she did what she could. Training the tributes at the gym was one thing, but at the Capitol, she felt pressured to make a good impression, or else she'd be forced to do what Diana did. She understands that Diana enjoys being an adult film star, but it certainly wasn't Victoria's cup of tea, though Diana herself certainly was. Sexuality being fluid was common in the Capitol, and Victoria was happy to adopt that in her personal life after she won. Sex was fun honestly, and Victoria would be a fool to deny it. She almost died and she had every right to live her life to the fullest as a celebration of her survival.

This year's tributes seemed as though they would be fun. In fact, she knew they would be fun since she personally worked with the both of them. Sapphira was a bit of a diva, but she was definitely entertaining and that went a long way in a death competition. Brycen was a bit of a hardass, but he was definitely talented and a strong fighter. She wouldn't be surprised if either of them won to be honest, and she probably wouldn't have to do much work in order to make it happen.

Sapphira Starlett - District 1 Female

"We're going to miss you daughter dearest!" Sapphira's father said in the train station.

"You are an amazing girl!" Her mother echoed.

"Oh thank you so much darlings!" Saphira exclaimed, "I am so ecstatic to make you guys proud!"

"And we know you will!" Her father said.

Sapphira was fairly confident she could win, hence her deciding to enter the games, but she was still nervous, but at least it meant she was partially human.

"Even if you don't win, you'll always be our daughter!" Her mom said.

That was an odd comment because if she didn't win she'd be dead, but Sapphira took it as a compliment because that was all that she could do.

"I appreciate mommy!" She said, "And I appreciate you and daddy so much!"

They both gave her a hug. She wasn't necessarily sure if she would miss them as people, but she would definitely miss the support they gave her.

Brycen Rosenthal - District 1 Male

Brycen's parents didn't say much in the train station. There was no point in wishing him luck since he already had it in dozens and that was the sole purpose of the visits. They didn't care about his personality enough to miss him as a person, but they definitely would miss the opportunities he provided them with his charm. If he died, which he wouldn't, they would be able to get over it eventually. They did give him a lucky handkerchief which he appreciated, but that was all they could offer him that was slightly substantial.

Thank you for reading Chapter 12! Only one Chapter Remains! Thanks to Ripple 237 for Sapphira and The Paradigm of Writing for Brycen. They were so much fun to write! Please remember to review this and every chapter.

OH! And I made a discord server for this story and it's planned sequels so join if you would like. The link is: discord. gg / qRUvbUr but you gotta delete the spaces! I hope to see everybody there.