VI. BLUEBERRIES

THE CAPITOL

DULSCHE WILDGAZE

Gray hair slicked back in a high ponytail, Dulsche scanned the crowd of chattering Gamemakers. She approached the Gamemaker just a level below her, Aphrodite Phipps, who was hunched over a computer watching the recap of the reapings.

"This year's crop?"

"Extraordinary. Three volunteers from outer districts."

Naturally Dulsche was shocked. "Who?"

Aphrodite gave her superior a sly grin. "Why don't you see for yourself?"

From the moment of Dulsche's birth, the Wildgazes had known the position she'd eventually aspire to. Being only in the working class of the Capitol, the wealthiest part of Panem, Dulsche had achieved her position through pure hard work and lies. Fucking Aphrodite herself was from one of the founding families of the family, and yet Dulsche had managed to steal the position. The Capitol was all about status, and Dulsche was proud to have broken the norm. She'd even risen to become wealthy, and was married with a pair of six-year old twins.

Dulsche took a seat in the rotating chair, starting the video as the District 1 pair were shown.

The boy, Merlot, was certainly unusual. He wore a skirt, and had locks of vibrant red hair, but definitely looked trained from an athletic figure. His district partner Luxana, or Lux, was definitely a force to be reckoned with, and while she looked innocent and sweet while taking her place on the stage, and while looking like the typical District 1 blonde Lux had an air of danger to her.

The district 2 pair didn't look nearly as vibrant and full of energy as their Career counterparts, but the boy, Nero, definitely looked proud of himself and the girl, Hestia, was full of a rich determination so many Career tributes lacked.

At District 3, the girl who was reaped looked shocked, then incredibly angry. Then Dulsche saw the first outer district volunteer Aphrodite had mentioned. The boy looked just as arrogant as most Careers in his brave volunteering moment, and Aphrodite stopped the video.

"That's Tesla Miller, there," Aphrodite narrated, "His family's part of the nobles in District Three, and they're completely pro-Capitol."

Dulsche nodded, but her mind was a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts. If Tesla died in the Games, the Millers could turn anti-Capitol, and to lose some of their biggest supporters would cause Dulsche to lose favor with the Capitolites. And, while the boy was surely trained, there was no way he'd win. The Careers looked particularly vicious this year.

District 4 had two volunteers, like usual. Tempest, the female tribute, was definitely Final Four material, while Angelo looked just as strong. Dulsche distantly remembered Angelo from some sort of murder scandal a few years back.

At District 5 Dulsche got her last two volunteers. The girl, Ayla, was small but determined after volunteering for her older sister (that, to be fair, Dulsche supposed would probably have done better than the fifteen year old given older tributes usually won). The boy, Nico, was a non-Career Career, like Tesla, but seemed a whole lot more pleasant.

The tributes for District 6 were both reaped. The girl, Audelia (not at all to be confused with Ayla, who would mix the two up?) was a bit of a pipsqueak and had no chance of winning. However, the boy was taller and bigger, also looking much tougher, so he definitely wasn't going down quickly.

District 7 brought a mute tribute- Dulsche was pleased to see some diversity in the tributes this year. The boy, Euan, seemed just like a good kid with a normal life, and was totally forgettable in Dulsche's eyes.

District 8 had a deaf tribute. Lyanna took a moment to take the stage, but it was detached from emotion when she did. The male tribute was completely shy and sweet, and Dulsche almost felt a stab of pity. Almost.

District 9 didn't bring much to the table, except for the fact that most of the younger kids looked either angry or upset when the boy, Leon, was called. The girl went by Demeter and would be a sponsor favorite, possessing tons of charm that was visible from even the way she carried herself.

Reyena, the female for 10, looked depressed at being called, but her energy seemed to slightly rekindle eventually. Artemis looked strong, though a small boy that was probably his brother cried out when his name was called.

Deiondra and Bailey from 11 were both pretty mediocre in Dulsche's eyes. Bailey told their escort they were nonbinary though, and she was respectful enough to change their pronouns.

District 12 brought two more mediocre kids. Periwinkle was a merchant girl, evident from blonde hair and a light complexion. Tristan seemed pretty average as well. Both were probably first blood in the Games.

"The question is," Aphrodite began as the recap ended, "What are you going to do with them?"

The arena had already been built, but the twists and mutts had yet to be thrust in. Dulsche brainstormed for a moment, then turned to Aphrodite with a smirk.

"They're an interesting batch, all right," she said slowly. "But what's going to happen to that when all of a sudden they get into the arena and don't even know who's who?"

Aphrodite comprehended exactly what Dulsche was saying. "We'll get to work."

"Good."

A bowl of blueberries rested nearby on Aphrodite's countertop. Dulsche took one, savoring the bitter taste.

This year's Games were sure to be the best yet.

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A/N

This was more of a filler chapter, so obviously it's a bit shorter. The train rides will be out in the next three days, most likely. Please review!