A/N: The for-I mean, GONE references are strong in this one. Also, Microsoft word fixed itself! How cool is that? Ily Microsoft word. MWAH. Now, without further ado, I present my LONGEST CHAPTER EVER! YEAAAAAAH!

Marmalade DeFranc, Senior Gamemaker

Everything goes to hell after Richard dismembers that Avox. Pilofa bursts into tears. Pestilence pukes. Mortimer just straight up leaves. And the rest of us tear our hair out and watch in stark terror as peacekeepers rush in to detain him.

Parvati stands up, and her imposing presence causes all of us to fall still as the Peacekeepers drag Rodrick out. "Silence!" She hisses, normally composed face wild with fury. "This will be continued tomorrow." She sneers, whipping out of the room the second her sentence ends, leaving us to fall back into disarray as soon as her heel disappears.

I grab Pilofa's elbow and pull her out of the hodgepodge. Pilofa is an annoying brat, but I can't just leave her to be suffocated by the crowd. I've never seen Pilofa this way before. Scared. Shaking. Vulnerable. She's always so proud. So strong. The fact that the always outspoken Pilofa seems to have shut down scares me far more than Rodrick's bloody murder. Then again, I've never been that fazed by bloodshed. I grew up in the Capitol after all, a place where murder is sexualized, glorified, and used to make a profit via television and the occasional plagiarizing t-shirt.

I hate it.

The Capitol is my home, and it will never stop being my home. But it's ruled by tyrants, tyrants who brainwash and nullify citizens taught to bow to whoever's in charge, no matter what kind of iron fist they rule by. They advertise child murder, they raise taxes to incomprehensible heights, they set ridiculous laws into place so more fat dollars will fall into their greasy hands, they bribe and blackmail and cling to power like spoiled toddlers refusing to release their toys. I despise their insufferable preening and flocking that masks a malevolent demeanor. There's not a speck of good in the government of Panem, even if Panem as a whole is a beautiful place.

Yes, I'm a rebel. No, it's not something I publicly advertise. Why would I? I would be hanged. No, I would be tortured for information, and then just plain tortured. And no, no one suspects. I'm just a harmless, elderly, albeit grumpy senior gamemaker, around only because the gamemakers can't be entirely young blood. The only thing I do that would even cause a single eyebrow to raise is visiting Seven every weekend. I tell all the disbelievers that my extremely elderly mother lives there, and I need to bring her her expensive Capitol medication and watch over her during the weekends.

My mother died ten years ago.

Pilofa swoons and faints rather dramatically. I curse and drag Pilofa along, conflicting emotions warring deep within me. Pilofa would rather die than admit it, but we're kin. Only by marriage, but it definitely counts for something. I'm her aunt. And that means there's no way I can just leave her to wake up confused and alone in my apartment. But the risks of bringing someone like Pilofa to Jaystown is exceptionally high.

But what else can I do?

I make my decision.

Pilofa Silvennoinen is coming with me to Jaystown.

Town of fugitives, outlaws…

And rebels.

Dreemurr Dionades, Head Mutt Creator and Gamemaker

A day later

We've regrouped, no longer scattered puzzle pieces. We are a whole again, and I'm thankful. Without of my fellow gamemakers surrounding me, I am incomplete. Fundamentally flawed. Fundamentally broken.

I believe in Fortuna, the roman goddess of fate and luck. I believe she has led me to discover my talent in mutt creation and suffer for it, as all geniuses must suffer. She has led me to meet the gamemaking community too, and I could not be more greatful to her. I would be nowhere without them. A puzzle piece in the wind.

A shaky voice blares out of the loudspeakers, snapping me out of my thoughts. I quickly vow to make an offering to Fortuna tonight and quickly turn to the loudspeakers as it declares that the Private Sessions would resume with the District 9 Female. I turn my attention to the nine female and absentmindedly grab for my clipboard.

Teryn Gardner is really nothing special. She hits the dummy a few times with her pitchfork. She cuts it a few times, but mostly the prongs just bounce off. Her brow knits and she practically stomps over to the edible plants station and preforms dismally.

Suggested Score: 5

Notes: I shall pray for you, Teryn Gardner, even if you wouldn't make the most exciting victor.

Blair Harcourt has not been blessed by Fortuna- then again, none of the tributes have been. He's a scrawny thing, but manages to smile nervously at us before heading over to the edible plants station, taking the test, receiving a 86.2, and then heading over to the miscellaneous bin to tie a noose from rope. He leaves looking slightly more confident in himself.

Suggested Score: 4

Notes: Have faith.

Crystaille's grin practically eclipses her face as she stumbles in, choppy bangs bouncing on her forehead. She shoots arrows clumsily, but with extreme enthusiasm, and then makes a request of us. We're befuddled, but we grant it.

Two minutes later, we're cheering and clapping as Crystaille holds her own on a bucking bronco simulator.

Suggested Score: 6

Notes: I feel more energized just looking at you.

Richard Sherman is smiling, but quiet, unlike the energized Crystaille before him. His performance is pitiful. He looks troubled, preoccupied.

Suggested Score: 3

Notes: What's on your mind?

Richard's preoccupation bothers me, for reasons I cannot quite explain. But before I can dissect my emotions, Finlay Ardun sweeps in, bold and bouncing. She pulls herself up into the ropes course, the first tribute this year to do so. She practically flies across the room, her small fingers experienced on rough rope. Her clear bird calls bounce off the walls.

Suggested Score: 6

Notes: Every tribute has a nickname so far, except you. Mason is the King of Hearts, Venie is Lady Nightshade, Quinn is Panem's Lightbulb. Perhaps you are to be The Songbird.

Acid bubbles in my throat as Henry limps in, face twisted with anguish, sorrow, and open fear. He is no longer the bubbling boy from the parade. He is utterly broken. I do not see what he does, as I am too confused by the sorrow and rage I feel on his behalf.

Rage at…

Suggested Score: 1

Notes: I wish they hadn't caught you.

Alicia is subdued as well, no doubt wracked by grief over Henry's crippling and loss of chance. She takes the edible plants test and scores the best yet, 93.62. She staggers out of the room.

Suggested Score: 5

Notes: This isn't fair. These people are my family. Not these insignificant tributes. Why do I feel so deeply for them.

I stare at my traitorous words and fall upon them with a savage fury, erasing them until the paper is full of holes and dusted with pink specks. I sigh heavily and pack up, gathering up my papers and things. I turn in my suggested scores to Head Gamemaker Parvati Cipher and walk out.

Every step I take drags.

That afternoon

"Laaaadies and gentlemen! The moment you've all been waiting for! The revealing of the scores! First up, we have District One! I'm sure all the ladies out there will be pleased to know that the King of Hearts has earned a nine! Everyone give it up for Mason Dowry! Next up, we have the, err… unique Chablis Brochetto. Ouuuuch. Unfortunately, Chablis has only earned a two. Well, it could be worse!"

Mason Dowry: A nine. A nine. Those idiots! A blind man can see I deserve an eleven! I DEMIND A RESCORE!

Chablis Brocetto: Perfect. The final touch to my grand façade. My cherry on top. They'll never see me coming.

"Everyone put your hands together for your favorite bad boy, because Taurus Black has earned a ten! Hear that, folks? That's the sound of victory in Taurus's hands! But of course we can't forget the deadly Lady Nightshade, can we? Venie Hadley has earned a nine! Way to go, Belladonna!"

Taurus Black: It isn't enough.

Venie Hadley: Lady Nightshade. What a ridiculous name. And of course I tied Diana. I'd rather have less then her then be tied. Being seen as a ripoff or a copy of Diana would be… problematic.

"Our favorite genius duo from district three is up next! Everyone's favorite shy boy Tesla has earned himself… a one? What? And, uh, Futura has a 10. Okayletsmoveonnowfolks!"

Tesla Lumen: I suppose I should be flattered he's surprised. I knocked out the power. Doesn't that count for something? I wonder what Futura did to get a 10…

Futura Light: Goddammit.

"My, my! Maximus Vulcan has earned himself a 10, tying with Taurus! And it looks like Serena, everyone's favorite girl next door, has earned a 10 too! A little birdie told me Maximus and Serena have a bit of a rivalry. I imagine getting the same score has inflamed it!"

Maximus Vulcan: Damn right, you stupid fool. A ten is a perfectly acceptable score, I'm just pissed because Serena got one too.

Serena Melenese: Elvira will be pleased. Is it bad I still couldn't care less?

"Well well well. The spitfire that is Nyso Torrent has managed to earn a 7! Well done, Nyso! Showed some more respect for the Capitol, did you? Well, good for you! And as for Hesiodia… well, she's earned, well, uh, a two."

Nyso Torrent: I didn't do it for you.

Hesiodia Trince: "WHAT?!"

"The tributes from Six are anything but similar in personality- after all, Quinn's nickname is 'Panem's Lightbulb,' while Preston's is 'Pluto!' But obviously the two have something in common, as they've both scored fives! Good job, Quinnston!"

Preston Oxford: Quinnston?

Quinn Jennings: I can't breathe. I don't think laughing this hard is safe.

"District Seven has an impressive pair this year! Gareth has managed a seven! Way to go! And Heavenly's scored a six! I think I'm safe in saying that the Seven pair have a decent shot at the crown this year!"

Gareth Barkely: Let's hope so.

Heavenly Aquarius: I wouldn't care about being worse if I had some morphling.

"Part of me wonders if Ajax Walker is more deserving of the title "King of Hearts" then Maximus- He's been dazzling Capitol women since Day 1 and apparently he's dazzling the gamemakers too! Ajax has earned an eight! You heard me right, folks! Cajsa's showing is less impressive, but it could be much worse then a 4! So don't feel down, Cajsa fans!"

Ajax Walker: Allllll riiiiiight!

Cajsa Varis: Cajsa fans? What Cajsa fans?

"Uh-oh! It appears the dark horse of these games have earned a 0! Whatever could've happened during the sessions? Maybe Rodrick will give us a hint during his interviews… and Teryn has earned a 5. A 5 is perfectly respectable, but I can't help but admit I thought she had more mettle."

Rodrick Olivier: OneFishTwoFishRedFishBluuuUuuUUUueeeEe

Teryn Gardner: Mettle? I'll show you my mettle, Capitol scum!

"Well shoot the horse and slap me silly. Simple farmgirl Crystaille has earned a six! And Blair has earned a 4! District 10 may not be nothing special, but it's tributes are certainly surpassing our expectations!"

Blair Harcourt: That's so offensive I don't know where to begin.

Crystaille Alexander: A six! I knew cantering would count for something!"

"Richard, Richard, Richard. We know you can do better! A three isn't the worse score, but you're capable of so much more. We're all rooting for you! Prove yourself! And of course, the lovely Finlay has earned a six as we all expected after she revealed her talent in ropes during training. Richard needs to shape up, but Finlay is in great shape!"

Richard Sherman: Every time I close my eyes, Penny is there.

Finlay Ardun: They believed in me?

"And here we have our final district. Unfortunately, it appears Henry has earned a one. Sorry, buddy! Shouldn't you have gotten some cuteness points? And Alicia has earned a 5- an excellent score for someone so small!"

Henry Wade: There's a hole in my foot, idiot. I'm not winning any cuteness points anytime soon.

Alicia Marleen: There should have been something I could have done for him. What does a five matter when my best friend has a hole in his foot?