-Diesel Bundren: co-Head Gamemaker-

I sit alone in my room, cleaning out my box of memories from when I served as a Peacekeeper. All the letters exchanged with my sister, the few I got from Santana, and even the letter I got from Ike, her little brother. All the pictures Mary Catherine sent me of Viridian Turner's ass… I suppose now that I'm set to be married I should pitch them.

Not that I'm going to be a faithful husband, of course. I'm not letting this whole getting married to a prude shit put a leash on my sexuality. Not a chance in hell.

Suddenly, I get a video call coming in from my mother. Sighing quietly (dammit), I receive the call. Sharon's ugly-ass face appears on my computer screen. "Hello Brian," she says, her accent strong and thick.

"Brian's my middle name," I say matter-of-factly. "My name is Diesel, remember Sharon?"

"That's no way to talk to your mother! she says, scowling. "Your middle name is so much better anyways."

"'F ya didn't want a child with a goddamn bum name, ya shouldn'ta married a goddamn bum!" I inform her.

"For the last time, your father is not a bum."

Try telling that to his drinking buddies. "Then Diesel is not a bummy name!"

She sighs. "I'm sorry, it just sounds like you're from District 3 or 5 of god-forbid, 6. Disgusting."

"Guess what Sharon? I don't give a damn. So why are you calling me? I'm very busy." Busy getting off to girls with big breasts and the thought of a whiny, moaning Viridian Turner, but still very very busy.

"I know you must be busy, but I am quite proud of my Head Gamemaker son, but please keep in mind that you also have a wedding in three weeks to prepare for. I assume you're dieting yourself?"

"Sure, sure." I really am tempted to just put the bitch on mute. This is all she wanted for me. If it were up to me, I would never be tied down, ever, especially not to the likes of a prude like Santana. She'll probably expect me to actually clean up after myself, sleep in the same bed as her, pull my weight, blah blah blah. Unlike her, I have no problem advertising myself and getting out there. After all, I'm in the pinnacle of my fame, aren't I? Affairs are nothing but extra fun. But hey, I'm honest at least.

She goes on and on and I just tune her out until she tsks and says "Good night."

I really hate Sharon.

I get another call not much later, one unexpected but very welcome.

"Hi Diesel."

"Viridian. How're ya doin'?"

"Fine." He holds his fluffy white cat on his lap, stroking her gently. "Vienna said that the reapings are soon."

"That's right, buddy."

"She's going to be gone then. You're going to be gone."

"Mhm. We're all gonna be hard at work." He sighs.

My, hehe, friend Viridian Turner. His sister is an escort. Viridian himself, though, is autistic but a musical genius. He sleeps around more than you'd expect, though, and since forever my vow has been to get him in my bed. I can check Vienna off the list, and Santana (haha, the next morning she punched me in the nose and Ike was spluttering and swearing). Even old Ross couldn't say no after enough persisting.

"And your wedding. With Santana."

"Yup, that's right. Pretty soon I'll be a husband. Santana will be Mrs. Santana Bundren." I can't help but laugh at that thought. It's just so fucking funny. Santana hates me and she has to marry me. The prude's going to be miserable, but she'll always be there to be in my bed if I crap out.

"Vienna's talked a lot about it. Since you announced it."

"I had to get her this expensive-ass ring. That's money that could've been much better spent on… Well, me." I sigh.

"Of course." He sighs, sitting back. "How's your sister?"

"Katie? She's fine." I'm the only one allowed to call my sister Katie. Everyone else calls her Mary Catherine (obviously, Sharon named her. The only reason I started calling Mary Catherine Katie was because Sharon talked about how much she loved the name Mary Catherine).

"Yes, Mary Catherine. Diesel, tell me. Has she been… Seeing anyone?"

"Not since Padme was born." Yeah, my sister got preggers and had a kid, a little girl she named Padme Brian (blech). The little girl's 9 now, and she's my main consultant when it comes to Arena-making.

"Has she talked about me at all?" No way. She's head-over-heals in love with Viridian's sister. Confusing, isn't it? I'm glad I can never be held down by the shackles of love. I pity fools that fall in love, really.

"A little bit," I say, not wanting to tell the truth.

"I want to ask her to go out on a date with me." He says it so calmly. Something feels off in me.

"Oh. Yeah, maybe… I don't know what she'll say, I don't know. I'm very busy, though, so I'm afraid I have to go. Good night, Viridian."

"Night Diesel. Good luck. I'll be here supporting you and Mary Catherine and Vienna." I hang up the call.

I continue to go through my relics of serving in District 12. The funny jar they used as a glass, some weird antiques they had at the shop, a liquor bottle… And, of course, the more permanent souvenirs I got from the sexy tattoo artist District 12 has. Kasparek, I think his name is. Dennis Kasparek. Great artist, and I could just watch him for hours. Something about how he moves, carries himself. Also, a good ass always helps.

I pick up a piece of paper I don't remember, folded up, crinkled, hidden away. I unfold and smooth it out, and my stomach drops because yeah, I do remember what it is.

It was written in a time when I was stupid and afraid of death. It was nothing but being overly sentimental. I don't know why the hell I kept it this long. I crumple it up and put it in the trash where it belongs, but now the words replay in my head.

"I love you. I fucking love you, Viridian Turner. Every move you make, every note you play, every smile (no matter how small), every laugh… I love you.

As soon as I get home, I'm going to tell you. But if I don't, you're going to find out like this. And if that's the case, I'm sorry I wasn't good enough.

Love, Diesel Bundren"

It's all bullshit. Written in a time when I was just confused and had just gotten Dennis to bed and had nobody to lust after. I didn't mean any of it, of course. I can't be tied down, as I already said. I was just not thinking.

I spend some time looking at the Arena, my masterpiece (Santana's job was looking pretty while the real genius did all the work), surely that will cause the tributes a lot of grief. The show is just beginning and it's going to make me the most popular, beloved, famous Head Gamemaker there's ever been. Mm…

I put on some sexy (but easy-to-remove) clothes, and head down to the bar to catch some drunk guy (or girl I suppose…) that'll let me fuck them senseless, painfully, wriggling under me, whining and moaning and begging… Yeah, that sounds like the kind of night I want to have.

I crack my knuckles, ready to be a charming son of a bitch and get someone into my bed.

Everyone's out for reaping day celebration, after all. The Games are about to start soon. Tomorrow night there's going to be a party, and I (and the prude but who cares about the prude?) am the guest of honor.

I'm suddenly stopped by some press interviewing me about my plans. I laugh and regard them all with the upmost stage presence and politeness.

I go to my favorite bar and notice my sister there, drinking and giggling up a storm with Vienna Turner, her best friend. Both of the girls are escorts starting this year and so excited about it.

"Diesel!" Vienna squeals, waving. Mary Catherine bounces. "Big brother!"

"Hey," I say, smiling.

"Diesel," Ross looks up, contacts out, messy hair everywhere.

"What are you doing here?" I ask our Games historian. He keeps records of every Games, of trends, of what was and was not well-accepted… He gives me advice (and the prude, who he actually likes).

"What are you doing here?"

"I agreed to be the designated driver," he says, gesturing to some people who are making out on the other side of the bar.

"Third wheel?" I laugh.

"At least I have "friends," right?"

"I suppose." I get a drink for myself.

"You really shouldn't be drinking."

"One drink isn't going to kill me," I tell him. He sighs, "Fine."

"You submit to your so-called friends a lot, don't you?"

"I don't like to be that kid with no friends. I've always been that kid."

"Yeah." I remember when I talked the kid out of suicide. That was a long time ago, though. I don't even think he remembers it was me.

"Hm." I finish the drink I was given. "Well, good talk, I'm gonna go pick up one of those guys over there that are wasted." I bid Ross farewell and waltz over to a boy with bright red hair who looks like he's lonely and horny.

.

The next evening, swarms around like chickens with their heads cut off, preparing for the reapings that will be happening tomorrow morning.

I stand at the train station, my arm linked with my sister's.

"Are you sure you'll be alright by yourself, Katie?" I ask her.

"Of course." She flips some of the blue and purple hair (she calls it galaxy colored), over her shoulder. "Will you be okay watching Padme?"

"Padme loves her uncle Diesel!" I swish the pastel pink ponytail of my niece, who giggles, pulling on her white, red-brimmed ballcap.

"You be good," Katie says to her daughter, giving her a kiss on the head.

"Bye Mum!" Padme says cheerily, her accent just as thick and strong and Irish as the rest of ours. (Yeah, I don't really know what Irish means. Some culture that died out. But that's why we all have "funny voices" compared to the other Capitolites.)

Mary Catherine gets on the train to go to District 1. I take Padme's hand. "Let's go home. The reapings start early tomorrow."

Her bright blue eyes light up excitedly. "That's right! Will I get to watch it from the control room with you, Uncle Diesel?" She looks so damn hopeful… Damn, I can't say no to her. "Fine. I'm sure the others won't mind." I take the 11-year-old's hand and together we walk back to my place.

A/N: This should hopefully be the last prologue. As soon as I have both 1 male in (he's reserved) I can start with the reapings! There are still LOTS of spots open, for mentors and escorts and for tributes, so please submit!

Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I hope this story will have fairly normal updates! Remember, these points you earn are going to enable you to sponsor tributes when we get to the Games. Also remember that if you want to stockpile/get hundreds of points, read Voices (1st Games), Instinctive Travels (41st Games), and ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH! (36th Games). And if you want lots of fast points, review and answer the chapter question!

Chapter Question: Which characters (if any) stuck out to you this chapter and why?

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dreams and desperation: 26

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We're All Okay: 21

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W. R. Winters: 26

LokiThisIsMadness: 16

soliloquizing: 12

Josephm611: 12

Music Rules The World: 4

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Dreamer: 181

Kate: 193

Jess: 251

magicharity: 163

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Sinfonian Legend: 225

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