AN: 'Kay guys, first things first. I know about QUITE A FEW OF YOU who follow/favourite/alert this story who haven't even bothered to send in ANY tributes. And that's pretty annoying. I have 6/24 tributes so far, so I'm just goig to have to stop writing the story if you guys don't send in any tributes. But if I get at least 4 tributes by tomorrow at 6:00 pm, there will be 2 chapters posted by tomorrow at 10:00 pm. Thru review or PM, whatever suits you. I only have 1 boy so far, and no Bloodbaths. So that means you don't even have to write a very long submission, cuz SOMEONE needs send in Bloodbaths. Deadline for tributes has been extended to Tuesday May 17. Maximum 4 tributes per person. GET A MOVE ON PEOPLE!
Peeta POV
We walk into a big conference room. At the side, there are tables filled with refreshments. They surround an oval table in the middle. President Paylor sits at the head of it. She motions Katniss to sit at the other head. Around the table sit all the surviving victors; Annie, Johanna, Beetee, Haymitch and Enobaria. As soon as Katniss and I are seated, Paylor begins.
"You are here today because we are planning a Capitol Hunger Games, as I am sure you know, since you are the ones who voted for it to happen. Since you are the only survivors of past Games, we want you to become the Gamemakers. Since Caesar Flickerman is in jail for assisting the Games, along with Claudius Templesmith, we will need someone to do their jobs. I think one person would suffice for both of them, they are not very demanding. Peeta, I was thinking you could, if you wanted, since you have such a jovial personality..." She stops and takes a breath. She seems stressed. I guess that's what happens, rebuilding a nation torn apart by war, trying to keep both former Capitolites and District people happy. I can see why President Snow started the Games, he must have decided that he would not be able to take another uprising, so the best thing he could think of was the Games. Stupid man, he should have known that if he kept them going annually for 75 years there would most certainly be another uprising.
"So?" I jerk, realising she's talking to me. "Oh, yes of course! I always loved the interviews with Caesar, I love talking, yes of course!" Katniss smiles at me. "And he's so easy with other people, like Caesar, I don't know how he does it. I get hostile and clam up. He's gifted, truly." She says in her low, clear, beautiful voice. "I'm not that good!" I laugh. "Good, good," Paylor says breathlessly. "Well, anyways, what do you guys think so far?"
"I'm all in!" Johanna lets out, not surprising anyone. "Give 'em a taste of their own medicine, put them all in the fucking arena!" "And you, Enobaria?" Continues Paylor, quickly stopping Johanna. "I don't think they should be allowed sponsors, make it hard for them." "Good idea!" Paylor says heartily. "Beetee?" "I still don't think these Games are a good idea," he says wearily. "But I was outvoted, so..." Haymitch steps in. "I agree with Johanna and Enobaria so far, but what are we going to do about mentors?" "Good point," Paylor agrees. "I think that, since there are no sponsors, they don't really need them. They can each have an escort, and the day before the interview they can have the four hours content, four hours presentation deal with one of you guys, me, or, well, we'll figure out who else later. And after training one day, one of you guys will go over Games strategies with them, private session strategies, things like that." "Of course they'll already know all the strategies, having watched the Games since they were little brats.." Spits out Johanna. "Yes, well, they never though they would have to compete in the Games, so cut them some slack." Paylor reminds her.
Paylor moves on around the table, asking Annie next. "So, Annie, what do you think of the Capitol Hunger Games?" Annie has been fine so far, but as soon as she hears the words, "Hunger Games" she lets out a little scream and buries herself in Johanna's lap. Johanna looks down, looking disgusted, but shows a side of herself that I have almost never seen before. "It's gonna be okay, Annie, calm down, come on, everything's okay, we'll protect you, we're here for you..." She says patting Annie's hair. Looking up, she sees me and glares at me. "What is it, Lover Boy?" She snaps.
After Katniss and I have shared our feelings, Paylor stands up. "Ok guys, thanks for your time. I'll write down what we said today. Next meeting is Tuesday, 4:00 pm. Don't be late." With that she turns and walks out the door.
Katniss and I walk Annie home. She lives just a floor under us. After the rebellion Paylor built "Victor's Quarters," an apartment building for the victors. We don't have to live here, but it's nice. For about a month each year we visit the rebuilt District 12, which is now a town called Siena, after an old Italian town, to see Katniss's mother. We are thinking of moving there after the Games.
Since Panem was named after panem et circenses, the Ancient Roman saying, we have renamed all the districts after Italian towns and cities. The Capitol is also officially called Rome now, but everyone still calls it the Capitol.
After dropping Annie off, Katnis and I walk back to our apartment. Once the door is locked, Katniss pins me against the wall. "Hey, Lover Boy," she says mischieviously. I kiss her on the lips, hard. She snakes her hand up my shirt, onto the small of my back, holding me close. I run my fingers through her hair. We still haven't broken the kiss. We stay there, holding each other, for way too long. It is our way of dealing with the trauma that we have experienced. Finally, we break apart.
AN: Send in ur tributes else I can't write this story! Remember, if I get at least 4 tributes by 6:00 tomorrow, you got 2 chapters comin' ur way by 10:00 tomorrow! SEND IN TRIBUTES! AND REVIEW THE STORY! I NEED SOME BOYS AND SOME BLOODBATHS!
