Hi guy's this is the newest chapter in Campaign! I'm very excited to begin, the first reaping chapter should be up sometime next week. So with the sponsor points I am keeping a record of who has how much, don't worry about that. Yes, Solarrus is intended to come across as a bit of a himbo (he bimbo). I'm going to publish the official tribute list at the end of this chapter, so make sure you read the ending authors note. Thanks jacob1106 for your formatting advice, it is super helpful. Here it is chapter 2, hope I didn't disappoint!
Solarrus Titan – Presidential Candidate
I leave the room as quick as I can, that was not the kind of deal I had expected. Who knew how hard it was to take over presidency? Maybe this is more than I bargained for. If it was only Augustus it would be like taking candy from a toddler, but Coriolanus's granddaughter is a force to be reckoned with, I better watch out for her. She is just like her grandpa.
"What, you're just going to leave! Do you know how hard it was to get into this god damn building? Clearly not! You politicians are all the same!" Hollers a voice from the room. That man has no right to talk to me like that! I'm the future president of this grand nation. Oh, well I better leave it, I have a rally to attend. The people need me!
I open the elevator and hop inside, what was that man thinking anyway? I wanted to get Augustus out of the election not assassinate him! When people advertise liquidation, they surely mean to get rid of, not KILL. I wanted to liquidate his political campaign, not his person!
"Umm… Are you okay sir?" says a voice behind me. I only then realise I've been facing the corner of the elevator. Damnit, this man must think so little of me, better put him in his place!
"HOW DARE YOU ADRESS ME LIKE THAT! If I wasn't okay do you think I would be standing here? Here I was minding my own business and you… NOBODY! Comes along and interrupts my thoughts!" I bellow at him. He looks shocked but he had to know it was coming, he needs to learn to respect his superiors.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, I didn't intend to offend you, I'm new here you see, my name is Emanuel Selwood, nice to meet you." Says the man proffering his hand. The Ego this man has, getting yelled at by me and creating some… dumb remark. I grunt at him and turn away, refusing the hand shake.
The elevator comes to a halt and the doors slide open. This 'Emanuel' guy gestures that I can leave first. Of course I can! As if I was going to wait for this man's permission.
I march out of the elevator and head towards the podium. The whole population of the Capitol are awaiting my presence. I have a speech to make.
I dash by my prep team and get my make-up touched up and my marvellous silver hair combed to the side. "You look splendid Solly, go out there and awe those people!" My assistant knows just how to pep me up before a speech.
I stride up onto the stage and smile dazzlingly to the crowd. They roar, they cheer, they love me!
Emanuel Selwood – Presidential Candidate
I played that man perfectly! These capitolites are really easy to manipulate. I've got him exactly where I want him.
I've only been in the Capitol for a week but already my case has been heard all throughout the place. Streets are lined with pictures of me and my famous motto 'Make Panem Great Again!' Which was unfortunately received by the Snow family as a personal jab to their name, oh well, they're all stuck up idiots.
This city is a place of wonder, skyscrapers everywhere, bright lights and glowing billboards. Growing up in outer districts, no one would know this kind of place could exist. I've been here before of course, being a mentor has its advantages. It's a shame they don't share it, the world would be a better place. That's why I'm here.
Solarrus Titan appears on the stage and somehow pulls off making a would-be extremely tedious speech into an amazingly interesting conversation. Well, don't say he isn't good for something. Apparently Solarrus was a film-maker before he decided to become president. I guess being well known gives you an advantage.
The speech ends and the crowd begins cheering, for some reason I find myself cheering along with them, what the hell. I look to my left and I see a small man with a camera, uh oh, paparazzi, cheering for other candidates successes can't be good for my campaign.
I quickly turn around and start marching out of the courtyard, towards the car I bought while I'm here. When I'm about halfway there a bunch of people with microphones and cameras block my path. Damnit, they've got me.
"Mr. Selwood why were you attending Solarrus's rally?" Far out.
"Emanuel is it true you've been planning on backing Solarrus all along?" What? No.
"Should people be afraid to trust in such a weak man?" Wow, that one's nice.
"Are you still planning on mentoring this year's tributes?" I hadn't put much thought into this, but the more attention the capitol gives me the better, right? If I bring them home, they'll be sure to support my presidency, that'd be a big advantage.
"Did you cheat to win your Hunger Games?" How on earth do you cheat in the hunger games?
"Mr. Selwood is it true you are sleeping with Celestia Snow?" What the actual hell? That lady is a bitch, I'd rather kill myself.
"Sorry guys here is my assistant's number if you want an interview, call him. I say scrawling out some random guy's number, I feel sorry for whoever owns this number, but paparazzi are damn annoying! I push past them, they continue to question me, asking dumb stuff but I manage to make it safely to my car.
There's a note on the dashboard. I pick it up and take off the sealing wax, ooh, it's official:
Dear Emanuel Selwood,
You have been invited to this year's unveiling of the arena at the Gamemaker's hall. If you plan on mentoring District Five's tributes this year, you must not come.
Yours Sincerely, Head Gamemaker, Proteus Baron.
Oh, nice the head Gamemaker thinks I'm worth their time, how flattering. Knowing the arena would show how serious I am about becoming the next president, but mentoring the tributes is an advantage in itself as well. I've never thought of it like that, it's always been an annoying job that had to be done. And it is, preparing children for the imminent slaughter isn't something I should want to do…
What am I becoming?
Proteus Baron - Head Gamemaker
"Gamemakers, are you ready?" I ask, standing on the grand podium of head Gamemaker I have worked so hard to achieve. All the Gamemakers cheer and I look to Augustus for the signal.
He isn't officially president, he is just an interim arrangement during the election to make sure the country doesn't go to shit. He would never become president anyway, the public consider him a stain on Coriolanus's name, he isn't legitimate, and apparently his mother was some whore. Oh well, I'm not going to risk sticking my nose into these matters.
Augustus nods at me and smiles, I press a button on my complex computer and a picture appears on the huge monitor. The Gamemakers stare at it in awe and then realise the true power of this epic arena.
"Ladies and Gentleman, I present to you the arena for the 103rd Annual Hunger Games!" I holler out to the Gamemakers. They cheer in response. They must be proud to work under my glorious control.
I turn to the officials on my right, Augustus Snow, the standing president, Solarrus Titan, an upstart filmmaker who fancied leading Panem, Celestia Snow, the lovely lady of the Capitol, always nice, Dawn Angelica, the previous head Gamemaker with thinning hair, she is also running for president, she smiles at me, I've outdone even her standards. As well as the Vice President and last year's victor - Winchester Stocks from District 10 - who is my assistant head Gamemaker. Emanuel Selwood failed to show up, his loss. They stand in a circle, pondering my new idea.
It truly is amazing, a masterpiece if I do say so myself. One arena, split into twelve completely different sectors, this is sure to revolutionise the complexity of Gamemaking. It really is a work of art.
Celestia approaches me and proffers her hand. "Aaah Proteus, you've outdone yourself, I look forward to this games, pray you don't disappoint," she says. This lady has changed since the last time I met her. She isn't the innocent young girl I went to school with.
"Don't worry Celestia, this year's games will be one to remember," I reply, smiling. She nods and walks off. The rest come up afterwards and shake my hand, say a few kind words and leave. Once they have all gone, I turn to my workers. It's time to start.
"Okay guys! I have chosen this site, 200km north of district eight for the location of this year's games. I want it ready by the end of the month." I command my Gamemakers now that the officials have gone. This is my element, I have waited so long for this moment. Years of planning, manipulating, bribing and deception to get to this point, I will not let my efforts go to waste.
One of the Gamemakers, Ptolemy Fischer, who bought his way in, just like me. Sticks his hand up. "Sir where are the templates?" He asks, this dullard. They are where they always are. I'd be surprised if this guy even knew how to spell his name.
"In the Games folder. Like always, now, to work, I've got an important meeting to attend!" I reply, grasping my folder and switching off the huge monitor.
"Yes sir, sorry sir!" Haha, at least he knows his etiquette.
I head out of the palatial Gamemaker hall and stride towards the exit door. A hovercraft awaits me, prepared to take me to last year's arena, the sight of today's meeting.
If you were wondering, head Gamemaker isn't the peak of my ambition, one day I plan on becoming the leader of this grand nation and I need to be ready to bribe myself into a worthy position. Anyway, everyone has a side job. Selling illegal information on the arena, can't be the worst of them. I don't plan on running for this election. All the candidates are fools, it won't be anyone capable that arises from this and in a few years' time people will realise they need a better leader.
That's where I come in.
I tried to build on Emanuel's character a bit, considering he only had a small bit of attention last chapter. Did it work?
Did you like Solarrus?
What about Proteus?
I hope this chapter was as good as the last one. Did I disappoint?
Are my paragraphs too short?
So here it is, the official tribute list for the 103rd Hunger Games!
D1M - Love J. Harker, 14 (Kate-The-Great-And-Powerful)
D1F - Jessalyn Armani, 18 (IVolunteerAsAuthor)
D2M - Cassius Tractatori, 16 (ohgodwhathaveidone)
D2F - Tatianna Camilla Stone, 18 (Mistycharming)
D3M - Gadge Lotus, 18 (shirapp)
D3F - Ophelia "Lia" White, 16 (EthanW32)
D4M - Amaze Parrigan, 18 (tracelynn)
D4F - Aqua De' Agam, 17 (shirapp)
D5M -Kaine Underwood, 18 (RueThisDay)
D5F - Eliza Lirae, 15 (RueThisDay)
D6M - Heath Lachance, 17 (jacob1106)
D6F - Krysralynna Canti, 16 (Ahungergamesfan07)
D7M - Elmer Cleveland, 16 (tracelynn)
D7F - Gloria Greene, 17 (ThomasHungerGamesFan)
D8M - Cad Silk, 17 (EthanW32)
D8F - Lacy-Paige Rylem, 15 (maddymellark)
D9M - Elion Virchow, 18 (District11-Olive)
D9F - Fern Cherry, 13 (Sally The Lioness)
D10M - Darby Marshall, 17 (IVolunteerAsAuthor)
D10F - Alaska Ascher, 18 (betttyy)
D11M - Cornell, 15 (Buffyrocks401)
D11F - Fiona Lilliane, 17 (z-fun2001)
D12M - Keene Abilio, 18 (z-fun2001)
D12F - Aniseed Rosethorn, 13 (Buffyrocks401)
There you have them, this year's Hunger Games tributes! May the odds be ever in their favour!
Also I am putting a poll up for your favourite presidential candidate so far. Go vote!
Please drop a review!
