Chapter THREE
The newly appointed Trials Master straightened his bright yellow tie before smoothing down his lime coloured, single breasted suit. A small pat on his pocket revealed a comforting clang. Taking a measured breath, he smiled sadly and remembered the moment when his older sister gifted him the small, quartz keychain on her deathbed. Ever since that day, he had kept it almost as a sort of lucky charm. Although he was not a superstitious man, it certainly provided him with a special kind of confidence – an edge – which had helped him through some tough times, and gotten him to where he was today. The opportunity given to him was one of which the Master was absolutely intending to make the most. Parnosa, a nation forever in Panem's shadow, was given a chance to finally assuage the debt they had racked up over the years. Not only that, but they could use the Venatori Trials as a means of much needed revenue. It was no secret that Parnosa's economy was in shambles. Panem was all but gifting an arena to them in return for their services; an arena offering many, many glorious possibilities, and he was going to explore them all. This could be the breakthrough everyone has been waiting for, including his own self. He had to fight hard not to see himself earning millions with a pretty lady on his arm whenever he closed his eyes. He knew composure was key, along with a keen eye and creative mind. The Trial Master had analysed as many Hunger Games as possible, so as to glean what to do and not do. It was clear that the real objective of the Trials would have to be kept under wraps; telling contestants that were lives were at stake was certainly not the way to go. He had decided that instead, he would advertise the whole affair as an opportunity for winners to visit the great nation of Panem, and meet previous Hunger Games victors. Maybe even throw in something about a nice sum of money. There couldn't be a better incentive than that. Yes, this would be a perfect way to get participants to give it their all, and provide good TV for Parnosians. It had taken him all but an afternoon to decide on what the Trials should be called. Seeing as the winners would essentially be hunting down and assassinating people for President Snow, the term Venatori seemed particularly fitting. His thoughts were interrupted by a short cough.
'Sir, the contestants have arrived.'
'Perfect, thank you.'
Following one last look at his rather flashy reflection, he stepped out of his office and made his way to the common room. Many entertaining conversations would soon take place in this very building, and he simply could not wait to oversee it all. The Trials Master basked silently in his own personal sense of glory which the Venatori Trials had arisen in him. Having gone through all 30 of the participants' files, he already knew that the first ever set of Trials were going to be sensational. They made up a wonderful mix of delinquents, trained athletes and average joes, and will be deliberately played off one another so as to give rise to a phenomenal show. Of course, he could not lose sight of the primary goal, but he fully intended to make the most of it all. If handled well, The Venatori Trials could become even bigger than Panem's Hunger Games. Stifling a small, prematurely triumphant smile, the Trials Master began to descend the big, ebony stairs and stopped a few steps before its end. Before him stood a myriad of bodies. His 30, precious contestants. 30, soon to be Parnosa sweethearts, and out of those, only ten or less would make it past the Trials alive. Projecting the largest smile he could muster, the Master prepared to address the small crowd.
'Welcome all, to the first Venatori Trials!'