This year's Reapings are officially over!
"That's it. This year's tributes, the stars of the Twenty-Fourth Hunger Games have been chosen! I, Fauna Flowers, am so, so honored to be here to present them to you."
"We're so happy to have you, Fauna. It's nice to be back myself. As always, I'm Silvius Baptiste bringing you the most extraordinary event in the nation, the one, the only Hunger Games! Each year all of Panem celebrates when the Games roll around as they have now for twenty-four years. Can you believe that, Fauna?"
"It's amazing! You've been here for half of those now, Silvius, can you tell us what's changed?"
"Well, the Gamemakers has worked efficiently each year to add new features and twists that keep us on our toes! Last year we were riveted with our second Chariot Ride, introduced in the Twenty-Second Games by the genius Head Gamemaker, Cypress March. Cypress and her team of wonderfully creative Gamemakers, including Archibald Charcelle, Faelin Wethers, Emery Lysme, Solariam Indris and newcomer, Leonardo Deimos. We were able to get some exclusive interviews with these fabulous Gamemakers, who teased us about what to expect this year."
"And in addition to that, we'll be speaking to Hunger Games expert, Niffera Lynn,"
"A few Stylists who will be talking about their designs for their tributes,"
"Last year's winner, Felix Avion from District 2, who will voice his predictions about this years' games and how his life has changed one year later."
"And of course, our own President Phocus!"
"But before any of this, why don't we meet our tributes. Fauna, would you like to start us off?"
"I'd love to! Panem, we have Gambit Abner and Stardust Imogen from the ever-charming District One."
"Meet District Two's tributes; Romulus Grace and London Janes!"
"The competitors from District Three; Atom Kishen and Zoee Laclie."
"Sebastian Saylor and Marina Neith are the hopeful tributes of District Four."
"District Five will be represented by Harvie Ebba and Shiloh Kendall!"
"Teague Harper and Parvati Vascler are the lucky pair from Six!"
"District Seven has brought us Gabriel Whethers and Cherry Bosworth."
"'Eight's chance in achieving the title rests in Stitch McLaughlin and Percale Lily."
"Rye Caspar and Saffron Wamen are the hopefuls from District Nine."
"Also going into the fray, Bennett Holt and Dixie Sterling from District Ten."
"District Eleven's tributes are the lovely Jeriko Trench and Thistle Holloway!"
"And that leaves Micah Lazarus and Mildew Campbell as the contenders from Twelve!"
"Now we're being joined by Niffera Lynn, renowned Hunger Games expert extraordinaire. Now I know it's a bit early to be making predictions, but Niffera, who should we be keeping our eye on this year?"
"Hi Silvius, Fauna. To be honest, there's plenty of competition this year! Last year we saw Felix as the clear top tribute, but there's a wide range of young men and women this Games. The obvious ones to look out for are the ones from One, Two and Four. Ms. Imogen, the young lady from One, is actually the daughter of the owner of Imogen Jewels, so this isn't the first time she'll be in the Capitol. And supposedly she's not all diamonds and gems, but can pack a mean punch."
"Wow, what a gal. She'll definitely be a person of interest. Who else is there?"
"Well, Romulus Grace of Two certainly has a lot to live up to since he's taken Felix's spot as District Two male. But don't count him out; he trains with our own Peacekeepers to keep up a daily training regimen."
"Sounds like a power-player. What about Teague Harper of District Six?"
"He just might be this year's dark horse. This guy is shrouded in mystery. Apparently he lacks a real home and rides the train rails from place to place. That's all we really have on him. That's what's going to keep the audience prying for more. He and Saffron Wamen are the "survivalists" this Games. Then we have the "adapters", Shiloh Kendall, Marina Neith and Micah Lazarus. These tributes could really go either way, but are able to deal well with change. Mr. Gambit Abner thrives under pressure and the calm Percale Lily may just surprise us all and come out on top. There's just no way we will tell until we hit the arena and see what the Gamemakers have in store for these tributes."
"It's going to be a wild ride. Thank you so much for stopping by Niffera. And thank you all for tuning in. You can cast your own predictions online at our website, on our Tribute Poll. I'm Silvius Baptiste,"
"And I'm Fauna Flowers, wishing you all a Happy Hunger Games!"
Screen cuts to Capitol Seal.
"And we're clear! Nice job everybody, we're back on in forty."
Silvius rises out of his seat, adjusting the collar of his pale blue sequin shirt, "Congrats, Fauna. A terrific first job, if I do say so."
Fauna's bright pink, bubblegum lips form in a polite smile. "That means so much, Silvius. This is what I've wanted to do ever since I was five years old. Now that I'm actually here . . . it's like I'm living a big dream. The Hunger Games is such a legend-it's made you the legend you are! I'm just so blessed to be here," She sighs, clutching her manicured hands together, eyes towards the ceiling.
"Well the dream lives on," Silvius looks amused, "You're interviewing President Phocus in an hour."
"Why do you think I got these done?" Fauna extends her pale hand to Silvius, revealing her flower shaped nails, done in a multitude of rainbow coloring drawn in a spiral.
I watch them from the sound booth. They had no idea. The black vest I'm wearing feels like a prison. Being back here makes it hard to breathe. I barely notice as my Stylist and Prep Team enter the room and begin to tousle my hair, apply makeup to the scars on my cheek and neck. This is my life now. One in the spotlight, one as a star. I thought I would enjoy it. But I don't feel anything at all except constricted, imprisoned. Alone. Instead of focused on my own life, I'm drawn back to the lives I ended. Ever since the Victory Tour, I've realized that they were people too. Not just tributes. Not just names in a bowl. I just can't believe it took 23 lives for me to understand.
"Mr. Avion, you're on in twenty."
I don't answer. The man repeats my name. I hate my name. I'm sick of hearing it. Instead I look through the window to the flat screen that displays the 24 tributes. If only they knew.
District 1: Gambit Abner & Stardust Imogen
District 2: Romulus Grace & London Janes
District 3 : Atom Kishen & Zoee Laclie
District 4 : Sebastian Saylor & Marina Neith
District 5 : Harvie Ebba & Shiloh Kendall
District 6 : Teague Harper & Parvati Vascler
District 7 : Gabriel Whethers & Cherry Bosworth
District 8 : Stitch McLaughlin & Percale Lily
District 9 : Rye Caspar & Saffron Wamen
District 10 : Bennett Holt & Dixie Sterling
District 11 : Jeriko Trench & Thistle Holloway
District 12 : Micah Lazarus & Mildew Campbell