My father didn't like me to be on camera too much, but of course it had to happen sometimes, so I was used to it. I'd met Polyphemus plenty of times, but this time was extra special. I was wearing my new birthday dress I picked out. It was pale peach, my favorite color, and it had little gemstones sewed around the neck and the bottom. It puffed out like a cake topper. My hair was in a bun like a lovely young lady and there was a rose in it, of course. My shoes had pretty ribbons like a ballerina. I had rainbow glitter on my cheeks and light pink eyeshadow and lipstick. Polyphemus looked okay, too.
"Here she is, Panem's sweetheart!" he said when he saw me. I wasn't sure if it was going to be him or the new guy interviewing me, but it looked the the new guy wasn't ready yet, and he only did the Tributes anyway. Polyphemus did Capitol people. "Happy birthday, young lady."
"Thanks," I said.
"And how old are you?" he asked, like everyone didn't know.
"I'm ten," I said, and I held up both hands like a little kid. It was just so people in the back could hear. They all cheered, and some of them threw flowers and presents on the stage. It was very nice of them, and I'd pick them all when I left. There was no such thing as too many birthday presents.
"Happy birthday again and many more," Polyphemus said. "I hope it's been a good one."
"It has, but you should get to work," I said. I was getting antsy. I wanted to tell everyone who I'd picked. Polyphemus laughed.
"The First Lady has spoken!" he said. "We're most excited to see you, of course, but we do want to know who you've picked for this very special, this most special, of Hunger Games."
Daddy said I should announce it all fancy, so I'd thought up little speeches for each pick. I'd thought long and hard about it, too. There were so many to pick from, and I had so many favorites.
"I'll say them in order of District to make it easier on you," I said.
"Such a class act," Polyphemus said. Fireworks and confetti danced on the screen behind me as the technicians waited to broadcast the first name.
"I picked the first one because she was a great fighter and she's really pretty. I also wanted someone who would be a fun friend, since the Victor is part of the present. Number one is Emma Wolfe," I said. Her name flashed behind me and fanfare blared.
"A wonderful choice! Who's next?" Polyphemus asked.
"I picked the next one because he's cute. But don't tell him, because I'm too young to date," I said. Everyone laughed. "Two is Rapture Kai."
"I think I can guess who three is," Polyphemus said.
"It's not Diamond, if that's what you think. She's not cute," I said. Polyphemus laughed again and I was starting to suspect he thought I didn't know he was acting. Kids aren't as dumb as grownups think.
"Next I picked someone really smart and really cool. If we were friends, we could make all kinds of trouble," I said. "My third pick is Mei Cheung."
"No more Careers?" Polyphemus asked.
"They're so bossy and loud," I said.
"Here's a girl who knows what she wants!" Polyphemus said to the crowd.
"My next two picks are both from Six. I picked one because he seemed fun to play with and one because she's so nice and sweet. I picked Jonathan Wright and Aimee Anderson," I said.
"I remember her. Such a sweetheart," Polyphemus said.
"I didn't pick any from Seven. I picked some from Eight, though. I picked Eleanor Cotton because Aimee likes her and so do I," I said.
"It will be good to see them together again," Polyphemus said.
"I also picked Demetria Rhye because she's young like me. I don't want the Victor to be too old. Then she won't want to play with me," I said. Demetria was almost as little as I was. I went on.
"None from Nine, because Nine is boring, but two from Ten. First I picked Angus Jenkins, because he's cute too. Maybe I'll have him marry me if Daddy doesn't mind he's poor," I said.
"A true Cinderella story," Polyphemus said.
"I also picked Calvary Warsaw because she's so strong and tough. She can be with Emma for a while and then she'll be my friend," I said. No one would give me trouble with her around, not that they did anyway.
"Only one left. One more lucky young winner with a chance to make your birthday the best one ever," Polyphemus said. A drumroll sounded and I waited a minute to make it extra exciting.
"Last of all, I picked someone who will make the Arena almost as pretty as me," I said, relishing my birthday splendor. "I picked Harmony Griffith. She'll make the Arena sing." The last name flashed on the wall and trumpets sounded triumphantly. The crowd applauded and roared until everyone was standing.
"There they are, folks! Panem's ten big winners! Wonderful choices, Rose. Whoever wins will be lucky enough to thank you personally. I can't wait to see who it is," Polyphemus said. I ran to the edge of the stage and scooped up a stuffed cat. I waved at the people and started gathering the others.
So there's who I picked. I thought Rose would want mostly people her age, because she intends to keep the Victor as a companion. She also turned out to be a little saucy and she knows what she likes in boys. I avoided Tributes from recent Games just because I didn't want to upend their development for a side story and they're all doomed anyway so I didn't want to do that to submitters. I picked Tributes who haven't seen action for a while so people would be familiar with them but their submitters likely aren't as attached. And of course Emma, since she's Calvary's bud.