POV Head Gamemaker Mylute Picker

"Hello," I greeted a woman as I wandered, rather lost, through the mansion. "Do you know where President Lotus is?"

"Ah, yes, Mr. Picker," He eyes drifted up and down, evaluating me. I clutched my clipboard to my chest. "I do believe that he is waiting for you just down the hall, first door on the right. He's glued to his TV, watching the Reapings."

I nodded to her. "Thank you." I quickly turned, briskly following her directions. Every foot step echoed through the expansive building. When I got to the room, the door was creaked open a crack. The lights were dimmed, and when I peaked in, he was exactly where she had said, sitting in a chair in front of his TV. I recognized District 12 as I walked into the room, coming up behind him.

"Hello Mylute," He said, not turning to look at me. "Who exactly have we got? You said you picked them yourself, right?"

"Yes, sir," I replied, drawing closer and leaning on the arm of his chair. "Weren't any real good stories with tied tributes, and District 1's pretty cocky, so I got some tributes that didn't rely on the other. Ludacris Zeffe, very wild, very spirited - is not like other careers. Then Silver Velvet, very by-the-books career, but very strong family ties and very young siblings, has a boyfriend - Cotton Opaque."

"Why didn't you just get Velvet and Opaque? Why'd you bring in Zeffe?" Lotus questioned harshly.

"I anticipated a volunteer to take one of their spots," I defended, though my voice was a lot weaker than his. Lotus shrugged it off. "Then District 2. Arale and Luipos Ulstrad. Brother and sister. Brother, typical career. His sister apparently has refused training. When saying goodbye, his father made him promise to do everything possible to make sure she wins - their father believes he lost his wife due to the Games."

Lotus nodded. "That's better."

"District 3," I continued, keeping my eyes glued to my clipboard. "Did have that many prospects either. I did have a brother and sister pair that would be fitting, but I just had to get that girl in the Games. Moria Kegariss. Very pretty, very sweet, very shy. She lives with just her father, they have an impossibly strong bond. But, I found her the perfect counter act. Eagee Polkimtor, very tough, not afraid of the Games at all. Preys on weakness."

"Well," Lotus pondered over it for a minute. "She better impress."

"Then District 4," I continued along, unfazed. "That is the first District that we got a volunteer. The girl is Poldra Umenvor. The boy was going to be a young boy who she saved from drowning long ago. But Mekyl Clugar volunteered. Poldra is very intense and rather brush-off-ish. Mekyl is very career, very smug, doesn't take much serious. Their opposing forces, and only met the day of the Reaping. I do believe that has something to do with Mekyl's volunteering."

"This already seems more enticing than the drowning boy," Lotus spat, still glued to his screen.

"District 5," I was still more of a growl. "Kaiadra Skeless and Aldmos Sulorad. Aldmos is a loose cannon, and everyone in the District knows it. Kaiadra lost her parents, so she lives with her uncle and cousins. We got a great show at the Reapings if you didn't notice. Checked in, returned her cousins to her uncle, and the head peacekeeper got her into some trouble."

"I saw that," Lotus added. "Better not be the only thing that makes her interesting."

"District 6," My voice was getting tense. "Arda Emc and I'iem Perech. Not a whole lot to I'iem, though he's a guardian-like character. But we got a secret volunteer. I had aimed for Kay Emc, one in a set of triplets. Very strong-headed and brave. But apparently her sister, Arda, took her place, but never got around to saying her real name. We can get her to reveal the truth at the interviews. Arda's siblings, Kay and Bourr, paid a visit to I'iem, seeking protection for her."

"Very interesting," Lotus said, leaning back into his chair, finally giving me a glance.

"District 7," I continued. "Cidet Shyn and Aleas Chemore. Cousins. Both of their fathers have died, Aleas and her mother moved in with Cidet and his. Cidet is very hard on the outside. Aleas is very bright and smart. She knows their real relationship. But I got word from Belm Picker that she may be suicidal."

"Because of going against her cousin?" Lotus asked, and I had his attention.

I nodded. "District 8," I didn't stop there. "Miryp Arhone and Sulsay Honshye. Sulsay has had the biggest crush on Miryp for a long while. Miryp-"

"I recognize the name Arhone." He paused the TV.

I smiled at him. "Yes, her older sisters, Orrine Arhone and Ati Arhone, both past tributes. Obviously, both dead. Miryp had a conspiracy that she and her younger sister Beuv would get reaped and die too. Her parents sent her to live with a former victor, Kallora from the 3rd Quarter Quell."

"Well it seems the third Ms. Arhone will have her worst nightmares come true," Lotus sneered.

"Moving onto District 9." I was picking this up. I was doing better. "Adshywor Tash, and another volunteer. It was going to be Saest Voif, a long-term friend of his, but a girl named Neassale Enther volunteered for him. Neassale's intentions are unclear, but we know she lost her parents, and lives only with her uncle and older brother. Its also known that there is romance between Adshywor and Saest."

"It would've been better if Ms. Enther didn't volunteer, but it'll be fun to discover her intentions, won't it?" It they had been second, he probably would've reacted differently.

"Then District 10, this is a good one," I added, giving him a glance and a smile before. "Foemshay Odane and Aramdash Nend. Aramdash volunteered for Foemshay's long-term boyfriend, Tonler Laormech. Foemshay's parents died, and her brother Jemafy Odane was a previous tribute - obviously he wasn't a victor either. Aramdash was a adopted, lives with his adoptive mother and her biological daughter and his younger sister, Aramdee. His adoptive father was killed at the same massacre her parents were killed in. He's been a neighbor and friend. Foemshay lives completely on her own."

Lotus nodded, not even saying anything for several moments, after starting the Reapings again and pausing once more after a minute or two. "Interesting." It sounded more like he was loosing interest.

"District 11," I went on quickly. "Delmosskelmer and Samundirban Nonyt. Delmosskelmer's girlfriend, Asessu Osdar, was reaped, but Samundirban volunteered. They have a strong bond, their mother died long ago, and he's been forced to raise her. Their father is a drunk, and he allegedly didn't report to the Reaping. He was found 100% drunk in their home, any punishment hasn't been decided."

Lotus nodded, and I didn't wait for him to respond. "And then the reaping your watching, District 12. Zalnys En'beli and his girlfriend Adoss Drysay. Zalnys lives with his parents, Adoss lives with her three older brothers and parents."

"That's what I've been waiting for," Lotus cut in. He grabbed my chin, pointing my head up to the TV. "Let's watch the end of it." He began playing it again. Zalnys and Adoss were on the stage, Ranoy Catden, the escort behind them, and they were shaking hands. I watched as Adoss lifted her hand to his cheek, and after a couple more moments, pulled him in for a kiss. Lotus's surprisingly long finger nails dug into the skin on my chin. When they pulled apart, he stopped it again. He finally let go of my jaw, and sat slowly back into his chair. "Riveting, no?"

I looked at him. His eyes were flaming, and his semi-smile was intense and stiff. "Yes."

"I thought I asked for the two Mellark children," Lotus continued, his eyes locked on me, leaving me frozen.

"Yes, you did sir," I melted a bit, shifting so I could get in his face. "But do you remember how Snow kept the rebellion from getting out of hand?" I had lowered my voice, and I could hear Lotus's breath coming out shakily and forcefully. He was furious as ever. "He ignored them. Reaping in their children, you'll be giving in. Don't give in. These two will be just as good. They'll be playing the real star-crossed lovers bit. And they'll both die."

"They better," Lotus snarled.

"I'm a smarter gamemaker than Mr. Crane," I said, sitting back.

"You're also much younger and inexperience," Lotus replied. "This better go exactly according to plan. I was fine with your brother making it to escort, what I don't trust is letting head gamemaker fall to you. See that you prove me wrong."

I nodded. Then Lotus motioned for the door. I kept my eyes locked on his, and his fluorescent pink-purple eyes burned right back. I only turned to make a hasty exit out the door. My uncle had gotten me in a whole lot. I had never appreciated how hard it is until now. There was a hidden truth about it. The head gamemaker was in just as much danger as every single tribute in his game.