Hi, everyone! Thank you for reading and reviewing! This is another introductory chapter before the Reapings, and it is written from the point of view of Ismene, the new Head Gamemaker. Let me know what you think of it!
Before we start, I inform you that you can still submit tributes. Check the list on chapter 2 or see my profile. As for my other fanfic -Love Is the Deadliest Weapon- there are some available slots for sponsors. See my profile or PM me, if interested. People who submit will get the possibility of assigning extra points to their favourite tributes. The list of the current submitters is on my profile.
Enjoy your reading :)
Present day
Ismene Flair (45)- Head Gamemaker
The Gamemaking Building has been put up ex-novo- a pipe-shaped skyscraper made of steel and glass. Quite impressive at the sight, especially today. Rain has stopped, but the sky is still overcast. The sun behind the clouds makes it almost unbearable to look at, and the Building is now reflecting the sunlight like a giant diamond standing out towards the Heavens.
Outside the Building, a convoy of reporters is waiting for me. They surround me as soon as I get out of the limousine.
"Mrs. Flair, what's your strategy for the Games?" asks one.
"It's easy to say: I'm going to work hard along with my staff to make the 76th Hunger Games memorable. No need to say that this edition has to celebrate a historic event: Capitol's second victory over its enemies. We'll do our best to live up to everybody's expectations," I answer with a confident smile.
"What about the arena?" asks another one.
"Oh, I can't anticipate anything. The arena gonna be a surprise like any other year. All I can say is that it will highlight the leading role the Capitol has the moral duty to play."
"Mrs. Flair, it is said that Gamemakers want to change the rules to make this edition more similar to a Quarter Quell. What can you tell us about it?"
"That's not true. Changing the rules… what for? The Hunger Games are a well-oiled machine! Changing the rules would be an act of weakness, it would tell our enemies that their foolish rebellion has affected us for real, don't you think?" I reply.
It's incredible what journalists are able to invent just to make headlines!
"Mrs. Flair, why has President Smith chosen you to be the new Head Gamemaker? Do you think he has made it by virtue of the fact that you are his sister-in-law?"
This question catches me momentarily off guard. It wasn't totally unexpected, though, just… I didn't think it would pop up in such an impudent manner. In other words, these reporters think that I'm not capable… that Falcon has appointed me only due to the family bond that unites us… not because he trusts me, not because I can make it. The worst part of all is that they might be right. The Hunger Games world is totally new to me, I've got no experience as a Gamemaker. In any case, I'll never admit it. But I must come up with a good answer soon. All the reporters are now silent, waiting for me to speak, eager to report every word I utter. They're aiming their mics at me as if they were rifles.
Eventually, I take a deep breath, trying to compose myself before replying: "President Smith has full confidence in me, that must mean something, right? For my part, this job is a great honour, to which I'm going to dedicate myself entirely. If I were you, I wouldn't judge my work before I start."
That said, I enter the Gamemaking Building helped by some bodyguards, who steer the crowd away from me. Once inside, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"Those reporters gave you a hard time, didn't they?" says Oberon, who has come to greet me as usual.
Oberon Baynes is an experienced Gamemaker who has helped me a lot with the preparation of the Games. In these months, he has become my confidant. He has bristly, brown hair with emerald green extensions, a pale face with high cheekbones, an aquiline nose, very thin lips, and green eyes. He has had his eyes surgically altered to make them glow like those of a cat. Today, he's wearing a purple shirt with matching pants and boots.
"They accuse our president of nepotism," I say grimly.
"Predicable. But don't lose your faith, Ismene, you'll show them what you can do. To become a popular Head Gamemaker, the Hunger Games must thrill the audience. That's the essence of our job: people must be glued to their screens all the time, otherwise it's a flop, and we cannot afford a flop!"
I nod. "You're right, Oberon. That's why I considered it wise to meet all my staff before the Reapings. I know some of them frown upon my appointment, but I'd like to underline that the success of the 76th Hunger Games is far more important than that."
"That's the spirit!" says Oberon, smiling.
While we're heading to the Gamemaking Room, we start making small talk. It takes my mind off, at least.
"How's your wife, by the way?" I ask him.
Oberon's wife is pregnant.
"She's fine. Just a few weeks from giving birth… we're both eager to welcome little Emeralda in our family!" he answers.
"Oh, you've already decided on the name! Emeralda Baynes * … sounds good!"
In the meantime, we've got to our destination. As soon as the door opens, my heart starts racing. The Gamemaking Room is round-shaped. In the middle, a holographic projection of the arena with a series of computer stations all around it. There are different stations to check on weather, mutts, etc. Actually, every inch of the arena is monitored. A special section of the Gamemaking stuff deals with sponsors and supplies. When I enter the room, all Gamemakers stand up. My station is higher up than those of the others. I sit down.
"Take your seats, please. Shall we start the meeting?"
So, this chapter presents an important topic: nepotism. What's your opinion? Do you think Ismene gonna be up the expectations?
Reviews and submissions are appreciated for both stories. Thank you!
*Emeralda Baynes is the stylist of the male tribute of District 7 (Cedric Page, the Little Hero) in the 99th Hunger Games. See Love Is the Deadliest Weapon chapter 18 (chariot parade)