.
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לעצור
la⬩a⬩tzor
to stop
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Meletia Caelius has always been skeptical.
To hold the office of Head Gamemaker, one must look at the world with a grain of salt. Meletia knows that one wrong move will send her falling into a pool of sharks who want nothing more than to feast on her blood.
Such is the risk of holding the most desirable position in Panem.
The deadliest shark, of course, is the President, the one person other than Meletia who could end her career. Meletia is more than cognizant of the fact that at least half of her predecessors were forcibly removed from their posts, whether by the stroke of a pen or the sound of a gunshot. And she is not particularly interested in joining their ranks.
During the decade that Meletia worked alongside Rosalyn Snow, the president reassured Meletia time and time again that she would not hold the misdeeds of Meletia's tributes against her. Sure enough, through ten years of teamwork, Rosalyn did not give Meletia any reason to doubt her – no reason except her last name. And as much as Meletia preferred to allow the tributes' chips to fall where they may, she never hesitated to make an example of those who dared to threaten her Games.
When Rosalyn Snow passed, her successor, Dominic Serota, made Meletia the same promise. But when Meletia looked at him at their first meeting, when she saw the glint in his eyes and the smirk on his face, she knew that he posed a greater threat to her livelihood than any tribute whose death she had ever orchestrated. Meletia spent five years building cordial and professional relationships with her Gamemakers and with the Sunedrion's delegates, earning their trust while keeping as much distance as she could between herself and the president.
It was through her hard work that he was exclusively blamed for the cataclysmic failure of the Fifth Quell. Meletia knows that she held on to her position by the skin of her teeth.
What a shame that Dominic Serota was not so lucky.
(Meletia can't say she's sorry she got him fired. But politics in Panem are sink or swim.
And Meletia Caelius was not about to sink.)
So when Xandrie Atteneri became president, Meletia found herself just as skeptical of Xandrie as she had been of Xandrie's predecessors. Xandrie's inexperience was just as dangerous as Serota's incompetence or Rosalyn's last name.
But the cherry on top, the thing that made Meletia more concerned about Xandrie than any other president before her, was Kanizah Ilari.
Meletia generally had high respect for Kanizah Ilari. The two began working in government at around the same time, and as two of the highest ranking officials without a say in the selection process, had discussed their nerves about the potential candidates at length – including Xandrie.
So why was Kanizah no longer nervous? How had Xandrie managed to win her over entirely in such a short amount of time?
(Meletia knows how. Xandrie may claim to be inexperienced, but to put on such an act is the oldest trick in the book.)
(One can be skeptical and also be impressed.)
The worst part of all of this is that, despite Meletia's experience, her livelihood is still tied to the most volatile office in Panem. So when Xandrie Atteneri requests to speak with Meletia regarding the upcoming Games, Meletia has no choice but to accept. Meletia has worked too hard for too long to give up her job, and refusing an audience with the president would not be conducive to keeping it.
At the same time, Meletia knows she cannot let her guard down once she's behind the president's doors. She may have to appear for an audience, but that certainly does not mean that Meletia has to go along with whatever Xandrie has planned. Meletia trusts Xandrie approximately as much as she trusted Dominic Serota, and she refuses to allow Xandrie to change her mind.
(Of course, the thought nags at the back of her mind that, if she does reject Xandrie's plan, Meletia could lose her job regardless.)
(In a sense, there's no way for Meletia to win. Every instinct she's ever had goes directly against the actions to take that would be safest for her job. More likely than not, she will have to choose between her livelihood and her morals – between the thing that she has worked her entire life to attain and the ideals that got her there.)
(All Meletia can do is hope that she can find a way to leave the meeting with both.)
"I really appreciate you taking time out of your schedule to meet with me," Xandrie lilts, gently shutting the door behind Meletia. "I'm sure things are quite busy getting ready for the Victory Tour."
"Yes. Quite busy."
"And I deeply appreciate you spearheading those logistics this year. I am sure it must be a lot of extra work for you."
"I have a Gamemaker who is responsible for coordinating the logistics for the Victor tour, as I have had since I became Head Gamemaker fifteen years ago."
"Oh." Xandrie sits down at her desk and takes a sip of water. "Regardless, if there is anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to let me know."
"Understood."
"Now, as you know, I've asked you to come today to discuss a matter regarding next year's Games. I am hoping to make a number of significant changes to the structure of the Games – or more accurately, one significant structural change that will have ripple effects on-"
"Madam President, we need not busy ourselves with pleasantries," Meletia insists, words dripping from her mouth like poisoned sugar. "You have a plan to share with me, do you not? Please, just go ahead and share it."
Wordlessly, Xandrie opens the folder sitting patiently on her desk. She takes a deep breath, then begins.
"I would like to restructure the way that we determine how many Reaping slips certain children have in the Reaping bowl – specifically," Xandrie elaborates, "those children who have committed crimes, or those whose parents have committed crimes. I think that, depending on the severity of the crime committed, those children should have an increased number of slips in the bowl, and therefore, a greater chance of being Reaped. I plan to call this system the Reaping Statute System, and to call the specific sentences levied against these criminals, Reaping Statutes."
Meletia cannot deny that she's intrigued. No President has ever made any changes to the structure of the Games; both Coriolanus and Rosalyn Snow added a district, and Rosalyn merged the gendered Reaping bowls into one, larger bowl, but that was the extent of the changes that have ever happened. There's something that almost excites Meletia about working with someone bold enough to change something so core to Panem's identity.
But Meletia will not let herself be lured in by Xandrie's charms. President Atteneri still has more to prove; after all, to make such a significant change to the Games, Xandrie must have solid logic behind her plan.
A moment passes. Then a second, then a third. Meletia quirks an eyebrow. "Are you finished?"
"Hm?"
"Don't you have any explanations to give?"
"You said not to bother with-"
"With pleasantries, Madam President. I would still like to understand why you are proposing to upend the structure of Panem's most sacred institution."
Xandrie takes another breath, then continues. "I believe this is a valuable step for us to take for three reasons. First, while I appreciate the pageantry of the Games as much as the next person, I believe they have strayed somewhat too far from their original purpose: a punishment for the districts. The best way to reestablish that connection is to increase the odds of the Games actually being a punishment for those who deserve it, and to make that fact very clear to all those watching.
"In turn, then, I believe that District Citizens will be more motivated to follow the laws that we've established. While some of our districts are generally loyal, other districts have far more people who seem only to be interested in making the lives of their government a living hell. If they see that being proper, law-abiding citizens will give their lives a tangible benefit – even if they end up in the Games, I believe people will be more inclined to do so. And we can also provide benefits to districts who have a low percentage of citizens on Statutes, by including the names of children from other districts in their bowls."
Meletia is sure that Xandrie does not realize the most intelligent part of her plan: it merges Panem's two disparate justice systems into one. Whenever the punitive element of the Games is emphasized, the district citizens stop respecting their local government and justice systems. In turn, when the local governments crack down, the Games stop being a concern for most of the population.
If Xandrie had any more experience as president, she not only would have made this connection herself but would have started her explanation with it. It's a shame that she stumbled into something so brilliant for the country - and that she doesn't even know how she did so.
"The third reason I believe the Statute System will benefit is one that is less of a current problem and more one that I anticipate becoming a problem as soon as someone is intelligent enough to realize that it might be one. As you know, when Rosalyn Snow established inter-district travel, she granted each district a sum of seed money for its own fledgling tourism industry. In most of the outer districts, this was enough to raise a decent portion of the poorer classes onto par with their wealthier counterparts. Consequently, they're taking out less tesserae, making it more likely that the children of the upper, loyalist classes will be Reaped.
"As soon as someone realizes this, we could face a much more challenging rebellion to quash than any we've had before. We're practically setting ourselves up for the people who are supposed to respect us the most to betray us. Each element of the statute system defends the children of those loyal to us, which will hopefully keep their families even more loyal to us."
Meletia nods slightly. Xandrie clearly has more than enough reasons why she feels this will work – and, to her credit, Meletia did not think of the third point herself. But that's all this is, all that Xandrie and Kanizah have developed – an idea. Odds are that not a lick of thought has been placed into the logistics of executing it.
Rosalyn Snow was the same way, for the most part. In a sense, so was Dominic Serota. Their ideas just never overlapped with the Games; therefore, Meletia knows that Kanizah doesn't understand even a fraction of the work that must be done to execute the perfect pageant.
And if Kanizah doesn't understand, Xandrie sure as Snow will not.
Perhaps it is time to teach Xandrie Atteneri a thing or two.
"I must admit that your idea holds some merit," Meletia begins generously. "But it strikes me that there are a great deal of logistics that would be required to execute it properly. I would love to review them with you, just to ensure that we are on the same page."
The power in the room has already shifted; Meletia sees it in the crease that now graces Xandrie's brow. "Absolutely," Xandrie answers, her voice just barely weaker than it was before, just a hair less confident.
For Meletia, that's enough.
"Let's begin with the Reapings – or, more accurately before them. How do you plan to track and distribute statutes?"
"The tracking part is decently easy; we already have a database of criminal activity in the districts. Distributing Statutes…for kids who have already gotten criminal sentences, we would probably just write letters to the children and their families to inform them or call them to the Justice Building. New sentences would have Statutes included in them."
"And what if a child protests that they didn't know they were on a Statute?"
"Uh… we could have a list at the Reaping Ceremony so that the children all know exactly their odds. And we could have designated Peacekeepers who can answer questions as to why."
A lukewarm answer, but a tolerable response from someone who clearly thought of it on the spot. "Now, as far as Preparation Week is concerned. You mentioned that the implementation of the Statute System would have ripple effects on every other element of the Games. How do you plan for this to happen?"
"Well," Xandrie waffles, "I have a general idea of what I think would make sense. But I haven't developed the specifics just yet."
"So you do not have a list of actionable items for my team to begin implementing, nor a comprehensive breakdown of the pre-Games path for those on Statutes versus those not?"
"No."
"I see. And you were hoping to implement this for the next Games?"
"Yes."
"I see."
It takes every ounce of self-control Meletia has not to smirk. She knows that Xandrie can already hear the water dripping through the holes in her plan. Really, Meletia could stop here; she's already proven her point. But she figures she might as well push on. What's the worst that could happen?
"As far as the Games themselves go. Would a Statute kid be eligible to win?"
"Why, yes. They are in the Games like anyone else, so they should have the same shot at anyone else."
"But wouldn't that be the opposite, in message, of what you want to do? If the Games are a punishment, then those being punished shouldn't be allowed out. Those not on Statutes might protest that their tributes died at the hands of those who deserved the punishment they got."
"Well, I guess that's true-"
"And yet, on the flip side," Meletia counters herself," if a Statute tribute cannot win, they will also complain. You know, I'm sure, that our database of criminal activity covers a wide variety of offenses, from relatively minor to rather significant. Certain tributes may feel that a guaranteed death sentence is an unfair punishment for their crimes."
"But of course, not every Statute-eligible child would-"
"And what would the reaction of the viewers be? What would Capitolites think if a criminal convicted of murder – or worse, treason – won the Games? What would District citizens think if a child simply accused of shoplifting was assigned a Statute, and that was what caused their death? Perhaps more importantly – what would happen in the Districts if a treasonous child won?"
"I…"
"The problem with your plan, Madam President," Meletia argues, "is that in trying to solve one problem you create an infinite number of others. Theoreticals are all well and good until you have to apply them to reality. Clearly, you do not possess anything resembling a competent understanding of Panem's reality. In no world are you ready to apply a single theoretical to our country."
"That's what I've been doing, Me- Madam Head Gamemaker. I've met with over half of the members of the Sunedrion. I've studied every record I have from my predecessors. I spend each and every minute of every day trying to gain that understanding of Panem's reality. And there's still more than half a year for me to learn even more! I'm sure that everything will be ready by the time of the Games."
"Madam President. You are not helping your case because you are still talking in theoreticals." Meletia takes a breath; she cannot afford to get worked up right now. "With all due respect, Madam President, there is nothing you could truly do to prepare. Because, fundamentally, you are too young; you lack the experience to truly understand the effects your actions might cause."
"Or maybe you've spent so long trapped in your office that you don't know what Panem's like anymore, either."
For a moment, Xandrie looks shellshocked, as if she didn't expect her own words to come out of her mouth, an expression that is also not helping her case. Meletia fully expects Xandrie to retreat or apologize, anything to return the room to the neutral tension that had laced it before.
Except she doesn't. Instead, Xandrie Atteneri sits up just a little bit taller, holds up her head just a little bit higher, and asserts, "You admitted yourself that my idea holds some merit. You also know just as well as I do that the thing our country needs the most desperately is something to set apart this era from the era of my predecessor."
"As long as that thing won't make things worse in the process."
"It won't, Meletia. Please. Just give me one chance."
Meletia ponders this request. There's something about Xandrie's desperation that intrigues Meletia, because someone this desperate can only do one of two things: succeed immeasurably, or fail immensely. And in a way, each of those options sounds like good fun.
It's not as if Xandrie is aware enough to realize what Meletia is doing. Meletia might as well allow Xandrie's desperation to build.
"How about this. I will give you three years to refine your proposal. Take that time to dig in to each and every aspect of the Games, to really figure out how every single element will work – it doesn't matter if you choose to keep things the same or make them different, you need to make an intentional choice about each and every Games element. Then, when the 130th Games roll around, I will yield control of my team of Gamemakers to you."
"Really?"
"Yes. Should your Games manage to succeed, they will be the key event of your term. As you developed this proposal yourself, it would only be fair for your achievement to be yours and yours alone. You will be remembered as the person who revolutionized the Games for the better, setting you apart from your predecessors in every way – and nobody else will be able to take any credit for it."
"And your team will respect me just as they respect you?"
"I will make sure of it."
Meletia, of course, leaves out the other part – that if Xandrie fails, whatever remains of her term will be defined by her failure. The odds are slim that she'd be able to regain any of Panem's respect; more likely than not, she'd be out of office within the year.
She's not even sure that would matter to Xandrie. The more desperate someone is, the more likely they are to disregard any possible risks associated with their plans. Meletia can almost smell just how badly Xandrie wants to make her mark on Panem; in offering her an inch, Meletia has given Xandrie a mile.
"You have a deal."
"Very good," Meletia replies, pushing her chair back. "I will have my associates reach out to Kanizah with a contract of sorts – not that I think a contract is necessary, but it's good practice to have everything in writing."
"Of course. Thank you, again, for your time, Madam Head Gamemaker. I look forward to seeing you at the Victory Tour's events, if not before."
"You as well, Madam President."
(A small voice nags Meletia at the back of her mind as she shakes Xandrie's hand. You're tempting fate with the water's biggest shark. For all you know, she could be waiting for just the right moment to drag you down below.
But Meletia pushes the voice aside. After all, a shark is only powerful if it knows how strong its bite really is.)
Well hey there everyone! I know it's been quite a while since I posted; I was hoping to get this up sooner, but I was delayed by the small matter of entirely rearranging my subplot. Whoops!
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your introduction to our Head Gamemaker, Meletia Caelius! She certainly has a different perspective on Xandrie than Kanizah does – which of our two POV characters do you find yourself agreeing more with? Is Xandrie the thing that Panem needs, or is she anything but? I guess we'll have to see more of the story to find out.
I have a couple of logistical pieces to go over now that I've gotten my subplot and some worldbuilding all worked out. If you don't have a kid in the fic and/or don't care about the intro order or tribute slot shifts, this might not matter to you, and in that case, I'll see you next chapter for the D12 intros!
First of all, I've made a few changes to the tribute list affecting those in the outer districts (D9-D13). My updated worldbuilding entirely eliminates District Thirteen, which meant shifting my D13 kids into D12 and my D12 kids into the formerly vacant D9. I've also swapped around my D10 and D11 kids to create better synergy (ish) between district partners. The updated tribute list for those districts looks like this, and I'll be adding a fully updated list to my profile when I remember:
District Nine
◈ Iris Brager (16, she/her) - VeneratedArt
◈ Rio de Verano (17, he/him) - Nautics
District Ten
◈ Yonah Howard (15, she/her) - Team Shadow (Moose)
◈ Eila Merel (17, she/her) - District11-Olive
District Eleven
◈ Cenric Chai (16, he/him) - timesphobic
◈ Zeryn Alliston (18, she/her) - itzbirdie
District Twelve
◈ Ryuonsuke Rai-Rueter (18, he/him) - TheWatcheroftheVoid
◈ Vishanti Skada (18, he/him) - ladyqueerfoot
Obviously, this district switch also impacts the intro order. For those of you who remember the original No Good Deed, you might recall that my intro order was a bit strange. I could explain why but honestly the entire reason can boil down to what felt like a good pattern for my autistic brain. Now that all of my districts are full, and that I no longer need those subplot POVs, I can do all of my intros more or less consecutively.*
Because of what intros I already have written, I'm going to go in reverse district order, so beginning with Twelve and ending with the Capitol. I will need to make a couple of tweaks to the intros, obviously, and I want to establish a bit of my buffer for myself with work, but I'm hoping to put D12 and D11 up by the end of January if possible.
Thank you all for sticking with me through this A/N! If I have more to add or explain, I'm going to post it in my channel in SYOT Verses, the Discord server I admin that's the center of the SYOT community. If you'd like to join, you can DM me on Discord at goldie031 or remove the spaces from this link: discord . gg / mUXHvTzxq6
Thank you all for sticking with me for so long. I'm excited to finally have a direction in mind and to get this fic in motion!
Oh, by the way: this verse has a name now! I'm pleased to welcome you all to the first full installment in my new series, Flashbulb Memories.
xoxo,
xxxi
* I say more or less because I'm considering doing a couple of mentor intro chapters but we'll see if I end up jumping into that.