Bridge chapter! This is just a recap for each pair of tributes from the perspective of the Head Gamemaker and Io! That last bit is particularly important - because this is strictly from their POV. What they see and claim and predict will almost certainly not be true (though I'll probably mix a few truths in haha). It's mostly just to develop their relationship and give a brief overview of what has been seen from THEIR perspectives, so take whatever you read with a grain of salt for in-universe happenings!

Io often wishes her boss kept things a little cleaner.

It wouldn't be so bad if she could see where she was going. But the newly christened Head Gamemaker had cut the lights entirely, the only light in the room coming from the soft glow of the three brand new monitors upon the desk he'd been gifted for his promotion.

It was still strange. His promotion had meant that she was now the assistant to the Head Gamemaker. All of her friends had told her that she was just so lucky to find her way into the spot - and with a young, eligible bachelor, no less! With soft features and his soft, feathery brown hair - and, of course, the millions of dollars that came with the position - she was often asked some rather personal questions about her boss by her friends outside of work. Io only wishes they could see the private side to the soft-spoken Head Gamemaker. The organized clutter across the desks and the floor - State above, he'd only been officially instated a week or so ago. The addiction to his precious DayLight shots. The hunched form as his eyes flickered between three separate screens, each of them displaying a different reaping scene.

It made it hard for her to think about Hadrian Gavia like her friends did. Like the general public did. But it humanized him, as well. He was not some untouchable prodigy, soaring through the ranks at record speed. He was... just some guy, with flaws like the rest. That was almost comforting.

"Miss Io." The whispery voice speaks up, the hunched figure of the Head Gamemaker not having moved from his screen.

"Yes, Head Gamemaker?"

Her boss clicks his tongue, twitching slightly at the title.

"You've been with me long enough. Simply call me Hadrian. The title still doesn't sound quite right off of other's tongues - and I imagine I'd be hearing you say it more than most."

"Are you sure..?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Now come here. I want your thoughts."

Illuminated by the soft blue glow of the monitors in front of him, Hadrian's hand waves his assistant to his side.

"I want to hear what you think, Miss Io. I've already formed my opinions - but I'd love to pick your brain. Watch these, please, and then tell me what you think."

Hadrian clicks play - thankfully on just one of his three screens - and the videos start.

Twelve Districts. Twenty-four children, twenty-three of whom will be dead in the next month.

For a long while, the only sound in the room comes from Hadrian's monitor. Voices of tributes fade in and out as commentators offer their two cents, but Io does her best not to let the words of the talking heads persuade her. Their job was to stir up angles - and she was sure that wasn't what her boss wanted to hear.

As suddenly as the feed had been played, it came to an abrupt halt with the thirteen year old from Twelve, the camera zoomed in on his helpless expression as his partner stepped away.

"There's... a lot to say. We've got an interesting batch this year, Head-... Hadrian." The name feels strange rolling off of her tongue, but she can see the ghost of a smile form on her boss's face before he continues.

"Start with One, if you will."

Alright, One it was.

"Right... well, they've fumbled it a bit this year. Their boy may well be trained, but even if his skills are the sharpest among the group - and I don't think they are - he's starting off at a disadvantage. The others are going to look at him like a loose end to be tied up. If the pack lasts until the end of the Games, he's the first to go. His partner is more standard - and that's exactly why I believe she'll outperform him. She was prepared for this. He was not. Avalon Imperio, her name was? If One is going to win it this time, I'd place my money on her."

Io finishes her analysis, rubbing at one of her newly implanted cosmetic horns. A gift to herself after her promotion (and raise).

"Intriguing." Hadrian comments, placing a hand to his chin. "How do you think they'll mix with Two?"

"Avalon will be fine. Though Hyperion may have to dedicate a large part of training to proving himself to Youssef Vyrax. How many confirmed kills did he have, again?"

"Nineteen, If I recall."

Io sucks in a hissing breath. "He's the one to watch. When it comes to pure skill, I reckon he's the deadliest. Peacekeeper tactics, too, will serve him well if he manages to assert himself as the leader of the group. I don't imagine his partner contesting him much for that role. She was confident, but it was incredibly clear to me that she's used to taking orders. The bow of her head - the outburst in the crowd. She's dangerous in her own right - but she may well end up being controlled by someone with a stronger personality. Though, if she can shake that off... well, the silent killers usually prove more of an issue than the braggarts."

"As for Three.." Io murmurs as the screen flickers, introducing a pair of much less capable tributes.

"Nothing special. Some of their kids have that glint in their eye. The makings of a Victor. A mad genius or a brilliant mind. I didn't see it this time, though I think Vivienne makes it farther than Alt. I'd be surprised if he managed to wander 6 feet from his pedestal before being taken out by a Career. None of them crack the top 12."

"Harsh." Hadrian's amber eyes flicker upwards to his assistant. "But most likely true."

"Next up is Four. Another... unique case for the Careers. I'll have a follow-up question for you on this one, so pay attention."

Follow up? What was this, some sort of quiz? Was he grading her on her responses? It seemed exactly the type of thing her eccentric boss would do - his fascination with statistics and the probabilities in the Games bordered on obsession.

"Like One, the girl is more standard. But there's something about her I feel that we've yet to place. As if her hand isn't quite ready to be revealed yet. But, at the very least, we know she's capable and that she won't drag down the pack. More than that, she's mentally tough. Not many would have been able to withstand those threats with such fortitude. Her partner's one tough customer - he'll be the pack's biggest problem this year. I imagine he and the One boy will be at odds for quite awhile, with his view on 'real Careers.' It'll be up to the others to either get them to work together, or perhaps cast one of them out to appease the other. I do not see them co-existing, and I think Gulf Corpus's anger could cost him a very real shot at victory. It's obvious he's an excellent fighter, but if it comes to deciding between him or Kiana - his group will choose to save her."

Hadrian nods, a gleam in his eyes and a sly grin spreading across his face.

"A good eye. I've always rather admired your analytical prowess, Io."

Io sputters in confusion, taken off guard by the sudden compliment. She wasn't saying anything particularly deep about this batch of tributes, she thought, but perhaps Hadrian Gavia did not see it that way.

"Now - the follow-up. We've covered all the traditional Career districts. Tell me - as a whole, how does the pack fare?" Hadrian leans forward in his chair, drawing closer to his assistant as interest shines in his eyes.

Pondering for a couple of moments, Io puts the pieces together. She'd made a few general predictions in her prior explanations - but now, putting them all together would give her a concrete idea.

"I think Two is the glue this year, pardon the rhyme." Io waves a hand dismissively. "The girls from One and Four will likely be glad to gravitate towards the more traditional pair from the Masonry District. Hyperion and Gulf will be harder to incorporate, though if Hyperion can prove skillful he'll likely be accepted in by those with level heads. Gulf will have to be... handled, one way or another. Controlled, banished, or killed. It's obvious violence is his primary method of negotiation. If anyone is cast out, it will likely be him. But... I don't think he will be. He's too dangerous to let go and if they try to kill him outright it's likely at least one of the pack goes down with him. Nobody is willing chance it being their life that's lost alongside of his. They'll try to control him... and succeed, for the most part, but I'm predicting an early break - initiated by Gulf himself, if he's not killed by a tribute outside of the alliance first."

"Or they could kill him in his sleep." Hadrian proposes, earning a sigh from Io. There was always something she was missing, with him.

"Or that, yes... but I don't see anyone outside of Vyrax volunteering to do so. It's unlikely, in my opinion."

"Fair enough. Your analysis was well thought out. Bravo, Miss Io. Another interesting pair for you, up next. These two are fun!" Hadrian's voice is almost gleeful - a rare show of twisted emotion perpetuated by the thin smile spreading out across his lips.

"Right... well, Kairos Fomalhaut. Apparently, he's got a bit of a rap sheet. Him - and his family - were known associates of prominent rebel leaders."

"Correct. You haven't seen this, but right after he was reaped..." Hadrian clicks away to another tab, pulling up a very official looking file. "He was listed as the main suspect for the circulation of Circuit Six among Five. A new spin on an old lesson. A game of sorts, used to sneak rebellious messages right under the nose of the law. Knowledge was supposed to have been wiped out - but the boy re-imagined it. Rebirthed the game - and the tricks used to smuggle information along with it."

Io's mouth is agape. She'd heard rumors, stories from way back in the Dark Days about rebels and their methods - but to think, one of their tributes had brought one back? Surely, he couldn't be allowed to leave the arena.

"That would explain his volunteering. But... the girl. His partner. She looked surprised. Moreso than normal - especially when the boy before Kairos was called up."

"Ah, yes. Another... undesirable. You've spent time in the IT department, yes, Io? Around... 2 years ago?"

Io nods her head affirmatively. "As an intern, yes, but that was about all."

"I assume you'd heard your superiors speaking about HelBringer?"

Io's eyebrow cocks up. "Yeah. Their systems would go down once every few months. Always put the executives in a mood - and they could never trace the attacks."

Hadrian eyes twinkle with a knowing look, and the realization slowly begins to dawn.

"You're saying that's her? You caught HelBringer?"

"Oh, don't sound so surprised, Miss Io. But yes, I caught her. Poor choice in alias, by the way. My new and improved firewall was able to trace her latest attack on Reaping's Eve - right back to her computer, along with that of her little partner's. He was lucky, to have Kairos volunteer for him. His death will be much quicker at the hand of the law than in the Games. Once Blitz expires in the Games, he'll simply be executed back in Five."

"So we've got a pair of criminals to keep an eye on?"

"That we do. I'm sure they'll be fascinating to watch. It's not often we get such interesting specimen."

What a freak.

"Now, Io - District Six."

The feed resumes, and this time it's Sterling Lee and Mira Andrelo on stage.

"Not much to say about them. They both seem composed. Sterling in particular looks like he knows his way around a blade. I've watched enough Games re-runs to know what a knife scar looks like. Thinner and more shallow than that of a heavier blade. He'll be one to watch, though I wouldn't count his partner out either."

"From the data provided to me, it seems she's a gambler. An addict, at that - in the casino more days than not."

"Nevermind." Io corrects herself. "She probably dies - makes a risky gambit and it blows up in her face."

"Or she succeeds in her endeavors. Never underestimate the willingness of a gambler to try just one more time. It borders on foolishness... but it may well work in her favor. Next."

The screen flickers, and Io flinches back slightly. She had seen a lot of intimidating tributes. Men and women she would not want to upset. But the boy from Seven is the first to truly unnerve her.

"State above." Io mutters to herself. "I don't like the look in his eye. It's like there's something missing. He's fixed straight ahead, like he doesn't even know where he is."

"Sociopathy, perhaps, or some sort of disassociation. Though that would just be my armchair diagnosis. Either way, he's one I'm excited for. A real wild card, especially for what I've got planned this year."

"You make it sound like it's something to look forward to."

"It is my debut, Miss Io. If I don't impress... well, then we can both say goodbye to our position."

Hadrian speaks with such wanton disregard for his own safety that Io wonder if he, too, might not be all entirely there. He fixes her with an expectant look, and she continues.

"His partner... right. Nothing really interesting about her at a first glance, but she seemed able to connect with... Ronan, his name was? Normal kid - probably won't make it all that far, but she seems tougher than the usual Outer District kid. She could easily make it far."

"Good. Ronan will be the one to watch, but that might be just what lets Acacia prosper. Hiding in the shadows of the bigger threat may well suit her. Next."

"Eight... right." Io let's out a low whistle. Eight had been particularly... interesting this time around, and aside from Three, they were one of the few that gave her the impression of total failure. "The boy - Merlino - is hopeless. Is he even actually 18? He's got 5'o'clock shadow, for the State's sake, but he's frozen up like a little child. I can see it in his eyes - him and that Alt boy from Three are of the same breed. They're done for. As for the girl... delusional, but she'll make a good show. Though nothing suggests she'll actually be very capable beyond providing some pre-game entertainment."

"Agreed. I've already accessed her birth records - she is, indeed, district born. Not a drop of Capitol blood in her body, but I suppose there's no harm in letting her believe it up until her inevitable death."

"And I'm the harsh one?" Io raises an eyebrow, her voice teasing.

"Oh, you've grown brave enough to joke, now? I'm proud. Next."

Clicking her tongue, Io returns her vision to the screen. As the scene plays out, she only grows more perplexed. And she'd thought Ariadne was insane.

"Two crazies this year. Though perhaps he was attempting to save another one of the various Geralds from the Games. Somehow, that isn't what I think happened. He seems entirely too pleased to be on stage. His partner recognizes that, too. I almost feel for her the most. She seems another typical child, scared and alone - but her partner will likely soak up all of the attention with his antics. Melisa and Merlino from Eight will be in the same boat. Overshadowed. Overlooked. Overwhelmed."

"How poetic you are today, Io. I didn't know you had such a way with words."

Io sighs at the words of her boss. He was a couple of years younger than her, yet possessed all of the sass in the world when it came to his elders.

"Let's just wrap it up. We've been up all night, and I've been wanting a coffee for hours."

"Ah, yes. We'll run through the last three, and then I'll let you go. I'll have to get one later, as well - I'll need all the caffeine I can manage in the coming few weeks." The main screen from Hadrian's setup flickers again, and this time the scene is set in a desert - sun beaming and arid breeze blowing.

"Nothing about them strikes me as anything particularly... interesting. Normal kids, though Fraser seems to be a lot more shaken up than his partner. She seems... almost too calm, but I think the audience will appreciate her looks, if anything. She'll rake in more money than the boy and she'll probably live longer than him, too."

"Oh, she will."

Io cocks an eyebrow as her boss speaks, his lilting tone tinged with mischief.

"You sound certain. Something you've got in those files of yours?"

"Mmmmm... I think I'll let this one come as a surprise, actually."

"You're insufferable sometimes, Head Gamemaker."

"Hadrian." He corrects once more. "And so I've been told."

Mentally kicking herself at her slip up, Io's eyes return to the screen. It was clear that Hadrian was lenient - many would not even entertain such a casual relationship with their assistant. But even the most lenient of employers may grow tired of constant slip-ups. It was weird. She was almost too formal - it had served her well in the past, but the requirements have changed for what was easily the most important position of her life.

"Eleven next. Aside from the Careers, this is the first time I can say that I really like their chances. Both muscled. Both have that fire in their eyes. The boy, especially - though I can't imagine his family will be treated well after that display. The girl seems cooler, but just as competent. None of them let fear overcome them... which will be important."

"More important than you know, Miss Io."

"I think I've got a good idea." She shrugs, before continuing. "Both could be real contenders, if they aren't picked off early to quell the competition. If they make it past bloodbath, I think we've got two potential Victors on our hands."

"A big if, but I concur. They've both got the makings of survivors. Of people who have been afraid and know how to overcome that gripping sensation. They'll be a good pair to watch this year." Hadrian moves a hand up to his face, pushing his circular frames further up upon his nose. "Last pair. I'll give you a hint - we've seen this sort of pairing already."

The Head Gamemaker presses 'play' for the last time, and the footage begins once more. Dreary skies and ramshackle buildings make up the backdrop as two children make their way to the stage.

A frown creases Io's face as the boy makes his way up. "Awh... it's always conflicting when the younger ones are Reaped. No chance in the world - especially not with that partner." Io cringes as she watches the moment Esther refuses Fox's offer of a handshake. "You said we've seen it before. It's like Seven all over again. Normal kid... and creepy partner. I don't like the look in her eye - probably hate it even more than that Ronan boy's blank stare." Io rubs her arm, Esther's gaze causing discomfort even through the screen. "It's like I'm staring into a blazing inferno. There's so much emotion... and yet none at all. I don't like it. I don't like her."

"Astute. Though, I'll have to disagree there - I'm rather fond of her. That look in her eye is intriguing."

Yeah. Her boss was definitely insane.

"I'm unsurprised to hear that from you."

"Good. You're beginning to get to know me, after all this time."

"I suppose I am." Io sighs, standing from the seat that had been offered to her. She had been about to turn and leave, when something tugged at her mind.

"What do you think, Hadrian? Who's going to win?"

Her boss's smile seems genuine this time - like an overeager child who's just been asked about his favorite hobby.

"Oh, I'm not that far into my predictions yet. I've got a few I think won't, but as for the Victor... it's anyone's game to win. Perhaps we could make sheets, compare our predictions? A friendly competition."

Ah, what the hell. Brown-nosing the boss had never hurt before.

"Of course. Just give me a date and I'll think it through."

"Wonderful! I'll keep you updated. I have no more work for you today, Miss Io. Most of it will fall upon myself from now forward - don't worry, your pay will see no change. In fact, it may even go up, if these Games serve the President well. Take some time to yourself."

She had wanted to make her way out for a coffee. Her friends were heading to a party tonight, too. Originally, work had threatened to get in the way. But now...

"I think I will." Io turns to leave, making a few paces towards the door before another thought tugs at her mind.

"Hadrian."

"Yes, Miss Io?"

"You mentioned caffeine earlier, right? Would you want... to just come with me?"

Hadrian cocks his head to the side - much like the inquisitive yet cautious movement a cat would make - before his cold, analytical eyes soften ever so slightly.

"If you're willing to appear in public with a cripple, then it would be simply lovely." Hadrian quips, straining to push himself up from his chair. "Allow me to fetch my cane, and we'll be on our way."

"I can-"

"Ah, nonsense. You're Assistant to the Head Gamemaker now, after all - not just some intern here to fetch my belongings. You're above that now, Miss Io."

Io watches as her boss hobbles the last couple of steps towards the wall, his open palm closing lightly around a sleek mahogany cane. It was strange, to watch a man younger than herself move as if he were 60 years her senior. It almost elicited pity, though she was smart enough to not outright express it. Perhaps that was why she'd invited him along, she though, as she waited for him to catch up, deliberately slowing her pace to not leave the young man in the dust.

That was easier than admitting she was beginning to enjoy the eccentric company of Hadrian Gavia.

Bridge done! This got really long, but oh well... nothing will stop me from writing my ocs.

Next up is Goodbyes, Districts 1-6! Following that will be 7-12 and then Train Rides with all 24 tributes (split into their respective district pairs).

Expect these updates pretty quickly, since individual segments will be rather short (in most cases) and I'll likely be able to knock them out pretty quickly.

That's all! Until next time...

logangster out.