Lusitania Meadowlark, 96 PTD, eight weeks before Games start

The arena, her arena, is practically singing with life. Somewhere around four thousand live attendees, a thousandfold that or more watching from home. It's a number that could put almost any other viewing to shame, and it's not even mandatory. After the studio had been hit by a stray rebel attack, it had been rebuilt, now sitting beneath the towers that made up the Training Center and her environs. At this point, the section that used to be used only twice a year (save for the television studio) has its own metro station. It's that important. It hosts weddings, events - anything you can imagine is now done in the grounds of the Training Centre. And that fills Lusi with a certain amount of thrill, because it must. She's the steward - no - warden of this great complex of ten thousand stories.

Lusitania hadn't thought it was so serious to do an interview, under normal circumstances, but Penelope being in the crowd changed that. She'd been invited to sit in the President's box, with President Locke himself and his Joseph. It's perfectly fine and safe, there's no chance of an issue arising. Besides, it will be good for Penny to get to know people other than Gamemakers and the crowd of socialites she hangs around with. Socialization is always good, especially when Pene has spent the last two days working on dinner for after tonight. Just that kind of wife, and it's nice but doesn't leave much time for getting out.

Lusi, meanwhile, is getting ready. Eyes ringed with kohl and then with eye-shadow, enough makeup to poison a small elephant and then some, and an outfit with a high collar that forces her to look like an excited peacock. It's not the best outfit, but under the circumstances? It'll have to do, especially with Decimus expecting her in five minutes and - oh stars is that the time?

But her wife, Penelope being in the audience? Well, first of all, the President's invitation isn't something you can refuse. President Locke is a lot of things. Her employer, her boss, the person she most looks up to because he's the one who had brought the riverlands of Nine to heel when she was a teenage girl. But he's not a man you can refuse even if you respect him, not for anything, and the invitation only confirms it. It's a show of force, a silently implied warning of what will happen if she fails. If he can host her wife in the stands without a word of objection, then what more can he do? She forces those thoughts out, focusing on the positive. That she's here. That she shouldn't have any issue.

"You're on in five, miss." An unwelcome interruption, but she can't keep them waiting. So, instead, she stands, grabs a glass of water and slams it down like it'll give her an Eleven's courage. She did try to get good Eleven product shipped in, but something about 'not appropriate pre-interview' meant she was told no and denied any chance of being able to steel herself. Truly, fate is cruel.

And then it's on stage. A few minutes of mindless chatter with Decimus, the man looking like a parrot who's eaten too much and isn't afraid to tell. It's only when the camera crew announces that they're on in twenty seconds, and Lusi has to get back into her chair, that the chatter stops and the thrills up her spine start. Her work is one thing, but this is a whole different game. The stress is ramping up, even as the hand drops behind the camera, the audience obligingly erupting into applause.

Decimus leans back, and gives a laugh that lets Lusi off the hook. She isn't going to be facing any hard questions, it seems. "Lusitania Meadowlark! Such a joy to have you here tonight, and of course we're glad you were able to show up at all! Your predecessor wasn't exactly the most forthcoming, but..." This is an opening, one she seizes upon with a lack of tact regretted in the seconds after.

"Well. He wasn't, but I'm the one who actually thought about all this. So, the biggest change: a reinterpretation of the Treaty of Treason according to Clause Seven, Article Three, means that-"

"What is that article?"

"Under the Treaty, a three-quarters majority of the legislature may vote to reinterpret it." No other question interrupts her, and so Lusi can keep going. "Anyways. Under the first Amendment, the Capitol has moved to allow Reapings to become genderless." There's gasps, and not for nothing. This change is massive, and is expected to provide significant…change to the Games.

"This is unprecedented." He's saying this, and she's hearing. Hearing, and worrying, because if he doesn't like this, and the crowd is genuinely silent. Everything falls in her stomach in an instant, heart pressing lower at the cool reception.

Decimus is stuttering, and there's no smile on Lusi's lips when she leans in. She isn't out in shivers, but it's a close thing. After all, if it's wrong. Well, they all remember Reedwater, and the Gamemakers all know what happened to him. Worry about it happening to, well, them. Herself more than anyone. "Yes. But."

"But?"

"But we're in a new age of the Games." That's her attempt at encouraging excitement, smiling at the audience and waiting for a response. The audience applause isn't the loudest, but it's still there. That gives Lusi some energy, hope even. A nice change from creeping terror that she's done wrong. The feeling energizes Lusi, and she claps her hands. "I understand it's non-traditional, but the impact will be considered for next year as to whether or not to make it permanent. President Locke has approved it, as has the legislature, and it makes the odds ever fairer!"

Decimus nods, still looking a bit faint, and Lusi can press on, rally around the sprays of hope that she's catching. "Trust me. This is going to be the new and improved Games. We've understood the assignment, and I can assure you my team is making sure this will be more fun for everyone! Still, I understand my words can't convince you all. Instead of further words for the moment, I have a friend to show you the extent of the shift, because actions speak louder than words and he needs to say hi. Lysander, release the baby!"

A small, squat, creature waddles out. Mottled grey skin, a shorter trunk, shaped roughly like a pig and distinctly adorable. The crowd goes wild as it toddles over to Lusi, lying down as much as it can by her chair. Indeed, it's impossible for even her to suppress a smile. "Say hi to Moe, everyone!" The crowd leans into the greeting with some enthusiasm, and 'Moe' responds with a shrill whistle that sends an aww of excitement rippling through the crowd. "Now, Decimus. Decimus, Decimus, Decimus. I don't have the right to spoil the Arena for all you lovely people. Moe and I are very excited to show you what we have in store, but that's for later. For now, is there anything you can ask me about?"

Decimus, though not without a few glances down at Moe, eventually nods. "Of course. First off, are you intending for this arena to be-"

"The best yet?" A chance to promote is always welcome, and if nothing else this question, this part has been planned. Indeed, there's gladness it's this soon, that's one positive feeling. "Yes. Not the biggest, but it's got enough ground to sustain a lot of things! Moe's got family out there, and we've been cooking up a storm in the muttation laboratories. Trust me, after this, the zoo will be well stocked."

"No expense has been spared." She can keep going, words light. "For the first time ever, we're actually giving Sponsors a taster session, one on one, between the largest Capitol Sponsor and their sponsored Tribute. One Sponsor, one session, so no trying to pull in twenty-four slots." Decimus and Lusi both laugh, the crowd obligingly doing the same after a moment.

"And, more excitingly for all of you, we're going to be running commentary on the Games throughout! We're not expecting," she suppresses a laugh. Not expecting means aren't planning, after all, and they were prepared to discourage issues, "any major events in the morning and early afternoon here in the Capitol, but we intend to have Games-related content playing 24/7. The Games will of course be playing, and we've got commentators contracted for 24/7 running of information. Additionally, on our Flutter channels, and on television proper, we'll be running programming about anything you could be interested in. Creation of mutts, a livestream from the Sponsor feeds, so on and so forth. We're looking forward to showing you every aspect of the Games!"

Decimus claps in delight, she can hear the audience doing the same. Good. They're excited. "And Moe. What is he?" A second's stumble over thoughts, that's all it takes for her mind to blanken. It takes precious more seconds before she can gather herself, paste the smile back on and keep going.

"Well, that's for you to find out. Only eight weeks until we get this started, people. Give us your attention, his family will be closer to your heart than your own!" The crowd cheers, positive. Yes, they should be cheering for Lusi. She's bringing them their entertainment, their fun. They should be cheering. "And I can promise that his family is rumbling around in our Arena, just for you all! We'll run a feature on what he is soon enough, and I can promise you that we're expecting you all to be blown away!"

Cheers wash over her. All kinds of cheering, and she isn't even done. It's a good feeling, the kind of feeling she could wear for forty million years. A very nice feeling. Still, there's more to do, and so for now she leans back and nods at the man opposite her. "Now. Go on. What's next?"

"Well..." Decimus is hesitant, that's fine, but finally puts his question forward. "Your promotion was rather impromptu."

"It was." There's not more to say, except there probably is from the expectant glance she's being given, and oh how she wishes they'd given her the questions beforehand. It would have made this whole chat a lot easier. "I was surprised. I was in charge of muttation development, wasn't expecting to be told I'd get a promotion. So I'd guess I should thank our President, then." A wave is tossed up to the box she'd assume the Presidential party is sitting in, and she can only hope they've cut to his reaction.

"But..." She hesitates for a second, then goes on. "I do have one complaint." Complaints should never be aired in private, but this time they will be. There's an apprehensive glance in Decimus' eyes, but he leans forward obligingly.

"That would be?"

"Well." Her mouth is dry, even for a joke this could be going too far. "I've got an awful lot of paperwork to fill out, courtesy of my new role." He's laughing, a good thing really, because she was trying to be funny. "I swear, I was expecting little work save for occasionally asking how my subordinates are doing. Instead, I've probably got Seven's yearly paper production stacked on my desk." The audience is laughing, now, taking up valuable time for a, really, not too funny joke, and there's a need to get it back on track. Her palms sting a little, sweat pooling on them. "Honestly, though, it's been a dream. Lets me know exactly how much Julius must have gone through, certainly makes me jealous he's retired!" Another ripple of laughter, a buzz from her wrist is met with a surreptitious look down at the band and screen attached. The words are written in Capitol gold, of course they are. Just two: Well done. Those two words bounce in her eyes, promising a victory. Well done.

Success.

Shaken from her stupor, it's fair now to offer a smile. "Sorry, Decimus. Audience. Had some more all-night supplies delivered to stay awake, the stress we're all under given what's coming up next is certainly an emotion! Now, in terms of what we're expecting to do, I know you're wanting that breakdown."

"Go on."

"We expect to start with the Reapings, aired in the usual order. Would advise you get a watch party together, we're expecting a lot of excitement! District Thirteen opening as usual, ending in One. Got a nice little interview with Catelyn Littaker scheduled before we do the recaps, and then we're expecting to do the recaps in the same order, from Thirteen down to One." That's mostly as expected. Even including the interview with the previous Victor, while that is usually scheduled later, it does traditionally happen at some point. Why not bring it forward a little earlier?

That anxiety is back, that feeling that maybe she's doing too much, got something wrong. It's pushed down, but it's chewing away at every thought, slowing responses down.

"Then, well. Well." She may hesitate from worry of phrasing just for a moment, but nobody seems to notice. This is fine. She can do this. That thought is all it takes to bring new wind to her sails. "We've got more thorough analysis to be run on the Reapings, of course, and that's new! That should, together with a highlights run from the 95th, take us right through to the parade, which we're all incredibly excited for. The stylists have worked very hard on their outfits, nothing too problematic and all as it should be. Got a variety of sizes, too, so no mess like last year's three sizes too big." She winks, and then keeps going because why has she scheduled so much to come and talk about?

"Parade analysis, and then we have three days spent mostly handling the niceties while our kids train. Of course, our loyal Capitol viewers won't go neglected! We've scheduled a nice tour of the training centre, so you all can see what our Tributes are working with. I even tried my hand with a sword, got some expert help."

"Expert?"

"Expert enough I managed not to cut myself twice! Seriously, I don't know how the kids do it." A lie, a big one, but the kind of lie that only stings a tad. She's spent enough time analyzing the Games to make sure she can talk about previous ones if questions are put to her, knows the kids do cut themselves sometimes. But best to project that confidence, excitement for children picking up weapons. "We've made the executive decision not to stream the training centre even with the training. But, we will have those Mentors willing to come on doing spots for their Tribute or Tributes! Isn't that fun?"

Nods, and she gets to smile, lounge slightly back in chair and relax. Keep speaking, keep people hooked on her words. "Of course, we've made it official that we're releasing a full list of what's available for Sponsor money to buy. No names and amounts of who's been sent what, Sponsors will be anonymous still, but total funding numbers will be available just to keep you abreast of any developments. Always nice to know your boy or girl has the support of the nation, and we're hoping you'll do just that. Support your favourite, hope they get out of the Arena in one piece!"

Done with the spiel, it's back to the nitty-gritty, as much as can be shared. "We're lengthening Interviews slightly, four minutes instead of three. You already knew that, of course, and sorry for the extra length, but our audience needs to as well. Let us get to know our brave Tributes a little better, won't that be fun? And then you get a better idea of how to Sponsor, who to Sponsor! The interviews will be airing earlier as a result, and so you have less of a wait. Scoring will be analyzed as best the media team can beforehand, some predictions made. I know what really went down, you don't. So that'll be fun."

Lusi and Decimus share a comradely laugh, the kind that almost makes her feel like there's a great connection between them. "And then I'd get a nice sleep were I you, got Games starting at the usual time and you all want to be well rested for the rush to the Cornucopia! It'll be a fun Games, that's for sure."

She gives a grin, the kind of predatory grin usually reserved for the pretty girls from One, and then leans in. Heart running faster than a mutt, "Decimus. Any other questions, or can I keep on talking?"

Nodding, Decimus acknowledges her question, and poses one of his own. "Lusi. We've heard a lot about your team, anybody in particular you think deserves an honourable mention?" Yes, too many, but she only has a short while now and she has more to say, so.

"Well, first off, I'd like to thank our dear President!" She may be laying it on too thick, but the lights atop the cameras are burning into her face now and given the joke may or may not have caused issue, a thought that worries her, she needs his support. Needs his Sponsorship just as much as the Tributes. And this is the best way to accomplish that, of course it is. "He's been such a good leader, he's made sure our department is well accounted for, and. Well, it's all down to him we're looking at such a fabulous Games this year. So thank you again."

A moment's pause, and then she's off again. "To all, or at least a lot of, my staff. Especially the top brass, I can't explain how helpful they've been without causing far too many tears to flow because I know they love me as much as I do them. They've handled the nitty gritty, they've gotten me enough sugar and caffeine to break a small army, they've made the Arena I've been wanting to do for years. Plus, we've got new friends, new Sponsors because of them!" They deserve enough of this. Her thanks

"And on that note, I'd like to thank all you watching. In the Capitol, of course, thank you for enjoying our Games to this point! Your Sponsorships, your viewership, all of that makes our world go round and without it I'm not sure we could be keeping our Games up! Thank you to Districts One, Two, Five in particular for your continual excitement for the Games, and the vigour that we can be expecting from you! As for the rest of the Districts, we thank you for being so proud, so patriotic. The Games are a chance for us all to have some good, new, fun. We're glad you're so happy about it!"

Lusi's almost done, has one more thing to bring up but before she can say it, she has to laugh and smile. Has to keep the attention with politeness, as a gift to her audience. "Oh, and Decimus. Thanks for not being as annoying as your former boss, it's been a pleasure getting to know you!" This draws a laugh, and she can hear Decimus slap his knee with a sound that almost echoes throughout the room. As if she's just that funny, even when she's sure he isn't.

Her hand sneaks down, scratches Moe behind the ears, and she swears she can hear a purr that definitely shouldn't be there, but soon enough her hand is slipping across the grey skin. It's rougher than she'd expected, given she hadn't had the time to feel them in nearly six months. When she'd last felt him, it had been smooth as a seal, and almost as slippery. The next questions, well. Ideas come, all the ones answers were pre-prepared to. What's your favourite part of the Arena? What're your expectations for Tributes this year? When do you expect the Games to finish?

And those thoughts cause a flash of disappointment, disappointed regret, because for all the work her team has put in there's no durther words to say about that without spoiling the excitement. Spoiling the fun, spoiling the game. Instead, the floor's left open for Decimus to lodge another question, one she'll have to smile and bear because by now the constant pep is getting almost tedious.

"Lusi, you've said you're not allowed to talk about your mutts, but Moe seems quite... friendly. I know the real entertainment is in the players, of course it is. It's no fun without their participation, and your Arena is their backdrop, their stage! But, as far I know, the Capitol always adores a couple of muttings in a year. Helps show just how far technology has come, just how skilled our lovely Gamemakers are. And given you've had a hand in creating the little guy yourself, well. I don't want to be too rude, but between you and me we've seen a distinctly docile little guy. Friendly, but we don't like friendly all the time. So, what's the danger?"

"Well. He's just the... middle management of the Arena? Pretty big and intimidating but not as much actual teeth? Can't have it all predatory and bitey, much to my eternal regret. Moe, he's never going into the Arena. He'll stay outside, a nice little mascot for us so we can keep him around as a friendly figure in the office. After all, what's the point in having this kind of cute on hand just to be eaten. Moe's the… nicer side? Still, there's others. Bigger wildlife, the kind of stuff that isn't so easy to kill and is a whole lot more dangerous. Trust me, Tributes can have just as much danger as they want to take with the Arena! No more, and no less."

This promise causes excited muttering among those in the rows, muttering Lusi is more than happy to smile at and engage because it's her people muttering. These are the rich people she wants to impress, and she has to make one last pitch, so it's here. "Oh, and before I forget, to everyone in the Capitol. We've got lovely Mentors available and looking forward to your call at any time. Day, night, they can either take it or hit you back at the earliest possible point. If you can't wait to submit pledges before the Games begin, then call them up now!"

She's sure they will, and with that she offers a wave. "Bye everyone, I'm looking forward to seeing you soon! Only eight weeks to go! I'm very much hoping to be able to join in Reaping reviews, and totally not to get away from paperwork !" A final round of laughter to cap off the interview, and Decimus has the room to say bye. As he always does, and she can give him this space. The night's been her time, he gets this all to himself.

"Our lovely watchers here in the Capitol, out in the Districts, I wish you all a very good night, and we'll see you in eight weeks! The Games await! We'll see you very soon." Decimus snaps off that languid salute that had become legend across Panem, and the flashing lights atop each camera cut.

Author's Note:

I'd like to shoutout my fabulous beta Ama - tysm Ama a second pair of eyes is always great 3.

To confirm, this does mean the reapings will be genderless - I'm more than happy to take two boys, two girls, one of each or anything else you'd like to submit into consideration! I'll also officialize that two kids (unrelated to other) per submitter are welcome - I'm looking forward to meeting all yours, already love many of those I've met!

Deadline reminder as March 21st!