Contessa Devereaux, 36
Contessa by name, Contessa by nature. Contessa Devereaux was someone who was never truly satisfied, the type of person who lived in a state of perpetually pursuing challenge. Most Capitol folk pursued physical perfection, to be considered beautiful- ostentatious through and through, and Contessa was more than equipped to use her physical allure to secure herself a worthy suitor and become a renowned trophy wide; but that would not, it could not satisfy her. Contessa did not scorn the women who chose that path, it was something she had entertained more than once- like any woman raised in the Capitol she bore a fondness for frivolity, but what truly set Contessa apart was her shrewd intellect and unrivalled ambition.
Contessa fondly reminisces on her time as a student at the institute, refining her skills in statecraft and indulging her interests in chemistry and engineering. As varied and seemingly unconnected as her pursuits were, she knew that she would be able to utilise them to open any door put before her and that her skillset would ensure she would be exposed to a plethora of 'opportunities' befitting a woman like herself who had secured her place in the upper echelon of society and was more than eager to leave her mark on the world. It was that reason, and that reason alone that she was brimming with anticipation and not dread as she walked the hallowed of the Forum.
Contessa could not help but notice that the Forum seemed no different to other areas dotted throughout the Capitol, radiating wealth with the neo-Georgian architecture and the marble floors; but the very air seemed different, as though it thrummed with possibility. The Forum was where the true power players of Panem of gathered, and Contessa knew this opportunity was her golden ticket she admired the abstract artwork as she walked through the halls, tapestries retelling the stories of the Capitol's meteoric rise to supremacy in Panem; Contessa was determined to see her own story weaved into the history of Panem and this would be step one.
The Capitolite headed closer to the offices, spotting many of Panem's most affluent and influential figures moving through the building and paused to watch a moment. Contessa had learned from an early age that observing others allowed for you to manufacture scenarios which benefitted you the most. Choosing to speak to the right person, to let the right secret finds its way into the right ear, was pivotal to success in a viper's nest and while the Capitol was the most treacherous of nests to those who had a modicum of intelligence.
A few seconds passed before Contessa was greeted by the most curious of sights, a Victor in the Forum- or Victors in this case; Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark were exiting the President's private offices. Most wouldn't raise an eyebrow at such a thing, the star-crossed lovers were beloved to the President for being instrumental in exposing the treason of Plutarch Heavensbee and the systematic destruction of any notion of rebellion in the Districts. Katniss seemed tense, although the stoic girl always seemed on edge while her beloved husband clung to her hand with his handsome features twisted in concern- something Contessa would try to investigate later. As the pair of Victors passed her heads bowed together in hushed conversation, Contessa bowed her head in recognition of their status before heading to the door they had exited.
Contessa pulled the peach silk glove from her hand before placing it again the biometric processor at the door, there was a sudden sting as her blood was extracted before a green light signalled for her to enter. Squaring her shoulders and arranging her face into a genteel smile, Contessa stepped into the President's private offices- the image of confidence. A large white room is where she found herself, so different from the halls of the Forum, sleek chrome furnishings and technology that made the Capitol itself seem primitive. Capitol technology was a marvel, but this was beyond the comprehension of most, to operate this machinery was to become nothing less than a God who could craft the world into their own image.
"Something captured your interest, Lady Deveraux?" Contessa froze, unaware that she had been reaching towards a device, she turns slowly to be greeted by Coriolanus Snow himself.
A striking figure with carefully coiffed hair the colour of snow, an impeccably tailored suit- the picture of a wealthy Capitolite, but that wasn't what made the man so imposing; Contessa had observed the President over the years, with his honeyed words and sharp gaze. If this was the Viper's nest, then this man was the most venomous snake in the pit.
"Well women are often distracted by pretty things, Mr. President," Contessa kept her tone light and airy, to appear non-threatening, and the smirk that twisted the President's full lips told Contessa her that her attempts would futile as he stepped forwards. His emerald gaze turned appraising as he looked her up and down. As he came closer Contessa inhaled a perfume of roses, almost sickly-sweet and cloying; every hair on her body stood on end.
"I would like it if we could be honest with one another Ms. Devereaux, do you not agree?" The smell was almost overwhelming, and while his tone was jovial and phrased as a question, Contessa knew it was anything but; the words seeped in menace and while every fibre of her being was warning her of danger, Contessa was enthralled with this dance they were about to enter.
"Of course, I am curious however why you requested my presence. What would someone like me have done to garner the interest of the most powerful man in Panem?" Contessa knew it was a risk; to take such an openly teasing tone with the President but it was a calculated risk. If Contessa sought satisfaction, Snow sought challenge, and the amused click of the President's tongue told her that the risk was worth it.
"Modesty is a trait many would admire, it has its place; but you are not modest are you? You are one of the brightest minds, ambitious; almost cruel in pursuit of success. You are someone not afraid to 'rock the boat' if it benefits you. Would you agree with my assessment?"
The President then moved away towards a projector, finger gracefully gliding along the control panel. Contessa watched as articles marking her rise to success were projected before her; recordings of unfortunate happenings that granted her opportunities. Restricted files that Contessa thought she has buried, research that she vowed would never see the light of day.
Contessa could not find words, simply nodding her head in agreement with his words. Internally she was scolding herself, she thought of herself as a widow but it seems all she had done was caught herself in her own web. Her discomfort must have been visibly as the President smiled wide, the expression more predatory than reassuring.
"Well in that case, I have a proposition for you."
Since receiving the proposition from the President, Contessa had been invigorated; she was now surrounded by the finest scientific mind's that Panem had to offer. Their accolades gave her a reason to push herself, to stretch the possibilities of what was plausible- to facilitate making the wildest wonderings in her mind a reality. She was by no means the most intelligent person in this group that President Snow had assembled, but she noticed very quickly why she had been selected as the one to liaise with the President. As 'great' as the minds of her colleagues were, they were unoriginal- always trying to replicate previous successes.
After 79 years, the Hunger Games were running the risk of becoming stagnant and Contessa was not blind to realising that this could contribute to 'unrest' in the Districts. Contessa knew that the games were needed to remind the Districts of the Capitol's complete control and quash any rumblings of rebellion. Following her latest correspondence with Snow, Contessa was confident that these Hunger Games would leave no question in the minds of the Districts that they were nothing more than the bread and circuses of the Capitol.
It was an unfamiliar sensation. The thrill of challenge, the chance to truly make her own mark on the world. Tracing her finger across the nameplate of her office, Contessa Devereaux was finally satisfied.
Contessa Devereaux
Head Gamemaker
This is my first venture into fanfiction.
This will be a SYOT, and I will also be posting on AO3. Please let me know your thoughts and if you'd like to submit.
I have a few chapters up my sleeve to set up the plot. As you've gathered this is AU.