Panem Forever (A Hunger Games Quest)

Vote is closed! The winning vote is....

[X] Settle back down and prepare yourself to evaluate District 4. (If you want to survive the opening day of the games, you know you should probably learn everything you can about the career pack. Honorius knows 2 like the back of his hand and will probably try to help you get an alliance with 2 or 4. You don't have anything against Willow, you might even try to ally with her in the arena, but there can only be one winner and you need to cover your bases.)

Thank you to everyone who read and voted! The next chapter will be up soon!

You take a deep breath. You still don't think Honorius is right about Willow, but she did say she would come back on her own to watch the monsters. You don't regret watching the reapings of the outer districts though and you think the girl from 11 and the boy, if you could call him that, from 10 were threats. 11 for the sponsors she could get with her ditzy act and 10, both for the sponsors he could get and for the sheer strength and presence he projected. You wouldn't want to take him on one-on-one.

You wait for about five more minutes before Honorius returns, Templesmith in tow. The flamboyant Capitol escort is tittering nervously, wearing a completely different set of clothes, a gold tux and a green wig. "Oh, what have I missed? I simply had to freshen up! My clothes smelled of dirt and ash." He shakes his head. "Ugh, that simply wouldn't do."

You remain silent, glaring at the Capitol monkey while Honorius sighs and answers his question. "A decent spread. Standouts were the District 11 girl, very grateful to the Capitol for the opportunity, the District 10 boy, a patriotic rancher, and sadly, there was a pregnant girl reaped in District 8."

Templesmith brings a pale, chalky white hand to his mouth. "Oh dear…oh dear. Poor thing. Why, I'm sure we'll think of something. We simply can't endanger the baby."

Honorius nods before taking a seat with a pained grunt. "We place our faith in the Capitol. They'll do right by that child."

Templesmith beams. "Of course, I don't know why I was so worried. I'm sure it will all be fine."

You grumble and snarl, catching the attention of Templesmith, but remain silent and straighten your face as soon as you can. He wasn't worth your words. You knew that it was messed up enough as it was, and you didn't need Temple-shit-for-brains to mouth off about your 'unpatriotic' attitude to the wrong people. You knew from watching the games year after year that the more rebellious tributes, if they were doing well, often fell to mutts, collapsed from a lack of resources from sponsors, or were killed by the careers who were strung along by the gamemakers to the tribute's position. While it might feel good to tell the Capitol to get fucked, it would most certainly be unwise. You're playing the long game here. You had to be smart.

The holo projector turns on once more almost immediately after Templesmith takes his seat on the plush couch. The opening coverage of District 4 is full of shots of the beach, fishermen on trawlers bringing in nets full of squirming fish, and children playing in the sand. You had never seen anything like the ocean before. It was… beautiful. You don't think the Capitol likes the district folk knowing too much about other districts because before, you had only seen the main squares of the other districts on the Reaping Day recaps and had never seen the coast of District 4.

The mood in the square of District 4 is clearly more cheerful than the other reapings you saw so far, with the kids in the reaping pen chatting and joking with each other without fear… you always hated seeing the career districts and their smiling children. They knew that even if they were reaped, someone would volunteer in their place. At least most of the time… A few years back, the boys of District 4 looked scared before the reaping and no one volunteered for the 16-year-old who was reaped. The whole of the district must have known that there would be no volunteer for the boys that year.

This year, however, District 4 looks as happy and as festive as ever with strings of colorful flags arrayed all over the square and many in the crowd waving small Panem flags with enthusiasm. Their escort, Plutarch Heavensbee had been with 4 for as long as you can remember. It made sense you think, why he stuck around. 4 was popular in the Capitol, not as brutal as 2, nor as fake and vapid as 1, but still competent and deadly. You imagine that Capitol folks also liked to visit the white sand beaches of 4 and that couldn't hurt their popularity.

As Heavensbee, a rotund but pleasant little man bedecked in gray and gold makes all the right motions and speeches, you can see the victors of 4 arrayed behind him. You knew three of them by sight. The first official female victor, Mags Flanagan, Nero Kelper, who won the Quarter Quell back in '25 after campaigning for the honor of being voted in as tribute that year, and Mariana, who won her games only three years ago. You'll never forget those games.

You still remember how everyone counted 4 out because the arena was a barren, dark, desolate waste. They called it the Badlands. That year, 1 and 2 with the boy from 7, you forget his name, tried to eliminate 4 right after the bloodbath but only got the boy. Mariana escaped and teamed up with Bovina, the girl from 10, and Connor from your district. The three of them made for a good team and you learned more about Mariana than you would have than if she was part of the career pack. They didn't discuss weapons or how many other kids they were going to kill. They spoke of home, their favorite foods, their siblings… You cried along with her when Bovina stepped in gamemaker quicksand and they couldn't save her. Connor made it almost until the end, the longest any twelve lasted in years, but when the twos ambushed them, he took a blow meant for Mariana. After she won, during the victory tour, a few peacekeepers let her speak with Connor's family afterwards, you watched from a distance as hugs and tears were exchanged. You never saw those peacekeepers again.

4 was viewed as the least of the career districts and were often the first to be cut out of the career alliance. Before the reaping begins and while the commentators are making more stupid jokes and comments, you turn to speak to Honorius. "Will 4 even ally with 1 and 2 still, given what happened last year?" Both tributes from 4 got gamemaker scores of 10 and were the odds-on favorites to win. 1 and 2, along with Chaff butchered them in the bloodbath, a more successful attempt of what they tried to do during Mariana's games.

Honorius looks at you with something approaching approval. "You might be on the right track. Mags always says that holding a grudge is pointless in these games but even she might make an exception this year. Can't hurt to ask her, at any rate, but let's see who they've trained up for this year before overthinking it."

You feel a little better knowing that he's not trying to steer you only towards 2 for allies. He may just have your best interests in mind, after all.

The Capitol escort starts with the girls' reaping with enthusiasm. "Amber Rip!" A 12-year-old is called up. She looks terrified but the camera shows the encouraging smiles of the others, and she strides up to the stage with her head held high.

Lucretia croons, "Oh, so precious. Shame we won't see more of her."

The other commentator laughs. "I'm sure she'll get her chance at glory someday, Lucy. It's just not her time."

Even though Heavensbee must know that there would be a volunteer he still asks the little girl, "Do you have anything to say to your district, Amber?"

She smiles easily, her freckled face lighting up. "Oh, yes! I just want to say that I love everyone in the district because we're all one people, devoted to the future of Panem!" She looks very proud of herself and not for the first time, you wonder if this was all staged. How could they know she would be reaped though?

Templesmith claps. "Such a sweet girl!"

Heavensbee nods vigorously. "Well said, young lady!" He turns back to the audience. "Now, are there any volunteers!"

"Me!" A voice from the front row of the girls' pen. "I volunteer as tribute!"

You can see the little girl relax as she's led off the stage by peacekeepers and this other girl takes her place. She looks kind of like some girls you've seen in the Seam, with olive skin, curly brown hair, and blue eyes. Heavensbee is clapping as he waddles over to the new tribute. "Ah, and what's your name, dear?"

She smiles confidently. "Poseida Reef!"

Heavensbee hums in satisfaction. "Are you related to last year's tribute, Alana Reef?"

She nods, smiling slightly but her eyes are now narrowed in determination. "She was my sister. I plan on making her proud."

Heavensbee nods. "And so, you shall."

Plutarch Heavensbee plucks the second slip of the reaping. "And now, for the boys! Ryder Reef!"

A boy from the middle rows walks forward. He looks a bit scared but calms when he glances at the front rows. You think you see who he was looking at because a tall, well-built boy in the front row nods at him firmly. Poseida looks a bit concerned but you think she masks it pretty well. They had to be related.

Lucretia practically swoons. "Oho, I think we've spotted our next volunteer this year, Gaius."

"Don't count on it, Lucy! He might have just been wishing the boy luck. We could have a brother-sister pairing of tributes from District 4 this year! What luck!"

Lucretia was right. When Heavensbee calls out for volunteers, that boy from the front row rushes up to the stage. He's wearing a sleeveless shirt and his muscles are some of the biggest you've seen, even from the likes of 2. He's easily six and half feet tall, with olive-skin and wavy brown hair. When the camera zooms in, you can see that his eyes are green. His smile is daring and confident as Heavensbee asks. "Oh, my goodness! What have they been feeding you, my boy?"

The imposing boy laughs. It sounds real to your ears. "Well, mama always told me to eat my eel and here we are, sir."

Heavensbee laughs along with him before asking, "And what's your name?"

The boy visibly strikes a pose for the camera, and you struggle not to laugh. He looks like one of those corny heroes on the Capitol dramas that the Townies ate up. "I'm Tyde Longliner and I'll represent District 4 and honor the Capitol as best I can."

Heavensbee pats the boy on his chiseled arm. "Of course, you will, son. Of course, you will."

The Capitol escort chuckles, turning back to Poseida, his girth jiggling with the vibrations. "Was that your brother that was reaped earlier?"

Poseida smiles, glancing over at Tyde. "Yes, it was, and I can't be more grateful for my district partner."

Tyde nods and the mics don't pick it up, but it looks like he said something to the effect of "My pleasure."

When it's time for them to shake hands, they go one step further and raise their arms up high in unison to the cheers of the crowd. The cameras zoom in to show Tyde's perfect, smiling teeth along with Poseida's teary eyes.

Honorius nods in approval. "Now those are true tributes. Artemisia and Cassius will want them."

"Who?" Maybe those are the names of the District 2 tributes this year.

Honorius gives a little grunt. "The mentors this year from 2. Smart, the both of them. Arty has a temper though, hope she doesn't get her kid killed for some stupid reason because she can't keep her mouth shut. Anyway, they'll want 4, to keep them close at any rate."

Both of the Tributes from 4 have teary eyes as the crowd throws flowers at the stage, chanting their names. The camera zooms in on Poseida, who now has tears streaming down her face while wearing a wide smile. She looks beautiful.

"Look at that," crows Lucretia. "Such emotion, such fervor! Those are tears of joy as she looks on in pride at her district, proud to take this burden upon herself as a tribute to all of Panem."

Gaius sniffles and the scene cuts back to the commentators' booth. "It's beautiful, Lucy. I just can't…" He wipes his eyes, with his purple handkerchief as the cheers of District 4 continue to be heard in the background.

As the shot returns to the two tributes of District 4 once more, you think that for once, those peacocks are right. Poseida wasn't sad, or maybe she was, but you think that she was looking out at her district for what might be the last time with a swell of different emotions, foremost of them pride. You don't think you'll ever understand the careers completely, but you can't deny that you were moved, at least a little bit. There's also a burning pit inside you that feels the cutting jealousy of never having to fear being randomly reaped. You wish that Briar never had to fear that…

As the scene changes to the vast forests of District 7, Honorius speaks while the introductions are underway. "4 looks strong this year but there are no guarantees, especially after last year. We'll see where you stand in training before really entering into alliance negotiations, but you just might have a shot. The boy is dangerous, has something to prove. You can see it in his eyes. The girl is in it to be remembered, either for winning the damn thing or for her sacrifice. She might be more reliable."

After the big production for District 4, the reaping for 7 is over so quickly, with two sullen and mute tributes glaring at the cameras. Rowan Miller and Jessie Pine looked to be a matched set, with the same black-haired, brown-eyed features. They looked strong too. You couldn't glean much from all that and after watching a bunch of the earlier reapings, you're starting to get lost in the pattern.

Honorius hums. "They've clearly been logging a while. Watch out for those two. Sevens usually stick together and don't play the game as it's meant to be played so… approach them with caution."

District 6 was nearly as depressing as 8, but thankfully no pregnant girls or 12-year-olds were reaped. It was two teenagers from the middle rows. The boy, Otto Ford, looked strong and the girl, Tyra Raleigh looked pretty healthy for an industrial district. The escort, bedecked in jewels, tries to engage them in conversation but they give terse, one-word answers, much like District 7.

Templesmith sighs. "I'll never understand. They should be excited about their shot at glory! They always look so sad."

Honorius gives the Capitol escort a look that could shear the white paint off a wood shack, but his words are more measured. "They have long odds. Not much to be excited about."

Templesmith raises a finger in protest. "Ah but everyone likes an underdog, Honorius! Just like our tributes. I have a good feeling about this year!"

You think Honorius would roll his eyes if he weren't so dignified. "I'm sure your positive energy and enthusiasm will inspire them both."

The peacock raises a tailored eyebrow. "You're making fun of me, aren't you?"

"Oh, no," you say. "I feel inspired already." You can see Honorius giving you a small smile while the escort fumes behind him.

Templesmith huffs. "Well, I see that I'm not welcome here." He gets up and leaves, no doubt to stuff himself in the dining car.

Honorius shakes his head. "It's his third year at this, he's going to have to get a thick skin soon."

You really don't care if he does or not. You're just glad you won't have to hear his stupid voice for a few hours or so.

Next up is District 5 and you never knew what it looked like before now. Apparently, it was a huge desert with dotted settlements of white-washed clay homes and giant expanses of shining, angled plates. "What are those?"

"Solar panels," answers Honorius. "Take the sunlight and turn it into power. Don't ask me how it works."

You don't. They also show this huge cement construction with water coming out of it and a large basin of calm water above it. You think you know what that is. It's a dam. You'd read about them in school but never seen one.

As the scene moves to the main square of the district, you see that there are less people here than almost any other district, except perhaps your own. Tough odds.

A 14-year-old named Sunny Ampere is reaped first and she plays along well with the Capitol escort. "The other tributes better watch out," she says. "They might be shocked!"

The Capitol escort, wearing the more subdued colors of District 5, silver and dark blue, laughs before moving onto the boys. "Holden Wren!"

An awkward looking boy with glasses moves up to the stage. He looks more annoyed than anything. You can't see any fear in his expression. Either he genuinely doesn't fear death or for some reason or just doesn't feel fear in general.

"How do you think you'll fare in the games?" asks the escort, the clanking of her silver bangles audible.

"Too soon to tell. Ask me again in two weeks," he says flatly.

Honorius snorts and even you can see the humor in it. It was a bit cocky for a slip of a kid that even you think you could bowl over in a few seconds, but you think he's got some balls.

"I like that boy," says Gaius and for once, you wholeheartedly agree with him.

District 3 was up next but before the projector switches over to cover the technology district, Willow steps back in and takes a seat on the opposite side of the room from you and Honorius. "Huh, well, I'm earlier than I wanted."

You try to give her a small smile, but it comes out more as a grimace. "It's good you're here. It's probably best you didn't see some of it."

She glares at you with those piercing Seam eyes. "What. You think I couldn't handle it?"

You glare back, annoyed. "That's not what I said at all."

Honorius butts in. "There were some tragic reapings, 12-year-old from 11, pregnant girl from 8, volunteers from 4 are strong, no surprise there. That's all you need to know."

Willow crosses her arms. "You sure about that, mentor?"

The old victor points at the screen. "You weren't here, you don't take this seriously, you don't get to pick my brain. Now, watch."

You don't think that's completely fair. She should have more information that that to go off of, but you don't want to anger Honorius. You're his favorite right now and you don't think that will change anytime soon but still… Pissing off a killing machine from 2 was never a good idea. You…

[ ] Quietly fill her in with some information about the observations of Honorius and some of your own while the reaping for District 3 plays in the background. (You should pool your knowledge. She might know something else or observe something about the other career tributes that you might miss down the line and you want her to tell you her thoughts as well, especially later on in training. After all, you won't be able to get a read on everyone just by yourself.)

[ ] Let her be. (She'll know what she needs to soon enough. Besides, this was just first impressions. The tributes might show more of their true colors in the Capitol. Some of your observations may be wrong, even if you think Honorius' words probably hold a lot of truth to them.)

QM's Note: Cutting this as bit short because the next chapter will be a chonker. The Capitol really goes big on showcasing the reapings from 1 and 2, the perennial favorites so there will be a big production and a lot of analysis as Honorius dissects every bit of their personas and for 2, their preferred fighting methods and tactics they excelled at during training. Lots of detail coming.

3-HOUR-MORATORIUM!