So... This chapter... is a little different...a change in pace from my norm... 
I hope you enjoy the change in perspective.

Everyone reading, thank you so much!

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Take Care and Stay Safe! ~CANGEL

***

The Capitol

A Capitol Citizen

     The large screen flickered to life, bright colors dancing across the room, pulling attention immediately to the luxurious surroundings. The familiar anthem of Panem swelled through the air, and they raised a frosted crystal glass to their freshly painted lips. Perfectly shaped nails coated in a deep burgundy contrasted against the fine crystal.

     An appreciative hum left their mouth at the exquisite taste of the berry wine and the smoothness as it ran down her throat.

     An indulgence that was worth the exorbitant cost.

     As soon as the Anthem and Panem's emblem faded from the screen, the sound of cheers and clapping filled the air, heralding Caesar Flickerman's grand appearance. His broad smile showcased impeccable shaped, gleaming teeth, and a face that hasn't aged a day for the past twenty years.

     In a perfectly cushioned chair of their own, they watched the broadcast from the comfort of their own luxurious home—the truest form of wealth and power. One did not go to events such as this—mingling with those who scraped and begged for a seat of their own, as if that was the highest point of their lives. What sad, disappointing creatures were living amongst them these days. No ambition. No pride.

     With a heavy sigh, they watched as the Capitol's beloved Games host, stepped out onto the stage with his signature grandiose flair, waving to the present crowd as he moved toward his newly cushioned black chair. Two other chairs were already filled, yet neither of them pulled the attention from Caesar's entrance.

     Now there was a man who was ambitious. A man who knew the power he wielded and managed it perfectly, balancing the wants and desires of those fickle little creatures, with the needs of Panem. There was a reason he had been the Game's host for so many years with no end in sight.

     He was simply...deliciously irreplaceable.

     They adjusted their position, leaning forward slightly as Caesar took his seat in his own plush black chair, anticipation humming the air around them. His silver suit positively gleamed against the matte black behind him even from the screen. It was a marvelous color set, one matched by his silver hair. Caesar always had an eye for fashion, setting new trends every year, leaving stylists scrambling to meet demands.

     "Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the Capitol, we are a month away from the 68th Annual Hunger Games!" Caesar announced, his voice resonating through the screen, rich and smooth, his pitch rising with just the right amount of flair to get a reaction from the audience below him. They did not disappoint him, erupting into applause, whistles, and excited shouts. "And what a year it's shaping up to be, am I right?" Caesar directed at his co-host, the beautiful Livia Goldleaf, while the audience's cheers grew even louder in agreement with Caesar's assessment.

     The screen panned over to Livia Goldleaf, elegant and poised with short, sharp silver hair that glittered under the light. Her deep red lips accented her powdered face beautifully as her extended eyelashes touched her brows with each accentuated blink. Her form was slender with delicious curves, perfected by surgeries, and showcased tonight in a simple gown, its sheer fabric reflecting the lights from above, giving it a beautiful glow.

     Despite her beauty, Livia Goldleaf was a rather dull person, more interested in the latest gossip and regurgitating what she had been told, rather than formulating her own thoughts. But that is what made her such an endearing co-host to Caesar Flickerman, who just loved to take a bite out of the juicy bits that Livia Goldleaf loved giving.

     "That's right, Caesar," she said smoothly, her voice a sultry purr. "The 68th Hunger Games are set to be...quite the event." She shook dramatically, buzzing with her own excitement they were sure was reflected in every person in the audience. "But before we dive into predictions, we have a very special guest with us tonight. This year's Head Gamemaker, Severus Vale!"

     The screen shifted to the third person sitting between the two hosts on stage. Rather innocuous looking, at first glance, they felt their interest tugged, curiosity had them shifting in their seat as they took another sip of the wine. Severus Vale. A tall, thin man with dark, neatly combed hair, his demeanor calm...almost too calm, as he smiled at Caesar and Livia.

     "Oh, you flatter me," Severus drawled, folding his hands together. His voice was low, controlled, a sharp contrast to Caesar's lively tone and Livia's seductive purr. "It's a pleasure to be here today."

     So, this was the Head Gamemaker, the master behind the bloodshed to come. Anticipation welled at the slightly unexpected appearance of a new Head Gamemaker. Last year's had made quite an impression—yet hadn't been invited back this year. How interesting...

     Caesar grinned, flashing those infamous gleaming teeth. "Well, the pleasure is truly ours to be had! How has your year been going so far?"

     "Ah, you know how it is for us Gamemaker's Caesar." Severus said, perfectly calm, only a small curl of his lip indicated the teasing nature of his words. "All work and no play..."

     Caesar clapped a hand over his chest dramatically, as if the words had physically harmed him. "No—no! You know what they say! All work and no play! It the kiss of death—the start of all aging!"

     "Ah, so that's your secret." Severus responded, raising a brow. "All play and no work."

     Caesar winked—and the audience rose to their feet and an appreciative cheer. Only the audience would believe this exchange, which Severus and Caesar carefully crafted. While politeness was expected, there was only so much that a Gamemaker could share with the public masses.

     "Well, now that my secret's out, let's have one of yours. We've all been simply dying to hear some details about this year's Arena, haven't we?" He turned to the audience which roared its approval just seconds after quieting from the last round of excitement. "So, what's in store for our tributes this time? What can we expect?"

     Severus leaned back in his chair, his smile curling at the edges, teasing the excitement building in the audience. "Well, Caesar, you know the rules." His tone was playful, as if he were holding back a delicious secret. "I can't give too much away, or there'll be no surprises left, will there?"

     Well, well, well... Their fingers tapped against the arm of their plush chair, thoughtfully. Severus Vale knew exactly how to play the audience, and it made them even more interested in the events yet to unfold. How would he manipulate the tributes in the Arena to garner the biggest reactions from within the Capitol?

    Livia chuckled throatily, recrossing her legs, drawing attention to her well formed assets. "Oh, Severus, you're always so tight-lipped." She pouted a bit while leaning forward, the lights shifting on her shimmering dress. "But surely, surely, you can share something with us? Just a hint. We promise we won't tell." The last bit was whispered, her smile curled and eyes locked on the audience, who had grown quiet with anticipation and desperation for an answer from the Head Gamemaker.

     Severus Vale offered a faint, cryptic smile, as if he held all the secrets of the world—and in regards to the Arena—he most assuredly did. He tilted his head thoughtfully—though they were sure it was well practiced—before speaking.

     "Well, Caesar," he began, his voice smooth and calculated, "you know I hate ruining the mystery of surprises." The crowd started making sounds of protest, thinking he would refuse them. Impatient little creatures, they tsked from the comfort of their room, taking a sip of their berry wine as they waited for the audience to calm with the help of Caesar. Severus smiled, "but I would be loathed if I didn't leave you with something to chew on."

     They let out a soft huff at the expected catch—and here it had been getting so unexpectedly interesting. Hopefully, Severus could offer more than a few minutes of intrigue. At least the reveal of some small part of the Arena would cause some intrigue—it almost always did—but only if it was just a small bite. Too much could spoil the anticipation. Guessing what was to come was the best part of the fun.

     Caesar and Livia shared an excited laugh, echoed by the audience.

     But as soon as Severus shifted forward in his seat, a hush followed, until every trace of sound had been erased. Even sitting on their plush cushioned chair, their movements stilled, their breath stopped, as they awaited the words that would either turn this year's Hunger Games into a grand anticipated event, or a boring thrill to pass the time.

     Severus Vale stared straight into the camera, as if he were speaking to every citizen watching from all across Panem. "What you see may not be what's really there."

     A murmur rippled through the Capitol audience, the tension, apprehension, and excitement palpable. One felt even through the screen. They felt a shiver run down their spine as their mind spun. Was the Arena going to be some kind of trick? An illusion?

     Caesar raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh, that sounds absolutely thrilling! So, can we expect a few...surprises, then?"

     They felt their own curiosity rising to match Caesar's, eager for more information, yet hoping it remained elusive at this early stage.

     Severus chuckled softly; his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, Caesar, you really are a sly fox, now, aren't you? I'm afraid that's all I have to share about the Arena in this year's Hunger Games."

     Caesar blushed, looking toward the audience with his hands on both cheeks, looking properly scolding for digging for more information.

     Of course, Caesar soon turned back to Severus, laughing off the comment, with ease, no true embarrassment to be had. "Well, you've certainly caught me red-handed." The audience laughed with him. "But can you blame me? I mean..." Caesar trailed off purposefully, leaving the audience on its toes. "An Arena that is not what it seems...I'm suddenly spun around by the possibilities!"

     Their mind spun too, from the solitary room with which they watched. Could it be something with mirrors? Hallucinations? Perhaps even something that made the tributes question their own sanity. The Games were always unpredictable, though sometimes falling flat, but this...this year's hinted at something far more sinister and exciting.

     A daunting undertaking from a new Head Gamemaker.

     "But, let's talk about last year for a moment," Caesar continued, his voice rising with enthusiasm. "Because we cannot forget the 67th Hunger Games so soon, can we?" The audience gave a resounding no. "Hailing from District 14, the twelve-year-old twins were once considered an afterthought. But last year...They raised themselves from obscurity to eternal greatness. No one will ever forget, the Hunger Games that ended with the Wicked Wolfe emerging victoriously from that blooded Arena!"

     Caesar's excited words brought back vivid memories of last year's Games. Scarlet and Crimson Wolfe—the twelve-year-old twins who had survived all of the tributes, only to find themselves faced with each other on the final day. The thrill it had sent through them to watch the completely unexpected happening—last year's Games were truly a marvel, and one that needed to be remembered.

     With Caesar's words, the screen shifted, playing a clip of those unforgettable final seconds and immersing them in that delicious tension, unmatched anticipation, and the carnal hunger that came with watching a bloodthirsty final match.

     The same feelings arose once more even as they knew the outcome. Their chest tightened with suspense, heart pounding so fast it felt as if it were going to burst. It had been agony, trying to decide on which one was going to be the final Victor.

     Crimson standing behind Scarlet, his arms around her throat, cutting off her oxygen. Her body leaked blood like a faucet, having just been torn into by the black wolf under Crimson's control.

     Scarlet's desperation and fear shined brightly in her eyes as she fought desperately to free herself of her brother's merciless hold. When all seemed determined, set in stone—once more, they were thrown with the unexpected.

     The wire! Everyone had forgotten about the wire wrapped around Scarlet's slender wrist, until she looped it around the back of her throat and used it to throw him over her shoulder. In a single, unexpected move, she had regained even footing with her opponent and was pressing the advantage.

      A thrilling, heart-stopping twist that no one saw coming!

     Scarlet had the wire wrapped around his neck in seconds, holding it tightly, even as it cut through the skin of her palm—it cut through the muscle of Crimson's throat so much quicker. At first, he resisted, struggled, but the more he struggled, the more the wire cut into him, and it wasn't long into the brutal, bloody attack that Crimson fell to his knees.

     The scene cut as Crimson's head slid from his body, plopping on the red saturated snow. Scarlet sat behind him, bloodied, bruised, and stunned. The unexpected Victor, but never had the title been more deserved.

     The clip ended, and they let out a shaky breath, pressing their hand against their chest, the thrum of their rapidly beating heartbeat against their slender fingers as a thrilled lyrical laugh left their mouth.

     What a delightful, vicious little fiend. When she's older, I'd love to get my hands on her.

     Back in the Capitol, Caesar was beaming. "The Wicked Wolfe, everyone!" The audience roared with their approval, and this time, they felt a flicker of the same urges pulse through them. If anyone deserved their applause, it was her.

     "Scarlet Wolfe has certainly left her mark on the Capitol, that's for sure." Livia said, her hand placed delicately against her chest, eyes still half locked on the blank screen above them where the final scene had played out just seconds before.

     "But, the question remains—can District 14 do it again?" Caesar asked, settling into his chair.

     Livia nodded along with him, a playful smile on her lips, "That's right Caesar. Everyone has this question. The Wicked Wolfe put them on the map last year, but was she just an outlier? Or is there more promise to be found in District 14?"

     Caesar turned to Severus Vale, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Severus, you seem to love mysteries and puzzles. What do you think about District 14's prospects in gaining another Victor?"

     They leaned forward in their seat, curiosity ate at their insides as they waited for the Head Gamemaker's opinion. They too, were curious if District 14 could replicate their success, or if they would fall back into their pathetic failings.

     Severus paused for a moment, as if weighing the question and his words carefully. "District 14 has always been...irrelevant—" That was putting it mildly. "—if you will. But last year...they truly surprised everyone and proved that they are not to be discounted. Going from no Victors at all to having two tributes at the very end? Ending with the Wicked Wolfe herself...I would have said it was impossible before last year. But after that? Anything is possible."

     Their head cocked to the side; a feathered brow lifted in the air. His words were right, playing down the middle, neither confirming nor denying District 14's potential success, yet there was something in his tone...

     Caesar's eyes glinted with intrigue his grin widening. "Well, that's very diplomatic of you, Severus. But..." he chuckled, exchanging a glance with Livia seated across from him, who smirked at the Head Gamemaker. "Why do I sense a bit of doubt in you?"

     Livia leaned forward, her bosoms on careful display. "Yes, you sound measured, Severus. Are you really suggesting that District 14 might not fare well this year?"

     Oh, what a clever little question, they thought delighted by the subtle forced attack. They couldn't wait to hear the Head Gamemaker's response.

     But Severus only offered a small smile, as though he had expected the question. "No one can doubt Scarlet's unsuspecting skill, her determination, nor her resilience. But," he paused for emphasis that even they were pulled into, caught on the edge of the chair as they waited to hear more of what he had to say. "She had the environment in her favor. The snow and the cold—especially to that degree—had put every other District at a severe disadvantage. District 14 is accustomed to harsh winters and freezing conditions, so being in that Arena, it definitely played into their strengths. Who could say if they would have done so well in an Arena with a different, more unfamiliar environment? The Arena could favor them again this year, just as easily as it could favor another of the Districts."

     The audience let out a collective murmur of agreement, some leaning forward in their seats, likely wondering if District 14 could truly replicate last year's success under different circumstances—after all, it was truly unlikely for the Arena to remain the same.

     From their home, they too, felt a shiver of excitement as Severus's words and assessment hung in the air. They had been captivated by Scarlet's performance—and still were, if they were truly being honest—but now they too saw it in a slightly different light. What if the Arena had not been snow-covered and freezing? Could the Wicked Wolfe have won at all?

     Meanwhile, Caesar, ever the showman, nodded thoughtfully, his grin never faltering. "Ah, I see what you are saying. It's not only about skill—it's about the environment. Are you suggesting this year's tributes might not have the same luck?"

     Like a dog with a bone, they smiled, taking another sip of their fine wine, shaking their head at Caesars wonderful antics. Truly, he is never failing in his role.

     Severus shrugged lightly, though he gave a private wink to Caesar, before answering. "The Arena is a crucial element, Caesar. It can heighten or lower a tribute's chance of success. While last year's Arena was an icebox that benefitted the District 14 tributes, this year..." He smirked, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, we don't know which District, if any, will be favored."

     Caesar's hand went to his chest as he sagged in faux disappointment. "You're killing me with suspense, Severus. Absolutely killing me."

     The Capitol audience murmured with their agreeance, yet there was an excitement buzzing through their air, their imaginations free to run while with the suspense left only to unfold.

     "I'm sure you'll live." Severus uttered drily. "If only to see the unfolding of the Games."

     They chuckled out loud at that unexpected jest. Caesar, too, for all his skills, looked taken aback for a moment, before thoroughly thrilled.

     "You certainly have me at that." He laughed back, clapping his hands together. Well, Severus, you've certainly piqued our interest and given us many things to consider! I truly cannot wait to see what you have planned."

     "You'll simply have to, Caesar." Livia added with a sultry wink.

     "But only for a month." Severus added, appropriately apologetic. A month might as well have been a year for those who never had to wait for anything. But anything worthwhile was worth waiting for, and they truly expected a spectacle this coming Hunger Games.

     Caesar and Livia wrapped up the interview, but they could barely focus on the rest of the broadcast, their mind already set to spinning up theories and possibilities for the Arena. The Districts who offered the strongest tributes were 1, 2, and 4, but perhaps this Arena played to another outlying District's strength. Perhaps they'd see a Victor from another District that hadn't seen one for many years.

     They knew President Snow fairly well though, and though the Capitol loved a good show, they knew that President Snow was fond of the expected. Each District had a place in Panem. The Games was not meant to inspire belief and hope, but fear and compliance. If a District gained too many Victors, their hope and belief could turn into something more—something that could not be tolerated.

     So perhaps the Victor would be from a predictable District. Districts 1 and 2, or even District 4 would more expected, all gained hopes from last year's Victory would be crushed, and the Capitol would have one more Hunger Games to entertain themselves with.

      But that still left the puzzle of the Arena. If the outcome wanted was Districts 1, 2, or 4, then what could favor them, over the rest?

     They lifted the wine glass to their lips, tipping the remnants into their mouth. Holding the empty glass out away from their body, it was immediately grasped, taken from their outstretched fingers.

     "Did I ask for it to be taken?" They snapped harshly.

    The Avox bowed their head immediately, holding the glass out in front of them as if to undo the action that had been done.

     "I couldn't possibly take it now that it has been touched by you." Their lips curled in absolute distaste. "Take it to the kitchen and see to it that I get a replacement immediately. And then you may go and get a replacement for yourself."

      Without raising their heads, they backed away slowly. If only there were Avox's as devoted to their jobs as Caesar was to his...

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Take Care and Stay Safe! ~CANGEL