#p4estart

“This is quite the ordeal?” She asked the person that settled in beside her as she sipped the champagne someone had handed her out of politeness. “I have to say I am quite excited.” She offered up knowing it was what everyone expected her to say.

buckingham sat down on the bench in the small enclosed garden on the ground floor of the tribute’s tower. she hadn’t noticed it before, not particularly caring for anything of the sort, but it was the perfect solace for her situation. she knew she was being weak sitting there, acting like some poor kid from an outer district, but she needed time to herself. time away from him. champagne getting a higher score meant only one thing; he had to go. she ran a hand through her hair as she came to terms with that for the first time, properly considering it as one of her options. 

“you know, you’re making it really hard to concentrate on my arena strategy,” buckingham said as she heard the door open.

“Sorry, this is for my guests of honor.” He joked as he moved the plate he was holding. “Speaking of which, have you seen them? My tributes. Unless they have been whisked away to the place magic happens.” The truth was, Cambric knew they were scared, but he didn’t want to tip that hand unnecessarily. The Games had just begun. 

“Is there something I can help with?” She found herself asking because there was always someone that needed help. Tributes were often lost, stylists needed help carrying things, or sponsors were looking for a little insight on this year's newest recruits. Whoever it was, she wanted to be of assistance if she could.

“God damn it.” She muttered before she could stop herself. Her parents, people long since forgotten, would have washed her mouth out for daring use the Lord’s name in vain. She’d often rolled her eyes at their attempts to raise her as a proper lady. But now it wasn’t her parents’ eyes and ears on her, it was everyone else’s she was cautious of. 

Her mind wasn’t given the time to process what was going on as Buckingham’s hand moved to wrap around Shiloh’s neck before Shiloh was dropped like a rag doll. A gasp was let past her lips as she looked away from the screen, eyes closing. “Excuse me.” She pushed past someone else, trying to hold back the sob that wanted to rip its way out of her chest. This was why she didn’t let herself get close or to let hope bloom in her chest, but with Shiloh she couldn’t help it. She’d watched the girl grow up. She couldn’t help but love her, to hope she’d win, to imagine the glorious rodeo that’d be held when one of the rodeo’s very own was a Victor. She should have never... 

She stopped the train of thought when someone else exited the viewing room, turning her back to the door to quickly wipe at her face. A heaving sigh came forth from her chest, trying to reign her emotions in enough at least until she was somewhere more private. 

“Lucky for you, however, the cameras are not permitted in during training.” It was to build suspense was what they told people, but most would be highly disappointed if they could see how hopeless most tributes were. “Speaking of which, aren’t you glad this lull in the entertainment is almost over? This year is going to be rather... Electrifying.”

           『  ALEA IACTA EST . 』––––––– the die had already been cast .  twenty-four tributes would enter the arena and only one would emerge victorious .  the others ?  dead as could be .  and the worst part about it ?  it was all for entertainment .  

as a gamemaker ,  june and the few others like her were charged with the unique task of designing a bundle of challenges for these tributes .  these challenges included a harsh environment with unexpected surprises ,  genetic mutations that were the stuff of nightmares ,  and least but not any easier ,  the other tributes themselves .  in short ,  the capitol wanted to produce a victor that people not only liked ,  but had also earned the spot .  on a side note ,  the capitol heavily encouraged donations from generous sponsors for small advantages in the face of these labors .  were they not entertained ? 

perhaps that was the reason behind june’s anger at the capitol .  if they had stopped for one second and put themselves in the shoes of those citizens living in the districts ,  they wouldn’t have been so eager to throw children into a gladiatorial ring .  but they didn’t understand and most likely never would .  in fact ,  of the many people that she had now come to know ,  nothing screamed apathy more than her fellow gamemaker : julius nero .  

harper walked in an for the first time since her arrival she felt her skin crawl up her spine.  bacchaes was always safe from the press and nosey capitolites and she was a regular. a few stray glares cinched the nerves in her spine but she chose to ignore them, moving swiftly through the bar and placing herself on the corner of the bar, her back to the door.

           she just wanted a drink.                       she needed a break

“ gimmie a black rum, on the rocks, “ she said, sliding into a bar stool and leaning her elbows on the glossy wood. brown eyes focused down, between her hands, hoping that annie had actually decided to eat the food she was cooking. there wasn’t much here that could distract her from relaxing. it only took a mere moment for the glass sliding in front of her caught her attention -- as did a familiar face.