#apogparade

[gamemaker-nausicaa]

Dawn of a New Era

A vase full of blood red roses sat by the window, sunlight dipping them in a pale golden light. The intricate gold card that accompanied them was still held between my fingertips. I didn’t have to look at it to be reminded about the words that had been lovingly pressed to paper. My father was proud of me; he had applauded my first efforts at the Parade the night before and was even rewarding me by commissioning a new ship in the Capitol Navy in my honour. 

Some girls preferred jewels; I preferred warships and weapons.

I thought back to the night before, to the array of colours and ridiculous outfits the stylists had designed to adorn our tributes. Warriors, jungle royalty, a ship captain, nightlock bushes, and a dress made of needles…Each district moving to outdo the other, each screaming for attention among the thousands of adoring fans. It was so very different watching and commentating, forming opinions that would ring out all over Panem than staying behind the cameras and listening. Nodding along and agreeing with the throng of people that my father surrounded himself with. I was used to the parties and the fanfare but being a Gamemaker made it all the more real. It was power and responsibility I’d only ever dreamed of having. 

I had sat beside Ariadne and Xanthus, the two people who I would work with for as long as we pleased President Vanderbilt with a spectacle he could be proud of. A prime example of the punishment and destruction of all hope in the Districts. We had only been at peace for 15 years, over half of my life and the Districts still refused to die. To lay down like the dogs they were and please their Master who offered them provisions for survival and only let them survive through the grace and mercy of His Eminence. District 8 had been beaten down already this year, but I knew that once they saw what we had in store for their children they would no longer consider rebelling. Especially after what had happened to the Mayor of District 8. If even their leaders could be punished and brought to the Capitol to be tortured, how would the common people ever stand up to the might of Panem. Their little rebellion would be used as an example, a show of what we could do if pushed especially if the rest of those who wished for change to come to Panem were destroyed in the ultimate punishment. And if they still decided to bite the hand that fed them I was sure one of Daddy’s Armies would march on the Districts soon enough.

Now today was the day I would see exactly what our tributes were made of; which ones would break and which ones would stand against us until all was lost. I looked forward to watching them. Xanthus, Ariadne and I would have the chance to figure out who needed rewarding and who needed punishing. Who could be a Victor and who would be written off in the moments of bloodbath at the Cornucopia. First impressions meant everything to Sponsors, to the Capitol citizens, but to us? It was what they could do once they got into the arena that would decide their fate. If they couldn’t provide a show there was no point in the citizens rooting for their success or failure. Each of us had something to offer this year, we were looking for different things. Xanthus had exclaimed his excitement to finally get his hands on some tributes in training; he was the warrior amongst us while Ariadne was ready to unleash the Arena of her design on them.  While I was absorbed in weapons, in the most bloodthirsty way someone could kill another. 

It was all a show after all. And it all started today.

Today was the day that 23 tributes began their journey towards death and we were the means to their demise. We created and manipulated everything, this was our playground now and they were just visitors here. 

I tucked the note back in the vase before standing, the sound of Ariadne’s heels on the tile outside my door signalling that it was time. That now the Games were really beginning. 

[apieceinourgames]

Welcome! || President Vanderbilt

Welcome, welcome. Ladies, gentlemen, tributes, and sponsors, welcome! Today marks the first day of the 15th Annual Hunger Games! Just yesterday, the tributes you see before you were mere children, living unfulfilled lives in their respective Districts. Today, they are competitors! Today, they have become honored members of our great Nation. And tomorrow they begin their battle to become champion. 

This year's Game Makers, Xanthus, Ariande, and new comer, Nausicaa, have created yet another gem of an arena that I can personally guarantee will offer much excitement and entertainment. 

For now, please enjoy this year's festivities while we prepare our newest tributes for their finest moment. And remember, tributes... May the odds be ever in your favor!

[apieceinourgames]

District 12

GM Nausicaa: Finally we have District 12... typical costumes straight from the coal mines, if you ask me.

GM Xanthus: Yes, clearly our male tribute here is a coal miner. Wonder, however, why they didn’t dress dear Ashton Leroy as a Mayor? Too soon?

GM Ariadne: You do like it when people cross the line, Xanthus. Perhaps their stylists were just playing it safe. After all, it is District 12.

GM Nausicaa: Well the kid looks positively nervous while the girl, Izabelle Marshall, is owning that chariot. He’s barely visible once you set your sights on her!

GM Xanthus: Oh, she’s been sure to make herself known... I heard there was an incident with her mentor already?

GM Ariadne: That’s a discussion for another time, Xanthus. Anyhow, it looks as if these two are relying on each other for strength. He seems a bit more confident now that his hand is wrapped in hers.

GM Nausicaa: I can see something... there is potential here. Although, that girl looks like a spitfire. She’s wearing that heavy coal bodysuit like she was born in it.

GM Xanthus: Well the crowd is certainly receptive to her. I see a trend, there’s a few partners out there with strong females. I think the guys should watch out this year. There are gonna be some kitties with their claws out, I predict.

GM Ariadne: *chuckles* Yeah you’d like that, wouldn’t you?

GM Nausicaa: A stolen kiss, perhaps? The audience is loving this! My shipping senses are tingling, you two!

GM Xanthus: Yes, I can see your nose twitching, Nausicaa! *laughs* Well that’s it folks, there you have it. All 24 tributes. All twelve Districts. All your ridiculous costumes! Let’s shift our attention over to President Vanderbilt for his annual speech.

[apieceinourgames]

District 11

GM Ariadne: Oh another District covered in shrubbery! I do hope we have a good pruner on hand after this!

GM Nausicaa: The stylists have really outdone themselves here, our tributes Felicity Bane and Regulus Malone are almost naked. I hope Mummy and Daddy aren’t watching right now...

GM Xanthus: The gold and green ivy seems to cover just the right places, shimmering and sparkling with gold pollen. I do hope that neither of you ladies are allergic...

GM Ariadne: The spores seem to be having an odd affect on our crowd, they become frenzied cheering on our pair from District 11. But do their costumes seem like they are changing before our eyes?

GM Nausicaa: The buds seem to be changing into bright purple and yellow flowers, the flowers curl in on themselves before falling away leaving a trail of purple in the wake of the chariot...leaving their costumes to germinate and give way to bunches of deep purple berries...

GM Xanthus: Looks like our tributes have become a living breathing nightlock bush, covered in those poisonous berries...maybe this is a sign of what we should expect from these two? Beautiful but deadly? From the cheers of the crowd I would assume District 11 is bound to be one that will be remembered...

[apieceinourgames]

District 10

GM Ariadne: And here comes our tributes from District 10... and what? What is that dress she’s wearing?

GM Nausicaa: Oh Ariadne, that’s no dress. That’s... raw meat! A dress of raw meat!

GM Xanthus: How... brilliant! I’ve never seen such a display! The female tribute, Tallulah Nahatima, clearly hates it... but I think it’s daring!

GM Ariadne: I think it’s disgusting. And look at the boy, Caleb Dawes, his butcher’s apron covered in blood. It’s wretched and off-putting.

GM Nausicaa: Whatever it is, it certainly is riling up the crowd! If there’s one thing I know about Capitolites, they are bloodthirsty! I’d say District 10 is giving it to them early.

GM Xanthus: Well they certainly know how to put on a show! The crowd is aghast as Caleb is feigning to cut her to pieces with that butcher’s knife.

GM Ariadne: I do admire the spirit, the fact that although she’d drenched in animal tissues and fat, that she can still be a fairly good actress.

GM Nausicaa: From all the cheers coming from the stands, I can see that District 10 has made quite the impression... one that won’t soon be forgotten.

GM Xanthus: I love that although she was just being sliced and diced by her partner, foreshadowing anyone? I love that they are both still smiling. What a show! I can’t wait to see them in the arena... together or apart.

[apieceinourgames]

District 9

GM Nausicaa: I think I see the District 9 chariot appearing. Yes, look at the wheat on her skirt, definitely district 9.

GM Xanthus: What a charming young girl. Mirelly seems to be inclined to be here waving at the crowd like she did that all of her life.

GM Ariadne: Maybe she did, how would you know? Her district partner seems a bit more stoic.

GM Nausicaa: I think he just really feels uncomfortable.

GM Xanthus: Well he’s not going to win the crowd over like that.

GM Ariadne: Probably not. But at least it’s not throwing her off. She’s already receiving roses from the crowd. I just really love her dress. She looks like she came right from those wheat fields!

GM Nausicaa: I’d wear this in a heartbeat. It’s stunning. Her stylist did an amazing job.

GM Xanthus: The women approve, so I’ll just have to agree. For sure, the crowd loves her.

GM Ariadne: Maybe she’ll impress us in training. Who knows? I like surprises.

[apieceinourgames]

District 8

GM Ariadne: As our crowd drags their eyes from our Jungle King and Queen, we can hear their gasps as District 8 rolls into view.

GM Nausicaa: It looks like our rebel duo have been made into the epitome of style. They are rather...dashing I must say. Camilla Blair, the daughter of the ex-mayor of District 8, is wearing a dress adorned with sewing needles. The mark of their district. While her partner, Harlan Buckram, is wearing a rather form fitting suit with just enough of a flourish of sewing needles at his shoulder to match.

GM Xanthus: I’m glad their stylist has decided to go with something a little more subdued, I don’t know how many times I can sit through this parade and hold back bile while they parade around in fluorescent gaudy fabric that is meant to represent the splendour of their artisans. Black is definitely a good colour on them, a colour of mourning for the recent innocent lives that were lost in their District...

GM Ariadne: The crowd roars their approval of this new image, while Camilla brings her fist to her heart. Yet another nod to old ways, her partner following her in the rebellious gesture...I have a feeling these two will be a source of trouble for us this year...

GM Nausicaa: As they roll to a stop, the two exchange smiles. A bold move, considering all of Panem is watching.

GM Xanthus: Camilla looks rather red in the face doesn’t she? Does she think her anger will intimidate our mighty nation? I think she needs to keep her anger for later, after all, it will do her no good to act on her emotions here...The two of them seem like they are in sync, Harlan is following her actions but to what end? Will his need to follow be his downfall?

[apieceinourgames]

District 8 - Harlan Buckram & Camilla Blair