#p4estart

[flowerofpanem]

Amethyst surveyed the area around her as the people blurred together as if someone had pressed fast forward. The tribute parade. Her grandfather had told her more than she needed to know and only reiterated what the Academy had taught her. It wasn’t like Amethyst had anything to worry about anyhow, she was from District One. Her district alone was enough to afford her the best stylists and the best costumes in the Capitol. First impressions were what counted when it came down to it and her face would be the first one the Capitol would see.

“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.

[thebuckinghamdc]

buckingham was, to say the least, annoyed. pissed off. exasperated. any and all emotions ran through her body as she had watched her brother get a higher score than her. of course he would. he couldn’t let her shine at any moment, could he? a voice deep inside her had tried to tell her that he didn’t intend to on purpose, that he wasn’t to blame. the blonde ignored that voice as she excused herself to try and clear her head. she knew better than that voice. champagne had tried to upstage her and, annoyingly, he succeeded. 

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.

[district8legacy]

It was that time of year again. Cambric wasn’t too worried about the Quell because it wasn’t all that different than any other Hunger Games. Sure they had a new training center and the like, but he still had two tributes to take care of. Right now, Cambric wanted to do what he could to make them feel more at ease. Food was good at that and District Eight tributes always needed another meal.

“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. 

[songsbornofgrain]

Of all the moments she spent in the Capitol, Arista felt like the parade was the easiest. There was not much for her to do other than direct her tributes around and tell them to smile, wave, and be likable. She found herself hoping for their sake she was a recent enough Victor to garner them some of the attention of the sponsors. It was one of many things that were both running through and weighing heavily on her mind.

“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.

[lcyaltyagainstcdds]

Her eyes were on the screen in one of many viewing rooms the whole time. Her mind screaming at Shiloh not to trust the girl. Buckingham might be pretty and charming, but it was all a ploy, KyAnne knew. She knew if it came down to it, the career would not hesitate to kill Shiloh. But of course, in true Shiloh fashion she seemed to think the girl a friend - introducing herself, holding her hand out to shake. No! Her mind shouted again, if only Shiloh could hear her. Turn around. Run away. Get as far as you can. But Shiloh didn’t. She broke down about Beau, KyAnne could understand that. The two were two peas in a pod. And then.... then Shiloh hugged Buckingham. 

“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. 

[juliusanero]

Without skipping a beat, Julius reached into his pocket and produced a business card which he promptly handed to the individual that had come to stand beside him. “Do us all a favor and give that to your stylist.” There was only so much hideous he could look at in this place of beauty and all the stylists seemed off their game this year. Thankfully, he had his own personal stylist and it was not left up to the Capitol to assign him one. He had very particular tastes and high standards, thank you very much.

“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.”

[legilimcns]

**{ ** &.** JULIUS NERO: STARTER AT ( @juliusanero​) ! ** 

           『  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 .  

❝ you know it’s polite to knock right ? ❞  june scoffs ,  head not lifting and eyes never drifting away from the arena blueprint that she’d been so fixated upon .  ❝ and what are you even doing in my office ,  julius ?  our meeting was scheduled for an hour later .  ❞ 

[harper-civica]

open starter // bacchaes

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.