Paradise: The 72nd Hunger Games
Chapter One
The day before Reaping day…
Peter Mallard –37- –Capitol Resident- -Head Gamemaker- POV
I stand next to the President's podium as he gives his speech to all of Panem.
"People of Panem, thank you for joining me today." At the mandatory conference… okay. "I, as always at this time of year, am here to announce what is to be the twist for this year's Hunger Games. Twists are what keep the Games alive, what provides flavor, and makes them worth watching year after year. In addition, these twists, dreamed up long ago by our brave and intelligent ancestors, are an additional reminder to the people of the Districts about what happens should they choose to rebel." The President pauses for a second, looking down at the card on his podium and smiling. Then he looks back up at the camera. "I am sure you are all tired of hearing me talk by now. Therefore, I will cut right to the chase. This year, the arena design will again be – unique. I will not divulge what it will be, I would hate to… spoil the surprise. However, one thing will be different. Each Tribute will be allowed to bring a symbol of what matters most to them into the Arena." Another pause, then, "For those of you who are Reaped, I have only this to say. Do not lie about what is most important to you. We already know. Thank you." The President steps offstage to applause from the various Capitol citizens.
Kayne Lytch –D10V- -14- POV
I turn to Kylie, snuggling in my arm on the couch.
"Well," I say, "that sounds… odd."
"It does," she says, her brown eyes looking up at me. "I'm so happy you're not going, fiance."
"Me too, fiancee," I say back to her. "I still have to go and train them though." I sigh at the thought of having to train two young Tributes who would most likely die within a few days.
"At least you get to see Alix," Kylie says.
"You're right," I say. "That is a good thing."
"Of course I'm right," Kylie says. She leans her head up and gives me a long kiss. "Let's get off this couch and do something special for your last day here."
"Okay," I say. "In a few minutes. For now, I can think of something special we can do right here on the couch." I kiss her and push her down onto the couch as she giggles, wraps her arms around me, and kisses me back.
Athena Feere –D11V- -19- POV
"Wow," I say. "I wonder what horrors the Capitol has in store for those poor people this year."
"I don't know," Alix says from next to me. (A/N: For the new readers: Different Alix than D10 Alix.) "But it can't be good."
"You're right," I say. "Ugh." I sag further into my bed at the thought of having to train two more Tributes again this year. "Maybe they were right."
"Who?" Alix asks.
"The other victors," I say. "Last year, they told me that I cared too much. You know, I took on like six Tributes. And they all died. And now I'm worried that this year that's going to happen again. I'm already worried and the Games haven't even begun. Maybe I do care too much."
Alix puts his strong arm around me and pulls me closer to him, resting my head on his chest. He begins to stroke my hair softly. "Look, 'Thena, there's nothing wrong with caring too much. In fact, it's how much you care that makes you such a good person. I don't think you care too much. I think you care just the right amount. And like I said last year, just try not to get too attached. Okay?"
"Okay," I say. "Thanks for always being there for me, Alix."
"It's the least I can do," he says. "I haven't been through nearly as much as you have."
"It's all for you," I say. I wriggle free from his grasp and move up so that our heads are at the same level. Then I give him a long, passionate kiss.
Peter Mallard –36- -Capitol Resident- -Head Gamemaker- POV
Following the President offstage, I remember the writing on the card that is now tucked into the President's blazer.
To remind the Districts of the Paradise that was Panem before they cruelly destroyed it with their vile actions, this Hunger Games will be set in a Paradise of the Gamemakers making. In addition, the Tributes will all be asked to provide a symbol of what is most important to them. That symbol is truly symbolic. We will then appear to rip away what they care about most in the most painful fashion possible. Have fun, future Gamemakers. Further instructions are below…
I smile, thinking of the instructions that are listed below that line on the card, following the President towards the Gamemaking facilities.
A/N: Welcome back, Dear Readers. I know that my last goodbye was kind of final-sounding, huh? Well, I'm back! (Babyback babyback babyback.) In two months, I managed to write two novels which have still not been published because they haven't been fully edited yet (I do need to finish re-reading the first draft of the second one.). I feel fairly confident now that I can manage my time enough to use my writing skills to both write stuff that I enjoy and stuff that makes me money. Besides, editing is more of a pipeline than writing and there's no editing for this stuff. We'll consider this story an exercise in time management skills. Also, I don't have another writing project that I'm really passionate about right now. And I'm going to be on summer break for like two months soon which is a first. And I'm sick with COVID (probably), so this might not be the best decision, but either way, I'm going to finish this story. This might come a little slower than stories before, but maybe not, we'll see. With all of that said:
Hello, Dear Readers! Welcome to Paradise, my third Hunger Games SYOT! I've sort of already revealed the twist, although the Arena design isn't exactly obvious (I hope.) I love doing these, as I hope you love reading them. This is set in the same universe as Heat and Shine, a year later. I would suggest giving those two a quick look if you haven't already (just maybe the finales), but I'll make sure to put any information you need from those past two stories in here in case you haven't read them. Anyway, without further ado, here's the Tribute form! I look forward to your submissions! Rules are after the form and on my profile.
Name:
Age:
District:
Appearance (basic stuff like hair color, eye color, hair length, and style):
Detailed Appearance (optional) (stuff like scars, height, weight, etc.):
Personality (Please, be detailed. A list is fine, but a list of interesting traits, ie. funny, witty, charming, mysterious, not: bubbly, kind, good at making friends. Paragraphs are great too.):
Backstory:
Friends:
Family:
Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Person they have a crush on:
Reaped/Volunteered:
If Reaped, reaction:
If Volunteered, why?
Physical strengths:
Mental strengths:
Physical weaknesses:
Mental Weaknesses:
Open to Allies:
Open to In-game romance:
Most Important Person or Thing:
Chariot Outfit (Optional, but it'll suck if I do it. Check out the Chariot Rides chapter from Heat and Shine to see what horrors you will get):
Bloodbath (will say if we have too many, Y/N):
Note: Some of this form is borrowed from others because I liked the questions. I hope nobody minds. :) I think the unique parts mostly come from InfintyBook.
Rules: Be creative! You may submit up to three Tributes. If you reserve a spot, please submit a Tribute within 48 hours of the reservation, or the spot will go up for grabs again. If you don't think you can do that, tell me when you make your reservation, and I'll give you an extension. If something comes up, that's fine, just tell me, and I'll give you an extension. Have fun! Also, if you are one of the authors listed on a character that says "(previous character connection)", please fill out a form for that character. I'll do it myself if you don't, but I would love it if you would! Also, if you're on the mobile app and PM me your Tribute, please leave a review saying that you've PM'd them to me, as I don't check the app very much. Thanks!
See you all soon! – JStar14H
P.S. If you want another great SYOT that already has all the slots filled and the action about to start, check out Hawkmaid's story – Phenomenon: the 85th Annual Hunger Games. She's a great person and a great writer, plus the story is awesome!