mastermind | wtm | c. snow

chapter two

her outfit^^

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The screen comes back on to show a woman on stage laughing.

"How tantalizing to see all your shining young faces on this auspicious day. I am Dr. Volumnia Gaul, your humble Head Gamemaker, in charge of the War Department and all its affiliated concerns. I've broken free of my laboratory today, to examine you. The leaders of the next generation. I won't be around forever, after all. And now to that end, I am honored to introduce to you the creator of the Hunger Games themselves. Dean Casca Highbottom." The woman says with a booming voice.

"Uh... Select students, faculty, and, of course, Dr. Gaul, I have summoned you all here today for the 10th annual Reaping Ceremony in which we choose two children from each district to throw into the Capitol Arena to fight to the death in the Hunger Games." 

"He condemned us to hell?" Peeta asks in a questioning tone.

"I can't believe they still allow him to speak in public." Clemmie says to her partner.

"And here sit... our own 24 top prospects all waiting to hear the results of hard study in this prestigious institution. Eager to learn who's won that Plinth Prize, no doubt. And a golden future. However, I am here to tell you that there has been a change this year. One final assignment to prove your worth. Because... the esteemed citizens of the Capitol have grown bored of the Games and simply aren't watching anymore." Dean Highbottom says walking around.

"I mean who would love to watch kids kill each other constantly." Katniss says rolling her eyes.

"And if the Games are to continue at all, there must be an audience. So, Head Gamemaker Dr. Gaul has stepped in to... incentivize patriotic values with her own unique flair, starting with you. The Plinth Prize will no longer be determined by who has the best grades." 

"This is his true villain origin story." Finnick says making his girl laugh.

"Excuse me?" Arachne asks with wide eyes.

"But by who is the best mentor in the Hunger Games." He continues making multiple students yell out.

"This is a brand new role. As the Reaping progresses live, I will allocate each district tribute a Capitol mentor behind the scenes, one who must just persuade them to perform for the cameras." Dean Highbottom says.

"Obviously, the best mentor will be the one whose tribute wins the Games." Festus Creed mentions.

"What if I get a pathetic runt girl from one of the poor districts, like 8 or 12? They're just gonna die in two minutes like they did last year and the year before."

"Well that's not very nice." Katniss mutters making Haymitch laugh.

"Your role is to turn these children into spectacles, Ms. Crane. Not survivors. Victory in the Games is only one of our considerations. Your entire future rests on this last project." He says giving all the graduates a look.

"Oh, and I must tell you that anyone caught cheating to give their tributes an unfair advantage... will just have no future at all. Oh! Here we go. Let the Reaping ceremony begin." He finishes as he takes a seat.

"District 1. Boy goes to Livia Cardew. Girl goes to Palmyra Monty."

"District 2 boy... How apt. Boy goes to Sejanus Plinth." He says turning towards Sejanus.

"You got the pick of the litter." Snow tells his friend.

"You forget. I'm part of that litter." Sejanus says with a distraught look upon his face.