The Hunger Games: Mashup

Chapter Seventeen

District 2

“Happy Hunger Games, everyone!” said a high, clear voice. The children of District 2 looked upon the stage with confusion as a man dressed entirely in red pranced upon the stage. He jumped forward, grabbing the microphone. Looking at him, Sebastian was filled with dread. Sebastian wore clothes he had never worn before, so he was a bit uncomfortable already. The soft fabric of a turtleneck t-shirt was a dark, navy blue. Thin, beige pants hugged his figure. He had always expressed his disgust for skinny jeans, so perhaps that was why his master had purposely chosen them for Sebastian to wear at the event. Ciel had said, “You're my servant. If you're going to go up that stage to take my place in the Games, I at least don't want you looking like a stupid butler.” The man dancing up on the stage was absolutely disgusting to him. His hair was a brilliant scarlet and flashed in the afternoon sun. His suit was also red silk, decorating his figure. He wore glasses with red lenses, of course, but his teeth were sharpened and fanged, like a wolf's. Sebastian had a feeling that his teeth weren't the product of Capitol fashion. The man grabbed the microphone cheerfully.

“I am your beloved host, Grell Sutcliff!” he chirped happily. “May the odds be ever in your favor, ladies and gentlemen.” Grell's eyes fell on Sebastian and his grin grew wider. Sebastian narrowed his eyes at the vulgar Grim Reaper. It became more obvioius after he heard the name. After researching some papers from the Underworld library, he recalled seeing Mr. Sutcliff's face on one of the papers. Mr. Sutcliff was punished for excessive mutilations on a target, so he was ordered to clean the bowels of the ocean floor for three centuries. Ciel, standing in the crowd a few groups away from Sebastian, smirked at his reaction of distaste and turned back towards the front.

“And may I just say—what an honor it is to be in District 2! I always said it was my favorite, but I never dreamed of being able to host it!” he said with euphoria. Sebastian saw Kino catch his eye through his lashes. He admitted that she actually looked beautiful for a change. She wore a soft, faded blue denim dress. She had even gone so far as to put a sapphire ribbon in her hair. For once, she looked like a girl. Usually, with her getup, people mistook her for a boy at the ammunition store. Of course, she still wore her rugged and torn boots that she wore for hunting. The dress didn't damper her appearance though—in fact, it went with the cold expression in her eyes. The dress put on a bit of girly flair that Sebastian had never once seen Kino show, but she was still a hardened warrior on the inside.

Kino also didn't look like she enjoyed the spectacle.

“Ooh...I feel so fortunate to have my beautiful face being broadcasted to all of Panem!” he gushed happily. “Now even President Phantom can have a look at my glorious face!”

Sebastian thought that the only time Grell had actually blessed Panem was when he shut his mouth.

“Now, let's get on to the Reaping, shall we?” he asked everyone. The atmosphere suddenly took on a much heavier light. Even Grell knew how serious the situation was. Still, he beamed at the camera, winking and blowing the audience of the Capitol a kiss.

“Let's shake things up a bit and start with the male tribute,” he said cheerfully.

“And the male tribute for District 2 is...”

Leaping over to where the names were. Sebastian was calm and collected. If his master was chosen, he would take his place. If anyone else was chosen, he would simply relax. That was all. Grell took his time choosing a name, and suddenly grabbed one out of nowhere from randomly inside of the ball. He unwrapped it, and as soon as he read the name he tore up the slip and threw it around himself like confetti.

“Sebastian Michaelis!”

Sebastian blinked back his surprise. He had never anticipated his own name being drawn from the ball. He had only thought about his master's name being called. It had never crossed his mind that he would be the one to be called forth, without the need of volunteering. He looked over at Ciel and Ciel stared back at him. He refused to be sad. This had been his plan all along. The only thing now was to hope that Kino would take good care of his Master.

Sebastian strode through the parted crowd with ease and sauntered up the steps pleasantly. The Grim Reaper looked him over with a smile and winked.

“Well, aren't you a handsome devil,” he complimented boldly—into the mike, as a matter of fact. Sebastian gave him a smile. The man didn't know how close to the truth he actually was.

“Why, thank you. You are too kind.” Oh, how Sebastian wanted to punch the Grim Reaper in the face—but making a scene would only get him and his master in trouble. That was the last thing Sebastian wanted.

“And now, for the girl,” said Grell, pulling the same theatrics as before. Sebastian looked out among the crowd coldly, looking for the girl who could possibly be chosen for tribute out of the thousands of names in the jar. Just please don't let it be—

“Ladies and gentlemen...your female tribute for this year is...please give a warm welcome to...Kino!”

Sebastian blanched. Kino was the person he had left in charge of his Earl. What would become of his dear master if left unprotected?! He looked back at Ciel in concern, and Ciel simply sighed in exasperation. He gave Sebastian a cocky look that clearly said, I'm fine. Worry about yourself for once, dammit.

Kino took to the stage as composed as always. But Sebastian could see her hands were shaking.

Humans...such frightened and feeble creatures they are, he thought to himself.

“District 2: Your tributes for this year's Hunger Games—Sebastian Michaelis and Kino!” said Grell loudly, gesturing to the two stoic performers for this year's slaughter house. Ciel looked up at Sebastian and took off his eye patch, revealing a purple eye with a magic circle imbedded into the thin skin of the pupil. He took a good, long look at Sebastian, and then his eyes started glowing. All applause ceased at the look of Ciel's magical eye. Every monitor in the square turned to Ciel's unflinching gaze.

“Sebastian,” he began. “This is an order. Win the Hunger Games!” he demanded. Sebastian's eyes grew wide in surprise, and then he smiled as they flashed red. He bowed to his tiny Master. Neither of them cared if all of Panem were watching. They would simply be witnesses to the contract.

“Yes, my lord.”