Dying is easy, living is harder

Part 4

The twins argue back and forth over who can get the last pigs in a blanket that Fishlegs mother dropped off for their first viewing as the woman from Panem, Ollana Jennings, twittered over their horrid manners. The minute they entered the house, Ollana as she asked to be called had made them sign an NDA before they were told anything.

Snotlout had then explained that apparently they were going to watch a rerun of the "reaping" and later tonight, they were going to watch the opening ceremony. The reaping was the event where the children get nominated and Astrid is not going to lie, she's curious of how these people choose which children will die. Ollana had attempted to explain that the opening ceremony was some type of parade but they didn't get it.

For the most part, Ollana had the good sense to stay out of Stoick's way. They all were. If she didn't, Astrid has a feeling it wouldn't end pretty. That's all she would credit the lady, though. In the hour she's known her, she's shown herself to be vapid, have no self awareness, and have no clue why they are horrified by the Hunger Games. She's had to restrain herself from punching the woman multiple times for fear of being kicked out of the house.

"Alrighty, everyone! The reaping reruns will begin!" Ollana clapped her hands in joy as she giggled.

They all sat in tense silence as they glued their eyes to the television screen waiting for it to start.

The screen flickers to pictures and videos of the Capitol and district citizens smiling as a voice starts narrating the history of Panem, a shining Capitol ringed by thirteen districts that brought peace and prosperity to its citizens. The screen then starts showing pictures of war as the deep voice continues, then came the Dark Days, the uprising of the districts against the Capitol. Twelve were defeated, the thirteenth obliterated. The Treaty of Treason brought new laws that guaranteed peace and a yearly reminder that the Dark Days must never be repeated.

Fishlegs must be going nuts with finally knowing the history behind the games, she thinks in the back of her mind.

"So... the reason they kill kids who don't have anything to do with rebellion is as a reminder? Really?" Ruffnut scrunches her nose, saying what they are all thinking. The reasoning behind this is so stupid. Why punish those who are not involved, be done with it. It's been 70 years. If anything wouldn't these games have incited rebellion? Why hasn't anybody done anything yet, Astrid clenched her fist. She wanted to hit something. Annie is going to be murdered on camera for something she has nothing to do with.

Ollana shushes her.

"They're going to explain the rules!"

The rules are simple, the voice continues. In punishment for the uprising, each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy, the tributes, to participate. The twenty four tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland.

Over a period of several days, the competitors must fight to the death. The last tribute standing wins.

Gobber placed a comforting hand on Stoick's shoulder but Annie's father shrugged it off with an unreadable look in his eye.

It finally ends the presentation of pictures on one last picture of a young man standing victorious, a golden shroud on his head as he is showered in cheers. The Victor receives a life of ease and luxury and their district will be given a plethora of food from the Capitol for the following year.

The host for the evening presenting each reaping is a garish man all in green. And all in green as in green hair, eyebrows, eyes and lips. He looks like a scary human leprechaun hybrid. His name is Caesar Flickerman and he starts off the reaping in District One with a large excited smile.