Snippets [Verena and Nilima, 85th Reaping]

“Hmph. She seems surprised, but not the kind of surprise that makes any sense. Is she… happy to join this death match?”

“Who knows? At least she’s confident. It’s nice to start on a high note.”

“Oohh, a Le Roux,” Nilima smiles, taking a bite of popcorn. “Wonder if he’s victor-worthy like Ridley.”

“Either way, he’ll pull in the views.”

---

“They’re eager as ever to get a victor. Makes sense that they’d have volunteers. Promising.”

“Eager, desperate, same difference. The girl seems promising, the boy... well, he’s a Johnwayne.”

“Sure is.”

---

“Ahh, do you think her hand situation will hinder her?”

“The injury looks old enough, I suspect she’s learned to work around it.” A thoughtful beat. “She seems a little timid, but she did step up. I won’t write her off until we see more.”

“Gag” Nilima says, eyeing the cloying sweetness of Ezra’s family. “That doesn’t seem very realistic.” She does not elaborate, but what she actually means is: people have families like that?

Verena hums, doubtful of Nilima’s estimation but not invested enough to push. “Doesn’t really matter. That’s the kind of display that makes the Games work.”

---

“‘Oh, cool,’” Nilima mocks the District Four male’s calm acceptance. “Who says that?”

“Dominic...” Verena glances at her notes. “Merluccius, apparently.” She sighs. “That could have been more exciting, but at least he’s collected.”

Verena clicks her tongue once, disappointed, as a voice from the crowd speaks up for Arie. “Shame. Families are useful.”

Nilima groans. “Ughhh, that would have been so much drama. Tragic. This Perdita seems mysterious, though. I like a bit of mystery.”

---

“I wonder what she’s got in that flask of hers,” Nilima says. “Though judging by the….. Well, everything about her…” she trails off, feeling no need to elaborate on the tribute’s clear drunken behavior.

“She’s certainly bold,” Verena says drily. “Maybe she’ll make something of herself if she holds it together long enough to get to the Center.”

“Another volunteer? Ripred. This one might have a death wish.”

“Quinn’s not acting like he recognizes the volunteer. A death wish or misplaced ambition, one of the two.”

---

“I like this one. Seems… plucky.”

“She’ll be one to watch, no doubt.”

“Ugh, gross.”

“Oh dear.”

“Oh thank Ripred, not Mr. Vomit. But why even volunteer?”

“I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth. Underdogs make a good narrative, but that was plain pathetic. Maybe between these two Six will manage another decent showing.”

---

“District Seven, and already the tributes have been drunk and high off their asses. Do they not have competent Peacekeepers in the Districts?”

“After the mess this winter, I’m not convinced Peacekeepers are competent as a class,” Verena mutters, then sighs. “At least the volunteer drummed up a little excitement. Wolfram just looks resigned.”

---

“Mmm,” Nilima says, eyeing the District Eight girl as she cries. “Not promising.”

“Not particularly, no,” Verena agrees. “I’ve been surprised before, but I’d be awfully surprised if this one gets anywhere.”

“This District is just going to depress me,” Nilima says with a pout.

“They really aren’t Arena material, are they? Pity. Perhaps between the tears and the kid chasing Konstantine they’ll endear some people along the way.”

---

“Hmm. Not sure what to think about her. I feel like there’s something interesting about her that I can’t quite place.”

“I don’t think she’s a fighter, but she’s graceful. Another one to watch, I think.”

“There isn’t another random Jake they could just shove to the stage?”

“ANOTHER volunteer. These people do realize they’re going to die, right?”

“They’ll figure it out soon enough.” Verena shakes her head. “What is this about, a hero complex?”

---

Nilima checks her notes. “Jones… Jones. That sounds familiar.”

“Jones, Temple, from the last Quell. Not attached to a Victor, but the next best thing.”

“Ah, that’s it. Related to an 80th zombie.”

“I’m getting mixed signals from this one. Not sure what to think yet. I suppose we’ll just have to watch him during training.”

“It’s not the worst response we’ve seen today. Not that that’s a high bar.”

---

“Oh, they don’t seem to like her mu-- oh my gosh, what’s that? Ha ha! He’s fighting. Oh, there he goes. Peacekeeper knocked him out. Hmm.”

“One last hit while he’s around, I suppose.” Verena refrains from rolling her eyes, with the distinct air that she’d like to. “Ripred, and I think my students can be immature.”

“ANOTHER VOLUNTEER,” she exclaims, sitting back in her chair incredulously.

“Krane, Krane... Is there an Izar connection there?” A moment to tap her tablet thoughtfully, and Verena shakes her head. “We’ll find out. I wonder what the girl’s story with her classmates is. This entire Reaping was a mess.”

---

“Who would have thought,” Nilima begins, clearly bored at this point. “Another fucking volunteer.”

“Always more of those than I expect from Twelve.” The tablet pings as Ivy, Bird’s name updates. “Hmm. We’ll see if she stays this bold.”

“I hope he’s as interesting as this Reaping makes him seem.”

“He looks a little in shock to me, honestly. But the...” She waves a hand, encompassing the shouting relative, the telltale crack, Leare being dragged forward. “I have to thank him for a dramatic note to close on.”