Lights, Camera, Murder! [Virga - 97th Livestream/Podcast]

Disclaimer: These observations were made based off of the initial reaping posts and the replies to them. Future posts will follow on as a recap of anthem days (while also taking inspiration/observations from the roleplay posts). 

Livestream: The Reaping

The dawn of the Hunger Games, and admitadly one of Virga's favourite parts of the games, the reaping, was about to begin. Lights, a camera, a microphone and 3 screens were set up ready to go to prepare for this event. He had his tablet in close reach to create any fun livestream magic with a flick of his wrist. He found himself lost within his own gaze as he stared up at the view-finder of the camera. Suddenly, the sounds of the screen alerted him back to reality, it was showtime. 

District One

“It seems the Mayor wants this reaping to go over-schedule and interfere with the rest of them chat, what is she even up to? Does anyone know?" He rolled his eyes the Mayor, Eurydice Le Roux hadn't apepared on stage yet. 15 minutes late and still counting. Virga turned his attention to his livestream chat shooting by on his screen too fast for him to care about reading half of them. Finally, 20 minutes had past and Eurydice had appeared on stage to the sounds of Panem's glorious anthem. "The crowd in District One is absolutely on fire today! Then again what do we expect from these guys at this point, I'm surprised they don't hold their own games just to imtimdate the other districts when it comes to the annual." He leaned closer to the screen anticipation lighting up his face as even his chat went quiet to see who was named. Portia Maybach.  

A raised eyebrow found its way to Virga's face as the camera zoomed in on Portia. "Is that hesitation chat? Unusual from district one. Let's see if anyone volunteers." Another pause of curious silence before Portia begins to  make her way towards a life-changing podium. "Tsk, no one ever volunteers anymore let's hope something interesting happens in District two otherwise we're going to have to start rooting for District 12"  Virga laughed as the chatbox was spammed with various emojis in agreement, a silent ruckus of a crowd.

The next name was called into the silence, Jupiter Graves. "Again no volunteer, these tributes seem reluctant to even imagine the glory they're going to get by being in the hunger games." A scowl crossed his face as he watched these tributes, do they not understand what has happened to them? They're supposed be greatful for the opportunity! District one really has fallen from grace in recent years. "If you're betting on these guys I'd rethink those odds I won't lie with you guys."

District Two

"- now this is a District they should be proud of, their victors embraced their status because they understood how damn lucky they were to have been chosen! They should be greatful waste management is a very respectable career- I know I know I'm being very radical right now but if we didn't have it you guys would notice!" Virga was in the middle of an intense conversation with his chat as they waited for the tributes names to be read out. His eyes occassionalyl glancing to the TV stream to see if anything interesting was happening. His eyes caught sight of the crowd he noticed there were a lot more resentful side glances towards the cameras and Peacekeepers amongst the crowd. A comment in chat caught his eye,  'bros staring' "Bros staring? Yeah man I am watching the screen ya know, the whole reason your sitting there watching me, but maybe you just like looking at a handsome man."  The familiar clopping of high heels sounded in his headphones as he turned his attention fully to the screen.  He watched Ginger eagerly as she announced the tributes for District two. 

Artemis Shei. "That outfit? In Snow's Panem? Darling seriously couldn't find something decent out of the trash we're sending there come on now." Something about Artemis struck him with interest. She didn't seem scared, at least not on the outside, she seemed capable, very capable to stick up for herself. While her fashion may make him roll his eyes, she surely would be one to keep an eye on. "I'm thinking she may be in it for the win. Another victor to bring District two back into its glory days"

Ruby Wolfe. Virga straightened up again in his seat as the next name was called. He clicked his tongue, unimpressed, as he watched the tribute process the announcement of their name, "I don't think this one's going to be anything special-" She laughed. He eyes widened in surprised as he found himself choking back a laugh along with her. It was out of left field and it made him smile his gleeful grin. "I take back what I was going to say. It seems District two wants to have a comback this year."


District Three

"Is this escort the first man to announce the tributes? I swear we should keep a tally a look at the stats between men and women announcing tributes." He spoke in a jovial manner but his face conveyed nothing but a disinterested expression. Not about the reaping mind you but at the messages in his chat. Sometimes he wondered why he even bothered doing a livestream and should instead just upload his usual podcast style, but alas this way he'll guarantee the most views. 

Serelis Yossarian. Virga's hand rested on his chin as a small chuckle escaped his lips. "I don't think Serelis heard her name called. Oh dear, if any of you are throwing caution to the wind and betting on District three I wish you all the luck but maybe I won't, because you're the fool for picking them. Not a good sign when the family members realise what's happening before the tribute, if only, it seems like that girl is her sister, got chosen instead she's switched on." 


Safina Roy. He watched as, what he assumes to be the girls family, breakdown with grief. Her face seemed distant but stoic as she moved towards the stage as if she's done it 100 times over. His tongue clicked again. "It seems this year is going to be a bust for district three, I mean Safina looks to have promise and maybe, just maybe, her resolve will hold out in the games but how much of that is bravery? What are your thoughts chat?"

District Four

"Chat calm down we don't need to see any of these district people getting into fights for this to be entertaining, though I have to agree I am disappointed that no one's volunteering or even arching up." He paused for a moment before learning closer to the camera, a sly grin on his face, "You guys know I love peacekeeper action during the reapings." And away chat went with their cacaphony of reactions and opinions. 

Tide Evros. Young lad slinks into the crowd but they part before he had the chance to hide away from the spotlight he was now in. "He's putting on a brave face but chat I believe I'm having one of those insight moments. Look at this kids face he has something to prove, to who? Not important, but what's important is that he may have low odds but as an occasional betting man he may be worth putting some money on." Not a care in the world Virga had for these young people. He personified them in a way that entertained him, if he wanted them to be tragic then that's how he framed them, if wanted an underdog he would have one. That's how these games work they take these ordinary lowlife district people and turn them into a spectacle a show of the raw beauty and strength the Capitol has. 

Medea Haley. "Another one who's off in their own world get a move on tribu- wait a minute." His eyes lit up with glee as another voice pipes up I volunteer. "Music to our ears chat! A volunteer and a bold one at that, look at that glare ohoho she is definitely a fiesty contestant for this seasons games." He watched her every move of this volunteer with a wide wicked smile. "Welcome to the games Circe Murdock, you look like you definitely have something to settle in your district."

District Five

"It started off slow chat but with the volunteer from four we are definitely taking it up a notch here. These are the games we love so very much. It's district five turn, the winners from last year. Oh and there he is now Lionel Estrada the victor of the 96th Hunger Games!"  The chat went wild with differing opinions on how much they loved, or hated, the previous victor. Virga didn't care for any of their words however, he was far more interested in himself in the view-finder. He was so lost in his own eyes that he completely missed one of the tributes being called up. "What happened? Who got called? Roland something? Ah who cares they seem to be a non-mention for this years games anyway." Stay focused now, let's keep our mind to the games. 

Sergio Quiverus. "Sergio Quiverus more like Sergio nervous you get it chat because he's nervous as- well I guess he could keep his last name of Quiverous with all the quivering his eyes are doing." He glanced at the chat awaiting their snarky responses to his comment which he laughed at shaking his hand in the air. "We'll workshop- it we'll workshop it we still have time everyone. Who knows, maybe this little ball of anxiety will surprise us." He leaned in close to the camera and whispered. "I doubt it though." 

District Six

"The disrespect of these districts sometimes really astounds me like look at this crowd, sure the presentations are the same every year I get it but the anthem and the escort about to announce the tributes and not a single bit of movement with these people. I know this may sound radical but I think the peacekeepers or someone should put a spark in these people, because how could you not be excited right now?"

Cailie Clearwater. He didn't have much to say about Cailie but then something happened to put a fire in his eyes. A volunteer. "Chat we are being trea-ted today! We can forgive them just a tiny amount for their behaviour during the anthem as this makes up for it. This volunteer doesn't seem much like a fighter, but that's not necessarily a sign of failure just yet. As the old saying goes, nothing is scarier than someone who has nothing to lose... or something like that." Let's wait and see what this volunteer tribute, Seraphina Keoch, has to offer the Hunger Games shall we. 

Carmen Cantelou. "Oh dear we have another nervous wreck of a tribute, they really aren't sending us their finest people. No offense, but you'd think they would be used to this by now, they should be hyping themself up to be chosen and instead we get this, a teenager who looks to be scared of her own shadow."

District Seven

"Another woman announcing the tributes what are we up to now 5? 6? Ah well, it's not that important just something to keep track of for the fun of it really."

Junie St. James. A small frail looking thing whose frantic hair matched her silent pleas to those around her. No one's going to save you little bird, best to cry out your last song now, before no one hears you again. His eye twitched as he stared intensely at Junie on the screen, watching her as she begins to sob. "I dare one of you to bet on her as a hail mary. For a laugh come on one of you has to do it, give this poor girl some hope that someone believes in her." He laughed cruely but he wasn't alone, his chat was there, laughing right alongside him.

January Jenkins. "Now this is what we've been saying. A gracious smile from January someone who can appreciate their life and the opportunity that was just granted to them. I hope you kids with rich parents are watching, send her a bottle of water with the whole chat's regards." He pauses for a moment to glance at the chat where a comment makes him laugh,"Do I think she's going to win? Absolutely not she'll probably last an hour maybe a day if she partners with someone."

District Eight

"Speaking of women we've had a lot of them being pulled as tributes, too much time shopping racking their name total in the chosing bowls aye? Aye? I'm just joking, it would be hypocritical of me darlings to say that women shop a lot because well, than that will make a woman."

Lucia Valentine. He watched Lucia carefully as she squeezed the hand of a girl next to her. "I have to commend the camera crew working at the reapings they know exactly what to focus on. Like look at her, squeezing the hand of maybe her lover or sister giving us a bit of a story of her Lucia is, I'm sure there is some of you in the audience who already love her and want to help her win."

Vera Jeon. A wail of grief ripped through his headphones, a woman crying from the back of the crowd, must be the girls mother. "Almost a peacekeeper interference just then but alas no cigar but look at this tribute now Vera look at how she holds her chin up high. Judging from the looks shes getting form others around her she definitely must be someone in district eight you know chat? I think I'll keep a close eye on this one throughout the games." 

District Nine

"Now this is special look at the beautiful ceremonial peacekeepers masks, the respect they show the potential tributs who are studying to become peacekeepers, it's truly beautiful... One of the good things about this district, or at leas tht eonly thing I know of them."

Dana Lheureux. His glowed seeing the venom in Dana's gaze as she stared at those around her. "Look at that strut, the boldness of it all, and the dress wow, what a standout tribute I cannot wait to see her ceremony dress the stylists better not let her down. Even if this is a facade and she is as scared as most of the average tributes we've seen than that would still make for an interesting time." 

Matt Colekay. "At least Dana managed to keep her composure and give District Nine a notable tribute because little Matt here is giving us nothing. This kid- oh my god he just tripped on the stairs oh my god this guy really is something else, even that wild haired girl didn't come across as clumsy as this." 

District Ten

The sombreness that drowned the crowd could be felt by those watching. The glum look on all of these people's faces made the corner of Virga's mouth twitch angrily, something about the districts and their ungratefulness really got to him. Next time you'll think before murdering innocent people in your silly war against your own country. 

Duchess Duchannes. "Such a polite lass this one is, I mean just look at that polite nod and the tidying up of her clothes. Don't know how she'll do with fighting but I'm sure she'll go along way with a bit of polite charm to keep herself safe in a pact." 

Boring, boring, boring! A neat curtsey and that's it! Punch someone, cause a seen, get shot by a peacekeeper! Virga's mind whirled with images of violence, years of watching the hunger games and the kindled perverse enjoyment he fostered had taken their toil on his mind. His mouth twitched again as his eyes narrowed in on the screen.  I cannot wait to see you torn limb from limb. He snapped out of his mind looping horrific images when a loud noise sounded from his stream. "Hey thanks for the raid man, hope the new game was as good as you hoped! Welcome chat welcome, we currently following along some real games so sit back and enjoy."

District Eleven

"This escort is not wanting to wait around might as well just tell the Mayor to shut up and go and pick a name already."

Nori Halliday. "Well isn't this sweet, a big group hug before she goes off to the stage. You'd think they should be cheering her on, I mean she looks capable, it's as if they think she's going to die. Imagine having no faith in the people you love, simply couldn't be me, but as you know chat, that's because I don't have anyone to love especially not you lot."

Diomedes Adama.  "Oh oh, is he refusing to go up? He's not going anyway, oh maybe? Do you think we're going to have a peacekeeper drag this guy up to the stage? Oh maybe! Ah- of course not, no he's just walking up guys sorry it seems there will be no fighting in District elevan today, but hey will still have one more district to hopefully give some of the more cheeky people in this chat what they want." 

District Twelve

Virga looked between the chat and then back at Escort Demetria before back to chat. "Who let her go on stage wearing that I mean honestly does no one have any taste these days. Being an escort used to mean something I guess. Also yes Marik is there and no let's not bring up my interview with him that I hyped up but never released and I told you all why and I will simply not repeat myself. It's not my fault that victors are ungrateful."

Sofia Markus. Virga smiled slyly watching the smile disappear from Sofia's face as her name was called from the stage. Not smiling now are you deary, go on. Go on up to the stage and face your future with open arms. "Here she is, the final tribute in our line up. We may have not payed attention to some of the tributes but that's okay, as we all know here my intuition has never been wrong, therefore they weren't all that important anyway."

He changed the scene on his stream to just show his face as the TV changed back to the usual presenters. "Well that's them, it seems to be a very run of the mill games as of right now with a few notable and interesting tributes dotted here and there. With that, I am going to say goodbye to you and I hope that you'll catch the podcast where we discuss the games at the end of each anthem, and in case I don't see you there, well I didn't really care about you all that much in the first place."