Pierce Littleton // [ District Two/73rd CB/Fin ]

Far too many people in my district believe that life begins and ends at eighteen. It never ceases to amaze me how delusional people are. One last chance at glory, the mentors shout. One more reaping before my life ends, felled by the axe of anonymity, the oldest Careers think. Not me. If I can't find a path to a crown, I'll find a path to the gavel instead.

If I'm perfectly honest, I'm better prepared for this diverging path analysis than most. I'm of average height and less than average build. If I win the Games, it will be because of my quick wits and gilded tongue. The Games aren't exactly suited to that type of victor though, are they? But you know what arena welcomes such skills? Politics. I'm good enough looking to pass for attractive: light eyes, sandy hair and if you ignore the nose that's been broken too many times and the dead set of nerves along my lower lip, I'm more than good enough to rival our current Mayor.

Trouble is, Two doesn't think much of eighteen year olds, other than the glory of the Games. I'm going to have to convince them to see me, to hear me, to believe in me. And to do that, I need a partner. My family is small. I'm an only child and my parents each have one sibling a piece. Tiny family tree, and though we are gentrified, we aren't the most famous of denizens. I need someone with a weighty name, someone the average District Two citizen will recognize. That's why I've set my sights on the Lyons and Viperions. Beautiful, vicious, famous. What more could I want? And I've got plenty to offer. I have friends all over Two; I have their trust and their secrets.

Just give me another year or two. You'll see. I'll be Mayor Littleton of District Two, welcoming our newest victor home.