75th Victor Presentation Ceremony
Jun 1, 2017 18:25:21 GMT -5
Post by aya on Jun 1, 2017 18:25:21 GMT -5
The president of Panem stood on the magnificent stage in the City Circle, addressing his people as he had done numerous times before. Another of his prized Hunger Games had come to a close. As usual, they had been an enormous success; enough blood, death, and tragedy to satisfy the viewers, and also to subdue the thoughts of rebellion that the high government official knew were brewing in the minds of some of Panem's citizens.
Tensions in the Capitol had been high in the final days of the 75th Hunger Games. The playing field had been dominated by tributes that President Snow had deemed utterly unacceptable. And what had the Gamemakers thought of his concerns? He'd been given no indication that the severity of the situation even registered. The top six had been stacked with three tributes from District Two — usually a preferred district, too precarious to prevail amongst accusations of favoritism — and two from District Eleven of all places. The president thought he'd made himself clear how they were supposed to do. One Gamemaker had already lost everything over a Rhodes victor; he didn't think any were keen to follow for a second.
But fortunately — fortunately for Hera who got to keep her head, fortunately for Snow who was no longer in the awkward position of needing to... discipline the fan-favorite victor he'd promoted for the sake of star power — Shelby Leviane pulled through.
She was an impressive victor in her own right, of course: taking down all three of the remaining tributes on the roof of the Stilted Mansion; slaying a big career like Curse Jinx in single combat; dispatching the O'Hara boy with a well-placed thrust through the throat; despite the Gamemaker's tea, aiming well enough to snuff out a small target like the little Lysander girl from Three. Performing well, and doing much of it on her own.
Shelby wasn't without her own faults and vices, but considering what could have been — and considering what little he was usually given to work with — he had trouble mustering any feeling beyond utter relief as he prepared to crown her.
He knew that Shelby was waiting just below him right now, ready for the platforms to lift her up and out into the light for the first time since she'd left the arena three days ago. The usual upholstered throne was placed in the center of the stage, ready for the victor while she watched a recap of what had been her hell for the past two and a half weeks, including the preparations. It was always torture for the tribute, but the president enjoyed it very much. He wouldn't deny the sadistic delight that he took in watching each victor witness their own atrocities from afar, powerless to change the course of Games, even if they wanted to. Many of them, it seemed, wanted to indeed.
President Snow quieted the crowd and prepared to speak. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm pleased to welcome you to the victor presentation ceremony of the Seventy-Fifth Annual Hunger Games!" As usual, there was the deafening roar of approval that followed. "Tonight we will show a recap video of this year's Games, so be sure to stay tuned!" Like they have a choice, the president thought. The recap video was required viewing for all of Panem.
Snow went on to announce the prep team, stylist, escort, and — through gritted teeth — the mentors of the victor; all were received with tremendous applause. But then, the moment they were all waiting for... Snow plastered a smile across his face before speaking once more. "And now, may I present the victor of the 75th Hunger Games... Shelby Leviane!"
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OOC- RPing is permitted in this thread by Capitol characters and past victors. This is the place to have your Capitol character react to viewing the recap video, if you planned on doing that. All characters from other districts can create their own threads in the districts, if they wish.