“and death i think is no parenthesis” // 80th Games TYs

First and foremostly, thank you to Knuckles for being our guinea pig, our very first Vaultie. I waited literally years, wondering what it would be like to reveal this Twist, and you did not disappoint. Thank you for being so warm and welcoming to each and every tribute who joined our little underground oasis. You made it a safe, fun place to be, and I’m very grateful.

Okay, Tom , for real - no more mutt fights for you and I!! Despite the excellent narrative implications, I really am sorry to have yanked Carter out of the arena so soon, but he’s already thriving in the Vault. Thank you for being game for whatever we threw at you - mutts or starvation REs - and for being true to Carter. It’s been a joy to get to know him and I look forward to many threads!

My dear, old friend Cato you definitely knew something was amiss. I absolutely would have fought like hell to save Yusei… except I knew he would be saved, in a way. I’m grateful that you always take a chance with your tributes, and I hope we still have many delicious plot things to develop between him and the Barfs 2.0. I could not have asked for better symmetry, given that this Twist began brewing in my subconscious the moment Circe Lyon fell.

Ah, kap , I really am sorry for the way Oliver went. I know we set up extremely tough fights at the beginning of these Games and many tributes made it through. Poor Oliver. I have hopes that his life now will be vastly improved, in part perhaps because he never had to second guess himself. Thank you for being honest about your feelings, and for finding the silver lining.

Bby! What would I do without you Arrows ? I cannot even believe it’s been ten years since Kirito made it through the steampunk’d Quell, and now here you are, bringing another young man home. I absolutely lost my damn mind when you put Larceny in. To know, from that very moment, that the twins would be reunited after facing hardship… it was both so perfect and so devastating. I can’t wait to read more about the Thefts, especially their family reunion. <3

Our first girl Vaultie! I’m so happy you were in these games gamemaker sloane ♕ kaяi ♕ and injected a little variety into our underground huddle. I know Sable didn’t get as far as you wanted but I hope there’s a lot more in her future. Thank you for always being so enthusiastic and zen.

Ah, my favorite pee buddy! I really do adorable Parson d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel even though I tease you and him mercilessly. He, like all of your tributes, is vivid. Even in just a few days in the arena, he really made a lasting impression (not just on Angel!). Can’t wait to see where he goes from here and I would love to plot!! Also SO stoked to see what you’re cooking up with the 81st!

Cameoooooo!! Cameo {RIP Charlie} my twin feels are very, very real. Thank you for spreading mischief and glee with Auto, from the Training Center, to the arena, to the Vault. You write your characters with an edge, but also with a certain joy. It’s a lot of fun to watch them develop!

Fiona was tough and principled * , not unlike you! I enjoyed watching her develop alongside her allies, first against the dangers of the arena, and then later in the Vault. She’s very much herself and I hope you have many plans for her going forward.

Ah lance </3 Maxwell fought so hard for so long. I know I really pushed you these Games, from my opening “Thou Wilt Love Thy Tribute” speech to the very end. But you know what? You rose to the occasion every damn time. Well done. I’m stoked to read about your plottage with Tom and ever so grateful that after placing second, you will be bringing a tribute back home.

Minxy! Python what can I say, I’m always a sucker for your tributes. I have a particular soft spot for Minx as he reminds me a little of Pyrian (good times). I am sorry for the mandate stress and I hope you can understand in the broader context of things. Also where is my Minx x Sable dancing thread!?

Oooh WT I was predisposed to like Wander the moment ve was reaped and then you send in that thoughtful, provocative PTS. You and ve hooked me, even beyond my desire to plot with the District Fours these Games. What a gift. I could not have asked for more for your first back-to-THG tribute. Thank you for all you put into Wander, for your thoughtful and thought-provoking footnotes, for being the calm in the storm. I would be delighted to be in a future Games alongside you.

Our very own meme @arcticwoof though you wouldn’t know it from Hellion’s serious pout! I dig that cognitive dissonance. I so enjoyed reading about Hell and her allies, about the friendships they forged in the face of adversity. Thank you for being a part of these Games.

Ah, Sunrise Rainier D2 // [Thundy] , my friend. <3 I know these Games were tough on you from day one and that the twist maybe wasn’t the easiest to digest. I have to thank you though; I credit you with helping me keep my head screwed on properly. Thank you for being someone I could vent to, and for telling me honestly how things were going. To boot, I love that you took a chance with Eve’s prose - and it paid off so beautifully. You are a brave writer and I see you being courageous in other ways, every day. I hope Eve has a long and interesting life - as do you. <3

Eeeeeeeeee @fabulousraven !! Absolutely lost my damn mind when I saw that you were reaped. I know you intended for these Games to be the feather in your cap here, and maybe they will be, or maybe we’ll get to see more of absolutely lovable Enzo. I could not have asked for a better District Ten Male and I am STOKED to be plotting with him and Mace. There will be many food groups involved. Like, probably all the food groups. Thank you for being chill and funny and very much you this autumn. As always, you are a light in the dark.

Maybe the 80th Games didn’t need an elaborate twist. Maybe they just needed you marguerite harvard d2a (zori) and JANET. <3 I definitely have a soft spot for Quest’s robot, as well as Quest’s ferocity and loyalty. You always write vivid tributes, as equally unafraid of following their hearts as you follow your own. Thank you for volunteering, Zori, and I hope to see much trouble from Quest in the future.

Okay but how much do we love reading about Angel and Parson in the Vault together napoleon, d2m ₊⊹ 🐁 ɢʀɪғғɪɴ. ! I’m so, so happy that they found each other, and as always, it’s been a job to read your writing, Griffin. There’s a whimsicality to your prose that sweeps me right off my feet. Thank you for fighting so hard with Angel and for plotting Vault feels. <3

Our little Comic Sans gal who could amirite Sleepy Fluttershy ?? You really convinced me with Carmen. I admit I was hesistant to invest in her smol but mighty self at first, but by the end, I really wanted everything to work out for her. Her fierce loyalty and love were a beacon in this arena. Thank you for sharing her with us and I wish you well with her back in District Eleven.

Sbeeg!!! Ah sbeeg I have loved Temple Jones from the Reaping, and then to hear about how she came into creation just got me. I’m ever so grateful you are bringing her home, even after so much hardship and pain. Her fight with Bette will go down as one of the most memorable for me ever, beginning with Temple pushing Bette right out of that tree. I cannot wait for more D10 plottage and I can’t wait to see Temple live out the rest of her life, as she so well deserves.

As per usual, I’ve no idea how to thank you for being aya and in this particular case, for letting Lex be a part of these Games. My writing on the site would be a lot less vibrant without my enduring 59th feels. Thank you for keeping those afloat all these years with plottage, and now with this “new” generation (what is time?). Lex is everything I wanted from a Lionel - unapologetic, brilliant, careful, and able to be provoked into having a good time. Your threads with Denali made me ache for old Games, and for whatever the future holds for them. Thank you for making the RLS Trolley Problem a reality, for taking my ideas and making them better and brighter. There is, as ever, no one I would rather muse with. And thank you most of all for giving me wise, neutral counsel when I desperately needed it, for keeping the secret in your own home, for being someone I admire and respect deeply. :nootnoot:

Oh goodness uwu thank you for being so kind and open and zen throughout these Games. I feel like we really got our GM/tribute groove on during the Finale LOL! But at least now we know how each other works. Thank you for listening to my advice, for letting me push you, for asking questions. You and Shy have the same kind heart. I really loved the Shy/Car development towards the end of the Games, and of course how you made JANET your own. Long live the last boy to fall in the 80th Games!

I have a feeling that this will be a lifelong flailing event for me at you L△LIA because omfg every time I fall for one of your tributes, I’m like, this is it! This is pinnacle Lalia! And then - nope. I love the next one even more. Truly that is a skill. To boot, not only did I adore Denali’s narrative, from her family feels to her complicated feelings about Zion, to her platonic-but-then-not relationship with Lex, to her hell-crafting, to her murderbirds, I actually think you elevated your own writing these Games, which is a fucking feat since you are easily one of the best among us. Your posts in the 1v1 and Finale demonstrated a mastery of theme, prose, setting, character and dialogue. Consider this another nudge to consider compiling your writing into a book someday. I would read it, love it, cry over it, and read it again. Until then, I am stupid excited to read more Denali, and to continue to plot feels. Thank you for putting everything on the line with Denali, for entering without knowing she would return to you, for making these Games far more vivid.

Ah shrimp </3 <3 My dude, I love and respect the hell out of you. Your perseverance alone is worthy of admiration. And it’s not just that you continue to enter the Games, but that you continue to commit yourself to them. You don’t make it easy on yourself. You held Bette to a high standard, as you did yourself, your allies, and me. That is hard work you do, year after year. I hope you can see the fruit of that labor in these Games. I loved the Vanguards, I loved Bette’s development, I did NOT love having to keep such a giant secret from you. It is a relief to be able to talk to you, plot with you freely now. I would have crowned Bette, if I could have, and in the absence of that, I will always be here to polish your 2nd place crown of glory and to enthusiastically support whatever you decide to do with Bette Sublino going forward. Thank you for being a part of these Games.

My dude, my sushi pal, my most-of-the-year timezone buddy ryan ! YOU DID IT!! Two finals back-to-back is no joke, especially with the rough start to these Games. I like to think that first Bloodbath beating hardened Anatalia, but the truth is, she has always been strong and capable. I love love love all the choreography you and Shrimp worked out for the end of the Finale. It really felt like two intelligent, trained women duking it out. Thank you for making the Finale memorable and for being our victor. So stoked for more District Four plottage!!!

---

arx!!: ily arxy. Thank you for supporting Jess through these Games and for being a confidante. I can’t wait to see what Justice thinks of Yusei and Bette now!

ᕙʕ•ᴥ•ʔᕗ: my dude, thank you for letting me vent to you over Chipotle/boba/car rides. You are a steadfast sounding board, and you have a strong moral compass. I value our friendship so very much. <3

wimdy: our honorary Vanguard. <3 Thank you for being so supportive and curious and hopeful throughout the Games. Fingers crossed for the 81st Reaping!

alex 🐺: couldn’t wrap up these without thanking you! I know you were curious about the 80th and I thank you for not pushing me too much to reveal anything. :* I hope it was a good surprise and gives you much plottage in the future. But maybe not too much plottage because I definitely owe you some…

umber vivuus 12b 🥀 [dars]: heuhuehhehe sorry for all the table requests, but also, not sorry!! You make beautiful tables!! So happy you’re on staff, darsily. <3

Lyn𝛿is: ah finally, the twist revealed, I don’t have to fear my increasing post count. I think it is a mark of your intelligence and dedication to the site that people worried so much about you working out the twist.

Bystanders: to everyone else who waited, watched, and reacted to the Twist reveal: thank you!!!! It was such a joyful moment for me, for the Vaulties. Thank you for making it crazy awesome.