Theonius Varda. Capitol

t h e o n i u s .

Wine and women and pleasure above all

What's it like being a son of the House of Varda? Suffocating, that's what.

If you think anything I do will ever be enough, you'd be wrong. Our family has such a "rich" lineage that nothing I do will ever be enough. We've been among the Elite of the Capitol since before anyone can even remember. If you can think of something that someone has done, a Varda probably did it first.

My father always wanted me to follow him into the family business, but I'm not sure I could even tell you what that is, except that it involves owning a lot of land and having more money than anyone else. But that isn't what I want for myself, not even a little. I want to make my own name, to be remembered.

Like my sisters, I inherited the red hair and green eyes from my mother. I'm quite a bit taller than either of them, thankfully, but even five foot five isn't very impressive. Sure, people say that height doesn't matter, but you just try making an impression when you have to literally look up at almost everyone you meet. Of course, it helps that no one would deliberately look down on a Varda, but it would be nice if people could take me more seriously without learning my name first.

I'm not really a fan of the Hunger Games, I'll leave that to Emerald. The reason I decided to become a Gamemaker has nothing to do with the Games themselves, and everything to do with what I want for myself. There aren't many better ways to get yourself noticed in the Capitol than being involved in the Games. And it's something that relies entirely on me. Oh sure, the Varda name opened all the right doors when I was seeking my apprenticeship, but from here on in, my success will be my own.

I haven't yet been involved in anything important, since I've only been apprenticed for a few months. The 85th should have been my first Games, but since it's a Quell I won't be given any important duties. Quells are just too important to risk entrusting anything to an apprentice. I'm sure they'll find something for me to do, of course, it just won't be anything interesting.

Everyone has their vices, I suppose. Mine happens to be women. I love women, but don't really like the thought of being limited to just one. Despite my height, I am good looking enough that I can get almost any woman I want, and being rich certainly doesn't hurt either. I'll eventually have to get married. As my father's only son, it will be my responsibility to carry on the Varda lineage. I don't really see a problem with marriage, as long as whoever I marry understands that I will not limit my own pleasure.

Besides wining and dining and seducing women, horses are my only passion. I'm a first-class rider, and the stables built on the Varda Estate are filled with the fruits of my efforts. Some of the horses were purchased, of course, but more of them have been carefully bred for strength, speed and stamina. Several of my best have won awards either in race or in show, and other breeders pay handsomely for the use of my studs.

All in all, I know it's better to be a Varda than not. I want to be more than my name, to do something that people will remember me for, before they remember my lineage. It will be hard, but I know I have the talent and skill to make it my reality.