"and it's gross because it's not on the lips." Where did he kiss her then? or did you mean that it was a deep kiss?
I love the spoiled teenager tone. You don't overdo it so it doesn't get grating.
And he think's they have stage fright and can't wait for the arena. But of course.
Why does Vera call Augustus "Ceasar?" am I missing a joke or is it a mistake?

blending in? I suppose camouflage. Gods Marty is thick. He's got no empathy but he could have a sense of strategy.

I like that he does have a sense of values (even if the main reason he wants to sponsor Vera the second is because he feels powerful), just not of district people's death (or what it may mean for their families). The victor worship is also great.

I also liked seeing how relationship 'standards' evolved with regards to faithfulness at least. It seems and I first thought Vesper and Cybele were two girls, although i'm not sure that's what you meant.

This reminds me of the couple of episodes I've seen of a show where 16 year olds get super overdone birthdays. I think you have the average teenage Capitolite's personality down to a T.
A great chapter.

This was cute. For some reason it reminds me of OOC Clove stories (although obviously with more of a princess vibe). I liked seeing her grow and the feeling that the actual Games were just a formality after that. It's also different to see a Career in training with no competition for the volunteer title.

I also like that you kept the older victors with distinct personalities.

So that's how they gained their Career status. Exactly what made the Capitol allow for this to occur in District One? Isn't Luxe the melancholic one? I could pick up on it every since his own chapter. Makes sense; being a Victor whose only presumed outlet is art can wear a person out. Nice mention of young Madame Lucia too.

I liked Silk's chapter. Wasn't my favorite, but it did its job. It was simple and low-key. It's nice to have calmer (ish) chapters put into the mix. This story's like a gigantic appetizer platter. We need milder selections to even out the flavor.

All these stories are amazing, just packed with wonderful ideas and descriptions. Definitely hoping for more.

Doing one of my condensed reviews again.

Camden: What an awful track record District Twelve has. The first Victor commits suicide years after his win, leaving them without one for decades. They seriously can't catch a break. Loved the journal entry style chapter. His Games sounded terrifying.

Mags: I liked seeing the Games through a loser's POV. It kept us on our toes because we knew he would lose, just not when or how. Mags took no prisoners in winning her Games. Funny seeing her loud and rowdy when so many people portray her as the gentle Grandma Victor.

Bovina: Wheaton, Seaward, and now Bovina. You and your clever names. I love it! The length was vital to providing such an immense chapter. Some parts I found stereotypical, but I figure you were going for that. I wanted to punch her father in the face. I can't stand parents and authority figures like that. I too have to agree on the Texas comment; our state lines were probably centuries gone by the time the Dark Days rolled around. Still, loved the elements (great economic divide, civil war) and the literally uplifting end. We need more of those.

Woof: The theme of "not meaning it" worked well in this chapter. I could easily imagine the progression of Woof through the ages. The fire in him never died, and I appreciate that. Brutus' characterization is very realistic BTW. I'm interested in seeing what's in store for his chapter.

Ahenobarbus you fricking weirdo. Although I don't blame you either because Mags is, AwEsOmE, man that was a completely BA way to win.
I mean of course it sucks that people died but so many dead fictional people I have become hard and a shell and whatever
ANYWAY woo go women -Don

Thank you, I really enjoyed reading this story! It is well written and through-out, I have to admit I was willing to like it as soon as I read the name. Bovina for someone from the cattle-owning district? Clever you! By the way I'm looking forward to a district 6 Victor :)

Just one tiny thing about her mentor mentioning Texas: I know many writers on ff suggest that previous to the Dark Days the federal states of the US still somehow existed or that people still knew about them. But as D13 started the first rebellion leading to the Dark Days, isn't it more likely that the fed. states were long forgotten and their original borders were unknown? I suspect that the district-system had been established over many decades by the time the rebellion started and since I don't think that D10 had a profound school system (at any time) I think no one had a chance to know about Texas. Maybe it is comparable to the fact that I know the Austro-Hungarian Empire existed, but if you'd ask me for the old national border or how distinct regions were called back then, well...I would google it!

Just came across your story, or stories. I always wondered what the first games looked like and I think your concept really works.I like the way you show how things changed in time and the modern day HG slowly take shape during the process. You got your own point of view but you manage to include parts of the canon, like the sponsors, the Careers, the morphling... It seems so easy how you manage to give every character a fitting background and how their development comes naturally. I think it's hard to pick a favourit so far, though similar regarding their cruel fate each has something outstanding or unique. I think Tiberius is such a tragic character, from underdog to Ahenobarbus' lapdog. Oh and A himself! Don't know what's worse, if you're aware you are just a pawn in the game or if you actually delude yourself to think you're its master (not sure if the grammar is right here, hope you know what i mean *hüstl*)

Well just wanted to say I really like your work :) Please update soon !

I am amazed at how you never run out of creative ideas to portray the lives of these many victors. Simply brilliant.

I love this, can't wait for more. You bring these victors to life in a way I rarely see anyone else do. Woof, Orchus, and Bovina are my favorites so far

I had always thought that District 4 and 10 were somewhere in Northern Mexico. Probably 4 on the east (where the Mexican Gulf is) and 10 on the west. Anyways, I liked the chapter.

Oh poor Woof :-(

Oh this is so screwed up. I like that you kept Woof functional enough to be easy to relate to. He never really had a childhood and then he got stuck in the Games. What's sad is that he feels impulsive and then ends up regretting (or not) but he's never planning. It's like his life is one string of consequences and it makes him seem helpless.
It would be nice to see a victor who has a cause after their victory. You know, just too cheer up a bit
That last byplay with Brutus was particularly vivid. Of all the times to be a smartass...

Might have been my favorite character, now that you put him in this light. Lovely writing.

This was outstanding. You manage with a single chapter to pull us in a world that feels well formed and solid without needing to hammer down paragraphs upon paragraphs of worldbuilding.
I love how everyone believes the reapings are rigged. I feel it's both good for the Capitol but counter productive because most people will really not expect their loved ones to be reaped (else they're paranoid because no one is sure).
Bovina was heartbreaking because she didn't fight. She just came and got caught up with her trauma and then left again.
And because of that, the second part was extremely unexpected and I guess I was as surprised and then as awed as Bovina. It's nice to see people acknowledge the extra food they won and the religious vibe to it was very intense.