Tribute

Part 1

348 days to the Reaping of the 59th Hunger Games

"And this is it! The moment we have been waiting for. Twenty-four became two and in a moment will become one. Luna, the career tribute from District Two, versus Harrald, the sixteen year old from District Seven. Both have shown skill, cunning, and tenacity in these games. Both are worthy of claiming the title victor, but only one can. AND THERE IT IS!! Luna has killed Harrald with an expertly thrown knife. The cannon has sounded and the games... Are... OVER! Luna Lapis from District Two is the victor of the Fifty-Eighth Hunger Games!"

Four young people stood in front of the viewscreen. Two boys and two girls, all of them seventeen, all of them wearing brightly coloured sportswear which showed off their strong bodies. The shorter of the two boys stepped forward and turned off the viewscreen by passing his hand over a black panel on the nearby wall.

"Well," he said matter of factly, "I guess this means it's our turn."

He turned and walked away. The taller boy and the fair-haired girl followed him silently. The remaining girl, with jet black hair that cascaded down her back, just stood and stared at the wall where the viewscreen had been displayed. The last image was burned into her mind: A girl, not much older than her, celebrating over the body of a dead boy.

8 years, 3 months, 27 days to the Reaping of the 59th Hunger Games

"Well, Mr and Mrs Burnish, overall we have some good results."

Briolette snapped her focus away from the shining prism that hung in the window and back to the man speaking in front of her. Mr Callum worked for the school, but he wasn't a teacher. At least she had never taken a class with him. But a few months prior she and all the other ten year olds in the school had spent three long days with him as they undertook their Prospectum.

"She is quite well rounded. Her language skills are excellent, as is her deductive reasoning."

Briolette felt a pat on her knee and looked up to see the smiling face of her father, his narrow eyes sparkling with pride. She was nestled in between him and her mother on a plush velvet couch.

"Her science and mathematics are good, but not exceptional. That is fairly typical for most children, though, and nothing to worry about. I don't think you had any grand plans about her joining the research facilities, did you?"

The adults all laughed and Briolette smiled as she looked to her mother. Her mother had a wonderful laugh, with a wide smile that seemed to be made of sunlight.

"Now this is what will most likely interest you. She is truly gifted in the arts. Colour theory, perspective, hand-eye coordination, Briolette has outstanding scores for them all. Of course you would know this yourself. No doubt you foster her talents at home."

Briolette found herself crushed by the embrace of her both her parents. She knew why they were happy. They had spoken about it at dinner the night before. Her parents had said that they would support whatever the Prospectum said, but that they just knew she would follow in their footsteps.

"I must say though that these are the most exciting results. Physically, Briolette is an amazing young woman. As I mentioned, her hand hand-eye coordination is exceptional. Her balance is instinctual, her stamina and strength are unparalleled for someone her age. And this is all natural. She hasn't been training, has she?"

She watched as the smile faded from her father's face as he slowly shook his head.

"With these results there really is no other alternative."