District 0

## District 0 (Zero)

### Overview

Despite its name, District Zero is not one of the original 13 districts of Panem. It is, rather, an invitation-only society that hosts outlandish parties in the catacombs beneath the Capitol. Though the mastermind(s) behind the experience remain unknown, District Zero operates using technology, drugs, and mutts that rival those seen within arenas, leading those in attendance to speculate that the purveyors are either current or former Games staff.

* Pinterest Inspo (x)

### Invitation

An invitation to District Zero appears as an iridescent card with the district seal on the front. The words 'District Zero' are embossed, and the symbol used in the seal is a keyhole. On the back will be nothing more than a handwritten day, time, and theme. While there are several entrances throughout the Capitol, the one most frequently referenced in canon is through Sateen's Wig Shop. The store, which sells elaborate and ornate wigs to Capitolites, protects one of the entryways into the city's catacombs. A key is left above the external doorframe, and attendees must enter the store, pull down the head of a marble bust, and descend the staircase into the catacombs below.

### Previous Parties in Canon

#### Seven Deadly Sins

Held on the first night of training during the 132nd Biannual Hunger Games, this party was centered around pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony and sloth. Miller Brick and Cress Meadowforge attended, and upon arrival, they were each prompted to select a key from an urn. The first was to envy, which saw them put into a simulated reality that revealed their greatest desires. Miller's greatest desires were revealed to be the death of his father -- Clayton Brick -- and the love of Medea Odair. Cress' desires were vengeance upon those who contributed to her post-victory abuse, as well as ascension into power. The second room was wrath, where they were given drugs that turned all pain into pleasure. The two were then prompted to spar.

> "A Capitolite stepped in front of Cress, reaching eagerly into the depths of the urn. She watched with morbid fascination as they withdrew, fingers wrapped around the tarnished metal of an ornate key. One of the statues guided the holder toward its corresponding door, and Cress craned to see within as they twisted the lock undone. *Flesh of all shades, writhing together in unison, a chorus of pleasure emanating like music. She’d never heard a harmony like that.* Cress flushed at the sight, breath catching – and then the door shut. Another lock came undone opposite the previous one, and she turned, hungry for the next exhibition. *Mountainous arrangements of food, overelaborate like a baroque painting, piled so high that they loomed over the people within. Chandeliers with diamonds made of sugar and Roman sculptures carved entirely from cake – she watched them gorge themselves, clutching flutes filled with clear liquid that would allow them to purge. They could have their fill ten times over then – no bite had to be the last." Excerpt (x)*
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#### Funhouse

> *The dark tunnel led to a bit of light, and, at the end, the room opened up into a Big-Top style [tent]. The walls were lined with drapery that emulated the theme. Around them all sorts of ‘stations’ laid with different carnival […] entertainment; down the corridor there was a person handling fire. Directly in front of them, what appeared to be a strongman stood, holding two trays of ethers balanced on either end of a set of barbells.*
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The Funhouse was hosted on the first night of the arena during the 132nd Biannual Hunger Games. Cat Miller and Cress Meadowforge attended. During their visit, the pair entered into a funhouse full of distorted carnival mirrors. After navigating a maze of their own reflections, they were shown distorted images of their ideal selves. Both saw their arena scars and wounds healed. Cat was placed back in her family home in Six with her lover, Sawyer Bell. Cress was pictured standing in a dimly-lit hallway, approaching what is inferred to be Slate Skylar's room, where he is creating rebel propaganda.

#### Dante's Inferno

Held during the arena period of the 133rd Biannual Hunger Games, Slate Skylar and Cress Meadowforge arrived at District Zero to find the catacombs flooded. Instead of a traditional party, they were guided onto a gondola, led into a version of Dante's Inferno, and brought before Minos to have their souls weighed. They were then brought to two circles: the third, for gluttony; and the second, for lust.

The third circle featured food and drink laced with ether and other Capitol drugs that induced euphoria and distorted time.

> *The earlier tension faded, replaced with burgeoning delight, and Cress admired Slate, who in turn admired the spread. Both of their hungers unveiled, with saucer eyes and aching bellies and the freedom to take as they pleased. Was that the point? To covet? To devour? A spell of lightheadedness washed over her – when did she become so famished? – and Cress turned back to the feast.*
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The second circle featured a speak-easy style burlesque club where attendees were drugged via a gas. This gas induced insatiable feelings of lust. During this circle, inhibitions lowered by the drugs, Cress and Slate first confessed they had fallen in love.

#### A Celebration of Love

Held during the break period between the 133rd and 134th Games, Montgomery Cannon and Cress Meadowforge attended District Zero's Celebration of Love. The event, themed around all things affection, featured a Tunnel of Love ride where attendees were placed into a gondola and brought through the flooded catacombs, where various drugs induced the eight forms of love: Eros (sexual passion), Philia (deep friendship), Ludus (playful love), Agape (love for everyone), Pragma (longstanding love), Philautia (love of the self), Storge (family love), and Mania (obsessive love).