Ninety-First Hunger Games – A couple of hours prior to Tribute Parade

Presidential Mansion, Capitol

Orion Atomos, 41, Victor: 68th and 75th Hunger Games

"Your invitation, sir"

Even though they're wearing their helmets, I can tell that they're slightly nervous in front of two former Head Peacekeepers of Panem. Sure I held the position nearly fifteen years ago but I like the way it still gives guards a chill in their spine.

Handing them our invitation, we are quickly led inside only to see two other people already waiting. I can feel the hostility coming behind me as the once quiet woman burst into a shout at seeing the figure in front of us.

As if feeling her presence also, he turns to the both of us and grins. He's wearing a cardigan the same colour as his eyes over a white shirt. He's wearing slacks, something of a rarity from the boy that won the Eighty-Ninth Hunger Games.

"Wow sis," he begins walking up to the both of us investigating the both of eyes with his dark blue eyes. I can see from my side that Julia is quite wound up already; when she holds a grudge she means it. "You clean up good, is that…is that makeup on your face too?"

"Woah!" I quickly say before the summer dress clad woman can jump her brother and tear him to pieces.

"One of these days you'll return to District Two and it will be me that's laughing."

"I'll wait till that day then."

At this point I notice the only District One Victor, Arthur Graff, standing at the side watching the Aquila dispute. He gives me a slight smile, although a nervous one at that, before fixing his black blazer and yellow shirt. He puts his hands inside the pockets of his slacks and walks towards the rest of us.

"Had a safe trip I assume." He says to me trying to strike up a conversation.

"Yeah, you could say that." I say pushing Kaiser away slightly from Julia, who has been glaring daggers at him for a while now. "What about yourself?"

"It's more or less the same."

Just then an avox appears from the doors and bows at the four of us. Her skin is deathly pale with her hair a dark brown tied up into a bun. A short black maid dress hang on her shoulders. Often I would look at avox and they would have this fear in their eyes but this one is indifferent, in fact most that work here in the Presidential manor are more or less the same. She looks at us once more before turning around indicating we should follow her.

"I hear your tributes are strong this year. Where are they from?"

"One from Secutor and the other Gladius." Julia replies to her brother, gritting her teeth looking away from her brother.

"We have two from the great houses," he says with a proud tone. "Isn't that right Arthur?"

The blonde haired boy nods his head as he walks beside me, not even looking back at the two siblings. He looks uncomfortable, as always, when talking to Kaiser. He's intimidated having to share the mentor responsibilities with someone that has killed virtually half the tributes during his Games. It doesn't help that Kaiser is a little bit on the creepy side.

We stop before a door as the avox gestures for us to enter. Pushing the door open I see a garden with white tables riddled everywhere. There's no one here just yet, with only us four standing by the entrance. The door closes behind us and suddenly we're out in the open waiting for the other Victors to appear.

The music playing in the background was sweet and calming. It's almost like an actual party, rather than the typical tea party that the President usually hosts. The proof in the servers flocking towards us with glasses of champagne tells me that much. I take a glass and so does Julia with the other two refusing.

"Seems like we're the first ones here," I say taking a sip of the champagne noticing the extra bitterness. "We should find a seat."

"Let's just take that one," Julia says going towards the closest one with her drink.

Without arguing with her, as she seems thoroughly wound up by the younger Aquila already. I take my seat beside her and placing the glass on the white table. Soon after we see the door open once more revealing the Seven mentors with the older of the two giving us a kind smile.

Out of all the four of us only Arthur seems to return the sentiments. Kaiser has always been aloof with other Victors. Julia doesn't often get friendly with other districts, especially Six and Seven and with her current mood I doubt she'll be in a friendly mood all day. I don't mind the younger Victor at least she won with skills in the arena, even if those skills were poor and cowardly.

"You're making her uncomfortable old man." I hear Kaiser say out loud.

That's when I stop looking at their direction and focus back on the younger kid beside me fiddling with his clothes. It's clear that he doesn't like attending these lavish parties thrown by the President. In fact, I seem to recall him disappearing halfway through his Victor party.

"So what's new back in One?" I ask trying to make conversation and to coax Arthur into speaking some more.

"Nothing." Kaiser shuts down the conversation.

"It's the same old District One, nothing new happening." Arthur adds with a small melancholy smile.

I get that nothing new is happening but he must be getting hassled by the citizens there by now. Considering they recently got Kaiser, a boy and Victor from District Two to join in his efforts, and the fact that nine years have passed since a citizen from One has won the Games. The pressure increases every year for Arthur.

"Here comes the lovebirds." Kaiser grins and he knew that Aqua Chambers heard it clear from the doorway.

She's wearing a bright blue summer dress that compliments her hair colour. Her skin a slight tanned, probably spending time at the beach or whatever it is they do in Four. Her dress accompanied by a face twisted in annoyance.

"You better watch your mouth." She says taking a seat beside Julia who just drinks from her glass once more.

"Or what?" Kaiser teases. "Daddy's girl going to send Daddy into jail again?"

That's a sore subject, every one of the Victors knows what happened to her father. Aqua is known for violent outbursts at times and each time she's shown such in front of the President a family member gets punished; more often or not it's her father that takes the punishment.

"Hey now!" Christopher Arlyn, the other Four Victor approaches us after talking with the Seven Victors. "Let's not touch on that subject, how've you been Kaiser?"

"Just enjoying the lavishness and the peace and quiet back in One," Kaiser says rather smug. "What about you fishboy?"

"Ah you know me," the boy replies. "I just like to go with the flow, wherever the waves take me."

"Easy with the ocean metaphors there." Julia says before standing up. "I'm going to get more drinks."

"Tea, get tea." I say to her but she brushes me off.

"Aqua, Christopher." I say in turn. "How was the train ride over?"

"Same as usual, talking to tributes, trying to appease whatever and whomever…" Aqua replies elbows already propped up and holding her head in boredom.

"She's just tired from the ride. It's been great, you know? Talking to my tribute has really helped me understand ways in which I can help him."

"You mean your measly little boy? What's his name Sky-something."

"Skyrus." Christopher replies with an almost serious tone. "His name is Skyrus and I believe in him."

"Yeah, we all do." I can Kaiser roll his eyes as he stands up and begins to wander towards the fountain, one of several around the garden.

It's not often we talk about our tributes with other district Victors, contrary to the Capitol's beliefs we do have lives outside of mentoring tributes day in and day out. Besides talking about tributes will only get you into fights. One which, as the oldest of all Victors here, I must stop. Looking back at Julia as she comes back with another glass of champagne and to Arthur who is just staring at the centrepiece of the table.

I will call this a job well done, no one is fighting, so far; we haven't gotten all the tributes, yet. The door opens once more to reveal the Nine girl, Farrina Wheatley. Mostly harmless, spaces out often enough to not cause a problem with others. She slowly walks away from the door, ignoring the champagne waiters and heading straight for the Sevens. The bright yellow dress she has on flowing with the gentle wind.

"Why does he insist on throwing these parties?" Julia asks, although she already knows the answer.

"Keep an eye on us?"

I didn't say Christopher was the smartest of the bunch. It's true, even the trusted amongst us, myself and Julia, still need constant surveillance from the President. It's to keep us in line. To weed away any sort of rebellion with a swift pull.

Just then the Three and Ten tributes walk in all gladly talking to each other. The enigmatic lime green dress clad girl from Three: Quanta Logie sticks out from the bunch with her ginger hair and pale skin, although Cabel Link, her fellow Victor, is also very pale. They make their way to the Sevens, of course, before taking their seat.

The newest Victor, Shepherd Baker, taking a seat and staying quiet. I've met him during his Victory Tour, nothing special about him. I can tell he's still recovering even after a year after. Refusing alcohol, a good decision. I say that with a sip of my own champagne.

"So that's a no on talking about tributes to each other then?" Aqua asks playing with the table cloth now.

"Not when there's other mentors about," Julia says. "I'll contact you in the morning when they're in training."

"Then what's the point of us being here?"

"Same as every year." I say quietly as the last of the Victors come in.

"Here comes the town drunk." Kaiser says appearing from behind Arthur. "And the mother of all Victors."

I can sense the glare from the so called 'mother'. She's ten years younger than I am, Robin Malus, but everyone comes to her for advice. Despite Cabel and Viola winning before her, they still come to her for advice due to her winning at the age of seventeen compared to the other two.

"Not drunk yet Ashe Barrow?" I hear Kaiser shout from our table.

"Not yet but a toast to the dear old President!" He shouts back raising a small metallic flask he had tucked away in his black blazer.

Robin doesn't fuss over the alcoholic, she knows well enough about Ashe's condition and stopping it now may prove more severe. She's smart and wise, I can see how the others look towards her with such wide eyes.

I almost forgot about the Five Victor, Warren Quark. He's as quiet as Farrina making him almost invisible. A friendly giant, not the most confident of the Victors but yet he tries the hardest. Not that bright either, or at least book smart. He knows how to survive and fight and to him it's good enough.

The fanfare begins to sound, playing the anthem of the Capitol that ring in our ears. I stand and so does Julia as we see President Augustus walk out of the doorway followed by his own guests, to which I'm surprised at. The guests quickly disperse from behind him and begin to talk amongst themselves, with others going up to some of the Victors.

"He's never brought guests before, has he?" Arthur whispers to me.

"No," Aqua says eyeing each of the guests. "I suppose we do get to talk about our tributes after all, we need all the sponsors we can get."

With that Aqua leaps into action and begins to chat to some of the guests. Ignoring the way Christopher would jump in to talk about his own tribute and eventually being kicked to the ground by the blue haired woman.

I head straight for the President, ignoring any of the guests that stop me in my tracks. Once I reach the man dressed in a white blazer and white slacks he gives me a nod.

"President Augustus, thank you for hosting such a wonderful party."

"Well you know me Orion," he says sipping a bit of his champagne. "I love my parties. Come walk with me into my garden."

We walk away from the party scene. It seems to have settled down with Julia talking to a crowd of guests. This is the start of our Games. The sponsors we need to help out our tributes in the arena. To keep an eye on us is one thing but we can take this opportunity to garner enough sponsors for our tributes.

"How is Two?" Augustus asks me as we continue our walk past different coloured rose bushes.

"Better than ever, crime rates are steadily declining and no more whispers of rebellion, sir." I say and hear the president have a laugh to himself.

"You're too formal Orion," he says to me. "Lighten up!"

"Yes, sir." I say failing immediately and getting another laugh from him.

"Oh, I wish I can say the same for the other districts, really I do." He starts then drinks some more. "Reports say that Eight are at it again, they're so hard to please sometimes. Why can't they just be Twelve and give in. Twelve hardly makes trouble anymore and, dare I say, I miss it sometimes."

I haven't heard of Eight being that noisy in the past years. Sure twenty-six years have gone and not a Victor to their name. When your district wins you are rewarded for the whole year but since there has not been one in so long poverty is beginning to become prevalent in the outlier districts. Twelve seems to manage alright but it's Eight and Six that always struggle.

"Before long we'll have another rebellion on our hand." Augustus sighs, almost too dramatically.

"I'll make sure to toughen up training to stop that from happening."

"Glad to hear it!" He says. "You're always one of the good ones unlike our dear Viola."

I can hear the distaste leave his mouth at the mention of her name. He's done everything he can to punish the woman; parents, siblings, friends and lovers: all dead. Some might have even been tortured but you never know with Augustus. All because she won by fluke. No skill shown at all. It's the reason why I don't have a clear liking to her either.

"So long as I can trust in you, Orion, then I don't think any one of us will have a problem."

"Thank you, sir."

"Now let's go back to the party. I must meet with my other Victors."

Warren Quark, 22, Victor: 87th Hunger Games

The minute the guests walk into the garden they swarm us Victors. Viola and Scarlet quickly get out of my way as several women come to invade my personal space. They're thick perfumes invading my nostrils making my head spin; my eyes seem to water too as it begins to hurt staring at all the different patterns and colours.

During times like these is when I really miss Tane. He's always so good with interacting with his own kind. I get all red faced and embarrassed the minute I start to speak to these people. As soon as I feel arms wrapping around my own is when I start to move trying to shake them off.

"I-I'm sorry." I quickly apologise but they don't seem to care.

"Tell us about your tributes!"

"Yes, that's a wonderful idea!"

"We can sponsor them."

The chattering starts to meld into one cohesive noise at this point and I can't understand what they're saying. It's naïve of me to think that this is just one of those normal tea parties that Augustus holds every year. He's doing this not only for sponsors but to keep an eye on us.

There are Peacekeepers littered around the place now meaning I can't run away like I usually do. Sighing as I begin to focus back on the crowd in front of me as they talk about my two tributes. They seem to notice me come back to life watching me with eager eyes.

"What would you like to know about them?" I say immediately regretting the question as I'm barraged with a thousand of them.

I try to drag them away from where we're standing. It's to make sure that other mentors don't get the jump on me when I talk about Serafina and Kolby. Not that I don't trust them all but it's just a cautionary thing. I'm sure the others would have done the same.

"Tell us about Kolby? Is he always that angry?" One of the ladies asked me as we gather around one of the fountains.

"He's…uh…"

Of course he's angry, his life is literally on the line as he gets whatever type of makeup and clothes forced onto him. I only hope that Serafina can calm him down a bit; saying that he did seem a lot more calm on the train. The initial reapings is still what everyone is fixated on considering it's the only time they've seen them both.

"I can assure you he's not always angry. I guess you would be too if you were taken from your family, right?"

There seems to be a bunch of endearing sighs from the women as I explain his situation some more. It's pretty typical for them to be like this, they'll eat anything up so long as it's believable. It makes me angry too seeing such idolisation, especially for children going to their deaths.

"Is Serafina going to be alright?" Asks another woman. "She doesn't look all that strong."

"I can assure you that she will be," I say looking at the woman with bright blue eyes. "If you can supply us with the sponsors we can put them to good use."

"Oh you better believe we'll do just that!" She says to me holding my hand and shaking it. "You really are brave doing this on your own."

"I'm not really alone," I sat scratching the back of my head my face heating up. "Tane is always there to lend a hand."

Nodding in agreement at my comment, they seem to praise the escort for taking care of myself and the tributes. They continue to probe me with questions; both about myself and the tributes as well as Five.

"It's not too big," I say answering a question about my home in the Victor's village back in Five. "It's got plenty of space for my brothers to play around in."

They seem to coo at the word 'brothers' and continue to ask me about them. I give as little information as I can about them. I try my best to keep them out of the limelight as much as I can. They don't need this type of stress. I tell them that they are both healthy and doing well at school. In fact, we just celebrated their birthdays last week. That definitely gathered a bunch of 'aww' from the crowd.

The questions begin to get real personal at this point, I have their support and I'm real thankful for that but at this point I don't want to answer these questions. Telling them that I need to go use the restroom I walk as fast as I can away from snatching hands telling me to stay.

Once away and out of view from the crowd I collapse on one of the stone benches sprawled around the garden of roses. There doesn't seem to be anyone here so breathing a sigh of relief I loosen the top collar of this shirt and try my best to calm down.

"Hiding away again are we?" I look up to see Viola with her smile and pretty white summer dress.

Taking a seat beside me and looking around the garden she picks a rose and takes a sniff of the aroma. She grimaces before throwing it over one of the hedges and I couldn't help but chuckle at the action. Looking at me now with arched eyebrows.

"Sorry," I say raising both hands in defeat. "I hardly see you not be so positive."

"It smells like him," she says. "It's not a very pleasant smell either."

"Yeah, I suppose." I say looking down at the grass now. "Is this ever going to end?"

"I don't think so," she says looking up at the sky. "But I'm always hopeful."

I am too but I don't say it. I just sit in silence continuing to stare at the green grass. We don't speak for a long time as we continue to sit comfortably on the stone bench.

"We should go back," Viola says to me. "I don't think the President would like it too much if we disappear."

"Yeah, you're right." I say standing up and offering my hand to help her up.

As soon as we're both up and ready to go back she stops me for a second. I look at her curiously with my brown eyes but she just shakes her head telling me that it's not important. She goes back to Scarlet, who seems to be having fun talking about whatever it is she's talking about.

"You feeling okay there?" I look to my side to see Robin standing in her dress with an apologetic smile on her face.

She radiates an aura of protectiveness that makes my heart just flutter. It's been so long since I've had a mother figure in my life, with my parents dying so long ago; even before I won The Hunger Games. Robin was there when I came around during my Victory Tour, she welcomed me with open arms and ever since I've come to her whenever I needed consoling, although I don't need it as much anymore but during my first year as mentor I definitely struggled.

"Yeah," I say looking around at the crowd talking and gossiping without a care in the world. "I think I will be…"

"Well you know that I'm here whenever you want to talk." She says coming closer and putting a hand on my shoulder.

Looking at the woman in front of me makes me smile as she smiles back at me. She excuses herself as she sees Ashe taking another drink when he's already quite considerably drunk. Watching her assert herself in front of her fellow mentor is quite funny, she really is just like a mother to us all. Even though she hates us all saying it.

Looking away from the two now I'm surrounded again by different people. I swallow the lump in my throat and control my breathing before giving them a fake smile, which they always fall for. I stand up straight and begin to talk about my tributes again.

I don't want to disappoint them.

Farrina Wheatley, 22, Victor: 84th Hunger Games

"For a Victor you don't talk much…"

"If you can just open that pretty mouth of yours that would be amazing."

"Hey!"

The shout makes me look to the side and see none other than Christopher Arlyn pointing at the crowd of men that gathered around me. The blond haired boy walks towards the crowd wearing his navy blue jumper over a white shirt. His dark coloured chinos seem to have grass stains on them from what I can just imagine were Aqua related. The men grumble and begin to disperse away from me as they see Christopher walk towards us.

"Are you alright?" He asks me although I just stare at him with a blank expression then give out a long sigh.

"I was doing fine," I say standing from the table. "Is it really necessary for you to save me?"

"Well I thought you were in trouble," he says rubbing the back of his head with an apologetic smile. "Is that like some sort of strategy then? Playing hard to get for sponsors?"

Closing my eyes and humming at the gentle breeze that makes its way to the garden from time to time. I ignore what Christopher had said. Instead I look away from him and immediately at the table full of snacks; from here I can spot some nice biscuits.

"Well since you're already here…" I say walking away leaving the confused blonde. "…you can get some biscuits with me."

With a smile the boy picks up his pace to walk beside me. He makes small idle chatter here and there stating the obvious of things like the weather and the large number of people attending the party. He even talks about the train ride over and how hectic it was, although he did say it's more hectic this year than the last.

All of which I didn't respond to and for all the years I've known him he doesn't seem to care that much either and just continued to talk. When we reach the table, so grateful that there's no one here, I take a small biscuit shaped like the Capitol seal and take a small bite from it.

I relish the slight saltiness the biscuit brings before melting into a sweet taste. Confectionery and pastries are what I like the most, baking them is also what I like the best. Christopher seem to fidget as he takes a bite of some cookies looking around. At that point I couldn't resist and ask him a question.

"Are you okay?" I ask taking another bite then speaking immediately. "Are you embarrassed to be seen by me or something?"

"W-what? N-no…" He says looking at me red faced. "It's just…I don't know…this is the longest time we've ever spent together…"

"Are you in love with me or something?"

He couldn't answer that. Instead he grows redder than some of the roses here. He tries his best to speak but he screws up any words then stutters a bit then just gets flustered. I couldn't help it but I giggle at the boy in front of me and I swear to Panem he's redder than ever before.

He excuses himself promptly leaving me in a fit of giggles. It didn't help that he trips over his own shoes and fall to the grass before standing up straight as if it never happened. He sure is one amusing boy.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself." I turn to the voice and the smile I have quickly change to a frown.

"What do you want Orion?" I ask folding my arms.

"Just here to check up on you," he says looking me up and down before deeming me as 'not causing trouble'. "Making sure you behave and is responding to the citizens."

"Is it not customary for me to take a break from being ogled?" I ask him. "Besides, don't you have some asses to kiss?"

"This is why you're not successful with your tributes." He tells me pointing a finger at me.

"What's the point?" I ask him and he stands in front of me with furrowed eyebrows. "What's the point if your tributes end up killing mines every single year."

"It's that attitude of yours is what gets them killed." He says looking away at me to check if anyone is looking at the two arguing Victors, then comes close to my face with a harsh whisper. "If you maybe try once in a while someone would come back home with you; back to your scum of a district."

"Alright that's enough." I look where the somewhat angry voice is coming from only to reveal Viola. "Orion if you please."

She points at the other side of the garden and the older man just grunts before striding that way. More like stomping as if he's lost the battle. I'm not one to find him intimidating, he's not all that. I don't care if he's won two Games. He's nothing but a sleaze and a Capitol slave.

"I'm sorry he said all that to you." Viola says moving a strand of hair from her eyes.

I just stand there in silence. I've had enough of this day now. It's always ruined without a doubt. Viola seems to comfort me by giving me a small hug, one that takes me by surprise that I didn't have time to return it.

"Just know that there are people here that you can talk to if it gets too much." She smiles at me and I give her a slow nod before she leaves me in peace.

She's right though. There are people here that are always willing to lend an ear. Be that Christopher or Viola; there's always Robin that is very much happy to hear anyone's woes. Its people like them that make going to the Capitol just bearable. Although Orion is right, as much as I hate to admit it. I don't try enough for my tributes but for some reason most of them don't even care. The two last year didn't care that I don't try hard enough and they still made it quite far.

'Not far enough to win.'

I give out one more sigh as another breeze come and past by me without a care in the world. There's not nearly enough time of the day for me to make things right. I know for a fact that I can only support one of these tributes that I have and I know exactly who that is. Seeing your tributes die year after year is not only soul destroying but traumatic all the same; especially the ones that try their hardest.

'At this point is it even worth a chance to change my ways? Knowing full well that I can't do it alone?'

I get both sides of the coin but no matter how much I flip it; it always lands on the same side. The side where I lose hope and just watch as another child gets struck down by some sharp weapon or get caught in a vicious trap.

I mean, what's the point of supporting them if I know for a fact that they're just going to die?

Nathaniel Evergold, Head Gamemaker

I'm late. Again.

I hurry up the steps to the Presidential Mansion not even stopping for the rogue reporters that always find themselves at the wrong place and at the wrong time. I look at my watch once more, the one I nearly forgot and had to spend time looking for.

Clio is going to have my head for sure. Not only that but there are some people much worse than Clio waiting for me to get to the mansion. Seeing the guards give me a salute before asking me for the invitation. I look frantically in my blazer pocket for the said invitation and visually and loudly exclaiming when I find it.

"Thank you Mr. Evergold," the one Peacekeeper says. "You are free to enter."

Nodding my thanks, I quickly walk into the foyer and gulping when I see Clio and the others waiting right for me. At least the others, except for Thalia, are happy to finally be able to enter the party that is probably well underway. Clio comes to me and then gripping me at either side with her perfectly manicured hands.

"What. Took. You. So. Long!" Each word comes with a violent shake from Clio, my deputy, as I feel the dizziness begin.

"Probably didn't trust us when we said that everything is going to plan with the arena."

"That's…not true." I say and even Clio rolled her eyes at the obvious lie. "Okay, fine! I don't know about you guys but my head is on the line here!"

"Whatever," Thalia says flicking her dark blue hair and turning towards the patient avox. "Let's just go to this party. I need a drink."

"It's a tea party, Thalia." Terp, her deputy, says as he stands beside her. "We drink; you know? Tea."

"Clearly you've never been to a President Tea Party." Poly says jumping up and down waiting to be let through.

"Yeah, let's just go if you may." Clio says looking from me to the avox, whom nodded in return and opened the door.

We follow her through a long corridor. The others around us whispering to each other and couldn't contain their excitement in seeing the Victors. Normally only myself and Clio are allowed to attend the party but this time President Augustus wants everyone to be there.

"Eu! Eu! I'm going to eat so many food!" Melpo practically jumps up and down in excitement.

"Whatever," his partner says looking at her nails. "Just make sure you come back alive, I need you for the Games."

"You got it!" He says with a salute.

"You people are insufferable." Thalia mumbles but I hear her and just roll my eyes.

Despite their differences I have worked with this team for a good three years now and have come to like each and everyone one of them. They all have their quirks and personality that somehow gets the job done, no matter how tight it feels.

"Make sure you keep them all in line, please." I whisper to Clio with a plead.

"You owe me so many favours." She says to me.

"I know, I know." I say scratching my head with an apologetic laugh following.

When we enter into the garden we are surprised to see so many people wandering about talking and having fun. This is beyond what the tea party has always been. Normally it's some sort of dinner or lunch followed by the actual tea itself. This is vastly different.

"Ah!" We all turn our head to the voice and all stiffen up when we see the bright and confident face of the president wide arms open in welcome. "Here are my Gamemakers, I though you all got lost on the way or something!"

He chuckles at his own joke and Thalia is about to say something when Clio stops her with a stern look. Without much hesitation she stops and in my head I am thanking the pastel pink haired girl tenfold.

"No, sir." I say walking up to him and shaking his hand. "Thank you for inviting all of us, it's nice to not be stuck in the office all day."

"Of course, of course!" He says looking at each of us. "Enjoy what there is to offer, now if you don't mind I'm going to take little Nathan for a walk and talk."

"Thank you, sir." Clio says, almost with a bow before she ushers everyone away from the two of us.

"Now." His tone doesn't change but I can feel the coldness begin to creep up my skin. "I assume the tributes got in alright? Everything is going according to plan?"

"Y-yes…" I cough to clear the lump in my throat. "Yes they are, sir. They are currently in the Remake Center getting cleaned for the Tribute Parade."

"That's what I like to hear," he says with a big pat on my back, walking us around the outskirts of the garden. "Have you had a chance to talk to our latest Victor yet?"

"Shepherd Baker? Small chat here and there, nothing too serious."

"Oh? That's a shame. He's a nice lad, go and speak to him after. I'm sure he'd like to meet the man that made his Games possible."

I can feel the icy tone in his voice that makes the warm rays of the sun obsolete. I just nod my head slowly before he pats my back once more and squeeze my shoulder.

"Wonderful! Now if you don't mind I think I saw some cookies earlier, I haven't had any yet, I hope there's some left."

With that he leaves me alone with my thoughts as I let out a breath I didn't even know I'm holding. I take a moment to compose my shaking form; calming my nerves I make my way towards the party in hopes of actually enjoying myself.

That feeling soon kicks away as I see the other Victors stare at me making me feel nervous yet again. Not that they're trying to intimidate me it's just that feeling of a Head Gamemaker I suppose. Especially seeing Kaiser and then Shepherd. Their Games were under my command and everything they've experienced were because of me. More so Shephard than Kaiser because the latter boy finished his Games rather too fast.

I give up looking for Clio and just stop by a random table. I see that there's no one around and I give a sigh of relief. I'm so out of my element. These public elements always make me feel so anxious and the fact that I'm always under the watchful eye of Augustus.

It's at that moment that I hear someone approaching me. I turn to see who it is and be in shock when it's none other than the newest Victor coming with a hesitant look in his face. Eyeing him up and down wearing a brown cardigan along with his white chinos and white shirt. His look has definitely changed since last year.

"Mr. Baker." I say gesturing to one of the empty seats and the boy reluctantly takes it.

"Mr. Evergold." He says back looking at the white tablecloth.

I can feel the tension in the air increase as we stay in silence. This is too awkward even for me and it's got me thinking why has he approached me in the first place? It's not like I'm at the top of his friends list considering what I've put him through.

I give a slight glance to the boy and find that he's staring at me but the second his eyes meet mine he looks away again as if nothing has happened. Feeling worn out I take a peek at my watch and find that it has only been a few minutes since that boy approached me.

"So," I start, testing the waters. "Did you…um…need me for something?"

"Not really," he says still avoiding my eyes. "I'm told that you're the best bet for when I need information on the Games."

"Well I'm not inclined to tell you something if that's what you're talking about." I start but he stops me before I can continue.

"I thought as much," he sighs. "I just want to do my best as a mentor, you know?"

"I can understand that but we need to make this fair for everyone."

The minute I say that I can tell he thinks differently. The way his eyebrows furrow at the words tells a whole lot more. I know it's not fair already, what with the Careers training their whole lives for this but that's an outside factor. That's something I cannot control.

"Worth a shot…" He whispers but I can hear it. "Thanks for your time."

Looking dejected I almost stop him to tell him something about the Games but instead I restrain myself. I don't want to get in trouble. There's too much at stake here for me. Not only am I jeopardizing myself but the others too.

"Good luck." I manage to say and the boy stops for a moment before seeing his head nod and walking back to the party where immediately he's surrounded by the other citizens.

"You did well," I look at the new voice and see Clio with her arms crossed, standing behind me. "Didn't expect you to tell no to the guy."

"Yeah…" I say looking down. "It's just got me thinking what if? You know? What if I told him something? Does it make me a bad person for saying no to him?"

"I can't answer that for you," she says to me with apologetic purple eyes. "I know why I'm doing this and I assume you do to?"

'Do I know why I'm doing this?'

When I got promoted to Head Gamemaker almost three years ago now I thought it was the best thing. I was able to support my parents and have them be proud of me for once. What I find after accepting was nothing but constant stress and endless volumes of blood. Sometimes what I do is justified but more often than not…I don't know. It's just got me wondering and I know these such thoughts are forbidden. Doubts can kill as fast as any weapon I can put in the Games.

'So, do I still know why I'm doing this?'

A/N - It's an update but not a tribute update! Surprise!

To be honest I've always liked the parties the President throws for the Victors. Although this year it's different making it more for the benefit for the Victors. They can get extra sponsors!

Anyway next chapter would be training day 1 to 3 after which would be the Individual Sessions and the scores. I don't know how I'm going to go about doing the Individual Sessions (I'm open to suggestions) but basically I want to give everyone at least one more POV each before the Games start.

What else do I usually do here? Questions?
-Thoughts on Orion, Warren and Farrina?
-Thoughts on the chapter?
-Do you want to see more chapters like these?

Basically that's it, I just want to put out a chapter this month basically. Still going strong. I'm planning what the layout of the Training Center, and boy does it look cool! I have the plan for the next chapter too and I'm just finding time into what I actually want to happen. At this point there are already alliances forming within the tributes and I definitely see one or two tributes that are sadly not going past the Bloodbath.

So, yeah, stay tuned!

~Alec