2:7 – A nice pair of …
I am returning to my room after the evening meal when Julius calls to me as I pass his room. His door is wide open and I stand in the doorway. I'm mindful of Adrianna's warning about entering Julius's room, but from where I stand the room seems neat and tidy. Julius has Cato's muscular build but I don't sense any physical danger from Julius. I take the risk of entering his room and immediately see what Adrianna was trying to warn me about. Along one wall of his room are three large posters of me. Enlargements of three of the pictures in the Gamemaker's set, with some of the graininess of the originals removed.
"Do you like them?" asks Julius when he sees me looking at them. "You're very pretty and you have a nice pair of …"
"Julius!" comes a cry from behind me. Adrianna. She must have been behind me on the stairs and saw me enter Julius's room. "I'm sorry, Katniss. When I enlarged these pictures for my perverted brother I didn't mean to offend you. I was testing my new equipment."
"I'm not offended," I reply. "Do you really sit and ogle at these pictures, Julius? Am I the source of your wildest fantasies before you go to sleep?"
"I think he does more than sit and ogle," Adrianna says, joining me in my laughter. Far from being embarrassed I have turned the tables on Julius. It is he who is blushing. The episode gives me an idea which I want to discuss with Adrianna, Remus and Gaius in private.
My visit last for four days. As a parting gift I give Julius a present of three new posters. Pictures of me. Much better quality than the Gamemakers stock thanks to Adrianna's skills and equipment. They are part of a set of fifty artistic photographs Adrianna has taken of me. All quite legal and nothing shameful.
Even Adrianna is surprised at what she's achieved. Perhaps she's found where her real talent lies. I've entrusted the distribution and sale of the photographs to Adrianna, who will split the profits equally with me. No one will want to buy the Gamemakers poor quality pictures while these are available. I can contribute to the family's finances and deprive the Gamemakers of some revenue in one stroke.
Arianna has let me borrow some of her skirts and dresses while I've been visiting, but for my return journey I am wearing my own dress. It's the one I first thought was too revealing, but now wear without any embarrassment. My journey means I must change trains in the Capitol. Remus insists one of the family travels with me until I board my train for District Twelve. He believes with the suspicions about my actions in the arena still fresh in certain officials' minds it would be too easy for me to be intercepted at the Capitol train station and made to undergo another secret interrogation.
I assumed it would be either Gaius or Remus who would escort me, so I'm surprised to find it is Julius who is to accompany me. He seems quite pleased at the prospect and, in truth, I'm happy for the opportunity to sort out my relationship with Julius. After his smutty behaviour towards me on the first day of my visit he has been trying hard to get back into my good books. The present of the new posters was my offer of a peace token.
The train from District Two isn't very busy and Julius and I have a compartment to ourselves. We sit facing each other and for a while we talk about growing up in our respective districts. Like Cato, Julius isn't one for long conversations. I'm pleased because I'm not a great conversationalist myself. After a while we lapse into a comfortable silence and we each look out of the window at the passing countryside. My next visit here will probably be during the Victor's Tour. After that there will be other engagements before I'm asked to mentor the District Twelve tributes for the next games. I hope the nonsense about Haymitch's involvement in Peeta's death will have been resolved by then and Haymitch can mentor the male tribute.
I am looking forward to returning here. I can't say any of my official duties appeal to me and I suppose the Gamemakers will make sure they get their revenge for my actions against them. They may not be able to prove anything against me legally, but that doesn't mean they don't know. All I can do is take each step as it comes and hope I can withstand whatever they throw at me.
It's a hot day and the air conditioning in the train isn't working properly. Julius has long since removed his jacket to reveal his sleeveless top. I find myself looking at him and thinking how similar he is to Cato. His muscular arms and chest, the slightly arrogant look on his face, and the way he sits, all remind me of Cato. The same feelings I felt when I was close to Cato are starting to stir inside me.
I come back to earth with a bump when the train makes a loud whining sound and slowly glides to a halt.
"Oh no! The train has broken down. Again!" says Julius. "It happens nearly every week. We could be stuck for an hour or so. I'm afraid you may miss your connection. When is the next train to District Twelve?"
"Not until tomorrow. But that's no problem. I can stay in the station hotel overnight. You don't need to wait with me until tomorrow if you need to get back home."
"Pa would crucify me if I don't wait until you are on your train to District Twelve. No, I shall stay in the Capitol until tomorrow. I can sleep on one the station benches. I don't have enough money to afford a hotel room."
I would offer to pay for a room for him but I understand enough of the District Two customs to know it would offend his male pride if I did. Anyway, Julius might be wrong and I might still make my connection.
An hour later we are still stuck in the middle of nowhere. I wish the train crew would spend less time apologising and more time fixing the problem. I've missed my connection as Julius said I would.
I suddenly realise Julius is looking at me in the same way Cato used to look at me. A hungry look. My emotions step up a notch, particularly when I remember what that special look lead to in the arena. Deep inside me I'm carrying the consequences of that look. I shift my position slightly and can't fail to notice the reaction from Julius. My perspiring body is making my dress cling and Julius can't tear his eyes away from me. I nearly laugh when I see the effect on Julius when I undo the top button of my dress. Poor Julius tries to be casual when he puts his jacket over his lap to hide what he doesn't seem to be able to control.
I would never have acted like this a few months ago. But Cato opened a secret door. A door that once opened can never be closed again. The doctor had warned me my experience in the arena would change me in subtle ways. I suppose this is one of them. If so, then for once I'm glad.
It's surprising what messages you can convey without uttering a word. I make a number of alluring movements and Julius is practically panting after a few minutes. Not that he is the only one affected. My playfulness is having an effect on me as well. He keeps giving me the same look Cato used to give me from time to time. When I saw that special look in Cato's eyes I knew what was about to happen, but with Julius I don't. Cato looked and acted, Julius simply looks. It occurs to me that despite all his boasting, Julius is actually very shy.
"Let me help you with your problem," I say, leaning forward and lifting his jacket from his lap.
I've a feeling we are both going to be glad I've missed my connection.