Yeah this is part 2 of victors life-the part without Cato- with the victory tour mentioned throughout and this one also starts the very beginning of the quell and all that drama. Go to say your reactions to what i did in the last chapter was pretty much what i expected only a lot nicer than i had thought so i can only hope that you don't all hate me for what i did. Here is chapter twenty one: hope you enjoy.
A.N- Shout Outs!
iceyxstrawberry- I hope this update was fast enough also...you love me but hate me...i can deal with that.
Shinigami- NO peeta hijacking in his story do not worry, not to say that the capitol won't be hurting Peeta because of what he did, as for standing up to Snow: Peeta is to scared to do that, it's not just his parents he's afraid for but every single person he cares for so everyone in District twelve and his fellow victors who have become his friends so there are reasons for him not to stand up to Snow.
Lady Luna Riddle- I couldn't resist the Avengers shout out i mean who could! As for your feelings i'm so glad you don't hate me! I was worried there for a sec.
Marcus1233- So you like me for being evil...whoa that is strangely awesome so thanks it's a first. So i guess i can safely assume you don't like Snow at this point and room what i could read you don't like Cato too much either?
bowsie22- yeah i guess you could side with Cato but come on...it's Peeta!
Collie4Life- I am so sorry i did not intend for that to happen: i should put a warning on my stories- WARNING MAY REDUCE ONE TO TEARS IN PUBLIC PLACE.
Endless93- Aww thank you i'm glad you enjoyed the chapter...but i'm kinda sad because you almost cried that wasn't my intent but i'm glad i was able to invoke such a strong emotion in you so it's kinda a trade off. Hope I got this out quick enough.
SakuraDrops141- I always miss my loyal readers! Lets all have a moment for their relationship: but fear not there is hope for them.
The Few And Proud Marines- I'm just gonna say that you liked it! Hope you enjoyed this.
Peeta's P.O.V
Sometimes in the dead of night when I'm curled up with Oclan- and sometimes when the nightmares got too much for the both of us Glimmer-I like to think back on my life and see where it started to go bad: was it the moment I accepted Snow's proposal, the moment my name was reaped by Effie, when I took Warren's final eight reaping slips, or when I started to train with Cray, I had thought of each of these moments with a stern approach and as much as I hated to admit it because I loved Oclan with my whole being the moment in time when I noticed strange or bad things happening to me was when he settled into his wolf form to early. Not that it mattered now I couldn't go back in time and stop my partner from settling what's done is done and now I had to live with it.
Normally that would be okay only that living with it meant that I had to live in the capitol for half the year and act like I loved the games and everything the stood for. It had been easier in the first six months before the games-well more like the first two- before the victory tour. When I first realized I was going to have to go on a 'Royal' Victory tour I had tried to shrug it off like it was no big deal: just a bit of acting here and there and everything would be fine. But then of course Cato had thrown a wrench in the works when he left me all alone stating that he couldn't be with me when I was Snow's tour: that was awkward staying on that train with him for all that time like nothing was wrong between us.
Not that we were acting like a couple or anything: far from it. Snow had leapt at the chance to make Cato look a little stupid for dumping the Prince and once I got back into the Capitol I was forced to attend an interview with a high sympathetic Ceaser and flaunt to all of Panem how easy it was to get over my Champion, how the break up hadn't affected me at all. Never mind that I had been crying every night since that day in district twelve or that Glimmer had held me every night until I fell into fitful sobs, even Haymitch had tried help although getting me knocked out drunk was a strange way to help because when I woke up I had one of the worst hang overs ever. But I had done what Snow had wanted from me: I sat on that large white plush chair in my Black and gold Prince apparel and laughed about how stupid or ending was, I made up a story over my responsibilities and distance coming between us to just drift apart.
The victory tour had been hard but not unbearable: I had a whole team on my side to help with everything, Jerico stuck by my side with the pretense of being near just in case something went wrongs with my hair or wardrobe. Solange was always near with Glimmer ready to cheer me up or run interference between the Champion and I, Gloss-who had chosen to accompany Glimmer instead of Cashmere who had a large modelling contract to fulfill-was always near to drive Cato off if he tried to speak to me. Portia, Effie and Haymitch thought were no doubt three of the best people I had ever had the chance of befriending, they had set everything up in the train so that Cato and I saw as little of one another as possible, the most time we spent together was when we were on stage with one another talking to the other districts. Oclan though was the best alert system I ever had, because of his friendship with Adira the black wolf was able to sense his grey wolf counterpart and every time he did he would alert me and the two of us would head in the opposite direction.
Overall the tour wasn't too bad: it gave me a chance to explore the districts I had been traveling pass every other week on my weekly travels to and from the capitol. District eleven was actually harder than I thought, not just because Thresh died during his confrontation with me and Glimmer but more so because I could still remember Rue and I was a little sad and guilty I knew nothing about her death. In District seven we had the surprise of a lifetime when Johanna was there on vacation from the capitol and for the majority of our stay there we hung out with the rough woman making the paparazzi go crazy despite the fact they got countless shots of Glimmer, Johanna and I when we were all in the capitol. When we arrived in District four I wasn't surprised to find that Finnick couldn't pull himself away from the capitol to see us but we did have the honor of meeting Mags-a beautifully kind woman who had a soft smile and a warm gaze- Finnick's mentor in the games and despite her age the woman who still to this day mentors the tributes and Annie-who by all means should be in a mental hospital if her ramblings were anything to go by- the beautiful but poor little mad girl who had caught Finnick's heart even if it was slowly fading into Glimmer's possession.
District four had been strange to start with because I wasn't sure how Glimmer would take to Annie but surprisingly enough the mad girl had latched onto the Princess almost immediately saying that she was like a bright light of hope and Glimmer had warmed up to the mad girl almost as quickly. In the three days we spent in the fishing district Glimmer and Annie were hardly without each other and just by the look of relief on Mags's face I knew that she was more than a little relieved.
"Glimmer means a lot to Finn, I'm not blind Peeta, but I also know that he would never intentionally hurt Annie by leaving her for another woman. So the fact they are friends just means that maybe both of them can be in his life without everything falling into one huge mess"
Mags's words stuck with me long after our train departed from District four and we were headed to district three, but when we arrived all I could think about was the fact that this was where Ronan had come from. Just looking at Cato and Glimmer I could tell that they were thinking the same thing. District three was hardest without a doubt: I was glared at by Ronan's big sister and his father looked ready to murder Cato, Glimmer and I made a large speech about how valiant Ronan was and how I respected him none of it lies which seemed to make everyone realize how much Glimmer and I had been trying to help the kid. By the time we left District three: I was ready to cry: only instead we had to go to both District two and one before we could rest.
District two was like a huge party: everyone was so happy to have the Champion, Prince and Princess in their home that they threw a huge party in our honor even having a gladiator style battle in a large coliseum in Glimmer and my own honor. The winner was one of Cato's favorite student's by the name of Rion and age of seventeen, he had white hair and blood red eyes and his daemon was that of a Culpeo and he was the favorite to go into the Quell this year. After the battle we allowed Rion to eat at our table in his best clothing which must have been a big honor because he hadn't stopped beaming all night. Once our three days in district two were over I was more than ready to leave: not just because of all the memories it bought back but because of all the brutal violence they seemed to revel in.
When we arrived in District one it was a lot like District two only a lot different: they had a parade and a party but no brutal battle: we had to go to a ball. It was like a real prince and princess ball as well Glimmer and I wore out crowns and our best Royal wear and Cato wore his Military inspired dress uniform. We danced and sang and told stories with whoever wanted our attention, when I met Marvel's family they were surprisingly kind to me stating that they didn't hate me as I didn't kill him, Cato on the other hand they hated with a fierce fury that made even the Champion Victor shy away from them. Glimmer's family was different: unlike my own who still smiled at me with warmness and treated me with kindness that spoke of familiar bonds and all that, but Glimmer's father treated her like someone proud of a trophy he had earned, and finally I understood why Glimmer was more than happy to come live with me in District twelve.
Once we returned to the capitol I was more than ready just to collapse and fall asleep which I would have done if I hadn't been forced to attend a huge party in my honor, so instead of curling up in my nice large Capitol bed I was dancing around the ballroom with a girl with green skin and yellow hair laughing at what I'm sure was supposed to be a funny story. Luckily enough for my Snow hadn't seen fit to make me escort anyone to my party which meant that I could go home alone without having to wash someone else off me but that didn't mean I didn't have to keep up appearances: so I danced with the right people and laughed when I was required to.
"Oi Prince" I hear Finnick call out from behind me and turn around just in time to get wrapped up in a tight bear hug that only Finnick could manage. "My god it's like a breath of fresh air seeing you again" he teased making me laugh and slap the elder victor on the shoulder.
I knew that he would be off trying to find Glimmer in a moment but I also knew that he would spend some time with me, of that I was completely okay with. Having to be taken away from Cato every few minutes because everyone was afraid that I would fall a part in his presence was a nice thought and I appreciated it a lot more than I thought I would but it was getting old fast and I was ready just to forget that I was ever broken hearted- and if experience had taught me anything partying with Finnick Odair was the perfect way to forget things that had pissed you off or otherwise had made your life miserable.
"Hey Finn" I say stepping back and grinning up at him "So what do you think of my party" I ask in a joking voice, it was more because I had been told how amazing the damn thing was by so many people that I was ready to stab someone and if the emotions Oclan was sending me were any indication he wasn't having much fun either.
The handsome victor threw his arm around my shoulder making the camera's go crazy like always and made a humming noise before shrugging "It's alright" he said in a drawling tone making me laugh-not a fake laugh either like the ones that I had been forcing out all night but an actual laugh that made my stomach hurt.
I was about to ask him something else when suddenly Cashmere is twirled in front of me holding out her hand with a kind smile on her face "May I have this dance my Prince?" she asked in a childish voice making me grin and disentangle myself from my friend.
"Sorry Finn my loyal fans are calling" I call back as Cashmere and I move onto the dance floor "But if you wish to dance with the Princess the last I saw she and Beetee were in a conversation by the Lion statues" This of course propels Finnick into action and in a flash he's off searching for Glimmer while I waltz around the room with Cashmere for once having fun at a capitol party now that I was with my fellow victor and not in the arms of some ugly fake capitol woman.
The party lasts hours and by the end of it I'm more than ready to retire, the only thing I can be glad of was that the party was so large I hardly got to see Cato at all and another good thing was that the Champion would be returning to District two in the morning while we all stayed behind to 'work'. As Glimmer and I climb into bed together needing our company to get through the nightmares I know will plague us we have no warning as Oclan and Daithi jump up on top of us making my breath rush out in a breathless laugh. Reaching down a stroke both of their heads and press a kiss to the top of Glimmer's head before settling down against my pillows ready for some rest. "Good night" I whisper and my eyes slip shut and I fall asleep.
A week passed since I came to the capitol and normally I would be heading back to district twelve for some relaxation but Glimmer and I had instead been called into audience with President Snow. So instead of packing my bags and throwing on some comfortable clothing I pull on one of my Portia designed Gothic Prince Outfits just as Glimmer pulled on one of her outfits and together we allow our Peacekeeper guards to escort us to President Snow's mansion. On the ride there Oclan had offered up a few thoughts on what he believed was going on but all of them sounded kinda stupid and far-fetched so I just chuckled and took no real note in them.
The last week since my victory tour had been a lot more tiring than a normal week in the capitol, double events, parties clubs, appearances, photo-shoots, concerts Glimmer and I had done it all. I had even asked Haymitch- who surprisingly had stuck around although my money is on the fact that he had been missing Effie-why the capitol hadn't gotten bored of us yet and why we were still in such high demand. Haymitch hadn't put my mind at ease or anything close to it, instead he had sarcastically said that because I was 'Prince' and not a normal victor the capitol was fascinated with me and therefore my allure was a hell of a lot stronger than a normal victors would be. So I continued on with my work and ignored how tired I was becoming and how much I missed home: if I thought that way then everything would be that much harder.
Arriving at the President's manor was a lot like arriving at a castle, I might have the title of a Prince but Snow lived like a king and it showed as the door man rushed forward and helped the Glimmer and I out of the car and into the main room. "The President is in his study. He's been expecting the two of you" he said in a stiff voice before returning to his sentry near the door.
I lock gazes with Glimmer who rolled her eyes and then linked arms with me "Come on we can't keep him waiting" she said in a soft voice making Daithi snort in agreement and Oclan huff in amusement.
Chuckling dryly I nod and begin to lead Glimmer through the large house, it was scary to think of it but Glimmer and I had been in this giant house so many times that we had actually gotten used to it and no longer got lost every time we arrived like the first few times Snow made us come to his home. But even with our new found sense of direction the journey to Snow's study took about ten minutes by the time we arrived and found Snow sitting at his desk reading over some papers.
"You came quickly, that is very good I like that in my victors: obedience" Snow drawled as we took the two large seats in front of his desk and our daemons sat on our left's looking as proud and grand as they could in the presence of the man who intimidated all of them.
I want to roll my eyes as he said this: the only reason why all the victors were so damn obedient was because if we didn't then he would take everything we ever cared about away from us and then still expect us to do what he wanted so it was more a case of how much we were willing to sacrifice for the people we loved. "Thank You President" I say in a clear voice, I learnt really fast that mumbling was not a good thing.
Snow finished reading over his papers and then looked up at Glimmer and I who were seated in what we had perfected as a 'we deserve respect but are quite comfortable' position and after a moment of analyzing us he nodded and stood from his seat. "It has been ten months since your victory and crowning" he said making me swallow and look down at the ground: I was well aware of how long it had been since I had become a Prince. "And in those ten months you have done all that I have asked of you which in turn has made me very pleased with you"
Normally I could tell where a conversation was going but in this case I couldn't figure it out for the life of me, I had no clue where Snow was going with his train of thought and by the look that Glimmer sent me she didn't either. "Which is why I shouldn't get any trouble from the two of you when I announce that you won't be participating as mentors" he finished and the shock and horror I felt running through my body reminded me a hell of a lot like the floor had just dropped out underneath me.
"W-hat?" I choke out not caring in the slightest at how uneducated I sound.
Snow smiled and walked over until he was right in front of Glimmer and I who were sitting there shocked into sitting frozen where we were "You see I can't have the capitol believe that by having the Prince and Princess participating as mentors that your favouring them so you won't be mentors" he said in a slick voice making bile rise in my throat "Are we clear" The two of us nod knowing that underneath his statement was a threat and a big one, "Good no I have your schedules for this week"
So we continue on with our life, sleeping with who we needed to, going to what parties we needed to and y the time the reapings arrived Glimmer and I could easily say we had never been more happy that we weren't in our districts. Because how can you watch the kids going into the games be called and then know that you will never be able to do anything about it because it would be unfair for the other districts. When Glimmer and I found out who the district twelve tributes were it was late that night after we had gone to a charity gala for the president and the games and it was in that moment I knew Snow had done it to keep me and Glimmer in line: the male tribute for District twelve was Rory Hawthorn the fourteen year old Glimmer and I had become close friends with.
Was this Chapter any better?
Please tell me!
Next Chapter: Start the Quell