Two updates, one day. I'm surprised. Don't get used to it.
This year's mentors sit in the large metallic room. The place is high tech; looks like it's straight out of the USS Enterprise. Counters line the rounded walls, stocked with computers for figuring out the sponsoring information. Screens televising the Games line the walls.
A few kick back on the comfy leather couches and chill as they watch the games on movie theater sized screens. Others sit at their District's computer, focusing on their tributes...if they're alive anyway. Which, considering how early in the Games it is, most are.
The twenty four hour thing only meant one thing. No long breaks. How could you take your eyes off the screen for a couple minutes, knowing that everything is almost in fast forward mode compared to past years where it lasts for around a week.
The large door creaks open. Celeste Valentine calls out, "Well, I'll be seeing you!" as she heads out the door.
"Where you headed?" Hector, the 9 mentor stops her.
"There's no reason for me to stay. Both of mine are dead and gone. Didn't even last ten minutes." the 5 girl states, rolling her blue eyes. She feels bad, but there is nothing she can do. The Hunger Games destroy. It's a simple fact.
"Killjoy," Troy Allen, 7 representative mutters, taking a long drag from a bottle, "But I'll, um, join ya when I can." This earns him a questioning glance from Ignace, who is in the process of hacking into one of the computers for a part he needs for his latest invention. Not that he will tell anyone what it will do until its finished.
Celeste smiles at him and then with a flip of her dark hair, she leaves the others.
"You're such a pain, you know that?" Natare snaps.
"Ah, You know you love me..." Troy winks at her.
The diamonds imbedded under her purple eyes seem to spark as she replies quickly and menacingly, "Love to kill you. In. Your. Sleep."
"Um, you'd have to be in the bedroom to do that, and we all know how that works out, especially when you're involved," Troy starts. The 6 mentor looks like she will actually make good on her murderous words.
The newest young Victor watches the scene with wide brown eyes, taking it all in. Cane has the sinking feeling that this might be more violent than the actual Hunger Games. And he was already stressed before this! Steller Jae notes the kid's distress, so she sits down next to him. "They won't actually hurt each other. It's a love-hate relationship. They go through this every year."
The District 1 asshole, Dominic Jark, places his bets, "Usually more love than hate. So, I give it four hours before they start mak-"
Natare snaps, "You know I can hear you!" the same time that Cane shouts, "Lalalalala! Too much information!" trying to drown it all out.
Over in the corner, away from the younger mentor's drama, Gertrude Merryweather and Mor Amati are sipping their coffees as they work out a plan. The two women are easily the oldest mentors this year and despite their very opposite personalities, the 2 and 8 girls get along just fine.
"At least you have a hope this year in your boy," Mor comments quietly as she watches Nilick die by the hands of his ally, Hector's monster of a guy tribute.
"Yes I do, but your girl with Dominic's career, that's going to bring in some sponsor money for sure," Gertrude says back quickly. She knows Mor truly gets upset when one of her tributes die. The other mentor nods slightly. It might be a blessing, as 8 hardly ever brings in much money and Dominic doesn't pay enough attention, so it shouldn't be too hard to get him to pitch in some of his funds to provide a gift for their allied tributes.
The younger mentor's arguing quickly cuts off their conversation.
"You freaking asshole!" unmistakably Natare. Who she's yelling at this time though, who knows.
"Ding, ding, ding, that ends round 1 of the 81st annual Mentor Smackdown!" Hector booms. "It was a close match, but I think Natare Arlov might've taken it..."
Gertrude stands up and marches over to the bickering young adults. Her grey eyes glare as she lectures, "Grow up and actually care about your tributes! You are worse than a bunch of little kids!"
Heads hang in fake remorse. But Dominic has to ruin it, "Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" he snaps to attention then salutes before marching off towards his computer.
Cane looks around and says to no one in particular, "Is it always like this?"
Mercury, the albino mentor from 10 nods. He hadn't said a word this whole time until now, "Welcome to the freak show kid."
I'm honestly not so sure about this very short chapter. It was a last minute thought as a way to incorporate more with the mentors. There might be another of these...probably not though. Depends.