Chapter 43:
Iona Lamonte, District Four, Age 18
Victor of the 118th Hunger Games
Despite winning the Games, Iona can't help but just feel…unremarkable compared to some of the other career victors in recent years. She's just the sixth in a string of career victors – honestly part of her is surprised that they even let her win after so many careers winning year after year, but apparently the Capitol isn't bored of them just yet. She didn't betray her friend in the finale like Muir. She didn't set new records like Darach. She didn't outwit her pack and kill them off one by one like Lysander. She didn't stop Two from getting a third victor in a row like Elsean. And she didn't have an amazing coming out story like Tara.
She was just…Iona. A normal, average career, yet it still worked for her.
Yet what does she do now with her subpar victory? It's only been one month since her victory and the District is already getting bored with her. And she has no idea how to make them see her differently. Because what is there to set her apart from the past victors? Nothing.
"Iona!"
She looks up at the sound of her name to find Okeanas waving her over, so she gently puts her sword back in the rack and wipes her sweaty hands on her pants as she walks over. "What's up?" she asks as she approaches, only for Okeanas to turn and wave over her shoulder for Iona to follow her. "Alright then."
"We'll talk in my office," Okeanas calls over her shoulder and they walk in silence the remainder of the walk. Only once the older victor is seated at her desk, Iona across from her, does she speak up. "So I've been doing some thinking."
Iona raises an eyebrow in questioning when Okeanas doesn't elaborate on that. "About?"
"The careers, our training center," Okeanas clarifies and Iona tenses up, wondering if she is part of the problem for her completely average performance in the careers. Okeanas leans back in her chair and kicks her feet up on the desk, knocking over a few pieces of paper. "We need to step up our game if we're going to keep up with One and Two. And you made me realize that."
"Me?" Iona asks in disbelief. "I don't understand. I was so…average."
"You were well-balanced and not erratic," Okeanas corrects her and Iona gives a small shrug. "Before you, our victors have won through sabotage and betrayal, myself included. That's not a strategy that is going to work in the long term. But you…" she points over at Iona, making her press back in her chair a little in fear of the intimidating woman. "You're the only one who has actually won by beating one of your allies in a fair fight. And so it's time to change up how we train our volunteers. And I want you leading that change with me."
Iona blinks in surprise and sits in stunned silence for a few seconds, all while Okeanas watches her expectantly. "I don't know what to say…"
"Say you'll do it and spare me from dealing with all the politics of training," Okeanas tells her, grimacing as she gestures at the paperwork scattering her desk. "I just want to show them how to decapitate some people, not negotiate money and stuff."
"I'm just… Why me?" Iona asks curiously, really having no idea why Okeanas would ask her of all the victors she could choose from. "Surely Muir or Elsean would be better than me…"
"Muir is quite happy not being actively involved in training," Okeanas says with a scoff, clearly not happy with that. "I blame that dimwitted surfer boy she's been seeing. As for Elsean…" she gives a shrug and taps her fingers on her desk. "I just don't like him as much."
"And you like me?" Iona asks before she has the time to stop herself from asking. She covers her mouth with her hand in embarrassment, but Okeanas just looks amused at her question. "Sorry, that's not a professional thing to ask."
"See, you'll do great with the politics side of things," Okeanas points out to her and moves her feet off the desk so she can sit up straight. She slaps her hands on the desk as she studies Iona. "Yes, I do like you, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation. So tell me, Iona, do you want to train a whole new generation of careers? Lead the District Four training center to greatness? Make yourself known for something?"
Iona stiffens at the last question and from the look on Okeanas's face, the older victor knows she struck a nerve with that comment. She thought she was doing a better job at hiding the fact that she feels insignificant compared to the other victors, but apparently not. But now…here's her opportunity to make history. Who knows how many tributes she can lead to victory running the training center with Okeanas? She'll be known for something…and it's clear she's not going to be known for her Games, not with the victors she was following up. This may be her only shot at being remembered.
She nods her head at Okeanas and sits up tall, finally starting to feel like she has a purpose again for the first time since she got back from the Games. "I'll do it and I won't let you down. Now when do we get started?"
Okeanas grins at her and slaps a large pile of papers on her desk. "We get started now. Have fun reviewing trainee applications."
This…isn't exactly what she was expecting her first task to be. But also…she gets to decide who will train and work towards volunteering. She has a hand in deciding their future volunteers… So she nods her head and takes the stack of papers, ready to get to work. "I'll get started right away."
And there we have Iona, who has made a legacy for herself by being average compared to the rest of the D4 victors winning through backstabbing lol XD But I felt it was important to show her stepping up to help run the training center with Okeanas! For real, Okeanas wanted someone to do the annoying paperwork she doesn't like to do lol.
Like usual, not much else to say lol. Look at me remembering it's Wednesday, my dudes. Next week, we finally break the string of career victors! ...With someone who manipulates a career to do their dirty work XD See you then!