Shine

Chapter 23

Victor's Dinner

Every year, after the interviews, on the eve of the Games, the victors of previous Games who serve as mentors dine in the Capitol, discussing various things, most of them about their Tributes and the upcoming Games…

Athena Feere –18- -D11V- POV

I walk towards the dining room nervously. I'm not quite sure what to expect. Jennifer walks past me.

"Come on, Athena," she says. "Nervous?"

"A little bit," I admit.

"Don't worry," she says, pushing open the ornate double doors in front of me and revealing the most ornate dining room I've ever seen, with a long table with twelve chairs in the center. The chairs are arranged with six on one side, five on the other, and one at the end. Most of them are taken, and I notice that each chair has a District Number on it. Not surprisingly, the chair for six is empty, but so is the chair for eight, also not surprising. After Andrew and Serena came and talked to me, Silk and Rhylee came to me too, telling me horror stories about Ginger. It doesn't come to me as a surprise that she's not there either. I remember that before I left District Eleven, I had asked Isabella, still only fifteen, to come with me, but she laughed, saying that it was customary for only one Victor to come and that she would much rather stay home anyway. It had taken her a year and a half to get over Deven, but she finally had, accepting that he would want her to be happy. She found a boyfriend, and she was quite happy to spend her Hunger Games season with him, watching the Games from the comfort of her own house. I look around for my chair. I'm slightly surprised that Haymitch is here, but not really. He's not a bad person, just a bit drunk is all. I spot a chair with an "Eleven" on it.

"That can't be mine," I say.

"That is yours," Jennifer says. "The new person always sits at the head of the table."

"Oh. Okay," I say, as I walk slowly to my chair and sit down. I realize that everyone's eyes are on me. Then Sophia lets out a laugh, and everyone else follows. "Don't worry, Athena. We don't bite. Well, at least, the ones who are here don't. The people who aren't here, well… you know."

"Yeah, how is it that I managed to be mentoring six Tributes, instead of just two?" I ask.

"Because you're a sucker, Athena," Margaret says, then takes a big bite of bread.

"What?" I ask.
"No offense, but it's true. It's fine, we all were," Margaret says. Then she looks at Jennifer and Iron. "Okay, maybe not all of us. But you care too much. You look at them all like real people. I mean, they are, but you have to learn to not care about anyone but your own Tributes. Is the fact that Adam and Ginger won't help their Tributes sad? Yes. But it's also just the truth, and it means that you have better odds of winning."

"I guess you're right," I say. "I just don't know if I can do it."

"It's alright," she says. "Just give it a few years. Besides, you're not hurting anyone but yourself, so go for it, I guess."

"Okay then," I say. "So, speaking of odds, who does everyone think will win?"

"Besides the careers?" Jennifer asks.

"I guess," I say.

"I think that girl from Seven might go far. Maybe the boy from Six. Did they ever get back to you about his leg thing?" Jennifer asks.

"No, not yet," I say. "They said they'll tell me tomorrow."

"Wow," Jennifer says. "That's cutting it close. Who do you think will win, Athena?"

"I honestly don't know," I say. "But I like the girl from nine."

"Why?" George asks.

"Come on," I say. "She's got a great name. Clearly she's marked for victory." The table explodes into laughter at my joke.

The rest of the dinner proceeds happily. Who knew Victors could be such fun people? But when it's time to go to bed, I have a hard time sleeping. I just can't get Bri, Tontu, Andrew, Harper, Rhylee, and Silk out of my mind. Eventually, I end up calling Alix and talking to him until I fall asleep at around one in the morning.

A/N: Just a short look at Athena, who was last year's Victor, and hopefully a fun short scene between our Victors. A little bit of fun and humor, because next up is… the Bloodbath. This chapter may be a good place to review with your final predictions before you continue on.

Quick Recap of Alliances:

Bec & Clear.

Thia, Rhylee, and Harper.

Serena, Andrew, Val, and Falcon.

Lustero, Diamond, Ares, and Giselle.

Emery, Kayne, and Tontu

Bri & Aster

Kayra & Char

Athena & Isaiah

Solos: Camelia & Silk (2)

So, what are your thoughts? Who do think will win? Let me know in a review, and our most important question: Are. You. Ready. To. RUMBLE?