Blaire Offerseed opened the door to find her one and only neighbor Kaenas Moreau holding a plate of banana bread in his large callused hands. It was a strange picture, the elderly blacksmith holding a colorful plate covered in saran wrap. She couldn't be sure, but she thought that the plate might have polka dots.
"Hebe asked me to bring this to you." He said, answering a lot of Blaire's questions before she could ask them.
"Let me guess. You want me to let you in so you can have some."
"Naturally."
Blaire rolled her eyes at him, but she pushed the door open so he could come inside. He followed her and placed the bread on the kitchen table. There was a note, so she picked it up and read it.
I heard you may or may not have plotted a murder! Or an accident I suppose. I heard you plotted an accident. Also I wanted to give you my condolences for Carlotta. Losing your first tribute is always hard. I'm sorry.
And thank you,
Hebe Dagnus.
How did Hebe always manage to get right to the heart of the issue with her rambling, borderline nonsensical notes? It had been a strange year for Blaire. After Mr. Wren's death, she felt free for the first time since she won the Hunger Games. Her nightmares lessened and her mind was less inclined to torment her with memories. She remembered the first time she truly realized that he couldn't hurt her, hurt anyone, any more. It had filled her with such joy that she started shaking. She didn't regret her part in his death one bit, a part which was larger than even someone as well informed as Hebe Dagnus could know. But it was hard to consider it a victory when she had lost so much that year.
Carlotta was her very first mentee, which she supposed was always going to be difficult. Everyone knew that if you won the Games you went on to become a mentor and help the tributes in following years. Kaenas had been the only surviving victor during Blaire's games, which divided his attention. But his advice had been irreplaceable. Blaire had wanted to be that to Carlotta, someone who was valuable to her in ways that she refused to speak out loud. But no matter how hard she tried, it wasn't enough. Fourth place was considered a good placing for a first year mentor. The Capitol kept reminding her of that, but all of the praise felt hollow.
Pain and joy and fear mixed together in an incredibly confusing soup, and Blaire found herself reaching for the banana bread in an attempt to quell all of her emotion.
"I do actually have to talk to you about something." Kaenas said, "It's about this mini quell."
Blaire was expecting that. Kaenas was summoned to the Capitol by Nautilus Plume serself, which meant that he did far more than exchange banana bread with Hebe Dagnus. "Is this about mentoring?" she asked.
The old man nodded, "They're taking volunteers. The designated mentors of each district are given the opportunity first. But if you want to say no, there's plenty of Victors in the Career districts willing to step in. I know last year was hard for you. And this might be the only time you will ever be allowed to refuse mentoring."
The concept of taking a year off was so unprecedented that Blaire hadn't allowed herself to think of the possibility. District Ten was not known for winning the Hunger Games. She and Kaenas were the only living Victors they had. Sometimes she idly hoped that she would bring someone home soon. But even then, the two of them would probably share the burden. A whole year without having the death of a child weigh on her seemed like a gift that she would be a fool to squander.
Yet she shook her head, "Is it weird that I like mentoring? Besides, can you imagine a Career mentor with an outer district kid? It would be a complete disaster. What about you?"
"I've also decided to go."
"It's Hebe isn't it? I don't know what wild plan she's got you caught up in, but I can tell you two are up to something."
Kaenas laughed. "You truly miss nothing. Be careful with that. It could get you killed."
Blaire shrugged off the warning. It was true that knowledge could be dangerous. But she survived everything this past year could throw at her. Nothing scared her any more.
"They can try."
AN: Another short little prologue. There's only a few more of these to go and then I'll get on to the meat of things. We have enough submissions for a full cast! Now a few of you have contacted me but haven't quite gotten your subs in. I will give those people a few days grace period. But for the most part, I think I have solidified the cast. If all goes well, I'll have the list up next time I update. Thank you everyone for reading. I hope you have a wonderful day!