Disclaimer: I own nothing. All credit goes to Suzanne Collins.

Chapter Twenty-Six: Dinner with a Crane

That next day was nearly entirely a publicity day around the city. Enobaria started out with a rough morning, but by the mid-afternoon, she was nearly smiling at the cameras more than I was. Brutus trudged along with us, not saying much, but still posing for many pictures all the while and not making much of a scene. In fact, we were supposed to start the Victory Tour that day, but apparently there was some sort of setback with the technology and the trains. I asked little questions, but simply did as I was told to do.

Honestly with Brutus, I felt as though I owed him something. I felt like I needed to tell him how I felt, but I knew that that would never change his view of me. To him, I simply killed his son. He already didn't like me before and I could imagine that level of dislike must have elevated.

I went the day, smiling and posing in pictures that I nearly forgot about the dinner reservation that had been on my pillow last night. It wasn't until we were back at the complex, sitting around in the living area that Enobaria mentioned it.

"Savera Stone. You have a dinner date with Seneca Crane and you're about to miss it?" She demanded, storming in to the living room from her own quarters with the reservation card in her hand.

As she threw it down on the side table beside me, I looked up at her," How'd you get that?"

"The Avox cleaning in there handed it to me as they were walking out," She fumed before walking around the couch and pulling me to my feet.

"I don't even know him, Enobaria!" I argued as she started pushing me out of the living room and back into my own quarters. "We only talked for a couple of moments really and-"

"It looked like more than just that," Brutus added, for nearly the first time of the day as he changed the channel on the television screen floating above the fire place.

I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering why everyone was all of a sudden so interested in my social life. Had I not already posed in all of their photo shoots, hugged enough kids, and smiled from ear to ear with the press? Apparently not.

"You're going. We're not standing up a Crane. That's far too dangerous. Imagine what would happen if it hit the media, Savera!" She scolded me like a child as she escorted me back to my own bedroom as she snapped for Brutus to call Sage.

"I didn't think I was obligated to it; he sounded rather flexible from the language on the card-"

It hardly mattered what I tried to tell her, she was rather set on the idea that I was going to be meeting Seneca Crane for dinner at some fancy restaurant in the Capitol that I had never been to before. After a lot of hollering and arm-twisting, Sage was at our apartment and already curling my hair while Enobaria looked on approvingly.

"How is it that the Crane boy was able to contact her?" Sage asked as he twisted my hair around a hot, iron.

"He sent a note to the complex last night," Enobaria answered for me, flipping through a fashion magazine that was sitting on my bedside table.

"Why is it that he has an interest? You know they've quite the reputation for-" He started to go on, but Enobaria cut him off.

"I haven't much interest in that side of it, Sage. All I know is that I do not particularly like what may happen if we do not attend. The last thing we need is an angry Crane family," She spat out at him, tossing the magazine aside as she propped her legs atop of the bed.

Sage shrugged his shoulders and looked at me before putting the finishing touches on my hair and sending me off to the bathroom where my outfit was awaiting me.


I don't know what it was, but there was something about the restaurant that made my stomach lurch as soon as I stepped inside on my own. I looked over my shoulder to where Enobaria and Brutus were standing, in what appeared to be a heated conversation. Seeing that I would receive no support from them, I walked forward to enter the low-lit building with very strange modern, art décor covering the walls.

There was this protruding sinking feeling in my stomach that I tried to ignore, but couldn't as all eyes were upon me. When folks started standing up to come and approach me, I thought this may be a convenient time to walk out and return to the safety of my apartment.

"Savera Stone?" An elderly gentleman asked, approaching me while at the same time ten other spectators came closer.

I tried greeting each of them with a smile and hand shake, but several moments later I heard a voice call over the crowd of people forming.

"Excuse me folks, but I do believe that I have booked an evening with the victor," Seneca Crane's voice came over the slew of people.

I made eye contact with the blazing blue eyes that were Seneca's as he offered his arm to me. I looped my arm through his tentatively before walking alongside the young Gamemaker. To my surprise, no one said another word and simply watched as we walked off away from the crowd.

"Looks as though someone has some authority," I commented softly as we walked through the restaurant, still drawing gazes from all over.

He smirked at this," I suppose its my family name more than anything."

I didn't see why they cared so much to be honest, but I didn't know Seneca well enough to comment any further on the matter. For all that I knew, he could be setting me up for something and wanting me to say certain things. As he knew, his family were some of the most conniving people in the Capitol.

"Be warned, by the way, this will probably be all over the magazines and news reels tomorrow," He informed me as we climbed a flight of stairs.

I narrowed my eyes at him," Couldn't you…put a stop to that if you really wanted to?"

He actually laughed at this," Unfortunately, my family name has no power over the media. They're going to report upon whatever they want to. That's why it is important to stay discreet with your…private life."

With eyes still narrowed, I said," This isn't exactly discreet, Mr. Crane."

He shrugged," Yes I know and didn't we agree to not use the formalities?"

"Old habits die hard, I suppose," I answered, slightly smirking as we arrived at a table set for two next to a window overlooking the skyline of the Capitol.

Seneca, pulling the gentleman role very well, pulled my chair out for me and as I took a seat, I looked around to see that there were many people crowded into this room. In this particular room, however, not as many were focused on me as much as themselves. It was entertaining to peer around the room and see just what everyone was wearing or doing.

I was also checking to make sure that I did not recognize any of the other figures in this room…such as Gamemakers or other Capitol officials. As mentioned before, I did not fully trust Seneca Crane.

"A little distracted?" Seneca asked, taking a sip of water as I shot my head back to our table.

"Sorry, I just-" I shook my head, nervously turning my hands in my lap.

"Don't trust me?" He asked, raising a brow.

I stared at him, unblinking for several moments before choosing my words wisely and answering.

"You must admit, Seneca…is it not a little suspicious that the day after the Hunger Games…the victor is invited to a personal dinner with a Gamemaker. Granted, I must give you credit because I did enjoy meeting you last night, but with all due respect…the thought is curious," I told him carefully, seeing that delving into these theories could be dangerous.

He blinked several times before nodding," I understand your concern, however, I would like to assure you that my inviting you to dinner had nothing to with orders from my job. Or anyone from the Capitol for that matter."

"I appreciate you telling me this, but words are disposable, Seneca," I answered back with a slight smirk on my face.

"Unfortunately, they're all I've got at the moment," He said, returning my smirk.


As courses came and went, I found that conversation with Seneca Crane became more flowed and less formal. It was nice to be able to speak with someone who was close to my age and not have to be discussing publicity or something to promote the Victor's Tour. Deep down, there were still reservations with him, but I hardly noticed them as we continued speaking.

Between laughter and after a break in conversation, my curiosity got the best of me and I wanted an answer to a question I had wondered ever since I picked up the card from my pillow top.

"I really have had a lovely evening, Seneca, but I have something to ask you…you said earlier that your invitation to dinner had nothing to do with your job or the Capitol. What were your intentions then?" I asked, again speculative.

He dropped his fork to the table and folded his napkin before looking at me," I've basically been forced in to Gamemaking, Savera. There have been little decisions in my life where I actually am able to make it on my own. However, when I'm actually evaluating the tributes…it's not uncommon for each of us to choose a "favorite", but none of us would ever admit to that so as far as you know, I never said that. Anyways, the typical favored tribute is the biggest, strongest one from either District One, Two, or Four. The Capitol isn't very discreet about their favoritism and sponsors will usually take very good care of those you know as the "Careers"."

"Believe me, it can become rather dull when you are presented with the same options year after year only in different bodies. I'm sure you understand what I mean by this."

I nodded my head, knowing that the Career tributes were typically all very synonymous.

"Well, this year…I saw someone who was a worthy tribute. Someone who wasn't just another brute dressed up. Someone who actually played the game and didn't just do the violence aspect of it. Simply put, you were an ideal tribute, but more importantly an intriguing person. All I wished to do was to better know the real Savera Stone though I do not think you put on much of a show while you were in the Games."

Though his words were flattering and nice to hear, I found that everything still did link back to the Games in one way or another. I shifted a little uneasy in my chair, perhaps I was being unfair to him, but the way he spoke about the Games as if they truly were just a "game" bothered me. And that these people who sacrificed their lives were simply "tributes" or in my mind, pawns to be played by him and his people.

I caught glance at the clock on the wall and realized that I had told Enobaria I would be finished half-an hour ago. I was surprised that she had not come barging in here yet…but I found this would be the perfect excuse for me to take a leave from the table.

"That's very nice of you to say and I think that I can genuinely say that I'm probably not as intriguing as you think I am. Anyways, on that note, I really have to go. Enobaria is waiting for me and-" I said as I stood up. At the same time, he stood up as well and from the expression on his face…I could tell that he could tell I was unnerved by what he had said.

"Savera, something must be bothering-"

"No, really, it's nothing that you can fix," I answered back quickly before pushing my chair in and starting to walk away.

"Savera Stone," He said firmly, the restaurant was empty now. "I actually think it might be something that I can fix."

I stopped in my tracks while I should have kept walking.

He walked closer to me and I don't know why I didn't just keep walking. Softly, he whispered directly into my ear," You have an issue with the event they call the Hunger Games?"

"You shouldn't be saying this in public," I muttered under my breath, trying to find folly in his motion.

"So do I. Trust me. I'm bound to a system that I despise," He whispered, barely audible.

"Why would you tell me this?" I asked after several moments.

"Because I think you despise it just as much as I do," He whispered, his voice sending a chill down my spine.

"How do I trust that everything you're telling me isn't staged and that you're just waiting for me to say the right thing so that you can send it back to President Snow and have me executed?" I asked, speaking just as quietly.

"I'm not dense, Savera. I made sure that they would be plenty distracted tonight," He told me.

Slowly, I turned to face him straight on. Enobaria could come barging in any moment now. Plus, I still didn't think he was telling me the complete truth. Knowing this was not the reaction he expected, I sighed before saying," I'm sorry, but I genuinely have to go."

He looked directly at me," Very well then, but please do think on what I said."

I nodded," Goodbye, Seneca."

He returned the gesture," Goodbye, Savera."

As I walked away, my mind was racing with all sorts of different theories about what just happened. Seneca's last words haunted me ever so slightly,"…do think on what I said."

I knew that he was referring to the disliking of the system, but I couldn't help but dwell on what he said first…his words about the Games and how he came to notice me. Then again, his words at the end seemed rather genuine. I couldn't sense any falsity in his voice and there was something that did seem so pure about what he said.

One thing was for certain, whether I liked it or not…I was intrigued by Mr. Seneca Crane.

A/N: Soooo, what do you think? Let me know!