Chapter 15: Essence
The room falls silent as President Snow rises. Two people are locked to either side. Cameras zoom in on the trio.
"Panem. Welcome." He speaks in a deep, clear voice. He is sober, for now. "These last few weeks have been a marvelous time for our country. Our newest Victor graced the television screens with her beauty, charm, and remarkable gymnastics, somersaulting her way to victory through the eternal rains of her arena. Can you say bad hair day?"
Polite laughter, Brilliance louder than the rest.
"With her Victory Tour complete, what better way to finish it off than in her second home?" President Snow turns to his left. His companion's smooth hand lies in his.
"Essence Bernardshaw. The night is yours. Enjoy it."
He kisses her hand. Then her cheek. Then her neck. The room breaks into howls and whistles. Brilliance good-naturedly pries the man off her, President Snow mouthing 'I can't control myself!' as his Flavor of the Month, a gangly brunette, tugs him away. The trio share a laugh as champagne is placed in their hands. Red pours through the Victor's makeup as the president gives his toast. She hopes no one notices.
"To Essence, the most beautiful Victor to ever win the Hunger Games!"
"To Essence," the room speaks. Music blares. Partygoers swarm the trio. Photos are taken, saccharine smiles plastered on for the tabloids. President Snow downs his champagne in one gulp and promptly disappears into the crowd, leaving his companions to their fates.
The other Victors watch the scene unfold from afar. The Careers lounge near the garden fountain, far away from the chaos inside. It's near empty where they sit, drunks and couples with a fetish for public affection their only crowd. The "outlier Victors", what the Capitol productions call them now, are on the opposite end of the party near the exit. They have enough sense to avoid the Careers. The echelons of The Hunger Games find the forced camaraderie awkward too. Districts Two and Four are at best work associates.
"Think they're dating?" Jordano breaks the silence.
"Dating? No. Fucking? Yes," Roman snorts. "One night over drinks. Told me all his girls get "The Brilliant Touch" night before the Games. His words, not mine."
Everyone voices their version of disgust at the revelation.
Westley sips his drink. "No wonder she's the first. Coming back to Brilliance? No thanks."
The others chuckle. "But the man has good taste. Wouldn't mind a night with Miss Bernardshaw."
"Ask Sciocca. She has your balls." Jordano dodges Westley's drink with ease. They fall into a playful, tipsy tussle. The couples sprawled around them stop their debauchery to look on to the scuffle. Jordano gets the best of him, tackling the younger Victor into the garden hedges. His reflexes will always be better than the Blanco's, sober or drunk.
"Enrique, settle down your boys. They'll cause a scene," Diana gets out once the laughter ends. With two swoops of the arm, the professional babysitter wrangles the rowdy boys and plops them down onto the fountain. The couples lose interest and go back to their business. Her face grows soft as she prepares her next comment. "How's Mags? Doing any better?"
"She's good," he answers too quickly. "Watching over the Center back home."
Truth: President Snow didn't trust Mags around Essence after their "tiff" during the Victory Tour.
He changes the subject. "How about Viridi's oldest? Reason he couldn't bask in the glory of Essence Bernardshaw tonight right?"
"He's fine," Maximus cuts into the conversation. He's been ignoring the others until now. "A summer cold is all."
Truth: He's been bedbound for a week. Doctors think it's serious.
Westley straightens his tie, shooting Jordano a look of death as he smooths out his blazer. You don't mess with a Gianna Mirrorsworth original. "Your girl's still angry Essence won Rique? Give me a break. This savage here killed Algae two minutes into the Games. Didn't shed a tear."
Roman smiles at the compliment. Westley grimaces.
"Cold words for your newest Victor Westley," Diana speaks for Enrique. What a polished man. What a stupid mouth.
"It's a cold world. Get used to it."
They straighten up when the guests of honor makes their way over. The pair is sickeningly happy; laughing, giggling, hands all over each other. Roman makes a gagging noise. Jordano snickers. Diana swats them both.
"Victors, meet Essence!" He says it like they did not have to endure her Victory Tour. Brilliance holds up her hand, twirling the girl around for a full look. Lights dance off her infinite jewels and flawless smile. It gives the others a headache.
Once she comes to a still, she clasps her hands together, giving each Victor a deep look of gratitude.
"I am so, so thankful for each and every one of your warm welcomes during my Victory Tour."
Her eyes stop on District Four. She makes sure to give them the biggest smile.
"As the second Victor of District One, I am excited for what's in store for not only me, but for all of us. I will be the best Victor this country has seen. Just you wait!" she winks at Maximus and giggles. His smile is curt.
Throughout her pageant speech, Brilliance eyes her as if she is the answer to all of life's problems. "Isn't she just amazing?" he says once she's done.
Silence.
Brilliance clears his throat.
"How ambitious." "Radiant." "Sure." "A Victor like no other." "So driven." "Nice shoes."
Westley waltzes over to the glittering duo and bows, extending a hand out to the woman. He stares at her breasts as he speaks.
"Essence, a dance? They're playing our song."
Brilliance grips her arm. "For what, Four? Get Sciocca."
Westley smirks. He's always hated Brilliance. "A token of my appreciation. She's not a possession, One."
Essence eases off her handler, giving him a kiss on the cheek before accepting Westley's hand. "I'd love to. I must say; I've always held a liking to you Victor Seabrooks."
Westley ignores the look of fury on the blond. "Oh you humor this old man. And please, call me West."
They saunter off to the latest radio nonsense, already engrossed in conversation. A dejected Brilliance squirms where he stands. It goes silent again.
Jordano pops up to his feet. "Well, gonna get hammered and see how many Capitolites I can score. Coming my love?"
Roman links arm with his accomplice. "Of course dear. Toodles!"
"I'll go watch over those two. Make sure they don't cause a rebellion or something," says Enrique, quickly disappearing into the mass.
Brilliance plops down on the fountain edge. Downing a full glass of champagne from a waiting Avox, hands run through his once-coiffed hair. District Two is whispering to each other. He doesn't care to listen.
"Brilliance? A word please."
Maximus rises from his seat. Brilliance follows suit. He nabs a full bottle of champagne for good measure.
The walk through the hedge maze is quiet. Minus the wandering drunk, the area is completely clear. Maximus leads the way, Brilliance a good few feet away (you never walk too close behind a Victor). They arrive in the center of the labyrinth. A modest gazebo draped in hanging looks up at the sky. This is the thirteenth clear, starry night the Capitol has had. Would be remarkable if it was real. Weather manipulation, their (read: District Three's) latest invention.
"Such a romantic setting. Didn't know I was your type." Brilliance plays light. The man is not amused. He lays out on the chaise in an attempt to be causal. Maximus looks out into the horizon, posture straight as stone.
The gazebo is the furthest point you can get on the Snow estate. Barely anyone comes here. A favorite among the Victors. A great place to clear your mind. Or have a private conversation, cameras be damned.
"Champagne?" he touts a glass his way. "Fits the mood."
Maximus turns straight around, face set. The look unnerves him. "What is the meaning of Essence?"
Brilliance hates the quiet, indisputable power Maximus wields. Like being called to the principal's office. Does he enjoy life? Smile? Have sex? Little Nicolina had proven the latter true, but that didn't mean he enjoyed the act. After a gulp and refill of his glass, Brilliance answers.
"I talked her up during the Games. Sponsors want their share now."
He tells him the truth. He doesn't want to, but you do not lie to the first Victor of Panem.
"Did you buy her safety with promises of sex?"
"Yes."
Maximus stays still for a very long time. He takes in the younger Victor. His hair is a mess. His suit is wrinkled. Half the buttons on his dress shirt is unbuttoned. Dark shadows line his eyes. A twitch takes hold of his mouth and hands. He can't keep eye contact. Take in your enemy's details to keep your cool. An old training trick.
He does this twice more before he can speak.
"Brilliance," he says, steadying his voice. "Do you realize the implications of your actions?"
"I had no choice!" he screams. A faraway drunk yells something back. "She was pretty. They gave demands. I said yes."
"This was not the way to victory."
"I didn't expect her to win," he continues, voice hysterical. "It's been ten years since I won, ten years since we had a Victor. So many second place Tributes. Damn girl four years back dying in the bloodbath to Faraday. Faraday! You know what the sponsors told me? District One: All sex, no substance. They were looking to cut my center Maximus. Again. It's easy for you and Enrique to judge with your fifty million Victors. What the hell do you know? I did what I had to do. I saw an opportunity and I took it. I will not lose my Career status and turn District One into a sniveling batch of Rebel cannon fodder. I won't!"
Maximus' posture straightens. A stiff hand pays the crying man's back. He did not know the situation was that dire for his colleague. Between a rock and a hard place. Actually feeling sorry for Brilliance Fortier. First time for everything.
He hands the Victor his handkerchief and walks away. "Your district will be in my thoughts."
On the other side of the estate, Diana has finally caught up with Essence. Maneuvering through sponsors and a pesky reporter, she finds the girl in the ladies' room. The other women, autographs in hand, clear out once she enters.
Essence checks her makeup in the mirror."The men's restroom is to the right."
Diana smiles. "Ha. Never heard that one before."
The Two Victor sits poised on the sink countertop, taking in the gaudy girl. A bedazzled hair pin sits in her blonde extensions. Jewels lay upon her thin neck, dainty wrists, all ten delicate fingers. Her makeup is overdone: blush too high, rouge too deep, foundation too thick, eyeshadow too heavy. Her gown is sheer and skintight, ten thousand hand-stitched diamonds the only thing preserving her modesty. It is the most expensive dress ever created in Panem with knock offs already in the works (Diana only knows this from the constant coverage of it. Apparently, pricey lingerie is breaking news).
She looks older than eighteen. Older than Tarpeia. So unlike what she and Mags wore. Diana's jet black pantsuit of tonight looks retail in comparison. She thinks back on the president's speech. 'Your second home'. Snow never told any Victor that, not even Maximus.
Essence is in trouble. She can save this girl from herself. She did the same for Mags. She will do the same for her.
"What a fantastic win."
"Thank you."
"The way you manipulated the Career Alliance through all that rain. I could only dream of that."
"I know."
"Smart. Likable. You know, you don't have to be this way. Mags and I weren't."
A shrill, nasal laugh shoots out her mouth. It is a very ugly sound. "You two are not on my level. And tell your fishy peon touch me again and it's her life."
Diana couldn't help but roll her eyes. The beautiful, bitchy blonde. Such a tired trope. This brat made her Tribute fall in love with her? The arena brings out the stupid in people.
She folds her hands on her lap. Compliments didn't work. Let's try reason. "We need to stick together. The old boys' club doesn't like us women ruining the fun."
"We don't have to be friends."
Deep sigh. "So this is how it's gonna be. Big bad blonde. You against the world."
"If you stand in my way." Five sprays of perfume. Far too much. Essence takes a deep breath. How does she not choke on all those fumes? "I know what I'm doing. I know what's expected of me. Brilliance saved me and District One. I owe him everything."
She says it like a mantra.
Essence grabs her purse and heads to the door.
Diana calls out to her. "You are better than this Essence. Think about how this reflects on all of us. Future Tributes. You can say no."
She turns to the first female Victor of the Hunger Games, truly looking at her for the first time tonight. She can't understand. No one in their right mind would want apeish Diana or ragdoll Mags. But Essence Bernardshaw is pretty. Blonde. Perfect. The Capitol likes pretty things.
"No. No I cannot."
She bites her lip to hold back the tears. The door opens. A suitor is waiting outside, hand around her waist before it shuts.
Thus the creation of "The Victor Appreciation Program". Stay tuned for more.
