Whew. Summer job is over. Got a few weeks before the big move.

Paul: Didn't mean to make you think I was ignoring your reviews! I really appreciate your responses. To keep author notes brief, I reply only to clarify or if the info won't give away future chapters.

1. Nicolina is bisexual.

2. No one volunteered for the male Tribute out of respect for Maximus. Survival was slim and even if they won, it would be their revered mentor's daughter's blood on their hands.

3. In response to your THNOP review, you left out Vincenzo. 13/14 D2 Victors' have been revealed.

Chapter 23: Ivory

Three squirts of moisturizer rubbed on her face, neck, and shoulders. Lots of concealer. Liberal amounts of foundation. Four hits of blush along the cheekbones. Extra long eyelashes sealed on. Purple and gold eyeshadow blended into a shimmer. Black cat eye sharp enough to kill. Blood stained lipstick with a darker lipliner to boot. A finishing spray to seal it all together.

"Open your eyes, dear."

Ivory opens her eyes to a stranger in the vanity mirror. Her already pale skin is ghostly in the bright lights. A slip gown of jade green more lingerie than evening wear. No jewelry, no bra. The way she was requested. She is about to open her mouth to protest until she sees Essence. Her mentor's smile is blinding.

"Don't you love it?" she looks into her protégé's eyes.

Ivory closes her mouth and nods her head enthusiastically. Just like she's been taught. "Yes Victor Bernardshaw. It's lovely."

Tension releases in Essence's shoulders. "Correct! I like the way you think Ivory. If Brilliance would let me dye this dreadfully brown hair of yours, we could be sisters!"

Essence turns the swivel chair around and gets right to work on her new Victor's nails. Ivory sighs when she sees the color. Ivory hates red now. It reminds her of the arena. She told Essence that. Essence didn't care. She suppresses a frown while Essence blabbers on. It's one in the morning, Capitol Time. The two are in Ivory's new Victor suite, a small, vermillion-colored room identical to her mentors. Tartarus is in full swing, laughter and lights illuminating the cramped neighborhood. Off-duty Peacekeepers roam outside, most out of their uniforms and all of them drunk. Jordano's voice floats above the noise, followed by Roman's, followed by a loud shatter of glass. On the outskirts of The Big City, Tartarus holds district dwellers and the like during their stay. Non-Capitolite Peacekeepers, Avoxes-in-waiting, Victors.

What she wouldn't give to let loose and join the debauchery. But Ivory is in the Capitol for a much more intimate reason.

This is her first appointment as a Victor.

She knew this day would come. It's no secret that The Academy of Physical Wellness and Healthy Living is training grounds for the Capitol's prostitutes. Brilliance and Essence sugarcoat it when they become a second-year. Ivory remembers it, standing wide-eyed in her gold uniform. 'Parties with the best of the best!', 'Wear the finest dresses money can buy!'. Everyone buys into it, until they speak with Burgundy. He tells them the moment they turn eighteen. A handful will try and quit. They vanish from One. Essence will rave about "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to move to the Capitol". Burgundy translate that into 'you are a permanent whore of the Capitol, without money or contact with the outside world'. So no one quits anymore. They find reason in staying. 'Victor life couldn't be so bad. Least you have fame and fortune.' 'There's always trainer positions at the Academy. They only have the occasional invitation.' 'Becoming a Peacekeeper is rare, but it happens.'

Others, usually the "poor" in District One, fight to be in The Hunger Games. Ivory was one of those trainees. The Academy is mainly room and board with a stipend that can barely put food on the table for a family of two. Since Victors aren't allowed to donate their earnings, it was either gain a tiny pay increase as a trainer or become a Victor and have her parents and three siblings set for life. Her family begged her not to. But she couldn't stand seeing her parents break their backs to make stupid chocolates. She reassured them it would be different, she would be able to handle herself. So here she is now, getting dolled up for a man three times her age. Old men had a thing for District One.

Ivory studies her mentor as she goes to work on her. She's never felt close to the first female Victor of One. Essence goes on and on whenever there's a camera around about the two of them being joined at the hip. In reality, they have never had a genuine conversation. The gorgeous blonde has always kept trainees at an arm's distance. Close enough to be a mentor, distant enough not to get attached. Like tonight. Essence seems completely at ease while Ivory's anxiety rises with every second. Either she is blissfully unaware or doesn't give a fuck. Her money's on the latter.

For how much she's in the limelight, she knew nothing about the woman. Did Essence like serving the Capitol? Did she ever want to break free?

"Victor Bernardshaw." She's slow with her words. "What do your parents think of your, you know, duties as a Victor? Not that I'm questioning you and Victor Fortier's leadership. My parents were just nervous to say the least."

The brush in Ivory's hair stops for a second then continues. Pink lips stay in a perfect smile. "Fortune and Dazzle are fine. I don't expect your parents to know what's best for you, them being factory workers and all."

Ivory shuts her mouth. There is a slight chuckle behind her as the brushstrokes get rougher. Bobby pins stab away at her scalp. "Now don't you worry your pretty little head over silly things like that. It's not becoming of a District One girl to ask questions. You're much easier to handle than Burgundy. Stay that way."

Changing conversation, Essence recites the rules of the trade to Ivory for the millionth time. "Since we're feeling chatty, let's go over the rules. 1. All clients are confidential. Revealing them to family, friends, or fellow Victors may result in severe consequences. 2. You may not turn down any requests from your client. No is not an answer. 3. Under no circumstances should you harm, injure, or kill your client. 4. Have fun!"

The communi device on the counter comes to life. Essence snatches it to her ear, giggles through a short conversation, then hangs up.

"Mr. Riverlore is ready for you."

Essence lifts up her hesitant Victor and pushes her out of the compartment. With a short elevator ride, they give their pleasantries to the front desk clerk before meeting with two Peacekeepers situated at the glass door. White uniforms shield the ladies from the hoots and hollers of the surrounding crowd as they make their way into the limousine parked out front. Ivory hops in first. Her breath stops when she regains her attention and looks up from her lap.

"My goodness! These hooligans get worse and worse every year! It's just...what are you doing here?"

Crys Nardovino lounges in front of the pair, casually sipping a generous glass of bourbon. She swipes another glass, plops two ice cubes in, and fills it up. "Drink sweetheart? You're gonna need it."

Essence answers for her. "My Victor does not drink alcohol. Now, what are you doing in our limousine? Answer me or I'll have the driver throw you out."

Crys refills her drink with the rejected one. The Two Victor is in a severe getup of leather and metal. Leather jumpsuit, leather knee-high boots, leather wristbands and choker. No amount of modesty or shame. "Believe me bitch. I'm not here by choice. My appointment's close to the new whore's. Kill two Victors with one trip."

With that, the chauffeur starts the engine and makes way through the swarm of partiers. The buzzcut woman rests her elbows on spread legs and looks straight at Ivory. Essence pulls her Victor close. The younger girl can't stop shivering, remembering how the Victor laughed while the One girl was ripped apart by the tiger mutt. She has the same deranged smirk now that she wore then.

"'The Beautiful Ghost'. Our boy took down four of you literal backstabbers and you float to victory from massive blood loss. Ain't that some shit."

Ivory's voice is barely a whisper. "I'm sorry."

Essence preens her Victor, adjusting the intricate updo she styled. "No need to apologize. Cerberus was boastful. Singled himself out. The odds were-"

"Just in your favor," Crys finished. "On to the juicy part. First time around the ring right? Who's doing the honors of having you tonight?"

Brown contacts eye her up and down. "Funeral makeup, old lady dress. Let me guess: Riverlore?"

"All clients are confidential Crystalline."

"I take that as a yes," she blows a kiss towards the older blonde. "You got lucky Ghost Girl. Riverlore smells like death but he's gentle."

"Did he, you know," Ivory makes the penetration motion with her hands. Crys bursts out laughing. It makes her jump.

"If you can't say the word 'fuck', you're gonna have a hard time," Crys shakes her head, finishing her glass with an audible belch. Essence nearly faints from the poor etiquette. "My guy tonight, he's into some real crazy shit. Needles, blood. All done to him, thank Panem. That's why I brought these beauties."

A black sheath materializes from Crys' back. Placed on her lap reveal very, very sharp weapons. A leather gloved hand inspects the one sword placed in the middle. Thin, dainty, deadly. Ivory gasps when she recognizes it.

"This was the rapier you used to "kill" Cerberus. My client paid a mighty mica to use this bad boy tonight."

Essence swipes the weapon out of her hand with such speed it surprises the both of them. "That is enough. Put those things away. You're upsetting her."

Crys puts the weapons away, slowly taking the rapier out of Essence's grip. "I'm upsetting her? I'm the one that should be upset. At you, Brilliance, Maximus, Nicolina. Myself."

Emotion catch her breath as tears start to form. The sudden change catches District One off guard. Ivory looks away. Essence rolls her eyes.

"Diana promised me. I sacrificed so much to be here and look at me now." She motions towards her lewd getup. "A dominatrix helping perverts get off."

Something shoots past Ivory's line of sight. She screams. Essence gasps, more from her reaction than to the event. One of Crys' knives is on the other side of the limousine, embedded into the plush cushion.

The chauffeur's Capitolite voice dances in through the partition. "Everything okay back there?"

"Just peachy Mr. Driver," Crys answers in the same sing-songy voice. She drops her smile, dab her eyes, and shoves headphones into her ear. Her communi device is the victim of her glare for the rest of the ride.

"Between you and Roman, I don't know who's crazier," Essence mumbles to herself as she busies herself with emails and phone calls. Ivory wishes she had access to hers but Essence confiscated it the moment she was issued one. 'Can't have my Victor embarrassing herself!'. So she soothes herself by worrying about what's to come.

Cambiare Riverlore. She remembers bits and pieces of him from Showcase. Soft-spoken, handsy like the rest but not in a aggressive way. Being around him was a relief for the sole reason it got her away from the others, and Essence. Regardless how he seemed, he requested her tonight. He will want to do more than talk this time. Hands start to quiver as teeth grind together. 'Breathe Ivory, breathe' she tells herself. 'If you can make it through that cramped, miserably hot arena, you can make it through a horny old man.'

Outside, the scenery changes. The cramped buildings of Tartarus are replaced by a more extravagant site. Elysium, the neighborhood where government officials reside. The most privileged area to be if you're not a Snow. The limousine slows its pace as it reaches a row of colorful condominiums. It comes to a halt in front of one matching Ivory's polish. It makes her stomach tight.

The car door opens. "First stop. Enjoy your night Victor Bex," says the chauffeur. The subtle worry in his voice seals her to her seat. Until Essence shoves her out into the night. She gives a brief glance back at Crys, eyes still glued to her communi device, before moving away from the car. Ivory toddles her way to Essence's strides as the two of them make their way to the porch.

"Are you going to stay with us?" asks the girl.

Essence gives a smile. "I have better things to do dear." Ivory isn't sure to be thankful or insulted.

Two knocks and the door opens. Cambiare is in an embroidered satin robe and slippers, lit cigar and dark liquor in hand. Thick rows of grey pop out of the low-cut collar. His voice is deep and smooth as he speaks. "Ah, you have finally arrived. Ivory Bex, you look as exquisite as you did at Showcase." Hungry eyes roam her body as he takes her into an embrace and plants a fuzzy kiss on her cheek. Ivory stifles a gag as she mumbles out 'thank you'. Crys was right; even through the cologne, he smells like death.

He breaks the embrace but keeps Ivory to his side with one arm. His attention is turned to Essence. "And I can't forget my favorite blonde. Beautiful as ever my love."

She giggles as he gives her hand a kiss. "Well I'll let you two enjoy yourselves. You take good care of Mr. Riverlore tonight Ivory. Remember: I am always watching you."

With a final smile, Essence waltz back to the limousine and hops inside. Cambiare waves the speeding car away. The older man looks down at the shivering beauty, glowing in the summer moonlight. "Let's get you inside. You'll catch a cold out here dressed like that."

Ivory nods her head and allows herself to be lead away. The dimly lit home is more modest than what she imagined. Simple decor, minimum furniture. What catches her attention are the muttations. They are so many of them. Some caged, some roaming about, some stuffed. Cambiare is amused by his guest's confusion. "Being the Head Geneticist and Gamemaker for The Hunger Games comes with its perks."

Instead of the bedroom like she expected, the older man takes her to the dining room and sits her down to the small round table. Two bowls lay steaming in the candlelight, soft music playing in the background. There are no other people in sight, not even Avoxes.

"A private dinner before our night begins. I hope you don't mind. I cooked it myself," Cambiare answers the question going through Ivory's mind.

She takes a look at her meal. The fishy smell gives way to a brown sauce with something big and shiny in the middle. She's never seen anything like this, and she was subjected to a lot of strange foods during her Victory Tour.

Cambiare lets out a chuckle. "It's steamed jellyfish. A delicacy in District Four. Dig in."

She takes the man's cue. With a careful cut, she places a piece of sea animal on her tongue and chews. The flavor's not so bad, once you get past the gooey, stringy texture. Cambiare's already slurping the broth by her fourth bite.

"Just delicious," Cambiare looks up from his empty bowl. He smiles at his guest's dainty etiquette. "You are as poised with cutlery as you were with your rapier."

"Thank you."

Conversation breaks. The Games, what went through her mind when this happened or that happened, life after the Games, her hobbies, his hobbies, Capitol gossip. Cambiare asks, Ivory answers. Ivory starts to drift off, gaze roaming the room when she makes eye contact with the exact rattlesnake mutt breed that chased her down and nearly bit her right after the bloodbath. She quickly turns back to her client and answers something with an enthusiastic nod, keeping her cool only because the thing is trapped inside a case. Ivory isn't sure what to make of this...date. The appreciation is nice, but it's just prolonging the inevitable. The eighteen-year-old would rather be in One eating expired chocolate bars with her father than in lingerie with a Capitolite who could be her father.

Noticing his guest's boredom, Cambiare changes course. "I see you were admiring Betsy. Almost like the one you found at the Cornucopia. The audience loved that little scene by the way."

He can't see her glare through his imitation of her standing still then running for dear life when the mutt attacks anyway. "I bet they did."

The laughter ends. "We weren't going to actually have you bitten. Just wanted to spice things up. It's not the first time I controlled a mutt for a District One Victor. Was hired on after the debacle of the Fourth Games to create those beast mutts. Brilliance has me to thank his life for. Really, Amandus made the call. I wanted the Two girl to win. Fierce fighter and she already lost a sister and brother. But Amandus didn't want to see your district lose Career status. Old family ties to very distant relatives before the Dark Days."

"Wow. I didn't know that," Ivory shows real emotion for the first time since arriving to the condo. There were rumors that Brilliance's win was rigged, but no one would dare go up and question him about it.

Cambiare takes a long inhale of his cigar. He tilts his head to the side and blows out the smoke. "Speaking of him, Ivory, how do you feel about President Snow?"

Where in the twelve districts did that come from? "What do you mean by that question, Mr. Riverlore?"

"Please. Cambiare." He looks her straight in the eyes. It makes her squirm. That seems to be her favorite thing to do after the arena. "Do you like President Snow? Or do you not like President Snow? Simple question."

'This must be a setup. There is no way a Gamemaker cares about a district dweller's opinion.' She goes through all the ways she could have screwed up to have a government official question her loyalty to the Snows. Nothing comes to mind. That makes her more nervous. She looks around for any signs of cameras or tape recorders. Burgundy tipped her off that almost every place in the Capitol is bugged.

Her hesitation makes the Gamemaker chuckle. "I understand this is a sensitive matter. Don't worry. My home is free of surveillance. Again, being the Head Geneticist, Gamemaker, and more importantly, close friend to Advisor Ladro has its perks.

He plops his drink down on the counter. The sudden noise makes her jump. "So answer the question Ivory."

Fingernails make for a distraction. "I mean, well, yes. O-Of course. He is a great leader. He is a Snow." She reaches for the red wine in front of her. 'My Victor doesn't drink alcohol.' A long sip of water instead.

"Amandus Snow is an incompetent manchild who does nothing but snort Bliss and catch venereal diseases every other month."

Ivory nearly drops her glass, fumbling to put the water back on the table. Did she hear him right?

"Come again?"

Cambiare sits up straight in his chair. "Amandus Snow should never have been our president."

Her voice is barely a whisper. "Cambiare. That's treason."

"Is that such a bad thing?"

Hazel eyes go wide. She jumps up from her chair. "You're crazy. Give me your phone. I'm calling Essence."

His composure stays the same. "Sit down little girl and listen to me."

Slowly, the new Victor takes her sit, willing herself to match his gaze with her glare. "Talk."

"Change is coming. It's long overdue, but it's finally here. A new regime will reign supreme. If everything goes according to plan, this will occur a year from now, two at the latest. Snow is melting, and we want you to be a part of the fire."

The wave of information makes Ivory light-headed. How did they go from Thalia Scortese's newest lover to plotting to overthrow the government? Casting off Essence's commands, she reaches for the wine glass and takes a generous gulp. She nearly chokes on the heady red. "I don't...I just...what is this all about? Who is 'we'? What will happen once the new leader comes to power?"

Cambiare nods his head in understanding. "You're smart to ask questions. Beauty, brawn, and brains. Unfortunately, that's all the information my associates will allow me to give out."

"Then I won't join you. This is crazy. The Snows are too powerful."

"The Snows are not as powerful as you think." A puff of his cigar. "I didn't take you for the patriotic type. No matter. You will join us Ivory because you would hate to see your family die because their daughter plotted to kill the president."

Jaw drops. "You…you wouldn't. You can't. You're the one planning this, not me."

"Who will they believe: a respected Gamemaker or a district dweller who got lucky in the Games?" questions Cambiare.

The slight at her victory and the hopelessness of the situation makes her shoulders go slack. Tears threaten to fall. "Please don't hurt my family. They did nothing wrong."

"I do not want to hurt your family Ivory. Truly, I do not. They will be safe so long as you join our cause."

She looks for the telltale signs of a lie. He is telling the truth. Deep sigh. Inhale, exhale. "So. What do I need to do?"

Cambiare perks up. "That's the spirit. Now, let's talk business. Not everyone will be happy to see the Snows fall. Both Capitolite and district dweller may need some convincing. Our Capitol representatives have already been selected. We now need someone relatable, easy on the eyes, not from The Big City. You're that person Ivory."

Eyebrows raise. "Me? Why not Essence or Brilliance? Even Burgundy would be a better idea."

"Brilliance and Essence think too highly of themselves. Davidfield has already laid claim on Burgundy. District Two is far too loyal. The rest, I wouldn't trust with a ham sandwich."

She gets on the defense. "So I'm weak. A nobody."

He gets on the recovery. "You're malleable. A nobody who can be turned into a somebody."

The new Victor is still not convinced. "What do I gain from helping you? Just my family's safety? What about the other Victors? Will they be safe?"

Cambiare smirks. "We will not purposely hurt any Victors. Our qualms are not with your kind. Just don't be at the wrong place at the right time."

Ivory makes a mental note to tell Burgundy to steer clear of the Snows, more so than he already does. "And my reward for being your puppet?"

"You'll like this." Cambiare winks at the girl. "A deal like Burgundy's but better. I hear Davidfield's renting him out after Brilliance refused to fix his limp with a prosthetic. You will be mine and mine solely."

Should she thank the pervert or curse him out? The answer is both. "How fucking thoughtful of my well-being. I assume sex is still apart of this arrangement?"

The silver fox takes the last of his cigar and blows it towards her, eyeing his beauty from head to toe. "You are a beautiful girl. By the way, I love it when you curse."

Ivory lays her head in her hands then looks up. "This is all so crazy Mr. River-I mean, Cambiare. This isn't an adventure novel. This is real life. If you fail…"

"We are well aware of the risks and are willing to take them." A hand is extended to the brunette. "Do we have a deal or do we have a deal?"

'2. You may not turn down any requests from your client. No is not an answer.'


The night ends with a reluctant handjob and eager breast fondling while watching Maximus: The Musical. When the actress playing Nicolina starts her solo, a dark blue bird comes flying through the bedroom and matches her singing to the exact note. Ivory sees the opportunity and lets go of her suitor's genitals.

"I've never seen a bird like this before. One of your creations?" she asks Cambiare, unable to take her eyes off the creature.

"The legacy of one. Because they "failed" their task, Amandus ordered us to release the jabberjays out into the wild .They were my favorite mutts, but I was meek back then. Thankfully, they came back to me in the form of this. We named them 'mockingjays'."

"Fascinating." She tries to sing along with the pretty thing, but being tone deaf makes the bird stop singing and cock its head to the side in confusion. They both laugh at her attempt.

"Yes. The first spit in the face to Amandus."