"That was amazing,"Katniss tells me as soon as the broadcast is finished, wrapping her arms around me."I'm so proud of you."
Everyone else crowds around to congratulate me aswell, even though not all of them understand what exactly they are congratulating me on. Octavia, Venia and Flavius are actually just talking about my preformasnce, whereas the others get the deeper meaning to it all. But there isn't much time to dwell on any of that.
Cinna bundles me up in a warm, fluffy coat with matching gloves and hat and just like that, we're on our way to the station. Katniss and Mum get to come along, as I'm expected to say my goodbyes at the station infront of the cameras anyways.
Once there, I find everyone already waiting. The camera people are pushing all around us, vying for the best shot. I try to just pretend they're not even there.
All the Hawthornes have come to see me off, and Madge, Livia and Estelle, and even some of the people I only know from my after school club. It warms my heart that so many people care and also strengthens my resolve to help free this country. They'll never have to got into the Games, I'll make sure of it.
Even though I won't be gone all that long, I make sure to give everyone a tight hug and kisses to those closest to me. Posy clings onto my leg all the while, making me promise to bring her a present and asking why I won't take her along. I gently explain that I can't, but that just makes her pout and stomp her feet. I tickle her until she laughs again and press a kiss to her forehead."If you came along, your present wouldn't be a surprise anymore!"
That, luckily, she can accept. It would have felt like a bad omen to start this whole thing with a crying Posy, not to mention the fact that it greatly upsets me when she cries, even if Rory swears she's just being a brat about not getting something she wants.
The cameras are making the whole affair rather chaotic, pushing everyone around, so it takes me quite some time to say my goodbyes. Still, it allows me to "accidentally" get in a second hug with Rory, even though I already said goodbye to him, so I'm not exactly complaining...
Even Taftan Mellark shows up, armed with a bag of cookies and an awkward hug for me and an even more awkard half-smile and wave for Katniss. The have an odd sort of almost-friendship based on feeling responisble for Peeta's death. I think Taftan regrets not volunteering, even though nearly no one ever does and Peeta wouldn't have wanted it.
Then Effie ushers us all onto the train and just like that, the cameras are gone, and so's everyone I love. Well, everyone I love who isn't on my team.
We go to the dining cart but the door opens before I even touch it.
"Surprise!"
Portia's standing in the doorway, smiling brightly, arms outstretched in an invitation to hug her. I immediately do. I didn't think I'd see her til the Capitol, if even then. She's not my stylist, afterall. But I'm really glad I do get to see her.
The rest of the day is wonderful and feels like a little reunion party. We have lots of food and joke and laugh, I show Effie, Portia and Cinna the photoalbum I've made, telling them about everyone back home, about my family and friends and even my pets; they've seen them in broadcasts before, but that's just not the same as me telling them about them. We even watch some silly Capitol shows. And when I say silly, I mean highly addictive. After only about twenty minutes, I really, really need to know what's going to happen, even though I still barely follow the plot.
"Oh my god! What the - He shot his dad?"I say, staring at the screen with wide eyes. Effie shakes her head."No, no, you got that all wrong. I mean, yes, he shot him and yes, that's his father, but you see, he's possessed, so -"
"Possessed by what exactly?"I demand of her. It's Haymitch who answers, though."Just your basic run-of-the-mill demonic possession. Or so we're supposed to think. But I'm telling you, that's Lucifer."
"Are we watching the same show?"Effie says, sounding utterly shocked, turning to stare at Haymitch as if he's just grown a second head."That's clearly Elsa."
I'm not even over my surprise that Haymitch not only watches Capitol TV but actually has developed theories about it, when they already go on to fighting. That's right. About a TV show.
"She hasn't been dead nearly long enough to turn into a demon!"
"Time passes differently in hell, you very well know that!"
"I took that into account, she'd never give in so soon!"
"With Azazel back in hell she might!"
I turn to Cinna and Portia for help, but they're only sniggering at my mentor and escort and continue eating cake, even as Effie stomps from the room in utter fury, throwing up her hands in a gesture of defeat.
"I cannot believe I have to work with someone who has such a profound misunderstanding of Elsa's character!"
Haymitch follows her, yelling something about cages and breaking seals. I turn back to the TV, but the end credits are already rolling. I roll my eyes and smile at the stylists."At least you two are professionals!"
"Oh, they just take Transcendental very seriously,"Portia says, giving Cinna a smirk."Had The Runway Venture been on, you'd likely see my lovely partner here throwing an absolute fit."
"Marcello's designs are an abomination and an insult to everyone who has eyes!"
Laughing, I get myself another piece of cake and leave them to their bickering. I'm surrounded by crazy people. But hey, I'm a not yet thirteen year old girl planning to overthrow a totalitarian government, so who am I to talk?
)o(
A bit of lightheartedness, because we all know the Victory tour isn't all smiles and kittens, so have this to carry you savely through the anguish.
I'm 99.999999% sure I'll update before sunday because I'm a bad person and love when it gets darker