The rest of the evening devolves into a blur. One reception lasts just long enough for someone to shake my hand, buy me a drink, and talk about what my future plans are. Then handlers I've never met grab my arm and then whisk me away to another event. It must be well after midnight when I finally find myself alone in the rooftop garden of some hotel or government ministry. To be honest, the alcohol-induced haze is so thick, I have no idea which one.
I stumble around, taking in the artificially manicured sights of genetically enhanced shrubs and flowers before finally fixating on a bubbling fountain that spews water in intricate, pre-programmed patterns. Suddenly, I'm infuriated. Clean water in this world, where people far too easily forget hardship and sorrow, is merely an expensive decoration, whereas to many in this world, just getting a mouthful to drink is a struggle. I remember how horrible it was, riding on the back of that camel as Khalid shepherded me through the dunes. Then, I realize that I'm drunk…and become hopelessly ashamed.
I stumble over to the edge of the roof and look out at the bright Capitol skyline. I can't help but remember the night of the celebration in the tribal camp. Khalid's men didn't need booze or other artificial trappings to be happy about being alive. All they required were some homemade instruments, a fire, the night-sky, and each other. Here, in this sea of halogen and neon, I can't even see the stars.
"Khalid, my brother!" I shout leaning my head back towards the empty blackness above. "Do you see me, now? I'm just a sinful swine like the rest of them!" I stumble a little and have to lean on the railing for support. "But you…you made me better, and I'll always be grateful for it…"
"Hatch, do me a favor and step away from the edge of the roof. You seem a little shaky." I turn around and see General Snow standing there with that damned grin on his face.
"Sir! I say turning around to see him. "Hell of night isn't it?" I start to stumble towards him, but halfway there, I bend my ankle the wrong way and snap one of my heels. "Sh.t!" I scream as I bend over and pull those damn shoes off. "Well, can't use these anymore," I say as I casually toss them over the edge of the building.
"Alright, I think it's time for the new Sergeant Major of the Defense Forces to go to bed," he says.
"You can't tell me what to do!" I say faking being angry. "I'm the Sergeant Major of the Defense Forces!" I keep stumbling towards him, but trip and fall right into his waiting arms.
"Oh, have you gotten heavier lately?" he says with a chuckle.
"I'm still a hundred and twenty-five pounds of pure badass, you old crippled bastard." He laughs out loud.
"There's the old Hatchet I love so much." I look up to his face, smile, and then slap him as hard as I can.
"Ow!" he shouts as he almost drops me. "What the hell was that for?" I reach my hand up and point right into his chest.
"I told you, Sir, I don't like surprises," I manage to say before my arm goes limp and I pass out.
When I wake up, I'm lying in a bed. Thankfully, most of the sunlight from the window is blocked out by a sea of blonde hair in my face. My head is absolutely pounding. I slowly reach up and part my bangs. I'm in a hotel room and Ares is sitting in a chair with big smile, watching me fumble around.
"Well, good morning, Sunshine!"
"What the hell?" I say looking around. "I never had a hotel room…"
"I know," he says leaning forward in his chair towards me. "It's my room actually, but don't worry, the fold out bed in the couch was very comfortable."
I look over to see my dress black uniform, perfectly ironed, and hanging in the closet. A wave of dread and shame passes over me as I throw open the covers and I see I'm dressed in only a t-shirt and shorts.
"Sir…" I say very carefully. "Who changed me out of my uniform last night?"
"Don't worry," he says getting up and walking over to the coffee pot. "I made a very conscious effort not to look…which is surprisingly easy when you only have one eye."
"Dammit, Sir!" I shout throwing the covers over my head to hide my bright red face.
"Don't you dare start pouting on me, Sergeant Major," he shouts at me under the covers. "I don't take that from my kids, and I'm sure as hell not gonna take that from you. Plus, I know you well enough to know you'd be more upset if you got puke all over your dress blacks."
"Fine," I say like a small child as I throw the covers back down. "Cut me some slack, I'm hung over."
"I know," he says walking over and handing me a mug of coffee. I eagerly start downing the strong black liquid.
"Wait, what time is it?" I say anxiously searching the room for a clock.
"It's a little after 1300."
"Dammit!" I shout throwing the covers back. "I missed my train!"
"No, you didn't," Ares says gently pushing me back down on the bed. "I already made the call and had you rescheduled for the 2000 express to District 2 tonight. Also, I called Ratchet so he's tracking. He made me promise to give you a stern lecture on drinking too much, but I'll save that one for later."
"Thanks," I say letting out a sigh and collapsing back down into the pillows.
"You're really not used to people taking care of you, are you?"
"My entire childhood was spent trying to keep my mother away from water, not mentioning your last name, and preventing her from getting near sharp objects when she had too much to drink. Then, when I couldn't take it anymore, I ran off and joined the military. What do you think?"
"I think that you're extended family has given you the new ability to let your defenses down from time to time…if you give them the chance." A few moments of silence pass.
"Do you think I'm ready for this, Sir?" I ask with genuine concern.
"I don't know of anyone else more ready," he says with a reassuring tone that calms me down. A few more moments of silence. "So, this Khalid must have made a big impression on you. You couldn't stop talking about him last night." My face flushes again. "Does Ratch know about this?" Ares says mockingly. I flash him a very annoyed look.
"I NEVER had those kinds of feelings for Khalid. You know I hate beards."
"Just making sure," General Snow says taking a seat back in his chair. "So, what else was it?" I stop to consider my words carefully.
"What I admired about him was a quality that I've always wanted for myself…"
"And that is?"
"Nobility. Even was he was angry, he was always in control. He knew what he believed, what he wanted, and never was willing to compromise what was right."
"Funny," Ares says reaching for his own mug. "I could have sworn that you were just describing yourself there."
"C'mon, Sir," I say rolling my eyes before taking another sip of coffee.
"Why do you think I demanded that you be made SMDF?"
"Probably because you know enough about me to blackmail me for life…"
"I'm not gonna lie," he says chuckling again. "It's definitely a perk, but that's not the main reason. Speaking of that…be honest with me. How drunk were you when you got that tattoo I noticed last night? I mean, that spot, really? Who besides your husband is ever gonna see it, anyway?" I immediately raise my mug like I'm gonna throw it at his head, but he raises his arms defensively, and says, "Kidding. Just kidding. Look, Liv, there are three women in this world that I would trust with my life. The first is my wife, the second is Katniss Mellark…and the third is you. Do you know what these three heroines have in common?"
"We're all hopelessly linked to the Hunger Games?"
"BESIDES THAT!" he shouts.
"You have a fetish for long hair?"
"Hadn't thought about that one…" he says jokingly. "I'll have Lizzy psychoanalyze me later, but that's not it either."
"Well, then I give up."
"Because, all three of you have gone to the Gates of Hell, looked the Devil right in the face, and said 'What else you got?' That means I'd follow you anywhere, and I know the soldiers of Panem will too."
I immediately put my mug down on the table, cross over to his chair, and wrap my arms around him.
"Lord help me, I love you, Sir."
"I know you do. It's kinda hard not to." We both laugh.
"I hope you've paid your phone bill, Sir, because if I'm gonna do this, I'll be calling you all the time for advice."
"Well, then you're out of luck," he says with his wonderful smile. "I'm retired."
"Sir!" I say pulling back from him.
"Of course, you can call on me any time you want. Plus, I'll make sure you see my face plenty as well."
"You better bring Octavian with you. I'm getting sick of explaining to Aurora why she can't see him all the time."
"You ever get the feeling that we're gonna end up being related one day?"
"Oh God, I hope not…"