Layers of silver shimmery fabric fell in thin sheets to create Estelle's sleeveless dress that had a round neck. A silk shawl the color of a green circuit board was around her shoulders. Her hair was braided with copper and gold wires through her hair. To complete her look, her stylist had ordered her makeup to bring out her large eyes so her resemblance to her mother was apparent to the crowd. Next to her, Noah sat tall in his chair wearing a dark suit and tie. Gold fibers in his suit gave the appearance that his clothing was humming with electricity. As he sat in concentration listening to the other tributes' interviews, his resemblance to his father was stunning. "So lovely." Wiress whispered in the front row of Caesar's audience as she took Beetee's hand.
"That's my boy. That's our girl." Beetee whispered beaming at them even as tears coursed down his cheeks. Cato Harrison finished his predictable bloodlust laden interview as the crowd applauded.
"And now, for District Three, I present Estelle Wendy Tesla, daughter of Victors Beetee and Wiress Tesla!" The crowd applauded as Estelle rose to her feet and curtseyed gracefully. "Now, Miss Tesla, what is your favorite thing about the Capitol?"
"I love seeing all the inventions Mom and Dad made here!" She gushed. "It's one thing to study them at the Academy and another to see them in person."
"Very good. Speaking about your parents, how do you like having them as your mentors?"
"I want to make them proud." As her tears blurrred her vision, Wiress caught a glimpse of her daughter staring directly at her. "Mom, Dad, you've taught me so much and you're both the most brilliant people in Panem. I will make you proud! I love you."
"And how do you like being a tribute with your brother?" Caesar asked.
"He still teases me like he does at home." Estelle answered before the crowd chuckled. "But I have his back. We've invented together as a family, and we are going to enter the arena as a family." Turning toward her brother she grinned. "Love you, squirt!" After the buzzer sounded, Estelle stood up and curtseyed once again.
"That's our girl, that's our girl!" Beetee called as he applauded with the crowd.
"Next up, Noah Terrimax Tesla." Caesar called as Noah stood up and bowed. "Now, I'll ask you the same questions I asked your sister. What do you like about the Capitol?"
"No chores in our apartment." Noah quipped as everyone laughed. "I like seeing Mom and Dad's inventions too!"
"How do you feel about them as your mentors?" Caesar asked gazing into large eyes that showed determination.
"Well, they gave us three hours of homework every night!" Noah quipped. "But we know about inventing in the arena. And we plan to use it." He said forcefully. "Mom, Dad, like Stelle said, we'll make you proud! I love you!" Caesar smiled as Noah looked lovingly at his parents in the crowd.
"How do you feel about entering the Games with your sister?"
"I'm small, but I'll protect her." Noah said. "District Three has determination and brains, so don't mess with us." The buzzer sounded as Noah stood up, shook hands with Caesar, and bowed.
"There you have it! The Victors' children from District Three!"
"This is the best ice-cream ever!" Noah gasped as he served himself another heaping spoonful before licking the serving spoon. After the interviews, the children returned to the District Suite to find their parents waiting for them.
"I thought we'd have to say goodbye after the interview." Estelle said as she ate her ice-cream a bit more daintily than her brother.
"Yeah." Noah said before belching. "Who did you bribe, dad?"
"No one." Wiress said. "As we're your parents, they allowed -" She broke off as she took their hands.
"Finish your cocoa, kids." Beetee instructed as his children eagerly drank their hot cocoa. As they finished their cake and ice-cream, their eyes began drooping out of genuine tiredness and from the sleeping powder Beetee added to their drinks.
"Brush teeth." Wiress instructed as she led her children down the hallway. Standing by them in the master bathroom, she unbraided Estelle's hair and combed it before combing Noah's hair. She and Beetee fluffed the pillows on their bed and pulled back the covers before Noah and Estelle crawled into bed. "We can tuck you in. Once more." She whispered as Estelle curled up around Noah.
"Mama, I love you. So much." Estelle whispered.
"Sweet girl, I know. I love you." Wiress whispered as she kissed Estelle's cheek.
"Mom, I love you." Noah murmured as his mother kissed him on the forehead.
"My star. My bright beautiful star, Estelle. Daddy loves you." Beetee whispered as he kissed his daughter. "Hey, buddy." He said to his son whose eyes fluttered open. "I'm so proud of you, kiddo. I love you, Noah."
"Love you, dad." Noah whispered as his father kissed him goodnight. The Teslas curled around their children and memorized the way their sleeping forms rested on the bed until they too fell asleep.
A soft buzzing noise filled the room. "Wire, come on. Get up."
"Beetee -" Beetee's eyes watered at the teary sound of his wife's voice.
"Wire, they won't hear us get up. We have to go downstairs."
"Oh - Bee -" Coming around to Wiress' side of the bed, Beetee sat behind her and wrapped his arms around her as she cried.
"Ssssh, baby, they'll be ok. We've taught them everything they need." Beetee paused as he stared at his children peacefully sleeping. "We'll see them later -" His voice broke as his body shook with silent sobs. After wiping his eyes on his sleeve, he kissed his children once more before slowly stepping out of the room. His wife followed. They dressed in silence and boarded the elevator to the Mentor Control room.
Predictably, the Career mentors from One and Two were gathered around their screens eagerly awaiting the bloodbath. Finnick had settled Mags into her seat and was returning with a glass of water as the Teslas entered the room. "Well, I reckon we have an interesting game coming from Twelve. 'Course, Haymitch ain't been sober, so I dunno -" The mentor from District Ten was talking to Finnick before the doors opened again.
"Haymitch knows." The mentors turned as Haymitch Abernathy stumbled into the control room. "Stop lookin' at me! This is only my second." He walked over to Beetee and Wiress' station. "Hey." He whispered.
"Hi." Beetee said flatly.
"Listen - my boy pulled some strings last night at the interview, yeah?"
"If you're going to brag about sponsor money -" Beetee began with his teeth gritted.
"Hey - I'm not pulling your wire, Tesla. If something happens to my two, I'll give you two the extra money, ok?"
"Thank you." Wiress whispered as tears came to her eyes.
"Oh baby, I'm so sorry, smart girl." Seeder whispered as she wrapped her arms around Wiress. When Wiress was first mentoring, Seeder had taken her under her wing. "Little Rue's our baby-girl of a tribute and she grew on Chaff and I fast, so I can't imagine - You're gonna be strong. I know it."
"Attention please, Districts One, Two, Three, and Twelve report to the Gamemaker Room." Seneca Crane's voice boomed over the loudspeaker. "Districts One, Two, Three and Twelve." Shakily, Wiress stood up. She and Beetee grasped hands as they made their way with five other mentors. An Avox led them to a conference room within the Gamemaker Control area. Their shoes echoed on the marble floor and mahogany walls. A sturdy oval oak table was surrounded by eight black leather office chairs. Seneca Crane stood at the head of the table.
"Good morning. Happy Hunger Games to you." Seneca Crane announced staring evenly at the group.
"Happy Hunger Games, Head Gamemaker." Everyone answered.
"I have called you in because I believe your districts will benefit from a rule change that will be instituted sometime during the Games."
"Rule change -" Haymitch muttered before unscrewing the cap to his flask. Raising the metal container to his lips, he stopped himself. "Ah - sorry, Gamemaker." He muttered.
"Yes, the rule change is this: If two tributes from the same district remain at the end of the Games, both tributes will be declared victors."
"Oh -" Wiress gasped covering her mouth as Beetee wrapped his arms around her.
"Yes, Mrs. Tesla." Seneca said quietly. "This means both your children may win. I must warn you," He continued in a stronger voice. "Everyone in the room is sworn to secrecy. If anyone tells the other mentors about this rule change, their tributes will be punished. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Head Gamemaker." The mentors chorused. Seneca Crane smiled.
"Very well. In an hour, the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games will begin."