p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f354ed8eb5f1ce34d52c1b21411940c5"His journey through the districts was hard, seeing the portraits of the people he went into the games with and saw die hit the hardest especially when the families of the fallen stood underneath the portraits. He did meet other victors, he enjoyed talking with the other victors because they didn't hide their pain with him and he didn't have to with them. He especially appreciated the district 11 victors he met like Chaff, who lost his hand in his games but was still upbeat enough to joke with Lysander. The district 8 victor Cecilia had just had her 3rd child not long before his games and to see how her children helped her with her trauma and it made him smile watching innocent children playing. Blight from district 7 was an interesting fellow, he was quiet but not too bad, they were able to enjoy some drinks before he moved on to district 6 where he met the victors who gained the name of morphling, those individuals made Lysander sad as they were so broken from the games the only way they could stop the trauma was to maintain an unhealthy dose of the morphling drug. Justin, the winner from the previous year had spiraled even more from the time Lysander saw him at the parade for his own games, his skin was fully yellow, he was also gaunt and his teeth were so bad Lysander would be surprised if he could eat solid foods. Megan the other morphling who won around a decade before Lysander was so out of it because of the drugs she just sat and stared at the wall almost entranced as if the world didn't exist before her. He was able to at least connect with them before he left through painting as he let Megan draw on his face where his scar was, seeing her smile even a little helped him feel just a touch better./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="13e1dea96469647ffc46133bdf5e983f"When he arrived in district 5 and saw the portrait of the boy he killed he collapsed by door but was caught by Jackson who was prepared for that, Winter and Tiffany came up to help him and a moment later Lysander was conscious. "Are you going to be okay?" Winter asked, looking concerned. "I don't think so," Lysander said honestly. "You got this, it'll only be a few minutes then you'll be back in here with us" Tiffany said reassuredly. Lysander nodded and thanked them for their concern before he stepped out. The sight of the boy's family made him want to vomit as the look on their faces screamed pain. He forced himself to say the lines on the paper and after finishing he rushed back into the building where Winter had a trash can ready for him. Lysander spent the next several minutes hunched over the can while Winter rubbed his back, James, Ivette, and Porter the victors of district 5 walk in to see the sight. "You could use a drink" James says as he holds a bottle by Lysanders head. Winter starts to yell before Lysander grabs the bottle and starts chugging as much as he can before he starts coughing. "Not too fast," James says. "Thanks," Lysander tells him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a072494f8f899cb095a5d3ba74e57521"The rest of the time in 5 Lysander is able to get a rapport with James and Ivette with the alcohol and was surprised when he saw an old pamphlet that Porter kept from her own victory tour 30 years earlier, the sight of the 16 year old Porter in a neck brace really put into perspective how dangerous the games were even back then. When Lysander asked how it happened she mentioned that during the final fight with a career she stepped too far back falling several feet injuring her spine but getting the final kill winning her games. Lysander found that talking to the victors in district 5 made him understand that the trauma felt never goes away no matter how much time has passed. He thanked them for their time before boarding the train to district 4./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="86680ef32cd06fa151cfb8f2ac38bacf"In district 4 he enjoyed the coastal sights and seeing boats off in the water. Finnick and Mags, the oldest still living victor met him after his speech. He and Finnick were born around the same time but since Finnick won his games when they were 14 he forgot about how young he was. Mags being in her 70's had a hard time moving but she had a grandmotherly aura of her that made Lysander feel at ease, she was polite even though she could hardly speak, her smile was contagious and he enjoyed the different fish delicacies with her. Finnick, who had this air of being a playboy, was actually a very nice guy. They enjoyed talking about the similarities that their districts were involved in when it came to food and even certain ceremonies like weddings and births. Lysander felt sad leaving district 4 as he enjoyed both Mags and Finnick's company and hoped he would meet them again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="382cbea9bb349d9d3152bfad25d8d551"In district 3 he thought it was almost futuristic in comparison to his home but not as much as the capitol which he was certain was maintaining it's lead in look because it needed to. Meeting the victors Beetee and Wiress he felt he needed a translator because the way they were talking was so foreign, it was all wirings, electricity, boards and currents it all went over his head, but he did realize that it was a way of keeping the thoughts at ease if he was so focused on what everything meant he had no time to focus on the dark thoughts. Even though he thought they were odd, he did enjoy their company and thanked them for taking time out of their day to entertain him while he was visiting. He knew he was dreading the next district and not in the same way he dreaded visiting 5 but in that he was headed to the district in which his new eye originated./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="dd07b9721521caf00ccc16a25930ffc3"When he exited the train in district 2 he was immediately met by a couple of the victors, Brutus a large bald man picked Lysander up by his throat with one hand as he took his other hand to force Lysander's eye open. Lysander was freaking out internally but didn't want to make a scene. "It's true, they really did give you her eye," Brutus said in an intimidating tone. A moment later a large muscular woman named Lyme tapped him on his shoulder "Put him down Brutus, he's got work to do". He grunts and responds while Enobaria chuckles at the sight while an older man using a cane named Septimus welcomes Lysander to district 2. As Lysander leaned over coughing, Winter began rubbing his back while Tiffany and Jackson swore up a storm about Brutus's actions. "Relax, I just wanted to see if the rumors about him having Vita's eye were true" Brutus says uncaringly. "And that required choking him?" Tiffany shouts./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5107962e3c56245377d9c72ca2865809"Brutus didn't care about what Tiffany had to say and Enobaria was just cackling like a hyena purposefully showing off her teeth. "Look I don't know if you're angry with me because I have her eye, but she offered it I didn't ask for it, I'm sure you proudly watched the games when she said it and when I killed her" Lysander says giving Brutus a dirty look. Brutus looked at him and smiled "Of course I did, don't think I'm angry, I was just curious" he said as he walked away. "I've never liked him," Tiffany said. "Thankfully we only have to be here for a bit then we can move on. "What about the few minutes allotted for a victor meet up?" Winter asks. "Well considering the welcome Lysander just got I think their few minutes have been used wouldn't you agree" Jackson says while looking at Lysander. "Yeah, I agree," Lysander says, rubbing his throat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fa0de2366068bd77eb8e8bdf1b076dfb"He steps out on the stage where he sees the portrait of Vita, the sight causes his scar to hurt but he pushes through the pain to deliver his speech. Upon seeing Vita's family under her portrait they're all looking at him with murderous intent. It's as if he's stolen an honor from them and they want him to pay in blood. He finishes the speech and heads back inside the building ready to board the train when Septimus the older gentleman stops him and has him sit down for a drink. "You know I had my money on Aegis winning the game" Septimus says without a care in the world. "Well if he was paying attention to that avalanche that injured his leg he might've stood a chance, but Vita was the one I had my bet on" Lyme says while downing a shot of liquor. "Who cares now they both died, and this guy used an interesting trick to kill Vita. Throwing knives attached to twine why hasn't anyone else thought of it" Enobaria says as she rips into a piece of chicken in front of her. "No clue, but believe me, we'll be implementing something similar with the tributes next year" Brutus says almost proud. "Speaking of Brutus Enobaria who are you seeing as potential tributes for next year's games" Septimus asks, it's almost as if they've forgotten Lysander is even there and are just continuing business. 'Ajax is looking the most promising for the males" Brutus says downing a bottle of alcohol. "Natalia has really stepped up after being out done by Vita this year, it'll be her last chance as well" Enobaria says with a devilish smile. "I wouldn't ignore that young up and comer, what was his name again" Septimus asks "Cato" Brutus says. "Ah yes Cato, he'll be 14 for those games, if he makes a big enough splash before the reapings he could become the next Finnick Odair" Septimus says pridefully. "Well unlike those of district 4 I'd prefer if the tributes were between 16 and 18 before I send them off, gives them an even higher chance at winning" Lyme says. Lysander realizes that they don't care he's even there and doesn't even know why they bothered stopping him from leaving. "Well this has been interesting but the train will be leaving soon" Lysander says but the victors don't even acknowledge him. He gets up and walks away as they continue their conversation about the next Hunger Games, Lysander successfully boards the train without anyone even trying to say anything to him. Winter comes over looking concerned and asks if he's alright. "Yeah, I don't know why they even bothered having me join them, they didn't even say a word to me" Lysander says confused. "It's to fit the motif of victors convening, district 2 wins most of the games so they usually only converse with each other" Jackson says. "All they could talk about was the prospects for the next games" Lysander says. "Yeah they're always thinking about their next group of would be winners" Tiffany says. "Well the good news is there's only one more district then you can go home" Winter says with a bit of sadness in her voice. "I wouldn't worry about district 1, unlike 2 they're more approachable" Jackson says. "I'll believe it when I see it" Lysander responds./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d7f88f5b58ab87b608bd8b6ef1eb5e75"District 1 looks like a smaller version of the capitol to Lysander and everyone is dressed in such nice outfits, Lysander thinks back to the citizens of district 12 and how dirty everyone looked, this was a complete 180 to Lysander. After exiting the train Augustus Braun the victor of the 67th games walks up to Lysander and using his big powerful arms embraces Lysander in a big bear hug, "Welcome to district 1 fellow victor" Augustus says with a big smile on his face. Not far behind him are Cashmere and Gloss standing side by side "Alright Augustus don't break him" Cashmere says with a big smile on her face. Hearing that Augustus drops Lysander and apologizes if he's hurt him "No it's alright, my back needed popping" Lysander says as he stretches. "He's always happy to meet the new victors," Gloss says, smiling. "Welcome, you've just met Augustus, this is Cashmere and I'm" "Gloss, yeah I know who you are" Lysander says before Gloss can finish before he continues "You killed my older brother in the games a few years ago" Lysander says. In a moment the tension becomes thick as Gloss's smile drops and Cashmere is looking between her brother and Lysander. Lysander continues "It's alright, we all do what we have to do in the games, I'm not mad" Lysander says smiling back at Gloss as best he can. Gloss returns to smiling and offers to lead Lysander to the stage where he'll make his final speech. He looks up and sees the portrait of Jules the tribute who initially tried to kill him at the cornucopia before trying again a week later to no avail. "Must be a face you wouldn't want to see again" Gloss says. "Well he did make 2 attempts on my life and almost succeeded the second time" Lysander responds. "I will admit he was too cocky, he didn't really think at that moment in the arena. He realized victory was close and he only had 5 more opponents and it got to him" Gloss says, a little upset. "But there's nothing more we can do but just honor his memory" Gloss states. "I always remember to honor those I fought with and against in my games" Gloss tells Lysander almost as if he's trying in his own way of saying "I'm sorry" which he appreciates./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a594e3035a83fac1ffbbb55efb189fb0"Lysander does his speech before he goes into the building where he has drinks and dinner with Gloss, Cashmere, Augustus and a few other victors including a well mannered older gentleman named Cobalt who kept offering Lysander more cups of alcohol. Flash, a gentleman who was around the same age as Porter from district 5 asked Lysander how life in district 10 was. Lysander explained the open fields and cattle he works with, amazing Flash and Cobalt who had spent their lives before and after the games in the city of district 1. Lysander felt that even though districts 1 and 2 were career districts they couldn't be anymore different, as the victors actually engaged with him, were interested in his life and weren't spending all their time worrying about the next games. Lysander thought they could've been playing at nice and didn't want to let any knowledge of their career training out unlike district 2 which didn't seem to care, or they could be using the fact that they were the richest district only being outpaced by the capitol itself and wanted to show a similar style to them that made them act like they were but Lysander was just happy the tour could end in a somewhat positive note. "I know the games are fresh in your head but just like us you volunteered" Cobalt states. "Yes, yes I did," Lysander said. "I bet you wouldn't do that again" Flash says. "Why not?" Lysander asks, confused. "Come on, none of us would" Cobalt states which everyone including Gloss, Cashmere and even Augustus agreed to. "Listen we here in 1 know it's an honor to volunteer, and we stand by that. But you couldn't pay me to go back in for anything" Flash states. In a moment Lysander realized that even though they went into their games with the mindset of honor and glory, coming out changed their thought process and they seemed to be against the games like he and most of the other victors were./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f1b52b40173636bc64c3296b02c10d37"After the tour ended and he was on the train back home he felt better knowing he wasn't alone in his thoughts about the games and that most of his fellow victors had the same problems, even those from the more well off districts like 1 and 4. As he lay in his bed contemplating everything he heard a knock at his door, he answered it and saw Winter with tears running down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't sleep. Could I stay with you for tonight" she asked, confusing Lysander. "Uh, sure come in," Lysander says, not wanting to turn her away. She lays in his bed as he goes for the couch, "Please come lay with me" Winter asks. Not wanting to hurt her feelings he says okay and climbs into bed. Winter rests her head on his shoulder as he lays there confused. "You know not that it means anything to you but, I haven't been able to sleep since I saw you at the studio after the games" Winter says before she sits up to look Lysander in the face. "It's just, whenever I try to sleep all I can see is the face you had staring at the suit, the light you had in your eyes at the reaping had disappeared and the way you talked was different. Your voice before the games had this unique twang that I thought was cute but after, it just sounded robotic. And then seeing you react to things, the vomiting, the collapsing, the sight of you not able to catch your breath just broke my heart. The games had broken you, and then when I think about the fact that a boy was initially supposed to go in and the thought that if he had won he would make the same expressions made me feel like I was gonna do the same things, and this scar" Winter says as she puts her hand on Lysander's face. "You got this fighting to stay alive while people cheered for you to die, I'm so sorry Lysander if I had realized what the games actually meant for you and those in the districts I wouldn't have even offered to be an escort" Winter says as she begins to cry. "If you hadn't become an escort, you'd still be living your life unaware at what we have to go through just to maintain our lives," Lysander says, staring into her eyes. "You're right, unfortunate as it is, seeing a survivor of the games change so much has made me wake up and see how mistreated you all are. I wish I could do something but I can't" Winter says, sighing. "The fact that you're trying to understand us is more than we can ask," Lysander says, smiling at her. She smiles in return and lays her head back on his chest. "Your heartbeat sounds strong, you know," Winter says, making Lysander blush. "Thank you" is all he can respond with. The more Lysander looks at Winter the more he forgets what she used to look like at the reaping, back then he hated how she looked and talked. Now he thought she was very beautiful and well spoken as she tried her best to be better for those of the districts./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6809f6daaff2ba503d7b1f643affffa3"As he arrived back in district 10 he felt a calm wash over him as the sounds of the cows in the distance made him feel at ease, the sight of Tally and Star waiting for him at the terminal made him feel truly at home. Jackson and Tiffany patted him on the back as they left to go back to their homes and Winter asked if she could accompany him for dinner, he agreed and they walked back to his home in Victor's Village where they enjoyed a nice meal before Winter left to return to the capitol and Lysander went to bed, able to sleep 1 night without the nightmares/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="13e1dea96469647ffc46133bdf5e983f"When he arrived in district 5 and saw the portrait of the boy he killed he collapsed by door but was caught by Jackson who was prepared for that, Winter and Tiffany came up to help him and a moment later Lysander was conscious. "Are you going to be okay?" Winter asked, looking concerned. "I don't think so," Lysander said honestly. "You got this, it'll only be a few minutes then you'll be back in here with us" Tiffany said reassuredly. Lysander nodded and thanked them for their concern before he stepped out. The sight of the boy's family made him want to vomit as the look on their faces screamed pain. He forced himself to say the lines on the paper and after finishing he rushed back into the building where Winter had a trash can ready for him. Lysander spent the next several minutes hunched over the can while Winter rubbed his back, James, Ivette, and Porter the victors of district 5 walk in to see the sight. "You could use a drink" James says as he holds a bottle by Lysanders head. Winter starts to yell before Lysander grabs the bottle and starts chugging as much as he can before he starts coughing. "Not too fast," James says. "Thanks," Lysander tells him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a072494f8f899cb095a5d3ba74e57521"The rest of the time in 5 Lysander is able to get a rapport with James and Ivette with the alcohol and was surprised when he saw an old pamphlet that Porter kept from her own victory tour 30 years earlier, the sight of the 16 year old Porter in a neck brace really put into perspective how dangerous the games were even back then. When Lysander asked how it happened she mentioned that during the final fight with a career she stepped too far back falling several feet injuring her spine but getting the final kill winning her games. Lysander found that talking to the victors in district 5 made him understand that the trauma felt never goes away no matter how much time has passed. He thanked them for their time before boarding the train to district 4./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="86680ef32cd06fa151cfb8f2ac38bacf"In district 4 he enjoyed the coastal sights and seeing boats off in the water. Finnick and Mags, the oldest still living victor met him after his speech. He and Finnick were born around the same time but since Finnick won his games when they were 14 he forgot about how young he was. Mags being in her 70's had a hard time moving but she had a grandmotherly aura of her that made Lysander feel at ease, she was polite even though she could hardly speak, her smile was contagious and he enjoyed the different fish delicacies with her. Finnick, who had this air of being a playboy, was actually a very nice guy. They enjoyed talking about the similarities that their districts were involved in when it came to food and even certain ceremonies like weddings and births. Lysander felt sad leaving district 4 as he enjoyed both Mags and Finnick's company and hoped he would meet them again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="382cbea9bb349d9d3152bfad25d8d551"In district 3 he thought it was almost futuristic in comparison to his home but not as much as the capitol which he was certain was maintaining it's lead in look because it needed to. Meeting the victors Beetee and Wiress he felt he needed a translator because the way they were talking was so foreign, it was all wirings, electricity, boards and currents it all went over his head, but he did realize that it was a way of keeping the thoughts at ease if he was so focused on what everything meant he had no time to focus on the dark thoughts. Even though he thought they were odd, he did enjoy their company and thanked them for taking time out of their day to entertain him while he was visiting. He knew he was dreading the next district and not in the same way he dreaded visiting 5 but in that he was headed to the district in which his new eye originated./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="dd07b9721521caf00ccc16a25930ffc3"When he exited the train in district 2 he was immediately met by a couple of the victors, Brutus a large bald man picked Lysander up by his throat with one hand as he took his other hand to force Lysander's eye open. Lysander was freaking out internally but didn't want to make a scene. "It's true, they really did give you her eye," Brutus said in an intimidating tone. A moment later a large muscular woman named Lyme tapped him on his shoulder "Put him down Brutus, he's got work to do". He grunts and responds while Enobaria chuckles at the sight while an older man using a cane named Septimus welcomes Lysander to district 2. As Lysander leaned over coughing, Winter began rubbing his back while Tiffany and Jackson swore up a storm about Brutus's actions. "Relax, I just wanted to see if the rumors about him having Vita's eye were true" Brutus says uncaringly. "And that required choking him?" Tiffany shouts./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5107962e3c56245377d9c72ca2865809"Brutus didn't care about what Tiffany had to say and Enobaria was just cackling like a hyena purposefully showing off her teeth. "Look I don't know if you're angry with me because I have her eye, but she offered it I didn't ask for it, I'm sure you proudly watched the games when she said it and when I killed her" Lysander says giving Brutus a dirty look. Brutus looked at him and smiled "Of course I did, don't think I'm angry, I was just curious" he said as he walked away. "I've never liked him," Tiffany said. "Thankfully we only have to be here for a bit then we can move on. "What about the few minutes allotted for a victor meet up?" Winter asks. "Well considering the welcome Lysander just got I think their few minutes have been used wouldn't you agree" Jackson says while looking at Lysander. "Yeah, I agree," Lysander says, rubbing his throat./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fa0de2366068bd77eb8e8bdf1b076dfb"He steps out on the stage where he sees the portrait of Vita, the sight causes his scar to hurt but he pushes through the pain to deliver his speech. Upon seeing Vita's family under her portrait they're all looking at him with murderous intent. It's as if he's stolen an honor from them and they want him to pay in blood. He finishes the speech and heads back inside the building ready to board the train when Septimus the older gentleman stops him and has him sit down for a drink. "You know I had my money on Aegis winning the game" Septimus says without a care in the world. "Well if he was paying attention to that avalanche that injured his leg he might've stood a chance, but Vita was the one I had my bet on" Lyme says while downing a shot of liquor. "Who cares now they both died, and this guy used an interesting trick to kill Vita. Throwing knives attached to twine why hasn't anyone else thought of it" Enobaria says as she rips into a piece of chicken in front of her. "No clue, but believe me, we'll be implementing something similar with the tributes next year" Brutus says almost proud. "Speaking of Brutus Enobaria who are you seeing as potential tributes for next year's games" Septimus asks, it's almost as if they've forgotten Lysander is even there and are just continuing business. 'Ajax is looking the most promising for the males" Brutus says downing a bottle of alcohol. "Natalia has really stepped up after being out done by Vita this year, it'll be her last chance as well" Enobaria says with a devilish smile. "I wouldn't ignore that young up and comer, what was his name again" Septimus asks "Cato" Brutus says. "Ah yes Cato, he'll be 14 for those games, if he makes a big enough splash before the reapings he could become the next Finnick Odair" Septimus says pridefully. "Well unlike those of district 4 I'd prefer if the tributes were between 16 and 18 before I send them off, gives them an even higher chance at winning" Lyme says. Lysander realizes that they don't care he's even there and doesn't even know why they bothered stopping him from leaving. "Well this has been interesting but the train will be leaving soon" Lysander says but the victors don't even acknowledge him. He gets up and walks away as they continue their conversation about the next Hunger Games, Lysander successfully boards the train without anyone even trying to say anything to him. Winter comes over looking concerned and asks if he's alright. "Yeah, I don't know why they even bothered having me join them, they didn't even say a word to me" Lysander says confused. "It's to fit the motif of victors convening, district 2 wins most of the games so they usually only converse with each other" Jackson says. "All they could talk about was the prospects for the next games" Lysander says. "Yeah they're always thinking about their next group of would be winners" Tiffany says. "Well the good news is there's only one more district then you can go home" Winter says with a bit of sadness in her voice. "I wouldn't worry about district 1, unlike 2 they're more approachable" Jackson says. "I'll believe it when I see it" Lysander responds./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d7f88f5b58ab87b608bd8b6ef1eb5e75"District 1 looks like a smaller version of the capitol to Lysander and everyone is dressed in such nice outfits, Lysander thinks back to the citizens of district 12 and how dirty everyone looked, this was a complete 180 to Lysander. After exiting the train Augustus Braun the victor of the 67th games walks up to Lysander and using his big powerful arms embraces Lysander in a big bear hug, "Welcome to district 1 fellow victor" Augustus says with a big smile on his face. Not far behind him are Cashmere and Gloss standing side by side "Alright Augustus don't break him" Cashmere says with a big smile on her face. Hearing that Augustus drops Lysander and apologizes if he's hurt him "No it's alright, my back needed popping" Lysander says as he stretches. "He's always happy to meet the new victors," Gloss says, smiling. "Welcome, you've just met Augustus, this is Cashmere and I'm" "Gloss, yeah I know who you are" Lysander says before Gloss can finish before he continues "You killed my older brother in the games a few years ago" Lysander says. In a moment the tension becomes thick as Gloss's smile drops and Cashmere is looking between her brother and Lysander. Lysander continues "It's alright, we all do what we have to do in the games, I'm not mad" Lysander says smiling back at Gloss as best he can. Gloss returns to smiling and offers to lead Lysander to the stage where he'll make his final speech. He looks up and sees the portrait of Jules the tribute who initially tried to kill him at the cornucopia before trying again a week later to no avail. "Must be a face you wouldn't want to see again" Gloss says. "Well he did make 2 attempts on my life and almost succeeded the second time" Lysander responds. "I will admit he was too cocky, he didn't really think at that moment in the arena. He realized victory was close and he only had 5 more opponents and it got to him" Gloss says, a little upset. "But there's nothing more we can do but just honor his memory" Gloss states. "I always remember to honor those I fought with and against in my games" Gloss tells Lysander almost as if he's trying in his own way of saying "I'm sorry" which he appreciates./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a594e3035a83fac1ffbbb55efb189fb0"Lysander does his speech before he goes into the building where he has drinks and dinner with Gloss, Cashmere, Augustus and a few other victors including a well mannered older gentleman named Cobalt who kept offering Lysander more cups of alcohol. Flash, a gentleman who was around the same age as Porter from district 5 asked Lysander how life in district 10 was. Lysander explained the open fields and cattle he works with, amazing Flash and Cobalt who had spent their lives before and after the games in the city of district 1. Lysander felt that even though districts 1 and 2 were career districts they couldn't be anymore different, as the victors actually engaged with him, were interested in his life and weren't spending all their time worrying about the next games. Lysander thought they could've been playing at nice and didn't want to let any knowledge of their career training out unlike district 2 which didn't seem to care, or they could be using the fact that they were the richest district only being outpaced by the capitol itself and wanted to show a similar style to them that made them act like they were but Lysander was just happy the tour could end in a somewhat positive note. "I know the games are fresh in your head but just like us you volunteered" Cobalt states. "Yes, yes I did," Lysander said. "I bet you wouldn't do that again" Flash says. "Why not?" Lysander asks, confused. "Come on, none of us would" Cobalt states which everyone including Gloss, Cashmere and even Augustus agreed to. "Listen we here in 1 know it's an honor to volunteer, and we stand by that. But you couldn't pay me to go back in for anything" Flash states. In a moment Lysander realized that even though they went into their games with the mindset of honor and glory, coming out changed their thought process and they seemed to be against the games like he and most of the other victors were./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f1b52b40173636bc64c3296b02c10d37"After the tour ended and he was on the train back home he felt better knowing he wasn't alone in his thoughts about the games and that most of his fellow victors had the same problems, even those from the more well off districts like 1 and 4. As he lay in his bed contemplating everything he heard a knock at his door, he answered it and saw Winter with tears running down her cheeks. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't sleep. Could I stay with you for tonight" she asked, confusing Lysander. "Uh, sure come in," Lysander says, not wanting to turn her away. She lays in his bed as he goes for the couch, "Please come lay with me" Winter asks. Not wanting to hurt her feelings he says okay and climbs into bed. Winter rests her head on his shoulder as he lays there confused. "You know not that it means anything to you but, I haven't been able to sleep since I saw you at the studio after the games" Winter says before she sits up to look Lysander in the face. "It's just, whenever I try to sleep all I can see is the face you had staring at the suit, the light you had in your eyes at the reaping had disappeared and the way you talked was different. Your voice before the games had this unique twang that I thought was cute but after, it just sounded robotic. And then seeing you react to things, the vomiting, the collapsing, the sight of you not able to catch your breath just broke my heart. The games had broken you, and then when I think about the fact that a boy was initially supposed to go in and the thought that if he had won he would make the same expressions made me feel like I was gonna do the same things, and this scar" Winter says as she puts her hand on Lysander's face. "You got this fighting to stay alive while people cheered for you to die, I'm so sorry Lysander if I had realized what the games actually meant for you and those in the districts I wouldn't have even offered to be an escort" Winter says as she begins to cry. "If you hadn't become an escort, you'd still be living your life unaware at what we have to go through just to maintain our lives," Lysander says, staring into her eyes. "You're right, unfortunate as it is, seeing a survivor of the games change so much has made me wake up and see how mistreated you all are. I wish I could do something but I can't" Winter says, sighing. "The fact that you're trying to understand us is more than we can ask," Lysander says, smiling at her. She smiles in return and lays her head back on his chest. "Your heartbeat sounds strong, you know," Winter says, making Lysander blush. "Thank you" is all he can respond with. The more Lysander looks at Winter the more he forgets what she used to look like at the reaping, back then he hated how she looked and talked. Now he thought she was very beautiful and well spoken as she tried her best to be better for those of the districts./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6809f6daaff2ba503d7b1f643affffa3"As he arrived back in district 10 he felt a calm wash over him as the sounds of the cows in the distance made him feel at ease, the sight of Tally and Star waiting for him at the terminal made him feel truly at home. Jackson and Tiffany patted him on the back as they left to go back to their homes and Winter asked if she could accompany him for dinner, he agreed and they walked back to his home in Victor's Village where they enjoyed a nice meal before Winter left to return to the capitol and Lysander went to bed, able to sleep 1 night without the nightmares/p
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