Chapter Thirty-Five: Victory Tour (pt.1)
The second Ceasar signed off and the cameras were out of Maize's face she finally relaxed, well for a moment since Maize found herself surrounded by her 'team' of Capitolites as they praised and gushed over her talent. Goldie was the first to get ahold of herself as she started to usher everyone out of the house, they were on a schedule after all. Maize gave brief goodbyes to her family, the real ones had been said the night before, before letting herself be corraled by Seeder and Chaff towards the train station.
"Dear, I made sure that the train was stocked with those shakes you're so fond of, nothing but the best for our star!" Goldie chirped as she flitted around the train car, "I know the schedule is a bit daunting, Maize, but not to worry-"
"Yes," Seeder interrupted, her voice calm as ever, "you did exceptionally well during the showcase, mtoto." the woman praised.
Chaff chuckled as he gestured to Maize with his half-empty glass of whiskey, "Serious set of pipes this one has!"
"Young Miss Galloshire is full of surprises." Orion agreed. Maize fidgeted uncomfortably in her seat, smiling awkwardly at the adults staring at her consideringly.
"Thank you." she murmured before quickly changing the subject, "We're starting in 12 right?"
Goldie bobbed her head eloquently, "Yes we'll be there in three hours or so, a car will take us to the square. The mayor will introduce you to the crowds, and then you'll say a few words."
Maize nodded. This wasn't the first time she'd gone over what would happen during the Tour, Maize had months to bombard both of her Mentors with questions, but she'd rather go over it for the millionth time than talk about her talent any longer. Singing was something she loved and enjoyed, making it her talent tainted it a little since she now had to share it with the Capitol. But that didn't mean that she had to talk about it when she didn't have to.
"I believe the tributes from 12 both died during the bloodbath." Goldie pondered carelessly, "What were their names?"
"The male's name was Dustin." Chaff offered, "Haymitch complained about him more than once. The girl's name... Ivory, I think."
Seeder nodded, "Ivory Hearth and Dustin Keenlock."
"Yes, well, it's customary to give a brief eulogy for the fallen tributes... but you don't really need to worry about that. You'll just need to read the cards I've prepared for you, dear, oh, and wave, don't forget to smile and wave!"
"Right." Maize smiled tensely.
Orion stood up and stretched before extending his hand towards her, "Come, darling, it's time to start getting you ready."
She was tired already.
It was only the beginning.
"Ladies and Gentlemen the Victor of the 70th Hunger Games, Maize Galloshire!" the Mayor of 12 announced as the doors of District 12's Justice Building was opened by Peacekeepers. Maize walked out onto the small stage more confidently than she actually felt, taking in the sea of pale faces staring up at her.
The residents of District 12 looked like the paler counterparts of her own District, thin and bony faces with haunted -sunken- eyes. Just like in 11, children had been gathered towards the front of the crowds while the families of the deceased were fenced off to the side in a separate area with banners indicating which tribute the family had lost. Ivory Hearth had left behind a broken looking woman that she assumed had been her mother and a frail sobbing little brother. Dustin Keenlock's family was a bit larger, with two grieving parents an older teen girl, and a tiny pale brown-haired boy that resembled the fallen tribute greatly.
Maize looked at the two families for a moment longer as the very mild applause the crowd had -most likely been forced to- released faded, compassion and guilt enveloping her before glancing down at the cards Goldie had given her on the ride to the bleak-looking Justice Building.
"Thank you." Maize stated clearly as she spewed out the Capitol propaganda on the cards, "I feel honored to be standing here with you on this auspicious today. To the grieving families and friends of this District's fallen tributes, Dustin and Ivory," Maize spoke softly as she eyes both families respectively as she ignored the more flowery and Capitol bullshit that Goldie had prepared, "I offer my sincerest condolences. Though I did not know your children very well, their loss will forever be remembered by the people they touched and interacted with in life."
She paused for a moment smoothing down the silky pantsuit she was wearing with one hand as she swallowed the bile rising up in her throat and looking away from the grieving families to the crowds, "Thanks to the generosity of the Capitol and it's beautiful citizens, I am able to stand before you today in Victory." withholding a pained sigh, Maize stretched a fakefakefake grin on her face as she ended the small speech with the signature phrase, "Panem today, Panem tomorrow, Panem forever."
As the crowd gave their false applause Maize froze as her eyes made out the slim form of a brunet girl, probably around Birch's age, with pricing grey eyes locked onto her form. The thin girl's hair had been done up in intricate braids as she leaned against an equally olive-skinned boy with similar dark hair and eyes. A tiny blonde slip of child, with beautiful braids of her own, was clutching the older girl's hand tightly as she eyed the peacekeepers nervously. Maize shot the tiny blonde a kind smile when the girl made eye contact with her before allowing the sleazy looking mayor of 12 to escort her inside.
In the privacy of her mind, Maize wondered if the grey-eyed child that had been staring her down was the Mockingjay attending the ceremony with her little sister... Maize put it out of mind as she was corraled by slightly chastising Goldie -"Really, dear, what was wrong with reading from the cards?"- to her proud looking Mentors. Orion and her prep team seemed to be patting themselves on the back for their beautiful designs as they prattled about what they would be dressing her in for the party.
Joy.
Words 1080