The few months until the Victory Tour passed without incident. Life settled down to what it had been before Snow's visit. I worked on my garden, and visited with Haymitch, even deciding to spend nights with him sometimes. I know that Snow's visit changed things for both of us, but what else could we do? Haymitch had told me that he wouldn't let Snow take away the smallest happiness that he had found since his Games, and I agreed. I was stuck now, so I had better make the best of things.
I did not tell Mom or Birch about what Snow wanted. They didn't need to know. They didn't need to know that I was being forced into prostitution. There were some girls here in District 12 who's husbands had died in the mine, or of starvation, and were now living off of absolutely nothing. They were known to go to the Peacekeepers to make a little bit of coin. They were looked at with disgust and pity. Of course, Mom and Birch would not look at me that way, but I just couldn't tell them. I would look at me that way if they knew.
Haymitch was the only person I trusted with all of the information. He knew what Panem was really like. He and I were the only people from District 12 to see the rest of the country. We were the only ones who really knew what things were happening, and how terrible they really were. How can you be worried about these things when you haven't eaten in days?
I was at Haymitch's house eating the breakfast he had made when there was a knock on the door. "Oh, great. It's starting." He grumbled.
The door opened and in walked Clio, my stylist from the Games. "Oh my dear!" She gave me a smile and walked over for a hug. I returned her smile and hug and she continued, "You must get up early! Already out of your house!"
"I slept here last night, Clio." I smirk at her.
Her eyes widen, and Haymitch just smirks as she starts, "Oh. Well." She leans in to me and starts to whisper, "You know you could do better."
"Well, I don't really want to do better." I whisper back.
"Hey!" Haymitch yells.
I laugh, making Clio smile. "Well," she grabs my hands and pulls me to my feet. "Let's get you cleaned up!"
She leads me away, and I wave at Haymitch before the door is slammed between us and I am pulled into my own home. Once upstairs, I am bathed and waxed. My prep team does my makeup and hair. There is a row of outfits that Clio is digging through to find one for me to wear.
It is cold now in Twelve, and she has me slip my legs into some pantyhose and throws a dress over my head. The dress is black and comes down to my knees. It is very simple, and I already see that Snow has had a hand in my wardrobe. This is something that, even in cold weather, would make me more attractive.
I am put into a black coat that is fitted to my waist, big buttons hold it closed, and flares out just a little down to my knees. She adds a red scarf around my neck and pulls it so it goes inside my coat along my chest. "And just a pop of color!"
"Thank you." I smile at her.
"Of course, dear."
I walk down to the kitchen and say goodbye to Mom and Birch. "You're going to be gone for a while, huh?" Birch asks.
"Probably a week or two." She gives me a huge, tight hug.
"Oh, don't ruin her look!" I turn to see Velora Ivory standing just inside the door, screeching already.
"Hello, Velora." I smile at her.
"Oh, hello my little Victor!" She takes my hands and stares at me, tears gathering in her eyes. "It is so good to have pulled a winner!"
I smile and stay quiet. There is only so much that one can hold back, but I'd better get good at it.
"Well, off we go, or we are sure to be late!" She holds her hands up around her shoulders as she bounces to the door. "Is Haymitch at the train?" She asks one of the attendants with her.
"Yes, ma'am." He nods once, his golden hair bouncing.
"Splendid." She opens the door and shoves me out into the cold.
I stumble slightly before catching myself. One I am standing straight, there is a camera crew and a small screen showing Caesar Flickerman. "There she is!" he says, followed by cheers from the Capitol. "Hello, Raven!"
"Hello, Caesar!" I smile, sticking my hands in my pockets.
"Doesn't she just look lovely, folks?" He asks, making the crowd go wild. Once they calm, he continues, "Well, Raven. You will be starting your Victory Tour! We are very excited for you to visit us!"
"I am excited to be back." I smile at the camera. They would never understand how much I hated this.
"So, your talent… gardening?" He grins at the camera. "They sent us footage of your gardens. Would you like to see?"
The crowd goes crazy again, and the screen flashes a few pictures of some of my vegetables that are growing, and then a few pictures of one of the spare rooms in my house that is full of different flowers. "Such lovely colors in that room!" Caesar says.
"There is more to show, and you will see it once I am there." I tell him, still smiling.
"OH yes! Well, we shall count the hours until you are with us here!" He shouts, and the Capitol audience cheers.
I smile and wave and then the camera powers down. My smile quickly falls from my face as I begin the walk to the train. I think about what is waiting for me. This is when President Snow said that I will have to start keeping the citizens happy.
I step onto the train and the door hisses shut behind me. I quickly remove my coat and let one of the attendants take it. I walk in, heels clacking on the floor, to the bar car. Unsurprisingly, Haymitch is sat in an armchair not far from the bar. I walk over and ask the man behind the counter for a bottle of whiskey and a glass. He hands them over and I make my way to Haymitch.
As I approach, his eyes never leave my body. I see them roam up and down as I get closer. I plop down into the chair next to him and crack the seal on the bottle.
"Well," he starts, "They definitely wanted you to have a certain appearance."
I sigh and quickly fill my glass and then hold the bottle out. He lifts his glass and I fill his before setting the bottle on the floor between our chairs. "Yes. It's starting now." I take a long drink from my glass. "I get to be eye candy for the next few days. Then, the Capitol will consume me."
His hand squeezes mine, and I see the pain in his eyes. "I'm sorry." He downs his drink and reaches down for the bottle.
I shrug. "Nothing to be sorry about." I finish off my glass and he refills it for me.
"You don't drink." He states. His eyes full of worry.
"Tonight, I do," I say.
We drink in silence for a while before I start to get uncomfortable. I slowly stand and reach up my dress, grab hold of the panty hose, and pull them down. Haymitch watches in drunken interest as I sit, kick my shoes off, and pull the panty hose off my legs. I then slip my feet back in my heels. "I hate those stupid things." I grumble before taking another drink.
The door to the car hisses open and Velora teeters inside. "There you are! I have been looking everywhere!" I can see when she notices the empty bottle on the floor and another one almost empty next to it. "We've only been on the train for two hours!" She scolds.
She comes to take the glass from my hand, but I am quicker and hand it to Haymitch, who immediately takes it in his left hand, stands, and stumbles to the other side of the car. "Knock it off!" She loudly whispers. "You have speeches to give!"
"Do I have to give them now?" I ask her.
"That is not the point!"
"Then what is the point, Velora?" I give her a crooked grin. "How long until we are in Eleven?"
"Tomorrow, around noon we will be arriving." She stands straighter. "And you need to be ready." She looks at Haymitch, who is now leaning against the bar, taking a drink out of the glass in his left hand.
"Haymitch, dear, that is my glass. If you would, please drink your own." I tell him, smiling. He looks at the glass and then switches to the right glass, taking a long sip from it. "Thank you."
"Anything for you." He slurs, wavering a little as he waves the left glass at me.
"How could you let him drag you down like this?" Velora scolds.
"I let him do a lot worse." I start to giggle. "Do you know how loudly he snores after we-"
"Mmmmm, best not share all that, Darling." He says from the other side, grinning slightly at me.
"You two! You should be ashamed!" Velora storms toward the door, wobbly in her high heels. She quickly turns to face me. "I will leave you to your business, but if you aren't ready for your speeches, I won't leave you alone again!" With that, she exits, and the door shuts behind her.
In the now quiet bar car, Haymitch stumbles back over to his chair. "She seem a little uptight to you?" He grins.
I start laughing, "I guess we'd better get down to business while she leaves us alone!"
"I'll drink to that!" He pours more liquid into our glasses and we both down them.
"I need to go lay down." I stand and wobble for a moment before looking down. "These damned shoes!" I kick them off, sending them flying. They smack the wall by the door and clatter to the floor. I straighten out and take a couple of staggering steps toward the door. "I need to be sure I can deliver. I won't be able to handle her around all the time."
He grabs the bottle that is still half full and stands to follow me. "My room or yours?"
"Whichever is closer." I giggle, and lean into him. "Ready for bed, Haymitch?"
"Let's go." He wraps the arm holding the bottle around me and we make our way out of the bar, and down the train until we reach his room.
Once inside, I fall onto the bed on my back, legs dangling off the side. Haymitch does the same from the other side of the bed, our heads inches from each other as we lay there. I look over once I hear snoring. He has passed out, and I am not far behind.
~oOo~
I wake the next morning with a splitting headache. I sit up and smile as I see that Haymitch had covered me at some point. I stand slowly and make my way out toward the dining area. Haymitch is sitting at the table with a plate of untouched food in front of him.
"Hey." I say quietly.
He looks up and I can see how tired his eyes are. "Hey, Darling."
I sit beside him and pour myself a glass of water. I down the entire glass and then get myself another. "What time is it?" I ask.
"It is ten in the morning." I hear Velora's shrill voice from the other side of the room. She is sitting in a chair next to the television. "You really need to watch how much you drink."
"I'm awake and have enough time to dress, yeah?" I ask her.
She snorts. "You don't look fit to give a speech."
"I'm fine."
She rolls her eyes and goes back to looking at the magazine in her hands.
"Be nice." Haymitch says. "Still need to play the game."
"Oh, believe me. I know."
~oOo~
There wasn't much time for me to get dressed, but I was dressed on time and we made it to the town center of District 11 on time for my speech. I read the card that Velora gave me, the crowd all staring at me, probably hoping to get away from this place as soon as possible.
The Victory Tour was only good for disrupting normal life in the Districts so they could be reminded of who was in charge and who was powerless. I read the card as simply as I could. I'm sure that the residents there knew that I was just as forced to be there as they were.
We made our way to the party after that was held in the Mayor's home. There were food and drinks for those that were able to attend. People congratulating me on winning. On becoming a murderer. I could only think that they were congratulating me on becoming a murdering prostitute.
We made our way through each of the districts. Each speech a little different, and each party very similar. There were plenty of times that Haymitch and I snuck off and made our way back to the train. Each night we did, he would strip me out of my dress, and I would enjoy the last moments of just being his.
In District 7, I walked beside Haymitch, hand in hand, toward the makeshift stage they had set up in town center. They again had dressed me in a form fitting dress that stopped just above my knees. This one was royal blue, and very sleek. I was wearing matching heels, but had talked Clio out of the constricting hose that she had made me wear before. She made me shave my legs daily, but it was worth not wearing those things.
"Now, you did have allies from this District, so the speech is a little different." Velora says to me as we approach the stage. Haymitch's hand squeezed mine and I gave him a sad smile.
We listen as the Mayor starts talking and introduces me. Velora gives me a small push and I walk out on to the stage. I stare at the faces of District 7, and everyone stares right back at me. I focus on the families right in front. Barker and Ivy's families. I start the speech that Velora had prepared.
"Hello, District 7. You know me, and I know you. Your children were-" I stop. This is terrible, the things she has written. She treats them as expendable so that I could take the win.
I take a breath and look down at Ivy's family. I see that her mother is crying. "Your children were wonderful people. I tried to keep them safe. I wanted them to make it home." I feel a tear slip down my face as I continue, "Ivy was such a smart, brave and happy person. She reminded me of my sister." I look to Barker's family. "Barker was scared, so scared, to die alone. Ivy and I made sure that didn't happen. Your children are the reason I am still alive. They reminded me of what I had to keep me going. I just wish that it was them who came back home. Thank you for your children, I am honored to have met them."
I stop and it is quiet for a moment, Ivy's mom is sobbing, but she smiled at me and nodded, and so did Barker's father. Then, they are clapping. They are the first district on this tour that has clapped.
I am led off stage and I immediately go to Haymitch, who's arms are waiting for me. I sob into his shoulder and he runs his hands down my back.
We are taken into the Justice Building where Clio fixes my makeup. "That was beautiful." She tells me, and I can see that she had teared up as well.
The party goes on like all the rest, except that the residents here seem more happy to meet me. Many of them thank me for my kind words about their tributes. I tell them that it is the truth.
We go down the Districts, everyone quiet through my speeches, and happy at the party when they get to eat plenty of Capitol food. District's 1, 2, 3, and 4 are all staring at me with anger.
"You not only took a win away from a Career district, but you also killed people from each of these districts." Haymitch explained one night after we snuck away from District 3.
"Was it like that for you?" I ask him.
"Oh, the Career districts were pissed at me. They had double the chances to win my Games, and they didn't. Some scrawny kid from Twelve did." He tells me.
District 2 was the most difficult. I killed both of their tributes who were very close to a win. Marble was thrown into the lava that took my fingers, and I killed Slate with a knife just to get the bats to leave me alone. I wasn't even thinking about the Games when he died. There was too much chaos caused by the bats.
No one even talked to me at the party for Two. I stood next to Haymitch for a while, and we snuck out quite early.
Haymitch knew exactly what I was feeling. And he knew just what to do to help me. Each night we found ourselves in his bed, enjoying each other for as long as we could. Mostly just talking. But there was definitely more than just talking. We each knew that Snow was about to make me start going to the beds of the Capitol, and we were just enjoying the time that we had left of just us.
I hear it before we enter the Capitol. Haymitch and I are sitting at the table when we enter the tunnel leading in to the Capitol. We hear the crowd cheering before we are back out of the tunnel.
"This is it, Darling." He tells me. "Now we find out what you're really made of."
"I can survive this." I nod, and meet his eyes. "Just don't hate me when we go home."
He quickly wraps his arms around me and pulls me tightly to him. "I could never. Sorry to tell you, Darling, but you're stuck with me."
I laugh into his chest. "Good."
The Capitol people are going crazy at the sight of the train. We have to disembark and walk to the car that is waiting for us. People are touching me, and I feel pinches on my bottom. I keep my head high, I will not let them win. I will remain strong, not only for me, but for Haymitch.
Once we are in the car with the door shut, Haymitch takes my hand. "Doing well, Darling."
"Thanks." I smile at him.
We arrive at the Victor's Tower. It is a place that all the Victors can use when they travel to the Capitol. We are taken to floor 12 and I am swept away to get ready for the interview with Caesar.
I am put in an even more revealing dress than anything I have worn before. This dress is black and very low cut. It is form fitting-like all the rest of the things they have been dressing me in- and goes to just above my knee. This is sexy. I am placed in my high heels, and I walk down the steps from my room to the living area.
Haymitch's eyes widen, and he stands, coming to join me. He kisses me and then places his hands on my arms. "You are stunning."
"Thanks." I smile. "Were it my choice, I'd be wearing this just for you."
"Well, just for me it is, then." He smirks and kisses me once more before the others join us.
"Oh, Haymitch, no!" Velora shrieks. "You will smear her makeup!"
She totters up and smacks him away from me. I grab him and pull him to me, his arm wraps around my waist, pulling me close.
"Just lovely." Clio comes up to me and adjusts the dress a little.
"Time to go!" Velora sings as she calls the elevator.
~oOo~
I am just offstage when I hear Caesar call my name. I step out into the blinding lights of the stage, smiling and slowly waving at the dark silhouettes that are the Capitol citizens. I have decided that I am going to be calm. That will be how I handle everything. I will never get excited in front of these people. The way I am waving and moving and smiling will be seen as polite, but not excited.
"Well, Raven! Look at you!" Caesar says, gesturing to my dress. "You've really grown into your fortune!" He laughs, and the crowd laughs with him.
"Yes, Caesar, but this is all thanks to my stylist, Clio." I tell him, keeping the small smile on my face.
The light shines on Clio, who is standing and bowing while the crowd cheers.
"She does an amazing job!" The crowd quiets, and Caesar and I sit on the chairs provided. "So, how has life been since becoming the second Victor of District 12?"
"It has been wonderful." I smile. "My family and I have the time and energy to have fun, and I have made some new friends." I say. The Capitol cheers, thinking they are my new friends when really I am talking about Haymitch. I catch his eye in the crowd and he smiles at me.
"So, what is this about a garden?"
"Oh, my mother and I planted a garden. We grow vegetables that we give away to people in my District." I tell him.
"Oh, how wonderful!" Caesar grins hugely. "So, you work in the garden all day?"
"Most mornings, yes." I respond. "I also have a room at home."
"Oh?" His voice reaches high at the end of his question.
"I have beautiful flowers that I grow. Lilies, daffodils, bluebells, hyacinths, and all sorts of others." Just then, a picture collage of my garden room in my house pops up on the screen behind me.
"How lovely!" He says, and the crowd cheers. "What made you decide to start gardening?"
"I prefer to help things grow rather than destroy." I tell him.
He nods, "So wonderful, and kind!"
The interview wasn't much longer, and I was finally free of the cameras, at least for now. Now it was time for the ball held at the President's Mansion. Haymitch and I were in the car, riding silently down the street. Neither of us said much, both knowing that tonight I most likely wouldn't be coming home, not until early tomorrow.
Inside the mansion, there was music and dancing. Food and drinks were aplenty, each brightly colored Capitolite holding their equally bright drink. The room was loud, and I noticed Haymitch standing by my side. "Want to dance?"
I smirk at him. "You dance?"
"I can." He confirms. "Not well, but I can."
"Well, yes. I'd love a dance."
And that was my first mistake. Haymitch and I were having a wonderful time, but now that I was on the dancefloor, everyone wanted me. I found myself being forced to dance with person after person, a never ending cycle. I stopped looking at their faces, they all blurred together in my mind.
"Enjoying the evening?" A deep voice asked, catching my attention.
I faltered as I looked up at the newest partner. "Yes, President Snow."
"Good." He nods toward my left and I look. "Mr. Janke over there in the blue. You should get to know him a little before your car takes you to his home."
His lips stretched into a sick smile. "Happiness is what you bring to the people, yes?
"Yes, sir." I respond with a nod.
"Good." He nods with finality. "I think I will retire for the evening. Have a good night, Miss Eversole." President Snow bows to me and walks away, out into the crowd.
I find Haymitch. "You can go home now." I tell him once I am close to him.
"Are you sure?" He asks. "I can stay."
"Go." I tell him. "It's time."
I can see by the look on his face that he is ready to kill for me if I asked. I grab his hand and stare into his eyes. "I'll be okay." I tell him. "I will always come home to you." I exhale and squeeze his hand, "always."
His eyes turn sad for a moment before he clears the emotion away. "I'll be waiting." He kisses my cheek quickly before turning and walking away.
I take a deep breath, hold for a moment, and release it, gathering what strength I have. I walk up to the man indicated by the President. "Mr. Janke?" I give him a pleasant smile. After all of the schmoozing all night, I have gotten my game face figured out.