There's a Capitol car waiting to take the Mayor's family to the square. Mercury has taken this trip eight times before and assumes it's like this for other Mayoral families in the other districts. Stepping outside, he inwardly groans. Today is hot. He strips his sweater off and ties it around his waist. His father gives him a look, which he ignores. The journey to the square takes about ten minutes, followed by a passage to the stage through the back of the Justice Building, where they enter through massive double doors.
Upon stepping through the doors, the refreshing coolness of the Justice Building's air conditioning is immediately lost to the withering heat outside. Mercury settles into his seat at the far end of the right side of the stage. His family are separate from the victors, a reminder that his fatehr was elected from a pool of the Capitol's picks, whereas the other side of the stage belongs to the people who fought to be here.
The people of District 5 appear to wrestle with the oppressive heat of the day. Mercury averts his gaze guiltily. It's not his fault, but he wonders if, surely, his father could do something like setting up large fans around the square's perimeter. After all, he was once one of these people. The square is packed with citizens, some even spilling out into the non-designated areas.
His mother swats away a couple of pestering flies from her eyes, her brows furrowed with frustration. It's not the kind of heat that makes you sweat; rather, it's a dry, oppressive heat that invites flies to buzz around, making you feel more irritated than you've ever been in your life.
Mercury glances at his wristwatch; it strikes two, and the doors of the Justice Building swing open. Six months ago, the building had taken two teenagers from the Red Sector. Today, it releases a stout, blonde baker from District 12—Peeta Mellark. He's only the second person from District 12 that Mercury has seen, devoid of the familiar dark features he associates with the Games. The first had been a girl from the games when he was much younger. Peeta's blue eyes and pale skin stand out starkly amidst the sea of District 5's brown skin and hair of copper and black. On the large screens in the square, Peeta's startled expression is broadcast to the assembled crowd.
After a moment to compose himself, Peeta Mellark lifts the cards in his hands and speaks into the microphone. Below the stage, Norris Crawford and Mia Chavarra's families huddle, their eyes brimming with tears as they look up at him. Though Mercury can only see the back of the victor's head, it's evident how tense Peeta is. There's not much to say about either of them—Mia died at the Cornucopia, and Norris succumbed to dehydration after three days. Neither even reached the halfway point.
"Mia and Norris represented District 5 with honor until the very end," Peeta concludes. "I'm sure you're proud of your citizens."
The crowd gives a dutiful applause as is expected. Mercury's father thanks Peeta Mellark, and hands him a bouquet of flowers and a bronze plaque. Peeta graciously accepts, and he's led back into the Justice Building by a pair of Peacekeepers.
Mia Chavarra's younger sister buried her face into her mother's side, racked with sobs. Mercury bites his lip. He's sat on this stage for the past eight tours and it never gets easier to see the grief on the faces of the families. How do they move on with their lives? It's bad enough watching strangers fall in the games every year. To know a tribute personally?
After Peeta has entered the Justice Building, Mercury and Russ trail behind their parents amidst the District 12 entourage. The crowd has already begun to spill out of the square, dispersing to wagons and trams heading toward the main city where the parade will take place.
Tonight, Peeta and the rest of District 12's team will dine at the Justice Building, but for now, they're all to join the crowd heading into the city. Mercury manages a quick glance at Peeta as he exits. Peeta doesn't appear thrilled; he mutters something to Katniss Everdeen, who simply shrugs in response. Peeta leans in closer, but Mercury's eyes flit away in fear of being caught eavesdropping.
During the car ride to the city circle, silence envelops the Anselmetti-Favero family. Mercury's father doesn't really 'chat' with his family anymore. Russ and their mother maintain an air of tension between them. Mercury longs for the days before his father's political career took precedence, when his mother found joy in her work in Geology rather than in maintaining appearances and keeping up with Capitol fashion. They used to be happier when they lived like everyone else. Now, they attract attention that they don't want. Mercury is tired of the way kids at school treat him like some kind of celebrity. He despises being on stage every year for the victory tour, exchanging pleasantries with victors who couldn't care less about his family. District 5 is just another stop on their tour.
The parade around the city circle unfolds predictably. Citizens dutifully clap, eager to conclude the spectacle and relax for the rest of the afternoon. Peeta Mellark waves patriotically to the crowd. Despite the sun having long set, the lingering afternoon heat remains unwelcome. Mercury is grateful to vanish into the Justice Building for dinner, seeking respite from the exhausting display.
At the banquet, only two of District 5's victors make an appearance. Nikkola Madden attends solely for the drinks. He's here every year. Despite winning around the same time as Haymitch Abernathy, Nikkola prioritizes the sparkling ciders over visiting his friend. The sparkling ciders are more important to him than the victor of the second Quarter Quell.
Wren Cardoso, the victor of the fifty-fifth games, also makes an unexpected appearance. Mercury hasn't crossed paths with her in several years. Unlike most victors who attend games celebrations, Wren only shows up when she mentors, so it's a surprise to see her. Her pointed avoidance of Nikkola is so conspicuous that even he notices, despite his typically hazy demeanor.
The District 12 team enters the room. First, the escort, a bubbly, pink-haired woman. Then the stylists, and the preps. The victors enter the room. Haymitch Abernathy, a dark-haired, pudgy man trudges in first. He lifts his arms to Wren, and they greet each other in a bear hug.
"Care for a drink, Abernathy?"
Haymitch shakes his head, not catching her sarcasm. "I'm looking after my kids, Cardoso."
His 'kids' come into the room behind him. Katniss Everdeen's scowl mars the neutral look she usually has on television. Her gray eyes land on Mercury, and her lips curl slightly. Twelve's shiny new victor, Peeta Mellark, is close behind her. He greets Mercury's mother and father first, shakes the hands of the victors, and finally lands on Mercury.
"Mercury," He says. "My father's the mayor."
Peeta firmly shakes his hand, and then introduces himself to Russ. His brother gives a polite smile and nod.
"How was the trip? You tired?" Mercury asks him. "You get to see the wind farms tomorrow. I remember Clementine Coumbassa loved them when she came here."
His words spill from his mouth. He can't stop looking at the long lashes Peeta has. "Personally, the dam is my go-to, but you won't get to go there, unfortunately."
Peeta smiles warmly, though it doesn't quite reach his blue eyes. Mercury can tell he's trying to be polite, and he feels stupid for bombarding him. He purses his lips, hoping it'll stop him from word-vomiting. Katniss Everdeen gives him an unreadable look as she passes. She wasn't unpleasant when she came to Five for her victory tour, but he remembers she didn't speak much. Haymitch and the escort did most of the talking. Mercury tries not to feel like he's done something wrong.
Mercury's father guides the group into the dining room, where cooks are busy serving meals and drinks. Following tradition, Mercury takes his place on the left side of his father, appropriate for the mayor's child. The mayor and his spouse occupy opposite ends of the table, with their children seated beside them. Mercury hates sitting next to him. His scrutinous gaze doesn't leave either of his sons during these tours, and being directly beside him means there's no room for even the smallest of mistakes.
His father exchanges pleasantries with Peeta Mellark and the escort, discussing District 12 and the status of the mines. Neither of them knows much about the mines, but his father doesn't comment on the lack of knowledge.
"A lot of District 12's coal comes here to power generators. I know your industry's usefulness has been a topic of debate the past decade or so, but this country couldn't run without you."
Nikkola gets louder and more obnoxious as he consumes glass after glass of alcohol. Mercury's father and Wren are having a difficult time hiding their disgust.
"This meal is just, lovely Mr. Anselmetti-Favero," the 12 escort says. "We haven't been afforded such a beautiful meal in the other districts. Of course, there's not a lot for them to spare out there. Trust me, we know."
She smiles warmly at Katniss and Peeta, the former who purses her lips into a thin line.
"Oh, it's nothing Euphemia," Mercury's father says. "We always like to treat the victors well. They deserve it, after all."
Euphemia says, "These are your children?" gesturing to Mercury and Russ.
"Yes. Mercury and Russ. Mercury is at the top of his class in chemistry and athletics, and Russ is a whiz with Mathematics. I'm very proud of them."
"You do athletics?" Peeta asks from across the table. "What do you play?"
Mercury feels himself blush slightly. "Just track, mostly. But I do a bit of everything. You have sports in Twelve?"
"Yes. Kids like it because it gives us a break from the never-ending topic of coal mining. I was on the wrestling team before the games."
Mercury thinks of Peeta in the games, stripped down to his undershorts, heaving rocks to cover the entrance of his cave in the mountains that the tributes were tossed into. His face gets redder. Katniss Everdeen notices and gives him yet another look.
"That explains how you were able to fight so well," Is all Mercury gets out.
Peeta becomes quiet, and Mercury scolds himself for being so stupid. What idiot brings up the games when talking to a brand new victor. His father grips his wrist hard for a moment, and Mercury bites the inside of his cheek so he doesn't cry out.
Peeta brightens a bit when the cook wheels desert out; a lavender-coloured cake with white, swirly frosting. He compliments her frosting work, which she accepts with surprised delight. They talk about baking and pastries for a long time, only stopping when Mercury's father raises an eyebrow at the chef. She apologizes to Peeta Mellark that she has more work to do, and she disappears back to the kitchen. Peeta goes back to picking at his steak.
The remainder of the night is uneventful and quiet. Mercury helps the cleaners with the dishes, and sees off the District 12 team. Peeta doesn't say goodbye to Mercury or Russ. Mercury gets the feeling that it's genuinely out of wanting to leave as soon as possible. They'll remain in District 5 tomorrow but his father will be showing them around the district. Once tomorrow's activities are complete, the train will be on its way to District 4 before sundown.
Before Mercury goes to bed that night, he creeps into the back hallway. He rarely enters his father's study, but he's hoping that now the Victory Tour's over he'll be free to talk.
Mercury nudges the door open with his toe. His father is hunched over his desk, reading something placed carefully on the wood. Mercury hesitates. He shouldn't, but his father feels more like a stranger nowadays.
"Dad?"
His father doesn't look up from his work, but he does cock his head with acknowledgement.
"What is it, Mercury?"
"Um, I wanted to know if you'd be coming to the track meet next week. I know you're super busy with the tour and all that, so-"
"Mhm. I'll talk to you about it tomorrow night." His father says, keeping his eyes trained on the forms at his desk. He can't spare the decency to look in Mercury's eyes to tell him to get out of his study.
Mercury takes the hint and leaves the room, head hanging. He festers with anger at his father. Once upon a time, Mercury gave him the benefit of the doubt; he saw how hectic those early days were when his father was sworn in. Nowadays, Mercury feels like it's just laziness on his father's part.
He walks down the hallway to his room, but as he draws closer to the door, his feet continue shuffling forward. He creeps down the staircase to the front door. A glance over his shoulder shows the stillness of his home, and he disappears into the night, jogging to the dam.