Author's Note: Life continues to move on for the victors and Panem starts to move past the oldest among them.

….

Time

The seventieth anniversary of her Games was fast approaching, although it seemed like a lifetime ago. The institution of the Hunger Games was unrecognisable, as were the victors they produced in comparison to those of her generation. Gem was the oldest victor alive, a fact she struggled to come to terms with. She had chosen to age naturally but that did not mean she was happy about it.

Her body was slow, nothing like the body that took her through the Seventeenth Annual Hunger Games. Before she was ready, she would soon be staring down her ninetieth birthday. She had been a grandmother for over two decades and had begun to wonder whether she would become a great-grandmother. Her relationship with Aria and Theodore was akin to that of a grandparent and she doted on them both. Her connection with Satin was frayed and strained whilst Topaz had become closer once more and Gem felt almost a motherly love for her.

Now Cashmere's baby had arrived, and Gem loved spending time with baby Violet to give Cashmere and her husband a few moments' peace. Aria adored the little girl too and watching her mentor become a mother and realising that she could offer her help and support continued to bring Aria out of her shell once again.

Baby Violet was easily the most loved member of District One's Victors' Village. Even Satin had expressed her approval although she complained if her sleep was disturbed by the girl's crying. Theodore was happy to have another cousin and began to spend a lot of time with Cashmere's family, much to Augustus' consternation. His victor had cemented a strong relationship with Gloss and Gus and Theo had started to become more distant. But Gem understood why. Gloss, now free of Ermine and past the height of his Capitol popularity, was a more positive influence, not completely beholden to the Capitol and serving their every whim. He offered the younger Theodore a more balanced view of their situation.

Gloss had also taken to his new role as an uncle with pride. He loved his niece and was proud of his sister for being able to fulfil one of her ambitions. Gem was proud of Cashmere too and she was keen to support her in protecting her little girl in any way she knew.

So often, Gem felt like she watched the world pass her by. She only had a cursory presence at the Academy, having fully entrusted Topaz with its management. She financed the rebels and attended some meetings but did not have the energy for active involvement. Of course, she had maintained her wide network of contacts and could deploy her influence where necessary, but her presence in the district was starting to shrink and she needed Gloss and Cashmere to take over the reins.

But Gem would continue making the annual trip to the Capitol. Not to mentor, that role had bypassed her decades ago, but to support District One and her fellow victors. She felt a responsibility to them. She had set them down the path they were on, tried to wrestle them free years later and wanted to ensure that they would be left in a position she could tolerate when she could no longer observe.

She wanted to see Maria too. Ten's woman was now the second oldest victor and their friendship was one of the most enduring across the Mentors' Centre. Cashmere's baby and Rosa in District Ten had put them on the same path. They were both desperate to protect the children of the victors they loved, and Gem wanted to ensure that Cashmere could learn from Charo and Adan.

Cashmere had decided that her child would never accompany her to the Capitol during the Games. Violet could stay with her father and be kept away from prying eyes. Gem wholeheartedly supported Cashmere's decision. Victors were no longer supposed to be celebrities, so there was no reason for a victor's child to attain celebrity status either, no matter how popular their parents once were.

They were hoping that if people could forget that Cashmere had a child, there would be less chance of Violet's name being pulled from the reaping bowl and tampering with their supply of volunteers. Gem still vividly remembered District Four's potential volunteers being poisoned just over twenty years previously and she knew then that their systems were not foolproof. For someone of Gem's age, twenty years felt like no time at all, and she dared not risk the possibility with one of her own.

Gem knew she would likely not be around to see the outcome of their plans, but she would do what she could. She had faded in the Capitol to all but her main contacts who remained happy to do her bidding. She needed to introduce them to One's younger victors so they could carry on her work and hopefully, provide more active support to the efforts led by the Fours. Her relevance at home too had declined but she remained important enough to those who mattered.

Gem hated the thought that she was managing her departure from life, but it would be foolish to not make plans. She had already ensured her children and grandchildren would be supported. She had to hope that all would turn out as she had always wanted in the Victors' Village and that she had laid sufficient ground for her aims to fall into place.

….

Lyme had a lot on her mind. Antigone was exhausting. Her return to the Institute had been eventful and her winning presentation contrary to all of Lyme's, Brutus', and Malachite's instructions. Antigone fought well with the candidates and kept them on their toes. Lyme had decided that she would be useful in the final stages of arena preparation, but they could not let her lead on or influence the messaging they wanted to instil in their candidates.

Lyme had tried to gently steer the ship away from undying loyalty and service to the Capitol toward benefitting District Two, but Antigone spoke only of selfish motivations. There was nothing inherently wrong with it and Lyme was in some ways relieved that some individuality had come from the Institute. But Antigone had a reputation for causing chaos.

One of the male candidates had antagonised her and she engaged in fighting with sharpened weapons instead of the blunt weapons used in many practice sessions. Both had required medical treatment, albeit their candidate was far worse off. It would undoubtedly hamper his chances of becoming their volunteer.

There was Enobaria's slow immersion into District Two's rebellion to consider. She had done well with the tasks given to her at the Institute with their youngest pupils and Lyme had started to take her to some meetings to find her a place in the wider district effort.

But Enobaria had started to want more, and they had argued. Arguing amongst Two's victors often resulted in sparring and the two women had taken to fighting out their differences in one of the halls in the Institute.

Lyme was annoyed that Enobaria had managed to beat her and as the younger woman left, Lyme raced towards the climbing wall, blunted knife still in hand, started to climb frantically and slipped. She was further horrified when she realised she could not get up, and even more so when Enobaria returned to assist, and they both discovered that the older victor was hurt.

She had tried to block the incident from her memory because she was so embarrassed and she woke up in hospital with Brutus at her side, shaking his head.

"You're getting old, Lyme."

"I don't see you getting any younger either."

"That's a fair point, but I'm not the one in a hospital bed."

"It was just a slip."

"The doctor has said it's a bit more than that. You've hurt your back and your hips badly."

"I'll recover. I need to get back to it."

"You don't. Not just yet anyway."

"Antigone-"

"Is Malachite's problem. You've told him that often enough. He's tightening the leash, don't you worry," Brutus laughed.

"Malachite is my victor so his victor-"

"Is not your problem."

"Stop interrupting me, Brutus."

"We're equals, Lyme. I'm the only one who can do that. You can't stop me. Besides, we're going to be seeing even more of each other."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm moving in when you come home. You'll need help and we all know you'll overdo it and end up worse."

"It won't be that bad. I only slipped."

"You've had a fall. At least that's what I was told."

Lyme placed her head in her hands, "You know that's a sign of being old. When falling over becomes having a fall."

"Sometimes our bodies betray us. Mine does and I get so frustrated. Paulus beats me in fights all the time. Diana put Marcus flat on his back the other week."

"They train as hard as any candidate still."

"And they'll be more impressive for it. But I've had to realise that I'm not eighteen anymore. I hate it. And you're sixty, Lyme."

"Don't remind me."

"If it makes you feel any better, Haymitch's boy beats me at wrestling every year. You know we spar each Games season and every year he's got stronger, and I've gone the opposite way."

"Enobaria gets the better of me too. If Antigone ever got the chance, we'd never hear the end of it."

Brutus laughed, "And that's why she won't!"

"What are we going to do about her?"

"Find her a role, give her some responsibility and hope she calms down."

"It won't be that easy. We've never had anyone like her. She drives me crazy but sometimes I'm a little bit relieved."

"What do you mean?"

"We haven't just created a string of robots. That the Institute, with us in control has produced someone creative, and independent of thought."

Brutus sat quietly for a moment, "She's a lot. But I think you're right. There's more to us, and the Institute, than providing tributes for the Capitol."

"We do good for Two."

"We've kept the most kids alive. That's what's important."

Lyme's head was spinning. Not only from the injury and the possible repercussions for her future capabilities, but Brutus had somehow started on a journey, and she had not realised. Previously, he would have spoken in all seriousness about providing the best for the Capitol and bringing pride to Two, but this was different. It was almost an acknowledgement that there was something wrong with the system they had been working in and she had no idea what had brought this on.

"What's started this? You're normally all about the good of the Capitol."

Brutus looked awkwardly at Lyme before shrugging and carrying on, "It's obvious we do better. And that's how it should stay. We're Two after all. But Mellark got me thinking."

"I didn't know you spoke much when you were wrestling. Too worried about Haymitch's boy beating you!"

"You know what he's like. Got right under my skin. He's a good victor, the makings of an excellent mentor if he had the right tribute. Except he never does, and I can't help but think he never will. Twelve's a state and then I realised I'd heard the same from Haymitch, and Chaff about Eleven. I'd passed that off as drunken complaining, but Peeta's sober."

"So Two does better than Twelve. Kinda obvious."

"I know. But I think you know too. That there's more to it. Poppy's been alone a while now, and I know you like her. That's got to be tough. We have a manufactured rivalry with Seven. Imagine what they could do with an Institute of their own. Except they'd never get away with that. And now they've sold Antigone."

"Don't remind me, Brutus. You're getting all philosophical and my head can't cope, not with my back and hips hurting. But it has shaken us. I remember Mal's panicked call from the Capitol. He had no idea what to do. Me and Marcus were trying to throw ideas his way, but it was too late."

"We have a 'clothes on, no kissing' policy from now on."

"It will take more than that if we manage anyone as interesting again. I need to think about the Capitol for when we're back. Antigone asked to choose her buyers and started vicious rumours about how bad the ones given to her were!"

"And that panicked Mal even more."

"But everyone is still alive. Elda doesn't want celebrity victors and Victors' Affairs don't want their financial providers to be bad-mouthed."

"So, Antigone might have found her way around it herself."

"Maybe. Possibly. I don't know."

Lyme needed time to think. Despite her efforts, Peeta Mellark had managed to make an impression on Brutus. Her friend was on his way to making the final connections and then his worldview would fall apart. Lyme had no idea how he would cope with it. She would need help and she had realised that meant fully trusting Enobaria. She had given her no reason not to, but it was Lyme's overwhelming sense of caution in the precariousness of her position, that had her worried. But she was going to have to trust Enobaria now. She was hardly going to be able to attend meetings in her state and someone would need to attend in her stead.

She would need to give Malachite a bit of a kick too. He could support her if Brutus needed help. Lyme had had some conversations with her victor since the shock of Antigone being sold that had got her thinking that he was on a journey too. If he could be converted, he could bring along Marcus and Remus. With his mentor and then Malachite on their side, that would ensure Mason's confidence too. If Antigone had managed to gain control over her situation in the Capitol better than perhaps anyone else, she was too dangerous not to have on her side. Someone with such an innate knowledge of the games they played would be invaluable.

….

By now, Chloe was worried. She had noticed odd little things about Coral's behaviour before. She couldn't focus the same way in conversations, and she was forgetting events or conversations that had only just happened. When she asked Coral, she either froze or became adamant that nothing was wrong, and that Chloe was worrying unnecessarily.

But now, Coral had left to visit Mags' daughter's bar and to catch up with Dora. She should have been back before now and when Chloe called Dora, she realised that Coral had never arrived with them. Chloe was waiting at home, so someone was there if Coral returned. One of Mags' daughters had waited at the bar in case she did arrive. Song had remained with Chloe to try to ease her mentor's worry but everyone else was out looking for Coral.

Rowan had returned to search the Village once more and Chloe guided him to the places she used to hide with Coral when they were younger and their relationship new. But Coral was nowhere to be found. Mags' daughters kept checking in to see if she had returned and to confirm that they were still awaiting her arrival but to no avail.

It seemed like hours later when Dora called from a house over a mile from the bar to say she had found Coral. A kind couple who had seen her outside realised she was confused and took her in and provided Coral with a place to rest before thinking about guiding her back home.

Chloe was both relieved and distraught. All manner of thoughts of what could have happened to Coral had been racing through her mind and she was safe after all. But Coral must be distressed, and Chloe could no longer deny what she had been thinking. This was exactly what she had heard about people living with what they called dementia. She realised that these were similar signs to what Cecelia had spoken about when she first expressed her concerns about Woof.

They would have to see a doctor and Chloe knew Coral would resist. Rowan and Song promised Chloe they would help as nobody could ignore it now and pretend that nothing was happening. Coral listened to their guidance more than most and trusted them, so it was Chloe's best chance of getting through to her.

It was also the moment Chloe mentally cut loose her ties to the leadership of the rebel cause. She was not one to make rash decisions, but she knew that if her feelings persisted in the morning, she would make arrangements official with Finnick. The motions had been set in place during the previous Games and it would only push the official handover forward by a matter of months but now it was urgent.

She could not continue in leadership with a security risk living alongside her. It broke Chloe's heart to view Coral in such a way, but they could not take that risk. It was one of the first things Cecelia had done when she had the same realisations about Woof, and it was an entirely necessary measure. Coral would have to be shut out of any communications and Chloe knew how upset she would be.

It was also the start of the end of Chloe's hopes for their retirement together. The dynamic of their relationship would change, and Coral might forget who she was and the life they had lived together.

But the moment the door opened, and Noah and Dora guided in a very shaken Coral, Chloe's thoughts for the future did not matter. Coral was home safely, and she was upset. Resolving this would come first. Everything else would have to wait, until the next morning at least.

….

Liev had heard from Chloe, and he knew the same message would have been relayed to Beetee who would no doubt be distraught. But Liev was already tired, living alongside Johanna and Blight would have that effect on anybody his age. But now it was done. He was no longer one of their leaders and a weight had lifted.

The mantle had passed to Finnick, Halley and Poppy. This also gave Liev the excuse to officially hand over the running of his work in the district to Linden. His victor was more than ready for the responsibility and Liev had gone to Sawyer to confirm his position before they both went to show Linden the note they had received.

With Sawyer and Blight as their witnesses, Liev felt as if he transferred all his guilt and excess weight of responsibility to Linden as he passed on the leadership mantle. He hated to burden his victor, but he was strong enough to handle it. Linden already knew what Liev knew. He was well prepared but now the Village and the direction of their cross and interdistrict communications lie with Linden along with the most recent update Liev had provided about their preparedness for war.

Like Chloe in Four, Liev had done his job properly. Linden was inheriting systems in good working order. They knew who they had on their side, who could be trusted with what tasks and who was open to conversion or susceptible to blackmail. At Liev's request, Linden had already intercepted information regarding the next peacekeeper rotation and their military capabilities at each main barrack. It was then a matter of ensuring they could outnumber and outgun the peacekeepers at the right time. Seven remained under no illusions that they could somehow avoid a war.

It would be time for Fern to step up in her role too. They all knew she could be trusted. Her brother remained a wildcard, but Fern's loyalties were with Linden over her troublesome sibling. She quickly understood her position as a victor and had self-preservation instincts that would continue to serve her well. Liev believed that she could become Linden's successor if things took that long to put in place once more.

He desperately hoped they would not but his hope of seeing the better days to come was fast fading. He had entered his eighties and his body had slowed to a pace he was entirely unfamiliar with. Now he knew he was to see the life and love fade from Chloe as Coral declined. Chloe was a friend he loved more than almost anyone else. She had been there for him from the very start, and he was able to provide the reassurance she needed. Now he would need to support her once more.

Liev understood why she had acted as swiftly as she had. She remained steadfast in her loyalty to their cause but at the stage they had reached in life, there were relationships they wanted to preserve for as long as they could. He had known for as long as Chloe had herself that Coral meant everything to her, and that Chloe relied on Coral's confidence. Now Coral would rely on Chloe in a different way entirely and Liev knew that ensuring Chloe could have a friend to rely on as her world changed was one of the most important things to him. Everything else was under control and even though he could not be physically present in Four, Liev felt his priorities shift. Linden would need him at first and Liev would support, but it would be Chloe who needed his loyalty more than anything else.