The next day I start getting ready for my interviews and victory tours all the way back to the capital. Normally we couldn't get married but thanks to Author-san he made an exception. His reasoning is because I'm his MC. And if we're old enough to be sent as "sacrifices" we're old enough to do other shit as well. I gotta say I look damn good if I do say so myself the SSS (super soldier serum) is a beautiful invention. If only it worked on brain functions like mental fortitude so I wouldn't be mentally exhausted but that may be because of my age.
I was shaken out of my thoughts as I walked into my living room and met my stylists. Getting me camera ready for my quick interview before the tour.
Right before we all go outside I stopped everyone, and thanked them for their hard work and asked for someone to keep track of time. I told the family to just stay inside and watch the broadcast instead because I didn't want the capital to take notice of Katniss too early and they agreed.
I had secretly kept track of inconsequential figures of a small resistance to the capital I warned them all to just wait till the time is right and almost exposed everything we were trying to do. So when the interview was going on I had father in law give Effie a letter in secrecy.
"Here he is folks our one and only Prince of Games!" Says Cesar with hard to match enthusiasm as I wave to the cameras.
"Hello everyone!" I reply trying to match his enthusiasm. "I apologize for the abrupt departure from the capital but I had to come home." I said with a big smile.
"Well that's ok Orion. We understand but tell us how are things going there how are you?" He asks with a mischievous tone.
I laughed hard and raised my hand and showed off my ring. "Scandalous, Cesar! Scandalous!" I said with a genuine smile. The crowd just like him gasped in astonishment.
"That's right folks gasp you should!" I stated laughing. "I apologize to all the young ladies that may have had their eyes on me but I am taken now so please forgive me. And it's to the family that took me in. I fell in love with her. And as soon as I woke up from mental exhaustion I talked to both my mother and my father in law. I had earned their respect. As I'm sure you know the rest I won't bore you with the details but she said yes and now we are claimed." I finished with a smile of the happiest child to ever exist.
They applauded and gave me their congratulations and said their farewells. I told them I'd see them soon to just sit and wait patiently. Then the lights get cut and cameras are put away.
"Ok everyone get ready we move in 10 minutes." Effie exclaims cheerfully.
"Kat I'll be back soon I promise just please wait for me ok. Just like I miss you already I hope that you'll miss me just as much if not more." I said voice almost cracking with emotion. Then kissed her cheek where her lips end. She blushes madly. My in laws all hug me wish me luck on the trip to be safe. Told them I'd bring gifts from every district if I can. Then we leave on the train. They stayed home as I didn't want the capital to take notice of them quite yet.
"Ok so we are arriving at D11. He's the one that you eliminated with complete silence and precision throws with the knives." Haymitch sober enough to make coherent sentences.
"So you're not drowning yourself as fast as normal that's quite a surprise." I stated as I was reviewing the speech Effie made me.
He just scoffs at my comment as he dropped all his weight on to the couch across from me while pouring himself a light brown drink which I guess was brandy from the smell.
"Effie I'm sorry for the trouble I like the speech but it's too emotionally devoid of the Districts tributes life. Instead of talking about their lives or sacrifice…" I paused making sure I caught her attention. "Generalize it to there shared dreams with me being a survivor and not a victor. The capital loves victors but the districts will sympathize with survivors. We don't want to sow division. The only reason we have these games is so that the people have hope in some way. That's why we don't just take 24 random people and execute them. They feed us bs but in away give us a form of hope. Not for glory or peace but control. To keep us divided and hate other districts for killing their loved ones but if we show that we are all survivors the same as them, it'll subtly affect everyone. We change the narrative. Eventually a full scale revolution will happen it's just a matter of time I'm just trying to delay it as much as possible." I finished my thoughts impressing them at my own thoughts and wants.
"That letter my father in law gave you. I want you to give it to President Snow. It's my way of making a deal with him." I stated as I pulled two wax sealed letters. And give these to him as well. Both said Snow on it with a symbol of his white roses. One letter said now on the envelope and the other said 74th HG parade night on it.
"Don't open them just make sure he gets them. Ever since I could remember I had dreams of a revolution. And if they're true he'll see it in those letters. If not then he could discard them. It won't matter in the end. But if they're true he'll try to meet with me in secrecy if that happens I'll buy your safety Effie." I stated seriously as I stared compassionately into her eyes.
"Haymitch until the 75th games I need you to start making better decisions and connections. This revolution will happen with or without your help let alone support. It's your choice to help the next sacrifices until then." I stated coldly as I watched Effie adjust the speeches for the districts. "We have a few years left to prepare for everything. Because they'll want to kill the one the districts used as a symbol and rally around them. So in the 75th games for the quarter quell they'll have the reaping from the past victor tributes. So from now on we must train our district's people. During that time I'm going to volunteer again. I'll stay with our district's female victor." I stated firmly. This next year will be hard from my dream I think the winner will be D7 Johana Mason. But not sure on the details. I remember her being strong. An advanced axe wielder. If my dream comes true then you'll know it's real and if it doesn't happen then we can relax." I told them my "vision of the future." Which wasn't a total lie. It was a vision from the movies.
"Well even if what you say is true. How do you think Snow would handle this?" He asks as he pours himself another drink.
"I don't know nor do I care. I can only help from preventing more loss of life. I'm not all knowing of when and where things happen just know that it will happen. Not the details. And even then nothing is certain. The future is always in motion. What I saw was one of many paths this world will take not for certain it will go that way." I stated like it didn't really matter. I had the system and shop that can help protect me and my family everyone else be damned.
Effie chirps back in and hands me the speech as I review it. I liked it a bit more. So I committed to memorizing it. I don't want to be reading off a card as I look at every person assembled in the square.
"I hope you like this better Orion. It's simpler and should be what you'd like." She says with enthusiasm and anticipation.
"It's perfect for now Effie. You're the only one I can trust with my speeches because you have gone through the districts many times. I haven't so I'm counting on you more than you can imagine." I replied to her without breaking my focus. "We can't take the "love" of the capital away from our speeches but we can't be devoid of each district's values either it's a complex and taxing situation and it's something only you on our team can try to do without hindering the current status quo." I remarked my honest thoughts making Effie beam in surprise and pride that someone actually needs her experience and expertise at something. Haymitch even more impressed as he was filling his glass with water which surprised me a bit.
"So how is it that a 12 year old like you able to be that profound in knife throwing and accurate with it enough to come out on top?" He asks curiously but not expecting anything.
"My father before he died of lung poisoning in the mines taught me. Along with my mother. They left me training manuals and a few things. Said they were from times before the uprising. Told me to memorize everything and burn them. And only to make them if I'm on my death bed." I said nonchalantly already prepared this story long ago to keep people from delving deeper into my past.
He sighs and nods his head. He pours some more water but this time in two glasses and hands me one. I take it and start drinking without thinking as I study the speech but then quickly spit out everything and start coughing up a storm!
"Gods damn you Haymitch!" I exclaimed loudly.
Haymitch just laughs as Effie looks on in horror as if I had killed her pet or something.
"I thought you may like a drink kid with all the heavy duty talk and all!" He states between laughs.
"What makes you think a 12 year old can drink let alone handle vodka?!!" I exclaimed a bit. A little disappointed at myself thinking he'd change right off the bat.
"Well to be honest I didn't but never hurts to find out right? Now you have a great story to tell others about your first drink!" He says in between laughs and chuckles.
"I suppose you're right Haymitch." I relented and got up went to the bar got some ice and poured myself a scotch. In my other life I've always drank scotch. Because I always thought it was a gentleman's drink. And slowly savored the drink as if I was a savant drinker of many decades. Which was true just not in this life.
"My father once told me: son when you have a drink like this you'd understand the weight behind each sip. But it's how you handle your demons that you can make better decisions." I quoted my second life's father.
"Haymitch I haven't been through what you have so I can't imagine your pain let alone your heartbreak. But please learn to forgive yourself. It wasn't their fault to be in that place. And it wasn't yours to come out on top. So please don't take their life for granted. make a grave for each one. Tell them your secrets, your dreams, and then ask for their forgiveness and their blessings. Then bury your demons with them. You won't know the answers to those questions or if you got their blessings until it's your time. So until then live. Not just for yourself but for them. Because it could have been one of them instead of you. So don't feel bad about it. It was and still is an impossible situation and it will keep going for a long time. We're only human. Not gods. We survived yes. But out of luck or skill is only at the flip of a coin. And we landed on top when others could have. Like I said before the only thing that is certain in this life after you come into it is death. It comes for everyone and everything. Without question and without lies. Only thing is when and how you greet it." I finished my impromptu speech and stumbled to my room because my tiny body was already buzzed after the vodka and scotch I drank.
I left Effie and Haymitch alone with their thoughts.
The next morning we reached D11 did my speech had a small gathering party I got some unique ideas from some of the locals about gardening and I gave them helpful mining ideas. We had a bit of a joyous time the locals respected me from the looks they gave me. They gave me some souvenirs. Same thing happened throughout all the districts.
Effie, Haymitch and I grew a bit closer together. Effie gave me my letters back and said Snow would be at the place we'd be attending tonight so I may have the chance to meet him. As we showed up to the party in style. We mingled with everyone and had a few dances. Greeted Snow and subtly asked for a private chat. He gives me a nod and as everyone was leaving I was summoned.
"President Snow. Thank you for the time but isn't it quite late? We could have waited till another time you must be tired after dealing with the commoners after all." I stated in a carefree tone taking him by surprise from the expression he gave.
"Well now this is a unique surprise. I didn't think a child of your caliber would speak in this manner let alone to me." He stated with the same tone.
"I get the impression that you don't like to waste time so I refuse to waste any and all opportunities afforded to me no matter who it's from." I stated with a sincere smile as I pulled out two envelopes. "These are for you. I'm asking for trust." I stated bluntly.
He reaches for the envelopes with a questioning look.
"Since I was little I had weird dreams and as I got older they got more frequent and now I'm certain I was seeing different paths of the future." I finished not caring for his rebuke or anything he has to say.
"The first letter is for you to read the second is for later obviously from what it says. I've already killed six people in my district that I personally know and have proof of starting an uprising or revolt. I've givin the proof to our assigned peace keepers in the district. I'm sure you got the reports by now. Or as soon as it happened. I did it silently without witnesses and only the others that are in their plans will get the message to not mess around. Quick, quiet, and more importantly efficient." I stated bluntly because in all honesty he'll either kill me through manipulations, assassins, or another HG. But I'll out live him no matter what.
"So because of this you want me to do what exactly?" He asks a bit impressed but more out of curiosity.
"We have a hard life as you already know. I just ask you if I could not be sold off to men. And if you could let us hunt once a week. For food outside the wire. An animal of any kind we kill for every household. That's all I ask. And for your trust in me to kill anyone that wants to start an uprising. I don't care for their beliefs or opinions, because I live the same lives they do. They only difference is I got lucky. If they wanted a better life they could volunteered once in their lives and save the children but no they're cowards. They could come up with ideas, bring it forth, and possibly make a better life for themselves, but no they want to fight a wall with sticks and stones while we get bombed from hellfire. It's pathetic really."
"If I'm being honest neither side cares for the innocent bystanders. So no I'm not here for them. I'm here for the bystanders. They need to shut the fuck up deal with life the way they want to. If they want something better all they have to do is ask. Have they thought about how to make mines safer? No they haven't. Have they thought about how to make new things from coal? No they have not. Have they come up with anything new for the betterment of anyone? No they haven't. They bitch and complain about their lives."
"Yet do nothing but blame others for their own failures. The only thing I blame my parents for is not having me in the capital. Not for the whole reaping thing I'd do it either way because that's who I am." I finished my rant.
He looks at me in a new light understanding in his eyes as he contemplates what to do in the foreseeable future.
"If and I mean if I do allow this to happen how can we make sure that they stay…docile?" He asks.
"Oh that's easy just send a decree and take credit for the idea." I stated like it was a simple thing. "People are like sheep and you have to find the right way to herd them." I finished my example leaving my analogy to him to imagine whatever he wants and he nods agreeing to my point.
"The next hunger games I think will be won by D7 I don't know the details but let it play out. If I'm right then we keep going and then the night of the 74th HG parade read that letter. If you need me let me know. I'll try to keep my district in check if I can't I'll tell the peace keepers to send you a word. 'White Rose.' Will be that word. It means I give up and no longer care. Because they refuse to listen to me let alone trust me. So they can deal with the consequences for themselves. They should remember their place. Only the strong and capable can and will change their destinies. I just ask for you to trust me for the mean time. Well trust is a strong word let's say mutual understanding. Yes that seems to be a better fit. What do you say?" I finished.
He gives me an amused smile and nods. "You're not a normal child I'll give you that. I do agree with you to a point. Those that just wallow in despair just want to lash out at anyone who has a better life not wanting to put in the effort to make themselves a better life. I like how you took the initiative to handle certain situations without causing chaos. Your views are something a kin to mine." He holds the letters up. "I'll amuse you by reading the letters at the appropriate times. As for your other requests…" he paused to think. "You'll have your answer back home." He finishes.
I stand up and turn to leave but I stopped at the door and looked at him. "Sir thank you for letting me have the title "Prince of Games." I started. "I know it was you that I got to keep it. So I thank you. I mainly killed those idiots as away to thank you for it. Maybe we can't trust each other but at least we can coexist. I may volunteer for more games but I'll ask Effie if I can before hand to subtly ask your permission. But as of now." I paused and looked up at the ceiling. "I may have to do it on the 74th." I point to the letter. "In the second letter…if my dream comes true. Know that it's a request. One for the betterment of Panem. Not just me. Goodnight Lord Snow." I finished and nodded my head in respect. Then walked back to my room to sleep.
As I left President snow to think and contemplate about our conversation and what his next actions will be. He smirks in amusement at being called Lord Snow and likes it. "Cheeky little boy." He says in a whisper. He can't help but respect my outlook and way of thinking. Surprised that I only care about the innocent bystanders and not the "rebels" lives. And he was right.
Why not come up with ideas for the betterment of their homes and lives just like the boy has. Just like he had. He saw himself for a brief moment in that child and decided to see where it went. Not trust but not contempt either just. Being. A coexistence like he said. Then put the letters away then went to bed. While still lost in his thoughts and plans he just smiles all the way to his room.