The Price of Champions and Crowns (Hunger Games)

5

Don't cry..

Don't cry...

Don't cry...

...Fuck that's a lot of toes,

....fluffy dress. Don't eat it...

Don't cry...

I was blinded by his teeth. Caesar's teeth was all I could focus on. So white and bright. It should alarm me that his teeth are moving and therefore he's talking. Is he asking me something?.

I heard laughter from the rainbow like crowd. Along with a distant rining in my ears. However, I knew the ringing was only in my head as if I was coming to after a dream. No a nightmare. But what had been so horrible...?

I winced and shielded my hand infront of my eyes as if that would help with the pain that Cesar's teeth caused. He smiled and waved out to the crowed. "....ah and lets dim the lights. Is that better, my Dear?".

Abernathy's voice entered my head. Answer all questions and only talk when asked a question. Alright Victoria, focus. I nodded numbly. Caesar smiled encouragingly at me and indicated to the couch behind me. I tried to hide my shock, when the hell did that get there?!?

Never the less, I sat and took in everything. I'm sitting on a stage, I have no idea how I got here. Last thing I remembered is sitting in bed and shooting my arm up with morphine. I swallowed, some trip.

Focus!. I'm in a beautiful dress, I can tell by the weight of my skin that my prep-team have attacked me with makeup. I wiggled my toes and frowned...no shoes. Okay, so that's different. I wonder what the story behind that is?. I could feel myself sobering up and as I did so the more I started to freak out. Mainly because I'm not in a hospital and on a stage with Caesar Flickerman.

How long have I been in Lala land? A day, weeks or months?. I closed my eyes and exhaled just as Caesar sat across from me.

His cat like grin did nothing to ease me as he gave me a knowing look. "What a Games. The Quarter Quell!. Why, we've never seen anything like it. The Arena, the celebrities, the violence and...". He winked into the crowd. "...most improtantly the love".

I took a shaky breath as the crowd cheered, what for? I have no idea. But now, as I could feel the effects of morphine wearing off I'd finally put together what this is. The recap and interview with the winner of the one hundreth hunger games. One thought raced through my mind, I can't do this is. I'm not ready, not ready to see images of him and comment on it. I'll never be ready.

 Caesar jumped in his seat and grinned at me. "Now, Victoria I've said it before and you know me, I'll say it again. You've always been one of my absolute favourites."

Screams from the crowd while I blushed to keep up that modest act from my previous interview. His teeth were so startling white that it was too hard to look away from him. "I think its a true testiment to you, Victoria. Before we recap the games I, along with Presidant Snow have arranged something very special. Are you ready...?". He didn't even wait for my to reply before turning to the crowd. "Panem are you ready?".

The screams were defening and I cringed back with a smile. Caesar laughed and pointed to the screen behind me. I turned around slightly and gasped. It was me. Well, a version of me. It was a clip from my first ever interview. I looked to be about three, couldn't be older than that. The crowd awwwwed and I watched it.

Little me toddled towards Ceasar. I was in the grand foyer of Johanna's masion. Bottom floor of course. I had drawn him a picture and beamed at him when he pointed to a scribble and asked if it was him. Then I giggled, in the way innocent little children do. Head full of chestnut curls and big hopeful blue eyes. Hard to believe the child on the screen had never once been hugged. Yet, I still smiled so bright. When had I stopped smiling like that?..age five?..