Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Where's the old man?" Aries asked after their heartfelt meal. Estella was still nibbling on sweets, occasionally nudging his shoulder so he'd pass her more since his side of the table had the bigger share. "Dennis is taking a nap. It's been an exhausting day," the only adult in the room answered.
On the muted television behind Iphigenia, a nightly round-up of coverage from the Reaping Ceremonies across Panem played. Twelve Districts, each selecting one unlucky boy and girl. A monstrous boy from District 2 appeared first, followed by a fox-faced girl from 6, and a boy with a crippled foot from 10. But the most haunting of all was a 12-year-old girl from District 11—brown-skinned with large, soulful eyes. Estella stared silently while Aries frowned at the screen, the image of the child clearly unsettling them both.
Then, footage from their own district—District 5—flashed across the screen. It showed Aries being selected and walking up without hesitation or resistance, his steps steady and proud. Then came Estella volunteering in Susan's place. Just as they thought the round-up was ending, District 12 came up on the screen—Katniss and Peeta.
Estella felt a strange sensation watching the girl, a gut feeling that she'd be trouble in the arena. Meanwhile, Aries's interest visibly piqued at the pair. They both knew District 12 wasn't to be underestimated—especially with a mentor who was not only a Victor but had a strong reputation in the Capitol.
"Is he going to tell us what to—" Estella started to ask about Dennis when the screen cut to their mentor's Capitol counterpart, Haymitch Abernathy, stumbling drunkenly across the stage. Before she could finish her question, Iphigenia cut in with something far more offensive than necessary:
"I'm thrilled you two have such decent manners! The pair last year ate everything with their hands—it completely upset my digestion."
Estella looked down at her empty plate, offended by the comment. Those kids had been starved and humiliated, yet Iphigenia disregarded their suffering for the sake of her "digestion." Aries, as usual, met it with bluntness. "Hungry people don't think much about manners," he said flatly. Iphigenia fell silent at the remark.
Estella chose not to involve herself further and continued chewing her sweets while keeping a trained eye on the rest of the Tributes being shown on the TV. "Checking out the competition, Estella?" Iphigenia asked, a trace of condescension in her voice. Estella glanced at the woman before turning to Aries and responding coolly, "Just the Careers."
"I'm afraid I don't know what that—" Iphigenia began, only to be cut off by Estella's soft but clearly sarcastic scoff, accompanied by a polite, fake smile. "The Tributes that are trained for the Games by their Districts."
"No Districts do that," Iphigenia said quickly, trying to brush it off as if the idea were absurd. But both Estella and Aries saw through her act immediately. They shared a knowing look before turning back to her with deadpan expressions that screamed 'Are you serious right now?' Iphigenia continued, clearly uncomfortable under their scrutiny. "That's just a rumor. Everyone knows District training is illegal."
