[Flowers] • The Hunger Games

Twelve

The central courtyard was a common gathering place to watch the games. It sat right between Panem's government office and President Snow's manor. It was a square of concreted flooring with artificial water fixtures and specifically planted trees and flowers that grew in planter boxes. The flowers were modified- they never died, never wilted. The trees bore sweetened fruit that would never rot or attract flies. Everything had to be perfect in the Capitol, down to the very last detail. 

It was lively. People talking, celebrating. Watching the games on screens that hung high above on the sides of buildings. Night drew near in the arena. But it was barely afternoon in the rest of Panem.

Asteria felt like she'd stepped into another world. Mentors were free to roam the Capitol as they wished during the games. One of the few, few perks of being a mentor. Which also came with a downside- no one was looking out for her. Haymitch wasn't here, Effie wasn't here. She was on her own.

Those kids depended on her. Maybe Madge more than Gale right now, but the tides could change in an instant.

She could pick out who the sponsors were in an instant. Everyone in the Capitol wore extravagant costumes- or, well, outfits as they called them. But the sponsors were the pinnacles. The most primped and pristine of all.

Asteria watched them for a moment. Gathering data like a machine. She watched how they interacted with one another. Men greeted each other with handshakes. Women greeted one another with smiles, or the occasional kiss on the cheek. A peculiar gesture, she thought. She guessed most of the sponsors would be male, and that their wives were the women who sat beside them. Absentmindedly paying just a little bit of attention towards their children who played in the square.

She watched their mannerisms. Their idiosyncrasies of engaging with conversation. People from the Capitol were touchy. Putting a hand on the other's shoulder if they'd told a good joke. Leaning in close to look at something, nearly on top of one another. On top of that, no matter what was said, they remained lighthearted and smiling. She couldn't say anything that would dampen the mood. That would ruin their chances.

"Excuse me, miss?" Asteria felt something tugging on the side of her dress. She looked down, where a boy- maybe 8 or so, stood. He wore a cute little hat and trousers, obviously a Capitol boy born and raised. "Why do you look so funny?" He asked her.

Asteria let out a small laugh. It was endearing to know that even here of all places, children would always still be children. Even if overly powdered and pampered.

She leaned down to him. She noticed a group of children all looking at her, too. She guessed they were a group of his friends.

"They ask you to come and ask me that?" She nodded over to the group of kids, still wearing a smile as the boy nodded.

"It was a dare." He explained.

She let out another laugh. She crouched down even more to be at his level, and she talked in a quieter tone.

"I happen to be a victor, young man. Things are a little different in the district I'm from." Asteria told him. His eyes widened, as he looked back at the group of his friends.

"Guys, guys! Come here!" He called to them. Asteria couldn't help but to giggle as the group all pushed each other forwards nervously. The boy who'd come up to her first looked back at her with such excitement. "Tell then what you just told me!" He smiled.

"Well, all of you." Asteria took a pause between phrases as she looked at each of them. "I'm from the districts. I'm not used to wearing the same kinds of clothes you all wear here in the Capitol." She explained, giving a warm smile.