Songs & Seas | Hunger Games

XI.

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AFTER THE REVIEW OF HER GAMES, Maria is whisked to the president's mansion for the Victory Banquet, where she has very little time to eat as Capitol officials and particularly generous sponsors elbow one another out of the way as they try to get their picture with her. Face after beaming face flashes by, becoming increasingly intoxicated as the evening wears on. Occasionally, she'll catch glimpses of Rhett, which is reassuring. Luckily they didn't need to stay long as they had to get their train.

Maria barely has time to say goodbye before she's put in a car with blackened windows that drives her to the train station. She'll be back in a few months when she tours the districts for a round of victory ceremonies. It's the Capitol's way of reminding people that the Hunger Games never really go away. Like always she'll be given a lot of useless plaques, and everyone will have to pretend they love her.

The train begins moving and they're plunged into the night. Maria takes what feels like her first free breath since the reaping. Devina is accompanying her back as well as Rhett and Cecelia. They eat an enormous dinner and settle into silence in front of the television to watch a replay of the interview.

With the Capitol growing farther away every second, Maria begins to think of home. Of her house and her grandmother. Of Rylie and Caroline. She excuses herself to change out of her dress and into a plain shirt and pants. As she slowly, and thoroughly washes the makeup from her face and takes her hair down, she sees a piece of herself again.

Late that night Maria was curled up in a ball on a chair while Rhett and the other adults spoke to one another. She slept better with people around her. People she knew would watch out while she rested. She stirred a little when she felt someone pick her up but upon squinting open her eyes she realized it was Rhett. He smelled of coffee and cigarettes and it was oddly comforting. He placed her gently in her bed bringing the covers over her shoulder.

Maria wakes the next morning to someone pushing at her shoulder. Groggily she sits up to see Rhett standing at the side of her bed.

"Gotta get dressed kiddo," he said gesturing to the clothes Devina had laid out on her bed. "We'll be arriving soon." With that, he left.

Maria sighed hopping off her bed to inspect the clothes that were chosen. There was a small note left on the tag with Nessa's signature. Thank god Devina wasn't the one picking out her outfit. She'd walk out looking like a peacock or a fruit bowl.

The dress that was chosen was a simple blue with a ruffled skirt and a sweetheart neckline. It was innocent and dainty. It was the image Nessa always opted for when picking her outfits. Walking out of the room in the dress the others looked at her with both pride and worry. Most of the pride was coming from Devina and the worry from Cecelia. Rhett looked a blend of both, she couldn't tell which was winning.

"Good," Devina clapped her hands excitedly. "Now, just sit down in this chair," she gestured to the dining room table which had many variations of makeup products, pallets, and brushes laid out on it. "And I'll do your makeup."

A terrified expression found its way onto Maria's face. Devina was currently sporting a vibrant purple dress that matched the eyeshadow and lipstick she had on. Luckily Ceceila must've noticed and quickly snatched the brush out of the escort's hand.

"No, no," Cecelia said shaking her head. "I'll do it."

Devina made a huffing noise but walked off. Cecelia smiled down at the young girl before taking the seat directly in front of her.

"We haven't really gotten the chance to talk you and I," Cecelia spoke as she began to lightly apply the power to Maria's face. "It wasn't too long ago that I won my games. So if you need anything, advice or you just wanna talk. I'm here."