Through A Mentor's View

Chapter 2 - Meeting the Tributes

Livia liked the attention she received during dinner that afternoon. As they got served a luxurious meal combined with wine and other alcoholic specialities, her father spoke up.

"District 1, and then even the boy, that's fantastic news. The prize is as good as yours, darling." he said, slowly cutting his steak. "He better listens to you. District 1 is more promising than any of the outer districts but" he shrugged and refilled his glass, "none of them has manners. I'm just glad you're not stuck with a district like 8 or 12. I spoke with Mr. Vickers and he has high hopes in Lysistrata's tribute."

Livia looked up, "The male tributes from 11 and 12 look very promising, father."

"This shouldn't even cross your mind, Livia" he said sharply, "Your tribute has to win. And you know I'm not like Strabo Plinth and can buy you into the Academy and beyond."

"If she doesn't win, there's always a job for her at the bank." Livia's mother said, smiling warmly at her. Livia cringed. She didn't want to work at a bank. She wanted to work as something important, yes, but not in a bank. In fact she'd planned to continue her studies and then take a path into either the travel industry or helping in the Capitol's economy. 

"She's a Cardew" her father said, "and us Cardews don't give up easily. So Livia - what do you know about your tribute? Can he fight? Any previous training?"

Livia played with the food on her plate. "We don't meet them til tomorrow, Dean Highbottom said. But Facet wore an uniform so I'd like to think that he's more wealthy and has some experience-"

Her father laughed into her face. "Livia, darling. You don't need to remember his name." he said, rubbing her cheek. "He's your tribute but that's about it. He's just your ticket. Your ticket to the Plinth prize. Or do you think that any of your classmates care about their tributes?"

Livia didn't reply. Some of her classmates clearly cared about their tributes already. Lysistrata was the prime example - not that this came as a surprise as Lysistrata was a very kind soul. The same goes to Diana Ring who already vowed to not give up on her tribute already. You couldn't compare them to someone like Arachne who seemed to have zero sympathy or interest in the districts and its inhabitants - despite she regularly visited the districts during her parents' time in the travel industry. 

"I know father but Dean Highbottom said we need to turn these tributes into spectacles. And therefore it's important to know them, at least their name. The audience wants to bond with these kids to have someone to cheer on." Livia then argumented. "I know I can make Facet special and memorable but he has to trust me. And therefore I'm gonna start by knowing his name."

"If you say so." her father shrugged, focusing back on his meal. "The Cranes invited us for dinner tomorrow. They probably know Arachne's tribute doesn't stand a chance so they at least want someone in their house who does stand a chance."

Having heard enough, Livia excused herself from the dinner table. She went to her room, thanking the maid upon seeing that she'd been tidying her room. After closing the door, Livia got a notebook out of her bag and began to think about ways to make Facet memorable. 

_

As Livia arrived at the Academy the next morning, dressed in her uniform and with her hair styled so the tributes could see that she was part of the Capitol elite, she noticed a large note on the students board. Most of her classmates - now all mentors - had formed a circle around it, reading it down. 

10th Hunger Games - Mentor Assignments

DISTRICT 1

Boy (Facet) - Livia Cardew 

Girl (Velvereen) - Palmyra Monty