f a m e {Rade VT}

The Capitol.

It's a wonderful place. Especially for Victors. They must love it here. Everyone loves them, everyone wants to be them, everyone wants to know the Victors. The Victors never seem interested in knowing us, though. But they're always smiling. Always an ear to ear grin smeared across their face which radiates happiness and thanks. They should be thankful, right? We made them famous. But I'm not entirely sure they're all thankful. Or even happy. They must be at least somewhat sad. They had friends in there. But still I've never seen one frown up on that stage.

That very same stage that Katelyn Persimmon stands on. She's talking. And smiling. Her words are so eloquent and her posture so perfect. You'd never be able to tell she was in the Games if we weren't at her Victory Tour. But there's something off about her. She seems a bit shaken. Is she nervous? Is she distracted? They may both be true. But I look closer, past her smile. Because her smile is what radiates happiness, her eyes don't. They don't look happy. Why aren't they happy? She's alive. She won and she's rich and famous. I can't tell what her eyes are saying, but I want to know.

I wait for her speech to be finished. Everyone applauds. I do a little bit, but I quickly weave and push and shove through the crowd to make it to her room. I wish they had a meet and greet afterwards, that would make it so much easier to befriend victors! As I finally break through the massive crowd of screaming people, I around and behind the building. The door knob turns. The door opens. I'm in. Wow, you'd think they'd have better security for Victors. I walk down a hallway or two, trying as best I can to look like I belong. Then I find her. I almost opened the door into her.

I jump back. A child-like awe quickly consumes me. She's here. It's a Victor. I saw her on TV and now she's standing in front of me. She doesn't look as fierce or vicious in person. Or maybe that's just because she's not the arena. But I realize that she won't stand there forever while I gawk at her, so I decide to say something.

"Hi!" I blurt out. "I'm Regulus Washington. I came to see if you needed any help with anything?"

I tried my best to sound like a manager or some sort of person that has authority regarding her stay in the Capitol. I've played a manager or two on TV, hopefully she buys it.