Victory Tours were always such a hassle. Everyone had to be there. Everyone had to look good. Everyone had to smile. Nathan's face was a neutral mask as he walked down the road to Steele's palace, bright lights already flashing everywhere as he took it all in. The 74th Hungergames had ended well, the whole Capitol happy that they had gotten another week of entertainment off of the deaths of twenty three children. Now, half a year later, the Victory tour had ended as well and everyone had to come together again. Nathan was wearing a strange suit made with the pattern of leaves, but at least it covered most of his skin as he had almost reached the palace.
Emma had gone off somewhere, and Nathan had scowled before he realised that he was supposed to look happy. He usually didn't mind, but that was when his older sister was with him. Finally, people starting to stream around him as he reached the crowds and now a small, genuine tilt of the lips was on Nathan's lips. He didn't hate the people of the Capitol. It was like they were strange birds that had no idea how ridiculous they looked because they all looked the same in their extreme clothes. Compared to what some of the men were wearing, the victor was lucky. People had started to notice him and were talking to him, hoping to engage him in a conversation, but all he wanted was to see a familiar face. And just as he had politely declined someone's offer to sit at their table, he saw someone he knew very well.