New kind of victory.

[etcircenses]

Who| Everyone on the District Tours.
What| The Celebration dinners for all the Districts.
Where| Specified in thread.
When| The second night they are there.
Warnings/Notes| Find your district below. Leave any questions here. And please add any needed warning into your subject line when appropriate.

Comments

[splendid_roman]

At this party Ian had quite a bit of interest from the women. Despite repeatedly telling them he didn't dance, they still insisted. Of course it turned out they just wanted to ask him about his feelings for other female tributes. Although he deflected their questions, he was still feeling a little put upon and glad to have an excuse when he made eye contact with Maximus.

"You're doing better than I am at getting out of dancing," Ian commented.

[gluteus]

Maximus offered a small amused, but sympathetic, smile.

"They can taste blood in the water," He teased in a low voice. "You let them dance with you once. It will be impossible to resist them, now."

[splendid_roman]

Ian chuckled. "I think you're right there." Even now one of them waved at him. Ian turned more to face Maximus and pretended he hadn't seen her. "It seemed easier than resisting at the time."

[gluteus]

Maximus chuckled lowly. "Well, as long as you've learned your lesson now, it will stay with you," He pointed out.

"Are you saying you don't appreciate the attention?" He teased, raising an eyebrow.

[splendid_roman]

Ian shook his head, but smiled. "I generally find that a little goes a long way. And," he added with a shudder, "all they want to do is gossip."

[gluteus]

Maximus chuckled again, reaching out to pat Ian sympathetically on the shoulder.

"Some things never change," He said, offering him an honest smile in return. "But these are not the politicians of the capitol, my friend. Their gossip, at least, does not contain hidden barbs. It is mere curiosity." He paused, and then added with a knowing look, "And perhaps idol worship."

[splendid_roman]

Ian made a face. "I could live without the worship." Although technically that wasn't true in the arena, where sponsors could be the difference between life and death. Metaphorically, though, he could definitely live without it.

"I still don't feel like I can speak my mind with these people. But then I suppose they've never known any different to this."

[gluteus]

"How many men can a man truly speak his mind to, even at home?" Maximus asked carefully.

"They aren't meant to be your friends. We are merely ideas to them, not people."

[splendid_roman]

This wasn't the place to talk about the free speech they had in England. Although even then there were some things that would lose you friends, even if it came with no other penalty.

"I suppose so." They did act like they wanted to be Ian's friends, but he had to admit Maximus was right. They just wanted to get close to him. For his fame or something, no doubt. Ian had never had any desires to be a celebrity.

"Only other tributes really understand what it's like to be us."

[gluteus]

Maximus couldn't help it, and chuckled lowly.

"Is that not always the nature of man?" He asked, good naturedly, and gave Ian a good pat on the back.

"Perhaps a drink will help."

[splendid_roman]

"A drink always helps," he said, chuckling. "Would you like one, while I'm there?"

[gluteus]

Maximus smiled and nodded. "Wine, if they have it. If not--"

He gave a shrug.

[splendid_roman]

Ian nodded. "I'll see what they've got."

He almost got as far as the drinks when one of the women he'd been forced to promise a dance to cornered him and pulled him onto the dance floor. He looked back at Maximums with a sympathetic expression, and told himself he'd get those drinks after this dance. If he could just get away from the women again...