"AND YOU'RE PERFECT." Theta said, dusting a shimmering powder over Haven's face. "You outdid yourself this time." The blonde smiled, thanking her stylist. "Anything for my best girl."

The blonde ran her hand along the skirt of her dress. The top closely hugged her form, and the golden layers of the skirt billowed out, catching the light. "You're going to look a million times more beautiful than any of the Capitol citizens tonight." Theta beamed. Haven smiled, Theta was one of the few people she actually liked in the Capitol, her stylist never felt artificial to her.

Theta ushered the Cleary girl outside, where a car was waiting for her, Pandora already sitting inside. "Good luck tonight." Theta winked as she shut the car door behind Haven.

"Oh! This is just so exciting. The Presidential palace." Pandora exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Haven fought the urge to roll her eyes, not wanting to be on the receiving end of a lecture from Pandora.

The car slowed, pulling through the large gates of the palace, before stopping in front of a grand staircase. "Chin up, big smile! Anyone who's anyone is here tonight and they're all here to see you." Pandora chirped.

"Great. A bunch of selfish Capitol puppets want to meet me." Haven thought to herself, dreading the night ahead.

The Cleary girl was instantly overwhelmed as they crossed the threshold of the party. Music boomed, hundreds of colorful people stood waiting, and fireworks exploded in the sky. The scene was unlike anything she'd ever witnessed.

A fanfare of drums ensued, stopping as a spotlight was cast on a balcony above. President Snow stepped out, holding a glass in one of his pale, veiny hands. "Good evening. Tonight is a very special occasion, as we celebrate our Victor, Haven Cleary, on the final night of her Victory Tour. Ms. Cleary embodies the strength and valor of what it means to be a Victor, and we wish her the best. And I wish you all a wonderful evening." Haven shivered, it never got easier hearing his slithering voice in person.

"Oh dearie! Come come, I have someone I want you to meet." Pandora beckoned, leading Haven inside. "This is Head Gamemaker, Phineas Leonard." Haven looked over at the plump, short man with grey hair standing next to Pandora.

Phineas smiled, setting his drink down. "Ms. Cleary. It's a pleasure to officially meet you." He said, shaking the girl's hand. "The pleasure is all mine." Haven said, lying through her teeth. The man who was responsible for torturing her and killing her friends wasn't exactly high on the list of people she wanted to meet.

"If you'll excuse me, I'm going to get something to drink." Haven walked away before either of them could object, heading straight for the bar. She asked the bartender for a glass of water, her head spinning from the overstimulation.

"Water? Really? Liven up a little sweetheart." Haven turned in the direction of the voice, making eye contact with a middle aged man with scruffy blonde hair and a beard. The man took a long swig of his drink before speaking up again. "I don't believe we've met. Haymitch Abernathy, District 12."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Haven-" Haymitch waved his hand, cutting her off. "Yeah, yeah. Anyone in Panem whose not blind and deaf knows who you are sweetie." Haven chuckled at the man's drunken demeanor.

"Bartender! Get blondie over here a martini." He called, and the bartender set down a crystal glass in front of Haven. "Am I allowed to drink this? You're supposed to be 18." She questioned. "You're a Victor. Nobody is going to tell you no. And why would you pass up free booze." Haymitch said, finishing his drink.

"Have a nice night. Loosen up, have some fun. And finish that drink!" Haymitch called over his shoulder as he drunkenly stumbled away.

Haven took a sip of the drink, the liquid initially burning her throat. She continued to sip it, the burning sensation eventually going away; Haven finished the drink, setting the glass on a nearby table.

The girl felt a tap on her shoulder, and she jumped, whipping her head around, finding Finnick smirking at her. "Wimp." He teased. "Maybe if you stopped sneaking up on me like that." She responded. "I would. Except it's too much fun." He laughed, Haven flicking him on the arm.

"Isn't this party just delightful! So exquisite." Finnick said in a mock Capitol accent. "Oh it's simply divine!" Haven responded in a similar accent.

Finnick let out a laugh. "Let's see if we can try every food here. C'mon Hav." Finnick said, pulling the girl over to the buffet tables. Haven giggled, nodding her head.

The pair stuffed their mouths with every food imaginable, from flaky pastries, to savory meats, creamy cheeses, and everything in between. "We only made it through two tables and I'm so stuffed I can barely move." Haven groaned, sitting on a nearby bench next to Finnick. "I don't think I'll need to eat for another week after this." Finnick said, loosening his tie.

"Care to dance?" Finnick asked. "Sure. But only if you don't mind me stepping on your feet." They walked onto the dance floor. Finnick grasped one of her hands in his, placing the other on the small of her back, Haven doing the same.

The pair moved along with the music, Finnick groaning each time Haven stepped on his toes in her heels. "Damn Cleary, you're awful at this. A blind cow could do better than you." He teased. "Hey! I warned you. You got yourself into this one Fin."

A few songs passed, when Haven saw a familiar face out of the corner of her eye. The rest of her mentors stood there, all dressed in elegant gowns and suits. "Can I cut in?" Collin asked, Finnick obliging. "Careful, she'll multilate your feet." He said. "Oh, shut up Odair." She called over her shoulder.

"Having fun princess?" Collin asked. "Yes, once the Capitol leeches left me alone." She whispered, so none of them would overhear. "Ah, yes. They can be quite annoying. Correction, extremely annoying." He grinned, Haven laughing.

Mallory led the group off the dance floor a couple minutes later, taking them out onto a balcony overlooking the garden. An Avox came by, handing each of them a flute of champagne.

Haven's mind flashed back to the night before her games, when she and Spencer stood around with their mentors, as they gave a toast. She remembered in that moment all she wanted was to make it back to those people who had become her second family. A smile spread across Haven's lips, for once something she'd wished for had come true.

"I think I speak for all of us when I saw I'm extremely proud of you. I know this tour was difficult for you, but you got through it gracefully." Mallory said.

"To Haven!" Sebastian called, everyone raising their glasses, and gulping down their drinks.

// author's note
so i literally had to write this chapter twice because i'm dumb and accidentally deleted it the first time. anyways this chapter was fun to write even though i had to do it twice :)
thank you SO much for reading! this story is now #2 in district4 AND #12 in katnisseverdeen. crazyyy i literally didn't think anyone would read it.
feel free to leave some comments (they make my day) or vote!
- a <3
ps: this was the inspo for haven's dress!