act one , chapter two ...
sea of unfortunately known faces !

( now playing ... gold dust
woman ─ fleetwood mac ! )

── ✧ ──

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT CLYDE WOULD BE in the face of the public for nearly twenty years. Did that make him anxious? Yes. But he deserved to finally have a chance to have somewhat of a normal life again. Although this was never normal. The Victory Tour was happening, and he's heard the news of two District 12 winners Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. He saw hope in them. Hope for the Hunger games to be finally over. But as of now, one of the last things of the Victory Tour that happens is the famous President Palace Party that happens. With him and his daughter Tabitha being mentors, they both had to go. His daughter didn't seem too enthusiastic, considering she's gone through this at the games she won prior. But it was bound to happen again sometime.

Clyde heard the heels against the wooden floor of the cabin-like house that he lived in. He didn't bother to turn around, already that it was Tabitha roaming around, possibly trying to find something that she lost. He could even hear the staggering of the walk. Tabitha must've tripped, but caught her balance. Because he didn't hear her hit the floor. Five years worth of wearing heels and his daughter still barely knew how to talk in them. He finds it a little bit funny.

Tabitha Mulaney, known as Tabby to most, was a bright, yet vicious young woman. Freshly nineteen, she now stands next to the door of her father's somewhat bedroom in their home. She wasn't dressed very Capitol like. She wasn't wearing a dress. A royal blue pantsuit with only a little bit of spark to it. The pants flared, covering the first half of the sea green boots that she was wearing. A dark blue bowler hat was placed on her head. It complimented her hairstyle. She looked dapper. She looked like she was from an era that was older. It was just her preferred style for events such as this one.

Tabby gently knocks on the opened door to Clyde's room. It makes Clyde stop trying to tie his tie. He glanced behind him, before fully turning around to see his daughter. A warm smile appears on his face when seeing her.

"Hey."

"Hey," Tabby says back, "How do I look?"

"A little too much like me," Clyde replies back, a chuckle escaping his lips, "That aside, You look beautiful."

It makes Tabby smile. "I wouldn't wanna look like anyone else," She says back to her father, before finally walking into the room.

Clyde finishes tying the tie that he had been struggling with for what seemed like forever. That was just how he was. A perfectionist. Tabby knew it wasn't his fault. With a family like his, as well as the expectations of The Capitol, he didn't want to mess anything up. Tabby, however, didn't care about messing things up. She wanted The Capitol to burn down to the ground if she could help it.

"How do I look?" Clyde mocked. It makes Tabby giggle.

"Skittish," She joked, before she actually fixed her father's tie, "You look great, Dad. Just nervous."

"Well, I can't really help that," Clyde says back.

Clyde looked down at Tabby. could read his daughter's face. He knew her too well. She was an open book with him, and he could tell that something was wrong. "What's the matter? You look like you're about to stab me."

This makes Tabby chuckle. She shakes her head. "It's. . . Nothing, Dad."

"Now, you know you can't say that to me," Clyde tells her, sitting down on the bed that he sleeps on, "It's all over your face."

He pats the spot next to him, and Tabby eventually sits next to him. She tries not to pick at the nail polish that she had just done for the party. She felt awkward, mostly because she had told her father that it was fine being a co-mentor. And it still was okay. But it bothered her, knowing that she had to still be involved in the games in some way. She was worried about her father.

"You promised you would do this with me," Clyde told her.

"I know, Dad. It's not the mentoring that I'm worried about, though," Tabby explained to him, "I'm worried about you."

Clyde's face softened, as if it could do any more of that. Unfortunately, Tabby was not the first one to tell him that. Effie was definitely worried, and it was definitely rubbing off on his daughter.

"I'll be okay," Clyde reassures, "It's only a party. What can go wrong?"

"Absolutely everything," Tabitha muttered.

"Now don't speak like that."

"Come on. It's The Capitol. They will do anything in their power to screw things up for people who can see right through them," Tabby explains, fully turning to Clyde with now a worried expression on her face, "You're a potential target. You survived without winning."

"The Capitol will also see it as an opportunity," Clyde responds back.

"They'll either capitalize on it, or they'll kill you."

"They won't kill me if it brings them entertaining news," Her father tells her, "They'll find it worth telling. You know this. I taught you better."

Her father was unfortunately right. Because she was silent afterward. She never liked to tell him that, but Clyde knew that she didn't have another argument to counter with. An agitated sigh escapes from his daughter's lips as she crosses her arms, looking back at Clyde.

"Uh-huh. You know I'm right," Clyde teases, gently nudging Tabby, which makes her smile again.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Tabby replies with a giggle before standing up off the bed. She turns to her father, "I have to go. I have to meet Mags and Finnick at the station."

"Okay," he says quietly. He then stands up not too long after she does. Clyde gives his daughter a hug, "I will see you later."

"Love you, Dad."

Clyde gave another smile, before kissing her forehead, "Love you too, kiddo," He says back, "Also, you might wanna put pins on that hat so it stays on your head."

Tabby chuckles, "I will do that."

It's the last thing she says to her father before she goes to put the pins in her hair to keep the hat from falling. Once she does that, she makes her way to the train stations. She's a bit early, but she needed to be so that the tributes could meet her. It was now almost dark, she slightly paced in her block-heeled boots, waiting for them to
arrive.

The pins started to hurt her head. Or what pain she was thought to have while having them in her hair. They were oddly aggravating, but she did not want to take them down, nor hold her hat for the rest of the night if she didn't need to. Hands were now in her pocket as she was still slightly pacing around. It was more as if she were walking in a tiny circle. Tabby wasn't the one that had any patience at all, and she doubted her position as junior mentor because of that. She's looking at the ground until a voice speaks up.

"Since when did victors escort other victors?"

Tabby looks up. She knew that voice. She knew the smile and the dusty blonde hair, too. Finnick Odair, youngest victor of the 65th games. He was charming, a little bit cocky, but he felt a little bit like an older brother nonetheless. She crosses her arms, looking at him and Mags as they walk up to her.

"Since today," Tabby answers, "I would love for you to show some respect, considering I'm also your co-mentor."

"Co-mentor?" Finnick asks, "They couldn't even upgrade you to mentor? That's a little embarrassing."

"The more you speak, the more I wanna shove a fishing hook down your throat," Tabby shoots back, she then smiles at Mags, who had given a smile to her prior, "At least Mags believes in me."

Tabby gave a smile back to the woman, before finally facing Finnick again, "Well, come on, you two. They're probably waiting for us at the Palace," She tells them, before leading them into the train.

All three of them are now sitting on the train on their way to the Presidential Palace. This was the worst part of the Victory Tour. She remembered her last one all too well. Maybe it was why she was sitting there, deep in thought. And she was quiet, which didn't really help Mags and Finnick any. Finnick knew something was up. And although it didn't make him nervous, it made him suspicious.

Tabby can feel his pair of eyes staring at her. It makes her glance up at the older male that was seated across from her. "What?"

Finnick shook his head. "Nothin'," He answered, giving a slight shrug, "Other than the fact that you look like you've seen a ghost."

Tabby then looks at Mags, in which she nods in agreement. She looks back down, tempted to pick at the nail polish that was on her fingers, but instead messes with the ring that she was wearing. She shakes her head, looking at Finnick. "Well, I haven't."

"Your facial expressions don't really lie, Tabby, and you are a terrible liar," Finnick states, "Which is why you barely got any sponsors."

"God, Finnick, when are you gonna shut up? Have you ever heard the saying, 'Talk less, smile more?'" Tabby asked irritably, "You should try it sometime. You would look prettier."

"What's up your ass, Tabby-Cat?"

"Nothing."

"Again. Terrible Liar," Finnick told her.

"You know what─"

Tabby then felt Mags put a hand on her shoulder. She looks at her, and the older woman shakes her head. A sigh escapes her lips before she looks back at Finnick.

"I'm not doing this with you today."

"You're saying that because you don't wanna make Mags upset."

"Do you?"

Finnick was quiet. It makes Tabby smile in amusement. "Didn't think so," She said back.

The train ride was fairly quiet after that. Tabby went back to looking at the window if she didn't have any other pointers to give at that moment. But what was she supposed to say. She was a mentor to Mags and Finnick. They both mentored her, as well as her own father teaching her some of her skill sets. It made her feel pretty insecure because she didn't think she was going to be as good at it as they were.

Fixing the pins in her hair again, the train had finally gotten to its destination. Tabby is the first one to stand up. Finnick and Mags right behind her. The three of them stepped off the train and the Palace was the first thing you saw. If it was one thing about the party that Tabby liked, it was the lighting that was outside of the palace. There was a line of people walking. Guests along the pathway. Most were talking, some on their way into the palace.

Tabby remained in front of them. The three of them already knowing how this worked. But, it couldn't hurt to give them a little reminder.

"Remember. Professional, do not say a word to tick them off. Everyone is watching. Per usual," Tabby tells them.

"That's not a good way to start a speech," Finnick replied.

"Talk less, Finnick. Smile more," Tabby told him, "Maybe there will be people that actually like you."

"Please, there are more than enough people that like me," Finnick teases.

It makes Tabby roll her eyes. If it weren't for this mentoring gig, she would have already went off on the twenty-four year old. They were getting closer to the Palace so she could do that, even if she had the choice to. Walking amongst the long line already made her feel hurt in the heels, but she had to remain friendly, act like she wanted to be here, and she was good to go.

The three of them finally make it into the Presidential Palace. It was always such a sight to see. The Capitol always managed to outdo themselves. Other than the horrible music that was playing, Tabby could enjoy at least a little bit of the food while she was there. The three District Four winners intermingled with people, but for the most part, the three of them had been with each other.

With Mags sitting on one of the chairs that were there, Finnick and Tabby were standing, Finnick eating one of the macaroons that he collected from one of the bowls. Tabby barely ate. She never really trusted anything but whatever her and her dad cooked.

"So. . ." Finnick started, his voice low, "When is our mentor gonna be here?"

Tabby looked at Finnick, before she looked straight ahead again. "He'll be here. . . Any minute now," She answers, glancing at the door.

It had been almost a couple hours since the three District Four members had arrived there. Tabby was now getting worried. Did something happen? Did he decide not to show up? No, her father never usually backed down from a fight. Especially one where he finally wanted everyone to know that he was indeed alive. The more nervous she got, the more she twisted her ring. It's when Finnick grabs her hand that she stops.

"You're gonna get a ring burn if you keep doing that," Finnick says, before giving her a reassuring smile, "He'll be here."

Tabby gives a small smile back, before giving him a slight nod. "Yeah, I know," She says quietly.

The two of them went quiet. And it was as though the rest of the people of The Capitol followed suit. Tabby became confused. Both her and Finnick both look at each other and slight worry, and Finnick also looked very confused. It's not until Tabby looks back at the door. She smiles at who she sees come through it.

Clyde Mulaney had showed up and he pretty much matched his daughter with the exception of wearing long black socks and sea green crocodile shoes. It was like when he walked into the room, everyone parted like the red sea, they moved out of his way, staring with such awe and shock. It was inevitable.

"There he is. . ." Tabby muttered, a smile across her face as she takes one of the macaroons from Finnick's hand.

Although it had been at least twenty five years, it still seemed like everyone remembered his face. The way he presented himself. He wasn't small like he always seemed to be. Of course that changed over time. But he still wore nervous confidence. That's how people knew that it had to be him.

The only thing you could hear now were his footsteps travelling from one end to the other. Clyde saw some familiar faces. None he really liked, to say the least. He ignores the stares as he keeps walking. It felt like time was running slow due to the lack of noise around him. You could only hear whispers coming from the people around him. The only people he had been there to see were Tabby, Mags, and Finnick, and they were the first ones that he went to.

Most of the whispers contained the same few words. "is that . . .?" Or, "he looks like. . ." Nobody wanted to say his name. Nobody wanted to speak it. Ghost of a memory. That's how Clyde Mulaney was received. Nobody said his name except . . .

"Clyde Mulaney."

Finnick. He says it and it makes everyone's head turn. Even Effie, who is across the room with victors Katniss and Peeta. She looks from across the room and sees him, and his daughter. They're both standing in the same quadrant with Finnick and Mags. Effie turns to them and excuses herself before finally walking up to them. It makes both victors confused, but neither of them questioned it. It was Effie, after all. She was friendly.

A small smile appears on Clyde's face when Effie comes over. Another familiar face that he wanted to see before the night was up. "Effie. . ."

"Clyde, you're looking very dapper," Effie tells him, signature smile on her face before she goes to look at Tabby, "And Tabitha. You've matured since I last saw you."

"Yeah, well, that's what the games do you, aunt Effie," Tabby chuckled, "How are your two victors over there?"

"Oh, you know. Happily in love," Effie answers, before Tabby gives her a look. Like most, Tabby didn't buy the whole star-crossed lovers ordeal that they had going on.

"Oh, really?"

"Just play along, sweetie, okay?" Effie tells her. It makes Tabby roll her eyes, "Now, I have to get back to them, but I hope the four of you have a grand time!"

All four members of the fishing district wave back at Effie as she leaves to go tend to her victors again. Clyde turns back to them. The first thing that Mags does is hug him. Mags was his mentor when he was reaped for the second quarter quell. She couldn't believe how much he had grown.

"It's nice to finally know you're officially alive," Finnick says to Clyde, "You've been a rumor for the past twenty five years."

A chuckle escapes Clyde's lips. "Well, now you know that the rumors are indeed true."

"I'm sure you'll be able to bring something new to the table," Finnick tells him, "You did survive without winning, after all."

"Well, water is our best friend."

Finnick then gives Clyde a slight nod. This was true. It was what he told his mentors. It was what he told Tabby. But clearly, she already knew that due to her father's methods.

"He's a great teacher," Tabby says to Finnick, "Taught be all I needed to know, along with you and Mags. I'm sure you two will be in good hands with us helping."

"We better be," Finnick jokes.

Tabby playfully rolls her eyes. "You two will be. We promise."

The group talked for a while. Catching up for the most part, even though there wasn't really much to catch up on. Clyde told Mags and Finnick that he had been hiding out on the outskirts of the district. The two of them managed to live a fulfilling life there. It was quiet, sure, but it did its job. No one knew that he was out there. He didn't get caught.

After a while, Clyde eventually excuses himself, just to get something to drink. He knew what drinks to pick out from because he knew that some of them had the effect of making people vomit the food that they just had back up. It wasn't very good, and he didn't know why The Capitol thought that was such a good idea.

He was walking absentmindely. He should've been alert. But for some reason, he had been a little out of it. Maybe it was because he didn't do anything social in about twenty five years. His social battery was draining pretty quickly and he had only talked to a few people throughout the night. And because he was so out of it, he really didn't see the person walking toward him.

Haymitch Abernathy wasn't an exception when it came to mentors coming to the Presidential Palace Party. He was an indigenous man, long hair, gray strip along the right side. His suit was slightly messed up. The tie was untied.

He has been there for a while, possibly guzzling down all the booze that had been there. He's been struggling with it ever since he won twenty five years ago. And it wasn't a good coping mechanism to begin with. He stumbled across the room, providing an example of what not to do there. In fact, he hadn't even realized that his worst nightmare had walked into the room until . . .

Shit.

He bumps into the man in the royal blue suit. It makes Clyde stumble back, Haymitch almost falls over, but the other manages to catch him in his fall. Clyde didn't even notice that the guy had been walking toward him, so he immediately claimed that it was his fault.

"Oh, my god, I am so sorry, I─"

And then he sees him. Haymitch Abernathy. He would recognize those eyes everywhere he went. There wasn't a day that he didn't think about them. Or him for that matter. It felt like everything in the room stopped. Everything that had been in place had suddenly disappeared.

"Well, maybe you should've watched where you're going, you─"

And he saw him. The person that haunted him in every single way possible. Clyde Mulaney. God, he couldn't stand to see those brown puppy dog eyes of his. And yet, he didn't even know if it was a hallucination or if he was actually standing right in front of him. It makes Haymitch stand up straight, still kind of off balance due to the alcohol that has been in his system.

He tried to shake the drunkenness off of him. Thought it was just because he was drunk that he was seeing him right in front of him. Haymitch wanted it to believe that it was a hallucination. He denied that he was even here in the first place.

"Mitch. . ." Clyde breathed out.

"No," Was the first thing that came out of Haymitch's mouth, "You are not real. You are not real!"

"But I am real," Clyde tells Haymitch. He tries to grab his hand, Haymitch shoves it away. And then he realizes. His hand wasn't vapor. It makes him look down. Clyde smiles at the realization that Haymitch has.

"Surprise," Clyde says quietly.

Haymitch backs away, lightly shaking his head. He was still in denial. But he was standing there. Right in front of him. He couldn't speak at first. He couldn't speak, he didn't even know what to say, until he said something.

"I thought you were dead," He managed to breathe out.

"Well," Clyde starts, "Sorry to disappoint."

Haymitch is silent. A figment of his memory that haunted him was not a figment anymore. He didn't know what to think. He didn't know what to do.

"How did you─?"

"Don't. . . Ask that," Clyde tells him.

"How can I not, I thought I killed you," Haymitch says back to him, "After twenty five years. . ."

"I guess it wasn't meant for me. After all, you made the mistake of trying to drown me," Clyde tells him, his voice was low, it sounded daunting. Haymitch had gotten a shiver down his spine. That sentence was cold. Clyde wasn't cold. But he wasn't too sure. After all, it was a long time ago since they last saw each other.

"We have unfinished business, Haymitch Abernathy," Clyde continues on, his voice just as low and just as daunting. But this was business that Haymitch didn't want to clear.

Haymitch shakes his head. "We have nothing to talk about. I don't even want to remember."

It's the last thing he says before he stumbles away. And he does pretty quickly. Clyde watches as he does so, watching him trip over everything that he almost bumped into. Clyde sees the glare that he gives Tabby. More spooked, he goes into the next room. He wasn't even sure if anyone was allowed there. Clyde realized that he had another goal. He had to clear the air between them.