After leaving Tony, Bruce headed back toward the hotel itself. Possibly he could slip away unnoticed and make his escape into the night. That would be a relief in and of itself. He’d shown up, he’d shaken hands with all the people he was supposed to and played nice with the Capitol folks. As usual, there were some who came up to him and wanted to ask about his own Games. Ask if he still missed Betty or what it was like in the Arena. Bruce tried to be as patient as possible and answer them as briefly as he could without coming off as rude — but there really was only so much a man could take.
He slipped away from a group of people who seemed to be making a beeline for him and ducked around a buffet table. If he turned his back, they managed to pass by without noticing him (thank God). He looked over his options on the buffet table — his stomach growled louder with each passing rumble. It seemed like he’d have to take his life in his hands and try some of the food. Bacon wrapped… something. Those looked safe, right? Trying to calm his beating heart, he took a bite. Divine… until he felt his stomach contract.
Bruce made a beeline to the nearest bushes and emptied the scant contents of his stomach into the bushes. The illness passed in moments, but it made him wary to try anything else no matter how starving he was. He ambled back toward the table when he nearly collided with a woman, who quite possibly was the prettiest girl he’d ever seen. His cheeks flushed and he hastily wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“I’m fine, really. You didn’t even hit me. Barely grazed.” He offered his left hand (even if it went against usual convention). “Bruce Banner. Pleasure to meet you.”