FINNICK POV
The elevator dings stopping at the sponsor room floor.
The victors can't exactly meet on each others floors any longer, there are too many people watching us.
Does it really matter if they see us talking. It's not like we aren't going to make alliances to save ourselves. I think to myself.
It's just like any other Hunger Games the goal is to stay alive. Going to the sponsor room to have a talk about alliances just makes things more unusual.
I sit on one of the ugly purple plush couches in the room full of television screens. Seriously, there is a whole wall of just flat screen television showing everything related to the Hunger Games. I catch a glimpse and see multiple reruns of some of the victors games. It would be the prime time to show them considering most of us will be dead in a few days.
An avox comes over and pours me a drink I didn't ask for. I'm about to object when someone sits across from me.
"That's mine sweetheart." Haymitch says and takes the glass.
"I thought you took an oath not to drink until the games started." I say.
"My tributes don't need to know that." He says with a smile.
I look him up and down.
I've known Haymitch almost my whole life and I have never seen him in such good shape. He actually has muscles instead of saggy skin.
He must have been training. I think to myself.
Training before the Hunger Games is illegal. However, it is done all the time and I don't think anyone would stop the predetermined tributes this year.
"You're late you know." I say.
"Nah you're just early. Besides Johanna isn't here either." He states and sets the glass down.
I nod.
"So how are we feeling?" Haymitch says in a taunting tone.
"I'm fine." I say but start to pick at a loose strand on my shirt.
Being here isn't exactly easy. I'm not an idiot I know Snow set up the reaping so it would be either Mags or Annie with me. I just can't stop wondering what Annie is doing or what she is thinking. I don't think I would be able to do what we are meant to if Annie was here though. She would be a distraction. I would want to protect her more than Katniss Everdeen.
I feel the cushion next to me deepen and turn knowing it must be Johanna.
"I'm here so let's get right down to business." Johanna says and crosses her arms.
"What no pleasantries?" Haymitch says with a smile.
"I don't want people to notice that we have been gone a long time." Johanna says.
"Fair enough." He says.
"So who does Katniss want as allies?" Johanna asks.
Haymitch sighs deeply.
"Mags." He says.
Johanna laughs.
"Seriously, Mags... that old bag?!"
"Did she want anyone else." I ask ignoring Johanna. It is a strange choice. I did see Mags them at the fishhook station for awhile but didn't think anything of it. Mags would want to spend the most time there anyway.
"Yes." Haymitch says but still has a look of dread on his face.
"Not 1 and 2." I say.
"She isn't that stupid she wants... Beetee and Wiress." He grumbles.
"Nuts and Volts... you're joking." Johanna says annoyed this time. "She wants an old lady and two crazy people?"
"Yes." Haymitch says.
"Why them?" I ask. They wouldn't be the first on my list.
"Katniss has a thing for weaklings." Haymitch says annoyed. I'm sure there is more to the story, but am not going to ask.
"Peeta seems to like me maybe he could-"
"It doesn't matter what Peeta wants because in the end he will let her decide." Haymitch says.
"He's that whipped?" Johanna says angrily.
"He's clouded by love. Love makes you do stupid things. I'm sure Finnick could explain it to you." Haymitch says with a smile.
I roll my eyes.
"Can we change her mind?" I ask. I have a feeling I know the answer already.
"No, Katniss is annoyingly stubborn." Haymitch says.
"I don't believe this." Johanna says.
"See that is your problem Johanna. She sees you as a loose canon. I might've been able to sell you to her if not for that stunt in the elevator." Haymitch grumbles.
"What did you do?" I ask Johanna slightly annoyed.
"Oh nothing." Johanna says with a smile.
"She put on a little show." He says and smiles.
"It was nothing Finnick I just took off my outfit."
"You stripped naked in front of her?" I say annoyed.
"Yes she did." Haymitch says and winks at her.
I roll my eyes.
"We already know she's a prude. I thought it would be funny. Besides, I saw you flirting with her before the chariot ride." Johanna says.
"That's what I'm superposed to do here." I say annoyed.
Capitol Finnick Odair is such an ass. I think to myself.
"Yes you are, so she wasn't so surprised by Finnick's attitude." Haymitch says.
Johanna sighs.
"I could try and sell you to Katniss Finnick by saying Mags will only ally with 12 if you can too." Haymitch says to me.
I nod.
"I'm sorry can we get an explanation as to why she wants Mags, Nuts, and Volts." Johanna says.
"Peeta told me she wants Mags because she volunteered for a young girl."
"Annie." I say.
Haymitch nods.
"Just because she volunteered for Annie, Katniss wants her." Johanna says with disbelief.
"Yup." Haymitch says just as annoyed as Johanna.
"Mags would've volunteered for anyone." I say.
"That's exactly why Katniss wants her." Haymitch says.
"What about Nuts and Volts, why does she like them so much?" Johanna asks.
"Peeta couldn't explain it and Katniss didn't want to." He says and rolls his eyes.
"Maybe because they're old." Johanna says sarcastically.
"It's because she doesn't view them as ruthless killers." I say.
Yes Wiress and Beete killed people, but not with a trident, ax, or knife. They used their smarts their kills weren't as violent.
"We're all ruthless killers." Johanna says.
"Not Peeta." I say more to myself.
"You sound like Katniss." Haymitch says with a smile.
I roll my eyes.
"Think about it... he didn't kill anyone, not on purpose anyway. The redhead he killed was by accident. Even Annie killed people in a violent way." I say.
Annie was the kind of tribute who isn't meant for the arena, but knows exactly what to do. She went to the training academy and could easily butcher a human if she wanted to. She killed four people before her district partner's head fell from his shoulders. She only killed one other person and that was the person who cut off her partner's head. She never was quite the same after that. I didn't know Annie before her name got called, but still... you can see the exact moment everything changed.
"Katniss thinks that way too, she says he's better than all of us." Haymitch says.
"Such arrogance." Johanna says.
"It's the truth though." Haymitch says this time. "That is also why she made me promise her that I would help him get out of the arena this time."
Johanna giggles like a school girl.
"And she believed you."
"Yup. Although I also made Peeta a similar deal." Haymitch says.
"Please tell me they have figured out you are lying to one of them. I mean... they can't be that stupid." I say.
"Peeta probably suspects it, but Katniss isn't that bright or she just doesn't want to see it." Haymitch says.
"So what you just told Peeta you'd get Katniss out alive?" Johanna asks.
"Pretty much." Haymitch says.
"What happens if Peeta dies in there." I say abruptly.
"One less person to worry about then." Johanna says.
"She becomes even more reckless than usual. Her whole goal this time is to keep Peeta alive. If he dies she won't care what happens to her any longer." Haymitch says.
"I'm sure that's not true. She has her sister." I say.
"You don't know her like I do." Haymitch says gravely.
"Great just one more person we have to keep alive then." Johanna says annoyed.
"You do know Peeta is the one she really wants." Haymitch says.
Ah yes President Alma Coin seems to have her eyes on Peeta rather than Katniss. Peeta does know how to work a crowd, but Katniss has already inspired people to fight. Coin might not be able to see that or thinks Peeta will be easier to control. Whatever the case may be it would be a mistake to have Peeta be the face of the rebellion instead of Katniss.
"Yeah, that's because she has been out of touch with the rest of the world for a long time. We know what's best and have that little control." Johanna says.
"Well at least Katniss wants people from our side." I say.
"True, but you should try and play nice during training tomorrow." Haymitch says.
"I thought you said that wasn't going to work." I say.
"It probably won't, but I haven't figured out a plan b yet." Haymitch says annoyed.
"Great well when you do, you can tell me officially all the names that need to be on the save list. I already have myself, girl on fire, and now bread boy." Johanna rolls her eyes. "Anyone else and I don't think I will be able to survive this."
"You did agree Johanna. You knew what you were getting into." I say.
"Yes, but I didn't think it would be with a girl who is so stubborn." Johanna says.
I roll my eyes.
Haymitch stands up.
"I'll let you two kids talk. I need to head back in case they realize I am gone." Haymitch says and leaves abruptly.
"What do you think he wants us to talk about?" Johanna asks.
"Maybe what we are suppose to do tomorrow." I say.
"Be nice." Johanna says annoyed.
"I know it's not your strong suit Johanna, but just try it." I tell her.
She rolls her eyes.
"Fine whatever, it's not like my life depends on it or anything." She says sarcastically.