A/N: Still don't own THG. Btw, fanmix for this is 8tracks toshirotaku/ right-by-the-ocean . I imagine that if Emilia Clark and Jena Malone had a love child it would be Valeria. Is2g though, writing Valeria is so much more effort than Valerie. Can't wait till the nicknaming starts. Also, why the hell am I not doing my coursework…I'm gonna fail uni guys. Fucking Sam Claflin's Finnick is too perfect. Also reviews would be nice. Pleaseas?
Valeria walked down the luscious forest. Back in District 4 there was no forest, at least not on like this. She could argue that the Areas further down South would have it, but she's never really been there, only heard stories. In the forest she could hear various creaking and branches breaking.
She turned her head towards the direction where she heard a branch snapping. Tense moments of silence and there still isn't anyone showing up. Her grip tightened around the knife in her hands. Why wasn't anyone coming out? If they were going to kill her why are they holding back?
She felt the earth tremor beneath her and she started running. Someone dangerous is coming closer. Someone is going to kill her. She pushed her body to the limit and ran from the dark figure behind her. There was no time to stop, if she did she would stop running completely and then be easy pickings for the shadow.
The ground shook again causing her to lose her balance. She fell to the ground and her heart sank when she realised she could right there and now. Blood pumped through her body just like it always did when she went blind jumping. She was terrified, but she couldn't die. So taking out her knife she turned around and faced the incoming shadow.
She will not die. Will not bend to anyone. As the clouds parted, the figure became illuminated thanks to the bright moon. Her heart stopped and she felt like she was out of breath. Her lips were dried and she barely managed to whisper out her future executor's name, "…fi…finnick?"
With a cruel smile Finnick stepped forward and clutched the trident. His body was tensed with anticipation and he was preparing throw the trident. Finnick's voice was darker than it usually was and he sounded almost manic, "I wanted to see this trident tear you apart from up close. It's much more fun that way."
Valeria must be hallucinating. This wasn't Finnick. She refused to accept it! Finnick threw the trident at her. Her body went into shock. She couldn't even feel the pain. She just felt breathless. Valeria fell backwards to the ground and looked at Finnick. Her body tensed as she saw Finnick transforming into Leonis.
She smiled and lied down to look at the sky. The trident felt heavy on her body. This was perhaps punishment for thinking that Finnick would ever hurt her. Valeria just betrayed his trust in a way and this was a rightful punishment. She should just die now.
Finnick heard a scream so loud he was awoken from his own nightmares. He quickly got out of his bed and headed to Valeria's room. She probably had a nightmare of her own. Just like him during his first night after the Reaping and the nights after that. Finnick quickly arrived at the door to see Mags and Leonis standing there, the latter having an annoyed expression on, and he could her the screaming going on in the room.
Finnick told them that he'd take care of everything. Mags nodded and gave Finnick a kiss on the cheek and told him good luck. She then turned to Leonis and pulled him away from the door, talking to him about things he should do in the Arena. Finnick quickly opened Valeria's door to calm her down.
When he entered, he saw her by the window of her room swaying back and forth, muttering words like, I'm awful, I deserve it, I don't want to die and so on. "Valeria." The noise startled her and he could see the way she jumped back to face him, her eyes were filled with dread and fear. As quickly as the fear appeared, it was then replaced with guilt and sorrow.
She ran towards him, tears streaming down her face and arms reaching for him, and something in his heart broke at seeing the girl he realised he loves being in too much pain. Valeria was this calm, gentle and rush-seeking girl. She was just seventeen, and although they were the same age, she was supposed to be untouchable by anything that could hurt her. She was supposed to be happy and never have to worry about the Games.
Finnick opened her arms and she quickly snuggled into his embrace. Her body shook and he could feel his shirt becoming wet from her tears. Occasionally she would hear a hiccup followed by a 'I'm sorry'. Her breath became shallow and faster and she pulled away from him. She looked him straight in the eyes, "I dreamed you killed me. But it turn out it was Leonis. I'm so sorry for dreaming that. For thinking you'd hurt me. I should die. I'm sorry, sorry, sorry."
She became hysterical and stared sobbing and letting out an occasional wail. Finnick pulled her back into his embrace and gently smoothed her hair. "I'll get you back. I'll bring you home okay. Remember you told me you have a soulmate waiting back home? I'll bring you back to him. So just focus on him and trust that he'll be waiting for you to come back." He felt angry with himself for not saying that he'll be her soulmate. That he'll be the one waiting for her to return. For now if the room was bugged, they would only see Finnick being overly close with a tribute because of her looks.
Valeria still shook and sobbed. He waited for her to calm down a bit before continuing. Once she heard him take a deep breath, he pulled her chin up to see those blue eyes. In those eyes, he saw the sky raining and he wanted nothing more than to clear up the look in those eyes.
He gently moved his hand to her cheek and caressed it, "I'll bring you home no matter what. So you try and survive until then. Does that sound like a good deal to you?" Sometimes he worries that there were bugs in the room and every little indication to how much he knew and cared for the girl would come back to Capitol. "It's okay to be scared. But don't let that fear overwhelm you."
He could see her eyes darting back and forth around the room as sign of checking for any abnormalities. Anything that could be a threat to her and him. He gently whispered to her, "just look at me Val. Just me. Don't think about anything else. Just look at me." He saw her focus those blue orbs on his eyes. "That's good. Deep breaths. Just listen to my voice. Don't look away from me. I'm here. I'm right here."
Valeria took deep breaths and look into Finnick's eyes, "you won't be there in the Arena. That's what scares me. I'll be on my own."
She never once looked away from his eyes. Opening up everything about her to him. Already, just looking into her eyes gave him a determination and strength to push pass through this and make sure she comes out alive. He won't give up on her and just keel over. He'll give her everything he has just like she is—has been—doing since she told him about being his soulmate. Ahh, maybe she really is my soulmate.
"I'll bring you home. I'll make sure you're constantly showered with sponsors that you don't what to do with all those gifts."
She blinked up at him and smiled, "won't that cause problems once I have too many to carry if I don't have a backpack?"
"Then I'll send you a backpack. Anything to make you survive. So you never give up. Never once think about, it's okay to die. Understand?"
She pulled him down towards her. Their foreheads rested against one another and he realised he never saw her eyes from this up close. They had their share of close embraces and sweet kisses on the cheek, but never had they been so intimate that he could feel every part of her body against his. That if he stared for too long into those eyes, he'd be pulled back into the days they spent in Cape Horn during the winter lying down and just looking up at the sky.
"Finnick, thank you. I'll live. Stay with me tonight. I don't want to sleep and dream right now."
Potential cameras in the room be damned. Finnick nodded at her request and she led them to her bed. She quickly scuttled under his arms and laid her head on his chest. He knew she was just staring out into the space, anything to not sleep and think about the worries of the future. "Finnick," he replied with a hum, "was it this bad for you?"
"A bit. But I remembered my family and realised I need to do whatever it takes," he answered. Finnick stroked her hair and he felt her hugging him tighter. He wondered if she was sure she wanted to win the Games. He told her of what the Capitol does to Victors; to any one good looking that survived the bloody fight.
He had told her how at night he would dream of faces; sometimes it was the faces of the tributes he killed, other times it was faces of mentee that died in the Games. Those faces he could live with, a part of him welcomed the faces in his dreams. It was proof that he has to keep on living for those that died—at times he felt so guilty that he thought it was punishment for surviving.
At times though, he dreamed of the faces of his clients. The face he has to service in exchange for the safety of his family. He started the moment he turned sixteen and the first few months were the hardest to bear. He would return from the Capitol and wake up from the dreams. He was disgusted with himself that he couldn't bear to look in the mirror. He considered taking some morphling to self medicate, but he saw those Victors from district 6 and he has no interest in becoming an addict—just one more thing the Capitol could control him with.
He slowly built a wall around him. Not letting anyone close and every visit to the Capitol he would learn better his façade. It was just before he Valeria that he began to feel numb—he even started putting his suave and charming façade around his family. He looked down at Valeria; her eyes were fixated on a spot in the wall and her forefinger was doing circular motions on his chest.
He was sitting at the edge of Sea Scape, his leg dangling off the edge. Really, it was just like having a floating pool. The view of the open ocean and the salty breeze felt good on him. He was glad she was next to him sharing this view.
"Finnick, what do you think a soulmate is?"
He turned away from the view and saw her leaning against the edge. Finnick jumped back into the pool and resurfaced. He noticed that her eyes never looked away from the ocean.
Out of habit of being the ever enigmatic playboy he said, "soulmate is your lover and the person you love." He felt like hitting himself. He could have articulated that so much better.
She shook her head and turned to face him. There was that peaceful smile again, like there was a secret she knows that he doesn't. "I like to think it as the person who you could share a part of your soul with. They don't necessarily have to be your lover. Just someone who understands you and makes you realise that the little things in life are worth living for. So, thank you, Finnick, for being my soulmate."
He blinked back the memory. Valeria was the one who made him feel something. When he jumped into Sea Scape for the first time, it was one of the few moments after being an escort did he feel slightly alive. Being with Valeria was slowly making him feel better. He still hated the idea of going to the Capitol and throughout the time there felt numb. But once he returned and visited her; she made her feel alive again. Alive and free. All that just from doing little things like smiling to him and holding his hand.
Finnick took Valeria's hand and kissed its palm. She stopped staring off into space and looked up at him. His heart was fluttering again. He quickly tried to stop it by hugging her tightly. "I'll bring you back home no matter what." He knew that she trusted every word he said when she felt him return the hug.
Finnick woke up from his sleep, surprised to find that he couldn't remember his dreams at all. He looked around for Valeria and found her on the floor with blanket half on her. He guessed she must have rolled over and fell to the floor; to tired to even notice.
Finnick stretched and noticed that it was almost time that everyone would be waking up. He bent down to wake Valeria up only to see her eyes slowly opening. She turned those eyes to him and sat herself up, making them only mere centimetres apart. Finnick held her hand and pointed to her wrist. She kissed his cheeks and walked towards the bathroom. "You going to join me?" she smirked.
Finnick laughed at her antics, "another time maybe Valeria. Another time. Dress nicely and smile when you see people."
Finnick quickly left the room and headed to the dining cart. He saw that Althea was already up and about. She gave him a look, "you know that would give out bad rumour for your reputation Finnick. What if someone saw you leave the female tributes room?"
Finnick shrugged his shoulders and smirked at the woman, "then I'm glad that it's you. After all, Althea, you are a very trustworthy woman." He gave her a wink. The District 4 escort just rolled her eyes at Finnick's antics. His charms won't work on the woman; he heard a rumour that Althea was only interested in females.
Finnick decided to go and have a shower before dealing with the people from the Capitol. He'll have to watch out for Valeria and Leonis; the people from the Capitol can be overwhelming for a tribute. He quickly showered and chose a white blouse that would keep up with his playboy and suave façade. He knew although his priority would be Valeria, he needed to help out Leonis too, otherwise it'd be one more vengeful face to haunt him for years.
Breakfast with the tributes was a solemn affair, probably because of Valeria's screams last night. To diffuse the tension Finnick, he told both Valeria and Leonis to smile and wave to the camera when they arrive. "Charm them with whatever you can," he said, "you need sponsors, so start working on it the moment you see people."
Leonis was the first to speak, "yeah, make sure you don't show them any weak side. No screaming in your sleep." It was obvious to anyone in the room the jibe was meant unnerve Valeria. It seemed that Leonis' first strategy was to weaken her District partner for the Games. If Leonis makes Valeria feel weak, then she'll be easy picking for the Career pack.
Without skipping a beat, Valeria asked, "how old are you Leonis?"
Finnick noticed that Valeria was twirling the knife on her hand. His eyes shifted to Leonis and he saw the male tribute shrug, "fifteen."
Valeria was angry and he knew it. He knew the moment he looked into those eyes and they sparked like lightning on a stormy sea. "Then learn some manners. I'm seventeen, and I don't think you know this, but," the knife in her hand flew passed Leonis and dug deep onto the wall behind him, "you're still far behind in terms of training." She then returned to sipping her tea as if she didn't just threaten Leonis.
Finnick always knew that she must have some hand to hand combat training. It was a standard for all children in school. He also knew that once you turn sixteen, people became very secretive on what training consists of. However what those secretive training consists of, Finnick would never know, he won before he had a chance. Instead of just wondering, he made eye contact with Valeria and raised an eyebrow, "you're good."
"I was never confrontational, so I never had the need to use the skills I learnt from school." He felt something changing inside of Valeria. She was adapting to the condition she was forced into. She will always stay calm, but she won't just stay passive and observe. It was a scary thought; that this girl could become so dangerous when forced into a corner.
"It should be easy for you to join the Career pack then. Don't you think so Mags?"
Mags nodded at him and smiled at Valeria. She noticed that her smile was more strained and he couldn't help but feel sad. If she survives the Game, will she ever be the same peaceful girl he met at Horn Cape? He hoped so. That girl was his light. Finnick looked up at Althea as she entered the dining room saying that they're arriving at the station in half an hour.
Looking at the tribute once over, he suggested they watch the Reapings from the other districts. Leonis scoffed at the idea and said it won't matter either way since they'd be in the Career pack and everyone else was bound to die. Valeria just shook his head at Leonis. She got up and picked up the knife embedded in the wall, "I'll watch it with you. Also, Leonis, how are you supposed to be allies with District One and Two if you don't know what they look like."
Finnick ignored the tension between the two and turned the TV on for the recorded feature on each District. As always, one and two looked intimidating and the tributes from three were scrawny. When it was District 4's turn, he noticed the fear and worry behind Valeria's smiling face. They watched all the Reaping from each district and the only on worth noting was both tributes from seven and the male from nine.
Soon after they arrived at the train station of the Capitol and Althea gave everyone a once over look and nodded, "alright everyone, chins up, eyes bright and smiles wide."
Everything after the train was muddle up for Valeria. She remembered getting off the train and smiling at the cheering crowd. There was a lot of shouting, especially Finnick's name, and a lot of shoving around. There was no time to rest when they got into the long car because she was immediately introduced to her prep team—Polydora, Briseis and Paris—and stylist—Achilles.
Achilles raved on about how beautiful she is and how glad he was he made that mermaid dress for her. He then rambled on about how despite her good looks, she needs to be waxed and her hair needs to be dyed. She was pretty sure that Finnick immediately jumped to her defence saying that her hair colour should stay the way its.
Once they arrived to the Remake Centre, there was no stopping the flurries of activity. She was soon separated from Finnick, but he gave her that reassuring smile before having her go in to get ready for the Chariots. After being scrubbed clean and waxed, she was rubbed with some lavender smelling oil. Her prep team made her face up to look as natural as possible. They did however put those fake eyelashes on—to make your eyes look bigger, they said. As for her hair it was left in curls—thankfully they were not dyed—and one side was pinned back with a pearl hair brooch.
Achilles then came in with a black bag. Quickly catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she has to admit, she looks better than she usually does. Achilles then hurried her into the dress she has to wear. It was a tight fitted around her breasts and the material flared below them. The blue fabric shimmered and seemed to change colour with each movement—it reminded of the sea back home. The dress was beautiful and she was about to compliment her stylist when he took out a net and tied it around her neck letting it flow on her back.
"Are you sure about the net-cape idea?"
"Of course darling, you're a captured mermaid. That's the idea. And your district partner is the fisherman who caught you."
Somehow the dream of Leonis spearing her with a trident came full frontal to her mind and she couldn't help but shudder. Is this foreboding the fact the she would die? She shook her head and let out a shaky breath, it would be fine, besides Finnick was on her side. Her stylist then took out a pair of high heels that glittered like the beach by the cove in Horn Cape. Achilles feeling happy with his work walked her to the door and Finnick was standing by waiting for her.
"You look beautiful Valeria," he smiled at her and then he looked at Achilles and commended on his design for the dress. Finnick held out his arm and she gladly took it, it was troublesome walking on such high heels. The walk was quiet and Valeria couldn't help but admire the beautiful structure around her. Sometimes though she couldn't help but notice people staring at her angrily.
She turned to look up to Finnick and ask him why the stares. But as it turns out, the heels made her about the same height as him. She couldn't help but blush, after all, now if she asked him a question they'd be eye to eye. Clearing her throat and facing the front again, she asked him the question.
Valeria noticed from the corner of her eyes that Finnick had his playboy façade on, "it's because I have my arms around you and they don't seem to notice that the beauty in front of them is District Four's tribute."
Valeria nodded at his answer. "Finnick, when I'm on the chariot, what should I do?"
"Smile and wave darling. Show the Capitol how much you love them and charm them."
"Okay," they passed a huge archway and she saw horses lined up. A woman with green skin came up to her and thanked Finnick for bringing the last tribute needed for the Chariots.
She turned to look at Finnick, "I'm the last one out?"
Finnick nodded and grinned, "can't rush beauty after all." He gave a her a kiss on the forehead and winked. "Have fun out there Val! Mags and I will be watching."
Soon she was ushered by the green skinned woman. Giving one last glance behind her with a raised eyebrow she mouthed the nickname he called her. In reply he just got a smirk and shrug. "It must be nice to be mentored by Finnick Odair. I wish I could get his signature."
Valeria looked at the green woman beside her and decided this would be a good time to get sponsors. She smiled softly at the woman and put on the voice she used on her brothers every time she has to explain something, "I can ask him for the signature if I win."
The green woman smiled happily at her, "oh, would you really?"
The heels were a pain to walk in and Valeria couldn't help but hurry her steps to the chariot just so she can have something to hold onto. As she got on the chariot she turned to the green woman and gave her a sad smile, "of course. But I need sponsors to survive. So don't get your hopes up."
"Oh, don't worry I'll get you sponsors. You just win out there," she paused as she looked down on a small black board she was holding—probably looking for her name, "Valeria Portshore. I'll be supporting you."
"Thank you so much. And your name darling?" Really it wasn't that hard to keep up the calm and sweet girl act despite her fear on growing fear.
"Octavia Saffron."
The first district chariot moved forward through the gates and she waved the green woman goodbye. The chariot began to move and Leonis asked her what that was all about. She smiled and looked at him, "my first sponsor it seems."
The chariot moved and Valeria quickly grabbed on to the railing on her side. She felt like her heels were going to break and she would fall flat down first. The arena she was in was humongous. There were many bystanders and she was sure they were shouting her name. So she did what Finnick told her, she smiled and waved and even winked in certain directions. The crowd went wild and she blew a kiss towards one of the stands. They quickly reached the end of the arena where the people working in the politics sat.
If she remembered correctly, this is when the president made his speech. Maybe she should just zone out of speech. It was then that she noticed President Snow looking intently at her through his speech. Her hand gripped on the chariots even tighter. She couldn't help but think about how the politicians continue the Hunger Games as a way to scout potential whores for them. She mustered a calm face despite her uneasiness and anger and she stared back at Snow. The man, even from afar, looks sneaky, sly and just plain foul. Once the chariots moved away she tried her best to regain her composure and smile at the people around them.
During the ride back she smiled and waved towards the general public. The whole time though she was worried and anxious. Was the president staring at her because he kept close eyes on the tributes Finnick mentored? Or did that stare mean something much more sinister? Did that stare mean, if she won the Hunger Games, she would be have the same fate as Finnick?
