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"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'"
~ Eleanor Roosevelt ~
CHPATER 3
The Parade
Caroline stepped into the auditorium, all prepped and ready to go as the tribute parade got closer. It's been a couple of years since she last saw her stylist and prep team, so as expected, they were incredibly excited to be working on her again. They mentioned a few times that she had been their favorite tribute to work on over the years. She kept silent as they rambled, just wanting it all to be over and done with. Luckily it didn't take too long since she had to groom herself quite often as it was.
Her stylist, Pearl, wasn't too bad for a person if you discount the fact that she dresses people up to be executed, year after year. Her taste in style was still impeccable because as much as she hated to admit it, the outfits she's been given over the years were amazing. The same could be said for the dress she was currently wearing right now.
It was a simple design with nothing too extravagant compared to what it could have been. It was toned to a color blue that reminded her of the ocean back home in District 4 with a dark undertone of teal mixed in. The material was some kind of silk so it felt cool against her skin. The neckline plunged just enough that her breasts were adequately covered. At the same time, it still showed off every perfect feature her body had to offer and every curve was perfectly sculpted within the fabric. As much as it disgusted her to know, she knew the Capitol would go crazy for any bit of skin she was showing.
The front of the skirt reached to the top edge of her knees while the back draped down to the floor so it dragged slightly. She wore a pair of black sandal heels with three silver-jeweled embellished straps above her toes and another around her ankle to keep the shoe on. Her hair had light curls in it that was pinned back a little with a crown of pearls centered on the top of her head. The gems glittered in the light and shone against her strawberry blonde hair.
She gazed around the room to see that the majority of past Victors had already arrived and most were just standing by their chariots with their district partners. A lot of them she knew, a few she did not. Some as passing acquaintances, and others a little closer that she could almost say they were friends. For the most part, the Victors only got along (loosely speaking) because they were all stuck on the same path. Victors had very few endings and their futures were more or less already determined up until the moment they die.
There were only two people, in particular, she was interested in finding at this moment in time.
Caroline was momentarily startled when she felt a loose breath enter her left ear and a pair of hands gently grasp her hips. She felt a heat against her back as a chest leaned into her. A head tilted into her shoulder, connecting with her hair slightly as a husky voice appeared with it.
"Can I just say … you look positively scrumptious in that dress, Miss Winters."
She already knew who it was since no one else would dare touch her without expecting a broken bone … possibly a skull, maybe even a pelvis and some family jewels to add on.
Caroline couldn't help but let out a smile from the compliment. Her eyes brightened a little, despite where they were and what they were being thrust into. The tone of his voice made her shiver a little with goosebumps making their way to the surface. "Thank you, Mr. Odair." She replied when a grin started growing on her lips. She moved away from him slightly, ready to turn and face him. "And you look…"
Her voice all of a sudden switched to mute and it vanished from her vocal cords. She silently took in what Finnick was wearing … or not wearing would have been more precise. Her eyes slowly trailed down his body, from head to toe, but mostly focused in between.
The man had a golden net wrapped around his waist that tied together with a single thick brown belt. The material draped to the middle of his thighs and on his feet were barefoot black sandals. His upper half was the part she couldn't stop herself from ogling at – there was no piece of clothing in sight. His chest, arms, and shoulders were out to bare for the world to see. She's seen him in fewer clothes than this, none even and probably hundreds of time by now, but it still caught her off guard, especially as his buff muscles popped out.
He looked strappingly hot.
She appreciated the fact that he still had that special shell necklace around his neck. This time, however, it was accompanied by a shorter one with blue gems and crystals. The colors matched perfectly with the color of her dress. She suspected it was planned considering everyone knew her favorite color was blue.
Finnick continued to stand in front of her, now accompanied with an amused look on his face. A confident smirk slowly crept onto his lips. He arched an eyebrow as he waited for an answer and the end of that sentence. "Yes?" He drew out, wiggling his eyebrows towards her, "I look…?"
Caroline felt a small blush stain on her cheeks and luckily the skin-tone foundation managed to hide the majority of it. She cleared her throat, trying to put herself back together without looking like a complete fool. "You look good." She finally told him after a moment, looking back up when his deep ocean blue eyes stared at her.
Finnick's shoulders dropped a little as a little pout followed. "That's it?" The blonde couldn't help but find the look rather cute. She could tell he was playing with her and she loved their light banters.
"I'm not contributing to that ego of yours, Fin," Caroline told him with a little cheeky smile on her lips. Finnick's ego could rival the size of the Capitol but even then … she loved him all the same.
"Besides," She continued before placing her hands on his broad shoulders and chest, reaching on her tiptoes a little to whisper something in his ear. "You might find out how much I really love that on you when we get back to the apartment." Given their age and skill, neither of them needed a Mentor for the Games this year. Annie and Mags were supposed to be back in District Four but if all has gone according to plan, it's likely they'll be somewhere safe by now, as well as her brother.
Apart from Adaline, who served as a wake-up call in the mornings - they had the entire apartment to themselves.
Finnick felt a wave of anticipation rush through his body like adrenaline as he rolled his shoulders back.
Caroline pretended not to see the giddy smile appear on his face as she turned away from his face and looked over her shoulder. Her eyes suddenly zeroed in on one of the two people she hasn't met so far out of all the Victors that remained alive.
Katniss Everdeen.
The young woman wore a very different get-up compared to everything that's been thrown on her body in the last year. The blonde raised an eyebrow in surprise but couldn't help but be impressed at the same time. She wore a beautiful black dress with ingrains of glitter shimmering against the material. Everything about her screamed power. She radiated confidence, even if she might not completely believe that herself. Her hair had some strong volume with long curls hanging down the sides of her shoulders. There seemed to be some kind of black vine weaved into a crown on the top of her head, somewhat like her own but matching her own outfit.
"I really hope Cinna doesn't do anything stupid," Caroline muttered quietly to herself as she took in Katniss Everdeen's appearance. She had a feeling there was more to that outfit than meets the eye and it probably won't be the first time. "He'll get himself killed if he isn't careful."
Finnick bypassed their previous conversation to tune into what she was staring at. He quickly took notice of what she saw and sadly remembered where they were again … what they were prepared to do and what they were going to do. "Hmm." He hummed with a small nod, a grim look crossing his features as he rubbed a palm against the showing skin of her arm.
Neither of them knew Cinna too well, only having met from passing conversations that shared a near-impossible goal. For someone who was born in the Capitol and essentially worked to dress dead children, he had a pretty stable head and genuine heart. He wanted what was best – he wanted a better world. They knew he was committed to doing whatever it takes to destroy Snow's reign and to end the Hunger Games for good, making it a distant past. Everyone involved knew what the possible ramifications could be, whether they succeeded or not.
"I think it's about time I go meet the Girl on Fire and introduce myself," Finnick concluded after a moment, nodding to himself as if he had just made up his mind. He suddenly produced a couple of sugar cubes within his palm and chucked one in the air, catching it as it fell before holding it out to Caroline.
Caroline turned back, giving him a look as she accepted the sugar cube being offered to her, "You mean you're going to go antagonize the poor girl."
Finnick looked affronted, "I would never do such a thing." He replied with an innocent tone, "I'm simply going to see what we have to work with. I just want to know how thin-skinned our supposed ally is, that's all."
"Exactly," She countered with a eureka moment, "You'll bug her just enough to see what kind of reactions you get in response." He just proved her point in words. "You're lucky she hasn't got that bow with her. Even then, I bet she pulls a great punch." She let one of her shoulders give a shrug with a thoughtful look on her face, "I'd pay to see that."
Finnick gave her a look of betrayal as he poked her in the side, "Aren't you supposed to be on my side?" She reacted from the touch with a small laugh.
Caroline moved away from him a little to stop him from attacking her again. She rolled her eyes in exasperation before pushing him towards the direction of where Katniss was standing across the room. "Just don't make a fool of yourself sweetheart." She advised before putting the offered sugar cube in her mouth and watched as he strolled over.
…
"Katniss."
Katniss Everdeen tensed slightly as she heard a somewhat familiar man call her name. She stopped petting the horse for a second and peered over her shoulder. She was a little startled to see the Finnick Odair making his way over to her.
She wasn't entirely surprised to see that he was wearing next to nothing for the Parade – it made sense, after all. The Capitol practically drooled over his charm and looks, judging by what she's seen and heard. That was something she certainly didn't have in common with them. Him looking the way he did just made her feel a little uneasy about being so close to him. She just wasn't all that into his looks as other people might be.
"Hello, Finnick." She didn't smile but was cautiously polite instead.
Finnick had a little grin on his face as he tossed a sugar cube into the air, catching it in the palm of his hand. He held it up from the girl to see, "Do you want a sugar cube?" He offered, stopping just a few steps away from her. "I mean, it's supposed to be for the horses, but…" He gestured to the horse waiting there next to them, "I mean, who cares about them, right? They've got years to eat sugar whereas you and I … well, if we see something sweet, we better grab it."
Katniss just pursed her lips and gave a small shake to her head, "No thanks," She declined, trying to shake off the feeling that the guy was trying to flirt with her. It made her a little more uneasy about being within his vicinity. "But I would love to borrow that outfit someday."
Finnick chuckled lightly, having enjoyed the response he received. He took a step back and observed everything about the Girl on Fire in front of him. "You look pretty terrifying in that getup." He noted with a small tease in his tone. He recalled his previous thoughts that were probably shared with Caroline. "What happened to the pretty little girl dresses?"
Katniss, all of a sudden, felt incredibly annoyed by his presence altogether. "I outgrew them." She replied in a hard tone, hating the fact that she was being talked down to in this way. She felt the need to hold her ground and keep up this strong barrier she's used for years. Out of all the costumes Cinna's made for her since their meeting, she could honestly say this that one was her favorite. She felt confident, strong, and well, badass to say the least.
"You certainly did." He agreed with a small nod to his head and a grin. A thoughtful look came to him as he stared at her, almost as though he were trying to figure something out. "Shame about this Quell thing," He continued, pretending he was giving out some solid advice, "Now, you could've made out like a bandit in The Capitol. Jewels, money … anything you wanted."
The brunette didn't stop the roll of her eyes as a huff of displeasure left her lips, "Well, I don't like jewels and I have more money than I need so…" Clearly stating without saying it that she wasn't all interested in what he was trying to tell her. "What about you and that girl? Caroline, was it? What did you two do with all your wealth anyway?"
Katniss noticed a slight twitch in Finnick's eye when she mentioned Caroline Winters but didn't call it out. She tilted her head a little as she observed his reactions.
"Oh, we haven't dealt with anything as common in money in years." He told her.
"Then how do people pay for the pleasure of your companies?" She questioned again. It would take a blind person not to see what's actually been going on with the two 'Capitol Darlings' in the terms of their current employment. Why else would they be going back and forth between the Capitol and their home District with strangers on their other arms? She couldn't help but feel a little disgusted by their chosen way of life. She would have never done something so revolting if what she's thinking is true, even if she turned out a little crazy in the head.
Finnick leaned in slightly so his lips nearly brushed the side of her cheek. "With secrets." He said with a softness to his voice as if he were divulging an important secret. The girl had a look of discomfort on her face as he stepped into her personal space. She noticed how his eyes turned a little harder than before. She leaned back a little as he continued, "What about you Girl on Fire, any secrets worth my time?"
Katniss could only return with a small shrug in response, "I'm an open book." She replied honestly, "Everybody always seems to know my secrets before I know them myself." It was a little irritating that everyone seemed to know everything before she did. It also got on her nerves that others seemed to always think they knew what's best for her.
The man let out a dramatic sigh and nodded his head. "Unfortunately, I think that's true."
Katniss glanced over his shoulder slightly when she noticed two familiar people start making their way towards them. Inside she was very relieved. When Finnick caught her looking behind him, it prompted him to do the same.
He turned back to her with a sudden gaze of fake sorrow, "I'm sorry you had to cancel your wedding." He told her, not looking all that sympathetic at the moment. "I know how devastating that must be for you." He didn't like it when he was reminded of certain things, especially when those certain things included the one he loved.
In regards to Peeta and Katniss's relationship - he could tell the signs of someone playing fake. Katniss was one of them, he believed. He noticed during last year's Hunger Games that for Peeta, it was real. He really meant every word he's said but Katniss hasn't lived up to that same standard. He'll admit she's been trying but there hasn't been anything to prove that the feelings are really there. Her ploy has started a revolution in the Districts so he'll give her that.
Finnick was also unconsciously a little bitter about the fact that Katniss and Peeta were openly engaged and supposed to be married. He would never get that chance with Caroline, at least, not until they knew the plan had worked out.
Only a select few knew they were together and one of those certainly wasn't President Snow. It could never be announced that they were together because if it did, it could cause ramifications that neither of them is prepared for. It could also potentially mean a death sentence to the ones they cared about. They were the Capitol Darlings and that's all anyone will ever know about them.
He just had to have hope that when this is all over, everyone will be free to do whatever they want. When that time comes, he'll do the one thing he's been wanting to do for years. He'll ask the one he loves for her hand in marriage. Even though at the time it would have never been a possibility, he had already picked out the ring he was going to give her.
It meant something incredibly special to him and Caroline Winters was the one person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. She was the light at the end of this dark tunnel for him. The person that's always kept him sane, and vice versa. She's the one he's always going to fight for no matter the cost … even if it meant his own life.
…
"Fishboy isn't getting into trouble, is he?"
Caroline was still lightly sucking on the sugar cube in her mouth as she stood next to the District 4 carriage and horses. The smile on her lips grew a little more when she heard the familiar voice appear out of nowhere. She glanced over her shoulder to see the other person she had originally been trying to find.
Joanna Masen.
"I wouldn't bet against it." She admitted with a knowing grin on her lips. After Finnick walked away to introduce himself to the new girl, she began to slowly wander over to their chariot. There was probably about five minutes left until the show got on the road and she'd rather not be dragged by peacekeepers to get to her spot. She wouldn't put it past them to do just that.
Joanna Masen won the Hunger Games a couple of years ago during the 72nd, several years after she won her own in the 67th. Part of Caroline admired her in the way that she refused to bow down to President Snow's wishes and how she portrayed herself in the Games in order to win. However, in saying that, the consequences of those actions had been devastating to Joanna. President Snow had followed through on his threat when she refused to do as he asked.
If that had happened to Caroline – she honestly didn't think she'd be able to function as well as she did today, even with everything she's had to go through the last couple of years. If she lost her brother, the only family she had left, she'd be a broken shell of who she once was. Every fiber of her being wanted to tell President Snow to shove it … but she couldn't. She couldn't risk those few she loved being taken away from her. Her nightmares would become a reality and that's something her mind could never handle.
Joanna came to a stop beside her in a not-so-unfamiliar outfit. Her dress wasn't exactly a dress, per say. It looked like a disarray of different materials and accessories that didn't match very well. Her hair a hue of red at the edges that didn't make sense unless she was meant to be imitating the Autumn season. The hair clips in her hair would make you think she's a plant pot. Her dress from the top of her breasts and downwards was made out of something like duct tape but in a color between black and brown. From her neck to the length of her arms she had painted leaves attached to her. Luckily it was still apart of the dress so she could rip it off at any given time.
Her makeup was probably the only thing that looked decent.
Caroline internally cringed at the attire she was witnessing. She didn't necessarily care for stylists in general but that's just ghastly. Everyone could clearly tell it looked tacky and very District 7. It wasn't incredibly surprising that Joanna wasn't wearing something different than a tree (from what she could gather). The past forty years or so has near enough been the exact same. Every tribute looked more or less like a tree – one even looked like a twig … had the figure and everything.
She felt a wave of sympathy for her but couldn't help but throw in the joke to brighten the situation.
"Let me guess … you're a tree."
If eyes could kill then Caroline would have been murdered in her sleep a long time ago.
"Haha," Joanna returned with a sarcastic smile, "Very funny, blondie."
"So, what are you, really?" Caroline continued with a small smirk that could rival Finnick's, "Oak or fern?"
She had to laugh at the look that was being sent to her, even as she felt a sharp punch attack her arm, along with a small shove. It was quite a hard hit that there would surely be a bruise in the morning. She rubbed the area and exclaimed a profanity when she was hit once more for good measure. "Okay! okay!" Her hands finally went up in surrender, "I'm sorry!"
Joanna just looked at her with an unimpressed gaze, "Sure you are."
Just like Caroline, there were only a few Victors Joanna decided to really get to know after winning her own Games. A few of she did relate to more than others given what President Snow did to her. There were also some she just liked but kept her distance anyway. Even though Caroline hasn't been through exactly what she has (losing all of her family), the blonde was probably been the only person she's been able to personally open up to over the last few years.
A year or so after she won her Games were the hardest and there was only a select few who knew how bad it had gotten for her.
"So, that's the bitch we have to protect?" Joanna's head turned towards where Finnick and the longhaired brunette stood from across the room. She had a look of disdain on her face but there was a little bit of envy in her features. As much as she didn't particularly want to – that girl needed to be protected at all costs, even if it meant their own lives. She knew Caroline and Finnick were also in on the agreement, along with a few others here today.
"If you mean Katniss Everdeen … then yes, it is." Emphasizing on saying the name. Caroline understood why Joanna didn't explicitly like the girl – part of her didn't either considering what she and everyone else has been through up until this point, after winning their own Hunger Games. Some had come out more scathed than others. Joanna was one of them, she and Finnick were also in the rut but just in a different ending frame. "And don't forget Peeta."
Luckily there was no one around them to overhear what they were saying but just in case – they kept their voices a little lower than usual.
"There's no way in hell she's going to trust us." Joanna stated with a shake of her head as she glanced over at the other girl, "Peeta might at the beginning but he's still a lap dog. He'll follow her wherever she goes."
Caroline gave a hum in agreement.
"I hate this." The brunette suddenly declared as her fists clenched with anger. "I hate all of this. I hate that girl. I hate the Capitol. And I hate this whole goddamned world because everything always turns to shit. I wish I could just walk up to Snow and stick my axe in his throat! Then it would just all be over."
"Nothing's ever that simple, Jo," Caroline said with a sadness in her voice. "If it were that easy I would've chopped his head off a long time ago. He's just a small part in all this that needs to be changed. I don't envy Katniss at all. When we all get out of here, nothing's going to be easy for her. A war's coming and whether we like it or not - she's our leader, and we have to make sure that both she and the boy get out of this alive. The whole plan will fall apart if we fail."
"This plan better work … that's all I'm saying." Joanna told her but paused when something came to mind. A little smirk quickly forming on her lips when she eyed Katniss again with a mischievous glint in her eye. "However, in the meantime…"
Caroline knew that look all too well and she couldn't help but sigh in exasperation. "You're not going to patronize her as well, are you?" She had to admit it was a very enticing idea.
"Oh, come on." Joanna's spirits greatly lifted as ideas began filling her head of what she could do to the girl, "It'll be fun!"
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