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Rambling Beauty
Chapter Six
The Capitol
"Colletta Lexis Snow!"
Shit! Colletta thought, grimacing as her father came stomping down the stairs at her. He was a particularly large man, with a barrel of a stomach and height that matched it. His peppery grey hair was cut in a militant buzz cut. With a strong jaw, and even stronger mustache, he was intimidating in one of his rare good moods. Now, however- with his red-faced anger rising to scary levels- he was absolutely terrifying.
"Sir?" Colletta answered, forcing herself to remain polite and respectful.
"Explain yourself!" He hollered so loud that she was sure the fine folks in District Twelve could hear.
"Well," she started, unable to help herself, "you see, after you and mom had Nic, you decided to try for another boy, so-"
"Enough!"
"Okay." Colletta whimpered in a small voice. She was glad that the entourages were watching, otherwise she was sure he would hit her.
"This!" He threw something at her- the morning paper- which hit her in the face. She fumbled with it, just barely catching it before it fell to the ground. "Explain to me why you are in the paper holding hands with a Victor!"
She looked down at the article and the accompanying picture. It was an innocent enough photograph; they looked like two friends holding hands. But the headline was what caught her eye.
"What the shit!" She exploded, her own temper matching her father's. "Look at this!" She shoved the paper in Finnick's hands ignoring how he was trying to hide behind the group from her father. She had expected him to find it funny, but instead he paled, looking up at her father in fear. "Oh, grow a pair," she muttered snatching the paper so she could read the article. An Unexpected Love Story. She sneered at the paper. What did they know? There would never be a love story between the two of them. Ignoring how her heart sunk at the thought she read on.
It is believed that this years Victory Tour has stirred up more than the usual celebrations, writes gossip columnist Illonius Demobrov. After word reached this silver word-smith's ears about a certain First Granddaughter joining the tour this year, I had to simply find out why. And why I did find! For more turn to page 2A.
For possibly the first time in her life, Colletta was speechless. Part of her didn't know how to process this. Laugh or be angry? The other part of her had too much to say about this. A, who knew that she was going to be on the tour ahead of time? B, where did they get the idea that her and Finnick were anything more than friends? And, C, did they not realize how much trouble this would get her in? She was more than capable of doing that without any help, thank you very much.
"Daddy," she squeaked, looking up from the paper to see her father had turned a lovely puce color. "I can explain this."
"Well?" He snarled,snatching the paper back from her.
"Finnick and I are just friends. Someone must have misinterpreted that." She said it slowly, like she was trying to calm some savage beast.
He thought this over for a minute before regarding her again. "Regardless," he said, sounding considerably calmer, though he was still quite discolored (Colletta hoped that he hadn't dyed his skin that way- it was just awful), "you have been associating with someone below your station. He is jut a fisher-boy. You are a Snow. And it is about high time that you start acting like one. Your mother has your punishment for you in the drawing room." With one more glare at Finnick, he turned on his heel and thundered away in the direction of the kitchens.
It took Colletta a few moments to shut her brain up, and then another few seconds to register that she had gotten out of that relatively unscathed.
"Well," she smiled turning around to face the shocked entourage, "I believe this is where we part ways for the time being. If you will excuse me, I have tedious things to do." And with that she too scampered off to find out exactly which drawing room her mother was in.
An hour later found Colletta on her hands and knees, scrubbing with a passion at the already sparkling floor of the banquet hall. No one had believed her about how she hadn't been trying to start a riot- how was she supposed to know that the people would react violently? According to her mother, she was lucky that her father didn't avox her for inciting rebellion, like he wanted to. She swallowed, wondering how it would feel to not have a tongue.
"Have you done any of the vases, yet?" She heard her mother screech. Looking up, she saw the lavender-skinned woman was sporting hair the color of the ocean and a scowl so fierce that it could've scared off even the most fearsome mutt.
"Yes, momma," Colletta replied warily, stretching from her hunched position. On top of scrubbing the floors, she had to polish every vase in the mansion.
"Well," her mother snapped, "which ones?"
"Just the ones in this room, momma."
"Very well. Hurry it up, would you? You still need to get ready for tonight." Colletta smiled, trying to picture Finnick's reaction to the dress she was planning to wear for him. "I want this done before then."
Her smile was short lived. "But momma-"
"No arguing." The woman scolded. "If you can't finish it before the banquet starts, then you will have more than just vases to polish. Am I understood?"
Colletta hung her head. There was no way she'd be able to accomplish that. "Yes, ma'am."
Just as Colletta predicted, she didn't even get half of the vases polished (why did they have so many, anyways?). As she struggled into the skin-tight dress, she wondered what her mother would cook up for her the next day. She suspected that she'd get stuck cleaning up after the festivities all by herself. Festivities, she thought bitterly. It was sickening how they were celebrating the barbaric death of children like this. What was worse was that the bloodshed happened outside the Arena. Colletta collapsed onto her gigantic, comfortable, sorely missed bed and buried her face into her hands, trying to block out the memories. How could she celebrate anything with that kind of evil in the world?
"Colletta," a sharp voice interrupted her thoughts, "what are you doing?"with
Her head snapped up to see her mother, completely bedecked in gold. It was a good look for her, with her hair and skin color, she thought, for once impressed by her mother's taste.
"Nothing, momma," she muttered shoving her hair out of her face. "Is it already time?"
"Just about." Her mother smiled before looking her over. "What on Earth are you wearing?"
Colletta stood up to show off how good she looked. Usually, she didn't care how she looked at formal events like this, so she thought her mother would by happy that she was putting forth an effort.
Instead, her mother curled her lip in disgust. "You look like a common whore. Change."
Colletta watched her mother leave, dainty hands balled into not-so-dainty fists. Of course nothing would go right for her.
Finnick was in the middle of a group of admirers, waiting desperately for Colletta to show up and save him, like she was so prone to doing. Or she would at least liven things up.
"So, Finnick," one of his admirers purred, trying to sound sexy. The effect was ruined completely by the fact that she was old enough to be his great grandmother. "Tell us again how you killed the boy from District Two."
"Um," he stalled, trying to find an out from the conversation. He really didn't want to relive any more moments from the Games. Salvation, surprisingly, was found in the form of Cole's father.
"Excuse me, ladies," he said, flashing what Finnick supposed he thought was a charming smile; it only reminded him of a rabid animal. "I must steal the Victor from you; he is still under age."
A few of the women looked horror-stricken at the idea of him leaving and, with Cole's warning in the back of his mind, he lost all desire to attack the buffet waiting for him along the walls.
"Is there something you need, sir?"
"A word, if you don't mind." Something told Finnick that even if he did mind, there would be no avoiding this conversation. He followed him out to one of the numerous terraces, a feeling of dread settling in his stomach. When they were alone, the older man turned to him, dropping the polite facade entirely. "What are you're intentions with my daughter?"
"Colletta and I are just friends." Finnick told him, trying not to sound like an indignant child. "Nothing more."
"Do you wish for there to be something more?"
Finnick didn't want to be having this conversation. He enjoyed Colletta's company, yes, but there would never be anything romantic between them. He told her father just as much. "She's just my friend, sir. That's all we'll ever be."
The older man looked satisfied with this answer. "If your intentions change," he said, leaning in threateningly, "don't forget that I know everything about your little brother." With that he left, his long, black cape billowing in his wake.
Colletta watched her father rejoin the party, fighting back the tears that were stinging her eyes. She knew that nothing could ever happen between them, but knowing and hearing it straight from his mouth were two different things. And then her father threatened his family! Even if he ever developed feelings for her there could be no sneaking around about it now. Whatever, she thought bitterly, taking a deep breath, it's just a stupid crush anyways. She met his eye across the terrace and smiled, wanting to enjoy her last evening with him until the next Hunger Games.
"Colletta," her mother's voice warned sternly from behind her. Right, she reminded herself. She couldn't even be friends with him now that they were in the tabloids.
"Sorry, momma." She winced at how bitter she sounded. "I just don't see why I have to completely avoid him."
Her mother sighed heartily and massaged her temple. "Why can't you just behave yourself for once, Cole?"
Now Colletta was really worried- her mother rarely called her that anymore. "Momma, are you okay?"
"I'm-" She never got to say what she was, however, as she collapsed right on top of Colletta, the drink she was holding shattering at their feet.
"Momma!" She cried, loud enough for the entire banquet hall to hear. Colletta struggled under her mother's weight, but somehow managed to keep them both upright. All she could think about was how her mother's beautiful gold gown was going to be ruined by the puddle of wine and broken glass. Finnick was there in an instant, holding up her other side and the Nic was shoving Colletta out of the way. Without her mother's weight to support, she sunk to the ground, tears ruining her perfect make-up. Glass was cutting into her exposed legs and the hem of her dress was darkening, but she ceased to care.
And then someone was lifting her to her feet, rubbing her back comfortingly and leading her from the room. Judging by the strong fragrance of rose and blood, it was her grandfather, she surmised.
"She'll need medical attention," he said to someone in his calm, soothing voice, holding out the "s" a bit longer than even most Capitol folk. "Take her to the next room."
"But momma!" Colletta cried, trying to get out of her grandfather's arms. "She could be dying!"
"Your mother is fine, Colletta," he told her, holding her still. "She just took a little bit too much medication tonight. You, however, are bleeding quite profusely."
She looked down and saw that one of her legs was covered in blood. A jagged piece of glass was sticking out from just above her knee. No wonder why she was lightheaded and couldn't walk without help.
"So am I dying?" She asked, the sight of blood making her feel even more panicky, and thus, irrational.
"No, Colletta," President Snow said as if he was talking to an especially slow child. "Mr. Odair, I understand that you are the guest of honor tonight. You should get back to the party. Thank you for your help."
"But Cole-"
"Thank you for your help." He gave the young Victor a pointed look before the boy turned with an apologetic smile to Colletta and left. "Now, Nicolai, your sister needs help."
Colletta was going to protest again- she really wanted Finnick there- but felt something stab her in the back of the neck and everything went over all fuzzy.
So, I'm terribly sorry that I haven't updated in forever. I don't even know how long it's been. There really is no reason why I haven't updated, other tha the fact that I'm the queen of lazy. Hope you enjoyed this one though. Lots of family time still to come in the following chapters! And look! Some Finnick pov! Review, please?
