THE 72ND ANNUAL HUNGER GAMES

The banner was bright gold and displeasing to the eye. Banners displaying videos of the tributes also lined walkway as Finnick made his way through the Capitol.

"Annie Cresta is unable to join us tonight, so her mentor that we all know and love, Finnick Odair, will be speaking in her place!"

He explained it all the Annie before he came here. He told her that everything he did was an act. All a charade to entertain the Capitol. Just make believe.

"Anything I say or do is not true. I don't mean it. It if touch my nose like this, I'm lying. So if you watch it and see me do that, that's for you. That's so you know it isn't true."

Annie had nodded and he hoped she believed him. Finnick couldn't imagine hurting her. She'd already been hurt so much.

Just like him.

"Look, it's everyone's favorite liar, Finnick Odair!" Proclaimed a poor Caesar Flickerman impersonation. Johanna Mason walked up to greet him in the square.

He pushed her arm, "Don't say things like that. We're in public."

"Well, the watch us everywhere, so what's the point?" Johanna said darkly. "We didn't get to talk much last night. You were too busy schmoozing Caesar."

Finnick rolled his eyes, "I've got to stay alive, Johanna."

"Gotta keep your girl alive too, don't you?"

He froze, "What?"

Johanna shrugged, "You're edgier than usual. You're protecting someone."

Finnick slowed his walk, lowering his voice so no passerby could hear, "Let's not talk about this here."

Johanna stuck her nose up, "I told you not to get too close to anyone, Finnick."

"It's not like that," he whispered, always afraid he'd be heard. "She's just a friend. There's nothing more." He noticed some of the Capitol citizens watching them closely. No doubt some of them reported to Snow. "Let's not talk about this anymore. I have jobs to do."

Johanna gaged, "Don't refer to it as a 'job'. Its disgusting."

Finnick sighed, "But it's necessary. See you at the interviews tonight."
ooo
Odin and Undine were making complete asses of themselves.

What did Finnick expect? They were two cocky volunteers who wouldn't listen to a word of advice. I know what I'm doing, they'd say, as if he were some outdated model who couldn't help them.

Fine. Have no sponsors. Die. See if I care.

It was mean to think and he didn't really mean it, but if they didn't listen they would did.

And Finnick really didn't have to worry about sponsors. If they couldn't get them themselves, well, he had ways to get them.

He had just hoped he wouldn't have to resort to that. But watching them make fools of themselves made him certain he would.

Unable to pay attention a moment longer, his mind drifted to his interview a few nights ago.

"So, how is Miss Cresta, Finnick?" Caesar asked with a concerned look. He seemed so nice, so trustworthy. Like you could tell him all your secrets.

He was very good at his job.

He continued, "Last time she was here, well, she seemed a bit...unstable." There were snickers from the audience. Finnick dug his nails into his palms to fight off his temper.

Finnick smiled, "She was just a bit shook up is all. A little too much water to the brain." While the audience laughed, he reached up and scratched his nose, making his special signal to Annie. I'm sorry, Annie, he thought. I'm so sorry.

Caesar regained composure, "How's life in District Four treating you?"

"Very well," he said, grateful to say something that wasn't a lie. "It's really...wonderful."

"Sounds like you've got a special someone back home." Caesar said. The audience giggled. A few gasps as well, probably from members of his waiting list.

Finnick shook his head, "No, no." He laughed like it were a ridiculous thing, "I have all the special someones I need right here in the Capitol."

Cheers. Everyone cheered.

Finnick rubbed his nose again.
ooo
Annie tried not to watch too much of the Games. It was too hard for her. She'd be watching a District One girl running to a lake and suddenly Annie was there with her falling into the murky water.

What made her more sick was watching Finnick. He was so strange in those interviews, so...inhuman. Like a charming snake. His smile was full of confidence, but his eyes full of fear. And something else.

Annie was almost certain it was rage.

The most sickening part was seeing him flirt with the Capitol women, wooing and charming them in the Square. He did it so easily and they melted without any hesitation.

Every time they'd show a clip of him with a women he'd scratch his nose.

"Anything I say or do is not true. I don't mean it. It if touch my nose like this, I'm lying. So if you watch it and see me do that, that's for you. That's so you know it isn't true."

Annie prayed and hoped it wasn't true. Finnick deserved better than those ridiculous women.

It wasn't as though she wanted to be with him. That was impossible. She knew that. She just wanted him with someone good. Someone kind. Not some giggly woman with green hair.

Annie told herself she would not be jealous or resentful or sad. There was nothing to be upset about. Finnick was not her's and she had no place to feel those things.

Annie decided she would watch no more of the Games.

They were only making her worse.
ooo
Undine died in the Cornucopia and Odin four days later by an ally who proved false.

Finnick was a bit disappointed, but not entirely surprised. He knew Undine was done for when she ran for that blue backpack. The first thing he'd told her was to get as far away from the Cornucopia as possible.

But he pretended to be very cut up about the whole thing to his client. Women loved the whole 'sad puppy' façade: they loved to fix things.

Aryleigh was very keen on comforting him. Very keen on comforting him as he sat on her bed with the fur comforter. She was very wealthy, as all his clients were. Her husband worked only two levels under Snow. A very well connected man.

"Don't worry about him," she said, "we've never been exclusive."

Aryleigh put her slender dark arm around his shoulder, "Don't cry, Finnick. I'm here, love. You don't need to worry about anything."

"I just wish I could've helped them some more," he said with very convincing fake tears.

Aryleigh nodded, the light refracting off her ridiculous golden eyelashes, "I know. I know. But I can make you feel better." She took his hand and placed it on her breast.

Well, she's a direct one.

He looked up to meet her eyes and was shocked at what he saw. Annie was sitting in front of him, staring at him with her doe like green eyes.

"Finnick?" She said with a little smile. His mouth was dry.

"Finnick?" Aryleigh's voice brought him back to reality. "What's wrong?"

He blinked, "Nothing. Nothing 'a wrong."
ooo
"Want...to know a secret?" Mumbled his client. Her eyes were shut and he doubted if she was fully awake.

People say the best things when they aren't fully awake.

Finnick stroked the side of her face, "I'd love to know a secret."

Aryleigh smiled, "President Snow wasn't supposed to be president..." She yawned, her eyes fluttering a bit.

He leaned forward, "Oh?"

Nodding slowly, she continued, "He was third in line...so...so he got a hold of President Foal's tea...and...and...put something in it."

Finnick was about to burst. "How strange."

Aryleigh yawned again, "He did the same for the next in line. Snow even put a bit in his own tea so no one would suspect. Of course, he was the only one with the antidote..."

He could kiss her. She wouldn't even have to pay.

"Just some...office rumors..." Aryleigh yawned once more and her breathing quickly turned to snores.

Finnick got up, dressing himself and leaving the house.

He smiled brightly as he walked back to his hotel.

Poison, he thought, how very snakelike of you, Snow.

And how very, very terrible for you if anyone found out.