Chapter 9

ANNIE POV

The sky is a gloomy one in District 4 today, but that doesn't stop the majority of the population from a day at the beach.

"Annie come on we should go out. I haven't seen the private Victors Village beach yet." Zapp says with a smile.

It's been one months since their date and they have been hanging out regularly. They don't kiss all the time and Annie isn't sure if Zapp is her boyfriend. She isn't sure if she wants him to be her boyfriend. After all, can you really date someone when you leave out a big part of your life. She doesn't tell him about the nightmares or the blackouts from panic. She keeps waiting for it to happen when he is around, but it doesn't.

"No it's probably gonna rain." Annie says looking out her window. She doesn't like the rain, it rained too much in her arena. It rained almost daily and sometimes it was so hard it felt like bullets were hitting her skin.

"What, are you afraid you're gonna melt because you're as sweet as sugar?" He says with a smile and takes her hand. He starts to walk them to her backdoor.

"I said no." Annie says a little harsher than she meant.

There it is. Annie thinks to herself. She can't be outside when it is raining because it reminds her of the arena which reminds her of Aden and that reminds her of death and blood.

"Okay." He says and lets go of her hand.

"I think you should go home. I don't want you to get caught in the rain." Annie says.

"Okay." He says confused.

He kisses her on the cheek.

"Bye Annie." Zapp says.

"Bye Zapp." Annie says. She doesn't bother walking him to the door, she doesn't even turn around until she hears the front door close.

A tear falls from her eye, one she was holding in so he wouldn't see.

Around twenty minutes later she hears a knock on her door and is hoping it isn't Zapp coming back to talk to her.

She is surprised when she sees it is Finnick. She also notices the wet spots starting to form on the pavement from raindrops.

"Get inside." She says. She grabs his arm and pulls Finnick forcefully into her house.

"Woah didn't think a girl your size could pull me so forcefully." He teases.

"Shut up Finnick." She says. She isn't mad at him, just scared.

"What's wrong?" He asks because he can tell she is afraid.

"It's raining outside." She says softly.

"Oh didn't notice." He says truthfully.

The rain just started so it is barely spitting.

"You know you're safe in your house." He says.

"I-" Annie starts talking but Finnick doesn't stop.

"An earthquake isn't going to happen and it isn't going to rain so hard that the walls will blow away." He says with a smile.

"That's not funny Finnick." She says because she gets the feeling he is teasing her.

"I'm not being funny. None of that will happen because it isn't monsoon season." Finnick says gently this time.

Annie is silent for a long time before she realizes something

"There's never been an earthquake in District 4, even during monsoon season."

"Huh." Finnick says with a smile. "You must be safe here then."

"The house could still blow away." Annie says still worried.

"It won't, it isn't monsoon season." He says and places the bag of flour on the kitchen counter he bought for her.

Annie sighs.

"Besides, this is a Capitol house it is probably has the best structure in District 4, it won't blow down so easily. Especially since this storm will probably pass soon." He says.

Annie sighs again and notices the flower on the counter.

"Do you always bring bags of flowers to girls houses?" Annie asks.

Finnick smiles

"No, I wanted to see you make something." Finnick says.

"Like food, like the chocolate cake." Annie says almost annoyed.

"You've made the chocolate cake twice and are still messing it up."

"That is because it is one of those recipes that goes; mix it until it look right or add a handful of salt. I mean honestly why is there even salt in a cake recipe." Annie says.

From the family cookbook recipes she can tell from the handwriting more than one person has added recipes over the years. She doesn't like the person who gives vague directions that probably would only make sense if she actually watched the person make it once or twice.

She can tell by the stains it must have been used often, wasn't surprised when Finnick asked her to make this first. She was good with the blueberry pie though, Finnick bought vanilla ice cream to go with it or like he said in case it tasted bad.

Finnick smiles.

"I know, that's why I'm going to watch you this time if you're not busy." He says with a smile.

"I'm not leaving this house anytime soon." She says and starts baking. Finnick is watching her carefully

"No you have to fold in the eggs." Finnick says when she starts mixing.

"That is not in the recipe." Annie says because folding in eggs and just throwing them into the mixing bowl cause different results.

"Huh thought it would be obvious." He says.

Annie rolls her eyes.

"Just write it down." Annie says.

"Okay." He says and grabs a pencil.

"So who's recipe is this anyways?" Annie asks.

"Grandmother Odair."

"Well, someone could've told her to be more descriptive." Annie mumbles and puts the cake in the oven.

Finnick smiles.

"The rain has stopped." Finnick says noticing sunshine coming in through the windows.

Annie nods.

"So uh I wanted to ask you something before we leave next month." Annie says and licks some of the batter off the spatula."

"Okay." Finnick says.

"What's going to happen?" Annie asks.

"We go to a lavish party." He says.

"A party, like my Victory Tour celebration?"

Finnick shakes his head.

"We'll be at someone's house and the guest list will probably be smaller."

"Snow said I should do something to be remembered, said it will affect my future. How am I supposed to be remembered at some random party."

"It's probably not a random party then." Finnick says and takes one of the beaters.

"What do you mean?" Annie asks.

"A contest or a theme party maybe." Finnick says.

"What do you mean contest?" Annie asks.

"You need the definition of what of contest is." Finnick teases.

"I'm serious Finnick."

"I don't know what kind of party it is going to be, you shouldn't worry about it until we are on the train heading to the Capitol." Finnick says.

"That's all you've got for me?" Annie says slightly annoyed.

"The act of surprise needs to be genuine sometimes." Finnick says and puts the beater in the sink.

"What's going to happen if I don't become memorable? How will that affect my future?" Annie asks.

"I don't know, Snow is usually more direct which makes me think he has no intention of harming you or your family, at least for a while."

"What do you mean awhile?" Annie asks

"Lena was a victor for years before Snow went after her, maybe he will do that for you." Finnick says.

"I don't want that, I want to know right now."

"Didn't realize you were so impatient." He says.

"It's a big life altering event." Annie says.

"You'll just have to wait then." Finnick says sadly as the timer goes off.

"Hopefully it tastes better this time." Annie says and pulls it out of the oven.

She makes the icing and Finnick just watches her. Not to make sure she is doing it correctly, but to see the look on her face. He can see the worry, but something else as well.

FINNICK POV

He hears a knock on a front door and wonders if it is a peacekeeper telling him information about the train ride. Sometimes peacekeepers come by to make sure he knows what time the train is leaving the station. He always assumes the train would never leave without him, but doesn't want to test this theory.

When he opens the door he finds an annoyed Zayden.

"Good you're still here." He say.

"For another two hours." Finnick says.

"I was supposed to give you that after I visited that woman in the casino." He shutters as if it was some type of trauma; visiting a dancer at a casino.

He his holding out a small white envelope.

Finnick takes it from him and opens it. He finds a small black poker chip, some Capitol citizens use color to explain their motives as it may seem safer. Since the woman gave him a black chip that means she intends to use the herb to kill someone. Finnick didn't need to know this, he prefers that he didn't, but this does give him something interesting to talk about during the party.

There is also a napkin from the casino reading one word Thanks.

"That poker chip is worth a million dollars, it is the highest one they make. However, it is now useless because chips are changed out daily so people can't take advantage."

"I'm surprised you didn't use it." Finnick says putting it back in the envelope, he plans to destroy it later. He never leaves any information behind, the only place it can be located is in his mind.

"I get the feeling that woman would have eventually figured it out. Besides, I don't want you to end up on someone's hit list other than Snow's" Zayden says.

"Just worry about yourself Zayden. I know what I'm doing."

"Sometimes I still find you as the fourteen year old victor. You always take on more you can handle." Zayden says.

"I've got it under control." Finnick says a little annoyed.

If someone ever did end up killing him they would be stupid or ill informed. Snow would kill them, he would even kill the person who put out a hit on Finnick. Finnick is one of the victors Snow is too fond of to lose.

"Very well then, enjoy your party." Zayden says with a smile and leaves.

Finnick rolls his eyes.


Finnick begrudgingly heads to the train twenty minutes before it will leave the station. He does it out of habit because when he travels alone it usually leaves earlier.

Finnick feels a clap on his back.

"Hello there darling." Lena says like a Capitol citizen would.

Finnick rolls his eyes.

"Where's Annie?" She asks.

"We've got fifteen minutes." Finnick says.

She comes onto the train in ten minutes.

As soon as the train leaves the station a train attendant comes out with an envelope on a silver platter.

Finnick gets it and reads it aloud.

"Congratulations you have all been selected to attend Sapphire Rose's yearly party. The theme this year will be Saints and Sinners, become prepared to have games filled with sin. After all what is life without living in sin."

"Ugh." Finnick says.

"You know this woman?" Lena asks.

"Yes, she is very over the top and takes her parties seriously. I've been to them before, the last one I went too had the theme Dynamic Duos. It was clearly a party for swingers."

"Don't you have to bring a partner then?" Lena asks.

"I was teamed up with Cashmere." Finnick says.

"So what is gonna happen at this thing?" Annie asks nervously.

"It's a theme party, I'm not sure what Saints and Sinners would entail, but you play the role you're given." Lena says.

Annie looks to Finnick.

"They call it a Saints and Sinners because you get assigned the role of a sinner or a saint. The saints act more innocent while the sinners do whatever they want." Finnick says he doesn't want to exactly explain what being a sinner actually entails to Annie because he thinks it will scare her.

"I've heard of this party once that they required all the sinners to work a stripper pole for the whole night, toppless." Lena says.

"What happens if you're not a sinner." Annie says

"The saints can't enjoy any of the spoils of the party, that definition varies from the party thrower. Sapphire Rose will have strict rules, you probably won't even be allowed to drink alcohol if you're a saint." Finnick says.

"Oh." Annie says.

"Most Capitol citizens do not want this part, so if you get it you'll have to speak with a lot of people."

"Why would we have to talk to a lot of people?" Annie asks.

"Because they can't drink or have people dance up on them." Lena says.

"Well, I'd take that rather than stripping in front of a bunch of people." Annie says.

Finnick wants to tell her that acting like a whore may be better than talking to a bunch of Capitol citizens.

"Sometimes there is a wild card though which could mean anything." Finnick says.

"Who comes up with this madness." Annie says annoyed.

"Who came up with the Hunger Games?" Finnick says.

"Well I say the odds of Annie getting the saint part is low." Lena says.

"Why?" Finnick and Annie both say.

"Because she is so pure in real life. Having to act like a whore for a night wouldn't kill you." Lena says

"It's always a random draw Lena." Finnick says. He's been to more of one of these parties and knows how the selection process works. He also knows Sapphire Rose wouldn't let anyone cheat.

"Do we have to go home with party guests?" Annie asks.

"No, our job is just to attend the party this time." Finnick says.

"Good." Annie says.

"Don't half ass this though Annie." Lena says.

"I know." She says slightly annoyed.

"Just wanted to make sure." Lena says.

"What do we wear?" Annie asks.

"Each part has costumes." Finnick says.

"Don't expect to be wearing a lot of clothes if you're a sinner." Lena says.

Lena is right some of the sinner outfits can be down right degrading and they dress Capitol citizens like that. Finnick almost likes seeing Capitol citizens getting a taste of their own medicine when they have to dress and do humiliating things in front of others. He doesn't feel terribly bad because these people can leave the party any time they want to. Once they see their assigned outfit they could run for the door, but that can't be said for the three of them

ANNIE POV

They arrive in the Capitol hours before the party. Despite this they won't be getting their costumes until they arrive at the party. However, they still need to wear Capitol clothes and Lena and Annie need to get their makeup professionally done.

All three of them get into a car to be taken to the party. Annie wants to ask more questions to Finnick or Lena, but neither of them talk and she gets the feeling she is supposed to stay silent.

They arrive at a giant mansion that could easily hold hundreds of people. There are three big fountains in the front walk up and four ugly marble statues that resemble dogs.

When they walk inside the house it has gold and white ceilings that seem to never stop. There are pictures plastered on all the walls of the same woman. Annie assumes this is Sapphire Rose. If it is, she has dark blue skin with bright shiny silver hair. In all the pictures her nails are painting a bright red. The pictures could've been painted all the same day or it could be a signature of hers.

They turn a corner and Annie ses six servants all wearing black suits and holding a small black bag.

"Pick one." The host says to them.

Finnick goes first pulling out a blue poker chip.

"Saint." The host says and motions towards the right. Finnick goes off to the right. Annie notices there are blue arrows on the floor.

Must lead us to our destination. Annie thinks to herself.

Another guest who is pale and has multiple piercings on her left ear picks from a different bag.

She pulls out a bright red poker chip and seems very enthused by this.

"Sinner." He says and motions towards the left. Again there are multiple arrows this time red coated on the floor.

"Your turn my dear." He says to Annie.

Annie picks from the middle bag. Her hand touches multiple chips until she finds one she is satisfied with.

When she opens up her hand she reveals a bright red poker chip. Annie feels nervous immediately. She said on the train she would prefer to be a saint but by walking into this house she doesn't think either choice would be good.

"Sinner." He says and motions towards the left.

Annie follows the red arrows which stop in a giant room filled with multiple outfits.

She sees someone is standing at a podium, they look bored and are wearing a dull blue outfit.

"Got your chip honey?" The woman asks holding out her hand.

"Yeah." Annie says and gives her it woodenly.

The woman looks it over as if trying to see if it is fake. She scans something on it and puts it in a bowl with the rest.

"Wrist please." She says.

"What?" Annie asks.

"Hold out your wrist." She says still holding the scanner

Annie does.

She wraps a flimsy bracelet around her wrist. It resembles a hospital bracelet but is bright pink.

The woman presses the scanner to her wrist. Annie then feels something being imprinted onto her wrist.

When the scanner is taken away she has what looks to be a scan mark.

"That will be used to keep your score." She says.

Annie wants to ask a question but the woman shouts next because people are behind her.

Score? Annie thinks to herself. Neither Finnick or Lena said anything about keeping score just that she had to play the part.

She walks further down the hall and is greeted by a thin man holding a tape measure.

"Let me get you measured." He says.

He scratches her measurements on a slip of paper and hands it to her.

"Go to aisle 37, slot 3 and show this ticket if anyone asks." She says.

She figures her measurement reflects the costume she will be getting.

Annie nods and goes through the place and turns the corner. It's a wide open space with two floors. It is filled with outfit bags and accessories everywhere. There are also workers in the back on sewing machines and people standing outside each aisle.

Where the hell am I? Annie thinks to herself.

She finds the aisle with a large 37 on the side and a person dressed in red is standing by it. They look like they are dressed as a devil. Plastic black horns, red skin, black makeup, and a tight dress that resembles lingerie.

"Ticket darling?" The woman asks. Annie gives it to her and she examines it closely "Alright." She looks her over. "Turn for me please." She asks and Annie complies.

"Mmmmh with your hair I'd go with red." The woman says and looks her up and down again. "Follow me darling." She says.

They stop in stall that says three above it. So much clothing and accessories fill it to the hilt.

The woman rifles around it and smiles when she finds the garment.

"There we are." She says and hands Annie the clothes.

A lacy red corset with black thigh highs, a garter belt, and tall red heels.

It looks like lingerie, no it is lingerie.

This is my outfit?! Annie thinks and feels a slight panic.

"If you need help tying the corset someone will help, the changing rooms are this way." The woman says and motions towards the back

"Before you go, here are the tasks." The woman says and hands her a piece of paper. But they don't count until the rules have been explained."

"Okay.' Annie says and looks at a sheet of paper with about fifty things on it.

Before she is allowed to leave for the party floor the girls at the changing rooms need to approve her outfit. They ended up tying Annie's corset so her breast are almost spilling out. She doesn't like this and doesn't understand why anyone would. She got dressed up to look like a whore or stripper.

"Enjoy the party Miss." She says. Her wrist gets scanned as she leaves the costume floor.

She walks into a big open space that has a runway with multiple poles on the end for stripping/dancing, there are multiple couches and chairs wrapped around the runway, a long bar that could hold any alcohol she could imagine. Two DJs with equipment she has never seen before, and severants and avoxs everywhere. The lights in the room are only filled with red and blue bulbs.

She looks around the room and can see it isn't filled very much. She knows they arrived early and maybe it was because they could get the best outfits.

She scans the room for Lena or Finnick. She spots Finnick across the room wearing a suit with everything blue, the jacket, the slacks, the shirt, the tie, even the shoes are blue. They are different shades of blue, but he looks a little ridiculous with all that blue. She would rather take a blue outfit than what she is wearing though.

Finnick catches her eye and walks over to her. He can tell by her heels that she won't be able to walk over to him.

"Hey." He says.

"You scared me Finnick." Annie says annoyed.

"So how you holding up?" He asks.

"I'm walking around in lingerie in front of a room full of strangers, not to mention I'm not good at walking in heels." Annie says.

"You could probably get away with taking them off by claiming they don't fit. You are a sinner so lying is expected."

Annie sighs.

"I thought you weren't allowed to talk to me." Annie says.

"The party hasn't started yet and I said I couldn't enjoy the spoils that doesn't mean I can't talk to the sinners. You get your tasks yet?" He asks.

"Oh that piece of paper?" Annie asks and he nods.

She pulls it out, she had it stuffed in her outfit.

"There's so many." Annie says looking it over.

"They don't expect you to do all of them, just do the first ten or so. The longer the lists goes the more difficult the tasks become. You don't have to do them in order though." Finnick says.

Annie goes and looks it over.

"Think you could help me with number five then?" Annie asks and shows him the paper

Get a saint to kiss you.

"Then I would be punished." He says with a smile.

"What?" Annie asks confused.

"You're not just here to play dress up, the whole thing is a game."

"What?" Annie asks confused.

"They will explain it soon, but there is a winner at the end of the night. The prize varies but it generally has to do with money or something extravagant. For the sinners it's how many you accomplish for the saints it's now many you have left. Saints also get some type of punishment when they break a rule and the higher the number the harsher the punishment." Finnick says.

"What's number one on your list?" She asks.

"Drinking alcoholic beverages, you?" He asks.

"Take at least 5 shots." Annie says.

"The lists parallel sometimes. What else is on the list."

"Uh kiss someone of the opposite sex, kiss someone of the same sex, get a saint to kiss you, have someone fondle you, work the pole for an hour, make 1,000 dollars, walk around naked for an hour, take red jewel, cocaine, have sex-"

"The ass grab should be easy in your outfit."Finnick says

"Finnick-" Annie says embarrassed. She can feel her cheeks get red.

"The kissing part will be easy, especially when the night is early. Finding a saint to kiss you might be harder but I can do it if you really want me to. Like I said getting someone to grab your ass won't be hard in that get up." Finnick says.

Annie sighs

"I'm not doing red jewel again." Annie says.

"You don't have to, but you should work the pole or dance. You're supposed to be remembered, it will make Snow happy." Finnick says.

"I'm not a good dancer." Annie says

"Dancing like a stripper isn't hard." Finnick says.

"How am I supposed to collect 1,000 dollars?" Annie asks.

"You work the pole and dance. Saints are supposed to give you money if you ask for it, but that rule is broken a lot and they would only give you a little." Finnick says.

"If this party is so big how can they enforce these rules." Annie asks.

Finnick points to his wrist.

"The reason there are so many servants in here is to ensure you follow the rules and once you get something crossed off your list you get scanned so they can keep score." Finnick says.

"It just felt like ink." Annie says looking at hers again.

"It's not as aggressive, in the morning it will be gone."

"I see." Annie says.

"There are also cameras everywhere so people will know if you are cheating." Finnick says

"Who thinks of such complex events." Annie says.

"They have a game where they watch kids fight to the death. I'd say this is pretty tame." Finnick says.

"How many times have you done this type of party?" Annie asks. She can't remember if he told her on the train.

"Including this one, four. The theme is very popular, but the tasks are always a little different." Finnick says.

"Which do you prefer?" Annie asks

"I've actually never played the part of a saint. I think them splitting the picking jars into six instead of just two or three mixes it up better." Finnick says

"So you don't know what this punishment will be?" Annie says

"It won't be that bad, these people are from the Capitol and some of them like feeling pain." Finnick says

"This sounds overly complicated." Annie says

"It's not really, the amount of people just makes it seem that way." Finnick says

"Seems like it would make it easier to complete tasks with less people." Annie says.

"Some of those things you wouldn't want to do when there is a large group of people. I don't think you want to walk around naked for an hour with all these people watching. It makes the game more exciting. Also lots of powerful people come to these things to find material to blackmail someone. So they have to be extra careful."

"Interesting that your mind went to blackmail so quickly." Annie says surprised.

"Some of the attendees are coming here just for that purpose and if they pay enough they can just buy the recording of this party." Finnick says

"Just come to a party like this to find dirt doesn't seem worth it." Annie says

"Capitol citizens are vicious they may look ridiculous, but they know what they are doing. They will do anything to advance their career or social status. Most of the most powerful people in the Capitol have gotten there by blackmailing or straight up murder."

"That include the President?" Annie asks.

Finnick gives her a look that says don't ever say that again.

"Why risk it then?" Annie asks.

"Because they don't want to turn down an exclusive event." He says and smiles at her.

A horn goes off signaling the event is about to begin.

"Well, I have to go join the other saints now." He says and looks her up and down. "Good luck Annie." He says and walks away.

FINNICK POV

The rules for this party are exactly like Finnick thought they would be. The saints got told that the minor punishment would be a slap on the wrist, literally. They didn't say what they were going to hit you with, but his mind came up with multiple choices.

Loud club music starts blaring along with annoying lights. The severants start to push around mini bars and dancers he's sure Sapphire Rose hired are dancing on the runway or on people's lap.

"Finnick." She hears someone say. He barely makes it out because the music is so loud. He is sure they yelled it.

"Sapphire." He says as he sees her coming over. Her blue skin and red nails shiny brightly.

"I'm so glad you're here." She says and wraps her arms around him.

He pushes her away he doesn't want to get slapped so early in the night.

"Oh right, you're playing the good boy tonight." She says with a wicked smile.

"And what are you playing?" He asks.

"I'm the hostess I can play whichever part I want." She says with a smile.

The thought of every Capitol citizen. I'm in charge so I can break the rules. Finnick thinks to himself.

"I see." Finnick says. She has backed off of him, maybe she doesn't want him to get in trouble.

"I hope you enjoy your evening." She says. She kisses his cheek, which is allowed, and walks off.

Finnick surveys the party to see if he knows anyone here. He can tell there are assistants of powerful politicians.. They probably went in their place, probably to find something for blackmail.

"Finnick." A girl says. This one is dressed like a devil who is obviously a sinner for the evening.

"I'm alright." Finnick says.

At parties like these he is allowed to say no unless he knows the person. He has no idea who that girl is and is glad for it. After multiple attempts of trying to get him to dance with her she goes away to someone more interested.

"Hi Finnick." She hears a sultry voice behind him say. This one he recognizes.

He turns and smiles, but isn't happy to see her.

"Molly." He says. She is dressed in a similar outfit Annie is, but hers is black."

"Did you get my poker chip?" She asks.

"I did, Zayden gave it to me." He says.

"Come dance with me." She says and holds out her hand.

Finnick takes it reluctantly.

The song is fast pace and electronic, but she dances with him like it is a slow song.

"I found the man who killed him." She says softly referring to the Vice President.

Finnick is confused by this, it is obvious Snow ordered the hit to kill the Vice President and his sidekick.

"But not the person who put out the order." Finnick says.

"That person is unfortunately unreachable." She says and Finnick spins her.

He notices that some of the referees are watching him.

I'm going to get punished, aren't I. He thinks to himself. He isn't supposed to dance with anyone. He didn't think this sort of dancing would count.

"However, I didn't kill him." She says.

He can't believe she is this stupid to mention it in front of all these people, no matter how loud the music masks her voice someone could still hear her.

"What?" Finnick says confused.

"I couldn't do it, mostly because he told me something useful." She says.

"Are you offering another deal or something." Finnick says because this time he isn't interested.

"Not, this time. I wanted to tell you that the coupe that was started by them is far from over."

"How so?" Finnick asks.

"There are more traitors that Snow employs than you would think. However, lots of them are confused or scared to actually act on something like the poor Vice President did."

"So it's just a pipe dream to them." Finnick says.

"No, they're just looking for a new leader or so I'm told." Molly says

"Interesting." Finnick says.

"And they want everything to be fair, they are gathering people up to have a vote." Molly says.

"I see, why should I care about this though?" Finnick says.

"I thought you would like to know the name of the front runner, maybe you could find information faster than myself."

"I'm thinking I should take a step back for looking into political schemes." Finnick says. He doesn't want to admit it, but maybe Zayden does have a point. He doesn't need to go looking for corruptions within the government and he already has enough dirt on Snow to expose him if the time ever comes.

"Well, I will tell you anyways, keep in mind I only know the last name and it could be fake for all I know. It sounds a little fake to me."

"What is it then Molly." He says slightly interested.

"Heavensbee." She says.

"That does sound made up." Finnick agrees.

"Well, do with it what you will." She says and kisses him on the cheek.

After Molly walks away a servant blows a whistle in his face.

"Rule violation." She says and drags Finnick to the back room. The room is small and only holds a desk and a woman in a black dress.

"Such a naughty boy breaking the rules like that." The woman smiles. "I hope it was worth it, put your hands on the desk."

He does and sees there are multiple options to hit his hands with, some of them include whips.

"Since this is your first offense you only get this." She says and pulls out a wooden ruler.

She hits him four times on the top of his hands.

It stings but he has had much worse from Capitol citizens, the sexual fetishes some of the people have confuse him to no end.

"Don't come back or it will be eight and if it's a third time you get something else." She says with a smile. She can tell this woman is enjoying hitting these people.

"Right." Finnick says unamused.

"Mr. Odair. "He hears someone say form the corner. Only Snow's lapdogs address him as this and he can tell from the pin on his collar this person is on Snow's payroll. "Yes." He says.
Finnick's hands are still stinging so he puts them in his pockets.

"Having fun." The man asks.

"Oh yes, so tell me what does the President want at this hour?" He asks.

"Nothing with you, he wants us to watch Miss. Cresta." He says.

Finnick follows their gaze.

Well at least she is good at some type of dancing. Finnick thinks to himself as he sees Annie on the stripper pole. He's surprised by how confident she looks up there. He's noticed her face usually turns red when they talk about anything involving Snow's deal or sex.

"She dance quite nicely." He says.

"I guess, so will this satisfy the President then." He says.

"He told her to leave a lasting impression, while she may look good up there, their have been many girls up there tonight and most of them have been better than Miss. Cresta." He says.

"Tell me something." Finnick says.

"Yes." He says.

"Why is that the only thing he said to her?" Finnick asks.

President Snow is supposed to tell Finnick the truth, well mostly. There are some things Finnick doesn't ask because Snow will obviously not tell him or because it will tip Snow off to something Finnick has been looking into.

"What do you mean?" He asks.

"He usually gives a command, not something as vague as leave a lasting impression. Besides, half of the people in this room will leave impaired and end up with memory loss."

"How President Snow talks with Miss. Cresta is his business."

They don't know anything. Finnick thinks to himself.

"Well, give the President my regards." Finnick says and walks off.

Finnick feels someone wrap their arms around his waist and he flinches.

"Problem, good looking." Lena says.

"Get off me." He says.

She tries to grind all on him, but It's obvious to him that she is just acting the part. She isn't even drunk.

"You're not worrying about Annie are you?" She says.

"Why would you ask that?" Finnick says as she lets go of him.

"Because you were talking to Snow's goons." Lena says.

"You noticed them too." Finnick says.

A waitress comes over and Lena takes two drinks.

"I can't." Finnick says.

She notices his knuckles are red.

"Aw that's funny a little slap on the wrist." Lena says.

Finnick rolls his eyes.

"Besides, these are both for me." Lena says.

"So, are you worried about Annie?" She says and takes the shot.

"They just said Snow told her to leave a lasting impression." Finnick says.

"Seems vague, too vague for them to actually hurt anyone." Lena says and takes the other shot.

Her scanner lights up signaling she completed a task.

"Which one?" Finnick asks.

"5 shots." Lena says.

Finnick's surprised it took her this long because the party has been going on for hours.

"If you're so worried about her Finnick then just go up to her. She's right by the bar." Lena says and points. He sees her and is laughing and talking with others.

Finnick sighs but ends up walking towards her.

ANNIE POV

Annie feels hot and sticky from the sweat and drinks that have spilled on her. She has bills sticking out of her outfit because she finally earned 1,000 dollars. She thought it would take longer, but soon remembered that Capitol people throw money away like candy to a baby.

Annie gets a tapping on her shoulder and jumps.

"Hi." Finnick says.

"Finnick." Annie says when the crowd clears.

"Hi, so how are you on the list?" He asks.

"I've got five crossed out. I got 1,000 dollars, kissed a boy and girl, drank the shots, and worked the poll. I'm still flirting with people to be remembered."

"Can you do something else." Finnick asks.

"Why do I need to so something else? You said if I worked the poll I would be fine."

"I don't know, but the more things you get crossed off the better impression you will make." Finnick says.

"Well, I don't feel comfortable doing the other things on the list." Annie says and starts to play with her hair. "I mean I guess the red jew-"

"You're not taking drugs Annie." Finnick says firmly.

"But I don't think I can do anything else on this list." Annie says and shows it to him again. He could do number five, but Annie doesn't want to ask for his help again.

"Well there is one more thing." Finnick says noticing the same thing Annie did.

"Finnick." Annie says nervously when he grabs the small of her back.

He pulls her in closer and kisses her.

Annie is frozen for a moment when she realizes that Finnick is kissing her. She can also tell he is trying to make the kiss passionate and noticeable. The way his hands run on her back, Annie tries to make it look noticeable as well. However, after a moment it doesn't seem like she is acting or Finnick is, it just feels like a passionate kiss; a real kiss.

Finnick breaks the kiss.

"Gotta get punished now." Finnick says with a smile. He takes his hand off her cheek.

"Wait." Annie says.

"What?" He asks.

"I..uh...you got lipstick." Annie says and wipes his cheek.

He smiles.

"Thanks." He says.

A referee blows a whistle in Finnick's face startling Annie.

"Rule violation!"

"I'm going relax." Finnick says to the person even though they are already dragging him away..

She feels strange when he walks away. She did ask him to help her with that task earlier in the night, but didn't really think he would do it.

Why did I want to go after him? Why did it feel so...

"Annie! Take some shots with me." Someone at the bar shouts.

"Sure." Annie says and takes the clear liquid. It burns on the way down and makes her head light.

"So how was the kiss with Finnick?" She asks.

"Oh it was-"

What was it? She thinks to herself. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't real.

She has to lie for the answer because she doesn't know what to say.

She shouldn't have felt anything, she is seeing Zapp but she has this strange feeling and it isn't a bad one.

"Good." Annie says.

"I've kissed him before and it was good." She smiles as if remembering it. "Finnick is good at everything." She says.

"I'm gonna go over there." Annie says feeling uncomfortable.

Finnick is good at everything.

She feels uncomfortable by this statement because Snow forces him to do those things.

FINNICK POV

The party ended a few hours after Finnick kissed Annie. He didn't notice Snow's guards lurking around as much, but they were still there.

They are now on the train ride home. Lena and Annie changed back into what they were wearing before the party, but Finnick didn't bother. It was still just another Capitol suit he would have to put on. It's not like he was walking around half naked like the girls.

"You didn't have to kiss her." Lena says.

Finnick looks down at Annie. She fell asleep on the couch.

"You jealous or something?" Finnick says with a teasing smile.

"No, was she a good kisser?" Lena asks with a teasing smile as well.

"Lena." He says annoyed this time.

"That bad huh." Lena says and laughs.

He rolls his eyes.

"She was surprised and not interested." Finnick says.

He can say that about Annie, but not so much himself. Finnick has kissed multiple people of a wide age range as well. He knows how to kiss girls in a way they will like it, but he felt weird kissing Annie and not in a bad way.

It's just because you're her friend, that's why it felt weird. Finnick thinks to himself.

"I dunno, the way her hands were all over you I'd say otherwise." Lena says with a smile.

"Would you remember that kiss then." Finnick asks.

"Every girl at the bar was talking about it for the rest of the night, mostly crying about how they wished you broke the rules for them."

Finnick shrugs.

"Are you sure you just didn't want to kiss her?" Lena says more serious.

"I just didn't want anything bad to happen to her." Finnick looks down at her.

"Snow probably wouldn't have done anything even though his goons were there. He didn't talk to us before the party, unless he said something on the her Victory Tour."

"He just said she had to leave a lasting impression." Finnick says.

"So vague doesn't sound like him." Lena says.

The fact that Lena noticed this as well and hasn't been 'employed' as long makes Finnick think of something.

He's not going to sell her. Finnick thinks to himself.

President Snow is always so straightforward that leaving a comment like that at the first meeting is not like him. He lays down what the deal is gives you a day or two to 'think it over' and then gives you a client card.

He's not going to sell her. Finnick thinks again. Then what does he want with her.

Finnick sighs.

He gets the feeling if his hunch is true that he doesn't want to find out why he wouldn't give her to the clients. She's pretty and popular enough for people to be consider her interesting

"Well, I guess we will just have to see what happens next." Lena says.

"Yeah." Finnick says and looks back at her sleeping in peace.