A Dagger in the Sea

Author Note: One more time, just in case you forgot: This is me, Innocent Primrose Everdeen/ Prim, continuing 2Loaves-and-a-Dagger story. Please enjoy :)


What? WHAT?!

Apparently I said that outloud, because the other tributes stare at me in shock. Some of them look angry and some of them look shocked, and Mia peers around at me from around her District Three partner that I don't care to know the name of. Her own eyes are wide, and I just scowl and roll my eyes, looking away to mask my confusion. There isn't way my mother could have brought me here; I volunteered myself here for Roman and Dad. I flash back to the memory of the reaping and come up with only one possiblity:

Dad told her I was coming.

But there's no way. We may not be the most close family, but we respect each other, and he hates her. There's no way...Ro's just making some kind of sappy crap up.


Gosh, these damn lights...

Squinting, I walk out, following the purple mass of colored hair styled on Ceaser's head. He's got a low voice, at least, but it's a purr, like he's some kind of flashy purple mutant cat. Trying to keep the scowl off my face, I accept shaking his hand and sit down, letting myself sink in the seat; at least it's comfortable. I can feel all of their 'enhanced' eyes boring at me, and their all whispering.

Oh, how lovely. Rumos spreading about me and Lover Boy is just what I need.

"It's a pleasure to have you here, Noelle," Ceaser says, flashing me a smile that blinds me even more than all of the lights do, "how are you liking the Capital?"

You don't want to know what I really think about you all, trust me.

"Well, it's certainly been interesting," the audience laughs and so does he; it doesn't take much to capture them, now does it?

"Interesting, huh?" Ceaser chuckles again, "you know what else is interesting? That 16! Am I right, folks?!"

They all roar, and I flash them a half-modest smile, which seems to make the roar grow louder. A few of them are actually jumping up and waving their arms for me, which makes them look even dumber with their flashy clothes and permed hair, but I just wave and blow a few kisses for heck of it.

"Well, it was surprising, but I suppose it is to be expected," I shrug a little, practicing the knowing smile old people gave me when I'd ask questions back in District 4.

"Expected?" he leans forward, grinning even wider- he must have had some enchancment' to make that possible, "how could never have imagined it! Did any of you?!"

He geusured to the audience members, who finally got quiet, who shake their heads and mumur among themselves. Giving the knowing smile again, I lean back, showing what bare skin I have from my clothes.

"My stepfather..." I say, half mimicking his purr, "is Senca Crane."

People gasp and whisper excitedly, a few cheering and whooting, and I just smirk. I've got them all in the palm of my hand, and now I can control them almost as easily as I can control a dagger.

"Do you feel this will help you in the arena?" Ceaser asks, starting to press with his own eyes shining with the oppurnity to dig up some dirt.

"Maybe." Yes, because I must his little princess after trying to murder him with a belt.

"I see," he purrs harder, like I just scratched his ears or something, "one more thing, Noelle. District One's very own Ro Crane seems to have quite the eye for you. Can you honestly say you share the same emotions?"

"No," I shake my head, letting the audience start a new gossip topic about me for a few moments, "I'm in love with another."

"And who might that lucky man be?"

"Conner Lowe from District Ten," I expose the bare skin again with another purr, like I'm fatasizing about I-don't-even-know-what.

The audience roars so loud I can barely hear the buzzer going off, and I just wave at them with a 'knowing' smile. Really, I have no idea what I'm doing- I've just making shit up as I go. But whatever, they love me now and I'm definatley going to get some sposnors now. Ceaser grabs my hand, thrusting it in the air like on that movie 'The Lion King' or something.

"Ladies and gentleman, the lovely Noelle Habor!"


"Oh, that was perfect!" Gemini squeaks as she rushes up to my, "just flawless dear?"

And for one of the first times since I've been here, I give a geneiune smile.