Chapter 9

The trains slow rocking has kept me from getting out of bed for over an hour, but the repeated knocking on my door is unavoidable. Effie's high voice cuts through the air, "it's a Big, Big, Big Day Katniss! Tonight we go to President Snow's mansion for the large party being thrown in your honor!" I hear her clapping her hands in excitement before piping that little voice up again, "Katniss. Are you up?"

I groan a response, too lazy to actually say anything back to her. I can just see her shaking her head at me, "groaning is not very lady like. Even if it is early in the morning, young lady. Breakfast will be served in ten minutes." The soft clicking of her heels disappearing and the reminder of food is enough to get me out of bed. I rub my eyes and sit up secretly hoping I will wake up at home and this is all a terrible nightmare. Yesterday, while I was giving my speech in District 1, a little girl told me she was going to volunteer just like me. The overpowering feeling of sickness had made me nearly gag in front of everyone, this little girl wanted to volunteer to her death because of me. I was disgusted with myself the rest of the day, I couldn't even come out my room. I ignored Effie and Haymitch, even the phone call I got from Finnick.

Finnick Odair, however is another topic of discussion. Ever since he proposed (as he put it 'for real') Finnick has turned out to be quite the romantic. My eyes shut for a few moments before I convince myself to wake up. I walk to the table full of food, Effie smiles and nods to the chair across from her. "Your prep team will meet you once the train stops which is in a few minutes. So eat your breakfast as fast as possible, you wouldn't have to rush if you had woken up when I told you to this morning." Effie pats her powder blue wig and sips from a glass, "I bet you are just so excited to get to the Capitol. They have the most amazing wedding planners, they will be at your dinner tonight too. I'm sure Finnick knows all of them already, they would be happy to plan your wedding. Of course I could always help you, but I'm sure you would want someone more qualified. Oh, it's just so exciting."

I smile, "thank you Effie." I can tell by the look on her face what she is wanting me to ask, honestly I'm more than happy to leave that type of thing to Effie. She might be annoying at times, but Effie understands my style choices and always wants the best for me. Her Victor. "Effie, could I ask a huge favor of you?"

"Oh?" Her eyebrows lift in surprise, "why anything for my Victor."

Reaching across the table I take her hand, "would you plan the wedding? I trust you more than anyone else to do an amazing job."

Effie squeals and covers her mouth, "oh Katniss! I would love to, just positively love to. Now we will have to start early I hate it when things are done at the last possible minute." Effie stands up and reaches for her clipboard, "I can fit in some shopping while we are here..." She walks off leaving me to finish breakfast alone.

The train slows and the bright colored and patterned faces peer at me as we roll past. When the train finally comes to a halt, I nearly run off, eager to get this leg of the trip over with. I have no interest in being in the Capitol any longer than I have to be. Effie steps off the train hugging a woman clad in the same color green as her, I search for Cinna when a hand cover my eyes. Warm breath tickles my neck, "miss me?"

"Finnick." He moves his hand and I spin around to face him. Clearly his prep team has gotten a hold of him because he looks stunning, they have him in a well fitted white button up and nice slacks. Usually he is in the tightest, most revealing, and sensual outfit they can come up with. Did our engagement lead to this change? "You look nice." I warp my arms around him and pull him close to me.

"Thank you. I was originally presented with silver pants I wasn't sure I could fit into and a shirt that wasn't really a shirt, more two sleeves with some fabric on each side. Honestly, I wasn't sure which was the front and which was the back...But you look beautiful as usual." Finnick cups my cheek in his hand, his thumb absently moving against my cheek. "I know you have to go, so I will find you tonight at the dinner." He gives me a quick kiss before glancing behind me. "Effie is coming, you should go." He gives me one least kiss before speaking with Haymitch and disappearing from view.

Effie walks ahead of me, "smile Katniss. Be friendly, or at least try to be friendly. Remember this party is for you, my Victor!" She turns and brushes a loose lock of hair back, "you look beautiful, Katniss." She walks ahead of me saying hello to people I haven't ever seen, she looks to me and smiles. Her silent word to leave her side. The gown I was fitted in, hugs my skin and creates curves I never had. Cinna saved me from having to get any surgical work done by putting me in this, it's dark and the makeup my team applied has turned me back into the Girl on Fire. a crowd forms around me, everyone asking to see my ring and asking about my Games. I assume these are sponsors, but who can tell when these people change their skin color every week. Food is being thrust at me followed by drink after drink. Mindless conversation. Where is Finnick?

Flavius drags me from the crowd and laughs with me until we reach another table, "try this, dear." Flavius hands me a small pastry something I think Peeta would have enjoyed making. "Its delicious. It's all the rave here in the Capitol, everyone eats them."

I take a bite and smile, "its great." Flavius hands me another pastry. After a few pastries my stomach has hit his maximum, "I can't eat any more really."

"Oh here, then have this." He hands me a small glass filled with a purple liquid.

"What is it?" I sniff it and tip the glass back and forth. "I really can't eat or drink another thing."

Flavius laughs, "that's why you drink it. Katniss, it makes you sick. So you can try everything. You don't actually think one person could sample all of this delicious food without getting full?"

People in District 12 scrap for just a few crumbs to eat, and the people here make themselves sick in order to eat more. Disgust makes my mouth bitter, a hand wraps around my waist. "Katniss I have been searching all over for you." Finnick swipes the glass from my hand and sets it on the table. He sets his hand on my hip, "shall we dance, darling?"

I smile to Flavius and excuse myself to a crowded dance floor, Finnick is now a well fitted black tux with a sea-green neck tie to match his eyes. I would compliment him if I wasn't so disgusted with the ungrateful lifestyle of the people I am surrounded by. "At home, people are starving, dying because they don't have food. Here they make themselves sick just to stuff themselves all over again. If we had this kind of food in 12,-"

Finnick draws me closer to him, "Katniss," his voice is barely above a whisper, "it's wrong. I know. But you can't let your hatred for this place show. At home you can, with me you can. But here you have to pretend like this is your home." He rocks me back and forth, "you look gorgeous."

"You clean up nice, too." I rest my head on his shoulder, "everyone here seems to know you. More people have stopped to tell me what a good friend you are than have stopped to congratulate me on my Games."

Finnick laughs softly in my ear, "be careful. There are some crazy ex-clients here who aren't too pleased to see me with you."

"Oh," I let him guide me towards the outskirts of the floor. "You don't think I will run into your crazy exes right?"

Finnick shrugs, "I can't make any guarantees on that." A woman with bright orange hair, covered head to toe in died orange tulips taps my shoulder. Finnick smiles, "Lahrea darling! It's been so long."

"Much too long, dear. Am I to assume this is your lovely bride to be?" She hugs me, "it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Lahrea. You look absolutely fantastic in that dress, your body is just too perfect. It's thin, lean." The woman standing before me isn't large or too thin, I think she's quite normally sized. She smiles, "you picked a good one, Finnick! I bet you are just so excited, I know I was excited while I was planning my wedding. You two are coming right?"

I shake my head, "I didn't know." How does this woman expect me to know? I only just met her thirty seconds ago.

She giggles, "oh only the most exclusive guests have been invited. I sent an invite to your apartment here in the Capitol, Finnick. Katniss you of course are invited too, that is said on the invitation. I didn't want anyone to think that after me and Finnick's brief relationship ended, that Finnick and I were not on good terms. When, despite the rumors, we are still friends. Besides, anyone whose anyone has a Victor at their wedding. And I will have two. That'll show that pompous sister of mine, I am more in the know than she is." Lahrea smiles at me and hugs me one last time, "I expect lunch sometime this week, my fiancé and I with the two of you. I want to hear all about this relationship you have going on!" Without so much as a goodbye she walks away from us. I turn to Finnick.

"Was that normal?"

He laughs, "yes. Out of all my clients, she at least wasn't interested in my body. She just wanted to be taken out on a few dates, talk, show me off to her friends. In regards to the Capitol, she is one of the better ones." Finnick pulls me against him, beginning to dance again.

This time someone stops him, can't we have one moment without interruption? "May I steal your fiancé from you, Mr. Odair?"

Finnick nods and looks towards a table where he walks off to. "I'm Plutarch Heavensbee, Head Game-maker." He takes my hand, I remember what Finnick taught me and keep the appropriate distance away from him while dancing.

"That isn't the most secure job."

"No job in the Capitol is secure, Ms. Everdeen." Plutarch smiles and turns his wrist to me, "you are quite the inspiration aren't you?" His watch shimmers with a Mockingjay painted inside.

"In fashion, I suppose."

Plutarch laughs, "yes well, you are an inspiration to more than just those in fashion."

What could he be implying? I force a soft laugh, "at the moment I'm hoping to inspire those in fashion to make some more comfortable shoes."

Plutarch laughs and faces me, "I'm sure you could manage that. The Capitol adores you and your sacrifice."

Something about his tone makes me angry, I tip my chin up. "Well you are sacrificing a lot. I heard the last man in your position failed to handle the stress." I keep my tone light, despite referring to Seneca Crane's 'death'.

"He wasn't given many options. Head Game-maker never was the most secure job in the world."

"Then why are you doing it?" I raise my eyebrows at him and keep my voice even.

Plutarch takes a moment before answering, "because I want to make a difference, same as you." He bows before me, the music having stopped seconds ago. "It was a pleasure, Ms. Everdeen." He leaves me standing there with so many questions sitting on my lips. What difference could he make? He is sending children to their death for the entertainment of the people. The only difference we could possibly be united in making is that of convincing the public that I am truly in love. Which I am. That's one factor that I no longer have to worry about, I don't have to act with Finnick anymore. Finnick takes my hand as Snow steps onto the balcony. It takes mere seconds for everyone to silence, "honored guests. Welcome!" He scans the crowd and finds my face, "we have come together to celebrate our Victor's latest Hunger Games. As we all know this year is the Quarter Quell which will prove to be the best Hunger Games yet! So please enjoy the night. To the Hunger Games and our latest Victor, Ms. Katniss Everdeen." He raises his glass as sparks of colors burst in the sky. Everyone turns to see them, but I stay focused on Snow. Was this enough? Did I do enough to convince the people?

Snow's head nods a small and quiet yes. I grip Finnick's arm, relief washing through me. It was enough, for now. I have to keep it up. I have to continue to convince the people. The proposal was enough to calm the Districts. I'm just worried what else it is going to take to keep them convinced.

I sleep through the night without a nightmare, I hope it's because I have appeased Snow for today. I pull the covers closer to me as a cold breeze blows into my room. I thought I set the air in here to something warmer. I open my eyes and find a pair of eyes staring back at me. I open my mouth to scream, but his hand covers my mouth. "Calm down, Kitty, I stowed away on the train. That means you aren't allowed to tell anyone."

"Finnick, what are you doing here?"

"I thought why not." He gives me a bashful smile, "besides, there isn't anything for me in the Capitol anymore."

I grin at him, "there isn't?"

"You Katniss Everdeen are all I need, there isn't anything in the world that could keep me from you. I was thinking that when we get home, you could plan something small for us and the family."

"Like plan a small wedding?" I ask, "isn't the Capitol going to do all that for us?"

He sighs, "I want it to be real, between you and me. Whenever you want it, however you want it. I want something special, small, without they're cameras and they're gaudy fingers all over it. If you like the idea."

My heart flutters realizing how much Finnick wants this to be perfect for us. I press my lips against his and run my hands through his hair, "I think it's a great idea. I can't wait."

"To plan or to marry me?"

I smile and wrap my arms around his neck, "I can't wait to marry you, Finnick Odair,"

"I like the sound of that, Finnick and Katniss Odair."

I roll my eyes and even though I don't admit to him, I kind of like the sound of it too.

I know not to special or anything, but I had to introduce major characters to this plot. Promise a great chapter up ahead. Thanks for your patience!