AN: There are a few new links in my bio. Artemis's celebrity look a like and what Sarafiona & Robetica look like, I know that they're from a cartoon but thats how I envisioned them! So here we are! At the Victor Interview and then a birthday ball! PLEASE READ THE AUTHOR NOTE AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER VERY IMPORTANT!
I own nothing from the Hunger Games.
Enjoy!
Artemis sat in her Prep Room while Finnick and Gloss gave her the run down of what to expect during the Victor Interview. Finnick however was slightly more recluse due to the fact Gloss was there, but Artemis insisted on having Gloss, stating that its good to have two Victor's point of view instead of one, but really something inside of her said that if she left Gloss's sight something terrible will happen. Adric played soldier and guarded the room and left when he got a call from Command.
"Caesar will want to poke holes into your strong persona," Finnick reminded her again as Artemis spun mindlessly in her styling chair.
"And they will want you to cry," Gloss added, Artemis shot them a look of disgust.
"Why? I'm not some blubbering child," she practically snapped, Finnick's eyes narrowed on her. Something was wrong with her. The Artemis he knew and heard of around District 4 was never so cold hearted.
"No, but you did lose the love of your life," Artemis froze at Finnick's words, her eyes wide with terror. She was remembering the Arena, she was letting her wall down.
"James," Artemis breathed as a tear rolled down her face, "He's gone," she looked to be collecting information, Artemis glance to Gloss who shook his head, "I killed him."
Finnick stopped pacing, he looked at Artemis who was clinging to the styling chairs arms, "No, Roman did."
"I killed him," Artemis repeated to herself, ignoring Finnick's words, "I killed Percika's warrior," her eyes darkened as the tears left her eyes.
"No, Artemis you didn't kill Percika's warrior," Finnick said slowly as Artemis reached under her bandage over her heart.
"Until her heart and crystal meet," Artemis repeated James's last words and her eyes widened, "Oh my god," her eyes narrowed looking at the vase of white roses on the table next to Finnick.
"Miss Rose!" a robotic voice called into the apartment, Artemis immediately stood, Gloss following close behind as she walked to the front door. She saw one of Snow's personal assistance standing in the entryway, holding a black envelope, "Oh Miss Rose," she sighed seeing Artemis, but her smile vanished when she saw Gloss inches from Artemis's back.
"Yes?" Artemis almost growled crossing her arms.
"I have your birthday invention and a song," the assistant handed Artemis the black envelope which she tossed to the nearest table as the assistant pulled out a blood red folder.
"Song?" Gloss asked as Artemis opened the folder, reading the lyrics and piano notes.
"To perform tomorrow night," the assistant smiled, "President Snow thought you wanted to give the Capitol a sneak peak into your upcoming album."
"Album?" Artemis asked looking up from the song.
"Yes, that is your chosen talent for the Victor Tour, isn't it?" the assistant asked almost blindly. Artemis glanced down to the title of the song and growled.
"Heart of Stone," she growled before looking at the assistant, "You can go," her words were like an order. The assistant bowed and left the suite with a grin on her face.
"What was that?" Finnick asked coming from the Prep Room.
Why didn't he come? Gloss did. Artemis thought to herself.
"Birthday invention and a song I have to perform," Artemis said still reading over the song lyrics. "I can breathe water, water / When you're here with me, who comes up with this stuff?"
"Artemis," Gloss hissed into her ear, "Your heart, remember," Artemis froze. This was how Snow wanted to expose her crystal heart. By a song. Since it would be her first official song the crystal above her heart would become her signature feature piece.
"Oh," Artemis breathed in disbelief.
"What?" Finnick asked. He wasn't liking all the secrets Gloss and Artemis had together.
What are they hiding?
"Oh!" Cosalleta's voice shrieked entering the suite, "There she is! My Victor!" Cosalleta pulled Artemis into a stiff hug before rushing to be in front of the entire room, "I have big news!"
"I'm having a birthday party," Artemis said dryly.
Cosalleta looked shocked for a second then smiled, "YES! And.."
"Artemis is singing during her interview," Finnick also added looking at the pink cupcake Capitol woman. Her outfit looked exactly like a pink cupcake.
"How do you know! I just found out!" she pouted, Artemis rolled her eyes and picked up the invention from the table and handed it with the song to Cosalleta.
"Snow's assistant beat you to it," Artemis sighed sitting down on the couch next to Gloss and playing with the tie on her robe.
"Tigra! OH! I should've known!" Cosalleta cursed making everyone look at her strange.
"Stop complaining Cos', we have a fresh Victor in our midst," Marius smiled walking into the room.
"Marius!" Artemis smiled jumping over the couch and hugged him. Even though he was stiff and to indulged into the Capitol, Artemis loved him. He was always kind to her.
"Artemis!" he grinned seeing the new Victor. Her skin was nice and tanned. Body tight and back to the muscle tone it was before the games. Her eyes were wide and fresh and her hair swayed in loose curls around her lower mid-back, "You look beautiful!" he noticed the gauze over her heart and lifted a gold eyebrow at her, "Later," he whispered before turning to the room.
"My dear! You must be starving!" Cosalleta gasped seeing the time.
How did it get so late? Artemis asked herself in fear as Finnick practically pulled her to the table. When she sat down she looked to her right, the empty seat James once sat in.
"Hey Cos'," Artemis teased walking towards the table holding James's hand.
"What do you think you two are doing?" Cosalleta growled.
"Getting food, what else would we do?" James asked as Artemis started eating.
"You are not properly dressed! James, cover your chest!" Cosalleta yelled.
"I don't know, I kinda like it," Artemis teased as she placed her hand seductively on James's chest, her hands loving the way his body felt under her touch.
Artemis continued to look at the empty chair and Finnick noticed it.
When James came down stairs, Artemis made no move to greet him or even show she knew he was there. The memories haunt her, everywhere she looks James was there. Smiling, laughing, protecting, and caring. Finnick sat down in the chair making her eyes meet his, silently she thanked him for doing that action. To most it didn't mean much, but it showed Artemis that Finnick wanted to be there for her.
"I better go see how Cashmere is," Gloss sighed making Artemis look up at him with fear, "You know how she is after the games," Gloss made his way to the door with Artemis watching him. She was pleading with her eyes for him not to go, but knew if he stayed questions would rise. She turned her head and began poking at her plate.
"Oh Artemis! We have so many things to talk about…" Cosalleta's voice drifted mute as Gloss turned to look at Artemis. She was slightly curling herself away from the others, not feeling like she belonged. She carefully looked at Finnick as if he would harm her, Gloss knew better, but Snow did something to the two of them for a reason. The only question is: Why?
"Don't touch her! Artemis! Please wake up!" Gloss thrashed next to me, his eyes filled with agony. But I just laid on the table as doctors poked and probed my body.
"Sedate them. Set the injection to 100 grams," a nurse said pulling out a box.
"No, all of it," Snow's voice entered the room making Gloss go silent as the drug over powered him, "I want them both to be filled with this serum and her to be conscious during it."
"But sir, this serum is experimental, we never got our chance to test it out before the games started," Dr. White finally intervened.
"I want these two Victors perfect! Is that too hard to understand?" Snow snapped, "Inject them," I felt needles go into various parts of my body.
"If this works, sir, there will be nothing that can permanently harm them or kill them. They'll always be able to come back," my eyes went to Snow as I heard a button be pushed.
"That's exactly why I wanted them," suddenly pain shot through me. I screamed and thrashed, trying to reach for Gloss.
"Gloss!" I screamed out trying to wake him up.
"Artemis! Artemis! Artemis!" a new voice yelled, "Artemis wake up!"
"Gloss!" I called throwing myself awake. I sat panting in my dark room. The once blue walls now a soft yellow. Finnick sat in front of me, his arms covered in scratches from my nails, "Finn?"
His eyes were hurt as he looked at me, "You were having a nightmare," he sighed before moving to stand up. I couldn't be alone in here.
"Finnick," my hoarse voice chocked, making him pause, "Will…will you stay with me?" he gave a small smile before coming back to my bed, getting under the covers and laying next to me.
"You're scared for him," he whispered into my hair as I curled next to him.
"I'm scared for all of you," I breathed as sleep crept over my body.
No dreams or nightmares hit me that night, I just felt a warm darkness around me in a good way, this warm darkness was protecting me.
"WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" Cosalleta's shrilly voice was something I did not miss, "Oh! We have a big day today!"
"You say that all the time," Finnick's husky voice was right by my ear. I felt each word touch my skin with a warm brush of his lips.
"Hmm," I slightly moaned at his lips at my skin. The action just felt right with the moment.
"She has to rehearse this song! I can't let my Victor go onto that stage and not be able to sing!" I let out a groan and pushed myself deeper into Finnick's chest.
"I can memorize the song in seconds, it's her that'll make me forget it," I growled as Finnick messed my hair as he sat up.
"Come on, we'll get you some pancakes or something really sweet," his words were tempting, but just as I felt the need to go back into a deep sleep my stomach made a horrible growl.
I let out a moan and threw myself off the bed and padded behind Finnick downstairs. I was still wearing my silk pyjamas from the night before but I felt utterly embarrassed when I saw Adric standing my the dinning table, waiting for me and Finnick to sit.
"She's awake," Adric smiled as I sat down and piled some pancakes on my plate. I was starving. The lack of food in the arena made me starved but as soon as the hot pancakes with butter and syrup touched my tongue, I felt full, "Something wrong?"
I placed my fork done with the food still stabbed through it and reached for my glass of orange juice, "Nothing. Just not hungry," I could practically feel Finnick's eyes bore into my face. He knew something was wrong, "I'm going to take a walk and memorize the song," I stood before anyone could object and snatched the red folder holding the song from the table.
I walked around the tower for about an hour, singing the lyrics out loud at times, this was difficult to do without a piano or something, "To the bruises and the tears…"
I sighed at the lyrics. They matched my pain perfectly.
"Can't it be a different song?" a voice asked from behind me. Slowly I turned and saw Johanna Mason standing lazily against a glass wall hold sparkly green heels in her hands.
"Snow made me sing it," I winced feeling a sharp pain in my heart.
"Because of what he did to you?" she smiled wickedly.
I stepped back for a second, "What?"
Johanna smiled even more, "Your body of course! My mentor never let them change me, I'm somewhat jealous, but I can feed you something to make you gain some weight," I rose an eyebrow at her.
"Why do you care?" I timidly asked. Fuck, I hate sounding this weak.
"I'm curious," she mused looking at me up and down, "What makes you SO special?"
She began circling me, eyeing me up and down, seeing my worth.
"Something you don't want to know," I slightly growled.
She laughed out making me slightly jump, "Maybe," she strut past me and went towards the elevator, "See you tonight!"
"Artemis! There you are!" Marius sighed running up to me, "I need to get you ready for the interview!" I slowly nodded and followed him back to the suite, "Come on dear!" Marius chirped pulling me into the styling room.
"Artemis!" my prep team swooned together.
"Congratulations!" Robetica said as everyone hugged and air kissed me. Sarafiona and Robetica looked different. Robetica looked even more robotic if possible! Her skin had the literal look of copper plates, knee high metal boots, her black leather skin tight skirt had a blue metal cage above it, copper corset, blue top underneath, her black hair riddled in blue streaks making it almost impossible to look at her without feeling flames under my skin. Sarafiona however was a breath of fresh air, kinda. Yellow scaly skin with a yellow tail with green fur at the end, purple silk short dress with a strange red scaly thing over the skirt of the dress, her hair was more like green with black streaks, her eyes almost like a cat. Truly taking on the dragon form. Cheseray didn't look any different except he wore a bit more gold than orange.
"Oh everyone is talking about you!" Sarafiona pulled me into the styling chair.
"The Goddess of the Sea!" Cheseray smiled as he pulled off my silk robe leaving me in my skimpy pyjamas.
"And we are here to make you look the part," Robetica said but I kept my eyes trained on Sarafiona.
"Gold! Goddesses are golden! Nothing colorful about them just pure gold!" Marius said as I completely undressed.
"Good," I breathed before I was bathed. My long hair was at my waist now and when I felt them scrubbing away at my skin, I saw Cheseray glancing at my bandage and then Marius.
"Honey," Marius sat next to the tub making me fidget as Sarafiona scrubbed my right hand, "What's under the bandage?"
I glanced around the room, unsure how to go about this.
Third Person PoV—
"I'm curious on how Marius is gonna dress Artemis," Cosalleta said as she sipped her very colorful drink. Gloss and Finnick were sitting in the living room with Brutus, Beetee & Wiress, Cashmere, Seeder & Chaff, and Haymitch. Enobaria refused to see Artemis before she crumbles into tears, stating she wanted to wait till after for her to deck Finnick. Johanna had a client waiting in the audience of Caesar.
"FINNICK!" Cheseray screamed running into the room.
"What?" Finnick asked thinking that Artemis was ready but the look on Cheseray's face sent Gloss running past Finnick, "What happened?" Finnick asked Cheseray as they ran to the prep room.
"Get her away from me," Artemis's voice growled.
"Artemis! It's only me!" Robetica pleaded as they entered, Gloss was shielding/holding back Artemis as Robetica slowly backed into the wall, "Honestly! I didn't mean anything by it!"
"What did she do?" Finnick asked gingerly approaching Artemis, she looked at Finnick with bright, wide eyes.
~"Sarafiona," Artemis made the stylist jump as she sat back down in the chair, just getting through explaining how her heart was made of crystal.
"Yes?" Sarafiona asked nervously, Artemis never spoke to the prep team members directly.
"Cut my hair, make it," Artemis paused, "Like before, but more tamed," the prep team froze.
"Really?" they all looked at her.
"Yeah, but not too short, couple inches, lower back," she glanced to Marius, "After all a Goddess is tamed," they all smiled as Sarafiona nodded.
"I'll get to it," Artemis glanced to Robetica, the first she had since they started, and looked at her make up pallet and saw the blue. Flashes of the arena came into her vision, the tributes, the storm, Roman.
"Artemis?" Robetica asked seeing Artemis begin to shake.
"No," Artemis whispered, "No blue, not near me."
"Ok," Robetica said seeing her actually shaking in fear, "See?" Robetica threw away the blue pallets, "All gone."
"We'll be more careful, dear," Cheseray smiled.
"For once a Victor who is perfect." ~
"She called me perfect," Artemis breathed into Gloss's shoulder. Finnick then saw the marking on her chest and realized something more happened than just a surgery.
"You're not perfect," Finnick said making Artemis look at him again, "You're not. You walk like a baby dear and you panic at little thing," her eyes crinkled slightly, "You'll never be perfect. Not for anyone."
"Artemis we need to finish," Marius winced, she slowly nodded and let go of Gloss.
"You ok?" Gloss whispered, she looked at him with scared eyes.
"Finnick has me," her words stung him slightly.
"Ok! The dress is ready!" Marius said holding a dressing bag, Artemis already had on Grecian gold high heeled sandals that wrapped up her shins, "Your birthday gown is beautiful dear, don't worry."
"Okay," Artemis nodded then glanced at Finnick and Gloss saying they could leave. She felt metal slip around her body and stop at her upper thigh. Looking in the mirror she saw a smokey golden eye, darker red lips, hair in loose curls and wearing ruby and gold earrings. Her dress came up to her neck with a fan pattern on top where is parted to cover her breasts and meet again underneath where Grecian gold continued down like a gladiator outfit. (Link in Bio) Her body was extremely tanned as she wore James's cuff around her wrist and Dax's ring on her finger.
"Stunning," Marius smiled, then saw her cuff and ring, "Oh you ned to take those off."
"No," Artemis said dully, "And that's final," Artemis turned on her heel and walked out of the prep room, trying to get as far away from her team as possible.
"Ready Artemis?" Finnick asked as she entered the main area, the other Victors leaving to get their seats for the show. He was wearing black pants and a white dress shirt with the top unbuttoned.
"Always," Artemis said taking Finnick's arm as they walked down to the stage, "Any advice?" she asked as stage hands ran past them.
"When they ask why you did what you did, I need you to be sincere. Roman," his name made Artemis freeze, "You can't do this," he gestured to her frozen form, "Because he have to be untouchable to them, nothing can hurt you. If they bring up James or Dax or Wren or Thomas then you can shed a tear or two but don't lose your composure."
"So almost be cold hearted?"
"Panem watched you be a sweetheart to everyone in the arena, but even there you were almost untouchable, only one person thought of killing you. People wanted to be killed by your hands."
"Untouchable."
"But still sweet, be you just not as soft," Finnick said with a smile.
"I'm not soft," Artemis said dully.
"'Course you're not," Finnick rolled his eyes.
"Victor," a stage hand said, "We're ready for you," Artemis parted ways with Finnick and walked behind the stage.
"And now! You all know her! She started off as a mermaid, but has emerged as a Goddess!" Caesar's voice filled her ears, "Please welcome, Artemis Rose!" suddenly the floor beneath Artemis began to rise and she put on her poker face. Bright lights hit her as she emerged from the stage below and the crowd cheered wildly. The floor stopped rising and Artemis smiled before gliding down the steps with power behind each one.
"You're a Victor now. They'll always love you," A voice said to Artemis's mind.
"Hello Caesar!" Artemis smiled as she sat down next to him on a white chair.
"What fun games we had! These games are forever going to be remembered. I mean I believe that this year's finish was the most unbelievable, most heartbreaking experience ever. Artemis why is that?"
"Well Caesar, I didn't want to be violent, I'm not a violent person, but in that moment I felt that if I purposely do this. I'll be safe again. When it came down to it, I don't even think I was breathing."
"The way things started and ended with Roman from District 2," Caesar paused as Artemis nodded, but her eyes didn't hide the spark of fear in them as she looked at Caesar, "I mean, for a few moments I thought he was going to be on this stage with me instead of you," Artemis dramatically pretended to be shocked which made the audience laugh. What was going through her? This wasn't Artemis!
"Caesar, I'm offended by your words," her words weren't her own.
"I'm sorry dear, but it is true. I was watching and I thought you were done for. A sword in your stomach, but you said something interesting. 'No one wins' what did you mean by that?"
Artemis blinked and glanced at the audience, "I've lost so many important people that, at the moment, I didn't think I was winning. I thought I was gaining my chance to be with my brothers. Roman couldn't win, he would be," she paused when she felt her anger pulse through her, "He wasn't a Victor. He was only a warrior and an excellent one at that."
Suddenly Caesar took Artemis's hand, "Artemis," he was serious now, "We saw something build in the Arena, something…with love. Why is that? But before you answer lets watch a recap of you glorious Hunger Games!" the lights faded and the cameras moved to a big screen.
"Artemis Rose." Her name was called and they played her reaping footage, then footage of her getting off the train.
"There they are! The tributes from District 4! Artemis Rose! She's a bit in shock isn't she, Gloss?" A recording of Caesar asking the District 1 Victor.
"Oh yes Caesar, even tributes from the wealthier districts don't get use to the big Capitol." The footage changed to the opening ceremonies, Artemis quickly blinked away tears, knowing that a camera would be on her. Artemis looked at the audience trying to find someone to keep her anchored but all what she saw what darkness.
"Look at her! She's glowing! Such beauty! No fear or shock! Ladies and gentlemen! Artemis Rose, your new mermaid!" Some profile videos came from training went through, "From District 4, Artemis Rose, with the score of," Caesar looked down and frowned, "Eleven!" the word eleven echoed throughout the stadium making Artemis flinch. Then brief clips from her interview came through then the split screen moment between her and James came, their eyes met and Artemis lit up. Then a small count down appeared over her face before they showed random shots of the tributes waiting to get to the cornucopia. Artemis almost forgot that she looked at Roman and saw they way he was looking at the girls, but her eyes settled on the current in front of her. The gong went and the video slowed as it showed Artemis gracefully dive into the water but once she touched the surface with her finger tips it went on a normal speed. Tears trickled down her face as she watched the blood bath. It was weird seeing it from an outsiders perspective, almost like a dream. Dream? No, more like a nightmare.
"Art," Dax said making her freeze. Artemis walked over to him with a fake flirty smile, she had to keep up the charade with the careers. She stood next to where he sat and he looked up at her with an expression she couldn't read, "Here," he handed her something. Artemis opened her hand and saw a ring. A shiny gold band with a blue diamond shaped diamond.
"What it this?" Artemis asked sitting down next to Dax.
"Happy Birthday," those two words repeated as fast clips of that day continued. Artemis gripped her cuff as she squeezed her eyes shut at the Roman incident.
"We have to split up," James said looking around the district square they stopped in.
"What! No!" Artemis cried.
"Roman is after you, he knows I would never leave you," James took Artemis's cheek into his hand, rubbing his thumb across her cheek bone as a gold tear slipped out.
"But you want to," her voice was small, she felt weak after what Roman did to her.
"Don't worry, we will see each other again, I promise," James said kissing the top of her head before vanishing into the Dark Woods.
"Artemis!" Dax called out, making her look towards where his voice came from.
"ARTEMIS!" Roman's voice was raging with anger. The screen split between Artemis running through the district, falling, then running into the forest and Roman screaming her name, wildly searching for her.
"Art," Finnick said from off stage as a stage hand handed her an earpiece allowing her to hear Finnick's soft voice, "You're doing so well," Artemis looked over at him with eyes screaming that she was breaking, "Just a little longer. We're at the three hour mark, it's gonna end soon. I know the ending with be hard, but give them Artemis the Goddess. You just have to answer a few more silly questions and then sing. Then you're done with this interview."
"I can't Fin," Artemis was still looking at him, the camera's were catching every moment of it, "I can't see him die again. He meant too much to me," a few more tears slipped out as she was forced to turn back to the screen when a cannon sounded.
"James?" Artemis's voice entered the dead silent stadium, She slowly got to her feet and kinda staggered over to where James propped himself against the table.
"Your alive," he whispered as she placed a hand on his cheek, "You alive," he gave a small smile ready for her to act like old times.
"Where have you been?" Artemis's words shocked everyone.
"What?" James asked as they stood up, Artemis still hadn't seen the stab wound.
"You heard me," Artemis smiled as a tear trickled down her face, "Where have you been?"
"Planning," James weakly smiled as he limped over to his, Glaucious and Artemis's bags, "Here," he said handing the bag to Artemis. She furrowed her brows and looked up at him with disbelief and confusion, "It's for the plan."
"I don't care about your plan," Artemis said dropping the bag and putting her hand on his stomach, stopping him from walking, "I haven't seen you in weeks, Roman couldn't find me. You let Dax find me instead of yourself, why?"
"You can't concentrate when I'm close to you, anyone could see it," James winced slightly, Artemis's eyes widened as she felt the blood on her hands. James clearly was losing vision as he shook his head quickly.
"Your hurt," she chocked, looking at his stomach, "I need water and bandages," Artemis stood to leave but James stopped her, his eyes looking at her so gently.
"Don't," his hoarse voice cracked.
"James," Artemis breathed as gold tears formed in her eyes, she sat next to him, thinking of words to say, "What was your plan?" A small spark formed in his eyes at Artemis's words.
"Use the items in our bags, set everything off with the matches in my bag," James moved to grab his bag but Artemis got it for him.
"Finnick," Artemis whispered glancing up to the sky, "Please, help him." she stopped looking when she saw nothing coming, "James," Artemis cried as he drew the blue paint over her blood stained skin. "Percika needs her warrior," Artemis chocked as James dropped the silver canister holding the paint, "It's you, James."
"Your her warrior now," James breathed as he touched Artemis's face, "The matches," she reluctantly handed them over to him.
"Don't do this James," Artemis hissed between her teeth.
James picked up the trident next to him, his brown hair moving the bloody grass, "Forgive me, Percika for my sins," he whispered as Artemis gripped the silver trident, "Protect your warrior until her heart and crystal meet."
"James please don't," Artemis cried as tear came down her face and wind blew her hair.
"I enter your kingdom and into your arms," James's eyes fluttered and his breathing sharpened, "I'll be with you forever," his chest rose and he looked at Artemis as her body shook. As his chest fell everything stopped, the match in his hands lit up and dropped, a cannon fired and Artemis screamed.
Artemis looked at James on the screen in utter silence, her mouth gaping like a fish while tears flooded her face. The camera's zoomed in on her as she looked down at James's cuff, the entire country of Panem heard her words, "It should've been you up here, not me."
"Artemis, you need to open your eyes," she slightly shook her head, "It's over now," Artemis reluctantly looked up and saw her name on the screen as she laid on the beach, bleeding.
ARTEMIS ROSE
VICTOR OF THE 72nd
HUNGER GAMES
"Well that was something," Caesar said as the cameras focused on the two of them now, "Now Artemis," she looked at him, his eyes slightly widening at the sight of all the tears in her eyes, "What was that in the arena?"
"The song."
"Actually, I thought I would sing a song that will answer every question you may have."
Caesar dramatically gasped, "Is this a sneak peak into your talent."
Artemis gave a sad smile as she stood, "Yes," she walked back up the stairs that she entered on and sat down at the pure black piano. She gingerly placed her hands on the keys and the song.
"Can you keep a secret?
Will you hold your hand among the flames?
Honey, you're a shipwreck
With your heart of stone
Can I get a witness
To the bruises and the wasted tears?
You could dry a river
With your heart of stone
With your heart of stone
I can breathe
I can breathe water, water
I can breathe
I can breathe water, water
When you're here with me
You're not here with me
Tears flooded down Artemis's face as she continued to play and sing.
Can I pry your finger
From everything I say and do?
And I just can't forget you
And your heart of stone
I can breathe
I can breathe water, water
I can breathe
I can breathe water, water
I can breathe
I can breathe water, water
I can breathe
I can breathe water, water
Artemis looked at where Adric, Finnick and Gloss stood off stand and finished the song, her eyes never leaving them.
When you're here with me
Your not here with me"
"I see what you mean Artemis," Caesar said from behind her, she smiled a little as he took her hand and made her rise from the piano bench, she still looked at the three men off stage, "But a girl, no, Goddess like you will find love again," she slightly glanced at Caesar.
"Maybe," she looked back at the men, risking everything with that one look, Caesar saw who she was looking at and gave a devil smile to the audience, "Maybe."
"That is right!" Caesar smiled, "Ladies and Gentlemen! Artemis Rose, this year's Victor of the 72nd Hunger Games!" the crowd cheered hysterically as the floor beneath them sank and they vanished from sight. Artemis risked the small jump and practically sprinted over to Finnick, Mags, Adric, Gloss and her prep team.
"That was perfect!" Marius cheered. Artemis's smile vanished and she ripped out her earpiece, tossing it on the ground.
"Get me out of here," she growled as Finnick put his arm around her while they walked into the elevator.
"Adric?" Cosalleta smiled, "You handsome devil!" Artemis rolled her eyes as her prep team fixed her hair and makeup, "What are you doing here?"
"Escorting the Victors," Adric smiled at Artemis but frowned at Cosalleta, "And I'm not interested," Artemis gave an amazed smile as the doors opened then she saw them. Peacekeepers.
"Just smile and look happy," Artemis shot Finnick a look, "Pretend," Gloss chuckled at Artemis's actions as she walked out of the elevator and onto the platform where she would be crowned. Camera crews where bustling around getting everything ready.
"President Snow entering in 3,2,1," the cameras turned to the elevator as Snow walked out in his signature black suit with a white rose pined by his heart.
"President Snow," Artemis slightly bowed before slightly stiffening as she smelled blood on him. Snow turned to the Avox carrying her crown. It was diamond flowers that were placed in a circlet. He placed it on top of Artemis's golden hair and leaned in to give her a kiss on each of her cheeks.
"Congratulations," Snow smiled incredibly fake.
"Thank you," Snow's eyes narrowed on her cuff and ring.
"What a lovely cuff and ring."
"Thank you, it's from James and Dax, before," she paused and her eyes went as if she was looking far into the distant, "Before they died."
"I was wise choosing you," he whispered before turning to the camera's, "This year's Victor of the Hunger Games!" the camera's shut off, but Snow didn't let go of her wrist. She slightly yanked back but he wouldn't let go.
"Artemis?" Finnick said coming to her side, "President Snow, we must get ready for her birthday ball," Snow let go of her wrist and put on a smile.
"Yes, but of course," Finnick dragged Artemis into the elevator where once the doors closed she collapsed into his arms, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Oh my god," she breathed clinging to Finnick's shirt as he stroked her hair, "I can't do this."
"Yes you can," Finnick said pulling her up to look him in the eye, "We'll get dressed, dance a little bit, blow out your candles and leave," Artemis mutely nodded as the elevator stopped on their floor. Marius pulled her away from Finnick and into a silk robe. She sat in her usual chair as Finnick took a seat in the room and watched her prep team change her make up, hair…everything. Finnick saw the sadness in her Artemis's eyes as they pulled her outfit together. He knew that look, it was distant and sad.
"How about you change?" Marius suggested as he readied Artemis's dress.
"Sure," Finnick sighed leaving the room after seeing Artemis look like a porcelain doll. Perfect. He walked past Cosalleta who was drinking liquor.
"How is she?" Cosalleta asked, "Soaking up the pleasures?"
Finnick stopped on the stairs and looked at the Capitol woman, "What are you talking about?"
"She's a Victor! She gets what every girl dreams of!" Cosalleta squealed.
"To be haunted the rest of her life? She will be tormented by every man, trying to do what Roman accomplished during the Games. She did not win anything!" Finnick yelled, "The least you could do is show some compassion. I know that you gossiped to your friends after what Roman did to her. So shut it!" with that Finnick stormed upstairs and slammed his door shut.
"What has gotten into you Mr. Odair?!" Cosalleta called as Artemis walked in.
"The Goddess is ready!" Marius exclaimed pulling off Artemis's rove. Her dress was cut in a mermaid fashion. Tight gold leaves hugged her curves until the lower end of her butt. Her crystal heart was exposed, by Snow's request. The bottom of the skirt was a cream tool that fanned out as she walked. Her heels were tall and sparkled like the night sky. Her hair had volume, curls and her Victor crown adorned her head. Her make up was a gold smokey eye with red lips.
"Oh!" Artemis gasped seeing Cosalleta's outfit. Tears came to her eyes as they focused on the blue, "Black and white," she repeated to herself, turning away from her, "Black and white."
"Cosalleta change!" her prep team barked making Cosalleta scurry out of the room as Finnick came down. Black and white suit with a gold tie and gold trim.
"Look at you Art," Finnick smiled making her turn to him, her eyes calming the moment hers met his sea green eyes.
"My team works wonders," Artemis weakly laughed, "Can we please go?"
"Yes," Finnick smiled as they went to leave. They quickly went out the back entrance to avoid cameras. Mags didn't come claiming she needed to handle something very important. The party was at Snow's winter house, lights were blazing as the sleek black car pulled up containing the Capitol's gods. Finnick stepped out first but when the arm reached out for Artemis, it wasn't Finnicks'.
"Adric," Artemis breathed taking his hand and stepped out onto the silver shining stones.
"Artemis," he smiled at her. He was wearing a black officer uniform instead of blue, "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be," Artemis weakly sighed as they entered the building. She stayed next to Adric and Finnick the entire night, but her eyes were searching for another. She tried to get some piece in the bathroom, but the Capitol women swarmed her so Artemis quickly retreated to Finnick's side. Soon a huge cake came out and everyone sang her a happy birthday. While they sang to her, Artemis saw the men looking at her, but not in a good way.
Where is he? she asked herself. She locked eyes with a lieutenant making her stone heart falter.
"Ready to go?" Finnick asked when it came close to 1am.
"Yes," Artemis hissed allowing them to retreat to the car. Once inside Finnick loosened his tie.
"So?" he smiled but then saw the tears flooding down her face, "Artemis?" she looked up at Finnick and shook her head.
"I can feel him, like he's still trying to get to me," she barely said the words. The car came to a sudden stop and Finnick helped her out, then she stopped walking seeing where they were. The train station, "What?"
"We're leaving first thing," Finnick whispered as they entered the silent train. He watched her slowly make her way down the cars, tearing off pieces of her birthday gown until she was sitting in the shower wearing her undergarments, "Art?"
"Fin," her voice so small and innocent made Finnick immediately sit next to her in the glass shower, "I feel him. I see his blood on me. It won't go away."
"He's never going to hurt you again," Finnick whispered, "I won't let anyone hurt you again," Finnick's voice seemed to calm Artemis's jagged breaths.
"How will I be able to do this?" Artemis asked, her hair sticking to her face, eyes wide and red, as makeup streaked down her face.
"You won't be alone," he held her close to his chest as she sobbed into the night, "You'll never be alone."
AN: OMG I am sooooooooooo sorry for taking so long! I'm working on other FanFiction stories (sorry if I sound like I'm complaining, been a very stressful few months) Working on a Percy Jackson & The Olympians, Harry Potter, Hunger Games and The Hobbit. I've also gotten the inspiration to start writing some FF for The Almighty Johnson's, Spiderman and Transformers. Please bare with me! I'm going on a huge road trip across America and I hope to update A LOT more than I have lately! Thank you for staying with me!
Xoxo - Scar