15, 16
Finnick is being escorted through the President's mansion, and he doesn't know what to think. It doesn't make sense why he was summoned here, directly after arriving on the train as a mentor to District 4's two tributes for the 67th annual Hunger Games.
The peacekeepers that have surrounded him for the entire walk melt away at the sight of an imposing mahogany door, and Finnick can tell that this is where the president will be, that this is where the president is waiting for him, for whatever reason. He pauses before lifting his hand to reach for the door handle. When he does pull at the door, it opens silently, and the door is lighter than he expects. He steps inside to see President Snow sitting quietly at his desk. He doesn't turn to face Finnick when he enters, doesn't acknowledge Finnick's presence until Finnick is directly in front of him.
"Finnick Odair. Please sit down," Snow gestures towards a chair, and Finnick finds himself sitting down slowly, and his brows knit together as he looks at President Snow. The president doesn't say anything for a while, but when he does speak it comes out in a measured voice.
"Finnick Odair. The youngest Victor in 66 years of the Hunger Games. Young, beautiful, victorious…everything a woman could possibly want in a man. Of course, you were so young last year…but this year, you're 16. Practically an adult. Now, the demand for you has grown almost unbearable. And of course, we can't deny the people of the Capitol that which they crave, can we?"
"No…sir I'm not quite sure I understand your meaning."
"You are going to have a string of lovers. People I believe need to be…subdued, for whatever reason. You are going to fulfill your role to the best of your abilities, doing whatever is asked of you by your companion at the time. You are going to do this because I tell you to."
Finnick is shocked, and because he is a victor, his reaction to fear and shock is to move and protect himself. So he jumps up, puts the chair between the two of them, slams his fist on the back of the chair. "And why the hell do you think I'm going to do that?"
President Snow simply smiles, and then nods his head, indicating something behind Finnick. Finnick whips around, not sure what to expect. What he sees is a television screen playing something that looks familiar but can't quite place. And then it hits him. It's his old house, where he used to live, before he became a victor. And in the house, sipping coffee at a table, sits his father. Finnick is frozen, frozen as he watches peacekeepers invade a place that should have been safe. Frozen, as the peacekeepers take his father unaware and begin to beat him. Frozen, as his father is forced to the ground on his knees. Frozen, as his father takes a bullet through the head.
"We don't want to see that happen to anyone else you love, do we?" President Snow's voice hisses in Finnick's ear. Finnick swallows, feels tears threatening his face, but he nods. He nods to show his consent.
"That's what I thought. I'll have someone up who can show you the way to…Scarlett's house." Finnick doesn't move as the president exits the room. He starts to shake, and a couple of tears fall before he can contain himself. When the escort comes, he is his usual charming self.
"I hear you know the way to my beloved's house?"
