Chapter Twenty-Five.
The Victor Parade.
"What do you think?" Vibia questions after it becomes apparent I have been staring at myself for a little longer than deemed necessary which leads my stylist to think I am not satisfied with her work.
"I think... this is just the outfit I needed to face the others." I say.
Vibia nods, "Yes, I believe your days of sashes and nude lipstick are behind you." She gently sorts out my cape being sure to hold it in a bundle as she prepares to move me. "When you're on that chariot this time. No waving or smiling. I just want you to look straight ahead, as if the entire audience is beneath you." she instructs.
I laugh, "Finally, something that should be easy."
Whilst we are waiting for the elevator, Coren dashes towards us informing Vibia that they need her. She agrees to help and leaves Coren in charge of holding my cape whilst we adventure down to the ground floor of the Remake Centre which serves as a huge gathering place for the other tributes and their chariots before the opening ceremony. Unlike last year, when all the tributes were practically glued to their chariots, the scene is very social. The victors, this years tributes and their mentors, are standing around talking in small groups because of course they all know each other from previous games. I don't know anyone, well apart from the victors of whom I had incredibly brief conversation with at the dinners in their districts, however I am not the sort of person to walk around introducing myself to victors I didn't meet, nor did I feel comfortable going up to the victors I had met and speaking knowing that this very special game idea was partly my fault.
I am kind of hoping to see Dieter or Mags but they haven't arrived yet however Finnick Odair was stood in his costume with another person. Slowly, I adventure over to him and the tribute he is speaking too melts away from him allowing me to have time with my district partner. As his famous sea-green eyes connect with mine, he gives me a seductive smile and pops a sugar cube between his teeth holding it there for a second before engulfing it in his mouth with a smile. "Well, you look both beautiful and rather terrifying in that getup." he chuckles taking a long look at me. I can only grin in return as he offers me a sugar cube, seeing there is no harm I take the cube from the box he holds in his right hand, allowing my eyes to skim across Finnick's outfit. It is completely the opposite to mine, there is no familiarisation between them. From the waist upwards, he is naked revealing every edge of perfectly toned muscle and shadow of bronze skin which would make most woman weak at the knees and from the waist down, he is wearing a golden fishnet with a black belt to keep the garment up.
"I can only suppose our stylists thought matching outfits wasn't such a cool idea this year," I say light-heartedly. Coren then whispers in my ear and tells me he is going off to speak to a member of the District 6 prep-team, I nod telling him that's fine and then he drops the cape to the ground. Finnick's eyes widen as he watches the wondrous cape come to life like the sea in amazement. "It's pretty cool huh?" I chuckle before walking towards him.
"Very," Finnick smiles before moving in so closely beside me, I almost feel threatened but I fear that if I move away, he will label me as a wuss. "Listen Ana, between now and the Games, we need to figure out who we want as allies but first of all, we need to figure out where everyone else stands. For example, the District 12 victors are pure, especially the girl, I can play off that."
"For your own enjoyment?" I question.
Finnick chuckles, "Close enough."
Rolling my eyes, I feel Finnick's breath against my neck for one last time before he wonders off confidently towards the last chariot in the line up. Not wanting to watch a girl melt beneath the charm of Mr Odair, I stay with my chariot and stroke the long neck of one of the front two horses and try not to be noticed.
It doesn't work.
The crackling of fire hits my ears before I even know he's beside me and when I turn my head, Peeta Mellark's blue eyes are staring at me only centimetres from mine. I have only come to realise how good looking this male is, with ash blonde hair and pale skin. Peeta wore a black jumpsuit that covers him from the neck down with no arms, over the top half he wore a sleeveless over top that buttoned up from top to bottom, showing off his bare arms. I look at him, fascinated, as he ensemble slowly comes to life, first with a soft orange light but gradually transforming to the orange-red glowing embers. The colours rise and fall, shift and blend, in exactly the way the coals do.
"Hello, Peeta." I say casually, as if we have known each other for years, when in fact we have only met once previously although I'm feeling slightly uncomfortable by his closeness but then I remember back to what Finnick spoke of moments before. We are all trying to figure out where the others stand. "The District 12 pair are pure, I can play off that." Finnick's voice echoes in my head as Peeta Mellark grin at me.
"Hello, Anastasia." Peeta says back.
Peeta Mellark isn't a major threat. During his time in before the arena he expressed his love for his district partner, Katniss Everdeen. When they were thrown into the arena, Peeta joined the Careers because they believed he could lead them to Katniss who out shown them in their private training sessions and during the Tribute Parade. His innocence and ability to show emotion, the Capitol has been drooling over him like they had Finnick, however unlike Finnick, they didn't have to wait to get a hold of Peeta, he was sixteen and ready to go. I suspect he does his business during the Games like Michael had, leaving to keep someone company, be it be old or young, lovely or plain, rich or very rich, male or female, he will keep them company and take their extravagant gifts but he never stays, and once he's gone, he never comes back. I cannot argue that Peeta Mellark isn't one of the most beautiful people on the planet but like Finnick, I can honestly say he has never been heart-racing to me. Maybe because of the innocence he oozes or because he is too pretty to be true.
"I would love to borrow you outfit sometime." I chuckle taking a long gaze to make him feel awkward or on show but the other victor shuffles a little like a dance making the flame move with his body movements making me chuckle whilst he takes a good look at my outfit in return making my skin tingle ever so slightly.
Peeta smiles and jokes, "Well, I cannot tell if I'm terrified or entranced by your outfit." I smile, gentle moving so my cape moves like the ocean waves. Peeta's blue eyes look at my outfit before clicking his fingers like he is trying to figure out what is different, "If I remember correctly, your outfit last year resembled a princess and now, you're a queen." he smiles like he had cracked the code, "Cleaver."
"Very," I agree before glancing back at Finnick who is staring deeply into Willow's eyes as she looks more and more nervous and uncomfortable. There is an uncontrollable grin growing on my face as I look at Peeta whose face clouds with anger, "I think you better go and save your district partner, Mr Mellark." I say stepping forwards so we are nothing more than centimetres apart, "You know, before she melts into a puddle." I whisper.
Peeta Mellark lets out a discreet huff before nodding faintly, "Yes, I think that would be best. I'll see you in training, your Majesty." he teases lightly before stalking off passed me and towards our district partners, it's hard to believe one of his legs is a fake, he lost it during his Games. I watch as Finnick catches a glimpse of Peeta and bids goodbye to Willow but not before kissing her cheek gentle, giving a slightly head bob to to Peeta before sauntering off back to me who cannot contain a grin.
"What did you say to her?" I ask Finnick as he pops another sugar cube into his mouth. "She looked like a ice cube melting under the sun."
He grins, "I offered her a sugar cube and then asked to know all her secrets." he says in his best seductive voice.
Laughing, I pull back from the closeness, "That's brilliant." I reply.
"What did Peeta Mellark want?" Finnick asks.
I turn to look at before putting myself so close to Finnick the hairs on our arms touched without any skin interaction, "We shared compliments about outfits and how much we wanted to borrow them from each other." I chuckle.
Finnick laughs in return, "Very well done. I think you should join me on the teasing of the District 12 pair."
Honestly, I would love too because it was rather fun, the idea that I, a small seventeen year old girl with a little over two month old son can make someone feel uncomfortable, is rather ego boosting. But then I felt rather cruel about it because I certainly wouldn't enjoy being victimized in my last week of living but then, it is only my last week and if I deny myself the simply things that make me feel good. And like Katniss Everdeen, who was considered a little bit of a prude, Willow refused to bare any unnecessary skin or look at any. And then I wonder if I had been allow to be a victor for slightly longer if I had become like Finnick or the other tributes?
A prostitute or paranoid or insane.
"Tributes, mount your chariots." an announcer speaks over the speakers loudly. Coren suddenly reappears and holds my cape and Finnick helps me up the large step onto the transportation platform behind the four horses, Finnick stands beside me showing no nerves whatsoever about the event that is about to unfold in front of us. I grip the handle bar beside me for extra support as I turn to look at Finnick, the same green eyes morphed into the same eyes as Garrett Larkin. The face and body of Finnick Odair melts away into my previous district partner, his outfit remains the same allowing the light to bounce from his hairless chest and muscularly arms. His gently tanned face smiling comfortingly at me like an old friend.
"Are you okay?" he asks me as I stare at him.
I turn away to face forwards, flustered and confused. "I'm fine, Garrett." I reply before I realise the wrong name has slipped through my lips.
"What?" Finnick asks, I couldn't figure out on what emotion or feeling laced his voice. And when I turn to look at my ex-mentor and now district partner, he actually looks rather hurt by the accidental name use.
"Oh God, I'm sorry Finnick. Everything just reminded me of the chariot ride last year." I apologised.
Finnick's eyes remained settled on mine for a brief moment, I am certain he is mad at me but when he glances down at my bare hand for a moment before slipping his soft fingers between mine in the same manor he had on the train, I know he isn't mad but maybe hurt however he doesn't speak and simply holds my hand and stares forwards. I second his actions. Vibia and Finnick's stylist Tiberius – who was in charge of Garrett Larkin's public appearance outfits – came to remind of the no smiling or waving rule before doing last second touch up on our outfits and hair before the same opening music from last year plays and the massive doors of the stable slide open revealing the much more elaborately decorated streets of the Capitol. District 1 is pulled out immediately, up a small hill and into the waiting eyes of the cameras and public, the crowd almost self-destructs with screams and shouts that shake the foundations of the Remake Centre. The same ghostly familiar routine as last year remains in place and within fifteen seconds, myself and Finnick chariot moves without command out the stable doors and into the light of he Capitol.
The voice of the crowd rises into one universal scream as we roll out but neither one of us reacts. I simply fix my eyes on the same point of the female tribute in the distance in front of us and pretend there is no audience, no hysteria and completely ignoring the calls of my name. I can't help but catch glimpses of myself on the huge screens along the route and we are beyond beautiful. We are strong and powerful. No, we are more in secret, the youngest victor and the star-crossed lover who lost her love. A fierce fighter and a protective mother, both who are prepared to slaughter to get home. We do not seek fans nor grace when with our smiles or catch their kisses. They have taken so much from us both. We are unforgiving.
And I love it. Getting to finally be myself at last.
As we curve around into the loop of the City Circle, I can see that a couple of other stylists have attempted to steal Cinna's – the District 12 stylist's – idea of illuminating their tributes. The electric-light-studded outfits from District 3, where they make electronics, at lest make sense. But what are the livestock keepers from District 10, who are dressed as cows, doing with flaming belts? Broiling themselves? It's pathetic.
Once the chariots have stopped, I notice the pair of tributes from District 6 who are morphling addicts – morphling is a powerful painkiller created by the Capitol to beused for severe injuries and illnesses – both are bone thin with sagging yellowish skin with oversized oval eyes. I cannot tear my eyes away from them, even as President Snow begins to speak from his balcony, welcoming us all to a very special Hunger Games. The anthem plays and as we make our final trip around the circle, am I wrong? Or do I see the president eyes fixated on me? I bet he is glad I volunteered or was that always his plan, rig the reaping so Annie was called, knowing that I would volunteer to exchange places? No, no one is that smart, no even Snow.
I have to wait until the doors of the Training Centre are closed eight chariots behind us before I can relax enough to release Finnick's sweating hand from my death grip. Tiberius and Vibia are there, pleased with our performance. Mags is there only she isn't standing at our chariot, she is over with District 12's mentor Haymitch Abernathy and the tributes from District 11. Mags uses her hand to beckon us over whilst Haymitch urges his tributes to adventure over also. I know Chaff by sight, no only because I met him during my brief visit to their district during my tour but almost because I have spent years watching him pass a bottle back and forth with Haymitch on television. He is dark-skinned, about two meters tall and on one of his arms ends in a stump because he lost his hand in the Games, he won forty years ago.
The woman, Seeder, who I also recognise from my visit to the district, is rather striking considering her age. She must be at least sixty. Seeder has olive skin and straight black hair streaked with silver with golden brown eyes. She looks strong and there is no sign that she has turned to liquor or morphling or any other form of escape over the years. Before either of us can say a word, she embraces me. I am not sure why because I remember killing on of her tributes last year in the opening minutes during the bloodbath but I return the hug due to the warm contact. When she pulls back, I am no stranger to being kissed by unknown people so when Chaff steps forwards and kisses me. I don't jerk back or show discomfort because in the back of my mind, I know they are testing me and from the settling look in Seeder's eyes and the nod Finnick gives me, I have passed.
However, Willow Combe does not. Chaff throws his good arm around her shoulder and gives the girl a big kiss right on her mouth. Willow jerks back completely flabbergasted by the action causing myself and the other victors – but not Mags who slaps my arm to stop me – all let out guffaw's of laughter.
That's about all the time we get before the Capitol Peacekeeper's are firmly directing us towards the elevators. I get the distant feeling they're not comfortable with the camaraderie amongst the victors, who couldn't seem to care less. As I walk towards the elevators, someone rustles up to my side. "Beautiful costume, Johanna." I chuckle as the girl pulls off a headdress of leafy branches and tosses it behind her without bothering to look where it falls.
"Shut up." she snaps.
Johanna Mason, from District 7. Lumber and paper, therefore she is dressed as a tree. It's hilarious and by me showing knowledge of this victor and the playfulness between us shows friendship to the other tributes near by. She ruffles up her spiky hair and rolls her wide-set brown eyes. Seeder and Chaff have combed off to enter a second elevator free with Mags leaving the rest of us waiting for an elevator to contain the rest of us: myself and Finnick, the District 12 tributes and mentor and Johanna.
"Isn't my costume awful? My stylist is such an idiot. District 7, lumber. Our tributes have been trees for forty years under her. Wish I had gotten Cinna, you guys look amazing." she says adjusting her fixed gaze on Willow who looks uncomfortable darting to her eyes over in my direction. I simply flick my eyebrows us and give her a slight shrug.
As we all pack into the elevator that is actually larger than expected, once the elevator doors close, Johanna turns to Peeta and asks for a hand, he unzips the rest of her tree dress, letting it drop to the floor and then kicks it away with disgust. And expect for her forest green slippers, she doesn't have on a stitch of clothing. "That's better," she gleams in the direction of Willow and Peeta. Beside me Finnick is unable to contain a grin of humour from his face and I simply keep my eyes focused on Johanna's face. Finnick had informed me during a short conversation during the drive to the Remake Centre that it was part of Johanna's act to unnerve other competitors. Finnick knows this due to years of being friends with Johanna. Peeta is still relatively new to the crowd but Willow was the victor of the 83rd Hunger Games. A year before me and I suspect that Peeta didn't see the reason to inform such a new victor about Johanna and I assume Haymitch didn't say anything just to see her reaction.
The entire journey to the fourth floor was spent with Finnick and I grinning whilst Willow was unable to find a place beside Johanna to stare as she chatted away to Peeta about his paintings. The light from their glowing costumes reflect off her bare breasts. When the door opens on mine and Finnick's floor, we bid the others goodbye and Johanna makes the effort to kiss my cheek and before we departed, I gave Willow a sympathetic look. I did feel sorry for her but the reactions she gave allowed me to see who she was really. A pure girl who respected the bodies of others and was slightly prudish but I watched her during her Games, she was a fighter and I knew I wanted her as an ally. Her and Peeta.
"I want them as allies." I tell Finnick the moment the elevator doors have closed behind me.
Finnick chuckles, "Easy tiger, lets get through the rest of tonight before we think about allies." he tells me.
As we enter the living quarters, Mags and Dieter looked pleased about something but then Mags face grows hard. What did I do now? I almost say as the elderly woman's eyes land upon me, her head then turns in the direction of the dinning area.
Dieter blinks in the same direction, then says brightly, "Looks like they've got you a matching set this year."
Confused, I gently brush passed them to get more into the wide corridor to turn to the side and see the same male Avox from District 4 who tended to me last year until the Games begun with bright, neon blue hair, my nerves instantly settles at the sight of him and I can tell he is having a difficult time keeping a smile from his lips but then my eyes flicker to the young female beside him, another Avox, also with blue hair. That must be what Dieter meant by a matching set.
As the young girl and I make eye contact, I feel like someone had stabbed me in the gut with a blunt knife because, I know her, too. Not from the Capitol but from years of sparing secrets, teaching her to swim, mindless chatter about her futile crush on Finnick Odair and that last day watching her leave the district.
Our new Avox is Leila.
A/N: Leila's back however it's only her so there could be a possibility of the others making it to District 13 but for now we don't know. Did you guys enjoy this chapter, what are your opinions on Anastasia's views and feelings towards the other competitors and her friends. Review!