Like Father Like Daughter

by Silent Wolf Singer

Blaine is the daughter of Haymitch Abernathy and the 71st Hunger Game victor. Can she help Katniss and Peeta as their mentor during the Games or will she and her father would only be the only district twelve's victors.

25. Chapter 25: Secret in the wing

Like father like daughter

Chapter 25: Secrets in the wing

I stood in front of the mirror straightening my hair. Midnight lay on the counter watching my every move while I did my finished touches. I wasn't wearing the clothes that Cinna or Portia had created but the uniform designated for me since I was seventeen. It was custom to wear an outfit-a uniform for the profit circle, especially the inner ring. To dress as a sophisticated, elegant, glamour and mysterious attribute for President Snow. I along with others must hide our true self's in a faction of deceptions. Our minds the most dangerous thing to correspond compare to the looks.

I may have been free in my private life of romance given the longer leash. But it doesn't stop President Snow in the capabilities I was trained to possess. If there was something he wanted I had to get it. If there was message to be plague into the minds of his citizens, I'll sing it. All in all, I was being used in more way than one. Unlike Finnick pleasuring serves in confiscating secrets, I can manipulate my words in the slightest bit. However, the only person who isn't frazil my skill's was the man who taught it to me.

The garment I wore was a little black dress. It has a cowl scoop neckline with bead embellished cap sleeves and a gathered fitted body. Though, the length didn't cover the yellow canary tattoo on my thigh whose ankle had chains around it. Black knee high boots, black accessories, and dark makeup. Black was my given color. Not because of the coal from District 12 or the mourning of myself. It symbolizes confidence, self-control and resilience. Black denotes strength and authority. Although the power it contains, to me it means, secrecy, seriousness, underground, hiding, aggressive, and survival. Giving off a mysterious aura around me that is heavy, dominating, and pervasive. The side of me I spent almost a decade on accomplishing.

I petted Midnight head and tap his black nose. He wrinkled it before jumping off the sink to sleep in some random place. The loft was quiet since Peeta and Katniss was at remake. Last night was traumatizing for the terrible event of the mutts and other things. Haymitch had a fight with the remake doctors to not touch Katniss in any means necessary other than clean sweep. He didn't want them to surgically alter her body to perfect health. Peeta on the other hand had it worst. The doctors could save his left leg so they had no choice but to amputate it. This was crap for they had the technology to fix anything yet save an appendage. It was no use to argue.

Right now I need to focus on the goal at hand. I just hope President Snow hasn't changes his mind in making me a prostitute. Sure I prepared myself for the past three years but still. I don't want to be a whore nor use as some stranger release. I sighed and grabbed the last thing I needed. Pulling out a rosin capsule that held a white rose corsage; the symbol of the profit circle.

.o0o.

Two of the Capitol guard escorted me down the halls of the President mansion. No words were spoken as they lead me to the office of the dictator of Panem. However, from the corner of my eye I saw a small sun room empty except for a table. On that table was an elusive crystal bowl where an Avox carefully poured black berries…Nightlock? I gulped silently and continued heading forwards. Someone is going to die but whom? Once we reached the end of the hall, the guards open the door and let me in.

I took a deep breath and wore my poker face, entering President Snow office. The office was huge in the colors of white, grey, and black to the concept of Athenian culture and colonial accents. Marble columns around the room, granite floors, and more capitalism concept. Where the Panem flag hung on the right and the Capitol insignia on the left. The man who controls the fate of many sat by his large desk of polished wood reading a book 'Mein Kampf. I could smell signature scent of roses and blood. As on the desk was two tea glasses.

"Give me a moment," He said. He then turned around and I stare at the serpent eyes of President Snow.

"I think we'll make this whole situation a lot simpler by agreeing not to lie to each other," He said.

"Understood, sir," I said with a bow.

President Snow smiled knowing how I am a conformist. I never lie and remained honest so that there be a limited amount of blood is spilled from my actions. You mustn't underestimate him; he has the power, the intelligent, and will to make hell happen. He gestured me to sit down, so I followed his command. Sitting straight properly and looked into his eyes.

"I know you won't be difficult for me, Blaine." He said. "One of my trusted subordinates."

"Thank you, sir." I said.

"I have a problem, Blaine," President Snow said. "A problem that began the moment Miss. Everdeen pulled out those poisonous berries in the arena."

"Her actions were irrational," I replied calmly.

"Yes, but I want to confirm the relationship between her and Mr. Mellark."

I gulped knowing I'll be betraying my friends but must follow protocol. "She doesn't love him. The Star-crossed lovers were an ideal concept so they could earn more sponsors. Peeta Mellark on the other hands is in love with her since he was a child. We were considering the plot that only one of them returns as victor. The curve ball of the rule change was not what I suspected."

"If Head Gamermaker, Seneca Crane, had had any brains, he have blown her to dust right then."

I bit my tongue to realize who President Snow was going to execute. Seneca Crane broke tradition of the Hunger Games and let two children make fun of the Capitol. I may not hold the same feelings for the man but he was one of my friends who I respected.

"Miss. Everdeen was pretty good, too, with the love-crazed schoolgirl bit. The people in the Capitol were quite convinced. Unfortunately, not everyone in the districts fell for the act." He added reaching for a glass full of tea.

My expression remain neutral while inside my head was bewilderment. He smiled and handed me a glass of tea. Kindly appreciated the gesture picking up the glass and sniff it. The fragrances were herbal, impossible to smell chemicals of poisons.

"You believe there might be another uprising?" I asked, not taking a sip.

"Not yet. But they'll follow if the courses of things change. And an uprising has been known to lead to revolutions." President Snow rubbed over his left eyebrow. "You know what that would mean."

More lives would be killed. The aftermath of war of human nature to the prosaic terms of state of nature. For Panem was under the social contract of a voluntary agreement towards the government adequate power to secure mutual protection and welfare. Since the Capitol doesn't want to referee a social conflict that would create the Dark Days. If the Capitol loses it grips on the districts for a short period, then the entire nation would collapse.

"Yes, sir." I replied. "I know what you mean. But what do you want me to do Mr. President. Katniss Everdeen is a stubborn girl who won't listen unless coaxed?"

"Is something wrong with your tea?" President Snow asked. "I assure you it's not poison."

There was a slight hint of truth in his voice along with his posture. Absent mindly I took a large sip of the tea. It was very hot that it took me a moment to swallow. However, when I saw the cruel smile on his face. Before I realized what I just did, my mouth felt like it was on fire while tongue swelling. I coughed grabbing my neck feeling a burning sensation and throat contrast. It was too hot, something spicy reacting to my taste buds.

"Capsicum," President Snow announced. "A chemical in chili peppers. You are still useful even though your tribute has caused some trouble."

I continued to cough and try to breathe from my nose except it was difficult to multi-task. Practically suffocating in the Capsicum reaction in my mouth. President Snow walked out of his seat and walked toward me, grabbing my hair to look at him. He held a small syringe and injected it into my throat under the first layer of skin. I cried out in agony, as the chemicals reacted. God, it feels like I was being burned without a source. I fell out of my chair, locked in fetal position trying to breathe.

"Matter of business, I believe you." He murmured. "It doesn't matter. Your Stylist friend Cinna turned out to be a prophetic in his wardrobe choice."

I look at him in panic for he brought Cinna into discussion. He saw this and smiled knowing he found another source of weakness. "Seems you taken my advice and caught interest of a Capitol Citizen. Publicity? We don't want an accident now do we?"

"Don't," I choked doubling over trying to breathe. "Don't hurt him."

"If only if it were that simple." He said tucking a loose strand of hair out of my face. "I want you to spy on Katniss Everdeen. I want to know everything about her that I can use. Something that I can contain the inspiration of the girl on fire! The star-crossed lovers, was just an act, so find me her weakness."

"Sister," I coughed, practically crying from the burning.

"Yes, her sister is one. But I want you to watch her thoroughly. Report on term of events, making sure the love is in progress. I'm only interested in how it affects her dynamic with Peeta, thereby affecting the mood in the district."

I was dumbfounded in the events that had transpired with President Snow. Torturing me with chemicals for punishment of Katniss actions. My fear in the capability he can do. Most people would announce I have the advantage over height and physical power. But you don't know him or fear him like I do. The intellectual power of bureaucracies, leaving lessons that need to be learned unlearned. President Snow can see and understand everything.

I gave one more cough and look at President Snow. "You want me to spy on my…friend?"

President Snow rose from the previous seat and dabbed his puffy lips with a handkerchief. "Watch and report, which is all you have to do. Doesn't take you from your obligations," He placed a hand on my shoulder. "I like you Blaine. You have good self-preservation that not all can contain."

I don't watch him as he heads out towards the balcony. Sitting there to absorb the information in what just happen. President Snow knew it was an act. He knew the futuristic outcomes if Katniss doesn't cooperate of a possible rebellion. He tortures me with Capsicum instead of poison. I'm alive at the moment but Cinna life was now in the game. My orders; to spy on Katniss Everdeen and report everything until furthers noticed.

I felt disgusted and upset with myself knowing I would be betraying not just my friends but also myself. All because of handful of Nightlock berries. How President Snow a consistently update my relationship with his reconciliation. I know what he does and I know what he can do that is necessary to maintain power. To commit Genocide if need to be in a threat that would ruin his monarchy. All is fake in view of the character to play the audiences. We-I was a pawn in his game for the beginning between rook and knight.

Evil has no face or form. But if you have to choose the example, President Snow would take its description. However, he wasn't the threat to all humanity. But the mind integrity restrained the society we live in. The mind was dangerous, a resultant parasite, an Idea. A single idea from the mind can transform power and rewrite everything in history.

The two Capitol Guard came in and took me away. My throat burning and eyes clouded in the pain of the emotional and physical trauma. I had no choice but followed orders to protect the people I loved. To protect my friends and allies. I have to prepare Katniss, to train her in the next step of the Hunger Games. For she purposely enter the Snow Game.

.o0o.

I stumbled into the loft to find it empty. It wasn't ten yet, so Haymitch must be asleep. My mouth was still burning while throat numb from the Capsicum. I headed toward the closes glass chugging it down, only to realize it was spirit. The result made the burning sensation even worst that I gaged collapsed to my knees. I continued to choke and gage, being suffocated by the chemicals.

"Blaine," Someone shouted out running towards me. Haymitch yanked my hand away to see the damage.

"Da-"I hurt to speak as I continued to cry.

"What did he do to you?" Haymitch demanded.

"Ca-Caps…." I tried to say panting hard. "Wa-wat…"

Haymitch got the message and ran to grab some water. When he handed me the glass, I chugged the cold drink down to feel a little amount of relief. Although my mouth still burned and I continued to cry from the excruciating pain. Haymitch picked me up and held me as he sat down on the couch. Like he used to when I was little. He rubbed my back and order the Avox's to bring in more water.

"What happen?"

"Snow is not happy," I cried. "He's not happy with Katniss."

Haymitch nodded and we sat there trying to figure out what to do with our tributes. We have to protect them from the psychopathic mind of President Snow. I didn't tell him about the second part of the ordeal. How I have to spy on Katniss or Cinna would get hurt.

This was the dark side of the Profit Circle. You have to do whatever Snow says and that's that. I may not understand why I haven't been selected into the prostitution like Finnick and Cashmere, but I was still being used. The observations and manipulation can be deadly weapon to get secrets. Secrets are more valuable than gold.

"Go get some rest," Haymitch suggested.

I nodded and walked into my room and started a shower. When I got undressed, I heard Midnight jumping on the bed crumpling paper. I don't recall setting paper on the bed. I walked out to find a two letters. One written in red in the other green. I picked it up and red the red:

"oBEdience
poWer
grAin
agricultuRE
commiTment
fisHing
couragE
QUAlification
transpoRTation
lumbER
eQUity
tExtiles
aLLegiance
-PH"

"What the hell does this mean?" I asked Midnight who shrugged. So I picked up the second letter:

"obedDIence
fiShing
qualificaTion
sacRIfice
teChnology
duTy
strengTH
vIRTue
compliancE
ENdurance
maSonry
Unity
seRVIce
liVEStock
All is not lost
-PH"

Shaking my head from all the drama that's been going on and the burning pain from the back of my throat, I put the letters in my journal. Whoever PH was, was one crazy person to write that down. All riddles of nonsenses. So standing under the cold shower, I sighed from the heat on my throat decrease.

"There is no end."