Disclaimer: I only own my OCs
Chapter 28: 19 and counting
Sapphire slowly stirred with a groan at the pounding in her skull. She blinked as her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit cave surroundings, before taking notice of her missing companion. "He drugged me. How in Panem's name did I not see that coming?" she muttered to herself before letting out an almost inaudible curse as understanding dawned on her, "The stew.. Would explain why he was so attentive and non confrontational. Sneaky Chiseler!" With that realization she carefully unwrapped the large jacket from around herself and stood up.
Emerald eyes, now fully adjusted to the lighting, scanned the surrounding area of the cave methodically as she made her way towards the leftover pot. Sapphire carefully examined the remnants of the Sponsor Gift before her fingers brushed up against a hidden vial. Curious, she pulled it out and examined it, her eyes flashing with realization, before she slid it back into place.
Sapphire briefly entertained the thought of running away while Cato was gone, but she quickly dismissed that errant thought, knowing that she might be able to take on a few of the tributes but she wouldn't stand a breath of a chance against Thresh in her current state. A sardonic smirk formed on her face at the thought of Cato finding her missing from the cave.
Sapphire's head snapped up at the echoing sound of a cannon going off. She quickly went over the list of the possible casualties, part of her worried about Cato, but she knew it was not for him. With that reassurance she went back to cleaning out the Blue Sapphire Damselfish in preparation for cooking. A soft melody reverberated from her slightly parted lips as she hummed an unknown song absently.
Finnick watched Sapphire with pensive expression on his face as she robotically cleansed the fish. He was unsurprised that she was able find some of Cato's hidden knives, her being one of the most observant of his tributes.
"It seems that Hurricane Aphroditey is getting stronger with each passing day. I know of many very interested parties who would love to meet her, if she makes it out alive," one of the Capital citizens remarked with a knowing look directed at the Playboy Mentor from 4. Finnick steeled his expression before facing the male with an impassive look, "I'm sure they would be, but I wouldn't get my hopes up. She's already been spoken for." His tone was pleasant but held an icy undertone.
The man smiled, "We'll see about that. If it turns out that the Career from 2 doesn't make it or does not stake his claim fast enough, than your precious Aphroditey will be fair game for the rest of us." With that said, he patted Finnick on the shoulder and left with a final glance directed at the TV screen.
The handsome Victor turned and entered the Victors' lounge where he met the knowing expressions of the others, before heading into a private viewing room and closing the door behind him.
The other Victors shared knowing looks as they heard the obvious sounds of furniture being thrown about and the muffled grunts from the other side of the door. Johanna exhaled, "Looks like another trophy for the Capital's sick enjoyment." Enobaria shook her head with a somber expression, "That explains Odair's obsession with pairing her up with my tribute. If the Star-Crossed Lovers are exempt from being used, then their pair would be as well."
"The sly fox might actually have a chance at his ideal ending, now that Clove is out of the running, and the big guy from 11 is gone too," Brutus admitted thoughtfully as the Mentor in question finally emerged from the private room with a determined expression on his face.
Sapphire was pulled out of her silent musings at the sound of an approaching figure. Her emerald eyes lifted from the smoking fish on top of the hot stones that sat on the ashes of the dead fire, before landing on the stoic figure of her missing companion.
The look on Cato's face was enough for Sapphire to get up and tentatively approach the expressionless Career. She had a fair guess as to what was ailing his conscious as she looked into his eyes and read his expression. "I'm sorry," her voice was soothing and snapped him out of his daze.
Cato reached out and held onto the female as his eyes traveled along the length of her body in search of any new injury, before settling back on her face. "I couldn't save her. I was too late," he admitted with a hollow tone as his eyes searched hers. Sapphire reached out with her good arm and gently caressed his face, "It's not your fault. You couldn't have known what was going to happen." Her tone was low and consoling as she reassured him, knowing the double meaning behind his statements.
Azure eyes searched Sapphire's face before he closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. Sapphire didn't object or tease him, as she usually would, but instead put aside her discomfort and allowed Cato to take his comfort from her.
The two remaining Careers sat in relative silence, Sapphire on Cato's lap as he continued to hold her in silent reassurance to himself. Moved by the silence surrounding them and the shadows cast by the flickering fire, Sapphire locked her gaze on the flickering shadows before she slowly began to sing:
'We know full well there's just time
So is it wrong to dance this line?
If your heart was full of love
Could you give it up?
'Cause what about, what about angels?
They will come, they will go, make us special
Don't give me up
Don't give... me up
How unfair, it's just our luck
Found something real that's out of touch
But if you'd searched the whole wide world
Would you dare to let it go?
'Cause what about, what about angels?
They will come, they will go, make us special
Don't give me up
Don't give... me up
'Cause what about, what about angels?
They will come, they will go, make us special
It's not about, not about angels, angels.'
As the last note of her song reverberated off of the walls Sapphire found herself being turned around on Cato's lap so that she was facing him directly. Emerald met azure as they gazed at each other in silence before Cato placed a kiss on her lips and stroked her face. Wordlessly showing his appreciation for her song as the nighttime theme of the Capital blared into the night, broadcasting the deaths of two tributes.
There was not a dry eye in Panem as they heard the haunting voice of Sapphire. Many of the Victors even had trouble withholding a few tears at the raw song from the pretty tribute from 4, but no one was more shaken up by the song, than Finnick. The playboy had had to leave the common viewing room moments after his surrogate sister had started to sing. Tears had stung his eyes at the all-too-familiar song that Holly had sung all those years ago after the death of his parents and Jasper.
Hey guys, so this chapter is kinda a somber one, but I thought it was necessary considering what went down.
I hope you all enjoyed this installment and the little bit of vulnerability displayed amidst the characters. All rights to the song 'Not about Angels' go to Birdy.
Please let me know what you think of my writing and leave me a review.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for the next installment.
~ShadowStalker182
