A.N: Reminder Katniss is now aged 14
Chapter 20: The Beginning
The scenery outside did nothing to calm the incredible amount of fear that flooded through her body like a wave. Katniss mused that this is what being in the ocean must be like. She could vaguely recall the slightest memory of the ocean during her Victory Tours. The train while going incredibly fast felt as if time stood still. The trip will take two whole days, before she was once more trapped inside the walls of the capitol.
The Capitol…
Katniss took a deep breath listening quietly as she listened to Effie talk with their tributes. They were returning once again with Johanna now among the mentors. Grey eyes couldn't help but watch her tributes from afar as her thoughts wandered toward their chances of survival.
"No words of wisdom for the newbies?" Haymitch gruff voice broke through her own little world.
"That staying alive comment seems to do the trick" Katniss smirked as her mentor sprawled out on the couch next to her.
"But your voice is so much prettier than mine" He batted his eyes at her. The pillow thrown at him was a worthy blow as her scowl was one of his favorite responses.
"Come on sweetheart. You're the nice mentor they need you" Haymitch goaded attempting to get the girl to cooperate.
"I'd rather they not get to know another person who will get them killed."
"Sweetheart…" Haymitch's voice turned wary.
"Every year Haymitch. I saved Annie by a miracle and every scenario I come up with leaves our tributes dead, again and again. I don't know how to change that."
"It does not have to be that way" The way Haymitch looked into her eyes caused the warrior within her to stand up and fight.
"Pray tell when I am stuck until our allies can make a damn move? A move that I now do not know when because I entered the games far to early!"
"You could help them win."
"Unless I can buy the Gamemaker off then no"
"Speaking of Gamemakers…"
"How is Seneca Crane?"
"Enthusiastic as ever"
"Hope he does not like berries"
Haymitch snorted, "Aren't you delightful this morning."
"Not all of us are pleasant drunks."
"Now we know you've never been much of a drunk."
"That we can agree on."
It was Effie's shrill voice calling them out that brought them back to reality. They shared a sigh as Haymitch shouted out a rude reply. Haymitch paused by the doorway to see Katniss stand. He mused she seemed to build up some more resolve…
"That's my girl"
"Shut it old man"
Haymitch smirked saluting Katniss as she led them out the door. Toward two scared children about to be sent to a land where people watched kids slaughter one another for entertainment.
This years tributes Thomas and Isabella were in many ways like all the others. It pained her to know this year it would be ten times worse. This year's tributes were siblings, two years apart and from the moment she laid eyes on them protective.
"What about shelter" Thomas asked eyeing the bulk of sweets in distaste. Katniss held back a dark chuckle, "The amount of food is ridiculous we know. The best shelter is the shelter that is already there."
"That means sticking to things such as caves and trees" Isabella muttered.
Haymitch nodded almost as if in approval, "If the arena provides them. If not you will have to create your own shelter."
Katniss spent the two days on the road coaching her tributes. She tested their knowledge narrowing the list of things for them to study during their training. She had them recount all their survival skills. As tributes from District 12 they truly had little time to learn. Unlike other districts tributes of district 12 only start in the mines after age 18.
Each sibling while not physically strong had an aptitude for knowledge. Isabelle could recognize poisonous plants versus those safe to eat and their medicinal qualities. Thomas however had provided to be a 'decent' tracker. Qualities that would help keep them alive.
"Well then Haymitch looks like we should focus on their weaponry" Katniss mused sipping a glass of water.
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They arrived early in the morning with strings of people greeting them with cheers. Isabella looked past the window into the crowd. Katniss grabbed her shoulder squeezing it gently in a poor attempt at comfort.
Isabella smiled grimly, "This won't be easy, will it?"
Katniss shook her head, "They'll love you."
"But for how long?"
Katniss did not reply simply pulled her toward her brother. She looked them over side by side before whispering, " Remember the key is to get them to like you."
The tributes exited first with Effie, Haymitch watched as they were quietly shuffled away. "Sorry this has to be so public sweetheart" Haymitch whispered in her ear going out the back way.
"Coward" She muttered
Taking a deep breath Katniss stood tall walking out the door to a slowly dissipating crowd. Almost immediately someone called out her name and then a whispered, "its Finnick Odair!"
Katniss felt an arm wrapping around her shoulders. She smiled widely leaning into him as he slowed his steps in time with hers. She then heard his chuckle as he pulled her to a stop.
"Is that anyway to greet me?"
The dark haired female smirked, "Now Odair how should I greet you?"
"Like this" Came his light reply.
Before Katniss knew it, his arms were wrapped around her waist lifting her up and spinning her around. The audience surrounding them could be heard cooing and awing at the sight, some commenting rather loudly.
"Odair and Everdeen? I knew they were friends but…."
"I can see it now, Everdair! They will the next big thing!" A woman gushed.
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One hour was all it took for even Katniss to overhear the latest gossip. Finnick looked down at the girl beside him. On the outside, she was all grace and poise yet internally he saw the battle going on. Everything he knew about her past and of her actions now led him to believe that Katniss while begrudgingly accepting his friendship once again, had yet to find the appeal of romance. Let alone a romance even a future possibly fictionalized one with a man she deemed already taken.
They were standing together as their tributes were forced through a very thorough cleaning. They ignored the shushed whispers as the cameras made poor attempts of sneaking glimpses of them. Finnick chuckled as the girl glared at the camera crew. The man quickly backed away as she sliced through him with her steel gaze.
"Anymore and he'll be six feet under" Fin chuckled into her ear. The sudden hit to his arm was well worth it.
"Shut it Finny. Or do you want the honor?"
"Now dear I think you should save it for the careers."
"But that is you" She quipped.
"Not exactly darling, not like them."
The hand squeeze she felt was all she needed to know that they were fine. Their attention was soon taken by Haymitch and Mag's entrance. Before they would say a word Haymitch muttered, "Cinna is going to have them famous in no time."
Internally Katniss questioned if that was truly a good thing.
"Now let's take our seats, shall we?"
Katniss nodded toward a smirking Johanna.
"What no outrageous comments from the peanut gallery?" Finnick questioned Johanna shrugged, "I'm waiting for bigger fish to fry."
Katniss whispered in Finnick's ear, "Code for she has nothing."
The man rolled his eyes as he made sure all the women were seated before taking his seat next to the girl on fire. The crowds were loud with anticipation except for the group of victors who eyed the capitol citizens with varied looks of well-hidden disgust. The other victors were all muttering to each other as everyone listened to Caesars audio commentary that Katniss knew would be broadcasted out to the districts.
Out of the corner of her eye Katniss saw Beetee chuckling with Wiress over at the edges of the room. Taking care to listen and look finally saw the sudden shimmer of an over energized force field.
"Energy that could be used to lock us into our districts" Katniss internally sighed, thankful for one small mercy.
She shook off Finnick's questioning gaze mouthing that he'll know later. As they settled in the chariots started to arrive. She never felt so bored watching the young children being paraded around in costumes. It was harder to block out the cheers of the crowd. Especially when District 4's chariot arrived flashing its tributes in all of their mermaid glory. The 22 tributes slowly circled the arena the cheering rose to greet the last two.
Cinna had certainly out done himself again.
Her tributes were encased not as fire as the years previous. Rather they were dressed to resemble smoke. Dark black pants dissolved up into grey for their tops as they were covered no encased in a dark smoky substance. It seemed that Cinna was preparing for something much bigger down the road.
"Cinna certainly as a talent," Finnick whispered.
"Is someone jealous of the coal miners? I thought the mermaid costumes were quite lovely" Katniss couldn't help but let the small smirk fall onto her lips watching as Finnick shook his head dramatically.
"Cinna just have to have all the talent!" Finnick bemoaned with a teasing tone.
"As long as it doesn't get him killed" She thought grimly.
The tributes all slowed to a stop as the anthem began to play. Katniss could practically feel Snow's poisonous eyes locate her as he stood. Giving the exact same speech as he did year after year. It was a wonder how no one stopped watching if he never changed his speech.
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Katniss Everdeen could vividly remember the last Capitol party she had attended. It was the final night of her Victory Tour. The party had not been all that remarkable, expect that it ended the endless weeks of being paraded around like a trophy for Effie to polish. The party before her was very much the same as all the party's in her previous life, lots of glamour more food than the city could even process was available while Katniss knew children were starving especially in the districts like hers.
"Care to dance Miss. Everdeen?"
The teen turned to address her companion to find a middle-aged man with violet hair and calculating eyes. Katniss discreetly out of the corner of her eye found President Snow standing with his personal guests watching her.
"Of course, Sir" She replied quietly, her best attempt as demure as she could get. Taking her hand, the older man led her to middle of the dance floor. Much to her surprise he kept a cordial amount of distance. Katniss took the time to observe the man in front of her. The man's gaze would not leave her own, his hands did not grip to tight leaving her to believe he did not think she would leave.
"I remember your games," He commented casually, but Katniss could detect bait for what it was.
"Funny, so do I" His grip on her hand tightened and Katniss's eyes narrowed at the man, "Were you one of my sponsors, I don't recall meeting you during my tour."
"I was traveling on business and couldn't make it back in time."
Katniss nodded as he pulled her into a twirl and her eyes found Finnick's before being forced to look at the man once more. His grip still tight, "You've grown so much. I look forward to seeing the you become."
Katniss felt her stomach shrink in disgust at the obvious look of lust now in the man's eyes. When a tan hand tapped his shoulder, she never felt so much relieve to see Finnick with a wide smile.
"May I steal her for a moment?"
Katniss felt the disgust she felt grow as the man looked in Snow's direction, she saw the president nod before he stepped aside placing her hand in Finnick's.
"Of course, I shouldn't hog the girl all night." Finnick nodded to the man gently pulling Katniss next to him, waiting a few moments until he was out of hearing range.
"Did he hurt you?"
Katniss shook her head, "He simply let his interest known, I bet he will be my first appointment."
Finnick's face turned hard as he gently began leading her into a familiar dance, his hands stayed at her waist and her hands stayed on his shoulder's her height finally reaching his shoulder. Her naturally tall height having kicked in. Every so often when their steps led them closer to the crowds, did she hear the murmurs about them.
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At the end of the night Finnick had led her back to Annie who sat with Johanna as the later seemed just fine sitting with the mentally simple girl. Katniss picked a seat next to Johanna while Finnick sat between her and Annie.
"Anyone ask you to dance Johanna?"
The nineteen-year-old rolled her eyes, "Many and if you didn't solely have eyes for golden boy you would have noticed."
Katniss felt her face flush, "I do not…"
Johanna laughed loudly interrupting her, "Denial eh? Alright I'll give you that after all you're only a child."
Finnick coughed when she turned to him with a raised eyebrow, mouthing she doesn't know? The bronze haired victor shook his head, his hands tapping five time. The youngest victor scowled, she'd have to have a word with her mentor.
"May I escort one of you lovely lady to her chambers?"
On queue she blushed much to her chagrin as awes could be heard from the surrounding crowd.
"You may escort her" Johanna laughed as she pulled Annie up from her seat, "We will go find Mags, she must be getting tired by now."
Finnick gently grabbed her hand walking her toward the exit before pausing to look back, looking Snow in the eye with a determined grin. Katniss turned her head toward Finnick to watch as Snow nodded once before turning away. She turned her attention to Finnick who looked dangerous as he faked a few smiles leading her out the back into their prison chambers.
"We passed the first phase" He muttered in her ear.
The hushed whisper gave her chills as they quickly entered the elevator leading them to her floor.
"Meaning? Last time I failed spectrally."
"That the fairytale story of two victors finding love has support in the capitol. It doesn't hurt that you're so young, it gives the sponsors a few years with me yet."
"He knows" Katniss whispered already knowing this would be the case.
"Haymitch sold the whole victor romance thing and how he could profit more than selling us separately" Finnick responded with a sigh.
"Your still taking appointments then…"
"Of course, but the more unsavory appointments then…"
"Of course, but the more unsavory appointments will lessen the closer you get to majority. They most likely will never stop completely but less sponsors will want a married victor. Snow will no doubt find use to sell our company as a team, chat with a few sponsors let them get a little handsy but you're safe from that" Finnick stressed his final words.
"The old man sold us as a power couple" She sighed.
"It's the only compromise we could make. He gets my body, our image and hopefully we will be out of this mess before he decides to sell you anyway" Finnick's eyes nearly glowed in his anger.
Katniss couldn't fight her own scowl, "When's the wedding?"
"Now who says there will be a wedding?"
" If there wasn't. I would be sold to the highest bidder already."
"You're learning" He murmured in approval.
"Haymitch was right, we never got off this train"
"I'd rather be on this train with you than learn anymore secrets" He told her softly.
Katniss didn't have to look at him to know it was the truth.