The Lady Of The Lake

You know I don't think I've ever written chapters, all over 3k words each, in four straight evenings before. So thank you guys, really. My reviewers have been filling me with enthusiasm for writing, and considering the blocks I was having prior to this...this is a good thing!

Thank you to LoneWolfPack and to Someone2003 for their reviews of Chapter 3 and thank you to Emma Lane, who reviewed all 3.

In this chapter Finnick proves his manipulative mettle, and shows just why he was such a formidable Tribute. Sky meets another Tribute, and keeps talking to Peeta and a wary Katniss. And we also see tempers flaring.

Enjoy!


Chapter 4

Finnick, Mags and Darrien are talking.

This isn't exactly unusual, they are our mentors after all and they have plans for his survival as well, but what makes me pause outside the door, hand reaching for the handle, is the fact they are talking about me.

"I did what you suggested." Darrien's voice is deep, rough, "Glimmer, Marvel and Clove were fine with leaving her be, and Cato said he was...but."

"What happened?" Mags low voice is gentle, coaxing.

"He wants her dead." Darrien huffs a sigh, "He seems to think the fact that she's well...Sky...makes her an embarrassment to the Career alliance."

"But she's not even IN the pack." Finnick's voice is louder, and there is an edge to it, "Why is he even paying attention to her! She should just be another pretty Tribute to him."

"They're District 4. And she caught his eye in the parade," Mags murmurs, "They both did, but Darrien is what he expected."

"Sky threw up." Darrien's voice is agitated, "He must have written her off then."

"He finds her physically appealing though," Finnick's feet pace, to and fro, "I saw him after that parade, he was ogling. I know ogling and he was ogling."

"Cato is a Career tribute from District 2." Mags voice is soft, "His whole life is these Games. He's not going to let a pretty face distract him from his prize. Schuyler is lovely to be sure, but she's not going to stop a sword just by batting those eyelashes of hers."

"There has to be a way to salvage this." Finnick sounds determined, "We have to give him someone else to focus on."

"He's not going to be distracted by any pretty face Finnick." Mags' voice is scolding.

"Not that kind of distracted. You've made your point; he's not going to be led about by his cock." Darrien makes a soft noise of discomfort and Mags shushes him gently, "No we need to give him a threat, someone he'll focus all that deadly stuff on rather than Schuyler."

There is silence for a moment.

"12." Darrien's voice breaks into the silence and my eyes widen, "He already hates them for stealing his thunder at the parade. If they score higher than Sky..."

"He'll turn on them." Finnick muses, "It's as good as anything, but I want you to keep an eye on him Darrien. From what you've said, he sounds like someone who enjoys the power he has over people, and he already knows he can intimidate Schuyler."

"He won't do it around Darrien." Mags is once again the voice of reason, "The others have accepted him, he's one of them. Cato may enjoy teasing her, but it won't be worth risking his leadership place among the Careers for her."

"Still..." Finnick moves away from them, towards the door, "Keep an eye on it. I'm going to talk to her..."

I slip away from the door, and dash silently along the thickly carpeted floor ducking into my room just in time to hear the door down the hallway open. I lie on my bed and look up at the ceiling, heart pounding in my chest.

"I'm assuming you heard all that?"

Finnick's there, and shutting the door behind him, sea green eyes dancing slightly as he moves into the room, perching on the edge of the bed. Looking at him I know there's no point in lying so I sit up and nod.

"Most of it."

"Is Darrien right?" Finnick slides up the bed to lean against the headboard next to me, "Does he have it in for 12?"

"Yes..." my voice is soft, but there's a note of something in my voice, and of course Finnick picks right up on it.

"What?"

"I don't want to throw them under the train just to save my own skin." I pull a face, "The guy...Peeta, he was really nice...I just..."

"You can't think like that." Finnick's voice is regretful, but firm, "I'm sorry Schuyler, but you can't. He may be the nicest guy in the world, but the Hunger Games change you...they'll change him."

"Me too..." I whisper, and he glances at me, eyes unhappy.

"I mentored a young woman like you once..." He said softly, "The Games changed her, but she couldn't handle it. You remind me so much of her...I just...don't want to see history repeat itself."

"Did she die?" I ask quietly.

"No." He shakes his head, voice heavy, "She lived...in a matter of speaking."

I realise who he's talking about, and my heart lurches slightly. Annie Cresta, one of District 4's most famous Victors, famous for how she had fallen apart after her games. She'd seen her District partner killed, and hadn't been able to recover. I knew many saw her as a joke, someone who had been lucky to win, but I had always found her story incredibly sad.

"I remind you of her?" I ask quietly and he nods, "I suppose that means there's a chance of me living I suppose..."

"I'm going to make sure of it." He gives me a loose hug about the shoulders, "Which brings me to...the Cato issue..."

I pull a face and he chuckles, "Now, Mags and Darrien think keeping you away from him is the best thing for it, and I agree. But I think we should take it one step further."

I give him a wary look and he grins that wicked little grin.

"What step further?" I ask.

"Cato is a young man." Finnick's voice is carefully casual, "A young man who is the top dog in his little pack. I've seen his kind before...and for all his focus is on the games right now...I believe he can be distracted."

"Mags' doesn't think he'll be deterred by a pretty face." I point out quietly.

"Not just a pretty face no." He smiles slightly, "His type like a challenge, they like dominating."

"Finnick..." I look down, uncomfortable, "I'm really not good at that kind of thing..."

"Do you have any experience?" he asks me, and I make a noise, "I'm not after specifics...please...generalities will do me just fine."

"No..." I shake my head, "None...I know the theory...I read books after all..."

"That is adorable." He pats my head and I glare at him.

"I don't have any experience." I tell him, my arms folding defensively.

"Relax," Finnick's smile is gentle, "I'm not asking you to do anything sexual with him. But we can...work on his hormones a little."

"Finnick..." I look at him helplessly, "I'm not sexy...not like that girl from 1..."

"She's obvious." Finnick dismisses her, "You've got mystery, which we will lure him with. The Capitol will eat it up too...if we can do it."

"He doesn't like weak women." I insist, shaking my head, "You should have heard him today; I thought he was going to choke me..."

"Choke you...?" Finnick frowns, "Darrien said he was holding your arm."

"Earlier..." I say regretfully, "We had a run in earlier."

I tell him everything, and he questions me about every detail of the confrontation. Finally he sits there, mouth pursed slightly, considering. Finally he speaks.

"This might actually be easier than I expected."

"Are you nuts?" I ask him exasperatedly, "He tried to strangle me!"

"You surprised him." His mind is working, I can practically see it, "He only began to tighten his hand when you insulted him, took the moral high ground."

"So?"

"He wants to control you." Finnick's eyes are bright, "It's not just about the killing with him, it's about control, about being in charge. You messed up his Career plans, so he threatens you to put you in your place. But you moralise at him...and he..." he looks at me, and a grin curls up his lips, "He expected you to crumble. He wanted to make you crumble. That's why he had another go later. He wants everyone in a nice little predictable box...and you're not playing by his rules. This...this I can work with."

"Finnick...what if I can't..."

"You don't have to flirt with him." Finnick kisses my cheek, "You're not Glimmer, all obvious sex appeal. We want you to just be yourself, and let me take care of your allure. It's my special talent."

He slips off the bed and I follow him, unsure, "Finnick..."

The man turns back to facing me, a hand cupping my cheek, sea green eyes meeting mine.

"Do you trust me Schuyler?"

"Yes." I whisper, because I do. Finnick knows what he's doing, and I have to believe he won't lead me wrong. He smiles, kisses my forehead and opens the door, "Finnick?" he turns back, a question on his face. Slowly I give him a small smile of my own, "It's Sky. You and Mags should call me Sky."

He gives me that slow, genuine smile that we see so rarely and nods.

"I'll see you at dinner...Sky." and he leaves, shutting the door behind him.


I'm going to kill Finnick.

This morning my training gear was laid out for me, as it had been yesterday, but unlike yesterday when it had been comfortable and flexible, today the pants are just that little bit tighter, hugging my bum and thighs.

I know it's his fault, his and Felvia's.

"'Not obvious', he said." I mutter jabbing the trident located at the fishing station down, missing the fish, "'Be yourself' he said. I'm going to shove this trident so far up his…"

"Talking to yourself?"

I jump and almost topple into the pond, arms pinwheeling. The person behind me catches my arm with a laugh and steadies me. It's Peeta, and the smile he has on his face is a genuinely bright one.

"Peeta," I greet, trying to regain some composure, "How are you today?"

"I'm well Schuyler," his grin widens slightly, "So…who are you threatening with your trident? Not me I hope."

"Not you." I relax slightly. Peeta just has this way of making you calm around him. He's so earnest, and intent on you, that it's impossible to be truly suspicious of him. He's charming, but he's genuine. "My mentor."

"Oh?" is he as bad as Haymitch then?" he asks me, a small grin on his face, "Drunk all day?"

"He's Finnick Odair. Charming all night."

That makes Peeta laugh, and I see eyes looking at us curiously from around the gym.

"I've heard about him. Aren't all girls supposed to be enamoured of him?"

"Most girls probably don't have to put up with him for too long."

"What are we talking about?" Katniss joins us, grey eyes wary as she looks at me, and then soften slightly as she looks at Peeta.

Peeta just beams at her, his face lighting up as it always does when he sees her, "Katniss! Schuyler was just complaining about her mentor…Finnick Odair."

"Finnick Odair?" Katniss pulls a face, "Haven't met him, and can't say I want to. Never found that kind of…obviousness, attractive."

Peeta's smile widens slightly at those words.

"He's alright," I shrug, "He drives me crazy, but I know he's just trying to keep me alive. He's rather like a very ridiculous brother I imagine. Or at least, that's how he is to me."

"So…why aren't you over with the Careers?" Katniss asks me, picking up a spear to take her own turn at fishing, "Aren't you 4's usually part of that circle?"

"I'm not." I say, shrugging easily, "We have differing opinions on some key things."

"Such as?" She glances at me.

"They want me dead and I prefer to be alive?"

That makes Peeta laugh again, "Pretty crucial point there."

"Your District partner wants you dead?" Katniss looks shocked for a moment, glancing at Peeta, "Really?"

"No, he doesn't." I shrug, "But he's not in charge…"

"Cato is." Our eyes meet and for a moment there is understanding there. "It was good seeing you again Schuyler. Let's go try the edible plants again Peeta…"

The pair wander off, Peeta complaining good naturedly about how he gets plants mixed up.

Looking around the gym I look at all the Tributes scattered around. The redhaired girl from 5 is nimbly climbing a rope, the tall and skinny boy from 8 is teaching the girl from 7 about a rolling movement.

It doesn't look like a bunch of children training to kill one another and a chill runs down my spine at the thought that in a few days time, some, or most of these children in this room would be dead.

Perhaps including me.

The thought makes me swallow and I head over to the snares station once more. The girl from 8 is there, and she gives me a shy smile.

"Hi…" she says, finishing off the knot of one of her snares. She can't be more than 13 years old, with fair curly hair and a bright smile.

"Hey," I reply, crouching nearby and twisting some ropes together into a knot, after a moment I look up and see her watching me curiously.

"I haven't seen that kind of knot before."

"We use it on fishing boats." I show it to her, and how one end can be loosened without compromising the whole knot, "Useful, see?"

"Yeah…" she looks at the knot and then at me, "My mentor says your District are Careers."

"I'm not." I sigh; everyone is assuming I'm with them, even though I haven't been near them at all, "They see me as baggage."

"Oh…" she plucks at some grass, "My name's Zara…"

"Schuyler."

We sit in silence for a while, working, before Zara speaks again.

"Are you scared?"

Her voice is small, and hesitant, like she's unsure about asking the question, and I look up again, meeting her eyes with mine.

"Yeah." I smile weakly back, "Something wrong with you if you aren't I reckon…"

We both look towards the Careers, who are playing with the Weapons again. Darrien and Marvel and chuckling together by the spear station, and Glimmer is struggling with a bow and arrow, while Cato and Clove hack things to pieces with alarmingly clinical precision.

"Darrien, my District partner, is alright." I tell her, brushing some leaves off my pants, "He's not a monster."

She nods, a small smile curling up her lips.

"Thank you…" she says as I stand up.

"What for?" I ask, surprised, looking down at her hazel eyes.

"Talking to me." She gives me a tiny smile, "No one really has."

"Anytime…" I say, feeling my throat constrict, before moving off.


After lunch we are all lined up and set to the obstacle course as one of the compulsory exercises.

All of us are on edge because the Gamemakers are watching, and our performances here will likely be remembered when it comes time to be evaluated. Even the Careers are slightly less obnoxious than usual.

We line up, District 1 to 12, and one by one we run the course.

Interestingly this seems to be one area the Careers are not as strong in. Marvel and Cato are built for strength, and Glimmer, while fit, doesn't seem to be that fast. Clove does the best of them, sliding over things like a lithe, dark cat.

Darrien is pretty good, he's quicker than Cato, and about even with Marvel, except he takes one less hit to the side as he darts through.

Then it's my turn.

The speed I have no trouble with, in fact I'm quicker over the things than even Clove. Where it falls apart is judging the leaping distances, seeing the gauntlet blows coming.

In the end it's my eyes that fail me, as so often happens, and I don't see a padded stick swinging for me.

The trainer was probably assuming I would duck, or slide under, everyone else had after all. But I don't see the movement and the blow catches me straight on the temple.

At once my balance is thrown and I tumble from the high block I'd been running on, hitting the mats with a painful whump.

Gasps come from the other Tributes behind the starting line, while the Careers start laughing.

It's their jeers that goad me into standing, tears filling my eyes as the world swirls woozily. Determinedly I haul myself back up onto the block. Rolling away from the next blow.

I stagger to the end and over the line, with the Career's jibing filling my ears.

I look up at them.

Glimmer is laughing scornfully, Clove is snickering quietly, Marvel is imitating my tumble and Cato has his eyes fixed on mine and he is smirking. Humiliated I look away and take a deep breath.

'I am stone', I think to myself, 'I am the sea, unaffected by anything. I am a still lake'.

"May I try again?" I ask Atala politely, meeting her eyes squarely.

She nods, looking at me speculatively.

"After 12 you may go again."

I make my way down the line, and stand behind Katniss, whose hand reaches out to grip my wrist silently before letting go.

Everyone makes it through reasonably okay. There are a few slip ups, but nothing like my spill, hits are scored and times are slow. The big boy from 11, Thresh, I find out his name is, just barels through, the hits not even affecting him and in contrast his tiny district partner seems to dart here and there, the batons never even looking like they will touch her. Peeta impresses with a quick and nimble time, and then Katniss blows everyone away with speed and agility.

Then it's my turn…again.

"Oh! Here we go again!" Glimmer hoots from her place with the Careers, and they all laugh.

The second run is no better than the first; with the exception of when I am hit this time I don't tumble off the edge of the course.

I am given one last go, and set myself at the beginning.

I take off at the whistle and slide under the first few blows before scrambling up and ducking under the next. A baton comes at me, and somehow I see it, and fling myself forward. It strikes my arm and clatters down. My fingers grab it as I scrabble to my fingers and I hurl myself down the slope to the end.

The Careers are laughing again, and I am done being the brunt of their jokes.

I turn towards them, but everything is blurred, my heart is pounding and my eyes are reacting, going haywire and things are blurring. But I can see the shapes, rough shapes, and Cato and Glimmer's blond hair. Next thing I know, the baton has left my hand to clang against the pillar beside Glimmer.

Silence falls around the hall as I stand there, shaking with humiliation, pain and rage, glaring at the Careers.

"Screw you." I bite out at them, and leave the gymnasium, a Peacekeeper trailing me to make sure I stay away from my fellow Tributes.


"I knew there was a bit of fire in you somewhere." Finnick's voice is cheerful as he barges into my room, despite my telling him to go away when he initially knocked.

Of course he just blithely walks into my room and lies down beside me, where I am flopped down on the bed, face first.

"Wrong District…" I tell him, muffled by my pillow, "District 4, not 12. We're water."

"Well that little display in there was more fire than water sweet cheeks." His hand gently rubs my back, "Darrien's worried about you, you know."

"I couldn't see them." I sniff, feeling my eyes well up with even more tears, "I couldn't see the batons to miss them. Even knowing they were there…I couldn't see them in motion."

Finnick is quiet as his hand gently traces circles on my upper back. Slowly I twist to look at him through eyes red with weeping.

"It'll be okay…" he whispers, stroking my cheek gently, "Sky…"

"What hope have I got…" I choke out, "in the arena, if I can't even see training batons flying at me?"

"It's easy love," he leans in and gives me a tiny smile, "Stay away from the Tributes wielding flying batons."

"Finnick be serious," I snuffle out, giving a choked laugh despite myself, "I'm going to be a sitting duck."

"No you're not…" he tugs me close and kisses the top of my head, "No you're absolutely not. And you know how I know that?"

"Because Finnick is always right?"

"That's my girl," he smiles, "Always listen to Finnick."

"What's the plan then?" I ask him, voice sounding more and more exhausted, "You always have a plan."

"Of course I do." He strokes my cheek, "I don't want you in the Bloodbath, Sky. Today proved that you're vulnerable when things are happening fast around you. The Bloodbath is the absolutely last thing you want to be a part in that case.

"What about…supplies? Or a weapon?"

"Leave it." Finnick's voice is firm, "Don't go in there for anything Sky. I mean it now."

"So what do I do?" I ask, lulled by the sound of his heart thumping in his chest.

"You run," he kisses the top of my head, "You run and you hide. And then when night falls you head back to the Cornucopia."

"What?" I blink up at him, "But the Careers always stay at the Cornucopia…"

"They also, always go hunting on the first night." He smiles down at me, "They are so predictable. And while they're off being the bloodthirsty little monsters we know and love, you slip into camp and collect some useful things for yourself."

I nod, it's a smart plan.

"You'll want to stay near water." Finnick informs me, "Trust me, dehydration is the worst in the Arena. And you have an advantage in water, you can swim."

"What if there isn't water?" I ask softly.

"There is always water." He reassures me, "When they don't have it, the Games end too quickly and the citizens of the Capitol pout and complain. So you can expect water."

I smile weakly and he strokes my hair.

"I lost my temper Finnick." I say softly after long moments of silence, "I doubt Cato is going to find me very alluring now. In fact I've probably made myself an even worse target."

"You may be surprised." He keeps stroking, teasing out the dark golden brown curls, "You didn't do what he expected. Again. By the sounds of it they expected you to slink off, tail between those sexy thighs of yours."

I smack his side gently and he laughs.

"And?" I say, smiling slightly.

"And you didn't. You did the course twice more and threw a baton at them. It may not have been your sexiest moment, but at least your ass would have looked mighty fine doing it."

"You told Felvia to make my pants tighter."

"Mmmmhmmmm," he smiles, "You can thank me later sweet cheeks. But for now, stay away from the Careers, and especially Cato. If I'm right…he'll come to you…and try to antagonise you. Don't rise to it; just…brush him off like he's nothing. Uninteresting…bland…boring…can you do that?"

I nod and settle down against him. Neither of us moves for a long time, until we hear Flora's shrill voice announcing dinner.

Then Finnick gets up, tugging me with him.

"Wash your face sweetness." He tells me, and kisses my forehead again, "I'll see you at supper."

"Finnick?" I call out quietly as he leaves, and just like this morning he turns back, "Thank you."

"My pleasure..." He smiles warmly and then the door shuts quietly behind him.


To those wondering:

Finnick and Sky - Are purely platonic. Yes she reminds him of Annie as a Tribute, but she is not her. Their relationship is rather much like a big brother protecting a younger sister. She trusts him, and he is growing very fond of her...platonicly. Don't worry guys, there isn't any romancing of the yummy Finnick in this fic :)

Marvel and Darrien - Are bro'ing it up. This friendship will become important later, though perhaps not for the reasons you might think. Marvel and Darrien may surprise you.

Cato - Is not in love with Sky. In fact right at the moment he doesn't even like the girl. She's attractive to him, but in my opinion Cato isn't one to go gooey mush mush. In time you'll see how their relationship unfolds, and why feelings start cropping up the way they do.

Mags - Is rather like the mum of District 4. She feels motherly towards Finnick, Sky and Darrien, although right now she is focusing on Darrien, just as Finnick is focusing on Sky. More on this in later chapters.

Any questions? Just ask me in a review! I'll happily answer things...maybe give out hints... ;)

Read and Review guys, and thank you.