Song Suggestion: Aqualung—"Strange and Beautiful"
Thank You: artdecades, Beauty422, Lucy Greenhill, HalleyJoe, Guest, SergeantJohnston, Guest, Obscure-Reference-Girl, glostars, Jessica, HeyBirdy, Guest, 13Kali, Bea, Ztarose23. I love all of you! Not to mention, I am always impressed by the originality of the usernames. Am I the only one?
A/N: Sorry about the two week wait. To make it up to you, the next time I post, which will probably be next week, I'll try to make it twice as long!
Telling Secrets
Cato made her come to dinner that night.
Prim dressed as normal as possible and walked right through the double doors, distracted by her thoughts.
She stopped short, though, for several strangers stared back at her. And one of them wasn't happy to see her.
Cato sat at the head table, with Hannibal off to the side dangling a giggling Coral on his knee, but that wasn't who she was focused on.
Another blond man sat at his other side, taller than Cato and leaner. He sported none of the bulk of the other two, but he was clearly related, with piercing blue eyes and the same shape of mouth. A pair of rimmed glasses sat at the end of his nose. He wasn't handsome in the conventional sense, but there was something about him she couldn't put her finger on. Maybe it was his obvious intelligence. The wheels clicked behind his eyes as he looked her up and down, sizing her up, reminding her a lot of Snow. And it didn't help that he glared at her, a piercing stare she couldn't hide from.
Without words, he showed his dislike.
The last guest at the table was a beautiful dark-skinned woman Prim recognized immediately. Her name was Theodora and she was the victor of the 72nd Hunger Games. She won mostly by accident, when a flash flood killed off the rest of her opponents. She held the last remaining tribute under water as she tried to stay afloat, using the buoyant body as flotation and drowning him.
Theodora ignored her horrified recognition and gave a little squeal which didn't fit her lethal image.
"Oh, I've been waiting to meet you forever!"
She vaulted from her chair and ran towards Prim, enveloping her in a warm hug. Prim stiffened at the contact, confused at the behavior. Theodora towered over her, and she lifted her high enough that her shoes dangled in mid-air. Prim let out an involuntary squeak.
"Didn't you promise not to scare my Manato," Cato drawled from his chair. He lifted a glass of bourbon to sip, lips lifting in amusement.
"Oh," Theodora exclaimed and dropped her. Her face was contrite. Tribal tattoos wound around the top of her upper arm, which was about the same height as her eyes. "You must forgive me, but I just couldn't help myself. I thought poor Cato would never get a Manato. And, let's be honest, a Manato is the only way a man as mean as him would ever get a good girl. I mean, you came as a complete surprise since he always said he hated you. But who knew he really—"
"Theodora—" Cato warned, talking through clenched teeth.
"Dear, you are both rambling and scaring little Primrose. Two things you promised Cato you would not do," said the other blond man, each word world rolled off his tongue.
"I can't help it," Theordora placed a hand on her hip with a particular terrifying scowl directed at the man, "I'm just so excited to gain a new sister. And if you ruin this for me—"
She was cut off by three servants entering with the food. They set the platters on the table and lifted the silver lids. Steam drifted off the dishes, filling the room with a mouth-watering scent.
"Food!" Theodora sniffed deep and gripped Prim's arm. "Come on let's eat. I'm starving. You are going to sit right by me." She gave a small glance at Prim from the corner of her eye. "You sure are a quiet thing, but don't worry, I'll break you of that soon. I've waited too long to have a sister, and I'm sure in no time we'll be best of friends. Oh—" she exclaimed again, as if unable to contain herself, "This is just so exciting. We can paint each other's nails and go to tea and braid each other's hair. And, don't worry, we can talk about boys too." She lowered her voice, "I promise not to tell Cato your secrets."
Prim wasn't sure which suggestion sounded more ludicrous.
Theodora sat down, gripping her hand now. The force of her sitting brought Prim down as well. Luckily, a chair was in the perfect position for her bottom to sit. The female victor brought Prim's hand up to her face for inspection as if curious.
"Cato, she's like a little doll. How do you touch her without breaking her?"
A doll? Prim had never considered herself a large woman, but neither had she considered herself petite.
"Gently." Was all Cato said in return, before all conversation was lost as the remaining group got down to the business of eating food. Prim watched in amazement as Theodora put away as much food as the boys. Prim picked at her food, analyzing her environment and the new people in it too much to have an appetite. Nervous energy buzzed under her skin. The panic of meeting new people lifted and simmered in waves.
She did promise Cato to keep up appearances, right? She wasn't sure what to say or do. So she sat still and said nothing as conversation flowed around her. Theordora tried to bring her in and failed to do so. It didn't seem to matter, though, for she talked enough for the both of them.
When Cato finished his food, he sat back and pushed his plate away. He leaned back comfortably in his chair, swishing a glass of bourbon in one hand.
"Come on, let's leave Theodora to torture my new—"
"You shut your mouth, Cato Carthage. I'll use this knife on you, if you don't get smart." She waved her table knife in the air.
Cato seemed to consider this as a real possibility. Vaguely, Prim did remember knives as Theodora's weapon in the games. She used them with deadly skill in training, though Prim didn't remember whether or not she used them in the games.
"Very well, let's go to my study." He face turned serious, "We need to talk about some things."
Cato smirked at Prim's horrified expression, and Prim tried to turn her eyesight into lasers.
How dare he leave me! And with a babysitter. For that was what Theodora was. Prim saw right through it. The victor was in charge of watching the little bird so she couldn't listen in on the conversation. Prim already resented the female victor for that fact.
Prim had never been one to make friends. Her and Rory were friends by proxy. And so were Madge and Gale, and nearly everybody else she knew. Either that or she had known them from childhood. Her closest companions shared a link with her dead sister, and she clung to them for that fact. Through them, she knew Katniss was not forgotten. In her whole life, she had never had to make one friend for herself, going through the awkward getting to know you stage or opening up wounds.
Even Katla's friendship wasn't born out of want, but of necessity. There had been no time for awkwardness.
Or braiding hair, painting nails, or telling secrets. Was that what rich girls did? Prim wasn't sure. Her only female friend, Madge, barely even talked.
So when the three men walked out from the room, Prim gulped and stared at Theodora with a mixture or dread and nervousness. Even Coral had left, clinging to the leg of Hannibal, her favorite uncle.
Theodora quickly broke the silence.
"So spill. Was it love at first sight? I wouldn't be surprised. Personally, I thought that other tribute, Finnick was sexier, but the girls at Tea Time seem to think I'm ridiculous. They can't understand that Cato's like a brother to me. Well, a good-looking brother, I'll grant the brat that much. Y'all will make some pretty babies by the way. I'm sure they'll be just a beautiful as dear little Coral."
Babies? Prim almost spit at the word.
Prim tried to listen to her, she really did, but all she could see was the way the drowned tribute looked being pushed under the water by Theodora, like a bobbing apple, arms flailing, able to touch the air but not taste it. Theordora kept blabbing, all the while, Prim's face took on the color of the apple she thought about.
She must think I'm a simpleton.
"W-who was that other man?" Prim finally cut in.
"Finnick?"
Theodora seemed genuinely confused.
"No, t-the other one. In here."
The intelligent one, the one who seemed as if he knew what she was thinking.
"Oh, since I'm assuming you've already met Hannibal, I believe the only person left is Cassius."
Prim nodded.
"He's Cato's older brother. Sorry, food distracts me, otherwise I would have introduced you two at dinner."
"Older brother? How many other siblings does he have?"
"Just one more… but she… well…" For once, Theodora was at a loss for words, "Maybe it would be better for Cato to tell you that story."
She? So Cato had a sister. Prim filed the information away in her brain for later.
"So," Prim began again, searching for something to say, "How do you know them?"
Theodora's eyes widened.
"The little shit really didn't tell you anything, did he?"
Prim shrugged her shoulders, trying not to feel embarrassed. Ignorance had a way of making her feel stupid, even if it wasn't by choice. "He doesn't tell me much."
"Well, lucky for you, I'm the biggest gossip in District 2, and whatever your lover boy will refuse to tell you, I'll be glad to spill… within reason, of course." She amended. "Me? " She touched her chest in pride, "I'm the luckiest girl in all of Panem, I'll tell you that. I'm Cassius' Manato, well fiancée, if you want to be technical. He gave me a ring a few months ago."
She stuck out her hand to show a beautiful diamond the size of some of the rocks she could pick up outside. Cato had never given her a ring, and Prim wasn't sure how to feel about that.
"My God," Prim breathed out loud, "That's humungous." Some of her discomfort faded away. She glanced up at Theodora, wrinkling her brow in confusion. Theodora must be almost six foot tall, her arms roped with muscles. She had a pretty face with soft lines and hazel eyes. Her hair was natural on top with curls buzzed close to her head. The sides of her hair were cinched back in intricate braids that continued in a twirling pattern surrounding her head. Cassius seemed leaner and taller than both his brother, but he still seemed an even match for this girl. She had said she was his Manato, but Prim couldn't imagine Cassius hoisting her over a shoulder to carry away into the night. "Forgive me," Prim said after a moment, "But how in the world did Cassius steal you?"
Theodora tipped her head and burst out laughing. She clutched her side after a few seconds as if in pain.
"Oh my," she heaved in between gasps of breath, "little Primrose. Y-You are the f-first woman, no p-person to ask me that since the asshole tried."
"Tried?" Her voice came out in a squeak.
"Yeah tried, granted there were some spectacular attempts."
"Attempts?"
"Oh, yes. It happened more than once. In fact, I lost count after the first year. I was quite annoyed by the end. If the bastard wasn't so intelligent, he'd have been dead as well. He may be slightly stronger, but I'm quicker. Most of the times ended up with him underneath me, a knife dangerously close to an artery. I thought it would deter him, but I believe it just made him want me more. Poor man never realized he didn't have a chance." she stopped and tapped her chin with her table knife, "However, a few times he got close, even managed to actually bring me back to his house. His mother one time even got me to put on a jacket. Cassius had made his house freezing on purpose and refused me cover until I took it, clever bastard. But, I still managed to get away."
"So how did you end up together, and a Manato at that?"
"Oh, I let him win."
"Why in the world would you do that?"
Theodora gave a soft smile, then chucked her knife. It hurtled toward the picture of the stately man that Cato had thrown his knife in earlier in the year. Hers hit straight through the present tear. It made a thud on impact.
"His persistence endeared me."
"Persistence seems something all three of the brothers have in common."
"You can go ahead and be truthful: call it obsession." Theodora stopped for a moment and stared in her face as if gauging her reaction. "He's not so bad, once you get to know him."
Prim assumed she meant Cato.
"So far he hasn't got a very good track record." Prim crossed her arms.
Theodora scoffed. She fiddled with her purse for a moment, pulling out a silver mirror and a case of lip stuff. She smeared the red on her lips, reminding Prim of blood.
"Hunny," she smacked her lips in the mirror, "I've known Cato for years, and have never once seen him nervous, not like he was when you went missing, or even when waiting for you to come down stairs. The whole dinner he barely took his eyes off you. He's a pig-headed, egotistical, immature moron, but the poor fool is trying. Cassius even made fun of him for looking 'love-sick,' which didn't go over very well."
Prim never got the impression of nerves. He always seemed cocky and collected, as if everything happened the way he planned it.
"He's not trying too hard. He barely even talks to me." Prim said, "And the few times we talk, he usually demands things. It's not very pleasant when he's around."
But Theordora just shook her head, as if Prim was being an idiot. She turned on Prim with her lipstick with an evil glint in her eye. Prim had never really worn makeup, mainly because of the expense. Even at the engagement dance, the stylists used it minimally on Prim's request. However, Prim didn't refuse this time. There was something about Theodora that demanded compliance.
"Maybe" she pulled Prim's chin towards her, "He just doesn't know what to say." The cool stick of lipstick glided across her lips. Theodora fingers wiped off some excess. Up close, she looked even more beautiful. Her skin smooth and unblemished, even free of Capitol intervention. She smiled to show pretty, white teeth and dimples. "Besides, it's not as if you are the most talkative creature. Maybe if you opened up, he'd surprise you."
Prim had the sudden urge to want to believe her. Theodora was sunshine, and the winter had been so long. She was cognizant enough to recognize that as comforting as the sun could be, the rays could still burn if exposed too long. Something about the female victor made her a little wary.
"He still makes me uncomfortable."
Theodora tipped her head back and burst out laughing. The sudden noise startled Prim and she jumped in her seat, still a little frightened of the woman
"If you think Cato's bad, just wait until you meet his parents. His father could scare the bravest man on a good day, and his mother, whew, well let's just say that if Cato is a lion, then she's the lioness. And we all know which one does the real work. She'll swipe your face off if she ever thinks you've wronged one of her cubs. It took me years to get her to like me, so don't get your hopes up."
"Well, how exactly did you get her to like you?"
Isn't that what Cato wanted from her? If she failed in convincing his mother would she get punished for breaking a promise? Prim wished she could anticipate his actions and moods. He flipped too easily.
Prim dreaded meeting his parents before this conversation, and Theodora made the feeling compounded. Theodora must see her look of abject horror, for she grabbed her arm trying to soother her.
"Well I am a victor and wealthy in my own right she came around eventually."
"But I'm not wealthy or a victor. "
I'm just a slum rat
"Well, then you better watch your front. Or you could go ahead and give her a grandbaby. She's been vying for another one since me and Cassius got together. She loves Coral and all, but I know she wants a boy."
Prim ignored the mention of a baby.
"Don't you mean watch my back?"
"No, I meant your front. She's not the sort to go after the back, she'll want to look you in the eyes while she destroys you" She stopped and smiled, though Prim didn't think the conversation warranted it. "Hunny, she'll aim her knife for your heart."
Theodora got up from her seat, walked over to the picture, and ripped out her imbedded knife. She gazed at the metal as if a friend, and then looked at Prim with a similar expression.
"I made Cato promise to let you come to Tea Time. The other girls want to meet you. If you do well there, it'd give you a head start on getting his mother to like you."
Prim doubted that. Everyone in District 2 so far has been slightly insane, except Katla. She wanted to go to this so called Tea Time, just as much as she wanted to meet his parents, which meant not at all. A sudden yearning for home overwhelmed her. For Rory. For Gale. For her shack. For Lady. For the forest. But most of all, for simplicity. If she wasn't already dried of tears, she'd crumple to the ground with the feeling. Instead, she lifted her chin and stilled her heart.
"Come on," Theodora motioned for Prim to stand and follow her, "I told Coral I'd play a game with her before her bedtime." Prim got up and followed her, but before they walked out Theordora placed an arm out to stop her. "Look, I know the way you two got together was… unconventional, but just give him a chance, yeah? He doesn't show it much, but he's the most sensitive out of the three boys and is easily hurt. He uses his anger as a defense, which is why he scowls so much. He's just had a life full of… expectations. I had started to get worried about him." She sighed. "But when you came, it seemed to turn him around. He's been more," she stopped a moment to search for a word, "hopeful. Just be kind, if you can, I believe it's what he seeks in you."
Prim could be kind. She has been told that her whole life. The happiest moments of her life were the grateful looks in a patient's eyes after they'd been healed. The pain erased. Death stalled for the time being. It was power in its own way.
Prim just didn't know if she could do the same for him.
For the first time, she doubted her ability to heal, or even if she wanted to.