Chapter 3: Provoke the Flame

Cinna had outdone himself once again.

Katniss wondered every time how he was able to create one amazing dress after another, always looking even better than the one before. So she has at least one thing to be happy about every day.

But even though it made her smile, it couldn't make the interviews better. And it wouldn't help her with her speech. Her heart beats faster as she thinks of all the lies she's supposed to tell the people from district 11, who are waiting for good news, a light in the dark. She knows that they'll be hurt. And she doesn't want to be the one to hurt them.

All in her thoughts she waits near one of the train doors. There are strict rules about who has to be where and when exactly.

Most of the time she is annoyed by that, but right now she is just glad to be alone for a few minutes before the crowed day full of telling lies and acting tough.

But her silence is disturbed as someone clears their throat behind her. "You look like a princess once again, girl on fire." a young male voice says. She doesn't recognize the voice, but it sounds familiar. She knows she has heard it before, but isn't able to recall where or when.

He is pretty attractive. Like, really attractive. And his voice is so soft. Like a river that caresses some pebbles. Refreshing and joyful. She wonders why she can't remember his name. It's not like he is someone one would easily forget.

So there has to be something bad that's connected to him, because of which she had deleted the memory.

Then it hits her hard. All the pieces of the puzzle are suddenly at the right places. He is Finnick Odair. One of the cruelest tributes ever. Loved by the Capitol, using his nice exterior for prostitution or has used it for that. A fighter from district 4, never not ready to kill.

Now it makes sense that he's here. Next year would be the tenth anniversary of his victory in the games. She guesses that he has to give a speech too. Apparently she had been quite for too long as he decides to break the silence. Again.

"Oh, please don't look as if you don't like me. You know who I am, right? " She nods, still unsure how to answer him in the right way. "I'm looking forward to your speech. Just make sure you don't burn something down and people catch fire." He winks. "The Capitol would be very unhappy with that…"

This breaks her inaction. She gets angry.

How could he? For a second she thinks about letting her anger fade away, but then she sees the perfect chance of him being a target for her tension. She's pretty sure that after that she will feel calmer. Just better, a lot better.

"Oh, do you think so?! The poor Capitol. Oh, wait my mistake. The Capitol is anything but poor and not in need of pity for sure. They have fun watching people die! They enjoy it! You were a tribute, you know the games! How can you even talk about the Capitol as our big benefactor when you saw what happened, you were there as it happened. How can you even support them?!"

Yes, now she's angry. But she feels better. Finally some emotion! It feels great.

"Shhh, little princess calm down. I didn't say that…", Finnick tries to say, but this time she interrupts him. "Oh no, don't call me princess and don't talk to me like a little child!" She got louder with every word.

"Now you listen!" Finnick manages to be even louder than her. "You know people need the games. Yes, they like it! We aren't better than animals and this is our tradition. We need to follow it. One day you will be able to understand. They may not be amazing, but without them, it would be worse! Did you hear me?!"

Katniss gets ready to answer, but suddenly there are a lot of other people, getting ready to leave the train and shine in interviews or help others doing it. Effie appears out of nowhere and starts to talk insistently to help her. Something about her speech. But Katniss can't listen, she's looking for Finnick.

This asshole will get her answer. She sees him and walks over to him, but at this moment the doors open and many people in colorful costumes come outside. She gets carried away, but swears to herself to find him later.

Then she stumbles outside and gets ready to fight.

This is going to be a hard day.

A/N Please review.