Hey y'all! How's everyone doing? Sorry again about this chapter being a wee bit late and for accidentally starting a running trend of trying to post on time but missing the mark but just this much. Stress from personal events have hit again and let's just say, I have reached a new level of burning hatred for people who try to hide their money grubbing attempts when they're supposed to be helping you. Anyways, here's the last of the Capitol deep dive! The Opening Ceremony! Hope you guys enjoy it!
Like always, I enjoy comments, in fact I thrive off of positive comments and love constructive critique ones cause it shows an author that their readers are actually paying attention and enjoying their work.
Thanks for continuing to read this story! Virtual hugs and cuddles to y'all.
Disclaimer: I still do not own anything except any OC's that may come up, any world building that has not yet been officially stated by the books or the movies, and any plot points/structures that have not been used in the books or movies.
Warning: No beta, we die like Rue.
Chapter 10: Where All They Want is a Show
This is insane.
It's complete and utter madness.
There's no need to even try and come up with a game plan for making it past the bloodbath and surviving the rest of the Games until they were in the final 2 because Val and Katniss weren't even going to live long enough to step foot in the arena.
"I'm going to die," Val deadpans.
Cinna rolls his eyes as he continues to make last minute adjustments to Val's outfit. "You are not going to die."
"Yes I am because you're going to set me on fire. The only way this will end is with my death," Val retorts before dramatically wailing out, "I should've known the stylist would be the one to take me out. No one ever suspects the stylists."
"Oh yes this was my plan all along, convincing all the stylists to kill their tributes because that's definitely not going to backfire on us or anything," Cinna plays along with his words dripping in sarcasm but smile heavily amused.
Val mumbles his response.
"What was that?" Cinna asks, playfully.
"I said I hate this idea and I hate you for coming up with it," Val declares, stabbing a finger in Cinna's direction.
"No you don't," he states matter of factly.
"No I don't," Val agrees with a vague sense of deja vu that's shaken off when Cinna slaps him on the back encouragingly.
"You're going to be fine. The fire's not real. It's artificial so it won't actually burn you or feel warm. Once your chariot sets off, I'll trigger the device that will spark the fire. You don't have to worry about a thing," Cinna reassures. "Now go out there and show your stuff, boy on fire," he jokingly says while directing Val towards where Katniss stands next to the District 12 chariot.
"That's not funny!" Val shouts back while crossing the distance of the large hall where all the tributes are gathered for the parade.
He pointedly avoids looking in the direction of the Career Tribute Districts on the off chance that the person he desperately hopes isn't a tribute is in fact a tribute. Instead he focuses his attention on his sister and the outfits they are both currently wearing.
Thankfully they were not shoved into another Capitol variation of what they believe a miner's uniform looks like nor were they stripped down of all clothes and smothered with a generous helping of coal dust. Their outfits were surprisingly simple but also rather brilliant in its creativity. The outfit is a form-fitting bodysuit made of soft black leather that's flexible and easy to move in. The arms, legs, and torso of the suit are plated with hard black leather like body armor with a texture meant to mimic coal and a sleek, shiny finish to make it stand out against the suit. The laced up boots coming to a stop just below the knees are also made of black leather that's been polished till Val can almost see his reflection when he looks down at them. Veins of red, orange, and yellow streak throughout the suit giving it the appearance of burning coal. To tie the whole outfit together are strips of black cloth lining down the back which will be lit on fire before their chariot sets off.
Katniss continues to stand around with her entire body stiff and eyes darting around like a rabbit ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble. She relaxes minutely when Val reaches her but she's still as tense as a pulled bowstring.
"I don't like this," she hisses out with clenched teeth.
"I don't like it either but Haymitch said we have to do whatever the stylists say so..." Val shrugs helplessly.
Katniss narrows her eyes. "I don't think Haymitch accounted for the fact that our stylists might try to set us on fire."
"Well how about this. If we feel any heat or burning sensations occur, we rip each other's "capes" off?" he suggests, "Ya know a "you pull my cape, I pull yours" kind of deal?"
"Fine," she reluctantly agrees, her tense posture relaxing at the reassurance, "But you know this isn't exactly a cape which makes the whole ripping off thing a lot harder."
He rolls his eyes. There goes Katniss' mouth again. Usually when she's scared her first defense mechanism is snark, then violence or vice versa. But if you rattle her enough, she'll try to use logic and an attention to details no one could give two shits about to try and change the topic. When her fear response reaches that specific stage...well let's just say Katniss should stick with her snark and fists. For now, he needs to distract her.
"Seriously?" he says with staged (though she could never tell the difference whenever she reached Stage 3 of her fear response) disbelief, "That's what you're focusing on?"
"I just don't like being set on fire okay?" she responds defensively, pouting.
Great! She's distracted. Now's the time to tease and joke.
"But why? The people love you because of your inner fire!" he cries out dramatically.
"Exactly," she agrees vehemently, "Inner fire. There's no outer fire involved."
Val can't help it. The way Katniss said such a "no duh" phrase so seriously like he's a 5 years old still learning not to play with fire. He bursts out laughing, full on clutching his gut laughing. Katniss startles at that cause what she said and the way she said it really shouldn't have been that funny to him but all the emotions that've been building up since the Reaping and holy shit, the day hasn't even finished yet what the hell. It just had to be released somehow, somewhere, and if he's being honest, he'd rather it's released through uncontrollable laughter because Katniss "You wanna fight?" Everdeen tried to speak logically rather than through uncontrollable tears in the middle of a too clean, too extravagant, too empty room in the Capitol.
Katniss' face flushes red in embarrassment having just clicked to the fact that she did indeed reach Stage 3 and god does she hate Stage 3 with a burning passion.
"Shut up!" she shouts out, completely flustered.
When Val shows no sign of stopping, she starts beating him, punching his arm repeatedly with a strength weakened by embarrassment, which only makes Val laugh even harder.
The two siblings are unaware of the fact that they have now caught the attention of almost every tribute in the hall, especially one specific tribute from 2 who is now marching over in their direction like a woman on a mission and nothing's going to stop her from completing it.
"Cato?" a very familiar, very surprised voice calls out. An almost forgotten voice from an almost forgotten past. It rings in his ears and the name echoes in his mind as he immediately clams up and freezes like a deer caught in the crosshairs of a hunter. Katniss watches, bewildered.
"Cato?" the voice says again, more tentatively this time with a combination of hesitancy and disbelief like maybe she was wrong about the name and the person being connected in the way she thought it would be.
Slowly, Val turns to face the source of the voice. He comes face to face with the one person he thought he'd never see again and had hoped would never see in a place like this. Clove Kentwell, the best friend he had to leave behind, hasn't changed much in the past 8 years. She's still short, the top of her head barely reaching his shoulder, and she still looks the same with her dark brown hair in her typical braid that's accented by the head band with bronze wings coming out the sides. Her body's lean and toned physique is accented by a gladiator's garb and amour making her look like the Valkyries they both read about in the mythology books hidden in the back of the District 2 library. Her face, despite her eyes holding hope and despair in equal measure, still carries that same mischievous look that guaranteed trouble whenever she smiled.
"Clove!" he blurts out, unable to stop himself from doing so because right now, at this moment, he feels relieved. So relieved. The kind of relieved you feel after hiding a secret for so long because doing so keeps yourself and, more importantly, your loved ones safe but it's so hard to keep hiding something so fundamental about you until the moment occurs when the secret is finally revealed through circumstances out of your control and now you don't have to hide it anymore.
Then the relief is gone, washed away by fear. An overwhelming fear that rushes over Val like a cave-in with no signs of stopping. The fear that this was it. This was the moment where everything that he hid, everything that he locked away to protect his family, was going to be thrown out into the open, in the middle of the Capitol no less, where the one who knows will see and will finish what was started. But not before dragging his loved ones - no matter how involved or not they were with his past - into the line of fire.
And secretly, he always knew what would happen if he ever ended up on the Capitol's radar. No one, whether they're a rebel or connected to one, has ever been able to escape the Capitol's grasp. The number of filmed executions and reports of those who just happened to "disappear" were staggering during the early years of the rebellion before dropping down to the occasional few that served as additional reminders to stay in your place. It's only now he's recognizing the fact that by trying to save his sister's life, he might have doomed everyone he's ever loved.
So he attempts to salvage the situation, quickly smoothing his expression and desperately shoving the fear back down to never be thought about again cause he's going to die anyways and then his fears will never come to pass.
"I'm sorry but I think you've got the wrong person. My name's not Cato," he manages to say without stumbling but definitely missing a crucial amount of believability.
Val watches Clove cycle through a variety of emotions in a blink of an eye. Finally she settles on total confusion. "But you have to be," she insists, "You said my name! How does a tribute from 12 know my name when the Reapings haven't even been broadcasted nationwide yet?"
He turns his back on her, unable to hide the emotions that cycle through his own voice. He can see Katniss grow concerned as she continues to watch, waiting for the right moment to intervene.
"You just look like someone I know and she just coincidentally had the same name as you okay? So just drop it and leave me alone already, Career!" Val shouts out with as much anger and venom as he can in the vain hope that Clove would just drop it but he knows she won't.
His entire body tenses as he prepares for the inevitable hit that would come cause he's a shit liar and everyone knows it. Clove was always the sweet talker whenever they got into trouble and even though he's picked up on some of her tricks, he's unable to use any when thrown off balance. Even Katniss wouldn't be able to help because she's even more of a shit liar than him so she'd default to throwing her own hit and then they'd end up drawing the attention of the tributes or worse, the Peacekeepers and then that might bring about the attention of the President who would definitely take action against his family so causing a scene at the freaking tribute parade and then-
The arms thrown around him halt his spiraling train of thought. At first he tenses even further and shuts his eyes in case Clove decides to use whatever new moves she picked up at the Academy on him. After a few moments pass, he realizes that she's not trying to beat his ass but instead she's...hugging him? And is that a sniffle he hears?
All the tension in Val's body disappears when Clove's arms release him. He turns back to face her and sees she's furiously, but carefully, wiping away the tears that have gathered in her eyes. His heart clenches at the sight because while he doesn't want to risk putting his family in danger...he really has missed his best friend and he never wanted to hurt.
"Oh come on, Clove. Don't cry. It doesn't suit your small yet mighty image," Val says, caving into the forgotten desire to tease his best friend with their old running joke.
Clove laughs though her soft sobs that make it sound like she's choking on her tears. "I'm not small, I'm vertically challenged. It's only been eight years and you're still as much of a dick as ever," she chokes out as she tries to gain control of her emotions.
Val gasps, dramatically scandalized. "Clove! You'd best watch your language young lady or else your mom's gonna break out the soap."
That has Clove laughing again, this time with fewer tears as she finally gets a reign on her emotions. She just looks at Val, taking the sight of him in, filing every detail of what's changed and hasn't changed because it's been eight years since she's last seen him. Eight years since she heard the news and believed him to be dead along with the rest of his family.
"Better my mom than yours, Cato. That frying pan of her's was the stuff of nightmares," Clove throws back, making Val's heart pang with the dull grief at another reminder of his long gone mother.
"Who is this Cato you speak of?" Val asks jokingly in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere and hoping the stress he put on his old name would give Clove the hint to not call him by that anymore. Thankfully, she's still as quick on the uptake as ever as her eyes widen from connecting dots that still don't form a full picture but there's enough for her to understand.
"Alright Val," she says, playing along before punching him in the arm. He rubs his arm in confusion at the thankfully light hit. She rolls her eyes.
"That's for making me think you were dead, you dingus."
Then she punches him again but much harder and more likely to leave a bruise.
"Ow!" he cries out as he rubs his arm to soothe the pain, "What was that for?"
She frowns at him. "That's for never even trying to let me know you weren't dead."
"I was living in 12! Mail's not exactly a thing over there. We don't even have a post office set up," Val tries to defend himself.
"You had eight years to send a message. Literally any kind of message would've worked! Hell, I'd even been fine with smoke signals back then" she retorts, striking down his frankly pathetic argument like she would a moving target with her knives.
"I didn't want to drag you into my problems. You already had so much going on back home and I didn't want to add my own into the mix. It wouldn't have been fair to you," he says, trying to defend himself and his actions.
Clove's frown deepens. She punches him much harder this time and it's definitely going to leave a sizable bruise.
"Ow! What the hell was that one for?" he cries out again as he holds his arm and moves it out of Clove's punching range.
"That's for being stupid enough to think I wouldn't have helped you!" she responds which only sparks an argument to erupt between the two with a fascinated Katniss watching the back and forth like a captivating hunt with no clearly defined hunter.
"Well I'm sorry I didn't think about getting help or for wanting to protect you. I was busy running for my life!"
"That's a shit excuse! You can still communicate while running!"
"Again, I was running for my life! How is that a shit excuse!"
"You're a man, you tell me!"
"What does me being a man have to do with anything!"
"It's just a fact that all you men are the same when it comes to being macho and self sacrificing when it comes to women!"
"I was ten back then! A kid! A goddamn little boy! I didn't give two shits about my macho-ness when I was running for my life!"
"Again with the excuses!"
"Ok guys!" Katniss says, quickly intervening before the argument devolves into physical fight, "While this has been really fascinating to watch, I think I'm owed an introduction." She turns to face Val and asks with a too large smile, "Who is this, Val?"
Clove quirks an eyebrow at him. "Yeah, Val. Who am I?"
Val rolls his eyes as he falls back into that familiar routine with Clove as if his family was never killed and he was never forced to run away from everything he'd ever known. He's also pointedly ignoring the fact that he now has to introduce his chaotic, trigger happy sister to his chaotic prankster best friend and hope the world doesn't catch on fire.
"Katniss, Clove. Clove, Katniss," he says while gesturing between the two girls, "There, now you've met each other. Moving on."
Katniss holds out a hand to shake, which Clove meets with a firm grip.
"Nice to meet you, Clove. I'm Val's younger sister," Katniss says as her eyes size Clove up.
"Nice to meet you too, Katniss. I'm Ca-I mean Val's best friend," Clove responds as her grip tightens just a smidge.
The two seem to share a silent conversation that goes straight over Val's head but he can definitely pick up on the tension between them, like lightning crackling and ready to strike when you're least expecting it. Then the tension immediately disappears as the two girls nod with some sort of understanding passing between them and they both let go of each other's hands. Girls. Val will never understand them.
Clove turns to face Val, her face losing its early light heartedness and taking on a serious expression with sadness clear in her eyes.
"We were told that your family was accused of committing treason against the Capitol," she says, voice soft so as to not be heard by any of the curious onlookers, "And that when confronted by Peacekeepers and told to surrender," Clove pauses as her voice grows rough from remerging tears. "Your family fought back," she chokes out, "And the Peacekeepers had no choice but to open fire and unfortunately, you and other young innocents were dragged into the crosshairs and killed."
She sniffs again and blinks rapidly to push back the tears. "I went to your funeral Cato."
"I'm so sorry Clove. And…it's Val now," he says, not really knowing how to process what Clove just said.
She looks up at him sharply.
Val shakes his head. "Not here. I can't explain the whole thing right now but only part of what you were told was true. And you've got to call me Val from now on," he says with his voice taking on a serious tone to let Clove know he means business.
She nods, trusting him like he's always trusted her.
He softens and smiles before pulling her into a hug. "I've really missed my best friend."
She wraps her arms around him and smiles into the hug. "I've really missed my best friend too. It's just not the same without you. No partner in crime to create chaos and keep everyone on their toes. I haven't pulled a prank since you've, well, officially but not technically died," she complains with a pout.
The two pull back from the hug. Val coos at her, "Awww. You poor thing."
Clove playfully rolls her eyes, "It's just been more unbearable without you, alright?"
"Oh? Like how?" he asks, now intrigued.
She goes to answer but is stopped by an arm wrapping around her shoulder and drawing her away from Val and Katniss.
The two siblings blink in surprise as they follow the arm back to its source, a young man with a well-built body structure of pure muscle that's further accented by the same gladiator garb and gold armor as Clove's. His brown hair is cut close to his head in a slightly spiked buzz cut and his facial features would be considered exceptionally handsome if it weren't for the snarl marring his face like a scar.
Clove scowls and smacks off the arm that's wrapped possessively around her like she's some sort of prized object. "What the fuck do you want, Kai?" she bites out with a venom that was only reserved for dumbasses who thought she was some possession to fight Val over ownership for back when he was still living in 2.
'Oh. That's how,' Val belatedly thinks.
Kai glares at Val and Katniss, simultaneously sizing them up as potential threats and looking down on them like they're nothing but fleas on the backs of ants. His snarl turns into a smirk when his gaze lands on Katniss and lingers, leering as his eyes travel up and down her body making Katniss' lip curl in disgust. Val promptly shifts in front to block her from view, making Kai's snarl return full force when he sizes him up and finds he doesn't like the defiance he's seeing. For a moment, Val's afraid that Kai recognizes him but those fears are unfounded when Kai opens his arrogant mouth.
"Hey babe," his voice haughty and full of self-entitled arrogance, "What're you doing hanging around these losers from 12?"
Clove scowls. "Don't call me babe," she barks out, slapping his hand away when he tries to wrap it around her again. "And I was just sizing up the competition. They're some of the only decent threats here after all."
"I don't know about that," Kai says, deciding to just put a hand on Clove's shoulder instead. "Nothing too special about these two, though the girl," he leers, "I wouldn't mind showing her what being with a real man is like."
Katniss bristles like an angry cat ready to bite off his face behind Val who's overprotective brother instincts go nuts and completely override his need to keep a low profile and not draw unneeded attention. He shoves Kai away from Katniss and stabs a finger at his armored chest.
"Hey! Don't you dare talk about my sister like that," Val bites out.
Kai smiles arrogantly, highly amused by Val's attempt to defend Katniss' honor. "Oho! She's your sister huh. Never thought I'd see a pair of sibling tributes like this in my lifetime," he says as his face morphs into something that's slightly creepy and unhinged, "I'm gonna have so much fun killing you both, but not before I get the chance to have a little fun with your sister over your dead body."
"I'd like to see you try," Val defiantly says as he shoves Kai again, "You're clearly trying to compensate for something if that's the best threat you can come up with."
Kai scowls before his expression turns thoughtful, "You know, you remind me of someone."
Val tries not to flinch when Kai says that. The fears of being found out returning but are once again unfounded as soon as Kai opens his mouth, again.
"He was an arrogant piece of shit who thought he was all that just cause his daddy was the best Victor District 2 had ever seen," Kai continues on, clearly having not connected the dots and not even realizing that there were dots to connect. "Then his family turned out to be a bunch of traitors and we all know what happens to traitors."
Val, Katniss, and Clove stand silent, bodies tense as Kai smirks.
"They die," he says as he cuts a finger across his neck, making the siblings flinch as he smiles at their reaction. "I always knew something was wrong with him. I'll never understand why you were friends with him babe," he says, attention back on Clove as his hand tries to sneak its way across her back, "He was always poking his nose where it didn't belong. Always getting in my face and trying to come between us like he's the one who owns you when clearly we are the ones destined to be together."
Clove frowns and shakes his hand away. She's clearly not having any of Kai's hypocritical bullshit but she's also not willing to cause a bigger scene since Val's reaction to his old name clued her in to the fact that there's something more going on in regards to his family's death and a low profile is absolutely necessary.
Instead she shakes her head and responds with a tone as dry as sand, "Well he was a hell of a lot more interesting than you. Definitely better at everything than you ever were too." Her lip quirks up into a sarcastic smirk. "And I'll bet if he was still alive, he'd have smoked you in the Academy and be the one standing here as my tribute partner instead of you."
Val snorts at that before trying to hide it behind a cough. Unfortunately, Kai notices and scowls.
"You laughing at me, you piece of shit?"
"Oh I'm not laughing at you..." Val begins to say.
Kai arrogantly smirks, "That's what I thou-"
"I was just laughing at the fact that you are such a hypocritical douchebag who's desperately trying to compensate for something," Val looks down Kai's body, "And it definitely isn't your ego."
Katniss glances sharply at Val since he'd basically let slip that he knew Clove well enough to know that Kai's being a hypocritical little shit. However, Val is completely unbothered because something's definitely don't change. Kai's intelligence being one of those things as it's been proven multiple times in the past few minutes.
Kai's face flushes with interesting shades of red that start to head into the purple color range. He's ready to throw down with Val right then and there but Clove quickly intervenes.
"Save it for the arena, Kai," she says calmly with a placating hand placed on Kai's chest even though the mere touch has her cringing.
Kai backs down and turns away with a scoff. Val lets out a quiet sigh of relief. Katniss watches the entire exchange with a new level of respect for Clove.
"Oh now we definitely need to meet up after the parade even though we'll probably kill each other later," Katniss exclaims much to Val's disbelief and everyone else's surprise.
Clove shakes off the surprise and smiles. "Oh definitely," she agrees, "You seem like partner in crime material. If we manage to create enough chaos, who knows? I might even leave you alone and let someone else kill you."
The two girls shake hands much to Kai's confusion. Val just resigns himself to the fact that the world's going to crumble to ruin before they've even set foot in the arena, hell before the Opening Ceremony even begins. All he can do now is pray he'll survive the aftermath of Clove and Katniss' special brand of chaos.
Eventually Kai snaps out of his confusion, which is quickly replaced by rage.
"Come on babe. You've clearly been exposed to these two pieces of trash for too long. They're already poisoning your mind," Kai snaps out as he grabs Clove by the arm and drags her away.
Clove follows along and decides to cheekily wave at the two siblings. "See you later guys," she calls out, "We'll do brunch, yeah?"
"Definitely! How does tomorrow at 11 sound?" Katniss agrees with Val dumbly nodding along.
Kai turns to glare over his shoulder at Val while still marching away with Clove in hand. "You're gonna regret this 12!"
"Which 12 you talking about?" Katniss calls out with a smirk.
Kai shouts out in frustration and the two from 2 walk back across the hall to their chariot leaving the two siblings alone with the tributes from 10 and 11 watching them, intrigued and curious by what just went down.
Val and Katniss laugh to themselves as they watch Kai storm off like an angry Buttercup hissing and spitting at everyone who got in his way with Clove standing in for Prim just following along and making sure he doesn't fall into a ditch along the way.
The light mood quickly turns somber when a ringing bell sounds throughout the hall.
"Attention all tributes and staff. The Opening Ceremony shall begin shortly," a woman's voice announces, her words ringing throughout the hall, "All final preparations must be completed within the next few minutes before the first chariot shall be sent out. Thank you and Happy Hunger Games! May the odds be ever in your favor."
And just like that, reality crashes down on them again. The two siblings are clearly not ready to be paraded around like the prized livestock they now were. Val especially is not ready as his fears begin to creep back and take its hold on his mind while his nerves have him pacing back and forth in a vain attempt to regain some semblance of control.
Fortunately for him, Katniss is not unfamiliar with his ways of coping with negative emotions like fear and anxiety. She knows how to get him out of his head by helping him identify the source of those emotions and analyze that source until he gains an understanding that allows him to regain control of his mental state. Unfortunately for the both of them, the current source for this particular case is one Val really doesn't want to analyze.
"Sooo..." Katniss clasps her hands behind her back as she leans towards Val with a look. "You wanna tell me what that was all about?" She immediately backtracks when Val gives her a look. "Or we can just talk...about anything, anything at all. Like how about these costumes, yeah?"
"No, I'm good. I'm fine," he responds, grateful for her offer of a subject change but very reluctant to do any more talking, even though he knows that bottling it up would just make everything worse.
"Right," she drawls out, clearly not believing him, "So that wasn't you panicking over having your old life come up cause you had the terrible luck of having your old best bud from 2 show up as a tribute."
Val groans. He really doesn't want to have this conversation right now, especially not in a large hall situated in the heart of the Capitol of all places and just before the Opening Ceremony of the Hunger Games while surrounded by 22 other tributes. But this is a conversation that must be had or he might actually explode this time from all the emotions building up inside him again.
He rubs at the back of head with a deep sigh of resignation. "You know how I'm originally from 2 before running to 12 after my family got killed and then I got adopted by you guys and even had my name changed, right?"
"Uh yeah? But that's old news now," she replies, not understanding what he's trying to say, "What's your point?"
Val takes a few breaths, in and out, in and out, to steady himself and calm his beating heart. "My point is that...I've got a new identity. I've got a new name, a new family, a new life. I'm all grown up and even changed physically as well."
Katniss nods along, still confused.
"I've managed to move on from what happened in my old life and became a new person where no one's been able to recognize me as that little boy whose family was killed for being traitors," he continues to say and that's when it starts to click for Katniss, the realization makes her eyes widen.
Val doesn't notice though as he's already on a roll, words continuing to tumble out of his mouth as his emotions bubble to the surface. "But now that Clove's here and she recognized me even if she might be the only one, who's to say others won't. My family was very well known among the District 2 population and my father was close with many of the other Victors who'd definitely be mentors during these Games. I could be recognized and it wouldn't even matter if I'd moved on. My past is still a stain on my identity no matter how hard I try to build a new one."
"Val-" Katniss tries to interject but Val's not done speaking yet.
"I can't afford to get caught, Katniss. If any of the Victors recognize me, especially the ones with a deluded sense of loyalty to the Capitol, it would be reported straight to the Peacekeepers, which would definitely be reported to the President. He's the one who increased the penalty of treason to execution as soon as he took office. And if I am found out, it'll put our entire family in jeopardy. And…and...," here he hesitates, unwilling to voice his thoughts but he has to or else they'll eat away at him and he'll never be able to concentrate on saving his sister. Taking another deep breath, he says, voice so quiet Katniss has to strain her ears just to hear him, "Then they'll be killed just for having associated with me just like my family was killed because I wouldn't go to the academy. I don't think I could live with myself if I was the reason for your deaths."
After saying what he needed to, Val wraps his arms around himself as if he's trying to literally hold himself together even as he's figuratively falling apart. Katniss is speechless, unable to react while her mind races to figure out how she should act. Finally, she settles on her default reaction - actions over words and if actions aren't enough, then she'll trust her instincts and let them lead her to saying the right words.
Her arms wrap around and bring him in for a hug. He stiffens on reflex but relaxes once his mind catches up with his body.
"I will never be able to understand what you went through," she says, "And I don't want to even try to because it seems like more effort than it's worth and empathy has never been my thing."
Val chuckles at that, though it sounds suspiciously wet. Katniss tightens the hug just a little more.
"But the one thing that I can understand is that everyone makes their own decisions and no matter how hard they try, it will always end up affecting someone. You're just going to drive yourself insane like you are right now if you keep doing that," she says with her voice full of conviction, "You cannot continue to blame yourself for your family's deaths. Wanna know why?"
Val nods, taking comfort in her embrace even though it's always been the other way around till now.
"Because it was your dad's decision not yours. He's the one who chose not to send you. You just followed his lead because he's your dad and kids listen to their dad. He's the one who chose to be a rebel, fighting against the tyranny that looked at his actions and deemed it treason. You were just the unfortunate survivor of a tragedy that never should've happened if the world wasn't the way it was."
He laughs wetly at that. "Since when did you get so logical? And was that empathy I heard?"
Katniss frowns and releases her hold on him. "I'll have you know that I've always been logical and empathetic. I've just always preferred to show it through actions not words." Then she shudders. "But never let me do that again. It felt so wrong to be the one lecturing you about shit like that instead of just punching it out of you."
Val mock salutes her with an almost lazy grin. Katniss smacks him on the arm in the same spot where Clove punched him three times. He yelps more out of shock than pain. He looks to Katniss with a wounded expression. She merely rolls her eyes and shakes her head with a smile.
Then a ringing bell sounds throughout the hall.
"All tributes. Please immediately board your chariots. The Opening Ceremony is about to begin. I repeat, all tributes. Please immediately board your chariots. The Opening Ceremony is about to begin," a woman's voice announces.
Her ringing voice is immediately followed by a flurry of motion as tributes board their respective District chariots and stylists and mentors move to one side of the hall. Val quickly boards the chariot and holds his hand out for Katniss to grab.
"United we stand?" he asks.
"Together we fall," she agrees as she grabs his hand and hoists herself up onto the chariot.
The two siblings keep hold of each other's hands as their chariot moves to join the end of line of chariots wanting to embark down the stupidly long path towards the center of the Capitol where President Snow will give his customary Opening Ceremony speech signaling the start of the Hunger Games.
Val swallows thickly as his hand squeezes Katniss'. Unbeknownst to him, Katniss quickly glances at him. Her mind racing a mile a minute as she processes the heart-to-heart the two siblings just had.
'Val...you are the living price of what happens when people try to stand up to the tyranny of the Capitol,' she thinks, 'But now that you're here, I'll do whatever I have to in order to make sure you survive because you have the chance to make a difference. To actually prove that the Capitol isn't some all powerful, untouchable empire but a government that can make mistakes that will come back to tear them down.' She returns her gaze to the chariot in front of her where the tributes from 11, a tall, bulky boy and a little girl who reminds her too much of Prim, stand together. 'I just wish I could live long enough to see it,' she thinks as she squeezes back.
A whistle nearby catches the siblings' attention. The two look and see the entire District 12 team there to cheer them on. Haymitch stands stoically with arms crossed and surprisingly no flask in sight. Effie and the styling assistants wave enthusiastically, even jumping up and down in their excitement. Portia gives two thumbs up and smiles widely and encouragingly. Cinna points at them or more specifically their hands still squeezing the other, then clasps his own hands together, and raises them up.
Val and Katniss nod in understanding. Cinna wanted them to actually show their united front because that is their strength even when they're supposed to fight each other. Because unlike the other tributes who have already accepted the fact that even allies will turn on each other and will stand apart to individually stand out, the two siblings from 12 have a bond and a mutual goal that ties them together in a way the Capitol will eat up just like they apparently did with their emotional display during the Reaping.
Cinna lowers his clasped hands and nods back.
And then the first chariot takes off.
"Hello there Panem! Welcome to the Opening Ceremony of the 74th Hunger Games!" Caesar Flickerman, a Capitol host well-known for his blue hair and charismatic personality, announces into a microphone. Next to him is his fellow co-host, Claudius Templesmith, a timid man with a superiority complex and blonde hair all puffed and curled like those wigs long dead musicians of the past used to wear.
"We're your hosts for tonight, Caesar Flickerman-" "And Claudius Templesmith!" Claudius says in his booming voice.
"Here to give you all the latest updates and juicy details as the ceremony progresses," Caesar says, smirking at the cameras.
"Oh look!" Claudius shouts, jumping in his seat in excitement as he points down the stands, "The first chariot has arrived!"
Glimmer and Marvel, both healthy and attractive looking teens, wave with large smiles and throw out large kisses that have the crowd going wild to "catch" them. They're dressed in long magenta garments shining with glitter and have soft, feather covers around their shoulders. They both wear large headdresses made of feathers and glitter.
"Indeed it has!" Caesar agrees, "And it looks like the District 1 tributes, Glimmer and Marvel are strutting their stuff, proving once and for all why 1 is the number one place for all your luxury needs."
"And here comes the District 2 tributes, Clove and Kai! They look so regal in their armor like warriors from the age of champions and Gods!"
Clove and Kai stand stoically side by side with frowns and furrowed eyebrows while holding a hand up to wave. Despite their scowls and frowns, it doesn't deter the crowd from cheering loudly for them.
"They definitely look like they can handle a hammer or two just like every citizen in 2 when it comes to masonry business," Caesar agrees, "I even got my cufflinks special order from there!"
Claudius ohhs at that. "You mean the ones made with that special alloy of bronze that never rusts with the spirling patterns because they look so good on all of your suits darling."
"And now here's District 3 and its tributes. Amber and Noah are definitely showing off why 3 is the place to be for electronics. Look at those moving headpieces! Can I get in on some of that action, please and thank you!"
Amber and Noah smile and give small waves to the crowd. Amber wears a long black metallic dress with a silver covering over her shoulders while Noah wears a long metallic, chain link like robe. Both have large grey metal headdresses made of moving gears and parts that spiral around their heads. Amber's tan skin and Noah's white clash against each other.
"Now here's District 4 and their tributes, Azora and Sebastian! Oh! Doesn't he look so cute in that outfit. I could just eat him right up like seafood. And Azora definitely has a figure that won't quit," Claudius compliments with a tone that's playful and definitely not perverted, no siree.
Azora waves with a large smile as her light blue robes that are clasped together by starfish flows around her. A large blue coral headdress that looks more like a crown made of spirals and pearls rests on her head, pushing her flowing black hair back from her face. Beside her is Sebastian, just a kid with cute redhead curls who was unfortunate enough to be reaped in his first year. He looks so small in his overflowing robes and crown like headdress.
"And here comes District 5! I give you Finch and Dean from the land of electricity and power and I'm not really digging these outfits. Are they supposed to be satellites cause let me tell yeah, discs were so last season," Caesar states as he dramatically cringes.
Finch, another red head with defining facial features giving her the appearance of a fox, waves uncomfortably in her sparkly silver dress with no sleeves and a floppy silver disc circling her face like a satellite. She looks really cold with her pale skin turning paler. Next to her, Dean doesn't have that issue as his outfit, though matching hers in design, actually has long sleeves. His tan skin contrasts the bright silver of his outfit.
"Next up District 6 and their tributes, Tamora and Jason and, uh...what's 6 known for again?" Claudius asks in confusion.
"Transportation my dear Claudius which makes their outfits make no sense! What were their stylists thinking?" Caesar answers with a large smile for the cameras.
Tamora and Jason wave at the crowds with looks of confusion that they try to hide because their outfits are indeed a bit baffling. They're dressed in shimmery yellow and patched brown robes respectively with flowing yellow, brown capes and a crescent moon curved around their heads. No idea what that has anything to do with transportation but the two tall, lean tributes are just going with it so the rest of the Capitol citizens do too.
"Anyways, next is District 7 where tributes, Sienna and Wallace, hail from the district of lumber and oh boy! I'm getting a paper cut just looking at them, isn't that right Caesar?"
The two hosts laugh and slap each other on the backs.
Sienna and Wallace stand tall as they wave at the crowds. Their outfits do indeed look like they can give any looking at them paper cuts what with their dress, suit, and headpieces look to be made of folded paper that was sewn together. It's a mystery how the two aren't bleeding from paper cuts just from putting those outfits on.
"Here comes District 8, folks! Where we've got Savannah and Lee wearing a true color clash tragedy I mean come on! Neon magenta and neon cyan just don't belong in the same sentence let alone the same color wheel."
"Well Caesar, at least it seems that the fabrics are of the highest quality that's to be expected of the textile District!"
Savannah and Lee do indeed seem to be wearing color disaster outfits as the Capitol folks continue their cheers while trying not to cringe at the color palettes used. At least the two tributes are comfortable in their outfits because they look like they need it. Though Savannah looks to be the healthiest and more physically fit between the two with fuller cheeks and lean muscles compared to Lee's more hollow cheeks and thin limbs.
"Oh! Up next we have Demetria and Craigh of District 9! Hey Caesar?"
"Yes Claudius?"
"What's your take on these outfits? You think their stylists were trying to be literal or figurative about the grain? Maybe try something chic or gucci?"
The two hosts observe Demetria and Craigh who are dressed in an outfit that doesn't seem to declare exactly which District they come from. Demetria's red hair is styled up in a messy bun. She wears a long dress with sequins overlaid each other and a ruffle made up of multiple silver fabric circles around her neck. Next to her is Craigh, looking only slightly older than Sebastian. His black hair is slicked back to show off more of his light brown skin. He's wearing an outfit similar to Demetria but with silver circle buttons instead of sequins and a high collar in place of ruffles.
"I don't know Claudius, maybe they're trying something new all together considering previous outfits for 9 have already been done ten times over! But I am digging the silver buttons on Craigh. You think his stylist will make me a suit with them?"
"You'll never know unless you ask Caesar! And look! We've got District 10 coming in hot behind them. Susan and Timmer are definitely showing off what it means to be in the livestock District. Just look at those hats!"
Susan and Timmer both wear what look to be super fancy cowboy outfits complete with steel toe boots and cowboys hats. The coloring for the outfits are white with gold thread and decorations placed strategically with glitter added to make the whole thing pop. Susan waves wildly like a cowgirl ready to throw a lasso though upon closer inspection is probably just a little girl trying to deny the fact that she's been sent to die. The crowd cheers at the adorable smile on her chubby cheeked face. Beside her is Timmer who smiles stiffly as he waves at the crowd, his muscles making the sleeves of the outfit stretch over his arms.
"I don't know Caesar. That cowboy look's been done a million times over for 10. And while I enjoy the gold touch they've added, when do you think they'll actually switch things up a bit?"
"Don't ask me Claudius. Who knows what goes on in a stylist's mind? I hear it's like being in a maze!"
The two hosts laugh until the chariot for 11 comes into view. Then they stop to coo.
"Oh! Here's District 11 with their tributes Rue and Thresh representing the District of agriculture with their farmer's overalls!"
"And just look at those headpieces Caesar! They look like halos making their young tribute Rue look like a cute little angel! Better get ready to have your heart melted by her cuteness during the interviews."
Rue waves enthusiastically at the crowd though her smile is somewhat strained. She does indeed look adorable in a blue silk dress with puffy short sleeves and overalls tossed over it. Her headpieces, silver wire in the shape of grain, circle outward from her curled hair and compliments her dark skin. Next to her is Thresh who stands like a rock, strong and unmoving in his white shirt, overalls combo. The sleeves are rolled up to reveal his thick muscles and he wears a similar headpiece to Rue but with the grain circling inward rather than out. He refuses to wave and simply glares at the crowd.
"Now all we need are the tributes, Katniss and Valerian, from District 12!"
"Any ideas what their stylists will come up with when it comes to coal mining Caesar?"
"I have no clue but I'm more excited about the fact that we have sibling tributes competing against each other for these games!"
"I know right and..." Claudius cuts himself off as the District 12 chariot comes into view, "Oh my god. Caesar what is that?"
The hosts pause to lean in and gape as Katniss and Val come rolling in. Their black outfits shine in the lights but the main attention is on the pieces of fabric that make up their "capes". The fabrics are on fire and flowing like the fiery wings of an avenging angel as flames trail behind them. The two siblings lift their intertwined hands up and the crowd goes completely nuts.
"I love it! Oh my god do I love it! The fire, the coal, the raised hands. It just screams look at how proud I am to be from District 12."
"Indeed it does, Caesar. This year's tributes from 12 are on fire tonight, literally!"
Katniss can't help but stare as the crowd continues to cheer themselves hoarse as she and Val hold their hands up high. So many flowers are being tossed down at them. She manages to catch one and is unsure what to do before her body decides for her. Her arm lifts the rose up to her nose as if to smell it before raising it up high like a glass in salute. Besides her, she sees Val wink and throw kisses at the crowd. The Capitol citizens go nuts and quite a few actually faint much to her surprise.
Finally, the chariots reach the end of the road where they gather in a half circle around the stand where President Snow and his council sit up high and look down on them.
The cheering quiets down when Snow stands up from his chair and walks to the podium in front. He looks down at the tributes, gaze sweeping until it finally lands on them. Katniss and Val drop their hands but their grip tightens until Katniss fears she'll lose circulation though she's unwilling to loosen it for fear of losing her only life line as the President's gaze seems to pierce through her soul.
After what seems like an eternity, Snow turns away from them and towards the crowd and tributes in general. The two siblings relax their grip but their hands are still clasped together.
"Welcome!" Snow starts before pausing to allow the crowd's cheers to swell up again.
"Welcome!" he says again to signal for the crowd to quiet down.
Once the crowd's cheers settle, he clears his throat. "Tributes!" he says as he places his hands on the sides of the podium. "We welcome you!" his voice booms out, carrying itself throughout the large open air plaza.
"We salute your courage! And we salute your sacrifice!"
Then his gaze travels across the crowds and tributes again.
"I am sure you are all grateful for the chance to achieve the glory of a lifetime. The chance to become our next Victor in the 74th Hunger Games!"
The crowd's cheers swell again before quickly settling as Snow opens his mouth to continue speaking.
"Remember that disgraceful actions are unsportsmanlike and those who display as much prove they do now have what it takes to be a Victor. They will suffer the consequences like all who act as such so be sure to fight with that in mind."
Katniss can hear Val's breath from beside her when Snow's gaze lands on him. His grip on her hand tightens again. She squeezes back in reassurance, her own gaze trying to pierce through Snow's and draw his attention to her instead.
Then just as quickly as it landed, Snow's gaze returns to the general populace.
"Now! We wish you Happy Hunger Games and may the odds...be ever in your favor."
The crowds cheer as the chariots make their way back to the hall. However, Katniss doesn't pay much attention, her focus on Val who's close to having a minor breakdown as Snow's words echo in their heads like a warning directed right at them.
Finally, their chariot arrives back at the hall and the two siblings are sufficiently distracted when their stylists, minus the assistants, and Effie rush over to shower them in praise.
"Oh! That was amazing!" Effie gushes out as she gives them hugs that barely qualified as such given the lack of physical contact.
"You guys looked amazing out there! The hands were definitely a nice touch, Cinna," Portia complimented, giving her brother a slap on the back.
Cinna smiles as he looks at them, though his gaze seems to focus directly on Val as if to draw his attention to him instead of whatever was going on in his head. It seems to work as Val hesitantly smiles back.
"What did I tell you, boy on fire?" Cinna teasingly asks.
Val snorts. "Still too soon, Cinna. And my judgment's still reserved. We've got till the interviews before I decide."
Katniss looks to Val in question. He smiles, secretively. "Sorry Katniss. Inside joke that's need to know and you my dear sister," he says as he playfully pokes her forehead, "Don't need to know."
She pouts while rubbing childishly at her forehead. Val laughs. Then Haymitch walks up to them with a lazy smile and still not smelling of any booze.
"Well, well, well," he drawls out, "Looks like you do have some charm hidden in there somewhere."
Katniss smirks. "Oh I've got charm alright. But are you sure you should be near an open flame?"
"Come on Katniss. Be nice to the man," Val jokingly scolds her.
Haymitch nods in agreement. "See? Listen to your brother. Besides those were just fake flames, fake-"
"We'll just have to make sure to carry flasks of water around to put him out," Val cuts in, making Katniss laugh at Haymitch's dumbfounded expression.
He rolls his eyes at the two laughing siblings, stylists and escort smiling at the scene before them. "Oh ha, ha, ha. You might've taken a successful first step in the right direction but the real fight starts tomorrow-"
He stops speaking as he looks over their shoulders to something behind them. They turn and immediately fall quiet when they see Kai glaring at them as if trying to kill them with just his eyes. Katniss' attention is drawn back to Haymitch when he places his arms around her and Val's shoulders.
"Let's continue this upstairs, come on," he says while directing them out of the hall and towards the elevators.
Katniss chances a glance back at Kai whose glare still follows them as they enter the elevator. The doors close behind them and they begin the quick ascent to their living quarters as the earlier feelings of lightheartedness are once again replaced with trepidation.
And that's the end of the deep dive folks! I gotta be honest, I have a lot of mixed feelings about this chapter. I had a plan and then that plan kind of ran away from me as I was writing so I hope you guys still enjoyed the end results.
Btw, I always thought the costume designs in the book and the movie were lacking. Like a cape on fire sure, but it's only going to flow one way and off one piece of fabric making them just look like they're wearing a cape that's on fire rather than looking like they're being trailed by fire. And the movie version had a better overall look but the jets of fire actually look kind of weak and a little stupid, not gonna lie.
Also, I pulled the names and physical descriptions for the other tributes from the internet so please don't me for that. Also, Kai is the only actual OC tribute. The rest are all the same, they just now have names and I'm using the film actors for their descriptions. Anywho, hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! I'll see you all next time where I've got a surprise in store for y'all!