The train stationed in the Capitol and Katniss crinkled her nose at the sounds of the city- she hated this place. Peeta frowned, he hated seeing her upset though it seemed that was all she was lately. Understandably so, but he hated seeing her like this nonetheless.
They followed Haymitch into the familiar Hunger Games Center, the Capitol people screaming in adoration as they passed by. Not a single member of the trio even looked up.
Effie was her typical chipper self, this being even more unbearable than usual in the eyes of Katniss.
She frowned as the stylists prepped her for that night's tribute parade. What was the point anyway? Everyone already knew everyone.
Though the dreaded day pressed onward until Katniss and Peeta found themselves waiting beside their chariot as the rest of the victors arrived. Haymitch found them with ease, his hands clenched in permanent fists. They sparsely spoke as they watched the other victors casually talking with one another as if they were at a dinner party.
A small figure approached them and was identified immediately. Their spines grew rigid as her lips curled up.
"Haymitch Abernathy, hello." Her voice came out like chimes- soft, sweet and feminine.
Haymitch sucked in a deep breath, straightening his stance and forcing a smile, "Ramsey Clyde, how are you?"
Katniss watched with a growing hatred and Peeta with pure fascination.
They had never seen a being like her.
"I'm doing well, given the circumstances, of course." She giggled out, the corners of her mouth pulling upwards to reveal her straight teeth.
Katniss watched her every movement, determined to figure her out.
She was small, even in the golden heels her stylist had dressed her in. 5' 3" at most, without them. Her build was small, she couldn't have weighed more than 110 pounds yet each bit of her seemed to curve and tuck in where it should've. Her skin was lightly sun-kissed, devoid of any freckle or imperfection. Her hair was light blonde, currently curled up into a loose bun, the small tendrils framing her face. High cheekbones, a sharp jawline, and wide gray eyes that held an eerie peacefulness. Her makeup was flawless though it was clear she would be beautiful without it. Her lips were full, her teeth small and straight, her smile enchanting.
District Ten was livestock. Her stylists had dressed her in a gold and white strapless corset top, hugging her small curves. It met white makeshift chaffs with a belt, a soft golden cape falling out at her waist.
Her attention snapped to Katniss and Peeta, respectively glancing at each before falling onto Katniss.
"I feel so discourteous for having not introduced myself. I must offer my sincerest apologies, Katniss, Peeta." She spoke elegantly. "Ramsey Clyde, District Ten." She offered out her small hand, fingernails delicately painted gold to match her outfit.
They watched her carefully for a moment, her smile never faltering as she waited.
Katniss begrudgingly took her hand, seeming to already have formed a disliking to her. Peeta shook her hand, having decided that she was lethal and to be appeased at all costs.
Her gray eyes focused in on Katniss, the blonde squinting her them slightly as she spoke.
"Congratulations. It must sound utterly repulsive at this point, though I unfortunately never had the opportunity to meet either of you following your victory. I also have the tendency to be quite the band-wagoner at times." She giggled and they stared, Peeta forcing a small chuckle.
They fell silent and Peeta grew anxious. He feared causing her to feel any distaste towards them.
Her smile dropped and her and Katniss held dangerous eye contact.
"Hm, well, I suppose I should be going."
Haymitch inwardly cringed as she spoke, he knew Katniss had managed to offend her already.
"Katniss!" The group turned as Finnick Odair approached, his bronzed chest bare and his smile bright.
His eyes found Ramsey and a spark of absorption fluttered in his stomach. Though Katniss was quite interesting, Ramsey Clyde held the ultimate feeling of mystery.
"Would anyone care for a sugar cube? I know they're supposed to be for the horses, but hey, they have a couple more years to enjoy them. People like us, when we see something sweet, we have to grab it." He winked towards Ramsey and she watched him with careful eyes. The corner of her lips twitched, daring to grin. Finnick's aura seemed to brighten with that and his eyes glowed.
The oddity of the entire situation grew in Katniss, the typically calm girl now feeling weary.
"Anyway, Katniss. I wanted to say I'm sorry your wedding had to be cancelled." A frown overtook his beautiful features and Katniss pursed her lips.
They fell silent and Ramsey sighed, one foot twisting in the direction of her chariot, "I really must go, it was a pleasure seeing all of you. And may the odds be ever in your favor." Her lips curled up in a smile once more and she seemed to glide away effortlessly.
Finnick watched after her for a moment before hurriedly excusing himself and rushing after her. He fell into step with her and grinned, already incredibly intrigued.
He remembered watching her games, absolutely astounded by her demented strategies in the arena. She was the ultimate mystery. And he had promised himself that he would be the first the figure out what was going on in her mind.
"Miss Ramsey, it's nice to see you again." She stopped walking and turned to face him, offering a polite grin.
"Ah, Finnick. It would be lovely if it were because of different reasons, though." She sighed.
"Not half as lovely as you." He smirked down at her, his heart thumping as she smiled back. Genuinely smiled, not the sweetheart smile that she offered for the Capitol. She was beautiful.
"Great job, Katniss, it seems like you've already insulted her." Haymitch spoke dryly, turning on his heels.
"I don't like her! There's something wrong with her."
His eyes fell on her hard and his lips formed a thin line, "Well no shit, Katniss, she's completely psychotic! I thought we established that! Dammit. That was not someone we wanted to have to worry about."
He stalked off and Katniss and Peeta sighed.
The victors were instructed to mount their chariots, doing so as if it were just another day.
Elevators were filling up, coming the closing of the parade. The victors were all tired, this whole business was ridiculous. They were victors, they had fought for their lives once already, they killed for this- for the ability to live without the fear of the games.
Peeta felt his heart rate pick up as three more bodies joined the elevator with Haymitch, Katniss, and himself.
Ramsey's sick smile lit up the elevator, greeting the trio. To one side of her stood Finnick, his eyes locked onto her in admiration. To her other side stood Johanna Mason, clad in a tree costume and a smirk.
They fell silent for a moment and Johanna leaned over, whispering something barely audible to Ramsey. Her eyes lit up and she smiled, nodding quickly.
Joanna approached Peeta, an innocent grin on her face.
"Unzip?" She turned around and pointed to the zipper holding her costume on her.
"Yeah, sure..." Peeta's eyes flittered around the room as he hastily unzipped the outfit.
Katniss watched with hatred, her lips pursed and her tongue pushing on the inside of her mouth.
Ramsey looked to Finnick, a devious smile forming on her lips as she suppressed a giggle. He watched her with a grin, still completely awestruck by the small victor. How he had managed to stay away from her for this long was a mystery to him.
Finnick was off the elevator in no time, the fourth floor not taking long to reach. As the doors opened on the seventh floor Johanna smiled once to Ramsey before turning towards those from District 12.
"That was fun! Let's do it again some time." She tossed her ponytail over her shoulder and smiled once more before getting off.
"Johanna Mason. District Seven." Haymitch smirked and Ramsey was unable to contain the giggles from erupting. Katniss' eyes shot to her in distaste and she stared back, a smirk still gracing her features.
"Isn't she great?" She smiled as the elevator stopped on her floor, her eyes never leaving Katniss.
"I look forward to seeing you two tomorrow in training."
And with that, she was gone. Her small figure disappeared onto the tenth floor and the elevator fell silent with tension.
~0~0~0
I want to apologize for such a slow start! I just want to be able to really show who Ramsey is and what she does and is like before we get into the story. Thank you though to those that followed and favorited!
