Disclaimer: I own very little.
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Pre-Ceremony Arrangements
The evening before the ceremony was a time for Seneca and I to sit and chat in peace before all hell broke loose the next day with the wedding. Everything that needed to be practiced for the ceremony had been completed. The Crane Family offered to watch over my mother and brother for the evening while we enjoyed the evening to ourselves. All over, the media was raving over our ceremony and the details as to who was doing what. The truth of the matter was that we had been very secretive in our planning; our families barely knew all of the details.
We sat in Seneca's penthouse, Seneca's absolutely spectacular home which overlooked the Capitol 's skyline. That night was a blustery one, therefore, we sat bundled up on his couch, watching the fireplace that was changing colors.
"Can you believe it?" I asked, curling up next to him as he pulled the blanket over the both of us. "Tomorrow we're married."
He looked down at me, smiling as he sipped his red-colored drink," Tonight's my last night to run, huh?"
I hit him playfully before resting my head on his chest," Enjoy it while it lasts."
He sighed teasingly before saying," I suppose if it's for you…then I'll survive."
I rolled my eyes as the fire changed to a deep green," It's just strange to think that years ago now was the first time we met."
"Ah, yes," He said, I heard him set his glass down. "You were a novice in Capitol living back then."
I scoffed at this," I still am a novice in Capitol living, Seneca."
"You blend in perfectly fine!" He shot back, clearly trying to fight for a lost cause.
I turned my head to look at him, my eyes narrowed," You're lying through your teeth."
He laughed at this before shifting his eyes away," You just haven't lived here long enough yet."
We both laughed at this before I rolled my eyes and decided to change the subject," The Hunger Games are to begin again soon. Are you about to become especially busy again?"
He swallowed hard before answering," Yes, unfortunately, the Reaping is a matter of days after the ceremony, as you already know. I've been up late many nights planning for it."
"Are you allowed to tell me any of the details?" I asked, looking up at him curiously.
"Legally, no," He answered dryly before continuing. "However, I know you will not leave me alone unless I tell you something."
I smirked at this," It's almost as though you know me or something."
"I suppose that is a good thing seeing as though we are going to be seeing much more of each other after tomorrow," He teased before going on. "I've been promoted to a higher Gamemaker this year; I was asked to be on the committee for planning the theme of the arena. It's going to be the ruins of an ancient civilization."
My eyes widened at this," Sounds intriguing."
"Well, it certainly has been a pain to plan," He grumbled, running his fingers through his hair. "However, I think we've got all of the bugs worked out."
Having been in Seneca's home many times before, I knew that his office was spilling over with all of his potential ideas for Hunger Games. Though I had not heard him talk of this one before, I knew that he would work extremely hard to perfect every aspect of the arena.
"Good," I answered, wanting to sound as though I was interested, but there was still a piece of me that was irked by his involvement in the Games. There was still something frightening about marrying a Gamemaker.
I felt his breath close to mine as he muttered into my ear," You don't have to pretend to be interested, you know."
While he was close, I muttered back," You know that I do, Seneca."
"Not around me, Savera. You know how I feel about them," He muttered, still whispering this into my ear.
All of a sudden, President Snow's face came to my head. I remembered him telling me to keep an eye on Seneca to make sure that none of his actions caused him to plan his own funeral. I stared, unblinking for several seconds, processing what Seneca had just said. If I were truly doing what Snow wished, I would have argued with Seneca further.
"Yes, I know, however, you haven't any plans to do anything different this year? In regards to the…" I trailed off as I turned slightly to see his blue eyes just inches from mine.
"I will not know until the Reaping," He whispered, biting down on his lip.
I sighed and looked away, clearly nervous. I felt his hand snake under my chin and force me to look back at him," Are you still okay with this?"
I hesitated to answer for several moments," It's just frightening is all, Seneca."
"Frightening?-" He asked, baffled at my response.
I nodded in affirmation," Yes, frightened. Seneca, we are to be married. If we are to be married, you know that we will be expected to have children. Have you thought of the consequences of having children as well as trying to lead a revolution?"
He placed a hand on my cheek," You forget that I would not be the one leading it. We would only help that person to lead it themselves. It's a natural process that's bound-"
I shook his hand off," Surely, you don't believe Snow to be that daft."
"Savera, what's gotten into you?" He asked, furrowing his brow as he sat up straight.
I sighed again, shaking my head as I ran my fingers through my hair," Nothing, Seneca…it's just I can't help but think this is going to come back on you one day. You know that we agree on it, but is it truly worth risking your life over something that is bound to naturally happen? If it is a natural process…I can't help but think it may need to happen on its own."
He shook his head," It may be natural, but Savera, this person, whoever it may be is going to need help. They won't survive the Capitol's strict punishment without a touch of grace. I can be that grace."
"How do you know for sure?" I asked, looking straight into his piercing blue eyes, not wishing to ever lose him for something preventable.
He looked me over for several seconds," I can't know for sure, Savera. I can only tell you that it would be best for the country. I would be doing Panem a better service in that then I ever would be in continuing to plan a blood bath of its children. You know that."
"Yes, I do," I muttered, looking away. "It's just that I'm far too attached to you to allow you to place your life on the line."
I felt him wrap his arms around my midsection as he pulled me onto his lap, holding me much like a father would his child. I looked at him, being forced to smile as pressed his forehead against my own," And I'm far too attached to you to allow you to worry your heart over me. However, I do have something I need to discuss with you."
I tilted my head, looking at him as I waited for his response.
"They've asked me to be the Head Gamemaker. Not this year, and perhaps not the next, but soon," He said seriously.
I blinked several times before sitting up straight and leaning against the arm of the couch. He looked at me, waiting for an answer, but I could only exhale and try to take in the moment. I found that I needed to stand up and peeled myself off of the couch before pacing nervously.
"That's…not the safest position, Seneca," I said, running my fingers through my hair.
He sighed and met my gaze," I know it's not, Savera. It is, however, an opportunity for me. This is something I've been building up to my whole life; it is also a chance for me to leave my mark on the Games. I can gain respect in this, Savera."
I wished there were some other way that he could gain respect. I knew that he being Head Gamemaker was something he had to do; I had been expecting this for quite some time, in fact, but the reality of it was nearly too much for me to comprehend in the moment. I stayed silent for several minutes, simply staring over the city, fearing for just how long Seneca would stay Head Gamemaker when he was appointed. I remember feeling his arms snake around my waist as he rested his head on my shoulder and gently kissed my neck.
"Stop worrying about me," He muttered into my ear.
"How can I not worry about you? Head Gamemakers are the most disposable people in the Capitol, Seneca," I said to him quietly. "If President Snow decides that he wants you dead, then…"
He hushed me and kissed me again, closer to my jaw line," He won't want me dead, Savera."
"If you show grace, then-" I tried to argue despite his futile attempts to distract me. "Seneca, he'll find out."
He paused for a moment," I assure you I will faithfully do what President Snow asks of me until if and when someone comes along. I promise to you that I won't just go throw myself on the line for someone who's not going to get the job done."
"Have you truly decided that a revolution is what you want? Have you thought about the consequences of that and what it means for your life?" I asked, he tried pressing his lips to my jaw again, but I turned to look at him.
Looking like a disappointed little boy, he sighed and said," Savera, I know that it's wrong for a single man to dictate people and order for their children to put to death in blood baths every year. I know not how life will change, but isn't anything better than this?"
I looked down, chuckling slightly," You don't know who may take over after that, Seneca. What if that person is worse than what we have now? What if all your work would have been done in vain?"
"I don't have the right to play the what if game, Savera," He whispered. "I only know what is right and what is wrong. Personally, I view this as my service to my country in trying to restore it to a better state," He said to me confidently.
I knew that it was pointless to keep on arguing with him. Therefore, I bit my lip before turning my head to face him. Softly, I kissed him on his cheek, impressed with how much he cared for the country and how much he wished to do, but cursed with the idea that he would be dead soon because of his boldness. He needed to think some things through. I found that we still had several years to discuss all of this. It was for this reason that I allowed him to kiss me on my lips, a little too passionately for my liking.
"Are you going to stop worrying now?" He asked huskily as we broke away briefly.
I smirked at this," Maybe just for now."
I kissed him chastely before taking a step back," But it's getting late. You know that people would start to question if I stayed too late."
He shrugged," After tomorrow, you're going to be here anyways."
"So until then…I'll be back in my apartment," I whispered before turning to grab my coat and bag that were still sitting on his tiny table in his kitchen. His entire apartment was so pristine that I hardly touched anything. I supposed that would change after I officially moved in, but seeing a stack of my belongings in the hallway seemed very out-of-place.
I took in the view of his apartment before taking a deep breath in and starting to put my coat on. Before I could, I felt Seneca take it from my hand," Allow me."
Smirking, I slid my arms into my coat before sliding my bag over my shoulder. He escorted me to the door and I kissed him one last time. It was crazy to think this would be my last night as a single woman.
The ceremony was to be held at President Snow's mansion and broadcasted to the whole of Panem. The thought of being in Snow's mansion again slightly made me sick, but I hadn't much of a choice in that arrangement.
Enobaria was allowed to be my maid-of-honor and due to my lack of close companions in the Capitol, I was surrounded by a bunch of women in the bridal party whom I could have cared less of, but seemingly had titles of status. They were mostly Seneca's friends whom the tabloids reported to be friends with me. The only one I truly could stand was Enobaria as the rest of them were simply complaining over their makeup or dress, two things which I was allowed to give my opinion of. In many ways, the fashion of our wedding reflected that of District Two, not the Capitol. Though there were touches of luxury, they were not flamboyant and over-the-top.
I had given strict orders to Enobaria that there were not to be any ridiculous colors. It was to be a classic black and white affair. I think that this was what was most bothersome to the bridesmaids who couldn't help but cringe at the bleakness of their dresses. I rather liked the dresses; they were all architectural wonders which Sage himself designed.
Sage was certainly a sight for sore eyes as I had been able to work with him for many months over the construction of the bridesmaids dresses, as well as my own. When I saw him that morning, arguing with all the different sassy women, I couldn't help but feel slightly better to have another person standing up for how I wished for the ceremony to go. Upon seeing me, he kissed both of my cheeks and smiled widely, showing more emotion than usual.
"Are you ready for today, Miss Stone?" He asked, grabbing my hand as he led me through the choas of women tossing clothes off and changing into the gowns for the ceremony.
"Of course," I said with a small smirk, looking around in awe at all of the commotion. None of them cared to greet me, unless glares counted as a proper greeting.
He led me into a separate room of the mansion where there was a rack with the gown on it. I gasped as I saw it and ran my fingers over the incredibly beautiful combination of silk and lace on the gown. There was nothing overly Capitol about it. The bright white seemed to illuminate the entire room. He turned the gown to face me, giving me a full view of the front of the bodice, there were no sleeves on the gown, but it was a sweetheart neckline, a style never used in the Capitol. The lace that sat upon the bodice of the gown was the most Capitol-esque part of the gown and lace was not necessarily the most fashion-forward in that town. Another trend that was unorthodox was the train that trailed off of the bodice. Capitol women liked their wedding gowns to be cut shorter and certainly not long.
Sage's team poured in and literally began ripping clothes from my body, much like they had when I was in the games.
It was hard for me to visualize myself getting married until the long process of having my hair pulled, teased, and curled; my clothes yanked around, and my face slathered with makeup was over. It wasn't until Sage tucked a stray hair behind my ear and placed the short birdcage veil over my hair that I noticed how real the moment was.
I looked at myself in the mirror and gasped at the white gown, it was absolutely stunning. None of Sage's other dresses even compared to this one. The white orchids mixed with the faintest purple flowers (this was the most color I wanted) put the whole look together. The makeup the team compiled looked completely effortless and natural, but had a touch of drama to it in the eyes, which were dusted with a light gray eye shadow and liner. The hair was lightly curled and pinned up in a very wispy manner; my mother would surely go "gaga" over it.
"Do you like it?" Sage asked, looking at me as he leaned on the mirror.
"I absolutely love it, thank you," I spat out quickly and embraced him tight. He smiled as he patted me on the back.
He placed his hands on my shoulders," Have a happy marriage, Savera. You deserve it."
"Thank you. I appreciate that," I said, patting him one last time before turning to a very emotional Enobaria who was jumping up and down with joy.
This was the first time I had seen her in awhile and she quickly ran into my arms. She looked very lovely in her black dress with a skirt that was cut very classical just above the knee and fit her very well. We both exclaimed before hugging each other tight; she pulled back to look at me.
"I can't believe you're marrying Seneca Crane," She squealed, jumping up and down. "I remember when you both first met! That was such a long time ago now!"
"I can hardly believe it either," I said, taking time to exhale before complimenting her. "You look stunning! You were so right about the cut of the dress!"
"Look at you," She said hitting my arm playfully. "You're actually starting to notice fashion trends."
"What can I say? I've been around you for too long," I joked.
We laughed for several more minutes just talking and enjoying one another's company before she informed me that we were to line up in the processional. I was rather surprised at how quickly the time passed and how little the other bridesmaids even spoke to me. True, I did not expect much, but nothing was cold even for them. Nevertheless, I tried not to think much on it as that day was meant to be a happy one.
It was indeed a happy day. We nearly made it to the ceremony, however, just as I was walking down the hall of the mansion to meet Ostro for him to walk me down the grand staircase and into the ceremony; President Snow was standing…waiting for me with a smile on his lips and a white rose on his suit.
A/N: I know that I lied and said this would be the wedding, but we are almost there! NEXT CHAPTER I PROMISE…..will be the official ceremony. We have a little announcement from Snow first...anyways. I hope you liked the little Savera/Seneca fluff at the beginning, the announcement from Seneca, and the suspicious President Snow at the end. Please review :D
