Chapter One-Hundred-and-Fifteen; Reckless

A stony look from Haymitch and a mention of someone called Sharpe had wiped the smirk from Dan's face as he mumbled something incoherently before shuffling off to the opposite corner of the room.

He picked fussily over the food arranged on the buffet table, essentially ignoring Stephanie and Haymitch then.

Stephanie arched a curious brow and Haymitch leaned towards her pulling the other chair close and keeping his voice low so Dan wouldn't be able to hear he began to explain it all to her.

He told her about the night he had gone to seek out Flickerman and had finished up in an empty car lot with Seneca. He deliberately skimmed over the physical altercations that night but it was to no effect as Stephanie shrewdly deduced that Seneca was the reason Haymitch was in the current state he was. As predicted Haymitch saw the guilt cloud her eyes but there was little he could do to assuage it. Stephanie remained stubbornly unreceptive to Haymitch's attempts to try and convince her that it wasn't her fault.

Haymitch had also explained Dan's idiocy in getting involved with the wife of Snow's personal assassin Sharpe. He further explained how Seneca had then exploited and blackmailed Dan then into acting as Stephanie's fake Capitol lover.

Dan had begun to protest loudly at that when Haymitch told him in no uncertain terms to go for a very long walk.

"But it's windy outside," Dan whined as he smoothed a single strand of glossy brunette back down, checking his reflection in the back of a spoon to do so, "where would you have me walk?"

Stephanie glowered at him; Dan Flickerman's previous persona of charming smiles had well and truly fled now that he knew that there was no need to keep up the pretence in front of Stephanie.

"Of a cliff preferably," Stephanie grumbled under her breath. She was trying to concentrate on what Haymitch was imparting to her; most of it had her head spinning. Stephanie was beginning to truly appreciate how Haymitch must feel every time she decided to hit him with similarly astounding information.

Dan huffing loudly and brushing non-existent specks of dust from his immaculate suit had paused at the threshold of the door then, "the date starts in ten minutes," he reminded them before he closed the door sharply.

Stephanie rolled her eyes, "I think I liked him better before," she mumbled, "he didn't complain as much."

Haymitch smirked weakly and Stephanie seen his eyes scour the buffet table top searchingly no doubt for some drop of alcohol and really Stephanie couldn't blame him; she felt like she could do with a drink herself after all Haymitch had told her.

"So during this date in ten minutes…" Stephanie trailed off and Haymitch immediately continued.

"He will interrupt once the cameras have gone and bring you to a secret facility to try and determine the reason for your fainting and cure it."

Stephanie inhaled a deep breath; Haymitch had refused to refer to Seneca as anything other than the ominous and loathed nameless he since he had told Stephanie to trust Seneca.

Stephanie nodded; she felt oddly and minutely comforted that for once Seneca's presence would actually be expected this time, unlike his usual antics at turning up and terrifying her without warning.

Stephanie could see that Haymitch was less than thrilled with the idea of Stephanie spending an entire afternoon alone in Seneca's company and Stephanie felt her stomach twist nervously at the prospect herself.

However…like Haymitch she also begrudgingly conceded that her fainting was a problem, one they needed to get rid of before training started and someone would realise that it wasn't just some love-sick act Stephanie put on.

She accepted reluctantly that for this afternoon at least she would have to trust Seneca.

"How many of these 'fake dates' will I need to have?" Stephanie asked.

Haymitch frowned darkly, "you shouldn't need any more than one," Haymitch enforced quietly, however he looked to Stephanie meaningfully and Stephanie inhaled sharply understanding perfectly. It all depended on how many Seneca wanted; he controlled this situation as much as both Stephanie and Haymitch hated to admit it.

"So when you said Flickerman had been bought before – this is what you meant. It had been Seneca?"

"I didn't know it was…him behind it but I knew that Flickerman had been bought to promote that lover appeal," Haymitch replied, "I hate to break it to you sweetheart but you're not that convincing an actress to fool someone like Flickerman into making a personal plea on your behalf."

Stephanie managed a brief quirk of her lips in response to Haymitch's words but her expression was pensive as the minutes ticked by.

She discovered that knowing Seneca was going to appear did nothing to make her any less nervous.

Leaning back in her chair Stephanie tipped her head back, closing her eyes as her hair tumbled over her shoulders. Stephanie knew she must look a mess but she couldn't bring herself to much care even though she knew the cameras would be coming in a few minutes.

She heard Haymitch rise from his chair and cracking open one eye Stephanie watched Haymitch satisfy his urge and go to hunt the buffet table for some alcohol. Stephanie imagined he would need it coming face to face with Seneca soon. Stephanie suspected she would need a dose of strength herself to face Seneca and not slap him immediately for what he had done to Haymitch.

Stephanie hauled herself to her feet and Haymitch glanced over his shoulder at her. He knocked back a glass of something undoubtedly alcoholic before refilling it immediately as he cast her a silently questioning look.

"Do you think I could go outside for a moment?" Stephanie inquired hopefully.

Haymitch frowned sceptically.

"Just a quick few seconds," Stephanie wheedled.

She longed for the feel of the cool breeze and the natural sun; she hoped to find the clarity of thought that the outside world had granted her the first time.

Haymitch sighed resignedly as he nodded, taking another large gulp of his drink.

Stephanie sighed gratefully as she walked towards the door.

Haymitch needed his alcohol to get through the next few hours and Stephanie needed the feel of the natural wind on her skin and the clearness of mind it would bring.

Stephanie slipped from the room and descended the stairs swiftly ignoring the strange looks she garnered at her dishevelled appearance.

Reaching the gravel ground she frowned as she looked out and saw the large Capitol crowds; the ones that had stared unabashedly at her when she had made her way through them the first time with Haymitch.

She grimaced, imagining their reaction would be even more extreme if she was to stroll through them looking as she did at that moment.

So turning she wandered off in the opposite direction; she knew it was reckless, however she was feeling rather heedless at that moment. She just wanted to try and slip into that illusion where she could believe that the Capitol was far away from this place where green grass stretched all around her.

Stephanie reasoned that guards would stop her before she could amble off somewhere she shouldn't be and she could always use the excuse that she was looking for Dan.

She walked further along, almost tempted to slip off her heeled shoes but knew that if some Capitolite came across her they really would think her some crazy tribute by her appearance alone.

Still it was almost pleasant and even though the seconds ticked by Stephanie walked on. 'Dan, Seneca – the whole damn Capitol can wait' Stephanie thought scathingly.

Stephanie with a start realised that she had somehow looped around the Capitol crowds and was back at the designated area where the rest of the tributes still where.

Stephanie searched desperately and sure enough after a few moments of thorough scouring she spotted the familiar head of honey hair bobbing somewhere near the rail and another head of wispy blonde curls wearing a distinctive lopsided bow beside it.

A fond smile slid across Stephanie's lips then as she felt soothed slightly by the sight of Frenkin as she always did.

Stephanie was just about to go forward towards Frenkin. Isa would probably have a panic attack about Stephanie's state of dress.

But Stephanie had barely put one foot forward when she was almost barrelled to the ground by someone stalking by her.

Stephanie managed to catch herself before she could go crashing to her knees before she snapped her spine straight and shot the offending person an indignant glare. She already looked a bloody state, she didn't need to be floored as well!

However the reprimand caught in her throat as the recognisable head of white hair turned and Ficen's violet gaze landed on Stephanie.

Stephanie considered there must be some irony in the situation that her stylist Ficen looked as much a complete mess as Stephanie did.

Ficen's ivory hair looked lank as it fell messily across her red-rimmed violet eyes. Her lips were visibly chapped and her clothes were wrinkled, covered in a thick layer of dust.

"What the hell happened to you?" the words had left Stephanie's mouth before she could even think to stop them.

She half-expected Ficen to glare at her sneeringly and explain that looking like a manic tramp was clearly the new fashion.

But as today had been a spectacle of the unexpected Ficen did the last thing Stephanie ever imagined her to do.

Ficen laughed. Cackled rather Stephanie thought was a more suitable description.

"She's here!" Ficen cried loudly.

Numerous people nearby turned and looked, audible gasps and whispers sounding as people took in the evident state of dress of both stylist and tribute.

However Stephanie was given very little time to consider the strange situation before Ficen had gestured to her again almost impatiently, an expression of slightly manic pride in her feral grin.

"She's here," Ficen repeated as she pointed to Stephanie before looking over Stephanie's shoulder to someone who was fast approaching.

Stephanie turned at the sound of the nearing footsteps, frowning in complete bafflement.

There was a flash of dark hair, an almost inhuman shriek and Stephanie cursed loudly as her back collided harshly with the floor.

Series of high-pitched screams rent the air as Capitolites dove to the sides and camera crews rushed forward eagerly to catch it all. Stephanie's last fleeting thought was that it was like The Chandelier Rooms all over again only this time Stephanie was a participant rather than a shocked observer.

But thought or any conscious form of it fled as two hands like steel curled around Stephanie's throat and Stephanie gazed up in shocked horror into Slena's eyes that burned with hatred.

Thanks to all those who continue to read!