TRIPLE UPDATE!

Chapter One-Hundred-and-Forty-Two; Riddles

"Look, don't take it out on me because your true love story hasn't worked out. This is the Capitol, the Hunger Games – remember? Not exactly the best place to start a romance." Electra looked down at Stephanie, her arms folded across her chest.

Stephanie ran a hand through her hair, shutting her eyes for a brief moment. Her eyes felt gritty from the all the tears that she had already shed.

"What do you want Electra?" Stephanie asked wearily.

Electra sighed, plopping herself down on the bed beside Stephanie. She smirked slightly, eyeing Stephanie almost sympathetically.

"Call me Ellen," she said ruefully and Stephanie arched a brow at her.

"Okay. What do you want Ellen?" Stephanie revised wryly.

Electra's smirk deepened. "To help if I can."

"You can't. No one can. Everytime someone tries to help me I only hurt them."

"Hmm," Electra mused thoughtfully. "Can I join this pity party too or do I need a special invite? – Say just being dumped by my fiancé?"

Stephanie glared balefully up at the other woman.

"Why do you want to help me?"

"Because helping you helps Haymitch and I care for Haymitch. And because helping you also helps Seneca. And then maybe I can finally pay off my debt to the little brat."

"So you're ultimately only doing this to help yourself," Stephanie surmised shrewdly.

Electra shrugged casually, "of course. What other reason would anyone do anything for?"

Stephanie frowned, eyeing the blue-haired woman, with her half ravished face before her. "You really are selfish," Stephanie stated bluntly.

Electra shrugged indolently. "I've never claimed to be anything otherwise," she replied untroubled.

Stephanie swallowed painfully then as she rolled over and sat up, leaning against the headboard.

"I've been selfish too," Stephanie murmured, pulling her knees up to her chin, "only I was too blind to see it."

Stephanie blinked at the sudden film of tears that had ghosted across her vision. "I've destroyed Haymitch," Stephanie whispered brokenly.

Electra arched a brow, "destroyed him?" she echoed a little incredulously. "No, you haven't," she corrected firmly.

Stephanie's head snapped up, readying to make a sharp retort. "You don't understand – " Stephanie managed to get out before Electra spoke on.

"Believe me I know Haymitch. I've known him for ten years. The morning of your Reaping I had to drag him onto the train he was too drunk to stand straight or even see right. I don't mind telling you now – I was worried about him. I genuinely thought this would be his last year."

Stephanie arched a brow and Electra's expression grew grim.

"There's only so much a person can take. And I truly believe that Haymitch was reaching his limit. He was only a kid when he began mentoring – younger than you or I was for our Games. I didn't help much what with this and all," Electra gestured flippantly towards her face. "There were only two things that kept Haymitch going; hate and guilt. Hating Seneca. Mentoring his tributes so as they would survive, not just the Games - but Seneca. The past five years hasn't been about tributes facing the Games really. It's been Haymitch versus Seneca. And then there would be the inevitable guilt when Haymitch couldn't save another. So you see Haymitch was already damaged goods when he came to you…"

"I don't care about any of that," Stephanie stated vehemently.

Electra smirked ruefully. "I know you don't. But what I'm trying to say is, last night when Haymitch rang me there was something different to his voice. And now that I'm here I can see it in him to. I wouldn't go as far to say there's a spring in his step or a sparkle in his eye," Electra finished sardonically. "But there is something different about him. And you're the cause of it. You haven't destroyed him, pretty much the opposite actually."

Stephanie sniffed back her tears as she bit her bottom lip. "Do you really mean that?" she asked Electra sceptically.

Electra shrugged fixing Stephanie with a frank look, "I have no reason to lie to you."

Stephanie's eyes narrowed shrewdly, "how would I know that?"

Electra shot Stephanie a deadpan look as she sighed heavily, rearranging herself more comfortably on Stephanie's bed.

"Stephanie I never had a family," Electra began openly and Stephanie blinked in surprise, not having expecting Electra to say that. "I didn't know my parents and I was raised by kindly neighbours. But I was never part of their family."

Stephanie frowned thoughtfully, listening intently to Electra's words.

"I'm not asking for pity," Electra added hurriedly. "I had a sister though, or rather the daughter of the family that raised me; Janey. We were as close as real sisters, and I did love her. She was reaped when we were 14 and she died pretty quickly in the Games."

Stephanie's brows were knitted together in confusion, not knowing exactly where Electra was going with her reminiscing.

Electra sighed as though gathering her words before she fixed Stephanie with a candid look. "I cried for Janey when she died. I miss her, every day. But I would never have volunteered for her. Never."

Stephanie's look darkened, "Electra I don't know what you're trying to tell me," she said. "You're speaking in riddles like a damn Capitolite," she added sardonically.

Electra chuckled before she shrugged. "I told you about Janey to tell you about me. You asked me how you would know if I was lying or not? – The simple fact is that everyone lies."

Stephanie looked ready to protest and Electra held up a finger admonishingly as she grinned widely. "If you try to tell me you haven't lied in your entire life I'll grow a pair of wings myself."

Stephanie rolled her eyes slightly in exasperation before fixing Electra with a frosty look. "So that's your defence to my question about how can I know if you're lying or not? – Everyone lies. That's not a very positive defence," Stephanie remarked dryly.

"No that's not my defence. My defence is this. I look out for myself Stephanie. I always have, I always will. I'm not cruel, nor do I actively seek to hurt anybody – I loved Janey. But I always look out for myself and so I would never have volunteered for her. So how can you tell if I'm lying? – Everyone lies. But with me it's much simpler. Everything I say or don't say, every truth or lie I divulge, whatever I reveal or don't reveal to another has and always will be for my own gain."

Stephanie held Stephanie's eyes unwaveringly and Stephanie swallowed thickly.

"Do you realise how cold, how utterly heartless that makes you sound?" Stephanie breathed, astonished.

Electra shrugged one shoulder as she averted her gaze to an insignificant patch of ground, the ruined half of her face turned away from Stephanie.

"Sometimes it's better to be heartless," Electra said quietly.

Stephanie's brow furrowed as she reached out a hand readying to gently tap Electra's loosely clasped hands. But Electra snapped to attention once more, her gaze focused on Stephanie.

"I'm giving you the same advice now," Electra said suddenly.

"What?" Stephanie blurted out.

"Seneca Crane loves you," Electra said bluntly.

"I thought you were of the same opinion as Haymitch," Stephanie remarked sardonically, "that Seneca was incapable of love."

"Stephanie I am the first person to admit that I am selfish. I look out for myself, like I have done my entire life. So believe me I can easily recognise when a person is doing something for selfless reasons. From what you tell me, Seneca has been displaying a lot of unselfish like tendencies towards you, and in my experience that can only mean one thing – he cares for you."

Stephanie took a measured breath as she ruminated over Electra's words. "So?" she looked to Electra, arching a questioning brow.

"Use it."

"What?" Stephanie snapped, fixing Electra with an incredulous look.

"You heard me. Use the fact that Seneca loves you to your own advantage."

Stephanie paled in anger indignation as her eyes flared angrily, her heartbreak for a moment fading to the back of her mind.

"I would never do something like that!" Stephanie declared vehemently.

"Well then enjoy what little time you have left," Electra shot back airily.

"What do you mean?" Stephanie demanded frostily.

"Seneca will force you," Electra informed her.

"He has given me his word that he would never," Stephanie refuted.

Electra shrugged, endlessly at ease. "Fine then, maybe you're right, and he wouldn't force you. Haymitch thinks he will though," Electra conceded casually. "But whether he will force you or not – that still doesn't stop you from using the fact that he loves you for your own advantage."

"I would never do that," Stephanie seethed.

Amusement flashed in Electra's one good blue eye, "wow – protecting Seneca and not wanting to hurt his little feelings." Sarcasm was palpable in her words as she grinned.

Stephanie felt rage hiss through her veins. "No," Stephanie denied with as much calm as she could muster. "I would never do something like that because I don't believe that anything would ever be worth me demeaning myself like that over. I could never degrade myself like that! You say you understand doing things for yourself, well then understand this Ellen. Seneca asked me before. He propositioned me in return for my life and I told him I would rather die."

Electra's eyes widened marginally in shock, but Stephanie wasn't sure if it was genuine or not. "Strong words," Electra mused thoughtfully, "but I wonder if you would have been so quick to refuse his offer if he had had a gun pressed to your head at that very moment," Electra questioned shrewdly as she leaned forward, tilting her head questioningly.

"There are things more important to me than life," Stephanie spat angrily.

Electra scoffed, tossing her head as she leaned back abruptly. "There is nothing more important than your life. If you die, everything is over. What use is your pride and dignity to you then?"

"We all die eventually and I would rather be remembered with dignity than as the scandalous Stephanie Trindlesworth."

Electra shook her head, smirking grimly. "Memories fade." Electra stated bluntly. "You'll be dead, your last great sacrifice dying with you."

"I won't do it," Stephanie stated quietly yet venomously, her eyes smouldering darkly. Since their conversation had begun Stephanie's dubious and swaying opinion of Electra was fast plummeting.

"Fine then," Electra said, and the slightest hint of frustration tinged her tone. "If you won't use Seneca's love for your own gain then what about others."

Stephanie furrowed her brow, "others? What the hell do you mean ot – " Stephanie's words trailed off.

A beat of silence fell as Stephanie's expression smoothed.

Others…

"You want me to demean myself so get Seneca to release you from your debt to him."

Electra's expression turned cold. "You even sound like Seneca – debt to him."

Stephanie swallowed, "I'm not defending Seneca! I completely abhor what he's done," Stephanie declared fiercely before she narrowed her eyes scathingly at Electra. "But that doesn't make what you are asking of me any less disgusting. You're not trying to help me at all; it's all about yourself."

That grim smirk lit Electra's lips again, "I told you Stephanie," she began genially. "I always think of myself first. I don't try to deceive and I never make any secret of my intentions, so don't be shocked when you discover the truth."

Stephanie scowled; had that been what this whole confounding conversation had been about?!

"And I've told you as well – I'm still not doing it!"

Electra sighed lightly, shrugging as though it were something inconsequential. "Fine. I just hope one day that you won't be forced into a position where you have no choice." Electra warned.

Stephanie scowled at the blue-haired woman, briefly thinking how both Haymitch and Seneca were nothing short of mad to trust this woman!

"I thought you were meant to be Haymitch's friend!" Stephanie snapped almost accusatorily.

"I am," Electra immediately replied, "I care about him and don't want to see him get hurt."

"You utter hypocrite!" Stephanie fairly screeched and Electra rolled her eyes. "You don't want Haymitch to get hurt yet then why would you tell me to go behind his back with Seneca?"

"I never said to take it that far, but a little false encouragement can bring huge favours. I mean from what you told me it seems Seneca would do just about anything."

Stephanie was seething. She had heard the rumours about Electra's complete lack of any moral scruples for years now flitting about their district. Stephanie had rather naively pitied Electra a little, as she used to look on the picture of her that was hung in the factory. Shining blue eyes, sunshine golden hair and a beaming smile that could brighten rooms.

Stephanie still remembered the first time she had caught a glimpse of Electra's scarred face. Her mother had sent her to fetch some medicinal alcohol for her father to help with the ulcers occurring where his arm used to be.

Electra had almost bowled Stephanie over as she had rushed past her in the opposite direction with a bottle clutched to her. Stephanie had felt so sorry then for her, thinking how Electra had to practically race along the streets late at night just because she wished to avoid being seen.

But now Stephanie only felt a building resentment for Electra. Stephanie considered ruefully how she once thought that only the Capitolites could garner her hate. Yet here was Electra – Ellen Hocol; a girl from her own district who had faced what Stephanie had over twenty-four years ago and yet Stephanie had never felt so distanced from anybody in her life.

At least, when Stephanie couldn't fathom how Isa could let her little green-eyed daughter watch the Games, she could attribute that to the fact that Isa was a Capitolite; practically a different species.

But with Electra? Stephanie had always thought she should immediately identify with the blue-haired woman, sympathise and empathise with her, understand her motives and feelings. Yet in those moments Electra Hocol seemed an even more foreign species than the Capitolites.

"Wasn't it false encouragement what messed up your face," Stephanie said quietly as she raised her eyes defiantly to Electra.

Stephanie knew it was a low blow and she was already berating herself for uttering it. But Electra's words had riled her beyond measure.

There was a flicker of a shadow across Electra's face and Stephanie felt another twinge of guilt.

"No. I always delivered on my promises and still do. What happened to me was unfair."

Stephanie ducked her head for a brief moment, feeling a hot shame burn in her cheeks.

"What does that mean?" Stephanie muttered.

Electra chuckled ruefully. "It means you can live by the rules, be proud and dignified like you are and you still lose."

"It all depends what you consider losing to mean," Stephanie countered stubbornly.

Electra chuckled ruefully as she shook her head. "Well, well we're back to this life versus dignity again. I can see you are just about suicidal," she commented sardonically before her expression sobered as she made to stand. "However I hope it is never another person's life you are forced to bargain with. Then what would you do?"

Electra made to move then away from Stephanie.

"Seneca said he would never threaten another's life in order to force me," Stephanie called. She wasn't sure what had made her say it, what had made her defend the blue-eyed Gamemaker.

"And you believe him?" Electra asked glancing over her shoulder, her one clear blue eye bright with almost curiousity.

Stephanie steeled her resolve. "I do."

Electra sketched a circumspect brow as amusement twitched at the corners of her lips. "And I thought you were the one who wanted to get back with Haymitch," she mused softly.

"What?! – Of course I do!"

Electra shrugged, averting her gaze casually. "Of course. Just seems you have a lot of…belief, trust – you know things like that in Seneca Crane."

Stephanie scoffed scathingly. "That's a bit rich coming from the woman who was telling me to lead him on barely a few minutes ago."

"The difference is that what I advised you to do would have been an act, it would have been false. But – what you have; your belief is genuine. You truly trust Seneca. I could hear it in your voice when you speak about him."

"You seem to be able to tell a lot from people's voices," Stephanie sneered, feeling unbearably uncomfortable.

Electra turned to face her again as she looked sharply down at Stephanie with her arms folded.

"I spent months with my entire face covered in bandages in a Capitol hospital. I learnt to read voices like others learn to read expressions on a person's face. I could read the dread in the doctor's voice when he told me even with all the Capitol technology my face was ruined. I could hear the horrified disgust in one of my lover's voices when he visited me and saw the damage," Electra paused to scoff scathingly. "And I read the absolute finality in that little brat's voice that assured me he would most definitely hold my life ransom until I paid my debt to him," Electra finished quietly.

"What do you read from my voice then?"

"Fear."

"I'm always afraid, since the moment I set foot in this Capitol."

"Yes but are you afraid of losing the old or facing the new?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Stephanie snapped.

"And yet you do," Electra murmured.

"I love Haymitch Abernathy. I would have married him and spent the rest of my life with him," Stephanie stated as she glared blackly at the other woman.

"I can tell you love him. There's no need to convince me. And I want you to get back together with him – it would do him good. I already told you that. You haven't destroyed him as you believe."

Stephanie threw her hands up in the air as she rolled her eyes. "You want me to get back together with Haymitch, you want me to lead Seneca on – I can't figure you out!"

Electra laughed then as she turned to make for the door. "Stephanie I am the simplest person in this Capitol," she said condescendingly. "I am compassionate until it hinders me, loving until it hurts me, helpful until it endangers me."

Stephanie rubbed her head, feeling a pounding headache coming on. "I need time to think about this."

Electra hummed contemplatively, paused at the threshold of the door. "Don't take too long…" she warned.

Stephanie's sigh verged on a snarl. "And what the hell is that supposed to mean? – Could you possibly speak plainly for about a minute? I'm getting a headache trying to understand you!"

Electra laughed again, leaning comfortably against the doorframe. "Nothing, just that silence between couples can be very loud. I mean you don't feel you can confide in Haymitch any more…"

"That's not true!"

"So you would feel comfortable going in now and telling him how your date with Seneca went."

"It wasn't a damn date."

"I don't know. It sounded awfully cosy when you described it to me."

"I regret telling you everything," Stephanie muttered darkly.

"If you're going to try and tell me it was the drink, I'll know you're lying. I can tell when people are lying by their voice alone," Electra grinned wickedly.

Stephanie rolled her eyes as she fixed the blue-haired woman with a deadpan look. "Liar. No you can't."

Electra laughed. "No I can't," she agreed, "but I can with you. It's easy to tell when you're lying. You weren't built for deception or selfishness."

"I'm glad to hear it," Stephanie muttered sardonically.

"Unfortunately people like you don't tend to have long life spans," Electra muttered.

"I thought you were helping me survive," Stephanie arched a brow.

"I'll help you survive, of course," Electra agreed genially.

"As long as it helps you," Stephanie added shrewdly.

Electra grinned. "Precisely."

"You know that makes you probably one of the most untrustworthy people in this Capitol," Stephanie said as she ruefully retracted her earlier assessment, when she had considered Electra quite the opposite.

"On the contrary, it makes me the most predictable and hence trustworthy," Electra countered, "because I will never do anything you don't expect."