Chapter One-Hundred-and-Fifty-Eight; Public Apology

"This is ridiculous," Stephanie complained, wincing as Bright nimbly untangled a snarled lock of her hair with her fingers, none too gently.

"The party is nearly over! What does it matter if my hair has fallen down now," Stephanie tried to reason unsuccessfully.

"Nearly over is not over Missy!" Isa said sternly, wagging a finger reproachfully at Stephanie. "You have to look your best at all times!" The escort proclaimed as though it were solemn law.

Stephanie huffed audibly as she sat glumly, while Bright and Lashes picked the pins from her hair that had held her previous elegant up-do in place.

After the unexpected arrival of the Capitol's favourite blue-eyed Gamemaker the party had been given a revival.

Event organisers could complain and despair all they wanted, but the truth was – the best events in the Capitol were the ones that didn't go to the plan. Capitolites loved drama, they practically thrived on it. It was why they found tributes like Stephanie; someone constantly steeped in scandal, so utterly enthralling.

The injection of hot gossipy energy to the winding down party, due to Seneca's lateness, had everyone renewing their efforts.

As such after the initial chaos had calmed slightly; the first thing Isa had latched onto was the fact that Stephanie looked an utter state. Isa had blamed Electra for 'setting such low standards for Stephanie to imitate'.

Stephanie had to admit that Electra did look a little worse for wear, her complexion pale and an edgy feel to the former Victor's demeanour. However the blue-haired woman had merely grinned infuriatingly at Isa, as the escort had Stephanie carted off to the nearest bathrooms.

As such found Stephanie slouched in a chair in the bathrooms – that looked more like actual rooms with seating areas and delicate fountain features. Isa was pacing irritably in front of her, her voice almost squeaky in its high-pitched annoyance.

"Now Stephanie pet, I know Electra is a bad influence but what you said – about Seneca Crane," Isa sucked in an appalled breath, shaking her head in horrified remembrance. "Stephanie I am very upset by your behaviour!" Isa finally cried, stopping in front of Stephanie as she waved her hands in front of her teary eyes.

Damn Stephanie thought as Bright and Lashes immediately abandoned Stephanie's hair, and moved to comfort their distressed friend.

At that moment the door to the bathroom burst inward and Stephanie almost groaned as Electra strode into the room, Silver hot on her heels with Ficen's silver case in his hand.

"Ficen's gone home. She had a headache," Electra announced shortly.

Isa gave a disconsolate wail, "it's your fault!" the escort cried accusingly at Electra. "And we need Stephanie to look pretty!"

Electra rolled her eyes, muttering a curse under her breath for patience.

"I thought this was the girl's bathroom?" Stephanie queried quickly, looking to Silver. She wasn't sure how much more of Isa's wailing she could take before she had a headache.

Silver sat the case down, shooting Stephanie a poorly concealed grimace. "It is, but desperate times call for desperate measures," he said solemnly, looking towards Stephanie's hair.

Stephanie frowned sharply. She didn't look that bloody bad!

"Can't you staple the hair to her head this time?" Electra said irritably, her arms folded crossly as she glowered at Stephanie.

Stephanie scowled back at the blue-haired woman. It was hardly her fault Seneca had showed up when he did and prevented her from giving her grovelling apology to King!

Silver scoffed as he tugged the brush through Stephanie's dark hair. "I don't know how she manages to ruin my perfect designs every time!" he exclaimed indignantly.

Stephanie's eyes widened as Isa continued to sniffle pitifully across from her.

When did everyone decide that now would be the perfect damn moment to start blaming her for everything?! Stephanie's thoughts demanded.

The reason Silver's intricate designs always came loose, and her make-up smudged with wrinkled clothing, was because Capitolites being the creatures of leisure they were, didn't experience half the things Stephanie had in their Capitol.

Stephanie doubted any of her stylists wouldn't look too good either if they were constantly fainting, denying murder allegations, and being utterly conflicted over a blue-eyed Gamemaker who was supposed to be trying to kill her, not damn well making love declarations!

Stephanie bowed her head slightly, willing her racing thoughts to stop before her heart would simply give out it was beating so fast.

"Alright that's enough," Electra said suddenly as she swept down into a crouch before Stephanie.

Her bright blue eye and clouded eye caught Stephanie's overwhelmed golden gaze. "How are you feeling?" Electra said, the lines on her face drawn tight with concern.

Stephanie swallowed, "I'll be fine," she mumbled, rubbing at the persistent dull ache in her chest. To be honest, Stephanie was surprised she hadn't fainted right there and then when Seneca had brushed past her.

She still remembered the moments directly following Seneca's clandestine arrival. One minute she had been practically cursing the man publically and the next he had materialised seemingly out of nowhere, as warm and real as could be when he brushed past her.

She had stood in some kind of locked stupor, not knowing what to do next, still clutching Frenkin's hand tightly within hers once Haymitch had dragged her away.

Haymitch and Electra had immediately launched into heated conversation with one another; over what Stephanie had no clue and could barely concentrate enough to try and distinguish.

The crowds surged around them, trying to get closer to Seneca Crane; Head Gamemaker and President Snow's son as reporters fired questions relentlessly at him.

Seneca barely batted an eyelid at the onslaught though. He effortlessly held himself confidently in front of the cameras; scoffing at concerns that he was ill, holding each person hanging on his every word and looking every inch the smug Gamemaker she knew him to be.

Stephanie gave herself a mental kick as she shrugged herself from her thoughts. Silver was still tugging relentlessly at her hair, determined that even if the world was to fall down around them this time, not a hair would fall out of place on Stephanie's head.

"Oh pet you have to hold it together just a little longer!" Isa said, with what was perhaps the most sympathetic and understanding look the escort had ever given her. Stephanie managed a weak smile as Bright and Lashes busily touched up her make-up.

"Just until you give your interview at least," Isa added encouragingly and Stephanie felt the smile wiped from her face as she froze.

"What?" Stephanie snapped, looking to Electra.

There was absolutely no way Stephanie would be able to finish her interview with King. She could barely concentrate the first time. How the hell was she meant to keep focused when she would know Seneca was somewhere in the room?

Electra looked back at Stephanie knowingly.

"You have to make a televised public apology," Electra told her.

Stephanie scowled darkly. Well, at least she knew why Isa had been so concerned about her looking a state before for the cameras. An apology would look better coming from her lips, if she didn't look half-wild.

Stephanie opened her mouth to make some sort of comment when Electra spoke across her sternly.

"Before you protest Stephanie, know that wasn't an option. You will be doing a public apology before we leave here tonight," the blue-haired woman enforced.

"What am I meant to say to King – " Stephanie began to hiss at Electra when the blue-haired woman cut across her.

"Not King."

Stephanie frowned confusedly for a moment, "what do you mean?"

"I mean you have to give a televised public apology – to Seneca Crane."

…

As the building look of horrified incredulity grew on Stephanie's face Electra hurriedly vacated the bathrooms, using every ounce of influence she had to get the team of squawking stylists and one very riled Isa out.

Electra considered Isa was probably going to try and claw her eyes out one day soon, as she practically hurtled the escort out of the bathrooms.

"Mentor – tribute talk – very important!" Electra enforced as she slammed the door shut in their incensed faces.

Electra turned swiftly.

Stephanie was standing, eyes wide in her face. Silver had managed to secure half her hair up, the rest trailing over her shoulders in soft waves.

"You're joking! – You can't be serious!" Stephanie said, her voice tinged with shrillness echoing off the marble of the empty room around her.

Everyone else was too busy out in the party, fawning over the newly arrived Seneca Crane.

Electra stalked towards the younger woman with grim determination.

"Yes, because I just love launching these very unfunny jokes on you to see you collapse," Electra snapped sarcastically, as she forced Stephanie to sit once more by pushing her down by the shoulders.

Electra could feel that Stephanie was trembling beneath her palms and she allowed her fierce look to lessen slightly. Electra crouched down again, picking up one of the stylist's abandoned brushes.

"Look up," Electra muttered.

Stephanie frowned but silently complied. And Electra finished applying the tinted gloss Bright had been painting on Stephanie's lips.

In the few minutes of silence Electra could clearly see the tide of emotions that was sweeping over Stephanie. Her lips were quivering, her face drawn tight, her eyes practically providing a slideshow of her fleeting emotions. She really was a terrible actress Electra thought as she set down the brush.

The raucous sounds of the livening party outside were only too clearly echoed within.

Electra sighed as she reached forth to tug a few locks loose from Silver's severe up-do. She let them fall by Stephanie's flushed cheek. It softened the 'Victor' look she had been portraying all night and instead made her look more like the 18 year old girl that she was. It would be more effective for the 'apology' she was going to give.

"Stephanie I don't know what to say to you. This is the reality. You have to do it," Electra said evenly.

Stephanie's eyes flashed to hers, immediately annoyed and angry, but the panic radiating off her was almost palpable.

"That's all you ever seem to damn well say Electra!" Stephanie snapped back, "That 'this is the Hunger Games and I have no choice'."

Electra glared darkly at her, feeling her temper rise. "Well I'm sorry I don't give you nice little lies or let your run away from the ugly things like Haymitch does sweetie, but…guess what, that's just tough! This is the truth. You're a tribute for the Hunger Games and that means having to do stuff you won't want to do, that you would never want to do but you have to. You have a better chance than probably any tribute before you – you have the damn Head Gamemaker and President's son on your side!"

Electra had watched the anger bleed away completely from Stephanie's face, her golden eyes growing round with self-reproach.

Electra sighed wearily, as the events of the night pressed down on her. She knew coming back to the Capitol after so many years would be hard. She just never expected it to be this hard.

"Not everyone has the luxury of choice like you do Stephanie, to choose between their dignity and their life. You get to keep both – be grateful," Electra said quietly.

Electra made to move then, having said her piece. But before she could even stand she felt herself enveloped in a warm embrace.

Electra smirked ruefully as a second passed before she returned the hug.

"I'm sorry Ellen," Stephanie murmured sincerely as she pulled back, her eyes rimmed with genuine tears. "I get so caught up in what I'm losing, of everything I could still lose, that I forget to be thankful for what I have."

Electra smiled, a real one, and not the grins she would throw at people to disarm or ruffle them.

"Now if you could just hold onto that sincerity and use it for your apology with Seneca you will have the whole Capitol eating out of the palm of your hand," Electra teased, grinning.

Stephanie scoffed laughingly, sniffing back her tears but the nervous gleam was back in her eyes.

She stood anxiously, smoothing her hands over the front of her dress and Electra stood with her.

"Stephanie what are you afraid of?" Electra asked quietly and Stephanie jolted sharply, tugging trembling fingers through her dark hair.

"Nothing," she replied distractedly, but Electra merely threw her a candid look and Stephanie relented with an eye roll.

"Seneca's changed," Stephanie said quietly, "I am afraid other people will be able to see that as clearly as I can see it now."

"You are afraid people would be able to tell its you? That you're the 'mystery woman' that is changing him as the rumours go?" Electra asked.

Stephanie's eyes widened in alarm. "People are actually saying that – that there's a woman changing him?!" Stephanie exclaimed.

Electra chuckled, shrugging unconcernedly. "Stephanie this is the Capitol; there are countless rumours flitting about at any one time. One of the gossip papers the other day reported that you and Frenkin were an item."

Stephanie's face immediately twisted with revulsion, "what?!" she squawked angrily, "what vile-minded individual – " Stephanie began heatedly when Electra held a hand up stopping her tirade and chuckling.

Stephanie visibly made an effort then to try and cool her riled temper at the thought of anyone printing something so outrageous about her and Frenkin; the boy she loved like a brother and who was only a kid!

"The important thing right now Stephanie is – can you do it?"

Stephanie frowned.

"I mean can you do this public apology?"

"I thought I had no choice?" Stephanie said dryly.

Electra smirked, "you don't," she agreed. "But there's a difference from it going successfully and me being forced to attend your trial next week because you attacked the Head Gamemaker," the blue-haired woman finished smirking.

Stephanie sighed, as she paused for a considering moment.

"When is it?" she asked quietly.

"Well, after Seneca has managed to beat back that horde of reporters out there," Electra said, shrugging lightly.

Stephanie chewed on her inner cheek anxiously, "and what, do I just stand about waiting for him?" she said, irked.

Electra smirked, "no, it's not a date Stephanie."

Stephanie sent her a fierce glare which Electra ignored as she continued.

"You just continue on as normal; remember the check-list agenda? Sponsor, alliance and Gamemaker. Go to your alliance."

Stephanie frowned lightly, "I don't know what the hell 'normal' is anymore," she confessed.

Electra snorted in agreement, "do you know that innate impulse you get deep down right before you decide to do something?"

Stephanie nodded, "yea?"

Electra smirked. "Ignore yours – do the exact opposite of whatever your mind tells you to do, and we should avoid any more major incidents, for tonight at least."

Stephanie chuckled ruefully as she shook her head, her bare arms wrapped loosely around her torso. In the next moment she fixed Electra with another sincere look though.

"Ellen I just want to say sorry for…well I guess I've been pretty difficult ever since you arrived. But especially for this party tonight. I know you're trying to help, and I'm grateful – truly."

Electra smiled slightly as a vague twinge of guilt assaulted her as she remembered her conversation with Wirin. Electra didn't know what Wirin had planned that involved Stephanie Trindlesworth though she knew that anything including Wirin Xavier always ended in tragedy. She knew that Wirin hated and despised Seneca Crane – the pseudo-brother he pretended to adore to the rest of the Capitol. Electra had lain beside him in bed years ago listening to him ranting on and on about how much better he was than Seneca and how his father never noticed. That's why the idea that Wirin was so clearly involved in the situation with Stephanie and Seneca deeply troubled Electra. But what could she say? She couldn't warn Stephanie? Her hands were tied, for if she uttered a word…Eve…

"I'm sorry if I drove you to drink earlier," Stephanie teased weakly, disturbing Electra's thoughts, "I tend to have that effect on people – ask Haymitch."

There was an undeniable flicker of sadness in Stephanie's face then and Electra felt the vague feeling of guilt bury deeper.

She truly wished she could warn Stephanie to be wary of Wirin then. But she couldn't. She only hoped that Stephanie would be able to see through the unctuous front Wirin was so adept at showing.

"It wasn't your fault. Me – drinking tonight; that was just…bad memories," Electra replied uncomfortably.

Stephanie looked towards her sympathetically, understanding warming her eyes before she smirked gently.

"Smile! It's a party! – You're meant to be having the time of your life," she quipped and they both chuckled.

"Are you going to be alright?" Electra asked after a moment, her gaze resting meaningfully on Stephanie.

Stephanie scoffed a little bitterly. "One grovelling public apology to Seneca Crane coming right up!" she said sardonically.

Electra snorted and Stephanie shrugged carelessly, continuing in a tone of forced casualness.

"I don't know why I have to apologise at all really? – I mean all I did was speak the truth," Stephanie said, "besides I've called him much worse to his face."

Electra chuckled, "I gotta say Stephanie – I admire your attitude, even if it does get you into trouble most times."

Stephanie blasted an incredulous "ha! – My attitude!" she added meaningfully.

"Yea, yea," Electra said ruefully, shoving the slightly taller girl ahead, "get out there," she added as they made for the door.

Stephanie paused however just as they reached it, her slight touch on Electra's elbow stalling her.

"I was afraid what people would see if Seneca and I were forced to have an interview together," Stephanie confessed, looking to Electra with wide golden eyes.

Electra gazed at Stephanie for a long appraising moment.

"See what?" Electra finally said, "his feelings…or yours?"

Stephanie inhaled sharply, already reaching for the door handle.

"Both," she whispered, before she brushed past Electra out the door.

Thanks to girlworthfightingfor for the review; I'm loving the intense Gamemaker stare off idea; :P How's the shipping now? :P