3th Chapter – Butterflies don't have happy endings
I try to go unobserved and reach my room to rest , after training marathones, but Trimphet stops me on the stairs, more excited and upset than ever.
oh, for Godness's sake Keira! she saw the video, judging from her tone.
Trimphet, would you mind to wait until tomorrow for the preach? You know, I'm quite tired and.. she's not even listening to me, she's a river in flood by now.
what the hell were you thinking? Are you going to get yourself killed before going into the arena?!
Fine. I wanted this all things considered, didn't I?
look, it's been a slip and..
Keira Ethan's deep and agry voice interrupts me for the second time in two minutes.
Ethan, before you say anything. I'm sorry, I kind of lost control Ethan takes a minute off to weght up what I said, but he pierces me with his look.
maybe the first time I spoke with you you were watching hummingbirds, so I guess I'll have to tell you again a couple of things, and the first place goes to "you can't afford to lose control"
I heard you, Ethan, and I'm sorry. You're absolutely right, I still have a lot of things to learn, and you're the right teacher, so starting from now, I'm going to class everyday. it's worth the shot to try to chill him out.
but to be honest, this is not the right zone for hummingbirds, even if I wanted to I couldn't do birdwatching I dare to laugh, wrong choice.
this is not a game! Have you got a clue of what you've done? he starts to shout, and this intimidating tone makes close my mouth.
I tell you to do your best to get some allies in the attempt to survive in that bloody jungle and what you do?! You don't give a damn about anyone, you screw things up! But oh, here's the best part coming, you have the brilliant idea of ending on top of the list of one of the most terribile victors of all time I sit down in silence, passive to him letting it all out.
he got on my nerves..
if you're trying to justify yourself, you're wasting your time! Not even a victor would be so stupid and uncautious to fall out with a player like him! I'd want to go rest, and no one gives me the chance to. What's done is done, I can't make it right for now.
what am I supposed to do, apologize? of course it's ironic, I'm not going to give him another satisfaction. He's the moron, I'm the victim here.
oh, watch out for that one! After you humiliated him and slashed him during a training session, you apologize and all you'll obtain from a guy like him is a trident blow right trough your chest. there was no need to be so sarcastic, a simple 'no' would have had the same effect.
so what may I.. I murmur shrugging my shoulders, and not ending the phrase, I'm tired for that too.
so, you stay as far as you can from Finnick Odair, am I understood? And I'm not just talking about the corridors, expecially in the arena, Keira, for heaven's sake, stay the hell away from him! ok,this one's quite scary. I didn't kill anyone after all.. yet.
I nod again, in complete resignation.
no, I want you to say it aloud.. have you opened your difficult auricles?
I did. I mutter to please him. Meanwhile Trimphet's never stopped scawling at me, and she keeps tapping her annoying heel on the murble stairs.
you know Kiera, it seems to me to be back at one year ago she confesses me with a little rage.
I wish we really were there, Trimp , trust me everything was easier, the only problems I had waking up in the morning were keeping Andrew from grazing his knees and escaping from mom's bowling.
we've already had Katniss who didn't give a damn about rules and ignored advice, but at least she didn't p*ss off a victor! will they ever stop casting that up at me?
everyone has his peculiarity, right? what a stupid things to say! All I surely don't need is them to preach me again. Trimphet gives me a troubled look a shakes her head energically.
now remember, tommorow, the interview and the assessment. Why don't you shoot an arrow to the Capitol's bigwig? Ethan says ironically, but I can sense a bit of concern in his voice.
well, bow isn't really my thing, but maybe if that's a trident.. I attempt to joke, epic failure. No one laughs, they all just sniff.
Ethan where's Andrew?
who, the brother you're efficiently protecting? why can he be sarcastic and I can't?
no, the one who laughs when I joke
he's in his room, he came back shattered from Katniss, Mags and Peeta's lessons, you know, he worked better than you
well what can I say, children socialize more..
Keira, thinking about it, he might actually be an advantage rather than a weakness he disappears, leaving me there with an ambiguous answer.
Before the final assessment, we need to face Caesar's interview, and it's even harder than training according to me, getting the mass to like me has never been my thing. Trimphet literally gets me off the bed and brings me to meet my stilist, Glendall who's kind of self centered a little crazy I guess, but he's a total genius.
so Keira, are you the one who disfigured Finnick Odair's face? why do I suspect that this will end on my memorial stone as the summary of my life?
guilty I just say.
so you're like butterflies who bravely get closer to light? God no, nothing so fiery.
butterflies don't end so well
it depends on the species.. dear he looks at me up and down, thinking about what to do.
Trimphet, don't you see a mermaid going towards fishers' net too? this is even worse than the butterfly
I actually see her more like Eris, Caos's Goddess she admits, oh that is not true, I'm a lovely girl. Glendall caresses his beard.
why not both?
won't I be "girl on fire" style, will I?
oh no, special effects are not only Cinna's prerogative, you know? should I tell him that if he used water instead of fire, he could always be accused of plagiarism? No, it's better to mind my own business
Kiera, your attitude is more important than the dress Ethan intervenes, thank God. Glendall's turning me into a 17th century mermaid, splashing water here and there, so I really appreciate his interruption.
well suggestions' stall is officially open I declare, I really need help righ now, I suck in public sometimes.
suggestion number one, avoid any question about Finnick. You do not talk about other tributes. If they ask you, you try to change subject. Altough I don't see how it could get any worse, don't try to make it. mm fair enough, seems easy, too.
on what do I have to focus?
leave family out of this, too. Already seen, it's not moving anymore
good, you're reducing my repertory to zero
scary them off, that's the trick. You have to scary them and intrigue them what does that mean? How can I scary them and not get myself killed at the same time?
ooh, you can really be clear..
I find myself waiting in the "backstage", where you can see the weirdest things, fuits of stylists' work. Andrew looks like a crazy hatter, and I don't get what it has to do with him.
Keira, what do I have to say? nice question, I wish I knew it too
just, be yourself, ok?
this is a stuck phrase and it doesn't help me. I look at him in wonder while he crosses his arms. Since when is he so integrated? I lost the moment he clearly graduated.
I know, darlig. But I guarantee that I'm in a worse situation, you're lovely and you'll do better than I wil, trust me
you're cool too these are the moments worth the patience I've had all these years.
yeah, with you, who are my brother, but keep calm, they're going to adore you out there at least I hope so. If they did nothing to pull him off this killing game, the least they can do is showing him respect.
The arena will be the real problem.
Peeta and Katniss show off, one normally dressed and the other with a huge wedding dress, surprising everyone. Andrew is taken aback, I've noticed he has a thing for Katniss, and straight away he goes after her to play with the dress's little feathers.
Keira, come here and look a this! here it is, what I wanted to avoid, but with Andrew in nearly impossibile to escape, so I come close to the 'girl on fire'
am I safe or your dress will catch fire too? she smiles back and caresses Andrew's head, her affability's showing, that's a pity she's here too.
he's your brother, insn't he? I nod smiling proudly at Andrew.
yep, it sounds familiar to you, doesn'it? she sadly smiles reminding that day.
it's been easier for me, I knew my sister was safe at home that helps, I'm sure. Peeta comes along in the meantime, probably to report something he heard around, he looks suspicious.
Katniss, Johanna thinks your dress is granted he whispers to her.
she's not wrong. But I didn't choose it
Snow did, right? she nodes with a nasty look in her eyes. I have the feeling that Snow imposed her more than a wedding dress.
he has a macabre sense of humor..
congratulations anyway she adds, hitting my arm slowly.
for what? I was busy looking around, observing Enobaria smelling the air, sometimes I think she's not completely in herself, she's too weird. Who would have fangs done to volunteer in the Hunger Games? No normal human beings, that's the answer. How does she eat anyway? It must be so difficult..
you fought with Finnick , you've been brave his name brings me right back to reality.
I tried to stop her, for her own good Peeta exlpains her, he has no duty towards me, why is he justifying?
Peeta, she does what she feels to do, not our choice she quite knows something about it.
fine, but our actions have repercussions on people around us
and the award for the most predictabile phrase goes to.. she point at Peeta, and his face really makes us laugh.
anyway I'm still thinking if that was more stupid or brave
may I hazard an answer? oh no, semigod has just decided to rejoin humans.
hi Finnick
Peeta Andrew gets close to him and start studying the knick-knacks of his warrior outfit, perfect. He's another one who never listens to anyone. I told him to stay away from that guy, and he plays with him.
and who would you be? calm down, Andrew can do fine himself.
she's my sister, and she's not stupid! And she will prove it to you ok, he could have spared this one, but he makes him snigger and he moves him with a caress. Ok now I've seen everything.
look right to my face, honey I raise my eyes and lean it on his cut on the cheek uninterested.
we were fighting Odair, I didn't attack you in your sleep even if it could be my only chance, given the circumstances.
you can always try, you know which my room is his voice's lower, is he winking?
come on Finnick, is it appropriate? Katniss reprimands him, but he still stares at me. Katniss's dress gains his attentions.
are you kidding? A wedding dress? What a strange thing. he comments sarcastically.
I didn't believe that either, but appearently I was going to get married.. what about you? I like this girl.
is it really necessary? Annie's everywhere. the girl Mags offered for, what a braveheart.
she was supposed to be here, am I wrong? my voice is a little over the top, gaining a nasty look.
yes but she's not.. so help yourself if you want to.. he's about to go with his annoying smirky smile wchich became his target.
I won't let him go this way, despite what I told Ethan. Sometimes it's just too much to take.
oh god no, not a chance! I could never be as brave as she's been. I would never sent someone in those conditions to die for me this words seem the lever of a drawbridge, he hurls himself at me, making me crush on the wall.
you do not know anything about her! Don't you dare to name her again
Finnick, give it a rest Peete intervenes jerking him. But he doesn't listen, I hope there are no cameras here, or I'm screwed.
listen carefully, honey, I'll tell you now, you'll be my first, so you'd better start running. he leaves angrily.
ok, now I got it, that thing was stupid
are you okay?
oh yeah, I'm used to that by now
you know Kiera, you and Katniss have this bad habit of following your impulses under rage's effects.
appearently we can't help it
letter K would be the problem, maybe.. Peeta sniggers going away.
Unfortunately we're not allowed to see the other interviews, we're just pulled in. so I have to stay here waiting for the guy before me to come out, Peeta in my case, who informs me that people are excited, he wishes me god luck barely touching my shoulder.
As I go in, light is blinding, I hear people talking and screaming aloud. Caesar welcomes me with a huge smile, grabbing my hand and leadin me to the centre of the stage.
ladies and gentleman here she is, the Quell's rare bredd, Keira Bradshaw! an unexpected applause comes out.
so, my dear, are you emotioned? not a first hard question. I can make it for now.
well, I'll think about emotion as soon as I'll figure out how to stand on these terrible heels Caesar fake laughs and continues.
this year we moved again, another unexpected and brave volunteer, congratulations he kisses my hand.
what's family for then? what did Ethan say? Not to mention family, right. But am I supposed to do when he is bringing that out?
the Quell is a special occasion though, so we appreciate more what you've done yeah, I know that myself. This time odd were absolutely not in my favour.
I just thought that my brother could dismantle that arena piece by peace, literally, and we would have been forced to pay, so.. I came to keep an eye on him we all know someone has to die to maintain that arena, behind this irony there's pain and anxiety, and everyone plays dumb, so there's nothing else I can do but being sarcastic, it helps.
altough courage seems to be one of your virtues, eh? Caesar encourages the crow by screaming the last words.
Oh no, I know what he's going to say. I'm basically talking about the two subjects I shoul've avoided. Ethan will be proud of me.
the line with inconscience is so smooth who am I kidding? I act as a philopher in public, and I'm stubborn in my life, I'm a living controversion.
you're right, and here's where opionions get separated about last day's episode. here we are, careful what you say, Keira.
Keira he pauses to give the question more suspence.
why did you decide you didn't like Finnick the way he used to be? everyone shuts up, waiting for my answer. I'm waiting too, simply because I don't know what to say.
well, that was an accident, I've already told Finnick I'm sorry, I did not really mean it because Finnick's actually a good guy I managed to pronounce the entire phrase without stammering, just like I rehearsed it in front of the mirror.
I don't buy it for a second! Come on, dear. he laughs at people to obtain their support.
there is not always a novel behind everything, Caesar another pearl of wisdom, I should start consider writing a book "pearl of wisdom for the entire world but me" I could become a billionaire.
ooh that'd be a pity! We will all be focused watching you two in there, seems that you and Finnick give off sparks, literally. he hits me on the back, trying to involve me in a conversation I don't clearly like. There won't be more to watch if he'll kill me as soon as he has the chance.
I hope your courage will be rewarded Keira, our best wishes I grab the chance to disappear after the moment I thank him, leaving the chair to Andrew.
Author's corner: here it is, hope you enjoy it!:D