Here's the surprise chapter! Thank you if you came back to read it!
-Miche
Chapter 6: Parties
It was well into the night when I heard knocking. My door surely was loud whenever people knocked on it. After the third sequence of jingle bells, I finally got up to see non other than Finnick at my door.
"Seriously, what is it with you and wanting to be in my room?" I was getting a good night of sleep for once this week, and here Mr. Annoying was stealing my time.
"We have been invited to a party." He leant on my frame.
"Its ten o'clock at night-"
"Correction..." he let himself in and checked my bedside table. "It's ten-thirteen."
"It's ten either way."
"Either way, I'll be back in thirty minutes, Leo is currently rummaging through his wardrobe of dresses, and I am waiting for my suit to come in."
"Where are we going?" I asked him those thirty minutes later.
"An after party held in your honour- well you and the other twenty three tributes of this year's games."
"What? An after party?"
"Some rich guy is holding it for you all, and is expecting you to show."
"What about Grey?"
"He wasn't invited." Why wasn't he... "Sometimes its not all of us they like."
"Who's hosting?"
"You'll figure it out." He shut the door.
Leo and the rest of my make up team came in just after finnick left. They basically striped me of my pajamas, hosed me down in my shower, and primed me up just to cover me with makeup and perfume. They brought in a garment bag last after Monticello powdered my dress was floor length to begin with, and Strapless and sparkly all the way down.
The only break in the mirroring glitter was when it reached my knees and allowed for the tulle underneath to show. Leo gave me a creamy white pair of heels to stand out a little (as if the dress didn't already), and had my hair brought up in curls and pins. The only jewelry was my necklace Saxon gave me and a pair of stud earrings with many diamonds to shine.
When I had my last puff of powder and perfume applied, Finnick came in buffed and polished as well. Later in the Limo he told me he thought it would be quite funny if we matched and therefore asked Leo for a suit to match me. Leo obliged and sent over to his team a cream white suit and tie with a silver shirt and white tie. On the left breast of the jacket, a simple gold pattern was stitched in.
"Really?" I said seeing him look at me. It took a moment for him to respond. "Finnick-!"
"Well, I just thought it would be suit." he punned. I didn't find it so funny.
He grabbed my hand and guided me to the elevator as all Leo, Deary and Abby followed us. Leo taking extra care of the loose curls that hung off one side of my head, Deary checking over with us who would be there, and Abby to provide and extra body and to be the stable 'I don't want to be there' one. It was a great group to fit in a smallish elevator made of glass.
Our Limo came and got us as soon as we left the training/tribute center, and drove us to the after party location.
"The Haydenwood suites!" Deary gloried as we pulled around the building's corner. "Only the most important, famous, and wealthy people live in those select apartments-."
"I thought that's what the capitol was for." I whispered back to Finnick, earning a grin and snicker.
"-The host of this evening owns one of the eight penthouses, all located on the top two floors. Each suite itself has two levels with a full kitchen, a master suite, and an upper loft for studying. Some people choose to use the lofts for other purposes but they are beautiful and spacious nonetheless." Every little squeal and giggle that came from her I blacked out as we started stopping near the entrance where paparazzi waited.
Each person who stepped out and onto the sidewalk was shot hundreds of times by the strobe lights of cameras. I was almost blinded by the first glimpses when a chauffeur opened my door for me. Everyone shouted my name and tried getting the closest and best shot of me. I only felt a hand guided me through the front doors and release me once in the main elevators.
I sighed and looked to see our whole group together once more, Finnick begin the hand's owner. He looked at me and smiled.
"You're acting pretty well for a terrified tribute." I smiled nervously, not wishing to tell him I wasn't trying to act tough or that I was terrified like he said.
The elevator dinged and opened to reveal a hall where many people stood talking, catching up, and drinking cocktail drinks. The venue to the after party was at the end corner apartment and stood perpendicular to the right angle.
"Everyone ready?" Deary smiled very enthusiastically. She really loved socializing didn't she? We all stood outside the door. I sighed as Finnick turned to me.
"At the least, pretend you are attached to me?"
"Fine" and we entered.
It was beyond beautiful inside. From the smooth, charcoal, cement floor to the wide, cream tiled and shimmering living space. There was a straight one story entrance that connected to the social area in the center of the apartment. The kitchen, to our right, was warm and inviting with crimson walls and granite countertops.
A few steps led us down to the tiled area of cocktails and chittering. the medium room that featured a long lengthed and skinny fountain, als had bookshelves of novels and texts all around. two 4 ft walls kept the upper balcony from falling on us all.
I tried not gapping at the height of the ceilings of the living room. They had to be around thirty feet in height, taller than most houses in Four. Finnick guided me after Deary as she walked through the house. She greeted many people whom I was introduced, she drank a few drinks, and soon left us to join her friends by the bar in the kitchen. As it came to us being almost an hour there, more familiar faces showed up with time.
I saw all of Zyre, Diamonde, Ginger, Lockwood, and Cassi show up at the same time. they were all dressed up as I. Di in a white sparkly dress, Ginger in black, Cass in a pink flouncy gown, and the boys all spiff and sharp. I blended in just fine with them. Coal, Lyant, Maple and Titan all showed up after at different times, but in the end it was only us eleven that showed up.
"Like I said not all of you were invited." Finnick said before greeting their mentors like old frenemies.
I snuck away from all the buzz and found myself on the upper level, amongst only ten other people who just chose to keep to themselves and the person they whispered with about those below. It was quieter and nicer than the raze below, and far more focusing.
More bookshelves covered the walls. there were a few which didn't, but that wasn't abnormal.
My hands ran along them as I leant back, and as I did I felt it slightly shift. A door? it turned out to be a pocket door that slid open to reveal a dark room. I reached for any sign of a switch light, and found that upon entering, the switch I was looking for was touch sensitive. The room was illuminated.
The room I was in was the bedroom. It had a bed on the adjacent wall to the door, Desk space across the room, dresser nearby and television set opposite the bed. Hmm... whoever lived here was very immaculate in keeping things clean. Everything was designed to the standard of an interior home television show Saxon and April would watch. It was modern with technology but still held a warm earthy feel.
Journeying further here I probably shouldn't, I found the walk in closet to be more of a walk through. It was made up from the wall the bed stood against and opened on either length's end. Pocket doors again lead from the openings for the closet to the bathroom but I would go there next.
I tried imagining the man who lived here and what kind of job got him this expensive of a place or life. My hands wandered over the shelves of ties, shirts, and belts. They skimmed over the many fabrics, blazers, and coats. I stopped at the shirt cufflinks for some reason.
The small pair laid out just now on the opened drawer were made in District Four. They were small anchors that looked like they were melted and painted to look like small anchors. Yet, originally I could tell they were made from old fishhooks-
"You know this is a bedroom right?" a voice scared me at the other end.
I hoped he didnt hear my gasp.
Oh those eyes. Those eyes... They were so blue, icy blue like the sky in winter. Chills went through me just looking at them look at me. They came with a fair face and very dark hair. It was slicked back and tamed, for its length must exceed past his ears. He had a strong jaw and cleanly manicured side burns that reached his jaw. The man just stood there when I finally searched for the cufflinks I dropped. He smiled at my blush.
"You could have coughed or at least let me know you were there."
"That would have scared you the same." I found them and placed one back in, fondling the second. "Something interesting?"
"No... well, yes. These were made in District Four."
"How would you know?"
"Most of the jewelry there is of the same metal." Saxon explained things to me before how many others would create products. he was the arts and crafts guy in the family. I just liked fishing and singing. "My brother worked with metal there."
"You're from outside the capitol?" Did this man miss the past few days of the Hunger Games?
"N-No. No, just my brother for his personal business. I'm Brook."
"Beautiful name. It's a pleasure to meet you." I didn't let him touch my hand, and lucky he didn't offer to. We were too far apart standing.
"And you, Mr...?"
"Just call me Sen."
"It is nice to met you, Sen." He watched me look around. Since I found him too confident in this situation there was one possibility that was evident. This may be his home. He was the host. And now I had just made a fool of myself by intruding on his privacy.
"Why are you in here?"
"A rather intoxicated guest felt the need to say hello and trip on their way over." he looked at his shirt. There was a stain on the front. "And now, I need to change."
"This is your home?" He sipped the glass of sparkling amber in his hand and looked right at me.
"Yes." Nothing could hide the lush I felt spread over my face. He must've laughed at the redness.
"I didn't mean to pry into anything personal-" I struggled to leave, wanting to just go past him, but he was blocking the door.
"It's quite alright, Ms. Brook. You didn't know."
"Really, I had no idea this was here-"
"It is okay." His hand touched my shoulder, and for a strange reason felt awful hot and cold at the same time. It was only for a second, but it seemed like minutes.
"So what's with the pocket doors? Hiding something?" I laughed off, stepping back a step.
"Just trying to keep my personal life away from the cameras and lime light." There was a pause as we both noticed it was people like me he was speaking of. Another blush crept up. Why did I keep doing that?"So what is someone like you hiding from?"
"I'm not hiding, per say-"
"You have avoided meeting the host of this party, you're away from that body guard of yours, and you've made no attempt to leave this very awkward conversation. That's not hiding?"
"You know people very well."
"I make it my job to know." Well then, let's see if he really knows me...
"Do you know who I am?"
"No. Not really. But I'm sure you have a good story to that pretty face of yours." he stated as fact. Unbelieveable. People with money seemed very smart in their finances, however in reality they were some of the stupidest people ever. all they know is money, not people.
"That's no- yeah."
"There's more?"
"Well yeah!" My bold choice of words made him smile, I could only stand surprised i actually said that. Before I had time to defend myself, this man, Sen, was walking towards me fairly close. He passed and went to set his drink down on a shelf. "I guess you could say I was hiding."
"From what- or who?" Sen picked one out before setting it atop. What he did next made me drop my jaw and accidentally stare. He began removing his coat, tie, and then shirt. Lastly removing the buttoned up purple shirt, he looked at me curiously.
"Just... Can I be honest with you and trust you won't say anything?" Sen walked closer to me. My thoughts were jumbled and going a mile a minute... W-what was he doing?
"Do you think you can?" How was I about to tell this man anything when i knew nothing about him? And who the hell did he think he was getting me all flustered, undressing in front of me, and flaunting around looking for a matching tie in nothing but a skin tight tank top and dress pants...
"I think..." Breathe and say what you know, Troute... I said to myself. "If you tell people what I'm about to say, that I'll tell them... That..." That ridiculously handsome, attractive, sexy- NO! think... "You... Own way too many bow ties-."
"I'm terrified." He mocked leaning in a second before reaching behind me for a tie, putting it on after his shirt. Instead of the purple theme he previously had on, he was now wearing a light olive shirt and matching, patterned bow tie. My skin was cooling down.
"Okay, I'll tell them you have a secret tattoo of President Snow." Since I'd basically seen him shirtless...
"That's a little harsh-"
"Oops-"
"Fine." The glass was back in his hand and classified his current attire. "I'll keep your secrets."
"Good." How am I going to form my thoughts into actual words? This man I trusted now. He didn't know who I was so i believed to be safe from ridicule and punishment. "The whole idea of the Hunger Games and structure of the country as a whole... It confuses me. Why should it be okay for people to kill for sport? Or for others to be idolized and fantasized for a week, only to die by the hands of someone they know?"
"It's the way of our country-"
"It shouldn't be. And I get it is in our history of the dark days that freedom to a point is dangerous, but how is killing children morally acceptable? How is killing your best friend okay?" My eyes just looked right at his. The bright blue forcing me to stare back, but not look away. If anyone did, it would be him this time.
"It isn't." the blue orbs glanced at the almost empty glass. "But that's how it keeps people ordered and controlled. If we as a society are given too much freedom and nothing to keep us from killing ourselves, we will only do that: kill."
"Coming from my point of view, this isn't what a country is supposed to be like. It should be democratic like in the days before the dark ages. Before Panem."
"You have very opinionated political points for someone living in the capitol."
"If I didn't then who would change it?"
"Valid debate." he took the final sip of champagne before it was crystal clear empty. He would have to leave if he wanted another - leaving. The party! I should be getting back to - Deary!
"I should be getting back to my friend. She'll be worried." She'll kill me.
"What about me should make her worried? I thought we were having a nice chat."
"For starters, I don't even really know you."
"Even after going through my things?" for what was the final time that night speaking to him, we exchanged smiles.
"Listen, I will get you a non-alcoholic drink while you wait here, and when I come back we can talk more about the capitol, who you are, and I might even tell you about myself. How does that sound?"
"It sounds quiet, but good."
"I'll be back." When he turned the corner, all I thought of was him and what a useless thing it is to meet him. For all I know I could be dead in a few days anyways. I looked around and saw another door opposite and mirroring the first. It was a pocket door!
On the other side of it, I was stunned to see Finnick standing on the balcony. He had no drink in hi hand, but looked slightly rigid. I waltzed up quietly, wanting to scare him a little.
"Who are we looking for-?"
"-Oh jeez!" he frowned angry. "You, Rain. I've been looking for you." he wasn't too happy. I had shocked him, but he didn't think it as humorous as I thought.
"What did I do this time?" Yeah he was pissed at me for some reason.
"Well for starters: you run off from sight, you're not being introduced to sponsors, and you had me thinking-"
"Why are you so worried about me? I doubt that someone will try and kill me before the games, it would only take the fun out if the show."
"Don't say that. You can still win-"
"At what cost?" My eyes looked at him in the same way they had Sen just previous, unable to look away. However, he kept the glare.
"In spite of the downward spiral you keep heading towards, you have skills and people that will cover your ass in that arena. And don't you dare think that you're the only one who cares if you live or die there." Yeah I broke away first. What he said sank in and kept me from speaking. "Now we will go down stairs greet people and then go back to the tribute center where everything will return to the way they were." on the way down he muttered: "This was supposed to be fun." as I followed.
When we descended from the upper balcony, I saw many faces looking, glancing, and whispering about me. I hadn't spoken much to any of them, and it was a grand staircase. Deary found me in a second and whisked me away to meet people.
About another hour later, it hadn't occurred to me until a waiter offered us some champagne that i remembered Sen upstairs. I looked around eager to find him and apologize. maybe we could speak down here? People would think we were just introducing ourselves, not talking down on the capitol-
"What are you doing?" Finnick asked me with a smile.
"I was supposed to meet someone." Where was he? I felt terrible for leaving and not telling him. That would look worse. Finnick didn't understand and I didn't care if he did. This was my own personal matter.
"Who?" His tone predicted I had meet a creeper. Sen wasn't creepy. He was charming, mysterious (as all the fictional, suave, and heroic men these days were in movies), and strangely kind to me. I didn't expect people from the Capitol to be as such.
I looked out by the other staircase and saw him prancing down, eyes searching. He held two drinks in his hands and set one on a table nearby. That was my drink... I thought. Eagerly, without trying to show it, I slowly moved my way into his field of vision. Again we met smiles, and I tied apologizing with mouthing "Sorry", but he just gave me a soft smile. Finn pulled me away and introduced me to other people, but my eyes always stayed with Mr. Sen.
When I had finally met everyone I needed to, we took a break and just sat and ate. There were some horderves and drinks placed around the apartment with waiters on each platter. Sen had yet to approach me, himself needing to speak to guests, and I couldn't talk to him from Finnick watching my every move.
Deary was so social it made me exhausted just to watch her. At almost every moment she was talking to at least three people at a time, never missing the conversations. And when she wasn't talking she was listening to gossip while sipping her wine. Currently she was discussing the famous "Kat" and what her next social event was. From what I had heard of her, Kat was a fashion stylist with a hand in for animal print, not skins but print.
"I just don't see why she doesn't drop old Skater-Skeeter-what's his name. He does nothing but lower her status as a celebrity." Deary droned on. This night had been eventful, fun I guess for the last week of my famous life.
"It's Scrather, Deary, and he is her manager. He is in charge of her finances-"
"Finances finances... blah blah blah... Who cares. Its fashion people are after" Everyone around her agreed. "OH! I almost forgot! Rain, come with me." the yellow and gold fashion queen grabbed my hand and pulled me from y chair. Finnick wasn't far behind. "I need to introduce you to one last person."
Through the crowd of people I was suddenly standing in front of the backs of a few older men. they all had to be in their late forties, or fifties by the salt and peppering their beards displayed. One young face stood out among them all with a smile. We recognized each other again: Sen.
"...May I introduce to you Rain Troute, District fours prize tribute of this year's Hunger Games." They all looked at me. Sen gave me a look of confusion, but i didn't do anything but admit to it. "Rain, This is Seneca Crane: The new Game Maker." I was caught staring at Sen, but looked around to see everyone else looking at him the same. It clicked. Sen. Seneca. Oh shit-What?!
"You-? You're- Oh - It's nice to meet you, Mr. Crane." I reached my hand out to shake his.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Troute." He smirked. I let out a small laugh, and passed it as flirting in front of all the people. "Have you enjoyed this evening so far."
"I think so. I found it enlightening to know what the Capitol is like, never having visited before." We both knew my real thought about it. "And your house is beautiful, of course."
"Thank you. I make sure it is well kept." a brief pause brought my attention to those around us. They continued to speak to each other, Deary mentioning different tributes and their potential. I was standing rather close to this new acquaintance of mine, and only more so when drunken guests would barg by bumping of us.
"Can I have a word or two with you, Rain?"
"Sure-!" But Finnick beat me to the punch , pulling Seneca away from me and towards the bar. Both meant were civil at first, but I could tell from the glances Sen was giving me that Finnick wasn't being too kind. Why did that Son of a bitch have to be like this?
I didn't see Seneca since then, even when we left for the tribute center and training in the later week.