Annie sat at her dressing table doing her usual primping routine. Scrubbing, moisturising, manicure, pedicure and waxing every part of her body until it was as hair-free and as smooth as the inside of a conch shell. She rolled her stockings over her legs and chose one of the tailored, sexy yet conservative enough dresses from her closet to wear for the evening until it was torn off by a client. She applied a little make up – not needing much and pulled her long wavy hair into a flawless chignon. She grabbed her purse with a sigh and headed out the door of her bedroom on the fourth floor of the Tribute Centre. Luckily, she had the suite to herself to get ready as Finnick, Rosalie and Mags were at the Tribute Parade. She should have been too but Snow had sent a letter about tonight's appointment. Usually, her forced prostitution didn't interfere with her mentoring duties but she was obviously in high demand this year. A car was waiting to collect her downstairs and take her to a fancy restaurant where Cashmere was already waiting for her at the bar. Even though Snow received the money, Cashmere was the one who organised everything. Cashmere was one of those victors who Annie suspected quite enjoyed what she was forced to do and relished in the Capitol lifestyle. She looked up from her phone when she heard Annie approaching. "You're late," she said sipping her Mimosa. "I'm five minutes early," she said with a wry smile that was wasted on Cashmere. She just rolled her eyes and went back to her phone. Cashmere ignored Annie for a straight five minutes, letting her stew. Annie was used to this sort of treatment. Cashmere always felt the need to put Annie in her place but if being ignored for ten minutes was the worst she could offer, Annie would survive. She finally puts her phone down and acknowledges Annie's presence again.

"This one should be interesting. Very specific demands and asked for you personally."
"I'm flattered," Annie said sarcastically rolling her eyes and stirred her pinky in the apple martini the bartender had put in front of her.
"You should be," Cashmere told her seriously. "Snow's asking a lot more for us now, it's a miracle we're still getting as many clients. Any decline and you'll know he'll blame us for it."
"Yeah, I know, I know, calm down. So specific demands? Does that mean they agreed on a rate?"
"We didn't agree on a rate yet but I told him the standard for you and he said he wanted to discuss specifics with you personally. And you usually know what that means."
Annie sighed. "Usually something painful or kinky. I hope you did a background check on him, seeing as you're so eager to send me to the lion's den?"
Cashmere glared at her coolly. "I don't care if he's a mass murderer on the run. I'm not taking the fall for you when it comes to Snow."
Annie waved her off and downed another drink wondering if the added stress of mentoring duties had made Cashmere particularly cranky tonight or if it was just her usual charm. Annie glanced around the nearly empty restaurant and then it dawned on her that nearly everyone would be at the Tribute Parade. She wondered how Finnick was doing and if he would notice that she wasn't there before she pushed the thought out of her mind. She shouldn't be thinking about Finnick and Finnick certainly shouldn't be thinking about her.

She farwelled Cashmere who had gone back to her phone and went to the stairs that led up to the concierge desk of the hotel. The flamboyantly dressed attendant looked Annie up and down with a look of derision and Annie quite enjoyed it instead of the usual gawking. "Yes?"
"Annie Cresta, I'm here for-?"

"I think I know why you're here," she said with a sneer and Annie flashed her biggest smile. "Follow me."
The attendant knocked at the door and a man opened it. "You have company, sir."
Annie at this point half expected her to simply say: "The whore is here." But apparently her hostility was only towards Annie.

It was just past midnight and Annie wished she would've drank more downstairs. Her lover is asleep already and Annie busied herself with the task of untangling herself from his limbs. She never fell asleep with her lovers. It was one of the only pure things she didn't want to taint. She dressed hastily and exited the room quietly.

The Tribute Centre was only a few blocks away so Annie didn't bother calling a car. The city is still full of people stumbling around and gabbling about the Parade and the festivities. Annie looked at the giant screens projected on to the city buildings replaying the night's highlights. She finally got a glimpse at Finnick. Looking incredibly shy as the chariot carted him and Rosalie who was waving dutifully and blowing kisses. Finnick looked uncomfortable but handsome in some kind of netting looking outfit and a seaweed crown. Annie couldn't help but let out a small chuckle at how his half smile graced his lips like he found the whole affair ridiculous.

When she reached the fourth floor the elevator dinged and she cringed hoping it wouldn't wake anyone. She took her heels off and tip toed barefoot across the carpet and caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her make-up was smudged, hickeys and bitemarks dotted her neck and her hair was all over the place. Tears began to prick her eyes so she went to her room for a shower but she shrieked and fell over a lump outside her doorway.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?"
"Finnick, what the hell are you doing out here?" she hissed at the bumbling, sleepy teenager.
"I didn't…I didn't know where you were. It was after midnight and I was worried so I waited out the front of the door. Mags said not to worry but…oh my god, you're bleeding. I've hurt you," he choked.
It was dark but Finnick was able to see the trickle of blood running from a bitemark on her neck. She winced away from his touch and tried to sidestep him into her room.

"I'm fine, I just need to shower, please just go." She could feel the tears beginning to spill over and she didn't need her tribute seeing her in this state.
"Wait, let me help you, I'm so sorry, I…" he followed her worriedly.
"No, it wasn't you. I'm fine, I just need to shower," she said slamming her bathroom door in his face.
"Miss Cresta, please, if you're bleeding…"
Annie turned the water pressure up high to drown his voice out and jumped in clothes and all. After vomiting up most of the alcohol in her stomach, she slid against the wall and began to howl hysterically scrubbing her tainted skin red raw with her loofa. Trying to erase all trace of the man.

"Miss Cresta, I can hear you crying…"
She turned the water on more and scrubbed harder until blood began to appear. She didn't need this sweet, innocent, attractive boy banging on her door right now. And then suddenly, he was there standing above her quickly turning the boiling water off. "You're burning yourself!" he exclaimed and picked her up to her croaky protest. She watched him through her tears curiously as he fiddled with the taps until it was a normal temperature. He stripped off his shirt and she wondered half-heartedly whether he was going to rape her too. But he crawled done next to her, grabbed the cloth and gently wiped her make up off her face and bronzer off of her skin. She silently cried and gave up and let him clean her before he switched the water off and picked her up and carried her into her bedroom.

He sat her on her bed and his hands went to her wet shirt. She jumped and grabbed the hem pulling it down in panic.
"Trust me," he said softly and Annie saw the look in his eyes and let him strip off her wet clothes leaving her in her underwear. He pulled his clean, dry shirt over her head and ruffled her hair with a towel.
He stood up and Annie grabbed at his sleeve. "I'm just getting your brush," he said gently and she let go. He sat down behind her and gently plaited her hair while tears rolled down her cheeks. The alcohol was beginning to wear off and the embarrassment and stupidity was beginning to set in.

He pushed her gently against her pillow and tucked her in before sitting on the floor next to the bed.
"I'll sleep on the floor here, okay?" he said gently brushing her hair off her face as if she were as precious and fragile as a porcelain doll.
"You d-don't have to do that for me," Annie said tearfully but feeling grateful he was. There were a lot of unusual feelings happening in her head and her chest and she was too drunk or tired to know what they were.

"I'll do it for me then. I need some company tonight," he smiled and she sniffed tearfully and snotty. He laughed gently and she smiled too.
"Goodnight, Miss Cresta."
"Goodnight, Finnick."