Chapter Six
"Please pass the butter." Aden says with a full mouth.
Aden didn't waste any time getting to the meal that was waiting for them on the train. By how much he is eating you would think he was starving.
"Maybe you should slow down Aden. People in the Capitol-" Aries says with disgust in his voice.
"I don't care what the Capitol people do." Aden says and swallows food.
He wipes his face with the back of his hand giving Aries a reason to crinkle his nose.
"So when do we start?" Aden asks with a smile.
"Let's go back to introductions." Aries says.
Aden rolls his eyes. Aries gives up on Aden and turns to the female tribute instead.
"Do you have anything to share Annie?" He says with a hopeful smile.
"I'm seventeen my f-father is a fisherman and I work at an ice cream shop." Annie says. She is rubbing the table cloth between her thumb and fore finger.
"Ice cream is a wonderful thing." Aries says looking off in the distance as if he is remembering something.
"I guess." Annie says. She is avoiding looking at anyone. Unlike Aden she hasn't started eating yet.
"Can you look at me please?" Lena asks.
Annie lifts her head up and smile meekly at Lena who is sitting across from her.
"You shouldn't hide your face. You actually look pretty." Lena says.
"I wasn't… I mean thank you." Annie says and grabs a roll. She starts to pick at it but has no intention of eating it.
"So have either of you been to training?" Lena asks and takes a bite of steak. It's so rare it looks like it is dripping blood.
"Of course I have." Aden says with a full mouth again.
"What about you Annie?" Zayden asks.
"I went sometimes. My Father is a fishermen so I'll be really good at setting traps or cleaning fish." Annie says.
"Cleaning fish won't be helpful." Aden says giving her a stupid look.
"If she can clean a fish she can butcher a human." Lena says with a smile and takes another bite of her steak.
"Butcher." Annie says worried.
"You don't need to butcher them just kill them." Finnick says and shoots Lena a glare. Lena rolls her eyes, but only Finnick noticed.
"But butchering them will be more fun." Aden says. "Can I have the lobster?"
"I think you should stop for a moment. The recaps will be happening soon." Zayden says.
"Like I care about those." Aden says.
"I do." Annie says.
"Then we should watch them." Aries says.
Annie, Aries, Finnick, and Lena walk into the train car with the big television. Zayden and Mags stay behind to keep a watch on Aden.
"Like I said Aden would be disgusting." Lena says and grabs a crystal bottle filled with alcohol before jumping on the couch. Lena looks at Annie and smiles. "You should get used to him dear because you'll be working together."
"She doesn't have to." Finnick says.
"She'll have a better job if she does. She's a scrawny little thing even if she did go to the training center every once in a while."
Annie clears her throat. It's like they aren't even acknowledging her presence.
"Come sit on the couch Annie." Aries says waving her over.
"Right." Annie says and sits down. Lena is laying on the other couch while Finnick is sitting next to Annie.
"Don't be so nervous these don't always tell you something." Finnick says.
"I'll be able to see their faces." Annie says.
"You'll get a better look when we're in the Capitol. The footage isn't always clear in some districts."
"Yes the poor ones have such bad connections. I have a friend who is the escort in eleven and she has told me horror stories." Aries says.
"I bet." Finnick says softly.
They watch the recaps and Finnick writes some stuff down every so often.
"What are you writing?" Annie finally asks when they reach District Seven.
"Things I find important." Finnick says.
Annie rolls her eyes.
"How so?" Annie asks.
"Their reactions and body structure. You'd be surprised on what you can tell from someone's body language."
"I thought you couldn't tell much from this." Annie says.
"No, but I like taking notes in case." Finnick says.
"You know the last time I saw you was at the school." Annie says.
"I remember. You asked me what I thought about volunteers and young children in the games." Finnick says unamused.
"That's right and you didn't seem very pro about it." Annie says.
"Could be true." Finnick says.
"Don't mind Finnick. He's just a wet blanket." Lena says with a smile.
Finnick rolls his eyes.
"Are you all friends?" Annie asks.
Finnick and Lena answer at the same time, but both have different answers.
"No." Lena says.
"Yes." Finnick lies.
"Why do you care?" Lena asks.
"It will probably be easier to work together if you like each other." Annie says not taking her eyes from the screen. They are now on District Eleven.
"We may not even be working together." Finnick says.
"What?" Annie asks.
"If Aden doesn't want to work with you then us mentors don't need to work together." Finnick says.
"But-" Annie starts.
"Don't worry Annie Lena is very good." Aries says.
"Mags is helpful as well." Finnick says.
"Right an old woman." Lena says.
"Look at all the trees." Annie says when District Twelve comes on.
"They must be having technical difficulties." Aires says. Instead of showing the town square the cameras are pointed at the woods.
"They're trees there is nothing special about them." Lena says unamused.
Lena's been to District Twelve before and has seen each District so it doesn't surprise her. However, District Four is filled with beaches and the only trees that grow their are palm trees.
"We don't have them at home." Annie says.
"Well, maybe you'll see some in the arena." Lena says.
"Right, the arena." Annie says.
"It won't be that bad Annie. It might even be a little fun." Aries says.
"Just ignore him Annie." Finnick says under his breath.
Annie nods.
"And there you have it now we can go back to dinner." Aries says. "If Aden hasn't eaten it all." Aries mutters under his breath.
"I've never seen him so flustered before." Finnick says with a small smile.
"Yes it's hilarious." Lena says and hiccups.
"Let's just go." Finnick says and stands up.
Lena and Finnick start to walk to the door, but Annie hasn't gotten up.
Finnick turns to see her sitting on the couch still.
"You coming?" Finnick asks her.
"Do I have a choice?" Annie asks and stands up. She walks past Finnick and leaves the room.
Finnick sighs and follows the others.
"Now when we get to the Capitol darlings you will be taken away to get remade into a whole new person; a better person." Aries says.
"When will we be there?" Aden asks.
"Thirty minutes give or take." Aries says annoyed. He still hasn't gotten over what happened last night at dinner.
"Awesome." Aden says.
"This is when it all starts." Mags says softly.
"Yes, it's time to practice your smile and wave." Lena says.
"If you're going for that angle that is." Zayden says.
Neither of the tributes respond.
The train soon slows and everyone gets off the platform.
"You need to go somewhere else?" Zayden asks as Finnick.
"I think so." Finnick says. He can see Remus standing close to the train platform. He may just be waiting to see the tributes arrive, but Finnick knows better. Finnick's personal bodyguard wouldn't be there just to have a good time.
"I'll see you back at the hotel then." Zayden says.
"Hopefully before the tribute parade." Finnick says.
Zayden nods and they part ways.
"Good you saw me." Remus says.
"Yes I saw you. Do you need me for something?" Finnick asks.
"Someone is demanding to see you." Remus says.
"A lot of people demand to see me." Finnick says.
"This person is different you need to see him before the parade."
"Is this person going to offer sponsor money?" Finnick asks.
Remus and Finnick start to leave the crowd.
"I don't know. This man is more interested in speaking with you personally." Remus says.
"You don't sound convinced." Finnick says.
"This person has political power so you shouldn't disappoint him." Remus says.
"Do I ever?" Finnick says with a cocky smile.
Remus sighs.
"I've dealt with people involved with politics before. I know the drill." Finnick says.
"Good." Remus says and they walk in silence. "So how do you feel about your tributes this year?" Remus asks.
"The boy has no manners and is full of himself." Finnick says.
"And the girl?" Remus asks.
"She doesn't seem like a threat." Finnick says.
"That's disappointing so I shouldn't bet on them?" Remus asks.
"You know I can't give you insider information Remus." Finnick says.
Remus chuckles.
"You know I like to try." Remus says and they stop when they are on east main street.
"What, does this man own the whole street?" Finnick asks.
"No, but the town car is right there." Remus says and points to a black car with black tinted windows.
"I see." Finnick says.
"He promised you'd be back for the tribute parade. After all that is a favorite part for many people."
"I bet." Finnick says.
"I'll be nearby if anything seems to be going south-"
"Yes you'll be there, that's the point of a bodyguard." Finnick says and starts walking to the towncar.
Remus says something that Finnick can't catch over the loud noises from the street.
"Finnick Odair." A man says standing outside the town car.
"Yes?" Finnick says confused.
The person opens the door allowing Finnick to enter. Finnick sits down and sees the man who is waiting for him. Finnick wants to groan. He has seen this man many times in person and on television in the Capitol. He's one of the Masters of Coin located in the Capitol. There are multiple Masters of Coin in the Capitol and each one looks over a certain district.
"Hello sir." Finnick says and takes a seat.
"Yes, hello hello Finnick and you don't need to be so formal. Just call me Lawrence " He says.
"What can I do for you today?" Finnick asks.
"I need you to do me a favor." Lawrence says.
"Well, whatever I can do to help you." Finnick says.
"You see people in my district haven't been spending much money lately." Lawrence say.
"They might be saving it to be a sponsor for the games." Finnick says.
"Yes, I know that my dear boy, but my reports are due soon and my district keeps declining. I don't want to lose my job." Lawrence says.
When you work as a political figure you don't get fired. Most of the people who work in the government either disappear or end up dying. Finnick has figured it is because the political figures know too many secrets to be kept alive.
"I'm sorry sir, but I don't understand how I can help you with this problem." Finnick says.
"Well maybe you can invest with me." Lawrence says.
"I'm sorry sir but I doubt I have enough money to help you." Finnick says.
"I know, but I hear things on the street and know how you work with President Snow." Lawrence says.
"Sorry sir, but I can only work through the President with those type of deals." Finnick says.
"I won't tell him. It can be just between you and me." Lawrence says.
"I think we both know our President will find out one way or another." Finnick says.
"I can get your tribute to win if you help me Finnick. I have pull in some areas."
"Even with all the manipulation you still can't guarantee the winner." Finnick says.
"No that's not true." Lawrence says.
"I'm sorry sir, there is nothing I can do for you here." Finnick says and grabs the handle of the car. "If you come up with another suggestion I will gladly help you." Finnick says and leaves the car.
Finnick walks into the suite to see the victors. The tributes are still being made up for the tribute parade.
"What did they want?" Zayden asks.
"To be cut into an illegal type deal. One of the Masters of Coin isn't making enough money and is worried he is going to be 'fired'."
"How could you help him?" Zayden asks.
"He'd get a cut from the money my clients give me. However-"
"Snow wouldn't allow that." Zayden says.
"I know." Finnick says.
"And don't feel guilty if he goes missing soon." Zayden says.
"I won't, people who take political jobs know what they are getting into." Finnick says and sighs. "So how are the tributes doing?" Finnick asks. An Avox comes over and takes the jacket Finnick was holding. "Thanks." Finnick says.
Aries hates when the tributes and victors talk to the Avoxs, but people can't really help it. They don't view people as objects or slaves.
"Haven't really seen them." Zayden says.
"I've seen the outfits though." Lena says walking towards the boys.
"How bad?" Finnick asks.
"The girl-"
"Annie."
"Will be dressed as the typical mermaid. The blue, purple, green color scheme."
"With the tail blowing in the wind." Finnick says.
"What about Aden?" Zayden asks.
"A fishermen. He'll be holding this golden net and a trident." Lena says with glee.
"What about his clothes?" Finnick asks.
"Probably just some jeans. He may be topless since Aden has nice muscles." Lena says.
"Well, at least he will be treated as the animal he is." Finnick says.
"He's not an animal. He's just a brute and disgusting." Lena says.
"Same thing." Finnick says.
The clock chimes.
"That means we should head down." Zayden says.
"I'll stay up here with Mags and we'll watch up here." Finnick says.
"Fine by me." Lena says and heads towards the elevators.
"Keep her tamed." Finnick says to Zayden.
"I'll try." Zayden says.
Finnick hears the elevator doors close and joins Mags on the couch.
"So how has it really been going?" Finnick asks.
"Everything has been fine Finnick." Mags says softly.
"Will you be able to take care of Annie?" Finnick asks. He asks Mags this every year and she always says yes.
"Of course Finnick. I will always take care of my tribute after all I did take care of you." Mags says.
"You still do." Finnick says.
"Yes, I do." Mags says.
They both turn to the television when the opening music starts.
"I hope they look nice." Finnick says.
"Or terrible." Mags says.
There is a fashion show that is shown shortly after the parade and is shown up until the games start. They talk about all the tributes outfits, but the best dressed and worst dressed get a lot more time than the others, usually it is most of the show. District Twelve is always in the bottom, but haven't been declared worst dressed for awhile. The Capitol citizens would get boring if the same District won worst dressed every year.
The parade ends shortly and Finnick soon changes the channel to view the first impressions poll.
"Interesting District Eight male is currently in the lead." Finnick says.
"He is handsome." Mags says with a teasing smile.
"The girl from One is leading next."
The elevator dings and everyone soon steps out.
"That was lovely don't you think." Aries says. "Oh the polls where are our tributes?" Aries asks.
"In the middle, but remember Aries this is just first impressions." Finnick says because he knows Aries will freak out since they aren't in the top four.
"How is Annie ahead of me!" Aden shouts.
"The first impression poll is mostly based on look and costumes. Besides, you aren't that far behind." Zayden says.
"Well I'm sure I'll be ahead after training." Aden says.
"Don't you think teamwork would be better?" Finnick asks.
Aden looks at the television.
"As long as Annie stays popular." Aden says and leaves the room.
"What if I don't want to work with him?" Annie says. She's taking out the fake pieces of hair the stylist put in. It is a fake blue and purple color and it looks nice against her brown hair.
"You don't half to, but you should. Strength in numbers is always a good idea." Mags says.
"But, being in a big pack makes it easier to kill people." Annie says.
"She is right there." Finnick says.
"Are you saying you want to work alone?" Zayden asks her.
"I don't know." Annie says.
"Then you should work together for now. You'll be able to learn each other's secrets then." Lena says with a smile.
"There is no training strategy that will guarantee you a win. You might as well try it out before shutting the idea down." Finnick says.
"Yeah you should at least meet your other teammates before you decide to ride them off." Lena says.
"Okay." Annie says and walks back to the bedrooms.
Lena looks to the television.
"Well, at least our girl is popular." Lena says.
Annie is now number four in the poll.
"It's because she's pretty." Finnick says.
Lena rolls her eyes.
"No skills have been shown yet and the citizens like her right now because she's attractive." Finnick says.
"So they'll stop liking her after training?" Lena says with a smile.
"Look at the board Lena most of the lower Districts are high up on the chart. It's the same every year. The people who are more attractive always get high in the polls for the first impressions. Once they start showing training footage, the polls will become more accurate on the expected winner." Finnick states.
"As long as our tributes don't dip below eight sponsors will always be an option." Zayden says.
They watch the board for awhile. As the polls go up and down and when they stop watching the girl from seven and the boy from eight are leading in the polls. Only three of the careers are in the top eight. Annie, the girl from One, and the boy from Two.