Chapter Seven
"Alright, darlings it's time for your first day of training!" Aries shouts as he walks into the kitchen.
The others have been out in the kitchen for awhile discussing what would be best for them to practice. Aden ignored the victors when they were advising him about survival skills. Annie listened, but is not sure whether taking the advice to work with the other careers is a good idea.
"Finally, I've been ready for this all morning." Aden says. He gets up quickly to meet Aries.
"Yes, it is time to head down towards the training center." Aries says with a smile. He still dislikes Aden because Aden's manners and attitude haven't changed since the night on the train.
"Now you two should remember that you're trying to make allies." Aries says.
"We are already have allies lined up. One, Two and, Four have been working together for years." Aden says.
"Why is that?" Annie asks.
"Sometimes things happen that make it easier for everyone involved." Mags says.
"Whatever the hell that means." Aden says.
"Just take them down Aries." Lena says bored.
Aries takes them down and Lena jumps up.
"Finally now I can leave." Lena says.
"Leave where?" Finnick asks her.
"To go shopping, there are certain things you can only buy in the Capitol Finnick. Besides, it's not like you were going to sit around here all day thinking about the tributes. You always leave exactly at noon the first day of training." Lena says and flips her hair over her shoulder.
"That's because I need to see someone." Finnick says vaguely.
"Well, whoever they are I hope they give you some sponsor money." Lena says through a yawn and stands up.
"Be back before dinner." Zayden says.
"I will. I want to know what they did during their training time." Lena says and walks off the elevator.
"You know I don't like it when you come down here Finnick." Remus states as the car pulls up.
"Well, I made a deal with someone that I don't intend to break." Finnick says. "Besides if it bothers you this much you can just stay in the car."
"No, this is the sort of place where you need a bodyguard. There are criminals and it's dirty." Remus says worried.
"It's not that dirty." Finnick says.
"Yes, but some of these criminals have killed people before." Remus says.
"So have I." Finnick says and gets out of the car. He closes the door before he can hear Remus' response.
Finnick and Remus drove to a less than pleasant part in the Capitol. It's where undesirable people live. The people who live down here have broken crimes and can't afford the luxuries the Capitol offers. You'll see thieves down here, but also girls working the streets. Despite this being an undesirable place you'll see a high class person every once in awhile. Usually they are purchasing drugs or looking for a call girl.
Finnick walks to the house at the end of the street
"Oh good Finnick I didn't think you were going to come." A girl with fire red hair says. She also has red eyes making her look sick, but it is really just altered.
"Phoenix." Finnick says.
She jumps up and kisses him on the cheek.
"I've missed you so much." Phoenix says.
Although Phoenix is twenty-five she could be mistaken for a young teen. She is very petite and her childlike personality doesn't help either. She has a makeup regime that is suppose to make her younger and it has succeed.
"I came. We made a deal remember?" Finnick says.
"Yes, yes I remember." She says and turns towards the bookcase. "I put them up here." She says and motions towards a tall bookcase. It holds a mixture of random objects and books.
"I see." Finnick says.
Phoenix stands of a chair and takes a book from the top shelf. It is covered with a thick layer of dust. The book only has a gold flower imprint on it there is no mention of an author or title.
"Here it is." She says while stepping down.
Finnick reaches for it, but she pulls it away.
"Do you have what I want?" She asks.
"Yes." Finnick says and pulls a small bag from his pocket. To the untrained eye it would look like a small bag with candy in it, but anyone from down here will tell you different.
"Oh yay." She says and takes the bag.
Finnick takes the book from her hand and sits down on the old sofa.
"How are you always able to find these?" Phoenix asks.
"I know people and I have time before you need it." Finnick says.
Phoenix jumps on the couch next to Finnick.
"Have you ever tried it before?" She asks holding the bag out full of drugs.
"No, and I don't intend to." Finnick says.
"It takes you back to past pleasant memories. You won't even be aware you're in the present it will be like you're in the past at a happier time." Phoenix says.
"Is this how you sell to people?" Finnick asks because Phoenix is part of a drug ring. She is very high up in the employment as well.
"Everyone wants to go back to a more pleasant time in their life." Phoenix says and lies back. Her head is now resting on Finnick's lap.
"You'll probably end up dead from it one day." Finnick says.
"It is very addictive, but I don't touch my own product." She says and looks up at Finnick. "Did you find anything useful in those documents?" Phoenix asks.
The deal Finnick made with Phoenix a few years ago when the drug was starting to gain popularity was that Finnick finds the drug and Phoenix will give him inside information on Snow's current business. Finnick can't look into, but Phoenix isn't the only person who charges with secrets.
"There was nothing too interesting I found in those documents." Phoenix says.
"Really you mean the Vice President dying isn't interesting?" Finnick says.
"That was all over the Capitol Finnick." Phoenix says.
"They don't talk about political leaders much in the Districts." Finnick says.
"Oh I see. Well, the rumor of his demise is that they were planning a coup d'etat." Phoenix says.
"Seriously?" Finnick asks.
"Oh yes." Phoenix says and sits up. Her face is inches away from Finnick's. "You didn't read the rest of the report then." She says and takes the file from Finnick's lap. "See all the important people marked missing?" She says and her finger runs down a list of people that are marked as dead or missing.
"There is at least a dozen people on this list." Finnick says.
"They were either involved in the plan or our President couldn't trust them any longer. The problem with those idiots is that our President is always thinking ahead of everyone else."
"He also has ears everywhere." Finnick says.
"Oh yes and notice some of them are marked as dead. It comes in waves, they couldn't all die at once so he must have had something preplanned." Phoenix says.
"It's not that hard to make disappearances and deaths seem normal." Finnick points out.
"True." Phoenix says.
"Do you know what the Vice President was planning if his planned would've worked." Finnick asks.
Phoenix shrugs.
"Who knows, he probably had his own agenda. People say the Vice President always felt over looked. He also finds the Hunger Games distasteful."
"He would stop the Hunger Games?" Finnick asks.
"Of course not Finnick. You can't stop a seventy year tradition that everyone loves."
"Then what would he have done?" Finnick asks.
"I don't know he might not have done anything. If he did try then he would have to do it in a creative way."
"How's that?" Finnick asks.
"I don't know, but he couldn't make it seem like he was doing this because he didn't like the Hunger Games." Phoenix.
"True." Finnick says and neatens the stack of papers. "Have you heard anything about the Masters of Coin?" Finnick asks her.
"Oh you mean Lawrence?"
"Yes how did you-"
"His district is doing just fine. I think he is trying to commit some type of fraud. I mean why else would you ask people who break the law." Phoenix says. "Although you're not really breaking the law." Phoenix says and leans against his shoulder.
Finnick doesn't mind the contact he has had to deal with much worse than a girl with a crush. Besides, Phoenix gives him information he wouldn't be able to find out by himself.
"It's defined as a victor privilege."
"Oh so that's what Snow tells people." Phoenix says.
"It doesn't matter what he tells them, they all know he is lying. He gives me a name and I go where I'm needed." Finnick says.
"You know if you're feeling sad you can take some of that stuff you gave me. It will be free of charge I promise." Phoenix says.
"If I really wanted it I could take some before I gave it to you." Finnick says. "Besides, you're only offering it for free because it is highly addictive."
"How else am I supposed to draw in more customers?" Phoenix says.
Finnick rolls his eyes.
"I've got a question that I've been meaning to ask."
"Ask away." Finnick says.
"Does it bother you that you're helping a drug dealer who possibly makes the lives of others worse?"
"The people who buy those drugs have make a conscious decision on what to do." Finnick says.
"I see. Well whatever you need to tell yourself to make you feel better." Phoenix looks towards the clock. "You should be leaving I'm having a meeting in fifteen minutes and I can't have them knowing Finnick Odair was in my house."
"Why is that?" Finnick asks.
"Because it would become a problem for business."
"I don't want to know do I?"
"No, you don't." She says and starts to walk towards the door. "Remember to burn them after you're done looking. I don't like having evidence that leads back to me."
"I've done this before." Finnick says.
"I know, but I still like to remind you." She says and kisses Finnick on the cheek. "Now get out of here."
"Thanks Phoenix."
"No problem my dear. I'll be seeing you next year then."
"Yes."
"I'll be looking forwards to it then." She says and closes the door.
Finnick walks back to the car. He sees Remus standing outside it.
"Another book then?" Remus asks.
"Yes." Finnick says.
"You must like this person very much to come all the way out here."
"What can I say, I like the things she writes."
"I see, well we should get you back I don't like everyone seeing you in public at this time of year." Remus says.
Finnick nods.
"Say Remus."
"Yes." He says.
"Our escort was talking about the tragic death of a political figure. Do you know anything about it?" Finnick asks.
"It was the Vice President only Capitol citizens were told."
"What did he die of?" Finnick asks.
Remus clears his throat.
"I heard he was sick for awhile, but hid it from the public." Remus says clearly uncomfortable.
"He must've lied to protect the people."
"Exactly."
"Was he a nice man?" Finnick asks.
"I didn't see him much even though he did spend a great deal of time with President Snow."
"I see." Finnick says.
"I didn't know you were so interested in politics Finnick."
"Well, I'm not really but it's interesting to hear about the people Snow works with."
"I see…" Remus says nervously.
"Do you know what the arena will be this year?" Finnick asks changing the subject.
"Your guess is as good as mine Mr. Odair. Although I'm hoping for something different it's been a forest for the past two years."
"Ah yes repetition is not always a good thing." Finnick says sarcastically.
"It's just not as exciting with the same background no matter how many twists there are. It should just go back to the old days when things weren't so complicated."
"What do you mean?" Finnick asks.
"Well, they just dropped the kids somewhere and had them fight. There were no special mutts or scavenger hunts." Remus says.
"Probably not enough money." Finnick says to himself.
"Going back to the basics are never a bad thing Finnick." Remus says.
"I guess." Finnick says.
They sit in silence until the head back to the tribute center. There are many billboards that have the tributes and not to mention the big countdown clock that is downtown.
"I will be seeing you Mr. Odair." Remus says as Finnick gets out of the car.
"I bet." Finnick says curtly and walks into the hotel lobby.
"Hey kid come here." Finnick hears the familiar hoarse voice shout.
"Must you always call me that." Finnick says and pulls out the stool next to the District 12 mentor.
"You were a kid when you won." Haymitch says and burps. "Bartender whatever this kid wants put it on my tab."
The bartender nods but looks confused.
"Haymitch all the victors get free drinks when the Hunger Games celebration is going on." Finnick says.
"Oh right." Haymitch grumbles. "Well it's a gesture." Haymitch hiccups.
"Well thanks for the gesture but I don't drink." Finnick ways.
"Yes you do." Haymitch says.
"Let's just say I don't want to be a drunk like you." Finnick says and stands up.
"You're funny Finnick." Haymitch laughs.
"Did you want something?" Finnick asks.
"Not particularly, but my drinking buddy is with his tributes at the moment and a man shouldn't drink alone." Haymitch says.
"And why aren't you with your tributes?" Finnick asks him.
"Nah they don't want me. I'm the town drunk and you're the town pretty boy. The way people view us is very different." Haymitch says and pours himself another drink.
Finnick sighs.
"Yes something nice to look at." Finnick says sadly.
"You are a handsome lad Finnick. That's why you got so much money in your games." Haymtich says.
"I know." Finnick says.
"I like your old nose better though now you look too perfect." Hyamitch says and gulps another drink down.
"I'm supposed to look perfect that's what the cosmetic surgeries are all about." Finnick says.
"Must be terrible going on Snow's orders though." Haymitch says.
Finnick shrugs.
"I could break it for you." Haymitch says.
"You want to punch me in the face?" Finnick says.
"Got nothing better to do, besides I thought all the girls were into the bad boy image." Haymitch says.
"As much as I'd love for you to knock me out I think I should get going." Finnick says with a smile.
"Ah yes your tributes. The girl was popular to start with because she was pretty." Haymtich says.
"Was?" Finnick asks.
"Yup they showed bits of training causing the polls to change. Don't worry though your boy is still in the top eight." Haymitch says.
"And the girl?" Finnick asks.
Haymitch shrugs.
"They only show the top eight on the television now." Haymitch says. "It's quite interesting when the tributes from Four aren't in the top eight.
"When the training scores are posted is when the polls start to be more correct."
Haymitch shrugs.
"Good luck with your tributes." Finnick says and pushes in the bar stool.
"They need a miracle not luck. There hasn't been a winner in twelve for twenty years and all forty of my tributes died." Haymitch says and gulps down his drink.
Finnick doesn't reposed he doesn't know what to say. Finnick has lost tributes as well, but to never have a winner in all that time must be hard.
"Bye Haymitch." Finnick says.
"And my offer to punch you out is still available any time." Haymitch says and raises his glass towards Finnick.
Finnick smiles as he presses the up button on the elevator.
"Give me it!" Finnick hears Aden shout as soon as the elevator door opens.
"Calm down." Zayden says.
"Yes please calm down." Lena says bored.
"I gotta see what they put on the television!" Aden shouts.
"Finnick." Lena says as he comes into view.
"You smell like boozes." She says as he gets closer.
"I spend some time with Haymitch." Finnick says.
"I see." She says.
"I said give it to me!" Aden shouts
"What's Aden yelling about?" Finnick asks.
"He wants to see the rankings and also what they decided to broadcast from training." Lena says.
Finnick scans the room and notices Annie and Mags are missing.
"Where's Annie?" Finnick asks.
"Oh I think she went back to her room to cry or something. Aden was less than thrilled when they came back from training." Lena says.
"I see. Mags with her then?" Finnick asks.
"One would assume." Lena says and smiles while watching the scene breaking out in front of them. Aden is still yelling and Aries is chasing after Aden to get him to calm down. It is a comocial site.
"She's your tribute shouldn't you know this type of thing?" Finnick asks.
Lena shrugs.
"She's got Mags and is probably DOA." Lena says.
Finnick glares at her.
"Besides, if she dies in the bloodbath there will be more time for me to party and go shopping." Lena says.
"People are going to die and you're worried about getting enough Capitol clothes." Finnick says angrily.
"Not my fault that she sucks." Lena says.
"Our job is to help not ignore or hope they die." Finnick says.
Lena squints her eyes with anger.
"Take a shower before dinner you smell like boozes and cheap perfume." Lena says and walks past him hitting him on the shoulder hard.
Finnick walks back to where the bedrooms are. He was going to shower before dinner even if Lena didn't say anything.
When Finnick gets to his room he sees the tablet on the desk that show the mentors progress on their tributes. It basically just holds the information that was shown on the television and the poll ranking.
"Let's see where you're at then." Finnick says to himself and picks it up.
He goes to see the rankings.
Aden Phish- 4
Annie Cresta- 11
Finnick sets it back down on the desk.
Finnick sighs.
"It's not over until the cannon goes off." Finnick says to himself softly.
It's something Mags said to him the first year of being a mentor. Neither of the tributes volunteered and they didn't have much promise. The male made it to the final six but the girl wasn't as lucky she finished nineteenth. But since Mags told him that he always believes that their tributes will have a chance as long as their heart is still beating.