Chapter Eight
Finnick sighs as he presses the one button on the elevator.
"Why are you so annoyed about this?" Lena asks.
"I would've rather gone with Zayden to visit District Two." Finnick says.
"Stop being a cry baby he has some type of history with Brutus." Lena says.
"I know." Finnick says.
"I don't understand why we have to go mingle with the other victors. Our tributes will already be working together." Lena says.
"Exactly working together." Finnick says slightly annoyed. Lena has been a mentor for a few years so he can't comprehend how she doesn't understand the system of working with teams. How to share sponsor money is the real issue when working with teams. Each tribute has their own account for sponsor money. However, when working in teams it is sometimes pre-decided by the mentors how exactly the money will be split up.
Finnick and Lena went to talk with District One while Zayden went to talk with District Two.
"How do you not still get it." Finnick says.
"Maybe because I'm a bad mentor who doesn't care about the tributes." Lena says annoyed.
Finnick doesn't respond.
"I know that's what you think of me Finnick Odair don't even try denying it." Lena says.
"You just don't want to put in the effort." Finnick says.
Lena scoffs.
"Whatever." She mutters.
The elevator doors open. Finnick and Lena see a women whose skin is as pink as cotton candy. She's looking in a mirror and making interesting faces.
"That the escort?" Lena whispers.
"Yes." Finnick says.
"Finnick!" She chirps.
"Hi Mimi." Finnick says. He's met her a few times before and Mimi has requested alone time with Finnick multiple times. However, she's never gotten that request fulfilled.
"I know you're not here for me. What do you want?" She asks.
"Which victors are here?" Finnick asks.
"The brother sister duo." She says.
"Cashmere and Gloss?" Lena asks.
"Yes, darling. Cashmere is sweet but Gloss is so dreadful all the time."
"Dreadful?" Lena asks.
"Yes. I'll tell them of your arrival though." Mimi says and runs off.
"Gloss is dreadful?" Lena says.
"I'd say that's a suitable word." Finnick says.
"Why?" Lena asks.
"Because he doesn't talk." Finnick says.
"Ever?" Lena asks.
"He doesn't like small chit chat so he only does when it's necessary." Finnick says.
"Wonder why." Lena says.
"Yeah because it's such a huge mystery." Finnick says sarcastically.
It's obvious to Finnick and most of the other victors why Gloss and Cashmere would hate it here.
"Well I like the strong silent type and him and Cashmere look like twins. It's quite cute actually-"
"Finnick?" Cashmere says walking out into the main room.
"Thank god." Finnick whispers under his breath.
Having Lena talk about how cute Gloss and Cashmere look next to each other is sickening considering the relationship the Capitol likes them to have.
"Is it really that time of the games already." Cashmere says and joins Finnick and Lena on the couch.
"Where's your brother?" Lena asks.
"Oh didn't realize you were here Lena." Cashmere says.
"Well, I am." Lena says annoyed.
"Right, well he's around." Cashmere says.
"So it's just you then?" Finnick asks.
"Well, if you want another District One mentor out here then I can bring him out, but he won't say anything so I don't see the point." Cashmere says.
"Keeping people informed-" Finnick starts.
"You're always so nervous around us." Cashmere says.
Lena giggles.
"Nervous isn't the word I would use. I just don't want to upset anyone." Finnick says.
"If they cared they would still be here." Cashmere says. "We all know you like to pay us a visit during a training day. Anyway, I say we just keep the sponsor money within the district this year. After all, one of us didn't win last year. Besides, our tributes don't seem to be a fan of either of yours."
"What?!" Lena shouts.
"Don't make me repeat myself." Cashmere says.
"But why?" Lena asks.
"Finnick explain it to her." Cashmere says.
"Aden is a hot head and Annie is probably weak." Finnick says.
"Preciously." Cashmere says.
"Aren't all the careers hot heads?" Lena says.
"You've seen him Lena and he doesn't play well with others." Finnick says.
"And her tributes do?" Lena says gesturing towards Cashmere.
"Hey now just because they don't like each other doesn't mean they won't work with one another. Although I'd tell your tributes if they decided to trim the fat District Four would be the first choice. Besides strength in numbers is always a means to an end. It's much easier to kill people while they are sleeping anyway." Cashmere says.
"That's what cowards do." Lena says.
"That's what people who want to stay alive do." Cashmere says.
"Yeah right." Lena says.
"Finnick did it and he is a well respected victor." Cashmere says.
"He's only respected because he was the youngest ever." Lena mutters.
Cashmere sighs.
"Can I get some alone time with Finnick?" Cashmere asks annoyed.
Lena rolls her eyes.
"Whatever you want." Lena says and gets up.
"Finnick." Cashmere says as Lena is walking towards the elevator.
"What?" He asks.
"Friendly advice mentor to mentor after the bloodbath is over tell your tributes to run after things have settled down." Cashmere says.
"Why are you telling me this?" Finnick says.
"Because District One doesn't deserve a winner this year." Cashmere says. "And you better hope that girl of yours dies in the arena."
"Why would you say that?" Finnick asks a little angered but confused.
"From what my tributes have said it sounds like she doesn't have what it takes to be a victor. She can't live the life we do."
"Gloss isn't here, is he?" Finnick asks. Cashmere wouldn't ask to speak with Finnick alone just to tell him that District One can't be trusted.
Cashmere shrugs her shoulders.
"I don't know where he is and I don't want to know either. I just know it's something terrible." Cashmere says.
"Finnick come on!" Lena shouts from the elevator.
"How can she not know?" Cashmere asks.
"I don't know but she's too pretty to not be involved. I'll see you later Cashmere." Finnick says.
She nods.
"Farewell Finnick." She says.
"What took you so damn long?" Lena says angrily as they are in the elevator.
"She just wanted to warn me about the tributes." Finnick says.
"She's obvious lying Finnick. A mentor wouldn't want to give their tributes up like that."
"She wasn't lying." Finnick says.
"She's setting our tributes up to fail. I gotta say it's a smart move." Lena says.
"She wasn't lying. I know when I'm being lied to Lena." Finnick says.
"Whatever you say Finnick, but I think you're being stupid." Lena says.
"Oh course you do." Finnick says.
"Whatever, I'm leaving." Lena says and heads to the elevators.
"To go where?" Finnick asks.
"Shopping." Lena says.
"That reminds me I wanted to get something for the tributes." Finnick says to himself.
"I'm not an errand girl." Lena says.
"I know."
"You're not coming with me." Lena says.
"I know." Finnick says and doesn't want to go with her either.
"What do you need for our tributes anyway." Lena asks.
"You'll find out." Finnick says.
"Sir couldn't this be considered cheating?" Remus asks.
Finnick's bodyguard was on stand by so he accompanied Finnick on his shopping journey.
"No, it's not cheating. I'm just buying them a nice game." Finnick says.
"You're worried about your tributes then?" Remus asks.
"I'm not supposed to talk about it." Finnick says.
"Well you don't usually tend to bend the rules." Remus says.
"Could be worse." Finnick says.
"Either way." Remus says.
"Just keep it to yourself." Finnick says event though he knows he's not breaking any rules.
The errand Finnick ran was short, but the traffic surrounding the tribute center made it hard to get into the building.
"Where were you?" Aries yells at Finnick when he comes into view. Everyone is in the living room presumably discussing the events of the day. Finnick is annoyed by the smug smile Lena has on her face.
"I went shopping, but it was for the tributes." Finnick says.
"You bought us something?" Aden says a little too happy.
"Yes, although I don't know how much you two will need it." Finnick says and pulls it out
"What is it?" Aden asks.
Finnick pulls out the purchase from the bag.
"A dart board?" Aries says confused.
"Exactly, but you two won't be throwing darts." Finnick says.
"What are we throwing then?" Annie asks.
"It's a great practice for knife throwing." Finnick says.
"Finnick-" Aries starts.
"They're just playing a fun game Aries it's not training." Finnick says.
Aries rolls his eyes but doesn't say anything. After all he wants District Four to win as well.
"Well, we can at least train them with knife throwing." Zayden.
"Throwing a kitchen knife is not the same." Annie says.
"Yes, but it will help the aim." Zayden says.
After watching them for thirity mintues it is clear neither of them have very good aim.
"Perhaps they're better with hand to hand combat?" Zayden says quitely.
"Probably traps Annie said she lived in the fishing district." Finnick says.
"And Aden?" Zayden says.
"He's a brute he's probably excellent at hand to hand combat." Finnick says.
"Alright it's time to eat supper the game is over." Aries says.
"You're terrible Annie and an embarrassment to District Four." Aden says as they head to the table.
"You didn't do much better." Annie snaps.
"Yeah, but I've got other tricks up my sleeve." Aden says.
"So do I." Annie says.
"Enough fighting you two. Let's just enjoy our dinner." Aries says.
They both roll their eyes.
The elevator dings and an avoc walks to the table holding a silver platter.
Aries snatches the piece of paper that is on top.
"Oh yes a letter." He says excitedly.
"Give it here then." Finnick says slightly annoyed. He knows the letter is from Snow calling him to do a job.
"Honestly Finnick your ego has gotten so big in the past years." Aries says and walks past him.
"What are you talking about?" Finnick asks confused.
"The letter isn't for you. It's for Lena." Aries says and hands her the letter.
Lena squeals like a school girl getting asked out by her crush.
"Who's it from?" Aries asks.
"It's from President Snow. He wants to meet with me personally."
"Maybe he loves the District Four tributes a lot." Aden says.
"Then he would be summoning all of us." Finnick notes.
"When must you leave?" Aires asks.
"Eight O'clock, you could help me pick an outfit." Lena says excited.
"I would love to." Aries says and they head back to the bedrooms.
"Any questions for personal training?" Finnick asks changing the subject.
"Why does the President want to see her?" Annie asks.
"Don't worry it has nothing to do with our tributes." Zayden says.
"Who cares Annie, she isn't much help." Aden says.
"That's because she's not your mentor." Annie snaps.
"Let's just focus on tomorrow." Mags says.
The rest of the dinner is uncomfortable because the victors know what is going on that letter means she is about to join the club of victors who get bought and sold like slaves.
After the tributes have gone to the corridors the mentors talk about the meetings they had with the other Districts.
"What did District Two have to say?" Finnick asks.
"You're just going to ignore the letter Lena got." Zayden says.
"We can't do anything about it and we all knew it was coming." Finnick says.
"She didn't." Mags says softly.
"We can't help her, but we can help the tributes." Finnick says.
"Fine I just thought you would show some sympathy." Zayden says.
"What did District Two have to say?" Finnick says ignoring Zayden's comment.
"The same old run around. They would be happy to work with us, but we all know we can't trust them." Zayden says.
Finnick nods.
"District One have anything interesting to say?" Zayden asks.
"Only Cashmere was there and she told me that our tributes should run away as soon as possible."
"She could be lying." Zayden says.
"She wasn't lying. She even said her tributes don't deserve to win this year. She also said it would be better if Annie died in the arena." Finnick says.
"I still don't believe her, but you seem to know her better." Zayden says.
"Not by much." Finnick mutters.
It's true but he could tell in his heart that Cashmere wasn't lying to him. She was too sincere and also she wouldn't throw her tributes under the bus. Cashmere is a complex person, but she isn't stupid.
"We should just talk about this more in the morning." Mags says.
"Fine by me." Finnick says.
Zayden and Mags start to head to the bed corridors.
"Aren't you coming dear?" Mags asks him.
"Not yet." Finnick says.
He wants to wait up to see Lena. She may want someone to talk to if her meeting had something to do with Snow's deal.
Finnick passes the time by throwing darts and watching the tributes places move up and down the polls.
Finnick gives up on her when it is four in the morning.
"Welcome to the club Lena." Finnick mutters as he walks to his room.