When I returned to the Hub Blight's face was tensed up. "He better not be dead." I shouted, one because I'd be fuming he let him die and two because I'd feel as if I'd done a pretty crap job. "No but he got in a scrap with the one from 8 over a backpack. He's got a nice gash down his arm." Blight told me standing up and pointing to the screen where he was.
When I clicked upon him to get a view of him from a camera, I saw his face was crinkled with pain. 'For god sake' I thought to myself. "Well what's he got in the backpack because I'm not sending him anything he's already got." I demanded from Blight. "I'm not sure. I tried asking but they wouldn't say." Blight sighed. The only plus side right now was the fact that Tom had found water. After a while we guessed that he had no bandages so we went right ahead and sent him some bandages and cream. We might as well since if we left it a day or two and it became infected we'd have no chance of scraping enough money together to treat that.
I did the next 5hours alone whilst Blight rested but I made sure to tell him that I have to sleep this evening so he can't go getting drunk. He respected me enough to not forbid me of sleep. Finnick came over to see me after Sandy from his district took over. He placed a cup of coffee in my holder. "Thanks." I said taking a sip of the black liquor. "Ah don't drink it yet I haven't put sugar in it." Finnick cringed. I rolled my eyes but laid out my hand so he could have his fun. "Care for a sugar cube Mason?" he asked me in his old seductive voice. It actually made me laugh slightly. I dropped my eyelids imitating when I said, "Well I have heard it improves the taste." I whispered innocently. He dropped two in and I glugged it back. That majority of the time Finnick and I took the mick out of his 'seductive way' but I wouldn't deny we had a connection. We weren't just friends but we weren't lovers.
"You and Blight seem to be getting on?" he joked pulling up a chair and drinking his coffee too. "Waste of bloody space." I muttered. But then a beep went across the room signifying a tribute was dead. Finnick immediately rose fearing it was his own but it was Cashmere's squeaky voice that was shouting no. yes. Her tribute was dead. It was very unlikely for a career to be killed on the first day which only made me eager to find out exactly how her girl died. "How'd it happen?" Finnick demanded from her but she wouldn't share. This made me realise that whatever killed her was heading for the other tributes. The games maker then informed us a flock of human eating birds had been dropped above the careers base. For moments like these they flash up all the tributes positions. The birds were at the Cornucopia now and were heading for the forest. Tom was a good few miles away from them and I can only pray he gets away since there's no message I can send him to run. These birds have killed two and I'm praying they'll take them away and eventually they do. Thank goodness Tom is alive. Finnick's more on edge than ever, his flirty nature has been wiped away and a hopeless boy screaming at the screen for his girl tribute to move takes his place. She's about to start a fire. Worst mistake ever, especially now night has fallen.
After a few moments Finnick comes over to me. "She's not far from your tribute. Please Johanna. She's strong…" he went to carry on but Blight reappearing cut him off. "You want us from an alliance?" Blight asked him astonished. I was pretty astonished to since those from 4 were career built! "Yes. She's a good fighter and with his knowledge they could get further just please Jo." He pleaded with me. I made the decisions around here since Blight was usually half cut. "It's too late." I told him since there was no way we could speak to them. "Well then send him a hint." He continued to beg. I didn't see why he was begging for me to help his tribute. She was just another one of them. What about his boy anyway? But then I realised like all of us Finnick picked one to keep alive. He picked the girl, like I picked Tom. I looked back at Blight. "Fine but you owe me big time Odair." I muttered finding the cheapest thing to send him on the menu. Two roles of bread. I wrote down on the card attached to the parachute this 'Join with girl 4. Trust me.' Is all I could write without it being too obvious.
I had trusted Finnick when he had said that to me and I was just as oblivious so I pray to god Tom will find it in him to trust me. After all on the first night on the train I did get completely hammered with Blight and get all jeered up. But as soon as we arrived in the stinking capitol I did my best those Kids and I pray that they remember that. Finnick sent a similar message except he told his girl to find him and he wasn't far. After an hour or two we all sat back in relief as she finally found him and they began talking strategy. Now the game had begun.
After 6hours of me being in the Hub Blight returned, I knew he was drunk but I'm sure Tom could rely on himself and the girl from 4 for the night to keep him alive. I thrilled with excitement as I imagined how rested and fed he'd be in the morning. There was 9dead already and it was only the first day but there was still 14 to go.
Finnick came to my room as scheduled with a smile set upon his lips. "Thanks Mason." He grinned still thanking me for being nice for a change and saving a kids life. "Don't get used to it Odair." I shot back. He held his hands up defensively. "Why are you so bothered anyway?" I asked him. Usually we wouldn't get so involved and just let fate take its toll but tonight he went out of his way to save that girl. "I think she could win. I mean it's clear Tom isn't but..." he pointed out but I cut him off. "How is it? He's strong! He's smart! What's he missing that your blonde haired green eyed girl has?" I demanded a little hurt that he'd say something so harsh but casual. "Oh Johanna, so ruthless yet so clueless." He sighed trying to put me in the picture. "You think Snow's ever gone let someone from 7 win? If he did then you could easily not come to the games." He explained to me. I burned with fury. President Snow will never let me escape the games. I'll still be watching kids die in 50years time! Just like mags has to. My punishment was set out from the start. I'd have to watch kids die for all those years and probably go mental.
We both let this topic drop and decide to order food. We both indulge and laugh and chat as we eat. Afterwards we made our way over to the bed and I switched on the TV but then there was a knock at the door. "Miss Mason?" I heard the disgustingly high pitched retarded prep team want. I called for them to go away and that I was busy but they wouldn't so Finnick devised a plan.
"Fancy playing some tricks Mason?" he asked me seductively. He took off his shirt and trousers leaving him in just golden boxers. "What the hell are they?" I laughed but then he came up to me covering my lips and telling me to strip down. When I reached my bra and underwear he signalled for me to stop. His head cocked to the side as he took at my body. "Your boobs have got bigger. Had them done?" he asked me so casually it made me choke with laughter.
He tugged me over to the door wrapping his arm around my shoulder then opened it up. The prep team stood their startled. "Oh… We're sorry… we didn't realise you had that kind of company." One giggled as the others broke out in whispers. "Miss Mason and I are busy, so what seems to be the problem?" Finnick asked playing up the role play by kissing me at the busy part. "We were wondering if you needed your hair fixing up for your interview in the morning." The prep team asked me. I looked at her as If to say she was being ridiculous. "Considering my hairs 2inches short I'll manage. Finnick and I are busy so off you go." I told her but I knew she longed to stay since they were all drooling over him. "Will you sign my makeup bag?" one of the other stylists asked. I looked at her in disbelief. God they were obsessed with him. "You don't want me to sign it?" I asked pretending to act hurt. I could feel Finnick chuckling as his lips vibrated against my hair. "It's not that…err…" she stuttered. My lips grew across into a smile. "It's fine I have no pen. I have a knife though… we could carve our names on your skin?" I joked but freakily so they thought I was serious. Then I looked up at Finnick who was nodding going along with it by acting like he thought it was a good idea. That made them leave.
We both fell back on the floor in laughter, laughing until we couldn't breathe. Part way through the laughs Finnick kissed me. I didn't even flinch anymore when he did it was becoming that normal. "Oh and no I haven't had a boob job." I remembered I hadn't replied as we climbed into bed and I slotted under his arm. Neither of us got redressed again that wasn't really much point. "My bad." He apologised. For the next hour we laughed and teased the whiney capitol people on the shopping channels to our hearts content. "I can't believe our tributes have allied." I chuckled as he switched of the TV and pulled the quilt up. "Strange isn't it? Well I know if I was in a game with you I'd pair up with you." He commented. My eyebrows rose. Finnick and I in a team together in the games would probably be the scariest thing imaginable. "But then I'd have to kill you." He sighed his lips just an inch from mine. I laughed. "Or the other way round." I whispered tapping the breathing part of his neck. "Don't kill me tonight Jo." He told me as he switched of the lamp. I thrilled with laughter. "As easy as it would be to take you, I won't." I assured him. He wanted me to say more because he kept gesturing his hands fishing for compliments. "So it's not because I make these trips liveable for you and call you most days when we're home." He smiled. Well at least I think he did since I could see his white capitol enhanced teeth in the dark. Yes that was why but over my dead body would I admit it. "Liveable? I barely see you! Coco was she called last night?" I sighed. He sighed slightly which made me realise he disliked her and her secrets were probably not worth it.
We both fall asleep but after about 2hours into my sleep, Lacey enters my dream throwing the sword that killed her at me. Apparently I was thrashing about and I clearly was because Finnick suffered a split lip in the process. I'm not exactly the apologetic type so I climb out of bed and lob him an icepack. "Mentor or tribute dreams?" he asked me as I sipped on water and downed tablets for my splitting head. "Mentor." I told him.
"Same. Anywhere but the lip Mason. How'd you expect me to rake in sponsors like this?" he complained pulling away the icepack showing me his already fat lip. "Oh I'm sorry Finnick, is this the first time you haven't looked pretty?" I asked him sarcastically. He smirked at me. "It must be. Ooh look at the time shift then breakfast date to attend. Bye gorgeous." He smiled kissing my lips grabbing his clothes then leaving.
It was still the middle of the night when I headed down to the hub to check on Blight. "How are they getting on?" I asked him taking the headset from his head so I could listen to them talking but all was silent since she was asleep. "He's a bit sick of her brattiness but she's trusted him enough to sleep so not bad. You rested?" he asked me. I'm not surprised he found her a brat. She was from 4 so she probably didn't want for much plus any golden haired girl who was dumb enough to start a fire must be a princess. "Not really but a few coffee's in my system I'll be fine. I've got an interview with Caesar later so I'll just do tonight." I told him in other words giving him an excuse to go get drunk.
He didn't have to be told twice but after 6hours I began to regret it. I was tired and Cashmere was really starting to aggravate me. When I went over to get coffee I could hear her behind me talking to 2 about my hair. When I turned around she composed herself. "I like your hair Johanna." She commented her surgery altered face all plastic and repulsive. "You do? I did it myself. I've got a knife back in my room, I could do yours?" I smiled picking up a chunk of it twisting it in my fingers. She looked horrified. A games maker looked our way so I gave Cashmere a threatening smile dropped her straw hair and walked away. That'd give them something to chat about at least.
When I went to my Interview, I had to be in complete stand by at all times. I dressed simply since I refused any 'professional' help, but I don't call a woman who dresses kids as a tree every year very professional. I do apply a heavy amount of make to my eyes though, since I had to cover my tiredness. When I emerged onto the studio audience stage, I barely even looked at the crowd. I wasn't the type of victor that waved or smiled. Some respected me for that and some found me hard to take. But I find them with their tacky face paint and capitol accents hard to take so I don't suppose it matters.
"Ah it's the loving Johanna Mason." Caesar smiled kissing my cheek and sitting me down. I was hardly lovely but never mind. "SO… sources say that you were seen with Finnick Odair himself last night?" Caesar brought up making me want to slap him. I was here to try and get sponsors for that boy and now every woman in the capitol will hate my guts therefore Toms! "I don't particularly see how that's relevant but I'll answer anyway. We just had a take away, bottle of wine and talked about our tributes being allied and how we can help them survive the night." I answer indifferently. If Snow sees this he won't be happy but I was past caring. "Ah, it's a shame you lost your girl tribute so soon. Tell me Johanna how you are dealing with that?" he asked me probably trying to get me out of the whole I just dug but I'm so mad that I continue to answer out of term.
"She was a 14year old girl that put her life in my hands and I couldn't get her through the day. How am I meant to feel? But then I guess you wouldn't know, since none of you have been in that situation." I demanded from him.
"Care to expand?" he asked of me placing his hand on my knee in some gesture of comfort slash defence. "Well if I'm honest what I'm dreading the most is me having to talk to her parents and explain why I couldn't keep her alive for 3minutes." I laughed unamused probably experiencing a 'victor breakdown'. He moves on excepting that if I continue I'll probably be sent off. "How's tom bearing up? He seems pretty strong too." Caesar asked me. I want to repeat what Finnick said to me about him having no chance but that's not the right angle. "Caesar he's strong and he's smart and I honestly think that with sponsors he could win and as unlikable as Blight and I might be, I think the whole of the Capitol will be agree with me that he deserves to go home." I said emphasising the word capitol. That's probably the nicest thing I've said on live TV in a while but I could hardly not try for him.
When my interview was over sponsors had flocked in. I didn't have as much as other districts but I had a bit and anyway with district 4 and I now a team we'd be able to pay together. He looked a little hungry but I wasn't sending him something as ridiculous as food. This money is going to be saved until he seriously needs it. Like when he's dying.