Wine and Revelry

The bed was cold when she awoke the next day. Her eyes squinted open. The indention of his body was still in the mattress but Finnick was nowhere to be seen. For a moment she let her hand slide over to his side of the bed. Her fingers spread apart as she blinked her eyes in half-sleep.

Every night since his return to the Capitol he had woken up early without explanation or apologies, but Pandora knew why he was gone today. Today were the score trials. Tonight everyone across the Capitol would be tuned in to see the scores of every Tribute for the 70th Hunger Games.

Last night she heard Finnick cry out in his sleep, heard how his nightmares were torturing him. Their fight was heavy in the air even with apologies it was hard for Pandora to shake the image of his angry face. He had never once been angry with her, not even when she let Wisty die, but now it was different. He wasn't angry with her, he was angry at the circumstances, angry that he couldn't control things.

She brushed the hair out of her face as she sat up and blankly looked around the room. It felt hallow. Quiet. Almost too quiet.

When the phone suddenly rang she didn't look surprised. She simply peered at it and rubbed her lips together.

The slim receiver clicked before she spoke.

"Hello?"

"Pandora, this is Elia…from the President's office."

She recalled the blonde haired assistant with golden tattoos, "Yes?"

"President Snow has asked for your company this morning, as soon as possible."

Her eyes coldly looked to the window. A deep exhale blew past her kneecaps as she curled her legs into her chest, "Alright."

"Great, a car will be waiting for you when you're ready. Thanks a bunch."

A solid beep pierced Pandora's ears before she dropped the phone and climbed out of bed.

She felt out of sorts, unraveled.

Even after she showered and dressed Pandora had the maddened look of dishevelment.

Downstairs Yuri smiled wildly as she passed by the desk, "Good morning, Miss Sullivan!"

"Morning, Yuri," she solemnly whispered back.

"Fantastic day outside."

She continued to walk, "Is it? I didn't notice."

She pushed through the rotating doors, wiggling her sweater closer to her skin as she quickened towards the car, closed the heavy door, and heard the engine start. They were half way to Snow's office before she could catch her breath.

Not a whisper of a smile showed on her face as she marched through the building, up the stairs and to the elevators. The doors opened with a chime. As usual Elia was waiting near the desk. She pulled the phone away from her ear when she saw Pandora.

"He's waiting for you, you can walk right in."

Pandora glared at the assistant before picking her feet up and crossing her arms. A breath of air made her hair dance as the doors opened with a swoosh and swallowed her whole. Echoed footsteps trembled through the corridor into the cavernous office.

"Pandora, you're earlier than I expected."

He was sipping tea near the fire. His deceitful eyes turned into slits as a stomach churning smile formed on his lips.

Her grimace lasted seconds before she peered around, "What did you want?"

"Why the long face, my dear?"

"What do you want from me?" She repeated with a harsher edge.

"I wanted to express my concern. I was informed of the fall you took at the Opening Ceremonies."

"I slipped."

"Well it's nice to see you're still in one piece."

Slowly she started pacing, her eyes peered to him in aggravation, "Why don't we just skip the small talk."

"Pandora, it's always refreshing to talk to you. So blunt, so forward. Very refreshing for someone like me—" he smiled for a moment before glancing to the fire, "I wanted to personally invite you to a small party."

"What?"

"Every year a party is held to watch the scores be awarded to each Tribute. It's a tradition."

"And why do you want me there?"

"I thought it would be a perfect setting for an appearance from Finnick and you."

The mentioning of Finnick made her face harden. Protectively she turned towards Snow and took a step forward, "We don't need to attend any parties for you, we've already done enough."

"Is that so? You're an adult now, a young woman, Pandora. Let's not pretend like you and Finnick are pretending to be together anymore. From what I can see you two haven't been pretending for some time."

Her eyes burned as she crossed her arms and bowed her head, "Finnick is mentoring, he doesn't have time—"

"He'll be there unless he wants to break the promise he made to me nearly a year ago. You remember the deal we made don't you?"

"It's only one time."

Snow lowered his teacup. Suddenly his smile warped into an intimidating glower.

"I didn't know we were negotiating now. Is that something we do, Miss Sullivan? How easily you forget the past. I need you. I don't need Finnick Odair, he is simply a means to an end…I can easily cut that cord."

"It's just one party. Why does it matter?"

He adjusted the rose on his lapel and lifted himself to his feet. He practically glided towards her. A cloud of acrid sweetness burned her nose as he stepped forward.

"It matters, Pandora, because you seem to have forgotten your duties."

"I've done everything you asked…"

"You think I haven't kept tabs on you these two years? You must realize I'm still watching you."

"I'm no fool," she growled back.

"And yet you have the audacity to march into my office and tell me something can't be done. Perhaps it's my fault, perhaps I've been too lenient."

Slowly he rested his hand on her shoulder. It was a simple gesture but it made her hunch in cowardice, her eyes lowered to the ground.

"Dear girl, you don't understand—by doing this you're making the Capitol happy. They want to see a happy ending. They need one."

Her eyes lifted to his face, she parted her lips with a glare. Her darker side suddenly emerged and with it a tongue like a dagger.

"Go to hell."

Snow's head rose. Instant anger filled his snake eyes. His smile slowly dropped as his hand rose. Pandora didn't have time to block his hit. He slapped her across the face so hard she scream in pain and stumbled back. Instantly she tasted blood in her mouth.

Her hand lifted to her face as she peered up at him fearfully.

"Little girls should mind their tongue," he quickly said, smiling as he adjusted the cufflinks on his shirt before straightening his back.

Pandora's eyes fluttered in shock and pain, she tried to steady herself but she staggered once more.

"You—you hit me—" she stammered in disbelief.

"Yes, Pandora, I did."

Her brow furrowed as she stared at the blood on her fingertips. She felt defenseless and cornered.

"Why?"

"I realize you lost your father when you were young, dear, but here in the Capitol we respect authority."

An enraged gasp blasted from her lungs as she looked ahead and stepped back.

"You think because you've been put on a pedestal that you can keep running that mouth of yours?" He laughed darkly, returning to his cup of tea, "I'm the one who not only put you on that pedestal, I made it for you. I've done you favor after favor…even helping you."

"I didn't ask for it," her voice was still shaking.

"Because you never had to," his swollen lips smiled deviously, "I gave it to you. You never had to work for your Victory, not like your little boyfriend Finnick…No…he's a true champion. You're a fraud of my own making. I own you."

The insults were so cold and calculated that they made her feel sick. Suddenly she felt like a little girl, felt like crying from fear and hurt feelings. If he was trying to get under her skin, it was working.

"So you will make an appearance at this party. You will smile, and Finnick will be there, or maybe I'll just have Officer Pedersen take care of him."

"Adric would never do that."

"Oh?" Snow narrowed his eyes, "Look at you, defending a Capitol soldier."

She speechlessly stared at the President. Horror rattled her bones.

"You sweet innocent girl, Adric Pedersen is one of us. You think he'd ever betray his home? His military? His father?...you can't be that ignorant. He's not your friend. He didn't get such high decorations as an officer being anyone's friend."

Her hand grazed the back of a chair as she swiftly averted her eyes and listened to her breaths.

"So what's it going to be?"

She moved her lips silently, disguising the tremor in her voice.

"Tick-tock, Pandora."

"Okay—" her voice was barely a whisper, "I'll do it."

"Wonderful! I'm sure by now you know the way out?"

Her feet moved as fast as they could through the office, down the hall and out the door. She kept her eyes on the ground and her hand over her mouth self-consciously.

It wasn't until she was back in her apartment that she felt her knees buckle. Pain shot through her legs as her kneecaps smashed against the floor. Her hand clasped on either side of her head as tears started streaming. It sounded like she was hyperventilating, like she could breath.

Truthfully she wondered if she had died and gone to hell. Stains of blood washed away from her fingers but hey could never be washed away from her memory.

Hours passed until she heard the front door open.

She was staring at her reflection, a small cut in her lip looked back at her. Her hands slowly brushed through her hair as she caught a glimpse of Finnick in the mirror.

"Hello—"

Her eyes were red from crying, but hollowness had replaced the sadness. She was good at feeling hollow.

"Hey," he whispered, darting into the bathroom for a minute to see her.

"There's a party tonight, Caradoc thought it would be a good idea to attend."

"Tonight? I can't do that—they're announcing scores."

"It's a celebration for the scores," Pandora replied, dropping her eyes as she turned the faucet on.

A quick laugh puffed out of Finnick as he leaned in the doorway, "Some celebration."

"We don't have to go for long, just for a little…"

"Are you okay?"

Her hands wandered from the water to the mirror, she gave it a quick tug and peered into the medicine cabinet. Her eyes landed on the small white pills Mironov had given her.

"I'm fine," her voice sounded far from lighthearted, "I'm just tired."

"What are you doing?...Where did you get those pills?"

Her back was still turned to him when she snapped the bottle open and fished one out, "Mironov gave me them for my headaches."

She was just about to put it in her mouth when Finnick rushed towards her and knock it out of her hand.

"What are you doing?!" She shouted, suddenly turning to him.

"Me?! Are you kidding? You don't even know what those are."

Her eyes darkened as she took a step back, "They're for my headaches."

"I don't trust that doctor, you don't need this, got it?!"

Finnick snatched the bottle from her and poured the pills down the sink with running water. They whirled around the drain for a split second before falling into the blackness.

When he looked back at her face his eyes widened, "What is that?"

"What?"

"Your lip."

Her hand quickly lifted to her mouth as she closed her eyes and stepped back, "It's nothing."

"That doesn't look like nothing."

"I—it's stupid—" the laugh she forced echoed through the room, "—I just fell, I leaned down to get something off the floor in the living room and I slipped and hit the table."

Finnick stared at her for a moment, she was worried he would press the matter, worried that she would break into tears again, but slowly his furrowed brow eased and his eyes peered away

"I always tell you to watch out. You're clumsy you know?"

"Yea, I know."

"Hey—" he moved towards, quickly cupping her face and his hands, "I'm glad you're okay."

She peered down as he gave her a kiss and leaned away.

"We should get ready for the party."

His green eyes drifted away. Suddenly he lowered his hand to shut the medicine cabinet, "Yea, um—I'll meet you there okay?"

"What?"

"I just—I want to be there for my Tributes when the scores are announce, you remember how scary that was."

Pandora nodded, "Of course."

"But I won't be long."

He smiled one last time, it was a smile that would have been contagious under any other circumstances but all Pandora felt was terror. Her failed attempt at a smirk looked like a grimace.

"See you soon," he whispered, brushing his lips against hers.

She held his lips for a moment before turning away, "Yea, be careful."

"You know me…"

Her gaze turned back to her reflection as she heard Finnick walk away.

The door closed.

He was gone.

Pandora's quivering breath shook her whole body. She felt empty and wrong. Her hands clutched the edge of the sink.

She was talking herself into everything that was about to happen. Making herself, forcing herself to be okay. Her eyes closed as she rocked back and forth. All she wanted was Finnick's comfort and he was too busy, too preoccupied. She felt like she was going to collapse. Over the past 3 days she had managed to begin a strange spiral, and the spiral was getting worse.

Her head spun as she ripped herself away from the mirror and wandered into her closet. She picked out the first black dress she could find and started doing her makeup.

She winced, coating dark lipstick onto her mouth and over her cut. Luckily it disguised the split in her lip well enough. Mironov had told her that when she was feeling woozy to slow down and take a breath but she couldn't. She wanted to be done with everything, to get this party over with.

Her hands trembled as she reached for the car door and slipped into the vehicle. With a jolt and rev the small journey to the President's Mansion began. Fireworks reflected in the glass of the windows, the car slowed as they entered the City Circle and pressed through crowds of people.

It stopped at the front of the mansion in prompt time. Her fur shawl kissed her neck and cheeks as she wiggled out of the car and up the marble steps. Her right hand felt naked without someone to hold it, she was so used to going to functions with Finnick that it felt off to be going alone tonight.

A few Avoxs ushered her through the glass archway and across the main hall.

When she entered the party her eyes darted around. It was a small gathering, which meant only 30 or 40 people in attendance. In her opinion it was rather large, however for someone from the Capitol it was miniscule.

A photographer snapped a picture of her as she stepped forward.

Immediately she was offered a beverage.

Her hands wrapped around the crystal stem as she picked up the champagne and tilted it to her lips.

"Alone?"

She spun around. Kol was loosening his tie.

"What are you doing lurking around?"

"I was invited to the party, if I had known you were too I would have picked you up."

"Don't flatter yourself."

He laughed lightly before getting his own glass of champagne, "And where is your knight in shining armor?"

She self-consciously rubbed her lips together, the disguised cut in her lip was still sore, "Finnick is on his way."

"Busy with extra lessons for that female Tribute of his?"

Pandora distantly stared at him, she was trying to hide her sadness but it was hard. It made Kol uncomfortable, he furrowed his brow and cleared his throat.

"I'm kidding you know? I'm not serious."

"Right," she whispered expressionlessly, noticing Adric approaching from across the room, "That's funny."

Kol's eyes narrowed in confusion as his eyes dropped to his champagne glass.

"Hey," Adric greeted, nodding to Kol and Pandora with a smile.

The only thought that popped into Pandora's head was what President Snow had said about Adric earlier. She tried to smile back, but it was as if her face were frozen in time. A burn simmered behind her eyes, the burn of held back tears.

"Some party," Kol scoffed, "I should have gone to Energy Corridor."

"I thought you got thrown out of every establishment there?" Adric quipped.

"Ha! Close to every at least…"

Pandora adjusted her shawl and tilted her glass up. This time she finished off the champagne with three large gulps. A deep exhale blew past her teeth as she glanced towards the screens.

Adric gave Kol a look before peering back to Pandora, "Is everything okay?"

She kept her eyes on the screens, "You'd think everyone would have something better to do than sit around here and stare at ridiculous scores."

Adric furrowed his brow.

"I mean don't most of these people have families?"

Kol let out a laugh, "Yea, like my parents? They hardly speak. Trust me, this is the best part of their lives."

"What Kol's trying to say, I think, is that we—don't get to pick who we marry, it's sort of just happens."

Pandora smirked as she finally looked Adric in the eye, "So what? You just marry whoever someone else picks?"

"Actually, yes."

"I don't think my parents ever fully loved each other. You can always tell though, you know…" Kol began.

"Tell what?" She inquired.

"Who loves who more."

His words grabbed her attention. She tilted her head toward him, staring with narrowed eyes of interest.

"How do you figure that?"

His blue eyes shifted to Adric, then to Pandora, "Isn't it obvious? No matter what, the person who loves their partner more will be the lonely one, the one with the least amount of power. No matter what they do, they'll be the weaker one…weaker because they love more."

Pandora's lips parted. Suddenly she lowered her glass and blinked her eyes away. All she could think about was Finnick. For some reason Kol's words were reminding her of Finnick, of her relationship with the boy with the trident from District 4.

Adric's eyes carefully observed Pandora, his lips pursed.

"It's sad really…" Kol continued, "…the person that cares more is the one that loses. That's why I feel sorry for anyone that is stupid enough to fall for any—"

"Kol…" Adric whispered.

Pandora's eyes were on the ground, she looked like she was going to cry.

But Kol continued rambling.

"I mean it's ridiculous to think—"

"Kol!"

Suddenly his words stopped. Adric stared at Pandora, he blinked his eyes uncomfortably before glancing to his friend, "Just shut up."

"I—uh—" Pandora furrowed her brow, trying to catch her breath, "I have to go."

The announcing of scores was beginning on the screen as Pandora shuffled passed the small gathering, through the columns into a small parlor room lined with mirrors. Her heart was racing so fast it felt like it was going to burst. She clasped her hand to her chest and steadied herself on the way. Tears were brimming in her eyes as she leaned over and shivered.

"Pandora…"

A breeze blew into the parlor as Adric rushed in, quickly closing the door behind them.

"Go away."

"What's going on?"

She cupped her hand over her mouth, "Just leave me alone."

"Look Kol's an idiot, he doesn't know which way is up."

Her eyes stayed on the floor as she turned towards his, tears were streaming down her cheeks, "It's not Kol."

"Then what is it?"

She lifted her eyes to him cynically. Snow's words wouldn't leave her alone.

"I just want Finnick to be here."

"And that's it?"

Her hands pressed against the mirrored wall. She was staring a darker version of herself, one she had never seen before.

"He was flirting with her."

"What?"

"Finnick. I saw him—I saw him flirt with his female Tribute."

Adric took a breath in. His eyes dropped as he moved closer and rested his hand on her shoulders, "Look at me."

She shook her head, "Please, I don't need to hear it."

"Pandora, look."

She hesitated to turn around. When she finally did her eyes were distant and hurt. Adric tightened his jaw and stared down at her, "He loves you. He's with you."

"Yea?" She responded with a weak whisper, "Do you see him here?"

"Pandora—"

"It's fine," she quickly pushed him away, "I'm only—I'm just talking. I don't know what I'm saying. Just forget about it."

She didn't wait for him to respond. Her fingers gently wiped the tears away as she squeezed passed him and wandered back into the party. The scoring was almost done. Near the edge of the room a clock hung. Time was almost up.

Pandora couldn't see Snow but she knew he was in the recesses, waiting and watching.

She stared at the clock's hands. Stared as the iron laced needles inched closer and closer. It was almost as if she could hear it, the ticking matching with her heartbeat.

Her lips parted in realization.

Finnick wasn't coming.

Terror quickly followed that realization. It didn't take much for her to recall Snow's tone earlier, his threatening words left a scar inside her.

She anxiously peered around.

Somehow she needed compensate. Maybe if she acted well enough Snow wouldn't punish Finnick for his absence.

Her heart raced as she grabbed another glass of champagne and let a smile stretch on her face. If there was any time to pretend, now was it.

The clock toll just as the last score was announced.

A few of the party goers roared with laughter and cheers, others simply bantered.

Her eyes twitched to the columns. Adric was watching her. Normally she would have been embarrassed by her emotional display in the parlor room, but there was no time for her to think about her guilt and regrets.

Snow was waiting. Cameras were waiting.

She took in a breath and step forward.

"Hello!"

To her surprise the room fell silent quicker that she had expected. Eyes turned to her.

She broadened her smile.

"I know I'm only a guest here, but I just wanted to raise my glass not only to the beginning of the 70th Hunger Games, but the Capitol—a place that has become my home this past year. I know that the odds were in my favor not only when I was crowned Victor but when the citizens of the Capitol took me under their wing."

She scanned the room, shadows and all. No sign of Snow, but somehow she knew he was watching this.

Her glass lifted and her eyelashes batted.

"To the Capitol!"

Instantly the crowd cheered, with carefree laughter and drunken smiles.

"To the Capitol!"

Cameras flashed as each person took a sip from their glasses.

One last time before she took a sip of her champagne her eyes prowled through the faces of the party. They stopped near the edge of the room. He was standing upright like some strangely grotesque mannequin.

He too had a glass in his hand, a glass which he raised to the ceiling.

Even from where she stood she could see that his eyes were on her. Only a second past before a smile stretched across his face. President Snow took his sip of champagne with a crafty intensity, an intensity that haunted Pandora.

"Thank you, Miss Sullivan!"

She had thought that the room fell silent quickly when she asked for everyone's attention, but when Snow did it there was nothing but pure calm.

He stepped out of the shadows, a few people bowed away in respect for the President.

"A kind speech, one I think none of us will forget. It's rare that a Victor comes out of the Hunger Games with such a way with words, such a charm in their demeanor."

She tried to feign modesty, her smile shyly broadened as she nodded to Snow.

"Happy Hunger Games!"

The party raised their glasses as the President did.

Her eyes dropped as soon as the banter and laughter heightened once more. Her head hung low as she stepped into the background.

The cut in her lip stung. Behind her bright brown eyes a thousand fears swarmed. She felt the cool marble on her back. From the depths of her soul she wished more than anything that this nightmare would end. She was struggling, drowning, and the worst part was that she knew it was happening to her and couldn't do a thing.

Doom was circling her like a duet of vultures.