Beta-Read by: gkmoberg1

I'm only Joking by KONGOS

I'm only joking

I don't believe a thing I've said

What are you smoking?

I'm just a-fucking with your head

Only a crazy little thing I read

Chapter 5

"I thought you were waiting to speak with me," Winnow remarked idly. Finnick had just entered her rooms, where she had been told to wait after eating.

"I was. After breakfast. Right after lunch. When you had not woken, I decided to speak with Kai." He responded, flopping down on the seat opposite to her.

"I see."

"Do you, now?" Finnick prodded. Winnow merely raised an eyebrow. "I wished to talk strategy with you," he added.

"Do you, now?" She repeated mockingly.

He sighed and glared at her like an exasperated parent. "If you can reel back the hormones for a moment, Winnow, perhaps we can discuss the coming and going of a certain District 2 Tribute last night." Finnick remarked, raising an eyebrow at her in response.

Winnow's face whitened and her lips pursed. "How did you know?" She inquired- her voice weak.

His eyes softened. "One of the Peacekeepers on the train brought it to my attention. And played the footage for me. Both inside and outside these rooms," If possible, Winnow looked more horrified than before. "I had him erase it." Finnick added, seeing her breath ease out in relief. "Now will you tell me what you were thinking?" he requested.

"As you wish." She uttered, rubbing her temple in exasperation. "He came to my rooms, and I think you know what he wanted." She began.

"I do," he confirmed.

"I cannot say I do not find him attractive. I know it was stupid, but-"

"No, it was one of the more brilliant things you've done." Finnick interrupted her. Winnow's brows furrowed in confusion, begging for an explanation. "Look, you're thinking with the morals of the girl you used to be. You need to see that's over. You need to think in terms of the Hunger Games. " He tried to catch her gaze but she would only look away. "You're still thinking that you are going to be IN the Hunger Games. Dear, you already are. The moment your names was called-" He could see she was still awash with emotions. Her face was expressing her racing thoughts.

Within, her mind was moving from the embarrassment of finding she and Cato were not only discovered by filmed to thoughts of last night with him. This was complicated by an anger she felt over the invasion of what she thought was her space - her rooms being filmed without her knowing. Finnick gave her a moment. Outside the train car, rising mountainous terrain flashed by through the windows. He then tried again, hoping to take the situation as an example. "You've made Cato want you even more. As an ally, a lover and perhaps even a partner. Even if you don't join the Careers…he might decide to help you. He won't hurt you," he informed her.

"How do you know that?" she demanded.

Finnick shrugged. "I'm not stupid. I can read people too, you know. And that is what I saw in the video of you two together. He came in the middle of the night, hoping to please you enough to get you to join him. You know that much; and said so, too. Cato is determined to have you one way or another in the Arena. You've made an agreement to end this before the Games begin. But it won't," he told her.

"It will. I won't be his slut," Winnow warned.

Finnick caught and this time held her gaze, "You already are," he retorted. "But that doesn't mean anyone has to know that. It will be all too obvious to the mentors, to those with a trained eye, that you have a hold on Cato. And it will make you a target." he divulged.

"What would you have me do, Finnick?" She sighed.

"Become Cato's ally- his partner. If you are his partner, it will not seem so strange for him to listen to you. The hold you have on him will not be so obvious." The Victor instructed her.

"Must I do it right away?" Winnow asked reluctantly.

Finnick shook his head. "No. Let Cato prove himself to you, as you wanted. But know you will join him." He ordered her. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded. "Now, then. Since we're done talking about all that unpleasant stuff like Cato, let's talk about your angle," Finnick joked, making her crack a smile.

"So, what is the deal with this?" She asked, gesturing to her outfit.

"You're a goddess of the sea- and that's what you'll be portraying when you leave this train and every time you are in front of a camera or an audience." He told her.

"And how will I do that?" Winnow questioned.

"By being yourself, Fontanne. You're tempestuous. Wicked, yet merciful. Flirtatious, but demanding and hard to please. And you will play that role. Perfectly, if I know you at all," Finnick explained.

A smirk slowly curved her lips. "That I can do,"

He leaned forward in his seat. "Mags and I believe that you have a real chance of winning, Winnow. So we need to get your image, your angle, straight so you have it in place after the Games," he said softly.

Her eyes went wide. "You think I'll win?" she asked incredulously.

Finnick took a moment to choose his words carefully. "You have just as good a chance out of any of them,"

Winnow rolled her eyes, settling back in her seat. "So 1 out of 24. Nice,"

"Alright, Fontanne, get outta here. We'll be at the Capitol soon," he said, swatting at her shoulder lightly and guiding her out the door.

Kai and Winnow stood before the train doors. He was similarly dressed in white- simple linen slacks and shirt- though the shirt was off white- dyed the lightest of blues. Kai looked handsome - Winnow had to admit, gawky and clumsy as he was.

"Are you nervous?" Kai asked, his hand moving to run through his hair- but he stopped himself- remembering Pyrrhus' orders to keep his hair tidy.

She sighed, glancing out the window and seeing the roaring crowds of Capitolians. "A little. But having a plan makes it easier," she answered, referring to her talk with Finnick earlier that afternoon.

"I hadn't thought about that yet. It's a good idea." He replied. "But I don't have a plan," Kai added, his brows furrowing.

Winnow sighed. "Here's your plan. When those doors open and we get out, walk close to me, brush against me- but don't try to touch me deliberately. We want them to think we're close; but not romantic. Smile, but don't look at the Capitolians. Play hard to get, Kai," She directed him.

He slowly smiled. "Thanks Winnow,"

"Yeah, yeah. Just glue that damn smile on and let's go," she muttered out the side of her mouth as she put a smile on. Kai managed to do the same just as the train doors finally opened. Pyrrhus magically appeared behind them as the tributes stepped out of the train and into the roaring crowds.

Winnow took long leisurely strides, smiling yet not bothering to look at the crowd around her- as if she was merely a tourist, here to enjoy the sights and luxuries. Kai was at her side, his arm brushing against hers every few steps, doing as he had been told and doing it well. The tributes from each district had emerged from the train, one by one, crossing the short path into the building.

"Alright, you two, enough sight-seeing, let's get you two inside and to the stylists," Pyrrhus said, placing a hand on each of their shoulders and guiding them inside.

The pair were immediately separated and Pyrrhus had disappeared into thin air. Two stylists escorted Winnow to a small room filled with tools that frightened her to look at. They had her sit on the table, before holding their hands out to her in tandem.

Winnow stared at them for a moment before shaking each of their hands. "Miss Fontanne, I am Phedre- and this is my sister-"

"Pandora," the second interjected.

Phedre and Pandora were exactly identical- except for a birthmark on Phedre's left cheek where Pandora didn't. Their skin was a dusky gold, their hair tightly coiled curls just a shade lighter than their skin. Their eyes, a startling quicksilver, were rimmed in gold leaf. They were petite and curvy, one hand clasped in her twin's. The pair were dressed in a fine cloth that resembled leaves and grasses.

Staring at the twins' bizarre appearance, it took Winnow a moment to reply. "Um, hello. Pleasure to meet you,"

Phedre and Pandora smiled in tandem, too. "You as well! Now let us get you ready for Artemisia," Pandora responded, she and her sister moving in syncs to disrobe Winnow.

"What's an Artemisia?" Winnow asked curiously, obligingly unhooking the gold band around her neck, letting the dress fall without a hint of shyness.

"Your stylist, of course! Our boss-" Phedre giggled.

"-Who is sequestered with Finnick Odair-" Pandora added with a squeal.

"-Talking about none other than you!" they both sang.

Winnow raised an eyebrow at them, moving to lay down on the table as one of twins gestured erratically at her.

"You must be so excited, Winnow! We know we are!"

Winnow turned her head away, letting them prattle on as they worked on her. These two; Phedre and Pandora - were excitable and kind, but they weren't like Pyrrhus. They did not understand. She pursed her lips, holding in sounds of pain as they seemed to rip out every hair on her body; except for the hair on her head and her eyebrows. Then the twins buffed away the remains of the wax they'd used, as to exfoliate her from head to toe.

Next, they spread a thick lotion all over her body, from head to toe, massaging it in with their fingers, leaving no skin untouched. Winnow's eyes were closed- she did enjoy this part. The massaging, and then the feel of Phedre's fingers on her scalp as she rubbed another substance through her dark hair.

But it was over all too soon, and the twins handed Winnow a robe to wrap around herself. "I will go get Artemisia," Pandora volunteered, nodding to her sister before quickly leaving the room.

Winnow turned her gaze away so that Phedre wouldn't dare speak to her. After a few minutes and she heard the door click, Winnow looked up and saw a woman who was best-described as a fairy out of stories approaching her.

She had wavy scarlet hair, unnaturally glowing green eyes and pale and nearly translucent skin. Her ears were pointed, her frame thin and tall. It could only be Artemisia. Like the twins, she wore clothing that resembled leaves, flowers, and grasses.

"Winnow," She greeted, voice low and comforting.

"Artemisia," Winnow responded in a slightly questioning tone.

The woman gave a short nod. "Finnick and I have been discussing you. He wants you to be a goddess of the Sea. And I know just the thing," Artemisia remarked. "I won't waste your time. Let's get to work, ladies,"

Then suddenly, one twin was working on Winnow's hair, and the other her nails as Artemisia applied her make-up with swift yet delicate flicks of her wrist. It was all done so very quickly, that Artemisia was holding up a dress for her to step into.

It was similar in style to the dress Winnow had arrived in- the ancient Grecian style- but it was floor length and strapless. But then came the gold. Bracers that encased her wrists and extended over the backs of her hands, bands under and over her bust, keeping her chest securely in place. Then there were the two sets of gold plated sleeves that came to points over her shoulders- pauldrons - and a thick gold collar.

She was utterly bedecked in gold- even Winnow's hair- weaved into old-school plaits with golden ribbons twisted into her hair. When all the stylists ceased working, Artemisia bid the tribute stand, and twirl around slowly. "You're perfect. Look into the mirror, Winnow."

Winnow slowly turned and looked at the mirror as she was bid. Her eyes went wide as she saw the creature reflected. Finnick had wanted a goddess…and he had gotten one. Her very skin seemed to be golden, yet lighter than the heavy gold adorning her limbs. She looked very much an ancient warrioress deity, born from the foam of the sea like one of the ancients. "Oh, this will do. It will most certainly do," Winnow murmured. Her stylist's thin lips turned up in a smirk.

"I'm glad you think so. Now let's get you to the parade grounds and show you off," Artemisia remarked, taking her arm and leading her from the room. She held onto Winnow's arm, almost like a mother would, the whole way to the grounds.

When the pair arrived on the parade grounds, it seemed that they were one of the last to arrive. Winnow found Cato's eyes on her almost immediately. She turned her head to glance at him, finding his jaw dropped open, a darkness filling his eyes. She cooly took in him in, he and his faux gladiator costume, lifting an eyebrow as if to suggest he had to be kidding to have allowed himself to be dressed like that, before turning away and letting Artemisia guide her to her chariot where Kai, Finnick, Mags and Pyrrhus all waited.

Kai and Finnick both did a double-take upon seeing Winnow, while Pyrrhus and Mags just smiled knowingly. "Artemisia! When I ask for a goddess, you sure as hell give me one!" Finnick praised, striding up to his tribute and cupping her face in his hands. Winnow couldn't help but grin up at her mentor

Artemisia made a knowing noise, crossing her arms. "When you have the right materials," she said, waving a hand nonchalantly.

Suddenly a voice came over their heads from a speaker system ordering the Tributes into their chariots. Kai stepped onto the chariot first, and then turned back to help Winnow in. She took his hand and stepped in, feeling Finnick behind her to catch her if she slipped. "You look beautiful," Kai said quietly, glancing at her shyly.

Winnow's eyes flickered to the District 2 chariot, where she found Cato glowering, his hate-filled eyes focused on Kai. "Thank you,"

"So what's the plan, Fontanne?" Kai asked, looking straight ahead as the chariots began to roll out towards the screaming crowds.

"We are sea deities, Kai…We. Give. Nothing."

A/N: Thanks to gkmoberg for beta-reading! And to sandipi and Crystal Wolf Guardian for reviewing! Now there's twenty-odd of you reading out there...how about you make my day and give me some feedback!?

REVIEW PLEASE!

Revised 7/30/14.