Hey everybody! I am so sorry I haven't been updating my stories. This story and my others. I really have been busy, and I don't want to keep you all waiting any more. I still have the wedding speech contest going on, and I would love it if all of you would participate. You can write it from any point of view you want. It could be someone who's alive, like Cato or Katniss or Miklisho, or it could even be someone who died, like Michael or Alice or Katrina. I just really want you all to submit something. And of course, there's the questions, which I have gotten barely answers for. Here they are again, and I would hope some of you would submit something.
When you think of Liz and/or Luke (separately, or as a couple), what do you think of? Are they stupid love struck teens? Are they the ultimate power duo? Express what YOU think, because it might be different then the way I have written them.
If you could become one of the characters in this story, who would you be? Why?
Who is your favorite character in this story? Why? Least favorite? Why did you pick that person?
If Luke and Liz couldn't be together anymore, and you got to choose who they ended up with, who would it be? Why?
I want some serious answers here! You can submit your answers in a review, or you can send me a PM with the stuff in it.
Just a warning, there are going to be a lot of point of view changes throughout this chapter, and I think it's going to be beneficial, since there are so many people at the Capitol party, and thus, there's more to document, and not everyone we know and love is going to be in the same place at the same time, though you will see that there some instances where people's places do coincide. There will also be new people that we haven't seen yet in here, and I think some of you are really going to have a lot to review over by the time this chapter is over….some of you are probably going to want to kill me at a certain part…..oh god. And I am completely looking forward to it.
And now for the final order of business, my friend RandomTeddyBear and I are going to be doing an SYOT, and we need tributes. The details are on my profile. It's a Quarter Quell, the 7th to be exact, so there's a twist. The one in our SYOT is going to be having twice as many boys in the games. We need a lot of tributes….there will be an update of who we have tonight.
Thanks for reading the authors note. Now here's the chapter. Enjoy!
"Luke, what should I wear?" I shout out into the hall, where Luke is standing in his own room.
"How am I supposed to know? I need to figure out what I'm going to wear too."
Luke and I are getting ready for the Capitol party. It's bound to be extremely stressful. I know that might be hard to believe, but tonight, Luke and I find out if Snow is going to blame us for anything. It's been a while since either one of us has talked to Snow, but the last time we did, Snow had told Luke that if we screwed up anything, it would be the end of Panem as we knew it. Tonight would be that statement, and we would find out everything.
The party would be extremely fun if we let it be fun, but I had a feeling that this wouldn't be a good place to hang out. A loud party, I could deal with. A party with tons of drunken people, I could deal with. Heck, I could deal with both of them at the same time. But I wasn't bound to know too many of the people that would be attending this party.
There would be tons, and I mean tons, of past Hunger Games victors, and then there would be Snow, and the Gamemakers, and the reporters….oh, the reporters. How would I be able to cope with the Capitol people taping me doing things, and asking me a million questions? I hadn't even given a single thought to the fact that there would be more reporters and interviews then just the one with Caesar Flickerman.
Back to the problem at hand. I ran my hand along one rack of the clothes that Melody deemed appropriate for the party. The racks are clear of all jeans, blouses, and anything even partially loose for tops. I hold one orange top up and cringe. Orange is still not my color.
"Um….white button down shirt, tuxedo jacket, black dress pants, and your emerald green tie." I shot out to Luke after giving it some consideration, still leafing through the endless amount of clothes.
There are a lot of really cool dresses and things, but none of them really screams at me 'wear it'. I mean, it's a Capitol party. What do you wear to a Capitol party? I've never been to one obviously. I suppose I could ask my mother, but she would immediately hand me the shortest dress on the rack and tell me to put it on with the door open. I kind of want some privacy.
I decide to stop looking at clothes for a minute and focus on getting off my makeup from the interview off. I scrub at my face with a wipe and find it streaked with black and red and many more colors from all the makeup I've been wearing in the last few days.
In the mirror I see Luke come and frantically try and tie his tie.
"Do you need assistance with that?" I ask.
"I would like it. Trade you. You help me with my tie, and I will help you find a dress to wear to the party."
"Fine." I practically scream.
I take the tie out of his hand and smile as I proceed to put it around the way it should and tie it, pushing the knot up so it tightens and looks good on him.
His hair has no gel in it from his interview. It's the same fluffy texture and appearance and the same blond gold color as the first time I ever met him.
"Thanks." He laughs.
I nod. "Now I need to find a dress."
He and I walk over to the racks, and I frantically start to look through the racks again.
"How about this?" I ask, holding up a emerald green spaghetti strap dress with beaded flowers along the waistline.
"Nah. Let's not have my tie and your dress match tonight. We do that every time we go anywhere."
I frown and put the dress back on the rack.
"This one?" I ask, holding up a sparkly red dress.
"Red is a little overused for you, don't you think?" He replies.
I nod and put that dress back on the rack.
"I like this one." Luke says.
I turn around, seeing in my peripheral vision that he is at the rack to the right of where I am.
In his hand he's holding a short black dress with black appliqué beading on the bodice. The neckline is just above where my cleavage starts, and the bottom will come to the middle of my thigh when I put it on. It's gorgeous.
"How….how did you know?"
"I thought it looked nice, and black is an amazing color on you." He replies.
I take off the skirt and leggings I was wearing, and my top follows. Soon I'm slipping the silky dress onto my body, pulling it up so it will look good and not make me feel like I'm naked.
Luke zips me up before I even ask him to, and I walk over to the suitcases full of shoes, pulling out a pair of black strappy heels with a little bow on the toe straps. Elegant, and classy.
Next I head to the vanity, Luke still following me.
He picks up a necklace from the makeup bag Melody keeps, and wordlessly he clasps it around my neck, the black crystals hanging from the chain dangling somewhat freely on my bare skin.
I take a brush and start twisting two strands into little coils, then wrapping them so they meet at the back of my head, and then I put a little clip in so it stays in place. The remaining hair is pulled up into a high bun, giving the appearance that my bun is surrounded by a rope.
It looks really pretty, and I'm swiping mascara onto my lashes and attempting to apply eyeliner. My wrist has an involuntary spasm as my nerves of the party set in, and I end up with a black line right diagonal to my eye.
I groan and wipe it away, my hand shaking as I try again. I slam the eyeliner stick down on the table, and Luke picks it up.
"Want me to do it?" He asks.
"Yes please. Do you know how?"
He takes the stick from me and replies "I've watched my mom do it lots of times."
I smile and look up.
Luke slowly eases the stick along my eye with short strokes. After he finishes one eye, he stops.
"Look in the mirror and tell me if you want me to do the other eye. If you don't, I wouldn't be offended if you wanted to wipe it off."
I look in the mirror and see that my eyeliner is flawlessly applied. It looks 'FABULOUS FABULOUS FABULOUS' as Melody would squeal.
"It's perfect." I say.
He spins me around to face him again and he flawlessly applies the rest of my eyeliner.
Then he puts the stick down on the table and I put on my eye shadow, black of course.
Luke's arms circle my waist as I put on my lipstick, waterproof, and thus kiss proof.
I laugh and go over to the purse section, selecting a black sequined clutch and stowing my lipstick, a condom (why not? I might as well have one), tissues, my eyeliner and eye shadow, a few extra hair elastics, and my mom's knife. Miklisho could show up at any time, and I have to be prepared to kill that son of a bitch if he tries anything.
I take a deep breath, turn around, and take Luke's fingers between mine.
"I think I'm ready to go." I say my voice barely above a whisper.
Luke POV-
Her fingers are warm as our hands intertwine together. I give her hand a reassuring squeeze and then we walk out of the room and into the hallway. Her heels click clack as we walk, and her hand that isn't holding mine is turning white with her grip on her purse.
"It's all going to be alright. You know that, right?"
She nods, saying nothing.
"Everything is going to be fine. You'll see. It's just another party." I try.
She turns to me and smiles.
"I know. I'm just hoping I won't make a fool of myself." She stammers.
"If you do, say you were drunk. Everyone there will be drunk at some point."
"Of course. I'll probably be drunk too." She agrees.
We've reached the door, and I drape a arm over her shoulders the way I had seen Marcus do.
"Ready?" I ask.
"Let's kick some ass." She adds.
I open the door with one hand and my other arm is still dangling around Liz.
The second we walk in, everyone falls into silence. I am not joking, even though I wish it was a joke.
Luckily everybody starts up their conversations again, and we walk over to the bar that is set up. Liz sets her purse down on the bar and I order us two apple martinis', since I see that most everybody here is drinking one.
This is bound to be an amazing party.
"I'm going to go mingle. I expect you to be doing the same."
Clove POV-
"I love that my daughter won the Games. I mean, it wasn't a surprise. She takes after her parents." I say.
Of course, the moment I enter the party I am bombarded with questions from Valetta Stone about my daughter. Come on. I just want one party where I don't have to think of her. I mean really, we're at the Hunger Games victor party, and I don't feel like talking about Liz. I love her to death, but she comes up in every conversation I have. And I won't even mention how many sex sessions between Cato and I have been ruined and bummed out by him saying 'We shouldn't be doing this.' Or 'come on Clover. We're on Liz's bed. Let's move'. Kill me now.
"CLOVE!"
I turn around to find Enobaria throwing her arms around my neck. I hug her and jump up and down over and over and over again. As Enobaria pulls me up and down. Damn she's strong.
"Ohmygod, I looooove your dress."
I look down at my dress. It's purple, and floor length because of what my publicist said about purple calming people. Like she knew that I was going to cut a bitch at this party and would need something to calm people down. Let's face it. I cut a bitch at every party.
"Are you drunk?" I ask her.
"As a skunk." She replies.
"Ughhhhhh. Who the hell cares? We'll all be drunk by the end of this party." I squeal.
And I down the rest of my champagne.
"Let's go get a drink." I say.
She nods and I sling an arm over her shoulders, heading toward the bar. Liz is there too, drinking an apple martini.
"That better be the virgin version." I say to her.
She hurriedly puts down her glass.
"Ha! You thought I was actually telling you to stop drinking." I respond with a smirk.
"You're not?" She asks.
"No. You know my one and only rule."
"Do whatever I want, just don't get pregnant."
"Good girl." I say.
I pinch her cheek and slide down onto a stool, Enobaria settling herself on the one next to me.
Liz cocks her head to the side and looks at me with a blank expression, but I ignore her.
She stands up, and I catch the first real glimpse of the outfit she's wearing. It's neither slutty, nor safe, which I am intrigued by completely.
She finds her way around the bar, and Enobaria winks at her.
"We'll catch up later darling." She drawls.
Onyx blushes slightly and walks away, probably off to find Luke.
I don't even care what she's doing. Tonight, I don't have a daughter.
Haymitch POV-
Why did I continue to come to these parties every year? Only twice was there actually a reason for me to come. The first time was when I won the Games, and was required to come, and the second was when Katniss and Peeta won and I was coming as his mentor.
I guess I have to be here. But at the same time, I have no idea. It doesn't seem like anybody is paying me any attention. Luke is nowhere to be found, and come to think of it, I can't find anyone that I know.
There's the same Capitol people making out in a corner that are there every year, although their hair is different colors, and they seem to be last drunk at this time of the evening then last year. But the night is still young. There are going to be lots of drunken people. Lots of people making out. Lots of people having sex. And then, and only then, I will leave.
I guess the reason I come is because it makes me feel normal. Nobody screams at me for being drunk, because everybody is drunk at these Capitol parties. And Effie can't nag me because she's off doing whatever the heck it is Effie does every time she goes to the Capitol. In the Capitol, I am normal. My hair has been the same color all my life. I don't have gems implanted in my skin. My skin is the same yellowish white color it has been for a long time now.
I take a swig of my beer, finding the bottle empty. I put it down with the last two and ask the bartender for another. This will be my fourth. And there will be many more. But hey, I'm not a freak. Drinking 26 beers in a night is like drinking one in the Capitol. The drunkards are the ones that drink like…..76. And I would never go that far.
I take my beer and head towards the buffet. You have not truly lived until you have eaten Capitol food. Rich, savory food that makes your mouth water the first time. Makes you crave more and more of it until you are so full you could explode. And then you eat more of it. Too much is never enough.
When I was going to my Games I had eaten as much as I possibly could eat, and then more, and then vomited again, and then ate more food. It continued like that for every meal I had on the train on my way to the Capitol, and then when we were in the Training Center, I was more focused on the food then the other tributes and the training. That's a lie.
I was aware that I had to train, and I focused on it as best as I could, but let's face it, any tribute that steps into the Games trains until lunchtime, so that automatically makes you think about food with every station you visit.
The Arena was terrible for many reasons, one of which being that I couldn't ear Capitol food in the Arena. Roots, berries, and the occasional meat from an animal you killed yourself were just never quite as satisfying.
Effie POV-
"Oh my god Effie, please tell me you're changing your skin color. You look so pale." Trion trills.
Trion is one of my friends from before I started working in the districts. She is one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen, with or without alterations. She works in a salon, so she's pretty much required to model something that she can do.
Her skin is milk white from dying it, and her eyes are a beautiful hazel, although they used to be icy blue. Her eyelashes are a dark blue, and along her lash line there are small diamonds implanted. Her eyelids are shadowed with a dark blue tonight, one of the only things that she can change about her appearance.
Her voice is like velvet. She doesn't have the Capitol accent like a lot of people who live here. Like me, she isn't always in the Capitol. Lately, she's been alternating between working in District 1, and then she comes back to the Capitol. She was working in the Hunger Games this year on the girl….what was her name….Silke. Silke Deprie.
"Yeah Eeffie, it makes you look like….sick." Santana agrees.
Santana is a full out Capitolite. Her skin is dyed a devilish shade of red, and her hair matches. Everything about her is red. Her hair, her skin, her eyes, her clothes, her lips, her makeup. Between Trion and I, we call her the devil, or Satan.
"I'll think about it Santana. Does that work for you? I don't want to look like…well…like you, when I'm working with children. Come on, you scare people."
"Ugh! I did nothing wrong. I am being fashionable, Eeffie."
She has the accent, and it sounds like a knife scraping against a brick wall. I hate her, in case you haven't noticed. And I never hate anybody, so you know she must have been extremely and perpetually irritating.
"I know. I just don't think I could….live up to the look like you could." I reply.
She throws me a smirk.
"So Effie, what is next year's hair color? You seem to know all the inside information before anyone else." Trion adds, trying to lighten the conversation.
I smile.
"Aquamarine seems to be it."
Trion and Santana start chattering away with each other like schoolgirls the day before Prom. And I sit down on a stool, drinking my ice water daintily while looking around for someone else to talk to. I mean, I love Trion, but we haven't seen each other enough to truly be considered friends.
"She did? Oh my god, that girl is going to be pregnant be next week, I swear!" I hear Santana squeal in horror next to me.
My head pounds behind my eyelids, and I hold my manicured fingertips up. I feel the warmth of my body under those fingertips, so I know that I am here, but at the same time, I don't really feel alive here. The Capitol was once my home. Why was it so hard to think of it like that now? I had always said I would quit working the Hunger Games and come back to the Capitol, but it's been years since then, and I guess I've grown out of thinking like that.
I spot Haymitch at the buffet, taking huge swigs of a beer that's only half full. I know he's had more than that though. Half of the food he's spooning onto his plate isn't even making it onto the crystal dish. He's also wobbling on his own feet, and I can see him smiling and grinning like an idiot. Haymitch never smiles unless he's drunk. It's a known fact. That needs to be stopped.
I excuse myself from the current conversation, much to Trion's protest and Santana's obvious happiness, and walk across the room a trifle faster than usual.
Katniss POV-
What is wrong with the Capitol? I mean, the list could go on and on. I hate this place with all my heart, and I don't understand why people like it. Sure, it's bigger than any of the districts. Bigger then all of them combined, and it's brighter than any place I've ever been, and the people are all so different from anyone you would see in the districts, but each has a downside that nobody seems to see.
It's bigger, which means there are more people. Capitol people are more annoying than any people you will ever meet. And it's a given that the Capitol is filled with Capitolites, who are the scariest people I have ever seen in my life.
It's brighter, which means you can see everybody in every time of day. And like I said before, scary people. You don't want to see some of these people. And then there's the fact that I get a headache inside all Capitol buildings because of the lighting being so different to the lighting in District 12. Although then again there's barely any lighting in District 12.
I'm here because my son and daughter in law were being honored tonight. If I could have been at home with them right now, I would. I don't like the way the Capitol atmosphere is affecting my son. He shouldn't be subjected to seeing people that are making their appearances look different to follow stupid trends.
I had always raised him to believe that the way he looks is just that, and he shouldn't change it for anything. And Liz is a sweet girl in a hard coating, and I know that she is slowly becoming a Capitolite as well. Every Victor a few months out of the Games will become like that.
And I hate that almost as much as I hate the Capitol itself.
"Katniss?" I hear behind me.
I don't even want to turn around. I know it's Snow behind me.
And when I turn around, I find that I am right. Snow stands there like usual, white rose in his lapel, a scowl icy enough to freeze over the sun, and a bowl of lamb and dried plum stew in one hand. He wordlessly offers it to me. He knows that I love that stew. It's my favorite Capitol food.
"May I help you mister president?" I ask with fake sincerity, taking the stew and plunging a spoon into it, popping the steaming hot spoonful in my mouth.
"I'm looking for your son." He replies simply.
"Sorry. I haven't seen him. If you find Liz, you've probably found Luke If that helps."
"it does, . It does."
I know something is bad now. Nobody, not even Snow, calls me by my maiden name. To everyone I am Katniss Mellark.
"What do you need of Luke?" I ask, spooning more stew into my mouth."
"You'll soon see. I promise you. By the end of the night, you'll have found out. When you see the Peacekeepers, you'll know."
"Are you accusing Luke of something?" I ask sweetly.
"No, I am not. I am accusing his wife of something."
My bowl of stew clatters to the floor, spilling its contents all along the pristine white floor, but with all the noise of the occurring party, nobody hears it. Nobody. Except me. Peacekeepers come to enforce the laws. They make sure people don't break laws. They arrest people for not obeying laws. This only leaves me with one question.
What laws could he think Liz was breaking?
Peeta POV-
The food was delicious. The people were friendly. The party was lively and fun. Why was I still standing here by the bar silently? I had to face the fact. When we were in the Capitol, I might as well have been a lump on a log. I wasn't a stranger to parties. I just wasn't young enough, and frankly, Capitolite enough, to be a part of this party.
Looking around, there are at least 6 couples off in the darker parts of the room kissing….or going further than that. None of them are Liz and Luke thank God.
I can't help but look around for my son and his fiancée. I mean, this is the Capitol, We have no idea what could be happening at any time here. There are drugs here. Alchehol. Sex. There are so many possibilities for someone young like them to get enticed.
I should relax. I take a deep breath and sit down on one of the plush sofas. A blond Avox girl comes and fills my empty glass of champagne. And I finally relax as the burning sensation that can only be caused by drinking alchehol comes to me.
Liz POV-
"Liz! Liz!" A chorus of reporters surrounds me, recorders and cameras and all.
"Liz, can I talk to you for a few minutes?"
It's my old friend Valetta Stone. She smiles at me with her white teeth and canary yellow dress. Ughhhhhh. So glad I didn't wear yellow. Her nails are painted to match the dress, like usual, and she is followed by her camera crew.
"Of course Valetta. But I'm afraid I'll have to leave somewhat soon. I have to find Luke at some point."
"Of course darling. Well, first off, are you enjoying the party?"
I laugh and smile into her cameras.
"This party is definitely something…different. I mean, it's a good different. I'm not used to parties on such a big scale."
Valetta laughs a laugh so completely and utterly fake that I can't help but cock my head demurely to the side and bat my eyelashes.
"Well, that is why it's the Capitol!" She trills.
"And I love it." I reply automatically.
"So, what are your plans for after the party?" Valetta asks with a little mischievous smile, although at that time, I have no idea what she is saying, nor do I have any idea why that smile is on her face.
The noise level skyrockets as two men get into a drunken fight and one woman fights tooth and nail to separate them. Soon the fight is resolved, and everything calms down.
"Can you repeat your question please?" I ask with a fake smile.
She bats her eyelashes and says nothing for a moment, as though repeating a question is not something that she has ever heard of in her life.
"Of course, sweetie. What are your plans for after the party?"
"Um….I'm not quite sure what you are referring to, Valetta." I say.
"Well….Liz, sweetheart…..are you and Luke going to-"
"Hey, I hate to interrupt, but I need to speak to this young lady right away."
Someone tugs on my arm and I am pulled away from the conversation and into a dark corner of the room.
"You better let go of me. I'll scream rape." I insist.
"I just want to talk."
I know now that the person who pulled me away was a man….and by the sound of it, a sexy one.
"Are you another reporter?" I ask him.
"No. I'm a Victor. My name is Finnick."
"That's just damn awesome. Now, what was it you had to talk to me about? I was in the middle of a conversation." I retort.
I'm not used to talking to strange guys, and I am certainly not used to being nice to strange guys that come and approach me.
"Yeah, and I don't think you, a 15 year old girl from District 2, is going to want to talk about her sex life. Wouldn't you agree?"
I know that I paled under those lights then and there.
"Your right. I wouldn't have wanted to, but I don't think being alone with some creepy Victor man is going to be a good idea either."
I turn around and walk away, but Finnick pulls me back in.\
"Who are you anyway? You say you're a Victor. What Games did you win?"
"The 65th. I was 14."
"That would mean your….37." I say, calculating in my brain.
"Well, it's good to know the youth of today is still able to do math." He laughs.
In that brief second, I catch a real look at him. His skin is a sexy tan color, and his hair is the color of bronze, and his eyes….oh god. His eyes are a sexy shade of sea green.
There are more people walking by. Soon we'll be discovered.
"Damn." He murmurs.
"What?" I stutter, looking around.
There's a group of woman coming. Older woman to be more exact. Capitol woman, but as I catch Finnick's eye, I know he isn't happy about their approaching.
"What's so special about those ladies?" I ask him quietly.
"I was sold to them." He responds.
"What?" I stammer.
"I am their man prostitute. You wouldn't understand. But just….kiss me. If they see us together, they'll think you paid too. That way we won't get caught."
"Are you drunk? I'm not going to kiss you! Your….old. "
"Yeah, I am slightly drunk, and right now, you don't want to be caught. Just….kiss me like you are desperate and I am the last living guy on Earth."
"What the-" I protest.
His lips press into mine oh so gently. For one second, and then they are off again, and he's grimacing.
"Am I that bad?" I wonder aloud.
"No…it's just….I'm married. I have a child. And I just kissed a 15 year old girl."
"I understand. I just kissed a man older then my father. I'm not too thrilled either."
"Sorry. I needed some way to hide from all those whores. They paid money to sleep with me. And on tonight of all nights. Tonight is a celebration for the Victors of this year's Games."
"Yeah. And you just kissed the guest of honor."
"What?"
"My name is Liz. Liz Hirsch. Victor of the 88th Hunger Games."
"No way…I didn't just….oh my god I am sorry. I mentored your allies."
"Did you really?"
"Yes. I'm from District 4."
"You mentored Michael and Maryann, right?"
"It's fine. Just don't tell anyone. I won't either. I need to go find my fiancée."
"Thanks again."
"Don't mention it. Seriously. It's just a drunk kiss." I say.
I flash a nice smile and walk out into the light, and immediately Enobaria comes and greets me.
"Lizzy! Darling. Oh my god it is wonderful to see you again." She slurs.
I can smell the alchehol on her breath. She is beyond drunk.
"Liz, sweetie, gotta talk to you."
I hear a boy voice and know it's Miklisho.
He grabs me and kisses me over and over and over again. At first I struggle, but then I allow him to kiss me.
Then I see the Peacekeepers and Snow.
"Well done Maccoll. Maybe I'll allow you your voice more often."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir."
"Leave Miklisho. Don't want you seeing me arrest your pretty little girlyfriend here."
"What?"
A Peacekeeper jacks me in the stomach, and I fall onto the ground. The handcuffs go on soon after. And I realize that they are really arresting me.
Don't bother telling me how weird it was. I know it was weird. Got to go! REVIEW!