A/N: So something odd I'm noticing and I'm not sure if its just me or if anyone can share it themselves. But it does seem there is a bug on the site not showing any new views on stories/chapters. I know it resets when a new month has started but even with my guest review it would show visits at least. If I could please get a few reviews to see that you all are enjoying it would be greatly helpful in knowing that this rewrite is being seen. Thank you all xoxo
Luce jerked awake with a start for what seemed like the hundredth time this morning. She didn't have to look up any more either to know that it was Finnick who elbowed her once again to help her stay awake and focused. If he kept it up, she would surely have bruises on her side. Something she definitely didn't need going into the arena soon. As she made eye contact with him she realized he was watching her with concern.
"Still not getting much sleep?" He asked. She shook her head in response, stretching and letting out a yawn as she did so. The past few days of training and dreams had left her low on energy that she would need today for their individual assessment. Where they would stand in front of the gamemaker and possible sponsors to show whatever skill they thought would be good enough to earn their support on the battlefield. Everyone here knew well enough that sponsors could be the difference between life and death.
She could remember how she sat nervously on the same bench just a few years ago, a boy named Aaron by her side. And now here she was once again, this time with Finnick by her side, still feeling just as nervous. Pushing those thoughts aside she took a few breaths to keep calm.
"District Four, Finnick Odair" A monotone voice said over the intercom. Looking at him she gave his hand a squeeze, a gesture he returned before standing. Flashing a confident smile to the room before exiting temporarily to go impress the judges.
Now by herself, Luce took the moment to look around the room and assess the others waiting their turn. She admitted she was a bit surprised by how calm some of them seemed as they sat waiting. Johanna looking pissed and annoyed, while the morphlings looked like they could drop dead any second. Then there was Katniss and Peeta in the back, who seemed to share her feelings of uneasiness.
Peeta noticed her staring and raised his hand offering an awkward smile. She only nodded in returned before turning forward and making herself focus, eyes locked on the door until it was her turn.
"Lucetta Wynter, District Four." Said the same monotone voice again not long after. Taking a deep breath she slowly stood up, feeling everyone's eyes on her as she made her way toward the door and to the training room. As she moved she noticed Finnick on his way back. He gave her a smile and a quick kiss to the forehead,
"I'll be waiting for you when your done ok? You can do it." He encouraged before going back to the waiting room.
His cheerfulness still baffled her from time to time. In fact all of this was hard to digest still. How he and all the rest of the career districts could look ok with getting thrown back in just to be watched and killed like a lab rat. Thinking on the metaphor she couldn't help but be amused by it.
They were all like rats and mice to them. Maneuvering their way through obstacles just to get to the giant slice of cheese at the end. But in reality, there was no cheese, only a meaningless celebration declaring that you made it to the end along with horrid memories to prove that it actually happened.
Getting herself worked up she stood right outside the entrance and took a moment to clear her head again. Nodding to herself she entered the room and walked to stand in front of the stage that was set up. People sitting and laughing amongst themselves.
Up front and center she saw a man who was easy to suspect as head gamemaker. Mostly due to the fact that he was the only one currently paying attention to her. Plutarch Heavensbee, the one Haymitch mentioned the other night.
Watching him she tried to understand how someone like him, who probably had everything he could ever want or need in life, would want to end the games. Was Capitol life not as perfect as she thought? Were there darker secrets looking to be revealed?
"Miss Wynter, you have ten minutes to present your chosen skill. You may begin." He said bringing her out of her staring contest with him.
She nodded in confirmation before walking forward to the weapons and grabbing the daggers that had been laid out. Picking up a few, she lightly bounced them in her hand to make sure the weight was the same as what she had been practicing with. Once satisfied she moved toward the targets on the other side of the room.
Looking at the perfectly aligned targets ahead of her she took a moment to focus and clear her mind of any thoughts. Gripping the first dagger, she took her stance and imagined herself throwing it before actually doing so and watching the small knife fly.
Watching it lodge itself just above the bullseye brought a small smile to her lips. She allowed herself to have a moment of pride as she threw the next one, landing a mere inch away from the first. Although she missed the third, she shook out the nerves and continued to throw the rest in her hand with almost perfect accuracy.
Turning to face the judges she watched them talk amongst themselves, hushed whispers back and forth. Having not been given any further instructions she just nodded her head and walked out the door. Faintly hearing Plutarch instruct them to "send in the next one."
She avoided eye contact with the guy from Five as he passed her down the hall. Once back in the waiting room she saw Finnick waiting for her as he promised, leaning against the back wall.
"There you are, how'd it go?" He asked wrapping an arm around her as the walked out of the building. Luce only shrugged as she couldn't help but smile causing him to laugh at her.
"Really? That's all I get?" He feigned being hurt as she teased him with an even wider smile before giving a silent laugh of her own.
They took their time getting back to the apartment, and once inside they saw Zachariah looking impatient. He grabbed their arms and dragged them to the bedrooms.
"What took you two so long?! There isn't much time. You both need to shower and get ready for your interview with Cesar tonight! Chop Chop!" He herded them to their separate rooms before going back to the living room to wait, muttering to himself about the importance of keeping schedules.
Luce frowned inside her room as she remembered her awful and awkward interview from her games. And realizing that she no longer spoke, it would be even more awkward. Maybe my attendance isn't mandatory? She hoped.
She made sure to take an extra long shower and enjoy the hot water, anything to delay having to stand there in front of hundreds of people and make a fool of herself. It was as if Finnick had read her mind as she finally got dressed and met him outside their rooms.
"Don't worry, I'll do all the talking." He said winking at her in which Luce gave him a thankful look before being ushered out.
"Come come, we need to get you to hair and makeup. I swear you both can't even try to look decent as we leave?" Zachariah exclaimed as they were once again out the door.
Mags and Luce walked arm in arm, trying to imagine what kind of getup they'd put her in this time. Just the thought of having to sit in a chair for an hour as someone attacked her with makeup and hairbrushes made her huff.
She was pleasantly surprised this time around as it was the complete opposite. One of the women did very little makeup. A light shade of blue eyeshadow along with some eyeliner and a light touch of blush was all that was applied. Her hair put into simple curls with a bow clipped to the side above her ear.
Luce was never much of a girly girl. Fancy dresses and shoes weren't too big a deal. But in this moment she was willing to admit that she felt pretty and approved of her chosen look. A strapless baby blue dress that cut off at her knees, the skirt fluffed up and the back tied like a corset. A white satin sash was wrapped around her waist to compliment the blue along with the finishing touch of a seashell pinned off to the side of it. After putting on a simple pair of flats she gave a twirl in front of the mirror and smiled at her reflection.
Seeing Finnick watch her through the reflection she turned to look at him feeling slightly embarrassed. Eyeing him up she nodded in approval at his outfit as well. A loose fitting shirt, the same necklace from the parade, and a simple pair of dark pants.
"You look wonderful Luce, I'm sure mom and dad will enjoy seeing you." He mused causing her to blush as she hugged him in thanks. Mags raising her hand to second his compliment. Together they made their way to side stage as they waited their turn. Her hand instinctively going to his as they watched Beetee talk about laws of the Capitol. The interview ended quick for him and soon they were up. Mags gave them a pat on the shoulders for good luck.
She bit her lip gripping his hand a bit tighter. He only reached up and tapped her lip with his other hand to get her to stop biting before looking forward as they were being announced onto the stage.
"From District Four, Finnick Odair and Lucetta Wynter!" Bright lights turned to them as they walked out onto the stage.
Luce focused on her feet making sure she wouldn't trip and make a fool of herself. Thankfully with Finnick by her side it was a quick walk to the front and they were next to Cesar, waving to the crowd. Finnick blew a kiss causing the people to cheer louder, and after a minute of applause they finally began to quiet down.
"So wonderful to see you two again," Cesar started with a laugh. "Lucetta..I know this must be a bit of a hard time for you seeing as you've only been out of the games for two years. Tell me, what were your thoughts when you heard about being reaped again." He held the mic towards her face and she could feel herself pale. Opening her mouth, she found there were no words.
Cesar frowned as he waited a moment before looking to Finnick who spoke up for her. "Luce has found it hard adjusting back to normal life since returning home from her victory."
He answered giving her a glance before turning back to the audience, leaving her cheeks redder than the blush she had on.
"Of course, quite understandable. So then! Finnick.." The crowd cheered once more as Cesar became a bit more serious. "I understand that you have a message for somebody out there, a special somebody."
Annie. Luce immediately thought of her friend who was left at home and no doubt suffering just as bad as them wondering how this was all going to end. Being in her own turmoil she never truly stopped to think of how badly this was affecting Finnick as well, being seperated from the love of his life.
Finnick smiled as he looked to the camera. "My love..You have my heart, for all of eternity. If..If I die in that arena, my last thought will be of your lips."
Cesar then thanked them for their time and motioned for them to join the other tributes at the top of the stage. As they made their way, Cesar was announcing the next person.
The rest of the interviews didn't give much appeal to Luce and thought them boring except for Johanna's. Watching the woman cuss out the Capitol before storming off stage made her smile and hold back laughter.
The rest continued as normal until Katniss came walking out in a flowing white dress. She watched closely as Cesar explained how this would be her and Peeta's wedding night. Luce realized she had almost forgotten their little love affair that had kept them alive last year and the growing feelings that spurred a surprise engagement.
'As a reminder, that even the strongest, cannot overcome the power of the Capitol' Snow's words once again rang through her ears. Seeing how events unfolded in the past year with those two, Luce began to wonder. Was all of this Katniss and Peeta's fault?
Her thoughts were interrupted as the crowd erupted into cheers, refocusing she saw Katniss twirling in her dress. Nothing significant happened at first until slowly the dress started to come apart and unravel, burning up as it turned into a new dress entirely. Holding out her arms to reveal what looked like wings. As Cesar fumbled for the right words, Katniss answered for him.
"It's a Mockingjay."
The applause lasted until she made her way to her spot behind with everyone else and Peeta was now center stage. Luce's eyes stayed glued to Katniss as she watched the 'Girl on Fire'. She didn't want to be right about the feelings she was having about the girl, and prayed she was wrong.
"If it weren't for what?" Cesar interrupted once more, causing her to look forward once more as she watched a nervous Peeta open his mouth before the words came out.
"If it weren't for the baby." He said in a rushed tone. Luce's eyes widened and looked between Finnick, Katniss, and Peeta. Her mind a flurry of questions wondering if it could be true. Finnick only ignored her though and stayed focused as the room erupted into gasps and shouting. Everyone trying to make sense of the confusion and chaos of wanting more information.
Peeta made his way next to Katniss and hugged her before taking her hand. That's when everyone held hands together. Something Luce was surprised to see so synchronized, but slowly realized that this was a ploy. Peeta made up a lie to try and cancel the games. Looking to her side she noticed Beetee holding his hand out for her which she took happily. Together they all raised their joined hands into the air.
And that's when the lights shut off, and everything went dark.