This chapter is part of the original story. For the updated (and hopefully improved) version, please go to 'Chapter Nine'.

"I feel bad about how I go around feeling so superior to them. Who knows who I would be or what I would say if I'd been raised in the Capitol? Maybe my biggest regret would be having feathered costumes at my birthday party, too."

The sun beat heavily down on Maive as she followed behind her sisters through the bustling crowd of attendees. The brim of her forehead glistened with sweat she attempted to wipe away, it didn't help much. Her hosiery stuck to her body, and her dress rubbed her skin in the most irritating way. But despite this all she was in a fantastic mood.

It was Games season. The best time of year, and today was the tribute parade. She enjoyed seeing the beautiful outfits and chariots more than anything else. She always chose who she'd root for based on those factors alone. Squeezing in between her two older sisters Maive made her way up next to her father and took hold of his hand.

This was Agostons most stressful time of the year. As Head Gamemaker he worked all year to design the games, but when the time came to begin the Games is when the real work started. He hardly saw his family at all during that duration of time. Despite the trepidation of it all beginning to sink in, he wanted to spend what limited time he had left with his daughters. Which is why he made a point to always bring them to the parade with him.

As he feels a small, slightly moist, hand take hold of his, he looks down and smiles to his youngest daughter. "Are you excited for the games this year Maivis?"

Her sizable green eyes shine brightly up at him with excitement, "Oh yes, I love the Hunger Games daddy!"

Agoston chuckled at his daughters excitement. This is why he did it, he had a deep love for the games and the science behind designing them from a young age. He took great pride in being able to allow the audience to also feel that passion.

"Come on girls." He holds the gate open for the three girls, closing and locking it behind him. As he enters the private balcony section he takes his spot next to some of his colleagues.

The three girls race to the edge of the balcony and despite there being ample room they still made a point to push and shove one another out of the way to get a better view of the festivities below.

"Sera, Cali, look at the pretty outfits!" Maive was always mesmerized by how elaborate the tributes attire was.

Calista, the eldest of the daughters, rolls her eyes in annoyance, "They're called costumes Maivis and most look like your arts and crafts project. But…I think I'll go for District one this year. They're the only ones with proper attire."

"Yes, their costumes are much nicer than the rest." Sera agrees with a small nod. Though she tended to agree with whatever Calista said about anything.

Out of the three daughters, Calista and Sera were the closest in age and both were several years older than Mavis. This caused a noticeable disconnect between them and her.

"Representing District Two is…"

The announcers voice rings loudly out through the arena and the crowd of spectators mumble off in appreciation at the show before them.

"Cali look at the guy from District two." Sera giggles as her cheeks begin to flush, "Lets go down lower and see if he notices us!" She suggests, pulling Calista with her.

Realizing they're relocating Maive makes a point to follow the two.

Hearing the extra steps behind her Sera halts and turns back to her younger sister with a sneer, "You aren't invited Maivis. We're going to meet up with our friends and having our baby sister tag along would be mortifying. You don't want to embarrass us, do you?"

"Hear comes District Three…"

Before she can answer, the two older girls turn away from her and continue on their way.

Mavie stands in place watching them until they disappear into the crowd. Small tears fill her eyes as she turns to look back over the parade. Her excitement from earlier was all but gone. It had been replaced by a deep sadness from the rejection of her sisters.

"For District Four we have Finnick Odair and…."

As the Chariot rolls by Maive sulks in her place, looking at the tributes for only a moment before casting her eyes down at her feet. She was no longer in the spirit of the day and just wanted to go home. She turned back to look at her father but he was deep in conversation with his friends. Letting out a deep sigh Maive turns her focus back on the parade, but as she does so she catches sight of the Presidential suite and President Snow staring down at her. It's only a small moment of time before he looks away, but his stare caused a chill through her overheated body. She quickly moved away from the ledge and found a seat. Sinking deeply into it she hoped he wouldn't be able to see her from where he sat in the higher box.

Little did she know at that time that Snow was all-seeing.

The Furthers daughters had long stopped attending the parade with their father, deeming it juvenile and redundant. However Maive sometimes found herself missing the time with her father. Especially since he was hardly around during this time. The games went by fairly fast, but being left alone with the women in her family tended to make her feel like she was drowning. Her father seemed to understand her better than the others, he was somewhat like her safety net.

As the Capitol crest lights up the television, signaling the ads are over, Maive watches as Caesar Flickerman begins talking excitedly of the tributes this year; it seemed there were high hopes for this years game. She hoped her father wasn't feeling too much pressure; she really did worry for the man. His line of work was certainly not for the weak of mind or spirit...

"I loathe this time of year."

Glancing up at the sudden interruption, Maive is greeted by Sera's perpetually pinched face.

She quickly turns back to the tv, not wanting to give her the time of day. Sera and her had never really seen eye to eye on anything, most of their talks just led to a fight and Maive didn't have the energy to duel with her today.

Each of the Furthers daughters had their vices; they were spoiled, arrogant, and had little interest in anybody but themselves. However, Sera was by far the worst. Maive might of looked the most like their mother, but Sera got her haughty persona.

Mavie couldn't ever recall a time the older girl was nice to her. Always picking on her, and poking fun at any shred of insecurity that happened to show through Maive's usually cool demeanor. Sera could pick out anybody's little insecurity, and manipulate it to her advantage.

"So I hear you met Finnick Odair last night." The blonde arches an eyebrow at her sister, a smug smirk tugging at her full lips, "I'd say impressive, but I hear he dismissed you quite quickly. No doubt saw what a bore you are."

Some things never change.

Without skipping a beat, Maive replies with ease, "Rather a bore, than a-"

"Maivis!" Her mother calls to her disapprovingly from where she lounges. "Mind your manners."

Petra Furthers was a tall, slender, woman who held herself in very high regard and assumed everyone else did as well. For the most part this was true, but Maivis couldn't help but wonder if she was secretly one of the most hated in the Capitol. The thought causes a small smirk to dance across her face. It's not as though Maive wanted her mother to be hated but the idea of her being knocked off the high horse she constantly rode was appealing.

"As if Finnick Odair would ever be interested in you, honestly Maivis." Sera rolls her eyes, unsure how it is her sister gets these absurd notions into her head. "You always had such a colorful imagination." It's as though she were still dealing with the same naive eight year old.

Before anyone can speak Taurid, their mothers assistant, walked into the room announcing for them all, "Finnick Odair is here to see you Maivis."

Maive didn't fail to notice how flushed Taurid got at the mention of him. Was he truly taking every women to bed? She can't focus on that haunting thought too much though as curiosity kicks in. 'What was he doing here? Wait,' suddenly she's filled with annoyance at remembrance from last night. 'What was he thinking just showing up here like this? It's not like they were friends. They hardly even knew each other.'

"Here to see her? You must be joking." Sera stares dumbfounded. What would the likes of Finnick Odair be doing talking to her dreadful baby sister?

Not even listening to her sisters words Maive moves past Taurid and down the hall towards the front of the massive loft.

There he stood in the foyer, checking out the elegantly decorated space, and observing the art decor as he munches on the chocolates that sit at a table near the door.

"Finnick," she greets him cautiously from a few feet away, "I don't give you my name and now you're showing up, uninvited, to my house?"

Turning from studying an archaic piece of art, he smiles charmingly, "Maivis, fantastic. I thought you might not even bother coming to the door to kick me out. Thank you for making the trek."

"I considered it, but decided I'd rather it be my foot doing the kicking." She shrugs, moving closer, crossing her arms over her chest cautiously.

Letting out a soft, short chuckle he lifts a finger at her, waggling it in forced amusement, "You're very witty, anyone ever told you that?"

"No." She says bluntly. "How did you even find out my name anyways..."

Smirking ever so slightly, "I have my sources..."

"What do you want, Finnick?" She asks trying to get him straight to the point, and straight out of her home.

Releasing a short sigh, he breaths out "I need you to come with me."

"Sorry, but I don't go places with strangers, especially those of the stalker variety."

Finnick sucks in a short breath, trying to remain cordial. 'She wishes…' He thinks it but makes a point to not say it by biting the inside of his cheek. After a moment he speaks again. Ignoring her jab at him, he holds the door open for her, "I would like you to meet my tributes."

"Why?"

Her voice sounds uneasy, but her eyes flash him with complete coldness. He couldn't help but kick himself for even thinking this would work. It's not as though he expected her to be all trusting in him, but to be so noticeably closed off; it's not something he'd ever really experienced with any of the Capitol women.

"Besides that even," she continues, "why should I help you? I hardly know you, and you were quite obnoxious to be around last night."

"Oh Maivis!" The painfully annoying voice of her sister is heard from the next room, "Did he dismiss you yet again?"

A short beat passes.

"Luckily for you, my family is even more so." Shoving past him she heads towards the elevators.

As her shoulder connects with his he loses all interest in trying to be cordial. This girl was a brat, and he didn't much care for her and therefore didn't mind speaking his true thoughts.

"Well, actually it sounds as though you're the lucky one. I'm doing you the favor by escaping them. You're welcome."

This was true, but Maive would rather ignore that than admit he's right.

"Don't think that just because I'm agreeing to come means I'll form some kind of connection with them and agree to help you sponsor." She warns, pressing some buttons.

His eyes light up, feigning amazement "You catch on quick. " The insincerity in his voice was all too obvious. Getting in the elevator he remarks harshly, "And don't you think for a moment me asking you to come means I actually want to give you the time of day. I want your money sweetheart, not your company."

Turning to him with the coldest of stares she offers up an equally harsh statement, "Very unsurprising coming from the male prostitute."

That had clearly struck a nerve with him. "Look," he sighs, running a hand through his bronze hair, "I don't care about you or what you think you know of me, I don't want to be your friend, I just want you to help my tributes. So I think this will go a lot smoother if we both agree only to speak to each other if absolutely necessary. Deal?"

"Fine by me." She mumbles crossing her arms over her chest once again. The elevator doors close leaving them on a long, awkward, decent down to the ground floor.

It's not like she wasn't thinking the same exact thing, but the fact he said it hurt.

Mainly because that meant she didn't get the chance to say it to him first.

Thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites.

xo Eva