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

May I just say, you guys are amazing… It's true! I'm in awe right now. 30+ reviews, 40 Faves, and 80+ follows, in only the first three chapters!? I'm definitely not used to getting such strong feedback on my work and I'm seriously so thankful for every single one of you that gives this story a chance!

I'm pleasantly surprised to see so many taking a liking to Maive, when in a sense she's somewhat an antagonist in the Hunger Games world. However, that allows for so much growth with her and I'm looking forward to writing that. I developed Maive off and on for about a year, but sometimes I still don't feel I do her justice. I think anyone with OC's can relate. So, it really means more than you all know, that so many are enjoying her and her story.

Thank you everyone for your continued support.

"It was all for the games. How you acted."

The thundering cackle of the crowd dispelled as they continued to watch the playful banter between Caesar and Witten intently. Witten's presence on stage was nothing short of thunderingly charismatic. He had an air of complete charm about him that the crowd of Capitol members seemed to be steadily growing addicted to. He was hitting every point exactly as they had instructed him to yet his answers came off rather natural and not at all as practiced as they truly were. It was hard to be surprised though, it seemed there was relatively nothing Witten couldn't do with ease.

He held the center of attention like no other tribute had before him this night.

Even Maive, who was relatively unimpressed by most people, could feel herself hanging onto his every word.

"So," Caesar looks down for a moment, before looking back to his stage companion with heavy, solemn brows, "tell me, Witten, what is the best thing about the games?"

Beside her Maive can almost feel the smug smirk that is undoubtedly spreading across Finnick's face. They couldn't have prepared him better if they tried. Everything was working in their favor and while he would like to think it fell solely on him, he knew Maive's partnership played a crucial role.

"Honestly Caesar," Witten rolls his broad shoulders back as he prepares his answer.

Ever so slightly, Finnick steals a quick, unknowing, glance of Maive as she watched the stage. As she looked on with her eyes filled with such wonder and awe, she seemed to embody that of a child; there was almost a sense of innocence, long lost within her, in that striking moment.

Feeling a heavy stare on her Maive pulls her focus from Witten and turns to meet Finnick's trepid gaze. The intensity of his stare seemed searching, but for what she did not know. They looked at one another for a moment, and she wasn't sure if it was because of the nerves of the night or due to the Glöm she had taken beforehand, but it felt like the room had fallen deafening silent. It's as if they were taken back to that moment back stage in which everyone else seemed to disappear. All there was in that moment, was him and her. His eyes met hers in a clash of green pools and she felt a lump form in her throat as her inner chest began to swell in a sensationally unfamiliar way.

"I could spout off some practiced line about how it unites Panem and reminds us of what we've been through, but how many of you are going to believe that?"

Suddenly, just as swiftly as everything had dissolved, reality came crashing back into focus. Upon hearing Wittens answer Maive and Finnick are both pulled from their intimate moment and are drawn back to the stage, watching Witten with consternation clear in their eyes.

Caesars robin blue brows furrow in a similar look of dismay, "Then what is the real answer?"

It seemed everyone was on the edge of their seats, cautious as to what turn this interview was possibly taking.

"The best thing about the games, are the people I've gotten to meet."

At this answer the formerly silent crowd, as well as Caesar, noticeably become animated once more; pleased with this response.

Witten's cerulean eyes flash the crowd as he scans the area in a determined fashion.

Maive watched him attentively, yet still unsure of what it was he was doing. This wasn't at all what they had practiced and while the crowd seemed to enjoy his answer, it could have easily not gone so well and she can only imagine how frustrated Finnick feels in this moment. Before she can turn back to face her companion, Witten's eyes find hers and his entire demeanor lights up.

He had been looking for her.

"One person specifically, has really changed my outlook on life here at the Capitol, and has really given me that drive to win. It's easy to become discouraged, but sometimes all you need is hope and for someone to really believe in you."

Beside Maive, Finnick was steaming in his seat. His arms were tightly crossed against his chest, with his right hand raised to cover his chin and mouth as to not give away the frustration he so clearly wore on his face.

Not only had Witten not followed the protocol they had set up, but now he was trying to win over the people with some made up love story. It had never really been done, and for good reason. It was pretentious and Finnick didn't wish to be associated with anything of the sort. He could feel Maive squirming in her seat, evidently flushed from Wittens grand gesture of love. This only upset Finnick more because he saw right through it. Witten was using Maive to garner more sympathy from other possible sponsors. Sponsors that would prefer to help the love struck Witten, over the rather 'plain' Annie.

While it did bother him that Witten was using Maive, he couldn't necessarily be too upset due to the fact he was, in a way, using her too. However, Witten had one upped it. He had single handedly just wrecked Finnick's entire plan for these games, and hammered the final nail in Annie's coffin.

"I'm going to win these games, and win the prize of life sure, and the money, and recognition. But above all, I'll get to return here, for my most special prize. So, be sure to wait for me." Witten grows a smug smirk as he tosses Maive a wink.

The eager audience goes crazy over this revelation.

Catching onto this Caesar becomes even more enlivened than he was before, "Wait, is this special someone in the audience tonight?"

"She is, but I wouldn't want to put her on blast." Witten sighs, "I just hope that I can make it back here to tell you all about her."

"Believe me, we are all hoping for that." Caesar nods, clasping Wittens hand tightly before pulling him up out of his seat, and raising their interlocked hands high towards the ceiling victoriously, "Witten Anguis, everyone."

By this point the crowd had completely lost it, they we're all going mad for Witten. The room filled with a mixture of those cheering him on, and those gossiping as to who it could be that he had been talking about.

Witten had delivered such a stellar performance that those coming after him paled in comparison. Poor Annie never really stood chance…

She came on the stage, and smiled and laughed at all the right points. However, with Witten's admission still fresh on everyone's minds, Annie's story of being raised by a single father, a fisherman at that, didn't touch the Capitol members in the slightest. Even her story of being taught to swim by Finnick didn't draw the same amount of attention as her district partner had before her. As Annie left the stage, she had made little impression on the people other than the fact she was friends with Finnick Odair, and that wouldn't get her sponsorships.

As Annie exits the stage to a mild applause, Finnick sinks back into his chair with a feeling of total despair washing over him. After everything she had done for him, he had failed her so astronomically. What if he had just listened to her? If he hadn't brought on Maive then Witten wouldn't have been able to use the star crossed lovers ploy and pull himself so far ahead of Annie. If Maive wasn't involved the playing fields could have at least been more even. But no, he included her and was left now feeling solely responsible for Annie's demise.

Maive was out the door before the male tribute from District Twelve could even clear the stage. She couldn't find it in her to face Witten after his previous confessional on stage, or even Annie and Finnick for that matter.

As she laid awake in her bed later that night, all she could do was replay the moment over again in her head.

All of it was a lot to process. On one hand she was flattered, but to the same degree she wasn't naive. She knew it had to be a ploy of some sort. Finnick certainly thought so, and the thought of him feeling that Maive was in on the ruse as a way to further Witten's game over Annie's made her feel incredibly guilty, even though she was just as blindsided by the entire thing as he was.

The culpability she was feeling was unfamiliar to her. Mavis Furthers was not one to typically feel apologetic for her actions, let alone someone else's that she had no control over. However, despite this, when she thought back on Witten's interview it wasn't even any part of what he had said that was making her feel so poorly. The most disheartening part of the entire situation for her was the way that his revelation had then affected Annie's interview, and the way that affected Finnick.

To get her brain to stop playing out the night, and overthinking all of its effects, enough to get sleep seemed too arduous at this point. Her duvet was weighing as heavily on her as the guilt she was feeling. As she pushed the comforter away from her she swept her hand across the nape of her neck; her skin was slightly over-heated to the point that small beads of sweat were beginning to build up.

Outside her bedroom window she can hear some indistinguishable noises filtering up from the streets below. During the games the Capitol was more animated than usual, everyone became so enlivened by the activity and unity that it brought them. The difference in tone between the districts and Capitol was never more night and day then during this time.

Focusing on the sounds from outside her room for a moment longer she decides to get up. Some fresh air would likely do her well. She could find a group of partygoers and join in on the festivities.

She moves through her home as daintily as she can, not wanting to stir the entire household awake at this hour of the night. As she reaches for the door a light flickers on beside her.

"Agoston?"

Petra's voice is timid, and the look of disappointment on her face is clear as she moves around the corner expectantly only to discover Maive.

"Oh, Maivis where are you heading out to this late at night?"

Ignoring her mothers question completely, she responds with her own, "Dad's still not home?"

Petra's eye's flicker for a moment as she rubs the side of her buzzed head. Maive rarely saw her mother without one of her wigs, so seeing her so bare was somewhat jarring.

"No," Petra finally speaks up, her entire attitude shifting to that of complete apathy, "You know how he gets during this time. Up at the Games Center at all hours of the day, and night."

Despite her mothers attempt at brushing the situation off, Maive knew something was off about it.

"He's like you, I suppose… restless." The older women sighs, moving to exit the room, "Don't stay out too late." She comments over her shoulder before heading out of the foyer and down the hall.

Maive stood there for another moment, waiting till she heard the door to her parents room shut before heading out into the crisp night.

As if Witten and Annie, and the impending games wasn't enough, now know matter how hard she might've tried, she couldn't shake the uneasiness she felt after the encounter with her mother.

Her stress was growing rapidly, and neither the 'fresh air' or her Glöm was doing anything for her. All that she was feeling in the moment was so new to her it was hard to pin-point exactly what some of it was, let alone the deeper meaning it carried.

She wondered aimlessly around the City Circle with no clear destination in mind, not even the twinkling lights and decor that usually fascinated her were able to attain her focus. All she could do was replay the events of the night, over, and over, like clockwork.

Every time she did so she could still feel her stomach drop and Finnick tense up beside her, just as it had been in that moment.

The irrational guilt of it all was eating at her so vigorously, and all she could wonder was what Finnick thought of it all.

Pausing abruptly in the middle of the pathway, some inebriated capitol members bump into her back roughly, mumbling incoherently as they continued forward. She barely takes notice however as the wheels begin to turn for her. She didn't even want to begin divulging into the reasons as to why she suddenly was caring about how things affected Finnick, but for the time being she could very easily repent to him and be free of all her ill feelings.

Before she can properly think her plan of action through her feet are already leading her in his direction. Within little time she had found her way across the city, behind the Presidents Mansion, and even further back behind the Training Center building to where the tributes apartments were, and was riding the elevator up to the fourth floor.

As the elevator reached its destination point, it made no sound of arrival. The doors opened slowly, exposing the grand layout to her inch by inch.

The apartment was decadent, with lots of pieces that seemed to tie in with the idea of District Four. However, there was no liveliness and this wasn't just due to everyone being asleep. There was something about the structure of it all that was almost unsettling.

It took a moment for her to realize what the feeling was— this was where Finnick would reside anytime he was here at the Capitol. All it was, was a decadent prison; a luxurious jail cell for him, and the thought made her pity him in a way.

She moves quietly through the expansive flat until she reaches the end of one particularly private hallway; this was Finnick's room. The atmosphere surrounding it, and even the location, was withdrawn from the rest of the home, so she knew it had to be.

In three swift motions she rapped softly against the large door before waiting patiently for an answer from the other side, nervously shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

'1,2,3, breathe in'

She is greeted with utter silence from the other end for a few passing beats before she can hear movement progressing towards the entrance. Suddenly the door opens cautiously and Finnick appears, though barely bringing himself forward beyond the threshold.

"Hey." She greeted him with a smile as her nerves are subdued at the sight of him, "I know it's late, and I'm sorry to bother you," she gestured to the dark room behind him.

As she does so Finnick seemed to visibly grow tense and quickly moved to shut the door behind him, finally stepping out into the hall with her.

The light that flickered from a near by lit candle danced across his tanned skin, and it took a lot of determination on Maive's part to stay focused on her current task as he stood before her shirtless, with his hair a disheveled mess; this gave her the sinking suspicion he wasn't alone. Choosing to ignore this hypothesis she continued, "I can't sleep, I feel so terribly for what happened earlier and want you to know, I had nothing to do with any of that…"

His hooded eyes flashed some form of emotion Maive wasn't quite able to pick up on, before returning to that of indifference. He glanced towards one of the paintings hanging in the hall as he spoke in a bored drawl, "Please Maivis, as if I really believe you're capable of such a thing." As he turned his gaze back to her he continues, "You shouldn't give yourself so much credit. I'm well aware you're not the master here, but merely the puppet." The condescending tone in his voice seemed to vibrate through the small space around them as he gestured to her with his hand, as if he we're pulling strings.

Maive is taken aback a moment, her mouth falling slightly agape at his harshness, "Well, I wouldn't have put it so demeaningly, but I just wanted to make sure we're on the same page. I mean we are —"

Rolling his eyes, Finnick swept his hair back with his left hand before gesturing for her to stop, "No need to explain, or 'apologize' for it. Tonight was all Witten, he's using you to gain sympathy because he knows they're all just as daft as you and will believe it." Even though the hurt is clear in her eyes, he doesn't relent. "I mean lets face it Maivis, besides a pretty face, what else do you have to offer? Your personality is intolerable most of the time, and intelligence is clearly not your strong suit. I should have prepared you a little better, warned you of these ploys, that's my bad."

In that moment she could swear she was seeing red. Warm tears began welling up in her eyes, but with every fiber in her being she fought them off. She was determined not to let him see her hurt over his cruelty. As she chewed on her lower lip she chuckles darkly, "Of course…" She nods, "Why don't you hop off the high horse Finnick. If anyone's a puppet here, it's you."

He scoffs at her in dismay, "Me? Good one, but I'm far from it. I can happily say that I'm my own person. I'm independent, I don't buy into all this Capitol bullshit like you."

"Oh, no? Alright." Rolling her eyes in vexation she turns away from him for a moment before looking back to meet his stare once more with equal coldness, "Yeah, okay you don't buy into the Capitol 'bullshit' because you can't afford it, district boy." She narrows her eyes at him, practically frothing at the mouth. At this point she was on a mission of destruction, and her target was Finnick's so highly raised esteem, and it didn't seem anything could stop the vile words from spilling forth now, "You don't buy into it, because you're the one being bought. Which makes you the biggest puppet here. Not to mention pathetic! You act so much better than me, or my family and my friends, but in reality you're just as corrupt. We may all have our vices, but at least mine don't cost me my integrity."

Finnick's demeanor noticeably faltered, clearly not having anticipated this blow she'd taken on him.

"I'll let you get back to your master, or, at least the one for tonight. Be careful though I hear those strings," she imitated his gesture from earlier, "are a real bitch to get untangled. I can show myself out."

Finnick waited for her retreating figure to completely disappear into the distance of the hall before turning and knocking his fist against the wall. His knuckles stinging with sharp pain, but it goes practically unnoticed as all he can focus on is the hurt he feels in his hollow chest.

Maive's words cut deep like a knife, and as swiftly as she had dug the blade in, she pulled it out, leaving him with a gaping hole. Resting his forehead against the cool paneling of the wall he had previously taken his aggression out on, he released a deep breath in an attempt to calm himself down.

"Finnick, if you think I'm paying for this…"

Glancing to his shut door he's reminded that he did have company he was supposed to be attending to and couldn't afford to let thoughts of Maive, and her words, waste any more of his time than she already had.

Opening the door, he stealthily shuts it behind him as to not allow any unnecessary light in the room. As he moved closer to the bed he felt a heavy hand rub down his bare chest, and it takes everything in him to not flinch. "Right, well, may I remind you tonight you'll be paying me in a non-monetary form. You said you had some viable information for me?"

"Yes," his companion for the night rasps out in a sultry voice, "but first you need to hold up your end of the deal. Let's see what you're giving me to work with here."

Finnick stays completely still as his client begins to slowly strip him of his remaining clothing, until he's left completely exposed.

He can't see anything in the dark room, that's how this particular client liked it. But that made every act all the more daunting for Finnick. Especially now as he stood naked and vulnerable, there was no way to anticipate what was coming, or rather whom, until it began.

That's how most of his big name clientele were though. It was all a power play for them. They liked feeling in control of him, it was a big stroke to their ego to get the mighty Finnick Odair off. Little did they know it was no more than common biology and human mechanics, not necessarily legitimate pleasure.

Though the darkness did leave him feeling more susceptible, it also helped the process somewhat. In darkness like this he could pretend his partner was whomever he pleased. Anyone other than who they really were to help make the transaction easier for him.

That's what he tried to remind himself as he felt a firm hand take hold and begin to leisurely stroke him, building the pace with each bob of the hand. After a few passing moments a warm tongue is added and drags up the sides of his length before settling on encircling the head as he is slowly taken in inch by inch.

Finnick's brain quickly began to search for substitutes to fill his mind with. He never usually thought of specific women, but rather short vignettes of the different beauties he'd encountered over time. Tonight was proving to be more difficult for him, however.

"You don't buy into it, because you're the one being bought"

Maive's words from earlier rung out in his head, and try as he might, he couldn't shake them.

"I'll let you get back to your master, or, at least the one for tonight."

He began to feel his blood steadily start to pump a little faster, and harder as his anger raged on from within.

He gripped firmly onto the back of his clients head and held them tightly in place as he began to thrust himself against them at a rougher pace. As his hips were met by their mouth, their heaves vibrating against him, he is only further encouraged and began to push himself further down their throats with each pelvic movement.

As his companion continued to work out their oral fixation on him, Finnick rehashed his earlier interaction with Maive over and over again. This time however, he instead focused on the sounds of his partner retching on him, until he can no longer hear her damaging words. He is then left only with the sounds of disgruntled pleasure coming from below him, and what he can see behind his tightly shut eyelids; her.

But the passion he was exuding in this moment wasn't of the romantic variety, but rather deep, growing, anger.

Maive moved down the hall, away from Finnick, seething. How dare he think he has the right to talk to her with such a level of disrespect. He was lucky she didn't demand his tongue be taken for the treachery he slew her way.

A hard thud resonates through the house, as what sounds like a fist, meets the wall. Considering Finnick seemed to be the only other living person in the house at this hour she knew it had to be him.

She'd clearly upset him, and while he undoubtedly deserved it she was still left debating whether or not she should go back there and retract what she said. For the good of the team, if nothing else.

With a solemn sigh she gave in, against her better judgment, and moved to go back Finnick's way.

"Maive?"

Though it was said in a hushed whisper, the sound of someone calling her name startled her more than Finnick's previous attack on the wall.

Swiftly turning to face the direction where the voice came from, a flood of relief washed over her as she can clearly see Witten standing at the entryway of one of the separate halls.

Covering the approximate distance between them, Maive now stood only a foot or so away from the brute boy. "You scared me, you shouldn't sneak up on people like that."

His thick brows furrowed in confusion, "Well, you shouldn't be creeping around peoples homes."

"I was not creeping!" She exclaimed in a hushed, yet firm, tone.

"Mhm." As he rubbed sleep from his eyes, Witten glanced over in the direction Maive was seemingly headed. Despite his tired state it doesn't take him long to put the pieces together. Looking back to her, he waggles his eyebrows, "So, you and Odair. Can't say I'm surprised." Before she can object he leaned in the remaining distance between them, "Don't worry, I won't tell Annie." She can feel the warmth of his breath tickle the base of her neck.

At this 'revelation' her neutral set lips twisted into a worthy grimace, "I'm not worried because there's nothing to tell. I came to talk with Finnick and now I'm going home."

"Seems kind of late to be having a business meeting. But, then again, I know Finnick tends to most of his business here at these hours."

The lack of light in the room hides the hooded look that washes over Maive's eyes at this assumption, "I barely can deal with Finnick's company as is, I would certainly never pay for it."

Noting the hostility in her voice Witten placed a comforting hand on her right shoulder, "You okay? Do you want to talk about it?"

"I think I'm done talking for the night."

Witten inhales sharply, nodding his head unsure of what he can say to relieve the tense situation he had walked into. "Well, we could always try not talking?"

"Oh, have we not done that already? You seem to know a lot more about our relationship than I do." Tilting her head, the look of aggression began to chip away as a small smile breaks out.

He rubbed at the nape of his neck nervously, "Yeah, I apologize for catching you off guard like that."

"No you're was your point. They loved it, and you, which is what you wanted. You have to do whats necessary."

'Just like Finnick' She pushed the thought out of her head before it could plague her conscience any further.

"Everybody has their gimmick."

"Yes, some are skilled fighters, others are craftsman. You are all of that, plus deceitful."

His typically light demeanor shifted to that of a more serious degree, "Hey, I didn't lie, I exaggerated. An exaggeration is built off a base of realness, of truth."

She thought over his words carefully, "Whatever you need to tell yourself to justify it."

"It's the truth. I know we don't know each other very well, but I think you're... the most beautiful thing in this world that I've ever seen, and from what I do know of you, I like. I'd like to get to know you better in fact."

Her breath trembled at his words, and it took her a moment after to regain her thoughts. Those were the exact words she'd been wanting to hear, but Witten wasn't who she expected to be hearing it from.

"Well, if these games are in your favor you know where to find me." She turned away from him and began to move towards the elevator, eager to get out of this situation.

"Hold up a minute," with one outstretch of his hand he's able to take hold of Maive by her midriff and pull her back to him so that they stand together, with only inches separating them. "I don't believe in fate and since I don't have the luxury of being promised a tomorrow, the least you can do is give me a memorable parting night."

"I thought the least I could do was try to keep you supplied and alive in the games, which I need my rest for." She fights his grip on her, but he remains put.

"Please… I don't want to be alone tonight." The way his lip quivered as he said this had her melting against him.

Suddenly, the brawny boy who had always seemed larger than life, appeared so fragile. "Fine," She relented, dramatically rolling her eyes, "No, funny business though. I mean it Witten."

Releasing his hold on her waist, he threw his hands up in defense. "Of course not," he began to lead her in the direction of his room, "you have to save your energy for your meetings with Finnick."

Her head snapped to him so viciously, it almost felt like whip lash. "No talking about Finnick, that's my one condition."

Witten propped the door open with one hand, and gestured for her to enter with the other. As she passed the threshold he asked, "I thought your one condition was no funny business."

Standing at the front of the room she scowled at him slightly, "Fine, then consider Finnick funny business. I want none of it."

"Don't you consider Finnick funny business though?" He teased with a wink, nudging her as he passed by her to reach the bed. Looking over his shoulder at her for a fleeting moment before climbing onto the bed, and then lifting the blanket and patting the spacious area beside him.

Maive debated her next course of action for a moment, not completely sure as to what she had gotten herself into with this situation. After the day she had had though, it would be nice to talk to someone no pressure, or maybe even to listen for a change. Without another thought she moved over to the bed, and laid herself comfortably in the space next to him.

"So," Witten rolled his shoulders back in an attempt to get comfortable in the bed, Maive noted he stayed above the covers, allowing her to lay beneath them, "What's your family like? I've seen your dad, he looks…intimidating."

"That's just part of the act. 'Everybody has a gimmick right'? " Maive teases him and shakes her head, amused by the thought of her father being feared. She knew that was the case for most, but thats certainly not how she saw him, "He's honestly one of the compassionate and most brilliant men I know. Which I suppose is probably a biased opinion but…" She trailed off, and as she glanced over at him she's reminded who it she's conversing with, "I understand why you probably hate him."

"He's just doing his job." Witten shrugged it off in an attempt to see where she was coming from. He didn't want to shut her down from talking freely, he wanted to hear what she had to say; how she thought of her world. She was so different from him, living in a world of her own that he could hardly fathom, but wanted to try to nonetheless. "What about your mother, and do you have siblings?"

"My mother and I don't have much of a relationship. But, in all fairness, here, most children and their parents don't. I think that's what makes my bond with my father so special." Her eyes gleamed at the thought, "I have two older sisters, I don't have much of a relationship with them either." Rolling over on her side, she looked him dead on, "What about you?"

"Well," He chuckled nervously, "My dad worked out on the fishing boats for years but he was injured in an accident about a year ago and can't work anymore. My mom works at the hatchery, thats what most of the women do." He explained as he noted her look of confusion.

"So you have a hatchery too, I thought…" Her cheeks started to blush a crimson red, "I thought natural conception was a thing in the districts?"

Witten stared at her for a moment, unsure if she was messing with him. As she continued to look at him with such confusion in her eyes, however, he knew she wasn't. "It is?"

"Then what need would you have for a hatchery?"

"It's for the fish. You know, where they're hatched under artificial conditions. We supply the means of fish for all of Panem, that's the only way we'd meet the demand."

Maive sat there quietly and nodded, but in truth was mildly horrified. All her life she'd been taught that natural reproduction was wrong, and that the Capitols system for reproduction was the true way. But if that were true why did the Capitol children go through the same process of production as some smelly fish?

The thought sent a chill down Maive's spine, "Um, what about siblings?" She stuttered the words a bit, more than eager to change the subject.

Though he noted her odd behavior at this conversation, he made a mental note to come back to it another time. For now, he'd keep the conversation moving.

"I have three, one older brother, and then my twin sister, and little brother. Elliot, Sumpton, and Rutley."

"You have a twin?" Maive looked at him incredulously. Twins we're against the law of nature here at the Capitol. It was one of the reasons natural reproduction had been done away with. In a society where uniqueness was the new norm, having a spitting image was never going to be okay. "What's that like?"

"She's pretty annoying." Witten looked down a moment, his smile widening but a look of sadness washed over him, "I'm really close with my whole family though so me coming here was really difficult on them… and me." He admits, somewhat embarrassed to show this weakness. After a moment passes he grinned brightly, "Want to hear something cool about my twin sister and I?" As he gets the nod of her okay he continued, "Sometimes we can feel the others pain?" Maive's eyes widen in bewilderment, "Yeah it's the weirdest thing. I don't know if it applies to all twins, but she broke her leg once and I was nowhere near her, had no idea that had happened, yet felt the sensation. Another time, when I was first learning to swim I went out too far and was drowning and she swears she felt like she had water blocking all her air ways." Witten shakes his head in dismay, "So if you ask me, I think the real reason she's scared about these games is because she doesn't want to feel all the pain I'm going to endure."

"If only there was a way to broadcast that feeling to everyone, imagine how quickly the games could be done away with." Yawning, Maive relaxes further into the bed before closing her eyes, "I'm still listening, tell me more about your life back home."

Looking down at her, she looked the most innocent he had seen her thus far. That devious glint wasn't so proudly worn, her stature not so poised. They weren't Capitol and District. They were just human and human, and that thought brought him the most comfort he'd experienced this entire trip.

"Alright, so let me tell you more about my parents. They're genuinely great people, if you ever find yourself in District Four you have to meet them. They'd love you."

"Noted."

With her eyes still closed, she smiles softly as Witten tells her more about his parents and siblings, with each story he tells a better image of them building in her head. She never realized how much she could crave a connection as strong as the one the he seemed to share with his family.

Finnick had successfully snuck his guest out of the apartment without anyone noticing, and couldn't be more relieved to be done with his civic duties. At least for this night. It was amazing how good he had gotten with blocking memories out. A skill he desperately needed for his nightly profession. One memory he couldn't seem to rid himself of, however, was his encounter with Maive.

His mood shifted from anger to remorse. He felt bad being cruel to her, but it was only to get her to leave. He'd feel so shameful had she caught him in the act, and if she found out who his clientele we're, and how close some of them were to her, she'd be hurt beyond words. Which is where his anger came from. He had only been trying to spare her the inevitable pain and yet she lashed out at him, and made jabs at his forced line of work.

She was a stupid, spoiled, brat, who hadn't the slightest idea what she was talking about, yet she acted as if she knew it all. She was stubborn as hell, and so was he. That's what made them clash so easily. Nonetheless, he knew the way she was, was no more her fault, than were the things he's forced to do. The common denominator in both situations was the pitfall behind all things and people, the Capitol.

He might not like Maivis, but he didn't detest her. Certainly wouldn't wish bad things upon her, even in a state of anger like he is— was. One bad thing he had, in a sense, brought upon her was the whole Witten situation. He needed to sit down and talk with him, explain that it's not okay for him to use, relatively, innocent people as such. Then after he'd work on taking his own advice.

It was late, but he knew Witten was up. He had noted early into this that his sleeping habits were almost as strange as Finnicks own. Normally Finnick found it somewhat odd but in this particular moment it would serve him well.

He still had so much to tell his tribute.

Her put so much focus into helping Annie, that he basically had abandoned Witten. No, he didn't agree with the route he had taken at all in his tribute interview. Yes, he wanted Annie to win over him. But that didn't mean he didn't care for the kids well being. What kind of mentor would he be sending the guy in without so much as a shred of insight?

Walking down the hall he reaches the familiar door he had once been caged behind all those years ago. He could still vividly remember staring up at the ceiling of this very room, unable to sleep every night back then too. But his sleepless nights back then were caused by entirely different demons.

Knocking softly, but with purpose he waits. So maybe this wasn't just about helping Witten, maybe, just maybe he needed to talk.

The door opens to reveal Witten, but beyond his muscular stature he can see Maive laying in his bed. His thoughts can't possibly process fast enough.

All these years he had learn to put on the act, force the smirk, and fake what you're feeling to never give away what's real. Despite all that, in that second he knew the horror was clear in his eyes.

"Hey Finnick, whats wrong?" Witten asks slightly confused why he's at his door this hour of the night.

"Um..." Swallowing the lump in his throat Finnick knows he has to get out of here, and quick, "No-nothing."

Without another word he turns and walks down the hallway as fast as his feet can carry him. He just needed to get away from all of it.

Clearly Witten wasn't all that abandoned.

Maive snuck out of the tributes apartment at dawn and managed to make it out without being spotted - or so she thought.

She had enjoyed her platonic night with Witten. Though she was almost certain that if Witten needed to gain anything throughout the competition he would use the story about their night. And despite his promises that he wouldn't she had a strong feeling his recounting of the nights events wouldn't be so...tame.

She found herself not caring so much though, she had a good time. The first good time she had in a long time that wasn't brought on by glom.

Despite it all she couldn't get her latest fight with Finnick out of her mind. His hurt eyes poisoned her mind as she replayed it all in her head.

She just needed to forget about Finnick, he chose to behave the way he did. You can't change people. They have to want to do that for themselves.

Besides, starting later today she had a big job ahead of her. She needed to stay sharply focused on Witten and Annie. Their lives were quite literally depending on it.

Getting closer to the front door to her families loft, Maive is extra careful to watch her every step, not wanting to cause a noise that could stir the household awake.

Once she reaches the door she halts everything. All movement frozen. All thoughts diminished. And her heart nearly stopped.

Posted on the door is a small white card with the words very finely written,

'We need to talk.'

So, what do we think? Who's the 'mysterious' note from? Feel free to tell me your theories in the reviews.

xo Eva