Taiya was sat next to Finnick as Tyler ran them through the reapings from the other districts. "Now you guys are from 4, so that's considered a career district. So that's one option for you, alternatively, you could ally with tributes from outer districts. Or you could go it alone together. Keep in mind the tributes from districts 1 and 2 have a nasty habit of turning against 4 when it gets near the end. But it's your call. You'd definitely be safer with the careers."
"We'll think about it," Theo nodded.
"How does their training compare?" Taiya asked. "Compared to ours."
"A lot more vigorous. The top of the class volunteer each year. It's about pride for them, this is what they train to do. We only train kids in 4 to protect themselves, 1 and 2 train to win," Tyler explained and Taiya nodded nervously. "I've come up with personas for the two of you while you're in the Capitol."
"Personas?" Taiya asked.
"You can't be yourself in the Capitol. The best way to win is to get people to like you. If they like you, they'll sponsor you and you won't starve to death when all you want is some bread. You have to appeal to them. I've got a persona. Finnick has a persona."
"You're charming right? That's your thing?" she asked Finnick and he nodded solemnly. "What about you?" she asked Tyler.
"Vicious," he shrugged. "It worked for me. I was 18 when I won, I could intimidate the competition."
"Ok, so what's the plan for us?" Theo asked.
"You, Theo, need to play up your strength and you need to convince them that you'll do anything to get her home," Tyler said nodding at Taiya who looked away in anger. "They all saw you volunteer and they're going to speculate as to why. It's a fine line because we can't make her look weak either. You both need to be thick as thieves, your personality is based on a desire to protect each other. Taiya…" he says and she looked over at him. "You need to flirt with the public."
"What?" Finnick spat.
"Finnick…" Tyler said warningly. "You know it's our best option. She's a young pretty girl, they'll love it."
"What happens when she wins?" Finnick barbed back. "What happens then?"
"Don't go there."
"Why not?" he snapped standing up in anger before storming out of the room.
Tyler sighed as he watched him leave. "I'll go check on him. But Taiya, you have to flirt with the public. Make them love you. I'll see you two in the morning. You should get some sleep," he suggested before following Finnick.
Taiya frowned after them and looked over at Theo who had a look on his face indicating he wanted to talk. "I'm going to bed," she said quickly standing up. "You good here?"
"Yeah," he nodded disappointedly. "I'm going to watch the reapings again," he said reaching over for the remote.
Taiya immediately left the carriage and went into the car with the bedrooms. Tyler and Finnick were keeping something from her and she wanted to know what. As soon as she walked into the carriage, she heard the yelling.
"It's my fault!" Finnick yelled before the sound of smashing came, making Taiya's eyes widen in shock as she plastered herself next to the door.
"It's Snow's fault, not yours," Tyler sighed.
"She got reaped because of my actions. Explain how that isn't my fault?" Finnick roared. Taiya frowned as she took in his words. Reaped because of his actions, what did that mean?
"You couldn't have known this would happen."
"I should've. The last time I said no our parents died. My actions killed them. I thought if I kept her in the house with me she'd be safe, but no. The threat followed her there too. Snow started leaving her flowers and took her on a walk! This isn't ok Tyler."
"She's not dead ok? She's still alive. She can beat this," Tyler tried to reassure Finnick.
"And what happens when she does? She ends up in the same position as me? She doesn't deserve that. I tried to save her. He said if I said yes then she'd be safe. I should've gone through with it Tyler, I should've done it. I couldn't even go to the door that night."
"You're not to blame."
"I am!" Finnick wailed. "I checked the bowl. Every name in the reaping bowl was hers. Every name read Taiya Ambersnow. Every one. She never had a chance."
Taiya's eyes widened. Every name in the reaping was hers. How was that possible? What had Finnick refused to do? She couldn't listen anymore and stumbled her way to her room and fell down on the bed. As soon as she hit the bed, the tears started flowing.
"Up! Get up!" Moxie called as she tapped on the door. "We're nearly in the Capitol."
Taiya sighed as she sat up, she hadn't slept much last night. She stood up and walked over to the drawers and pulled out a pair of loose pants and an oversized top and threw them on as she made her way to breakfast.
"No," Tyler called out to her as soon as she entered the dining car.
"What?" she asked.
"We're trying to sell you as a flirt, you need to dress the part," he sighed as he spread jam onto his scone.
"What does it matter? Won't the stylist be the one dressing me?" she asked as she sat down.
"They will, but the people of the Capitol come to greet the train. First impressions count. You're playing a role Taiya, assume someone's always watching."
"I'll help her pick something out after breakfast," Finnick interrupted, ending Tyler's rant. Finnick tried to make eye contact with Taiya, but she quickly looked away. She'd spent most of the night up considering what Finnick could have done to upset the President enough that he'd rig the reaping to ensure she was in the Hunger Games, but she couldn't think of anything.
"You two will need to defrost as well," Tyler said pointing between Theo and Taiya. "It'll be a lot easier to sell the protective best friends from 4 if you're actually on speaking terms." Taiya looked at Theo and sighed. She was furious he volunteered but that wasn't going to do anyone any good now, so she gave him a small smile that he eagerly returned. "Better," Tyler nodded.
"What now?" Theo asked.
"Well in about half an hour we'll be pulling into the station. And you guys will be handed over to the stylists. Just please don't resist what they do," Tyler said. "Finnick, go help her pick out something better to wear, be back before we reach the tunnel," he instructed.
Finnick nodded and placed his hand on the small of Taiya's back as they stood up and left the dining car in order to find a more flirty outfit for her to wear.
"Much better," Tyler sighed as they arrived back. The expedition had been completed in almost complete silence between her and Finnick. She was not in the mood to talk. Finnick had recommended an outfit that consisted of a white crop top and red culotte pants. "We're just coming up to the tunnel now," he explained. As soon as he said that, the train was plunged into darkness. Taiya jumped in shock and reached out and grabbed onto Finnick's arm.
"It's fine," Finnick assured quietly. "It's just the tunnel that goes through the mountains that separate the Capitol from the outer districts."
After what felt like an eternity, the carriage was lit up with light. "Go work your magic," Tyler instructed. "Give it a go, see how they react," he encouraged as Taiya caught sight of the Capitol citizens going wild through the window.
"Let's go," Theo said, throwing an arm around Taiya's shoulder and leading them to the window so they were in full view of the Capitol. As soon as the citizens caught sight of them, they started pointing and cheering. Theo smirked at them, while Taiya smiled and winked.
"Well done, that's perfect," Tyler encouraged.
Taiya looked over to see Finnick, only to see him sulking in the back. As soon as she caught his eye he smiled softly at her and she returned the smile hesitantly. They had to talk. He was in pain. But he was keeping things from her. Things that affected her. And that wasn't ok.
As soon as the train pulled into the station they were blocked from the view of the Capitol citizens. "Phew," Tyler huffed as he dropped his arm from Taiya's shoulder. "That was stressful."
"Finnick Odair," a strange man said, stepping from the platform and into the carriage. "President Snow requests a meeting."
Taiya looked over at Finnick and saw him instantly pale. This must have had to do with what she overheard last night. She walked over to him and grabbed his hand. "Hey, are you ok?" she asked quietly.
Finnick nodded and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I have an idea to help you," he said quietly.
Bit of a filler chapter this one. I'm planning on introducing a few familiar characters next chapter, so hopefully, you'll look forward to that!
HungerGamesFan36: Thanks so much! Your reviews really make my day
gamergirl28: I have absolutely no idea how I want to do the interviews. I keep waiting for inspiration to strike
gryfferinpride8: Sorry! Had to have them both in here :D