The Capitol Star • A Finnick Odair Story

Seven

As they waited in the dark room to be tested individually, Aria watched Finnick talking to Mags, telling her what to do. She felt sorry for Mags. As her and Luigi sat there she whispered into his ear.

"Listen Luigi, show them your all ok? Don't mess up." She grabbed his face in her hands and kissed his forehead.

"District 3. Luigi Ricci. Report for individual assessment." His eyes widened as he slowly looked at Aria.

"It'll be the same as last time you had to do this. Just show them what you got it's ok." Aria took his hand and pushed him up as he walked away from her, taking one last look before entering for testing.

"Peeta how are we going to kill these people?" Aria heard Katniss say as she looked around at Beetee, Aria's brother, and all the other tributes. Peeta looked around, speechless.

Soon the speaker rang.

"District 3. Aria Ricci. Report for individual assessment." Aria stood up and brushed herself off. Taking a deep breath, she walked through the seats. As she passed, Finnick stared at her, whispering in Mags ear.

She took one last glance in their direction, Finnick gave her a sad look. As her eyes wandered to Mags, the old woman smiled at her and shooed her away.

As the doors opened Aria stepped through watching how Luigi walked past her, tears prickling his eyes. Looking up she saw Plutarch Heavensbee, the new head game maker. Aria was happy that she got to go sooner than other tributes. She got the game makers before they got drunk and rowdy.

She walked through the training center and grabbed an axe, the weight fitting perfectly into her hand. She stepped in front of the targets and threw it as hard as she could, launching the axe forwards right into the targets head, cracking it. Dead center. Every time.

This time, Aria decided to show the game markers her skills with knifes. She usually didn't do this, but this time she knew she had to make an impression. Aria grabbed the knife belt, clicking it around her waist. She grabbed a knife as she stood in front of the targets. She smiled at Plutarch as she threw the knife right between the dummies eyes. Aria smiled to herself as she twirled the knife between her fingers. Her eyes caught the spear station as she dropped the knife into the padded floor, shrugging as she made her way over.

Wouldn't hurt right? Aria grabbed the metal spear that lay flatly on the table. She lifted it into the air, letting her eyes close, feeling the weight in her hands. She threw the spear the same way as she did the day before. Right in the middle. Aria put her hands on her hips proud as she looked up into the deck. The game makers stared at her as she smiled cockily back. She batted her eyes lashes at them as she walked out. Plutarch looked heavily entertained as she waltzed away, happy with her presentation.

—

As Finnick walked into the training arena, he spotted Aria walking out with a smug smile on her face, not even dropping when she saw him. He looked at her, confused as she happily skipped past him. His attention snapped back to the room as he watched the Avox's pull the spear and knifes out of the center of each of the targets lining the walls.

Finnick smiled to himself as he saw the ripped dot in the center of each target, being strategically pierced. He shook his head laughing to himself and he walked to the tridents, especially placed there for him. He picked up the trident, sighing happily at the familiar weight in his hands. He glanced around the room at the targets in front of him, he went up to each, hitting the targets in the same place Aria did.

Then he had a couple minutes left, so he made his way to the rope tying section. He looked at the game makers who stared at him. He didn't need to waste his strength, he's a victor, they already know how well he can kill. He took the rope in his hand, tying it strategically. He felt so calm he barely noticed the time ran out as he had to leave. Finnick walked out of the training arena, feeling happy that he made a good show, but also that Aria actually listened to something he said.