The Capitol Star • A Finnick Odair Story

Six

Being called down to a secret room inside a Capitol building is not always the most pleasant news.

"Uh no thank you." Aria sat herself down in the cushiony chair.

"Ari we need to go." Lui motioned her to get up with his hand.

"You'll need to drag me by my little pinky toes if you want me to leave."

Luigi glanced at Lina as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Absolutely not!" Aria raised her voice.

But that's exactly what they did. They grabbed her ankles as she trashed around. Soon enough Aria gave up as she was dragged to the elevator, her skin squeaking against the ground as her body lay limp in the arms of her brother and friend. As the elevator doors closed they let go of her feet.

"Stand up." Luigi glared down at her.

"No." She crossed her arms as her hair lay splayed out on the ground.

"Aria we'll drag you again. And they'll be photographers." Lina pointed her finger accusingly at Aria.

"Well then they'll see how your kidnapping me." Aria sat up, sitting her back along the glass walls. As the elevator stopped, Luigi and Lina glanced down at Aria as she looked defiantly away.

The doors opened and she glanced up, as cameras started to flash. Luigi bent down behind her, reaching his arms under her arm pits and yanking her up.

"Rude." Aria slapped his hands off herself and walked out of the elevator. "Thank you thank you." The cameras continued to flash as she rolled her eyes.

Soon enough they found a metal door, leading into who knows what. Guards there reached for the doorknob as Aria's eyes raised suspiciously.

"I'll wait out here." Lina started to tap her foot.

As Luigi started to walk into the room Aria stood where she was. He turned around at the lack of footsteps.

"Uh what are you waiting for?" He gave her a judgmental stare.

"Who knows what's in there. Nuh uh no way no thank you." Aria put her hands on her hips shaking her head.

"Oh quindi dio aiutami ti trascinerò in questa stanza se mi costa la vita." (Oh so god help me I'll drag you to this room if it costs me my life.) Luigi hissed as he balled up his fists.

"Ichi mama alright alright." Aria put her hands up in defeat as she walked behind her brother. His lean muscular frame was blocking her way as she tried to search around him. Luigi stopped as she bumped into his back. "Hey! What's the hold up?!" She yelled.

"Aria! Nice to see you again." Aria froze as she slowly revealed her face from behind her brothers back.

"Plutarch?" Aria came out from behind her spot behind her brother and walked towards him.

"Come take a seat please, I'm welcome to have you here." Plutarch took a sip of his alcoholic beverage with one singular olive in it as Aria raised her eyebrow suspiciously. "Come really it's ok!"

Aria looked back at Luigi as he slowly walked over, sitting in the hot pink chairs in front of Plutarch. Aria huffed and plopped herself down.

"You both are probably wondering why I called you both down here." Plutarch chuckled.

"Uh yea kinda." Aria leaned back.

"Stai zitto!" (Shut up!) Luigi whispered.

"Va tutto bene." (Its alright.) Plutarch laughed.

Aria slowly turned her head to stare at him. "Uh what."

"I understand italian you two there's no need." He smiled.

"Shit." Luigi threw his head back against the chair.

"I've called you down here to ask you to do me a favor."

"Depends on what it is." Aria crossed her tan legs.

Plutarch laughed. "Stubborn I see."

"Yea sure whatever you wanna call it but get to the point." Luigi leaned forwards.

"Huh. You two are very similar."

"We're siblings of course we're alike." 

"Anyways, I called you down here for my favor. I would like you two to uh, I don't know, keep Katniss alive."

"Excuse me?" Arias face tightened.

"Yes. During these upcoming games I need you to keep Katniss alive. There are other tributes in on this too it's not just you two. There have been uprisings against the Capitol and we need a face for our rebellion. I am on your side." Plutarch crossed his hands over his legs.

Aria and Luigi looked at each other as they leaned back in their chairs, examining Plutarch.

"What makes you think we should trust you?" Aria folded her hands on her knees and leaned forwards.

"I don't think there is any reason for you to trust me. But I need you to if you want to get out of that arena alive." Plutarch raised his hand.

Aria's eyes flickered to his hand as she squinted her eyes at him. "What happens if I don't agree."

"Then good luck in that arena."

Aria stared at his hand, waiting patiently for her to finalize the deal. She wondered how long he could keep his arm up without it cramping. His eyebrow rose as she slowly extended a hand of her own, to link onto his.

"For my family."

"For your family."