Pearls and Perils ・❥・Finnick Odair x Reader

Chapter 3

"Y/n! Y/n wake up we're here! We're almost to the capitol!" Seraphina exclaims. I barely open my eyes before she's prancing around the room and turning all the lights on. "We'll have breakfast on the train and then meet with your stylist for the opening ceremony! After breakfast make yourself look presentable because there will be cameras everywhere." Oh yippee almost forgot that I'm going to be examined under a microscope by the entirety of panem great! I manage to get out of bed and to the common area of the train, where another mountain of food is waiting for me. Also waiting for me: Mags and Finnick.

"Not much of a morning person huh?" Finnick jokes. I look in the mirror beside me and I don't blame him for this comment; I look rough. I laugh at myself and then turn back to the group.

"Definitely had better days." I remark, kind of embarrassed I look this disheveled in front of him. I sit down to the feast before me: stacks of pancakes, pastries with jelly filling, ham, eggs, just to name a few. Then Ronan finally joins us and we all feast together.

When breakfast is finished I head back to my room. There are already clothes in the closet for me, I can wear anything I want. All the pieces are beautiful yet simple, but obviously meant to be based on our district. I pick out a baby blue ruffled skirt and a simple navy sweater and decide that's good enough. I braid my hair back because I couldn't bother to try and style it any other way and hope that this is satisfactory to Seraphina. I checked the time and we should be arriving soon so I headed back to the living room.

"Oh cute." Seraphina comments. I can't tell if she's genuine or not but I honestly don't give a shit. "Your stylist will fix you up for tonight so that's okay for now." Finnick rolls his eyes at her comment.

"I think she looks great." Finnick remarks. I feel my cheeks burn and I can't believe I'm actually blushing. "Let's go."

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R-i-i-p! I don't know how much longer I can stand having every inch of my body waxed. I've been scrubbed down, poked, and prodded at for the past two hours. Finally, the three Oompa Loompas are done with me and admiring their work; they said my stylist would be in soon and left promptly. A few minutes later, the door swung open.

"Hello there!" An overly enthusiastic voice screeches. "My name is Fortuna and I'm going to be your stylist!"

"Hi I'm-" I start.

"Okay now stand up let me get a look at you." She cuts me off. Nah I can't do this today. I force myself to stand up as she circles me scanning every inch of my body. "You're very pretty, but just imagine what we could do with some alterations!" She touches my face and pokes at parts of my body and then sighs. "Unfortunately we don't have time for that though. What a shame!" I stand, awkward as ever, not sure how to respond to that.

"So what are the costumes this year?" I ask, trying to break the silence.

"Oh it's just going to be the best! It's going to be mermaids! Of course your district partner will be a merman but you'll be a mermaid!" She exclaims. You're joking. I'm going to be a fucking mermaid.

"Sounds great!" I reply through a suppressed grin.

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This outfit, if you can even call it that, has to be some sort of joke. Two shells just big enough to cover my nipples is the only thing on top. My skirt is at least more decent, sheer with a long green train that splits to emulate a mermaid tail. I feel so bare, so exposed. I try not to think anything of it, a lot of the costumes in previous years have been very skimpy. My hair is my favorite thing, done up in an impossible style and decorated with more shells and glitter. My face is caked, with shades of blue and green on my eyes, I can barely recognize myself. Fortuna is practically drooling over her own work.

"It looks so splendid don't you think?" Fortuna gushed, still making last minute adjustments.

"Yes it's great, thank you" I replied.

"Well then let's go show the rest of your district 4 posse and do this thing!" She exclaimed. We walk to the area where the other tributes are waiting for the opening ceremony to start. My first sight of the other tributes baffles me, all of this madness is becoming real. I spot Ronan, he is wearing the same skirt as me, but his upper body is covered by some sort of seashell armor. Standing nearby are Seraphina, Mags, and Finnick.

"Well don't you just look marvelous!" Seraphina exclaims, eyeing every last intricate detail. Finnick turns his head and his eyes widen.

"Wow." Is all he can manage to say. I feel like I'm standing naked in front of everybody, well, I practically am. Ronan scoffs at both me and my outfit.

"What an excellent pair!" Ronan's stylist squeals. "We really outdid ourselves this year, Fortuna!"

"Fortuna can I talk to you for a second?" Finnick asks, and the pair talk quietly a few feet away. I try to listen in on what they could possibly be talking about. I think it's about me, I think Finnick is mad. I pick up bits and pieces: you did this for my games...she's practically naked... we're just kids, she's just a kid... she's obviously uncomfortable... I don't know why exactly, but I walk over to them to intervene.

"I am the stylist. Not you!" Fortuna snaps at Finnick. She walks away in a huff and now it's just me, titties out, with Finnick Odair!

"Care to explain what that was about?" I ask him. He pauses a moment and then sighs.

"I just- I- I don't want anything bad to happen to you. And your outfits just..." he trails off.

"A lot?" I finished his sentence. "Or I guess, too little?" This makes him chuckle.

"Yeah." He laughs, his eyes now shifting downward, staring shamelessly.

"Odair." I snap twice in his face. "My eyes are up here." He looks back up, smirking. He holds eye contact with me.

"I was getting there. I like to save the best for last." He smirks. I stand with my jaw dropped for a few moments.

"Do you always talk to your mentees like this?" I joke.

"No." He replies plainly. "Only you."