naomi odair, 72nd hunger games victor and her brother, finnick odair, 65th hunger games victor get dragged back into the games for the third quarter quell.
the two siblings forced into an alliance with two other victors, only for naomi to end up fa...
Naomi sat in her room alone once Finnick had left, needing some time to think to herself. She held onto the small pearl Peeta had given her in that arena, moving it around in her fingertips. She heard a knock on her door, lifting her head up to see Gale and Katniss stood in the doorway.
"Hey," Katniss said before sighing at the expression on Naomi's face, she sat down beside her. "Are you okay?"
Naomi sighed, "There can't be a ceasefire. Not after everything Snow's done," she said as Gale pulled out a chair to sit down in front of the two girls. "He could have done a lot of damage tonight. Most districts, people are still too afraid to join. They need the courage," Gale told them both, "Why do you think he said that?" The Odair girl asked him.
Gale sighed, "I don't know. Maybe he was forced,"
They all went quiet for a moment, the two girls both knew he had to have been forced. He wouldn't have said that otherwise.
"He didn't look that bad. Maybe he made some kind of deal to protect you both,"
"He's still playing the game," Katniss spoke quietly, it finally making sense in her head.
Naomi looked back down at her hands, fiddling with the pearl some more, the two realised she probably wanted to be on her own at this time like Finnick was too. He didn't expect Annie to suffer, either did Naomi. That's the whole reason she volunteered.
"If you need anything, you know where to find me..," Katniss told her, she nodded. "Thank you..,"
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The next day, Naomi woke up to find that the pearl Peeta had given her that was left on her bedside table had been replaced with a small box and a note,
'I thought this would help keep it safe. I know how much he means to you, and I promise I will get him back safely. Until then, he will always be with you. - Katniss,'
She set the note down after reading it, lifting the box and opening it to find a necklace, attached to it was a small shell which she gently opened to find the pearl sat inside it. She smiled, maybe Katniss did consider her a better friend than she thought. She was touched by her kind gesture, she closed the shell and put the necklace around her neck.
Meanwhile, Katniss found herself barging into the room where Plutarch and Coin sat waiting for her as agreed. Surrounded by papers, their eyes lifted as she stormed into the room, she stood before them in silence before clearing her throat.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet me. I've decided I'll be your Mockingjay. But I have some conditions," she said as she took out a piece of paper from her pocket, opening it up and flatting it out again against her leg before lifting it to read to them. "Peeta and the other Tributes, Johanna Mason and Annie Cresta, will be rescued at the earliest opportunity. If and when Peeta is liberated, he will receive a full and unconditional pardon. No punishment will be inflicted. And the same goes for the other Tributes..," Katniss tells them as she folds the paper in half and crosses her arms, they sit in silence for a second.
"No,"
Katniss was taken back by Coin's response, but it didn't take long for her to snap back.
"It's not their fault you abandoned them in the arena. They're doing and saying whatever they can to survive,"
"Individuals don't make demands in Thirteen. There will be a tribunal. And a fair judgement. Thank you," Coin tells her before looking back to the papers in front of her while Plutarch keeps his eyes on her still.
Katniss spoke firmer this time, making sure she gets her point across, "The Victors will be granted immunity. And you will announce that in front of the entire population of Thirteen. You will hold yourself and your government responsible or you will find another Mockingjay," the anger bubbled up inside her, furious that they were just going to leave them to die in the Capitol.
"That's it. That's her. Right there," Plutarch said as he pointed his finger at Katniss, she looked at the two confused. "Isn't that who I promised you? She wears the costume. Gunfire in the background. A hint of smoke. Our Mockingjay. Madam President, we're losing ground, because the people are losing the heart. This is worth the risk. She's worth the risk. Pardons, tribunals. Power of the people. It can all be the bedrock of the new Panem, but, in wartime, I think even the noblest of causes can be bent a little bit. Right?" He went on, Coin smiled before speaking again, "Do you have any other conditions?"
Katniss stood in shock that her plan had worked, thinking to herself if she did indeed have any more conditions, she looked back down at her list in her hands before uttering, "My sister gets to keep her cat,"
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Everyone gathered together, Finnick and Naomi walking in together and looking up to see Coin approaching the microphone to announce something to the whole of district thirteen.
"Good afternoon. Thank you for interrupting your schedules. They have already been adjusted to compensate for the delay. Please, check in with your unit supervisors when you resume work. I have an announcement for the citizens of thirteen. And our welcome guests from twelve. Katniss Everdeen has consented to be the face of our cause to help unite the districts against the Capitol. In exchange, I have promised several concessions," Coin told everyone, Katniss soon appeared at their side.
"First, we'll assess all opportunities for the extraction of the Victors held hostage in the Capitol," she went on, "Peeta Mellark," she started with, everyone began to yell and speak amongst themselves, not believing that he deserved to be brought to Thirteen. Meanwhile, Naomi was feeling a bit more positive about it all. "Johanna Mason...,"
"I made the deal for Annie, too," Katniss told the Odair siblings, "And Annie Cresta. Once freed, they will be granted full pardon for any and all crimes committed against the rebel cause," Coin continued on, everyone getting riled up at that and began yelling more at her, shouting in disagreement.
"Good," Finnick said to Katniss, "That's good, Katniss," he told her with a small smile, looking more hopeful than he did before.
"If Katniss Everdeen fails to fulfill her duties, the deal will be off," Coin says as she looks down to her, "Thank you for your attention. Please, resume your daily schedules," she said as she walked away, letting everyone leave. Naomi gave Katniss' shoulder a small squeeze, "Thank you..," she told her before gaining a smile from Katniss, she wasn't just thanking her for becoming the Mockingjay to save the others but also for the gift she had given her.
"Come on, Naomi," Finnick spoke, stood waiting for her at the door, she smiled at Katniss before following after him, his hand rested on the small of her back as he walked her back to her room.
