𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃 𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 | Finnick Odair

𝐯𝐢. chasing that fame

After taking a minute to compose herself and letting Octavia complete any last minute touches to her outfit she emerged from the fitting room poker faced and ready for the show that was about to commence. She spotted Caspian straight away. He was dressed in the same colours as she was and it was obvious that their outfits were meant to be cohesive. Although he wasn't wearing a shirt, his torso had been decorated in a similar way to the makeup around her eyes. A crown of pearls sat atop his head which made her scowl, there was no way he would be crowned victor if she had anything to say about it. He was also holding two tridents handling them skillfully as he went through some basic sparring.

She walked up to him slowly relishing in the attention of the other tributes who watched in awe, their eyes widening, at both their outfits and obvious fighting prowess. They were threats to each and every person in the room, not only in the arena. Octavia had been right about one thing: looks really could get you far in the capitol. Sponsors could make or break you and the district four tributes were the perfect candidates. They oozed charm, confidence, and skill. They were also physically attractive which would be beneficial because many citizens of Panem refuse to see past the surface level attributes.

By the time she reached Caspian he was standing tall, no longer messing around with his gilded weapons. Genevieve supposed he was trying to intimidate her but they'd trained with each other for so long she no longer found any fear when facing him. "What do you want?" Caspian growled angrily as she stopped in front of him expectantly.

"Hand over a trident Poseidon." She scoffed, stretching out her manicured hand. "Octavia says we get one each."

Reluctantly he handed Genevieve one of the golden weapons. Before he could think of an insult to accompany it she interrupted him "Ok. I know you don't like me and trust me, the feelings mutual but we need to work together in order to intimidate and eventually kill the other tributes, so stop being such an asshole and help me out here."

Caspian gave an inconspicuous nod and directed his gaze toward the tributes who were slowly filling in. Although they had a shared dislike for each other, they weren't stupid and wouldn't sacrifice information for the sake of a grudge. As Genevieve mused over whether the district seven tributes would be of any use, a pair of tall, athletic looking tributes dressed in silver outfits covered with jewellery walked in and Genevieve narrowed her eyes at them.

"District one." Caspian muttered his gaze full of hatred. Caspian and Genevieve's hatred of each other could only ever be eclipsed by one thing and that was that they both had an equally strong dislike for district one and two who were most likely to be their main competition. Normally district four tributes were desperate to ally with the other careers but they'd seen enough betrayals in careers packs during past game analysis lessons at the academy to know that one and two were bad news.

"Should we go ask for an alliance?" Caspian asked his eyes, never leaving the retreating form of the other tributes.

"No, let them come to us." She whispered back absentmindedly, twirling the trident in her hands. "Or better yet get Odair to do the dirty work and ask for us."

The district one tributes were both tall and muscular. The girl looked like she belonged in the capital. High, delicate cheekbones, freakishly small nose, piercingly blue eyes, smooth skin that was so pale it was almost paper white, and silky platinum blonde tresses. Her gaze was turned downward almost in disgust as she surveyed her competitors.

The boy looked both young and old at the same time. Dark brown eyes, filled with obvious distrust and scruffy brown hair that looked as though someone had attempted to flatten it with little success. There were dark grey circles under his eyes that couldn't be hidden by the decorative jewels around them and yet Genevieve found something intriguing about him. His general aura radiated maturity and confidence.

He seemed to notice Genevieve looking at him. He looked over his shoulder quickly and his eyes flitted over her face after giving her a quick glance over he turned to his district partner and whispered something in her ear, the girl's eyes widened in surprise and she too turned to look at Genevieve and Caspian.

The girl raised her eyebrow at them in mock curiosity as she observed the district's four tributes. Genevieve let out a low snarl, obviously displeased at the girl's attitude. The district one girl faced her chariot again dismissing the other tributes far too quickly for Genevieve to get a read on her and the boy followed her lead after a moment of hesitation.

Caspian rolled his eyes at the display and turned around to enter the chariot. Genevieve pivoted on her heel and stepped up next to him ignoring the hand that Caspian had extended to her.

"Where's our mentor when you need him?" grumbled Caspian halfheartedly as he reached forward to pat the coal black horse in front of them.

"Speak of the devil and he shall appear," she commented as Finnick Odair entered the room chatting pleasantly with Mags, Gloss and Cashmere.

Following behind them were a group of peacekeepers, obviously sent to control the mounting tension between the different districts. One of them bolted the door to the styling room's shut behind him, effectively blocking off the only exit in case anyone tried ditching at the last minute.

A horn sounded from above them and the remaining tributes mounted their chariots nervously. District three's horses whinnied anxiously at the loud noise, coming from the doors the chariots would pass through in mere moments. Genevieve glanced around the room one last time, her eyes lingering on district two in their gladiators outfits and district twelve who appeared to be dressed in nothing but coal dust.

She smirked maliciously at twelve's obvious embarrassment as the chariot jolted to a start. Twelve was never going to be a threat - unless their mentor whose games she had found one of the most interesting - pulled himself together long enough to help. The doors opened automatically and the chariots begun to move forward at an alarming rate. The noise assaulted her ears almost immediately and she had to refrain from covering them. Spectators had begun to throw flowers at them and yell out the names of their favourite tributes so far. Genevieve and Caspian remained aloof as though all the excitement was beneath them even though so many people were cheering her name she was almost giddy with delight. This seemed to excite the audience even more although Genevieve couldn't quite comprehend why.

Eventually they reached the end of the route where President Snow eyed the potential victors with unconcealed interest, his eyes darting rapidly between carriage to carriage. They lingered for a while on her and she did not look away, it never hurt to impress the higher ups. After all she was just playing for the odds to be in her favour.

The hunger games had now unofficially begun. Every move she made until she entered the arena would affect her chances of coming out alive. She could not afford to make any careless mistakes or unnecessary enemies.