Roots of Destruction 𓅫 Finnick Odair X OC

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Briar raises her head as the sound of the sliding automatic doors open wakes her and sees her sister walking to her. Even with her incredibly late and unusual lie in, the girl is overwhelmingly her exhausted. "Hey, B, We'll be arriving in the Capitol in about forty minutes. Blight, Fauna, and I have spoken, and as you're a volunteer we've decided that we're going to keep you dressed as you are. The press and citizens will love it if they can see you in this."

Briar doesn't know it, but this was a lie. It was a requirement that, if someone volunteered, they were to remain in their Reaping outfit for arrival, however, Johanna was desperate to try and shield her twin from the truth about the Capitol for as long as possible. "When we arrive, there's going to be a lot of people on the platform, and outside, desperate to even get a glimpse of you. It'll be intensified for you, too, as you're a volunteer from a District that isn't known for winning."

"Oh wow, so because I'm not from 1 or 2 they're going to see me as some sort of Peacock?" Briar raises an eyebrow.

"Nah, that's Finnick. They just see you as different."

"Finnick? He won a few years before you, right?"

Johanna nods in response, "yeah, but enough about him, we need to discuss the angle you play as it's going to be in place from the second you arrive."

"I mean I was just going to be myself and flirt with people like I did back in 7. You said the people here will love that."

"They will," Johanna nods, "but you need to make sure it always appears genuine. If you don't seem genuine then you'll be branded as fake and hated. Then you're fucked."

"Okay," Briar nods and rests her head on her sister's shoulder. "I'll make sure it appears genuine."

"You really think you can win this? I mean my stunt when I won means that 7 have the biggest target on their backs at the moment."

"I know, Jo. And no, I am not completely sure I can win this, but I do think I have a good shot."

"I sure hope so. I could never look at mum and dad again if I let you down."

"Jo, you'll never let me down," Briar smiles, hugging her sister.

"Just promise me you won't sleep with any of the victors when you win, okay?" Johanna laughs, tightening her hold on the girl.

"I'm not making you any promises," a soft laugh leaves Briar's lips as she goads her sister.

A short while later, the train screeches to a gradual halt in the station, and Fauna excitedly walks through to the twin sisters, closely followed by Oakley and Blight. "Are we all ready? Remember bright smiles and be kind to everyone that has made the journey out to see you."

"Yes, Fauna," Briar giggles as she rises to her feet. "Should I walk out with Johanna of Oakley?"

"Oakley," Fauna confirms. "I'll go out first with you and Oakley following, then Johanna and Blight will follow behind. The Centre isn't far from here so we'll be walking there. Be sure to talk to one another and look like you get along."

All the District 7 citizens nod in agreement, and with that Fauna swings the train door open and smiles, waving to her people. Briar and Oakley walk out, side by side, and Briar instantly begins smiling and interacting with the citizens and members of the press, making comments like 'that colour is beautiful on you' and 'you're very handsome, your wife is a very lucky woman' as she goes. It's made clear by their reactions to the seventeen year old that the citizens adore her, and this encourages her further. The flash of a camera being held by a member of the press catches Briar's eye, and so, she looks over her shoulder, striking a subtle pose and winking at the man holding it. As they exit the station and come onto the street, even more people are awaiting their arrival, shouting at them and pushing forward, clambering to try and get closer to this year's tributes.