𝔞𝔪𝔭𝔥𝔦𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔢 ✩ 𝔣𝔦𝔫𝔫𝔦𝔠𝔨 𝔬𝔡𝔞𝔦𝔯

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CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

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Awaking without Apollo mumbling words of affection to the ghost of Melody was the most dreadful experience. For the past few mornings, he would wake last, due to the recently developed hypothermia, so Odelya and Florence would lay cuddled up in their sleeping bags and his loving words to a dead girl would reassure them that there was still some sense of goodness in the world.

Stolen was the soldier's body from its resting place by the Capitol's aircraft in the dead of night, even in death their District traditions could not be respected. Odelya would have to make sure to teach Florence the proper burial rites of Districts Four - his family could not be trusted to undertake such a ritual in wake of their son's death. When these terrible Games were to cease, flowers would reign victorious over Siren's and King's, so it would be her responsibility to reunite Apollo and Melody in death.

Down was it to four tributes now, only one not being included in their alliance. The demise of Iana from Five was crucial in the victory of little Florence. Oh, how cruel the world could be, for the alliance between the sisters and Blaise would surely end with Iana's dying breath.

For such a reason, Blaise had announced his departure that morning, for he could not bear to be the reason for neither Odelya nor Florence's downfall, yet he could not abandon his family either. So with hugs shared and the promise that there was plenty of venison to last them until he could hunt down Iana, the King retreated back into the woods.

Together in one sleeping bag, the other wrapped around little Florence like a cocoon, they huddled over the flickering flame of which had cooked their days meal. Careful did they have to be, of the fire spiralling out of control and smoke signalling an attack from Iana, who surely was lurking somewhere in the mass of trees.

Odelya could not finish her venison and so did she allow for little Florence's rumbling stomach to devour her portion of the remains of such a regal creature. Poor flowers wept with sorrow on such a day, for brothers had fallen and grief was a terrible emotion especially for those who cannot understand the reasons for such a loss.

In means to encourage happiness in the littlest tribute, Odelya spoke fondly of her home back in District Four. Tales of the beach and the adventures of which she embarked of with her beloved family. Stories of the sun and of sailors who sparked such adoration in her being. However indignant Odelya expressed currently for the lack of sunshine which shone of Apollo's final days, such memories warmed her heart in a way that made the frozen forest melt.

"Your dress at the reaping was very beautiful," Florence smiled, "Does everyone in Four wear such things."

"No, darling, that dress is very dear to me. I had embroidered it myself when I was even younger than you, it used to help me make sales when I sold my tailorings."

"I wish we had pretty things back in Twelve."

"Oh, darling, one day you will have but the prettiest things, I promise."

"Papa says that I'm his prettiest thing."

Oh, such words caused Odelya to miss her Papa so deeply, as he had spoke delicate words in her ear as Haymitch did in Florence's. Of course, Finnick spoke to in an affectionate manner also, but it was different compared to her father. For she truly believed him when he said those things to her - Finnick was only ever really joking around.

"You know what my darling," Odelya told, Florence's head turning to face her and her head tilted in slight confusion, "When you win I promise my pretty dress to you. Lastly it was in my bedroom above the Training Centre - you can ask your Papa to retrieve it for you before you return home to Twelve."

"I thought you were going to win, though?"

"This year's crown has always belonged to you, my flower. I am destined to fall down to the ocean's floor with darling Apollo and my beloved family."

"But I wanted you to show me Four and the ocean you speak such pretty words about."

"You find my mentor, Finnick, he looks like sunshine personified, and you tell him that in your Victory Tour to Four he is to take you with my darling brother, Reign, to the beach near my home. I promise you will have just a perfect time there, perhaps they could even teach you how to swim."

Tears welled in Florence's eyes at the thought of swimming in Four's ocean without the loving presence of her older sister, but Odelya would die happy knowing the Flower was sheltered in the loving embrace of her Papa.

Whispering soothing words to the younger girl, Odelya motioned for her to lie back down under the covering of the sleeping bag and try to get some sleep. Perhaps it would make her feel better.

"I can't sleep without the sunshine song."

"What's that, my darling."

"Papa sings it to me every night and it helps me to fall asleep. I taught it to Apollo and he sung me to sleep but he can't do that anymore."

"Teach it to me, little Flower."

Oh, the lyrics of the song were so darling to Florence, that they would ring in Odelya's head every night as she fell to her slumber.

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A little bit less of a poetic chapter this time around, this one was just a cutesy little filler update before the sadness starts. Sorry for the lack of updates but I have been so so busy with GCSE's but remember after the Eighteenth of June I will hopefully be updating daily.

Odelya calling Florence 'darling' is just everything.

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