A fate worse than death~~A Finnick Odair story~~

21. Charades

Annie had done exactly as we said. She had played smart, or well she was smart so she didn't play, and somehow she had gotten a decent number. Before the game even started, we had people interested in sponsoring her, and I was almost certain she would join the careers. Everything was going great, until it wasn't anymore.

To begin with, she had not joined the careers, no she had teamed up with her district partner. Something that took me straight back to a cave by a meadow. It didn't go bad for them, but they weren't interesting either, as the capital said, so slowly but surely we started losing sponsors.

But they weren't the worst, oh no. Up until now we had at least been able to send water or food, but when Annie witnessed her partner's brutal death, something changed her. She sat down on the ground and began to shake. She pressed her hands to her duck face and then she screamed. A panicked look at Finnick and I showed we were thinking the same thing, now we where done.

Finnick took it upon himself to comfort Mags in her new loss, and I wanted to be there, really, but it was my birthday and that meant one thing. Interview. So while Mags and Finnick got to share a moment, I headed off to a dressing room.

The jeans and tank top I was wearing were quickly thrown to the side. I was put in a chair and Silver's assistants went wild on my face with tweezers, makeup brushes and pearls. Silvers himself had not yet arrived with my outfit.

They had started with my hair, also decorated with pearls, when she came in. My jaw almost dropped when I saw her. Something in me said she had taken her name a little too far, for the woman who before had, almost, looked normal now had silvered skin and hair, even hers decorated with pearls.
"Elizabeth darling!"
"Silvers, what's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"With you?"
"Ohh that yes!! Well I thought it was time for a change wouldn't you agree!"
I could think of 20 things she might have otherwise been able to do, but instead of saying it, I just nodded and smiled.

Only when I got to see the outfit I was going to wear did I understand all the pearls. They had been new for this year, but judging by the top, which was also pimped with beads, maybe it would become my new signature. Previously it had been the necklace with the ring, but since it never appeared in interviews, Silvers had long talked about finding something new.

"So do you like it?"
"It's fantastic as always Silvers."
The top with its bell sleeves hugged my shape, and the dark blue skirt in the same color with the slit did the same.
"Yeah I thought we'd be a little bolder than before, but it wasn't too much right?"
"Not at all."
By bolder she meant sexier, and given how my image had evolved in recent years, this was just the right calle.

She had a knack for clothes, which was partly why I kept her as my stylist after the Games, but also because she never made me feel uncomfortable, and because, despite being from the capital, she was a genuinely good person.

When I set foot on the now all-too-familiar stage, the crowd roared. Caesar welcomed me as always and we sat down in the deployed armchairs.
"You know I always like to have died here Elizabeth."
Caesar began, and I braced myself for what might come.
"But I think you should come more often!"
I laughed off the hand clutching my chest and put on my best capital smile before answering.
"Ohh you! Caesar you flatter me!"
He put his hand on my knee and we laughed as if we were old friends.
Let the charades begin.

"No but seriously, I think you're my favorite guest!"
"Is it because I always look so good?" "Ohh, well maybe, but I have to admit you're probably setting the trend for the coming year now, wouldn't you agree."
He turned to the audience for support and as if on cue, he got it.
"Everybody who's anybody will wear pearls now!"
"Ohh Now you have to stop! You're spoiling me!"
I playfully waved my hand as if to lecture Caesar and we laughed again.

"Now, not to break tradition, I have something for you."
He began as he leaned away from the audience to pick something up. When he turned back, he was holding a small dish with a magenta muffin on it.
"I firmly believe it's your birthday!" I smiled even wider if that was even possible, before nodding and answering.
"Ohh yes, 17, I thought you forgot!"
He handed me the plate and I took it before he put his hand to his chest and exclaimed.
"I could never!"
Before he could recover I had replied with a playful.
"Good! And even better it matches your hair!"
"Ohh yes, I think this is my personal favorite!"
"Ohh Caesar you say that every year!" "But it's true!"
More laughter from us and the audience.

"Now make a wish!"
I smiled, closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them and took a bite of the muffin. "Ohh is just too good, Caesar you just have to taste!"

Before he could protest, I had handed him the muffin and he had taken a bite.
"Well I have to agree, absolutely delicious, a round of applause to our bakers!"
The audience applauded and I joined in. But without attracting too much attention, I tried to signal to Caesar to wipe his nose.
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand youre handsignes miss Whitmore!"
I put my face in my hands and feigned embarrassment before leaning closer to him and half whispering.

"You have something on your nose." "What?!"
"On youre nose!"
Caesar's stunned look was met with laughter from the audience and in the middle of it all, our time was up.
"I must thank you for a wonderful evening Elizabeth!"
"As always Caesar!"
I smiled at the crowd before deciding to test something. As I stepped off the stage I blew a few kisses and the crowd went crazy, even almost drowning out Caesars.
"Ladies and Gentlemen Miss Elizabeth Whitmore!"
God I long for my dressing room.

When I stepped inside the door to the dressing room, I was finally able to exhale. I was alone, which I appreciated and immediately took off my clothes. I hung them on the hangers that Silvers had brought with him, and sat down at the dressing table. That's when I saw it. A cowrie and a white rose.

You have been requested to visit the President's office tomorrow afternoon at one o'clock.
Don't be late.

And then suddenly I now longed to go back to the stage with all the people, becaus at least there hadn't any letters from the president on stage.