Deja Vu Battle | 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝟑 (Part 1) ✅

25.

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Estella let out a soft groan, her hands crossed with one holding her face as she rubbed away the headache that seemed to be building. She stood with her hips cocked to the side, a picture of frustrated composure, beside President Snow as they watched Peeta's interview unfold on the large screen. The scene before them was chaotic and far from the polished performance they had hoped for.

"This is ridiculous," Estella muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing at the frantic Peeta on screen. His demeanor was a mix of panic and desperation, clearly rattled by just a glimpse of Katniss. The media crew was in a frenzy, their attempts to regain control of the situation only adding to the confusion. Cameras whirred and technicians shouted, but the chaos only seemed to escalate.

Caesar Flickerman, usually the epitome of charismatic control, was at a loss. His trademark smile had faltered, and he looked utterly confused, unable to find his footing in the midst of the disarray. He tried to continue the interview, but his questions came out stilted and uncertain, his usual charm replaced by a palpable discomfort.

President Snow, standing beside Estella, resembled a runaway train with steam pouring out. His face was a mask of strained composure, but his eyes betrayed the storm brewing within. He clenched his jaw, his fingers drumming impatiently on the armrest of his chair as he watched the unfolding disaster.

"Get it together!" Snow's voice, though low, carried a sharp edge of frustration. His eyes never left the screen, as if willing Peeta to pull himself together and deliver the performance they had planned. The situation was spiraling out of control, and Snow's irritation was evident in the rigid set of his shoulders and the cold fury in his gaze.

A light tap on her shoulder drew her attention to a servant holding a small tray with a single tea cup filled to the brim. Estella frowned. "Is it time already?" she muttered, hoping President Snow wouldn't hear. Fortunately, he didn't, but the servant did.

"The sooner it's gone, the better," she thought, drinking the tea despite knowing it was poisoned. She bit her lip to suppress the urge to vomit; she couldn't afford to show weakness. Letting out a sigh, she refocused on the situation at hand.

Estella shifted her stance, trying to mask her own growing frustration. The plan had been to use Peeta's interview to solidify the Capitol's narrative, showcase their control, and manipulate public perception. Instead, it was turning into a farce, with Peeta's erratic behavior threatening to unravel their carefully crafted facade.

She sighed, glancing at Snow. "I'll regain control of this situation."

Snow's eyes flicked to her, a silent acknowledgment of her assessment. The room was a whirlwind of activity, but Estella knew that if anyone could salvage this disaster, it would be her. She just hoped they had enough time to fix the mess before it completely undermined their efforts.

From the rebellion side, everyone froze in shock as they watched a new figure emerge on the screen. Aries, however, was the first to react. With a swift, decisive move, he rushed to Beetee's side, his mind already racing with the implications of the scene unfolding before them.

The commotion seemed to mute as Estella appeared on the screen, her presence commanding instant attention. She leaned down to Peeta, who looked up at her with wide, terrified eyes. For a moment, the chaos seemed to fade, replaced by a tense stillness as Estella whispered something in Peeta's ear.

Her words were soft but soothing, and slowly, Peeta's panic subsided. He took a deep breath, visibly calming as Estella's gentle touch reassured him. Moments later, the media crew escorted him out of the frame, his demeanor now more composed.

Estella turned her attention to Caesar Flickerman, who had been left standing in a state of bewildered confusion. She flashed him one of her trademark sweet smiles, a stark contrast to the chaos that had just ensued. "I'm sorry, Caesar. You don't mind if I join you, do you?"

Caesar's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly composed himself. "N-No, no. Please, go ahead," he stammered, guiding her to the seat Peeta had just vacated. His voice held a mix of relief and uncertainty as he gestured for her to take the spot. The charm and confidence he usually exuded seemed momentarily subdued by the unexpected turn of events.

As Estella settled into the chair, her calm demeanor seemed to ease the tension in the studio. The crew, though still buzzing with nervous energy, began to regain their composure. Caesar adjusted his stance, trying to shake off his previous disorientation. The scene now focused on Estella, her presence bringing a new dynamic to the interview.

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The room was thick with tension, punctuated only by the sound of Caesar Flickerman's voice as he attempted to regain control of the interview. The silence was palpable, everyone's eyes glued to the screen as Estella, with an air of calm detachment, completely ignored the hijacking of the broadcast. Instead, she engaged Caesar in a seemingly unaffected conversation, discussing the recent attack and her newly revealed relationship.

Aries watched intently, his focus singularly on Estella. He observed every subtle nuance of her demeanor—the way her eyes flickered, the rhythm of her breathing as her chest rose and fell.

He found himself mesmerized, counting each blink, mirroring her breaths, and smiling every time she laughed, her laughter punctuated by her hand covering her mouth. Despite the chaos, her presence was magnetic, a calming force amidst the storm.

"What do you-" Then, abruptly, the broadcast was interrupted by static, and Katniss's voice cut through the noise, laced with fury. "What did you do to him?!" Her anger was unmistakable, and Caesar froze, glancing nervously between the camera and the crew, his eyes darting to President Snow for guidance.

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