I Bet On Losing Dogs

Chapter 3

Her car arrives to transport her shortly after she inputs the final details into the digital system for Ms Bloom to review upon her return. She is once again reminded by how ghostly the exterior of her apartments look for a woman of Ms Bloom's stature, a chill runs down Dottie's spine as they roll along the pavement. The driver delights her by taking the scenic route home, avoiding the chaos of the afternoon traffic and treating her to the stunning views along the edges of The Capitol. The mountains roll in from around them, the snow just starting the wear away after a gleefully frosty winter, the myriad of tall towers and crystal windows glisten as the sunset dances across them.

Rolling up onto the gravel path she feels a sense of relief wash over her. She had made it. Her first day, despite its peculiar rushing start had been completed with all of her targets succeeded with grace and delicacy. She could even go as far as to say she ended up enjoying her visit to the Victor today despite his obnoxious disposition. The outer walls of the Court Maze speckle with crafted sculptures and floral displays, alluring all that dare to see it's beauty insides. Stepping through the grand doors as they creak open, she feels herself stepping into a new light of maturity. The peace in knowing she is achieving the beginning of her future in these very moments is enlightening. 

A deep voice croons from across the parlour. "My Dearest Sister." Dottifer allows herself to stare at the stop of the staircase to find Alphard, disheveled in the same set of robes and silks she had seen him in a few days prior. He attempts to mock her curtsey but she watches out the corner of her eye as he trips over his own feet and tumbles down the carpeted staircase. It's a harsh parade of thunks along until he reaches the bottom of the staircase, limbs slowly spreading further along the carpeted pathway as Dottifer nurses her temples. "You looked divine." He slurs, the scent of his breath almost visible as it claws along the fresh air to stain her nostrils.

She takes off her coat and tucks it underneath to cradle his head as he winces at his own stupidity. "Good evening brother." She waves over an Avox to take further care of her brother and watches them move along down the hall with him in a disturbing amount of rhythm and routine.

"Dottifer." Denarius' voice clamours from the main sitting area as she stills herself before entering to greet the glaring figure she expects to find behind the doors. Making her way through calmly she smiles graciously at the familiar figure standing by the periwinkle lounge.

"Father." she approaches the set of lounges to focus on extending her towards her elder. Then to return to her preppy demeanour as she notices the surprise addition of her Uncle moving towards her from the kitchen entrance.

"Uncle Caesar! How are you?" He gives her a warm hug and kiss on both cheeks before they all return to their seats.

"Well I'm good but I mustn't be as good as you." He sings with such high esteem she cannot help but blush. Somehow after years of learning how to accept the praise of her family's well-doings in the Capitol, she struggles to accept the sudden wave of praise towards herself. "Truly, that is a glorious achievement. You are just the talk of the Capitol, even Claudius hasn't found it within himself to sing anything but praise." She joins in with Caesar's laugh as they begin to peruse the selection amuse-bouche available this evening, selecting a delicacy of salmon and caviar.

"Dottifer I have decided that as consolation for your new achievements in your academics and career I have alerted the staff to reconstruct the East Quarters to your choosing." He announces as if it is as mundane as the arrival of fresh laundry. Yet it isn't indeed, she feels her brain halt to process his words again and again in shock.

"I beg your pardon, Sir?" She forces the question out of her imagination to confirm its reality. Her father is unmoved.

"You are a mature young lady. You shall have your own space within the family Courts to grow as you please. Besides as you work in the games I have been told it shall be beneficial to have a spacious area to host clients and sponsors."

"Thank you father." She blinks in shock. After her father and his brother in law get cheerfully distracted by their conversations of Capitol business for her to excuse herself and travel further down the hall before inspecting her newest earnings.

At the end of the shadowy halls in the North quarters, Dottie creaks open a door to enter the warmly illuminate cavern of photo frames and throw pillows. "Mother?" Shutting it gently as to not disturb the madam, she asks again. "Mom?"Her mom begins to blink slowly into her own body once more and she watches as her mother's eyes begin to sparkly once more.

"Baby. Hello my baby." She coos as she reaches out for Dottie's hand, she extends gladly as her mother gives them a gentle kiss on the ink stained knuckles.

"Hi mom." She situates herself on the edge of her mother's bed, fishing a hairbrush out of the bedside table as she begins to comb through the bed head with harmful familiarity. "I started as a stylist today. I had a lovely day. Although, my colleague was shirtless when I walked inside. Can you believe?" Roselica laughs and Dottie joins in. She watches her mother glides her fingers along the glistening technicolor fabric.

"You're wearing my dress." She says as if it is a question and an answer all at once.

"Yes I did. We made it together over the holidays. I am going to have it framed tomorrow so you can keep it on your wall."

"That sounds lovely dear." Her mother glows at the news, her laugh wrapping around Dottie's shoulders like a duvet. "You know I still have your dress from-"

"From the Academy Debut." She remembers the way she had snuck into her mother's studio to steal a roll of white lace and used her brother's science kit to preserve a set of violets and Lillies from the courts for a transcendent trail. Her mother had walked in on a pile of flowers and safety pins and proceeded to stay up all night to help her create the most dazzling debutant dress.

"It's very lovely. And now I'll get to say I have Dottifer original. The original." She is beaming beside her mother as the frizz of the hair begins to mellow with each gentle stroke Dottie makes, pulling it into delicate braids. "I had a Victor once. They have such an odd fascination with tea."

Her mother had never spoken much of her days in the Games circuit. It hadn't been long, soon after joining she had Dottie and had decided it would be better to focus on her family and home while Denarius handles the employment. It was something she had just always felt was better not to ask from the silence of the mother and the glares of her father. In brutal honesty she couldn't even list what districts or games she participated with. "What is, Tea?" The word feels empty on her tounge, as if she hasn't finished it's full name.

"The people in some districts enjoy putting leaves in their water instead of beans. It was nice. Odd. But nice." She spots the familiar lurking of shadows in her mother's eyes creeping in once again as her voice grows softer. "Odd but nice." Her mother turns the end of her sentence over and over again in a breathy whisper. She helps situate her for rest once more and very quickly she's return to her usual frail state. Dottifer shuts the door silently behind her.

Outside, an Avox waits to direct her through the maze to locate her new quarters. It wasn't as if she needed to be shown how to navigate it at this point though she assumes it is for her Father's courtesy as much as her own.

The exterior of the East Wing are simplicity at it's finest. A grand champagne shaded paradise welcomes her on the other side of the maze. The doors open to reveal a brand new quarters, Marble white floors illuminated by her very own technicolor glass ceiling to awaken the entire parlours entrance. She looks around as the doors are shut to assume she is completely and utterly alone.

She manically rips off her heels and races around the building, peaking into every nook and cranny with gleeful curiosity bursting from her. Upon finding the largest cloud of pillows and mattress one can collect, she launches herself upon the bed and reaches to her bedside table to dial up Miss Heavensbee. "Oh do I have stories for you my Jewel!"

Author's note:

I'm really enjoying putting the song that i listen to while writing the chapter in the banner. I'm a music lover so it's just extra vibes. I liked this song because it captures the distorted but still kind of dreamy vibe i think the Cordially Court holds, like they don't refer to this family as a family, it's a court of individuals.

Also please comment and follow!!!!

Next Chapter:

Let the 64th Games begin