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

55. Oh shit

I was shocked when Wert never came into my dressing room. Or really I wasn't, after all I had been very sad the last time I saw him, there had just been so much and the threat that I would stab him to death with my heel probably didn't make things any better. Whit that beeing said, I wasn't disappointed, honestly I was just so tired of everything, so after what I thought was maybe an hour I started to consider if I should just go out in my dressing gown, I mean, it was a long time to go until I would stand on the stage, but one could never be too sure.

That's why I was pleasantly surprised when Silvers in a panic followed by a swarm of stylists stormed my dressing room! She was breathing heavily as she worked on the final details of what I assumed would be my outfit for the day, though I didn't get to see it. Stylists flocked around me like flies, I was sure there were at least twice as many as usual, but as some started with my hair and others picked up make-up, nail polish and God knows what from all their bags I sat in silence.

For the first time since meeting Wert, I let my eyes land on Silvers, and only now that she was here in front of me, unharmed and well, did I let thoughts of what could have happened to her take over. For I had not seen her for a long time, and every now and then thoughts of what the President might have done to her had stood against me. But always, if only to keep a smile for the cameras, I'd pushed them away. But now that she was here easily all the possible ways he had been able to torture her flooded me. Threats, blows, expulsion, execution, everything. Because even though I only saw Silvers a few times a year, I had never disliked her. On the contrary, she was one of the few things that was technically okay in the capital, but when she just disappeared, I didn't dare to object, because after all, I knew better than many what our dear president could be capable of.

"No out of there!!"
Silver's sudden outburst had made everyone stop in their tracks, even me.
"I clearly said that only I take care of the jewelry!!"
It was a younger man, or boy, with his hand in a big black jewelry box she directed her anger at, he stood as if frozen, but everyone else continued with what they were doing as soon as they realized that the order was not meant for them.

"Well you know what!!"
I could clearly hear the irritation in her voice, but instead I chose to focus on my nails which were extended and decorated with pearls and glitter. I wonder if my dress would have pearls on it.
"You know what!! Get out of here!!" The boy had quickly bent his neck and hurried out, but Silvers was not satisfied.
"Nooo!! You know what, everyone who isn't doing her hair, myself or Elizabeth out!!!!"
Cautious whispers spread, as if they didn't understand what it was she wanted them to do.
"Out!!!!!"
And at that, more than 10 people were on the other side of my dressing room door in no time, and in even less time those poor poor people that were doing my hair finished leaving them too slipped out in silence.

When everyone left the room, Silvers almost collapsed in an armchair to my left.
"Ohh dear Elizabeth I'm so sorry, it's just been so much now with everything, everything, well your dress and you and yes you know, everything is supposed to be so symbolic now sooo, well you konw."
What on earth do you answer to that??
"Ohh, I'm sure you did a great job."
I don't know how or why, but at that she almost lit up a little.
"Do you want to see the dress??!"
I nodded in response and she went over to the hanger and opened the dress bag, and then I saw it.
My breath hitched, I could hardly believe my eyes.
"Ohh Silvers!! Is that??..."
"Of course!! Although I had to make some alterations and such, I mean you're not 13 anymore!!"
I just nodded in response, still almost unable to believe my eyes.
It was my dress, MY DRESS!!
The same dress I wore almost 9 years ago, I had known that Silvers was a magician when it came to clothes and that she would surely do something spectacular, but not even I could have imagined this.

I almost wanted to cry when I once again saw myself in the dress. Now I understood why the hair felt so familiar, Silvers had, with almost no changes at all, recreated the look I had the first time I stepped on the stage, the emotions the capital would experience when they got to see me in the dress were unpredictable, but so were the emotions I would feel. The only thing that kept me from crying was the thought of my makeup. Silvers had picked up two different necklaces, but when she saw the widow's chain around my neck, she had led. "You know, Finnick never asked my permission to put that on you, he could have ruined your whole look!!" I smiled at her words, the contract to say it didn't surprise me in the least. But then, without me really understanding why, she put both necklaces away again. "I guess now it would just ruin it if I tried to admit it! Even though you added a ring." The last came much lower, like an added comment meant only for her, but I had heard it.

Sadly for me, this time it was a peacekeeper who escorted me. But what did I really expect, Finnick himself was going to participate this time.

We arrived just in time for me to see Finnick finishing up a conversation with another victor, he walked towards me with a smile, but it quickly faded when we both heard the voice behind me.
"Elizabeth Hunny!!"
I froze. Only one person called me out on it, but Finnick wasted no time. He passed me and headed straight for Cory, Cory who must have thought Finnick was just going to greet the President's beloved grandson reached out his hand, but Finnick landed a fist right in his face!!

Peacekeepers rushed in to break them both up, but Finnick had given in immediately after the first blow. It was as if that was the only one he wanted to make, as if he was satisfied with a single well-placed punch.
But Cory wouldn't have it. He pounded and fought the guards holding him back, visibly furious, but Finnick was unreachable.
"I'm gonna I'm gonna, I'm gonna beat you to death!! I'm gonna kill you!!"

Some of the other Victors looked surprised at Cory's outburst, but Finnick was calm.
"I'd like to see you try!! You never get to before I go to the games!!"
Cory was about to say something more, but there was no time for me to think about it, I left the commotion behind and stepped onto the stage.
It was my turn.

Caesar cracked a few jokes and got the audience laughing, I answered his questions to the best of my ability and I noted when he wondered if it was the same dress I wore 9 years ago. Many in the audience cheered when they realized that. I had honestly thought they would be disappointed that drm didn't get to see a new expensive dress, but many actually seemed to appreciate the nostalgia and thought behind it all. Doc, I didn't really manage to take in everyone's reactions. I was busy thinking about what might be going on under the guise right now, that Finnick had hit on Cory, had he done it for me? God I loved that man, but if it was for me I would kill him myself, how dare he put himself in danger just because he could!!!

"Hello! Hello? Earth to Elizabeth Whitmore!!"
"Hmm ohh I'm sorry Caesar what did you say??"
"I just wanted to congratulate you on your 10, but where are your thoughts?? Who could be more important than us!!"
He made a gesture to himself and the audience and I smiled.
"Ohh no one!! I was just thinking about the love of my life!"
Ohhs and ahhhs were heard in the audience and Caesar lovingly hugged his chest.
"Ohh and I'm sure he's thinking about you!! But I'm sorry to say that our time is unfortunately up, it's been an honor to interview you and Miss Whitmore??"
"Yes??"
"I hope one day to introduce you as Mrs. Snow!"
I smiled, hugged Caesar and took my place with the other victors in the background.

It made me both happy and annoyed that everyone thought I was talking about Cory. In fact, I had just given Finnick Odair a declaration of love that was broadcast across the country, but no one could ever prove it, it could never be used against me. After that I was just focused on Finnick looking in good shape as he stepped onto the stage.
Cory hadn't gotten to him, I smiled at that. Then nothing very noticeable happened adter that.

Johanna swore at the entire capitol and the president, I admired her for that, but my interest wasn't captured until Katniss Everdeen was on stage and her wedding dress turned into a mockingjay?!

Was that what Silvers meant when she said everything was a symbol now anymore? But no one was any more angry about the dress, on the contrary, jenne's stylist received a big round of applause.

I'd like to say that everything was cool and went well until Peeta Mellark's interview, but now in retrospect I understood that many things were attempts to hurt the entertainment city. But it wasn't until Peeta told them the six words that trouble broke out.
"If it weren't for the baby."
Shit! Wait was Katniss pregnant? I tried to catch her eye, but it was impossible. Only when Finnick took my hand and lifted it did I understand what everyone was doing, and when I turned my gaze to look out over the commotion that had broken out in the audience, the lights went out.

But then I understand Silver's words even more clearly. Katniss's dress had been pure rebellion, maybe even treason, but mine. Ohh Silvers was smart, because only now, in the darkness when the capital tried to hide what they were doing, did I light up. The dress that at first only resembled water with its different layers dissolved in the darkness, now more like water with sea fire, wonderful, beautiful, but perhaps even now, a message.
We were here and we were going to fight!!
Silvers you sly sly fox.

A/N
OMG sorry it was such a long chapter, but I didn't want to put you through the trouble of splitting it in two!!

Hope you still thought it was good and are excited for the sequel, I know I am<3