Reunited // Finnick Odair

Chapter 5

  The Ceremony ends faster than I can fathom, Peeta and Katniss looking stunning thanks to Cinna and the stylist's work and soon the pair are wheeling back into the Training Center to greet us.

The prep team jump on them, congratulating them on how ''simply fabulous'' they both looked. I spot Katniss looking around at the other tributes, and following her eyes I notice most of them are giving them dirty looks, clearly showing their jealousy. Cinna and Portia help them down from the chariot and remove their still flaming capes and headdresses and extinguishing them. Katniss then realises her hand is still interlocked with Peeta's, me smiling at them knowingly as she removes it and rubs her hand awkwardly. They talk briefly before my sly smile grows into a smirk when Katniss reaches up and presses a small kiss on his cheek where he has a small bruise. Well played, Katniss.


Once we'd finished in the Training Center, we ride the elevator I'm all too familiar with to the top floor, where District 12 would be staying. Haymitch still wasn't with us, none of us having seeing him since the train. Effie keeps babbling on to Katniss and Peeta how amazing they were and how well presented they were, constantly comparing them to me and how ''Your manners matched Vivanna's perfectly!'' and ''You presented yourself with Vivianna's grace!'' to the point where I had to politely tell Effie to stop.

''Effie, as kind as it is you think I did well in my Games, this year is about Katniss and Peeta, not myself. Perhaps, in all due respect, we should keep the compliments to those who deserve it, not myself,'' to which she replies.

''Ah, yes of course, Vivanna, you're completely right,'' and that was that.

Effie then moves on to talking about how she's been talking the pair up all day to everyone, trying to win them sponsors. I've been helping, going around separately, greeting people who watched my Games, supported me and asking them to do the same, gaining quite a bit of support for Katniss and Peeta.

''I've been very mysterious, though,'' Effie tells us, eyes squinting. ''Because, of course, Haymitch hasn't bothered to tell me your strategies and Vivianna here said she has an agreement with Haymitch that she won't say if Haymitch wont. But I've done my best with what I've had to work with. How Katniss sacrificed herself for her sister. How you've both successfully struggled to overcome the barbarism of your district,''

I almost snort at this but I remember my manners as Effie continues. ''Everyone has their reservations, naturally. You being from the coal district. But I said, and this was very clever of me, I said, 'Well, if you put enough pressure on coal it turns to pearls!'''

She seems so pleased with herself that I don't have the heart to correct her that pearls grow in shellfish, not made from coal.

''Unfortunately, I can't seal the sponsor deals for you. Only Haymitch and Vivanna can do that,'' Effie goes on grimly.

''And I've already sealed a few deals today. You're much more popular than you think,'' I wink at them, earning a chuckle from Peeta and a grateful smile from Katniss. ''Although, I can't say much for Haymitch. Effie and I will get him to the table at gunpoint if necessary,''

Effie nods in agreement and then we arrive into our living quarters. I wave goodbye to the others and go through to my room, order some fruit and take a shower, pulling my hair from it's intricate updo and scrub it clean of product. When I dry it using the box, it falls down my back in it's natural state, shiny and soft. I go back into my main room and change into something more than the dress I wore today. I opt for some smaller heels, my feet still aching from the height of my previous shoes. I search through my drawers to find my old thread the only thing I have left from my past life. I lost everything else. The memories. The faces of my parents growing fainter everyday. Did I have friends? A brother? A sister? I pull the bracelet and look at it, the dark blue of the thread and the bronze trident holding it all together. I find my eyes misting up at the thought of my past, yearning to know the truth. A sharp knock on the door brings me from my thoughts and I open it to find Effie, smiling brightly as always.

''Dinner's rea- Oh,'' she spots my presumably reddened eyes and sad expression and her smile drops. ''Whatever's the matter, dear?''

''Oh nothing, Effie. I'm fine, honestly,'' I shake the thoughts from my head and plaster on a smile, Effie's returning once more. ''What were you saying?''

''Oh yes. Dinner is ready if you'd join us,'' Effie smiles once more and walks away, me following and closing the door quietly. I sit down beside Cinna, an empty chair on my right at the end of the table. Soon Peeta joins us and sits opposite me, smiling at me. Effie returns and Katniss is not far behind. Effie tells us Haymitch will be joining us and I groan slightly, scared of what's to come. One of the Avoxes offers me a glass of wine, which I accept and down it, hoping to rid myself of my thoughts. My actions earn a weird sideways glance from Cinna but I shake my head and turn my attention to Haymitch as he shows just as dinner is being served. He's cleaned up, looking more presentable and gladly accepts the wine and sits down on my right and begins his soup. Haymitch and Effie manage to be civil and everyone makes small talk, except Katniss, Peeta and I. The two focusing on their meals and myself barely eating, only picking at my food, which annoys Effie but she knows I only do it when I'm thinking intently.

''Are you alright?'' Haymitch asks me quietly, leaning in close so no one can hear us. I glance up at him and see concern written in his features. ''You're barely eating. We both know what that means, Anna,''

I sigh and put down my fork. I lift my wrist up slightly to show him my bracelet and understanding flickers in his eyes. ''Just thinking about my past. I just want to know what happened to me,''

''I understand. What happened to you, Vivianna, maybe we'll never understand-'' he begins to say but I cut him off.

''But you do, don't you? You know who I am. Where I'm from. All I know is I'm from District 4 and I can't tell a soul!'' I whisper angrily, praying nobody else can hear what I'm saying.

The look on Haymitch's face turns slightly guilty. ''Yes I do know, but I am under oath not to tell you. I'm sorry, Anna, but you'll find out everything in due time,''

I sigh again and sit back in my chair as a red haired Avox places a beautiful looking cake in the center of the table and lights it. Katniss looks at it intently.

''What makes it burn? Is it alcohol?'' she wonders before looking up at the girl. ''That's the last thing I wa- oh! I know you!''

I widen my eyes. Katniss know an Avox? That can't be good. And she clearly doesn't know she can't speak. The poor girl just shakes her head and hurries away.

When she looks back at the table, she sees Effie, Haymitch, Cinna, Portia and I staring back at her.

''Don't be ridiculous, Katniss. How could you possibly know an Avox?''Effie snaps unkindly. ''The very thought.''

''What's an Avox?'' Katniss questions.

''Someone who committed a crime,'' I inform her. ''They cut her tongue so she can't speak,''

''She's probably a traitor of some sort,'' Haymitch adds. ''Not likely you'd know her,''

''And even if you did, you're not to speak to one of them unless it's to give an order,'' Effie says. ''Of course, you don't really know her,''

''No, I guess not, I just-'' Katniss stammers and then Peeta snaps his fingers, causing everyone to look at him.

''Delly Cartwright. That's who it is. I kept thinking she looked familiar as well. Then I realised she's a dead ringer for Delly,''

I search my brain for Delly and suddenly remember her. Younger than me, around Katniss and Peeta's age. She's friendly, overly bubbly and nothing like the Avox girl. I realise Peeta's just covering for Katniss.

''Of course, that's who I was thinking off. It must be the hair,'' Katniss says.

''Something about the eyes too,'' I nod in agreement, deciding to back them up.

''Oh well. If that's all it is,'' Cinna shrugs as he atmosphere relaxes to a more comfortable one. ''And yes, the cake has spirits, but all the alcohol has burned off. I ordered it specially in honour of your fiery debut.''

They eat the cake, me deciding against it, and then we all move into a sitting room, watching a replay of then opening ceremonies. The other couples look good, but the buzz is all about Katniss and Peeta.

''Who's idea was the hand holding?'' I ask as the camera shows the two on their chariot.

''Cinna's,'' Portia replies.

''Just the perfect touch of rebellion,'' Haymitch comments. ''Very nice,''

''Tomorrow morning is the first training session. Meet us for breakfast and Haymitch will tell you exactly how we want you to play it,'' I announce to Katniss and Peeta.

''Now go get some sleep while the grown-ups talk.'' Haymitch adds, waving them off to bed. They get up and leave, walking to their separate quarters. Haymitch then looks to me. ''You too, Anna, you need sleep,''

''But I'm a grown-up too and part of the team! Don't I need to be present for this talk.'' I protest.

''You're not a grown up just yet,'' Haymitch counters.

''I'm over eighteen!'' I retort, my voice raised slightly.

''Vivianna, enough. Just go get some sleep?'' Haymitch says firmly. I narrow my eyes at him but get up and walk down the corridor to my bedroom without another word, changing into my night clothes and falling into a restless, nightmare filled sleep.