Rising Rebellion [#3]

Chapter 9 - Points of Importance

“So you actually bothered to listen to what Haymitch asked? Are you going to do it too?” She then asked as John sat down and talked her through what Haymitch was asking them. “It might contribute to the original plan we had coming here. So yes, I will do it.” John said at first. “And I know that if I do it, so will you.” He then added. Sylvia shook her head. “I really don’t see why we have to be the ones dragging around on those two. They’ll slow us down and make us an easy target!” She protested. “’The girl on fire’ might’ve found them useful, but I consider them a waste of time!” She then added. “Well, if we want to gain her trust and get in on her alliance, this is the way to do it. She won’t get to them before getting to Peeta.” John pointed out as she fell silent for a little while.

“Look, we get to them and we keep them alive until we find her. After that, they can be her responsibility. We don’t have to babysit them all the time.” John explained. “But Beetee can come in handy. Perhaps we’ll be more protective over him in there.” He suggested before Sylvia gave him a snug look. “So what, he can electrocute the rest? Hah! As if that’ll work twice.”  She answered quite sarcastically. John grabbed her hand. “I know you don’t trust any of them, but if you can’t even try to trust them, trust me. I believe there is a valid reason why they’re asking us to do this. I wouldn’t consider it if I didn’t.” John then pointed out. Sylvia let out a deep sigh as she realized he proved a fair point.

“There really is no arguing with you on this, is there?” She then asked surrendered with a small smile on his face. John shook his head real smug. “Nah, I’m just too good sometimes. One of the things you just can’t resist, isn’t it?” He then asked flirting. She kissed him swiftly on the lips.  “It might be…” She said before she heard the elevator open in the distance. It was Calliope arriving along with both John’s and Sylvia’s designers. Sylvia let out a deep sigh. “Perfect timing…” She grunted sarcastically as John turned to face them. Sylvia wasn’t going to pretend that she was happy to see them, because she honestly wasn’t. “Are you ready to find out your scores?” Lizzie asked as she sat down with a funky drink in her hand. Sylvia’s designer, Lavio, sat down next to Lizzie. “I think you have a fair shot at scoring higher this time, Sylvia.” He said. She smiled sarcastically over at him. She probably hated that designer more than Snow. At least Snow had the decency of not making her look uncomfortable. “Oh, here they go!” Calliope then said as the broadcast started.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to reveal the scores of our beloved victors! You all know how important these scores can be so make sure you pay attention!” Kellerman started as he went ahead with the first Districts. There really was no surprise there. To them, these were actual Games so they did what they could to impress the Gamemakers. Beetee and Wiress didn’t score high, and they weren’t expected to either. Finnick scored as expected, while as to Mags…well, nobody had ever been given a 0, so there was probably a first for everything. After that the scores were in between 4 to 6 before they showed the District 7’s seal. “Oh look, it’s our turn!” Sylvia said ironically optimistic.

“And now over to our well-known victors from District 7 and first out, is our feisty female victor, Sylvia Mason.” Kellerman said in the broadcast. “At least he got something right.” Sylvia let out. John chuckled lightly as Kellerman continued. “And let me just spoil it right away that she did improve her score by a lot! Sylvia Mason, with a score of: 9!” Kellerman went on. “Well, that’s not bad.” John then said as he looked over at her. “I could’ve been slightly more arrogant though. Would’ve sent me up to the Careers’ score…” Sylvia then said without finishing. “And now over to our male tribute from the same District: John Wintergreen. Despite the fact that he lost one of his legs in the last Games he played, it doesn’t seem to have changed anything. John Wintergreen, with a score of: 10!” Kellerman announced as he then went on the tributes from 8. “Would you look at that, one improvement and one continued high score…I guess we’re both winners already.” Sylvia said slightly ironical as they continued to watch the scores as they were anxious to know what the ones from 12 had scored.

“Now, ladies and gentlemen, the last two tributes in this year’s Quarter Quell: our beloved star-crossed lovers from District 12!” Kellerman announced. John looked over at Sylvia at Kellerman’s words as he saw her rolling her eyes. He smiled as he looked back on the screen as they were about to start with Peeta. “The lover-boy, Peeta Mellark, with a score of: 11!” John sat forward as he had an extra look. “What did that guy do to earn an 11?!” John then asked. Peeta never stroke him as guy to show off any combat-abilities, so what had he done? “Does it really matter how he did it? He did it.” Sylvia said rather carelessly. John leaned back at the response. “And now, our beloved girl on fire, Katniss Everdeen, with a score of…” Kellerman looked closer on the note as he had to be sure it was right. John and Sylvia noticed the hesitation. “Oh well, there’s a first for everything this year. Katniss Everdeen with a score of: 12!” Kellerman then read up. None of them said anything. There was nothing to say. Sylvia let out an angry sigh and left the room.

“Still, a 9 and a 10 is good. We all think you did great.” Calliope said as John got up to follow her. “I know, but that’s not what’s bothering her. I’ll see you tomorrow.” John said as he walked to her room and went in the door. “Sylvia?” He asked. She was standing by the window with her arms in a cross. “Just leave me alone, John.” She said. John noticed the tone and walked closer. “You know well that I won’t do that when you’re like this.” John said as he walked over and put his arms around her from behind and then kissed her on the side of the neck. She let out a deep breath. “I know this is all bothering you.” He started, but she shook his head and separated herself from him to get a look at him. “Believe me the Quarter Quell doesn’t even come close to bother me. We all could see that coming. It’s…her...and their so freaking precious love-story!” She yelled back at him. “None of it is true! We all know it, but the Capitol, they’re swallowing it whole. ‘The prince and the princess’, they have the entire nation at their feet!” She said.

She took a deep breath calm herself down. “I know that the plan we have, is because of them, but…what they have isn’t even real. What you and I have, that’s real. That’s actually something comes close to love and nobody cares!” She said. John immediately walked over to her and embraced her. “That’s where you’re wrong. I care! The only person you need that assurance from, is me, alright? That’s all you need.” John said as he hugged her tightly. They separated slightly and she looked up at him. “I need you to…you need to keep me in one piece.” She then said. He looked down at her. “I always will. Whatever you need, whenever you need it, I’ll be by your side.” He answered as they shared a kiss. As they separated, John touched her face gently. “It does not matter what they know and if they care, what matters is us, alright?” He then said. She nodded weakly as they stood like that for a while, just the boy and the girl, not the two victors.