LOVELY

~ 2.4 ~

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'What goes on behind these doors?
I'll keep mine and you keep yours.
We all have our secrets, we all have our secrets.'
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Surrounded by the other Fallen, Indiana was seated in a plush grey armchair as they were forced to watch the Victor Interviews. Wrapping an arm around the saddened woman, Cato held her close to him because he knew how hard tonight would be for her. Tomorrow morning would be even worse.

Cashmere swanned onto the stage looking as beautiful and elegant as ever – her face had a sickly sweet but fake smile on but Indiana could see the true sadness in her eyes. Seeing the strength and radiance in her aunt during that moment, Indiana had never been more grateful and happy for all the times she had been told she was the 'spit of Cashmere'.

"Welcome back, my dear. It's wonderful to see you and you look as fabulous as ever!" Caesar boomed, dressed in a shocking violet suit to match his hair.

"It's always wonderful to be here, the Capitol is my home. It's just so upsetting to be here under these circumstances." Cashmere whimpered, pretending to wipe away a tear.

"Yes, yes, it's all very upsetting." Caesar's smile didn't falter. "Now tell me, your niece, she wasn't with us for long and unfortunately, she didn't join us again. How did you cope with that?"

"It was extremely painful and if I'm being honest, I didn't cope. But, Gloss and I have tried to help each other through it as best we can. Sometimes I still cry myself to sleep though."

"Ah yes, Gloss. The Summers have made the Games a family affair." Caesar let out a slightly awkward laugh. "You became everyone's brother and sister. I honestly don't know how we're going to let you go."

"We're not going by choice. You're our family, you've helped us through out loss." Cashmere blubbered.

Tears began falling down her sculptured cheeks and despite it being an act, Indiana knew there was true emotion behind those tears but not for the reasons she was pretending.

"Are you alright, darling?"

"I just can't stop crying." Cashmere apologised.

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During Gloss' interview, Indiana had her face buried into Cato's shoulders, inhaling the familiar scent of him and trying to pretend as if she hadn't caught a glimpse of the pained expression on her uncle's face. Hearing his words were upsetting enough. He had used his interview as a eulogy to Indiana and Marvel.

"What a crock of shit." Aimee scoffed, causing Indiana to let out a strangled noise as she forced down tears.

"Shut the fuck up, Aimee. Don't you think this is difficult enough without you sticking your opinions in." Cato's infamous rage made an appearance in his tone.

"Wait, you're the beloved niece?" Aimee asked.

A nod was the only response the distraught girl was able to give as she stared at the ground, drowning out the interviews of Two and Three. However, one name pulled her out of her depressing thoughts and she returned her attention to the television screen.

Finnick Odair.

"I understand you have a message for somebody special. Let's hear it." Caesar announced.

Poor Finnick. He was the youngest tribute ever to win the Games, he had been used and abused by the Capitol and now he was being dragged away from the one woman he truly loved.

"My Love. You have my heart for all eternity. If-if I die in that arena, my last thought will be of you and your lips."

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Johanna Mason's interview managed to bring a small smile to Indiana's lips despite her dark mood – something Johanna did in person anyway. In fact, everyone in the room (Peacekeepers aside) seemed amused by her words. Apart from the guy she had murdered.

"Johanna, you're angry. Tell me why." Caesar asked as if the answer wasn't the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well, yes, I'm angry. You know, I'm totally getting screwed here. The deal was that if I won the Hunger Games, I'd get to live the rest of my life in peace. But, now? Now you want to kill me again. So you know what? Fuck that! Fuck anybody that has anything to do with it!"

Caesar hastily changed the topic, attempting to diver the audience's attention from Johanna's outburst. Murmurs rippled throughout the crowd and instantly, Johanna's speech had begun planting seeds of doubt in the minds of the Capitol.

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District Twelve had caused absolute uproar in an already doubtful crowd when they came out with their 'secret wedding' and the 'baby'. The audience went ballistic, screaming for the Games to be stopped. In a surprising turn of events, the Victors linked hands and raised them high, showing unity and strength, showing Panem that they refused to go quietly.

Technicians cut the lights and the screen went pitch black as the Victors were ushered off the stage and separated. Despite her burning hatred towards them, Indiana had to admit that Twelve's idea was rather smart whilst also being incredibly stupid. The Games wouldn't be stopped just because Katniss told Panem she was pregnant. Instead, they had only succeeded in angering Snow further.

After all, the Victors were only being Reaped again this year because Snow wanted Katniss and Peeta dead.

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Instead of being able to announce the further twist of the Quell during the Interviews as had been planned, the Victors were held in separate rooms and the news/their reactions was being broadcast to the rest of Panem.

Gloss and Cashmere stared blankly at the screen depicting Caesar's jovial face until Gloss' simmering anger got the best of him and he threw something at the camera, causing the screen to go blank.

Finnick's expression remained neutral, refusing to give away any sliver of emotion.

Johanna screamed so many obscenities that they were eventually forced to turn off the camera.

Much to Indiana's evil joy, Katniss and Peeta actually look frightened upon hearing who their opponents were; they knew they wouldn't get lucky a second time.

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Throughout Panem, people were whispering in the comfort of their own homes about how cruel the Games were becoming. Not only were they forcing Victors to compete again, after promising that if they got through all their Reapings or won their Games, they'd never have to worry about entering them again, but they had also resurrected dead tributes. Tributes that people had believed were buried in the ground; safe and at peace, and back at home where they belonged. Instead, Snow had kept their bodies captive and put families through the turmoil and pain by burying empty boxes.

President Snow had hoped that by reaping Victors and bringing back dead tributes, he would remind the people of Panem that no one was safe from the Games. He'd hoped it would prevent the rebellion from growing. However, it had had the complete opposite effect. If anything, he had only ignited the desire for a rebellion in the hearts of the people.

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'Here's the pride before the fall.
Oh, your eyes, they show it all.
I can see it coming, I can see it coming.'
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