The Sterling Nightingale ⟷ Finnick Odair/OC

That catches you as a storm

Chapter Five | That catches you as a storm

"Thus human beings judge of one another, superficially, casually, throwing contempt on one another, with little reason, and no charity." Emma Orczy, The Scarlet Pimpernel

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the two newest Victors of the Capitol, are as different as two planets out of orbit – and yet that very orbit is what connects them even as they circle in opposite directions. This is what Sil initially thinks the moment she sees them on television and notices their contrasting personalities. It is a point that is driven home when she actually meets them for the first time at the Victory Tour Gala several weeks later.

It's the final stop of their Victory Tour. They've already been around Panem and have seen all the other districts. Now their trip is at an end, but it isn't over yet. The Capitol never does anything halfheartedly, especially when it involves their Victors. That's why this Gala is one of the largest ones that Sil has been to all year, and she's been to quite a few. The only difference besides the grand size of this party is the fact that tonight, she's got a date. But it isn't the sort of date she's all too happy about. Finnick isn't all that happy either, though he's very good at covering it up.

"Oh look, there's our dear friend George," Finnick sarcastically points out, hauling Sil across the crowd the moment they enter the party. She teeters in her 4 inch heels but doesn't complain. Partly because she knows it won't do any good, and partly because the mere idea of speaking to him after what he'd said to her the last time they went out together makes her sick.

They've seen each other several times since the opera, but each time had been riddled with awkward and angry silences. It's been about a week and a half since their last 'date'. Far too short a time, really. Tonight is going to be long and tedious.

"Darling, perhaps you should go get me a drink," Sil tells him and tries to unlock his arm from hers. Her words are really more of an order: an attempt to give her some space.

Finnick would like nothing more than to give her that space, but he can't help but quietly ask, fake smile plastered onto his mouth, "Why, so someone can drug you again? Are you ever going to explain that one?"

She only smiles serenely, pretending like his words are sweet and not the barbed things they actually are. She laughs and finally wrenches her arm from his. "No indeed, my love, I don't think I ever shall," she tells him loudly, and Finnick clears his throat when close by guests turn to glance their way.

Sil only smiles at them and the world falls into the chaotic party that is the Victory Tour Gala. "Oh look, there's Katniss and Peeta!" Sil exclaims, and grabs Finnick's arm again like she'd never let go of it in the first place.

He sighs and mutters, "Guess that drink will have to wait." He could use one himself. Some hard liquor wouldn't go amiss.

They make their way across the dance floor to the other side of the room, where Katniss Everdeen is being bombarded by Capitol admirers. The moment they all see Sil and Finnick, more people latch into the crowd and Sil chuckles, shaking her head at the attention. She slides smoothly beside Katniss and takes her arm, leading her away from the crowd and saying, "Katniss, darling, how lovely to meet you. I'm Silver Lamprey Cornelius, but you can call me Sil you know, all my dear friends do. And I have a feeling we'll become such dear friends. Gracious, your hair is beautiful, I wish mine had that much color – oh, and this must be Peeta. My love it's wonderful to meet you!"

She pauses to take a breath. Over her head, Finnick sends Katniss an amused smirk and does a 'she never stops talking' hand gesture with his thumb and the rest of his fingers. Katniss raises an eyebrow, though she can see where Finnick is going with this. Before they even walk another two feet, Sil is launching into more words as if she's springing up from a platform and right into a new and rather one-sided conversation.