Interdistrict

Chapter 4: Falling Scales

I'm a robot and an unfeeling whore.

I'm a robot and an unfeeling whore.

Those words played around in Coral's mind over and over again like the ticking of a metronome. Why would he say such a thing? It bugged her so much that she told Finnick all about her and Cato's encounter the next evening while their tributes were being primped and pampered for their live interviews with Caesar Flickerman. She found that he was not surprised by what Cato had said.

"Well? Don't you think it's odd?" Coral was sitting on the couch in their district quarters with a glass of white wine in her hand, while Finnick was standing in front of the floor length mirror on the wall trying to do up his tie.

Finnick sighed and then turned to glower at her.

"What? Well, don't you?"

"It must be nice," He remarked as he turned back away from her and undid the blue silk at his throat.

"What must be nice?" Coral was confused at why her always charming partner was acting so serious.

Finnick scoffed and shook his head. "To not have a clue what it's like to be a wanted victor. Must be nice."

Finnick watched how Coral's look of confusion deepened. He let out a hollow laugh and his eyes narrowed when he spoke next.

"You are not beautiful and your victory in the Games came about because the two main contenders killed each other in the end and you were the one left standing. You are hardly memorable."

Coral blinked as she took in this information. It would have been an insult if he hadn't said it with obvious jealousy.

"I don't understand," she admitted after a long pause. "What does being memorable have to do with anything?"

Finnick scoffed again but didn't say anything. She watched as he fumbled and fussed with his tie never doing it up to his satisfaction. Their conversation was clearly making him  more and more agitated. Coral decided to change the subject.

"I spoke to Violet this morning while you were training Douglas."

Finnick's movements stilled.

"She took it much better than I expected. She surprised me actually. She wants to jump off the podium before the countdown ends so that the land mine blow her up. Wants to be in control of her own death! Born of the ocean no question."

The blonde's lips turned upwards at that. 'Born of the ocean' was something they said in district four to describe someone who acted like the waters of the sea. In this case it was Violet's strength and fury.

"Good girl!" Finnick whispered with pride. He then turned to Coral with a serious expression upon his face.

"Tonight after the interviews, at the pre-Games party. You should watch how Snow is with Cato."

Coral's brows furrowed. She opened her mouth to ask why but she was cut off.

"Just watch."

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This years tributes where tucked in their beds (not that they could sleep) while the pre-Games celebrations took off. There were fireworks, more than enough food that could feed all the districts and the drinks flowed faster than the tide. Coral hated it.

They were in a massive dining hall at President Snow's mansion. The music was lively, some people were dancing and others were sitting and chatting excitedly about the Games and who they hoped would win.