𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔 ⤷ the hunger games .

[ 𝒗𝒊𝒊. ] SOUND OF SILENCE

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seven.
「 SOUND OF SILENCE 」

The parade's over in an instant, almost as fast as it began. Dalia remembers everything that happened in the blur, the entrance, the roses, the people yelling her name. She even remembers seeing her own face on the large screens, seeing the way her lip curled up into a cruel smile she never knew she could muster. As she steps off of the chariot, the first thing she does is take off her headpiece, handing it to Bia who's standing there waiting for her. Eldridge is whispering with her partner, Aegis's stylist with a frown on her face. She doesn't look happy, but she doesn't say anything to the tributes, she just turns her back to her.

"That was clever, but I wouldn't advise pissing off your stylist."

Dalia turns on her heels, coming face to face with Finnick Odair. He's as tall as Aegis, but nimbler and unbelievably more sculpted. His tan arms are exposed and because of his distance, she can see that his sea-green eyes are flecked with gold. He looks as good in person as he does on screen, maybe even better. Based on the way Aegis is looking at him, Dalia guesses that he definitely looks better in person.

"It helped us in the end, didn't it?" She asks, crossing her arms.

"I think it did," he agrees. "District Two's got a reputation and you embodied it perfectly. I think the Capitol loves you guys."

The same giddiness from earlier dances up her spine and it takes everything in her to not smile. Aegis fails immediately, Dalia spotting his blindingly white smile out of the corner of her eyes.

"Stop talking to my tributes, Finnick," Olympia approaches, changed from her earlier outfit into a sexy black dress that's hugging her fit figure. She's putting in long, diamond earrings while she walks up to them. "Aren't you supposed to be mentoring your own kids?"

"Oh them?" Finnick looks over his shoulders at his tributes who're talking to their other mentor. "They're fine, I just wanted to talk with the frontrunners."

Olympia's eyes roll. "They're my frontrunners, not yours." She motions to the two of them. "Let's go. You've gotta get settled into floor two and I have to make an appearance tonight at a party so I can try to get you guys some supporters."

"Oh, the one at Crane's house?" Finnick asks. "I think I'm invited, too. You won't get many supporters if I'm there."

Dalia and Aegis share a look. They'd do anything to get into that party, but tributes aren't allowed to mingle with the Capitol citizens. As of now, they'll be confined to the Tribute Center until the games. She inhales deeply, looking at Olympia who's eyebrows draw together in a ruthless frown.

"How's Annie doing, Fin?" Her question is innocent, but Dalia can tell from the brief falter in Finnick's features that it means a lot more than either of them know.