Annie and I spent the rest of the morning goofing off together. We played hide and seek, which is much harder than you would think on a large train. We also turned the volume off on the TV and dubbed in the capitol people's voices, right before lunch we just hung out in the lounge car and talked. Lunch came and went much to fast, and before we knew it my prep team were perfecting us for district one.
Dalia dresses me in a silver suit with a sparkled red vest over a plain white shirt.
"Since we are going to district one, which makes luxury items, so I decided on more flashy outfits."
I observe myself in the mirror, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
"Are you sure this isn't too flashy?"
She laughs, and straightens my coat.
"Trust me, nothing is too flashy in district one. We'll be arriving any minute, so why don't you wait out in the main car?"
I shrug, and walk out into the main car.
Annie arrives in a minute, and I stifle a laugh at what she's wearing.
A silver spaghetti strap dress that ends an inch above her knees, the skirt is ringed with tiers, and the whole thing is covered in sequins. She is also wearing a pair of exotic looking red shoes with a six-inch heal. Her hair is pulled up into an intricate bun, and her makeup is sparkly.
She looks incredibly peeved.
"Annie, you look..."
" Don' .anything!"
I grin.
"Alright, but you do look great. Very district one-ish."
She gives me a glare, and plops down on the couch.
"Nooo! Don't do that!"
Tiffy dashes into the room looking aghast, and screeches at Annie.
"Sit up straight! Legs in front! And don't slouch! You are going to be in district one for goodness sakes! Act civilised!"
Annie humphs, and straightens up, crosses her legs and smiles at Tiffy.
"Much better. Just make sure you act like that when we're in public!"
The minute Tiffy turns around, Annie squinches up her face and sticks her tongue out at Tiffy. I snort as I try to hold in a laugh, and Tiffy whirls around and glares at both of us.
"There is no shame in looking and acting proper! I suggest you two give it a try!"
She strides out of the car, and Annie and I look at each other and burst out laughing.
"Well don't you look...sparkly!"
Annie covers her mouth with her hands and giggles. I look down at my outfit, and sigh.
"Well you're one to talk, Mrs. flashy."
She wrinkles her nose,
"We're worse than Glitz and Glam. I feel like an idiot. This isn't me at all."
I scoff.
"And you think this is me?"
She grins.
"Well, you can look good in anything."
Suddenly the train starts to slow down.
"We must be here."
The mentors and Tiffy walk into the room.
"Well, here we go. Be ready for lots of cameras."
Mags warns us as the train comes to a complete stop. The door opens and sure enough we are ambushed by camera crews and reporters. We smile and wave, and Annie grabs my hand quickly. I hold her hand tightly, keeping her close by my side, letting her feel my confidence. We answer a few questions, and then follow Bruce as he pushes his way through the crowd.
"Welcome citizens of district one! Please welcome district fours mentors from last years games!"
The crowd applauds, as Bruce and Mags walk up on stage. Mags takes Annie's hand and leads her on stage with them. I guess I will be going on stage alone.
"And now, visiting district one for the very first time on the victory tour. The one and only, Finnick Odair!"
The crowd screams and cheers as I walk onstage smiling and waving. The mayor shakes my hand, and then steps back so I can give my speech. I am relieved to see that Dalia and Tiffy were right, this district is indeed very flashy. Annie and I seem to be one of the least flashy dressed here.
"Good afternoon district one!"
I have to wait for the screams to die down before I continue.
"I am so excited that I get to visit your amazing district. And it really is amazing, I feel like I'm back in the capitol!"
More cheers. I turn to a more serious topic.
"You know, the only reason that I'm here today, is because I won last years hunger games. And in order to do that, the tributes you sent weren't able to come back home."
The crowd is silent now.
"Vicktor and Glorry were incredible. They always carried themselves with pride, and they reflected honor and glory to their district. They never asked for anything, and were always determined. Even though they didn't make it back home, I feel that they will be forever remembered. I know I will never forget them, and I believe that both of them were victors in their own way."
I look to the front row, on one side is Vicktor's family, and on the other is Glorry's. Vicktor's parents look proud and regal, standing tall with their head held high. Glorry's mother is beautiful, and she has the same determined look in her eyes as her daughter. I don't see her father.
"To both of their families. You should be very proud of your children. They fought bravely and with great honor."
Vicktor's father has a proud smirk on his face, and his mother looks almost indifferent. Glorry's mother smiles the same smile Glorry did when she cut off a dummies head. The mayor walks back up, and hands me a gold plate engraved with district ones seal. A couple of pictures are taken, and then we are all escorted off the stage. Tiffy looks at her jewel incrusted watch, and says quickly.
"The mayor is having a dinner party in honor of you, it starts at four thirty. Which gives us just enough time to go back to the train and get changed, then we will be able to travel leisurely to the mayors house."
Annie looks down at her outfit.
"Why do we have to change?"
Tiffy gasps, and throws her hands in the air.
"goodness! Will you two never learn? We can't be seen wearing the same thing twice! That would be outrageous, especially for a victor! You don't want them to think we were inconsiderate enough to show up dressed the same do you? Honestly, we are not dressed for a dinner party!"
She gives an exasperated sigh, and clips off in the direction of the car. Mags puts an arm around Annie and I.
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it by the end of the tour. You see, there is an outfit for every occasion, these are presentation outfits, we are going to get changed into dinner party outfits. Like I said, you get used to it. Hurry up now, Tiffy is in charge of our schedule. That means she has every second worked into a chart, and she will make sure we get everywhere exactly on time."
She follows Tiffy, and Bruce gives us both a gentle push in the same direction.
"You heard her. Miss Tiffy has us all programmed like robots, every minute of our days are perfectly organized into a perfect little schedule. It's rather nice really, we never have to worry about being late or anything. Come on, we need to go get re-done."
Tiffy has us running out the train doors by the time my prep team is done, and we are in a car rushing to the mayors house. Tiffy muttering that if we are one second late she will have to redo the entire schedule.
Annie and I sit together. She is dressed in a shimmery blue gown with ruffled short sleeves, it hugs her torso, then falls in a flowy curtain to the floor. She was very relieved to find that she was going to be wearing black flats, they did have rubies all over them, but they weren't heals. She had her hair re-done into a waterfall of loose curls, and her silver face glitter has been switched out for light blue. Dalia dressed me in a pair of black pants, and a dark purple vest over a white shirt. My hair is styled in it's usually wave, but it has been streaked with temporary highlights. My eyes sea green eyes have been sprayed with the stuff that makes them sparkle.
Soon we reach the mayors house, right on time. The house is huge, with at least four stories. We are ushered inside, and led to a large open room.
The middle of the floor is wooden, and is bare of any furniture. But all along the wall the floor has thick carpet, and is strewn with large plush couches and chairs. A band is set up on one side of the room, and soft music hovers in the air.
The room is filled with people, all very wealthy looking.
Annie and I stand awkwardly next to Mags and Bruce. Tiffy claps her hands excitedly, and rushes off with my prep team, to go say hi to one person or the other. Dalia decided not to come, saying that she needed to work on some more outfits for Annie and I. After a minute or so, Bruce spots the bar, and drifts off in that direction.
"Well, enough of you two standing around like scared little children. Go and mingle, you are the stars of the show after all. Everyone is dying to meet you both. Just remember that you are in district one, and always act confident."
Mags says with an encouraging smile. She gives us a gentle push, then walks off to join a group of friends.
Annie holds my hand tightly, and hangs onto my arm.
"I'm scared Finn."
I place my hand over hers on my arm. As I whisper back.
"Don't worry. They're not that intimidating, I'll do the talking, you can just look good. Ouch!"
She kicked my leg, but is still holding my arm tightly.
I lead her over to a group of girls in the corner.
"Hello ladies!"
They turn around and gasp, then start giggling.
"Hi!"
"You're really cute!"
"I love your outfit!"
"I know everything about you!"
I smile and pull Annie forward a little.
"I was wondering if you beautiful girls would keep my best friend company for me."
They turn to Annie with bright smiles.
"Annie Cresta!"
"Oh my word! I love your outfit!"
"Isn't Finnick like the hottest guy ever?!
"I can't believe you get to hang out with him all the time!"
Annie gives me a pleading look, and I return it with a smile.
"I'll see you in a bit! Goodbye ladies."
I give Annie a hug, and walk over to the bar. sliding onto the bar stool next to Bruce.
"What are you doing here?"
He grunts, as he takes a drink. I shrug.
"I don't know, checking on you."
He laughs, and orders another drink.
"That's a new one, you looking out for me."
He chuckles as he downs another drink.
"Go and socialize. I'm just waiting to get out of here. Go on."
I shrug, and slide off the bar stool. Tiffy runs up, and slips her arm into mine.
"Come on! It's time to meet the mayor and his family!"
She drags me over to where the mayor and his family is standing.
"Mayor Fashion! I know you've already met him, but you haven't really had time to talk at all!"
Mayor Fashion smiles, and shakes my hand.
"Finnick Odair! Welcome to my home, how are you liking district one?"
I grin widely.
"It's amazing! And your home is lovely."
He smiles proudly.
"My I introduce my wife, Divinia."
I blink in surprise as Glorry's mother walks over and smiles.
"It's lovely to meet you Finnick."
I'm temporarily in shock, but I regain my composer and smile as I shake her hand.
"It's lovely to meet you too. Excuse me for saying this, but you're Glorry's parents?"
They nod.
"Yes. Glorry was our eldest. We were very proud of her for volunteering, She fought bravely and we are proud of her."
They say it in such an off-hand way, that I feel like they almost don't care that their oldest daughter is dead.
"You said that Glorry was your eldest?"
Divinia smiles.
"Yes, we have a another daughter, Trixie. Being only fourteen, she is too young to volunteer. She isn't feeling to good, so she wasn't at the ceremony. I believe she's up in her room."
They sound like all they care about is whether or not their children can volunteer or not. No wonder Glorry volunteered. She must have been raised to do it.
"Well, it was great meeting you two, I'll see you around."
I start to walk over to where Mags is, but I am ambushed by a mob of girls. All screaming and jumping up and down. I sign autographs, and accept phone numbers, and somehow manage to slip away. I walk quickly to the edge of the room, and stand with my back to the wall.
I'm about to sigh in relief, when I catch sight of several girls wandering close. I slide along the wall, and slip out a door. I hear the girls giggle past, and I sigh in relief. I decide to stay out of the main room for a little while, and walk down a dark hallway.
I take a deep breath, and savor the cool dark hallway.
"One shouldn't wander, especially in a house not their own."
I spin around, and see a dark figure standing in a doorway.
"I was just taking a breather."
The figure walks forward, and I gasp.
"Glorry?"
She smiles,
"Guess again. Glorry got herself killed in the hunger games. But you know that...don't you?"
I think for a minute.
"Trixie?"
She smiles again.
"Very good, so the great Finnick Odair has heard of me."
She looks almost exactly like Glorry. From her curvy figure to her rich brown curls and large brown eyes. She stands in front of me.
"Now, why aren't you at the party? After all, you are the guest of honor."
I shrug, my back is against the wall, and Trixie is standing uncomfortably close.
"Just taking a breather. It can get rather...suffocating."
She chuckles low and soft.
"Oh. Can't take all the attention? Don't worry, I understand. All those girls can be so..."
She places her hand on my arm.
"annoying."
She leans in close, and drops her voice to a whisper.
"Why don't we go somewhere a little more private?"
I laugh nervously as she slides her hands over my chest.
"I really should be getting back...they'll be looking for me."
She tilts her head until her lips are an inch from mine. Whispering even lower.
"Don't worry, they will never find us. You still have time to have some fun at this party."
I slide along the wall away from her, and smile nervously.
"Uh, no thanks. Annie will be wondering where I am."
Trixie raises her eyebrow.
"Annie? I see how it is. Your "best friend" wouldn't be too happy to find you with me now would she?"
She steps forward, and hisses angrily.
"Well, you had your chance. Have fun at the party!"
She changes her mood, and smiles.
"you really are a hunk."
She stretches up on tiptoe, grabs my face in her hands, then kisses me full on the lips.
"Finnick?"
Trixie breaks free, and glances down the hall. Then she turns back to me with a smile.
"I'll see you around."
She disappears down the hall.
"Finnick Odair! What do you think you're doing?"
I whirl around. Mags is standing at the end of the hall with her arms crossed.
"I...she...It wasn't what it looked like."
She raises an eyebrow.
"It better not be. Come on, people are starting to wonder where you are, and thank goodness no one else found you like I did."
"It really wasn't anything, she..."
Mags holds up a hand.
"Tell me about it later. Right now you just need to reappear with a good story. You were looking for the bathroom and got lost, okay?"
I nod, and follow Mags back into the main room. Annie runs up.
"Finn! Where were you? I was starting to get worried."
I smile reassuring her.
"I was looking for the bathroom and got lost, silly me. Are you having fun?"
She nods, and the rest of the evening is spent talking to people, eating and dancing. Then Tiffy whisks us back to the train, and we start back on the road.
District two, three and five are not as fancy as one, but they still lavish us with parties and gifts.
It's the end of the first week on the victory tour, and Annie and I are sitting together on my bed. I told Mags all about what happened in district one, and she told me not to wander off alone anymore. Annie seems to be having a great time, but has taken to spending the nights with me.
"Finnick?"
"Yeah?"
"Is it hard to pretend that winning the games was a huge honor?"
I sigh, and flop on my back.
"Yeah. It's all so fake, but I guess that's what the capitol is all about."
"Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad you won."
I sit up and give her a hug.
"I promised I would look after you."
She hugs me tightly.
"Robbert would have been proud of you."
"Thanks Annie, that means more than you know."
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