Thalia awoke, startled.
"What? What is it?" Finnick said.
Rissa had her head in the door.
"Sorry to disturb, but you two need to get ready for training."
They both got up and got into their jumpsuits. Finnick did a simple braid in Thalia's hair, a new skill she was trying to teach him.
Finnick wrapped a rubber band to secure the end.
" I did great!" He exclaimed, clearly proud of himself.
"Not too bad." Thalia said, laughing. They went to breakfast where Thalia ate a breakfast on honeydew, watermelon, and a chocolate.
They arrived at the training facility where all the other tributes were waiting.
"What took you so long?" Asked Johanna Mason, district 7's tribute.
" someone loves to eat." Thalia said, smirking at Finnick. Finnick rolled his eyes and laughed.
"Very true."
Training went as normal. Thalia started talking to Johanna a lot more. They exchanged lessons for Tridents and Axes.
Thalia was actually very skilled with axes, considering she'd never used one. There were really no trees in District 4, other than the palms by the water and around Thalia's home her mother had planted.
When it was time for lunch, Thalia sat in between Johanna and Katniss.
Thalia could immediately tell the two didn't get along well, for the two had been bickering the entire day.
Today they would be showing off their signature skills to the game makers of the Capitol. Finnick and Thalia sat in the lobby, waiting to go in. They each got a few minutes to present their skill.
" throw the knives." Finnick said, in her ear so nobody else would hear.
" use a trident, possibly. It'll show we are proud of being from 4." Thalia nodded.
" you need to use the trident, Fin. That's what we are both known for. Maybe we can get another lucky trident for the games as a sponsor gift."
Finnick nodded slowly.
" you're right. It can give us an advantage just like it did for our games."
Thalia reached up and hugged him around his neck. She looked up at him. "whatever happens in that interview, just keep smiling. Whatever inappropriate questions Caesar asks about us, just ignore it. Answer with sarcasm or something the Capitol people will love. We need all the help we can get, Fin."
He wrapped his forearms around her shoulders as he always did, and held eachother for a few minutes.
Then Finnick went in, then Thalia. Thalia performed perfectly, hitting each target. Finnick also had a stellar performance and managed to grab the attention of the game makers.
Later they would be doing interviews on live television with an audience.
The tributes were transported by bus to the theater, where they did the interviews with the live Capitol Audience.
The tributes waited in line to go in for their interview. Finally, it was district 4'a turn.
"Finnick, you're on in 5." A cameramen yelled.
Finnick grabbed Thalia's chin with his thumb and kissed her.
" I'll see you tonight, alright? Meet me at the pool again."
Thalia nodded. Finnick started to turn the other way.
" I love you, Finnick."
Finnick stopped and turned around.
"I love you too, Thalia."
And just like that, the Capitol people roared when they saw their boy toy strut onto the stage.
Thalia tried to listen to everything they were saying.
She had a loud ringing in her ear that just wouldn't go away.
"Now I hear you have a message, for a girl. Is she back at home at District 4?" Asked Caesar, winking and clearly already knowing the answer .
Finnick smiled and shook his head.
" no, she's here with me today." Caesar laughed.
" Ah ha! I thought I saw lipstick on your lips!" The people laughed.
Finnick pursed his lips and smiled.
" well, that would be from her." Finnick chuckled.
" now, I'm assuming you mean miss Thalia, your tribute from the 67th games?" He asked.
Caesar already knew about the slavery and the things they were put through after their games. He knew they we're together. But anything to keep a show running and an audience engaged, he was going to use it.
" that would be correct." Finnick said, with a smile.
" I knew it!" Caesar laughed. The audience roared.
Bring her out! Bring her out!
The Capitol's people chanted.
" really, is that what you people want?" Caesar asked.
The Capitol people cheered extra loud.
" alright, Thalia. Get on out here!"
Thalia wasn't ready to go on. Her stomach panged with anxiety. She took a long deep breath, and when she stepped out on the stage in her dress, the Capitol people screamed.
"Wow wow! People, she's just a girl! Come on over here, Thalia. Sit with your man."
Caesar called.
Thalia nervously smiled and walked over to Finnick and they sat side by side squeezed in the chair.
" now, you two have been together since..?" Thalia looked over at Finnick, wanting him to answer the question.
" uh.."
the crowd laughed while Finnick was trying to remember.
" you don't know?" Yelled Caesar.
" Thalia? How about you. Do you know how long you've been together?" Caesar asked
" since right after my games." Thalia answered.
The crowd cheered.
" wow! So a long time!" Caesar cried.
" so tell me. Is there any plans of marriage, perhaps? I mean, it had been a long time you guys are together."
The crowd oohed. Caesar winked at Finnick.
Finnick smirked and reached into his pocket.
Finnick got out from the chair and knelt in front of her with a small box out of his pocket. He flicked it open, revealing a beautiful gold ring.
Thalia's breath caught in her chest.
Her smile melted off her face.
Was he really doing this? In front of the cameras? Is this genuine, or for the crowd? A million thoughts raced through Thalia's mind as Finnick grabbed her left hand.
" Thalia, ever since your games, I knew something was different with you. So loving, so sweet, so strong. You are the only thing keeping me going when times get tough. You are the sweetest, most loving woman I have ever met. I love you endlessly, Thalia. So, will you be my wife?"
Thalia's hand slapped over her mouth.
Thalia's stomach flipped. She felt nauseous.
The whole Capitol audience was waiting for Thalia's response.
She had to say yes.
She had too.
" yes!" She said.
She pasted on a huge smile, taking all her might and hugged Finnick as he spun her around.
That was their special thing, every time something joyful happened. But this was the least bit joyful. They were faking their love for the cameras.
Well, of course they really loved each other. But this was fake love they were showing. And the thought of faking something so special made Thalia sick.
Finnick set her down and placed the ring in her left finger.
It was gorgeous, Thalia had to admit. But Thalia would be happy with anything, the ring was just a symbol of marriage. It didn't really matter to Thalia what it looked like.
Thalia felt like throwing up. Her head got hot. Tears welled in her eyes. Her palms embedded with sweat.
" give it up for Finnick and Thalia, Odair!" The Capitol roared, as they waved and exited the stage.
Once Thalia was out of stage view, she ran to the nearest trash can and threw up her lunch.
" woah, woah, woah."
Finnick held her hair back and a rubbed her shoulders. A girl on stage crew handed Finnick a bottle of water. Thalia took the water and swished it to subside the taste of vomit.
"What's wrong?" Asked Finnick.
Thalia fell into his arms and he squeezed her tight.
"Why would you do that?" She cried , as tears fell from her eyes.
" Thalia..." he started.
" why the hell would you do that!" She hissed.
Finnick didn't say anything.
"why would you propose to me in front of a camera. That was supposed to be private, Finnick."
She cried into his shoulder.
" we're not even going to be able to get married, Finnick! One of us is going to die in that arena, wether we like it or not! The game makers aren't going to redo what they did last year with Katniss and Peeta."
Thalia could feel Finnick's heart rate rising against her chest.
"Why the hell would you do that."
Thalia started to walk away, but Finnick caught her arm and pulled her back to him. He grabbed her face and looked her in the eyes.
" I had to do something memorable. Don't you understand that? You said it yourself, we need sponsors."
Thalia caught her breath.
" Finnick, if you're going to propose, I wouldn't want you to do it in the entire population of Panem. Our marriage is between us. Not the Capitol. God, I thought we were done pleasing the Capitol!"
Finnick squeezed her tighter.
" Thalia sweetheart, it was for the cameras. If you want to get engaged we can talk about it a different time, okay?"
He kissed her forehead in the usual spot.
" and I'm very sorry, I should have warned you ahead of time. But is the thought of marrying me that bad?"
Thalia took his hand and placed her ring in it.
" Of course it's not. I love you, Finnick. More than anything. But I can't take this."
Disappointment gleamed in his eyes.
" Good, because this one isn't real gold. This is just a flashy one for the cameras." He said, getting upset.
Thalia kissed the anger and sadness away from him.
" the pool at 11, okay?"
"Alright." Finnick grumbled, and Thalia walked away.
Thalia felt guilty about giving back the ring. Her stomach screamed for food but she wouldn't allow it to be filled. She wasn't going to risk vomiting anymore. Today was already too stressful.
She went to her stylist and she touched up her makeup without question. She didn't say a word to Thalia the whole time. Thalia didn't care. Her noisy mind and ringing in her ear made up for the silence.
She used Micellar water to remove the eye makeup and start again.
" anything you need to talk about?" The stylist asked.
" nope. Everything's great." Thalia said.
She hoped she hadn't hurt Finnick's feelings too bad. She still absolutely loved him, there was never a doubt in her mind about that. But it wasn't like him to share something so private with the cameras.
Why did the Ceasar get to know he was proposing before she did? Someone must have put him up to it.
After her makeup was finished, she went over and waited with Katniss. She had already went on stage, and was listening to Peeta's interview.
Peeta had just revealed he and Katniss got married. Katniss gasped. Thalia looked at her.
" your.. married?" Whispered Thalia.
" no, I... I don't know what he's doing." She stuttered.
" no, I mean.." Katniss stuttered.
" looks like we're both having marriage issues today." Thalia said, putting her arm around Katniss.
Katniss laughed, somehow.
Then a loudspeaker rang words from Peeta's interview.
" if.." Peeta began.
" if what?" Asked Ceasar.
" if it weren't for the baby.."
the Capitol crowd cheered louder than ever.
Almost as loud as when Finnick proposed.
" you're pregnant too!?" Scream-whispered Thalia.
" what is he doing!" Katniss said.
A tear fell down Katniss's cheek.
" I'm 17.. I'm not pregnant!" Said Katniss. Her head fell to her hands and Thalia hugged her.
" talk to Peeta about it. That's what I did with Finnick. I already blew up at him and gave him back the ring."
Katniss smiled and looked up.
" you did what?"
Thalia pursed her lips into a smile.
"Getting engaged should be private, especially not in front of Capitol cameras. I don't know why Finnick did that. He knows how much I hate Capitol attention. And he hates it too."
Katniss nodded.
"someone put him up to it." She said.
"That's what I was thinking. But still, what's done is done. I have to act like I'm engaged and getting married, when I'm more than likely not going to have that chance."
Katniss looked down.
" if you get married, I'll force Peeta to make your cake." She laughed. And they both hugged and laughed, like old friends.
__________________________________
TW
Later that night, the big party at the Mansion was held, containing all the rich, the powerful, and the victors.
Thalia's idea of hell.
Thalia had been here numerous times before, but not for any parties. She and Finnick were here numerous times during prostitution.
Thalia's stylist dressed her in another skimpy dress, revealing almost every curve a majority of men there has seen or at some point touched.
Thalia felt like throwing up again, but she had no food to throw.
Her knees shook just thinking of the rooms.
The white hallways with the connecting rooms. Blood red walls in the rooms and the velvet bedframe.
Thalia had tried so hard to forget the little details about her stay with the Capitol, but somehow it never went away. She still remembers it like it was yesterday. Those are the kinds of things that always follow you, and come back to haunt you even if you think you're sane.
•the dress and suit•
Thalias stylist had let her hair loose and down. Her curls feathered along her shoulder blades. She and her stylist stepped into the car.
Finnick opened the door and scooted next to her.
"Hey." He said.
" hi" Is all Thalia said.
The two stylists sat up front and closed the connecting sliding door, so they could speak in private. The two sat in silence for a minute.
Finally, Finnick broke the silence.
"Look, I know you don't like what I did, but you have to wear the ring. Or else people will know it was an act."
Thalia sighed and held out her hand. He placed it in her hand and she put it on.
" what, are you like embarrassed of us or something?" Finnick asked.
" you know that's not the case." Thalia said, shutting him down.
" Finnick, I want to marry you. You know that. But not in the eyes of the Capitol. Please don't ever force me to do anything like that for the cameras again."
Finnick looked down. " I didn't have a choice, Thails."
" what do you mean you didn't have a choice? You know not in a million years I would agree to that."
"Thalia, I have to do my best to protect you. You above all people I will protect. All because I love you. All those things I said when I proposed, that wasn't for the cameras. Yes, the ring was. The whole proposal was. But not my words. Haymitch said I needed to do something big and memorable. Just like he told Peeta to drop the baby bomb. It's trying to keep us all safe, and possibly cancel the quell. Peeta doesn't want Katniss competing if she's pregnant and neither will the Capitol people. And please, don't think for a second I wanted to do that. I know how it is for us and the cameras. They're the death of us. Please just play along...It'll get us attention."
Thalia stared out the window.
" I should have known." She whispered.
Finnick grabbed her hand and fidgeted with her ring.
" I would never willingly do that to you, Thalia." Thalia looked into his eyes and rested her forehead on his.
" I'm sorry." She kissed him softly, transferring a little lipstick and gloss.
" now the Capitol will really notice us."
Finnick laughed, licking his glossed lips.
" mm. Strawberry!"