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From that day onwards, Dove felt closer to Finnick. They met up at the beach almost every day and made small-talk about their day. It was their secret place, where they could explain almost everything in their mind.
Of course, their true thoughts about the games or the life of the Victors couldn't be discussed. None of them knew if there were cameras around or even if the whole beach was monitored. Maybe President Snow had been watching every little move they did without them knowing.
Dove couldn't risk Finnick's safety or the safety of his loved ones, and he thought the same for her. Weeks passed by in a blink of an eye, and the Victory tour arrived. President Snow sent a letter days before Melo's departure, explaining how delightful it would be for the Capitol to see mother and son together as victors.
The content may have looked like a request, but everyone knew better than that. President Snow wanted to separate the family, which worried both mother and son. Melo wondered if he had done anything to upset the President, but nothing came to mind.
It was quickly decided that both sisters would spend the days of the Victory tour in Mag's house. It wouldn't help much to protect them, but it would be more difficult to harm them there than if they stayed back in their empty home.
Things got worse when President Snow requested Ron Stafford to join. He explained in the letter that two female victors and one young male victor would look unbalanced, so his idea was for Ron to join in. Leaving only the three oldest District Four Victors back in Victor's Village. Everyone suspected this, but no one could go against the President's wishes.
Her family worried to a point where they considered Mags to drop both girls to school and pick them up. Dove understood they were concerned about the situation, but that was crossing the line. Mags had her own life, she didn't have to babysit two teens. Living with them would be enough if none of the victors offended President Snow, and if they offended him. . . Not even being with Mags all day long would help them escape death.
Once the day before the Victory Tour ended, Dove went to the beach to meet with Finnick. They didn't want to stay until late, but the meeting was necessary for them. Both knew there was a slight chance they wouldn't see each other again.
Most of the time there, they either made small talk or reassured each other. Until it was time to go back home. As always, Finnick would walk her to her doorstep, watching her enter her house before going to his own. But Dove had a different idea.
After wishing him goodnight, she gave him a hug. Patting slightly, his back four times. He reciprocated the hug and ran his hand through her bushy hair, getting tangled up almost immediately.
"I think your hair doesn't want me to go," he commented teasingly. Both teenagers laughed, and Dove helped him get his hand out of her hair.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, more to reassure herself than informing him. "Yeah. See you tomorrow," he replied. She entered her home, sighing once the door was closed. She wasn't good at goodbyes.
When she woke up the next day, her house was full of prep people. Some were her mum's, others were her brother's. She only knew she didn't want them there. One of District's Four stylists was crying his eyes out, saying how it was his last year styling for them, how he would miss them, on and on.
That meant next year there would be a new stylist for District Four. Another idiot who will dress us like fishes. Yey. Dove thought sarcastically, grinding her teeth. She went to the kitchen and ate breakfast as she stared at the scene that was happening in the living room.
Everyone was going up and down, getting both Victors prepared for the cameras that would be here in no time. Not until she saw her older sister all dressed up did she remember. She was supposed to be interviewed too.
Shit. I forgot that's why I had the day off from school. She went upstairs, running, to change into one of her finest dresses. Five minutes later, she was done with her dress, but her hair was a whole other thing. Her sister could help get it into a braid or two. Whatever that would keep it in check for the few minutes the interview lasted.
Downstairs, she found her mother and Melo reading repeatedly what they were supposed to say. The prep teams were freaking out about things she didn't comprehend. Capitol things, probably. She thought. And, on her right, her sister was already being interviewed.
Angel looked stunning in one of her pure blue dresses. A burst of loud laughter was heard from no one other than District Four's escort, whose name Dove didn't know. Well, more like she didn't care.
"Oh, darling. You're magnificent!" The same escort she had been looking at said. It was a woman, probably over thirty, her face was painted white, and had her hair in a bright blue colour. She circled around Dove once, as if analysing the girl from head to toe.
"Such a young, adorable little sister. Everyone in the Capitol will love you." The escort's encouraging words didn't have the effect she wanted, quite the contrary. They want an adorable little sister? They'll get one. Dove decided.
She left her hair as messy as it was. It would do the trick for the 'innocent, adorable little sister' she was. Once the cameras were on her, she copied the movements of other people her age. A good thing about being an Ogilvy was having enough time alone to analyse people from afar.
She fidgeted with her hands and smiled from ear to ear. It didn't matter what the crew asked. Thankfully, it wasn't a long interview. Just a few quick questions about her brother and her family's dynamic.
"Attention, everyone! We're about to do the first outdoor shot, where the victor greets his mentors at the beginning of his fantastic trip!" the escort announced, ecstatic.
"Delia, we get it. No need to leave us deaf," her mother told the escort. So that's her name. Dove thought, surprised at the name. It wasn't as extravagant as she would have thought of someone from the Capitol.
Delia almost pushed Melo to the door. Getting the final touches done before he went outside to do the shot. Angel and Dove watched the scene through their living room window. They watched as Melo greeted Muscida, Ron, and Finnick. It wasn't a long shot.
Before she knew it, they were in District Four's station, bidding her brother goodbye. As the mentors and Victors got inside the train, Dove locked eyes with Finnick for a minute. Both gave each other slight nods as a farewell. And just like that, the train was gone.
Three days went by quickly. Her brother was currently at District Ten. She saw his speech on the television in Four's school, next to her sister. They were in the cafeteria, where everything about the Games or Victors was shown. Many stares went in their direction.
It was notorious everyone had mixed opinions about the sisters now. Before, they hated them for their mother, but now that their brother was known and liked Victor, everyone simply ignored them. The sisters wouldn't have it any other way. Putting up with people wasn't their strong point.
Once their day was finally over, they went to Mags' house per usual since the first day of the Tour. This time, two Peacekeepers were in front of their own house, as if they were warding it. The sisters didn't know what to do.
If they went to seek help from Mags, it would look suspicious, and the Peacekeepers could shoot them without a second thought. One of them going to Mags for help, and the other going to the Peacekeepers, would condemn the second one to a probable death. The best solution was not to stir trouble. Both had to go inside their own house and see what the Peacekeepers wanted.
"Hello. May I help you?" Angel asked them. Both looked at the girls and moved a bit from the doorway as if asking them to enter. The sisters did as they were expected and entered.
"Miss Dove Ogilvy will accompany us. This way, please, Miss Ogilvy," one peacekeeper spoke behind them, scaring both sisters.
Did I do something? I did nothing to get myself in trouble, right? Is going to the beach at night illegal or what? With her thoughts clouded in her mind, she followed the Peacekeepers to the study, where they opened the door for her.
"Go right in," one of them said.
The first thing she registered once she entered her home's study was the scent of roses and blood. A small, white-haired man stood there reading a book. Once he turned to face her, she felt as if she had forgotten how to breathe. What is President Snow doing in my house?
His eyes were cold, looking at her up and down, clearly studying her. He chuckled slightly. Why is he chuckling? This is freaking me out!
"Greetings, Miss Ogilvy. I think we'll make this whole situation a lot simpler by agreeing not to lie to each other," he said. "What do you think?" Dove's head took a second to register the President's words.
"Yes, I think that would be helpful," she answered, surprised at her own words. She had to be careful of what she said.
"It has come to my attention that there's a small matter about the relationship between the Capitol and the District Victors that you are aware of. As you must know, given the fact that you have told no one, you were not supposed to dispose of that information." He began to explain, a smile never left his lips. He was enjoying the moment, and it showed.
"Am I going to die?" Dove asked, expecting an affirmative answer. "Publicly? For what crime? What crime could possibly a Victor's child commit?" the President replied, his smile faltered for a second.
"Then an incident could happen." She didn't know why she was giving ideas to him.
"I don't think you're aware of your importance back in the Capitol, Miss Ogilvy. You're not only a Victor's child, but also the adored younger sibling of another Victor. And, to add up, there's the rumour about your everlasting love for one of our youngest Victors, Finnick Odair. I fear that if you had a terrible accident, people in the Capitol would be sad." Sad? Because they didn't get to see me die in the Arena? Or is it because I was 'too adorable to die'? Dove thought bitterly.
"Let's sit, shall we?" the man proposed as both of them got to their seats.
"I believe you have a sister, isn't that right? A beautiful seventeen-year-old named Angelique Ogilvy," It wasn't exactly a question. At least, it didn't feel like it was. He probably just wanted to get her tangled up in his game. "Yes, she's my older sister." His smile grew wider, which wasn't pleasant for her at all.
"Your sister, in comparison with you, is not as popular in the Capitol. If an accident happened to her, it wouldn't sadden people as much." Her eyes grew wider. She had to stop him. Why couldn't he kill her and leave her sister alone?
"However, why would I do that when next year will be her last reaping? There's nothing like the face of someone who thought they had it made until their name is called." She sat straighter, trying to look as calm as possible.
"What can I do? You wouldn't have come all the way to Four just for this," President Snow laughed at her. He was amused at the realisation of how much he had underestimated her. Maybe she would be a fine pawn in his game.
"You see, Miss Ogilvy. I don't plan for a third consecutive Victor from Four to happen," he announced.
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