.
ACT II
CHAPTER XXXIII
Latif's victory tour and party
AS THE THREE victors reach district 12, there is an ease in Thana's step. She knows there will be 10 more districts after this one and all Latif will have to do is show up, read to speech written by August out loud, and sound convincing doing so. It is a doable task, mentally it will suck and almost kill you, but it is not something Thana can protect Latif from.
And as district 12 came, it went. Latif moves robotically through his speeches and when they reach district 5, the people of the districts of Panem are done with his speeches. But they carry on, August does his best to write better ones, but the delivery of Latif is just a little bit off. Making Thana anxiously wait until they reach the Capitol, only there she will see the other victors and she knows how much she just wants to dance again.
...
"Come on Latif," Rohan says, "please try to deliver this one better, it is the last one."
"I do my best," Latif looks at Thana who deliberately doesn't look his way, "oh come on, Thana you agree with him?"
"It doesn't matter what I think," Thana says sternly, "you must convince the people of the Capitol and at this rate you won't be liked. You have ruined 10 speeches already, if you this last one great and make sure to have a great appearance at the Capitol you might still have a shot at it."
"Who says I want that shot?" angrily Latif gets up, "maybe I just want to be forgotten in the Capitol."
"The Capitol and president Snow will never let you forget or be forgotten," Thana stands up as well, "you need to shot, it is not about wanting at all. It is about needing it."
"Thana is right Latif," Rohan takes a sip of water, "it is about survival."
...
As Latif's last speech is done, the ride to the Capitol is short and Thana smiles as she calls with her stylist.
"So, I am not going in yellow?" Thana asks with excitement.
"No, I have decided on something else," Thana hears Arthur smile as he tells her that. "It is a floor length strapless dress."
"I can't wait to see it with my own eyes," Thana laughs, "I see you in about an hour."
And as Thana is sitting in a chair with her make-up done, she looks at the nude heels her feet are in. Arthur walks in with a dress still covered, the old man smiles lightly at the young woman.
"I am sure you will like this dress," Arthur opens the cover and shows a pastel pink satin dress with a split and corset like top. "I know it is something you have never worn before, but I thought with all these little flowers on the back it still gives of your energy." And like that he reveals all pastel-coloured little flowers that go down like a veil of cape on the dress.
"It looks beautiful Arthur," Thana softly touches the fabric, "Thank you, you are amazing."
"I always try to be that for you my darling," Arthur smiles, "you are my favourite victor I have ever gotten the pleasure to be able to style."
"You flatter me," Thana hugs the man, "I am proud to wear you designs."
"And that, my darling girl, is why we make a great team."
...
Thana stands smiling next to Rohan who wears a dark blue suit in Capitol style. They wait patiently for August to enter with Latif, so the guest of honour has arrived. Many men are already looking at the young victor but she makes sure not to look in their eyes so they don't feel invited to come closer than they already do.
"I am surprised by Arthur's choice for you," Rohan whispers to the girl, "didn't expect to see you this soon out of your yellow, although, the back still has quite a lot of yellow in it."
"Why thank you Mr. Greengraze," Thana mocks a curtsy. "Anyway, shouldn't they already be here?" And as if Thana commands time, the cheering start as August makes his way up with Latif behind him. Making the festivities officially start.
As Thana makes her way towards the drinks, she bumps into someone, she smiles slightly at the man that shares her hight as she wears her heels.
"I am so sorry," Thana excuses herself and smiles at the man.
"No need to apologise Ms. Jardin," the man holds out his hand and Thana shakes it, "I am Plutarch Heavensbee, I helped Seneca Crane with the arena design."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Thana smiles, "and please, just Thana is alright."
"Enjoy your evening Thana," Plutarch smiles at the victor, "it was lovely meeting you."
"Who was that?" Finnick asks as he leads Thana towards the dance floor.
"Plutarch Heavensbee, a game maker," Thana muses and lets herself be twirled by the other victor. "Not an unpleasant man, something about him is just a little weird and or off."
"I agree with you on that," Finnick pulls Thana closer to whisper in her ear, "he bumped into you on purpose." He twirls the woman again, "I wanted to scare you as you would not see me coming, but then I saw him intentionally come closer and use your distraction."
"Tjeez," Thana sighs, "that just sucks."
"Johanna was looking for you by the way," Finnick smirks at Thana who looks up at him.
"Can you see her somewhere?" she asks and Finnick is disappointed he doesn't get the reaction he hoped for. One that is desperate to see Johanna, but maybe that still has to come.
"I'll bring you to her," Finnick hold out his arm.
Thana hugs Johanna once they get close enough to each other, the pastel pink clashing with the black of Johanna's dress. Finnick smiles at the greeting of the two girls, happy that Johanna has found someone to trust once more besides him, someone she trust more than that she trust him.
"Ladies and gentlemen," President Snow appears on the balcony of his house, "let us bring out a toast for this year's victor: Latif Jardin!" As that many people toast on Latif while fireworks go off, the president moves his gaze and it locks with Thana's for a split second, but Thana moves her gaze to Johanna and clinks her glass on that of the other victor before they both sips on the champagne.
"It was not enough, was it?" Johanna asks Thana.
"No, it wasn't," Thana sighs, "so we will see what will happen next."
END OF ACT II