The elevator arrives on the ground floor of the remake centre and I step outside, holding up my dress because I can barely walk in it.
I look around the area and spot Johanna who is talking to Seeder and her district partner.
I don't see Finnick just yet so I walk over to her.
"Little T!", she exclaims and hugs me.
"I missed you", I mumble.
"I missed you too. Although this isn't the way I wanted to meet you again. Nice outfit", she says and I grin at hers.
She rolls her eyes. "Very creative I know. But yours is not much better."
"Yeah, the coverage really is amazing don't you think?", I chuckle.
"Look at that, the girl on fire", Johanna says and motions over to the District 12 carriage where Katniss stands alone.
"Well, she certainly has adopted the whole mood into her look."
"Yeah, I mean shitty as it is for us, she has it two years in a row", Seeder adds.
"I know. But to be honest, it's her actions that started this and now we are in this together. And Snow will not make a mistake this time. If we don't fight he will make sure the arena kills us", I say and start smiling when I see Finnick who is now talking to Katniss. I didn't see him enter and eye him now. His outfit is almost non-existent, which makes it almost similar to mine.
"Well, I am going to introduce myself. See you guys later", I explain and walk over, my heels not clicking against the floor after I trained because it annoyed the shit out of me every time I had to wear the torture devices.
"Unfortunately, I think that is true", I hear Finnick say.
"Now, now. Don't scare the girl darling", I chuckle and Finnick swirls around, pulling me close, lifting me off the ground.
"I missed you so much."
"I missed you too. But let me introduce myself please"
He lets go and I face Katniss.
"Hi Katniss, I'm Talisa, but I am sure you know that. Excuse Finnick here, he is a little eccentric from time to time. I love your dress."
Katniss seems conflicted.
"Thank you. But I would guess anything covering is better than yours?"
My eyebrows rise up. "True. Now, I would say sorry about the wedding, but we both know that that doesn't bother you", I say bluntly and look around.
"Ah, there is the person who does care. Hey Peeta", I smile and hold out my hand for him to take.
"Hello."
"Well I am afraid I have other people to greet, but I would love to see more of you during training", I say and walk away, linking my arm with Finnick's.
"What did you say?", I ask him as we stroll towards the District 1 chariot, feeling Katniss eyes on me.
"Oh I just offered her a sugar cube and asked her for all her secrets", he shrugs and I laugh.
We have a short chat with Gloss and Cashmere, but I can tell the Cashmere is distancing herself. Gone is the smile and the cheeky comments, she actually is rather cold.
The music starts and we walk to our chariots, Finnick helps me get onto mine by lifting me up because the dress would have never allowed me to make such a big step.
"Don't fall off", he grins and then joins Mags in his chariot.
Silas steps up next to me, wearing golden pants and a sheer vest top, similar to my dress's cape.
"Ready?", he asks and I nod slowly.
"As ready as I will ever be."
The crowd is already going wild when the Career tributes ride outside, but the moment I can be seen, the sun hitting me and my outfit, the golden beads seeming to glow golden, they scream my name, throw roses and it only stops when Katniss and Peeta exit the underground.
The ride is long and boring and I just look at the tributes in front of me which causes the crowd to call louder as if I wasn't hearing them.
We arrive at the City Circle and I see Snow, looking down at us. I stare at him and our eyes meet. He smiles. It is a victorious smile as if he'd won something and if I had any long-range weapon I would kill him right now.
By the time we arrive at the training centre, the sun has set and only an orange hue illuminates us until the heavy doors close and Keaton helps me off the chariot.
"Thanks"
I look around once more and spot Haymitch with Katniss and Peeta.
I hurry over to them as they converse with the District 11 victors.
"Haymitch. I see you decided to grace us with your presence", I grin and he throws his arm around my shoulders.
"Talisa, sweetheart. I hope you met my two victors?"
I nod. "I did. Lovely outfits. Cinna is a great guy, eyes for the artistic."
Katniss tilts her head. "You know Cinna?"
"We met once, on one of my Capitol visits", I explain and Haymitch looks at me alarmed.
"I did a photoshoot for his clothing line, don't worry. He is a good man as far as I can tell."
Now the two teenagers look confused.
"I will visit sometime, say hi to Effie", I say as I gather up my dress.
"Toodles", I grin and walk towards the elevators, where Finnick is waiting.
As soon as the doors close behind us he pulls me close and presses a kiss to my lips which I return. Sadly the ride up to the fourth floor doesn't take long and we have to separate way too soon.
"See you tonight?", I ask and he nods. "Of course."
Dinner is quiet and my only smile is to be seen when Penelope serves me garlic bread. I am wary of Silas because he is too happy and Mariann is still a mess. I excuse myself early, not watching the recap of the ceremony because I know what they will say. They will fuss over the Careers, Finnick, Johanna and me, maybe even mentioning my tattoo which was visible, but still hidden by the cape and then they will become all sad about Katniss and Peeta.
I head to the shower and then settle into bed, braiding my hair into a simple braid because it tangles otherwise. Maybe I should cut it off.
My sleep is not as calm as last night. Changing from blackness to nightmares every now and then, until I get up and put on a bikini, hoping that the rooftop is equipped with a hot tub once again.
And there is. And in it are my two favourite people.
"We were just about to think you weren't coming", Johanna teases.
"I do need some sleep and it's going surprisingly well", I explain as I sit next to Finnick, who is pulling me close, his hand resting on my hip, just above my scars.
Johanna smiles.
We talk for a while and discuss the training tomorrow, also our alliance. If we can find each other at the cornucopia and have time we will team up there, otherwise, we will meet the next day at a spot that is strategic, most likely around the cornucopia.
Johanna leaves first.
"Have a nice night lovebirds", she says, then the metal door closes behind her.
I rest my head on Finnick's shoulder, just enjoying his presence when I remember the ring around my neck.
I get out of the tub and pull him with me and after I am clothed, take off the necklace.
"I know last time it was all a bit spontaneous and now we are going to go into an arena where people will have to kill us. But I...there is just a little bit of hope. So here goes...I got you a ring. As a sign of our engagement and I know it's like, weird and stuff, but...", I don't get further before Finnick's lips are pressed to mine.
"It is not weird. It's great, because...", he fiddles around in the pocket of his trousers, "because I got you one too. And this time it's my turn. Talisa Moreno, will you accept this ring and take me as I am, in this life or the next?"
I smile brightly. "Of course. Of course. Wow, it's so beautiful."
It really was. The ring was a mat silver and had two stones in it. A blue one and a green one that seemed to complete each other, forming a small circle.
I put the ring on my necklace and put his on his finger. Then we stand on the roof for a while, embracing each other.