Hi! Thank you so much to all the readers who are joining me on this journey! Sorry about the wait. I struggled a bit with writers block, but don't worry, I promise there is more to come. 

Remember to like and vote if you are enjoying this story! And don't forget to comment! I'd love to hear from you!!

As always! Stay safe and take care ~ CANGEL

***

District 4: The Speech

Scarlet Wolfe

     Scarlet wasn't sure what she expected before she had arrived in District 4. It wasn't until just before she left the train that Penelope had handed her the card for her speech, telling her that District 4 had already invited them to a tour and a banquet, so she was not to stray the least bit on the speech portion of their stay or else.

     She had briefly considered the possibility that if she did fuck up the speech portion well enough up, then the tour and banquet would be cancelled, and she could leave the salty-aired district faster.

     You may want to be alone, but you aren't alone.

     The closer she had gotten, the more confused she had felt. Back home in District 14, it had been easy to ignore thoughts about Finnick. Sure, they had crept in here and there, but for the most part, she could stay busy with her carvings, or with helping Mr. Fox at his shop. Hanging out with Cadmium.

     Now, though, she had long since finished her crystal carving and she had nothing to do in between Districts, apart from sitting in silence and think, or talk to Verra and Penelope.

     No matter how determined she was to join in their conversation, she just couldn't bring herself to open her mouth and say anything. Joining in felt like being complicit in their thoughts and actions—like she agreed with them.

     Which only left one option.

     Thinking about her impending visit to District 4, and her near certain confrontation with Finnick Odair.

     There was always the chance that she wouldn't see Finnick. The only Victor that she had seen so far was Haymitch from District 12. Perhaps they were scared that she would repeat her actions?

     Even though the whole thing had been unintentional, she had watched the rerun and even she had to admit that it had looked purposeful and wicked. And very, very her.

     Regardless of if Finnick and the other Victors were nervous of getting thrown off the stage by her—and she didn't see him, at least, thinking that way—if only because he was far too self-confident to think she could ever be a threat to him—he would have to pass on standing in front of the cameras and everyone knew that Finnick loved to be the center of attention.

      Which meant that she would see him at some point during her visit to District 4.

     It was that near certainty that brought attention to the growing nerves sitting like boulder in her gut.

     She definitely didn't hate Finnick—even if she was still angered by his words before the tribute parade, but so much had happened since then. Finnick had given her advice before going into the Arena. He had sent her a gift while she was in there—she was certain of it. And he had been there afterwards...

     Even though they had nothing in common and she didn't even like him most of the time, she could safely say that she didn't hate him.

     Which was why Scarlet had no intentions of fucking up the speech. Finnick had sent her a gift in the Arena. It had saved her life. She owed him thanks and she owed him respect.

     At least while they were in his own District.

     So, as Scarlet approached the stage of District 4 in all her blood-red glory, she tried to calm her racing heart. The card between her pointed black nails clutched tightly in her grasp and the heat from the sun beating down on her exposed skin.

     With every breath, she swallowed bits of the sea. Was this why the scent of salt clung to Finnick and followed him everywhere in the Capitol?

     Scarlet hated the air here. Around Finnick, it was pleasant enough, never too overwhelming. But here it felt so thick she would choke on the thick, humid air. It was suffocating, near insufferable when combined with the saltiness of the sea. Not to mention the Sun.

     She could feel the sun on her back and the rays touching her skin. She didn't question the people running around District 4 half dressed or the naked children. It was hot. However, given a choice, Scarlet would happily sweat it out in clothes from District 14 if it meant her skin was not set on fire from exposure under this fucking sun.

     She climbed the wooden steps at the back of the stage, noting the grandeur of the stage. Framed with sleek metal arches and curves. A screen hanging front and center along the back wall. Green and blue curtains hung, looking soft, but heavy, as they didn't move in the wind, blocking her from view. Fresh paint over the treated wood, she walked on. Every board in place. Scarlet held her dress up slightly as she walked, not wanting to step on the bottom hem and rip her dress or trip, leaving the train of her dress to follow in her wake.

     Verra, Penelope, and her entourage have already been escorted to the audience section in front of the stage where they would get the best view. The rest of the District would be standing behind them.

     She made her way through the curtained path, slowing down a bit as she walked. The curtains provided shade and a momentary respite from the sun.

    Unfortunately, she knew that she could not take too long, so before she wanted to, she forced herself to leave the sanctuary of the shade.

     She raised her chin high and let her dress fall back to the ground as she stepped through the flowing fabrics.

     Scarlet looked across the stage, expecting to see the Mayor, but found an all too familiar profile instead. Finnick. Of course, he was here already. Even without him looking at her, she knew it was him. Who could mistake him? She wasn't sure if someone from the audience had pointed her out, or if he had heard her coming, but suddenly, he turned to face her.

     His green eyes meet her golden ones. Under her wolf mask, a curl of her lips met the gleam of his white teeth. Energy crackled in the air between them. It felt like a war or a battle. Two Victor's studying one another. Appraising each other. Ready for anything. Scarlet didn't know what Finnick saw or what he was thinking as she closed the distance between them. He gave nothing away.

     He was good at wear a mask too. And he'd had a lot longer to practice.

     She glanced out at the crowd for the first time, and nearly tripped on the bottom hem of her dress. So many people were here gathered around. She was sure that them being here was mandatory, like every District, but as far as the horizon, there were only people. A sea on land of blonde hair and blue-green eyes greeted her.

     As they watched her cross the stage, it occurred to her that right then no one knew how this would play out. Her greeting Finnick, or even Finnick greeting her. The last time the Capitol and any of the Districts saw them interacted was during her interview with Ceasar Flickerman when she had boasted about beating all of Finnick's records that he had set in winning the 65th Hunger Games.

     Everyone would want to know Finnick's reaction, and everyone would be watching hers.

     Scarlet stopped when she was only feet away from him. Her neck bent as her eyes held his. Why was he so tall?

     "Welcome to District 4, Scarlet Wolfe." Finnick said with his signature charming smile on full display. "I hope you are enjoying yourself so far."

     She shrugged. "It's no District 14, that's for sure."

     "You say it like it's a bad thing."

     "Well, for all its faults, I have never had to worry about getting roasted alive by the Sun."

     "No, you just have to worry about turning into an ice cube or losing a finger or toe from the cold."

     She couldn't help it. A laugh bubbled up inside of her. Scarlet caught it before it could escape, shaking her head at him. "Rather have frostbite than third degree burns."

     "Let's agree to disagree on that." Finnick said with an amused laugh. He didn't try to hide it or keep it buried.

     Despite the uneasiness that had lingered throughout the past days and throughout the entire Victory Tour thus far, the nerves that Scarlet hadn't been able to stem, completely disappear and she was finally able to a full breath. Or at least as full as she could manage with the corset constricting her lungs.

      Finnick turned back to the audience, speaking into the microphone. Scarlet couldn't hear what he said as he talked to the audience. But she could feel the excitement in the air and the love that the District held for their Victor.

      No wonder Finnick thinks so highly of himself. Does anyone hate him? Do they all worship the ground he walked on like he was a God among mere mortals?

     Scarlet was reminded once more of the stark differences between them. Between his District and hers. She was hated, excluded, reviled among her own District apart from a few individuals.

     Before she could think of exactly how different they were, Finnick turned her way, his arm extended toward her, his fingers moving, gesturing for her to come closer.

     She did. The card clutched tightly in her fingers. She didn't need it. She had read it several times on the walk over here.

     But she couldn't help but glance down at it once more.

     She looked over at Finnick. There was no hint of worry on his face or hesitancy. Finnick must know that she held no love for the fallen tributes. And that most of her time in the Capitol, she hated him so much that she wanted him to take a spot in the Arena. He must be worried about the things that could come out of her mouth.

     But if he was, it didn't show.

     She stepped in front of the microphone that had been adjusted, a bit dramatically, by Finnick to reach her much shorter stature and looked out into the quiet audience.

     She saw the fallen tributes families. In District 4, it was a little different. They stood on separate stages, like a raised platform twenty feet away from the main stage. The male tribute's family stood to Scarlet's left and the female tribute's family stood off to Scarlet's right. The crowd stood on the flat ground but surrounded them just the same. To Scarlet, it didn't feel as if the families stood separate from the gathered crowd, but rather stood protected by them.

     Hanging above each of their platforms, is a screen with their loved one's face.

     Roe, with her long braided hair and confident grin, stared back at her. Scarlet fought the urge to roll her eyes at the dead girl and quickly shifted her attention to the boy. A little more quiet and a little bit smarter than Roe, Loach stared back at her from his screen. His face was stoic, neither smiling nor frowning, his eyes betrayed him though. His nerves shown brightly on the screen.

     Roe was too impulsive. To confident. But Loach was too passive. If Loach had had a different tribute partner, Scarlet thought they might have been real competitors. If Crimson and Scarlet hadn't gone into the Arena together, it might have gone differently for them. Crimson had taken advantage of Roe, and Loach had followed along with his District partner, straight to his death.

     She had not killed either of them, and yet, Loach hadn't been the only one to remain passive and quiet. Though Scarlet never knew Crimson's plan, she had had enough of an idea that she could have told Finnick earlier than she had. She could have helped them make it through the bloodbath at least.

     She'd chosen not to because she had wanted them dead. If it wasn't Crimson and the Careers facing them, it could've been her.

      Did District 4 hate her, because her brother had betrayed them and killed them during the bloodbath? Did they not hate her because she had killed Crimson, avenging their fallen? They had to know that she hadn't killed Crimson for them.

     "My thanks to District 4, and to Finnick, for the warm welcome." She said, extending her arm towards Finnick, who had moved a few steps back to give her some space. She watched the crowd cheer and saw Finnick wave at them before his focus landed back on her. The crowd's attention quickly followed, focusing back on her. "I am thankful and fortunate to be here standing here today as a Victor, and to be able to share with you the glory of our great nation." The words left a sour taste on her tongue and she fought to keep the disgust from her face. The words didn't even sound like her. How could anyone think these were her words? Still, she continued. "I also want to share with you the sorrows of your losses. This year's tributes from District 4 were fierce competitors and brave warri—ors." She tripped over the word and hoped no one would notice. It was hard to get out, because they were killed too fast to really be warriors... Scarlet made the mistake of looking over at Finnick. His face was downward as he listened, but she could see his creased brow. Probably knowing that she was lying her ass off.

     District 4 hadn't been real competitors in this years' Hunger Games. They had died right away in the bloodbath. It was unusual and probably a little disgraceful for this District who was considered part of the Career Pack most years. Scarlet wondered if that is what bothered Finnick so much? Or was it the fact that he had been their mentor? As far as she was aware—which wasn't saying much—Finnick hadn't known the tributes personally before they were Reaped.

     Finnick glanced up. She looked away.

     Lowering her golden eyes to the card in her hands, she gathered her thoughts. Could she find a way to bring District 4 comfort? If any of the Districts deserved it from her, it was this one. It was Finnick. He had saved her life by sending her that gift.

     To District 4, it was honor and glory and pride that were most important. She glanced over at the families. More than the grief that lingered on their faces, was shame. Their son and daughter had died right away in the Games.

     "They wanted to bring District 4 glory and make their families proud. So badly that they trusted someone they shouldn't have, and it cost them..." Scarlet swallowed. They trusted her brother. They trusted Crimson. "Though Roe and Loach were killed early in the bloodbath it doesn't mean that they were any less skilled or any less ready to fight for their District." She let the card fall to her side and turned slightly to face the crowd and Finnick, who is still standing with his head lowered. "Finnick Odair of District 4."

     His eyes snapped up to her, and he straightened at the sound of his name. Scarlet raised her right arm and crossed her chest, resting her fingers against her shoulder. She bowed her head in an unfamiliar show of respect in District 14. Scarlet had never shown formal respect to anyone before, apart from when she was in school, and they bowed to Panem's flag each day. 

     She straightened and tipped her chin up, but she found herself too uncomfortable to meet his gaze. "I owe you my life and thank you for the gift." She turned sharply back to the crowd on her heels and finished her speech with the words on the card. The words of the Capitol. "We are all of us united... Both Victors and Vanquished... in serving a common purpose. The power and glory of the Capitol. Panem Today. Panem Tomorrow. Panem Forever." Scarlet looked over at Finnick as he approached, his lips curled upward. Not happy. But not sad either. As he met her eyes, there was something shining back in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

     Pride. Gratefulness. His own thanks in return for hers maybe?

     Scarlet had never wanted or cared for anyone else's approval, and she didn't need Finnick's.

     But it felt nice having it. It felt nice to not be hated completely.

     Of course, she was the Wicked Wolfe and that would change. If not now, then eventually, Finnick would hate her just as everyone else did. It was who she was and she could never forget.

***

Finnick Odair

     With Scarlet's words hanging in the air, Finnick approached her, ready to give the crowd one final address, however, just as he reached the microphone, a hand pressed against his shoulder, drawing his attention.

     Finnick arched a brow at the stout man with little hair on his head, even though he was not much over forty. Mayor Levy stared up at him with his chin up, as if he wasn't the one who had asked Finnick to handle this in the first place.

      Apparently, since Scarlet had played nice during the speech, Mayor Levy thought he could take over now. Finnick could think of a hundred reasons why this was a terrible idea, but he also knew Mayor Levy well enough to know that there was no point in arguing.

     Finnick stepped back with a smile on his face, offering a few claps in a show of respect for the man who he respected very little. The crowd gathered below, clapped as well, as their Mayor approached the microphone.

     "Our thanks to the Wicked Wolfe of District 14!" Mayor Levy announced into the microphone. Because he didn't think to adjust the height of the stand, he had to bend slightly, making it appear a little awkward. "We appreciate the sincerity of her remorse—"

     Scarlet grabbed the Mayor's arm, her furrowed brow left little doubt that beneath the vicious metal wolf mask, a frown of displeasure marred her perfectly painted face. Finnick stepped forward a single step before forcing himself to stop. It was too late to interfere. Whatever he did would only serve to make matters worse.

     He could only watch the disaster as it unfolded in front of him.

      As quickly as she grabbed the mayor's arm, stealing his attention, she let go of him, her fingers rubbing against the side of her flimsy red dress. Dressed up as she was and under a face full of pristine makeup, it was easy to forget that she was only twelve. That was, no doubt, the Capitol's intention.

     "Could you repeat that?"

     The mayor looked taken aback for a moment before he smiled. "Ah, of course. I forgot." He tapped his ears. To be honest, Finnick had too. It was so easy to forget around her. "You can't hear, correct?" He sighed dramatically. "It's okay, of course, everyone has their flaws. You never know, perhaps the Capitol can fix your hearing one day."

     Anger flashed in Scarlet's eyes and he closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, before letting his hand fall to his side. He was sure that the Mayor wasn't trying to rile Scarlet up, but he was with a stunning success.

     "Repeat what you were saying into the microphone."

     "What? Oh, right." He laughed, his hand covering his large belly. "I was giving thanks to you, the Wicked Wolfe of District 14 and saying that we appreciate the sincerity of your remorse—"

     "I have none." Scarlet said, cutting off the Mayor once more.

     Mayor Levy chuckled awkwardly as he shuffled where he stood. He glanced over to Finnick, but Finnick just shrugged and looked away. Mayor Levy had gotten himself into this mess. If he thought that Finnick could have any effect of her growing ire or impulsive words, then he would be sorely mistaken.

     Finnick might be able to, if he could predict what Scarlet would do. Sure, he knew that she would do something. But he had no idea what. Therefore, he could do nothing but watch.

     "Have none of what, my dear?" The Mayor asked, having turned back toward the girl when Finnick offered no support.

     "I have no sincere remorse." She said. "Because I have no remorse at all."

     Finnick huffed out a silent breath. Oh, Scarlet, can you let nothing slide? But of course, the answer was no, and Scarlet continued.

     "I do not have any remorse for their deaths. They made stupid choices and I'm guessing they did so against their mentor's advice because..." her eyes flicked over to where he stood briefly before landing back on the Mayor. "he's not stupid, and they were, so no, I do not regret and I have no remorse. Neither Roe nor Loach of District 4 deserved to be the Victor of the 67th Hunger Games. Even if they had survived the bloodbath and escaped Crimson's schemes and wrath, I would have done my best to kill them myself."

     Even though Finnick couldn't fault her for her words or claim they were false or wrong, he still found himself irritated at the girl who just could not hold her tongue. How hard was it to put on a smile face and bear it for a few more minutes.

     "So, you are happy that they are dead?" The Mayor asked quietly, but his words echoed through the microphone. Finnick could see the Mayor's intentions from a mile away. Scarlet had embarrassed the man by questioning and correcting him, and now he would try to spin it around on Scarlet and twist her words.

     Finnick thought that had Scarlet not been so angry, that she might have been able to escape the trap, but as her lips curved upward and the wicked glint shined in her eyes, Finnick knew that she wasn't thinking about any consequences or the ramifications of her words.

     "Absolutely." She said without hesitation.

     Finnick closed his eyes for a moment. He wasn't angry or upset with her. As a Victor, he knew exactly what she was feeling and thinking of. But it was times like this that her age really showed through. Twelve. She was only twelve. She had done the unthinkable and survived the games. She had done so by being ruthless and vicious and cold-hearted.

     If she'd had a mentor, they would have told her to keep her mouth shut. They would have told her why. But Scarlet was twelve and mentorless and with a useless escort that stood with the District 4 crowd. How else could she react? How else could anyone expect her to respond any differently?

     "I'm guessing your speech was just that then. A speech. Did you even mean the words you said about Roe and Loach? Did their sacrifice mean anything to you?"

     Confusion flickered across her face for a moment but she didn't back down or lower her head as she stared directly up at the Mayor of District 4.

     "Why would their sacrifice mean anything to me?" Disbelief colored her voice as she scoffed. "They didn't die for me." She took a step forward. The Mayor stepped back. "They teamed up with my own brother to try to kill me. Why wouldn't I be pleased that they were killed off early? Do you think I wanted to fight against them? While they made stupid choices, they were deadly with weapons. There was no guarantee I'd walk away from a fight with one of them, let alone if I faced both of them. Should I not be happy that two of my competitors were killed?"

     Finnick's lips curled upward. Well, at least she had explained herself and she had turned it back around on him. Scarlet had the remarkable ability to say something completely cold and letting it settle. He was glad that she had cracked, revealing the motives of her harsh words today.

     Even if his District hated her, he knew that they would also understand. They valued winning the Games too much not too. 

     "I have no regrets or remorse."

     "Even for killing your own brother?"

     Finnick breath stilled. He stared at the Mayor of his District, unwilling to believe that those words had left his mouth. Finnick knew that everyone across Panem was thinking it, but no one had dared voice the question out loud. Not even Ceasar had made more than a passing comment, stating his sympathy for her loss.

      Only a Victor could understand Scarlet here and now. This is why without each other, Victors would be truly alone in this world.

     Because they all knew. They knew the price of winning. They knew the price they had paid to come out of the Arena. It was something that no one else could ever understand. But even still, there had never been a Victor to face their own family in the Arena. There had never been a Victor to kill their own sibling.

     Scarlet Wolfe's golden wolf eyes brighten and gleam. His muscles locked, painful with tension. There was a dangerous glimmer that hadn't been there before. She leaned in toward the microphone but held the gaze of the Mayor as she spoke.

     "I will never regret."

     Finnick was sure that despite the words that have just left Scarlet's mouth, there was so much more beneath the surface that she was not willing to share with the man taunting her.

     Finnick remembered the pain on her face as she wrapped the wire around her brother's throat. He remembered the broken way she had screamed that she hated him. And he remembered the way that she had carefully laid him to rest with his wolf, despite the severity of her own wounds.

     But he still understood why she refused to give away any more of an explanation. There were somethings that had to stay in the heart. There were some things that were meant to stay away from the public and the camera's.

     "Ladies and gentlemen. I give you the Wicked Wolfe of District 14." The Mayor announced grandly and sarcastically.

     Scarlet's smirk didn't falter as she raised her hand to the snout of her wolf mask, before extending it to the man in front of her. Blowing him a kiss.

     Finnick didn't know who all would understand Scarlet's message, but Finnick did. She had kissed and killed too many of the tributes that were in the arena with her for it to mean anything else.

     Just as she had asked Ceasar to pass her kiss along to President Snow in her after Victory Interview, she now blew a kiss in the direction of Mayor Levy.

     Her message was clear.

      Her only desire for the man standing in front of her is for him to do one thing and only one thing.

      Die.

----------------

So, what do you think so far? Do you think Scarlet helped the families feel better with her speech? PS (Parts of that speech are taken from Peeta and Katniss' speech, but not all of it--credit where credit is due, I struggled so much with what a full length speech should look like. Suzanne, you are a genius)

Do you think the visit to District 4 was cut short? Do you think she'll get another lashing again? Was she right to react the way she did? 

I hope you enjoyed both Scarlet and Finnick in this chapter.

I promise there is more to come!

Remember to Vote and comment!

Take care and stay safe!~CANGEL