HI!

As promised, this is the second half of the last chapter, broken into two to make it easier to chew. (HEHE, rhyming makes me happy and feel a bit like Dr. Seuss)

So I hope that through these scenes, we get to see glimmers of different faucets of Scarlet. She often thinks of herself as only one way. Negatively. And any positive attributes, she tends to consider weakness.

I'm hoping here, that we get a glimmer of a softer--but not necessarily weaker Scarlet. 

****TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual Harassment and threat with a weapon.****

Take Care and Stay Safe! ~CANGEL

***

District 4: The Feast

Scarlet Wolfe

     Scarlet froze, as she looked at the girl in the mirror. She looked nothing like her. She looked nothing like the Wicked Wolfe. But the girl in the reflection moved when Scarlet moved and so it had to be her. Scarlet had never felt more naked as she had now. The dress was nothing like anything she had ever worn before, nor was it something she would have ever chosen for herself.

     But she felt more like herself than she had since she'd left the Victory Village home dressed in her Capitol required attire. The feeling of seeing someone she didn't recognize but feeling more like herself left her off balance and confused.

     "You look beautiful." The girl with wirey auburn hair, fair skin and soft freckles said. Scarlet had nearly forgotten the girl was even there. After stepping into the spare bedroom of Mags Flanagan's home with a spare dress for Scarlet to wear, the girl had faded into the background.

     "Mmm." Scarlet hummed her approval as she took in her new appearance.

     Her black hair was wrapped up in a loose bun on top of her head. A few carefully selected strands hung down and curled around her face. Her skin was still pale but flushed from the day in the bright and unforgiving sun. When Scarlet had come in, she hadn't been surprised to see that her face had been rather red, her skin had hurt a little to touch, but after the Capitol had rubbed some cream on top of it, her heated skin had cooled and the redness had faded, leaving only her pale skin a little flushed looking.

     Scarlet's eyes were still her golden wolf eyes, but instead of a dark and smoky makeup that Verra had perfected since she'd taken over as Scarlet's stylist, she had gone for a much lighter, and much more elegant touch. A single line of black over the top of each eye that swooped slightly past her the edge of her eyes. Her lashes were coated with black and her lips were painted clear, adding a shine to her permanently darkened lips.

     Scarlet's ears, that were pierced during her time in the remake center, held small pearl earrings. Hanging from her neck was her wolf pendent that had not been removed since the morning of the 67th Hunger Games Reaping Day. As much as Scarlet hadn't wanted to take a token into the Arena, it was now the only thing that gave her comfort when she was away from home.

     Her face looked lighter. Not in color, though of course there was less of that too. But Scarlet didn't look dark or harsh. She still looked wicked. She still looked fierce. But she looked younger too.

     Her face matched the dress she wore perfectly and Scarlet was glad that Verra was her stylist for this one moment. Her skills as a stylist had been put the test and with little time and little choice, Verra had still found a way to make Scarlet presentable.

     The dress that she wore was beautiful. It was a soft cotton, dyed a deep blue. The main dress wrapped around her chest and clung to the corset around her body, hugging every curve, all the way to her feet. But connected to the dress was a longer piece of the fabric that wrapped under her arm and connected to the back with a clip over her shoulder. It hung like a sheet across her body, hinting at what was underneath while giving her more modesty than she'd had in anything other than her district 14 clothes.

     Her feet were wrapped in silver sandals, her toenails had been painted black to match her clawed black fingernails.

     "If only we had more pearls..." Scarlet saw one of the prep team members sigh through the reflection of the mirror. Scarlet still had not learned their names and she didn't plan too.

     Scarlet thought for a moment about sharing the pearl that Finnick had given to her, but quickly decided against it. It was her first gift and she wanted to keep it to herself. Keep it safe.

     When Verra did the final inspection, Scarlet found herself holding her breath, wondering if Verra would actually let her walk out of here with this garb on. She had made it painfully clear what was expected of her wardrobe and nothing that she was wearing was red or see-through or skimpy material. No heels or exaggerated makeup.

     Instead of criticizing anything, Scarlet feels Verra press something into her hair. A pin?

     When Verra steps aside, Scarlet stares at the small pearl crown placed atop her head. She looked to Verra, questioning its place on top of her head. "Mags, District 4's oldest Victor, offered it as a gift to you, to honor your Victory. This dress is also her late daughter's dress."

     Scarlet glanced at herself in the mirror once more. Mags. An old lady that Scarlet had honestly not thought much about. She rubbed a hand down the cotton material. It was beautiful. And if it had belonged to her daughter...why would she let Scarlet wear this?

     "Make sure we get it back to her." Scarlet said. "After the feast."

     In the mirror, Scarlet saw the girl with wirey red hair take a small step closer, her eyes glued to the dress around Scarlet, a warm smile on her face. Then her blue-green eyes met Scarlet's in the mirror. "Mags is like a mother to all of us in District 4. But everyone knows she's still so sad over her daughter's death. Her grandchildren and us in District 4 are her whole world. Especially Finnick."

     Scarlet's eyes caught on the last word from the girl's mouth. Finnick. "Do you know Finnick well?" She hadn't meant to ask that. She'd meant to ask if Finnick was close to Mags. But she didn't know how to backtrack, so she found herself quietly waiting for the answer.

     The girl just smiled kindly back at her. Her eyes are young and bright. There is something very carefree and simple in the girl. Something that managed to draw Scarlet's attention and curiosity.

     "Yes. I've been friends with him since forever. Well, him and his brother, Rio. I grew up with their family. You know, before Finnick won and his family moved to the Victor's Village. On the television, they make him out to be a really selfish person, but here in District 4, Finnick's always helping everyone out. Trying to make things better for everyone here. He's the best person I know."

     Scarlet could barely resist rolling her eyes at the girl. Scarlet was still pissed at Finnick for managing to shame her on the docks with just a look. Hearing that he was the best person ever made her want to break something.

     Even so, she didn't dislike this girl. Though the girl was clearly older than Scarlet, she couldn't help but think of the girl as, well, a young girl. She just seemed so...innocent. Like life hadn't beat her down or taught her a thousand lessons.

     The girl turned towards the door and Scarlet followed her gaze, seeing a boy poke his head in. The boy was blonde haired, tanned skin, and green eyed. He was Scarlet's age, though much taller and of a thicker build. He'd probably never gone hungry a single day in his life.

     "I'm to escort you to the feast when you're ready." He said in her direction, though his eyes barely looked at her, before looking at the girl next to her. "Annie." He nodded his head in her direction.

     The girl—Annie, turned back to her, grabbing her hand, her face lighting up in excitement. "We can both walk you there, I'm helping serve the food, so I get to be there too."

     Scarlet frowned. "I thought the feast was for the entire District. Isn't everyone going to be there?"

     The boy scoffed while the girl laughed. She patted Scarlet's hand in hers. "District 4 is too big for everyone to be there. We could never get it set up for everyone to attend. But everyone get's extra food for their homes tonight, so most will enjoy it with their family. A few will get to attend. Your entourage will be there. The higher up government officials will be there and the Victor's and their families will be there." The girl said. Then she pointed to the boy in front of them. "That's Aspen. He's Mags Flanagan's grandson, so he'll be there at the Feast."

     Scarlet looked back at the boy in front of her. Leading the way to the feast with the girl beside her. Suddenly, she found him much more interesting. Mags Flanagan's grandson. A Victor's family. Well fed. Rich. Well clothed and cared for. If the girl could be believed, then well loved by his grandmother.

     This was what growing up in the Victor's Village made someone. Someone strong and healthy. He had the least odds of ever going into the Arena, yet probably the best chance of making it out should he go.

     As if he could feel her eyes on him, Aspen looked back over his shoulder, meeting her gaze. His green eyes were narrowed and dark, meeting hers for a moment, before he turned back forward without a word.

***

Finnick Odair

     Finnick stood on the smaller stage in the middle of the grassy prairie area where the Feast was being held. In the middle of the Mayor's office, was a door that led outside. A fountain, grass and rock carvings and decorative trees were strategically placed.

     Tonight, especially, the place was decorated with lights that were strung up. Four tables were strategically placed upon the grassy grounds. Decorations of white clothes and wild flowers and shells adorned the top of each table. Plates and drinks were placed with food in the middle of each table.

     There was a square table set separate from the other tables. That table would seat the Mayor, Scarlet and a few other higher officials. Finnick, his family, Mags, and her grandchildren, and the two other Victors of District 4, Jonah and Farrell, would sit at two of the round tables. Then a few selected people from District 14 would join along with Scarlet's entourage.

     The entire population of District 4 would be feasting tonight, as a way to honor the fallen tributes and pay respects to the new Victor. But their feasting would happen within their homes. Where they could eat and grieve in peace.

     His father, Dagon Odair stood tall and strong, with his little brother, Rio, on his other side. Rio was eleven this year. Finnick had been told more times than he could count that he and Rio were exact replicas of Dagon, at different ages, of course. Finnick was nearly seventeen years old now. His father was reaching the upper forties, though Finnick didn't know his exact age. Finnick couldn't remember the last time a birthday was celebrated in their home. It wasn't until he became a Victor and the Capitol began celebrating it that he had known what a birthday party felt like at all.

     Next to Finnick was Mags Flanagan, his mentor and the closest thing he had to a mother, since he'd lost his own. Her daughter was dead. It was said that she died in childbirth to her second child, Cricket Flanagan, but everyone knew that the Capitol killed her and her husband, leaving their newborn daughter and eldest son in the care of Mags.

     Finnick didn't know why and had never had the guts to ask her directly. He wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer. Either way, the result was the same. Mags standing as tall as her short stature would allow, holding the hand of her five-year-old granddaughter Cricket. Aspen, her grandson, was missing from the stage currently, but should be arriving shortly. Jonah and Farrell stood on the other side of Mags. Both of them were alone.

     They hadn't had family for as long as Finnick could remember, but he didn't know if it was always that way or if they had lost them the same way Finnick had lost his mother and Mags lost her daughter and son-in-law. Only that they were alone, rarely left their homes and never went to the Capitol unless it was unavoidable.

     In front of the District 4 Victors and their families, waited the Mayor and his family. His wife, Marsea, and their fifteen-year-old son, Patrick.

     Scarlet's entourage was escorted into the room and shown to their seats, along with the few District 4 citizens that were selected to especially be allowed to attend. Finnick didn't know them personally but assumed that that was the point. They wouldn't cause trouble or make a scene. The government officials took their places in the table set away from everyone else.

     Everyone talked quietly amongst themselves. Finnick was too invested in watching the door to pay attention to it or to participate. He could hear the quiet murmurs of his brother and the deep rumble of his father. Mags was silent as ever, Aspen had followed more after her, and often chose to stay quiet, while Cricket was the complete opposite. Finnick could see her dancing around in her spot, twisting around Mags fingers as she impatiently waited for their guest of honor.

     "She's late." Cricket whispered loud enough that even those sitting in the back could hear if they were paying attention.

     "Shh."

     Finnick knew exactly how she felt though. Impatient and eager to see Scarlet. Though he thought mostly Cricket was eager to eat. That little girl could pack away the food like she was never going to see it again.

     "Finnick..." Cricket whined his name, pulling his attention away from the door. He looked over at her and saw her staring up at him with big puppy eyes.

     "Yes, Cricket?"

     "Can you make her be here faster?" Cricket drew out the word faster and emphasized it by pulling once again on Mags' hand.

     "She'll come when she gets here." Nothing could make Scarlet come any faster than she was willing too.

     Cricket sighed dramatically in the way only a five-year-old could. Finnick couldn't help but smile at her exasperation.

     Finnick knew exactly when Scarlet arrived though. The quiet whispers and hushed conversations and quiet laughing stopped abruptly.

     When Finnick turned towards the door, the smile on his face froze in place. Because Scarlet Wolfe had arrived, and she looked nothing like the girl in red from earlier.

     Aspen stood at her side for only a moment longer, before slinking off into the shadows, probably eager to escape the limelight and focus. Finnick expected nothing less. He wasn't sure how Mags had convinced him to be the one to escort Scarlet here in the first place. It wasn't like him at all.

     Scarlet was dressed in a long, flowing blue cotton dress that stopped at just above her ankles, showcasing her silver sandals. Her hair was pulled up high on top of her head but probably the most startling aspect was the fact that her face wasn't caked in black eye makeup. There was very little makeup on her face at all, and it made Scarlet look younger.

     Her eyes were still golden wolf eyes, giving her a wildness that would likely be impossible to erase completely. But between the makeup, the lack of a wolf mask over her face, the dress and her hair pulled up the way it was, she looked more youthful and perhaps, just slightly, more innocent.

     She walked between the tables to the stage. Her eyes scanned over everyone on the stage, before landing on him. She didn't meet his eyes though. Was she still angry about earlier? About getting into trouble?

     The Mayor greeted her once she got onto the stage. Introducing her to his wife and child. He seemed to want to play it as if earlier on the stage had never happened and Finnick wasn't sure if Scarlet would play it that way or not.

      However, she didn't say anything about earlier and after exchanging a few sentences, they stepped aside, allowing Scarlet to move further onto the stage. Up close, Finnick could see that she did have a bit of makeup on over her eyes, but for the most part she was left fresh faced with skin a bit reddened from the sun. Her ears held pearls in them, which he hadn't known were even pierced and adorned on top of her head was a small pearl crown.

     Finnick didn't know where she had procured that from, but the white of the pearls contrasted perfectly with her black hair. Her neck was slender and thin and around it was only the leather cord that her wolf pendant hung from. Up close she was so much smaller, too. Even after spending several hours with her, it was still a shock to his system, not her size exactly, but matching this girl to the one that he had seen inside that Arena. She had seemed so much...bigger, than she was in reality.

     Rio was a year younger than her, but already several inches taller than her. Aspen, who was the same age as her was even taller. Finnick, years older was taller than all of them still. Mags even had her beat by a few inches still and no one was shorter than Mags. On the stage, only Cricket was smaller than the District 14 Victor.

     The Mayor introduced them each, one-by-one.

     "Of course, you know Finnick, the pride of District 14." Finnick had to stop himself from cringing. Standing here next to his bother and his father, Finnick didn't feel like he had much to be proud of. "This is Rio Odair, Finnick's younger brother, and Dagon Odair, his father."

     Scarlet nodded her head at them but didn't say anything. She did not look at Finnick at all and that made him feel about two feet tall despite the fact that he stood as tall as any of the adults surrounding him.

     "This is Mags Flanagan, District 4's oldest remaining Victor, and her grandchildren. I believe you've met Aspen, and this is her granddaughter, Cricket."

     Finnick watched as Cricket took a step forward, staring up at Scarlet with wide eyes and endless curiosity.

     "Your eyes are weird." Her fingers pointed at her own eyes, as if to make it clear to Scarlet what she was talking about.

     Finnick covered his laugh with a cough.

     "Cricket!" Aspen hissed, grabbing his sister's shoulder and pulling her back. She shook him off though, shooting him a dirty look. Aspen returned it with a warning look of his own, before crossing his arms over his chest. He wouldn't do anything about it now, but Cricket wouldn't be happy with the consequences later.

     When Finnick looked back at Scarlet, he found her looking at him. As soon as she noticed him looking her way though, she looked away.

     Cricket grabbed at the frills on her own dress, her body spinning as she grew more nervous under Scarlet's golden-eyed gaze.

     Scarlet didn't seem offended or angry. But clearly she was not reacting the way Cricket expected her too.

      "You look like a Goddess." She whispered. Scarlet's eyes softened slightly, as her lips curled. "I want to look like you when I get older." He noticed Scarlet's fingers twitched at her side with Cricket's final statement.

     Scarlet reached her hand out and messed with Cricket's wild brown curls softly. Her sharp black claw-like nails contrasted sharply with Cricket's soft hair.

     Finnick knew that Scarlet wouldn't hurt the girl, but everyone else, apart from possibly Mags, seemed to be holding their breath until Scarlet pulled her hand away without leaving a scratch. Then she crouched down, getting eye level with the kid.

     "Want to know a secret?"

     Cricket nodded right away without hesitation. The little girl was the biggest gossip and didn't understand anything about secrets or privacy.

     Scarlet leaned forward and whispered something that Finnick couldn't hear in the girl's ear. The smile dropped off Cricket's face though, at whatever was said and as Scarlet pulled away, there was a darker look in her eye despite the relaxed nature of her body. 

     "Be only yourself, Cricket Flanagan of District 4." She said out loud as she ruffled Cricket's hair again, before shooing the girl back to her family. Scarlet stood straight and looked to the remaining Victors, waiting to be introduced.

***

Scarlet Wolfe

     She sat at the table away from everyone else. It was a seat for the guest of honor. Next to the Mayor and his family and a few important officials of District 4. However, Scarlet would much rather be sitting at the two tables designated for the other Victors and their families than here.

     The girl, Cricket, reminded Scarlet of her little sister Honey. Even though Honey was a little bit older than the girl, they held the same sweetness about them. No one could get mad at them. Not even Scarlet.

     There are no gods or goddesses. Just power-hungry humans wearing masks and playing dress-up. Learn it quick, little one, or you might find yourself a strung-up marionette, dancing for their amusement.

     She shouldn't've said that to the little girl. But Scarlet wasn't a goddess. She wasn't someone the girl should look up to. And hearing that the girl wanted to look like her...well, Scarlet didn't want that for herself, much less the little girl.

     Cricket danced between tables, fluttering from her seat next to Mags, to the empty chair next to Finnick. Once she caught the girl whispering something into Finnick's ear. His eyes had shot over to her, but she had looked away quickly, pretending to eat some of the food on her plate.

      Everyone ate and laughed and chattered happily as they did so. Mags and Aspen ate quietly next to one another. Jonah and Farrell, the two Victors without families, were eating and drinking. Finnick was seated next to his brother and father, enjoying the bountiful food and copious drinks available in front of them. Rio was a year younger than her, but looked so much like Finnick, if they had been closer in age, they would probably be mistaken for twins. Rio and their father, Dagon talked and laughed loudly, with Finnick joining in with a comment here or there.

     Scarlet tried a few bites of her food but couldn't stand eating the strange foods with weird gooey textures that slid down her throat like slime. Eventually, Scarlet simply nibbled on a piece of green bread. It was different than the bread back home, which was made out of the tesserae grain and was lumpy and flat and dry.

     District 14 didn't have any grains to make bread of their own, neither did most people there have the money to purchase the grain from another District, so many of the families only had grain thanks to the tesserae that their children could sign up for after turning twelve.

     A hand brushed against her leg. Scarlet ignored it, shifting ever so slightly away from it. Instead of moving away though, the hand shifted, resting on her leg. Scarlet turned toward the owner of the grabbing hand. Of course, it was the Mayor himself. Not even looking toward her. Not concerned in the least

     Scarlet was careful not to let her expression change in the slightest as she leaned toward the Mayor. She placed a hand in front of her face, painfully aware of the camera's trained on her from the back of the little grassy oasis area. There was no way she would escape punishment if she lashed out at the Mayor in front of the entirety of Panem for a second time. And thanks to Scarlet's own choices and her reputation, she doubted anyone would even care if they learned the reasons for her behavior.

     "Touch me again and you will lose your fingers." She hissed over to him, low enough that her voice would not travel any further than his ear.

     "Be a good girl. Sit pretty and smile." The Mayor said back, the smile never leaving his face. His hand once again traveled to her leg.

     Scarlet picked up her silverware, probably lulling the disgusting Mayor into thinking that she would listen. Before lowering the knife and pressing the serrated edge against his fingers.

     The Mayor's hand froze, his fingers halfway up her thigh.

     "Which one do you want to lose?"

     "You wouldn't dare."

      "There isn't anything that I wouldn't dare to do." She replied. She wasn't lying.

     His face paled under the glow of the sun. Scarlet took a bite with her free hand to hide her actions under the table. Scarlet didn't want to cause another scene here in District 4, though she would if he didn't back off. She barely resisted the urge to spit out the contents immediately. The fleshy bits of whatever she'd sank her teeth into sticking between her teeth. Oh, gross.

     "I'll...I'll stop..."

     "Fantastic choice." Scarlet answered as calmly as she could, removing the knife from against his fingers. Instantly his hand left her person. Scarlet kept the knife against her leg just in case and continued to pick at the food in front of her.

     She figured it would be rude to not eat at all, but it was just so...different. District 4 caught most of their food from the sea, it was high in protein, fat and salt. Three things that were a rarity in District 14. Or they used to be, before she won the games.

     Throughout the evening, Scarlet's smirk never left her face. Despite the eagerness to leave and her dissatisfaction with the different foods of District 4.

     She was the Capitol's marionette, even as her mind resisted, her body performed. Even as she wanted to resist, she could only play the role she had created.

      She was the uncaring and cold-hearted temptress of District 14.

     Was there anything she could do to stop it?

-------

Hi again, it's me. :) 

Just wanted to check in with you real quickly before we move ahead. 

How did you like the small intro to Finnick's family? Mags? Do you like Aspen and Cricket? What about Annie--YES, that Annie. What do you think her role will be? Personally, I think that she and Scarlet could become pretty good friends, what about you?

Isn't District 4's Mayor absolutely disgusting? I wish Scarlet would have cut off a finger or five. :(

Take Care and Stay Safe! ~CANGEL