TWENTY

FRUIT OF THE POISON TREE

The Capitol was as beautiful as ever, and the President's mansion was possibly the most beautiful building Talia had ever seen, let alone been inside. It was huge, filled with servants and peacekeeper bodyguards and of course, white roses, the scent made Talia dizzy.

The dress she wore was plain but elegant, a slit running up the left leg showed off the perfect amount of skin, as her arms were covered by tight, lace sleeves. The back was buttoned up, but made of lace too and the colour was jet black. On her ears, pearls, her neck, her fathers pearl, her right ring finger, a pearl. On her feet, black strappy shoes decorated with a single pearl on the ankle strap of each. Simple elegance was what Aldar described it as.

She walked through the crowds, Thelan followed behind her, Finnick, Aldar and her prep team were already inside, as were numerous other Victor's from different Districts. People lay their hands on her, some sort of claim? She wondered. Others kissed her hands, welcoming her into the President's home. She saw him, up on his balcony overlooking the party. Finally she reaches the courtyard below him and takes centre stage, a glass of champagne is handed to her and the President lifts his glass in the air. She raises hers to match and a wide smile crosses his lips.

"Enjoy your night, Miss Riverthorn," He calls and fireworks boom above the mansion. Immediately music starts, a brass band apparently.

Her eyes scan the faces of those around her and eventually settle on Thelan, she follows after him, he introduces her to many people, none of which she can recall the name of afterwards. Eventually the pair of them find Aldar, Zetta and Fava indulging on the various meals the President had on offer.

"I might need to be sick so I can have more!" Zetta laughs, her smile wide and sickening.

"You'd throw up simply to eat more?" Talia asks, her words sour.

"Of course!" Fava answers for Zetta, they both grin at each other and continue eating anyway.

"All this while the Districts starve," Talia says, "I don't want any of his food,"

"You must eat, its rude not to, all this is for you, after all," Thelan says, "And keep your voice down missy,"

"Very well," Talia says, she walks away, shifting through the crowds of people, eyes scanning every face for Finnick Odair.

She finds him in one of the courtyard off shoots where people seemed to go to have quieter chats. Beside him stands a gorgeous woman with bobbed pink hair.

"This must be the Pearl," She says upon seeing Talia's approach.

"Talia," Finnick smiles falsely, "This is Hanea, she's the woman who sponsored you your trident in the games,"

"So I should be thanking you for saving my life," Talia says. Hanea laughs.

"Maybe," She says, looking the girl up and down, "What a pretty little thing, you are,"

"Thank you," Talia says, glancing to Finnick.

"Say, Finnick you might have some rivalry in the Capitol now, Talia is a gorgeous girl," Hanea says, looking at the man beside her.

"Indeed she is," Finnick says, "And she needs to be getting back to the party, I'll speak with you later, Hanea,"

"Don't stray too far, Odair," Hanea winks before walking away, disappearing in the crowd.

"Girlfriend?" Talia asks, looking into his eyes.

"Not in a million years," Finnick laughs, "Capitol women aren't my thing,"

"It seemed like you were her thing,"

"A burden I must bear," He says, "Now, shall we rejoin the party?"

"I'm not really feeling it,"

"How about we meet some of the other Victor's? They're as bitter as they come," Finnick says, looping his arm round Talia's and guiding her towards another corner of the courtyard.

Victor's filled the room, most of which Talia recognised from games that happened only a few years prior. All of them, fruit of the poison tree.

"This is Johanna Mason," Finnick introduces, "District 7,"

"Talia Riverthorn," The younger girl introduces herself.

"What a pretty face, its a shame the Capitol will ruin it," Johanna says. Talia's face pales.

"Johanna is that really necessary?" Finnick asks, rolling his eyes when the axe master smirks.

Finnick introduces Talia to many Victor's but the one she's most intrigued by is a District 9 winner, a rarity in terms of Victor numbers. She sits alone, drinking what looked like plain water, while most the others drank something alcoholic.

"Who's she?" Talia asks, nodding towards the older woman sitting alone, sipping her water.

"Gwen Baker," Finnick says, "She's blind. It came down to her and one other tribute and the other tribute cut out her eyes, but Gwen, she was smarter, went for the heart rather than attempting torture...The Capitol offered her new eyes, but she refused them,"

"She refused them? Why?"

"No one knows," Finnick says, grabbing another glass from a waiter, "Speak to her if you wish, I've got to find Hanea,"

"Okay," Talia says, watching Finnick down his drink before stalking off through the crowd.

She walks over to Gwen and sits down in front of her, "Hello, I'm Talia Riverthorn,"

"Ah, the Victor," The woman replies, "Its a pleasure to meet you,"

She offers out her hand and Talia shakes it, the womans other hand reaches out and takes it too, feeling her hand.

"So young," She says.

"18," Talia confirms.

"I'm Gwen Baker," The blind woman says, "Though I'm sure Mr Odair already told you that,"

"He did, I was curious about you," Talia admits, "About why you're sat alone,"

"I'm a freak, even among these people," Gwen chuckles, taking a sip of water.

"Finnick told me that the Capitol offered to give you new eyes, and you refused?" Talia asks.

"Ah, yes, they did, and indeed, I did refuse," Gwen says.

"May I ask why?"

"I didn't want to see a world filled with horror anymore, the games will forever be the last thing I saw, and it reminds me every day of why I am alive. The horrors I did in that arena...I am lucky to not have seen the families of the tributes that died so I may live, I am lucky to have not looked into the President's eyes and seen the death, the murder, I am lucky that I do not have to look into your eyes tonight, and see the wasted youth, your young mind ruined by the games at such a beautiful age," Gwen says, hands still encasing Talia's.

"I agree, you are lucky to not see," Talia breathes, "But just because you cannot see, it doesn't mean it isn't real,"

"I know all too well, my dear child," Gwen says, "But it makes it a little easier,"

Her hands let go and she smiles at Talia, "Go now, Little Bird, enjoy your night,"

"Little Bird?" Talia repeats.

"Is there a problem?"

"Only Finnick calls me that,"

"Blind, dear girl, not deaf," Gwen grins.

Talia stands up, glancing Gwen up and down, "Thank you for talking with me, Gwen,"

"The pleasure was mine, Talia," Gwen smiles once more at Talia before Talia walks away.

Talia finds Thelan and Aldar, but Finnick is nowhere to be seen, lost to the night of celebrations. Selling his body for secrets that may one day be of use.

____________

Thank you for reading & I hope you enjoyed!

Also thank you for getting Together to the #9 spot on the Finnick Odair hashtag & #2 on the Hunger Games hashtag

~lachys-loch
❤️