three; training

The next morning came the time for training. It was the first of three days they had before interviews and then the arena. Isla quickly showered and brushed her teeth before she got dressed in the training clothes Aqua left out for her. Then, she tied her hair in a high ponytail and headed outside to where breakfast was laid on the table.

Finnick was already sat at the table, a full plate in front of him and a mug of something hot in his hands. He looked up when he saw her enter and smiled. "Morning sleeping beauty."

"Morning." She laughed, sitting beside him and grabbing her own plate and a mug of coffee.

"Ready for training?"

"You mean, ready to show everyone what we're made of?" She paused. "Absolutely."

As soon as they finished eating, they headed to the elevator and shot down to the training area. A few people were there when they arrived, and so the pair headed right for the knot station, where Katniss was struggling over a knot.

Isla watched as Finnick attempted to help her, then pretended to hang himself with a noose. Katniss didn't seem amused as she headed off to the fire building station, leaving Finnick to face Isla with a pout on his face. "You scared her off."

"Did not!" His mouth dropped open.

"Right. Sure." Isla follows where Katniss disappeared to and noticed that she was sat with Wiress and Beetee, the District 3 tributes. Isla had spoken with them before, and they were crazy smart, and not the worst company out there. "Shall we train, Finnick?"

"Please." He led her over to the rack of tridents laid out in front of a simulation. They each grabbed one and Isla set the settings to the hardest there was and they both nodded to each other before completely immersing themselves in the training.

They didn't notice the growing crowd of people around them, watching the pair fight as though it were a dance. They were flawless with their techniques, ducking and dodging, kicking and hitting, moving around each other perfectly as though they had been training for this for years, which they were.

As soon as they were done, they turned to each other, breathless but with huge smiles on their faces, and they fist bumped. Then, they noticed the crowd of people around them, and the smiles melted into smug looks and smirks. "Now they all know how badass we are." Isla grinned.

After that came lunch, and Isla was sat with Finnick and Johanna, all of them exchanging stories and laughing. After lunch, Isla turns her attention towards knives. She knew that would draw peoples attention.

But something draws her attention away from the knives. It draws everyones attention away from what they're doing, because the girl on fire was shooting fake birds from the air with her bow and arrow. Isla dropped what she was doing and walked to watch her. It was mesmerising. She was so fluid in loading the bow and swiftly firing arrow after arrow, never once missing.

When the younger girl was done shooting, she realised everyone looking at her. And had a surprised look on her face. Isla approached her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "That was some good shooting."

"Thank you. You're pretty great with that trident." Katniss returned.

"Practice makes perfect." Isla shrugged. "Can I be the first to offer my alliance, if you would consider it. I'd normal send a mentor to ask for alliances, but Finnick and I don't have a mentor, so it's me asking. Let me know if you decide to accept."

Then, she waved and headed back to Finnick. "Pool? I feel an overwhelming urge to swim."

He nodded, and they took the elevators to the level with the pool. They ended every training day that way, after mingling with the other tributes and sparring, throwing tridents or knives, and even trying survival skills, they would always come back to the pool, sometimes joined by Johanna, sometimes by other tributes.

Those training days passed by quickly, and soon it was the day before the games, and time for the tribute interviews with Caesar Flickerman. Isla's prep team barges into her room that morning and wakes her up, forcing her into the shower.

When she's done, they get to work on making her glam. One of them works on her nails, painting them a dark red then placing individual gold flakes on it. Someone else pulls her hair up into an elegant bun with strands framing the sides of her face, and the last member does her makeup, going for golds on the eyes with a cat liner and deep red lips.

Then, they say their goodbyes, each of them clutching her hand and leave. Aqua comes in, a black garment bag draped over her shoulder. "What am I wearing tonight?" Came the soft question.

"It's a surprise." Aqua smiled. She told Isla to close her eyes then walked over and helped her slip the dress on. It was soft and slid on as if it were water, then she was helped into her heels and she felt Aqua step back. "Open your eyes love."

Isla opened her eyes and looked into the mirror. The dress was by far one of the most gorgeous ones she had ever worn, and it made her sad knowing she would probably never wear anything like it ever again. It was fully gold and off the shoulder, the skirt on one side fell all the way to her feet, but on the other side, it fell to her knees while the rest was a translucent gold.

Her heels were also golden, and they had red soles. There were little golden gems placed around her eyes, and she had elegant jewellery placed on. Aqua linked her arm with Isla and led her backstage to where all the other tributes were waiting. There, everyone was looking at Katniss with her wedding dress, but as soon as Isla walked in, all the attention was on her.

Jaws dropped, and jealous looks were cast at the beautiful District Four girl who shone brightly tonight in her golden dress. Finnick walked up to her, a look of awe present on his face. "Isla, you look breath-taking."

"Thank you Finnick. You don't look too bad yourself." She smiled. Aqua left and Isla stood beside Finnick, her hand in his as they waited for their turn. Isla turned to face the screen and watched all the other interviews.

Cashmere started the ball rolling with a speech about how she just couldn't stop crying when she thought of how much the people in the Capitol must be suffering because they would lose their victors. Gloss recalled the kindness shown here to him and his sister. Beetee questioned the legality of the Quell in his nervous, twitchy way, wondering if it had been fully examined by experts of late.

Then, it's Isla's turn, and when she walked onstage, the crowd exploded in cheers and cries of sadness at the sight of their darling, the one they would lose so soon. "ISLA DELMARE EVERYBODY!" Caesar yelled, he held out a hand and Isla took it, walking closer.

"Isla, how are you feeling?"

"Oh Caesar, I just- I can't believe that we're going back in. I thought we were finally done, but it seems our job is never done. My heart aches at the thought of losing you all." She turned to face the people. "I love you all so much, each and every single one of you has become my family and I am so grateful to have gotten to spend time with you before these games."

She let a single tear run down her cheek, sniffed and then wiped it away. This was their strategy; make everyone feel like absolute crap for these games and try and get them cancelled by any measures they could possibly take. Isla took on the job with no hesitation.

"Now, Isla, gorgeous girl like you, do you have a boyfriend, or someone similar back home? Or even here in the Capitol?"

"I wish I did, Caesar; my heart has belonged to the same person since I knew what love was."

"Well, you best win these games and go back to your lover and tell them how you feel."

"I wish I could, I really wish I could. But the problem is, my lover is one of the people going into that arena with me." And then the crowd went wild again. Caesar managed to calm them down, and then they say goodbye to Isla, and welcome Finnick to the stage. Isla squeezed his hand as she walked past him on her way to stand beside Beetee at the top.

"Now Finnick. I understand you have something to say to a loved one of yours?"

Finnick smiled, looking down, almost shy before he looked up again, his green eyes piercing in the camera. He begins speaking, "My love, you have my heart for all eternity. And if I die in that arena, my last thought would be of your lips." At this, Isla couldn't help but feel an ache in her chest. She didn't know who Finnick was speaking to, but she would be lying if she said she didn't wish it was for her.

He walked up and stood beside her, keeping his hand near hers, their fingers brushing occasionally. Isla could feel her heart beat faster and she was sure her cheeks would be as red as her hair had it not been for the heavy makeup that covered them.

By the time Johanna gets up, she's asking if something can't be done about the situation. Surely the creators of the Quarter Quell never anticipated such love forming between the victors and the Capitol. No one could be so cruel as to sever such a deep bond. Seeder quietly ruminated about how, back in District 11, everyone assumed President Snow is all-powerful. So if he's all-powerful, why doesn't he change the Quell? And Chaff, who came right on her heels, insisted the president could change the Quell if he wanted to, but he must not think it matters much to anyone.

By the time Katniss is introduced, the audience is an absolute wreck. People weeping and collapsing and even calling for change. The sight of her in her white silk bridal gown practically caused a riot. No more Katniss, no more star-crossed lovers living happily ever after, no more wedding. Isla could see Caesar's professionalism showing some cracks as he tried to quiet them so the girl on fire could speak can speak

Finally there was a lull and he got out, "So, Katniss, obviously this is a very emotional night for everyone. Is there anything you'd like to say?"

Her voice trembled as she spoke. "Only that I'm so sorry you won't get to be at my wedding... but I'm glad you at least get to see me in my dress. Isn't it just ... the most beautiful thing?" She began to twirl slowly, raising the sleeves of her heavy gown above her head.

Screams come from the crowd, and then there was something rising up around Katniss. Smoke. From fire. Not the flickery stuff she wore last year in the chariot, but something much more real that devours the dress. Charred bits of black silk swirl into the air, and pearls clatter to the stage. She kept spinning and spinning. Then all at once, the fire is gone. She slowly came to a stop.

She's in a dress of the exact design of the wedding dress, only it was the colour of coal and made of tiny feathers. She lifted the long, flowing sleeves into the air. Clothed in black except for the white patches on her sleeves, or more appropriately, her wings. Because her stylist has turned her into a mockingjay.

The white of the dress has burned away, leaving a smooth, fitted veil of black that drapes into the neckline of the dress in the back. "Feathers," said Caesar. "You're like a bird."

"A mockingjay, I think," She said, giving the wings a small flap. "It's the bird on the pin I wear as a token."

But that bird on a pin is more than just a token. Her mockingjay isn't just a token. It's come to symbolize so much more. That what will be seen as a flashy costume change in the Capitol is resonating in an entirely different way throughout the districts. But he made the best of it.

"Well, hats off to your stylist. I don't think anyone can argue that that's not the most spectacular thing we've ever seen in an interview. Cinna, I think you better take a bow!" Caesar gestured for Cinna to rise. He does, and made a small, gracious bow.

The audience, who's been stunned into silence, broke into wild applause. Caesar thanked her and she headed to her seat.

Caesar and Peeta had been a natural team since they first appeared together a year ago. Their easy give-and-take, comic timing, and ability to segue into heart-wrenching moments, like Peeta's confession of love for his fellow district partner, have made them a huge success with the audience.

They effortlessly opened with a few jokes about fires and feathers and overcooking poultry. But anyone can see that Peeta is preoccupied, so Caesar directed the conversation right into the subject that's on everyone's minds.

"So, Peeta, what was it like when, after all you've been through, you found out about the Quell?" asked Caesar.

"I was in shock. I mean, one minute I'm seeing Katniss looking so beautiful in all these wedding gowns, and the next ..." Peeta trailed off.

"You realized there was never going to be a wedding?" asked Caesar gently.

Peeta paused for a long moment, as if deciding something. He looked out at the spellbound audience, then at tin floor, then finally up at Caesar. "Caesar, do you think all our friends here can keep a secret?"

An uncomfortable laugh emanated from the audience. What could he mean? Keep a secret from who? Their whole world is watching.

"I feel quite certain of it," said Caesar.

"We're already married," said Peeta quietly. The crowd reacted in astonishment, and Isla can see Katniss bury her face in the folds of her skirt, she suspected out of embarrassment.

"But ... how can that be?" asked Caesar.

"Oh, it's not an official marriage. We didn't go to the Justice Building or anything. But we have this marriage ritual in District Twelve. I don't know what it's like in the other districts. But there's this thing we do," said Peeta, and he briefly described what a toasting is.

"Were your families there?" asked Caesar.

"No, we didn't tell anyone. Not even Haymitch. And Katniss's mother would never have approved. But you see, we knew if we were married in the Capitol, there wouldn't be a toasting. And neither of us really wanted to wait any longer. So one day, we just did it," Peeta said. "And to us, we're more married than any piece of paper or big party could make us."

"So this was before the Quell?" said Caesar.

"Of course before the Quell. I'm sure we'd never have done it after we knew," said Peeta, starting to get upset. "But who could've seen it coming? No one. We went through the Games, we were victors, everyone seemed so thrilled to see us together, and then out of nowhere—I mean, how could we anticipate a thing like that?"

"You couldn't, Peeta." Caesar put an arm around his shoulders. "As you say, no one could've. But I have to confess, I'm glad you two had at least a few months of happiness together."

Enormous applause. Katniss looked up from the feathers and let the audience see her tragic smile of thanks.

"I'm not glad," said Peeta. "I wish we had waited until the whole thing was done officially."

This took even Caesar aback. "Surely even a brief time is better than no time?"

"Maybe I'd think that, too, Caesar," said Peeta bitterly, "if it weren't for the baby."

The audience couldn't absorb the news right away. It had to strike them and sink in and be confirmed by other voices before they began to sound like a herd of wounded animals, moaning, shrieking, calling for help.

Caesar couldn't rein in the crowd again, not even when the buzzer sounded. Peeta nodded his good-bye and headed to his seat without any more conversation. Caesar's lips were moving, but the place was in total chaos and no one could hear a word. Only the blast of the anthem let them know where they stood in the program. Everyone automatically rose.

Isla turned to Beetee and held her hand out, he clasped it, and she felt Finnick grab hold of her other hand. And then it happened. Up and down the row, the victors began to join hands. Some right away, like the morphlings. Others unsure but caught up in the demands of those around them, like Brutus and Enobaria. By the time the anthem played its final strains, all twenty-four of victors stand in one unbroken line in what must have been the first public show of unity among the districts since the Dark Days.

All the tributes are ushered away and pushed towards the elevators. Johanna, Finnick and Isla try and join Katniss and Peeta, but they weren't allowed, so they head up using another elevator. Isla hugged Johanna goodbye when they get to the fourth floor, and then departed with Finnick, who pulled her in for a hug as soon as the doors close.

She pulled away and looked at him. "So, Finnick, a poem for a loved one, huh?" She grinned, even though her heart felt like it was being ripped into pieces. "One of your Capitol lovers, I assume?"

"You assume wrong my dear Isla." Finnick replied. "And me? What about your confession?" He couldn't deny the pain rushing through his veins either.

"It was true."

"But who was it?" He led her to the couch, and they sat down, facing each other. "Was it Gloss?"

"No, of course not, I haven't lost my mind."

"Brutus?"

"That's just as bad Finn. And he's a old."

"Beetee?"

"Uh, he's a bit too old for my taste."

Finnick completely skipped himself, dismissing that thought. There was no way, he was just her best friend. He moved to the others.

"5?"

"I don't even know his name?"

"Morphling?"

"Oh God no. Self-medicating? Not my style."

"Blight."

"No, Finnick."

"Woof?"

"Nope."

"9? 10?"

"No, and no again."

"Chaff?"

"Too old again."

"Peeta?"

"NO FINNICK!" Isla laughed. "He's a married man! And a bit young too."

"It's not a girl is it?"

"No, it isn't. I did make it clear that it was a male, didn't I? I said he."

"Then who?" Finnick's heart beat fast, and it didn't register that he hadn't mentioned his own name, and that was who she meant.

"There's one person you haven't mentioned, Finn."

"Who? Did I skip someone?"

"Yes." Isla had to laugh at the fact that he didn't even realise. "You skipped yourself."

"Me?" Finnick's mouth dropped open and Isla burst out laughing. She leaned forward and shut his mouth, before running her thumb over his lips and placing her hand on the side of his face. He leaned into it without realising and she smiled softly. "I'm the one you were talking about?"

"Yeah. I've been meaning to tell you, and Johanna said I should tell you before the games started, so I thought I'd start with the interview, and somehow work my way from there." She explained. Finnick leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers in a sweet kiss. He pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers.

"I'm guessing that poem was about me then?"

"You guessed right."

"I'm honoured, and as much as I'd love to spend more time with you, we best get to bed. Long day tomorrow, and who knows when the next time we'll be getting a decent night's sleep is."

Finnick nodded and held his hand out for her to grab. She took it and walked to her room, with him behind her. "Will you stay with me?"

"You never have to ask."

As they lay in bed that night, Finnick's head resting on her chest, and her hands running through his hair. They thought of tomorrow, where their lives won't be priority, but Katniss and Peeta's lives would be.

And the last thought that ran through Isla's head was;

I really hope this all works out.