TW: sexual content ahead

The Capitol was a very strange place. By day, a very normal place; with people in make-up, retouched, with extravagantly colored wigs and even stranger clothes, but a normal place nonetheless. There were huge streets with fancy stores, high-end restaurants and huge buildings everywhere. At night, a spectacular place: different colored lights illuminating the streets, a continuous noise, as if everyone was on the streets, strolling around, and colorful fountains with music playing through loudspeakers. A truly amazing place.

But, that day, in that room, Nola found it frightening. From the office window in Snow's huge mansion in the City Circle, it gave a desolate impression. Nola had been to some of his famous parties, both after her Victory Tour and after receiving numerous invitations during the three years after she was crowned Victor. It had always given her the impression of being stately, luxurious and so grand that one could get lost inside, but now Nola couldn't help but think how terrible it was. The smell of blood and roses was so overt that it even made her retch.

—You look good, Nola —was the first thing Snow said when he saw her, a wicked smile on his lips. Nola had seen that smile a hundred times, and while on every other occasion she had felt pride that the President knew her, now she could see beyond it: she could see the blood on his lips—. I hope our services have been good enough for you. Only the best for our Victors —the President confirmed after Nola gave him a simple nod.

—So what are Peeta Mellark, Johanna Mason and Annie Cresta doing locked up in there? —Nola remained calm, sitting in front of the man's desk, whose smile never diminished, as if he was waiting for the girl's comment.

—Our friendly Victors, I wanted to say. I would like you to know, Nola, that we have a great regard for you in the Capitol. Ever since your Hunger Games you have proven yourself to be a warrior, a brave woman, and above all, a devoted citizen —Snow's eyes flashed with mischief, and Nola clenched her fist slyly—. The public adores you, and you have given them great affection during these three years. That's why we consider you a friend here, Nola. And friends look out for each other, right? That's right. You see, I'm sure you'll understand that we're living in a difficult situation at the moment. The Districts seem to be rebelling, they're not happy with the flawless management we've had all this time, and that's because of Katniss Everdeen's performance in the Hunger Games. The Capitol will not fall to the rebels, Nola. That is why, anyone who has publicly and willingly allied themselves with the rebels, including Miss Everdeen, will meet the consequences head on.

Nola did not respond. It was clear that Snow was trying to send her some very direct hints: if you are a rebel, you die, plain and simple. However, she didn't understand why she was being spared while the other two tributes were rotting down there, and Annie was being held without a shred of guilt. The only answer was because of Finnick, who had saved the Mockingjay and Peeta several times in the arena. Nola swallowed involuntarily.

—What exactly am I doing here, President Snow?

The old man leaned forward, resting his hands on the table and gazing down at it—. During these Hunger Games, we have noticed unusual behavior from you. You proved your worth in the Seventy-second Hunger Games, defeating your enemies with unusual ease, and yet you continued to train day after day in your District, a District we hold dear to our hearts here in the Capitol. We have always had a special brotherhood with District 2, and you with us. That's why our alarm bells went off when you allied yourself with the tributes of the 12th, Finnick Odair, Johanna Mason and other rebels. We like to think that it was an act of survival, that you would have been able to kill each and every one of them when the time came.

Nola mustered what confidence she had left and mimicked the President's gesture, moving closer to the table—. I thought Finnick Odair was a better ally than the rest, as well as the 12. The public loved them, so I thought they would be synonymous with more sponsors. On the other hand, the careers this year held a poorer performance. Brutus was too blinded by winning, and Gloss and Cashmere would have been too vulnerable sharing arena with blood of their own. It was nothing personal. I killed Brutus because I had to, just like I killed the 5th's tribute at the beginning. Any cannon would have been music to my ears, President Snow.

—What about the rest? Mason and those in the 3rd. You could have gotten rid of them without arousing suspicion, especially that last night. You could have killed them all in the confusion of the night.

Nola shook her head—. The rest was collateral damage. I never thought of allying with Johanna, the 3rd's or Mags. They were in the alliance, so I couldn't say no, but that gave me an advantage in targeting their weaknesses. None of those four would have been the one to win these Games, I assure you. But the 12th's and Finnick were especially dangerous: they were strong and the public loved them. I had to earn their trust if I wanted the alliance to stand—. Nola paused dramatically, as if she remembered that night in the arena as fateful—. That night was strange. It felt like a war was about to break out, but something inside me knew that everything would have gone on if Katniss hadn't shot that arrow. That's why I didn't kill them: because if any of them saw me, the alliance would be ruined if the Games continued.

—I would like us to be honest with each other. We are friends, and friends don't lie to each other. District 2 is one of the few that remains loyal to the Capitol and the Presidency, but we are concerned that its inhabitants are capable of rebellion, seeing that some of its Victors do so. The fact that it was precisely you who killed Brutus, and that we have no knowledge of Enobaria's whereabouts, make us doubt your loyalty.

The blonde stood up in her seat after hearing her mentor's name—. Enobaria is not in District 2?

—We fear that the rebels have captured her to threaten us with one of our Victors. But you should know that the Capitol will not be cowed by their threats. After all, we have three of their own. Because we only have three, don't we?

Snow's intimidating look met her eyes, and for a moment she froze, but she did her best to remain calm, as she had asked the rest of the Victors to do, and nodded solemnly—. I would do nothing to hurt the ones who gave me a life, President Snow.

—I am pleased to know that we are on the same side, Nola —Coriolanus Snow nodded, looking convinced—. However, I would like you to accompany me somewhere. Then you'll have all the time you need to shower and prepare for dinner —the man seemed to detect doubt in her facial features, for he laughed aloud—. What, did you think we'd let you starve to death? I have already told you that you are loved and welcome here, Nola. The Capitol will be your home from now on. Come with me.

Nola knew she shouldn't trust the President's word, but she couldn't just pretend either, she had to get him to trust her again, so she followed him. She saw several avox going back and forth, as if they were preparing for the evening Snow had mentioned only seconds ago, and though they had never provoked any feelings in her, she felt sorry for them. Without a word, he led her down an elevator, where they went down quite a few floors, and came to some sort of science or technology lab, as people in lab coats looked at computers and keyed buttons on machines Nola didn't know about.

—We are catching up with new technologies. Our message must reach all of Panem, and this is what will get us there. We're also developing other machines, and I want you to be the first to try one of them —Nola flared her nostrils, her distrust becoming more and more palpable—. Sit here —the President pointed to a metal chair, and a man in a robe and glasses appeared through the door, and Nola wondered if all tech geeks looked like Beetee—. Please explain to her what this is all about.

—Good morning, Ms. Bernacci. We are developing a complex technology that can detect people's feelings. These wires that I am placing on your temples and arms are able to evoke feelings that are fed into the computer. For example, if I now type 'happiness' into the computer, the machine will be able to make you remember a moment in your life that makes you happy; and so on with any feeling that anyone types in here.

—And what am I supposed to do?

—You do nothing, of course. This is an experiment, we are still detecting faults and rectifying errors so that it works optimally. Your health will not be affected by this, Miss Bernacci —Nola let the wires be placed with a feline look at the President, who, if he detected it, disguised it very well—. Okay, as soon as you are ready. Miss, you just relax and let the machine work. If you would be so kind, President.

—Very well. I'll try happiness.

Snow typed with some difficulty, visibly older for modern technologies, and then pressed click. Nola opened her eyes, detecting something in her brain, as if invisible hands were pawing through her most intimate memories before choosing the one that most resembled one of them. If Nola thought she had no feelings, from now on she was going to realize what a big lie that was.

Nola didn't feel like being there too much. It was a summer night, perfect for enjoying a bottle of wine under the starry sky and eating some of the delicacies she could buy at the District restaurant. But instead, President Snow had summoned all the Victors to a dinner, inviting them to wear their best clothes and even bring their families, if they had one. So instead of staying at home in fresh clothes, Nola had had to sheathe herself in a long red dress, which emphasized her breasts and made her look older than she was. Her stylist had claimed that this was what she should wear from now on, and although Nola didn't like it too much, she didn't object.

However, she hadn't decided to sit still. It was still among her childish characteristics to hover around some Victors to get on their nerves or play pranks on them. Haymitch had had enough of her nonsense, clutching a bottle of whiskey and ordering her to leave him alone. Enobaria was focused on a conversation with other Victors whom Nola didn't know personally, so she had no choice but to target her new victim —Finnick.

The blonde hid behind a wall, peeking her head out every now and then to see if Finnick would finally appear on the scene. She had put the word out that she was looking for him over there, so, if her calculations didn't fail, he would show up there soon. And so he did; Finnick rounded the corner into the other hallway, discovering a chocolate fountain which, of course, he decided to try while he waited for Nola.

"What are you doing?" a voice behind her startled her, but she managed to stay calm long enough for Finnick not to spot her. Cashmere smiled at Nola's apparent bewilderment.

"Shhh!" Nola commanded her to shut up. Cashmere shut her mouth quickly. "Look, just lean out a little. But just a little, don't let him see you. I put hot sauce on that chocolate fountain for Finnick to eat. As soon as his taste buds come in contact with the chocolate, he'll run off to get water," Nola pushed her a little so she could peek out.

Finnick looked around a bit, shrugging his shoulders as he saw that no one would scold him for tasting that delicious chocolate. He dipped a finger in the fountain and brought it to his mouth, tasting it well. Nola covered her mouth to keep from laughing out loud as his face turned red and his eyes watered, and he opened her mouth so wide it looked like he wanted to rip his tongue out. "NOLA!" shouted Finnick, dragging out the 'a', and luckily for the girl looking down the other aisle.

Cashmere let out a giggle as she watched Nola burst out laughing. The door to the room closed with a bang, indicating that Finnick had left the way he had come, and Nola leaned her back against the wall as she wiped the tears that escaped her eyes from how much fun she was having. She'd probably have to face Finnick later, but right now it was something she wasn't thinking about.

Cashmere leant in to kiss her. It was a moment, it didn't even last five seconds, and it was so soft that Nola had forgotten that it wasn't the first time they had kissed. Her laughter gradually faded, but her smile was still frozen on her face. The girl from District 1 tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, then took it to entangle it between her fingers, as if that was the trick she had used so many times with her dozens of lovers and it had always worked for her.

"With me that's not going to work," Nola laughed. "Maybe with your Capitol friends it will, but I know you."

Cashmere arched an eyebrow with a charming smile. "What's the matter, jealous of my Capitol friends?"

Nola shook her head sincerely, admiring the beauty of the girl in front of her. "Not at all. You'll get to fool them, but I know that the one you're really dying for is me."

The other blonde girl threw her head back to laugh, but Nola stood still. She raised her eyebrows as Cashmere's face came back into her field of vision, this time to get closer to her. "I must admit, you make me hot when you're so cocky. Because you have every reason to be," Cashmere murmured close to her mouth. So close that Nola could notice her breathing and almost smell the scented lipstick on her.

"Is that what you came looking for? Did you know I was going to be here, or what?" Nola stood strong. She knew she had Cashmere wrapped around her finger, so she could play with her all she wanted. She didn't deny the urge she had to slam her against the wall, but she was able to control herself, which she knew the other girl had a hard time with.

"It's not my fault, you do it too well. I've been looking at you all night. You look gorgeous."

Nola covered her mouth with hers. Her tongue soon found its way in and explored Cashmere's mouth, who moaned shyly at the sudden contact. Nola pulled her to herself by her waist, drawing her hips together until there was no space left between the two, and Cashmere curled her hands into Nola's hair, tugging it lightly. One of Nola's hands released Cashmere's body as she tugged at the door beside her to enter the room. It turned out to be a bathroom, much more luxurious than they had both thought. The furniture, the floor and even the walls were marble; all except one, which was a huge glass from which the garden of the mansion could be seen.

"Wow," laughed Nola under her breath. "Looks like if anyone decides to come out, we're going to have spectators. Good thing it's so hot, huh?"

Cashmere's blue eyes darkened a little as she nodded. "Well, let them watch."

"Fuck, Cash, I didn't know you were going for that style," Nola scoffed as she pulled down the straps of her dress. "I thought it was just a little game for our friends on the Capitol."

Nola had a funny way of calling friends what were truly clients. Some of them, mostly middle-aged and elderly men, used to request her services, but they didn't want her company on a one-on-one basis, preferring instead to watch the show. It was somewhat demeaning, listening to the perverted comments of those men, seeing their excited faces while they thought it was really embarrassing. But they had to do it if they didn't want Snow to make them pay, so they reluctantly agreed. Still, being with Cashmere wasn't all that bad —except, obviously, for that pair of foreign eyes invading their privacy.

Nola left a trail of kisses from her ear, down her jaw and to her neck, knowing even the slightest weak spot on the other girl's body, who moaned, knowing she was uncovered. The bathroom glass was beginning to fog up thanks to the friction of their bodies and the heat they both emanated. Cashmere only gasped when Nola unzipped her dress with her mouth, rising again only to grab her ass and kiss her hungrily.

"You know we're not in front of them, don't you?" Cashmere whispered against her mouth, feeling Nola's hands travel all over her body again. "This is different."

"I know," Nola hastened to reply, not paying too much attention to the meaning behind her partner's words, who tried to speak again to protest softly only gasped but Nola's hands found her panties. "I'm not going to do this if you don't really want me to. Sometimes it can be confusing. We're not in front of anyone, you have nothing to prove."

"I like doing this with you," Cashmere acknowledged softly. "You're beautiful, but you've also been the person who's treated me the best doing things like this."

Nola detected some sadness in her voice, and though she was normally unguarded in her actions, this time she held Cashmere more gently against the wall, almost as if giving her the option to get out of there now that she still could. She kissed her again, this time with less lust and more passion, as if trying to deceive the other girl's feelings, who wrapped her arms around her neck again, letting herself go but grateful for Nola's sudden calm. "Well, I haven't fucked anyone in Snow's bathroom," Nola smiled, taking the heat off the matter.

Cashmere let out an unanticipated giggle, her teeth as white as pearls mere inches from Nola's mouth, which moistened her lips. Her fingers roamed Cashmere's thighs, her thumb stroking gently wherever it passed, and the District 1 girl's breath caught in her throat as Nola inserted two fingers inside of her. Her nails dug into her shoulders, her eyes squeezed shut tightly, and Nola kissed her to prevent anyone from hearing the moans coming from her.

"Do you do this...with other people?" Cashmere managed to articulate as Nola's fingers traveled inside her. She found it impossible to contain the arousal the younger girl was causing her, and she hated it partly because she knew that shouldn't be happening, that she should be finding that complicity in someone her own age, but she couldn't help but be deeply attracted to the girl in front of her.

Nola placed a finger gently on her lips to shut her up, but she responded anyway. "You know what I do for a living, Cashmere," her fingers curled to a climax, where Cashmere always moaned louder than usual. Nola found it amusing that someone could hear them; or worse, walk into the bathroom at any time. When Cashmere was about to speak again, Nola covered her mouth completely. "But no. Only with you."

"Good," Cashmere said only in a mere whisper, knowing that if she raised her voice any more her moans would give her away. Nola soon dropped that more human side of her and inserted a third finger inside the girl, who moaned again at the contact, and Nola was so aroused that she didn't even make an effort to get Cashmere to keep quiet, but just listened to her moans in her ear. "God, if you keep this up..."

Nola curled her fingers further, a cocky smile on her lips. "Like this?"

"Stop being so cocky," the other girl growled.

"But you love it. And it turns me on to see how you shudder in my arms, how you spread your legs to let me go deeper inside, even if you don't realize it. I know your body, Cash, I know what you like. And because I prove it so well, I can afford to act like this. I've got you at my feet," Nola murmured the last part close to her, making Cashmere grunt louder.

The girl's fluids dripped onto her hand, indicating that she had reached her orgasm. Nola helped her come down from the high, softer now, still wrapping one hand around her waist while the other was lost inside Cashmere.

"Man, Snow's gonna be pissed if he finds out," Nola laughed. "Look at this mess," she was still smiling as she lifted all three fingers to wipe the fluids away with her mouth.

Against all odds, Cashmere smiled, "You're such a fucker."

And she fell silent, biting her lip a little, as if waiting for closure to that, and Nola gave in and kissed her one last time.

A stabbing pain in her head made the memory stop, and Nola gritted her teeth so hard she thought she'd break them right then and there. The pain was intense, so much so that she knew at that moment it was provoked. She opened her eyes slowly, as if she had fallen into a deep sleep, and swallowed hard, hoping that no one but her had been able to relive that memory.

"It seems it still has some... flaws," President Snow smiled, pretending to apologize, and Nola perceived the threat clearly: either you cooperate, or this will be what awaits you.