: ̗̀➛

: ̗̀➛

"We have the whole day to ourselves," Opal spoke. Elizabeth had decided the pair were accustomed enough to the Capitol interviews to handle themselves, they were both grateful for this.

Finnick sighed wistfully "It's a shame we can't go anywhere."

"Who said we can't?" Opal questioned with a smirk. The pair of them headed to the roof and order everything they possibly could from the menu, they grabbed some blankets and headed up to the roof for a picnic. A daylong picnic in the garden that was lined with every possible flower imaginable along with wind chimes that sang in the gentle breeze. They ate and lay in the sun, Finnick quickly found some vine and began to tie it into a small bracelet that he slipped around the woman's wrist, and she replied with a smile and a small kiss. They made up a game with the force field that stopped them from jumping to their deaths, one of them would throw the apple off it while the other one catched it.

No one bothered them, not even Mags or Annie. By late afternoon, Opal lay with her head on Finnicks lap, she attempted to make a similar bracelet to the one he had made but was failing miserably while he played with her hair, claiming that he was practising his knots with it. He froze causing Opal to turn her head "What?" she questioned.

"I wish I could freeze this moment, and revel in it forever." he soothed in a sad tone. Opal flashed him a smile too warm and relaxed to worry about the future.

"Let's just pretend," the words slipped out of her round lips so easily. Finnick nodded his hands going back to her hair and she began to doze off occasionally seeing a hint of the sunset. It was yellow, not a bright one but a gentle and soft one and an orange blaze sat behind the outline of the Capitol. Opal soon lets sleep take over her, soft snores occasionally leaving her lips, not wanting to wake her Finnick ended up carrying the woman to their room.

Morning finally arose as they were rosed by the prep team. The very sight of Opal and Finnick in bed almost sends Celine over the edge as she begins to wipe her tears dramatically away from her eyes. Opal sat up clearly annoyed as Finnick's prep team ushered him into a spare room leaving her with Celine and Caledonia. The usual chatter had been changed to silence the only comment Opal got was to put her chin up or a comment on a makeup routine. It was nearly lunch when Opal felt a tear tracing down her shoulder, she turned in shock to see Caledonia sniffing her hair. Celine gives the other woman a warning glance, setting the scissors and brush on the table before turning to leave, soon followed by Caledonia "It's been lovely to know you all these years, Opal." she chirped.

The woman couldn't help but feel her bottom lip quiver at their words, Fergus soon entered which Opal was grateful for it had distracted her from her emotions "What will I be wearing tonight?" she asked, eyeing that garment bag that held her dress. Without uttering a word he unzipped the dress revealing a silky grey coloured gown. Light grey silk with a low neckline and tight waist and sleeves that fell from her wrists to the floor. And small opals, everything was covered in opals. Stitched into the dress and in the ropes at her throat, also they had been placed into the braids that lined her head. "It's a shame to waste such a pretty dress" were the only words Opal could mutter.

Fergus nodded solemnly helping her carefully into the gown. It settled on her shoulders, making her feel heavy and weighed down. Fergus then helped her into the small heels, clasping her opal necklace back around her neck, the man knew how much it meant to her. He finished touching up her makeup then had Opal walk a few strides to make sure everything was fitted right.

"You're ravishing." he said, pausing for a moment to take her in "Have you got any ideas for your speech? I know Mags and Annie left you to your own devices."

"No, I'm just going to say what comes to mind." Opal shrugged knowing whatever she said the Capitol citizens would somewhat agree, she had them wrapped around her finger. They soon meet up with Annie, Mags, Elizabeth and Finnick in the lift. Finnick was dressed in a white shirt that had been unbuttoned most of the way, while a skirt lined his lower half, his facial expression was a clear indicator that he wasn't too thrilled with his outfit. The other tributes had already gathered off-stage talking softly, the pair soon made their way over to them, only to turn back around when the lift doors opened once more, back stage fell quiet as Peeta and Katniss stepped out.

Cashmere tossed her flowing blonde curls back "You look ridiculous!" she spat staring daggers into Katniss's wedding dress. She grabbed her brother's hand and pulled him into place to lead the procession onto the stage.

"President Snow made me wear it," Katniss spoke defensively.

Opal found herself walking to Katniss giving the girl a small pat on the shoulder, she felt bad for the teen having to go through all of this at such a young age "I think you look beautiful." Opal began to line up next to Finnick awaiting their name to be called.

"Make him pay for it, OK?" Opal heard Johanna say before she stepped onto the stage.

Caesar Flickerman's hair and face were highlighted in lavender he soon welcomed them onto the stage with a sad smile "So this is obviously a very emotional night for everyone. Opal, is there anything you would like to say?"

Her voice trembled "I am not going into the games by choice, your my family all of you," the crowd let out a few sad cries as she continued "it breaks my heart that I might never get to see any of you again." Opal began to cry causing Finnick to pull her softly into his side resting his chin against her head.

"I don't see how we can let go of you." Caesar wiped a fake tear away "But Finnick now I hear you have a message for someone out there, a special someone, who may or may not be standing next to you." he let out a toothy laugh. Opal dug her head further into his chest, knowing their plan was going perfectly as the audience began to cheer a few of the women fainted assuming it was about them "Can we hear it?"

Finnick nodded "My love, you have my heart. For all eternity, and uh if, if I die in that arena my last thought will be of your lips." his hand tightened around her waist sending rushes up her arms. The pair soon found their way to the raised stage taking their places. She watched as Seeder quietly ruminates about how, back in District eleven, everyone assumes President Snow is all-powerful. He questioned if that President Snow is all-powerful why can't he change the Quell. Chaff soon comes right on her heels and insisted the President could change the Quell if he wanted to. By the time Katniss made her way onto the stage the audience was a complete wreck. People were weeping, collapsing and even calling for a change in the game's rules. The sight of Katniss in her white silk bridal gown practically caused a riot, Opal smirked at the sight of the girl.

Caesar's professionalism began to show some cracks as he tried to quiet them down so she could speak, but her three minutes were quickly ticking away. Finally, there was a lull and he managed to get out "So, katniss, is there anything you would like to say?"

Her voice was quiet "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 gown above her head. The crowd burst into screams as smoke began to arise from her as it devoured her dress. Opal noticed a slight glint of panic on the teen's face, as the silk became charred to bits of black silk that swirled into the air, and the pears clattered to the floor. She slowly came to a stop, she was in an exact copy of her wedding dress, only it was the colour of coal and was made of tiny feathers. She lifted her long flowy sleeves into the air revelling wings. The Capitol citizens raised clapping until their hands were sore.

"It's a bird, it's like a-" Caesar begins trying to pinpoint what Katniss was dressed as.

"A Mockingjay" she replies for him. A shadow of recognition flashes across Opal's face, she knew now the Mockingjay wasn't just Katniss's symbol it meant so much more, what would be seen as a flashing costume in the Capitol would be seen as so much more in the Districts.

Opal turned to Finnick "Cinna is good."

"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 had been stunned to silence broke into wild applause. Opal could barely hear the buzzer that let Katniss know her three minutes were up. Caesar thanked her as she returned to her spot on the stage. Peeta soon made his way onto the stage and him and Caesar effortlessly opened up with a few jokes about fire and feathers and overcooking poultry. But everyone could see that Peeta was preoccupied, so Caesar directed the conversation right to the subject that was on everyone's mind.

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

"I was in shock. I mean, one minute I'm seeing Katniss look so beautiful in all these wedding gowns, and then the next..." Peeta began to trail off.

Caesar's tone of voice changed to a gentle one "You realised there was never going to be a wedding?" Peeta paused for a long moment as if he was deciding something. He then turned his attention to the audience, then to the floor, then finally back at Caesar.

"Well, actually we already got married in secret." Peeta finally said. Opal glanced around finding Katniss who was burying her face in the folds of her skirt so the audience couldn't see her confusion.

"A secret wedding do tell." Caesar placed his arm around his shoulder.

"We wanted our love to be eternal." He answered, making the crowd get stunned with awe "Well you know Katniss and I, we have been luckier than most. I wouldn't have any regrets at all," the teen paused anxiously licking his lips "if- it weren't. if- if"

Caesar raised his brow confused "If it weren't for what?"

"If it weren't for the baby," Peeta replied. The audience couldn't help but absorb the news straight away, they began to sound like a herd of wounded animals, moaning, shrieking, calling for Katniss. Opal let out a small gasp unsure if what Peeta was saying was true, but surely if it was the Capitol wouldn't send a pregnant teen into the games. This time Caesar couldn't rein in the crowd. Peeta simply nodded his goodbye and returned to his place beside Katniss, they soon held hands. Up and down the row the Victors began to grab each other's hands, some did right away while some waited pressured by their fellow Victors. By the time the anthem began to play, all twenty-four of them stood in an unbroken line, they raised their hands in the air. An act of rebellion like this one hadn't been seen since the dark ages.

: ̗̀➛

Don't forget to vote and comment <3