Reyna was plucked and primped and perfected for the next few hours. She was, again, soaked in several sludgy liquids and lathered in oils. Her prep team fussed over every minuscule detail, from the tiny chips in her nails to how white her teeth were. At the end of it all, her hair shone, her skin glowed, and her eyes blazed.

Eventually they left, leaving Reyna feeling only a little more alone than she had when they were gossiping around her. It had been days since the last issue, which was beginning to worry her. Usually it happened once or twice a week, and that meant the next incident would be bad.

A ticking time bomb. That's what she was.

Suddenly the door flew open and Lily came in with Pearl, both obviously flustered. They must've hurried to get here.

"Reyna, darling, I'm so sorry we're late!" Pearl gushed breathlessly.

The Victor smiled and shook her head. "It's fine, Pearl."

Lily started flipping through her sketches, a frown forming on her face. "What do you think of this one?" She asked Reyna, pointing out a drawing of a frilly dress. It had *le gasp* sparkles.

"Absolutely not." Reyna said, turning the page quickly. After a little while Lily sighed and closed the book, a folded-up piece of paper accidentally falling out. She narrowed her eyes at the offending paper and picked it up, tossing it in the trash.

Reyna took the scrap out of the trash and unfolded it, eyes lighting up at the sketch. "This one. I want this one."

Lily pursed her lips. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. This is the one."

Reyna slipped into the dress, glad to have fabric that didn't scratch or squeeze her skin. Her hair was down, with two smaller braids connecting at the back and resting over the majority of her hair.

Her dress was a deep sea green, long and flowing. It reached to the floor but still allowed her room to move without tripping. It went on only one shoulder, the outside hem of which was silver. The skirt itself was solid, but there was a chiffon overskirt as well. A strip of silver fabric wrapped around her torso, under her bust.

She wore silver sandals that had a wedge heel, which matched her silver earrings and bracelet. She was also given the necklace with the aqua gem from the parade, which seemed greener now, against her the fabric of her dress.

Pearl examined the outfit briefly before grinning. "You look fabulous, darling!"

"Thanks, Pearl." Reyna replied, just a tad nervous. Her Escort smiled again before shooing her out to where Finnick was waiting.

He turned to face them as they walked in. Something foreign she couldn't quite place flashed in his eyes as he looked her over. "You look stunning, Reyna." He said, holding out his arm for her to take.

She smiled, just a tad shyly, before placing a hand on his arm.

Reyna knew the plan. Ruffle the Capitol's feathers with the fact that she and Finnick can't be together because of the Games. It was just a story to gain sponsors and fans, right?

Then why did it seem so difficult to muster the courage for her big reveal? Probably because my mind and I both know that this is just a little too close to a few certain daydreams–or nightmares, actually. She thought with a derisive snort.

And suddenly Finnick was giving her hand one last squeeze and smiling at her reassuringly before walking onstage.

"Finnick," Caesar started, the mere mention of his name making the crowd cheer. "I understand that you have a message for somebody out there. A special somebody." He smiled, making the host chuckle. Reyna's stomach flipped (not that she would ever admit it). "Can we hear it?"

Finnick looked directly at the camera, making her feel like she was staring into his sea green eyes instead of a screen. "My love... you have my heart for all eternity... and... if..." He paused, as if it was difficult for him to say. "If I die in that arena... my last thought will be of your lips." He finished, his voice quiet. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, eyes stinging for some reason. The crowd screamed, crazy for the Capitol heartthrob.

And then it was her turn to smile for her cameras. "So, Reyna, we've just heard from Finnick the depth of his emotion, but what about you? How do you feel about all of this?"

"Honestly? I wish I'd gotten more time." Reyna admitted, hands fidgeting behind her back.

"And do you mind me asking why that is?" The host said, raising his eyebrows.

She was hesitant to answer. "Because..."

"Because..?"

"I spent too long trying to realize how I felt, and now..." She began, looking down at the floor.

"And now it's too late to act." He finished, his voice holding a note of finality.

"Exactly."

"I see... If you don't mind, who is this person?"

"It doesn't matter now. Even if I win, we can't be together. It's impossible."

"You don't mean..." His eyes widened, jaw going the tiniest bit slack in shock.

"I can't be with him because he was Reaped with me." This drew gasps and murmurs from the crowd, crescendoing in volume until it was a chorus of shouting.

She bit down hard on her tongue and reopened the old wound of her family's death to make tears well in her eyes. She put a hand over her mouth and made her shoulders tremble like she was really crying.

Caesar shook his head sorrowfully, putting a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of consolation. "Thank you for your time, Reyna."

"Of course." She walked up the steps to stand next to Finnick, who pressed a kiss to the top of her hair and laced his fingers with hers. He had refused to actually kiss her (which really hurt more than she cared to think about), so this was the compromise. The crowd was a roiling mass of outrage and messy sobbing. Oh, yes. This certainly kicked up dust with the Capitol.

A/N: hey everybody!!!!! I'm sorry for the late update, I had serious writer's block. I'm thinking of asking for... Let's say... 5 votes/comments? Before I upload the chapter after this? I don't really like it when author's do that, but I really need feedback. I'm dyin' here. Tell me what you think? I'm still not sure if I should or not...