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KILL FOR YOUR LOVE.

act two.

(chapter twenty-six, don't you like your victors' quiet?)

training centre, 75 ADD.

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FOR WHATEVER REASON, NADINE had summoned Juniper to tell her that the sessions she had planned that day to re-teach her and Brent Capitol customs and manners had been cancelled. She stated it was because the pair had been in the Capitol multiple times before, they had to have memorised their traditions by now. 

Juniper, however, found this odd. She supposed it was by order of Lucy Stevens, who didn't really seem to be in the mood to tell the Hale woman what to say because she knew she wouldn't even listen. But Juniper didn't mind the cancellation and nor did she do much that day except drown in the unwanted anticipation of the interview she was required to do with Caesar Flickerman the next day.

It had been three years since she was required to sit down with the man. She didn't have a post-Games interview, or a Victory Tour, and no District Ten tribute had won since her so she wasn't required to say anything, but with the realisation that she would have to answer questions that Caesar would throw at her all whilst trying to keep her composure made her fearful. 

But she was forced to swallow her anxiety down as the next morning, she was whisked away by the three lanky men that were her prep team. She remained silent the entire time as they took her into a separate room and began to ready her for Yara, rubbing moisturisers into her face, oils in her hair, and creams into her legs. And Juniper was quiet. She was so quiet that the only thing anyone could hear in the little room was the sound of the men's breathing and the whir of a fan overhead. 

And suddenly, as Juniper laid on the metal bench, the coolness sinking into her skin, she had a thought. She realised that every Victor would try and call the Games off during the interviews. They had to. No-one wanted to be there and they would do anything. Cashmere would probably cry. Finnick would be his usual self that the Capitol adored. Beetee would probably question the validity of the Quell. And then Mellark and Everdeen would twist some sick, romantic story to make everyone feel bad. 

Yes. 

Yes, they would do that. Anything to call the Quarter Quell off. But that begged another question... what would Juniper do? And it sparked an idea in her as the three men started to work on her hair and face as she sat up. 

She would stay quiet. 

Yes. 

Yes, that was perfect. Juniper Hale would be silent. Quiet. Not speaking because didn't Snow like his Victors' quiet? Weren't they supposed to not speak out against the Capitol, whenever they were supposed to please customers? Wasn't Victors' supposed to say quiet about their horrors? Snow had made that perfectly clear. She was to be quiet and not say a word. So, that's exactly what Juniper Hale was going to do. 

She was just following orders anyway. 

"Ah, don't you look somewhat nice." The door creaked open to reveal Yara waltzing in with a white garment bag with Juniper narrowing her eyes at the woman. "Oh, don't give me that look. I think you'll like this dress."

"When have I ever liked any of your dresses?"

Yara pursed her large lips and began to unzip the garment bag and before Juniper knew it, she was standing in-front of a large mirror as she stared at herself, feeling queasy at the way she was adorned in gems and feathers. 

The dress itself seemed to be a replica of the attire that Juniper wore to her first Tribute Parade, but it was more glamoured. There was a see-through material that was layered onto Juniper's skin, but it was covered in intricate designs of black gems and jewels that left no room for people's imaginations for what was underneath. But what could be left up to the citizens of the Capitol for what was there was the gapingly low neckline of the dress that exposed nearly all of her chest. And, of course, on the shoulder pads of the long sleeves, black feathers as dark as midnight were resting upon them. Not too dramatic, but enough to draw attention. 

"I don't usually dwell in gems and jewels," Yara began to explain as she circled around Juniper, "but I was in a happier mood when I designed this."

But the Hale woman wasn't listening as she finally tore her eyes away from the sparkling dress to her face. She bit her tongue as she studied herself. Her lips were painted in a deep purple with her eyeliner aggressive and stretched out. Her eyes were smouldering and smoky. And her hair was like it was a few days ago, the last time she encountered her triage of polka-dotted men. Fluffy and waiver. 

"Do you like it?" Yara whispered as she laid a ginger hand on Juniper's collarbone, careful to not touch the feathers. 

Juniper didn't nod or say anything. Instead, she turned around to look at Yara Give and Yara Give was looking at her. And then it hit Juniper. Her stylist didn't know anything about the plan, about the rebellion Plutarch was planning. In Yara's eyes, it was either Juniper won or died. 

But it wasn't like Yara actually cared for Juniper. She was just another tribute. Another model for her to put her designs on. There was no emotional attachment and so it made Juniper wonder why Yara seemed to let her hand linger on her. 

Even the stylist sensed this as she hurriedly detached herself from her, clearing her throat as she said, "Well, Lucy is waiting for you."

"Don't want to keep her waiting." Juniper rolled her eyes.

Going through winding hallways and trying hard to not trip on the heavy dress that was weighing on her shoulders, Juniper had a million thoughts running through her head. If the Victors' were to call off the Games, then it would certainly put a hole in Plutarch's plan. But then, maybe, Juniper wouldn't have to protect Everdeen. Then maybe, she wouldn't have to risk her life for the girl. Yes, if the Victors' were able to call it off, then maybe Juniper wouldn't have to die for Katniss fucking Everdeen. 

Maybe. 

Yara and the Hale woman finally met up with Brent, Nadine, and Lucy, the man wearing a shirt that was adorned with the same gems and designs as Juniper's and silk, black pants, and they set off towards the elevator. The ride there was uncomfortably awkward as deep breaths could be heard from everyone as well as the clinking of some of the gems as Juniper and Brent moved. 

But all tension increased once the elevator doors opened to reveal the cohort of tributes, all decked out in the finest wear that the Capitol stylists could come up with. But the attire they wore weren't cheesy like any other Games would be. They were carefully planned out so every jewel glimmered a certain way, so every hair waved in a certain place, so every step was done accordingly. Everything about the Quell seemed to have been perfectly planned out. 

But one thing that didn't seem to be planned out perfectly was Katniss goddamn Everdeen because as Juniper stepped out of the elevator, she thought that everyone had their eyes narrowed at her, but when she turned around, she saw the girl from Twelve exiting a nearby elevator as well, decked all out in pearls, feathers, and lace. 

She was wearing a Capitol wedding dress.

Everyone stayed silent as Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen entered and Juniper felt rage fill her up as she stared at the latter. Why would she wear something such as a wedding dress? She figured that the couple would make up some hideous, romantic story to stop the Games, but a wedding dress? Wearing a wedding dress just served President Snow's purpose. By wearing a wedding dress, it just showed that Everdeen was allowing herself to follow his rule, to be allowed to live under his oppression because there was no way the two were actually in love and there was no way they were actually going to get married. They only did the star-crossed lovers to survive. None of it was real, that was for sure, and Snow schemed it all, the wedding, and so wearing a pearly, white, lacy dress only followed his rule.

"I can't believe Cinna put you in that thing." Finnick was the first to break the silence.

"He didn't have any choice," Katniss Everdeen retorted defensively. "President Snow made him."

Cashmere tossed her flowing curls over her shoulder and spat, "Well, you look ridiculous!"

Some people nodded in agreement, staring daggers at the dress whilst some placed sympathetic pats on their shoulders. Johanna Mason even stepped up to straighten the pearl necklace that was placed delicately around Katniss's neck. But Juniper didn't. She didn't move nor say a word. Instead, she was studying the wedding dress that reeked Capitol customs. 

Maybe the dress was what her tactic was. Move the audience to tears on how their President ruined the big wedding of the year and make them feel guilty. Or maybe it would light up in the flashy, fake flames like it did last year. But all Juniper knew was what right now, Katniss Everdeen was giving into President Snow by wearing that awful wedding dress. 

But Juniper kept her mouth shut as she moved past the couple, who seemed to stare intently at her, and joined the line that went in district order. Cashmere and Gloss were first as they would lead the procession onto the stage and then it was Enobaria and Brutus. Every tribute was ready and as Juniper looked over to Brent, who had his eyes closed, she felt herself smirk. 

And her grin grew even wider as Caesar Flickerman, hair and face highlighted in lavender, went onto the stage and the tributes all walked out, greeted by a thundering, ear-splitting crowd who all whistled, sobbed, and applauded. Juniper felt herself buzzing as the lights blinded her momentarily, as she felt the rumbling of the audience in every fibre of her being. 

But what she also felt in every fibre of her being was the deep betrayal that every Victor felt and the rage that accompanied it. However, everyone was smart about it, so beautifully, intelligently smart about it because in the end, it all came back to Snow. It was an attack, a siege of hidden threats, insults that were layered underneath the words said. Some didn't join in on the assault like Brutus and Enobaria who were both just there for another Games. Bloodthirsty. Deficient of death. And then there were ones too shocked by their situation or drugged to join in. But there were still a good majority of Victors' who still had the nerves and wits to come all out. 

Cashmere was first and just as Juniper expected, she did 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 will lose twenty-three of their Victors'. Tears were rolling down her pretty cheeks, glistening in the spotlight and it set the emotion of the night, especially when Gloss came out next to recall the kindness shown by the Capitol to him and his sister. Beetee then questioned the legality of the Quell, as Juniper guessed, wondering if it's been fully examined by experts in his twitchy, nervous way. And then Finnick came on to recite a poem he wrote to his one true love in the Capitol and nearly a hundred women fainted because they were sure he was talking about them. But he wasn't. Juniper knew that. She knew that the mystery woman was Annie. Of course it was Annie. Finnick was not in love with some fake, flashy Capitol woman. He had fallen for a mad girl back home.

And then Johanna Mason was on. 

"Well..." Caesar had said after an awkward conversation with the male from Six. "Here is our next tribute... from District Seven, the Victor of the Seventy-First Hunger Games... please welcome Johanna Mason!"

The woman was a few seats away from Juniper and had to walk past the her as she went down the stairs to greet Caesar. But she didn't greet. She scoffed because that was all Johanna Mason was capable of. Scoffing. 

But she was also capable of anger as she was bombarded by multiple questions from Caesar, all which she waved away. However, she made it sure to ask if something couldn't have been done about the whole situation because surely the creators of the Quarter Quell had never anticipated such love forming between the Victors' and the Capitol. No-one could be so cruel as to sever such a deep bond. But whilst everyone was nodding, Juniper pursed her lips. She knew Mason did not care about any of them. Finnick, maybe, but he cared for everyone. Johanna Mason did not care about anyone else. Juniper half expected her to go onto the stage, ready to throw an axe into someone's head. 

So, when Johanna had finished her interview and her district partner was called up, Juniper eyed her intently. She would have thought she would be just as excited about the Games like Brutus and Enobaria were. But then, Juniper wasn't either. But no. She was nothing like Johanna Mason. Johanna Mason enjoyed killing whilst Juniper did it out of... well, she didn't know exactly what she did it out of, but a damn better reason than Mason had. 

But any thought of Johanna Mason exited her mind as suddenly, the spotlight slowly turned back to Caesar as the male from Nine sat down, the cameras switching their feed to show Juniper. 

"Now... our next tribute is a rocket!" Caesar announced. "No, not literally. But that would be amazing, though. No... no... our next special guest is the female tribute from District Ten, Victor of the Seventy-Second Hunger Games, and scored a twelve in training... here is Juniper Hale!"

Music roared through the speakers overhead as Juniper immediately rose from her seat, the spotlight immediately moving away from the host to land on her, making the gems and jewels shimmer and gleam as she slowly began to walk past Brent, and then Seeder, and then Chaff, and the star-crossed lovers until she was down the stairs and by Caesar's side. 

"So... Juniper... it's been three years since we've seen you!" Caesar hollered. "And how much has changed."

Silence.

"And it's obviously an emotional night..." Caesar carried on. "And with so many feelings, is there anything you would like to say?"

Silence.

Caesar had a bright smile on his face as he extended the microphone to Juniper for her response. But there was no response. No sound. All that could be heard was the crackle of the speakers as they waited in anticipation. Even the audience leaned more into their seats as they waited for her to talk. They hadn't heard her speak in three years. They hadn't seen her, truly, in three years. They've had glimpses from where Juniper was in the crowds during the interviews or when she attended the Tribute Parade, but never had they seen her like this. 

But silence enveloped them all. 

"All right..." Caesar coughed out. They could all feel the three minutes ticking. "Well... Juniper... this year is very different. I mean — Victors' are tributes! What's it like to be back this year for the Quell?"

Silence.

"Juniper?"

Silence. 

And suddenly, whatever Caesar was trying to ask, it all went fuzzy as Juniper narrowed her eyes at the audience, scanning them to find Lucy, Yara, and Nadine sitting in the middle. The escort had an appalled look on her face as she snapped something at Lucy. The stylist was just sitting there, trying not to laugh as she stared at Juniper. But the mentor was nodding in her seat. She had a smile on her face and was nodding as she blocked out what Nadine was hissing and the laughs that came from Yara. 

"Juniper?" Caesar tried to say. "Am I speaking another language or something?"

The audience laughed as they tried to get rid of the silence that drowned them all, but Juniper simply turned as she stated, "Oh, sorry, Caesar. I thought Snow liked his Victors' quiet."

The professionalism in Caesar was cracking slowly as the crowd simmered down, murmuring to others, asking what could she possibly mean? But Caesar knew what she meant. Snow knew what she meant, especially as she stared at the lens of a camera. And every Victor behind Juniper knew what she meant.

Juniper had to hold back a laugh as she had never seen Caesar Flickerman so happy to hear the buzzer go off, announcing that her three minutes were up. 

"Uh — um — Juniper Hale, everybody!"

Some clapped, some stayed confused, but Juniper retreated back to her seat, passing two incredibly perplexed District Twelve tributes as she did. But she didn't care. She knew Snow was watching this and begged for the reaction she wished she got from him. Terror. Shock. 

And most of all, a good fucking headache that is Juniper Hale. 

Brent then came on and was quickly over and done with. It was pleasant, but nothing memorable. Caesar seemed to be having a good time, even more so when Seeder came on to quietly ruminate about how, back in Eleven, everyone assumed President Snow is all-powerful so if he's all-powerful, why doesn't he change the Quell? Then Chaff came on immediately after that to insist that the small, thin man could change the Quell if he wanted to, but he must not think it matters to anyone. 

By the time Katniss Everdeen was called on, the audience was a wreck and Caesar was exhausted. The crowd had been weeping, collapsing, calling for changes whilst the host had a hard time trying to defuse the fire that was building up from the relentless attacks that were being thrown by the Victors'. But the sight of Katniss Everdeen in that damn dress may as well caused a riot as the Capitol let it sink in that there would be no more star-crossed lovers, no more wedding, no more happily ever after. And if Caesar's civility wasn't tested with Juniper, it was with the girl from Twelve as he tried to quiet the crowd. 

When there was finally a silent spot within the cries and screams, he managed to say, "So, Katniss, obviously this is a very emotional night for everyone. Is there anything you'd like to say?"

Katniss's voice trembled as she replied, "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?"

Juniper had to stop herself from groaning as she listened to the girl, but she tentatively snapped her head forward as she saw that Katniss was beginning to twirly slowing, raising the sleeves of her gown above her head. And then there were screams from the crowd and even Juniper had to raise a brow. 

The dress, as the girl turned, quickly began to get devoured in smoke and real flames, nothing like the flickery stuff she had worn prior. Charred bits of black silk swirled into the air as pearls clattered onto the stage and before Katniss completely disappeared into the thickening smoke and the red, hot flames, she came to a sudden stop and suddenly, the wedding dress all made sense to Juniper because Katniss Everdeen was no longer in a wedding dress. 

She was in a dress of the exact design, but the only colour was coal and it was made of tiny feathers. Then, as if she knew exactly what was going on, she lifted her long, flowing sleeves into the air, which were adorned in white patches. 

And Juniper smirked as she saw that Katniss Everdeen had been turned into a fucking mockingjay. 

⇢ ˗ˏˋ matz 🎧 !

— here is the idea of june's dress

also merry christmas to those who celebrate! 💗