The Unknown Have Nightmares

The scene fades from black to show Florence is walking the streets of District 5 passing by everyone who avoids her like the plague, something she isn’t too against and something she’s become familiar with over the years. Throughout the streets are all fast cars and the latest technology that can be found, something she hates as it shows how fair they are under the capital's thumb. 

“Why is your hair brunette now?”Odessa asks just realizing the fact. “The future, and I’m a natural brunette.”She says to the woman.

Whenever she makes it to her destination it’s a brick house, not anything too extravagant in comparison to the other houses and establishments within District 5 but it is better than what appears in some of the lower districts. It’s not within the victor’s designated living spaces the capitol provides something that will always bring a smile to her face as she doesn’t want anything to do with the capitol. 

“Why don’t you live where the rest of the victor’s of your district live? Wouldn’t you be one of the people who love to live there?”Peeta asks, making Florence roll her eyes at the boy's attitude not missing it one bit. “I prefer my home more than the ones the capitol provides.”Florence says to the blonde boy who scoffs as they both turn back to the front of the room. 

A smile appears on Florence's face as she looks at the house before walking into her kitchen checking the time to see it’s after 4. “Good enough”She says shrugging before pulling out a bottle of Jack Daniels and sitting at her dining table pouring herself one cup that she drinks down bit by bit trying to get rid of the many nightmares that appear from what the capital does to her and the horrors of her hunger games. The alcohol numbs the thoughts in her head, something she’s thankful for. 

Suddenly knocks are heard on her door making her put down the cup with a sigh and open the door to see Odessa and Daniel standing at her door. Odessa wearing a grim look and Daniel a smile. “Come on, don't want you to be the whispers of the town for being around me.”Florence says quickly, pulling the two into her house before looking around for anyone before closing her door.

 “To what do I deserve this visit?”Florence asks as she walks into her kitchen getting another glass for Daniel as she returns to the table and gives it to the man along with the bottle of Jack Daniels. “The capitol, you know the district 12 tribute tour. You have to show up tonight so we have a lot of work to do.”Odessa says to the girl who rolls her eyes. “Ah yes I forgot, they’ve finally arrived in district 5.”She says as she smiles at Daniel who smirks back at her. “It’s something worth forgetting, we’ve been to way too many of these, they all just join together don’t they.”Daniel says as Florence smiles before turning back to Odessa. “I don’t care. Daniel you need to hurry off to catch Jack who should be arriving at your house about now”Odessa says, pulling the man and shoving him out the door before she looks towards Florence. 

Odessa, after a prep team takes care of Florence and prepping her, she starts dressing the girl in her outfit. She’s wearing a long golden silk dress with a slit showing the top of her leg where it stops with a black leather trench coat over it. Her makeup consists of a black wing with gold eyeliner under it. “There”Odessa says finishing with the girl. “You look perfect.”Odessa says, causing the girl to nod at her friend before looking at the mirror, her white hair braided towards the back before they stop to allow her hair to flow freely onto her shoulders. “Thank you Odessa.”She says before Odessa nods before leading the girl out to meet up with Daniel who should have arrived back at her house by now. 

Walking out Odessa smiles at the man. Daniel wears a black suit jacket and slacks with a gold accented handkerchief and a white turtleneck.“You look good, not better than me obviously, but more like a…golden version of a capital person.”Daniel says, causing the girl to roll her eyes. “Ha ha..surprised they allowed you to wear that but come on.”She says as they are led to the District 5 meeting hall where a dinner is being held that they have to attend due to the Capitol. 

Walking into the meeting hall, cameras are pointed right at them and their troupe of capitol members, making them put on a fake smile as they are seated before the cameras turn away to show Katniss, Peeta, and their troupe walking in. Florence lets out a sigh tired of cameras in her life nearly half a year, sometimes longer. She watches as everyone walks in person by person until it gets to Katniss and Peeta being seated.

“Nice to have you both…welcome to our district.''Florence says, trying to at least break the silence before turning to Daniel with a look. “Yes welcome…we're very happy to have you all here and to enjoy this dinner among us tributes.”Daniel says smiling at them trying to ease the tension as well. “Thank you for having us.''Katniss says awkwardly as her eyes look over the two, resting a little longer on Florence than Daniel. 

The dinner goes on the troupes mainly talking about what’s happening in the capitol much to the tributes disliking but they still put up a pretty great front for the cameras trained on them. The tributes talk among themselves, mainly Peeta and Daniel with Florence and Katniss adding in some points every now and then to the conversation. 

After the dinner party, everyone parts hugging each other fakely and saying their goodbyes. “It was nice to meet you both. Enjoy the rest of the tour.”Florence says before she and Daniel are escorted out of the meeting hall and back to their regular lives, something they are happy to have. 

A few weeks later, the District 5 victors are back in the same environment. Cameras and thanking the District 12 winners on the last stop of their tours as they head to a train directed to go to the capitol. 

As the two arrive at the capitol they are immediately separated to be put into their outfits after being thoroughly prepped. Odessa does Florence’s makeup trying to give her a more natural look and then starts on the outfit. She’s dressed in a black turtleneck with a dark yellow blazer over it and a pair of flowy black dress pants that fit her legs.. “Remember to smile, be polite, and mingle.”Odessa says as Florence nods, putting on one of her biggest fake smiles before she returns to her blank expression. 

“Lord get me through this night.''She mutters under her breath before she is taken out of her dress room to meet up with Daniel who wears a black suit with a yellow undershirt and yellow handkerchief. “Don’t we look like overripe bananas”Daniel says laughing at their outfits. “Yeah well what more can we do but follow Snow’s desired appearances.''Florence says as Daniel nods. “This government is a bunch of bullshit.''Daniel says as he and Florence make their way inside to the party that holds the other victors and people of importance to the Capitol. 

They stand in a line with all the other people as the two district 12 winners walk through as they fakely smile and clap for them as Effie talks to them with a few basic pleasantries before they are allowed to break line. “Oh praise the lord this gets worse and worse every year. This is just double as their two instead of one of them. .”Florence says to Daniel who nods. “At Least we know they're somewhat down to earth so it doesn’t make it as bad. Let's go find Finnick, or someone worthwhile in this overflowing dumpster fire of Capital operatives.”Daniel says as a smile overcomes Florence's face at the mention of her best friend. “Yes, the only good looking blonde I know.”Florence says as they search the floor. 

“Hey! I’m good looking”Daniel says, offended by the girl who rolls her eyes at the antics. “Probably in the eyes of Males… and limited females but no…not really to me.''Florence says somewhat teasing the man.

As they find Finnick he is chatting up some random man from the Capitol. “Sorry to interrupt, we need Mr.Odair over here for photos.”Daniel says as the man nods, leaving the trio to themselves. “You know Florence, you always appear at the perfect time.''Finnick says as Florence smiles. “Well, I’ve been called physic a few times for the best it seems.''Florence says as Finnick nods.

 “Daniel, I’ll be good with Finnick promise”Florence says knowing Daniel only stayed by her side to not make her too overwhelmed. “Fine, your platinum hair has been blinding me the whole time anyways Draco Malfoy.”Daniel says before leaving to mingle by himself.

“We can all agree I look better than Draco Malfoy…right?”Florence says confidently before turning to Johanna and Katniss who smile at her. “Of course you do.”Katniss says lowly as since they're watching the past everyone should find out about their relationship in their own way,meaning through the movies.

 “Yeah Draco Malfoy looks like a ferret…you are a….beautiful dragon.”Johanna says causing Florence’s smile to grow wider at the compliment knowing that this is the best thing Johanna could possibly say to her. 

“Aww…Johanna…did you get that from here playing Daenrys in Game of Thrones?”Deadpool asks over the intercom. “No…what is that?”Johanna asks making Wade chuckle. “Nothing.”He says before the scene starts again.

Finnick and Florence continue to talk for the rest of the night, not helping as it adds on to the many rumors that always spread about the two dating when they're seen together, no matter how hard they deny it. The capital just loves trying to force it upon the two, plus Florence would never do that to Anne who’s like a sister to her.  She also holds the secret of no attraction to men, not that the capitol can know that or it’ll be 10 times worse on her than what it already is. As the two finish Florence ends back  with Daniel on her arm.

Music starts playing making Daniel  and Florence aware of just what time it is as they make their way to the room where the spotlight is presented on Snow. ``have you seen Johanna, I had a feeling she wouldn’t show up but you know Snow.”Florence says to Daniel. “I know she was supposed to come but you know Johanna is all about hurting Snow in any way she can.''Daniel says with an all knowing look as Florence nods. “She’s stubborn, one thing you can like or hate about her.”Florence says to the man as they turn to put their full attention on Snow not wanting anything bad to be said about them talking to each other as Katniss and Peeta stand beside them something Florence and Daniel have noticed but apparently Peeta and Katniss have not. 

“In this case, I guess you both like me for that quality.”Johanna says, making Daniel roll his eyes while Florence merely shrugs and smiles at the woman. “It’s a quality I’ve grown to like about you.”Florence says, winking at the woman before turning back to the screen as Johanna chuckles at the brunette’s antics. 

As Snow finishes his speech everyone claps as the fireworks start going off before the two blonde victors look at the duo, seemingly newly engaged but the victors can see through te act, they couldn’t when the couple were in their districts, but they can now.As Daneil walks up to them first knowing Florence doesn’t have an outgoing bone in her body. “Hey I’m Daniel Blossom,from district 5 we had that dinner with my friend Florence.”Daniel says as he gestures to Florence who weakly smiles. “We just wanted to congratulate you on the engagement”Daniel says to the duo nod. “Thank you both, I remember you both, it was a nice night in your district.”Peeta says before they walk away leaving the duo by themselves. “Let’s leave, I'm wiped out and drained for the night.Next person who speaks to me I might snap at.”Florence says as Daniel nods worriedly as the two rush back to their train getting back to District 5 and going their own ways.

A few days have passed since the Vegas party leaving Florence to live her comfortable life away from people except the few she knows don’t judge her, the other victors. An alerting sound comes from her TV showing Snow making a speech. She barely listens to it until one of the final sentences exits his mouth. “The Male and Female tributes will be reaped from the existing pool of victors in each district.”Anger overtakes her face as she turns off her tv and starts smashing it in until it will never work again, not that she’ll be alive to use it apparently. 

As she gets out all of her anger, everything starts coming to her as she makes the realization Daniel, Johanna, and Finnick are the only ones in their gender category. She pulls on her shoes and runs to Daniel’s place banging on the door adrenaline and fear coursing through her veins. “Daniel! Daniel!”She screams over and over until the door is suddenly opened and she’s pulled into the house and into Daniel’s arms. “Hey Flo. I saw the announcement, I saw.”He says soothingly knowing that if the blonde goes back in who knows what type of person she’ll be when she comes out. “We’ll make it out, You’ll make it out.”Daniel says as Florence shakes her head. “When we go in, you have to be the one to kill me. Don’t allow me to make it.”Florence says as Daniel shakes his head as they sit in his living room. 

That night the two get drunk, drunk enough to forget the announcement, to not hear the fearful thoughts in their head, to not remember the horrors they faced or think of the ones they are going to have to face when they enter into games. 

“Hey sweetheart, that’s what you did too.”Haymitch says chuckling as he laughs at Katniss and Florence’s parallels. “Don’t remind me.”Katniss groans as Florence chuckles, taking a sip of the drink she was given. “It’s fine Katniss take this, you're gonna need it too.”Florence says, passing the drink over to the girl who denies making Florence chuckle as she continues to drink it slowly. “Your loss.”She says. 

The next day the two awake to banging on Daniel’s door and the screaming of Jack and Odessa. The two quickly look at each other groaning as the very few memories they can think of rush back to them. Daniel walks to the door clearly out of it when he opens the door. “What do you want? And please stop screaming your hurting my and Flo’s head.”he says as the two stylists walk in to see Florence laid on the couch not in any better shape than Daniel.

“One of the worst hangovers I've ever felt in my life, and that says something.”Daniel says, making Finnick laugh. “Yeah you drink alcohol like it’s water.”Finnick says to the man who sneakily flips him off making him chuckle even more. 

 “Alright, we gotta get you two to ready for the reaping.”Jack says as he grabs Daniel while Odessa grabs Florence and they start running water over their faces fully waking the two up before giving them some ibuprofen for the headache and proper reaping clothes for them to change in. 

Daniel and Florence exit the house in simple black fitting crew neck and jeans. Odessa and Jack smile at them before they are taken to the stage by district troopers. As they make it to the stage they are met by the announcer and “leader” of their district Mr.Jackson who is basically a younger version of Snow. 

The two are lined up on stage with no one else beside them; the other winners of their districts having passed over the years or went to the extreme measure of killing themselves because they weren’t able to handle the horrors they experienced. Mr.Jackson walks up to the podium and begins the regularly rehearsed speech everyone has heard every year of their lives. “Welcome. We celebrate the 75th anniversary and third Quarter Quell of the Hunger Games. We shall start the reaping.''Mr.Jackson says as he pulls the only name within each bowl. “For the males we have, Daniel Blossom, and for the females we have Florence Roosevelt. These are your tributes from District 5”Mr.Jackson finishes off as everyone claps some genuine smiles on their faces as some hope to finally be rid of the woman they call ‘The Mad Hatter’. 

They are taken on the train not being able to say goodbye to any loved ones as it's a new rule for the quarter-quell. They sit on the train looking at each other, no words said as they realize this might be the last time they see each other ever as they eat the food the train provides. “Drink?”Daniel asks the girl, breaking the tense silence as the girl nods. “Might as well have as many as we can.''Florence says as Daniel grabs the liquor and gives the girl a cup before pouring some in her and then some in his own. “Cheers to ...us.''He says as the two clink their glasses drinking in silence as they both get entangled in their own thoughts. 

“How are we supposed to get sponsors…or well anything?”Florence asks, the thought having just passed her mind. “We’re both going to be in the games, meaning no networking.”Florence says as Daniel slowly nods, the realization just coming to him. “Let’s pray that during the week at the training center we can get people on our side.”Daniel says, making Florence scoff as she looks at him. 

“Your side maybe but no one will be on my side, I’m the Mad Hatter, the crazy person everyone wants to get rid of.”Florence says to the man. “No your Florence Roosevelt, my friend, a loving person who just happens to have a bit of messed up brain chemistry which being in the games will do to you.”Daniel says resting his hand comfortingly on the girls thigh before patting it as he leans back in his chair and finishes his glass and pouring another. “Let’s hope that’ll be enough.”Florence mutters before going back to the thoughts in her mind as well. 

As day turns to night, Florence lays awake in her room staring up at the ceiling eyes hazed over as her eyes watch the shadows on mirror as thoughts come in and out of her brain knowing that no matter how the games go it won’t be in her favor. The games are never in anyone’s favor. Florence knows that if  she dies it’ll be better for those who wish death upon her but…she enjoys the little life she has, but if she lives Finnick,  Johanna, Daniel, and many more people she’s talked to or became friends with will die, something she doesn’t want to live through.Either way Snow wins, Snow always lands on top.

As the two tributes arrive at the training center they are sent straight to their rooms. “The capital is really happy to be sending us to slaughter. Everything is new.”Florence says, already feeling dread in herself at knowing whenever she enters that arena, she is not going to be herself anymore. “Yeah well, I’m too fabulous to not die in a fabulous manner.”Daniel says, smiling at the woman. “Whatever you say, dollar store Ryan Reynolds.”Florence says as she walks away from the windows and sits at the table as the scene turns black. 

“Ryan Reynolds is such a handsome man, ya know I once was in the same room as him. Even more dreamy in real life.”Deadpool chimes in making many nods impressed by the man. 

The scene fades in to show Haymitch with a projector as Katniss and Peeta are sitting. “We are going to go over each pair that has been reaped and then allies are necessary.”Haymitch says as he starts up the projector as Katniss rolls her eyes at the mans sentence but sits up to pay attention to the projector because any information is useful information when it comes to this Hunger Games. 

The first district is shown as Haymitch starts. “Cashmere and Gloss, Brother and sister. District 1. They won back to back games and their capital favorites.Lots of sponsors and they will be lethal. “He says as the couple just nod as Haymitch switches screens. “And the other half of the career pack, Brutus and Enobaria.''He says as he gestures to the two. “What’s with her teeth?''Katniss asks, eyes squinted as she looks at the screen as Peeta looks towards her. “She had them filed into fangs so she could rip people’s throats out.''Haymitch says as he zooms in on Enobaria’s teeth as she displays them with a ‘fierce’ look on her face. 

Florence can’t help but chuckle at the woman’s face. “O-Omg-”Florence starts before doubling over in laughter. “She-she looks like an angry lil chihuahua.”Florence says before sitting back in her seat having calmed down from her laughter as many in the room hold a look of amusement on their face and others, Peeta, look at the girl while rolling their eyes. 

“She’s committed, I'll give her that.”Peeta says. “Wiress and Beetee, not fighters but brilliant, and weird. Real tech-savvy. He won his games by electrocuting six tributes at once.”Haymitch says glossing over them moving on to district 3. “The Morphlings, master of camouflage.Basically won their games by hiding until everyone else was dead. Self-medicating ever since which I applaud. Not a threat.''Haymitch says before he moves on to District 4 where Finnick resides, and the last district to produce career tributes. 

“Finnick Odair right?”Katniss asks as the man’s face appears on the screen. “Yes, he won his game at 14. Youngest ever, extremely humble.”Haymitch says. “You're kidding.”Katniss says. “Yes I’m kidding he’s a total peacock, a total preener.”Haymitch says as he gestures to his hair and the wind around him comically as Peeta sits up more interested in the man now. “But he’s the capital darling, they love him here. Charming, sweet, smart, and very skilled at combat. Especially in water.”Haymitch says.

Finnick wears a smirk. “Haymitch I thank you for the compliments, they sound about right.”He says smirking towards the man who rolls his eyes as a flask is in his hand. “Where’d you get the flask?”Daniel and Florence ask at the same time before looking at each other with similar smirks appearing on their faces. “I just thought of alcohol and it appeared.”Haymitch sys shrugging as he takes a swig out the flask. Daniel and Florence start thinking about alcohol and suddenly a bottle appears in both of their hands making them smile.

 Katniss grabs the bottle from Florence looking at her. “You said you were trying to stop, remember?”She says to the girl. “No, I said I’m slowing down on how much I drink…plus  I’ma need some alcohol to get through our past, Jo back me up on this.”Florence says looking towards her other girlfriend with a pleading look as she flutters her eyelashes. Johanaa shrugs. “We’ll pour it for you.”She says sternly before looking at Katniss as she nods before thinking of a glass cup and one appears in her hand. She pours a glass about a fourth of the way and hands it to Florence who thanks her smiling  before doing the same to Johanna as she takes a sip of the neat whiskey and turns back to the screen. 

The scene does not go unnoticed by the others in the room where some smirk and others have a confused look on their face. 

“What about weaknesses?”Peeta asks, making Haymitch nod pointing to the boy. “One, Mags.”Haymitch says, pointing to the old lady who was also reaped on screen. 

Finnick and Florence smile at Mags on TV, both for two different reasons, as she was such a nice lady and it was sad to see her die, not that Finnick knows she dies yet, from the outfit he’s wearing she can guess that. 

“She volunteered for Annie. Mags was his mentor and basically raised him. If he’s trying to protect her in any way it exposes him.”Haymitch says as Katniss studies the screen. “A guy like that has to know she’s not gonna make it. I bet when it really comes down to it, he won’t protect her”Katniss says, her legs having a slight shake before it stops. 

“Sorry Finnick, I know better.”Katniss says looking towards the man, the pure sympathy and how genuine she is shown on face. “It’s OK Katniss, you don’t know me, so make all the assumptions you want.”Finnick says to the girl who sadly looks at him before turning back to the front, the guilt of being the cause of his death still weighing on her, especially seeing his face now. Florence switches seats with Katniss as she and Johanna squeeze the girl's hand in comfort, something she’s appreciative of. 

“Well Katniss I just hope when she goes, she goes quickly. She’s actually a wonderful lady.”Haymitch says to the girl. Katniss casts her eyes down with guilt on her face before she looks back up to the screen that has switched to show district 5. 

“District 5, Daniel Blossom and Florence Roosevelt, known by the capitol as The Mad Hatter.”Haymitch says gesturing to the girl on the screen who has a blank face as she’s reaped. “Like from Alice and Wonderland?”Peeta asks, confused, making Haymitch nod. “Surprised you know the book cupcake but you would be right.”Haymitch says pointing to the man. 

“Daniel is trained well in weapons, mainly swords, something to look out for. Florence, while seemingly innocent, in her last game she killed everyone ruthlessly, the blood of them painted all over her face and body, something she did willingly. The victims killed by her hand were noticeable when they were last on camera.. Her best weapon is chained daggers,extremely rare to be able to use, but any weapon in her hand is dangerous honestly.''Haymitch says before the screen changes again, District 7 being shown now. 

“Haymitch, why couldn’t you see me as highly as you did Finnick?”Florence asks the man who shrugs. “I said the truth, you're a killing machine whenever you're in the games.”He says, not meaning it to be rude. “Right…the mad hatter.''Florence mutters as she turns back to the front with the remainder of no matter how much she tries to escape the name it’ll follow her everywhere.

 “You're not that no more…you are someone we love.”Katniss says, trying to help the woman rubbing her fingers over the girl’s knuckles calming her a bit. “Someone who did what she had to to survive.”Johanna says, holding the girl’s other hand squeezing it. 

“District 7, Blight Seymour and Johanna Mason. Blight isn’t too dangerous at the moment but Johanna, she’s lethal. Won her games by acting weak, making the other tributes leave her for last and then unleashed her true form on the last person alive. Bit of an angry case if you ask me, defies the capitol a lot as well. Best to stay on her good side or just avoid at all.”Haymitch says his eyes are more focused on Katniss who looked intrigued by Johanna and Florence. “Wanna do any more information on your other tributes, watch their tapes Effie brought up.”Haymitch says before the screen fades to black. 

“That's the end of scene one, We will start the next one in ten minutes.''Wade says over the intercoms the sound of him eating chimichangas heard. “Oh whatever you think of will appear so ... .be careful about the thought, if it’s murder it’s fine they’ll come back to life.”Wade says before the screeching sound of the intercom being turned off is heard by everyone as they cover their ears until it’s done. 

Katniss looks toward Florence with a pointed look. “As much as you might hate younger Peeta, the one in here right now. DON'T. THINK. ABOUT. KILLING. HIM.''She says sternly as Florence nods with a smile on her face. “I’ll just think about the Peeta we know, the more mature one ya know, the one that actually realized reality”Florence says chuckling nervously knowing she might not keep up to what she said, or someone else would kill him who knows. 

Many in the room look at the two as they whisper among each other, curious what happened in the future to bring the two so close, and why all three of them are still alive since it’s not how you win the Hunger games.