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In other circumstances, Finnick would marvel at the item beneath his fingertips.
It was soft, smooth, with a gorgeous sheen that seemed to ripple like the ocean. The teal green colour complemented his tanned skin, even though he was considerably paler than he had been when he arrived in the Capitol.
"What is this?" He asked Fausta impulsively, hands stroking up and down the smooth fabric on his body. It hung loosely on him, a large bow adorning his neckline as loose blue jeans cinched his waistline.
"It's silk, Finny," she giggled, smearing hair gel over painstakingly curled hair. "Does it feel nice?"
"Yes..."
"Luxury suits you," she smiled, bright yellow lipstick refusing to crack even as her mouth grinned wider than should be possible. "I want to try and get you into something cashmere. Maybe some pima cotton, too, if I can find it."
"Will it feel like this?"
"Not quite. Cashmere, or at least pure cashmere, is very soft, and entirely hypoallergenic which makes it attractive to us stylists. And pima cotton is also incredibly soft, but very durable-"
Fausta babbled on, even as Finnick continued stroking a hand up and down his arm.
Soft. Smooth. Silky. He'd never understood the third adjective until just now, but it made sense. His hand glided up and down it like ice, and he couldn't help but find himself fascinated.
It was lucky he was dressed in silk for each of his victory tour stops, as the fabric brought him immense comfort as he read out the speeches Mags had painstakingly prepared for him.
District 1 - Blaze Seymour, 18. Career.
"Blaze was a notable contender, strong and determined to win. I thank you for the privilege of fighting her, and sincerely wish her family my condolences."
I'm not sorry for killing her, a little voice in his head murmured, and he stroked his arm faster. She tried to kill me, and she did kill Yvette. She was horrible, brutal and cruel.
District 1 - Charles Humphrey, 17. Career.
"While I didn't know Charles, I do know that he was a remarkable adversary, and I wish his family my condolences for their loss."
You raised a rapist, he wanted to scream, he put the idea in their damn heads. Do you have any idea what he doomed me to?
District 2 - Alice Lister, 18. Career.
"Alice's proficiency with throwing knives was something I admired during our training, and that admirable technique was clearly visible in the arena."
She was the one who came up with the idea of crowding me with all those weapons. Why did she do that to me? I didn't even know her.
District 2 - Alexander McCabe, 18. Career.
"Alexander made it to the final four with nothing but his own skill, and Districts 2 impressive training system has shown it's proficiency yet again."
He tortured me, holding me under the river for food because he couldn't get his own sponsors. Why didn't you help me? You knew this was wrong, all of you.
District 3 - Joanna Rahman, 16. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to her family, and regret that I didn't know her."
I know you guys are devastated, but I'm really tired and just want to go to bed. I'm sorry I can't care that much.
District 3 - Adrian Rutherford, 16. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to his family, and regret that I didn't know him."
He smiled at me once in training, and offered me a biscuit when I took a nasty fall. I wish we'd talked more.
District 4 - Magdalene Wilkes, 18. Career.
He wrote this one.
"Magdalene saved me at the cost of her own life. I wasn't slated for death, merely assault, but she threw herself in the line of fire to ensure that I would come out unharmed. If at any point you require assistance, please contact me. I owe her, and by extension you, my life."
I really hope you don't contact me, because if I talk about her any more I'm going to burst into tears on this stage.
District 5 - Dionne Nichols, 16. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to her family, and regret that I didn't know her."
I should have comforted her when I saw how distressed she was at the chariots. I'm so sorry. I hope your family have enough food to get by without her tesserae.
District 5 - Brendon Andrew, 15. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to his family, and regret that I didn't know him."
He scared me. He glared at me when I tried to talk to him. He might have been nice, but I didn't know.
District 6 - Adriana Plant, 18. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to her family, and regret that I didn't know her."
She was considered for the alliance, but Yvette won out. She seemed kind though, and when I spoke to her she seemed sad. I hope you guys are ok without her.
District 6 - Jesse Sutcliffe, 15. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to his family, and regret that I didn't know him."
We worked at the edible insects station together. He'd already given up. I'm sorry.
District 7 - Arianna Garrett, 15. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to her family, and regret that I didn't know her."
I regret not adding her into our alliance. Maybe I could have helped her live a couple of days more. I hope it was quick and painless.
District 7 - Gunner Bourne, 16. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to his family, and regret that I didn't know him."
I genuinely know nothing about Gunner, but his mother is stood on that pedestal all alone crying. I want to hug her. I'm sorry. So sorry.
District 8 - Mila Hubbard, 16. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to her family, and regret that I didn't know her."
Otis talked about her, saying she had been kind to him and she was a good singer. I wish I'd heard her sing. I wish I'd talked to her more than once. I'm sorry.
District 8 - Otis Burt, 15. Not a career.
He wrote this one.
He couldn't stop the tears either.
"I wish my condolences to his family, and beg that if you are ever in need of anything, please contact me in District 4. I will do whatever I can to help you. I'm so sorry."
It should have been him. He should have come out of there. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I can't even forgive me.
District 9 - Arabella Dodds, 15. Not a career.
He was so tired.
"I wish my condolences to her family, and regret that I didn't know her."
I don't want to do this anymore.
District 9 - Kurt Irving, 17. Not a career.
He stumbled over his words.
"I wish my condolences to his family, and regret that I didn't know him."
Why are you glaring at me, Kurt's dad? I didn't kill him. It wasn't my fault. Please stop glaring at me. Please. Please don't hate me.
District 10 - Lorelei Bacon, 17. Not a career.
The girl they'd killed that day they'd tortured him.
"I wish my condolences to her family, and regret that I didn't know her."
Please stop looking at me like I'm a dead man walking. I don't know if the hateful glares or the pitiful stares are worse. I know they tortured me, I know it was mean, I know it was wrong. Please stop.
District 10 - Larry Betts, 16. Not a career.
Not long now.
"I wish my condolences to his family, and regret that I didn't know him."
There's no one on that stage apart from a little girl. Oh god.
District 11 - Yvette Brook, 18. Not a career.
He had intended to relay his speech, but he faltered as he looked at the stage and saw Yvette's father looking at him. His eyes were doleful, but they weren't accusing, merely sympathetic.
"I'm sorry. Imsorryimsorryimsorry-"
Imsorryimsorryimsorryimsorry-
District 11 - Birk Wheatley, 16. Not a career.
He was so tired.
"I wish my condolences to his family, and regret that I didn't know him."
Just make it end. Please
District 12 - Mia Ashworth, 17. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to her family, and regret that I didn't know her."
She hugged me once. I think she could tell I was scared. I want it to stop. Make the tour stop.
District 12 - Roy Woodhouse, 15. Not a career.
"I wish my condolences to his family, and regret that I didn't know him."
It hasn't stopped. It'll never stop.
Oh god.
Oh god.