𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓈𝒸𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓉𝓊𝓇

Nikolai Lantsov Fashion: Royalty Edition

𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐊 & 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇 @conscriptur

"Oh- My family's been fishing sharks for generations," she explained with a melancholic smile. She was thinking about the cold waves again, and the beady eyes of sharks, staring back at her. "I've been helpin' my mom since I was a little girl."

It was a well-known industry in District 4, a craft only women could do (and while this was a very old tradition, it was still upheld to this day). She wondered if it was something she ought to talk about, during her interview. Would it make her look more dangerous? More mysterious? Or would the rich, opulent people of the Capitol just find it silly? They sure loved to eat the sharks, but did they care about who fished it for them?

"I guess that means I'm used to danger," she chuckled, trying to find humor in her tragic but unavoidable situation. Any edge she could have, she would use. Anything to win, anything to come back home and see the ocean again.

"Thank you, Finnick." It was comforting, to feel like he was in her corner. At least, she wasn't facing the Hunger Games alone. And sure, he had to worry about another tribute, but for now, the boy was still locked in his cabin.

She didn't want to vex the stylists, but she also needed a dress that would allow her to dance if she wanted to showcase this skill during her interview. Sometimes, being charming went a long way, and Finnick was living proof of it. His beauty had earned him plenty of sponsors.

"I didn't think of that," she confessed, looking embarrassed. But he was right, of course. All she knew was the landscape of 4. If the arena was a forest or a desert, hunger and thirst could kill her before a tribute could. "I'll focus on survival techniques."

There was genuine interest in being told of the shark fishing industry. It was something he probably had seen the results from as he and his father had finished their own fishing for the day when he was you ger but never sought to ask about it further. It took Finnick a while before he became more aware of anything that was outside his little life. By the time he was more observant of the workforce of the district, he was out of the picture as a helping hand. Finnick was distant when it came to a normal day for any other citizen in Four, just an onlooker from the sands behind his home. “Wow, it’s crazy how I’m learning something new about my own home.” The words muttered mainly to himself. There were many things, Finnick probably was unaware about regarding home but this one felt just close enough to be a point of knowledge for him with how often he was out at sea or at the fishing ports.

Her comment of danger only gave rise to a quick smirk to give Fish the acknoledgement that he was still present in their conversation. It was good though, how open she was to him about her life and her greatest attributes. Just as long as the girl was not afraid of the spotlight on her come showtime. It was something to prepare for the biggest moments of survival in this but another thing to actually endure it. Even if that was the simplest thing of sitting on a stage and just smiling to a crowd.

“Not many people do. We all know the point to go in there and fight for your life with spears and knifes. But surviving off the environment given is just as—maybe even more important. Cause there’s always a possibility I can’t get you the things you may need like food and you have to be able to find that for yourself.” If she was a desirable tribute to the Capitol, it would be easier to get her sponsors but he couldn’t simply bank on that before they had even begun the process of the training week even if he could charm a person here or there. It never always worked out in his favor.