A/N: Yes, I am starting a new story! This is my very first Hunger Games fanfiction and I and very nervous. Mostly because The Hunger Games are so brilliant on there own, I fear I may not own up to it. Though, I still feel like I should share my idea. So I hope that whoever reads this will see it interesting and read on. This first chaper is kind of short, but it is meant to be a sort of prologue...sort of. So! Thank you and...

Enjoy!

"Good form!" My father exclaims as we move swiftly around the courtyard.

I lunge forward and his sword falls to the ground with a metallic clatter. I swing mine around expertly in my hand to show off. He smirks at my arrogance then picks up his fallen blade. I stand ready and prepare myself for his next move.

"Aren't you tired of being beaten, old man?" I joke.

"Ha! I'll show you who's old!"

He lunges at me and I dodge it with finesse. I barely dodge the next attack and watch a centimeter of my pink hair slice away. He tries to attack me from behind but I swing my sword over my head and counter it. I quickly turn and circle my sword around his and make him drop it. He throws his hands up when I point my blade at his neck. I pant heavily, a smile gracing my lips when he doesn't move.

"I concede," he says and bows slowly. I smile and sheathe my sword then hug him. He pats me on the back and kisses the top of my head. I love my father. "You're getting better everyday. I don't think this old man can keep up anymore," he says making me laugh. "I'm proud of you."

"Yay, Auri beat you, Dad!" My little brother Damian shouts and claps his hands.

"Thank you! Thank you!" I shout and bow as if to a crowd.

"What do you all think you're doing?" We turn to see my mother standing on the patio, and we know we're all in trouble.

"Uh...Darling, we-"

"I don't want to hear it! The president's banquet is in 3 hours and you're all out here getting covered in dirt!" She shoutes angrily. I scoff.

"No one wants to go. This banquet is bull-" I mumble then stop when my father places his hand on my mouth.

"Sorry, Darling, but you know how important it is to me that the children learn how to protect themselves," my father defends us.

"From what? It's not like they'll be drawn for the games!" My mother asks condescendingly. She rolls her eyes and points inside. "Get in the house and get ready!"

Damian takes my hand and we walk into our large home. I take a hot shower before I let the servants dress me. But I do not like what they dress me in. I look rediculous in a loud blue dress with an upturned collar. In fact, I look rediculous in everything they bring me. It isn't until now that I realize how much I hate Capitol fashion. I even hate my hair because my mom made me dye it hot pink. After putting on a small amount of makeup, I decide to put on a long, black dress. It shows my shoulders and has a faint tint of shimmery blue to give it a midnight look. I look in the mirror and smile. I feel like a goddess of the night in this elegant gown. The bottom hangs over my toes and drags behind me when I walk. When I put on black heels, the front lifts off of my toes, but the back still drags behind me.

I pin up my hair into a bun with a few pink curls hanging in my face and from the bun. When I walk downstairs, my family is ready to go. My little brother in his dark blue suit and my dad in a purple one to match his deep purple hair. I smirk.

"Dad!" I gasp in mock horror. "Are you trying to steal the spotlight from Caesar Flickerman?" He laughs his hearty laugh. I laugh too because it wasn't that funny.

"Good one, kiddo. You don't look too bad yourself," he smiles. "Turn around. Let me look at you." I pick up my dress and slowly turn so he can admire my dress more dramatically than necessary. "You look beautiful, baby doll."

"Thanks, Dad," I smile when he hugs me.

"Auri! What on earth are you wearing? Where is the dress I picked out for you?" My mother enters the room and questions me.

"It looked rediculous. I didn't like it," I cross my arms.

"Are you joking? Do you know how much that cost? I bought it specifically for this night and I expected you to wear it!"

"Then I should've went with you. You shouldn't have spent so much on a dress for one stupid night," I say plainly.

"This is not just any night. This is the president's banquet for the third Quarter Quell! It's the 75th Hunger Games for goodness sake!" She says dramatically. "We have to look our best!" She's always dramatic. It makes my blood boil and I snap.

"And that's supposed to be a good thing?" I almost cut her off. "What's so good about forcing people's families apart? What's so good about watching them kill each other for sport? What is so damn good about celebrating the massacre of innocent children?" My voice raises and I feel my father's hand grasp my arm.

"Auri. That's enough," he says calmly. He doesn't yell it. I wish my father yelled at me so that I can feel like what I say means something.

"No, Dad!" I rip my arm away. "You feel the same way I do! You of all people should know how wrong this is!"

"I just do my job so that I can support my family. I may not totally approve of my occupation as a game-maker, but I do what I can to make sure that we live comfortably," he admits.

"We don't have time for this! Auri, go change. You were born into the purple, and you will act like it. We are going to be late," my mother states, disregarding the entire conversation.

"Forget it. I'm not going." I turn and walk up the stairs. "I'm sick of acting like this is normal!"

"Auri, stop," I hear my father order me. "We all have to be there as a family and you know it. Besides, you have to meet with Caesar Flickerman to start an internship," he reminds me and I stop walking. "And what she's wearing is fine." He directs his attention to my mother. "Let's go."

He hoists up Damian into his arms and exits the house. If it wasn't my father who said that, I wouldn't have turned around to leave. If it had been my mother, I would've kept walking upstairs without a second thought. I don't hate my mother, we just never get along. Ever since I was born, we've always had this tension between us. I could live without her. My father helps me into the private train after my brother. I sit next to him and we ride in an awkward, tense silence the entire way to the president's banquet.

So, what did you think? If there are any flames, please PM them to me because I would like advice on how to better the story so that everyone can enjoy it.

Rate and review, please! :)