Madge and Peeta sit across from each other at a table on the train. Katniss and Rory are having a shouting match at the back of the train. Katniss is angry. Madge suspects its because she can relate. She isn't sure where Haymitch is. Peeta's head is in his hands and he seems so so tired. Madge feels sorry for him.
The chaos in the Square surrounding Rory's 'noble' act was definitely draining. Madge has a black eye and her lip is bleeding from her struggle with Thread. Her ribbon is halfway out of its knot. She wants nothing more than to turn back time and use the ribbon to wrap Rory's big mouth shut.
Peeta sighs.
"Madge, I'm sorry-"
"It's alright, Peeta." Madge laughs softly, sadly- "It's not your fault. It's the Capitol." She plays with a loose thread on her dress and Peeta frowns.
They talk about her strengths, her weaknesses, and Rory. Madge thinks Peeta is a great mentor, but he shouldn't have ever been in that position. No one should have to lead children to their deaths. Children should never have been dying. Madge feels angrier and angrier as Peeta gives her more advice that he learned from past Game's tapes.
Madge will do something- something drastic- something to fan the flames spreading across Panem- to set the Capitol ablaze-
"What's your plan?" Peeta finally asks and Madge has to think about it.
Madge shrugs, "I'm figuring something out."
Peeta looks at her differently and asks, "What about Rory?"
Madge hugs her arms and looks out the window at the passing mountains. "I'm not going to leave him to fend for himself, if that's what you're thinking. He's just a kid."
"That's not-"
Madge sits up straighter and Peeta probably thinks she's crazy when she says, "I've got an idea."
But he listens to her anyways.
-oOo-
Madge had been practicing long before she entered the training center.
That much is obvious to anyone who sees her navigate the obstacle course in record time. Rory's absolutely fascinated. And a little scared.
Madge can tell that she's made an impression on more than a few of the other tributes. She walks back to Rory after giving the girl from Eight a pat on the back for trying to climb the tall net. Her older brother sends her a grateful nod and turns back to learning how to use a sword.
The tributes this year are very unusual.
The boy and girl from One are middle-aged and slow, never having prepared for the Games like a typical Career would. The duo from Two are each the child of a victor. They have the build of Careers and Madge stays away from them, and makes sure Rory does the same.
The tributes from Three are an elderly couple, who volunteered in place of their grandchildren who were reaped. They are the parents of a victor. Madge watches them talk lowly to each other at the survival station and feels sad.
District Four's boy is a young man around Rory's age, who doesn't stop talking about his dad. His district partner is actually a past victor herself. The crazy one. There's much controversy surrounding her reaping so Madge leaves her alone for now. She doesn't seem very social.
Districts Five and Six have middle aged tributes and all four are spouses of victors. The ones from Five seem to be good friends and the ones from Six seem hollow and dead already.
The tributes with full body tattoos are from Seven and the little girl from Eight hasn't let go of her older brother's hand yet.
The girls from Nine and Eleven are around Madge's age, while the girl from Ten is almost three times their age. The boy from Nine is deaf. The man from Ten is dying. The elderly man from Eleven is very kind.
And then, there's Madge and Rory.
Rory.
Madge watches him closely and realizes that he's actually learned a thing or two from his brother.
She makes sure Rory gets as much training as possible and finds he's actually very good at designing traps. She hopes it helps in the arena.
-oOo-
Katniss lets her hold her hand when the training scores are announced. Madge is shaking. Her plan depends on her score. She needs sponsors, she needs support-
"Madge, you're hurting me."
She lets go of Katniss' hand after a hasty apology and fists the material of her dress instead.
Haymitch stumbles into the room, joining Team Twelve for the first time since the train ride.
"Calm down, Blondie," he slurs and sits across the room, away from everyone, "You couldn't have done that badly."
"Be quiet, Haymitch." Katniss hisses before Caesar's voice fills the room.
From District 12, Rory Hawthorne receives a score of… 7.
Madge sends Rory a quick smile and takes in the astonished look on his face. He's surprised and only smiles when Peeta claps him on the back.
And last but not least, Madge Undersee comes in with a score of… 12.
Her little act in the training center has earned her the top score. Madge has been recognized as a threat, not by the other tributes, but by the Capitol. From memory, Madge had written down the names of every fallen tribute since the last Quarter Quell, including Maysilee Donner, in large red letters across the floor.
When she finished writing out Cato's name, she drew a mockingjay.
And then she'd sat down in the middle of the room.
They told her to leave, but she just drew more birds.
Peacekeepers had had to lift her out.
While Katniss and Peeta and Haymitch argue over the possible repercussions, Madge smiles.
Everyone will be watching.