Veriska gazed out the window, waving with Peeta as the train screeched to a halt. Looking out at all those people Veriska sighed softly and plastered a smile on her face hissing through her teeth.

"Why are we doing this again?" Not breaking stride as they disappeared into a tunnel Peeta ruffled her hair now that there was no one who could see but Haymitch and Effie.

"One of them may have the money to save our lives Riska." She huffed causing him to laugh at her impatience as Haymitch walked behind them both.

"Remember what I said. Don't protest or complain. Understood?" Veriska nodded as the train doors slid open on a platform. Peeta's eyes grew wide as they looked around. Effie made a squealing sound and clacked out of the train spreading her arms.

"Welcome to the Capitol!"

Twenty minutes later

Veriska was laying on a metal table, staring up at the ceiling as her crew, Octavia, Flavius and-Veriska thought her name was Violet, plucked every bit of hair from her body and made her nails uniform shaped.

"These nails are horrible! Have you ever heard a filer dear?" Octavia muttered, but Veriska bit the inside of her cheek to stay quiet remembering Haymitch's words Don't argue. Don't complain. Instead she tuned out their useless drivel as they scrubbed her down with some type of gritty soap that was used to make her skin silky and shiny. About a half hour later they all walked out, satisfied that every molecule of hair that wasn't attached to her scalp was gone. Sitting up, Veriska pulled on the robe they had left her and she brushed some of her hair out of her golden eyes, her head whipping towards the door as it opened and in walked a man with gold lashes. Out of everyone here that she had seen, he was the one who looked more normal than anyone.

"You must be Veriska." She nodded quietly, tucking another strand of hair behind her ear as he observed her.

"We must be so disgusting to you hmm?" He didn't wait for her response as he tapped something on the little table and it disappeared into the ground and reappeared with chicken and rice. "Eat, Sweety." Following his directions, she took the fork and ate the rice first, then she ate the chicken. Setting her fork down next to her plate and sipping some water she looked at him and tilted her head.

"So, Cinnamon, what's going to be our outfit this year?" He looked amused at her calling him Cinnamon, but he didn't say anything about it.

"I want to do something with fire. In the past years, District Twelve has been represented by coal. But why not show what makes the coals burn?" Veriska grinned, her excitement for the outfit shining through.

"That sounds amazing!" Cinna grinned, and stood up.

"Then let's get started shall we?" Looking at her flame red nails, Cinna added a dash of blush to her cheeks along with a little eyeliner, muttering something about her eyelashes being full enough without the help of mascara. "Hmm." Looking at her eyes he made her close them again and added a little bit of black eye shadow. "We don't want you looking to grown up, we want you looking just the way you are." At Veriska's nod, he told her to keep her eyes clothes. Veriska faintly hear the rustling of fabric before Cinna said firmly "Arms above your head." Holding her arms up, she felt something slip over her body and Cinna adjusted it a few times before nodding. "Open them." When she opened her eyes, she couldn't help the small squeal of happiness that escaped her as her eyes landed on the coal black dress that fell down to her knees. Cinna handed her black gloves that she pulled on and he stepped back and nodded at the sleeveless dress before nodding.

"Cinnamon, that is-" She didn't know what to say so she muttered a soft thank you. Smiling CInna nodded.

"Now for your hair." Veriska set down carefully, afraid to ruin the dress as Cinna curled her hair so it had the messy curly look, and set a head piece that was pitch black. "This should be good." Cinna patted her shoulder and handed her black sandals. "C'mon, we have to get you to the chariot." They both walked out into the hall, and into the elevator where they met Haymitch, Effie, Peeta, and his stylist.

"Wow, Riska you clean up nicely." Peeta smiled at her and she shrugged, showing them a side of her she only showed Peeta and Cinna.

"Not so bad yourself, Peeta Bread." She kept her hands by her side as they walked out and Peeta hurriedly introduced her.

"By the way, 'Riska this is Portia, Portia this is Veriska." Portia nodded to Veriska and gave her a small smile, and received a hesitant one in return. Boarding the chariot, Portia and Cinna made some last few minute adjustments before saying softly, as if sharing a secret.

"We're going to set you on fire. When you are a little while away, Portia will press a button. Do not be afraid, it isn't real alright?" Veriska nodded, knowing she could trust him, but not knowing how. Just then they heard the voice of Caesar and Haymitch gave them a thumbs up.

"Show time." Veriska stood side by side next to Peeta, her gloved hand grabbing his much larger one as the chariot started moving.

"It'll be alright Riska. They wouldn't kill us before the big show now would they?" His words did little to calm her, but Veriska knew he was right. Taking a deep breath she nodded as their chariot pulled out into the night.

"District One looks good as always," Templesmith commented,

"Yes," Caesar said "And so does-Oh my. Look, in the back, what is that?" ALl the eyes turned towards the very last chariot, district twelve, as Veriska's head piece started glowing.

"Oh it looks like District twelve is a soft fire?" Templesmith asked, just as Peeta and Veriska's outfit exploded into flames.

"Oh my that is amazing! That is not a soft flame Claudius! That's an inferno!" Veriska stared straight ahead trying to control the smirk on her face as the flames rushed behind them, not burning them at all. "Marvelous! Simply Marvelous!" Caesar exclaimed, the camera's cutting towards them and soon the cries of district one changed to cries of 'Peeta! Veriska!" As the chariots pulled to a halt, Veriska got a funny feeling in her stomach as President Snow's eyes lingered on her for longer than usual. She didn't think anything of it, however, as she clung tighter to Peeta's hand.

L-I-N-E BREAK

"That was amazing!" Effie exclaimed as they walked into the penthouse to celebrate. Veriska gave them all a small smile before muttering

"I don't feel good, can I just go to my room?" Peeta and Cinna frowned as Haymitch shrugged.

"Knock yourself out kid, but be up by 9. Training starts tomorrow." Veriska nodded and hurried down the hall without saying goodnight. Peeling off the dress, she hung it back up in the closet and walked to the bathroom, turning on the shower and punching some random buttons, which ended up with her smelling like vanilla and roses as she stepped out of the shower. She sighed and tied her hair into a ponytail, some strands falling into her face as she pulled on some sweats and a green shirt. Climbing into the entirely too soft bed, she drifted up into a restless sleep.

Dream

She was running. Where, she didn't know, all she knew was that Peeta was right by her side the entire time.

"Veriska, go!" Peeta urged her on, tipping her off to something was wrong. He never called her by her full name unless she was in trouble or he was introducing her to someone.

"Peeta, what's wrong?" She tried to turn around at his strangled yelp of pain, but he was shoving her forward screaming

"Don't stop running!"

"Peeta!" She whirled around and saw a spear get driven through his neck, and then the dream changed. She was drowning, breaking the surface to gasp for air then getting dragged back down again. Her hair billowed up as her eyes started to close, as she fought her invisible captor, as she fought for breath.

"Help, somebody help please!" She cried out as she broke surface again, only to get pulled down again.

And again.

And again.

She broke surface once more and screamed with all her might "HELP!" Peeta turned towards her, and his expression turned to one of horror.

"RISKA!" As if they were there, she heard the twin cries of Rye and Tyree as she was dragged under again, and the water filled her nose, filled her mouth, and filled her lungs. And then everything went black.

"-Riska, VERISKA!" She shot up, her scream tearing through the air and immediately she was pulled against a warm chest that smelt of bread, and she heard soft murmurs in her ear. "It's okay, you're alright, it was a dream. You're alright." Veriska let out a soft sigh, closing her eyes as a lone tear escaped.

"I don't want to die Peeta." She mumbles, inhaling the scent knowing he must have found the kitchen.

"And you won't 'Riska. Not on my watch."

Line break line break

Veriska stood next to Peeta in the training room and looked around, spotting the only other twelve year old there. Not waiting to ask Peeta, Veriska walked across the room to the girl and tapped her shoulder, taking a step back as the girl whipped around, startled.

"Sorry." Veriska said softly tucking her hands into her pockets. "But you're Rue right?" Rue nodded and spoke in an equally quiet voice

"And you're Veriska." At Veriska's nod she continued "That was very brave what you did for your friend. I was wondering...do you want to be allies?" Veriska glanced back at Peeta, who was over at the camouflage station pretending not to listen, and then she glanced back at Rue.

"I would like that." At this Rue smiled and grabbed her hand, dragging her over to the edible plants station. Together they worked to identify the poisonous berries and other plants, getting a 94/95.

"Good job girls, but if this was the arena, that one point would have ended your lives." The instructor said in all seriousness. Veriska and Rue both nodded before Veriska tilted her head glancing over at Peeta who fell off the climbing wall, and then the careers who were laughing at him. That made her blood boil, no one was allowed to laugh at Peeta but her.

"Hey Rue." Veriska asked sweetly, "Want to play a prank?" Rue grinned and they walked forward, Rue to grab Cato's knife and Veriska to Peeta.

Three Days Later, Training Score Time

Veriska gave Rue a small smile as her name was called.

"Good luck Rue!" Rue smiled back at her and nodded.

"Thank you, good luck to you too." Veriska sat with Peeta in silence until 45 minutes later, his name was called.

"Good luck Peeta Bread." Peeta laughed softly and ruffled her hair.

"All the luck in the world wouldn't help me. Have fun Riska." With that he walked in and left Veriska alone. She sat there bored for another 45 minutes until finally, her name was called.

"Temple, Veriska!" Standing up Veriska took a deep breath and said aloud to no one.

"Well, here goes nothin." Taking small steps she pushed the door open and walked in, and when she got to the middle of the room she curtsied like Effie showed her.

"Veriska Temple, District Twelve." They nodded, and Veriska went to work already knowing what she was going to do. Grabbing a knife she climbed up one of the ropes and swung back and forth before she launched herself and fell to the ground on purpose, giving out a small cry as she hit the ground. The gamemakers all laughed as she stood up and she ignored them, throwing the knife which missed and they rolled their eyes.

"Dismissed." Veriska nodded quietly and turned around, walking out. Taking the elevator, she made it back up to the pent house and walked into the living room.

"About time you got back! They're showing the scores soon! Wait-What's wrong?" Veriska's face was bright red from holding back laughter, which she let out at once.

"What's so funny?" Haymitch demanded and Veriska shrugged, still chuckling.

"You'll see."

Later that night, scores

They all sat in the living room, Veriska on Peeta's lap, Portia next to Cinna, who sat next to Effie, who sat next to Haymitch. All eyes were on the television as the scores popped up, and Veriska cheered when Rue got a 7, and then she cheered even louder when Peeta got a 9.

"Good job Peeta bread!" She smirked at him and then looked back at the screen while everyone congratulated Peeta. She couldn't help but fidget when she saw the 2 that popped up on the screen under her name and she could almost hear Katniss cursing.

"How the hell did you get a 2?!" Peeta demanded, swearing for the first time in a while and Veriska smirked innocently.

"Who's going to go after a weakling?" Understanding dawned into their eyes as Haymitch let out a chuckle.

"Well, well, well. Looks like you aren't stupid after all!" After a while, Effie sent Peeta and Veriska off to bed, which they went but not without some grumbles. As Veriska curled under covers, she fell into a dreamless sleep. The last one she would get for a while.

The next morning she was woken up by her prep team bursting in.

"Up, up! We have to make you prettier for the camera's deary!" Veriska groaned but got up and tossed the sheets off of her. "Hurry hurry in the shower!" She sleepily threw off her clothes and stepped into the bath they prepared for her, falling asleep only to get woken up when they added something to it that set her skin on fire. Veriska bit her cheek so she didn't complain, and when they told her to get out of the tub her skin was red like it had been scrubbed raw. They pushed her into a chair and Octavia began painting her nails purple while Flavius straightened out her hair and then curled it again. Violet-She was sure that was her name, plucked her eyebrows and they only stopped when Cinna walked in, causing Veriska to grin.

"So Cinnabon, what do you have for me this time?" Cinna smiled at her and innocently said

"You're going to be a black cat." Veriska stared at him with a quirked eyebrow.

"Excuse me? Did you just say I'm going to be a black cat?" Cinna nodded.

"Exactly." Veriska sighed and rolled her eyes muttering about how she had such hopes for him. "Oh hush, and hold up your arms." She did what he asked, but not without more grumbling.

30 minutes later, Veriska was glad she went through it all. She had on a purple dress, kind of like the one she wore in the chariot but only this one had a tail attached along with ears that were put on with her hair. She thought it was good, since Cinna brought the connection of cats with fire. As they walked down to the stage she smiled brightly.

"Thanks for all of this Cinna. Especially since this time tomorrow I'll most likely be dead but-" Cinna shook his head cutting her off as they reached the stage. Veriska swatted Peeta when he fiddled with her cat ear and looked at Cinna.

"Cinna, you wanted me to twirl for them?" Cinna shook his head and adjusted one of her curls so both of her real ears were covered.

"Twirl for me."

Interview Time Hehe

Veriska sat next to Caesar and grinned sheepishly at the cameras.

"Hello Veriska!" He said cheerily tilting his head at her. "My, my what a lovely outfit."

"Hullo Caesar. Thank you, you don't look to bad yourself." She smiled genuinely at him and he smiled back at her.

"Enough about me, that was a brave thing you did for your friend. Why did you volunteer for her?" Veriska looked at him, her eyes growing sad.

"I did it...because I know if I hadn't Katniss would have. And I didn't want her going into the arena and leaving Prim alone." The crowd awed and Caesar wiped a fake tear from his face.

"How..touching. Now, may I ask about Peeta hugging you? And you calling him big brother?" Veriska nodded looking at the floor.

"Well, my mother and father died when I was 3 in a mining accident. Peeta was….7 I think, and he found me wandering outside the bakery. He took me inside his house, and I've lived with them ever since." Caesar smiled slightly.

"How touching, but let us move on to happier topics." Do you think that you can win?" Veriska nodded.

"I have to try don't I?" Caesar kissed her hand and nodded.

"Yes you do. May I ask of you one more thing? Can you spin for me? Because I want to see that beautiful dress fly." Veriska nodded and stood up and twirled, and she didn't stop as smoke engulfed her until she stood there, her cat ears flickering like there was fire in between them and her dress was now bright red.

"Wonderful!"

Hehe so yeah, next time I post Veriska will be in the games! Please review! Thanks guys!