Hey readers and readresses, I hope you are having as much fun reading this as I am being a co-authoress of it. Nothing else to say so START THE STORY!

I was beginning to feel uncomfortable as I was being prepped, okay so it was not as fun as I thought it was but in my defense, the original prep team and stylists were there to make them look beautiful. This? This makes me want to vomit.

Still a part of me realized the other tributes before us did not like the Capitals style for whatever reason. Maybe she had one valid point

I sighed as the prep team left me to wait for my stylist. They had tried to get my skin to a normal color. Thank the Capitol that failed miserably and they eventually gave up, I like my snow white skin. I wish they had at least given me a robe though

The door opened finding what was clearly another districtian. 10 if I had to guess. It was male but that didn't really matter. He was so immoral, so far from human that I didn't care that he sees me naked. "Hello Ms.?" He trailed off questioningly.

"Lipideus. Catina Lipideus. You should know that considering I was the only volunteer."

"My daughter is sick I had to take care of her," The man said calmly circling me.

"And let me guess, that's somehow our fault, right?" I asked rolling my eyes. It didn't make any sense but NOTHING that the districts blame us for does. I still have no idea where they got such a ridiculous notion from.

"No, everyone gets sick," He said.

"I know that, but you guys always find some way to pin everything back on us." I grunted surprised that he doesn't. I mimicked a District 10 accent and said, "I stubbed my toe on a rock, it must be the Capitol's fault."

"There is no reason to be so rude Ms. Lipideus, I have not done anything to you personally," He said seeming slightly hurt.

I found myself subconsciously trying to cover myself with my arms, "My apologies, I guess it was rude of me to assume that everyone from the districts is evil."

"Thank you not all of us are evil not all of you are either personally no matter who is in charge the games are pointless" He said handing me a robe.

"I couldn't agree more." I sighed putting the robe on. "In face, can you keep a secret?"

"Of course I can," He said.

"No one likes the Hunger Games, no one that's still alive anyways, but the Capitol is supposed to all big and ever powerful so whenever someone from the districts could see we'd just pretend."

"Is that so," He said.

I nodded, "We were pretty good at that though. Now it just came and bit us in the butt."

"Why have none of you set the record straight?" He asked worried now.

"No one would believe us." I sighed thinking back to Katniss and I's debate earlier. "Most of you guys were raised thinking we're evil monsters who just sit there plot up ways to make your lives miserable."

"Well, you all pulled the act off so well," He said.

"Too well. Do you think you might be able to convince some people?"

"Maybe, start with someone big," He said.

"I already told Katniss. She didn't believe me."

"Did you tell her the same way you told me?" He asked.

"Well, not verbatim." I said and ran that part of the debate verbatim.

"Well no wonder she did not believe you, you made her feel stupid for how she was raised and you hit an emotional nerve," She said.

"Sorry, she was just making me so mad." I sighed knowing what I did was rude and you should always mind your manners. Even to a Districtian despite knowing you'll never get the same respect back. It's just so hard with the way she was talking to me.

"Well cut her some slack she's been through hell,"

"I know, maybe I should apologize the next chance I get. Try talking to her the way they teach in the Capitol to talk to anyone you meet or already know manner and undying respect. With everything going on recently it's just been getting so hard to honor that."

"Well that is your best bet, I'm Grove Harkenson, by the way," He said.

"Well, it is very nice to meet you Sir Harkenson." I said with a respectful bow. "So, what are your plans for my chariot outfit?" I asked hoping it won't be too terribly boring.

"We take a page from 12's best stylist ever," He said.

"Cinna Lysander." I guessed knowing he's the only one it could logically be. Every other year they were just coal miners… except that one year no one ever talks about.

"Exactly, but we personalize it to be more you," He said.

"Any ideas in particular?" I asked knowing there wasn't a lot of time left.

"I have one," He said.

"But you won't tell me?"

"Where is the fun then?" He asked.

"Will I be beautiful?" I asked worriedly. "By Capitol standards, I know they have a different view on beautiful in the districts."

"I think you will," He said.

"Well, I guess I could trust you." I said with a polite bow shamefully having not earlier. "Are you going to light me on fire?"

"In a word...yes,"

"Well, I'll look absolutely spectacular then." I said with a small smile glad that my biggest fear for this was… pardon the pun… extinguished.

"Yes you will," He said smiling.

"Then please, continue as you were."

"Alright this will take time," He warned.

"Will we have enough?" I asked knowing the parade time but not the current one.

"Yes we will if you stay still," He said. I listened not moving a muscle.

An hour and a half later it was all done, but not lite yet. As of the moment, it was just a black jumpsuit similar to the ones Katniss and Peeta wore but I knew it will be so much more when lit. "Are you ready?" Grove asked.

"Ready." I nodded.

"Are you sure?" Asked a worried female voice and I turned surprised to see Katniss there.

"I'm sure." I said turning to Katniss with a bow. "I'm really sorry about earlier. I know you've been through a lot and it was completely uncalled for for me to have taken it so personally or said such rude things."

"Thank you, but I suppose I was in the wrong in some places while we talked as well," Katniss said still looking shocked to get an apology.

"Maybe the two of us could just start over? I never wanted to hurt you. As hard as it may seem to believe, none of us do."

"I'm not sure if none of you do, but we can start over," She said.

"Thank you, Ms. Everdeen." I said deciding it was best not to try and push any further quite yet.

"You're welcome, Ms. Lipideus," She said

"So, do either of you have any plans for what I should do during the parade." I asked either Katniss or Grove effectively changing the subject.

"Well, I would go with smile and wave if we are going for pretty," Katniss said.

"Well, if it's okay I was thinking to try and seem more confident. I am the only volunteer in these games after all." I suggested. "Or would that be a bad idea?"

"No, confidence is good," Katniss said approvingly.

"So, what might be a good way to show that during the parade?"

"Stand tall," Katniss said.

"Okay," I nodded. "Anything else?"

"Show only pride,"

"I can do that." I nodded, it was easy enough. "In the meantime, Ms. Everdeen, shouldn't you check up on your other tributes?"

"I already did," She said.

"Alright then, how long do we have until the parade?" I asked looking around for any kind of clock or anything.

"About fifteen minutes," Katniss said.

"So, are we going to wait till we're there to light it?" I asked since I didn't know how it worked the last time.

"Yes we are," Katniss said.

"Wait, fifteen minutes till it starts or fifteen minutes till we go down?"

"Until we go down, twenty five until we start," Katniss said.

"Alright, what should we do till then?" I asked.

"Try and relax," Katniss said.

"Alright." I said lying down on the table type thing I was sitting on.

"Good," Katniss sad sighing.

"Is something wrong?" I asked looking over at her from the sigh, "Besides, you know everything?"

"I just, have not had a good few weeks despite what you might think," She said.

"I don't think you had a good last few weeks at all." I corrected sitting back up. "I don't think anyone has, except possibly President Coin, she seems to love this."

"Yeah she does," Katniss said a bit bitterly.

"Well, she's the only one, no matter who's in charge or who are in it the games are nothing to be celebrated. Despite what you may think we saw it as."

"You seemed to love it," Katniss said.

"We had to pretend whenever anyone from the districts could see, the Capitol is supposed to be big and all powerful and if we appear weak then the whole country could fall apart. Anyone with eyes could see that was already happening though. Especially from the districts we can't reach very easily like 11, 10, and of course 12. Every minor blown to bits in an explosion, every person dropping of starvation, black lung, or even shoot down by a peacekeeper is just another monumental failure that we can't even track accurately much left stop. Almost all direct connections to the districts were destroyed during the original rebellion. We tried to rebuild them but we were only able to finish successfully in 1, 5, and 8." I explained regretfully then realized that I might have gotten into too much of a rant and hoped that wouldn't set her off. I didn't say anything that isn't the truth.

Katniss just stared at me appearing to size me up. "Well, you seem to be telling the truth… or at least believe you are." She said thoughtfully but seemed to still be having doubts.

"I am really," I said desperately.

"How can I know for sure that really is the case and not just what you were always taught to be?"

"Check, ask around," I said.

She seemed to hesitate than said, "Alright, I will," and left.

"Thank you ma'am," I said smiling slightly and gave a bow right before she left. "Maybe there is hope."

"Well, I think you handled it a lot better this time." Grove said giving me some reassurance.

"Thank you," I said.

"Now we just have to see if it was enough." He said looking over at the door.

"I hope it was," She said. "Do you think convincing her will make enough of a difference?" I asked him.

"I do think so," He said.

"Well, that was my plan on volunteering so that I could talk to her about it and make things better for everyone."

"You have the best intentions," He said smiling.

"I can't take all the credit. It was kind of a cooperative idea with my best friend Puis."

"Well then great work," He said.

"Thank you very much, Sir. I will make sure to tell Pius when I get home." I said not bothering with 'if' since I have to sound confident.

"Yes I'm sure you will," He said smiling.

"You think she'd be able to get through to President Coin though?" I asked.

"Maybe, but then maybe not,"

I sighed knowing that she's really who you'll have to get to. "I had figured that as the face of the rebellion, if she changes her mind than it might be able to change enough people's minds but President Coin's really the important one to convince." Ugh, 'President Coin' I swear that will never stop feeling like acid on my tongue.

"Well maybe she will," He said hopefully.

"I really hope so. Otherwise, I'll make sure I win." I promised laying back down.

"You really have faith in yourself," Grove said smiling.

"If I don't, then no one will, even Pius was having doubts when he came in for the five minute goodbyes."

"Well I have faith," He said.

"Really? You're not just saying that because you're my stylist?"

"Really," He said.

"Why?" I asked hoping for a real answer.

"You have confidence and brains," He said.

"True, most of the other tributes this year are absolutely terrified."

"Yes, but not you," He said.

"And that will help me win." I smirked staring at the ceiling. I was still trying to figure out if that's what I believe or just what I say.

"Exactly," He said with confidence.

"Thank you for having confidence in me. That really means a lot."

"It's no trouble," He said smiling.

Fifteen minutes later, I was standing by my chariot waiting for the parade to start. Looking around, it seems like, even though it wasn't lit yet, more than a few people recognized my outfit. It doesn't matter; they can't do anything about it just like the tributes couldn't the first time.

"Ready?" Grove asked.

"Ready." I answered with a confident smile.

"Good," He said getting the torch.

I watched in anticipation as he lit my suit. I gasped the fare that came up was blue white which played perfectly off my skin. "It's perfect." I said smiling widely.

"I hoped you would like it," He said.

"I love it." I smiled with a small spin.

"Good," He said.

I looked over at my 'district partner' Manius. What district you represent was simply dependent on the order the names were drawn, which is why I'm a lite piece of coal. I've seen Manius around town and school occasionally but we aren't really friends... I've certainly never seen him so nervous before the reaping. "Hey," I said carefully smiling.

"Hi." He said nervously not looking up.

"Nervous?" I asked.

"Extremely." He nodded drumming his fingers on the side of the chariot. "I know you volunteered and all but how are you not?"

"Confidence," I said.

"That's good; I wish I had a reason to be." He sighed, climbing into the chariot standing here talking to him I hope even more that Katniss can somehow stop the games instead of just me winning them. He's only twelve-years-old, the bottom of the reaping barrel, he doesn't deserve to die yet. I look around briefly at the other tributes. None of them do.

"It'll be okay," I said.

"For you, this isn't the 74th or 75th Hunger Games, Catina. There's only going to be one victor and it's certainly not going to be me. I just hope my death will be quick, relatively painless."

"I don't think you will die," I said.

"Either I die, you die, or we both die. That's the way this works." He said refusing to move from that. "That's the way it's always worked."

"Not in the seventy-fourth," I said.

"President Coin would never let that happen. She'd happily kill us both without even blinking an eye. "I almost think she plans on it."

"No, she would not," I said.

"She probably would, if not is it really worth the risk?"

"To me, yes," I said.

"Well, everything's worth the risk to you isn't it?"

"Most things," I said.

"How could you be so reckless?" He asked.

"I'm not, I plan," I said.

"You're not seriously thinking about this are you?" He asked finally looked at me with a bright orange eyebrow raised. "It was different with Katniss and Peeta. They were in love."

"Were they? Really?" I asked skeptically.

"Well, he was at least." He shrugged.

"Yeah, but was she?" I asked.

He seemed to think about that for a second, "I'm not one-hundred percent sure on that."

"Neither am I," He said.

"Certainly doesn't seem like it though. I mean, did you notice with those gifts Haymitch was sending her? How conveniently timed? He was egging her on. At least from her part, it was completely staged." I reminded thinking back to her first games.

"Wow, that is true," He said. "But then she had to keep up the act afterwards. Even now." He added.

"Maybe she's not happy with him?" I asked.

"I honestly don't think she is."

"Maybe we could help her? Someone should," I said.

"How?" He asked.

"Not sure give me time," I said.

"Alright." He said seeming to have faith in my skills. Good, he should.

"Maybe if we find someone from the Capital?"

"That should work."

"Then she could be happy and a point could be proven!" I said

"We just need to figure out who." I pondered climbing into the chariot with him.

"That is the hard part," He said.

"We just need to pay close attention." I suggested, "See if anyone strikes a fancy."

"With her how can we tell?" He asked.

"She's not exactly a closed book."

"That's true," He said shrugging.

I nodded, "So there's no problem."

"If we find someone," He said.

"When we find someone." I corrected, "You can't be a negative Nancy about these things."

"I guess so, but with her it's hard to tell what she goes for," He said.

"We'll figure it out." I promised just as the parade was starting.

"I hope so," He said getting lite up in red fire

"I know so." I promised watching ahead as the first few chariots go ahead. Representing District 12, we go last. "Ready?" I asked

"As I'll ever be." He said with a gulp.

"Hey, I'm here, calm down," I said in a big sister way.

He took my hand surprising me but I didn't pull away noticing that he was calmer with it. "Okay," He said as we rolled out. I stood up tall facing forward as I could hear the crowd gasp and roar but I just looked forward not even knowing what the audience is filled with.

The parade was short and boring and then we were being rolled into the training center. "Well, that wasn't as fun as I thought it would be," I said climbing out of the chariot no longer lit. I could feel the other tributes glares on us, and just smiled saying, "Please stop glaring, it's incredibly rude."

"Great work!" Katniss said.

"Thank you. So, how did your rounds go?" I asked undoubtedly confusing Manius. "Do you believe me now?"

"Well, all of you are not that way, but quite a few of you are," She said.

I was about as shocked as she was when I told her that in the first place when she said that. "So, there are actually some people out there besides President Coin that like the Hunger Games?" I asked in shock. At least I hope she meant that part and not the other one.

"Yes, there are, and they are toward the more powerful citizens," Katniss sighed.

"I'm sorry… I honestly thought…" I stuttered looking down in embarrassment. If what she said was true. What else don't I know about my home?

"It's alright. I'm not mad," Katniss said.

"Makes me wonder what else I was wrong about though."

"Don't worry about it now," Katniss said.

"So, what do we do now?" I asked taking off my headpiece.

"We try to get you two through these games," She said.

"You have other tributes though, and we can't just both get out like you and Peeta did." Manius pointed out.

"Yes I know," Katniss said calmly.

"Good, she seems to think we could." He chuckled as I leaned against the chariot with my headpiece in hand.

"No, that would never work a second time," Katniss said.

"I told you." He said turning to me. "That and I'm twelve," He said.

"Enobaria was twelve during her first games." I reminded thinking back to those games. "She still won."

"She was a career though," Katniss said.

"What's a Career?" Manius asked as confused as I was.

"Someone who trains their whole lives for the games."

"Well, I've heard them called that a few times but I never knew what that meant." I admitted awkwardly.

"Oh, well, now you know," Katniss said. "They mostly just from 1, 2, and 4." She added.

"Really? That's against the rules." I said.

"Everywhere but those three districts it is, but there they actually have organized training centers."

"Wow, that's unfair," I said.

"Exactly," She sighed, "but that's the way it is, that's why they win almost every year."

"I never knew," I said.

"I don't either; it's likely that in the Capitol only the important people do." Manius sighed.

"Yes it is," Katniss said leading tributes to the elevators. She hit the buttons of the floors she had tributes on. "You all did very well," Katniss said proudly.

"Thank you, Katniss." Prisca said looking down, she's representing District 4, I couldn't ignore that if this were real, she'd be a Career and she probably doesn't even know that.

"Prisca, what's wrong?" Katniss asked.

"I'm scared." She mumbled not looking up.

"Oh, alright, want to talk about it?" Katniss asked. She looked like she was about to answer when the elevator stopped on her floor. "I'll be right back down okay?" Katniss asked.

"Okay," Prisca said stepping out of the elevator.

Katniss smiled as we went up again. "Anyone else scared?" Katniss asked. It felt weird being the only one who didn't raise their hand. "Listen to me very carefully all of it's going to be alright," Katniss said.

"It can't be alright for everyone though." Manius reminded. "Just one, if that."

"I will make sure it'll be okay, as best I can" Katniss said.

"Were you afraid as a tribute?" I asked.

"Yes I was," She said.

"Even the second time?" Manius asked.

"Especially the second time," She said

"That's to be expected, you were going into a Quarter Quell with 23 other victors. The last games still so fresh in your mind." I observed thoughtfully. "It sounds like it was absolutely terrifying."

"You have no idea," Katniss said remembering that arena.

"Starting to think there's a lot of things I have no idea about." I admitted honestly thinking about her investigation and the Careers.

"I'll tell you about that arena if you want," Katniss said carefully

"Well, I saw most of the physical stuff on TV but I'm not going to deny that the experience part is completely lost."

"Pick a number between 1 and 12," Katniss said.

"Four." I choose randomly then realized where she was going with this, the sectors of the clock… four was… shit… excellent choice brain.

"That was Jabber Jays, trained to mimic the screams of our loved ones, pick another," Katniss said slightly sadly

"My apologies, I wasn't thinking there, 2." I said knowing that was the fog but that one was confusing, there seemed to be a lot going on there but you couldn't really tell what exactly was happening. Hopefully that wasn't crossing too much of a line since that's where Mags died but I really had to know about that one.

"That was the fog, it paralyzed your limbs if you stayed to long it would stop your heart, but it could be painfully expelled by salt water," Katniss said.

"That explains why you guys were moving so weird. Looked like it also hurt before expelling it, too?" I guessed from their faces.

"Yes it did, next?" She asked.

The rest were pretty self-explanatory, but one that she wouldn't know by the number but she did experience her first games, I know all the written signs and symptoms but, "I know you weren't in7 but what does it like being stung by a tracker jacker?"

"It's terrible, you can't tell what's real and what's fake,"

By now from the stops it was only me, Katniss, and Manius left, I looked down and whispered, "Those do have me nervous. They have at least one hive in pretty much every arena."

"Yes they do," Katniss said.

"Do you happen to know what those leaves were?" I asked remembering that Rue put some leaves on her that expelled pretty much all of the venom. Can't do much for yourself but still something unmatchably useful to know.

"It was parsley," Katniss said.

"Parsley." I repeated the convenience of it all. Since parsley's used a lot in cooking and my mom was a chef I've seen plenty not only ground but still as a leaf… "I think I might be able to identify those if I saw it. Might be best to look right away and keep them on me though given the effects of the venom."

"Good what others did you want to know about?" Katniss asked.

"The alpha mutts." I mumbled. They also have those and they are undeniably the worst.

"Well that year's had two," Katniss said.

"I remember. There's really nothing you can do about them is there?"

"No there really is not," Katniss said thinking of the Jabber Jays.

"I've never seen a Hunger Games without an alpha mutt."

"There has never been one," Katniss said.

"That'll include this years." I sighed as we arrived at the twelfth floor.

"Yes I think they have the alpha mutt I did not encounter last time," Katniss said.

Sector 9, ANYTHING but Sector 9. My jaw practically hit the ground and I spun around on my heel, "Seriously? That was the worst alpha mutt in history." In hind sight, I don't know how I expected anything less from the devil herself… Coin. I tried to think of who they would use for me.

"What was it? The records were not clear, but I'm sure someone met it," Katniss said.

"It's an exact copy of a loved one who's dead now that only you could kill and if you don't, they will stop at nothing to kill you." I explained. "They look exactly like them, sound exactly like them, and besides trying to kill you, act exactly like them."

"Glad I never met them," Katniss gulped.

"Like I said, worst alpha mutts in history. That sector also kept you locked in there like the jabber jay one did except until you kill the mutt instead of until the hour's up."

"That's horrible," Katniss said. I nodded and sat down in a couch on our floor raising my hand knowing she'll probably know what that meant. "Scared?" She asked.

I just nodded. She walked over and surprised me with a hug. "Glad you stopped lying to yourself," She whispered, "but it's going to be okay."

"How do you know?" I whispered.

"Because I'll make sure of it." She promised still in a whisper.

"You keep saying that, but you can't save us all can you?" I asked.

"No I can't, but Haymitch always said that that's a difficult but important decision you have to make if you're a mentor of more than one tribute."

"So then who is making it out?" I asked.

"You are."

"Me? Why me?" I asked.

"The same reason why me, because you can."

"You really think I'm the best choice?" I asked.

She nodded looking awfully confident. "Yes I do."

"Alright," I said.

"I did promise I was going to go talk to Prisca though." She reminded letting go.

"Okay, go and thank you," I said.

"You're welcome, Catina." She said going back to the elevator.

And thus another chapter of the most fun story I have ever written. Disclaimer: In addition to obviously not owning the Hunger Games, the AWESOME idea of the dead loved ones mutts were created by mrslukecastellan for XxKissMyEyesAndLayMeToSleepxX forum Hunger Games RP. As always, review and flames are welcome.