Hey, guys! I wanted to thank each and every one of you that read and/or reviewed my story. It really means a lot :) I will be addressing the requests shortly, but for right now I have a few one-shots already planned ;) Post-Mockingjay. The pairing, you ask? Well, you'll see *maniacal laughter* If you review….I will give you a sugar cube! *hands out sugar cubes*

Chapter 3 - Tiger Stripes

"When we meet one way

You won't recognize my face"

~'Speak Up' by Pop Etc

*Katniss's POV*

I slowly meander into the kitchen in my pajamas and slippers. Ugh, why am I up this early?! Oh, that's right. I have a job. Plutarch offered me much higher positions in our new government, but I declined. Too many bad memories in the Capitol. I'm sure the government will run just fine without their mentally unstable Mockingjay as the vice president. But I eventually complied when everyone urged me to run in the election for District 12 Council, and of course I secured the position. I kind of enjoy it, in a way. For one, it's close to home, so I'm not travelling to the Capitol every other day. It also makes me feel fulfilled when I can ensure a good life and living conditions for everyone in my district. I'm rarely called into work, too, so I spend most of my time with little Maysilee.

"Hi, Mommy! I love your hair," Maysilee giggles. Yep, this is what happens when I don't braid my hair first. 'Bad hair day' doesn't even scratch the surface "You look like Aunt Effie!"

"Oh, do I, May?" I say, ruffling her dark hair.

"She has a point," Peeta says, smirking.

"Well, I think Daddy's hair looks like Uncle Haymitch!" I retaliate.

Peeta gives me a glare that could kill, before scooping some eggs and bacon onto three plates. Peeta, Maysilee, and I quietly eat our breakfast at our kitchen table.

"Beetee called earlier," Peeta says, finally breaking the silence.

My eyebrows raise quizzically. "Really? That's funny. What'd he say?"

"He just said he wanted you to come into the office today. He said he's bringing someone important with him, and they requested you'd come to their meeting."

Someone important? Fantastic. Probably Plutarch trying to get me to the Capitol for some television special.

Walking down the halls of the new Justice Building, I see Beetee standing with another figure outside of the conference room. The figure he stands with….she looks oddly familiar. Her skin appears slightly orange, like a burnt orange tone, and it seems almost as if there are black markings across her face. Are those….whiskers on her cheeks?

"Tigris!" I exclaim as I run down the hall. I wrap her in a tight embrace. "Hi, Beetee," I say, turning to him. "I'm guessing this is why you called me in today?"

"Yes, Katniss. Tigris and I would like to discuss her new sign language program for Panem's deaf and mute," explains Beetee.

"That sounds great!" I meet the gaze of the former Capitol stylist. I never realized how beautiful her stripes really are. "Tigris, I never got to truly thank you for letting the rebels take refuge in your shop during the rebellion. It really means a lot. You did so much for us, and I know that helping start your program can't compare."

Tigris begins making a series of hand gestures, which I assume is sign language. Why is she signing?

"That's the other thing I needed to tell you. The Capitol seized Tigris shortly you and the others rebels left her shop. They accused her of harboring traitors, so they cut out her tongue to send a message to the rebels. She's an Avox now, Katniss," Beetee says quietly.

My eyes widen. I'm in shock. Honestly, I wouldn't put it past the Capitol to do such a thing to one of their own citizens, but I am overwhelmed with guilt. She helped us and was severely punished. We never repaid her.

"Tigris, I'm so sorry. I never….meant for any of this to happen," I say solemnly.

With the help of Beetee translating, Tigris tells me not to worry. She would do the same thing all over again. It was a small price to pay for her freedom, and the freedom of our nation. She sought to institute sign language classes throughout Panem to help the recovering Avoxes find new ways of communication and be among others that were forced to suffer a similar fate. She lived most of her life as a lavish Capitol citizen, so, according to her, becoming an Avox isn't even on the same level as what the Districts endured for the past seventy-five years. And who knows? Maybe she'll make some close friends among the other Avoxes.

Two years later...

From where I sit at in a folding chair in the meadow of District 12 with a sleeping Maysilee in my arms, I watch Tigris sign "I do" to her new husband and my former Avox. Today is Tigris and Darius's wedding day.

Reviews? Comments? Fangirling? All of the above? Please review! This one definitely is on the short side, but I really wanted to write about Tigris's life after Mockingjay. Just a snippet. :)