Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognise. Everything belongs to Suzanne Collins, and her brilliant, brilliant mind. I only hope that one day, someone will be writing that disclaimer about my own work.

Nb. Same deal. Roughly 700 words, about Gale's perspective at all the major parts of the Hunger Games.

Thanks to gl33k, Ellenka, KialaniEvans, PerriwinklePadfoot and bookworm600 for reviewing the last chapter. Anyone want to join them in doing so for this one?

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Opening ceremony

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He'd never really understood the opening ceremonies. It was like they were pulling their tributes out, like old toys, and then throwing them at each other to see which heads fell off first. Katniss had once told him about a game Prim had played with a friend.

"She does this thing," Katniss had begun, not quite sure how to explain it. "She has a townie friend, and they play with dolls whenever Prim's not with the cat or her goat. They dress them up, make them go to a ball, and then, Prim says, her friend always makes something dramatic happen—so that the dolls are scared and have to run away."

She'd stared at Gale in confusion, as he listened.

"I mean," she'd said after a moment's thought. "Why does Prim need more things to scare her? Aren't there enough already?"

Yeah, Gale decides. This is kind of like that.

But, he supposes, he's sure that Capitol has thought of that. Dressing children up—making the games look appealing to the citizens of the Capitol who weren't fully aware of everything that was going to happen. Of how much of an impact it was going to have.

But he's seen these before. Compulsory, like the reaping, so he was forced to be sitting in the square, balancing on the railing of a balcony with Posy at his feet. His mother is standing with his brother and Prim and Prim's mother.

He wonders, vaguely, if Katniss is going to be naked, covered in coal dust.

He isn't prepared at all to see her when she does come out on her chariot. His first thought, along with the rest of District 12, is that obviously they've decided to get rid of the worst district first. It must have been difficult to do outside the games, but is there really any other reason for them to be on fire?

Well, maybe the rest of the district hadn't thought exactly that.

But they'd definitely been as perplexed as he had been by the flames that licked at her skin and Peeta's (he knew the name now—it had been broadcast enough with hers for him to be able to remember it). They probably hadn't thought the same cynical thoughts as a first assumption.

Still, it takes the district a moment to realise that the fire is manufactured. In fact, if the way that Katniss is smiling is any indication—it might even be comforting—a nice feeling. Caressed by cold fire.

But still. This isn't what Gale is thinking about.

He's thinking about why on earth Katniss is holding Peeta Mellark's hand, and why she seems to happy about it. The people around him are softened by it—and he notes as Katniss's mother shares a fond smile with Peeta's father, maybe even comforted. They are together—they are displaying a unity.

Gale can see the tightness with what Katniss is holding on. Everyone else took it for what it looked like. Just two tributes holding hands.

Gale knew what it was. It was a land line. Something that grounded them both as they were on this surreal journey.

Gale wishes he was the one holding her hand, if only he could be grounded. It's impossible to think that at this very minutes, Katniss is in the Capitol. But there she is—primped and preened and with skin cleaner than he's ever seen. He notes again that she is far more than he'd expected. She just keeps surprising him.

But this is the reality. They are both under the same sky. The same sun and moon light the way, and the same stars map out their world. They're not that far away. And yet, as he watches the screen, he couldn't feel more distant.

Katniss turns her head, her glowing smile and blows a kiss right to the camera.

It hits him like a bullet.

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A/N: I feel I'm getting too dramatic. Feedback on that would be awesome. :/ ...

Also, regarding feedback, guys. 182 people read chapter three between yesterday and today. Five people reviewed.

Now, I don't want to do the math, but you can feel free to, and tell me what percentage of the readership is taking the time to give feedback.

Thoughts, guys? It doesn't actually take long at all, and as I'm sure you all know, reviews are what this site thrives on. Give it a try this time? Please REVIEW.

Anyway, I'm going to try and update every day. It's not that difficult to write 700 words a day.

It can be a 'routine' for me.

Just think, every day I update, is a day closer to the 23rd of March. I predict that by the 30th (my birthday) I will have seen it at least twice.

Lol. xx. (don't favourite or alert without a review).

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Next: Ceremony Feast