"TIME TO WAKE UP, MY PEARLS!" Yells Effie through the door, I snatch up a spare pillow and cover my head with it, still amazed by Effie's ignorance towards the process of creating diamonds. Peeta simply snickers. I lay there for a while, him still holding me in the same position as when we fell asleep. Thinking about getting up, and going down to get worked over by my prep team makes me feel like I'm back in the Games, strapped to a tree limb, not able to move, and not wanting to move.

Everything always goes back to the Games, I think to myself, no matter what it is, there is a connection. There will always be a connection. For Peeta's sake, I hope he doesn't have this connection, after all the hijacking, that would only cause him further pain.

At last we crawl out of bed, reluctant, but it's either that, or Effie might break down the door. The door may come in handy. I dress in just a simple robe, knowing I will be stripped down to be assessed by my prep team anyways. I do hope they take us all separately. Or at least Peeta and I separate from Haymitch, its not that I'm worried about me being seen naked, I don't want to see Haymitch naked. The thought makes me shudder in disgust.

Down at breakfast I notice Haymitch is not drinking near as much as usual, he's actually rather sober. I have a feeling he doesn't want to take another dive off stage. The thought of being presented as tributes again is frightening to me, when in reality we will be presented as victors. There will not be a tribute parade this year, all the tributes will be from the Capitol so it's rather pointless. This will be an odd Game; connecting with these tributes will be near impossible.

"Well Haymitch, it is time to get fitted for your outfit." Effie says rather bubbly, Haymitch looks at her scathingly, but gets up anyways.

As soon as Haymitch is gone, Peeta looks up at Effie questioningly, "Effie, why are all the other Victors forced to ride alone, and Katniss and I are allowed to ride together? I'm not complaining of course, just curious."

"The Capitol simply thinks of you as one Victor, you can't think of Peeta without thinking of Katniss", she says with a silly Capitol grin. Will these people ever change?

It doesn't take long for Haymitch to be prepared, and then Peeta and I are ushered into the makeover room. We are in the exact outfits as we were in the Quarter Quell, but for some reason they seem even more intimidating, makeup identical to the Quell as well. We are stunning.

After what seems like all day we are finally prepared, my hair is loose around my face, flowing and our bodies are glowing like embers. As I look at the time I realize it has been all day, suddenly Effie is directing us to the bottom floor of the training center to board our chariots, I spot Johanna, looking much nicer than the year before, now she looks more like a woodland fairy. Judging by her expression, she preferred the tree costume. I smirk. I waste no time speaking to anyone, there will be plenty of time for that, as for now, I want to get the reaping over with.

As Peeta and I get into the chariot, I look over at our hands already tightly grasping each other, he has my left hand, and I have his right, my ring glints beautifully like an opal in the glowing light of our suits. So many of these Victors are new to me, but Haymitch seems to know them all. No one approaches Peeta and I, I suspect they are simply waiting until the reaping is over. I kiss Peeta, sweetly, but with an underlying passion. He grins at me, mouthing the words "I love you" as the music begins to blare, I mouth the words back, with one more kiss, and then we're moving. Peeta and I are the last chariot, bringing more attention to us, briefly I touch my Mockingjay pin with my free hand, and then we are being cheered at by the massive Capitol audience. We both remain emotionless ,the tragic lovers who were subjected to so much hardship, we look into each other's eyes only, and then straight ahead, it drives the audience crazy being ignored. Good.

As we reach the end of the street, the Victors exit their chariots and walk onto the stage; there are about 27 of us in all. Then, all 450 teenagers, ranged from 12-18 are gathered in the middle of the street. Every one of them is terrified. My gaze is unrelenting, and I am the object of many peoples interest, to them I am the reason for this. I am the Mockingjay.

Peeta and I are still locked in each others grasps, I kiss him again as the tributes sponsored by District 1 are chosen, slipping him a little tongue, and giving him a private, playful look that surprises him. As soon as I look away my expression is back to stone.

When it comes time for Districts 7's sponsored tributes, Johanna ends up being the mentor of Snow's granddaughter, as well as a small, lanky 15 year old boy named Oscar. Johanna's eyes turn to flames. His granddaughter, Ophelia, looks terrified. Unfortunately for her, she resembles her grandfather so acutely, I feel no pity. When it's Effie's turn to pick the last two tributes we get a rather strong looking boy of 17, his name is Caraway, the girl is nothing special at a first glimpse, no striking quality or personality that will define her from all of the other tributes, she's 17, and her chances of surviving seem to plummet, at least Caraway appears as if he has done some type of training in his life.. Her name is Eden, and I have a feeling she will be told to shut up, more than once by the time this is done. Caraway is somber and annoyed as Eden chats with him, both of them looking at Peeta and I with terror in their eyes.

I ignore them, still stone, and Peeta follows suit. Haymitch doesn't speak much either. Effie makes up for us though, reassuring them that this is an honor, and they will have a lot of fun. When we get back to our floor I speak up for the first time, as does Peeta, we offer to show them to their rooms, as Haymitch knocks back a glass of wine, and Effie makes the dinner arrangements, I'm starving.

As we turn to walk back to the sitting room they both suddenly ask us a question, in unison, "What is your first piece of advice?"

When they ask us that question, I immediately flashback to our first time asking Haymitch, only now do I understand the significance of his advice, and I wouldn't be here, with Peeta, without it.

"Stay alive." Peeta and I say together.