AN: Sorry that updates are slow on both stories… I really do get distracted by friends and we've made every Tuesday or Wednesday night 'How to be a Player' night. Which is game night. So… yeah. Sorry. X_x;;
Also… all my friend's have birthdays during May, June (including my own~), and July… so updates will definitely be slower… OTL
As always, I love my reviewers. :D
Anon A.K.A Lana: THANKS FOR THE REVIEW! Blublublub! I get so excited when an anon says they felt the need to review! X3 Less than 3 for you! :D

Oh! And before I forget! "More to it than an angle" has a poll on my profile! For the ending, I'm torn between a happy ending and/or a tragedy… If it's a happy ending, there will be a sequel; if it's a tragic ending… well… the fanfic will follow THG series to the end. (More or less.) If you bitches want both, I WILL GIVE YOU BOTH BECAUSE I LOVE YOU GUYS!
Now, L.G.I SON, LET'S GET IT, LET'S GO!

Disclaimer: Do. Not. Own. /sobs

The Price of Victory

Katniss crossed her arms before frowning a bit. Her tributes… she still wasn't sure on what she would do for them. They both deserved a fighting chance, but if she had known about the aftermath of the games, she would have wanted Haymitch to just give up on her. Sighing, she rubbed the bridge of her knows before straightening as all the tributes arrived back stage.

"You two look very nice. I see Cinna and Portia still have their unique sense of style as well."

The female victor said, smiling as Cinna, with his trademark golden lined eyes, bowed and Portia just smiled sweetly. Haymitch rolled his eyes and took a quick swig from a hidden flask.

"It's gonna take a lot more than nice outfits to get you two sponsors though. We need to work an angle for you two…"

Agrippa and Archelaus raised their brows while crossing their arms. Katniss eyed them and pondered on what they could pull off without any problems. Agrippa could go for haughty while Archelaus appeared to be like Finnick, able to sweet talk his way to anyone's heart.

"I have one for Archelaus… but Agrippa… you're a bit more difficult. We can't go with shy… maybe somewhat confident would work for you..?"

The braided haired female turned to Effie, Cinna, and Portia, considering their opinions. Effie and Portia agreed that a confident angle would work well but to not overdo it and make her seem pompous like the career tributes. Cinna pondered for a bit before nodding as well, seeing as that was the best thing to do for the female tribute. Agrippa pondered the angle as well, confidence wasn't a bad thing as long as she didn't have an abundance of it as to make her a target for the careers… She thought on it for a few more minutes before nodding, Katniss then gave a tight smile.

"Alright, we'll start preparing for the interviews tomorrow… Agrippa, you'll be with me and Archelaus, you'll be with Haymitch…"

The tributes and Katniss looked at Haymitch who was taking a swig from his flask. The braided haired victor could feel the stress piling up on her already. She refrained from rubbing the bridge of her nose so that her tributes wouldn't worry. A stressed mentor normally signaled failure and she did not want the two teens to feel like they couldn't pull this off.

"Actually… let's just have the both of you meet with me after your training tomorrow… I doubt Haymitch will be sober enough to give any helpful advice other than, 'stay alive'…"

She saw the tributes tense as they nodded. Slowly, the sixteen year old led the other two towards the housing area for all the tributes. Effie gave her yearly spiel about the penthouse and how they were just "oh so lucky to be from twelve" because they received the penthouse.

A few hours later, after both tributes dressed into comfortable clothing and had dinner, Katniss walked to the lobby where she, Cato, and Finnick normally met. As always, she was the second to arrive with Cato being the first.

"So what do you think about your tributes this year? Think that they'll get past the bloodbath?"

The stormy eyed female sat on the love seat that Cato was situated on. Sinking into the plush upholstery, she leaned against the broad blonde. Did she think her tributes this year stood a chance? Agrippa was Seam and Archelaus was from town. The female tribute would be able to hold her own, talent-wise, better but Archelaus would appeal to sponsors more. It would be similar to her own game… how Peeta had been from town and better with words and how she had been better in action.

"Hey now, stop thinking about that Kitty Cat."

The braided haired female smiled a bit before sighing. It was obvious that the blonde next to her knew her well. He'd been her beacon of hope when she'd fallen into a pit of despair. He always seemed to be there whenever she became disheartened; whether in person or via the phone.

"I know… as for my two tributes… I'm not exactly sure what to think. I want to help them, I really do… but…"

"You're wondering if the after effects are worth it. I know… I had the same thoughts too… but then I decided that I'm a selfish bastard and I want more people to win for my district. Haha."

Cato

I knew Katniss was thinking too hard about these things… it was hard not to. I looked down at her and ruffled her hair after giving my two cents. While I didn't want my tributes to become victors simply because of the nightmares, I didn't want my district as a whole to feel the repercussions of not having any victors after me. This was the difficult part of the games for the mentors, whether to condemn or save.

"This is the hardest part for us, Katniss… Maybe you should ask your tributes if they want to survive… give them the thorough details of the aftermath and such… Say that you'll try with all your might to have them survive, but ultimately have it be their decision."

She turned her and I was immediately caught in her stare. She looked so lost and confused that I was immediately thrown back in time. When she had become a victor she looked just as she did at this moment. Slowly, I brought her into my arms and whispered words of comfort.

"Everything will work out… just talk to them individually…"

I felt her nod before a deep voice interrupted.

"Am I interrupting something, guys?"

A bronzed haired man walked into the lobby and smirked at the two before the figured cleared his throat.

"Am I interrupting something, guys?"

The grey eyed girl and the blue eyed man turned at the same time. The blue eyed male seemed irritated, but the "intruder" paid him no attention. He was focused solely on the grey eyed girl who looked like a lost child.

"What's wrong?"

The tanned male strode up to the two before kneeling in front of the braided haired female. Slowly, he lifted a hand and put it on her cheek, frowning.

"Nothing…"

"C'mon, Katniss… I know it's not "nothing". I haven't seen you this way in a very long time…"

And it was true, the woman in front of him had been devastated every year her tributes died, but never had she looked like the small thirteen year old girl who had seen so much bloodshed. It broke his heart every time he remembered that moment.

"I just… Finnick… how do you… how do you decide on whether you want to see another innocent child turn into a tortured adult?"

Finnick

I sighed at the question as I continued to kneel before the, normally, fiery woman. So that's what this was all about.

"Well… the price of winning the games… it's not easy…"

I sat back on my haunches and sighed once more. Looking up at the ceiling, I remember my first year as a mentor. That year I brought a tribute turned victor home, but… she was never the same after that… she would never be the same after.

"It's not easy… but… just think of their families I suppose…"

I knew that the two in front of me were thinking of Annie, the woman I was deeply in love with. Every day was difficult back home. Knowing that the woman I love was still stuck in the games because of me… because of my decisions. It tore me up inside, but I wanted… needed her to come back to me even though it might seem selfish.

Katniss nodded slowly before standing. She looked down at Finnick before ruffling his hair; she then gave him a weak smile before turning to Cato in order to do the same thing. They were her boys, along with Haymitch, and without the three of them… she would be lost.

"Thanks… both of you… now, I think we should all go back to our rooms and attempt sleep, especially you, Odair."

Finnick smirked a bit before standing and picking the lithe female up, he then began to make his way towards the elevator. Halfway there, he noticed Cato still on the couch and called back while continuing to smirk.

"You comin', Cassius?"

The blue eyed male scowled before getting up and walking over to the two. He hated when others called him by his surname, the meaning didn't sit well with him, but what could he do?

"Shut up… and why are you holding Katniss as if she's a child?"

Finnick's green eyes focused on the small woman in his arms before going to look back at the blonde. Shaking his head slowly, he grinned before leaning his head down and pressing his lips against the braided haired female's forehead.

"Because, most of us never got a proper child hood and, even if it is a bit late, I think everyone should get a chance to gain some of that experience back. Do you have a problem with my logic, Cato?"

The muscled man just sighed before shaking his head. Of course the thought process of Finnick Odair was skewed and he couldn't follow it most times, but this time… he agreed. They were all forced to grow up too fast and too soon, it was alright to pamper their princess every once in a while.

"Just hurry up to the elevator, Odair. Kitty Cat looks tired."

Katniss watched the two until she was dragged in to the conversation by the male from two. Huffing, she crossed her arms against her chest and scowled.

"If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, Cato Nero Cassius. I hate that nickname."

"And as I've told you a thousand times, Kitty Cat. I hate it when people use my whole name."

Finnick listened to the bantering, smiling all the while. Riding the elevator up to the twelfth floor in order to drop Katniss off, he thought that the cons outweighed the pros of being a victor, but these small moments were enough to balance them out somewhat. The price of victory was not a small feat, but these moments… it almost made that price worth it.

"Alright, children, time to go to bed, we all have big days tomorrow and we need to be sharp and awake in order to make the right decisions."

Katniss was put down before she and Cato made eye contact, they then proceeded to roll their eyes at Finnick's words.

"Yes, Dad."

They said in unison before smiling at each other. Finnick huffed before pouting a bit. Katniss just smiled while Cato smirked.

Saying their good nights, they all went into their respective areas of living in order to get some rest. Tomorrow was the beginning of training for all the tributes and the mentors not only had to advise them, but they had to make them seem appealing to prospective sponsors.

AN: And… that's it for this chapter. Again, I'm terribly sorry about the long wait! D: As always, I love each and every one of you guys!
Now, good night! I bid you all adieu for right now; also, you guys will be happy to know that I'll be starting the next chapter for my other story tomorrow! :D Yayyyy~! :D Less than 3 guys!

Also, as always, if you found something wrong in this chapter, PM me or leave a review telling me what it is~! :D