Hungary sat alone in the waiting room. She had no family, she never did, and Romania and the others were all gone, all except Austria and he was... he was also alone, she thought. Even then, a part of her was waiting for Romania to throw open the door and start a fight while grinning maniacally. Behind him Bulgaria would watch with a put-upon look, hand resting lightly on Moldova's shoulder. Moldova wouldn't really understand where Hungary was going, not the way Moldova's big brother and the others did. Maybe that wasn't right. Moldova'd be fourteen by now, Hungary realized. It's really been a long time since that time.

She wondered if Sweden (former victor from District 10) would be at the Games this year. He had been a mentor last year, so he might be there. She really wanted to meet him, and ask him how it had really gone. (Maybe he'd have been able to reach Romania).

It's been two years since Moldova died in the 66th Hunger Games. It shouldn't have happened. Hungary still couldn't really believe that it had ended that quickly. Moldova had been a cheerful child who looked to Romania with adoration, and despite their rather poor circumstances they were genuinely happy to just live together everyday. Hungary really disliked Romania, they had been fighting over nearly everything since they were young, but she couldn't really bring herself to share that hatred with a little kid like Moldova, no matter what type of big brother Moldova had.

Romania left a year later, left with a different (opposite) personality, and vengeful murmurings. He said he was going to destroy the Capital, destroy them for Moldova's death, for what happened to Bulgaria, and for the mine dust that the District had to choke down everyday. He really meant it too. Hungary didn't think District Thirteen was really still around, that any terrorist organization could possibly still exist in opposition of the Capital, but she truly wanted to believe.

She decided to use her flower hair clip, a gift from Austria back when they first started dating, as her pin, if they would let her keep it. It was useful because it kept her bangs out of her hair when fighting, and it held sentimental value too.

Eventually the timer on her visiting time went off, and Peacekeepers escorted Hungary to the train. Hungary had never been on a train before, and rarely saw one that wasn't carrying coal back and forth across the country. The inside of it was unnaturally fancy, though Austria didn't look out of place sitting stiffly at the table. Even when he was covered in grime he managed to carry himself like an aristocrat.

Their escort, a woman with turquoise dyed hair and a bubbly personality, apologized for their mentor's lateness. Hungary wasn't surprised, she had heard a lot of ill rumors about the only surviving victor from District Twelve.

As the train sped across the country, she sat across from Austria. They didn't speak a word for awhile as the train sped towards their ends.

Hungary's mouth was going dry. What was she supposed to do? What could she possibly manage? How could she get both her and Austria out safely? Breaking out wouldn't work, and no one would try to save them. Not after what happened to Bulgaria. (Romania had done even worse, but Bulgaria had been the one who was caught. He had been beaten to death in front of the entire District and Moldova still was taken to the Games. Nothing had changed from it. It was a senseless sacrifice, that only bought Romania a year of silent depression followed by desertion.)

On the large screen television the other reapings were playing.

She said about the pair from District Eleven. "I think we should stay away from that guy. He gives me a really bad feeling." The boy she was talking about looked nonthreatening from every angle, but something about him felt off to Hungary. She couldn't really explain why she felt that way. Maybe it was the way he was cheerfully waving to his District, like he had just been given an award.

Austria tsked. "He seems dangerous." But there was something more to it then that, Hungary saw.

"You don't really think so, do you?"

"I do. However." They studied the District Eleven boy, Hungary watching Austria's face just as much. "I don't want him for an enemy." By which he was bluntly implying he wanted to form an alliance with the District Eleven boy.

"It's best to just avoid him altogether," Hungary decided, even though Austria still looked doubtful at that. In any other situation Hungary might be happy imagining the surprise boys love potential, but Austria was her boyfriend, this was the Hunger Games, and she really wanted to give the District Eleven boy a wide berth.

As the next tribute from District Eleven, a nice looking girl, was drawn, Hungary and Austria were still discussing the merits of trying to form an alliance with the District Eleven boy. "If he's strong, he can be a good asset."

"Let's just wait to see what he's like at training," Hungary compromised. "If you still want to ally with him, we'll discuss it again there."

Austria agreed easily to that plan, as the screen switched to District Ten.

The first tribute was a quiet looking boy, who volunteered almost immediately in the place of a dark haired boy of similar age. "He reminds me of a career." Austria said.

"I'll scope him out during training," Hungary said. "Actually, it might be best if we try to get a feel on as many of the other tributes as possible. It might be hard, but we're much better off knowing our enemies."

"True," Austria said, "It will give us an advantage."

Hungary smiled, "I'll take care of most of it."

"I can help with this." Austria insisted.

The next tribute was called, and both of them turned back to the screen. It was another boy, he looked young for the games, but something about him was strange to Hungary. It took her a few seconds to realize it, but then it struck her. The boy from District Ten resembled Austria. Not in any physical sense, they had completely different features, but his expression was eerily similar to Austria's. It was a strange comparison, but the first thing that jumped into her head was that it was almost like he had been heavily influenced by Austria when he was young. Like they had spent a very long time together. That was the only way she could think to put it, and it was completely impossible, but the similarities were clearly there.

Austria and Hungary silently watched the boys from District Ten, surveying their opponents with unease. This wasn't going to be easy... but they, but Hungary, would have to kill all of the other tributes. These were people they'd have to murder.

"It's going to be tough," Hungary said.

The next two tributes were an odd sort. Two siblings, the older called up before the younger. The older District Nine tribute started noticeably bristling when his younger sister was called to the stage, and Hungary thought he'd try to pull a Romania- grab his sister and run for it- for a second.

"What do you think?" Hungary asked Austria.

He was silent for a while as the two siblings stood on the stage, so small in front of the giant crowd. "I might like them," Austria said with uncharacteristic warmth. It was nice to see that rare side of him, but she didn't want it directed towards other tributes. "I don't know why. I'll make sure to stay far from them."

Hungary watched him sadly, "That's probably for the best."

During the District Eight and Seven reapings they ate freshly made Capital food. It was the most delicious thing Hungary had ever tasted, but she didn't want to let it show, she didn't want to give the Capital the satisfaction. The chocolate covered biscuits melted in her mouth and the tea warmed her stomach.

Suddenly Austria's coffee cup fell to the floor and burst into a million pieces.

"What?" Hungary spun around, preparing for combat.

Austria faced the television with a blank face, frozen in fear. His burning hot coffee was splashed all over his painstakingly well kept clothes, but he didn't seem to notice.

Hungary turned towards the television. The time it took to turn seemed like a million seconds slowly ticking away, and she almost knew the sight that awaited her. It was a face she had never seen before.

The second tribute from District Six smiled pleasantly at the cameras, his long scarf flying in the wind. A girl clung to him, sobbing into his thick coat. Her light hair, the same color as his, flew about in the wind. Her screams reached their ears.

"B-brother... big brother! DON'T LEAVE ME! Please! Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease!" Each repetition grew louder until she was undecipherable in her hysterics. "Sister! Brother! What were you thinking! Don't go... DON'T GO!" Her sobs broke and she whispered, but spoke so clearly that her words were caught, "Why did you do such a stupid thing for my sake?"

The second tribute from District Six placed his hand comfortingly, but perhaps distantly, on her back and pulled her into a light hug. "Don't worry. I'll be right back, okay?"

He said this with half-lidded eyes and a soft expression. It was impossible to not buy into his words at least a little.

Hungary's eyes widened and she shivered. There was no rational reason, but when she looked at the District Six boy she was filled with complete terror. Who was he? What was wrong with him, no, what was wrong with her? The presence of a boy she had never met before shouldn't make her so afraid.

"We don't need him," Austria said blankly. "Not as an ally or enemy." He then started to pick up his broken coffee mug. "Forget about him."

Hungary nodded. "It was just a strange impression. There's no need to worry." They said this, but to Hungary it felt like they were only trying to hide their true feelings. One had to trust one's instincts in this type of situation, and every pore of her body was screaming at her to stay as far away as possible from the scarfed boy. It was a feeling she was determined to follow through on. If he was dangerous, there was as Austria said, really no need to ever interact with him unless worst came to worst.

The next tributes were the two from Five, siblings who clearly didn't belong anywhere near the Capital's sick games. Hungary felt a tug at her heartstrings as she watched them. It was a really dangerous feeling.

The first selected from Four was a girl with long dark hair and a very animated face. Her fear and unease were visible with a glance, but that didn't really say she wasn't a strong opponent. In fact, she looked rather fit. Hungary mentioned this to Austria. "Actually, she might make a good ally. She seems pretty nice."

"Perhaps too nice," Austria said harshly.

"It's not a bad trait for an ally," Hungary argued.

Perhaps the debate would have continued, but that's when they saw the second tribute from District Four.

He walked to the stage fearlessly, grinning and waving to the crowds like he expected them to cheer for him. Hungary could swear she saw him even fling out some kisses. For a moment his District stared at him in confusion, but someone in the back started to cheer quietly, then the other members of the District picked it up. The volume grew until it was untamable, and the boy from District Four laughed and laughed, spreading his arms wide. The noise grew, defiant to the normal morose reapings.

"Thank you, thank you!" The boy cried joyously, "As sad as it is, it seems I'll be leaving you all now! While I'm gone please remember to brush your teeth and wash you face before bed! And if I die, compose a thousand songs of my amazingness! If I live, a thousand and one! Raise statues in my honor! Convert to my religion! Tell your children's children of my greatness!" He smiled cockily, "And never forget me, no matter what. As long as you remember this, I'll always return."

Hungary and Austria stared at the television. The boy from District Four was indescribable.

He was so familiar, a face they had seen a thousand times before, even though they had never met. His white hair barely moved in the wind and his red eyes twinkled merrily, completely disconnected from the horror of the Games. Hungary wondered what could be going through his obviously miswired head.

"And," the boy continued to speak, "For those who don't remember me, don't worry! We'll meet soon, whether you've been waiting for me or not." He stared straight into the cameras with a strange expression. "Okay, West?"

"He is..." Austria tried to explain, but couldn't.

"Did you catch his name?" Hungary asked Austria with an urgency that surprised herself.

"He's called Prussia. Just Prussia."

"Prussia." She tried. "I wonder what his deal is."

"What will we do about him?" Austria asked.

Hungary wanted to say they should avoid him. But what came out was: "I don't know. I really don't know."

There was something important about the red eyed boy, about Prussia. Something she couldn't quite place, and looking at Austria, he felt it too. A connection.

As such, the last three Districts passed with little fanfare. Aside from the tributes hugging affectionately in District Three, a boy collapsing in front of the stage in District Two, and volunteers in District One, little of note actually happened in Hungary's eyes.

Many tributes had made an impression on her, but none like the boy from District Six and Prussia. They were far apart on the spectrum, but they both had the same draw. The same strange familiarity that she couldn't quite shake.

It would be a difficult Hunger Games this year.