Author's Note:
It begins... Remember to leave a review at the end of the chapter, I love to hear from my readers. Again, I do not own the Hunger Games. Read, enjoy, and please, please review!
Chapter 9: The Ice Princess
The victors emerged the next morning, groggy and silent. Coffee was continually being poured, and breakfast was left untouched. Even Haymitch was unusually hung over, nursing a steaming mug himself.
Katniss finally emerged into the dining car. She had eventually collapsed onto the couch in the living car. She poured her coffee and moved to her position beside Peeta.
In a calculated move, Peeta placed a hand on her thigh.
"Thank you," he whispered.
She smiled tightly at him, "You're welcome."
"Alright Victors, we are almost to the Capitol. Take your last sip and change your clothes. You get to meet your tributes soon," Effie said, reaching for her own cup of coffee.
Katniss could feel the train slow down. All the Victors moved to get ready to face the day.
An hour later, the train stopped in front of a tall apartment building.
"Training," Johanna spat.
They followed Effie until they reached a hallway with conference rooms on either side.
Effie sighed- clearly she wasn't enjoying this either.
"Your name is on the door. Your tribute is inside."
Katniss glanced on either side of the hall, walking down with Peeta and Haymitch. District 12's mentees were last.
With a deep breath, Katniss pushed her door open.
Inside was a table with two chairs. The one on the opposite side was occupied though. A slender girl with long straight blonde hair was sitting, her arms crossed, and her strange violet eyes focusing on Katniss.
"So. You're the Girl on Fire," the tribute scoffed, standing, her height impressive. "Funny, you always seemed so much larger on TV."
Katniss was stunned, her tribute had overwhelming command. Her beauty and stature were already things Katniss was calculating to gain support.
The girl crossed in front of Katniss, and she smiled cruelly.
"My, have I wanted to meet you, Mockingjay. I am Bianca Snow, and I volunteered as a tribute."
I can't do this-" Katniss slid down the wall outside her conference room. All the other Victors were surrounding here, Peeta beside her, trying to rub her arm comfortably.
"Let's swap," Johanna piped, "I got some Senator's boy. He is nothing. Give me Snow's granddaughter. I'll take the blame for that death gladly."
"She is just so cold," Katniss shuddered, "she volunteered for this."
"But, Katniss, so did you," Annie whispered.
Enobaria sneered, "You voted for this, girl. You're a Victor. Suck it up, put your game face on and get on with it. The faster these pompous Capitols die, the faster we can go home. Agreed?" With that, she turned back down the hall and slammed into her conference room.
Haymitch grabbed Katniss' arm and helped her up. "Hate to say it, bit Enobaria is right. We just want to go home. You can do this Katniss."
She turned to face Peeta, "So? You're quiet. Do you have an opinion?"
He shrugged, "It's your revenge, Kat."
Katniss sat as a Capitol styling team went at her and Bianca. Haymitch, Peeta, and their tributes were getting prepared elsewhere. There was no ride through the Capitol planned. Interviews were tonight, training was for two days, and then the Games began.
She had insisted that she and Bianca get ready together. Katniss wanted to speak with this girl, lean her story, create her to present to sponsors.
"Why did you volunteer?" Katniss asked.
Bianca flinched, but didn't answer.
Katniss sighed, "I didn't agree with your grandfather. He tormented me, my family, Peeta. He destroyed my home and waged war simply to eliminate me. We did not see eye to eye. But you're different; you do not have to be like him. I came here to help a tribute. I've decided that I don't care who you are, I'm going to help you. Now, why did you volunteer?"
"We're not too different, you and I," Bianca started, "Once the rebels got here, my parents were instantly killed. I ran and hid. I knew Grandfather was done. I didn't always agree with him either, you see. But, it was over. I… I took my brother and I ran," she took a shuddering breath, "The age was expanded, ages 10-20 could get drawn for these games. My 11-year-old brother was called and I couldn't, I just… I volunteered. Now he has no one…"
"You'll win," Katniss interrupted, "You'll win."
For the first time, Bianca smiled at Katniss, her cold, uppity demeanor forgotten, "How could I lose, with the Girl on Fire as my mentor?"
Katniss watched from her perch backstage as Bianca conducted her interview with Augustine Crown flawlessly. They had decided to present a cold Bianca to Panem, and created her media tag, the Ice Princess. So far, it was all working.
At the right moment thought, she thawed telling her reaping story. The crowd melted with her. At the end of the retelling, Bianca masterfully added, "It turns out; Fire and Ice had more in common than was thought"
As the audience applauded loudly for her, Bianca hardened again.
Peeta came up behind Katniss, clapping too, "She'll win."
Katniss turned, "How can you tell?"
"All these other tributes are spoiled twerps. Your Ice Princess has already been forced to survive the aftermath of the Revolution in ruins. She gets it."
"Well, Fire and Ice…"
"Yes," Peeta cut her off, staring beyond her, his brows furrowing.
"What Peeta?"
"It's the Game Maker."
Katniss turned, "And?"
As her heart stopped, Augustine announced, "Now, please welcome this years head Game Maker, Gale Hawthorn!"
