(This chapter will for the most part follow Alison from District 12 since I know her the best.)

Jack and I sat cuddled together on the train and we talked about the other tributes. "There is something off putting about that Augustus guy." I commented. "Why?"

"Because he's all 'I'm gonna kick ass' and the rest of the tributes are all 'I'm so small compared to Augustus.' He makes me feel short."

"Babe… You are short." I jumped up and stuck my index finger in his chest. "I'm pocket sized for convenience!" I shouted at him. "HEY! No killing each other! You both can come home alive!" Peeta shouted at us.

"HE CALLED ME SHORT!"

"So?" Katniss asked. "I'm not short I'm pocket sized!" I retorted not really that angry.

Haymitch walked in pretty sober. "Okay! Who got her mad this time?" Haymitch asked. "Jack." Katniss, Peeta and I said together.

"HEY! I… Okay I deserve that." I smirked triumphantly sitting down. "Good." We talked about random things until Effie walked in.

"Hello children."

"Hi Effie." Everyone responded with the exception of Haymitch. I sighed as we sat down for dinner. "Are you alright Alison?" Effie asked me.

"I guess everything is just catching up to me."

"Well get over it," Katniss started, "When you're in the Capitol it's the mini Hunger Games minus the gore. It tests you in ways you didn't know you could be tested in-"

"Composure, social skills, likeability and grace under pressure." Jack and I recited from what I had learned over the years I've remembered the Hunger Games.

"How could you possibly determine that?" Katniss asked incredulously.

"Simple. We paid attention." Jack said. I smiled, "Also, it's not hard to see that no one wants to be there so they put on a façade, make up a sob story or they go in there completely over confident... It's only the Victors who posses the four that win."

They nodded. "Have you decided on your mentor yet?" Effie asked.

I glanced at Jack who nodded. "I would like Peeta as my mentor and Jack would like Katniss. And then we want to trade every other day until we go in."

"That's an interesting strategy… What could you possibly gain?" Effie asked and Haymitch nodded in agreement.

"Two recent Victors' opinions. And considering they both won the same games we can prepare and work together knowing how to." Jack answered. I nodded in agreement. "Well said."

I continued eating… I don't even know what it is… I don't think I want to though. "So are you enjoying your sweet breads Alison?" Effie asked. "COW PANCREAS?"

"Oops. Did I shout that out loud?" Everyone nodded.

"Sorry about that."

"It's okay." Peeta said amusement playing across his face. Jack was snickering. "Yeah sure, laugh it up Jack, just because I'm not going to kill does not mean I'm not going to kick your-"

"LANGUAGE!" Effie shouted at me. "Sorry Effie." I said behind laughter.

She nodded and we all went back to our meal and I avoided the pancreas.

The next morning we were pulling into the Capital. I smiled with Jack as we stood his arm around my waist, waving to the Capital crowd.

Ten minutes later Peeta was dragging me away. "So who-" A man stepped from the shadows. "Hello Ali."

I looked up to see my godfather, "Cinna!" I shouted hugging the man. He smiled chuckling. "How's my goddaughter?"

"Good! How are you?"

"Better now. So… turn." I sighed smiling. I turned slowly for my uncle. "Great. Follow me."

I shrugged as he drew me away from Peeta.

Fifty minutes later I was sitting in front of a mirror a robe over my underwear. "Okay, I think you might love this." My godfather said holding a large garment bag.

I unzipped it to see the most beautiful dress.

The dress had an extended bodice that helps to cover the torso from bust to hip. Then, the skirt swoops outward, expanding in a dual-layered skirt that shows off both luxury and grace. It had exquisite pastel pink hand-stitched detailing. (Tiffany 26644)

The dress was all white with pastel pink detailing. "This is too perfect." I told him.

"Good." He sat me down brushing back my long blonde hair. He curled my hair loosely and pinned it half up half down.

"Come on let's get you into this." He helped me step into the dress. Cinna laced up the back of the dress.

"Thank you Cinna." I said as he laced up the back of my dress.

"Now for shoes… Hmmm…" He muttered to himself. He picked out a pair of flats. "Wear these." I looked at them. "BLESS YOU!" I almost shouted.

I put on the shoes and we walked out into the stables. Jack and the rest of the tributes were waiting there. Many looked at me as I walked in and I blushed.

Many of the men were dressed quite nicely although not as extravagant as the ladies.

I stood with Jack. He leaned down to kiss my hand gently. "You look beautiful." He said smiling. "Thank you Mister Mason."

"Any day Miss Commonly." I laughed slightly. There was a call for all of us to find our carts. Jack and I got on the last cart. He wrapped an arm around my waist and we smiled at each other.

The chariot began to move and finally we noticed the crowds cheering our names. We waved at the cheering Capitol people.

I looked at the other tributes as we pulled up around the stage. The first girl… Silk I think her name is… her stylist went all out. She was adorned in what looked like hundreds of large, over priced diamonds.

I sighed thinking that every other girl had something I didn't have.

"What's wrong?" Jack asked me. I looked up at him. I couldn't tell him what I was thinking… So I did the only mature thing. Lie through my teeth and pray like hell he accepts it.

"I'm scared shitless." I muttered through the corner of my mouth to Jack. He nodded slightly in agreement. "Agreed." I smiled.

"Welcome tributes! As you've heard there will be a new rule. Four tributes may win! But these tributes come in pairs! Two districts may have Victors this year."

Many cheered and all the tributes thought along the same path… 'Great. Now I have to keep two people alive.'

I frowned as we walked into the building where we were staying.

I bumped into a small figure on accident. "Oh! I'm sorry!" I said looking at the little boy sitting on his butt. He couldn't have been more then twelve.

"Hi! I'm Alison. District 12." I said sticking out my hand to help the poor, adorable little kid up. He held up his left hand.

"I'm Ash. District 7." I grabbed it and helped him up. "Oh… You have Johanna as your mentor right?" He nodded.

"I'm sorry about-" That's when I noticed his right hand. I gasped. "Your- your hand. What happened?"

"When I was little I was messing around in a mill and yeah." I frowned a little. "Well… That's okay. At least you still have a hand. Right?" I asked with a goofy smile.

He shook his head laughing as everyone was looking at us.

Jack walked over and light heartedly said. "Babe? What did I say about flirting with the competition?"

I laughed and said seriously. "Not to?"

We laughed and Ash did too while everyone looked on in amusement. Except Augustus, damn he scares the living daylights out of me.

"ALISON!" I turned to see Cinna walk into the lobby. "I need you to approve your dress design."

"Okay. I'll be right there." I waved at everyone just standing around. "Bye guys see you at the interview tomorrow!" I said cheerily walking away with Cinna.

As soon as Cinna and I were out of earshot he looked at me. "What the hell?"

"What?" I asked innocently. "Why are you being so kind to them?"

"Because I'm trying to seem like some little girl that can't do shit! Then I'm pulling out the big guns in the arena."

"Smooth."

"I thought so." I retorted sarcastically.

"So what is it you're going to say during your interview?"

"You'll have to wait and see."

Augustus POV

She's hiding something… I know it. Alison Commonly. There is something so… off about that girl.

"Bye guys see you at the interview tomorrow!" Her cheery voice sounded through the air breaking my concentration. A few of the careers began laughing as soon as she was out of earshot.

"Who does she think she is?" The guy tribute from four, Neptune, asked.

"Something special apparently." My partner, Catalina, said.

I sighed. I just had to get stuck with the gossiper didn't I? Didn't I?

No matter. I will crush Catalina and everyone else. I will win no one else.

"Augustus! Come on!" Catalina shouted from the elevator. I strode over to the elevator.

This is war.