Hey guys! It's Friday yet again! I just want to let you all know in advance that after next Friday I might not post for about a month because I will be out of state and where I am staying has no internet, so sorry! Btw, Slythe says wassup

Chapter 10: Interviews

P.S Italics=Flashback

They must have been excited to get the tributes into the games, as it was training day already. She set her jaw as she glanced forward determinedly, and she pushed open the doors walking in with Peeta at her side. She had grown, she was now 14 and she filled out more. She was no longer the stick figure that she used to be. Her hair was now down to her chest (she couldn't stand the long locks) and her eyes were devoid of all emotion as everyone seemed to pause. She noticed one person glaring at her, a grown man that she thought belonged to District One. She gave him her nastiest glare and was shocked when his glare disappeared and he laughed softly.

"What was that all about?" She murmured to Peeta who shrugged looking tired, and he patted her hair ruffling it some speaking in a cheery voice.

"Where shall we go first?" She suggested they split up to cover more ground, and they did. He went to the left, and she went to the right where she saw a woman and man struggling to make a fire. She sat near them and watched for a few seconds before tsking softly and she spoke

"Raise your hands higher and move them lower, and faster." The man looked at her over his glasses but did as she said, the wood sparking slightly and the woman next to him squealed and clapped her hands.

"I'm Beetee, and this is Wiress. District 3." She smiled at them and sat down, listening to their discussion and her eyes sparked with life before becoming empty again when they pointed out the force field.

"'Riska! Show off your skills a bit." Finnick smirked widely at her and she rolled her eyes, but grabbed a pouch of knives off the stand and slung it across her shoulders.

"Only for you Finnick." Walking into the room she punched in the level she wanted: hard. She stood in the center drawing a knife as the lights moved and a person formed, running dead at her. She waited a few seconds hearing movement behind her and she threw herself to the side the two figures colliding and she threw the sharp blade which pierced both figures and they dissolved. She moved out of the way of a virtual blade and spun releasing two more of her own blades. She danced out of the way of other attacks throwing her knives more until the images stopped and she was out of things to throw. That's when she became aware of the clapping, and she turned brushing her sweat covered black hair out of her eyes to see the huge audience of all the tributes watching her.

"Finnick maybe?" She leaned back eating her food while listening them to discuss who they should ally with. Ever since the last games, she lost her caring attitude and now couldn't give two shits what happened to anyone that she wasn't close to. She was done being the girl who worried about everyone, that got way too many killed. Too many people she loved were gone now because of her. Without realizing it her hand tightened around her glass and it shattered, cuts covering her hand. She watched the blood well up and spill and she suddenly had a flash back.

The sickening sound of the spear meeting flesh shook her ears. There was a squelching sound, and her eyes widened as Rue stumbled. Crimson blood welled up from the wound and trickled down her stomach like a waterfall.

She pushed her chair back with a loud screech, drawing everyone's attention, well those who hadn't looked at her when the glass shattered. She turned around running away from the room ignoring the cries of her name behind her.

"Beautiful view isn't it?" The man rested his pale hand on the violet walls, peering out the large window from which sunlight streamed in. She said nothing, brushing a strand of the curly ink black hair out of her golden eyes revealing a few freckles. The sunlight caught her skin in a way that made it look a mix of caramel and gold. He glanced over at her and turned away from the window while taking a seat. "Do you know why I am here Veriska?" She shook her head and he took a sip of his tea, looking at the cookies. "I prefer verbal answers my dear."

"No I do not know why you're here President Snow." Her voice was snappish, and a frown marred his face as he held a cookie up so she should see it.

"Beautiful...The way it is iced is perfect. Who did it?" She resisted the urge to glare at him, they both know who did it but she found herself answering.

"Peeta did."

"Of course he did," He made a fist and the cookie crumbled, and he set the broken pieces back onto the plate that Peeta's mother considered her finest china. "It would be a shame if something happened to him hmm?"

"Is that a threat sir?" He shook his head sadly leaning forward, his eyes gazing into hers.

"Not at all my dear, it is a promise. A promise that shall be upheld unless you do not tell me the truth."

"The truth of what?"

"The rebellion." Before she could open her mouth he slammed his hand onto the table. "And , before we discuss this I think it's best we don't lie to each other."

She stood in the mirror with her arms crossed, her eyes narrowed. She liked this dress. It was a grey color that was so dark it looked black, and it fell down to her feet in layers. Around the waist was a black belt and her hair was tied back into a ponytail with some hair staying out. The hair that was out was curled, and her eyes were outlined with kohl or whatever the hell that was to make her look fiercer.

"You look so beautiful!" She glanced over at her prep team and smiled slightly. Some of the members had tears streaming down their face, and when they started crying they left the room until it was only her and Cinna.

"Thank you." She muttered quietly, winding her arms around his waist in a hug. He was like an older brother to her, she found herself caring more and more about him everyday. He said nothing but smiled at her, grabbing her right hand and he slipped her mockingbird ring onto her finger but only instead of a mockingbird it was now a cat with its hackles raised. She looked at him questioningly, but he shook his head ushering her out of the door.

"My my don't you look lovely Veriska!" She gave him a blank stare and sat down ignoring his offered hand.

"Thank you Caesar, I do have to look dressy for what may be my last good shot on tv you know." Her voice was nonchalant, but it still made Caesar frown. This was not the happy girl he interviewed last year, but he shook his head and continued.

"I'm sure you do, I hope you don't mind me saying this but I never thought I'd see you on this stage again."

"I'm sure you didn't, I sure as hell didn't either. I shouldn't even be on this forsaken stage, but promises are made to be broken aren't they?" She leans back her eyes holding his gaze without wavering until he looked away. She smirked slightly when he quickly changed the subject.

"Perhaps. But you've been home a while yes? Do you have a lucky man?" She laughed softly shaking her head.

"No, I never know who's here for me or the money. But I do like one person though, they've been my best friend forever."

"Oh? And who is that?" She gave him a chesire smirk and leaned forward as if about to whisper it

"Now that would be telling wouldn't it? Anyway, my time is almost up. Mind if I twirl for you to see what thing my dress changes into this year?" Her voice was almost sarcastic, but it sounded genuine as Caesar nodded. She stood up and took a few steps forward and twirled. Black appeared across her vision and she kept spinning and spinning, ignoring the gasp of the crowd until it was gone. When she stood still she felt something brush against her arm and she looked down to see a tail curling around her, and she reached up feeling the headpiece on her head that was now cat ears. Her dress was black and she looked at Cinna, her eyes wide suddenly remembering something President Snow said.

"And for the Shadow Cats?"

Before Caesar or she could react, the buzzer rang and she got off the stage as fast as she could.