Disclaimer: Yes! I own the rights of The Hunger games! Believe me? SIKE! No I don't own them had you there for a minute didn't I?

Author's Note: Thanks go to my reviewers as always JB, KL10X, Arrow, Quinn (who told me she is on vaca so she gets a mention despite no review :P), and my two new reviewers Miss Mustang and Salanderjade! (now! Who here knows the phantom of the opera? Movie)

Chapter 12

Festival

I am escorted out, President Snow said he would think about it and the envoy would return with his answer tonight. In any case I was to stay on my train until then.

When I return Seneca can't unlatch his arms from around me if his life depended on it. They all had been pacing and worrying and pacing some more. I can actually see track marks in the carpet if I concentrate.

Darwin and I sit while the others perch on chairs or stand at the window.

"So what did you two talk about?" Darwin asks

"Charity but in a very backwards way" I say, it reminds me if this works we need costumes, "Darwin how fast can you sew?" I look worried

"Fastest fingers in the capital!" Farious says smiling

"What do you need?" Darwin asks

The envoy comes around ten that evening, and if I not mistaken his mouth is quirked up slightly; I decide its time to be myself again. I take the mask Darwin and I have made for me, it has an owl motif and I tie it on to go to the door.

The envoy looks confused until I raise the mask, "it's a go then?" I ask

He nods, "the festivities start in two days, we have to let people prepare"

"See you there then" I reply and close the door

Everyone is standing with baited breath…

"Well?" Darwin asks scissors paused mid snip

"Festival!" I reply smiling

Oh what a day and a night and a day again. On day two everyone is decked out in costumes. My whole entourage, even Tracker who is NOT one for dressing up has agreed.

We all sport masks, each with a different motif but I keep it bird related, so I know where they are in the crowd and they are all sparkly and white, we have to stand out.

I'm dressed as a screech owl, but in light greys and white. I even have the envoy take the groups picture before we head out.

The noise, the lights the sounds the smells. Vendors are out in full force selling food of various types and I can't help but love the atmosphere. Hellen and Tracker are at either side Seneca takes the rear and my prep team is floating about with Darwin.

Darwin is an eagle, my prep team are hawks, but in brightly coloured plumage.

Seneca is a great horned owl, he even managed the tuffs on his mask.

Tracker and Hellen are barn owls, a matching pair.

Perusse had to be different, we are all raptors, and she wanted to be a swan! We had all groaned at her insisting. But finally I gave up, she had to be different.

"We should head to city central" Hellen remarks as she bends down to talk to me privately, "this was a great idea"

Getting to city central and the banquet hall seems to be a challenge my team was ready for. Darwin takes point and Farious, Ruby and Jubilee spread out to make a path. Tracker and Hellen keep me between them but allow people to shake my hand or to hug me to thank me for the party. Seneca and Perusse take the rear to make sure no one tries to grab me. We make it to city center in what Perusse calls 'record time' without a car.

Everyone here is dressed like Victorian dolls, with facial masks that are just their faces in painted paper mache. They spot me and it's an influx of activity that I am not prepared for. My entourage contracts so I am more secure. That is until Snow appears.

He's in a red suit with demon motif mask horns included. Everyone applauds him. He comes down to the crowd shakes some hands then bee lines to me.

"You got your wish I see" he smiles but it doesn't reach the eyes behind his mask. I think he doesn't like the whole masquerade thing.

"Everyone seems to like it Mr. President" I reply, that's it lets get everyone on my side. Then he can't blame me for a good idea.

We eat, we dance and we mingle. I even for a brief second catch Plutarch again, he's a peacock, he looks ridiculous, maybe its his round figure, and he lacks the grace of the bird he chose.

There is no speech to give, and I am completely spent as the party winds down. So much activity…I have to smile.

So much to put in my letter to Peeta.