Chapter 26. Wow. That's amazing that we have over 200 reviews. I'm so blessed!

Now, I am very happy in all of your questions, responses, criticism, ect. It makes me smile to still see people I've had with me on this journey to create a love story for the best Hunger Games pairing. Impossible Love can overcome anything (even the Hunger Games.)

Enjoy chapter 26!

I need everything you own.

Make it all so real by learning to feel,

it's not really happening,

What's going on is much more.

Christina Perri, "My Eyes."

Katniss POV

It's time, as we're again woken up for tonight's banquet. Crazy Capitol people will be dressed in frivolous, large ballgowns and colored tuxedos, waiting for the chance to meet the Victors in love. Some will laugh with smiles on their faces, but inside? I know they want to use us; mostly our bodies. The rest? I have no idea. I'm not great at reading other's emotions.

By the time that Cato and I are walking to the limo, a long black car with tinted windows, people bustle around us, probably ones who aren't invited to the event. It's screaming, shouting, cheering, and most of all, throwing. Roses, shoes, keys, you name it! These people will hurl whatever they have in their morphed purses.

Once safely inside, I examine what I'll be wearing tonight. It's a long, billowy, long-sleeved midnight black dress that frays out to create somewhat of a halo around my torso and on down. The uncomfortable corset I wear is tight, very hard to breathe in. No wonder Effie is so uptight.

My shoes are the regular heels, which I've still carried the loathing for. What can I say? The first hour in them gave me blisters. Cato, who sits right next to me, is clad in a black and yellow tux and black khakis, followed by gelled hair and fancy dress shoes. It's casual in a dressy way and for some reason, this tux has been by far the best for his figure.

And now I pity him. Capitol women will be throwing themselves at his feet, begging for a one night stand. Husbands will be furious. And Cato will be caught in the cross fire.

We arrive shortly to Snow's mansion, the place that is supposedly hosting the banquet. It's glowing, light pouring out of the windows and spreading out across the yard. The tall windows have stained glass, all of different colors, creating images that are complex and luminous. It's classy... and the absolute opposite of District Twelve. Of the colorless towns that are simple and cozy, despite the overhanging death in the air. They're opposites, and I love my District because of it. I love how they don't need the luxuries to survive, yet it would be better to live off what would give us more comfort. We don't need the fashionable clothes, or the rules, or any pets.

We just need a roof over our head, clothes on our back, food to eat, and a helping hand. The opposite of the Capitol mutts, who bathe in gold, expensive wrist watches, and multi-colored wigs. The layers of makeup that coat their faces hid who they are, which is what they call fashion. I call it cowardly. I think they are insecure and scared of the world around them, yet also pent up in their minds and deluded with lies. And Snow wants to keep it that way. This is how different we are.

Polar opposites. The only difference? We don't balance each other out; I can live without him, for it would be best if the world was rid of the poisonous snake. What better way to kill the snake than his polar opposite, his rival? His enemy? Or his Victor? Nothing is.

Once Cato and I enter the room, all eyes turn to us. A feast is set out onto the table, platters of pink and green soups with brown crackers serving as the appetizers. My dress is sweeping the ground, hiding my uncomfortable shoes and unclothed legs. It's warm and gives off the effect of burning coal once the lights turn on my face. It blinds me for a moment before Cato grabs my arm and hauls me over and out of the spotlight.

"You okay? You looked a bit shell-shocked."

I grin and nod. "Yeah, I'm fine." Grabbing his hand, I move over the food, and immediately, disgust fills my senses. They have enough money for crystal platters, roasted pig, and hearty desserts, whereas District Twelve and the lower districts skip at least one meal a day. How heartless can one city be?

I find an oddly-shaped nut covered in a dark brown substance I easily recognize as chocolate. Picking it up with my thumb and pointer finger, I plop it in my mouth and instantly feel a melting sensation. But movement behind me makes me turn my head as I swallow the now liquidized chocolate.

"Miss Everdeen?" a fat man with a greying beard asks me. It's gelled with a green substance, making it fit in with the colors of the lightly drunken citizens.

"Yes?" I reply.

"Hello. I'm Plutarch Heavensbee," he introduces, "the new head Gamemaker." My mind reels. New Gamemaker?

That's when i realized something. Seneca Crane is dead.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Heavensbee," I politely say.

"Well directed back to you, Katniss." He takes a sip of the champagne in his hand before continuing. "How are you enjoying life as a victor?"

In my point of view, it's horrible. You live with the guilt of knowing that you killed those innocent kids in the blink of an eye just so you could live. But the worst of all? Knowing that my life has become a living hell; Prim's life is on the line. Yet I can't tell that to a Capitolite. So I lie instead, letting the words form in my head before I spew them in haste.

"It's wonderful. I mean, the fancy dresses, lavish parties, wonderful food... it's heavenly," I casually bend down to plop another chocolate in my mouth.

"Ah, yes, it is fine indeed. If you don't mind me asking, but would you care to dance?" the fat man asks. My eyes inwardly pop at dancing with this fellow but I accept despite my hatred towards everyone who lives here; except for Cinna and maybe Effie.

We chat while our bodies lightly sway back and forth, at least ten or eleven inches apart.

"If I may ask, Katniss, are you planning anything special with your fiance?" I haven't really thought about anything of the sorts. I mean, yeah, I was planning on a live proposal... but a wedding? It ad my knees crippling. I wasn't ready for a wedding at seventeen! I'm too young for this!

But just as I'm about to reply with another lie, Cato appears in my vision, walking towards Plutarch and I. The chunky man notices and flashes me a glance of a mockingjay crest hidden in the depths of his wrist watch. He walks away just as my new fiance reaches me, a look of suspicion on his face.

"Who was that?" he asks.

I shake my head in emphasis.

"I don't know."

Okay, I felt like I was a bit sloppy in this chapter and it was rambling on and on! So, this will be part one of the Banquet because (obviously) there is more... including a ball dancing Katniss. Oh, what a sight to see!

Well, I got a review for Sparks Fly! They asked me how Peeta died. I haven't forgotten! Thank you for reminding me! That will be revealed later on when the time is right.

Review! I'll see you all hopefully soon?

~HeyoMyFellowReaders101