You are cordially invited to attend the 70th Hunger Games this Saturday. Until then-

And thus I clothe my naked villainy / With old odd ends stolen forth from holy writ/And seem a saint when most I play the devil.
Shakespeare's Richard III, Act I Scene 3

The elevator doors open on my floor and I had to my room despite Blight trying to flag me down. He knocks and knocks but I ignore him. I pace up and down the room, running my fingers through my short hair as I pace again and again. What am I going to do? What am I going to do?

But it's stupid to ask myself that, I've already decided. The real problem is can I live with it? I don't know if I can or not, but I'll have to deal with it either way. You lose something in the arena, all of your humanity—all of, just everything. But now Finnick had a chance at a real life—or at least a life with someone he loves. If she wins the games, they'll be free to be with each other in their District. They'll be as safe as two people can be in this world.

So the decision is made, all that's left is the planning. Obviously, it's not like I can fund her—that won't do much good anyways. District Four always gets more sponsors than seven so I can't help with money. I can't have my tributes pair up with the careers. What I can do is watch and wait. I'll get my tributes as far as I can then will be the hard part, if Annie makes it then I might have to withhold help, even clue Finnick in to how to beat them. But if she fails…then I can bring one of mine home. So I just have to watch and wait, it's the only plan I've got.

I stand up and there's another knock at my door. I compose myself and open it to find Verity there. "I've come to fix you up for tonight," she says. I don't protest. I let her put on my make-up and get me into my skintight white dress. At the bottom there's a splay of red jewels that is splattered like blood. That's Verity for you though, not too subtle.

She releases me, knowing my patience is almost gone. The stilettos click on the floor as I walk out to find Blight waiting for me. He looks exhausted as I fix the lace on my shoe, "We're going to hit the spots tomorrow."

"The spots?" I wrinkle my face at him.

"All the usual spots to get sponsors. Some will come to us, but we've got some parties to go to. Obviously, you're more popular than I am. There's a lot of invitations this year. The more we get to during the next three days, the more money we'll get for them."

"How many parties?"

"At least twenty invitations."

I sigh, as we go in to see our tributes. The things we'll have to go through to try to help them. I know parties aren't the worst, but it is the Capitol…so they're not exactly pleasant.

When I see our tributes, I'm surprised that Eve is being completely compliant. She has a very tight bra and underwear on, coloured to perfectly match her skin. There's vines wrapped around her breasts, and all the other parts that need to be covered. At least Verity doesn't let her be nearly naked—she just lets her have the illusion of it. Caine is done up similarly, except in a leaf-like kilt. Both of their skin is coated in oil to make their skin bright and luscious. Eve's faces is made up with elaborate greens and browns, her arms tattooed with leaves.

Eve is polite enough to wait until Verity is out of the room before she whispers urgently, "I'm supposed to wear this?" She gestures at it in exasperation.

"You are," I can't help but smile. "It could be worse," I say it softer. "Other stylists wouldn't give you a suit to wear under it." I move a leaf from her face, where they hang loosely in her hair. "She's making them want you. Remember, you want them to want you."

"You didn't," Caine says with his arms crossed.

I smooth Eve's hair again before turning to him. "And I didn't want a partner in the arena. You're not me." I adjust the laurel of leaves on his head. "In the end you'll have to decide, and I didn't want to do that. But I had to kill him anyways."

He starts to say something, but I don't hear him because I'm walking away.

The chariot rides prove to go well. Our tributes are desirable, and their costumes appeals to the baser natures of the Capitol citizens. I play up my vulgar and angry nature to those I meet. I even close a few deals on sponsorships. That's when I take a deep breath and dive in, I'm invited to four parties tonight alone. They want to see me, so I send Blight back with the tributes.

I make my rounds, and after each party there's another one. I dance, I flirt, I make innuendo that I don't mean. The world spins, and my feet ache. By the time that the elevator opens on our floor, I've got my shoes in my hand. My eyes are squinting against the sleep that's threatening to descend on me. I've had too much to drink, so I go to the breakfast table and sit down. I have a plate full of biscuits and gravy and I'm on my second cup of coffee when the tributes show up.

"You look like hell," Eve offers as she sits down in her training uniform.

"Well, what'd you expect. Gotta work awful hard to get such unappealing tributes like you sponsors." I lean my head on the table.

"That's kind of a weak retort for the great Johanna Mason," Caine laughs—too loudly for my head.

"Yeah, I'm tired." I rub my head lightly and struggle to my feet.

"Where are you going?" Eve asks.

"To bed. Blight will take care of you. I've got at least ten parties to go to tonight to try to get you sponsors."

"Really?" Caine questions.

"Really. Even in the Capitol money doesn't grow on trees." I look at him long and hard. "Don't worry kid, I'm doing good for you."

"We know," Eve says lightly. "Thank you." Before I can stop her, she throws her arms around me and Caine follows suit. It feels odd to be held by them and thanked when I might have to let them die in a few days. But I push it from my mind and I find that I'm subconsciously hugging them back.

"Yeah, yeah. Bed or I won't be doing anyone any good."

Nightmares always surprise you, even when they're expected. I wake up drenched in sweat only to fall back under in exhaustion. But there's no use trying to fight it…It just happens no matter what.

By the time I get up, it's late afternoon. I put on one of Finnick's pajama shirts and I walk down the hall with nothing else. They've all just sat down for dinner when I walk in. Caine blushes but continues to stare at me. Eve's mouth falls open. "Did you forget something Johanna?"

"No. I did not. If you're talking about pants, just say it. I don't wear them and you can't make me," I sit down and pour a glass of water. I drain a whole glass and then pour another. Their both gawking at me, "Close your mouths, you look likes fish or tributes from four. How was training?"

It's like being young again. I can imagine that Liam and I are telling mom what our day was like at school. They're telling us the things they've learned. Eve's very perceptive of people—of how they'll react mentally, but Caine can gauge physical weaknesses. It doesn't take long for me to realize it. Before long, I have them discussing tributes in length. By the end of the night, they'll know most of the competitions weaknesses physically and mentally.

They wish me goodnight as I prepare for another round of parties. The next two days go by the same. Except that when I wake up on the third day, I don't have to go anywhere till after the announcements. We sit together and Eve and Caine sit there beside each other. They're much too friendly for my own liking—just friends, but still one of them will have to die.

The scores go up. District One's Silk and Glint get twin eights. District Two's Lux gets a nine, but it's Amber who gets the earth-shattering eleven. District Four's Triton gets a ten and Annie gets a nine. It's time for the moment of truth, Eve and Cain earn and eight an nine. District Eight's Plait gets a six, but District Nine's Keegan gets an seven. District Eleven's Vane and Logan get a five and seven. And finally, District Twelve's Cole gets a six.

We celebrate their eights until I have to leave. They wish me luck and say they'll miss me until I'm back. I tell Blight the kids can stay up past bedtime tonight. His laugh echoes as I leave. As the elevator descends and I adjust my aching feet in my shoes, I try to pull myself together. I need to stop playing house with these kids, because pretty soon I'm going to be mourning at least one of their deaths. This isn't a happy family even if we play make-believe like it is.

I'm exhausted and hell is just beginning. There's no more parties now. Our tributes are dressed up and they're on stage. Everyone plays their roles beautifully; as if they're lives depend on it—because they do. Eve comes off reckless and beautiful; it's a bit unnerving how well she plays it off. Caine is the protector. The rest aren't really important. There's no real reason for me to pay attention to them. They're all just a face they put on for the Capitol.

When we're back in our rooms, we sit with Eve and Caine and sip hot chocolate. It's Eve that breaks the silence, she's looking over at Caine. "Remember what we promised?"

"Yes," he's looking at her. "If it's you, you'll make sure Flora's okay. If it's me, I'll make sure Acanthus is."

She grips his hand, "We stick together even if we have to kill each other. We protect the ones at home."

He holds on to her too, "We meet at the Cornocopia." They look at each other in that easy companionship. They're both trusting of each other, both accepting of their roles. They know they might have to die, might even be killed by each other—but it's not personal, at least not for them.

Blight and I give them some last words of advice, "We won't see you in the morning." I say as I look at them feeling more emotional than I want to admit. "Remember—"

"Don't sleep at the same time."

"Ration your water."

They both smile at me since I've drilled it in their heads so much. "But most of all remember, you can make a weapon out of anything." I can't conceal my smile, "Even a fork." They don't know what I'm talking about so they only smile confusedly.

Blight hugs them both, "See you on the other side."

Eve swallows hard, "Thank you both, for everything."

"Thanks," Caine echoes.

"I'm sorry," it's all I get out. I know they think it means I'm sorry for them to be there, and I am. But I'm sorry that they'll have to die so that Annie can come home, so that Finnick can't become anymore damaged.

Then they've slipped away for the last time. The next time I'll see them is on screen. The next time I see them in person, at least one of them will be cold and still as I watch them nail the coffin over their head.