As normal the arrival of the Tributes was met with excitement from those who watched the games in the Capitol. A path had been cleared by Peacekeepers leading to the normal truck to take you to the new Tribute Centre. The pair of you knowing you would be on the fourth floor, the large apartment being lavishly decorated and would house, your district advisor, stylists, mentor and both you and Finnick. You both new everything was going to be different this year, the things to make the games so predictable would have been replaced. Although you strongly suspected some things would remain the same, how could it not. You knew the excited Capitol citizens would still bet, expect this time it would be on adults and former victors rather than scared children. Just as you suspected the scoring system would remain. Yet the one thing both you and Finnick questioned was the Tributes Parade, was there even a need for it this year, all of you were known to the Capitol, they likely already had their favourites and new who'd they be supporting.
"I dare you to laugh at Johanna dressed like a tree…. Again" muttered Finnick as the two of you stood in the lift, the small journey down to the waiting area. You could only smirk as you remembered her friendly threat amidst the banter. If anyone dared laugh at her costume she would happily bury her axe in their face at the first given opportunity. "Or wind Haymitch up again" he added in such a smooth tone, his only response was a chuckle radiating from your painted lips. The dress you wore was one that displayed your stunning figure beautifully, yet not what the costumes normally display for District 4. instead the stylist had taken your nickname of Warrior Princess as inspiration, with the several shades of blue as the colour scheme, as well as trident just in case people missed the point.
"How about both" (Y/N) responds, winking in Finnick's direction. Mags with the pair of you, only offering a silent smile as she shook her head and rolled her eyes at the playful banter going on between the pair of you. Yet it was also clear her mind was somewhere else, likely on the plans to have been set in motion, the same plans both of you would be apart of. "See how long it takes you to get Katniss to give you the I hate you look" you challenged, knowing it would only take a matter of seconds for the horses to give him that particular look. "Shouldn't take too long for you to get her attention dressed like that" (Y/N) finished as the elevator come to a stop, both of you exiting, your stylist already waiting for you. You had been met with cheers from those watching the arrivals from above, yet you paid little attention to it, instead going off to greet the horses jobbed with pulling your chariot. Stifling a laugh when passing Johanna, only to see her point at you with a grin.
You waiting patiently for your two targets to arrive, swapping comments with Johanna and some of the other tributes you'd become friends with over the years. The horses have your main attention, as you gave them to much needed care and the odd treat. Finnick the opposite side once again arguing with them over the sugar cubes, although this time they seemed far more determined to get them off him, snapping now and again or generally nudging with the intent of knocking him over. The familiar tributes of District 12 soon appeared, Katniss going straight to the horses, almost startled by the cheers from above.
"Settling into life as a capitol darling and victor?" you ask upon reaching the other blonde, yet he seemed almost stunned you'd even notice he was there let alone talk to him. Even Haymitch to his side seemed intrigued by your efforts to mingle with those who were at a disadvantage in the games. Yet he also questioned your motives, other than to ruffle a few feathers. (Y/N) soon adjusted the blue jewelled crown upon her head, as well as sweeping the black curls over your shoulder, although being careful not to show the scar down your neck. "Not much of a talker, or are you like Haymitch there and question my sanity?" questioned (Y/N), a grin coming to your lips as you watched Peeta turn around to peer at Haymitch.
"Peeta this is (Y/N) (L/N), victor of the 68th Games. Affectionately known as District 4's Warrior Princess. She's one of the most loved victors" voiced Haymitch when he found the right words to explain who you were. Your grin turned into a smirk upon turning your silver eyes to him, watching as he tried to loosen the collar of his shirt. "Also known to be a pain in the ass to anyone she winds up" quickly added Haymitch as he once again silently question your sanity. You'd personally lost count how many times he had been your chosen victim of torment, even when he didn't mean it, he gave you the reaction wanted, even more so when Johanna helped you with your task of flustering him.
"I'm also really good at collecting secrets" commented (Y/N), holding out a hand with two sugar cubes in, hearing Finnick the opposite side of the horses winding Katniss up and asking her where her frilly girly dresses had gone. "What about you Star Crosses Lover, got any interesting secrets?" you ask, looking to Haymitch as to silently confirm you were well aware of the act between the two tributes of his district, yet you never once uttered the words of it. "I would ask Haymitch, but we all know he spills all when drunk" (Y/N) finishes, as you return you silver eyes back to Peeta. Yet even he could tell you knew about his act, although to him it seemed like you were also trying to protect him from something.
"Well I guess it will be a challenge for you to figure them all out" responded Peeta, taking a sugar cube from your hand and giving it to one of the horses with care. He soon returned to Katniss's side, just as Finnick left her and returned to you, both of you smirking although you were also stunned Peeta had played along with your games. Without a second thought you accepted Finnick's arm and walked with him back to the chariot for your district, once again chuckling as you passed Johanna, to which she only grinned back, knowing it was all part of the fun, just as it was clear she was going to enjoy the small amount of time all of you had left before going back in the arena to face inevitable death again.
"Ready for this?" questioned Finnick, his blonde hair fluffy, likely from where the district stylist had done a few last minute touches. "I'm sure the entire Capitol will be cheering as always" muttered the smooth blonde, stepping on the chariot as your side. The trident over the top, tide in place. You could only grin as you mentally prepared yourself for what was to come, for when the background noise of cheers became the forefront of everything to the point you wouldn't be able to hear yourself think let alone anything else. "Remember, when we go passed Snow, don't acknowledge him" reminded Finnick, as the chariot was pulled forward with ease, the bright sunlight become blinding, as the cheers became deafening.
About half way down the long parade route, Finnick took hold of your hand and raised it in the air as a symbol of unity despite what awaited you. Both of you grinned, after all neither of you were strangers to the Capitol, hence you had an entirely different persona when there, one of confidence and cockiness. The crowd cheered loudly, yet neither of you acknowledge Snow as you went passed, instead looking straight forward, at least relieved neither of you would have to heard the normal speech that President Snow would normally give to the tributes. Instead the chariots merely circled around and went back up the long parade circuit. You knew upon arriving back you would be reviewing over the other tributes, likely so your mini team could decide whom would make the best allies, even when you knew this it would be different. No allies needed as much this time. Instead you'd be discussing the best way to keep Katniss and Peeta alive until the rescue could come. A task all of you involved wouldn't be easy, you could at least be glad you could use your talent of causing distractions to good use, but you also knew the career tributes of District 1 and 2 would like become more of a threat than before.
"I guess we get to look forward to training" uttered Finnick as if it was his favourite part of the whole thing, yet both of you knew the game makers and other officials would be watching closely before the individual assessments that would once again decide your score and over all odds of surviving the entire thing. "Your chance to shine with your talent of distractions" added the smooth blonde, you now had the honour of calling trusted district partner.
"Don't forget the dreaded interviews with Caesar" (Y/N) responds, your normal grin in place as your silver eyes once again shone, this time with a mixture of mischief and anger. The mischief normal, where as the anger was over the entire games and once again being a tribute for it. Yet most of it was at Snow for making the decision to put former victors back into the arena, thrust breaking his word and promise of leaving them be to find their sense of peace. "You know he'll ask about ze relationship. They always bring it up" utter (Y/N) knowing it would be brought up, although this time Caesar had the chance to ask about it rather than his normal speculation.