Upon reentering the suite, Haymitch swept Katniss and Peeta into the living room, Cinna there with the other stylist and Effie. The intention clear to go over the other tributes to be competing in the quarter-quell. Almost instantly the screen showed the sister and brother duo from District 1. Gloss and Cashmere. Pretty much all advising to keep away from the duo, much like they did with District 2's tributes Brutus and Enobaria. Yet the conversation changed the moment Beetee and Wiress come up from District 3, how the duo was smart, perhaps the smartest in the game.
"(Y/N) (Y/L/N), otherwise known as Warrior Princess of District 4. Probably the most dangerous tribute in the game, she was given a score of 12 in her games and showed why she earnt it in the arena" started Haymitch as he watched over the video of District 4's reaping. All the tributes lined up on the stage. "She volunteered in the place Annie. My advice gets her on your side. If she joins you, so will Finnick" finished Haymitch before the video switched to District 5's tributes, the duo like all the others, unwilling to be there and more than annoyed about being reaped again. The morphlings from District 6 were no better, looking terrified as anyone would be, shaking where they stood as if all they wanted was for it all to be over, or to wake up from the nightmare they'd found themselves in.
Upon District 7 coming up. Haymitch mentioned Johanna's way of surviving the games and her wicked streak since they ended. Yet also advised to get her as an ali. Knowing like (Y/N) she was valuable on in the arena and was friends with those of District 4. District 8, there was little conversation with Effie mentioning Woof was the oldest tribute to compete that year, much as she mentioned Cecilia was a mother, thrust making it far harder for her to be in the games once more. District 11's tributes soon showed, Chaff with part of his arm missing, both he and Seeder amongst the oldest tributes, yet also the friendliest Katniss and Peeta had thrust far met. Instantly Katniss remembered Rue from the year prior.
The training sessions went as normal. Each district keeping to themselves although a few mingled with those whom were friends. Cecilia and Woof over at the edible bugs stand, whereas Johanna practiced her axe wielding skills on one of the podiums. Beetee and Wiress close to each attempting to make a fire from pieces of wood. (Y/N) on the other hand was separate from her district partner, she was at the throwing ranks, practicing her skills with the knives and other throwing weapons, almost insuring District 1 and two knew what they were against this time and would have no easy run as they always expected. Finnick on the other hand was watching from close by, trying different fancy knots on the rope while watching, his eyes firmly on (Y/N). Almost instantly Katniss and Peeta took notice of the pair.
"Let's go make some allies" commented Peeta before heading over to Johanna, noticing quickly how the brother and sister duo of Gloss and Cashmere watched him, as if he was somehow a bigger threat to them than other former victors around the training room. The spectators also watching from their place above, a shield protecting them this time, as if they expected the tributes to be far more hostile. Especially since they were former victors instead of scare children whom normally entered the arenas. Either that or they didn't want a repeat of the previous year's incident involving Katniss firing an arrow at them during the individual assessments.
Almost instantly Katniss went over to Beetee and Wiress, helping them to start the fire, while listening as they pointed out the force field protecting the spectators. Katniss acknowledging out loud she was likely the reason for it, although she couldn't say for sure. Peeta on the other hand started with Johanna, knowing she was dangerous but so were at least half of the other tributes in the training room with him. In a way all of them were dangerous, even if it could be looked over on first glance. Katniss soon went over to (Y/N), opting to ask for some advice on the throwing weapons, while offering to teach her how to use the bow, something the older woman accepted, surprising Katniss by how easy it had been. The two women headed over to the chamber together, Katniss heading in first at (Y/N)'s suggestion, thrust allowing her to show her dangerous skills and incredible aim to the other tributes, thrust sending the message she'd be no push over or easy target.
"Congratulations" started Haymitch upon returning from a meeting with the other mentors towards the bottom of the Tribute's Center. "You get pick of the litter" commented the mentor and former victor, looking to both Katniss and Peeta waiting for one of them to say something when it comes to who they wanted as allies. Both looked at each other, as Effie and Cinna looked on with hope, they'd make the right decision while knowing both were in the dark about what was really going on. About the rebellion happening in the other districts, the same rebellion which had Snow rather concerned. It was clear he feared for what could happen and losing his power.
"I want Beetee and Wiress" started Katniss, Peeta from her side naming Johanna as another potential candidate. Yet moments later Haymitch left, saying he would tell the others they were still deciding after a comment Katniss had made, Not telling either of them he was going to make allies for them in the form of the pair of District 4, Something even Cinna knew would be a good call and even encouraged on several occasions.
When it comes time for the interviews, each lined up backstage waiting for their turn. The live audience seemingly just the same as always and didn't seem to mind their favorite victors were off to the arena once more. It was all a game to them after all. Gloss and Cashmere were on first. Using their platform to try and guilt trip the audience about sending them back into the arena, an act each pairing would likely so. The duo thanked those of the capitol, Enobaria said little but made sure to bare her sharp teeth of in a threatening way, that alone suggesting she was angered by the decision. Brutus answers were short. Much like Wiress gave similar answers in a technical way as if to confuse those listening and Caesar. Finnick was the next one on, knowing what was to come he kept the answer short but playing to what the audience wanted to hear. When Caesar welcomed (Y/N) on to the stage with him, he acted as he normally did to her, gentle and caring. While complimenting her on her tight-fitting dress, black in color to match her midnight hair. Speaking as if he hadn't already seen her wearing the dress while waiting.
"So, I think the question everyone here wants to know. Are you two the district 4's version of the Star-Crossed Lovers?" asked Caesar, seeing how (Y/N) looked down as if embarrassed by the question and how Finnick kept his composure while looking to the audience, as if puposely making them wait. "We've all seen the footage of the two of you. Starting at the 68th games, it's a question we've all being asking for years" continued the host as if hoping to convince the pair into answering them, even when he knew they were both angry at the decision made, yet neither showed it while on camera as others did, instead they acted as they normally did. Keeping themselves to themselves, hoping to be left alone to their own devices. Yet this time that wouldn't happen as they were once again thrust into the spotlight. Finnick soon grinned to (Y/N) winking moments later, as if to signal something.
"Well Caesar I was hoping to make a promise to (Y/N) here tonight. With the whole of Panem as witnesses" began Finnick, his normal cocky attitude in plan as (Y/N) rolled her eyes, while shaking her head in a similar manner. The handsome blonde soon stood to his feet, putting (Y/N) to her moments later, both hearing as the whole studio fell into silence. "Warrior Princess, these last few years have been amazing with you at my side, so if I die in that arena, I'll go with love in my heart and memories of you. Thank you for allowing me to be your Prince Charming" finished Finnick, finally confirming to Panem what had been suspected for so long, yet doing it only when both of you faced certain death.
"I'm with you until the end of the line" responded (Y/N), saying the words that meant far more than anyone truly realized, it was the promise made when you finally accepted Finnick as not just a friend but your soul mate. He'd helped you through the trauma after you come home from the arena, he helped you rebuild what was left of your life while moving on from the devastation of your family's decision, the same people you'd never spoken again after that day. He and Mags had become your family. As several other tributes had become your closest friends, as they too knew what it was like to through the hell of the arena. The pair of you were soon directed towards the stage at the back.
Both of you listened to all the other interviews, how Johanna laughed and spoke her mind, saying a lot of things the other tributes had said. Even how Katniss come out wearing the dress she would have worn on her wedding day, speaking of Snow wanting her to wear it as it was unlikely her wedding would take place now both she and Peeta were in the arena. As she twirled her white dress burnt away to reveal a black dress similar to your own beneath, the wings of a Mockingjay appearing when she spread her arms to the side. Those of you from the districts quickly identifying the bird the outfit had been based on, just as eleven of tributes knew what it symbolized. The rebellion and hope. Sure, enough Katniss was directed to join the others as Peeta come on stage, talking of his relationship with Katniss and the wedding. Causing outrage mere moments later when he spoke of Katniss being pregnant, thrust successfully getting the audience in the Capitol to call for the games to be cancelled. Something the rest of you had failed in doing despite the effort put into it.
As the lights were shut off the last sight seen from the tributes, was all twenty-four standing in unity with holding hands with them held in the air. Standing against the idea of going back in the arena and each showing open disrespect for Snow, knowing there was little he could do about it, especially when each of them already faced certain death.
A/N - Sorry for the long wait. Hopefully be updating this a lot more