Hello everyone! First, thank you for reading thus far, I really appreciate it. I put a lot of effort into this book and work on it between studying and working on my debut original novel, so it means a lot that people like it. A massive thank you to TigreMalabarista for favouriting this story, it made my day.

Just a quick Trigger Warning: In the latter part of this story there is mention to sexual assault, so I wanted to prepare you for that. From the part where they are chatting in Gloss's room and go into the bathroom (no, Gloss is not assaulted), there is inference and direct comments made to that, so if that is a trigger for you, don't read from when they go to get the glitter off his face.

Now, without any more chatter I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I'll update again when I can.

Even with the elevator doors shut the Capitols excitement bleed through, infusing the air with their unfiltered excitement. I shared a look with Paragon, trying desperately to keep my expression neutral, instead I'm sure all my energy flooded my eyes, unable to be constrained. He shook his head fondly at me and ruffled my hair, his gaze telling me to stay silent. It struck me in that moment that it may have been odd we could communicate so easily, but I guessed every mentor was able to. It was their jobs after all.

Thankfully it was only one floor we had to go up to, since the lower area was all communal. I could barely contain my excitement, the energy getting to me. Glancing at Rarity I could tell she was feeling it too, excitement and pride pouring off her in droves. Still, a firm look from our mentors told us to shut up and we did, though our eyes were drinking in every detail of the elevator and my mind was working overtime to remember each moment. Thankfully the door sprung open, and I barely remembered my routine in time to let the girls go first. It was like all sense of strategy had been washed away in the cheers, and I had to consciously remind myself to stay in check. Glancing at Paragon he gave me a stern look and I used it to ground myself, to let it deflate me a little so I could function.

"You next boy." He said, nodding for me to take the lead.

"Thanks, Paragon." I said, giving him as big a smile as a dare.

He just grumbled under his breath; some choice curse words standing out. I was momentarily shocked. No one in our District spoke like that, that was for the common Two's. Still, I brushed it away due to the fond tone he used and strode off, holding my head high until I entered the doorway to our- get this- suite.

All words evaporated from my tongue when I saw the space, as if I hadn't done years and years of speech training. It was as if all the beauty in Panem was captured and thrown in this room, making every inch shine proudly. The walls were a beautiful, muted silver, the living area sunken in and lined with couches. A huge TV stood on the wall, bigger than all of Two's ego, winking at me as I took in the sheer enormity of the machine. The dining room was all black, the swirls of gold on the black cushions standing out like a Victor amongst the fallen. Everywhere I looked more beauty stood out; the room seeming to taunt me as I struggled to drink it all in.

"Holy Snow, this is…" I paused, throwing my arms up as I tried to think of the right word.

"Incredible?" Rarity offered; her eyes as big as saucers.

"Yes, incredible, and this is all ours?" I checked, turning to Tatiana for an answer.

She giggled, her now blue curls wobbling on top of her head. "Yes dear, it is for the entire time till the festivities begin!" She cooed. Making her way down the steps into the sunken pit.

"Now you two go and have a shower, you are getting glitter everywhere!" Tatiana huffed, already making herself comfortable on the plush red sofa.

I shared a look with Rarity but we both nodded, turning to our respective mentors. They didn't speak, just moved behind us and removed our wings with the grace of a Capitol surgeon. Immediately my entire back felt lighter, and I rolled my broad shoulders, dispersing some of the tension that had built up.

"There we go boy." Paragon said, giving me a clap on the back. "You two go have a shower and come out when you are ready. We'll get dinner sorted and make a plan for training tomorrow."

I nodded, but heard Rarity scoff, drawing all attention to her. "Why do we even need to go to training, we are already the best." She didn't even look at anyone when she spoke, just kept her eyes on her glittery nails, as if all this was below her.

Guess the parade really got to her I thought, all sense of humility she had being lost to the applause.

"Even with your training, you can always learn something new down in that room." Paragon said, any traces of amusement vanished from his tone.

"What do they have to teach us? We already learned everything we needed at the Academy and are already the best. Especially me, Chardonnay said so." She finished smugly, turning her gaze to her mentor, who just stood there with a disbelieving smile.

"Rarity I think its best we listen; they've won their Games and have knowledge we can only fight to obtain when we get in there." I said, aware of how much of a suck up I sounded. "If Paragon and Chardonnay say we might learn things there then I agree with them."

I didn't dare look at Paragon, just kept my gaze firmly on Rarity. She shot me a stormy glare, her annoyance palpable. "Snow, you are such a suck-up big boy." She said, sneering the nickname she gave me. "The only good those sessions will bring is cementing our alliance. And if you ask me, we don't even need them." She said, a haughty expression on her face.

"What do you mean we don't need them? We are Careers, and we have this whole strategy-"

"Oh please, you need the alliance, and I don't. You all are just going to hold me and my skills back. Right Chardonnay?" She turned her expectant gaze to Chardonnay, who wasn't even paying attention, having soundlessly walked over to the drinks cart and poured herself her namesake.

"Oh, now you want my opinion?" She scoffed, turning her gaze back to her tribute.

"Well yea, you are my mentor." The soundless duh seemed to resonate around the spacious room.

Chardonnay moved with feline like grace, each movement calculated. She placed her goblet back on the tray and stalked over, her heels clacking with each step. A deceptive calmness spread across her face, and it wasn't until she got closer that Rarity's superior façade started to track. "Am I your mentor? Are you sure? Are you sure I am good enough for the oh so superior Rarity Grace?" Chardonnay said, her tone at a falsetto before spitting out the other girl's name.

"Char come on please be- "

Chardonnay let out a guttural roar as she crossed the rest of the space and swung her let low, making Rarity scream as she slammed hard into the ground. Chardonnay hand her arms held above her head and sat on the other girl's legs in such a way they were immobile, her upper body squirming pathetically as she begged for mercy. Sneering, Chardonnay oved a gilded knife to the other girl's throat, bloodlust dripping from her megawatt smile.

"I told you to never call me that name, and you did." She tsked, pressing the serrated edge of the knife hard enough to draw beads of blood. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I-I'm sorry C-chardonnay. I-t won't hap-happen again." Rarity stuttered out, tears rolling down the apples of her cheeks.

"See that it doesn't. And if you think you are so much better than everyone else, I assume you don't need me huh? Don't need strategy, or Sponsors or anything. You are so good you only need yourself isn't that right, Rarity." She spat, a spray of spit covering the younger girls face.

"No please, I do need you!"

"Oh really? What was all that bullshit you were sprouting earlier huh?"

Tears fell hot and heavy down Rarity's cheeks and I felt a knot thread itself in my throat, a glassy sheen taking over my vision as I practically tasted her fear. Memories of that vermin Medallion doing this to Cash slammed into my mind, and it took everything in me to keep from falling apart at the familiarity. Paragon placed his hand on my shoulder, feeding my silent strength. I pulled it in greedily and stood firmer, keeping my face impassive.

"I didn't mean it; I was just high off the success from the parade!" Rarity said, her tone taking on a franticness only heard by the bloodbath tributes. "I need your help, I really do. I'll do everything you say without complaint, just please, don't kill me and don't let me die!" She wailed, her words barely distinguishable over her wails.

"Ugh you are disgusting. Can't believe I thought you'd win this. You are nothing, contrary to your name you are a dime in a dozen, nothing special." Chardonnay snapped; her tone feral. "But I made a promise when I offered to Mentor, and I intend to keep it."

Without another word she took the knife away, throwing it so it imbedded itself onto the plush couches, earning a gasp from Tatiana. Judging by the smirk on Chardonnay's face when she heard it, that was no accident. Chardonnay picked herself up with more grace than a trained killer should have and towered over her tribute, madness and understanding congealing in her gaze. She bent down and offered her hand to the snivelling girl, and just watched as Rarity shakily took the offered limb. Something sick crossed Chardonnay's face as she pulled the girl up till, she was a whisper away from being vertical, before letting her go. Fear crossed Rarity's face as she dropped, closing her eyes and praying for it to not hurt as much as the last time. Luckily for her, Chardonnay reached out and stopped her when she was a breath away from the dark wood, making Rarity open her eyes shakily. This time her mentor allowed her to stand, but Chardonnay pulled her close and spoke at a volume that assumed was to make sure I heard it too.

"Your Mentors are your lifelines. We can just as easily let you fall as we can offer you a lifeline. Don't you forget it." She hissed, before stepping away from her shaking tribute, not even phased by the scratches her nails left on the shaking girl's arm.

"What are you waiting for? Go shower. I'll send an Avox in soon with some medicine." Rarity didn't say anything just scampered off, unshed tears lining her eyes.

Silence descended upon us as she sashayed her way back to her glass, taking her sweet time to refill. She took a generous sip before catching my eyes, and the deep-rooted pain in her eyes floored me. She covered it up quickly by sending me a wink and striding off, her hips shaking teasingly as she vanished into what I assumed was the kitchen.

My brain felt like TV static as I looked to Paragon, questions practically falling out of my pores. He gave me a grim smile, all sense of cheerfulness gone from the moment the mood switched. "Go have a shower boy, any requests for dinner?" He asked gently, deliberately staring the conversation.

"Um no, anything except sea food." I said dumbly, my mind reeling.

He just nodded and gave my shoulder another squeezed before turning on his heel. I watched as he vanished around the corner, I saw Chardonnay go, and mot for the first time I counted my lucky stars he was my mentor and not the basket case that was Chardonnay.

I gave Tatiana a small nod and a glint of a smile before I followed Rarity, hoping a shower would wash off the craziness of the day. And to think, this all started with two slips of paper, 4 words and a beautiful parade.

After a luxury shower, I slipped on a pair of soft black pants and a matching hooded jumper, not feeling the need to dress up. The craziness of the afternoon had sapped me of energy, and all I really wanted to do was go to bed. Memories of Chardonnay's rampage made any thoughts of disobeying vanish as fast as they appeared, and before long I found myself siting at the sleek black table, with the most delicious food I had ever seen in front of me.

"Lamb shanks with a garlic potato mash and a selection of greens." Paragon explained, smiling at my enthusiasm to the meal.

"It looks so good, thank you, Paragon for organising it for me." I said deferentially, not wanting to risk a melt down from him.

"No problem, boy, now dig in."

I didn't need telling twice. The meat fell off the bone and the potato had a slight sweetness that mixed well with the garlic. And the greens, I had never been a vegetable fan but whoever cooked these made them taste sweeter than usual, as if each leaf and part was dipped in honey. Maybe it had been, who knows with the lavishness of the Capitol.

I was aware of Rarity picking at her meal and the way the wine seemed to vanish from Chardonnay's glass before she even touched it. Still, if she was drunk, she didn't let it show, her movements still graceful even with the haze of alcohol surrounding her.

As soon as we had polished off the dessert, a vanilla creamy concoction that melted in my mouth, Paragon cleared his throat, ceasing the minimal conversation that flew around the table.

"Alright, so tomorrow is your first training session. You both have your strategies that we have undoubtedly told you, but this is your collective strategy." He said, and I momentarily froze when he gave up the fact, we had a secret strategy.

Chardonnay scoffed, letting a glimpse of a drunk woman seep through. "Relax pretty boy, it's the same way every year. Us mentors give you your private strategy the there's a group one. So, stop looking like a scared squirrel or I'll gut you like one."

I froze at her words but pushed it away, managing a small nod and "yes ma'am."

"You will not be gutting my Tribute Chardonnay, so stop with your empty threats." It did not escape my notice Paragon refrained from using the nickname he usually favoured for her, and after seeing her flying off the handle, I didn't blame him.

She rolled her eyes exaggeratedly before taking another sip of her wine, this one having an alight yellowish tinge to the clear bubbles. "So, while in here you will show off your skills as usual but be more personable than most D1 tributes. Lull the others, especially D2 into a false sense of security." She said, swirling the contents of her glass.

"You will show them enough that they know you are a threat but will temper it with personability. Make D2 think you could be a threat but not a major one, as you are too nice in their minds to act on it." Paragon said, taking a sip of his own goblet.

"Okay so be threatening but not too threatening." I summarised, getting an approving nod from my Mentor.

"Exactly. This will likely warm D4 to you both and could make D7 more receptive to having an alliance if you don't seem all uppity and arrogant." He continued, shooting a glance to Rarity who had not spoken a word since the meal began. " I spoke to the District Four Mentors with Chardonnay during the parade and both their mentors, Neeta Pearling and Schnapper Lining were interested in the Career alliance."

"I'm surprised Mags isn't here, ever since she married Schnapper they usually Mentor together." Chardonnay said, and I got a vague memory of the back-to-back winners of the 11th and 12th Games wedding, my memory rusty as it is not something we focused on in training.

My Mentor shrugged, not having a satisfactory answer. "I'm not sure, though I've seen Mags around, along with glimpses of Brutus, Charisma and Ambrosia."

I had to block out the fan in me when their names were mentioned. Brutus Cuisse, despite being from our rival district in Two, was something of a god to the younger ones, having decimated the competition in the 44th Games. Charisma Tarquin was also a celebrity, the woman having won the 42nd games and living in the Capitol, working as an actress and attending all the best parties. Something she had in common with Ambrosia Godling, Victor of the 36th games, the woman having only just recently being seen more often in our District than in the Capitol.

Shaking my mind back into the game I took a sip of my goblet, giving myself a moment. "Do you want us to talk with D7 at all or keep our distance?" I asked, keeping my posture perfect.

They shared a look before shrugging, looking at me. "If the situation is right, got for it, have a chat with them. But do not make it seem like you are actively seeking them, that will reek of desperation which we don't want." Paragon finally said, and I could practically hear his mind ticking away.

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

"What if D2 challenges us or wants us to prove ourselves with posturing to the Bloodbaths?" Rarity finally spoke, keeping her gaze submissively to the table as she spoke.

"That's a good question." Paragon said, getting in before Chardonnay could even speak. "My advice would be to make a comment about the bloodbaths not being worth it and make it loud enough for the targets to hear."

She nodded, keeping her gaze down.

A strained silence grew from that, as none of us really had more to add. We knew what we needed to do and how to do it, we just needed to wait until tomorrow. Even Tatiana stayed silent, picking up on the weird energy.

"Alrighty then, off to bed with you two. You have much to do tomorrow and need your beauty rest!" She finally said, her cheer sounding off as she slathered her voice with it.

"Alight, thank you all for the food and for the advice, see you in the morning." I said, my nerves fraying the longer I sat there.

"I'll walk you to your room." Paragon said, sliding out of his chair.

I nodded, not wanting to anger him. He bid her own goodnight to everyone, and we walked in silence to my room, not quite as companionable as before Chardonnay seemed to lose her mind. He beckoned me to go first, and I shrugged, stepping into the opulent room and making my way down the steps into the sunken area, before sitting on the side of the bed.

Paragon waited for the doors to whoosh shut before climbing down the stair, taking his own set. Silence stretched out around us, wrapping our us like a noose. I wanted to break it, to say something, but the rope got tighter, making it feel impossible to shake.

"I still remember when this was my room. Albeit slightly less grand." He said, and I felt like I could finally breathe.

"Yea? Were you as excited as I am?" I asked, moving so I could lean against the dark headboard.

"Oh yes, I was thrilled. The excitement of the parade got to me as well, thought I didn't have as good of a designer as you did." He said, chuckling at memories.

"Yea I got pretty lucky, hopefully the Capitol liked it as much as they appeared to." I said noncommittedly, trying to hide behind feigned nonchalance.

A single glance showed me that I was fooling nobody.

"They did, don't worry. Had a few people asking about you and your strengths, so provided nothing drastic happened between now and the games I think we should be set for sponsors. Also managed to have a chat with Daphne Hardwood and Argan Vachellia, District Seven Mentors and got some feelers out. They are a bit uneasy but seemed to consider it but made sure that I knew Acacia and Elaeis come as a package deal."

I nodded, already expecting that. Most Districts tended to come in pairs, especially in the rare cases an outsider was invited into our coveted ranks. "That's fine with me, I can use Acacia to get Elaeis's trust like we talked about."

He nodded, having already considered that. "Exactly my boy. And remember what we talked about, not showing your skill with throwing knives only the spear and a little of your hand-to-hand skills." I nodded, remembering his advice.

"And don't forget to try tidy up your skill with maces and the sword." I nodded, ready to do anything he suggested.

"We can work on your survival skills you and I here after training, plus all Mentors can book in for up to an hour training with their Tribute if they wish before the games, so we can do some survival stuff there and I can help you with a sword."

I blinked at that, thinking we wouldn't be allowed that. Seeing my expression, he chuckled, making me relax a little more around him. "It's not common knowledge and barely anyone takes it up, but we will for sure."

Silence once again reigned between us as I worked out what to say. As usual he managed to read me like a book, instantly garnering my attention. "I know you are a bit nervous around me after Chardonnay's show earlier and don't give me that look, you know as well as I do that it's true." I looked down at the intricately designed golden blankets, unable to deny. "But I want you to know I'll never do that to you; we are a team." I looked up at him, searching his expression for any dishonesty. I was thankful in that moment that we were taught this skill in training, especially since I saw nothing but truth in his expression.

"Why did she loose it like that with Rarity? I mean, I know she was being difficult and everything but- why?"

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, momentarily aged beyond his mere 32 years. Looking around he nodded towards the bathroom, an unreadable expression in his eyes. "You've still got glitter on your face, my boy. Is that an accident or a new fashion statement?"

I looked at him before settling my expression, following his need. "I thought I got it all!" I groaned, rubbing a spot on my forehead.

He chuckled, slipping off the bed. "Come on my boy, I'll help you get it off. Honestly, I'm more like your father than Mentor." He teased, and I ignored the pang of warmth that appeared at the idea of him being my dad.

"Fine, how does it go everywhere anyway?" I grumbled, following his hulking frame to the attached bathroom.

He only chuckled as he turned on the tap, gesturing for me to take a seat on the closed lid of the toilet. I pulled a face but did as she suggested, knowing that he was positioning us in a way that the cameras would not be able to see. I knew there were cameras in here, the Academy prepping us to be able to always tell. They were cleverly hidden but placed in a way that missed the toilet, giving us the illusion if privacy.

With a deft movement he turned on the tap as far as it could go, effectively drowning out most of the sound. He got a cloth and wet it, muttering to himself so the cameras could pick out what we were saying before he got quieter. He dipped the towel into the water before leaning over me, positioning himself so the cameras could not see us.

XXX Trigger Warning XXX

"My boy, being a Victor isn't all shiny crowns and applause, there is a darker side, more common for the female tributes than anyone else." He whispered, before making his voice go louder as he moved back, expertly playing the cameras and microphones like they were an instrument or weapon. "I can't tell you too much, but your sister has been put in similar positions that Chardonnay has, and the way that Rarity spoke to her was a trigger."

"Boy, you look more like a disco ball than a Tribute right now." He chuckled, dipping the cloth back into the water before leaning back over. "Chardonnay has a lot of guilt over her victory as well and is worried about Rarity facing similar guilt to her. Men in the Capitol are entranced by Chardonnay, and some don't know the meaning of the word no. When I pull back, I need you to groan and laugh okay. Ready."

"Ugh come on Paragon, I can do it myself." I groaned, despite the hammering in her chest as my stomach twisted into lead. "And you don't need to tease me about it either." I tacked on to explain any mutterings.

"Boy, if you could do it yourself you wouldn't be covered in glitter now, would you. Now come on, not much longer. Suck it up." He replied sternly, wetting the cloth, and leaning back over me. "I can't tell you anything else but trust me boy when I say she is doing the best she can with a bad history, and know that I'll never hurt you, you are my boy now." He whispered, squeezing my arm where he leant over me.

"Are you done yet? I want to get to bed sometime before the Games start." I groaned, acting the annoyed kid I knew he needed me to be.

Chuckling he leant back, crossing him arms and nodding with a self-satisfied look on his face. "Yup, you look back to normal, disco." He teased, and this time my groan wasn't for show.

"You are going to call me that forever now, aren't you?" I muttered, rolling my eyes.

"Of course! You are ma 'boy now so I can give you any nickname that I want." He joked, ruffling my hair.

I just groaned and stood up, going to the mirror as if to check his handy work. I didn't think there was any glitter left but seeing the specks lining the basin, I knew it wasn't all made up. Lucky for us if they wanted to inspect the basin for evidence. I felt Paragon squeeze my shoulder and caught his eyes in the mirror, the affection radiating out of his gaze flooring me.

"Get ready for bed and I'll come wake you in the morning. I know you are excited so If you can't sleep come see me and can give you a pill to help." He instructed, back in Mentor mode.

I nodded to him in the mirror, already putting my toothbrush under the dispenser that slathered paste into the bristles. "Sounds good Paragon, see you in the morning." I said, shoving the brush into my mouth and cleaning each tooth, if only to distract my mind.

"Night, disco." He teased, his chuckle weaving through the air.

I rolled my eyes and focused, the conversation flooding back. I had through being a Victor was so glamourous and filled with wealth, but maybe I had misjudged. I guess the darkness is the guilt that come back to you once you are back home, because even though they trained us not to care, I knew from my…training sessions that the guilt always clawed back, shredding your ribs and leaving your heart bare. I should have realised that this would be no different, but still, I managed it then, I'll managed it now. Though the idea of a man forcing himself on Chardonnay was almost laughable, the woman was tough as nails. Still, there was no denying the stabbing pain behind those sly eyes, and I had seen Cash hiding her own pain behind an air of arrogance so I shouldn't be so presumptive.

Finishing up, I spat and rinsed before making my way to bed. Surely if the Capitol knew of the horrors that Chardonnay had faced, they would help her, and if they were still somehow happening then Snow would leap to his Victor's defence? He loved his Victors and was a just president, no matter what the Bloodbath Districts thought.

Climbing into bed and pulling the blanket over my I realised I had another reason for winning. Not only could I protect my sister from Medallion and give her life she deserved, but I could also protect Chardonnay and even talk to the President, make him aware of the experiences some of his beloved Victors had. He loved his Victors, and when I won, he would love me, meaning that he would listen to me. Chardonnay may be embarrassed, after all she was one of the most vicious to come out of the Arena, but I'd be the mouthpiece of her, and hopefully and horrors she experiences due to the overzealous Capitol and District One men would be a think of the past.

I'd make sure of it.

Oh Gloss, you misinterpreted that conversation. Just goes to show how mind warped these Careers are and how much they place Snow on a pedestal. This is the longest chapter I have written in this book; 4,500 words and I hope you enjoyed it! Next chapter will be the training session, creation of alliances and the potentially the one-on-one session I alluded to. I know that is not cannon, but I figured that as Careers they would get more allowances and make use of every opportunity. Plus, this will let me build the relationship between Paragon and Gloss more, and I love their relationship.

I am trying to expand on the Games in this world and adding in Victors as I see fit. We knew in the 75th Games Mags had a husband, and I figured she would marry someone who got her trauma. If there is enough interest, I may do a one-shot or even a short story about Mags and Schnappers Games and how they fell in love. Let me know if it is something you would be interested in reading.

I am considering doing Cashmere's POV in the next chapter or so, and wanted to ask if there's any other POV's you'd be interested in? Either Rarity's, Paragon's, Chardonnay's, or anyone eels, just let me know in the review section. I am expecting about three more chapters before the Games begin, so if people are interested in a Mentor's POV I might put them in during the Games.

But anyway, that is enough from me, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and stick around for more to come!

Thanks, TBP.

Tributes and Mentor list

District One: Paragon Pelline (Victor of the 48th Games) and Chardonnay Figaro (Victor of the 54th Games)

Other Victors: Ambrosia Godling (Victor of the 36th Games) and Charisma Tarquin (Victor of the 42nd Games)

Tributes: Gloss Ametrine and Rarity Grace

District Two: Ajax Siege (Victor of the 55th Games) and Ballista Carronade (Victor of the 25th Games

Other Victors: Brutus Cruisse (Victor of the 44th Games)

Tributes: Garrison Sallet and Marcella Placket

District Four: Schnapper Lining (Victor of the 12th Games) And Netta Pearling (Victor of the 43rd Games)

Other Victors: Mags Flanagan (Victor of the 11th Games)

District Seven: Daphne Hardwood (Victor of the 34rd Games) and Argan Vachellia (Victor of the 28th Games)

Tributes: Elaeis Silverling and Acacia Alnus