Katniss finally picked up the book she's been secretly dying to read. But you know what they say be careful what you wish for you just might get it.

I do not own the hunger games


The next night, she sat in the living room curled up on the old beat-up recliner before the fire with blankets wrapped around her shoulders. She began reading by candlelight from where she'd left off.

Each quest that Percy faced was designed to prohibit him from reaching Diana. With the help of the other gods, Percy was able to complete each task. It was his final task that Percy ran into trouble. Aphrodite tricked Percy into thinking the box he was given in the underworld contained the elixir of everlasting life. Aphrodite convinced Percy that the moment he became immortal, Diana would be returned to him.

He instead fell into a deep sleep. Once Percy had succumbed, Diana was released. She found his inert body at the feet of a gleeful Aphrodite. Angered, Diana pinned Aphrodite with her magic arrows and swore if she did not wake Percy, she would mar her face. Afraid of Diana's rage, Aphrodite gave Percy the antidote.

Her father, Cupid, gave Diana a boon for her bravery, to request her heart's desire. Diana requested to become mortal for she was tired of the games the gods played. She wanted to live in peace with Percy.

Her request was granted and they lived for a hundred years until their light was extinguished. Their souls were placed among the stars so that their story could live on forever.

Katniss loved the story and was surprised the author included the original story of Psyche and Cupid at the end of the book.

She blushed heavily as she imagined the story of the beautiful girl and winged man sleeping in the bed together night after night. The way they described the man in the story, reminded her of her lover, the baker. Cupid was fit and tall and very much a Merchant.

Katniss broke down and whispered his name, "Peeta Mellark."

She covered her face with her hands. To everyone in the district, Peeta was out of her league. He might as well have been one of those gods that lived on Mount Olympus.

Those who lived in the Valley had better lives than those who lived in the mountains. The folk of the Seam were impoverished and lived simple lives. A marriage between a Merchant and Seam was nearly unheard of, but it did happen as in Katniss' case.

Katniss lived a life like poor Psyche. She was neither of her world or the one where Cupid existed. Katniss lived in a small house in the woods and not the mountains as her father's people did, nor did she live in the Valley as her mother's people did.

After her father's death, her mother took Katniss and her baby sister back to the valley. Her mother's family readily accepted Primrose Lee because she looked like one of them with her fair skin, pale blue eyes, and golden hair. Unsurprisingly, they didn't want anything to do with Katniss. Katniss looked like her father with rich olive skin, long dark hair, and striking gray eyes.

In her book, Psyche, just like Percy, had to traverse several difficult tasks to be able to attain that which she sought, a permanent place by the side of the person she loved. Katniss began to root for Psyche, wanting the poor woman and the unborn child she carried to have success.

As the night wore on, Katniss' eyelids drooped. She rubbed them to keep from falling asleep, but the call to slip away into that dreamland was strong and Katniss soon succumbed, not knowing she was being watched.

As the candlelight flickered, the wind outside stirred. In the heavens, the gods smiled upon the sleeping huntress. Two gods stood on a cloud looking down at the house in the Seam. It had been a long time since any human had caught their attention.

"She finally finished the book." The book had been placed in the library with the hope the girl would pick it up.

"What should we do, Johanna?" A small worried voice whispered from the darkness. A small cherub with purple hair, a round belly, and lavender robes fluttered around the female deity who had pointy ears and a pixie hair cut. She wore the necessary sashes to cover her indelicate places. Jo preferred to prance around naked, but Zeus himself ordered her to cover herself after his wife had enough of her flashing her boobs in peoples' faces.

Jo was a trickster who liked to jest and cause problems every hundred years or so. After not being able to cause mischief for over three hundred years, she was decidedly bored. Jo had selected her candidate carefully and this scowling hot mess of a girl was her intended.

"She believes, not in love, but in lust. What sort of human is she?" Plutarch the cherub asked sadly. His wings flapped in the air. He was a cherub that was dedicated to observing humanity. They were an odd and ungraceful species that was fascinating. As a creation, they had times when they were at the lowest of human depravity, but they also had moments where they had the highest of agape and pure-hearted altruism.

"She's definitely a child of Artemis. She's an excellent huntress, but a dimwitted human in the matter of the heart," scoffed Johanna the trickster.

"Johanna, you should not tamper with her path."

"Let us concede her desire." There was a hint of mischief in the sultry voice of the trickster.

"You mean, change her stars." Plutarch flew around Johanna in a mild panic. "Have you seen her heart's desire?"

"No, but anyone who wants to be with this shrew has to be a paragon of society or an absolute nightmare," Jo said, looking down at Katniss.

"He is actually a really nice man." After a beat, Plutarch said, "I don't think we should do anything, Jo. Why not find someone else?"

"Why not…we're bored. These humans haven't done anything to entertain us in millennia. Besides, this specimen is my choice and not even Zeus can deter me," Jo said with more bravado than what was necessary. If there was one god who could stop her, it was Zeus.

"We should ask permission," Plutarch whispered, looking toward the tall mountain in the distance. "He hasn't allowed us to interfere with humans since that debacle with the last war."

"Pft," she crossed her arms across her chest. Her eyes glowed yellow, then they flashed. "I'm going to have fun!"

"Wait…" Plutarch said, but it was too late. Jo the trickster had left him behind. There was a mission on hand.

She flew across the expanse to Mount Olympus. A voice thundered across the skies, "Trickster where have you been?"

"Great, the head-cheese," Jo muttered under her breath.

"What did you call me?" Zeus appeared behind her.

"I called you the head-cheese," she smiled. Not telling him was worse.

He barked a laugh. "I haven't seen you this happy since you tricked Oedipus' parents. What do you have in mind?"

She put her hand on his stone-hard abs. "Well, it will involve a few humans, not many, mind you, just two exactly."

"Trickster," he raised his eyebrow, "You know…" but the trickster's eyes practically glowed with glee. Zeus was never able to resist her pretty gamine face. "I've outlawed it but, what is your idea?"

"Well there is this girl, Katniss Everdeen, she's a huntress and in love with a boy whose mother is jealous of Katniss' beauty."

"You mean like what happened between Cupid and Psyche?"

"Exactly," she clapped her hands. "You see they are star-crossed lovers, even though she doesn't believe in love. I know the huntress has read the story…"

As if on command, Venus and Cupid showed up. Jointly they accused, "What are you up to?"

"I'm recreating your love story, Finnick," Jo said, dancing and skipping about.

Venus cleared her throat sending a spiteful glare and Johanna stopped dancing around.

Jo had forgotten Venus didn't like Cupid to be called Finnick in her presence. "Sorry, Cupid."

"It's alright. Call me Cupid, when I'm around my mother."

"Sorry, I mean I'm recreating your love story, Cupid," Jo corrected while glancing sheepishly at Venus.

Venus nodded. She didn't approve of her son's choice of a mortal name and wouldn't allow anyone to use it in her presence. "I am sure I can stop history from repeating itself."

"You cannot stop true love," Cupid Finnick argued.

"Ha, in humans, yes you can. They fall in and out of love quicker than the sunrise and sunset." Venus glanced at Cupid. "I ought to know; I am the goddess of love."

"Well, I inspire that love."

"If I take her away, she will never fall in love," Venus argued back.

"I will not allow you to do this to this mortal and her potential love."

Jo grinned and glowed. "If Venus can stop Katniss Everdeen from falling in love, then you, Cupid, are prohibited from using your arrows on whomever you choose. You have to allow Venus to tell you who to use your arrow on, whomever she desires." Jo turned to Venus, rubbing her hands together. "However, if Cupid succeeds, I want a say on who you use your loving charms on, Venus."

"For how long?" Venus asked.

"For the next, say, two hundred years," Jo leveled them with a mischievous glare.

Everyone knew both Venus and Cupid loathed letting go of control. What were two hundred years really to an immortal being? Jo watched the battle between them and she danced with glee when they agreed.

"As long as Zeus agrees."

Zeus grinned. "Trickster, I grant you permission," he gave Cupid and Venus a pointed look, "but no one dies, you understand. And only until the midnight hour."

All of them agreed. Venus snapped her fingers and disappeared.

"Crap," Cupid Finnick said, realizing Venus' main focus was Katniss.


I know Part 2 is small but here is where the adventure begins. I really wanted to play with these new colors. Special thanks to the woman who is like my stunt person. She was there during the chaotic inspection and helped this show get out on time and makes me look like a superstar.

This is dedicated to my friend JHSGF82 whom I hope is smiling and intrigued by what I have planned next...oh yeah the entrance of one hot blonde baker.