Disclaimer: As you know, I own very little.

Chapter Forty-Seven: Cato and Clove

Everywhere I looked, Katniss was all-the-rage. Her face was plastered all over the Hunger Games advertising; they were certainly using her "underdog" title to their advantage for commercial use. At first, it was understandable, but after a while I couldn't help but feel slightly bad for the other tributes. From talking with other colleagues, they were either one-hundred-percent-Katniss fans or they had another tribute they were rooting for.

For me, I was still struggling as to whether or not I wanted to support this girl. Seneca, of course, could only talk about how spectacular this girl was and how he couldn't believe this was actually happening. I held to my theory that until I saw her in action, her volunteering was simply an act of suicide. It was for this reason that Seneca had arranged for me to attend the training sessions. Of course, I would have little input as to anything while I was there, but Seneca thought that at least it would put away these suspicions I was having of her.

Every year, it was tradition for me to attend the tributes parade. It was like any other year, to be honest. All of the patrons were dressed in their usual ridiculous attire, sponsors were sitting around drinking to their heart's desire with a fat wallet, and children were being bought fake swords and knives to chase one another around with. It was supposed to be a happy sight, but every time I saw it, it made my stomach turn.

Had it been my decision, I would have left Obadiah at home with Crystal. I would have come alone and stayed as under-the-radar as possible. However, this was much more of a publicity stunt now that Obie was here. Seneca knew how much I wanted him to be sheltered from this, but he was feeling pressure from President Snow to have the both of us on camera. I understood this, but it was an argument that lasted for quite some time. I thought it was inappropriate for him to see anything, even the tributes for he would eventually ask questions. I could keep the television screen off at home, but I could not stop the things he would see out in the city.

We were assigned to a box seat that was located above the masses of people crowding in the street. I found this to be very nice for two reasons. One is that I would not have to worry about standing for hours with a flailing child in my arms and the second was that I never felt safe in large groups of people. Ever.

Crystal was allowed to come along with us and I was thankful for both the company and the assistance with Obadiah.

"You've heard all the rage with Twelve, I'm presuming?" I asked the young girl, as she bounced Obie in her arms while we waited for the parade to begin.

"Oh yeah. I still don't know what to think of it to be honest," She answered as we sat in our seats in the box.

I crossed my legs as I sat down," I think it's a little premature to be making such grand assumptions about her. I would say the same of any tribute. No one even knows what she can do."

"They do know she has spirit. Spirit can take you a long way in the Games," She commented, shooting me a glance.

I turned my head and looked straight at her," It can only take you so far. I remember tributes that had spirit get killed due to causes beyond their control."

I watched her swallow hard before turning her attention back to Obadiah. For the rest of the time, we spoke very little, but rather watched as all of the tributes came parading down the street in their usual grand chariots. President Snow had spoken before and not a soul dared speak while he was speaking, as expected. As soon as he stepped away from the podium, our eyes were glued on those coming down the street.

Districts One and Two were always grandeur and slightly "overdone" in my opinion. However, the tributes in Two were actually ones that I recognized this year. The blond haired boy and the dark-haired girl. They were both never fans of anyone in my family due to their family's stupid rivalries. More of the rivalry was between my brothers, but I wouldn't be surprised if Cato still had a bruise in his pride from the time when he was seven and I was able to teach him a lesson. Clove was always a scrappy fighter, but a very skilled knife-thrower. I remember her and Cato being very close to each other, but then again when you're on the outside looking in, as I was; everyone seems to be close friends.

Their golden outfits shone brightly as they waved to the crowd, eating up all the attention. I wondered how Enobaria and Brutus were dealing with these two this year. I'm sure they had two big personalities to deal with.

Honestly, as the rest of the tributes strolled by, waving and smiling as they did so, I was paying them very little thought. Sure, their outfits were impressive, as usual, but it wasn't until the very end when I saw something truly unique. Perhaps, it was cliché to have the tributes from Twelve set on fire, but from the sounds the crowd, it couldn't have been a wiser choice. Even I had to admit, it was very impressive and they certainly worked the publicity well. The boy, Peeta, was almost like a luminary already. He was smiling and waving, just like any star in the Capitol should be. Katniss, on the other hand, had the same look on her face she had at the Reaping. Fear. Or perhaps, it wasn't fear, but stoicism, either way she would need to work on her charisma if she wanted the support of the Capitol.

I noticed, however, that Peeta seemed to help her come out of this thick shell she was placing between herself and the audience. When he placed his hand beside her, grasped it tight, and raised it in the air, the crowd went absolutely wile, but I still saw a hesitant young woman. Good for them that they were standing up for their district; I couldn't help but sense that something was a little off.


"Have I been able to present my point any better?" Seneca asked me as we sat, just moments before they would be ranking all of the tributes.

Over the course of several days, I had been allowed to periodically step in and watch the practice sessions. I saw everything from Katniss's skill with a bow to Cato's strength to Clove's skill with knives. Sure, they all had traits that were impressive about them, but it wouldn't be until they were actually in the arena that we would be able to completely tell. However, I could answer Seneca's question for now as we sat in the Gamemaker's platform next to one another.

"Slightly, but it won't be until the Games begin that we will be able to accurately judge that. Sure, give them a rank now, but ranks hardly matter when you're in the middle of the arena fighting for food and another tribute wants it just as badly as you," I said to him, looking into his eyes.

He nodded before placing a hand on his chin," Fair enough, Savera."

"I'm sorry. I still think there's something we're missing with her, Seneca," I whispered, quietly so that none of the other Gamemakers could hear.

He said nothing, but rather asked for another drink from one of the Avox's serving us. I remember this being one of the events that I hated most. Why should the Gamemakers be allowed to drink and have a merry time whilst I was fighting for a rank that could influence their opinion of the value of my life? Therefore, I made an appoint to pay attention to all of the tributes. Even if my husband and his colleagues were distracted.

At the beginning, I was rather impressed with their attentiveness despite the abundant food and drink at their disposal. For the most part, they paid attention to the tributes until about half-way through. In all honesty, I could see how for any non-intoxicated person, it would be a struggle to continue to listen, but for them…it was understandable why they were no longer listening. Seeing tribute after tribute was taxing. Especially when most of them were doing the same thing anyways. Unless a tribute was just absolutely spectacular, then it was hard to make a lasting impression.

My husband, unfortunately, was just as bad as any of the other Gamemakers. I remember, just when the boy tribute from District Eight was entering, they were being so loud that I could hardly even think straight. I pitied the poor kid who wouldn't have a chance at anything if they didn't shut up. Quickly, I leaned over and placed my hand on Seneca's knee. After several seconds, he looked at me and from the look in his eyes I could tell he had drank too much.

"Seneca, please this boy just wants-"

His eyes shot down to my hand on his knee before he said suggestively," I don't think that's appropriate here, Mrs. Crane."

"Seneca, please just tell them to be quiet-"

He leaned closer to me," You know we could always just take a break from all-"

He was making me so angry that I grabbed his glass, full of a bright green liquid, and smashed it on the ground, sending an echo through the noisy Gamemakers. Seneca's eyes widened as he looked at me, now serious that I wasn't fooling around.

"You have a tribute who is demanding your attention and it is your job to give it to him!" I hissed at Seneca, but loud enough to where others could hear. My eyes bore right into his bright blue.

One of the more intoxicated Gamemakers behind us slurred," You think you have the right to tell us our job, Mrs. Crane?"

Seneca, at this point, raised his hand to silence him and shot the man behind us a glaring look. Then, his eyes met mine once more. I couldn't tell if he was complying with what I said or blistering angry.

"Savera, you are here under invitation alone," He said sternly, never breaking eye contact with me. "Now, though you have made your point clear and we are right to fulfill it; I do not expect any more outbursts."

I bit down on my lip before turning my attention back to the young man, who was staring at us with more fear than any of the tributes before. There were plenty more things I wished to say, but I kept them to myself before looking away from my husband and his fellow Gamemakers. Seneca noticed the terrified look on the boy's face before announcing," You may proceed."

It wasn't until the very end, once again, that I wished to break more of their drink glasses.

By the time that Katniss walked through the doors to prove herself, the only Gamemaker paying much attention was Seneca, though he was still carrying on a conversation with another man. I mentally sighed at their lack of attentiveness, but Katniss was not pleased. I saw her gaze up into the group of men before clearing her throat, demanding some attention," Katniss Everdeen."

There was a silence, for the first time in a while, as they all looked at her. I leaned back in my chair and crossed my legs, observing her closely as she grabbed the bow and arrow. In practice, she had done well with a bow. Therefore, it was expected she would do equally well here.

However, when she pulled back to release an arrow, it flew through the air and pierced the target far from the bulls eye. Immediately, the Gamemakers attention was broke and they went back to their conversations. Honestly, I couldn't entirely blame them for she would have to do much better than that to get a better rank than other shooters we saw earlier.

Just as I was standing to get something else to eat, I saw her quickly turn to grab another arrow. For some reason, I stood there, watching her pull back once more only to nail the target right in the middle. She turned back, expecting to see a sea of impressived Gamemakers, but her eyes fell on mine. Yes, for that split second, she impressed me. It was not an easy task to miss, feel the embarrassment, then immediately turn back to hit a bulls eye. At this time, Seneca was standing to graze the food table. I watched Katniss carefully as she averted her eyes from mine and grabbed yet another arrow.

My heart sunk to my stomach as she took aim. I tried to located her target and saw no clear one other than one of the Gamemakers themselves. Surely, she was not stupid enough to take out a Gamemaker. Surely, she knew that such action would cause immediate death. Nevertheless, as she pulled back on her arrow, I cried out.

"Seneca!"

My cry was too late for just as I was saying it, she fired the arrow into the party. It wasn't until the apple was pierced to the wall with the arrow through it that I realized her target. Slowly, every head turned to see who had done this. They all looked into the eyes of Katniss Everdeen, who simply bowed and thanked them for their "consideration". I watched her as she stormed out of the room, angrier than any of the other tributes. Part of me wanted to congratulate Katniss for standing up for herself while the other half of me wished to send her back to where she came from.

It was at this moment that the epiphany hit me once more:

Katniss Everdeen could be the death of him.

I looked over to see him walking slowly back toward the edge of the platform, watching her leave. His eyes met mine, briefly, before he collapsed back into his chair.

With spark like that, she could be the life of a new country, but she certainly would be the death of Seneca Crane.

Seeing as no one else would, I strolled over the arrow wedged into the apple and pulled with nearly all of my strength to take it out of the wall. After several tries, I was able to take it out. Carefully, I looked over the arrow and slid the apple off of it before tossing it to one of the Avox's in the corner.

"Dispose of this, please," I said before handing her the arrow, as well.

Just as I was walking back to Seneca's side to speak to him, he looked straight at me and said," Enobaria wishes to see you immediately after this. I think you've already seen the point that I wanted to prove, so why don't you go on up to the second floor?"

I furrowed my brow before starting to turn," I'll see you at home then."


"Are you freaking kidding me?" The deep voice of Cato howled as I entered into the second-floor apartment suite.

Enobaria, who had greeted me at the door, instantly turned to shoot him a glare and point her finger at him. He leaned back on the couch, his arms and legs sprawled out, as he scoffed at this. She was clearly not impressed with his attitude.

"Yes, I am freaking telling you that this is what I want you to do. I know that you've got some arrogance issues so why don't you solve them with someone who can more appropriately put you in your place," She growled at him before turning her attention back to me. "Heaven knows that if I say much more than 'boo' to the kid, he freaks out and runs off to tattle to Brutus."

I smirked at this before strolling into the living room of the complex. I felt Cato's eyes boring into me as I looked to Enobaria again," What exactly would you like me to do?"

"Tell them what the Games are really like. Tell them how different it is than the academy," She whispered in my ear before turning to exit.

"You aren't going to stay?" I asked, raising a brow as she started to walk off.

"No, I think you can handle him. I'm sending the girl in now," She answered before turning to fetch Clove.

Awkwardly, I moved to take a seat opposite of Cato on one of the plush seats. I looked around, taking in the sights of the complex again before meeting his blue eyes.

"You're guaranteed death if you go into the Games with your current attitude," I said simply, breaking the silence before crossing my legs and leaning back.

He laughed at this," Oh really? Just tell me something, right off the bat, why the hell should I listen to anything you have to say to me?"

I leaned forward, instantly enraged by this boy. In the corner of my eye, I saw Clove entering the room, but she wasn't a concern to me, at this point in time.

"Because I might just be able to save your arrogant butt," I answered, narrowing my eyes at him. "You know, I did win this thing once and who's to say that I couldn't help you do it? Huh?"

"You won by chance," Clove snapped. "District Two isn't proud of your victory, ask anyone. You weren't qualified to kill Flux."

I looked up at her, knowing that what she said was probably true, but that didn't mean she wasn't ticking me off. Therefore, I laughed at this," Qualified? Oh, dear, qualifications hardly matter when you're in the middle of the arena, cold, hungry, and a tribute fights you for the last bag of food they've graciously provided you with. Or, in Flux's case, if it's just you and another tribute and you're that close to victory. No one's qualified to kill anyone, but you do what you have to. If you only knew him; did you ever watch the real tapes? See his last moments?"

"I saw you get lucky, that's all I know," She barked before walking over to take a seat beside Cato.

"Yet, here I sit. You know, if luck is what can win you the Games, why not take a hint or two?" I offered.

"Zenobia told us you're the exception to the rule. Normally, we'd take advice from anyone who could give it, but a lot of people think your luck was more than just luck," Cato said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Explain," I said bluntly, looking right at him.

He leaned forward, looking straight into my eyes," I don't have a Gamemaker that I'm sleeping with."

"Excuse me?" I asked incredulously, shaking my head in disbelief.

"You know that's what everyone thinks right?-" He started, but Clove finished with an icy glare at me.

"No, Cato. That's what everyone knows. Everyone knows she was 'getting lucky' with the Gamemaker, not with the actual Games. How likely is it that you would win? I mean, really. Every single one of those tributes was more qualified than you and you win? You were the embarrassment. The arena, the supplies you received, the help you got when deranged Marley should have killed you…yeah, and it's nice to have a connection to the big guys who control it all."

I couldn't believe this is what they thought, but it shouldn't have surprised me. If I analyzed my life, then to an outsider…it could appear as they have described. The timing in which Seneca and I became a couple, the timing in which we got married, and most of all, the timing in which I had become a tribute and he became a Gamemaker. If only they knew that he had met me before and shown mercy on me…then they would have really thrown a fit.

I struggled to find words to counter this. If this was what they had been fed, then there was little I could do to change that mindset. However, I could play with it. I could have a little fun with this.

"I know that I can't change your opinion of me, but…if it worked for me, then why can't it work for you? You know we're already off to a bad start, kids, but I'm willing to start over. Yeah, I've got an inside connection to the most important man you should be worried about right now. Seneca Crane is the man who could decide to show you mercy or bring all hell loose on you. Seeing as I'm his wife and mother of his child, it may be smart for you to reconsider how you speak to me," I sniped at the both of them.

It appeared as though they were the ones now at a loss for words. Quietly, they looked at one another before looking back to me.

"Listen, I don't claim to be an expert on the Games, by any means, but I want to set something straight. Those tapes you see of the Games probably are not the real ones. If you had seen how flawed of an individual this little Flux, who you hold to such a high standard, was, then you'd know that anyone is qualified to do anything when you're in that arena. The moment you tear down your petty little stereotypes and expect anything from anyone is when you truly play the Games," I explained to the both of them, leaving little room for conversation afterward. "You both think it's all about strength, but if you don't have anything up here."

I tapped my temple carefully before continuing.

"You may as well order the flowers for your funeral now," I answered simply. "That is…if they find you worthy of a funeral back home."

Still, the both of them were quiet. They didn't know how to answer to any of this and quite frankly, I didn't want them to answer. I wanted them to have to listen for once in their lives.

Silently, I stood up and before I turned to leave, I looked at both of them," You're both talented. I'll give you that much, but you've gotta have more than just that. You know, I could have a deal for the both of you, but seeing as your opinion of me isn't that high to begin with-"

"What do you want?" Cato demanded, looking straight at me, realizing the severity of what was being said.

I swallowed and thought about my sweet baby back home. I also remembered back to the day when I first meet Seneca, when we first kissed, and when we first told the world of our relationship. I then fastforwarded to the night when he was up late in his study, excited beyond belief about Katniss Everdeen. I think of how excited he was about her and how he told me that he had proved his point to me after she showed her talent. I imagine the day when Obadiah and I are standing at a ceremony for Seneca, remembering his life and accomplishments. It is for this reason that I say what I do as the image of Katniss firing the arrow through the apple comes to my head.

"If you dispose of Katniss Everdeen, then I will personally see to it that your name is held in glory here at the Capitol," I said softly, looking to the both of them.

"Can you even do that?" Clove asked tentatively.

"I guess the only way you'll find out is to do as I say," I answered before standing up and nodding to the both of them. "I hope you haven't found this to be a total waste of your time."

And with that, I stepped out of this room to the hallway.

"Brutus? Enobaria?" I called out, but no one seemed to reply.

Just as I was walking to locate either of them, I was shoved harshly against a wall. I was too in shock from the impact to tell who it was until my eyes met their eyes. Brutus was pinning me to the wall and grabbing the collar of my shirt to look right into my eyes.

"You think my son was weak? You think he was flawed?" He growled.

It was at this moment that I felt my stomach drop once more. Brutus had, more than likely, been eavesdropping on our entire conversation.

A/N: I can honestly say that there aren't many chapters left in this story. I've been writing a lot lately, but I haven't gotten much feedback on my most recent additions. In fact, I've gotten nothing recently. So, before this story is over, I'd like to see us break 100. I want to hear everything: the good and bad! I know you all can do it! Thanks for reading :)