"And we're on in five... four... three... two..."

Effie stepped back and opened the door, motioning me out. I plastered a smile on my face as I walked down the steps of my house and heard the applause through the speakers. The camera moved back slowly and I followed along the path we had planned.

"Aces!" Ceaser's voice rang out in the silent Victors' Village. "How wonderful to see you! You look like you're doing swell!"

I gave a fake laugh. "Not as good as I was in the captitol! I'm counting down the days until I'm there!" I lied.

"As are all of us! We've certainly missed you! Now, can you give us a little sneak peak of the talent you'll be doing?"

I smiled. "Afraid not, Ceaser. You'll just have to wait and see."

"Well, there you have it, folks! Aces Smith, District Twelve Victor!" More applause and then the camera shut down and the night was silent again. My shoulders slumped at the thought of having to go back.

I still wasn't even sure what talent I would be doing yet.

"Amazing! Now, inside before you catch cold." Effie squealed, pushing me back up the steps. "Out in fifteen! Busy schedule!"

I sighed and sat down in the living room.

I thought of what talents I might have. Really, the only thing I was good at was knife work-

I shot up off the couch, realizing what I could use for my talent.

"Effie!" I called, and she came around the corner.

"Yes dear?"

"I need your help with something."

Gapkgapkgapkgapkgapk

I stood on the stage, my ears burning from having the attention of the whole district on me. It was the same as the last eight districts.

I said my speach that Effie wrote for me, feeling empty and disgusted at my words that held no feeling. But I let out all the feelings when I sat down in front of the piano. My only talent besides carving meat.

My fingers danced across the ivory keys, portraying the sadness and guilt I felt; expressing my sorrows for the families that lost. And not just in these last games- all the games. Every last game from the previous seventy-three years.

And when I was done, I stood up and bowed to the crowd before walking back off stage.

Only three districts left, and then the party in the capital.

And then I could go home.

Until the next games came.

Agkpagkpagkpagkp

Posy sighed as she sat in front of the tv.

"She's so good."

I didn't say anything in reply, but my mother hummed her agreement.

I didn't understand their interest in the music anymore. Sure, the first two districts her playing had been... lurching. Really the only way to explain it. And even though every district got a different song, I had never been one for music.

And less so for music played by a towny girl.

But it was required to watch the victory tour, so here I sat, silently listening to the music come through the speakers.

"Maybe when Aces gets back, she can teach me!" Posy said excitedly. I frowned.

"Why would you want her to teach you? Besides, we don't have a piano."

"No," Posy countered, "but Aces does. And then I could go visit her more!" My frown deepened, but my mother put a hand on my shoulder before I could reply.

"Let Posy be. You know she's not going to listen either way, and at least Aces is a caring girl." Turning to Posy she said, "I think that's a wonderful idea."

Posy smiled brightly and turned back to the tv.

"It sounds so sad."

I scoffed. "At least she knows that much of hopelessness."

"Gale!" My mother chided with a scowl.

"Don't be mean." Posy pouted. "I like Aces, I don't see why you don't."

I stared at her incredulously. "She's a townie."

Posy rolled her eyes. "Well, she saved a Seam girl. And besides, she's technically a victor now. Not a Townie."

"I'm not sure if that's any better." I grumbled.

My mother turned to Posy with a secretive smile. "I think he does like her, but he just doesn't want to admit it to himself yet. He's too stubborn."

"Mother." I warned. She shrugged.

"I'm only stating the truth as I see it."

The conversation ended there, soon followed by the etheral piano music.

Her hair shined like motlen copper as she bowed to crowd again, the twin pigtails spilling over her shoulders.

I do not like a Townie.

Pkgapkgapkgapkgapkga

The television continued to play in the corner of the fromt counter, Aces' piano muaic fillin the bakery. I had stopped watching it long ago, merely listening to it, but now even the sounds of it had faded into silence as I traded with her. With Katniss.

Her skin was paler than it usualy was, due to the winter overcast, but still a beautiful shade of coffee.

"Thank you." I said with a bright smile as she handed me the squirrels and I passed her the bag of bread.

She merely nodded in response and left, stepping back out into the light snow.

I sighed and leaned against the counter. Why did I have to be so damned cowardly?

Maybe if... If we both survived this next reaping, I would tell her. I would.

I made a mental note to talk to Aces as soon as she got back- to get her help. If I was going to be able to win Katniss over, I would need another woman's help.