I own nothing

A murmur went through the crowd as heads turned to see who had spoken, a few seconds later a section of the crowd started to part and onto the stage stepped a tall boy with reddish blonde hair. As he turned around I was struck by how handsome he was. He had eyes of glittering green, high cheekbones with a chiseled jaw and an attractive pair of lips that were currently twisted into a smirk at seeing the crowd's reaction. The officials around the stage and a few audience members didn't look to happy that this guy had volunteered.

"Finnick Odair." The announcer proclaimed, his eyes flashing with annoyance, "Your male Tribute."

I had remembered hearing about Finnick from Mags. She said he was a promising pupil at the academy 4 had for Tributes, but he could often be undisciplined, reckless even. Maybe we could use it to our advantage.

After the stir in District 4's Reaping 5 and 6 flew past. Around 8 I excused myself and was able to manage some dreamless sleep before we arrived at the Capital.

When we reached the Training Center Koren and Calluna looked all around them in wonder, their jaws hanging freely open at the size and splendor around them.

"This way, this way." Effie directs heading towards the glass elevators.

Pushing the button for 12 the doors quickly close and we start to rise. The view through the glass of the elevator of the Capital is breathtaking, or it would be if you didn't know about all the lies and shadowy dealings going on in every corner. When we arrive on our floor Effie shows Koren and Calluna which rooms will be there's and gives them their keys as well as strict instructions we all need to be ready in an hour to meet the Prep Teams to be prepared for the Tributes Parade.

Excepting my key from Effie I make my way to my own room and after throwing myself onto the bed I let out a strangled groan as tears fill my eyes. I place a hand over my mouth to muffle a sob as my body convulses with the silent wracking of pain. I allow myself one moment of weakness before pulling myself back together and dragging my body to the bathroom. I remove the make-up that was applied earlier knowing it would be redone to match whatever creation Cinna would dress me in. I also changed into a plain button down black shirt with my current jeans and a pair of black flats.

Exiting into the hallway I meet with Effie and the others as we make our way to the Prep Stations. Calluna and Koren are immediately subjected to manicures, pedicures, waxing, buffing and polishing. Once that's over they go to hair and make-up.

Calluna's golden locks are gently curled, silvery white eye shadow and glitter along with black rhinestones are applied around her eyes. Koren's hair is liberally infused with hair gel to tame it into a straight spike down the middle of his head. The barest hint of silvery white eyeliner rims his eyes causing the grey color to become hypnotic.

Finally Cinna revealed his creations for this year. A collective gasp goes out as we take in the outfits. Both are made of shimmering white iridescent material. Calluna's dress shows of an empire waistline with off the shoulder cap sleeves and a full multi-tiered skirt with delicate white netted material trimmed with the iridescent. There are also multitudes of white crystals scattered upon the skirt that catch the light. Koren's suit is simple yet striking. The coat and shirt is made of the iridescence but the 12 buttons on the coat are made of shiny black stones that look like tiny lumps of coal.

Still in awe I remark, "Cinna when are you just going to stick to coal mining?"

For a moment I regret my words hoping he doesn't take offense and stop working with District 12. He always is able to make even the most terrified Tributes at ease, if only for a moment by giving this small kindness of making them feel incredible in his clothes.

But Cinna merely laughs at gives me a sly look. "Given enough pressure," He says, "a simple lump of coal is transformed into a beautiful, nearly indestructible diamond."

Smiling I nod, but then Cinna takes my hands and says, "Come, time to get you ready."

Though grateful I remind him, "I'm no longer a Tribute, you don't have to-"

"I don't. But I want to." He cuts off. "Whether or not your in the Games or Mentoring, I'll always bet on you, Girl on Fire."

I give him an appreciative smile as he leads me off to be transformed. A short time later I am released wearing a stunning sleek black dress with a plunging cutout neck line, beaded detailing covers the dress and there's a slit in the side of the skirt that nearly reaches my hip. Around my shoulders though is the most impressive part of the dress, for it appears that a pair of birds have draped their wings upon me, their feathers black but for the tips that glowed red and orange like flames. My hair was left to hang down my back but had complicated braids running through out the long dark locks.

Finally the command for the parade to begin was given and for the first time Calluna gave a small glimmer of a smile as Cinna and Koren helped her into the chariot. Before the horses started to move Cinna instructed, "Smile and wave, but keep it small, controlled." He demonstrated, his wave a more gentle rolling of his wrist than a wave of his hand. "Remember, your diamonds. You come from humble beginnings but now you out class them all."

With that the chariot started forward, both Tributes looking back briefly before making their way out onto the parade alley.

"Come, come. We don't want to miss the parade." Effie hurried us along.

Haymitch grumbled a bit but let her herd us to the elevator that would take us up to the Mentor's box. Once we reached the top and the doors opened Haymitch made a beeline for the open bar at the back of the suite.

"Hey Brainless, saved you a seat."

I look over and see Johanna wave me over from where she's seated in the second row of chairs set up to watch the spectacle. I contemplate turning her down but then I see Mags in the next chair over and Seeder on the other side of her. I plaster a smile on my face as I walk up to them.

"Nice dress." Johanna comments. "Makes me want to saw my stylist's hands off."

I take my first good look at her outfit and while not terrible, her stylist always takes the lumber industry of District 7 literally in what she creates. Today Johanna's dress is made of fabric leaves. They start off as vibrant green at the bottom, then as they reach further up the skirt they turn emerald. Around her waist they become yellow and orange until finally the leaves turn brown at the bust line with a few brown leaves painted on her collarbone and shoulder twirling in an imaginary wind.

Rarely having patience with Johanna's twisted humor I remark, "Maybe if you stopped threatening to maim and or kill her she'd dress you better."

Johanna just laughs at my rudeness though as I sit down. "Relax Fire Girl. She knows they're just empty threats. Mostly."

Turning away I smile genuinely at Mags. She smiles back and takes one of my hands in both of hers, her arthritis twisting her fingers slightly. She pats my hand fondly.

"I've missed you too Mags." I say. "How have you been? I watched the Reaping. How's Annie doing?"

Mags' smile falls slightly and she removes one of her hands to trail along my cheek, as if wiping away a tear.

"That bad huh? Do you think she has a chance?"

The kind old eyes looking up at me cloud over slightly, and Mags turns back to the parade, giving me my answer. About that time District 4's chariot passes our box and I get a good view of more than I bargained for of Finnick Odair. He is clothed, if you would call it that in merely a large fishing net tied around his hips. Annie is dressed slightly more conservatively in a strapless aqua colored dress stitched in a way that caused the fabric to look like scales. The skirt hugged her hips and thighs tightly only to flair out bellow her knees. Draped over her fiery hair was a fish net veil and both she and her counterpart wore shell necklaces.

It was clear from the cheers of the crowd the choice their stylist made of accenting their looks paid off. If only they knew the dangers of that type of admiration.

The parade continues on until finally District 12 comes into view, and the crowd goes mad seeing Cinna's designs, which now in the lower lighting of the torches breaking up the darkness, shine and glitter.

"Diamonds." Seeder catches on, her dark eyes wrinkling slightly with mirth. "Cinna continues to out do himself."

Behind us Beetee and Wireress start to explain the properties of the fabric's luminosity but I start to tune them out as President Snow takes his place at the podium and begins his speech. I don't hear the words, there is just a loud painful rushing in my ears like radio static. But the meaning is always the same. We continue to pay for mistakes made nearly a century ago and will continue to pay for the unforeseeable future with the blood of children, and they call it sport.

And with that the parade is over. But we Mentors know our night is not finished, for barely 10 minutes later Caesar enters the box with a full camera crew and starts setting up. As the crew fiddles with lighting and camera angles we get organized by District starting with Gloss and Cashmere from 1 in the front row furthest to the left to Haymitch and I in the very back.

The year after I won the 65th Games President Snow thought it would be a grand idea if Mentors would give interviews on their Tributes before, during and after training just before they entered the arena. That way the audience and Sponsors could better select their favorites to support based on their progress. The experience always makes me feel like a skummy sales person, talking up the latest wares up for purchase instead of talking about teenagers.

As always Gloss and Cashmere boast about their Tributes. How they were trained from a young age for this and how much glory they would bring their District and the Capital. 2 and 3 say much the same. When they reach Mags though things get tough for Caesar who asks which Tribute she believes will win. Mags shrugs and places a hand over her heart signifying she preferred not to choose for she cares about both of them. He seems to get the concept but hurries through to the next District. When he finishes with Chaff and Seeder it's Haymitch's and my turn. I take a deep breath as Haymitch helps me stand and navigate my way down the stairs to the interview chairs in the high stiletto heels I'm wearing.

Once we're seated Caesar greets us, "Katniss, Haymitch how are you this evening?"

Knowing Haymitch will have something smart and likely vulgar to say I speak up, "We're so happy to be back in the Capital." I give him my brightest and fakest smile. "We've missed everyone so much especially you Caesar."

"And we've missed you Katniss." He pouts. "You just never seem to spend as much time in the Capital anymore."

I can't tell him that's because I want to throw myself off the roof of the Training Center every time I'm forced to return. So instead I pacify, "I wish I could spend more time here with all my Capital friends and those who have become like family, but I made a promise to myself when I won that I would use my status as a Victor to better my District. It's what Peeta would have wanted."

Caesar's face softens as he agrees, "And what great work you've done so far Katniss. Pushing for tougher mining safety regulations, collecting clothing donations, using your own funds to purchase Tessara. Peeta would be proud."

"Thank you Caesar, that means so much coming from you. You know how much he loved talking with you."

He nods before asking, "Katniss, it's been 9 years since Peeta's death. Is there anyone special out there for you right now? You've been seen with multiple suitors in the past, have they come close to what you and Peeta had?"

I resist the urge to laugh in his face. Those "suitors" were actually clients who, in order to make themselves feel better, would sometimes take me out to dinner, a show, museum or something before getting to what they were actually paying for.

But I know the answer expected of me, so I allow tears to well up in my eyes and slowly run down my cheeks. "No one will ever replace Peeta in my heart. Perhaps that's why none of the others worked out. They couldn't measure up to how perfect he was, how perfect we were for each other."

As Caesar reaches across and squeezes my hands comfortingly I wonder if I will have to play the broken-hearted spinster forever. Given that's the image the Capital loves, it seems likely.

"But we aren't here to just talk about me." I turn the conversation, delicately wiping my eyes. "We're here to talk about Koren and Calluna. Haymitch too."

"Yes we are." He agrees regaining his trademark smile. "Haymitch, you've been a bit of a recluse since you won your Games. What have you been doing these past years? Besides Mentoring."

"I raise geese." He deadpans from his slightly reclined position in his chair.

Thankful he at least didn't say he drinks himself stupid too I speak up, "Caesar I think your really going to be surprised by our Tributes this year. They have great potential, we can't reveal too much just yet, but Haymitch and I have great confidence they will do well."

I see one of the crew give a signal to wrap things up because time's running out so Caesar concludes, "Well there you have it Panem. 12 Disticts, 24 Tributes. Who will win and be catapulted into eternal victory and glory and who will fall in the Arena? Stay tuned to find out."

The treck back to the Training Center is long and tedious in my outfit. I'm half asleep by the time we reach the elevator and I lean heavily on Haymitch until we reach my door.

"Here you go Sweetheart." He speaks lowly. Everyone else is probably sleeping. "Get some rest."

"Will I ever stop seeing his face when I close my eyes?" I ask, my exhaustion loosing my tongue. "Will the pain ever go away? Sometimes it fades, the memories of the Games and I can better remember the times before. Getting to really know him during training, the feel of his arms around me as he chased away my nightmares. The way he always smelled like freshly baked bread. But then there's times when all I can see is his face when he died, his chest covered in blood." I start to cry in earnest. "Haymitch why do people always say blood is red? It's not. It's so much darker when there's that much. When someone's dying."

He holds me close and tight. I can hear the thickness of tears in his voice when he says. "There was one thing Flickerman got right tonight. Peeta would be so proud of you for what you've done, what you've endured. He would want you to forgive yourself."

With that he releases me slightly and presses a fatherly kiss into my hair before taking my key, unlocking the door and ushering me inside before closing the door behind me. Taking a calming breath I kick off my shoes and hang the dress on the back of my door. I shower quickly, scrubbing off the layers of cosmetics caked onto my face. Pulling on a T-shirt and shorts I lay on top of the bed.

I must have dozed off because when I open my eyes again it's 3am. My body is buzzing with exhausted energy so I grab my key card and head to The Oasis.

The Oasis is a Tribute, Peacekeeper, Hunger Games free section of the Training Center located between the basement Training Facility and the Victor's Museum on the ground floor. Only Mentors have access through a key card swiped in the elevator. The floor is made up of a gym, spa, meditation room, fully stocked bar, and an enormous pool. I've found swimming relaxing in the past so I make my way through the silent rooms to the pool. Placing my towel on one of the chairs I strip down to my bra and underwear. No one's here to remark on my lack of swim wear, and it's not like nearly all of the others have never skinny dipped in the same pool before.

But as I straighten up to make my way to the stairs, I notice something. Or rather someone. There is the drowned body of a man floating face down in the center of the pool.

Read and Review

Wow this chapter got a little long. Hopefully no one is frustrated by the lack of Finnick so far, but if you are have no fear, he will be prevalent in the next chapter.

Katniss' dress is the one she wore to Snow's mansion during the Victory Tour. I figured since in this story she was only 14 Cenna might have designed something more along the lines of her "little girl dresses".

I hope I did it justice with the description cuz I LOVE that one. I'm currently brainstorming the type of Arena to put the Tributes in so suggestions are great! Also alliances; I could use some ideas on names for District 7 and 11 Tributes or which other Districts to include.