We all sit on the couches. Enobaria looks around making sure no one wants anything before she sits. I'm sitting beside Cato on one side and Finn on the other. Beside Finn is Thresh.
"So where do we want to start?" Gloss says.
He tends to run the show when we are all together.
"I'm still wondering what toy all meant earlier," Peeta says.
"Earlier Peeta asked why Snow was the only one who originally didn't want Cato and Aqua together," Enobaria says.
"I mentioned to him that it's because Snow likes to sell the victors. What I meant is that the elite of the capitals buy up to have sex with us." Cashmere says.
"What?!" Peeta exclaims. Thresh is just quiet. "Why don't you fight back or say no?"
"He kills our family. I said no and he killed my parents. He made it seem like a boating accident." Finn says. "He threatened my sister. It started when I was sixteen." Finn says. "He threatened my sister."
"What about Aqua and Cato?" Thresh asks looking at us.
"Cato isn't considered stable enough. Snow knows Cato will kill the client. If Finn keeps going to his appointments, she is free," Brutus explains.
"It's that bad? Why doesn't Katniss and I do it?" Peeta asks.
"You probably will have to after the games." Cashmere tells him.
"And if I say no?" Katniss says.
"Be prepared to lose everyone you love," Johanna says. "That's the only reason I'm not in the trade. He killed everyone I love. The victors he can't touch we are too in the spotlight."
"Wait is that why Marvel's here?" Peeta asks.
"Yes, until the games start then he gets a break," Cato says.
"Now, Thresh, time for a happier topic. Advice for him," Gloss says wanting to change the topic.
"Don't go to the cornucopia. Careers are literally trained to get in there and kill as many people as possible." Brutus says.
Aqua has your pack already picked out she will send it as soon as the bloodbath is over, and you have settled for an hour." Finn says.
"You don't need alliances. Don't take an ally unless they can help you, but you can still have district loyalty by not killing them." Johanna says.
"One of the first things you need to do is find water and get as far from the cornucopia as you can." Haymitch says.
"Anything else anyone can think of?" Gloss asks.
"Blow the career's supplies if you can. They aren't trained to be able to live without it." Cato offers.
"Alright, I believe that's all." Gloss says.
"Thanks so much all of you." Thresh says. "We will win against Snow. Does Aqua have a plan for that?"
"At home she does. She has so many facts and secrets that the victors have found out. She added them to her book and strategies to take him down," Cato says.
"Then you need to share the plan when we all visit. Then we need to execute it. We can't let him keep running our lives," Thresh says.
"I guess it's time for victors to take a stand." Johanna says. "I'm willing to make the first move. I've got nothing to lose."
"I would wait until after the Quell. Because if you do it during this year, we will get reaped," Cato says.
"How do you know?" Katniss asks.
"That's Snow's signature. That doesn't mean we can't do stuff in the background." Brutus says. "We will recruit people in two."
"I got one," Gloss says.
"I got seven." Johanna volunteers.
"I got three." Beetee inputs.
"Aqua and have four," Finn says.
"I got eight," Woof says.
"I guess that means I have eleven." Chaff says. "Thresh you come back we will need you to help rallying eleven."
"I got twelve." Katniss volunteers. "No one deserves to be a sex slave."
"Aqua says there are bunkers underneath the ground outside the districts from the wars. They run under the victor village. If we can all make a door to them and supply them. We will all have a base of operations," Enobaria says.
"I really need to see this book," Peeta says.
"She will send everyone a copy, so they know what to do. Make a list of your recruits we will keep the list in the bunkers, so we know who is all with us." Cashmere says. "Oh, and if you know stuff that Aqua missed let everyone know so we can add it. How you have conversations without the capital listening is you go in the shower with your phone. We always just say that the person needs a bath. They get the hint then we can talk freely."
"That's handy to know," Peeta says.
"Here is the only place at the capital they can't listen too much wind," Cecila says.
"You guys know a lot about avoiding Snow already keep using it," Thresh say.
"I think we should all pack it in. Marvel says he will meet you at Nine in the training canter. If anyone asks Seeder set it up." Gloss tells Thresh.
We all say our goodbyes for the night. Cato and I head to four with Peeta. We offer Katniss but she decides she will stay on twelve. She has done very well so we shouldn't push her. She is joining Cato and I for a little bit tomorrow. Cato's going to show her the Archery room.
"So, what do you think?" Finn asks.
"I completely think it's possible especially if we all play to our strengths. Aqua will make a list of things everyone needs to order." Cato says.
"You guys think this could really work?" Peeta asks.
"If we plan well. We could even do it here nobody dies." Cato says.
"I never thought of that." Finn says, "I would like that."
He closes his eyes with a smile on his face. Cato and I cuddle up on our makeshift bed on the floor. I know Cato will watch out for everyone. He always does like his big brother, Blaise. They are so a like. I know Cato's family will help us. The rest of two will help us when they hear what's happening to the victors. I will have to write down what will get the districts to turn against Snow. I want the Capital outraged as well. We want Snow gone and equality not more people to die. I close my eyes thinking about plans as I drift off.
I wake up early the next morning.
"We going to take the tributes swimming?" I ask Finn.
"Yeah, we should do that first thing boost their moral," he answers.
"That's true they will love it." I say.
I help set breakfast on the table. Cato runs to deliver breakfast to the peacekeepers. So, they have something to eat. I eat a light breakfast. Dirk and Cora come out running the seep from their eyes.
"How was your sleep?" I ask.
"As good as it will get before the games," Dirk says.
"How would you two feel about a swim, this morning?" I ask.
"I'd love it," they both exclaim at the same time jumping up.
"Well, eat a light breakfast and Finnick and I will take you." I say.
They both eat a bun and went to change into a swimsuit's minutes later. We are making our way into the pool. Thresh waves as us, doing his lap. Seeder watches him, timing him. I guess Finn started timing him. We hop in the pool and splash around enjoying ourselves and laughing. We play Marco Polo and chicken.
Before long we need to get out. As we leave the training room, I see marvel and Thresh training. I'm glad Thresh met with him. I work on plants with Dirk for a while he starts to get a bit of them. The important ones he understands which is good. I escape to meet up with Cato. Finn takes our tributes out to lunch. We do that every year thinking they deserve it.
"Ready to go meet up with Katniss?" I ask Cato he nods, and we make our way up to the top floor.
We take the stairs because the elevator is grand central station today. I don't want to get caught in that. Katniss is waiting in their sitting room.
"Doesn't look bad up here." I compliment.
"Don't all the floors look the same?" She asks.
"No, mentors get to decorate how they want. Speaking of Enobaria will ask for an arrow of yours. She likes to showcase our talents on her wall. She will also ask Peeta to make a painting I imagine." I say.
"So, what does your floor look like?" She asks.
"We have a massive TV bigger then any other in the building except the lounge. So, if victors aren't in the lounge, they are usually on four to watch, so the lounge isn't so crowded. We also have an aquarium. That one was make for me to help with my nightmares." I tell her.
"You have nightmares?" She asks shocked.
"We all do," I say.
"I have something to show you," Cato says.
We head towards the stairs, Cato leading us to the training center. He walks in and we head to a door he swipes a key card, and we head in. It has bows and arrows and glass area for shooting.
"Oh my god. Was this always here?" She asks in awe.
"Yeah," he says handing her a bow. "Only victors can get in here though. Here's your bow."
"She lets her fingers trace her name on the bow. Cato hands her the key card.
"But that's yours," she says.
"No, I had another made for you when I realized Haymitch hadn't." I tell her.
"Why are you two being so nice to me? I was so rude to you guys." She asks.
"Victors stick together." I say. "Now, I wanna see you in action." Cato nods.
She heads into the glass box and turns it on. She starts to shoot. She looks amazing like a modern female Robin Hood. Yes, I have read the story. She looks gorgeous, but she also looks like a weight is off her shoulders. Cato and I smile at each other. He pulls me closer. We both know we did the right thing. We both know she needed this. She finishes up and when she leaves the box Cato and I clap for her.
"Thank you," she says with a mock curtsy, we all laugh. "How did you know I would need this?"
"That's Aqua's specialty." Cato says.
"Come on let's get back. How are your tributes?" I ask.
"Hopeless. They are dumber then ever. They know nothing. I have tried teaching then stuff, but they don't listen," she rants.
"That is sometimes the case. You just have to remind yourself they will die in the bloodbath and pray for a swift death," I say.
"Thanks," she says.
"No problem, that's the hardest part about being a mentor. Knowing when you can get attached and when you can't" I tell her.
"I guess that's something I have to learn," she says with a sigh.
"Peeta has to learn it as well, so don't beat yourself up over it." I say. "Just don't become like Chaff and Haymitch. They both had the hardest time not getting attached. Only time they could avoid it was when they were drinking. That's why Chaff is sober this year and Haymitch was last year."
"You're right. I remember that." Katniss says. "I don't know how to repay you for all your help."
"Be a good mentor for your next winner. That the help of the other victors to help you heal." I offer suggestions.
"I will. I guess it took me a while to understand I wasn't alone." She says as we walk back to twelve.
"Yeah, it takes some time to get out of game made but we are here to help." I say. Chaff passes us going down the stairs.
"Why are we taking the stairs?" She finally asks.
"Because believe it or not the elevator is crazy busy. Today one and two strictly take the stairs us lower levels try not to use the elevator to be considerate of the higher levels," I explain.
"That makes sense," she says. "So, is it just Finnick and you?"
"From my blood, but I have three brothers in law and a sister-in-law." I say. "What about you?"
"My dad died in a mining explosion. So, it's just my mom, my sister and I," she says.
"I'm sorry about your dad," I give my condolences.
"I'm sorry about your parents." She replies returning the gesture. "Do you ever move on?" She's talking about the games.
"Yes, you do. At first you keep going for the rest of the ones you love. You fake it. Then the rest of the victors help you find your new purpose. They help you find closure from the games. Most importantly they help you not face things alone. Then you just learn to live with it." I tell her.