Eight

Lavinia grinned and savored her oatmeal that was spiced with nutmeg and some extra sugar. Today was Christmas, and the chef in the staff kitchens in the Presidential Mansion had requested extra sugar for the breakfast meal. The avoxes from the training center were brought over to the mansion unless they were hired by individual families to help cater smaller celebrations. She put her dish in the dish room and put on her pine green blazer over her red button up shirt and black slacks to make her uniform more festive. All staff who were in a 'customer service' role wore the green blazers.

Her job was to set up the banquet hall for the President, his advisors, the Gamemakers, and other high-profile officials and Capitol citizens. She was folding the napkins and putting them in genuine crystal napkin rings when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around and yelped. A burly avox with blonde hair and a red beard chuckled and snapped her picture with a professional-grade digital camera. Smile, you're on candid camera!

POLLUX! Lavinia mouthed and signed dramatically. Not funny! I could've dropped the crystal rings! He grinned and held out his hand. Lavinia took a small metal anklet from his palm. It had a small pendant of a mockingjay on it. Thank you. It's lovely.

My twin snuck two in for me. Now we match. Merry Christmas. He signed. Lavinia chuckled and playfully smacked his shoulder before going back to work. Pollux continued taking pictures of the banquet hall. He would be the lead camera man filming the festivities and the Capitol citizens acting ridiculous as the alcohol flowed. Yes, he would have a very merry and entertaining Christmas indeed.

Around mid-morning elsewhere in the mansion, President Snow woke up to life like snowflakes falling around his bed. He grinned and dressed in his sparkly red and green suit with a pristine white rose lapel. Today he would celebrate a day of love, and Panem loved its leader (so he thought). He donned his fluffy red slippers before walking across the mansion to the stately dining room. A three course breakfast of eggs, ham, fruit, and delicate pastries was waiting for him and his advisors. He looked at the large twelve foot Christmas tree that had ornaments bearing his picture. His gift would be the Christmas Day Parade where he and the other high governmental figures would ride on floats while the people of the Capitol cheered them on. He smiled. Merry Christmas, Panem! Your gift is me: your dear President Snow!

Nine

"Oh my gawd!" Cinna cheered clapping his hands and twirling around. "Oh, Effie, darling, this is fabulous! Absolutely fabulous!" Effie laughed as Cinna looked around the living room in her ninth floor corner apartment four blocks from the Training Center. Her Christmas tree was made out of an ancient decorating material known as tinsel and yards of sparkling garland seemed to have exploded throughout the room. Ornaments hung from the garland. The numerous decorative mirrors on the walls were framed with red and green sparkling frames, and of course, the dainty dining room table with its signature hot pink tablecloth was covered with nicely arranged flutes of champange.

"It's really snazzy, Effie. You totally outdid yourself, girl!" Portia laughed hugging her friend as she entered the room.

"Oh - I'm glad you like it!" Effie giggled. She wrapped a multicolored feathered boa around her neck. "You can set your presents on the couch, dears! We have a great great great parade to go to soon!" Cinna and Portia set down their numerous gifts wrapped in brightly colored metallic wrapping paper. They sat around and had a few flutes of champange before it was time for the Presidential Parade.

"Oh, Portia, I saw this coat in the store and thought, 'Oh my gawd, Portia would look sooo fabulous in this! Come here, darling! Try it on!" Portia giggled as Cinna helped her into a bright purple fur coat.

"Cinna! This is beautiful!" Cinna wrapped a red cashmere scarf around Portia's neck before she pulled on her fluffy neon green hat. Effie put on her wig and then her large bright pink and yellow woolen hat. Cinna dressed in his black trench coat that had a hint of sparkles in the material. He put on maroon leather gloves followed by a matching scarf and a black wool hat. He held the door for the ladies as they went downstairs to join the throngs of people watching the parade. They waved enthusiastically as the Gamemakers came around in their float looking quite handsome and regal. Of course, the crowd went wild as President Snow's float came by. He smiled and waved at the crowd that was chanting his name.

After several rounds of hot chocolate, lattes, and other warm drinks, Effie, Cinna, and Portia were ready to open their presents. "Oh - Portia!" Effie squealed pulling out a light pink curly wig. She opened a small package with matching gold wrapping paper. "And a pink flower - oh!"

"Wear it to next year's reaping, girl!" Portia said giggling. "Girl, you'll blow them away with your glamour!"

"I'd say!" Cinna remarked. "Aaaw - Portia!" He gasped holding up leather leggings. He went into the bathroom and changed into them. "OH! FLAVIUS WILL THINK I'M SOOO HOT THIS YEAR!"

"Wow, Cinna!" Effie checked out his legs. "You look quite handsome." Cinna laughed. He handed Effie a thin package which turned out to be a new clipboard that had a gift card to a jewelry store attached to it. "Oh, Cinna!" She hugged him. Effie handed Cinna a gift.

"Hm -" Cinna said pulling off the neon colored wrapping paper. "A book! A bit unorthodox for you, Effie." He read the title, "Use of theatrical elements in clothing: Water, Smoke, and Fire adds flair to any outfit. Wow!" Effie grinned. "Not so subtle hint that I should be more creative with your district?"

"I'm sure you will make my tributes look very very very wonderful, Cinna!" Effie squealed. She handed Portia a package which was a new very sparkly blouse. After more hugs and one more round of drinks, Effie bid her guests goodbye. "Cinna, Portia, I've had a very very very Merry Christmas with you two! Thank you so much!"

"Merry Christmas, Effie!" Cinna and Portia called. "See you for the Seventy Fourth Hunger Games!"

Ten

Plutarch and the other Gamemakers stood around the raised round platform where Seneca Crane smiled and waved at the crowd during the Christmas Day Parade. They waved at the crowd with one hand and tossed confetti in the air with the other. They arrived back at the Presidential Mansion where the large ornate banquet hall was decorated with large pine trees with lifelike icicles on them.

President Snow thanked them for helping keep the tradition of the Hunger Games alive to stabilize the nation of Panem."To recognize each Gamemaker, I will give you all each a personalized gift." President Snow announced. Many Gamemakers got items such as a new tablet PC or a new book to help them in their work, but some got gifts that would further their talents that made them even more famous and popular. "Plutarch Heavensbee." President Snow called. Plutarch climbed the stage and received a map of the Pacific Ocean where uninhabited islands lay. He thanked the President and showed his colleagues.

"Water arena must be in the near future." One of them muttered.

"Head Game Maker Seneca Crane!" President Snow called. Seneca Crane climbed the stage and President Snow handed him a package. "In this you will find templates for beard designs." Everyone laughed. "I personally picked out my favorite ones for this little gift. Merry Christmas my bearded friend!" Everyone laughed as they clapped for the Head Gamemaker. Yes, Christmas in the Capitol was interesting indeed.