Katniss met Plutarch at the door of the President's mansion. Her heart fluttered as she thought about seeing Peeta in a matter seconds.
She looked Plutarch up and down. "A black tuxedo with a black mask. Very classic," She snapped at him. For some reason, she was always bitter about Plutarch. He didn't care about her or Peeta or anyone, he only cared about the show. She hated that about him. He wanted what was best for her, but only because what was best for her was best for the camera.
"You ready, Mockingjay?" Plutarch asked her, offering his arm.
Katniss pressed her mask into her face, reassuring herself that she wouldn't be recognized. "Now or never," She said, letting go of Cinna's hand and wrapping her arm through Plutarch's. Cinna quickly kissed her cheek before putting on his mask.
"Lets go," Plutarch said. Katniss took a deep breath and walked into the party.
Practically a palace, the President's mansion was lit up, with fire breathers, circus dancers, and men on stilts. People were dressed eccentrically, filling the space with color and outrageous materials to add to their costumes. Everyone was in masks, but it was easy to tell who was who.
Katniss immediately sought out Peeta, yet she couldn't find his particular shade of blonde through the crowd. As she scanned the room, she finally noticed that everyone was staring at her. The whole party had froze. She stood still, breathing, before Plutarch stretched out her hand, leading her down the stairs and showcasing her giant mockingjay wings. Dammit, Plutarch, Katniss thought as she walked down the stairs. She could hear the people gasping at her wings. She slowly moved her arms down, taking his arm again. "Nice touch," she whispered to him.
"You needed to make an entrance," He whispered back. "Lets dance."
The party began to get into swing again, as Plutarch and Katniss lined up for the couples waltz. Slowly dancing together at the beginning, Plutarch leaned close enough for Katniss to hear what he was mumbling.
"Masks come off at midnight. Beetee's presentation is at 12:30. That's when you should get to the prison. The hovercraft will get us in the tribute parade center at 1. Don't be late," He added, before the partners rotated.
Peeta gaped at the beautiful bird walking down the stairs. He pressed his mask to his face, feeling the coolness of the silver against his cheeks. His mask covered half his face, (A/N like the phantom of the opera), with the rest of his face exposed. His hair slicked back, his simple black and white tux started to feel constricting. His eyes followed the bird down the stairs, with his cheeks slightly flushing. Watching her cross to the dance floor, he quickly grabbed the hand of who was obviously Glimmer. "Shall we?" He asked her, sweeping his black cape behind his back. Glimmer giggled from behind her mask as she walked with him to the dance floor.
"I do have a boyfriend, you know," she told him as they lined up.
"Oh really?" Peeta asked, nonchalantly as the waltz began. He kept his eyes on the bird as they danced.
"Really!" Glimmer continued. "It's the President, he's practically in love with me."
"I'll make sure not to get in his way, then," Peeta said smoothly as the partners rotated.
He continued dancing with strangers until finally, he stood behind the bird, holding the back of her waist as they began to spin.
"Nice costume," he said.
Katniss, unable to see her partner, continued dancing. "Thanks…" she said. "You too…" she drifted off as he spun her around.
Katniss looked upon the half of Peeta's face that she could see. She knew it was him, she could tell by his eyes, his jaw… Her heart clenched as he held her hand, gliding her around the dance floor.
"Some party, huh?" Peeta continued asking her. "I heard the President went all out for it."
Katniss smiled at him. "Really?" She asked, casually. "I don't think he's really into these kinds of things."
Her partner laughed. "Do you know him personally?" Their eyes locked, as she curtsied and he bowed.
"You could say that," she said very slowly, as her eyes bore into his from behind her mask.
Before Peeta could respond, her next partner stepped in, whisking her away. She continued looking at him as he automatically began dancing with the next girl who was switched in.
Katniss could smell the cologne of Cato as he spun her around. She looked at him, his mask resembling the face of the devil.
"You're the most beautiful girl here," He sneered at her.
"I'm wearing a mask," She said as she continued dancing. "How could you know?"
Before she knew it, Cato was spinning her into the middle of the dance floor, stopping to dip her dramatically in front of the crowd. Katniss, reminding herself that she wasn't allowed to punch him, placed her hand behind his neck, letting herself dip. "You're body is beautiful enough," Cato sneered at her, bringing her up slowly.
Suddenly, Peeta, his mask giving him a face of determination and his cape flaring out behind him, stepped into the center, grabbing Katniss' hand and spinning her into him. Katniss gasped, as she looked upon half of Peeta's face, who grinned at her.
"Can't wait your turn?" She asked him, flirtatiously,
Cato backed away as Katniss and Peeta flawlessly danced, doing the steps from the waltz they performed at President Snow's victory ball so many years ago.
"Can't let me lead?" Peeta challenged, his cape swinging behind him as he danced with her. Suddenly, he lifted her, and Katniss stretched her arms wide, letting her wings span out. The crowd began to 'ooh' and 'ah'.
Katniss' heart fluttered as they finished the dance, receiving a round of applause from the audience who had cleared the dance floor and circled around them. She curtsied, and he bowed, before they began to clap for the musicians.
He offered her his arm, and she took it, allowing him to lead her off the dance floor. As she passed Plutarch, she whispered in his ear: "How's that for making an entrance?"
Plutarch smiled. "You're doing great, kid."
Peeta ushered her over to the bar, getting them two champagnes. "Cheers," Peeta said, raising his glass.
Katniss' eyes bore through her mask and his as she raised her glass as well. "To an unforgettable night." She smiled to herself at the irony.
They clinked and took a sip. Peeta smiled at her. "Did I miss something?" he asked, clearly recognizing the look on her face.
Katniss looked up at him. "No…" she started, flustered. Then she smiled. "This is good champagne, that's all."
Peeta smiled at her. "I prefer something a little stronger myself."
She looked at him mischievously. "Ah, how typical. Already trying to get me drunk."
Peeta smiled, a naughty grin spreading across his face. "Who said anything about me giving you another drink?"
"Who says I can't get myself a drink?" She asked. "Maybe I'll just get you one."
Peeta's blood lit on fire, the attraction burning through his skin. He smiled, placing his hand on her back and guiding her over to a bench underneath a tree. They sat together, drinking champagne, laughing, and talking effortlessly. Time began to escape them.
Peeta looked at her, pressing his hand to his mask. "You seem so familiar to me," he said, smiling and looking down.
Katniss smiled. "Maybe you met me in a dream once," she said, inwardly churning at the irony. Particularly, the dream where you're dying and I'm covered in blood. The dream that's actually a memory. Ha.
Peeta, normally Mr. Conversation, drew a blank at what to say next. Her voice seemed so familiar, yet he was buzzed, and he couldn't quite peg it. "I feel like you know who I am," he admitted, quietly.
Katniss laughed. "You don't recognize me? That night we spent together was so special, you really know how to turn me on…" She saw half his face turn red with embarrassment. "I'm kidding," she laughed.
"You know how to make a man's heart stop, don't you?" He laughed, breathlessly.
"Had a lot of one night stands, lately?" She asked him.
"That's a conversation for another time," He told her, finishing the rest of his champagne. Katniss' eyes bulged quickly as she remembered.
Time.
Katniss' eyes snapped towards the clock, her breathing becoming labored as she realized it was 11:45.
Peeta watched her, concerned. "Time flies, huh?" He asked, placing his hand on her shoulder, attempting to calm her down. "Are you okay?"
Katniss' head flew towards his, snapping back to reality. "Yes," she smiled breathlessly. "Just lost track of the time, that's all."
He smiled at her. "Masks come off at midnight, you know. That's when the party will really start."
Katniss laughed out loud, realizing how ironic it was that he just said that. "Yes, you're right," she continued laughing.
Peeta gaped at her, confused. "How about another dance?" He asked.
Katniss stood up, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor. They began to move together, One of her hands on his shoulder and the other in his hand.
Peeta stared at her. "I've had too much to drink. I know that I know you. I feel like I've known you for years."
Katniss looked down. "You have," she told him. Might as well be honest. You're probably never going to see him again after tonight.
"Can you give me some hints?" He asked her as they whirled around.
Katniss smiled. "Why don't you ask me some questions?"
"Okay…" Peeta began. "Where was the first place we met?"
District 12 when you saved me from starving.
"You're office," Katniss said, banishing her original thought. "I was hurt, you fixed me."
Peeta's face changed, as he began to rack his brain for a memory. "When was the last time I saw you?"
"Today," Katniss answered automatically.
Peeta gaped at her, as he spun her into his arms. "I saw you today?" Wow…"
"I'm almost offended that you can't recognize me," Katniss added with a smirk.
Suddenly, Peeta's head began to ache. He stopped dancing.
"Are you okay?" Katniss said, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"Just a headache. I get them pretty frequently…" Peeta trailed off, looking at his dance partner intently.
They stared at each other for a moment, before Katniss took his hand and led him back over to their private tree. She sat down on the bench as Peeta began to pace in front of her, placing his hands on his temples.
"How often do you get your headaches?" Katniss asked, already knowing the answer. He get's them when he sees me.
Ignoring her, Peeta stopped pacing and looked down. "I forget, what is your costume again? What kind of bird?" Peeta asked her urgently, breathing heavily.
Suddenly, the clock began to chime. Katniss stood up from the bench, speaking clearly over the chimes.
"I'm a mockingjay," She said, confidently.
Peeta's head split with pain as he remembered sitting with Katniss on his bed the previous night.
"People said that when he sang the birds stopped to listen. You know, the mockingjays… they stopped to listen… thinking about my dad and the mockingjays always can make me cry…"
Walking towards her, he slowly began to lift up her mask.
What will happen?! REVIEW! I'd love to hear your thoughts. This is hefty chapter, I hope you like it! Maybe another one will go up tonight, I don't know if I can leave you all hanging ;)