You faced Coin with a blank expression on your face. You could practically feel your knees quake and your teeth clatter. It was time for you first mission, and you were frightened. The merciless president eyed you over the folder in her hands and then slid it across her desk. You picked up the folder and examined the new information. You would be going undercover and hiding out in District 11 to do some recon on the market there. You were scared, nervous, and your knees shook uncontrollably. However, you stared down Coin and gave her a military-like nod.

"You've got your mission, Agent, now get me some results," and with that she turned around and went back to her paperwork. Without blinking, you shuffled out of the room and down the hallway. You went to your lonely room and changed into your usual outfit. Taking a deep breath, you wrapped the gun holster around your thigh and your tool kit around your waist. You walked down the hallway, feeling as if everything was a dream. You might never see that cafeteria again…you might never walk down these hallways again…yet…you weren't too upset about that. You're parents were dead, and you had no living relatives, the planet was in disrepair, and the Capitol was so corrupt that there was hardly any hope…was living really worth it? You then walked past the computer room where a small blonde kid with big blue eyes and goggles around his neck peeked out from the door. He noticed how determined you seemed, so he didn't say anything…but you could see the sadness in his eyes. And that's when you realized it: you did have something to live for…Cid was like a brother to you….and you wouldn't let anything bad happen to him. So, with a new found conviction you walked out of District 13, hopped on a hovercraft, and started your way to District 11…

An alarm blasted into your ear, waking you up suddenly and terrifyingly. Sitting up, you took a few reassuring breaths and stretched your muscles. You yawned and then slowly got up and searched through your wardrobe before finding a loose blue t-shirt and cargo shorts. You walked over to the single mirror in your room and brushed through your locks before heading out the door. You sighed and walked out of your room only to come face to face with Gale. His eyes were wide, but other than that he was silent. You cleared your throat and looked up at him with a raised eyebrow. "What's going on?" you asked hesitantly. Gale gestured towards the stairs.

"Coin wants to see us about the mission," he answered. You nodded your head and followed him up to the President's office. Opening the door, you found a now calm Coin with her hair tied back doing paperwork. Folding your arms, you cleared your throat expectantly. Coin didn't even glance up when she slid the file across her desk. You picked it up and opened it to a few pictures laid out of a large mansion-like house.

"Where's Frank and Demitri?" you asked expectantly. The beloved President raised an eyebrow, but didn't seem all that concerned about two of her operatives.

"I sent them away to the emergency camp set up in District 11," she answered bluntly. You nodded your head, realizing that they were probably safer there than on any mission with you. Finding that acceptable, you picked up the file and opened it revealing your mission. To your surprise, you were to crash a party at one of the Head Peacekeeper's house in District 3. Before you could say anything, or object, Coin spoke up.

"You're going to a party," she stated obviously. You narrowed your eyes and looked down at your own clothes and Gale's. The two of you weren't exactly dressed for an upper party.

"Uh…," you started. However, Coin annoyingly waved her hand in the air. A soldier walked in holding two bags. He handed them off to Coin and bowed back out of the room. Smirking, Coin handed you one, and Gale the other.

"Now you'll be able to look the part…this is strictly covert…so keep it quiet," she said. Raising an eyebrow, you unzipped the bag and opened your mouth to protest. However, Coin saw the look on your face and immediately put a hand up to stop you. "Unless you want to be spotted and caught and then more-than-likely tortured, I would stay in those clothes." Sighing, you looked at the dress on the hanger. Ugh…the Capitol's taste was too flashy and gaudy. Grimacing, you zipped the bag back up and turned your attention to Coin. Her face was calm and silent, making you furious. You knew that you were going alone with Gale, and both of you had made Coin angry more than once. If she wanted to, she could "surprise" you again on this mission, and you weren't going to have it.

Walking over, you slammed your hands on her desk, bending low to her face. She slowly looked up at you without any trace of emotion on her face. "No surprises this time," you hissed angrily. She cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows solemnly.

"No surprises this time," she confirmed softly. You nodded your head in agreement, staring her straight in the eye. Her emotionless smile turned into a real smirk as the door opened and in walked two rather unique characters. The woman had her hair twisted straight up, golden lashes caked her eyes, and her outfit was a sharp, bright yellow. The man wore a bright green suit complete with feathered hat and puffed up lips. You turned back to Coin with a curious gaze. Her smile had turned to near toxic.

"Hawthorne, Matthews, meet your stylists," she said nodding to the two weirdos. "Paten and Anne will be taking care of your skin and hair so that when you enter the party nobody will question where you are from." Your mouth fell open in disgust. Stylists? Oh no…

"I'm not doing this," said Gale sternly. Coin gave him the stink eye.

"Oh yes you will. You were the one who wanted a mission, Hawthorne. Well, there you go," she responded. He rolled his eyes and sighed, his annoyance being obvious. You shared his enthusiasm for this, however, you knew that if you wanted back into the field…this was part of the gig…So, with a sigh, you grabbed the dress and walked over to the one called Anne. She gave you a bright smile, revealing several gold teeth and then lead you down the hall to one of the open rooms. The room had a basin with a shower hose attached and a pan with cosmetics next to it. The woman gave you a smile then proceeded to push you into the basin full of water.

For the next half hour Anne scrubbed you down in places you never wanted to be scrubbed. Every bit of hair from your legs and armpits was removed with hot wax and strips of cloth. After inspecting every inch of your body, she moved on to your head. Normally, you would be bashful about letting a stranger see you naked, but Anne was so strange that the embarrassment didn't seem necessary. When the strange woman got to your hair she spent another half hour just pulling out the knots. Smearing some gunk on it, she began to roll it up and stick it with pins. Deeming it good enough, she then grabbed a hold of your face and began plucking at it and smearing it with creams and salts. Cringing with the slight irritation, you let her go on without complaint. Finally, stepping back she grabbed the black bag and quietly slipped the dress on over your head. She smiled and clapped her hands happily.

"Oh my! Don't you look absolutely beautiful! Look what happens when we wash away all of that gunk," she cried enthusiastically. She lead you over to a mirror. Stepping back, you hardly recognized yourself.

You were dressed in a short white dress with a t-shirt like top but a feathery bottom. The dress was a crystal white and the feathers were as soft as silk. Everything from the upper thigh down showed, and made you pull on it self-consciously. You looked up and saw that your hair had been done in a loose braid around your shoulder, and you were wearing a white mask tha covered half of your gently touched the mask and gave Anne a questioning look. "What's this for?" you asked, confused as to why your face needed to be covered.

"It's a masquerade ball…everyone will be wearing one," she answered smartly. You shrugged your shoulders, this would actually be to your benefit, then NOBODY would be able to know your true identity. Walking out of the room in high-heels, you carefully stepped around to Coin's room to see a perfectly gelled, suited, boy standing there with a black mask waiting for you. He was leaning up against the wall, his hands in his pockets. His dark eyes looked at you and he gave you a small smile. All the dirt was gone from his face and hair, his clothes went from rags to black suit and tie. Smiling, you nodded your head and walked over. The two stylists came out and squeeled with delight at the sight of both of you.

"You look absolutely perfect!" Anne purred. You smiled sincerely and then shrugged your shoulders.

"Okay, so we look the part…how are we going to get there exactly?" you asked, getting down to the technical stuff. Anne smiled and lead you up through the main gates and around the corner to a large, black, limo. You shook your head in refusal, however, she steered you straight up to the monstrosity.

"Come on, Juliet, it's part of your disguise. If you want to look like a person from the Capitol…you have to ride like one," she said persuasively. You rolled your eyes and sighed. Fine, if that's what it took. Nodding at Gale, you climbed into the gross contraption of a vehicle and slid to the very back.

Everything was luxurious. There was felt and cup holders everywhere, lights dimmed the scene. As soon as Gale shut the door, the driver took off. Silence reigned between you and the dark boy. He gazed at you with curious, analytical eyes. Finally, he spoke up.

"You look nice," he said with a small smirk. You rolled your eyes, unable to tell if he was being serious or not.

"Thanks…so do you," you responded. Finishing THAT conversation, you looked out the window and stared out at the vast of green flying by…