Hello guys, it's interview time and unlike most stories I'm more excited about these then the actual games. The Games themselves will be awesome as well but these… well… you'll see.

Kawino and Ria had come to agree that they would be together until the exited the hovercraft then it was the games as usual, but until then they got to be happy. Now though they were each prepping for the interviews.

"Why exactly do they not want me to grow a beard in the arena?" Kawino asked as his face was scrubbed with a foamy blue substance.

"Not sure exactly. They just always order against it."

"Well, it's annoying" He said.

"Well, I'm sorry but that's the way it has to be."

"I know, Annia. I'm just nervous." He sighed.

"I know. That's pretty much what always happens."

"Really?" He asked emotions still new to him.

"Yes, really, everyone gets nervous at this point."

"Oh...okay." He said.

"Yeah, I promise it's perfectly normal."

"Alright." Kawino said looking like a child waiting for something awful.

"Hey, it's okay." Annia said giving him a hug. He hugged her back this was another thing he was not used to. "Everything's going to be okay." She said to him. "I promise."

"Okay." He said.

"By the way, great job on your training score."

"But it wasn't perfect." He said.

"That's okay. It was incredibly close."

"That means I'm not good enough."

"Only to your parents. I promise that."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It is very impressive. You and Katniss are the only ones to ever get one and a twelve is set to pretty much be impossible."

"Okay, I get it."

"Do you believe me?"

"I don't really know."

"I understand but it is true."

"Okay." He said.

"I wish there was something I could do."

"You've been here for me."

She smiled lightly and said, "I'm glad I could be."

"Why?" He asked.

"Because I understand how you must feel and I really want to help fix that." Annia said honestly.

"Thank you." He said smiling.

"It's my pleasure. Now let's get you dressed."

"Okay." He said nodding.

"What will I be wearing?" He asked. She showed him a dark blue and silver suit. "Oh, nice!" Kawino said looking it over.

"Yes, form fitting."

He nodded and she helped him into it, "So, what's your angle for the interview?"

"The truth."

"The truth?" Annia asked confused not knowing the truth herself.

"About home." He said.

"Your home?"

"My home District."

"So… what is the truth?"

"You really want to know?"

"Well, wouldn't I find out in the interview anyways?"

"Yeah, but I trust you not to tell anyone." He said.

"You realize that if you say it in the interview the whole world will find out though." Annia pointed out.

"Yes but no one can know before that."

"Well… alright then."

"Okay..." He said before telling her about the real reapings.

"Really?" She asked surprised. "That does explain a lot actually."

"Yeah, now you know."

"They also kill them if they think you weren't brutal enough in the arena."

"Really?" She gasped.

"Really," Kawino nodded. "82 percent of all Career tributes fail that part. Including Enobaria because they said she killed them too quickly instead of letting them suffer."

"She ripped a boy's throat out with her teeth."

"I know that but they decided it wasn't enough and her family was shot in front of the whole district once she got back. If they had won but were declared not 'brutal enough' they always make sure the victor has to be there for it."

"What? That's sick."

"Well, it's the truth."

"You all have it bad there."

Kawino just nodded, "That's why I have to tell everyone the truth."

"What if they kill you?"

"I'm willing to take that risk."

"I don't want to lose you."

"I know that but if not there's so many more that WILL die if no one does anything about it. Besides, they need me alive to participate in the games."

"Still Kawino be careful."

"I will in every way I can but I'm still doing this." Kawino said seriously.

"Okay." She sighed.

"I'm sorry but it's the only way."

"I know that do I have to like it." She said helping him tie the tie.

"Hopefully it will help enough."

"We can only hope." She said.

"I don't see any way it wouldn't though."

"You hold a good point." She said as Ria's stylist walked in.

"Um..." Kawino started wondering why they were there.

"Ria is ready and if Kawino is as well she would really like to see him." The man said.

"He is now." Annia said finishing his tie.

"So I can bring her in?"

"Please do." Kawino said. He smiled and left to get her. She came in wearing a strapless dark blue, full length fitted dress with silver sparkles running all the way down the flaring out mermaid style and a pair of silver high heels. "Wow! Ria you look...wow!" Kawino said.

Ria blushed and said, "Thank you. So do you."

"Thanks how do you feel?" He asked hugging her.

"Very nervous," She sighed.

"Don't be they'll love you." He said kissing her forehead.

"You really think so?"

"Of course I do." He said.

"Thank you," She said and kissed him. He held her close kissing back.

Annia was unsure what to do. "Do not smudge your make-up." She settled on awkwardly. They just wove her off. That made her smile a little at them. 'At least she seems to make him happy.'

Eventually they had to break for air. "That's still amazing."

"Yes it is." He said holding her close. "Thank you for confessing." He told her.

"To what?" She asked.

"To having a crush on me. We both know I would have never found out on my own."

"Yes, I wish we could have longer though." She said leaning against his chest.

"So do I."

"We have now at least." She said.

"Yes we do." He smiled holding her close.

"That's so sweet." Annia said.

"Do you have to interrupt?" Ria asked.

"No sorry."

Ria smiled snuggling into his chest. "Want to eat before the interviews?" He asked.

"Yes please," She nodded.

"Okay." He said as the food table came up.

She shifted not leaving his arms but freeing one of her own to grab an apple and took a bite. "You need to eat too." She told him.

"It's okay."

She give him an apple like hers and said, "Kawino, eat."

"Okay." He said and took the apple and hesitantly took a bite. "This is sweet." He said.

"Yes they are. I like giving you sweet things." She smiled taking a bite of her own.

"Yes, I should trust you."

"Yes you should but it's understandable for you to have trust issues."

"Sorry." He said.

"It's okay, Kawino. Really."

"Well, still."

"I'm not mad."

"Why not?"

"Because it's not your fault." She said looking up at him. "I can't blame you for anything your parents did."

"I suppose."

"Well, it's true." Annia told him.

"Okay." He said.

"So you believe us?" Ria asked hopefully.

"Yes I do."

"Good," She smiled.

"Yeah." He said.

A few hours later Caesar was opening up the interviews. "Welcome to the Hunger Games!" He said.

He went through the intro then Glimmer and Marvel's interviews then being from 2 it was time for Ria's. "Don't be nervous they will love you." Kawino whispered.

Ria took a deep breath and walked up to Caesar when he called her name looking as confident as she could manage which as you already know is VERY confident. "Welcome Ria Winshel!" He said.

"Great to be here, Caesar." Ria smirked sitting down next to him.

"So how do feel about your odds."

"Well, they're great obviously. I'm more than ready for these games." Ria lied easily.

"So you feel very confident?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"I do not know, but that is key. Now do you feel anyone else is a threat to you?"

"Do the Gamemakers count?" Ria asked with a chuckle.

"Well of course, but none of your opponents?"

"And my district partner, Kawino; he's absolutely amazing."

"Is he now?"

"Yes, he's more prepared than anyone." Ria said knowing Kawino won't have the time or ability to talk himself up so someone has to.

"Well it sounds like you really admire him."

"Well, yeah, he means a lot to me."

"Really why?"

"Well, I love him."

There was a great "Aww." From the crowd.

"It is rather tragic given the whole situation."

"Yes, I can imagine." He said.

"Yeah, I'm not sure I'll be able to kill him if it comes down to it."

"Well, that is sad."

"Yes it is but we'll work something out."

"I certainly hope so."

"Well, we'll try at least."

"Is there anything you wish to say before you go?" He asked.

"Just to make sure to prepare yourself for Kawino's interview."

"Alright Ria everyone!"

The crowd cheered as Ria headed off. "Nice work." Kawino said as she passed.

"Thank you. You're up though."

"Wish me luck." He said.

"Good luck." She whispered knowing he actually will need it with his plan.

"Kawino Yetter!" He was introduced. Kawino smiled and made his way to the seat next to Caesar. "Welcome Kawino how are you?" He asked.

"Good, there's something I have to reveal though before my times up."

"Really? What is it?" He asked.

"It's about my district as well as Districts 1 and 4." Kawino said. "I know most of the other districts hate us and I can't say I blame them but I can say that almost everything you think you know about all of us is wrong."

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"Well, first of all there's how we always volunteer for the games. Actually believe it or not there are two Reapings: the real one and the televised one. Whose ever name's drawn in the real reaping the Peacekeepers take their families and if they don't 'volunteer' in the televised won then they'll kill the family and the tribute." There was a great uproar of outrage and horror at this news. President Snow himself seemed surprised. "It gets worse." Kawino managed to say over the absolute chaos. "They keep the family until the tribute wins or dies in the games and if they decide they weren't brutal enough in the arena which is about 82 percent of the time they'll shot the family in front of the entire district including the tribute if they won."

The roar grew louder and Snow was actually getting angry he had told them to only kill at a tributes failure to volunteer or lack of brutality but he had also set a scale for them to follow and apparently 2 was not listening very well. Caesar attempted to calm them down as per his job but it was obviously no use at all. They continued shouting out in anger.

Meanwhile behind the curtain Katniss' jaw had dropped while Peeta seemed highly and very vocally doubtful. "Come on, Katniss. You can't possibly believe that load of garbage."

"I am allowed my own opinion Peeta and I do happen to believe it he is not lying."

Peeta snorted slightly and said, "Come on, it's so obvious that none of this is actual true. He's lying through his teeth. Just like he was when he said it wasn't a trap that he wants to ally with you."

"How do you know Peeta!? You don't know everything!"

"What reasons would the Peacekeepers even have to do that?!"

"To make them hate careers and not the Capital."

"Well, I still don't believe him and you shouldn't either." Peeta said being adamant on that.

"Peeta, do not tell me what to believe." She said.

"I just want to protect you."

"I can protect myself."

"You're not having very good judgment here though!"

"Says you and only you." Katniss said.

"Um..." Peeta looked around and called, "Rue, do you believe him?"

"Yeah, it seems possible and it would make sense."

"See?" Katniss pointed out but Peeta just huffed.

Before he could say anything a Peacekeeper came over, "Everyone needs to return to their rooms, the interviews will be finished there and broadcast when they're done."

"What!?" Peeta said in outrage as they were pushed along. They were shoved into the elevator and sent up to the respective floors. "This is all your fault you and your lies!" Peeta said to Kawino.

"They weren't lies!" Kawino said defensively. "Everything I said was true!"

"Oh! Yeah right." Kawino scowled and lifted his pant leg showing the marks from the restraints from his sister's games. "That could be from anything." Peeta said.

Kawino growled slightly but the elevator opened on his floor, "Fine, don't believe me." He said and he and Ria went to leave when a hand stopped the door.

"Before you leave I was wondering if the offer still stands." Katniss asked quickly.

"Mine? Sure it does." Kawino said.

"Then yes." Katniss said simply before letting the door close.

"That was surprising." Ria said.

"Very," Kawino said looking back at the closed elevator.

"Well, you have an ally."

"Yeah, that's good. I guess she must have believed me unlike her district partner."

"Yeah, the idiot." She said.

"Yeah but I guess there was bound to be a few people who don't believe it." Kawino concluded.

"True," She sighed.

"It's very clear that the vast did though." She pointed out.

"Yeah, this is good. Think it's enough to fix things?" Ria asked hopefully.

"It might be Snow looked angry."

"I noticed! That means it stands a real chance!" She said and hugged him tightly. "I will never stop owing you."

"You will never owe me."

"That's where you're wrong. You've done so much for me since we met in-between Reapings."

"Not really."

"Yes you have whether you think so or not."

"Okay, if you say so."

"I do." She nodded. He smiled pulling her to him in a warm and tight hug and she smiled leaning against him. "I'm going to miss this." She said.

"So will I." He sighed. "We only have one last night."

"Yeah, what do we do?"

"Make the best of what we have?" He offered.

She smiled nodding and then kissing him. He smiled into the kiss returning it and holding him close. "I really do love you." She said.

"I'm still having trouble understanding emotions but I think I really do, too."

She smiled. "That's all I can ask for." She said.

"It's all I can give."

"I know that." She said leaning against his chest.

"We need sleep though."

"Right, especially where we're going tomorrow."

"Yeah." He sighed.

"Maybe we could share a room though?" She suggested.

"If you want." He said smiling.

"I would." She said still leaning against him.

"Then it would be my pleasure." He said picking her up.

Ria was surprised but giggled at that. "I could have walked." She said through her giggles.

"Katniss, are you crazy?" Peeta asked.

"No I'm not and as I've been saying you're not the boss of me. This is my own decision!"

"Sure it is."

"Yes it is! You can't tell me what to believe or who to ally with!"

"I am just looking out for you." He said.

"Well, I don't need you to look after me!"

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because right now all you're doing is making tomorrow a whole lot easier."

"You can't mean that." He said.

"Try me," Katniss growled.

Peeta sputtered as Cinna and Haymitch arrived. "Can either of you tell Katniss why allying with Kawino is a terrible idea?" Peeta asked them.

"Actually, it seems like a good idea." Cinna said.

"You can't be serious. He's so obviously lying!"

"What makes you so sure?" Haymitch asked.

"You saw Snow's reaction. They would have never gotten away with it for that long without him knowing."

"Maybe he did know he seemed angered by the news but not surprised and if it were lies he would have had Kawino killed."

"If they weren't lies he'd be just as likely if not more for revealing the great secret but still unlikely since he is still needed for the games." Peeta pointed out stubbornly. "Besides, if it's true he wouldn't have said so because it would make his family's death certain."

"Maybe he wants his family dead. From what Enobaria said he only really cared for his sister."

"Yes because Enobaria's at the top of my 'to be trusted' list." Peeta remarked sarcastically.

"Well she is near the top of mine." Haymitch said.

"Really?" Katniss asked honestly surprised by that.

"Yes, she is much nicer than you think. And there was always something about her home she seemed to hate."

"See? Even more reason to believe him." Katniss said looking at Peeta.

"I still have my doubts." Peeta said.

"Well, I don't and I'm still going to ally with him."

"This is a bad idea!"

"So far you're the only one who thinks that, Peeta!"

"Apparently I am the only one who is not crazy."

"You can't just call everyone crazy like that!"

"I just did because of the fact is he is a Career and they can't be trusted."

"So what? They have absolutely no chance just because of where they were born?"

"They are bad."

"You don't know that."

"History says I am right."

"Not if what he says is true."

"Or it's a lie."

"It really doesn't seem like it is."

"We'll see."

"And you'll see that I and everyone else was right."

"Not likely."

"Very likely." Haymitch corrected.

"Again we'll see."

"Fine but I'm still allying with him."

"Fine, I clearly can't stop you."

"No, no you can't." She sighed and left to her room.

Soon Caesar came up to their floor. He went into Katniss' room as directed. She was sitting on her bed waiting for her. "Katniss dear!" He said.

Katniss gave a smile, "Hello, Caesar."

"How are you tonight?" He asked.

"Not too bad. Getting really frustrated with my district partner."

"Really? Care to tell us more?" He asked.

"After Kawino's big reveal Peeta had been very insist that he was lying and kept trying to put me against him."

"What do you mean against him?"

"When he first got here he had offered an alliance between us. At first I said no because I thought it was a trap but now that I know the truth I had accepted it."

"Oh! So you two are allies?" He asked.

Katniss nodded, "We officially agreed on it on the elevator after his interview."

"Oh, is there a reason you choose to ally?"

"I figure having an ally can never hurt. From watching the previous games they always at least help." Katniss said. "Would raise both of our odds."

"Good point, so do you see any threats to you here?"

"Well, I guess I can't fairly say any of the Careers so… I'd have to say Thresh from District 11. Boy's built like a mountain."

"Yes and he had a decent score as well."

"I know. He got a solid 10. He's definitely going to be one to watch out for."

"Yes, as he should be. What do you think your own odds are?"

"I'd say they're pretty good. I just really need to get back home to my mother and Prim."

"Oh that's alright.

"Well, at least I have the motive."

"Yes, that's true."

"Any more questions?"

"No, I think we are out of time."

"Alright, well, it was nice speaking with you, Caesar."

"You as well." He said bowing.

He left the room to find Peeta who he did find in his room. Peeta looked up at his. "Oh, hello, Caesar."

"Hello Peeta."

"So, it's finally time for my interview?"

"Yes it is. Are you ready?"

Peeta nodded, "Yes I am."

"Alright then how are you feeling about your own odds?"

"I'd say they're pretty good as long as I avoid the Careers unlike Katniss. I just need to convince her otherwise but she's been very stubborn about everything even back in 12."

"What do you mean?"

"She's just really insistent on allying with that boy from 2, Kawino, but I'm just trying to protect her."

"Kawino seems like nice boy."

"It's just an act. He's trying to mess with all of us. Get inside our heads and rearrange the furniture. The Careers are all the same; they'd kill us in a heartbeat and not even regret doing so."

"You really feel that way?"

"Of course, he's just lying and acting to get the upper hand just like Johanna Mason did three Hunger Games ago."

"Well, I guess we'll see."

"Yes, we will but I'm still sure I'm right."

"Is there anything you wish to say to the other tributes any of them?"

"Yes, to Katniss and any other non-Careers who feel like actually believing and trusting Kawino, you're just fooling yourselves. What he's saying cannot possibly be true."

"What will you do if what he says is proven true?"

"Then I'll let them kill me to protect their families. Anyway they can and I won't even try to fight it." Peeta promised completely confident that it won't. "THAT'S how sure I am that he's lying."

"You are aware Snow is having this investigated?"

"Let him." Peeta shrugged. "He won't find anything to support Kawino's claim."

"So Peeta why are you so...concerned about Katniss?"

"Well… to be perfectly honest, I've had a crush on her since forever but before the Reaping she never really seemed to notice me at all."

"Really like Ria with Kawino?"

"No, I'm serious."

"Are you implying Ria is lying?"

"That is exactly what I am implying." Peeta nodded.

"That's a big statement on your part."

"Well, they're both Careers and since when could Careers be trusted on anything?"

"Is that not a bit presumptuous of you?"

"No it isn't. Statistically it is the truth."

"Well, still, the truth remains to be seen."

"Well, I still say I'm right."

"Well, you are out of time." He said.

"Alright, it was great talking with you, Caesar."

"And you as well." He said shaking Peeta's hand.

Peeta shook it and asked, "When will they be shown?"

"Later tonight and before the games."

"Okay," Peeta nodded before Caesar left.

A few hours later, Katniss and Peeta were settled in to watch the others' interviews. It started at the beginning. 1 and 2 were the same and 3 was pretty boring but then it got to Macey's interview. "So Macey, how are you feeling about your own odds?"

"They're great. I'm very prepared." Macey said confidently.

"That is good. So, if you don't mind, I would like to touch on what the District 2 male Kawino said."

Macey got extremely nervous by that but hid it very well, "What about it?" She asked evasively.

"Is that what life is like for you in four?"

"No," Macey lied unwilling to put her own family's lives farther on the line for what it might do.

"So you are saying these things do not happen in your own home?"

"No they don't." She lied again having a little bit of notable trouble hiding her nerves.

"Do you believe they do in 2?"

"I don't know. Maybe, we don't have any way of knowing what happens in any of the other districts."

"Do you think he was lying?"

"I'm not sure. He seemed to be telling the truth about his own district at least."

"So you believe him?"

Macey gulped slightly and said, "For 2 and maybe even 1, yes I do."

"Alright, who is the biggest threat?

"Kawino," Macey answered. "Whether he's lying or not I saw him in training and he's absolutely amazing at practically everything, not just weapons but also the survival stuff and he doesn't want to be a part of the Career Pack."

"That good?"

"Yeah, he pretty much had all of the stations they had on the training floor completely mastered."

"That's impressive."

"Extremely," Macey nodded it being undeniable to everyone but him and his parents.

"Good to know."

"Yes, these games will certainly be interesting to say the least. I'd say I choose the right year to volunteer."

"Do you think you'll win?"

"Yes I do." Macey nodded with a smirk. "Kawino will just make this more enjoyable, a fun challenge."

"Any final words?"

"Just to everyone, be prepared for anything. It's already proven to take some unexpected turns."

"Wise words. Thank you, Macey."

"You're welcome, Caesar." Macey smirked before it cut away and then her partner's was just more of the same, really.

"See, I told you he had to be lying." Peeta snapped when they were done.

"Peeta just shut up they were both clearly terrified." Haymitch snapped he was getting sick of this boys attitude. "Almost anyone would if the Peacekeepers were holding their family at gunpoint."

"Oh come on!" Peeta said.

"You just won't accept that you might be wrong."

"I am not wrong."

"You don't know that."

"Nor do you."

"More people agree with me at least."

"You have all just been fooled."

"Maybe but I still say he's telling the truth." Haymitch countered.

"Well you are not always right."

"Name one time."

"I have not known you long enough yet."

"Okay, Effie, name one time I was just completely wrong about something big."

"Never, usually brutally honest a lot but never wrong."

"See, I told you." Haymitch smirked.

"Whatever." He said.

"You really need to drop that attitude, Boy!" Haymitch snapped.

"What attitude?"

"Towards Kawino and everything really just pretending you know everything."

"I am not saying I know everything."

"Pretty much," Everyone but obviously Peeta said. He just huffed and went to his room.

Katniss snorted slightly and got up saying, "Well, I should probably try to get to sleep."

"Yeah, you'll need it," Haymitch said. Katniss nodded and headed to her own room. Haymitch sighed it was going to be a long games.

See? I told you. Did I or did I not blow your minds! For those of you that may be new to this. Marcus and I absolutely hate Peeta, he's the one bad thing about the Hunger Games so just deal with it, flame, or don't read but we won't change our minds and before you ask. No, we are not Team Gale, he's an ass and obviously does not deserve her. We're either Team OC or Team Katniss (support Katniss staying single like she wanted to). So review and flame if you want. Constructive criticism is strongly encouraged and be warned. If you favorite and/or alert any of our stories but don't review you are quite likely to receive a PM from me wondering what you think usually looking exactly like this but with the ** and () replaced as specified:

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