"Pleasant surprise?"he replies with a chuckle."I think we'll make this whole situation a lot simpler by agreeing not to lie to each other. What do you think?"

I nod slowly."That seems sensible."

"Let's sit, then." Snow takes a seat at the large table where I always work on the assignments Madge designs for me. Only because I'm not allowed to go to school anymore doesn't mean I'm done learning. I sit down aswell; the chair's made for someone taller, someoen more like a victor, so my feet dangle a few inches over the floor. I've never felt smaller or younger. The president smiles coldly."You see, Miss Everdeen, I have a problem. A problem that began with you and has slowly infected the districts. And a little healer like you knows what we have to do, I'm sure. Keep it from spreading. Cut out the infected tissue."

I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady as I force myself to meet his eyes."A problem, sir? What kind of problem?"

But I know exactly what he's talking about. It began with Effie's warning right after the Games and continued with the things she's mentioned on our phone conversations. Things I know she wouldn't really care about.

"Isn't it just like the penthouse?"she asks on the first call, and that's when I know there's bugs here, too, and we'll have to continue our little charade.

"I've ordered a sculpture,"she says another time."But it just isn't getting here."

I figure it's her way to tell me there's unrest in District Two. When she says she got her order, I know they've been subdued.

I write down everything she tells me – which districts are affected, how badly, all I can gather from her hints - and finally go to Haymitch with my list, handing it to him wordlessly. He looks over it and scowls."You're not supposed to know any of this."

"So I got it right?"I say and he just pulls me into a hug."Dammit, kiddo, just keep your head down."

"A child like you survives everything we throw at her, befriends tributes from other districts,"Snow says, ticking of the points on his fingers,"Calls us unfair, challenges us and walks away safe and sound. It gives the people ideas, Miss Everdeen."

"Ideas of freedom, you mean?"I say, challenging his own proposal of not lying. I wonder if he'll stick with it. Again, he chuckles."Ideas of urprising. Of rebellion."

There's a knock at the door, and the Capitol man sticks his head in. "Her mother wants to know if you want tea."
"I would. I would like tea," says the president. The door opens wider, and there stands my mother, holding a tray with a china tea set she brought to the Seam when she married. "Set it here, please." He places pats the centre of the desk.
Mum sets the tray on the desk. It holds a china teapot and cups, cream and sugar, and a plate of cookies. They are beautifully iced with softly coloured flowers. The frosting work can only be Taftan's. Not quite as nice as Peeta used to make them, but still beautiful.
"What a welcome sight. You know, it's funny how often people forget that presidents need to eat, too," President Snow says charmingly. Well, it seems to relax my mother a bit, anyway.
"Can I get you anything else? I can cook something more substantial if you're hungry," she offers.
"No, this could not be more perfect. Thank you," he says, clearly dismissing her. My mother nods, shoots me a glance, and goes. President Snow pours tea for both of us and fills his with cream and sugar, then takes a long time stirring. I sense he has had his say and is waiting for me to respond.
"I didn't mean to start any uprisings," I tell him. He raises an eyebrow at me."No, I know you didn't. But you're by no means distraught by it happening, yes?"

I don't answer. He knows he's right."Your stylist turned out to be prophetic in his wardrobe choice. Primrose Everdeen, the girl who was on fire, you have provided a spark that, left unattended, may grow to an inferno that destroys Panem."

"Well, you can't kill me,"I reply bluntly."That'll fan the flames."

He shrugs, as if he doesn't care."I'm merely telling you to be careful, Miss Everdeen. Don't defy me."

"I've done no such thing,"I snap. It's a touchy subject. I don't want him to think I did anything that would make him hurt someone I love, but at the same time, I'm ashamed I haven't done anything. Amber's words echo in my mind. Make a change. I haven't even attempted it, unless you count that I try to distribute my winnings among everyone in the district.

"What about your little academy?"President Snow asks. oh. And that. My eyebrows knit in fake confusion."Academy?"

But of course, I know what he's refering to. I call it an after school activity club, but that doesn't change that it's mainly about feeding and training up my friends and anyone else who'll attend. I had Effie check that it technically wasn't against any laws and we have no weapons or anything like that. Just sports equipment that could undeniably make handling weapons much easier. Snow just looks at me with his cold eyes until I give in."It's an after school activity club,"I say weakly."I don't go to school anymore. I have to see my friends some time."

"Call it what you will, Miss Everdeen,"he replies."The Victory Tour is your last chance to turn things around. You should take it."

And with that he leaves me alone. Mum's there almost instantly."Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, fine,"I say."I'll just go check if Haymitch is getting ready. Could you and Katniss bring some food over once she's back?"

She nods, her face painfully pale. She knows this means I have something to discuss that I can't say here. Haymitch has rooted out most bugs in his house and knows which rooms are safe to talk in.

I run from our house to Haymitch's as fast as my feet will carry me.

)o(

Super late update, sorry! I was very busy... But it's still Sunday, so I'll count it as a win.