With Katniss and Madge in training, I'm free to be occupied with what Effie calls 'sponsor charming'. Cinna lets me pick my own outfit from the wardrobe full he desgined for me, as he says I should feel as comfortable as possible. I end up in a knee-length dress with bright yellow flowers and shoes with butterflies on them. Very true to the newest Capitol fashion.

"Can't I have higher heels?"I whine as Cinna expertly winds my hair around my head in a braid reminisent of a crown. I know it annoys both Katniss and Haymitch to no end, but Capitol fashion is, like the food, amazing to me, no matter what I think of the Capitol otherwise. Okay, not everything, the dyed skin for example is rather strange and I would not want gemstones inlaid in my hands. But the dresses and shoes (and even some wigs) are to die for. But Cinna, for some reason, insists on keeping my clothes slightly – well, not childish, but certainly young-ish. Capitol girls my age wear heels twice as high and skirts half as long. Again, Cinna denies me, albeit with a smile."We don't want you looking older than you are, Prim."

"That we appears not to include me,"I say, trying to give him a stern look but failing miserably. I just can't be mad at Cinna.

Once he's finished my make-up (here, he gives in and lets me wear the long, fake lashes I shamelessly begged Effie to give to me) I go out to meet Haymitch and Effie while Cinna goes off to find Portia so they can work on their designs for the interviews some more.

"Oh, darling, you look beautiful!"Effie exclaims as soon as she spots me, whereas Haymitch only scowls. But that's probably because he had a moment of weakness and let Effie pick his outfit, which means he's ended up with his tie matching her shoes and sporting mockingjay cufflings to go with my pin.

"We match,"I say happily, sticking out my tongue at Haymitch when Effie isn't looking. She beams at me."Well, yes, we're a team, afterall."

When we reach the sponsor meeting, the party is already in full swing. It's hard to believe it's only barely noon once you step foot in here. Everyone who's anyone in the Capitol is here, victors and escorts too, even some stylists who probably just care less than Cinna and Portia. There's food, drinks, dancing, it's really a lot like my Victory Party.

Haymitch heads straight to the bar before Effie or I can even think to protest, so it's just the two of us. Effie gives my hand a quick, reassuring squeeze."Remember, deals won't be sealed until right before the Games, maybe even only after the bloodbath. So the field is completely open right now."

I nod and then we dive into the crowd. Effie and I manage to stick together for a while, but then I end up dancing with Octavius Templesmith, grandson to the Claudius Templesmith, and politely backing away is no longer an option. He must be about Gale's age, I think, but the six years between us don't deter him from holding me just a little closer than what is proper and giving me a look that makes me glad Cinna doesn't design my dresses shorter. Octavius's voice, the haughty tone and light laughter at a matter like the Hunger Games, make my skin crawl, but I smile politely back at him. For Katniss, I remind myself. For Katniss and Madge and whatever they'll need in the arena that his money might buy.

I'm beyond relieved when someone cuts in with a courteous smile."Now, Octavius, we can't have you keeping Miss Everdeen all to yourself for so long, can we? It's very rude."

The younger man scowls but releases me from his grasp, possibly not wanting to cause a scene. Or maybe this new man holds more power than he does. Either way, I grasp onto the proffered arm and let him lead me away.

"Octavius is not a very gallant boy,"he tells me softly. I surpress a snort. As if I hadn't noticed. Instead, I smile up at my saviour. He's tall, slender, with his hair a shade of blue that matches his eyes exactly. He seems to take my silence as a cue to continue speaking."He doesn't know how to play the game yet, or else he would have likely realised the Head of Secruity can't tell the grandson of Claudius Templesmith what to do, but that's our luck, isn't it?"

He makes grandson of Claudius Templesmith sound like a title. Which it might be around here.

"My cousin must be looking for you, the poor dear always worries ever so much,"he continues. I'm about to ask who he means, when suddenly Effie comes rushing towards us as fast as propriety allows."Prim! I lost sight of you, I'm ever so sorry!" Then she turns to the blue-haired man."Thank heavens you found her, Emmanuel. Haymitch was no help at all. As usual."

She rolls her eyes and then gives me a bright smile."Well, no harm done. Would you like something to eat?"

Her cousin excuses himself as we make our way over to the buffet. Johanna Mason saunters over to us."Enjoying yourself, Everdeen?"

"That depends on your definition of enjoying one self,"I reply with a shrug. I don't really know what to make of Johanna yet. She smirks at me."Well, this is decadent, useless and might just make me throw up a little. Very Capitol. Your outfit suggests that's your thing now."

"Your outfit suggests a blind person dressed you,"I say. We are either joking around, which is good, or I might be making an enemy, which is sort of not good. She grins and I'm let out a breath I didn't know I was holding."Told you I hate my stylist."

We chitchat while stuffing our faces and are more or less left alone, considering Johanna looks about ready to murder anyone who steps too close to us. Or maybe it's because Finnick Odair just showed up, which wipes pretty much everyone else of the plate in terms of public interest. Either way, I'm glad for the break. He is immediately swamped and seems to bask in the attention. I watch him for a while and can't help frowning. There's sponsor charming and then there's... sponsor charming. Finnick's definitely doing the latter."Doesn't he have a girl back hom?"

Effie and Johanna follow my gaze and Johanna talks over Effie's reply."He's in the Capitol, he's owned by Snow. Easy as that."

"What do you mean?"I ask, frowning. What does Snow have to do with this? Johanna stares at me in disbelief, then turns to Effie."She doesn't know?"

"Know what?"I demand. Effie fixes Seven's victor with a deadly glare."She doesn't need to know. Don't you dare tell her, Mason."

"Don't you think she has a right to know? If nothing changes, she'll end the same way,"Johanna says, giving me a look full of pity before glaring at Effie in turn. My escort's face darkens. People around us start shooting us looks. They can't possibly hear them over the music, but their body language speaks volumes. I look around for help and find Haymitch and Chaff moving towards us. I don't quite understand what is happening, but it can't be good. They can't cause a scene here. This can't end well. Johanna, as Seven's only living female victor, probably has nothing to fear. But escorts? Escorts are easily replaced.

"Effie,"I put a hand on her arm but she doesn't turn to me."Effie, please."

"She's only thirteen,"Effie snaps. Johanna shrugs, an ugly sneer on her face."So she has a year or two. You know he likes to start them young."

Before anything else can happen, Haymitch steps up to us, grabbing Effie's arm and pulling her a few steps back from Johanna.

"Ladies,"Chaff greets us lightly. No one responds. Johanna grabs his glass and empties it. I strain my ears to make out what Haymitch is muttering."I can't believe - don't antagonise - in public - you know they're watching - any excuse -"

Most of what he is saying is drowned out by the buzzing of the party, but I get the picture. Effie doesn't bother to keep her voice down; she's literally shaking with rage."She was going to tell Prim. About the... contracts."

Now Haymitch rounds on Johanna."I told you. I told you if you can't play nice you stay away from them."

"Sure, side with Trinket,"Johanna mutters,"Nothing new there."

Haymitch looks about ready to kill someone and it's Effie's turn to be reasonable, even though she is still glaring daggers."Haymitch, drop it. Just forget about it."

He hesitates, but gives in."Yeah, all right. Chaff, can you keep an eye on the kid? I need some fresh air and I think so does Effie."

He pulls her away with him without awaiting a reply. Johanna stares at their retreatung backs."Some people just overreact about anything."

"Maybe you're underreacting,"I hiss, finally coming out of my stupor. She can't go around provoking people into losing their cool if that can get them killed."You ever mess with my escort again, I'm gonna -"

I don't have an end to that sentence but she seems to get the idea. She rolls her eyes and looks to Chaff."Okay, what is it with Trinket and people not finding her annoying? Now the kid too? Haymitch I get, he isn't exactly using his brain in that department."

Whatever else she says goes right by me as I see a Capitol woman run her fingers through Finnick's hair.

He's in the Capitol, he's owned by Snow. Easy as that.

Oh.

)o(

Johanna + Effie = tension inevitable (god I love them)

I wish we had more info on mentors and their duties but we don't so you all have to bear my headcanons xx