I suddenly can't breathe. The room is too loud, the air too warm, my hands too sweaty. Without deciding to do so, I push my way through people, wanting nothing more than to get out of here. I can't stay a second longer.

I'm out of the giant ballroom by the time Chaff catches up with me."You okay there, kid?"

I nod without thinking about it and he stops me in my tracks, bringing his one remaining hand up to gently wip the tears I hadn't even noticed from my face."You sure about that?"

I let myself sink against him, crying into his chest."How - how can he -"

Chaff doesn't reply, knowing there is nothing he can say to make this any easier. Instead, he wraps his arms around me and lets me cry. I can't say why this hits me so hard. Snow has personally threatend me and everyone I love, I have seen people executed for showing their solidarity to me, seen what happened to darius for standing up for my sister, I have been in the arena. I know he controls who lives and who dies. I just didn't realise how completely in his power we are. Even our bodies are his to command over as he pleases.

"It'll be fine,"Chaff says gruffly, patting my back slightly awkwardly."We won't ever even let it get to that. Ain't that so, little mockingjay?"

I nod weakly against his chest, reminding myself that I've got to pull myself together. There's Katniss to think of, and Madge, and whatever Haymitch and the others are planning that I am not privy to. Straightening up and managing a smile, I wipe my eyes. Glancing at Chaff's shirt, I wince at the wet stain I left on it."Sorry 'bout that."

He only shrugs an laugh."They'll all assume I spilt something on me, if they even notice. I'm usually drunk by this point. Let's find your escort, yeah? Have her fix your face."

Chaff and I go to find Haymitch and Effie, which doesn't take long as Chaff correctly guesses where they are on the first try. The group of friends around Haymitch apparently has figured out the best hiding spots around here years ago. They're on a small balcony, standing close together and discussing something urgently. Chaff clears his throat loudly to announce our arrival and they spin around to face us, relaxing as they see who it is. Haymitch grabs my chin and turns my face towards his, scowling."Hell, Chaff, I said keep and eye on her, not make her cry."

"She did that all by herself,"the victor from Eleven replies, raising his hands in defense."Although Johanna helped, I guess. Little one figured it out."

I'm about to protest at being referred to as little one when I'm cut off by Effie swooping down on me in full motherhen mode. I let her fret over me for a bit, admittedly quite liking her mollycoddling me, before untangling myself from her gently.

"We should get back, shouldn't we?"I ask, even though I don't want to."Can't have everyone else stealing all our sponsors."

Effie decieds she'll be in charge of sponsors for the moment while Haymitch takes me with him to establish alliances. In the end, it's always down to the tributes, of course, but most tend to listen to their mentors and this year, it is especially important that the victors have a certain amount of control over who allies with whom. Even though I don't know the plan, I can see that one person at the wrong place at the wrong time could mess everything up. Needless to say I let Haymitch take the lead.

The first victor we approach is Clove and Olive's aunt Terra Hayden, nicknamed Terror. I've seen replays of her Games; the nickname is very appropriate.

Without other peoples blood splattered over her and not holding a sword, she actually seems quite pleasant. Still, I let Haymitch do most of the talking. They hardly even mention the Games, alliances don't come up at all. But at the end of the conversation, Terra smiles, raising an eyebrow in question."So, Twelve and Two, huh?"

"The audience will go wild,"Haymitch replies, a smirk on his face. All I can do is smile along, because I honsetly have no idea what happened. Thank got I'll never have to properly learn how to mentor.

If all goes well, that is. Or as well as rebellions can go.

)o(

sorry for the late update, we had family round xx

the next chapter will likely be Katniss's POV again - yay!