"I'm not a mockingjay today,"I say, turning infront of the mirror, careful not to knock anything over with my wings. I'd guess I'm supposed to be an angle, but my attire is somewhat to dark for that. I look like I'm created out of night and determination."What am I?"

"Nemesis,"Cinna replies as if that should explain everything,"Don't you know her in Twelve?"

At the shake of my head, he elaborates."Oh, they do here in the Capitol. And the Career districts aswell as Nine and Ten. Not sure about the other districts. Nemesis is the goddess of divine retribution."

"Oh,"is all I can say to that. Cinna seems determined to get himself killed with the clothes he puts me in. As if the Mockingjay dress wasn't bad enough."That's... nice."

He kisses my forehead but doesn't reply. He must know what he has done to himself.

Once I meet everyone else at the elevator, I realise that he and Portia have doomed themselves in more ways than one. Katniss is in a red plaid dress, her hair in two braids instead of one. No one in the Capitol will have forgotten the story of how Peeta fell in love with her, nor anyone in the distircts. Apart from me, Peeta must be another rallying point for the rebells. His death was the ultimate defiance to the Games and thus Snow's regime. Plus, the Capitolites will likely take it as some romantic statement, which can't hurt in terms of sponsors.

Madge is in a dress that makes her look like a princess and can only be described as retro-chic. Even if I had never seen the footage of Maysilee's own interview, Haymitch's scowl and the looks Effie throws Portia would have told me that Madge never looked more like her dead aunt than she does at this very moment.

Their outfits are a reminder of just how long these Games have been destroying families. Snow will have a stroke. Actually, that would be awesome. I giggle beside myself. Everyone stares at me at my inappropriate behaviour."Sorry. Nerves."

I remember I had an almost hysteric laughing fit with Peeta after our Opening Ceremony. Uncalledfor laughter seems to be my go-to reaction to stressful situations... I shake the thought away as we enter the elevator.

Sitting in the stands is somehow even worse than being interviewed myself. I have no idea what anyone might say or do. I have absolutely no control over the situation. Johanna Mason plops down in the empty seat next to me."Why on earth are you dressed as Adrasteia? Are you trying to get the Gamemakers even more onto your sister's case?"

"What is an Adrasteia?"I ask instead of acknowledging her question. Cinna leans across me, smiling."Other name for Nemesis. Good to see you know her in Seven, Johanna."

Johanna just mumbles something in return that sounds suspiciously like deathwish.

Then Sapphire from District One is up and the interviews start.

I barely pay attention until it's Olive Kentwell's turn.

"I must ask,"Caesar say,"How does it feel to have the sister of last year's victor here with you in light of your own sister's participation in the 74th Games?"

Olive just stares at him and then shrugs."I dunno. Doesn't make Clove any more or less dead, does it?"

That was clearly not the answer he was expecting but Caesar presses on."Are you seeking revenge?"

"Revenge?"Olive echoes."Like, kill Katniss to get back at her sister? Doesn't really make sense, does it? Because if I want to get revenge on the person who killed my sister by killing her sister - uhm, that would be, well, me."

Haymitch snorts a few seats over, Johanna's laughing too. I can just stare as Olive paints a pretty target for the Gamemakers on her own back. Caesar seems completely lost for the first time in all the years I've seen him doing interviews. But then Olive steers the conversation into calmer waters herself."I'm going to walk out of that arena alive, though. You'll see, it'll be a blast."

Curie, looking very sweet but incredibly young in her interview dress, just stares at the crowd wide-eyed, as if she isn't aware of Caesar at all. Then she speaks, seemingly to no one in particular.

"No coward soul is mine

No trembler in the world's storm-troubled sphere

I see Heaven's glories shine

And Faith shines equal arming me from Fear

O God within my breast

Almighty ever-present Deity

Life, that in me hast rest,

As I Undying Life, have power in Thee

Vain are the thousand creeds

That move men's hearts, unutterably vain,

Worthless as withered weeds

Or idlest froth amid the boundless main

To waken doubt in one

Holding so fast by thy infinity,

So surely anchored on

The steadfast rock of Immortality.

With wide-embracing love

Thy spirit animates eternal years

Pervades and broods above,

Changes, sustains, dissolves, creates and rears

Though earth and moon were gone

And suns and universes ceased to be

And Thou wert left alone

Every Existence would exist in thee

There is not room for Death

Nor atom that his might could render void

Since thou art Being and Breath

And what thou art may never be destroyed."

"That was very beautiful,"Caesar tells her. I think he means it, he's always so good with the tributes. I myself can't help but wonder whether Curie was talking to me, the Mockingjay. Thy spirit animates eternal years. And what thou art may never be destroyed.

Avalon is certain to have sponsors. She is showered in applause the second she walks onto stage. A volunteer from Three, that's almost never seen. And she's beautiful, almost looks a woman grown with the gown and make-up, and I now know why they want pretty victors. Bile rises in my throat and I force myself to focus on the interview instead.

"You can win by outsmarting the others,"Avalon says,"And, no offense to anyone, but I'm probably the smartest tribute here, so don't count me out."

It seems like it's no time at all that Katniss is on stage.

"How do you feel having Miss Undersse in the Games with you?"Caesar asks her."You are friends, are you not?"

Katniss somehow manages not to look angry, but more tragicial and brave."She's my best friend, so it's pretty hard. And my other best friend, Gale, he's in love with her, so that makes it worse. Not to mention Peeta."

Her voice cracks, and I'm sure my sister is not that good an actress. My heart clenches at her obvious hurt."Him and Madge were as good as siblings, really. He saved my sister, who knows, maybe I'll manage to safe his."

And the audience goes wild at this, a hush falling when Caesar speaks again."How did you recover from losing Peeta?"

My sister stares at him blankly, a slight look of confusion on her face."Who says I have?"

Cashmere leans forward in the row behind to whisper in my ear,"Amazing strategy, fire girl."

But I didn't tell Katniss to say any of this.

Then Madge is up, the last of the tributes to be interviewed. She's perfect, because how couldn't she be after years of acting the way the Capitol wants her to because of her father's job.

They chat a bit before Caesar turns solemn."So, tell me, what did your boyfriend say when he came to say goodbye to you?"

The Capitol is somehow obsessed with doomed romance, it seems.

"Gale's not my boyfriend,"Madge corrects, and confusion crosses Caesar's face. Madge leans closer to him."Can you keep a secret, Caesar?"

He nods, as if the whole country isn't watching, mimicking her in leaning forward. Madge pulls a thin silver necklace out of her collar, a simple ring attached to it."That was his mother's. He asked me to marry him."

I don't know if that's true or if they just came up with it for sponsors, but that's definitely Hazelle's ring, I've seen it enough times to recognise it as they show it on the big screen.

There's sighing and clapping and sobbing from the crowd at her confession, much like there was when Peeta declared his love for Katniss last year.

Madge continues talking as if nothing were happening."So obviously, I'll do my best to make it home to him. We really haven't had enough time together yet."

"But,"Caesar presses,"Should the unthinkable happen, wouldn't you say a short time of happiness is better than no time?"

"I'm sure I'd think that, too,"Madge says, tears pooling in her eyes. The audience hangs on her every word, you could here a pin drop."If it weren't - if it weren't -" She breaks off, as if it all were just too much to bear. Her hand flutters up to rest on her stomach."If it weren't fo the baby."

And all hell breaks loose.

)o(

Oh, Madgey. I love Madge. I love Gadge. Yay :)

I'll be on holiday in Croatia next week so I don't think there'll be an update next Sunday, sorry, darlings ~