"Fucking hell,"Johanna Mason breathes out next to me, and that just about sums it all up. The Capitolites are going absolutely insane, even as the tributes are being ushered of stages. While we're still in a stupor, Effie takes charge, manouvering us all towards the elevator, even Johanna. If she's willing to take Johanna along, this might just be more even more serious than I thought. Reporters push against the crowd towards us and me just about make it into the elevator, electing to ignore that Cashmere and Finnick were just about to get on it. Their tributes did not just cause pandemonium and we haven't had time to get our stories straight.

"Did you know she would do that?"Effie hisses as soon as the elevator closes behind us. Haymitch, who seems torn between being amused and completely stressed out, shakes his head."You have to admit, princess, it made an impact."

"Hello, Terra,"I interupt what seems to be about to turn into a fight. Haymitch and Effie spin around to look at the victor they hadn't noticed was even there. She gives me a nod and a smirk."I was hoping to have a word with Finnick before you hijacked the elevator. Very rude, you know. Then again, your girls just took the heat off of my niece, which is nice."

She rolls her eyes and throws her hands up dramatically."Liv always runs her mouth. Really, it's like she has no sense of self-preservation whatsoever."

"I thought she was quite funny, really,"Johanna says, wearing a smirk of her own."I know I'm supposed to back Seven and all, but I'm kinda rooting for your niece. I like her."

"You would,"Effie mutters under her breath. Johanna turns to her, eyebrows raised."Meaning?"

My escort flashes a red so bright you would have likely seen it under last year's powder, which has thankfully gone out of fashion. She throws Haymitch a look, but he doesn't say anything to help, apparently rather enjoying letting her squirm. I, for my part, don't know what to say.

"Well,"Effie says, throwing Terra an apologetic look,"She's - a little rough around the edges."

"Rude and cocky,"Terra puts in helpfully,"Like you, Mason. Trinket has a point. Although Liv isn't as bitter, I'd say."

Johanna sighs heavily."Okay, why is everyone ganging up on me?"

Terra only laughs, moving to get of the elevator as the doors open to her floor. Pausing, she gives first Haymitch and then me a pointed look."See you in the Mentors' rooms."

Soon we're at our own floor and we immediately rush towards Katniss and Madge."Is it true?"

No one has to ask what I mean. Madge only shakes her head, fiddling with the ring attached to her necklace."Made it up."

"All of it?"Haymitch asks, pointedly glancing at the ring. She drops it as if it burned her and doesn't answer. Which, really, is answer enough. Effie smacks my mentor on the arm."Really, Haymitch, leave her alone."

He looks like he wants to argue, but Cinna and Portia arrive at that moment and that effectively ends the conversation.

Later, after we've watched the replays of the interviews, I'm alone with Katniss in her room. Madge has gone to her own room, even though we invited her over aswell. I think she dooesn't want to intrude on what could be my last evening with my sister if things go wrong. But I can't afford to think like that.

"About allies,"I say, and Katniss sighs, but she doesn't protest. I pull out a pin Cinna gave me earlier today. A primrose in a round, gold frame, a small mockingjay in the middle instead of the stigma."Cinna's made only two of those. No one else but us and Haymitch has ever even seen it. The tribute who has the other one has to be your ally, no matter what. Understood?"

"Understood, little duck,"my sister replies, luckily not questioning me any further. I honestly don't know who has the other pin. I have my suspicions, but it was Haymitch who passed it on. I don't know how much Katniss trusts him yet, so it's better if I don't have to tell her it wasn't me who picked her most vital ally. I myself would not only trust Haymitch with my life, but with Katniss's and Madge's, too, so I believe he knows what he is doing.

Pushing away all thoughts of that kind, I curl up in bed with Katniss. Her arms wrap around me comfortably and, without me having to ask, she sings for me.

)o(

The Games! They are sooo near... I can tasted them... smell them... manflesh!

yeah okay don't mind me being weir dover here

my holiday was very lovely by the way :)