Chapter 23:

Nothing else stands out about Paavo's interview for me; just that one again, he reminded me of Thresh- powerful, sullen, threatening. Caesar tries a few of his characteristic one-liners but Paavo doesn't even crack a smile. When his is finished, the audience looks more scared than anything, and there is only a smattering of applause.

Paavo heads back to his seat, and shortly thereafter Caesar ends the program, allowing the tributes to escape backstage. Peeta leads me down to where the tributes are gathered; however, intuition tells me that I should not him confront Paavo at this point. Though I didn't interact with Paavo one-on-one much during the training process, I insist to Peeta that I see him myself.

"Please, Peeta? I can talk to him. I don't want a fight breaking out." Not that I really thought that Peeta would start one- Paavo was right about one thing. Peeta is definitely more of a lover than a fighter. My lips are still a little tender from his kisses. Though he looks angrier at the moment than I've seen him in a long time.

Peeta nods and turns away. En route to Paavo, I see Prim and give her an enormous hug, picking her up and twirling us around.

"I'm so proud of you, Little Duck," I say. "What you said was….so brave and amazing. You were perfect."

Prim smiles, still in my arms. "Thanks. I learned any braveness I have from my older sister."

I put Prim down and excuse myself before I have the chance to get choked up. "I'll see you back upstairs," I quickly say as I turn away from her. Looking at her for another second will cause me to lose it.

Paavo sees me coming and shrugs his shoulders as I approach. When I get close enough, he whispers in my ear. "Look, I know what you're going to say, but I did what I had to do, all right? In two days we'll be in the arena, and I'm supposed to try to team up with some of the toughest competitors in the Games, and somehow convince them that they can trust me, all while I'm stabbing them in the back. How am I supposed to do that if it appears that I'm aligning with anyone? The Careers need to think that I'm a loner."

I nod my head. "They won't have any doubt about that now," I whisper back carefully. "I'm not sure anyone else will either." Paavo's rationale makes sense- but somehow I doubt his motivation. I now shake my head. "I can't believe that you said that about your brother, after all of the work that he put into training you. I'm going to tell him that you told me to say you're sorry." With that, I turn and walk away. Thankfully, Paavo doesn't protest, so I accept it as his silent permission.

When I get back to Peeta, I apologize on Paavo's behalf; explain what Paavo told me; try to smooth things over as much as possible. I'm real sweet and kiss him a few times and by the time I'm finished Peeta is relatively placated. He lets me lead him away from the tributes, back to the Training Center tower.

That night, I snuggle with Peeta for a little bit, but when I hear Prim come in I spend every spare second with her. I can't believe that the day after tomorrow she will be in the arena. Unfortunately, I can't focus all of my attention on her, because there is still one event forthcoming that I guess I have to think about- the other wedding special. None of us from District 12 have yet to hear much about it.

The next morning, Peeta and I are hijacked by our corresponding prep teams, and I spend the entire day getting plucked, primped, and styled. My look may have been muted for the events where Prim was meant to be front and center, but tonight- it is all about Peeta and I. Cinna presents me with my dress almost apologetically, saying he wishes he knew more about the event and hopes the dress will suffice, but I think it's perfect. It's a little simpler than some of his past designs- no bells and whistles, just a beautiful white flowy gown with some rich gold accents- but I've never seen anything like it. Cinna explains that it's a tribute to an old story called Romeo & Juliet, about another very young couple that gets married. I've never heard of it.

"What happens?" I ask Cinna curiously.

"It doesn't matter," he replies, giving me a grin. "You guys will write your own ending."

This wedding event is as horrifically boring as the last. Peeta and I greet each other on stage with passionate kisses. It's definitely a little different since we started kissing each other that way behind the cameras; it feels- amazing. We view a little highlight reel of our relationship from last year's Games, showcasing the most pivotal and romantic moments between Peeta and I. The Capitol also puts together a montage of some of the wedding planning- a few clips from the last event, some things that the Capitol has done. Caesar brings Cinna out to discuss the winning wedding gown- the long-sleeved dress with pearls, and they talk a bit about some accessories. God, could anything be more boring?

Next, Peeta and I are seated, and who I am guessing are Avoxes start bringing out beautifully wrapped boxes and gift bags with glimmery ribbons. Apparently the Capitol is trying to recreate for us what they call a wedding shower- which befuddles me as District 12 has never had them; no one could afford expensive wedding presents let alone find the extra money to give the bride and groom anything else. Boxes and boxes appear and I want to be sick to my stomach. Peeta and I already have everything that we need over in the Victor's Village; the thought of people sacrificing for us is sickening.

I want to take the packages and hand them right over to the people of District 12. And if that can't happen, I want to refuse to take them. But Peeta eagerly starts opening the packages, and by the way that he is looking at me, he wants me to do the same- and without a word. I realize that he is right- the last way I want to be portrayed on TV is ungrateful. I am already so lucky; the least I can do is be appreciative opening the packages and feign excitement. As I try to take a second to glance at the tags before unwrapping the lavish gifts, I notice that most of them are from people of the Capitol and not from starving Panem citizens in Districts 5-12. Thank goodness. Unwrapping the packages takes forever, though , and I could care less about the contents- most are household items, presumably, for our lives back at Victor's Village in (I'm guessing?) a new place for Peeta and I after the Quell.

Next is the segment on the suite for our wedding night, the heart-shaped lock- and wouldn't you know, immediately after that segment ends a few more packages are marched in, specifically being brought to me. What is this? I open the first gift, but am too mortified to hold the contents up to the audience, as I had done with the previous presents. The box contains skimpy lingerie. Black lace, leopard-print silk- I shudder wondering how on earth the Capitol thinks it's appropriate to present a seventeen year-old girl with this kind of stuff. I can't even bear to think about my mom watching this on TV right now back in District 12. And Gale! I'm hoping that the stage somehow decides to swallow me up.

I look to Peeta pleadingly, hoping for righteous indignation- but I don't see it. In fact, he is wearing the exact same expression I saw watching the playback when Annella was waving in our direction at the opening ceremonies. Mouth completely agape, eyes so wide they're nearly out of their sockets- no doubt, he is picturing me wearing all of this skimpy stuff. Thanks to Peeta, my utter humiliation is partially replaced by completely new emotions- power, at having that kind of hold over someone, and – what the hell, I may as well admit it- some desire, too, thinking back for a split second on our passionate kisses the other night. Though humiliation is still predominant. I flush bright red.

"Looks like our bride-to-be is a little embarrassed," remarks Caesar jokingly, which is received with hearty laughs from the Capitol audience. "Don't worry, Katniss," he explains, "A lingerie shower isn't uncommon at all. We want you to be well-prepared for your wedding night, and since the Capitol is obviously the most lavish place that you two have ever seen, we've arranged for you to honeymoon here as well- you'll have the suite a whole week. Ladies and Gentleman, the star-crossed lovers from District 12!" The audience bursts into applause, moved by the 'generosity' of the Capitol. This is apparently the end of the special.

Translation: After the Quell ends, after one or both of you have lost your siblings, you won't even get to go home to your families.

My anger towards the Capitol rises, though I do nothing except take Peeta's hand with one hand while waving at the cameras and still-clapping audience with the other. This is not the time to express my dissatisfaction. Tomorrow Prim enters the arena.