Hi all! I do apologise for the wait. I had this written for ages but never managed to post it.

Enjoy

Beyond knowing their names, I knew very little about their personal lives. Only that Delphi was fourteen and Alto was sixteen. It was my job to keep them alive. First I had to find out their strengths and weaknesses. I then had to find a way to nurture their strengths, without letting any of the other tributes know what they were, and get rid of their weaknesses or at least make sure they couldn't be exposed it the arena. I helped them make game plans. I taught them how to fight.

When the Games started, we were going to work on similar bases. Peeta was going to look after publicity and sponsors and I was going to keep them alive. This would give us plenty of time to fulfil all our duties. But for as long as we had them, we were going to work with them one on one.

Alto was easy to work with and was eager to learn. He told me very early on that he was a fast runner and could climb fairly well but he couldn't use any weapons. He lived in the Seam and was skinny and sickly looking. The first order he was given was to eat as much as he could for strength.

I liked Alto. He was a straight talker and was capable of learning quickly and learning well.

Delphi was a different kettle of fish. She was clearly pouting in the beginning and did not share any details willingly. She wasn't a Seam resident, but rather the butcher' daughter. She didn't know the same hardship as Alto and looked down on him.

"Can you use any weapons?" I asked, beginning to get frustrated.

"No"

"Have you ever used a knife?"

"Yes"

"When?" I was speaking through gritted teeth.

"In the shop"

"What did you do with it?"

"Cut meat"

Oh fabulous! Her interview would be fascinating viewing. Let's hope Caesar Flickerman does nothing to insult her before her interview.

"Right," I continued, forcing a smile, "maybe we'll try a bit of target practice and see where that puts you. Do you know anything about medicinal herbs? Or outdoor survival?"

"No"

"Ok Delphi, why don't you go have your lunch?" I sighed, happy to see the back of her. I was sort of hoping for eager, happy tributes.

"Knock, knock"

I looked up to see Haymitch at the door. He wandered in and flopped into the Delphi's vacated chair, drink in hand.

"How's in going sweetheart?"

"Any spare drink?" I sighed, head in my hands.

"That good?"

"How do you deal with a tribute that hates you?" I groaned.

"You hated me" Haymitch laughed, taking a generous slurp from his drink.

"I hate everybody."

"Tell me about them" he invited, he was after all meant to be supervising Peeta and me.

"Alto is good. If we feed him up he will be strong, if we train him up he will be deadly. He's determined and eager. Delphi won't talk to me, she might have some hope with a knife but I don't know. If she doesn't grow up she doesn't have a hope. Peeta should be able to make her desirable or something along those lines that might help her."

Haymitch nodded.

"You did the right thing this morning," he commented, "she needed to hear it. Once she stops feeling sorry for herself she will thank you. If have told Peeta that he can't treat her like a baby anymore. You're doing fine."

Once we got to the Capital, Peeta and I were able to relax a little. The tributes spent a lot of time with the stylists and training. Haymitch also wanted to talk to them. Seemingly, since we won for him he had been given a new lease of life. We gave them advice, ate with them but we tried to allow them to be independent, we couldn't hold their hands forever.

In the training, Alto was given a 9 and Delphi a 6. But Delphi performed much better in the interview. She was charming and seductive and Peeta was getting a lot of interest from young male sponsors. Alto was sullen and clearly nervous. He tried but wasn't as much of a success as his fellow District 12 tribute.

The night before they were due to go into the Arena, Peeta was called to duty. He had dinner with us, sent the tributes to bed and left the living area clad in his red robe. I sat on the comfortable sofa looking out onto the city. If was beautiful in a strange way. For me nothing beat the beauty of the forest outside District 12. It represented freedom and life. The city represented the exact opposite but it was kind of beautiful in its own way.

"Where's Peeta?" Delphi's voice asked.

I looked up to see her standing uncertainly in the doorway. Her eyes were red and puffy, she had been crying.

"He was called away" I explained, "everything okay?"

She looked so unsure, probably afraid I would give out to her again. But I wouldn't. Tonight she was allowed cry.

"Come sit" I invited.

With clear hesitation, she joined me on the couch.

"When will Peeta be back?" she asked, clearly scared.

"He will come back for breakfast, but I will be meeting him back at our living area later." All the Victors had an apartment in a special building because we had to spend so long in the Capital. Haymitch never stayed in his, on principle. Peeta and I made it as much like a home as we could. "I decided to stay a while to make sure you and Alto were okay."

"Peeta said he would be here" she sniffed.

"He couldn't help it" I said bitterly, briefly thinking that she had no right to whinge when he was, probably right now, allowing some woman do god knows what to him.

"What do you think my chances were?" By now she had learned that it was best to talk straight with me and I would do her the same courtesy.

"As long as you do what Peeta and I have told you, you should be okay. You have shown talent with a knife and you have won the crowd over. That never hurts. I wouldn't be surprised if you did well."

"But I won't win"

"I didn't say that," I rebuked, "if you don't go in thinking positive you don't have a chance. Once you find water you have every chance. And we will be fighting for you out here."

She nodded, not looking convinced.

"You should try and get some sleep, Delphi. You will need the rest."

As I watched her creep back to her bedroom I wondered what her chances were. Peeta had taken to her straight away. He looked after her through every part of this ordeal. But I found her spoilt. To be fair, Haymitch was right. Once she stopped pouting she had started working and showed real talent. I silently hoped she would surprise me in the Arena.

I didn't think she would.

Thanks for Reading

xxx

(more soon, promise)