Pre-Games Party

-Ember Caine, 16, District 12-

As soon as the elevator doors opened, Ember made a beeline for the couch. She just had to sit down. She could feel her heart racing as she pulled her knees up to her chest and started to sob a little bit.

Come on Ember, snap out of it. She was better than this. It had been so long since she had a panic attack.

Five things…

Five…

Things…

She just couldn't. She had no idea what was going on around her except for the fact that she was felt like she was in danger. Did he see through her?! Did he know her true thoughts?! She couldn't let them harm her, or worse, her family… She thought she did alright, but she just felt like Junius knew everything and had her all figured out. She felt like she failed. And she was the very last one as well…

She felt herself spiraling and couldn't stop. The more she spiraled, the worse she felt. She shouldn't be faltering like this. She thought she freed herself from her anxiety, and the fact that she couldn't beat it now, in front of the Capitolite and Peacekeepers that were escorting her back to her floor as well… No…

Ember let out another sob and grabbed her arms, trying to hold on, trying to stay here.

"Ember!" Not even the voice of her escort could get her out of it. "Hold on! Uh… Okay, breathe, breathe!"

Ember flinched away from the hand that was coming quickly at her as another dash of fear was shot through her. She couldn't help the small scream at how afraid her escort sounded.

"Stop," came a deeper voice, but it wasn't panicked. It was… Calm. Ember couldn't hear what he was saying to her escort, but she did hear the sound of her heels clicking as she walked away. More tears came out of her eyes at all the extra attention she was getting. Why couldn't she just be a normal person?! Why couldn't she cope!? Surely this was going to get back to Junius.

"Ember? It's just me, Bonnie, the guards are going to leave, now. You're going to be okay. I'm going to help you get through this."

Ember couldn't stop her tears, taking a few sips of air as she looked at him with wide eyes and heard the elevator doors close signaling that they were alone. She couldn't even choke out a question or a statement. Hell, she was barely able to take a breath at this point… She was so scared for her family… She saw a hand there for her to take, and reached over slowly to take it, needing a little bit of stability.

"I know that what you're feeling is scary, but you're not in danger right now. You're perfectly safe here, you're on your floor and you're with me, and I'm not going to tell anyone about this."

Ember choked a little bit and swallowed hard, trying to listen to him and take his words to heart.

"Just focus on deep breaths, breathe with me. I know you can do that. Breathe with me and come into the present." Ember stared at his chest going up and down, trying to breathe with him. His breaths were slow and steady and the reminder of how to breathe calmed Ember. She could feel her heartbeat slowing to a more normal pace. "You're doing great, take another breath." She did as he said, as much as she wanted to sniffle and gasp. She had to keep breathing.

"Good. Can you sit up for me?"

Ember closed her eyes and swallowed more tears as she nodded and slowly uncurled so that she was in a sitting position. Bonnie waited for her to let go of his hand first. She let go and took a quiet, shaky breath as she breathed a small sigh of relief, glad that it was over.

Bonnie put out his hand, and Angelina was there to give him a glass of water and a box of tissues. Ember gratefully sipped the water and wiped her nose. "Thank you…" she said quietly, as Angelina sat next to her. "I'm innocent, you have to believe me, I just got scared that my nerves would make me seem guilty even though I'm not… Bonnie, please…"

"I believe you," he said, rubbing her arm as she took another sip of water and could have sobbed in relief.

"Thank you so much!"

"It's no problem at all."

Ember swallowed again. "Why?" she asked quietly. "You're an advisor to the Commander and I'm a girl from District Twelve. So… Why?"

Bonnie looked away from her. "I'm… A caretaker. I couldn't just leave."

"Well… I'm glad you didn't," Ember said, giving him a small simile.

"It's obvious that you know how to take care of anxiety attacks," Angelina told him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you. I've never really cared for that before. Do you do that often?"

"I used to," Bonnie said quietly. "My… Old roommate. Lester. We counted heartbeats."

"Lester… The Gamemaking intern?" Angelina asked gently, gently squeezing his shoulder.

Bonnie nodded. "Small world, huh?" he asked, giving them a small smile.

"You… remind me of my boyfriend, Flint," Ember told him quietly, reaching over to gently adjust his glasses which were askew. "He was always there to hold my hand and take care of me when my anxiety flared." She smiled sadly thinking about him. And thinking about how… This Capitolite really wasn't so different from Flint at all. She gave Bonnie a smile as she gently pushed his bangs away from under his glasses. "Lester is a very lucky guy."

Bonnie gave them a slightly pained smile and let out a small sigh. "I… Don't think I'd go that far." He cleared his throat and stood up quickly. "I really must be going. The Head Commander will be expecting me back."

"Oh, you little Sweetheart," Angelina said, coming over to give him a hug before he left. "Thank you again. Now I know what to do in the future."

Bonnie didn't hug her back, and left quickly when she let go. The only sound was the sound of the elevator doors opening and closing.

"Are you okay?" Angelina asked quietly, coming back to her. "I'm sorry if I made it worse."

"Don't apologize," Ember said with a small smile. "It's a natural reaction to panic when you see someone in that state." She sighed quietly. She knew that she couldn't afford to have a panic attack somewhere that there wasn't anyone to help her, like in the Games. "I just… Feel so weak," she whispered. "It's been so long since I had a panic attack… Usually I'm able to ground myself. But I just go so scared for my friends and family after Junius got up in my face asking all those questions…"

"He was just trying to intimidate you," Angelina said. "He's trying to separate the good intentioned tributes from the bad ones."

"But if I can't even deal with that pressure… how am I going to survive in the Games?"

Angelina frowned. "Because I know you can be brave," she said quietly, taking her hand. "You said Flint is there for you? You can be brave for him."

"I want to be brave for him," she whispered as her eyes filled with tears again. But she kept breathing. She imagined Flint's breaths. His heartbeats, just like Bonnie said. There was something about listening to the heartbeat of… Someone you loved. But Bonnie was dating Hosanna. So… Good friends. Yes.

"You will be," Angelina said. "I know you will be. And you have all of us behind you. But before then, you need to be brave for this party. I know you can."

Ember swallowed her tears, blowing her nose one last time as she nodded. "You're right," she said with a small sigh. "Thanks Angelina. I'm so glad you're my escort." She leaned over to give her escort at tight hug which was quickly returned by her.

"You're very welcome." She looked over when she saw the Capitol seal appear on the TV across the room. "Oh, that's my cue to go get Adrian. Can I get you a snackie while I'm up?"

"I'm alright, but thank you." She was not used to just… Being able to casually get a snack… She almost felt guilty for it, knowing that her friends and family back home didn't have the same privilege.

"I'll bring in some pretzels just in case," Angelina said as she went to get Adrian and the mentors.

Adrian came out first. "Hey."

"Hey," Ember said. "No mentors?"

"I saw that Bates was conveniently shirtless when he opened the door for Angelina."

"Of course he was," Ember said with a small laugh. "Well, the program isn't going to wait for those two to have a quickie."

Adrian laughed at that as Braelyn came into the room. "Not causing too much trouble in here, I hope."

"Trouble? Not I," Adrian said innocently, as Braelyn laughed and punched his arm gently. "That would be our escort and Bates."

"What about me?" Bates asked, pointing at them. "Hope you're not shit-talking me."

"Oh we definitely are," Braelyn teased, and Angelina gasped in offense.

"Bates is a great mentor!"

"It's a joke," Ember said with a small giggle. She was feeling much better now, and couldn't help but smile at how adamantly Angelina was defending him.

"Nah, I don't blame you for shit-talking me at all, I probably deserve it," Bates said as he sat down. But they all quieted down when Murumatsu appeared on the screen.

"Good morning, tributes. We are pleased to announce that there were no issues in this morning's interrogation and the evening's events will proceed as planned." Ember breathed in relief. Adrian kept on a cool mask, only with a slight raise of the eyebrows. "The party will take place in the heart of the Capitol. No tributes, escorts, or mentors will be permitted out of bounds during the time of the party for their own safety. There will be an area for VIPs, including sponsors and tributes to mingle, as well as live music and various concessions. Only approved persons will be allowed on stage and security will be high for the protection of all parties. Monarch park will be open. Capitol citizens will undergo a tight security check and may only enter with a ticket. Once they have left, they may not re-enter. Again, these measures are all taken for the safety of tributes, Games employees, and the Capitol public. The VIPs and tributes will arrive at four, food provided. The party will admit guests from the public beginning at five-thirty. The whole city is under curfew and must be inside by midnight. If you have questions, please ask your escort and they will page me."

"Any questions?" Angelina asked them. Adrian just mildly shook his head and Ember shrugged. She didn't have anything that she could think of at the moment and didn't want to be that person that asked a question.

"Is this a real question?" Aika asked, staring at her holo as she sighed and shook her head. "Yes, with mentor permission and in moderation, tributes may drink wine. But if you are hungover for the first day of the Hunger Games, don't blame me Mr. Chay."

"Of course he's the one asking that," Ember said with a sigh as she shook her head. "He's such a weirdo."

"Very weird," Adrian mused. "But that's a good question and I'm glad to know the answer."

"You have permission from me, drink all the wine you want!" Bates said with a grin.

"Have a glass, live a little," Braelyn said. It hung up in the air that at least one of them wouldn't be living much longer.

"I don't think I want to try that," Ember said with a small laugh. "But it would nice if everyone else did and got hungover…"

"You think ol' Messenger and Cartier are going to let their tributes drink? I wish so too, but they're old dogs," Braelyn commented with a small laugh. "I'm one to talk, I know."

"They're missing out," Angelina commented. "I love getting wine-drunk every once in a while."

"Let's get wine-drunk together! District Twelve unity!" Bates said, holding up the rocker signs on his hands.

"You do that," Adrian said with a small laugh. "But I'm going to stay stone-sober."

"Me too," Ember said. "But if you guys are this chaotic when sober, I'd like to see what you're like tipsy."

"As long as you drink plenty of water to prevent a hangover," Braelyn told them.

Angelina smiled, but then sighed a little bit. "Let's take a rain check. I know that they've really done a good job turning up the security, but… I need to be completely aware if something bad were to happen…"

Bates deflated immediately and Ember felt the tears pushing at her throat again. "You're right," he said. "We're going to be right there."

"Thanks guys," Adrian said quietly, and Ember nodded.

"Yes, thank you so much." She was glad that her team was so devoted to her and Adrian, but at the same time… The thought of something happening like last year and her witnessing it in person made her want to spiral again.

"It's going to be just fine," Braelyn said. "We should focus on strategy. Junius has a tight fist on this."

"And One Man Circus will be on stage. They are only going to project an image that keeps everyone safe," Angelina said, rubbing Ember's shoulder.

"I know that now," she said. She did have a degree of trust in their role in keeping the tributes and people safe by monitoring what happens onstage. She thought about that… Gentle softness in Bonnie's face when he talked about Lester, and frowned again.

"Ember!" the voice of her prep team calling for her in unison made her sigh. "Come on!"

"That's my cue," she said, standing up. But as soon as she started walking to her prep team, her hands started shaking again and she felt her breaths starting to quicken.

No.

She wasn't going to let this happen again. Not after she just got out of it. Ember was determined to show those Capitolites that she was worth betting on. She was going to show them that even though she was alone, she was strong. She could take care of herself. And she had a great support system behind her, not only back home in District Twelve, but here, in the Capitol.

She walked with her prep team, and went through her most tried and true grounding technique.

I'm Ember.

I'm in the Capitol.

I'm going to get dolled up, and have to win over sponsors to get home to my family.

To Flint.

And for him, and for them…

I'm going to be brave.

~.~.

-Basil Oberoi, 18, District 1-

Cartier smoothed down his collar for him one last time. "You ready for this?"

Basil swallowed hard and nodded. "I think so." But there was a lot riding on this. Basil was usually a kind person, but he was also aware. He could see that the Careers were going to implode sooner rather than later. Especially after his interaction with Chiwi… He wasn't proud of that. It was… Just a momentary lapse in judgement, it wasn't anything against Basil as a person! He just… He got so jealous when he realized that she had everything he ever wanted, and she was still here. Why would she still be here?! Why did she make another orphan!?

She wasn't an orphan like Basil. She didn't understand. It didn't matter how inexperienced the parents were. What mattered was love. Basil would have much rather had loving, incompetent parents than spend another minute in the orphanage. Why would she damn her son to a life where he could never felt like he belonged?! Basil was no stranger to that feeling, having been adopted himself. It was like a ghost.

He wanted to end that feeling, that life, for kids like Chiwi's. He knew he and Cruise could do it. They had the love. It didn't matter that they were young. He just… Couldn't stand it. He couldn't stand the thought of any child living a single second longer without belonging somewhere, without having a family. Him. Cruise. They could do it. That was the really frustrating thing about Chiwi being a coward and not stepping up for her son.

How could she spend a day with Kodiak and not be convinced to step up for her son!?

He just… Had to keep a cool and level head, and most importantly of all, he needed to have a Plan B. He couldn't rely on the Careers staying strong until the end. They certainly were not going to be. Kodiak and Ryder were fraternizing with all sorts of other tributes together, as a team. Wendy was a reliable backup just due to District loyalty, but he knew what she was capable of and wasn't going to underestimate her just because of her friendly demeanor. Careers were such a malicious, manipulative breed. They were the best to be with for the beginning of the Games, of course. Capable, majority in numbers, notorious in popularity, rulers of the horn.

But after day one… Basil needed someone he could depend on. Because the one thing that did not exist in his alliance right now was trust. And that was one of the most important things to have.

Today, Basil had to set himself up for long-term success. The Careers were a bomb with a short fuse – they burned quickly and exploded. Basil couldn't let that happen. He had to set himself up for long-term success. He needed a Plan B.

"Just remember to charm the sponsors," Cartier told him. "Try to stand out."

"I will. Thanks Cartier." Basil nodded as Messenger and Maxim came out with Wendy in tow. She was dressed cute and comfortable.

"We're gonna show these people that there's a reason Careers are numba one," Wendy said energetically, putting an arm around Basil. "I mean we have an advantage going in solely because of who we are and where we're from, so there's really nothing to sweat!"

"You're right," Basil said, putting his head on her shoulder for a moment before standing back up. "It's about time District One brings home another Victor."

"Truer words have never been spoken," Cartier said. "I can't deal with this one another year."

"Oh, cut that out, you're no spring chicken yourself," Messenger said. "Bet I can still beat you in a fight!"

"As if, old man!" Cartier immediately lunged at Messenger despite wearing their dress clothes as Maxim gasped in surprise.

"Cartier!" he scolded, and his Dad voice made Wendy start to laugh to herself. Basil cracked a smile as Cartier put his co-mentor in a headlock and gave him a noogie as he wrestled against him.

"Fight fight fight!" Wendy cheered for them.

"That's enough, gentlemen," Maxim said, and Basil grinned. He knew that he could do that too, with real kids, if he got the chance. The mentors straightened up, but they were both laughing.

"Alright alright," Messenger said with a grin. "How about we iron out our differences over a game of mini golf?"

"Absolutely!" Cartier said as the elevator doors opened to take them underground, where they would board the blacked-out cars that would take them to the VIP area downtown.

Basil and Wendy were in the same car with the District Eight team. The mentors sat in the front and allowed the tributes to take the back.

This was the perfect opportunity to start creating positive relationships with other tributes. And seeking someone. His focus set on Rory first, who looked almost as stunning as Paisley thanks to her prep team.

"Wow, you guys clean up nice," Basil said.

"Thank you," Rory said, but her voice sounded a little cold. She crossed her arms and looked out the window.

"You guys don't look so bad yourselves," Paisley said. "Paisley Adams. Don't think we've properly met, hun."

"I don't think so either," Basil said, reaching over and shaking her hand. "No need to introduce yourself to me, I know who you are."

"It's weird to think that," Paisley commented thoughtfully. "But I guess we should be used to it by now, after interviews and all."

"Yeah, I don't know if you ever get used to it. I mean, I volunteered for it and I'm still not used to it."

"You volunteered for a great reason," Paisley said. "Truly admirable. I know that people typically believe that Careers are brutes, but you're different from the rest, hun. You too, girlie. I like your style."

"Thank you," Wendy said, really truly believing that was true. Basil knew it was true. They were different from the rest. Basil knew he could do this and that he had a motivation that was bigger than his peers. He was glad that someone else could see it.

"I like your literal style as well," Basil commented. "Your stylists did a great job."

"Do you?" Paisley smiled at him. "Thank you."

"Yeah, you look great!" Wendy said with a grin.

"Oh, looks like we've arrived!" Paisley said as the car slowed to a stop. "Awww, I'm disappointed, actually."

"Me too," Basil commented. "It was nice to flash get-to-know-you. Perhaps we will meet again."

Paisley gave him a smile. "I hope so too, Basil." The doors were pulled open for them by Avoxes, and Rory got out of the car quickly. Paisley followed, then Wendy, and Basil let them all go before him and came out last.

The District Eight mentors were soon with their tributes. Tartan was whispering to Paisley, and that made Basil squint right away. He knew that Tartan did whatever it took to win his Games and wasn't about to underestimate his tributes for that reason. He would much rather be over-cautious about this than reckless. This was one thing he couldn't afford to fail.

But… If Paisley needed him, then there would be plenty of reason for her to keep him alive. Maybe they could work together… But he had to stay with the Careers first. Wait for them to do whatever they were going to do, always sleeping with one eye open. Then come out on the other side. Survive. That was the name of the game now. He would just keep that interaction in the back of his mind. Just in case she wanted to make a deal later on.

"So…" Wendy said, over the sound of cameras and people asking questions to tributes that were walking towards the VIP area where the outdoor banquet would occur. "What do we do first?"

"Good question," Basil said with a nervous laugh. But he lit up as soon as he saw a smaller table full of kids. Seeing them all there made his heart swell right away. He had been dealing with adults and others trying to tell him what to do for the past few days. He needed a reminder as to why he was here in the first place. Yes, this was exactly what he needed. Plus, it would be great press for him. "Oh! I'll… Meet you later. But I'll be right back."

"Oh… Okay!" Wendy said. She went straight over to a woman with a microphone that had nobody else talking to her as Basil changed courses to get to the kids' table.

"Oh! Why hello there Little Lady!" he said, grinning when a little girl came over to him quickly.

"Hello!" she chirped, the ear of her polar bear hat flopping over as she smiled up at him. "Who are you?"

Basil smiled. It was actually a little refreshing to be asked that question. And her little green eyes were absolutely to die for. He crouched down so that he was her height. "Hi, I'm Basil. What's your name, Princess?"

"Hi, I'm Alice Esther Hastings!" she chirped cheerfully. "I'm five."

"Wow, you're five!?" Basil made sure to make a big deal of that fact, knowing how important that was to kids. "You're a big girl now!"

"Oh yes!" she said quickly. "Daddy says I'm so big and strong now that he can't spin me. But he gives me lots of piggybacks so it's okay!"

"Oh, I could definitely spin you," Basil said, raising an eyebrow at her. But then again, Basil had been training for years of his life. "May I?"

Alice put up her little arms, giggling. "Yes please Mr. Basil!"

Basil grinned as he hoisted her up and spun her around, putting her forehead on his and grinning at the excitement in her eyes as she squealed and giggled in glee, kicking her little feet as Basil put her down.

"Again!" she squealed. "Again!"

"Well…. If you insist!" Basil grinned at her and picked her up again, reveling in the sound of her laughter and squeals of glee. This was why he was here. He wanted to have a kid of his own. That was Basil's kid. Not just a kid that Basil was watching. But his own kid that he could take home, to Cruise, and live as a happy family just like he always wanted.

"Basil, right?" He looked up at the heavily-accented Capitolite voice.

"Theodore Sedwick! It's a pleasure!" Basil put out his hand for him to shake as Alice squealed with glee and ran over to the drummer.

"Uncle Teddy!" she said as she happily hugged his leg.

"Hi Pumpkin." He ruffled her hat a little bit before turning to Basil. "Sweet, isn't she?"

"Truly a little Sweetheart," said Basil. "I love her so much already."

"What brings you over here? The moneybags are over there." He pointed back to where the other tributes were all mingling with each other and with the stuffy Capitolites that were around the area.

"I just needed to remember why I'm here in the first place," Basil said quietly, looking at the other kids that were around the table, chatting or playing video games. "I have all night to get them to back me. But if I want to survive, I have to remember why I'm here in the first place."

"That's fair," Theodore said, smiling at the kids. "You know, I never thought I would willingly go to the kids' table. But now, I love it over here. They're just so sweet. My kind of people."

Basil grinned at Alice giggling as she broke away from Teddy to hug a kid that couldn't have been older than twelve who had opened his arms to her.

"You're Basil Oberoi!" he said, running over with Alice still clinging to him. "It's so awesome to meet you! Wow! I love District One. You volunteered for this, like, woo! Woo!" he made sound effects with his mouth as he punched the air a few times.

Basil blushed a little bit at being recognized, and at his praise. To think that there were little kids that were idolizing him like this… And it would only become more when he actually won. "It's great to meet you too, kiddo. What's your name?"

"Kin Bunsen!" he said. "Yes, my brother is the drummer to One Man Circus! And my other brother is a really good brain sciencey guy. That's why I'm here."

"Oh yes," Basil said, pulling over a chair and sitting in it. He didn't even care that the chair was pressing into his asscrack it was so small. "Wow, your brothers have left quite the shoes for you to fill, haven't they?"

"Yeah," Kin said quietly with a sigh. "I worry that I won't be able to live up to them, actually."

"Oh, don't worry about that. What was Bonnie doing when he was your age? Definitely not this."

"No, not this," he said quietly. "He was pulling pranks all the time and talking about science."

"Well then, don't give up on yourself. Just keep working hard and you'll be just like them both someday. Do what you love."

By the look that was in his eyes, Basil was daring to hope that it really meant something to him. He wanted to reach so many little kids like Kin.

"Okay… thanks."

"Of course." He ruffled Kin's hair. "I was an orphan once, too, just like you and your brother. I'm volunteering for all of us. I want to save others from growing up like that."

"It was terrible," Kin said quietly. "I wish we could have been a family. But that's the price to pay for my brothers' success, I suppose."

Basil frowned at him and pulled Kin in for a hug. "Hopefully they'll come around. But I'm going to give kids like you a home. And you'll always have a home with me, okay little Bunsen?"

Kin grinned at him. "Wow. Thank you!" he blushed a little bit and grinned at him. "I'll try to see if Andy can convince his patrons to send you something nice. You're real kind."

Basil smiled and ruffled his hair again. "Well, I'll leave you to your fun. But it was nice meeting you!"

"You too!" Kin said, waving as he walked away from them with Alice glued to his side.

"Well, looks like there is some merit to coming here after all," Theodore said, smiling and slapping Basil's shoulder a couple times. "You proved me wrong, kid. Keep it up."

Basil smiled a little bit, but shook his head at the drummer. "The money isn't what matters right now."

"No? Then what is it that matters here, in the Hunger Games?" Theodore asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

Basil looked the Capitolite in the eyes and gave him a confident smile. This was exactly what he needed tonight.

"What matters most is changing lives. That's what I volunteered to do."

~.~.

-Vasilisa Castle, 17, District 11-

Vasilisa smoothed out her sweaty hands on her legs. If it were a normal year, her father would be here. But… Well, she couldn't blame them from barring him off. It wouldn't be fair if she got to see her family and they didn't. She could do this without Daddy's help. After all, this was the make or break moment for her.

"You good, Double D?"

Dante smiled up at her, adjusting his collar. "Uh huh!" he said with a smile. "I mean, our only job is to have fun tonight, right?"

"You know what my objective is," she said, putting her purse down on a seat to claim it for herself. "You in to help me?" she asked, reaching down to squeeze his shoulder.

"I…" Dante looked around and sighed a little bit. "I will be. But I think I want to talk to sponsors first." He had a nervous look in his eyes. Vasilisa frowned a little bit at him.

"Everything okay?" she asked.

"Yeah!" he said with a small laugh. "It's just… Well, you know, the Games tomorrow."

"Hey. Don't think about that right now. What's that going to do for you?" She squeezed his shoulder again. "Just focus on the present."

"Focus on the present… Right." He took another deep breath. "I'll catch you around."

"Okay!" Lis said, smiling as he went to get food. Lis was about to follow him, but she got distracted by the flash of pink that she saw out of the corner of her eye. She gasped a little bit when she saw where Rose was going – greeting her bandmates. Vasilisa couldn't resist squealing out loud at seeing Oliver Bromley in person. Without any guards, no stage between them, just… Here. In the flesh! Her heart felt so full as she hurried over to them.

"Rose!" she called to her escort, who turned around.

"Vasilisa!" she said, sounding surprised. "Can I do something for you?"

Vasilisa could smell him. She let out a small squeal at that as her heart was beating so fast and she grabbed Rose's arm to keep herself on her two feet.

Rose just laughed a little bit. "Oh, I see. Would you like me to introduce you?"

"Yes!" Vasilisa burst. "Please!" she pushed up on her hair a little bit, making sure it was perfect and doing a quick breath check – and pit check because boy was she sweating. She only followed Rose once she was sure that she was in perfect shape, barely able to contain her excitement as her cheeks were already hurting from how much she was smiling as Rose took her over.

"Oh, Oliver dear!" she called out, and when he turned around and smiled at them – at her, Lis put a hand on her chest. "I'd like to introduce you to your biggest fan – second only to me, Love Muffin."

Oliver laughed at that. "Well then! It's nice to meet you, Vasilisa." He put out his hand to her, and Vasilisa squealed again and hurried over, hugging him instead. Oliver made a grunt of surprise, but hugged back as Vasilisa giggled.

"I really am your biggest fan, Love Muffin!" Vasilisa said, reaching up to squeeze his cheek and giggling again. He was even cuter in person. This was her dream come true. It was worth everything. It was completely worth blackmailing her father's client into changing her birthplace, it was worth going through all of this other shit with Rose, all of it was worth everything it took to get here.

"Oh, well, uh, I do believe that position is taken by my Rose," he said, pushing Vasilisa off of him a little bit to take Rose's hand.

Rose smiled and leaned over to kiss his cheek. Lis watched this and could feel the little bit of anger in her chest at Rose for having what she wanted. She hurried over to kiss his other cheek, smiling when Oliver laughed a little bit at that. He was laughing! This was a good sign, right!?

"I can take it from her," Vasilisa said. "I can show you that I'm you're biggest fan Oliver, I…" She put a hand on her chest again to try and still her beating heart. She felt like she might pass out she was so excited and happy. "Wow, this is my dream come true!" This was her chance to show him that she could take good care of him. "Your music really speaks to me, it makes me so happy!"

"Well, I'm glad," Oliver said, smiling at her again. "So, uh, the refreshments are open. I think it's just self-serve, so…"

"Rose, can you go scope it out for us?" Vasilisa asked her escort, giving her a sweet smile. She needed to get her out of the picture, even if just for a moment.

"Why don't we go together?" she asked, still holding onto Oliver's hand. Vasilisa glared for a moment at their hands before the happiness of being with them in person took over again.

"I would, but…" Lis said. "Oh, I feel like I'm going to pass out meeting Oliver in person!" It wasn't a lie, as she fell against him and Oliver caught her in his toned arms. Lis had to hold back a giggle. "Oh, I'm dizzy with excitement!"

"I'll be back, stay there!" Rose said quickly.

"I'll get you to a seat so you can sit down," Oliver said, and Lis grinned a little bit when he supported her and walked her over to a seat to sit down. "So…" he said, once she was sitting. "How has my little Cake Roll been treating you? I assume only with the best care."

Vasilisa was about to agree, but… Something changed when her hand holding Oliver's flashed across her memory. This might be the only time she had alone with Oliver, and she had to show him that she would love him better than anyone. "Oh, she's alright, but bumbling. I mean, she tries, but I don't feel like she can really get me out of the Arena, she doesn't know what she's doing and the inexperience shows. I wish I had someone more experienced. Or someone more caring, at the very least. Someone that understood the tribute perspective even a little bit." She tsked and shook her head. "Even with a Career mentor, it's looking like District Eleven is still too incompetent to bring back a Victor." She sighed quietly, looking at him. This was it. He was going to comfort her, and realize that Rose wasn't the one that was made for him.

Oliver frowned at that, reaching over to squeeze her arm. But… Before he could comfort Vasilisa, she heard an all-too familiar voice. "Here you are, dear. Drink this." The cup of water was placed on the table and Vasilisa turned to watch Rose quickly walk away from them, her face turned away from them. Vasilisa's eyes widened as Oliver stood up and hurried after Rose, leaving her… Alone.

"No…" she said quietly to herself, watching Oliver come over and taking her hand. Rose hugged him tightly and Vasilisa quickly looked away from them, guilt crashing over her like a wave as her eyes filled with tears. That wasn't what she meant to do at all… And… She felt awful for hurting Rose. Rose really was a good escort.

She got up quickly, leaving the cup of water untouched, as she started over towards them to apologize, but before she could reach them, she was stopped by a towering figure that for once, she didn't want to see.

"What did you say to her?!" Theodore asked, glaring at her.

Vasilisa took a few steps away from him, her eyes filling with more tears. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to hurt Rose! I just- Oliver-" a tear broke out of her eye and she quickly reached up to wipe it away before it could ruin her make-up.

"We all heard those things you were saying about Oliver," Theodore said. "But Rose is a good person, and she's the one that Oliver loves, not you. And it's never going to be you. She did nothing but care for you and you hurt her in return, just for her boyfriend?! Just… turn around right the hell now, walk away, and leave my sister and brother alone. If you were a real fan, you would have far more respect Oliver and Rose."

Vasilisa sniffled a few times as she looked past at him where Rose and Oliver were hugging each other, and tried to catch a few other tears, but it was fruitless. She swallowed hard again at Theodore's words and his hard glare, before she turned around, hanging her head as the tears broke out of her eyes and she walked away from them all, watching her feet.

"Vasilisa?" Dante asked quietly, coming over to her.

But she couldn't stand to face him, not after what she did, not with her face covered in tears. She pushed him gently to the side and walked past him, straight to the bathroom. She just needed a place where she could be alone.

She went into the women's room that was set up a block or so away from the banquet area and as soon as the door closed and checked that it was empty, the tears started to pour out of her eyes and smear her makeup everywhere. Lis grabbed a wad of toilet paper from one of the stalls and used it to gently dab at her eyes as she sobbed a little bit.

Theodore was right.

She wasn't a real fan. She wasn't a real friend of the band.

And Oliver Bromley was never going to be hers to have.

That one thing that made her happy for the first time after her mother died – the only thing that made her happy… It was gone. It was gone and Vasilisa was left here with nothing. She really was just… A delusional little girl. She felt so… Lost without her mother here. She would have known what to do to make this all feel better… If only she didn't go out on the road that day. If only the person that killed her wasn't there. If only they could even have a little bit of justice.

Vasilisa could hear her quiet sobs echoing off the walls of the bathroom and tried to get it together. But now… She had nothing. Out of Spite was all that she had, she was clinging to them, and now it was gone.

That was, until a voice startled her out of her self-pity.

"Well golly, are you okay?"

Vasilisa screamed a little bit and hit the bathroom wall as the stall door opened and she saw the boy standing on the other side. "What the fuck are you doing in the women's room you creep!?"

"I'm so sorry, I honestly thought it was the men's and then when you came in I panicked and hid!" Freddy said, putting up his hands.

Vasilisa stared at him with tears in her eyes. She didn't see any feet in the stalls. "You were standing on the pot this whole time?" she asked quietly. When he nodded, and at how red his face was, Vasilisa let out a quiet laugh in between her sobs. "Dude."

Freddy laughed a little bit with her. "I know, I know, I did something fucking dumb. And I'm gonna need some help to be smuggled out of here without anyone seeing, but…" He reached over to lock the door into the restroom. "What happened, Crossaint Girl?"

Vasilisa smiled a little bit remembering her first interaction with him on the train to the Districts for the reapings. He tried to get her email address and watched her steal croissants from the train. Her laughs soon turned back into sobs as she sniffled a little bit and jumped up to sit on the counter between the sinks, blowing her nose into a paper towel. "I did something fucking dumb too," she said quietly.

"Solidarity," Freddy said, coming to sit deadass in the sink so that he could be next to her. "What did you do? Obviously, not mixing up the bathrooms."

Vasilisa sniffled a little bit as she dabbed at her eyes again. "I hurt Rose… I don't know what came over me, I was just trying to get Oliver to love me and not her, but…" she sniffled a little bit. "It was dumb and now they hate me. And Theodore too."

Freddy was quiet for a moment. "That's it?"

Vasilisa sobbed a little bit and wiped at her eyes again. "What do you mean that's it?!" She sobbed quietly and put her face in her hands. "I ruined everything!"

"You didn't ruin everything," Freddy told her, reaching over to gently rub her shoulder. Vasilisa jumped at his touch and he quickly pulled his hand away. "Sorry."

Vasilisa sniffled a little bit and shook her head, taking his hand and putting it back on her.

"Anyways," Freddy said, rubbing small circles on her shoulder. "When I first met Out of Spite, I thought Rose was messing around with Theodore. So, at the big District Four Pride party… I went over to her, all confident… And I asked for her email address so we could hook up."

Vasilisa stared at him for a moment, her tears completely stopped in her shock. "You did!?"

"Sure did. With full confidence."

"What happened?" she asked quietly, sniffling a little bit.

"I got thumped on the temple," he said with a laugh. "And sent away. That was dumb. But now, Out of Spite supports our band and Rose- and Oliver - are my best friends from the band. Now, we talk about it and laugh together."

"You do?" Vasilisa asked quietly, sniffling and dabbing at her eyes. "Did Theodore get mad at you?"

"Not for that, but Theodore scolded me for losing the TV remote once and he just perpetually hates Bonnie for dating Hosanna. He'll get over it. He's just real protective but if Rose forgives you, he'll follow. She's the one that wears the pants between the two of them."

Vasilisa giggled a little bit as her tears had stopped, reaching up to give her eyes one last pat. "I see. Do you really think I have a chance to be forgiven?"

"Did you make a personal dig at Rose?"

Vasilisa thought about it. "I said that she wasn't very experienced and didn't know how to escort, didn't understand what it was like to be a tribute…"

Freddy shrugged. "I mean, you're not wrong about any of that. Yeah, I think you have a good shot at being forgiven. I mean, I've done a lot of dumb shit and I always get forgiven. I'll even come with you to talk to them, even! And like, you're way hotter than me, so you'll definitely get forgiven."

Vasilisa laughed a little bit at that, but she didn't feel very hot. She was sure that her face was a mess – any make-up that wasn't already smeared down her face was wiped off completely. "I don't know, you're not too bad yourself," she said, reaching over to gently push on his shoulder.

"You think so!?" he asked, grinning in excitement. "I still got it!"

Vasilisa looked away from him at how he was grinning, feeling a little bit of heat rising to her cheeks. "Well… What you did may have been fucking dumb, but I'm glad that you were here. So never change."

"I won't!" Freddy said. "Woo!" He pumped his fist. "Okay okay, but now you have to help sneak me out of here before Bonnie sees that I went into the women's room!"

Vasilisa giggled a little bit. "Alright, but in return you have to get my purse and bring me my make-up so I can fix it… Bathroom boy."

"Deal!" he said, going over to unlock the door. "You check and tell me that the coast is clear."

Lis hopped off of the counter, cracking the door open and feeling her face grow hot at how close Freddy was to her as they both looked out of the crack. She saw someone coming and quickly closed the door. "You stay behind the door, I'll casually go out and look. If you hear me say Croissant it means it's safe to come out."

"Alright," Freddy said with a smile. "Thank you!"

Vasilisa opened the door, and smiled when she saw the redhead on the other side. "Hey!"

She looked up, her green eyes looking confused at the girl that was talking to her. "Oh, hello! Don't mind me, I'm waiting for my friend Fredward. He's been in there a while."

Lis started to laugh at that. "Oh. I see. While you wait, can you go grab my purse for me please? I need to touch up my make-up. I can tell you exactly where it is."

"You got it girl. If Fredster comes out, tell him I'm coming right back and to wait up for me!"

"I will," she said, detailing where she left her purse for her. She waited until Lizzie was far enough away before she casually leaned up against the wall by the door to the bathroom, looking both ways before she said, "Boy, I could use a croissant!" But nothing happened. She looked around again, clearing her throat. "I said… I really would like a CROISSANT!" she said louder. Still nothing. "Freddy! Croissant!"

She saw someone approach and said, "Wait, no, not now!" but it was too late, Freddy was already hurrying out of the women's room with a red face and huge grin as he stood next to Vasilisa quickly.

"Freddy!?" asked Hosanna. "The fuck were you doing in the women's room!?" she started laughing loudly about that.

"What's going on?" Lizzie asked as she came back with Vasilisa's purse.

"Freddy came out of the girls' room!" Hosanna said with a giggle. "Did you not read the signs!?"

"I knoooow, I'm dumb," Freddy whined. Vasilisa frowned. She felt bad that he got caught on her watch.

"He was coming after me," she said, stepping in front of him a little bit. "He could hear me crying and was worried so he came in to check on me. Maybe it was a little dumb, but…" She squeezed his shoulder and smiled over at him. "I'm glad he did."

Hosanna and Lizzie exchanged a look as Lizzie offered Vasilisa her purse.

"That was really nice, Fredward," Lizzie said first, smiling at him. "But really, really dumb."

"What can I say?" Freddy asked with a casual shrug. "I couldn't leave a damsel in distress."

"That sure was nice," Hosanna said, smiling at him before turning to Vasilisa. "Are you okay, girl? I saw what happened. Rose seemed kind of worried about you."

Vasilisa smiled a little bit at her. "Oh, uh… Yeah, I'm good. I was just going to go fix my make-up."

Hosanna squealed. "Oh, I was just coming here to pee but I love make-up! Let's go, girl! I'm gonna help you look your best, then we're going to go catch up with the others. I'm gonna make sure we save a karaoke song just for you!"

Vasilisa grinned over at her when the other girl held the door open for her. "You go pee sis, I'll be there in a minute." Hosanna shrugged and went in the bathroom first, and the other two were walking away. "Freddy!" she called. Freddy motioned Lizzie along as Vasilisa hurried over to him.

"Hm?"

She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you." She grinned at how red he got as he tried to come up with a response, turning around and hurrying back to the bathroom quickly as she felt a little bit of heat on her own face.

She didn't even realize how much she was grinning until she looked into the mirror, seeing her own smiling reflection.

She heard a flush and Hosanna smiled at her when she was washing her hands. "Let's get you all prettied up, girl. Oliver offered to take you for a ride on the ferris wheel!"

Vasilisa looked down at her hands – still shaking a little bit at the excitement of her last interaction – and back at her face in the mirror which was still grinning widely. "Oh… That's really nice of him, but… Well, I'll pass," she said, smiling a little bit as she hugged herself.

"I'm holding out to share a ride with Bathroom Boy."

~.~.

A/N: About time! Lol. Hopefully the other party chapters don't take this long to get out. For some reason I was really burnt on ideas until I got home to Pennsylvania, then they started to flow. Hopefully the other three party chapters will be out before summer is over and we'll start to get somewhere into the action by the time I go back to school. That's the hope, and it helps that there isn't a lot of deleted scenes that will go with this.

Please do the check-in if you haven't – I'm going to change up the featured tributes based on active readers and check-ins when we reach the Arena.

I hope you enjoyed the first party chapter and don't have much else to say. See you soon for the next!

CQ: Any interactions you're wanting to see throughout the party?

See you next chapter for Ridley, Rory, and Odessa!