Author's Note: The aftermath of the parade and an insight into the demands on the victors throughout the Games.

….

Questions

Along with Gem, Maria stopped by District One's chariot. Gem assured Gloss and Cashmere of their performance and informed them of Aria's whereabouts whilst Maria stood back. It was not that she disliked the pair, but they were not her people. Gem was, but that did not extend to Maria automatically becoming close friends with all the victors from One.

They made their way down the line of victors with purpose. Stopping to acknowledge where appropriate, offering Mags a hug and a promise of a chat later, a quick word with Cecelia and pausing to watch Chaff's approach to Haymitch's victors. The pair watched as the interaction unfolded, laughing at the girl's shock and then made their way to Ten's stylists who were standing with an irritated Charo and Adan.

The sight of her victors was enough to reignite Maria's anger.

"What have you done to my victors!" Maria started.

The stylists were shocked, "We were displaying the character of the district! Of course with a little extra. Fire is all the rage now."

"What do you know about the character of Ten? Neither of them was even a cattle farmer! And from the state of them, what do you know about fashion either?"

"We were simply trying-"

"Well, whatever you were trying failed. They're victors, not children!"

"The Quell took us by surprise."

"Took you by surprise? How do you think we felt? You had months to prepare. You dressed my victors like children. They are to be respected. They have survived this before. They are well regarded, and you have embarrassed them."

By this point, the stylists were beginning to look upset but this did not phase Maria. "Surely you would have known the arrangements, that they would first appear directly in front of the Twelves from out of the tunnels. In a pale imitation of their outfits. How do you think that looked from the stands?"

The stylists looked towards Gem for signs of support or understanding but found nothing. Instead, she joined in, "I haven't seen you before, I get it. You're new. It's a Quell, a big deal. But didn't you prepare as you must have been told? You knew it would be the victors you were preparing. They may have won as teenagers but they're adults now. You knew who it would be, you had the best chance you'll ever get to find out about who you are dressing. You could have found their backgrounds, there's information on them everywhere. This was a missed opportunity and now you'll have to make up for it."

"I'll have to make up for it," Maria replied. "You're supposed to help them get sponsors and make a good impression. How am I supposed to compete with the Twelves or Odair when I've got burning cowbells to work with?"

By now, the stylists had become irritated at the tirade the victors had begun, "This was not our choice of district-"

Gem cut in immediately, "No. Stop. That does not matter. It was still an opportunity for you. A way to make your mark, and isn't that what you all want in your first year? It doesn't matter what district, you do your job properly. Just because you got an outer district does not mean you can disrespect them. And Charo and Adan are victors, they are to be respected. The Capitol is supposed to love its victors."

With that, Ten's stylists hurriedly left the company of the victors. Their argument was becoming public with Chaff and Seeder both watching openly. Gem was quick to reassure Maria that she would assist in obtaining new stylists for Ten or failing that, she would make sure her own stylists reviewed the suggestions put forward. She was not going to watch her friend's victors being laughed at once more, not when the competition was as it was.

Seeder hurried to Maria to assist in removing the offending cowbells from Charo and Adan and threw them to the floor. Whilst Maria went to make approaches regarding stylists, Seeder offered to accompany the pair into the Training Centre, to the Eleven floor and have a drink with them before dinner. She wanted to see where Charo and Adan saw themselves fitting into their collective, if at all.

She knew that they would be each other's priorities but also knew that there was a risk of the main alliance surrounding the Twelves becoming too large to be sustained if the arena did not fall until several days in. Neither she nor Chaff was privy to the exact day and time. If there was the opportunity for a Ten and Eleven alliance, Seeder would be willing to take it.

….

As ever, Marcella Silvana was leading the post-parade show, filling her usual Panem Evening News slot. Caesar Flickerman and Claudius Templesmith had done their jobs and now it was for her to take control of proceedings and the various guests.

The show opened with a brief chat with Plutarch Heavensbee to get his thoughts on this unique group of tributes for the special Quarter Quell. Silvana then spoke to an excited colleague who was interviewing audience members as they left The Avenue of the Tributes.

Then it was time to introduce the first group of victors as Lyme, Noah and Liev did their best to appear enthusiastic for the television audience. Surviving the Hunger Games had made them all reluctant celebrities. They knew how to behave in front of the camera, but this year was going to be particularly stressful.

"Much has been made about how unique this situation is. About how all the mentors and tributes know each other well, so tell me, Lyme, what was the feeling out there during the parade," Silvana began.

"We mentors are preparing to do our jobs. The attention wasn't on us at that moment, so we were focussed on how our friends, tributes rather, were performing."

"And what was your verdict?"

"Brutus and Enobaria are ready. They look ready. They're prepared and confident. They showed you all just what they needed to."

"Noah, what are your thoughts? I just know Finnick set everyone's hearts alight," Silvana continued.

"When does he not?" Noah laughed. "I think Finnick will know just how much you all adore him, and he will be very grateful no doubt. Hopefully, he can continue to feel that support in the arena. But didn't Mags just look fabulous? She and Finnick, they work together brilliantly."

"Are you telling us something about their plans for the arena?" she hinted.

"Now that would be telling. I'm not going to give away all of District Four's secrets!"

"But Lyme, how do you feel about this? Will Mags be part of the career pack we usually see?"

"Marcella, that will be for Four to decide. Brutus, Enobaria, Gloss and Cashmere all have the utmost respect for Mags. The four of them are looking forward to working together, testing out their fighting combinations in the Training Centre and we will see where the alliance develops and if anybody else is included."

"But Noah, does that mean we might not see Finnick in the traditional alliance? Might this be a new image for him?" Silvana continued, trying to push for answers she knew the audience would want.

"This is a unique Games, as everyone here knows. I don't think anybody is going to play it the same way they did before."

"Liev, what can we expect from District Seven this year? I doubt Johanna can continue with the tactic that worked so well for her in the Seventy-First. She will be trying a new image too, will she not?"

"Oh, we all know who Johanna is now. As Noah said, expect a different Games from the ones the victors have survived before. Luckily, Sawyer has the job of keeping Johanna in check, not me," Liev said, forcing himself to laugh.

"Of course, you are mentoring Blight, just as you did the first time around. How does that feel?"

"I'm not the only one getting a sense of déjà vu. Especially seeing him on the chariot tonight, in a costume that is so typical of Seven's presentation. But Blight will play his own game and I will support him in any way I can."

Both Lyme and Noah had to stifle their laughter as Liev spoke with a hint of sarcasm that Silvana chose to ignore. But she did choose to home in on the stylists' choices.

"I know this isn't the fashion segment, that is coming up later, but Liev what is it like for you watching the parade? The costuming choices must bring back so many memories."

"That they do," Liev replied. "It's a special position to be in. The sole surviving tribute of that very first Tribute Parade in the Twenty-Fourth Games, just before the very first Quarter Quell too. I can speak from the position of watching every single parade after my own, most of them in person in the Capitol. I can fully understand the evolution into the spectacle it has become today. I think your audience will agree it was a very special event tonight. But seeing your own tribute, now a very dear friend, on the chariots twice, it certainly makes for emotional watching."

Keen to avoid the emotions people might be feeling about this particular Hunger Games, Silvana ended her conversation with the three victors and cut into the next segment of the show, displaying the initial betting odds for this year's tributes. Finnick and Brutus were unsurprising early favourites. But in light of their victory last year, both Katniss and Peeta held strong positions.

This was followed by further interviews with a junior Gamemaker and then with Four's new escort, Diana Treasure, about her experiences so far as a new escort experiencing her very first Hunger Games on such a momentous occasion. All she seemed to do was wax lyrical about being in the presence of Finnick Odair and talk about Mags' chances in a way that made Noah feel uncomfortable.

Then it was time for the fashion segment. The invited stylists gave their opinions and were given the chance to promote their work and then the attention turned to Poppy and Aria.

"Aria, my dear, being from District One, the parade must be a great opportunity to showcase your home?" Silvana started.

"It certainly is. Gloss and Cashmere were simply brilliant too. Our stylists always do such a fabulous job and Gloss and Cashmere wore those designs so well. They quite literally sparkled and used jewels from home too. It's always good to see District One leading the tributes out," Aria replied, before looking to Poppy for reassurance. Six's victor subtly nodded before turning her attention to the questions about to be thrown at her.

"District Six always offers us a different look, doesn't it, Poppy?"

"Definitely. Transport isn't the easiest theming to work with. But our stylists did well for Levi and Claudia this year. They both seemed to enjoy the colours of their outfits, set against the black. There's not usually an obvious link, unlike District One or District Eight, and talk of Eight, didn't Cecelia look wonderful?"

"She certainly did," Silvana replied. "She knows what she is talking about too, such an understanding of fashion and the latest trends here in the Capitol."

"Yes, her presence will be missed on the show, given her sad absence. I hope I can do a good enough job in her place. Although I can't say I've picked up much of her knowledge despite our years of friendship."

It was another hint at the topic Silvana was desperate to avoid, the elephant in the room. The show was not the same because many of her usual participants were tributes once more and the audience would miss their presence. Cecelia could be trusted with the fashion element where Cashmere also made an appearance. Brutus was full of knowledge about the history of the Games and audiences always loved the sight of Finnick.

"Were there any other notable outfits this year, Aria? Who stood out for you?"

"District Two were certainly in character. Enobaria looks fabulous in the brighter, metallic colours whilst also being in keeping with Brutus' outfit too. It's always nice to see them perform well at the parade and Brutus and Enobaria did just the job expected of them. Whilst it was not a conventional outfit, I was pleased with the way Charo and Adan carried themselves tonight. District Ten always has such pride."

"Oh yes, those flaming cowbells!" Silvana laughed.

"And to think they're not even cattle farmers!" Aria replied, offering a subtle hint to the stylists' failings. "But the pair of them are such lovely people. They accounted for themselves well and I do hope that the sponsors will remember the affection we all have for them."

"How about you, Poppy? Who stood out for you?"

"Johanna looked powerful. She gave some character to the typical outfit you often see from Seven. She was able to elevate it. Blight too of course. He complimented Johanna very well, without fading into the background which can be very difficult when you are alongside such a strong character."

"So, a strong first impression for Johanna Mason. But I don't think we can leave without a mention of last year's dual victors from District Twelve."

"Their stylists did another excellent job," Aria replied.

"A development on their usual theme. A more grown-up look I believe, to suit the demands of this year's Games. It worked brilliantly well. Haymitch will certainly be pleased," Poppy said.

The conversation turned back to the stylists offering their views on some of their colleagues' work, leaving Poppy and Aria to watch on without having to provide too much input. It was all part of the performance for the victors. Despite Aria's relative youth in comparison to the other victors on the show, she too had learnt to become a skilled actress. Her training at District One's Academy left her in good stead, but it was still something the victors needed to adapt to, constantly being on camera, having all their movements in the Capitol judged.

Marcella Silvana wrapped up the show by reminding the audience of what was to come over the next few days before the victors entered the Quarter Quell arena. Then the victors were dismissed and hurried back to their friends in the Training Centre. There was lots to discuss and lots of planning to be done.