Author's Note: An early update as I'm away this weekend. Hopefully, this chapter gives some of an idea of the depths of the relationships between the victors across the districts.

….

First Night

Haymitch made sure his pair were suitably distracted before he left to visit Eleven's victors. Effie was still pottering around if they were to need anything. But he doubted that either of them would emerge from their rooms, not whilst Darius was still around.

He had known, of course, having spotted him when he quickly visited Twelve's floor prior to the parade. He offered a squeeze on the shoulder and muttered apologies to the former peacekeeper before leaving to join the others. But he had to address the situation, in near silence, in Effie's company, with the room bugged when they all reached the penthouse for dinner.

The girl was both horrified and doing a horrible job of pretending she had never seen Darius before. But thankfully Effie just believed the girl was trying with her manners when she clumsily attempted contact. He could usually rely on Peeta to carry on a conversation but even he was visibly startled and struggling to keep up with Effie's chatter.

The air in the penthouse was stifling and Haymitch needed to escape. Finding some comfort in the company of two of his closest friends facing imminent death was not part of his plan for the evening but he did not want to be on Twelve's floor any longer than necessary.

It was Orchard who first realised that something wasn't quite right with Haymitch, almost as soon as he got through the door, "Boy, what's happened? Apart from all of this, something else has rattled you."

"You don't say," Haymitch mumbled. "The kids, well, me too, I guess. We know one of the avoxes."

Seeder's eyes widened in surprise, but Chaff cut in first, "Well, shit! Have a drink!"

"You don't need to tell me twice," Haymitch replied.

"Nothing surprises me with your girl, Haymitch. But seriously, how has she managed this one?" Seeder asked.

"When the cousin was whipped. She took one to the face, but I don't know what you saw. The camera cut away after our arrival. But Darius, the avox, was there, and tried to help, which I suppose brought this on. Former peacekeeper. One of the good ones."

"Shit," Chaff echoed and poured himself another drink.

"Boys, with everything that's going on, shouldn't you-" Orchard started.

"I know, boss. But I need a little something to get me by. Try to make this somewhat bearable."

"You going down tomorrow? Heard some of the others wondering whether to bother," Haymitch asked.

"We will be. To meet your two properly more than anything," Seeder replied.

"I was undecided but these two told me I had no choice, so I'm going. See if your girl is always so tightly strung," Chaff said.

"She is. You won't need training to tell you that."

"Her heart's in the right place," Seeder said.

"Her head isn't. She's a pain. The boy is far easier to deal with."

"She reminds me of you a little."

"What? Can't keep herself out of trouble?" Haymitch laughed.

"And what would you know about trouble!" Chaff said.

"Oh, I don't know! Just kept my head down, haven't I!"

As the group laughed, Seeder pulled Haymitch in tight, where she couldn't be overheard, "She may be trouble, but she'll be worth it. Like you. Whatever any of you need, we can do it."

….

"But did you have to be naked, Johanna!" Sawyer asked.

"Why not? Thought I'd test the waters."

"Well, did you gain anything from it?"

"The girl's a prude. Boys liked it though. Peeta's obviously not getting any excitement from her. Can't imagine Haymitch has much fun in Twelve either."

"Well, I'm sure that will help us all," Sawyer mocked. "Will make my job more interesting anyway. But seriously Johanna, as your mentor, I would suggest making some new friends."

"Do you think I'm going to do anything you ask?"

"Not really, but thought I'd better suggest something. At least you're showing up tomorrow."

"Ah, so my esteemed mentor is leaving me to play nice alone!"

"I'm a very busy man!" Blight shouted, cutting away from his conversation with Linden.

"Those albums won't sign themselves, will they?"

"Knew you'd understand, Johanna. Got lots to do before my untimely departure."

"Haven't we all," Sawyer muttered.

Their bickering was interrupted by a knock at the door. Seemingly expecting this, Linden headed straight to the door to let Poppy in. Blight immediately joined them and swept Six's victor into a crushing hug.

"Can't stop too long. I promised I'd meet Halley and Cecelia on Eight's floor so I'm on my way up," Poppy said.

"Got them all sorted on your floor?" Linden asked.

"All asleep. Maybe Max is pretending but I knew he didn't want to trouble me, and he wasn't in a talkative mood either. I'll leave him be for tonight. Claudia and Levi disappeared immediately after dinner."

"About as good as it's going to get," Blight said.

"I've hidden the supply. If they go looking when I'm not around, they shouldn't find it. Trying to keep them under strict control. Max is okay but Claudia and Levi…" Poppy whispered. "But enough of my troubles, how are you all?"

"Reminding Johanna to play nice tomorrow."

Poppy just laughed, "And what about you, Blight? Why did I hear about your music when I was on that show?"

"Giving the fans one final hurrah, showing them what they'll be missing," he stopped to pull Poppy in close, "A bit of extra cash, we'll make sure you get half the surplus. Better use of my time than training anyway."

"I'm sure Liev agrees with that."

"His problem."

"You did great by the way, with that Silvana woman," Linden said.

"I'm not Cecelia, and it showed," Poppy replied.

"That's their fault. And those poor kids, give Cecelia our love won't you? I'm sure we'll see her before but let her know all the same."

With that, Poppy moved to leave, to head to Eight's floor. Linden too moved towards the door for one final word, "You've got this. Keep going. We're so nearly there."

Their hands joined briefly, out of sight to everyone in the room. Blight deliberately kept his back turned and distracted Johanna, Liev and Sawyer. The moment was over quickly as Linden opened the door to allow Poppy out and turned back to rejoin their conversation.

….

Poppy arrived on Eight's floor to find Halley and Cecelia already in conversation. Eight's victor had clearly been crying, now that she had been able to have a few moments entirely to herself without the Capitol, Woof or Cotton taking up her time.

"Cecelia, anything we can do, just let us know. We'll do whatever you need," Halley said.

"I may as well sort it now, so we don't spend our last moments sorting things for when I'm not around."

Cecelia guided them into her room and got out a bag she had prepared. Halley had already secured the room, so they were safe to talk for a few moments without the bugs picking up their conversation.

"For Cotton, to take with her. She gets out of here as soon as possible."

"We'll make it work," Poppy replied.

"Take these too, a couple each. If Linden or maybe Maria are around, they should have them too."

"What are they? I'm presuming not-"

"Not morphling, Poppy. Sedatives. For if she gets too upset in the Mentor's Centre. Straight to the first arm you can get hold of. Just make sure you cushion her fall. She'll be out for a few hours. You'll have lots to worry about without trying to keep her calm. I trust you both, whatever you need to do to keep her safe and you all out of trouble."

"Whatever you need, we'll do it," Halley replied. "But are you holding up?"

"Barely. Keeping it together for them. Woof and Cotton would completely collapse if I did. In many ways, the worst is over. I'm here and the children and Merino are in Eight and that's where it ends."

"I'm just so dreadfully sorry, Cecelia. I know I can't say anything to make it better or right. But I'm so sorry. Linden, Blight, well all the Sevens send their love too. They'll try to see you soon."

Cecelia nodded, "If it stops the same happening to the children, if we end this for good, I can tell myself that it's worth it."

"There's still a chance for you too, don't count yourself out."

"I know where I am in the list. Nowhere near the top. That's fine by me, well, as it can be. The others must be the priority. I couldn't let them choose me over Finnick or Johanna. But I will do what I can. It's just Woof," she paused for a moment to gather herself, "I'm going to tell you what I'm thinking because I know you won't think any less of me."

"Cecelia, whatever it is, neither of us will judge. We've long passed that stage," Halley said.

"He's so frightened. He won't cope. He's a danger to himself, never mind anything else in an arena. But I can't bear the thought of some mutt ripping him apart or risk one of the others totally losing it at the gong. We all know that might happen to at least one of us. I can't bring myself to do it, so, Brutus."

"Brutus?" Poppy asked.

"Yes. He can keep it together. I trust he won't start having a total meltdown at the sight of the cornucopia. He'll keep it quick. He has enough respect for Woof to not make a mess of it, or let it be painful. I'm going to talk to him in training tomorrow, to see if he will do it, and to see if he wants anything in return I guess."

"That seems like the fairest, kindest thing to do given the circumstances. Like you, I'd pick Brutus. The best chance of a quick, painless end," Halley said.

"Agreed," Poppy added. "He won't ask for anything in return. He'll see this for what it is and understand. He has enough respect for us as victors to not toy with any of us. He may be putting on a show with Enobaria, but he's still Brutus. If he doesn't agree, I'll talk to Lyme. He'll do as she says."

….

Lyme noticed Johanna making her way to Four's floor, so she held back a few moments. It would not do to be seen in the company of Seven's victor on Four's floor. But a few moments after Johanna had disappeared, Lyme re-emerged from Two's floor to seek out Mags.

"Noah. Finnick. Johanna," Lyme acknowledged as Coral opened the door.

"Where's Mags?" she continued.

"With Chloe," Coral replied. "Washing her hair. The prep team did a number on it earlier. Think she's trying to calm Chloe too."

"She does seem rather on edge."

"We're losing Mags."

"I could wring Plutarch's neck for this."

"You and me both. You want to talk?" Coral asked and guided Lyme into the room she was sharing with Chloe. "Don't worry, we've sent Treasure out. She's at a party talking about Finnick, no doubt."

"What's the plan?" Lyme whispered. "They're questioning already. Brutus saw Finnick approach Everdeen earlier. Baria is confused. It could get awkward."

"Well, they must know the traditional alliance is out. Mags may be a career mentor," Coral replied.

"But she's not a career tribute. I can pass it off as an age thing. Not Mags' style, I know. But she knows there's little sense in an eighty-year-old career. Ruins the image."

"Just a little. But Finnick is the trickier one."

"He's not going to abandon Mags. District loyalty they can understand. It will have to do. Although if they think your two are favouring Twelve before the arena, it might get interesting."

"They won't make anything obvious in training. Mags will do her thing, and Finnick will work the room," Coral said.

"Good. I've been on at Baria about structure and shaping the Games. Brutus knows this anyway, it's his thing, so he will wait until he has to for a showdown, and build up anticipation. Hopefully, that will provide time."

"We're going to need it."

"Not at the start then?" Lyme queried.

"Our eastern friends wouldn't allow it, apparently," Coral snapped.

"Brilliant. How many of them have we got to keep alive?"

"It's the Twelves with us. Threes with the Sevens."

"And they'll need to meet at some point. That's too big an alliance to maintain, Coral."

"Blight, Beetee and Finnick know what to do. Blight will have told Johanna."

"It's a shitshow."

"I know. Too many variables. We will control what little we can from here but so much has to come from them getting this exactly right."

"Is Finnick ready?" Lyme asked.

"Yes," Coral replied. "It sounds like Mags is there now, if you want to talk to her? But one more thing, can they swim, Brutus and Baria?"

Lyme nodded, immediately turned back to the living space in Four's quarters, and made a beeline straight to Mags, where Chloe and Noah were fussing over her.

"Glad to see they're taking care of you," Lyme started. "I don't know whether to say you're brilliant, brave or downright stupid. But I wasn't surprised," she continued as she pulled Mags into a hug.

The older woman just laughed and shook her head, "Annie. Finn. Not my girls."

"Oh, District Four," Lyme laughed. "They'll never understand it downstairs. The Ones won't either. Gloss and Cashmere maybe, but that won't help them now."

"How are they all?" Mags asked.

"Doing their jobs. Wanting to know about you. And Finnick. But don't worry, I'll sort it. You focus on whatever you're doing. I trust you, all of you," Lyme replied.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Lyme," Chloe said.

"Aren't we all? I've been playing this game carefully for years and now it's time. Just as it is for you."

The group were interrupted by laughter coming from Finnick's room where he and Johanna were discussing their encounters with Twelve's newest victors.

"You mean totally naked, Johanna?"

"I had my shoes on."

Finnick laughed louder still, "I guess she's seen about the same of both of us!"

"And she wasn't happy about it. I wonder what reaction Peeta gets?" Johanna laughed.

"Oh, come on. You don't believe it's real, surely? I mean the boy loves her, that much is obvious. But the girl. She's a survivor. She's one of us."

"And he's not? He's still alive, here with us in the same damn nightmare."

"He's nice, genuinely nice, I think. Truly good, at least that's what Haymitch said to us on their Tour. The girl, I want to see her tomorrow, see what she's really got about her."

"Prepare to be disappointed, I'd say."

"I don't think so, Johanna. You saw her last year. She was good. She's a Haymitch. If he were a teenage girl, with a bad attitude and no sense of humour. Don't tell either of them I said that," Finnick laughed.

Their laughter continued even as Lyme departed and was replaced by Beetee and Liev who had decided to pay Chloe and Coral a visit. District Seven's victor stayed in the main living space with Chloe and Mags, trying to ease his friend's nerves, just as Mags had been doing previously. They had won back-to-back Games, either side of two immensely difficult victors in Slate and Abraham and had bonded over their shared experiences.

Coral and Beetee talked privately, back in the room Coral and Chloe were sharing, after Beetee had set up his usual devices to disable the bugs so they could talk freely.

"Finnick and Johanna seem…happy given the circumstances," Beetee started.

"They're hiding it well," Coral replied. "They've both met Haymitch's girl. Safe to say she hasn't taken an instant liking to either of them."

"What did they do?"

"Finnick, in his parade costume, or lack of, should I say, offered her sugar cubes and asked her to tell him her secrets. Johanna took her clothes off."

Beetee laughed, "Wiress and I will try a different approach."

"Please do. For all our sakes. Mags will try with the girl too. I think Peeta might be more receptive to Finn and Johanna."

"We'll try to get to know both. They need to trust us."

"Are you ready, Beetee? This is the most we've ever asked of you."

"I understand the responsibility, Coral. It's been building for years, but I'm ready. We all are. It's the right time. Our only chance. If it finishes me off then so be it, as long as the arena falls, and the girl gets out."

"You can survive this, can't you Beetee?"

"I've given myself a chance, yes. I'm not suicidal. But if dying is what it takes, then I'm prepared. I'm not the only one in that position. Don't tell me you haven't been prepared for years to do the same."

"I know, Beetee. I just don't want to watch you electrocute yourself."

"Then turn away."

"If only it were that easy. I'm barely going to be able to take my eyes away. Thankfully, Noah will be doing a lot of the sponsor runs. Finn, Mags and Chloe will need my attention."

"What about you, Coral?"

"You're right. I'm ready to do exactly as you are. I'd rather it be sacrificing myself in Four, for Four, we would all rather that. We've been ready for decades. But I know that may not happen."

Beetee smiled softly, "Cut from the same cloth. Three and Four. You and me. Chloe and Liev. Finnick and Johanna. Poppy, Halley and Cecelia. It's why we will win."

"Years of work and friendship. They've failed already when we've been united for years."

"Exactly. I know we don't do those conversations Coral, but I wanted to thank you. I never thought after the Games that someone would want to be my friend. I was fifteen, socially inept and had just killed seven other kids. But you inserted yourself into my life immediately, as soon as I set foot in Four and told me we were friends."

"You were marvellous. Solved a problem for me with those tributes that year. Inadvertently helped secure the Centre as Mags' little rebel project. You weren't inept. You were a kid who had just figured out what he was capable of, on national television. I liked you instantly and knew I'd like you more when we could meet in person. You're my type of person, Beetee Latier."

The room fell silent, and they laughed awkwardly.

"There's a reason we don't talk like this often," Beetee said.

Coral sighed, "I'm glad we've said it. What with everything. But yes, we can save that type of talk for Chloe and Liev.

With that, Noah burst into the room, "Oh not the two of you as well! Chloe and Liev are having a heart-to-heart, Finn and Johanna are doing the same in their own way!"

Coral laughed, "Go talk to Mags. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear your thoughts."

"She's pretending to sleep. Trying to listen in on all your conversations at once probably."

"Go to sleep then, at least one of us needs to be awake tomorrow morning."

"Can't. None of us can, can we? It's why this floor is a revolving door of victors. I'd normally be on a sponsor run with Dora at this time anyway, I'm out of routine."

Sensing there was more to Noah's comment than he was letting on, Beetee bid Coral goodnight and returned to District Three's floor. Coral shut the door behind him and turned to Noah, "We're all missing her presence, talk to me."