"You two are unbelievable," Tyler scowled as he walked in the front door.

"What's the problem?" Finnick asked as Taiya shoved him away.

"You know what the problem is," Tyler sighed as he ran his fingers down his face.

Taiya smiled as she quickly hopped off of the kitchen bench that she'd been sitting on. Tyler had walked in and caught them in a… compromising position.

"Honestly I thought pushing you two together was a good thing. I didn't want to walk in on you constantly making out. I feel like we need to separate you. I'm now feeling incredibly irresponsible for forcing two 17-year-olds to live with each other. This may have been a bad idea," he sighed.

"Tyler it's fine," Taiya laughed

"How are we going to explain a pregnancy to the Capitol!" Tyler asked as he threw his hands in the air.

"Oh my god!" Taiya yelled. "That's not going to happen."

"Well," Finnick winked playfully and she turned to glare at him and he immediately backed down. "Sorry," he meekly apologised.

"The reaping is tomorrow. Are you two ready?" he asked and they both stiffened. "I know it's not going to be easy guys," Tyler sighed as he came to sit at the bench, resting his elbows on the bench before quickly jerking back as the image of the couple came back to his mind. "But you know your roles. You know the acts you need to keep up. You've seen what happens when you don't," he warned gently and Taiya laced her fingers through Finnick's.

"Yeah I get it," Finnick snapped. "We ignore each other, she hangs off Crane's arm and I follow rich women back to their rooms."

"Hey," Taiya whispered as she held onto his arm. "It's not his fault."

"I know. It's just bullshit."

"It keeps everyone safe," Taiya reminded him. "But yeah, it's bullshit," she agreed.

"Are you both going to be able to do this? Or do I need to put in a request to bring another victor? Maybe Todd can come and actually do something for a change," Tyler offered.

"We'll be fine Tyler. It's ok. They'll never approve of us bringing Todd. Snow won't allow it. We all have our roles to play. We just need to do it without making him angry."

"We've got it Tyler," Finnick confirmed.

"Hey, there you are!" Taiya yelled as she spotted Seneca Crane waiting for her. "I was worried I'd have to find you in there by myself. How've you been?" she smiled as she gave him a big hug.

"I've been great," he smiled back down at her. "And no way was I going to make you wade your way through the Capitol elite by yourself. They'd monopolise you completely, there's no way you'd make it to our seats."

Seneca had been kind enough to invite Taiya to attend the opening parade with him. She was under strict orders from Snow not to have any involvement in mentoring the tributes from home. Any intel she might gain from being around Seneca and his friends was not to make it back to the tributes or mentors from her district. She was here to flirt with Seneca Crane, and nothing else.

"Are they good seats?" she asked with a smirk.

"The best," he nodded, as he placed his hand on her back and led her through the door. "We're at the end of the parade. Right near the president," he told her and she quickly drew a breath. "It's exciting isn't it," Seneca smiled, misinterpreting her breath for one of excitement.

"Very," she agreed. "I can't wait."

"Let me know if it gets boring though and we can find something else to do. My friends are sitting with us and they can be… they can be a bit much."

"How so?"

"Well, they're very into the Games. I don't want to make you uncomfortable is all."

"They like watching it? So do most people."

"No," Seneca shook his head. "They like betting on it."

"Oh," she muttered. People in the districts were starving, deprived of money necessary to afford food, and yet here these Capitol men were, frivolously gambling it away on a blood sport.

"They all bet on you," Seneca smiled.

"Yeah, because her friend took off her clothes," a snobbish voice called out and Taiya froze. "We all got to see what was underneath that big coat of hers."

"Dude!" Seneca snapped. "Shut up! Sorry," he turned to Taiya and apologised. "That's my friend Lucius, he can be a bit of an ass."

"No, it's alright," Taiya smirked back. "He's right. I bet it helped my odds." She had an act to play up right now. Confidence was key. No matter how vile and disgusting Lucius was, she couldn't react.

"Ha," Lucius snorted. "Alright Ambersnow, I'll give you that. Drink?"

"Please," Taiya nodded.

Lucius turned around and grabbed a drink off a tray and handed it to Taiya. Before she could grasp it, Seneca snatched it away.

"Not that one," he said nervously, as he set it down on the table behind them. "That's way too strong. That'll have you on the floor in 10 minutes," he said quietly to her. "Here, have this," he handed her a new glass. "Champagne, it's safe."

"Thanks," she whispered back as she sipped her drink.

"Look, you're not really familiar with these kinds of drinks yet. Might be best to check with me before you take anything. I don't want you to regret coming with me tonight."

Taiya nodded at him. She almost felt bad. It was obvious to her that this boy couldn't act. He was genuine in a way she hadn't really seen in the Capitol. It's not that he was compassionate towards the plights of the districts, but perhaps that was more of an educational issue. You can't be aware of what you're never told.

"Thank you," she smiled at him before looping her arm through the crook of his elbow and leaning slightly into his side.

Trumpets started playing throughout the stands and they knew the tributes were reaching the city circle where the Capitol elite was waiting.

Seneca grabbed Taiya's hand and hurried them towards their seats at the front, they'd have the best view.

Lucius came and plonked himself down into the seat beside Taiya, stopping Seneca's brother Romulus from taking his seat.

Romulus sighed as he looked at Taiya, rolling his eyes in exasperation at Lucius' rudeness before he made his way to the next row and took the seat that Lucius was meant to have.

"So 4, you going to make a bet?" Lucius drunkenly asked as he leaned towards her.

Seneca moved his hand behind Taiya and gave Lucius a shove, pushing him slightly away from Taiya.

"I don't know if I'm allowed to," Taiya muttered before turning to look at Seneca. "I don't want to do the wrong thing and get in trouble."

"No, definitely don't want that," Seneca smiled. "I'll tell you what, you don't put on a bet. But you can pick mine. Whoever you pick, I'll bet on that."

"Really?" Taiya smirked.

"Yeah, now keep an eye out," he smiled, pointing ahead as the tributes came into view. "Pick me a winner."

Taiya stiffened. Talking about these tributes as nothing more than commodities. That's how they would've talked about her last year. It sickened her.

The tributes rolled in on their chariots. Some (Districts 1 and 2) were waving bravely at the crowd. Others were simply staring out at the crowd, taking everything in. A few were in tears. And that's what caught her eye.

A girl from district 7, who looked to be about her age. Sobbing uncontrollably. She could already hear some people in the crowd mocking her. But there was something about her. Whilst the crowd was watching the tears run down her face, Taiya was focused on her eyes. They were ferocious. They didn't match the tears. And Taiya recognised an act when she saw it.

"Her," Taiya turned to Seneca. "Bet on her. The girl from 7."

Lucius let out a loud laugh. "That weakling?" he mocked, and she turned to glare at him. "That girl won't make it past the bloodbath."

"Well then don't bet on her yourself, problem solved," she snapped back at him. Turning back to Seneca she whispered, "trust me."

Seneca sighed as he ran a hand down his face. "Fine," he mumbled. He didn't trust her choice, that much was evident. But there was no way he was going to disagree with her. "I might be the only one in the Capitol to put money on her," he joked.

"Well then when she wins you'll earn heaps," she smiled.

"Let's hope."

"You don't have to come if you don't want to," Seneca assured. "Just say the word and I'll walk you back to the tribute centre."

They were headed to a Capitol party after the end of the parade. Anyone who was anyone would be attending. And that included Finnick. And even though she couldn't interfere, she thought being there might bring him some comfort.

"I want to go," Taiya assured. "I want to see how you have fun when you're at an actual party, not a victory party."

Seneca smiled widely at her and she knew she was doing her job well. "Alright then. How about you try a shot?" he suggested as they walked into the club.

"Show me!" she smiled as she grabbed his hand.

They walked up to the bar, and Taiya let Seneca order for them as she scanned the room. It wasn't long before her eyes landed on Finnick, and he'd already been watching her. He was standing at the other end of the bar with some middle-aged lady hanging off his arm. Both of them knew the risk, but it was hard to break eye contact. At least until Gloss came and stood by Taiya's side, blocking off her access to Finnick.

He looked down at her sternly and subtly shook his head. Taiya sucked in a deep breath before she turned to look forward at the barman who was pouring her and Seneca's drink.

Gloss leant down to her ear, "we victors watch out for each other. But don't be so obvious next time. If I spotted that little interaction you can be sure someone else did too."

Taiya nodded at him. She knew the risk. She shouldn't have done that. "Thanks," she whispered back at him.

Gloss nodded and tapped her shoulder once before he turned away and headed back to his date.

"Here we go," Seneca handed her a florescent green drink.

"Wow," she smiled as she looked at it.

"Trust me, it tastes better than it looks," he smirked.

"I trust you," she smiled at him before drinking the shot. "Oh my god," she shuddered. "It tastes like lime."

"It's nice, right? Kind of strong but…"

"Can I have another?" Taiya asked, cutting him off.

"Yeah, yeah of course," Seneca nodded, turning back to the bartender and grabbing them another shot that she quickly downed. "Careful," Seneca warned. "Let's go back and find the others. They're meant to be in a booth," he explained as he led her through the crowd.

When they reached the booth Taiya wasn't too surprised to see Cashmere hanging off Lucius' arm. Of course, he was the kind of man to pay for a victor's company.

Taiya took the seat beside the district 1 girl. "Cashmere," Taiya greeted quietly.

"Taiya," Cashmere greeted back.

Looking up at her fellow victor, Taiya gave her a small smile. Both Lucius and Seneca were now distracted talking about tribute odds, so they had some relative freedom to communicate.

"I thought you would've gone home after the parade," Cashmere noted.

"I didn't think HE'd appreciate it," Taiya subtly referred to the president.

"No. I guess not," she agreed before she turned and whispered. "This boy is a real slime ball."

"Agreed," Taiya smiled. "I had to sit with him at the parade. He's foul."

"That explains it. He couldn't sway the attention of the new shiny girl from district 4, so he turned to me."

Taiya frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Can I tell you something? But you have to promise not to judge me."

"Of course," Taiya nodded.

"I was so happy when you won. Because I thought, brilliant, you're a few years younger than me, you're gorgeous. They'll all want you. It'll take attention off of me. I know after Finnick turned 16 Gloss was requested less. I thought the same would happen to me. They'd all want you and I could get some peace. But instead, you're permanently contracted for the Crane boy, and I'm requested just as much as I was before," she sighed.

"I'm sorry," Taiya admitted.

"Don't be. It was selfish of me. I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

"No. But I understand what you mean. It's ok to be selfish sometimes. It's understandable."

"I do feel bad for you and Finnick. It's hard enough watching my own brother go through this. I can't imagine what'd be like to watch your partner."

Taiya smiled softly. "Thank you."

"Do you want to dance?" Cashmere asked.

"Are we allowed to?"

"Sweetheart, one thing you'll learn, is these men may pay for our company, but they idolise us. We can do virtually anything we want, just so long as we don't upset them or Snow," she smirked as she grasped Taiya's hand before loudly declaring to the table. "Us girls are going to dance," before tugging Taiya out of her seat and onto the dance floor. "Stand here," Cashmere said as she angled Taiya's body to her liking.

"Why?"

"Look to the left of my head," Cashmere smiled. Taiya did and immediately locked eyes with Finnick. Cashmere had positioned them in a way that the couple could still see each other without raising any suspicion.

A smile immediately lit up Taiya's face.

It was later in the night when a hand tugged Finnick's and he was pulled out of her eyesight. Her mood immediately fell and Cashmere noted it straight away.

"You'll get used to it," she tried to reassure the younger girl.

"Do you?" Taiya asked.

Cashmere sighed, "not really," she confessed. "Come on, we should go sit down again," she said softly as she led Taiya back to the table where the young men were drinking.

"Hey, there you are," Seneca smiled warmly as she took a seat next to him. "It's getting kind of late, would you like me to walk you home?" he offered.

"I don't want to make you leave if you're having fun."

"Trust me, it's fine. I'd rather see you home safely."

"Ok," Taiya nodded. "Thank you," she smiled.

"Alright boys, I'm headed off. I'm going to drop Taiya home then go back to mine," he declared. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Taiya stood up and quickly grasped Cashmere's hand and gave it a squeeze before she followed after Seneca.

"It was getting stuffy in there," he smiled as they exited the club.

"Yes it was," she agreed. "A bit humid."

"Here," he said, removing his jacket and laying it over her shoulders. "It's colder out here," he smiled.

"Thank you," she gave him a genuine smile back, perhaps the first one she'd truly meant, as she threaded her arms through his jacket and hugged it closer to her body.

"Look, I'm really sorry about Lucius. I just want you to know that's not the kind of person I am. I don't agree with his behaviour. It was horrible. Trust me, when you and the other victor went dancing I told him off."

"Cashmere, her name is Cashmere."

"Of course," Seneca nodded.

"He did make me uncomfortable," Taiya confessed.

"Well I threatened to kick him out of the game makers-in-training program if he bothered you again, so he should keep his distance," Seneca smiled proudly and Taiya giggled slightly. "He's used to getting what he wants, but my influence outranks him, so he'll back off. And here we are," Seneca declared as they crossed the road. "The tribute training centre, also known as your home for the next month."

"Thank you for walking me home," Taiya smiled as she took off his jacket and held it out for him to take.

"Oh please," he shook his head. "Keep it. It suits you."

"Thanks," she muttered shyly as she held it to her chest.

"There's ummm…. there's going to be a few more parties like this while the games are on. I don't know if you'd be…"

"I'd love to come," she smiled, cutting him off from his nervous stuttering.

"Great," he smiled. "That's amazing."

Taiya looked up at him and smiled softly. She knew what she had to do now. Carefully she took a step toward him and closed her eyes as she slowly leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Thank you for tonight," she whispered as she turned and walked inside, desperately hoping that he wouldn't see the tears building in her eyes.

She pushed the button on the elevator and was waiting for it to arrive on the ground floor when she heard the front door open and tensed. She hadn't been expecting Seneca to follow inside. Quickly plastering a smile on her face she turned around only to see it was Gloss who'd come in.

"Oh, hey," she greeted.

"Hey," he mumbled back.

"You're done for the night?"

"Yeah, thank god," he nodded. "You?" he asked and she nodded. "Sorry kid. The first few times out are always the hardest."

"I'm going to have to pretend to fall in love with him," she breathed.

Gloss looked down at her in sympathy. "We do what we have to to protect our loved ones," he explained as the elevator doors opened and they both got in, him pushing the button for the district 1 and 4 floors.

"We shouldn't have to get used to it," Taiya breathed when the doors closed.

"I agree. But be careful who hears you say that," he warned. "All victors stick together. But not everyone relates to each other the same."

"What do you mean?"

"The victors from 2 are nothing short of psychotic. That's how they won. But it doesn't make them very desirable to the Capitol people. So those victors tend to avoid being sold like we are. They don't love the Capitol, but they're more likely to stand by their side if it serves them best."

"Thanks," Taiya nodded.

"Cashmere and I get it as well. You can speak freely with people in the same kind of work as us, but just be wary of the others," he smiled as he stepped out of the elevator. "Enjoy the rest of your night."

Back with a long-awaited update. Sorry about the delay! I'm very keen to get to Catching Fire, I've already written a fair few scenes from Catching Fire and one from Mockingjay. I think I'll be more motivated to write when we get to that part. But until then I want to develop victor relationships!