Katniss won the Hunger Games.

Katniss was a victor.

She would come home to Prim and all would be well.

In addition, she would return home with Gale.

It was all she could hope for. wasn't it?

Little did she know it was just the beginning.

It was the end of the Victory tour, Effie was talking a mile a second.

They were arriving at their last stop: The capitol.

Haymitch was sitting, just watching the woman walk back and forth inside the train.

While Gale was out of sight, he really barely tolerated Effie.She was annoying, but Katniss could see something in her. She wasn't as oblivious to her surroundings as she let it show.

—So, he's going to use the kids?(Haymitch questioned with a raised eyebrow)

Katniss turned her attention to his conversation.

Were they talking about her and Gale?

—They go to these parties even before they're old enough for it. (Effie replied and sat down next to Haymitch)

—But they always go together, as far as I know. Not even Finnick took the girl to these parties. (He crossed his arms and stared at her suspiciously), she and the boy were always glued to her hips. Now will they keep up with the Victors?

—I don't know.. (Effie grunted angrily) Alexandrina has been in a lot of trouble since the scandal, perhaps it's to placate the rumors about her and Odair.

—Princess, the rumors between that girl and Finnick haven't just been rumors since she turned 14... We all know what she and Odair do behind closed doors. (Haymitch said sarcastically as he filled a glass of booze)

Effie crossed her arms angrily, until that moment Katniss had never seen her out of character.

—But what about Peeta? He's always perfect..

—For the girl it's a punishment,sure,preventing her from walking with her brother or Finnick on the side is punitive for her. (Haymitch concluded) But the boy.. Well,he is single and there are always rumors about him,maybe they want to placate.. (He said simply)

—Yes, yes The president is very traditional about relationships in the family circle. (Effie murmured) Do you think.. (She subtly shook her head towards Katniss)

—Don't you?(He questioned, raising his eyebrows)-

—What are you talking about? (Katniss asked tired of all that little play)

Effie looked startled and stood up quickly smoothing her skirt.

—Sorry, that was too rude of us... We are talking about your escorts for today's party,You will be accompanied by the grandchildren of the President.. It's a great, great honor, they've never accompanied any other Victor.

Katniss looked confused for a brief moment.She had thought,that as with the rest of the tour,she would have Gale by her side..Now she'd have a stranger from the Capitol glued to her.It was going from bad to worse.

—You must have heard about them dear,The orphans of Panem... They've been in front of the cameras since they were born. (Haymitch said) There are some proposals of them out there and sensationalist stories about them, especially the girl.. She's a pain in the president's ass. (Haymitch laughed as he remembered the lovely, reckless Alex)

—Don't talk about her like that! (Effie snapped as she stared at Haymitch sharply) She's charming, you'll like her.

Katniss nodded confused. She remembered something about the orphans of Panem, obviously she had already seen them in one or two proposals at school when it was talked about the president's family.

—Mellark... (Katniss muttered remembering her last name) They don't have the president's last name, are they really his grandchildren?

—Yes, the two are the children of Snow's first daughter and her husband. They were killed in an accident. Terrible, terrible. (Effie murmured solemnly) I have to organize the last things for this glorious meeting.

And with that she left the room leaving Katniss and Haymitch.

—They're good kids.. (Haymitch muttered) Don't take into account that they are who they are and where they are from.

—Are they similar to Effie and Cinna? (Katniss muttered as she looked at him)

—A little, Effie had a lot of influence in their upbringing and Cinna has been working with the girl long enough. (He took the last sip from his glass and stood up, staggering towards the bedroom) Be nice to them and follow the act.

Katniss nodded and as soon as Haymitch was gone into the bedroom, she leaned her head against the couch and closed her eyes.The president was very clear with her.If she got it wrong, her family would pay.She had to take the bait and accept whatever it was he was offering.

After Effie's formal introductions, Alexandrina walked over to Gale with a smile on her face and promptly held out her hand.

—It's a pleasure to be your escort tonight. (The girl said cheerfully, while Gale shook her hand)-

—I can't say the same. (He grunted angrily)

Alexandrina rolled her eyes and reached over to speak in his ear.

—I hate this as much as you do,I'd rather be with my Finnick,but I'm stuck with an idiot Victor. So make it enjoyable for both of us. (She pulled away and smiled sweetly as she straightened his coat) Or I'll be your nightmare. (She whispered and kissed his cheek)

He nodded and followed Peeta's movements, gently grasping the girl's arm as they exited the building.

Anxious .

Peeta was a pile of nerves but tried to stay calm for the girl.He still remembers what it was like to feel overwhelmed by Capitol parties.

He was so small at the first party that he could barely keep up with everything.

His first Victor party was Finnick Odair's, he was a little 10 year old boy and felt so overwhelmed by all those lights and loud noises.

It was like being thrown into the lion's den.

He hated that party, even more so after he understood the meaning behind the stares thrown at Finnick.

Poor boy.

After the party was over, he didn't want to ever go to a party like that again.

But year after year, he was there

Until when Alexandrina turned 10, she became his official partner.They were fawned over left and right, always receiving cheek pinches and compliments.

It was horrible, but having her sister by her side eased the loneliness.And now here they were, for the first time separated.

He gently grasped Katniss's arm, her face scared, as they walked towards the mansion with Effie in front of him.

—Stay calm. (He muttered as they walked) When the lights are on you, smile and pretend you like it, they will forget you after the speech, they will be so drunk that they will not even remember.

She nodded silently.She was a very quiet girl, well she wasn't a hunter by chance.

Alexandrina was good with the Victors..She had somehow become something like a mascot,whenever they were in town,she was together.Sure, normally Finnick was by her side, but she got along well with them in general.

She was no fan of the careerists, being almost an outcast among them, but she got along well with those in the districts, even Haymitch.

—Follow the instructions. (She murmured close to his ear) Smile when they say to smile and laugh at the useless jokes, pretend to appreciate them.. And if you do everything right, at the end of the night, your family will remain untouched.

He nodded as he looked at the girl who was probably Katniss' age.Too young to play any of the games

—... Eyes bright, chins up, smiles on. I'm talking to you, Victors. (Effie said at the end of her speech about the party)

Immediately Peeta and Alexandrina straightened their posture, putting beautiful, cheerful, well-trained smiles on their faces as they entered the party.People were trying to touch and take a splinter from the young Victors.

—Smile.. (Alexandrina muttered as she greeted someone)

Peeta quickly noticed the wandering stares of the sponsors and bigwigs of the capitol under Katniss, so he quickly put his hand on her waist, a little lower than he was polite.It was him marking the territory, so to speak.Katniss jumped up a little as she felt his hand under her.

—Sorry, but either I do it or before the end of the night you're going to be sold to some of these perverts. (Peeta murmured in her ear)

—What? (She questioned a little startled as she turned to him)

-—Haymitch didn't tell you about... (He questioned and she denied it) Shit! Just, just don't leave my side and don't question, not here.

She nodded and stood glued to his side as they greeted different people.

Alexandrina was a master leading Gale through the hall, trying to divert him from all predators.

She knew, that this Victor she could not save if he was sold.

Unlike Sister, Peeta took Katniss to each of the predators, showing that she was accompanied and that he appreciated her.

There were little kisses on her cheeks and wandering hands.

Katniss was uncomfortable, but Peeta was incredibly polite and gentle when away from the Capitol staff.

She didn't like that,she wanted to punch him in the face,but probably if she did her mother and Prim would pay.

Then, after walking side by side, talking to as many people as was humanly possible, the highlight of the party had arrived: the president's speech.