-Ruthie Mercras, 13, District 6-

This was all… Big. Everything about the night was big. The crowd? Huge. The buildings? Giant. The personalities? Big enough to fill the entire bounds of where the tributes were allowed to be.

And Ruthie? Well, she didn't feel very big. As much as she tried, she just… Well, she couldn't shake this feeling of nerves and anxiety. Her District partner seemed to have it all together – dancing and singing and living it up there with some of her competition. Ruthie envied them – despite the knowledge that all of this was just a huge coping mechanism. One from kids that were worried that this was their last day on earth.

And now that she'd lost her ally in the crowd… Ruthie felt even smaller. She just felt so lost. She wasn't one of those people that could just forget it all and dance the night away. But the reality of this situation was that as fun as it seemed, there was no fun to be had here. This was all strategic. And Ruthie, being young, and being shy, had to work twice as hard as her competition to even have a shot at getting out of here. It wasn't fair. But she couldn't show weakness now. Otherwise, all the hard work she put into this would be in vain.

But Ruthie soon knew she wasn't alone – the first indication of that being the smell of coffee wafting into her nose.

"Sup, kiddo?" Ruthie looked up at her mentor's voice. Gian smiled at her and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh, not much," she said, laughing a little bit as he took a sip from his cup. "Normal people drink alcohol at a place like this, y'know?"

Gian laughed a little bit, but he couldn't keep up his smile as he shrugged. "I'm prepared for a long night. And a long couple of weeks after."

Ruthie frowned a little bit, staring at her feet. She was well aware of her odds. And she couldn't help but feel some pity for her mentor. "Do you mentors really sit and watch us twenty-four seven?" she asked.

"Some do, some don't," Gian told her. "Some mentors value self-care and sleep when their tribute is asleep regardless. But… Some can't see past a young life on the line, just like ours once were."

Ruthie nodded with a small sigh. "Right," she said. She felt a little bad that her mentor would do that on her behalf. But at the same time… It was her life on the line. As much as she wanted to tell him it was okay… This was a few of Gian's nights of sleep against her life. "Thank you for doing that. You're one of the real ones."

Gian smiled a little bit and took a long sip of coffee. "I was the lucky one. I'm gonna try and make you the lucky one too. That's the blessing and the curse of the Games. You have to play hard, but ultimately… It all comes down to luck."

"For a small brainy thirteen-year-old… That's reassuring," Ruthie said, trying to make him feel better. "Plus, I have an ally and I'm playing hard. You know that."

"I do," Gian said, reaching over to squeeze her shoulder. "We're gonna work together here for our District."

Ruthie noticed him staring into the distance and followed his gaze to where Riggs was standing with June and watching Dante dance with the same Capitolite boy he'd been with practically all night. She could see the worry in his eyes about his boyfriend.

Ruthie sighed a little bit, but she didn't like sitting in awkward silence and curiosity was getting the best of her. "Do you always get attached to the tributes?"

Gian sighed a little bit. "Well, let's see. First, I fell in love with one. Then, I've had three young girls after my own heart in three years after. I see myself in them. And Riggs… Well, he's seen himself in a few here and there too. That's…" he sighed a little bit at Riggs giving Dante and his new friend some hearty high-fives. "…why it's so hard to lose them."

Ruthie sighed a little bit, guilt about what he was going to have to go through for her to win crashing over her. "Oh."

"But it's absolutely worth it if we can get one of our tributes home," Gian said. "That's your job now. Not giving me therapy," he teased, ruffling her hair a little bit. "You're wise beyond your years, Ruthie. It'll do you well in the Arena. Just try to stay out of your own head."

"I will," Ruthie said, giving her mentor a smile as he took another sip of coffee.

"Hey Babe!" Riggs waved as he called out to him and jogged over to them. "Hey Ruthie."

"Hi Riggs." She knew that he wasn't openly against her, but she still couldn't trust him like she trusted Gian. She noticed how Riggs grabbed Gian's hand and could see the tension in his arm as he was squeezing it tightly. She was glad that Gian had someone to support him through this, he just… was also mentoring her competition. There were just so many layers to every single relationship forged in the face of an event like this… She just had to keep her head level and focused. "I… Should be going."

"If you need anything, just let me know," Gian said, but his voice broke a little bit. Ruthie's face was a little bit pained as she turned away from them, and heard shifting. When she looked behind her, she saw the couple hugging each other tightly, and felt a small press of guilt on her chest at watching how much they needed each other. She'd never known such raw desperation until she was put here, and now it was a familiar feeling.

But Ruthie had to keep her eyes on the prize here. She had a job to do, and she was going to do it. She looked around for her ally and found him at the food table. She knew what he was trying to do – linger there and greet every VIP that went to get food – but he looked a little bit like a creeper. In a million years Ruthie never expected to be the normal one of her alliance. Or, at least, as close to normal as someone like Ruthie can get.

Ruthie kept her head up as she walked towards the VIP section. She'd practiced talking to sponsors with Gian and Ani so much, she was absolutely ready for this.

"Ruthie!"

She was just about to get to Kaoru when a group of Capitolites closed in towards her. They were all old and each of them ghastly in their own different way.

"Oh, uh, yes, that's me," she said with a slightly awkward laugh. All the practice in the world couldn't prepare her for the real thing – all of that pressure that was being put on her, at such a young age.

"Welcome darling, how have you been enjoying the party?"

Ruthie laughed nervously but quickly caught herself. Total confidence, that was what Gian said. Fake it til you make it. "It's been great. Have you been on the Ferris wheel yet? I've been meaning to go. Can you see the whole city from there? That's what I've heard."

The plump green man that was at the front of the pack cleared his throat, obviously surprised at having a question fired back at him. "Oh, why, no. I haven't, actually!"

"That's okay," Ruthie said. "What do you recommend I eat for dessert?" she tried instead.

"Oh, now that I can help you with!" he said with a hearty laugh. "You absolutely must try the truffles. Oh, but also eclairs! And I think they're making mini lava cakes! Don't worry, for a lady with your stomach, you can take some of the vomit juice, as we call it." He laughed a little bit as he gestured to where there were glasses on the end.

"The… What?" Ruthie asked. Morbid curiosity creeped up on her.

"Oh, you District kids," said a lady that looked like a bird, shaking her head. "You drink it and it makes you purge. It's simply the only way to ensure you try everything!"

Ruthie made a face at that. "Why would anyone want to do that? That sounds awful…"

"Simply because we can," someone else said.

"That… Sounds painful. Just like it would be painful to put on those big gaudy eyelashes every morning, does that hurt?" Ruthie looked over at the woman. "Do you do that just because you can too?"

A few people standing around them gasped and Ruthie involuntarily winced at having offended the VIPs. Oh no… She could see them glaring at her and a lump formed in her throat. This wasn't how this was supposed to go at all. She messed it up and she wasn't sure what she was going to do now. Under the gaze of the sponsors – who were much taller than her – Ruthie curled in on herself a little bit, taking a few steps away from them.

"I'm sorry," she tried to backtrack. "I didn't mean it-"

"Oh, there you are." Ruthie instinctually relaxed at hearing his voice, and when Kaoru put his hands on her shoulders, she pushed herself back against him, comforted by him being there. "I was looking for you." He looked at the people that were glaring at Ruthie. "I'm sorry… Is there a problem here?"

"This girl!" gasped the bird woman in offense. "Someone ought to put a muzzle on her."

"I'm so so sorry," Ruthie said quickly. "Kaoru, please tell her I didn't mean any offense!"

"I'm positive she didn't," Kaoru said, but his wary gaze didn't leave the lady. His voice took on an edge. "Let's go Ruthie."

Ruthie had never heard him speak like that before. Usually Kaoru was anxious, unsure, soft. She knew to took him seriously and followed him when he used his hands on her shoulders to guide her away from them, out of the VIP area and towards the quieter sidewalk with streetlamps and trees.

Ruthie frowned when he let go and slowly sat on a bench. Ruthie slowly lowered herself down next to him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I-we- we should have stayed and tried to patch that up!" she said. "We should go back." She tried to get up, but Kaoru grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back down to sit next to him.

"Don't."

"Those people could be the difference between life or death, Kaoru!" Ruthie said, pushing his hand off of her shoulder.

"Those people want you to surrender your dignity, and I'm not going to let that happen to you or to me." Kaoru shook his head. "There are so many other sponsors that are looking for people to throw money at."

"What if word spreads?" Ruthie asked, shaking her head and grabbing handfuls of her skirt in frustration. "Don't you want to stack our cards here?!"

"Of course I do, and we are!" Kaoru let out a frustrated groan and stared at his feet with a small sigh. "I just… Did not want to watch you grovel to those people, okay? There are other fish in the sea."

"In case you didn't notice, groveling is the name of the game at this point." Ruthie crossed her arms a little bit. "I understand that you want to protect my dignity, but… If I had to choose between dignity and life, it's a pretty easy choice. Thanks, Kaoru, I appreciate you looking out for me, but… This is something I have to do." She stood up and this time he didn't physically stop her. But he did call after her.

"If you surrender it now, you'll never be allowed to have it back. It's what they want, Ruthie."

Ruthie stopped in her tracks and looked at him over her shoulder. A pained expression crossed her face knowing that he was right. "I have to give them what they want to live. I don't have the advantage of being strong, or fast, or a volunteer. If I have to be the dancing monkey to stick out, and be remembered, and get food when I'm starving, then so be it, I will." But her eyes filled with tears. That wasn't what she wanted to be at all.

Kaoru stood up to give her a tight hug. "I respect that. And I'll be doing everything I can to pander as well. I just… Well, that's a line I wouldn't cross, that's all."

Ruthie hugged him back. It was stupid, but she wanted just a little bit of comfort. "I get it," she said quietly. "But what else do I have?"

"You kidding? You're a total wildcard," Kaoru said, pulling back a little bit to look into her face and gently dry her tears. "You're small, you're cute, and you're smart. You let the Capitolites talk about themselves and that's their favorite thing to do, even Piccolo. I think that's just human nature."

Ruthie smiled a little bit. "I guess so. And… At least for now… I have you."

Kaoru gave her a sad smile and pushed away her tears. "Oh," he said quietly, obviously surprised to hear her say that. "I… I guess so."

Ruthie smiled. "You're right. I want to see if I can get more sponsors before I get back. I don't want to sacrifice my dignity. Not when I have enough going for me elsewhere."

Kaoru smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "Atta girl."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't help but overhear." Ruthie looked up and pressed a little closer to Kaoru at the man that was taller than both of them. He pushed a lock of red hair behind one of his pointy ears. "And I respect your integrity. And I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels that way."

Kaoru cleared his throat. "O-Oh," he said quickly. "Uh, thank you. Oh! This is Ruthie Mercras. District Six." He gestured down to her and Ruthie waved. "And I'm… Kaoru."

"Andy, nice to meet ya. And… Well, unfortunately there's not much I can do, but I can introduce you to my benefactors who can help you more. They'll take my word for it, trust me."

"Thank you so much!" Ruthie said, elbowing Kaoru to get him to stand up straight and follow as Andy set off towards the VIP area once again. She was so glad that Kaoru was there. And… Hopeful. Hopeful that she could have the best of both worlds.

Because no matter how much pain it would cause to herself, her family, her friends, Kaoru… The thought of pleasing these vain assholes forever…

It was a fate worse than death.

~.~.

-Amiah Amaryllis, 18, District 5-

This was everything Amiah ever wanted, and more. The energy was just so high. Everyone that was here just… They had that mutual understanding that no matter what the situation was, they were alive now, and should enjoy it. There was no room for grief or sadness here. Otherwise… Well, if they were upset and grieving now, they might as well just die. Die and clear the way for someone who genuinely enjoyed life and was going to fight to keep it. This was no place for tears. Amiah certainly wasn't going to be caught shedding any of those. She was going to get out of this alive. She was going to show them that she was the one that loved living and she deserved to leave that Arena.

So yeah, she was going to enjoy being here.

Why would anybody not take advantage of the wild energy happening around them!?

Amiah finally conceded to leaving the dance floor to take another drink of punch. She knew there was so much more to do, but it was so hard to draw herself away from the awesome music from the happy people that brought that joy to so many others… It was so good for her to watched. She wanted everyone to cast away their grief and see life how Amiah saw it – the only right way. A gift, that they were all lucky to have. How could they all be so ungrateful?!

Look at Kaoru. Last time Amiah saw him he was so sad. He was so ungrateful for the precious moments he had, and chose to spend them sitting away from everyone and crying when he should have been with his sister and smiling. But now… Well, when he was reaped he acted like it was the end of the world. But he was so happy now. He was with Ruthie and she was sticking to his side like glue. He had found that acceptance and family that he always wanted. He was finally able to let loose. This was a blessing in disguise for him all along! That was the great thing about life. It always had a way or working out. Tying everything up in a nice little bow.

Amiah grinned at her fellow tributes. All of them, faced with such a tough circumstance, now smiling and laughing and dancing the night away. It was wonderful to watch!

She sipped her punch and watched the crowd open up for a dance-off between Kodiak and Ridley, the crowd cheering. She couldn't help but smile at watching the two of them go like that. Allies, friends, just taking a moment to smile and breathe, even in the face of adversity. That was living.

Mary came over to Amiah, giving her a double finger point. "Hey!"

Amiah smiled and couldn't help a little shimmy in her hips of excitement at seeing her ally. She gave a wave hello and grinned as Mary smiled at her.

"Having fun?"

Amiah grinned and did a spin in response to that, her huge smile indicating the answer to that question. She absolutely was having fun. She just enjoyed watching everyone and dancing the night away to some awesome music.

"Yeah, it's pretty awesome," Mary commented with a grin. "I never thought I'd ever be here doing this." She frowned a little bit and her gaze went back to the dance floor.

Amiah shook her head at her, dancing and keeping the energy up high to keep her ally from being upset. Here was absolutely not the time for that. Mary perked up right away at that, smiling back at her.

"I never thought you two were both going to be off the dance floor at the same time," Rory commented with a smile as she approached. "You've been going like little dancing fiends all night."

Mary smiled at her and shrugged. "It's fun!" she said, and Amiah shook her butt a little bit to prove Mary's point, grinning when the tips of Rory's ears went a little red at witnessing that.

"Yeah, these hips don't move that way." Rory shook her head.

"Oh come on," Mary said, shaking her head at Rory as Amiah gently put her hands on Rory's hips while moving her own to show her what to do.

Rory sighed a little bit, and Amiah soon realized that she was right – Amiah didn't know how her hips were moving, but it was not right. She giggled a little bit at that.

"Maybe leave it to the experts!" Mary said with a giggle. "How can someone be eighteen years old and still dance like a mom!?"

"Because I am a parent," Rory said, her smile fading a little bit at that as she looked at Amiah and Mary.

Amiah could absolutely not let her remain upset. How did Rory not understand what a gift it even was to be here?! She gently took Rory's shoulders to dance with her, not stopping until Rory gave them another smile.

"What is UP ladies!?" the booming voice surprised Amiah as she saw Odessa coming towards them with the drummer from One Man Circus leaning heavily against her with a goofy grin.

Amiah giggled at how goofy he looked while Mary looked excited more than anything to meet him and Rory's eyebrows creased.

"Hey squad, this is my new bestie," Odessa said, gesturing to Bonnie who was hugging her arm and swaying a little bit, barely able to stay upright.

"Odessa is my new bestie," Bonnie said with a hiccup and a small giggle. "She got me another drink and guess what, I really like drinking!" Amiah grinned at him hiccupping and tried to imitate the sound.

"Is… He okay?" Rory asked, squinting a little bit at him.

"Oh, he's perfect," Odessa said, ruffling his hair. "Right?"

"Oo, yes, I sure am perfect!" he said. "Yeah, Odessa saved me from stupid homewrecker Lester."

Rory squinted a little bit at them and Amiah started moving to the beat a little more. She hated standing still.

"Yeah and Bonnie here knows the best place for good donuts and he's going to take me there, right Bestie?"

Bonnie's eyes widened like saucers. "Donuts," he said. "Yes!"

"Oh, that sounds awesome!" Mary said, practically ready to burst. "Can I come?! I have so many questions about what it's like to be a celebrity for real!"

Odessa smiled and pat her ally's head. "Sure thing. But only if you don't take all the lemon-filled."

"Deal!" Mary said cheerfully, clapping her hands a few times.

"Oh, being famous is hella fun but also annoying as hell!" Bonnie said, putting his arm tighter around Odessa. "People tryn'a snoop in all your business all the time. But you get to look cool as hell and have people singing happy birthday 'nd shit." His brows furrowed. "Because you earned it yourself and you're not just a figurehead. And I'm not, I was there to help for interrogations and talk to the Head Commander frequently so y'know what fuck you Lester! I'm doing important shit too!"

"Lester?" Rory asked, immediately squinting at the drummer and not smiling anymore. But Amiah still thought it was funny, the way he was swaying a little bit while tripping over his words. He was just drunk.

"My bestie's having some issues," Odessa said with a small snort. "Come on you big oaf, let's go get some donuts and you'll forget all about it."

Bonnie lit up right away at the mention of donuts, practically pulling Odessa along as Mary hurried behind them and singing something about raspberry filling.

"…Okay, bye then," Rory said sarcastically, trying to give a smile.

Amiah giggled as they went, Bonnie's steps heavy and almost tripping over himself as he went, shaking her head at how silly they were. But she was happy to see Odessa make friends, and how excited Mary was as well… That was what this night was all about. She just wished that Rory would realize that and cheer up a little bit, because it was tough for Amiah to watch her be upset like this.

"Well, I'll catch you later," Rory said. "I'm gonna go try to rally up some more sponsors."

Amiah smiled. Thank you, she signed – one that she was pretty sure most people would know after Ceru last year. She smiled as Rory walked away from her, releasing a small sigh. This was why life was so important to fight for.

She was once again alone. But here, nobody was ever truly alone. She was barely left for two seconds before she was being approached by a small group of Capitolites taking pictures and holding a microphone.

"Amiah, what were you talking about with your allies?" someone asked.

Amiah could feel heat rising to her face. She danced a little bit, but the reporter didn't look happy with that response. "Can we get a quote?" She furrowed her brows a little bit, but didn't let it get to her. She knew that they were looking for something they could write down. She finally stopped and switched to sign language to give that to them. No biggie. We got to meet Bonnie and talked about-"

The next question came at her while she was still signing. Amiah stopped her thought, trying to keep up with the question, but they were coming faster than she could sign and…. Well, it was becoming pretty obvious that they didn't know what she was saying with how frequently they asked her questions. And yet, they were writing things down. So surely they knew the signs…

"How will Odessa react to you calling her out that way?"

Amiah looked up at that, her eyes widening as she quickly shook her head. I never said anything about her! Odessa is my friend! She could feel those bad emotions forming inside her, but Amiah couldn't let them out now. She loved living. I'm alive. That was what mattered.

But… This was so overwhelming, and they-they were putting words in her mouth that she never said. Soon, people were asking questions about Odessa and Amiah couldn't shake her head fast enough for them to keep throwing accusations at her. That's not what said! Stop!

The questioning was ceased quickly by a voice that Amiah only knew vaguely.

"She said stop! And… That's not what she said." Amiah looked over her shoulder at Ryder Kota of District Two, biting her lip a little bit at them being there, and looking at her, as the questioning ceased for a second.

Odessa kept signing and Ryder watched her and communicated. "Odessa is her friend and there's nothing going on with them," the translated, and Amiah gave them a grateful smile.

"Ryder, what is your relationship with Amiah!?"

Ryder put an arm around her. "Competition and nothing more. No further comments, let's go."

Amiah sighed a little bit as she walked with Ryder, towards the dessert table.

"Why don't you have an interpreter?" Ryder asked finally, releasing her.

They offered. I said no. Amiah shrugged a little bit. I would rather demonstrate that I don't rely on someone else. Never have before.

Ryder's face got a little red. "Oh. Sorry for intercepting then… you could have told me no."

Amiah just sighed a little bit. No. It's good that you did that. They were going to misquote me if they had the chance and there was nothing I could do.

Ryder shook their head a little bit with a small sigh. "That's not right." They sighed a little bit. "My step-brother, Shani. He signs too, and it's amazing how people pretend they understand and be there for him without learning how to best communicate with him."

Amiah smiled sadly. I think Ceru is changing that.

"I think so too," Ryder said with a smile. "Yeah, despite District loyalty lines… Me and him were both cheering for him anyways. But don't tell Nadia I said that. Y'know, because…"

Amiah smiled and made a zipping motion on her lips and winked at them. She understood. But she wanted to do good things just like Ceru did when he won. Continue the push for more accessibility. Amiah was successful, but it was because she worked twice as hard as anyone else. She knew that she could if she pushed herself and was proud of herself for her success. Even here, she had to work twice as hard, and she was going to do it. Then, she was going to make the world she loved even better. If people just understood how good it was to be alive, perhaps they would make their lives better.

Thanks for that.

Ryder's smile became sad as they sighed a little bit. "No problem. You enjoy the rest of the party."

Amiah smiled and started to move to the music again, grabbing their hands to spin around with them and give a big smile. She grinned when they started to smile more because of her and let them go when the song ended, patting their shoulder. She would let that be her way of saying, you too.

She smiled as Ryder waved and then jogged over to Wendy who was talking to a small group of teenage Capitolites and striking poses with them, received warmly with open arms. This was a bad situation, but that didn't mean that kindness didn't exist here.

Kindness existed everywhere, she knew this, all it took was a little bit of searching sometimes to find it.

And if it wasn't found… She would be the one to make it herself. That was who Amiah Amaryllis was and she was going to keep putting smiles on faces as long as she lived. That was her purpose, that was the best reason to keep on living. She was going to fight for this life that she loved, and do whatever it took to reach as many people as possible. At this point, she had no other choice.

Amiah Amaryllis wasn't done living yet.

~.~.

-Cadmus Brekken, 18, District 9-

Cadmus sat back and angrily took a bite of his donut.

The stakes were never higher.

This, tonight, was the ultimate test of Cadmus's strategy. He had to charm those sponsors off of their feet and get them behind him and Paisley… But mostly him. He had to totally separate himself from his parents and show that he was the one they wanted to win the Games.

And yet… He was totally fading into the background, and he knew it! All of his fellow tributes were making a name for themselves and getting all that good press.

Look at his damn District partner, for God's sake! Cadmus couldn't help how his eyes narrowed as Odessa just sauntered into the donut shop with Bonnie fucking Bunsen on her arm. How the fuck did Odessa just magically gain a brand new and extremely famous bestie in ten minutes!? It didn't matter that he was pretty drunk, it was the principle of the thing! And just look at them, everyone was trying to get damn pictures of them while Cadmus sat right across the room. He could hear Bonnie talking about how much he adored Odessa, and how he couldn't wait for her to be a Victor. But Cadmus didn't trust his District partner for a single second.

How!?

Cadmus continued to glare at them as he took another bite of his donut and got some cream filling on the side of his mouth. Absolutely ridiculous.

He heard a camera click in his direction – finally – and realized that he totally had cream on his cheek. Oh… Fucker! He couldn't believe this. His disappointment was immeasurable and his day was ruined. Cadmus quickly wiped his mouth and just stared at where Bonnie was drunkenly trying to do a name song for Odessa – before blanking on the letter O and giving up with a giggle. The crowd loved it.

"What's gotcha down, Champ?" Cadmus looked up at his ally's voice as his lips pursed in a tight frown as he put the donut back in his mouth.

"I was just trying to enjoy my fucking cream donut in peace. Then my District partner just waltzes in with a drunken celebrity claiming that they're besties."

Paisley looked over at those two and laughed. "More like his babysitter. C'mon, dude, don't get all worked up about this. It doesn't mean anything. None of this means anything. If anything, you should be glad that she's wasting her time babysitting the blueberry and not talking to the people that actually have the dollars like us."

Cadmus finished his donut and licked his fingers as he looked over at them. Paisley… Had a point. But at the same time, Cadmus really felt like she was getting somewhere. Look at all the attention they were getting. Attention that could have been going to him and Paisley. He didn't even notice how tense his shoulders were until Paisley put her hand on one and he relaxed them a little bit.

"Dude, don't worry about it," she said. "Just remember, tomorrow, they won't be looking for the one that has the most pictures and interviews. They'll be looking for the one that wants it most and will do what it takes to win. And that's us. Do you really think that's her, Cadmus?"

Cadmus looked over to where Bonnie was grabbing her cheek to pull her lips up into a smile – despite the fact that she was already smiling. She looked so innocent there. But Cadmus still didn't trust her. He wasn't going to underestimate anyone, especially not her. He'd watched her play almost every manipulation card in the book – an extremely smart strategy, to pretend that she was truly a District girl at heart to her allies while telling the Capitol she was one of them. All of her good press could certainly counter all of Numitor's bad press last year. Cadmus knew that she was capable of so much more than she let on. But if Paisley wanted to underestimate her… He would let her.

"I suppose you're right," he commented as he dipped his napkin in his water glass to wipe the sticky off of his fingers.

"And while you're here and everyone's paying attention to Ren and Stimpy over there, I have a new development." Paisley leaned towards him, and Cadmus got a nice view of her cleavage. Not that he was looking there, she just made it real obvious! But this was exactly what Paisley did. Her sex appeal was her biggest strength, so her nightmare was that post-nut clarity.

"Shoot." Cadmus leaned forward towards her and smiled, allowing his gaze to go down to the lipstick she was wearing. Let her believe he was caught up in her web of beautiful sexual evil. She obviously thought he was a man that thought with his penis. Well, Cadmus thought with his brain, and only a little bit with his penis.

Paisley wiggled her eyebrows at him, noticing his gaze, and then just grinned at him. Look at how proud she was. It was cute how she thought he was truly that easy. "I'm trying to get an in with a Career."

Cadmus choked on his own spit and started coughing a little bit. "Hold up, let me be drinking when you say that again so I can do a spit-take."

Paisley laughed, but her laughter cut off abruptly. "You heard me."

"How?" He started thinking about the Careers. Paisley never flirted with girls or enbies – which Cadmus found foolish given how sexy she was, but whatever – and two-thirds of the Career boys were gay.

"We were in the car with the tributes from One. Look, Cadmus, the Career politics are enough to fill an entire string board with confusion but the long and short of it is this. "That nasty little make-up wearing drag queen is the leader of the pack, his District partner had a highly-publicized spat with Basil. And while homeboy is certainly not correct, he's valuable, and here, that's what matters. If we can pull in Basil, he might bring a friend with him. Come on, the he-she from Two is all buddy buddy with their leader, that puts Basil in a compromised position."

Cadmus gaped a little bit at hearing her talk this way. That… Was not cool. But what could he do? She was right, it wasn't about who was correct. It was about who was valuable, and right now, Paisley was all he had. "You really think this will work?"

"I'm plenty confident," Paisley said. "Come on, all of his allies have been fraternizing with the competition, if he's any smart he'll do the same."

Cadmus considered that. "It's possible," Cadmus said. "Do you want me to try to talk to him?"

"Leave it to the master," Paisley said with a confident smirk, putting her hand on Cadmus's chest when he tried to stand up with her. "Down, boy."

Cadmus sat back down while she walked away, but he couldn't help how much he was fucking simmering. He knew she was a bitch, but that callous disrespect was crawling under his skin. What would his siblings say if they knew he let her say something like that, competition be damned… He knew how upset they would be if they watched Cadmus allow himself to get bossed around by someone like that.

But… He had no other option at this point. The only other tribute he talked to had absolutely no interest in living it seemed, or fighting. And Cadmus needed someone that was going to fight tooth and nail. Paisley was that for him, right now. Otherwise, he was out of options.

Cadmus sighed a little bit as he stood up. Paisley wouldn't be leaving that Arena alive. Cadmus was going to prove himself to everyone. This was all part of his strategy, and it was just… A delicate waiting game.

But is this worth it?

Of course it was. Anything was worth living, and getting back to his family.

Cadmus watched Odessa and Bonnie leave the donut shop with a small sigh, the press following him and leaving him with quiet. He had to get in with some of these Capitolites. Hell, even Vasilisa, who had absolutely no knowledge of social conduct or boundaries, managed to mesh up with someone. He knew that Paisley was right and they were looking for someone who was willing to play the game, but if it got down to him and Odessa, who was it that the sponsors were going to send money to? The one that was still being talked about by one of their favorite sweethearts, that was who! No matter how many people Cadmus killed.

He took a sip of his water and got up to throw it away. He had been charming at the banquet, and he was going to be twice as charming now. He had to do something to make them remember him, that wasn't being Paisley's obedient lapdog.

Cadmus took a deep breath to center himself and then put on his most handsome and dashing smile as he strolled out of the store, looking around the crowd. He had to get them on his side… And he soon found the perfect target.

"Excuse me!" he put up a hand as he cut through the small group of reporters and paparazzi that had wandered over to this tucked-away corner of the Square.

The girl looked up at him and smiled a little bit. "Oh, uh, hello!"

"You look a little lonely. What's a cute girl like you doing here all by yourself?" The Capitol loved a good love story. He felt bad for doing this to her, but… Nothing was beneath him when it came to his family.

"Oh, uh… Just trying to get a little break from it all. Being famous is way different than just having Freddy trying to take a picture of me in my underwear."

Cadmus's brows furrowed. "I'm sorry?"

Lizzie laughed a little bit, but she was obviously guarded as she hugged herself with one arm. "It was a bet," she clarified. "Before we got famous. We were trying to prepare for the press. But nothing really prepares you for everyone, does it?"

"Definitely not," Cadmus said with a laugh. He'd charmed his way through life so many times before, when someone accused him of running drugs, he would sweet-talk them into a better deal for him. Set himself up better for his family. "This is wild."

"It sure is," Lizzie said with an awkward laugh, looking around for a moment.

"Where are your bandmates?" Cadmus asked. "Is that who you're looking for?"

"Yeah," Lizzie said with a nervous laugh. Stop being nervous. Cadmus had to be charming, and patient. "Bonnie is hanging out with your District partner, Freddy is on the Ferris wheel with Vasilisa from Eleven, and Mari… I actually don't know where Mari is, she just disappeared." She laughed nervously.

"Okay, you have to explain this hairstyle to me," Cadmus said, finally. He reached over to flick one of the tendrils of hair that was hanging out from the two buns on top of her head.

Lizzie tensed up at his hands near her, so Cadmus pulled it back. "Everyone's been getting their hair done this way, including tributes."

"It started because Mari had her hair in space buns that were done by Jill Jansing. Then, I wanted them, and so did Lester the intern. And eventually, a line just formed where Jill was sitting and people just kept going over. Anakyn came with a comb to help her out and they just made a little assembly line."

"I see," Cadmus said. "Well, perhaps my ally Paisley will go there. But my hair isn't really long enough for that."

"Yeah, it'd be hard to get that hair into pigtails. But it is, uh… Poofy."

"Is… That a compliment or an insult?" Cadmus asked with a grin. "Either way, you're not wrong."

"I… Don't know."

"Cadmus!"

Cadmus had to try to not physically cringe at hearing the voice of his competition.

"Alvis… It's… Always a pleasure."

Lizzie lit up at seeing him. "Hello Mr. Shirogane!"

Cadmus's eyes narrowed at this. At how comfortable she got when he came over. "You… Know each other?"

"I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Afton at the banquet," Alvis said. "What brings you here?" He narrowed his eyes at Cadmus and he could see that territorial look in his eyes as Lizzie stood a little bit closer to him.

Cadmus bit his tongue. This wasn't a fight he was willing to pick with him. "Donuts," he said finally. "But I figured while I'm here… Why not just meet everyone I can?"

Alvis's hard look faded into a warm smile when Lizzie looked over at his face. "I see. Were they good? I'm slightly hungry and looking for a good place."

"Yes, they were great. Cream-filled is my recommendation." Cadmus knew that he was a smart guy, and didn't trust him for a damn second, despite how nice he seemed on the outside.

"Great! I'll be sure to get one for myself and let them know who recommended it to me." Alvis gave him a smile. "Care to join me?"

"I should be going," Cadmus said, clearing his throat. "Thank you though."

"May I join you?" Lizzie asked, grinning when Alvis held out an arm to her and taking it in hers.

"See ya round," Alvis said, walking into the store with Lizzie next to him.

Cadmus sighed quietly at that. Apparently, the world hated him and he wasn't going to be able to spin a story that way.

But that wasn't going to stop him. He wasn't going to allow anything to stop him. He was going to play the game exactly how they wanted him to play it, he was going to do anything to survive, even if it meant doing things he hated, things that went against his moral code, for the sake of living. He'd done it plenty of times before, this wasn't new to him.

His family had lost enough.

They weren't going to lose him too.

~.~.

A/N: I was trying to finish the party before I got on the road for PA, but I'll take finishing ¾ of it any day. I am gonna get this party finished before the summer is up, that's for sure. If I had it my way, the BB will be posted sometime in August, but I'm about to have a real stressful few weeks with moving so I can't make a promise I can't keep.

So, we have 2 more chaps after this til the Bloodbath! Again, my goal is to get it posted in the summer when everyone can read right away, but we'll see. Thank you for your support until then!

CQ: Last party chapter coming up next! Any predictions for chaos next chapter with Adrian, Ryder, and Alvis?

Can't wait to see you then – and apologies in advance for when it's inevitably waaaaay long.