"You sound like a child when you say that."

"You always sound like a child," Taiya glared.

"Well that was witty," Finnick laughed as he tucked some hair behind her ear.

"Well that was witty," Taiya mocked back in a high-pitched voice.

"See, you sound just like a child," Finnick leaned in to peck her lips.

"Not my masterpiece!" Effie gasped, not wanting the makeup she'd just spent time applying to Taiya's face to get ruined. Taiya merely smiled at the woman before she pulled Finnick back in. "Why do I even bother," the woman huffed.

"They're an acquired taste Eff," Haymitch consoled his district's escort. "They grow on you eventually though. Like a fungus."

Taiya released her hold on Finnick and pulled back to glare at the man. Haymitch was waiting for this though, and he merely wiggled his fingers in a wave at her, so Taiya just flipped him off. The fungus comparison had not been appreciated.

"Come on Effie, we have a speech to write for the Mockingjay."

"I even told them Haymitch. Before I put on her lipstick I said this is your last chance."

"I know Eff, they never do as they're told."

"I hate this jumpsuit," Taiya pulled at the collar. Every moment leading up to her filming it seemed to be getting tighter around her throat. Choking her whilst her anxiety grew.

"They're standard. Everyone wears them," President Coin spoke up as she entered the room. Taiya had to fight every instinct to hold in her eye-roll. "No exceptions."

"Don't," Finnick warned quietly. He knew she was going to imitate the President's last sentence, which definitely would not have been appreciated. She was stressed and nervous, which didn't typically lend itself to good decision-making if her past performances were to be analysed.

"I'm sure I don't need to remind you Miss Ambersnow," President Coin took a seat on the other side of the room. "But you producing a propo we find beneficial to the rebel cause is a requirement if you're going to continue your visits with Mr Mellark."

"If she didn't need to remind me, why'd she say it," Taiya grumbled to Finnick.

"Let's just smile and get through this," he grinned brightly at her, trying to prompt her to do the same. But she just stared blankly at him. "Hmm," Finnick frowned before using his fingers to lift the corner of her mouth into a smile. "Yep, there it is. Stunning as always," he winked.

Taiya couldn't help but giggle as she shoved him off. "You're an idiot."

"And I love you too."

"Finnick," Plutarch waved the boy over. "We're ready when you are Taiya."

"Break a leg!" Finnick encouraged.

"I'll break their legs," Taiya grumbled before marching over to the chair they'd set up for her to do her propo in. She took a seat and glanced over at Finnick who immediately shot her a thumbs up.

His positivity had been almost nauseating all morning, in an attempt to counter Taiya's foul mood. Waiting overnight to film the propo in hindsight had not been a great idea. She'd spent the whole evening and morning worrying about the repercussions of what she might reveal. Most of what she knew she'd gotten from Tigris, and Snow would know the source instantly. She wasn't about to put the woman who'd worked to keep her protected for years in danger.

"Alright, whenever you're ready, just introduce yourself," Cressida smiled.

"Hi, my name's Taiya Ambersnow, the coolest cat in District 4."

"Cut," Plutarch huffed.

Taiya fidgeted in her chair as she tried to suppress her grin. "Oh I'm just really nervous," Taiya fluttered her eyes at Plutarch and Coin, "I'll go again, it'll be better."

"I told you we should have cleared Tyler's schedule," Plutarch muttered to Coin.

"We've made enough exceptions for her already," Coin merely shook her head.

"Tay," Finnick came to her side and leaned down to her ear. "The faster you get this done, the faster you can get out of here."

Taiya huffed. "Good point," she grumbled. "Ok, let's go," she nodded, letting Finnick return to his seat.

"Ready," Cressida nodded.

"This is Taiya Ambersnow, victor of the 67th Hunger Games."

"Can we try it again with more gusto?" Plutarch interrupted.

Taiya let out a loud huff in frustration before she turned her glare to him.

"Or do it your way, I trust your vision," he smiled, throwing his hands up in defeat.

"Hi!" Taiya smiled widely before dropping back to her normal face. "I'm Taiya Ambersnow, victor of the 67th Hunger Games. I'm sure most of you know my story from my fiancé, Finnick, he explained some of my history whilst I was being rescued from the Capitol, but now I'm here to tell it in my own words."

Taiya cut herself off, needing to take a few deep breaths to calm down.

"Why don't you tell us a little bit about your family?" Cressida prompted.

"I was the daughter of the mayor of District 4. Caspian Ambersnow was my father. My mother was Azalea Ambersnow. I was extraordinarily lucky. I know that. I know what a lot of people go through in the Districts. I had a very easy life in comparison. Then when I was 14 my best friend Finnick was reaped, he won. A year and a half later, as you will have heard, on his 16th birthday, he was propositioned by President Snow, which I will not be elaborating on. However, he refused President Snow's order and in retribution both of our parents were murdered in a boating 'accident'. He then accepted the order but backed out, and as punishment, I was reaped. My mother's worst fear was me being reaped, I'm glad she didn't have to see that, she wouldn't have coped. She barely coped as it was with the thought of my name in the reaping bowl. My aunt was reaped in the 50th Hunger Games alongside my good friend Haymitch. She died. I was named in her memory, born nearly a year after. In my games, my other best friend Theo volunteered, he wanted to help me. I lost him. He died in my arms. I had to watch his last breath leave his body, feel his heart take its last beat, hear his last words. And that…" Taiya trailed off. "That broke me. And I developed a fear of snow."

Taiya looked over at Plutarch and Coin with a proud smile which they didn't seem to match. She had to distract herself with a joke so she didn't burst into tears.

"You get it? It's a double entendre. I have a fear of snow like the weather and Snow like the President. It's funny."

Plutarch let out a chuckle, but Taiya didn't believe he meant it.

"Tough crowd," she grumbled. "President Snow wanted more power, power over the Games. He wanted to be able to control them. What happens inside the arena is just about the one thing he doesn't have total control over. So he forced me into a sham relationship with someone who ended up becoming one of my dearest friends. Seneca Crane. I loved him dearly. But it also exposed me to Lucius Creed, and he's an ass, we should all hate Lucius Creed. He should be target number one for the rebels. That's Creed, C.R.E.E.D. Anyway, Snow knew Seneca Crane was going to be promoted to Head Gamemaker eventually and he wanted me in his ear manipulating him and telling him what to do. For half of our relationship, Seneca thought the relationship was real, but he stood by me even after he found out the truth about what was going on. Even after he found out I had always been in love with Finnick. Unfortunately, by the time the 74th annual games came around, Seneca had gotten swept away in the showmanship he always envisioned for the Games. I tried to stop him, but he loved the romance of Katniss and Peeta. The ratings were up. He'd grown detached from the realities of the Games and he only saw it as a TV programme. He wanted ratings, he forgot what the Games symbolised. But President Snow never forgot. So Seneca allowed two winners, and Snow murdered him in retaliation. He forced him to eat the same poison berries that Katniss and Peeta had threatened to eat in the arena. He killed him because he lost control over him. He left him to die alone. That's also why Snow killed most of the victors in the Victor Purge two months ago. If he can't control someone, he can't let them live. Whether you're from the Districts or the Capitol. No one is safe. To our dear President, we are no more than puppets for him to control. I refused to marry Seneca, he couldn't control me, and Theo's cousin Annie was reaped, my cousin Shark volunteered and lost his life so I could be taught a lesson. I agreed to some of his terms and as an incentive he made sure there was a District 4 winner that year. Annie. He put me, his puppet back on its strings."

This was the bit Taiya was nervous about. She couldn't reveal everything Tigris had told her, it'd be too obvious. So she'd only be able to skim the surface, and she had to pray it was enough for Coin.

"Why does President Snow have such a need for control? Well, just like the third coolest cat in District 4," Taiya winked at Finnick. "I've got some secrets to share."

"We can edit," she heard Plutarch reassuring an irritated President Coin.

"Does anyone know the truth about President Snow's childhood? Precious little do. But there are a few out there who do. They tend to roam in the dark corners of clubs in the Capitol," Taiya lied. "The one problem he incidentally caused himself by having me be by Seneca's side all the time, was I got to socialise with those I never would have had the opportunity to speak with usually." She was laying it on thick to try and divert any suspicion away from Tigris.

"The Snow family has always been rich you might assume. No," Taiya shook her head. "President Snow grew up in a poverty that he is too arrogant to confess to. He would eat his meals at school, as his family had no money to provide meals at home. The Snow family had well and truly fallen from grace, but he kept it hidden, too ashamed to admit to his school friends just how destitute he was. If you ask his childhood best friend, Fetsus Creed, he will attest to having no idea about President Snow's childhood poverty. Just to correlate that, Lucius Creed is Festus Creed's grandson, and I cannot stress this enough. Lucius Creed sucks."

"District 12!" Taiya clapped her hands together loudly, making Plutarch jump. "Our President's favourite district. Did you know our good President Snow spent time in District 12 as a Peacekeeper? I certainly didn't. I think he leaves that off his resume. He was stationed there alongside his other good friend, Sejanus Plinth. Unfortunately, our dear President returned home alone, his best friend had been hanged in District 12 for treason. And once Coriolanus Snow returned, he was named the heir to his friend's family fortune, saving the Snow family from ruin. What a strange set of circumstances, and yet somehow Snow managed to work his way back into high society. Weird, weird, weird. I wonder who turned the young Mr Plinth in… hmm," Taiya sighed sarcastically. "It's very hard to guess."

"God this is boring," Taiya groaned, as she sat on her hands to try and stop them shaking.

"Do you need a break?" Plutarch asked. He seemed to sense that her agitation was more due to anxiety than actual boredom.

Taiya just shook her head. "I'd rather get it done. Umm… what else… oh yeah. How strange is it that Dean Casca Highbottom's name disappeared from all of Panem's school curriculums after President Snow ascended to power? Almost as though someone rewrote history in an attempt to remove a teacher who didn't like them. Weird again," she drawled. "Snow killed Hamlet Gaul by having him drown in the bath, retribution for the dam breaking in the 70th Hunger Games and flooding the arena. The 70th Games were riddled with issues. Seneca adjusted the 70th Games for me and changed which sections were going to be active with mutts so they wouldn't be near my cousin. He also told me that the water was drinkable in those games, that's why Annie and Shark were the only ones who drank the water straight up."

She wasn't about to confess to the full amount of knowledge she had regarding the 10th Hunger Games, but there was one thing she could say. It could have been leaked by a couple of people other than Tigris, so it was relatively safe to reveal.

"It may interest you to know, that President Snow has first-hand experience of what it's like being in the Hunger Games arena. President Snow had to enter the arena during the 10th annual Games to retrieve a classmate who'd broken into the arena in the night. You can bet the tributes didn't appreciate two posh Capitol kids being in the arena they were locked into. So they attacked a young President Snow and his friend, unfortunately, Snow was just injured, a shame. But he got to experience what it felt like to be locked in a death arena. To feel what it was like to be hunted down. To feel the pain of someone slicing into your skin out of desperation to be the last one standing. For any sane person, that kind of experience might help you sympathise with the tributes and what they go through. But not our President Snow. No. He killed the tribute who attacked him, and in his mind, we District folk were solidified in his mind as nothing more significant than animals, with a base kill or be-killed instinct. Even after experiencing the Games firsthand, he still is unable to think of District citizens as anything better than animals."

"I think we have enough," Plutarch interrupted.

"Really?" Taiya asked, letting out a sigh of relief. She hadn't been speaking for that long in reality.

Coin seemed to think the same as Taiya as she turned to Plutarch in anger. "I'm not sure I agree."

Taiya looked at Finnick, he'd left his chair and was standing behind Plutarch. He must've whispered something in the man's ear to convince him to let Taiya stop.

"We can crop what she's said and bombard them with spurts. It'll be easier to hack into the Capitol system that way. With the engagement party as well she's held up her end of the bargain."

"Yeah!" Taiya nodded and Finnick silenced her with a look.

"What do you say, madam President?" Plutarch asked.

"Fine. If you can use her clips effectively. But we will call you back here if we need more, is that clear?" Coin asked Taiya.

"Crystal. Can I say one more thing to the camera though?"

Plutarch just nodded for her to continue.

"Also P.S, Lucius Creed is an asshole!" Taiya added. "And all the rebels should take him down first." She hadn't spoken to the lecherous man since Seneca's funeral, but she hated him with every fibre of her being. She didn't know how Seneca could stand being around him, if one good thing could come of the rebellion, it'd be taking him out.

"I think that message has been received," Plutarch smiled.

"Oh, I want it super super clear. I hate him."

"What did he do?" Plutarch asked, always eager to involve himself in Capitol gossip.

"He's a disgusting jerk. He was polite enough when Seneca was watching, but he constantly made comments about how I had to take most of my clothes off in my games, he's a disgusting pig to every woman in the Capitol. And he bought Cashmere. He is irredeemable. I want you to promise me you won't cut out those parts, I want him to be scared."

"Alrighty then," Finnick came over to put his hand on Taiya's shoulder. "Let's go get you a glass of water," he started to steer her out of the room. "Here," he took ahold of one of her hands to try and stop the shaking.

He'd been trying his best to keep Taiya's mind off the Capitol. He knew she had to film this propo, but he didn't want her dwelling on that place any more than she had to. Whenever she spent too much of her day thinking about it, she tended to have worse nightmares than the days he'd been able to keep her adequately distracted. And now she was going to be worried about any potential repercussions for Tigris if Snow learnt where she'd gotten her information. It was just a good thing Plutarch had let her stop before she got to the big story, Lucy Grey.

"How are you?" he asked.

"I'm fine. I really don't like Coin," she whispered.

"Yeah I picked up on that," he smirked, kissing the side of her head as they walked into the cafeteria. "Here, park it," he walked her to the table Annie and Mags were sitting at. "I'll get you a drink," he turned to leave before he automatically spun back. "I'm the third coolest cat?" he asked, referencing her comment from her propo.

"Yup," she nodded.

"So who's the second coolest?" he asked with a frown.

"Mags," Taiya winked at the older lady.

"Hm. Yeah, that's fair," Finnick accepted, quickly kissing the top of Mags' head before he ran off.

"How was your propo?" Annie asked.

"Well I got to leave early," Taiya smirked.

"Because you did such a good job?" Annie smiled brightly.

"I blew their socks off."

Mags tapped Taiya on the arm before signing in the air.

"Yes, Mags, I behaved perfectly fine."

Mags continued signing in the air and Taiya's mouth fell open.

"Do you not trust me Mags?" Taiya joked. "You can ask Finnick. I promise you I behaved."

Mags still looked sceptical though.

"Do you think purple would look good on Tyler?" Annie interrupted.

"Like purple clothes?" Taiya asked as she turned to look at her friend.

"No," she sighed, frustrated at not having been understood immediately. "I mean lipstick."

"Lipstick?" Taiya suppressed her smile. "I think that purple lipstick would look excellent on Tyler. What made you think of that Annie?"

"Mags and I have been making lists to stay distracted," Annie explained, it was her current therapy. It kept her distracted enough that she didn't focus on the rebellion as much. "I've been making lists of birthday presents I want to get everyone. I think Tyler would like purple lipstick," she smiled as she drank her glass of water.

"I think he'd love that sweetie," Taiya laughed. "Hang on, what did you have on your list for me?" Taiya frowned.

"A sea shell bracelet. Would you like that?"

"Oh thank god," Taiya sighed in relief. "I really would Anniekins!"

"I knew you would," Annie laughed loudly. "Finnick broke your last one in the last victor games we played on the beach remember?"

"Yeah I do remember," Taiya sighed. Who knew a game of eye-spy could get so aggressive? He'd been so excited about guessing the object correctly he'd accidentally tugged way too hard on the bracelet and snapped it.

"One tea for you my dear."

"Oh, yes, I love you," Taiya smiled, accepting the mug of tea from Finnick. "Thank you."

"What were you talking about?" he asked as he sat down.

"Lipstick," Annie answered.

"Lipstick for Tyler for his birthday," Taiya elaborated. "Purple lipstick."

"For Tyler?" Finnick snorted. "Excellent idea Annie."

Annie sat smugly in her seat, proud of herself. She knew it was a good idea.

"Ah, ew, ew, ew," Taiya lowered her mug after taking a sip. "You made it with milk first didn't you?"

"What? It tastes the same!" Finnick argued back. "How can you even tell?"

"Why do you insist on making it wrong?"

"It's not wrong if you get the same result. Tea is tea."

"That is blasphemy. Tea made with milk first is an atrocity."

"I'll tell you what's an atrocity, the fact that you can't admit it's the same."

"It's obviously not the same, I knew straight away!"

"Oh please, you didn't know, you just assumed."

"It tastes different, that's my whole point."

"What are you two arguing about now?" Buck asked as he came and joined the table.

"Try this," Taiya pushed her mug over to him.

He frowned but acquiesced and took a sip.

"You!" he immediately glared at Finnick. "You made it with milk first!"

"See!" Taiya laughed, pointing a finger in his face. "Buck didn't know who made it and he could still tell straight away, it's the taste."

"I've warned you Finnick. You can't make tea that way," Buck shook his head.

"What are you going to do about it big guy?" Finnick challenged.

"If you would," Buck gestured to Taiya.

She immediately nodded and jammed her fingers into the side of Finnick's waist, making his whole body jerk.

"You want the tea Annie, hon?" Taiya asked the girl who'd been quietly observing the argument. "It's made the way you like."

"Oooo yes please," she reached forward to take it. "Thank you, Finnick."

"She's my favourite now," Finnick declared, high-fiving Annie. "The rest of you can continue your weird water first life and know that I hate you all."

"I'm not bothered by that," Buck shrugged.

Finnick then smirked and leaned over to whisper something in Taiya's ear. Her eyes immediately widened in terror.

"What'd he say?" Buck asked.

"He said he's going to raise our kids to be milk-first people!" Taiya gasped.

"Tay. Dump him. It's too late for him, but save your non-existent kids."

"Trauma bros time!" Taiya cheered as she burst into Peeta's room where he and Johanna were waiting.

"Trauma bros? Are you serious?" Johanna rolled her eyes.

"I like it," Peeta smiled lightly.

"You see, Jo. Try a positive attitude every now and again like Peeta," Taiya dumped the bags of straw on Johanna's lap.

"Pirate time?" Peeta asked.

"Pirate time," Taiya nodded, shoving a hat onto Johanna's head.

"I hate you both," she grumbled, but didn't remove it. "How'd you even get the straw?"

"Gale wants to make Finnick jealous for some reason. So may as well use it to my advantage and get some stuff out of it. The day before he left for District 2 I got him to give me his bagel at breakfast and I gave it straight to Gloss," she chuckled. "You should've seen his face. Anyway, I told him these would be good for Peeta's recovery therapy, but really it's just for playtime."

"You have the mind of a child," Johanna laughed.

"Dr Everden calls it a trauma response in therapy actually, thank you very much."

"She says your childish tendencies are a trauma response?" Johanna clarified and Taiya nodded. "Makes sense."

"Alright, you two bozo's. Watch and learn, we're going to be making swords so we can have a sword fight. I'll make it slowly, so just watch me and copy. It's fairly easy, but the trick is to get the strands of straw as tightly bound as you can, that way it'll hold its shape better. Johanna, what are you doing?"

"I'm starting," she shrugged as she wound straws together.

"That's not how you make a sword, Tanbark!"

"I'm doing it my way."

"Your way is wrong. Why can't you be good like Peeta? He's being patient and waiting."

"Fishstick, if I need your help. I'll ask."

"You're my favourite Peeta. I just want you to know that."

"Ready when you are Fishstick," he smirked at her.

"Now look what you've done," Taiya shoved Johanna's shoulder. "You've corrupted my bread boy. He was so sweet and innocent and now he's spent five minutes in a room with you and he's turned into a bully."

"Just make your sword Tayden, I'm already going to beat you in the sword fight, I don't want to finish making this before you as well."

"You're on Joseph," Taiya glared. Challenge accepted. "Alright Peeta, follow me very carefully, and prepare yourself. We're gonna smoke her ass."

Katniss is back next chapterrrrr!

ShiaraS46: haha! Her stabbing Plutarch is over now... but her being a headache for Tyler is not!

4: Your comment made my day when I read it! Thank you so much, like it was actually so kind, thank you! I think "which is weird because death game, am I right?" is gonna be one of my favourite quotes now haha... idk why but it made me laugh! Taiya is just collecting misfits like Pokemon haha! They've all got to stick together. Pita bread, Jo and Taiya are gonna get some more moments, they're gonna be a cute band of buddies together and Taiya is going to be such a friend for Peeta, which is good because he doesn't really have any friends other than Haymitch at this point in the story. I mean this is at the bottom, so you've probably seen the chapter, but her care level for the propo's is a little low haha, just a means to an end for her to get access to the bread boy!

MarvelousMadameMimosa: Omg hahaha your poor flat mate! But also, yes, torture them with the rundown I love that! But your review made me blush and kick my feet so thank youuuuuu! Like I'm not joking, I'm full blushing! You're actually the sweetest person ever, and you are a certified legend in my books!

Guest: haha yeah you must be up to date! It's not a completed story yet :)