Author's Note: We stay with District Eight for the most part and get an insight into the other side of Calico Paylor's Games and how they provide a springboard for the first steps back for our rebel victors as we follow Eight on the Victory Tour.

….

Reward

District Four's victors did not react when they heard the name of the female tribute from District Eight. It was not safe with their escort watching them. This was the fourth year they would have to endure her company and she made no secret of the fact that she had been employed to keep watch over them. But her problem was that there was one of her and five of them every year. She had done a terrible job so far.

But they would not give anything away in her presence. They waited until she had returned to her room before checking the train's living room for audio devices before beginning their whispered conversation.

"A Paylor?" Finnick started.

"Could be a common surname."

"Or she could be one of them?"

"Finn, talk to Cecelia," Song said.

"Already planning on it."

"Mags will be so annoyed she's at home right now."

"She'll be plotting from her armchair, so we better get this right. Mags needs to know we've got this."

….

Finnick did not even have to seek Cecelia out to have his suspicions confirmed. As she was walking by on her way to prepare for the Tribute Parade, she brushed past Finnick and let him know.

"Paylor's niece. Brother's daughter. All in."

Finnick couldn't wait to get started. Whilst Mags did not usually favour engineering a victory, (he knew his survival was an exception in that respect), this would be Finnick's rebellion soon. He was going to lead in his way, and he was not opposed to using his influence more directly. He knew the role of a mentor was frustratingly limited, especially once the children were inside the arena, but the efforts of the victors combined could make his emerging plan work.

Mags had a talent for spotting victors and Finnick knew his and Noah's tributes that year did not spark her radar. But he saw the cool determination in Calico Paylor's face, her calm at being reaped and thrown to the wolves for her name and decided that Mags would recognise it too.

He took his favourite seat at the Parade, next to Halley, where they could have their first meaningful conversation of the Games in the strange privacy that the noisiness of the Capitol allowed.

"I have an early appointment tonight. A favoured Gamemaker. Don't worry, she's not the worst," he said, noticing the hike in Halley's breath. "When I'm back, meet me. Bring Poppy, Maria and Linden or Blight. I'll catch Lyme. Eleven and Twelve are being watched far too closely so we can brief them later. Keep Cecelia out of this for now. Need to keep her nose clean."

"This about the Paylor girl?" Halley answered.

"Of course. She's the real deal and I want us to start gaining ground again."

"You're off the leash now that Mags is at home?"

"Song is technically in charge, but she hasn't told me I can't do this. I think she sees it too."

"Time for some fun," Halley laughed.

"It's about time."

….

By the time of the interviews, Cecelia had figured out what Finnick was orchestrating. Whilst she was initially confused over the decision to not involve her, she understood. The Paylor girl could throw her cover. She could be no more than any other tribute in any other year. Her role was to mentor as she usually would.

She could always rely on Halley and Poppy to vouch for her children when their own were out, so their quiet endorsements and publicity efforts would not be out of character. The Paylor name meant that sponsorship was a difficult task. But if her friends could convince their contacts to push funds her way if their tributes died first, then she would take whatever she could get.

The major glitch in Finnick's plan came the next morning, however, when he walked past Cecelia and squeezed her shoulder. That was the District Four signal that their tributes were under orders and their quiet apology. It was a test for District Four, and it made Cecelia feel sick. If her girl left the bloodbath alive, Finnick and Noah could be in trouble.

But her panic was short-lived. Finnick's girl tripped down the steps on the way to the Cornucopia and was killed by Two's boy for her failings. Her girl was alive, and Lyme's boy may have made the conversation Finnick was going to have to have with Snow slightly less awkward. It was an early victory for their quiet alliance.

Cecelia realised she owed a debt to Lyme as Two's victor later whispered that she had told her volunteer that Eight's boy was a potential troublemaker. The boy had been reaped for his family name too, so he ought to be dispatched quickly. She technically hadn't told a lie, and her boy interpreted the message just as Lyme wanted and laid the first steps to Calico's victory. She was not about to go all out in support of District Eight, but some quiet assistance would not go amiss.

It was a victory for them all. Whilst sponsors had been more reticent in lending their support at the persuasion of the victors, Calico had come home and Finnick's first foray into formal leadership had been something of a success. The victors had assisted a rebel's survival. They were bolstered and could begin a steady rebuild. They had the upper hand, and even if it was short-lived, a rebel had come home.

….

"The other victors already like you, most of them anyway," Cecelia started. "That's the good part of the Tour. They wanted you to win and they want to meet you properly. Meeting you is their reward for a job well done and yours for getting out of there."

"That's why we're making gifts for them?"

"In part. But you're also becoming that fashion designer you told the Capitol you wanted to be."

Calico laughed and rolled her eyes, "It means I'm not sitting around having rebel thoughts."

"That too. It will make you look friendly and gracious when you arrive whilst also annoying Snow with a little display of unity."

"But we're pushing the business side of it too?"

"Of course. Your collection is coming along nicely."

"Does so much of it have to be yellow?"

"The district has tonnes of yellow left from two seasons ago when it was all the rage. We need to use it up. The baby blue too. Besides, they look good on you."

"Your kids laughed at me!"

"Merino doesn't know the first thing about fashion. Cali told me you looked pretty after you'd gone home."

"She could have said that to me!"

"You don't need validation from a ten-year-old!"

"Just the Capitol's money and attention."

"You've got it. Make sure that attention is for the right reasons. Your first collection will be a hit and my secret victors' collection will do its job too."

"Messages?"

"Of course. And we're going with a new theme too. We've tried Mockingjay gold, so now I'm thinking of a District Eight silver. Subtle in some places, the stitching in Haymitch's coat, and more overt in places you wouldn't expect. You'll see what I mean. I've been planning this for months."

….

The morning of Calico's Victory Tour started with the new victor posing in her going away outfit, a yellow dress with a yellow coat to match, dressed up with high heels and a handbag her stylist had sourced. Calico took questions and promised there would be more to come and further opportunities to showcase her designs.

The idea was a small collection mixing district simplicity with the brightness of the Capitol. Something for the richest in the districts to provide an aspirational feeling, whilst being appropriate for lunches, teas and shopping in the Capitol. Cecelia had done all the thinking behind it, Calico provided some of the inspiration.

Cecelia was also preparing for their departure, ensuring that Calico's collection was being carefully loaded onto the train along with the gifted items for their arrival in each district. Cecelia had wrapped them all in identical green boxes with silver ribbon decorations. She was keen to keep up her subtle messaging and symbols of unity whilst also keenly aware that she could not play this too strongly. Calico was an unwanted figure in the Capitol and neither of them could put a foot wrong.

Calico's image had to be curated perfectly. She was to become a young woman blossoming from the fortitude of having survived the Games, gracious for the Capitol allowing her dreams to come true. Thankfully Calico was able to hide her true feelings and control what she was saying in front of an audience.

….

Their arrival in District Twelve went smoothly. Nobody wanted to see how poor the centre of the district was so Calico quickly presented the Mayor's wife with her gift and shook hands with the three victors. She had handed the Mayor's wife a dress in the same style as her yellow piece but using the baby blue fabric District Eight also had an excess of. It would be an item available for sale, but this was not the moment for a business opportunity.

Nobody made a fuss out of anything. They all wanted to get inside and away from the coal-filled air. Calico emerged again for her speech in a black outfit with a chunky silver-grey scarf knitted by Cecelia and found herself clinging to the fabric for comfort. She was facing the family of the boy she had killed, and her heart sank. Her scripted words would not do the situation any justice, but she knew she could not deviate from the cards. Instead, she made eye contact with the family, nodded her head in their direction and ensured she sounded like she meant every word she said when she spoke of their tributes' bravery. It was the least, and most she could do in the circumstances.

Cecelia was right when she said that meeting the other victors would be the highlight. Katniss, Haymitch and Peeta all arrived wearing the items Cecelia had made for them. A green jumper dress in Katniss' favourite shade, a similarly coloured jumper for Peeta and a coat for Haymitch, each with discrete silver stitching at the hems and a message hidden in the collar of Haymitch's coat.

The victors made good conversation and Calico was able to play off Cecelia's eagerness to catch up with the three of them. Calico made pleasantries with the Mayor and his wife, who had also chosen to wear the dress she had been gifted, before turning her attention to Peeta who was keen to get to know her and find out about life in Eight, as a neighbouring district.

As they were leaving Twelve, Cecelia noted that the food had improved remarkably since her trip with Cotton. It was clear that Katniss' archery skills had been learnt via poaching as they had a full meal which also took advantage of Peeta's baking skills. It also wouldn't have come at a cost to the district's food supplies either, so Cecelia had quietly thanked the pair for their mindfulness.

She was also delighted that the three arrived wearing her creations. It was the sign she knew she needed. Haymitch would have understood and guided his pair correctly, but it was clear to her. Three victors in Twelve and three rebels for the cause moving forward.

Haymitch confirmed as much on her way out of the dinner, "We're all in sweetheart, don't you worry."

It was a similar story in Eleven too. Calico provided Seeder a version of her dress in a shade of orange which Cecelia knew would suit the woman perfectly. Chaff and Marshall also received shirts from the young victor's collection in a primrose yellow and all three promptly changed for their walk around the district's centre.

The walk was not something which had taken place in Twelve due to the obvious poverty, but Calico soon realised she was being shown a distorted version of Eleven as she toured their marketplace. Chaff was at pains to make clear that lots of the people on show weren't those he usually saw at the market, and it was obvious that Marshall was meeting some of them for the first time too. Chaff and Seeder spoke quietly to Cecelia whilst Calico walked with Marshall, the senior victors keen for their young peers to become friends and cement the connection between their districts as the rebel movement picked back up.

Cecelia took a different approach in District Ten. Calico gifted Charo and the Mayor's wife another of the blue dresses whilst Cecelia had made various baby items for Rosa who was soon to turn two. They were made in various shades of pink and without any silver accessories or stitching. Rosa was a little girl whose parents happened to be victors; she was not to be presented as the child of two victors. She was to be her own person, kept as separate as possible from the Games.

Calico only met the little girl during dinner. Rosa was not often present at public events but Charo, Adan and Maria trusted the other victors with her. As Cecelia had children of her own, they felt a deeper connection with the woman from Eight.

Charo and Adan were keen to put their girl in the clothes Cecelia had made as a sign of their gratitude. They were also equally excited to share their new venture in District Ten. Inspired by many of the other victors' business ventures and fronts for rebel activity, the pair were looking to take over a restaurant in the district to relieve its struggling owners. They were in the process of creating a plan for financing the business and both Cecelia and Calico were enthusiastic about their plans. Money for Ten's rebel coffers and to bribe officials to keep Rosa's name out of the reaping ball was going to be an idea that both victors would favour. If they were going to play the long game again, plans like Charo and Adan's were going to be useful.

The initial bounce from Calico's victory was short-lived. Despite the increase in numbers and plans in the most outlying districts, it was clear they were not about to launch another uprising. Calico's mother had passed away weeks after her daughter arrived home and they all knew it was no coincidence. But neither Calico, Cecelia nor their families revealed any emotion. Outwardly, they were steely and unaffected, despite Calico's inner upset.

Her victory was a moment to galvanise the rebels and ensure that a baseline of support remained, and it did, in the areas where it had always existed, and this was made clear as the Tour arrived in District Nine. Cecelia had struggled with Nine before their arrival. Calico had a dress to gift their Mayor and Cecelia made an outfit like the ones she had seen Maizey wear before to include the district in her plans. Maizey appeared genuinely appreciative, but Cecelia knew that that extended only to the unexpected gift and not from a new sense of wanting to be included in their plans. District Nine was hardly a rebel stronghold.

"They continue to frustrate me," Cecelia sighed once they had left the company of District Nine's victors.

"They're in their bubble, aren't they? They seem content."

"They are, for the most part. Apart from Barley, although his drinking seems to have settled down again. He's the one who could be turned but I don't think we could trust him. Barric and Maizey have been tiptoeing around each other for years and they just need to pull themselves together and open their eyes to it all."

….

Johanna arrived at dinner in Seven with a flourish, spinning around and giggling, wearing the dress Cecelia had made for her.

"Thank goodness it's not one of those yellow things with puffy sleeves you've been parading, new girl!"

Calico did not know how to respond, and looked to Cecelia for reassurance, laughing at Johanna's brashness.

"I don't mean anything personal by it. I get what you're doing, and it's a smart idea, good work from the pair of you. But it would look awful on me."

"And that's why I've made you something different. There's nothing wrong with liking nice things now and again, Johanna. This is unique too. Some of the others I'm going to sell in the Capitol and to whoever can afford them in the districts, but not yours Johanna. Or Mags' dress for that matter. It's solely for you," Cecelia said.

It was Johanna's turn to look taken aback before Cecelia jumped in to avoid the tone becoming too heavy, "Only because I know you'd want to kill me if you saw Capitols wearing your dress!"

After dinner, the Mayor and Capitol attendees left the victors to their own devices in the dining room. Blight brought out more alcohol and Johanna and Calico were getting along brilliantly, allowing Blight to have a quiet conversation with Cecelia.

"Johanna hasn't taken to many new victors like this. You've got yourself a winner here, Cecelia."

"I know I have. She's exactly what we need. Good for Johanna too by the looks of things. They both want to storm the Capitol and kill anyone who had anything to do with the Games."

"And I presume her mother-" Blight started.

"Not an accident."

"Well, we're not stupid here either. She coping?"

"Better than most. But she's a Paylor, takes after her aunt, who is probably one of the only people I know in Eight who could have also coped with all of this."

"She still around?" Blight whispered.

"She visits whenever she can."

Meanwhile Johanna and Calico continued their conversation.

"Don't mind the shitty comments, it's just who I am. I think you've got it right though. Doing this talent thing properly."

"What did you pick?"

"As my talent? Knitting."

Calico immediately started laughing, "That's not what I expected."

"Why I chose it. To confuse them. Aggressive, rude Johanna getting everyone around me killed whilst knitting away in the corner."

"Do you want to make it into anything? Or start anything up of your own."

"It's not my style. I'm more direct."

"You'd rather send them something that literally blows up in their faces?"

"We're going to be great friends, Calico."

….

Calico was always going to receive a warm reception in District Six. Their districts were not only geographically close, but Poppy had found people drawn to her once more following another string of horrendous workplace accidents and a crackdown on quotas rather than the improvement in working conditions that people needed.

The common ground was also laid through Cecelia and Poppy's enduring friendship and implicit trust. District Six's victors also were keen to ensure Calico knew she would find support with them.

Max was quiet and let Poppy do the talking but they had a relaxed dynamic between them, and District Eight's victors were able to fill in any gaps in the conversation with ease. After the noise and excitement of District Seven, a quieter night was very welcome before the Victory Tour made its way closer to the Capitol.

After they had finished eating and the Mayor had bid them goodnight, Poppy excused herself and it was not lost on Calico that Cecelia left shortly afterwards.

The two were talking in the bathroom, in hushed voices, ensuring that the windows were entirely closed and that nobody was behind any doors.

"It all looks to be going well," Poppy started.

"I hope so. We just need to keep going."

"I know the feeling. We're on the up again here. More accidents so more anger. They're working half a day less, and I'm surprised that's lasted as long as it has, but they're still getting hurt."

"And that's where you sweep in?"

"We're careful. Those who knew Max before have found him again and those who knew me are coming back too. Some of the others, those the Capitol never found, are seeing more people again. But it's a matter of targeting the new ones. Who is simply angry and who has the mettle to do something about it."

"People are still scared."

"Of course they are. They know why people disappeared in Seventy-Five and why we had all those executions."

"But you can pull something together?"

"Of course. We know what we're doing."

….

If there was anywhere that annoyed and confused Cecelia as much as District Nine, it was District Five. Hal had maintained thirty-one years of anger but had somehow never directed it in the right place. Even if he did finally realise, Cecelia wasn't sure if they could ever trust him. He was too much of a loose cannon.

Luna and Porter lived in their bubble. They were each other's closest friend and seemingly each other's anchor and crucial to stopping a breakdown in its tracks. They weren't blind, but they weren't interested either. They were misguided and too easily fooled by the apparent power of the Capitol and had never stopped to realise what they could accomplish together.

They thought about work and lived and breathed Five. That could have made them skilled assets. But it was a missed opportunity, on all sides, that Cecelia did not know how to put right.

They needed someone new. A new victor with a different mindset and outlook. If she saw the right candidate in a tribute, Cecelia had promised to herself that she would offer her assistance to Five's existing victors.

….

"Here she is! My muse, the inspiration for my great plan! And Cecelia, of course!" Finnick shouted, announcing his presence in the Justice Building before Calico was presented to District Four.

"I'm surprised his head fit through that door," Noah laughed, following him in.

"What are you both doing here?" Cecelia said.

"Meeting the star of the show! My little project."

Cecelia looked to Calico, "Finnick helped-"

"Helped, Cecelia? I led the charge, and it was all for you," Finnick said, turning to the newest victor.

"Calico," she said, offering her hand out.

"I know who you are, Calico Paylor."

Eight's women looked shocked and both Finnick and Noah laughed.

"Don't worry, we have it all under control here. This is not District Eight. We can talk freely."

"Still, you really shouldn't be here. The stylists will be back soon, and you'll have everyone up in arms."

"Don't start him off," Noah said.

"Well, maybe I like being a bit naughty! How about you, Calico Paylor?"

"I've been naughty all my life," Calico laughed.

"I knew she'd be worth it!"

After the initial excitement of Finnick's arrival, Cecelia and Calico settled into what was becoming their usual routine. But as it was District Four, it was an easier day. Cecelia loved District Four and it was obvious that Calico did too. In turn, their victors were delighted to see them both. In addition to Mags' dress, and their usual offering for the Mayor's wife, Cecelia presented each of the victors with a silver bracelet her husband had made and the messaging was not missed on any of them.

"Silver. I like it. A new start," Finnick said.

"Works with our traditional colours in the Capitol. We can wear them without creating too much attention," Song added.

"We carry on hiding in plain sight. Although I'm not too good at hiding, they love me too much."

The group laughed, "You're going to have to keep working on it, Finn. You've been told to start fading."

"Oh, I'll never fade, Song!"

"Never change, Finnick," Cecelia laughed.

Meanwhile, Mags had ensured she was seated next to Calico. The young victor was attempting conversation with the older victor with Chloe at their side, quietly listening in and providing a voice for Mags when she could not manage to speak.

"Mags wished she was in the Capitol to see you. You're what we needed," Chloe whispered.

"Your Aunt?" Mags managed to say.

"Doing well. Still hiding but she visits when it's safe."

Mags placed her hand on Calico's arm and nodded.

"You're going to do just fine," Chloe said. "We're so pleased to see you and to have you with us."

"Thank you. I know what you all did."

"Finn," Mags said.

"Despite all his bluster, he's a good one," Chloe confirmed.

….

District Three's victors also received silver bracelets and Halley a silver jacket which Cecelia knew would complement her favoured outfits. The two victors were excited to see each other and talk beyond the confines of the Capitol.

Halley was also eager to share her knowledge with Calico and planned to spend more time with her during the Games.

"It's because she knows you'll be on board," Cecelia said during a quiet moment.

"With what exactly?"

"Blowing the whole thing up, literally."

"And you aren't?"

"Of course I am. But my focus is on different areas. I don't do Halley's explosions and pyrotechnics."

"So, I will?"

"If you want. But let me just say that all those dyes, those chemicals we recognise from the factories, some of the stuff in your arena even, Halley knows exactly how to send all that up in flames."

"I'm sure she'll be able to persuade me," Calico laughed.

Halley had also been able to provide Cecelia with an update. They remained all in, in District Three. Their Mayor continued, having been able to shake off the suspicion that naturally surrounded him by convincingly cooking the books to make it appear as if all was in order in District Three.

They had cut back on sabotage and instead focused on the various devices and technologies that could be accessed and controlled remotely. They had thousands of devices heading into the Capitol that could answer to District Three at the right moment.

The victors knew it might take a while for the other districts to catch up but for now, the rebels held control of Three and were doing what they could to mitigate the Capitol's interference. They had already played the long game once; they could do so again.

….

The dress Cecelia made for Diana was the highlight of the Victory Tour. A perfectly timed showpiece in silver, beautifully designed to fit the theme Diana and Marcus had adopted during her Games. The young victor looked especially beautiful, and everyone knew it.

The outfit was the talk of the Capitol and Cecelia knew this dress was going to bring in a lot of money. It was mission accomplished as far as her collection was concerned.

Both of Eight's victors had a surprise during their short stay in Two. Calico when she saw Lyme in the silver blazer Cecelia had made, and again when Cecelia confirmed Lyme's true allegiances. The leader of Two's tribute training programme, an outwardly fierce supporter of the Capitol was actively working against them. Calico realised immediately that Two was more complex than she had given them credit for.

Cecelia's surprise came as she spoke to Lyme about her work for the Tour.

"You've done a good job with all of this. Subtle shows of unity, new silver branding, and a business opportunity for your new girl. You're good at this Cecelia."

"As are you. I figured you would be a good choice for one of my latest pieces. Silver rather suits you. Looks far better on you than it would Brutus."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Cecelia. It may not be his thing now, but I'm sure I can convince him."

Cecelia almost choked on her drink.

"I know him better than anyone else. You take Baria. I'll get through to Brutus. It's the best way to bring the others along. Trust me."

….

They were spoilt for choice in District One with their choice of models. Calico made a show of her pieces whilst Aria, Gloss, Cashmere and Augustus were fussed over, trying on various items Cecelia had brought for them.

"Gus is a decoy. The others are targets."

"Here? In One?"

"It's not all as it seems, here. Gem can tell you that."

"But why those three?"

"They're unhappy. A little push will do it. And the Capitol will expect to see them dolled up if we've been clothing everyone else."

"You're on brand, Cecelia," Gem cut in, interrupting the women from Eight.

"Just doing my best. We need everything to go perfectly."

"Well, I would say you've done a good job so far. Nice messaging and a good look for the new girl here. Warm, gracious, generous, taking advantage of the opportunities provided by our great Capitol," the older woman laughed.

"You know what you're doing too," Gem continued, looking right at Calico.

"I try my best," Calico said before Gem pulled her in close.

"Find a way out of it, my girl. Make something out of all this business. Don't let them hurt you for any longer than you have to."

….

The inevitable happened in the Capitol. Clothes, food, parties and a high-ranking government minister and an influential businessman who both wanted to spend time with Calico. She despised them for it and could not wait to return home.

But the entire time, she was thinking about what Gem said. About how to find her way out. She would not be able to manage this for long. She felt as if she had lost control of her body in the most intimate way, worse than the arena itself and she knew she would not cope if she kept on being sold. Calico had no idea how Cecelia managed it for so long.

"I didn't," Cecelia confessed after the pair had returned home. "I got married and got pregnant, quickly."

"That's not going to work for me," Calico said.

"Then we try something different. The clothes, they give you some agency over what you put on your body, even though it's for them, you have control."

"That's the way we go, isn't it? Halley got them to want her differently, and they were keen to punish her too you said. Not as keen as they are to hurt me, but she found a way to make sure it never happened at all."

"Halley was lucky too. I came before her."

"I'm sorry Cecelia, I didn't mean to-"

"Stop apologising. I've moved on. I can talk about it. Not all the others can. Aria is a case in point and she's falling apart, I could tell when we saw her. But I know you're different again. We can find a way to cut this short."

"They need to see me differently."

"The businessman, how bad was he, to be around I mean?"

"Better than government guy. He was disgusting."

"Could you work with him, Calico?"

"What, make him money instead of him spending it on me?"

"Exactly. Well, he'll need to invest at the start, and you'll need to spend time with him of course."

"But we could convince him that I'm more useful out of his bed."

"Yes. You met his wife too? Design something for her, get her on your side."

"Do you think it will work?"

"It won't stop it all immediately. But you get him and the wife to like you. I'll check they're not into anything weird or dangerous to be around and we make it work."

"You'll help with it all?"

"You're stuck with me, Calico. I thought you knew that by now. I'm not going anywhere and we're going to be brilliant."