Author's Note: And we start with the Quarter Quell from the other side of the Games. Back with the canon and my OC victors in their roles as mentors with a couple of new additions who are trying to adapt to their new lives and the years ahead of them.

….

Welcome

Peeta could feel the eyes of the other victors watching as he entered the room alongside Katniss. They were denied the standard Victory Tour so most of those who surrounded him, were people he had never met. Of course, he had heard about them and seen them on television, but now he was officially one of their number.

As it was a Quarter Quell, each of the districts that could do so had brought more than the required two mentors. Peeta knew that they were about to be introduced to almost the full roster of victors and he was sure it would be overwhelming. He knew from Haymitch and his own experiences that victors were complex people, so he was unsure what to expect in spending the coming days and potentially weeks in their company.

Peeta had met Finnick and Mags at his wedding, as some of the very select number of victors invited for the Capitol's entertainment. Gloss and Cashmere were there too but Peeta knew that Katniss had not taken to either of them, so he decided not to seek them out. He nodded in Finnick's direction, smiled at Mags, and stood beside Haymitch who was to introduce them to his closest friends.

They were immediately approached by Chaff and Seeder, who greeted Haymitch before turning their attention to them. Chaff hugged him and swiftly moved to pull Katniss into a kiss before joking that he ought not to be kissing another man's wife as Seeder swiped at his arm and apologised to them both.

Knowing Katniss would be uncomfortable, Peeta stepped in close as they were introduced briefly to some of the other victors before being readied for the Tribute Parade. Being back in the Capitol and at the heart of the Games only a year on from having survived was disconcerting and Peeta felt out of his depth. He knew how to act and what impression to create on a superficial level, but he was only just learning the basics of the games that many of the victors had been playing for decades.

Thankfully, his time with the prep team was much shorter this year. The cameras would be watching him as a new victor. But it would be his tributes, people he knew from school, who the audience would focus on. He did not know how to manage being a mentor this year and he knew that Katniss felt the same. The tributes were older than them both in the traditional sense whilst Peeta and Katniss had more varied life experiences. These were people he went to school with and who Katniss lived close to in the Seam and now they were accompanying them to die. Peeta was under no illusions about District Twelve winning the Quarter Quell after the trouble of their double victory last year.

He found Katniss and led her to their designated seats, stopping to shake hands and talk to the people Haymitch pointed out as he walked ahead of them. These were the people who had sponsored Katniss and Peeta so they should act suitably grateful and engage in polite conversation.

"I don't want to sound like Effie but remember you're on camera and this is your first year as mentors," Haymitch muttered. "Remember to have your happy faces on when our two appear. Just be pleased Cinna and Portia won't send them out there naked."

Peeta watched as Katniss threw Haymitch another glare at his comments, but they both knew it was all true. They would be watched; the audience would look for glimpses of them and Twelve's tributes had been sent out on parade naked before. Thankfully Cinna and Portia were far superior to any of the previous stylists Twelve must have had and would not humiliate them all.

As the anthem began and the tributes emerged, Katniss reached for his hand. He quickly took his hand in hers and moved closer to her, feeling her breath sharpen.

"It's horrible," he whispered, careful to cover his face in case anybody picked up on what he was saying. "But at least it's not us anymore. Just take deep breaths. At least this part is over with quickly."

Peeta realised that Chaff had overheard him as Eleven's man leaned in, "Horrible feeling, isn't it? This first year. Feels too close yet removed. You're relieved but horrified in a new way. You get used to this bit, even if you don't the rest."

Peeta nodded. He didn't know what else to say. He simply watched as District Two's pairing stole the show and his and Katniss' tributes were met with enthusiastic applause. They looked good. Cinna and Portia had done a good job, and the tributes were clearly able to follow stylistic direction. They looked confident and about as powerful as two underfed eighteen-year-olds from the Seam could.

Haymitch echoed Peeta's thoughts, "We've got something to work with. What good it will do I don't know, but it's better than usual. You'll be doing interviews soon, so I'll meet Effie and let the pair know they've done a good job and that their mentors are pleased with them. You can remind them of that during dinner too."

As if on cue, one of the Games runners was racing up to the stand where the victors were sitting and announced that Peeta would be doing the usual interview with the previous year's victor whilst Katniss was to join Cecelia on the fashion segment of the post-parade show. The main interviews were to be held with Noah and Brutus as mentors of the tributes who garnered the most attention during the parade.

"You'll do great," Peeta said to Katniss in an attempt to reassure her. "Cinna has spoken to you about it, just say what he told you to."

"Easy for you to say," Katniss replied.

"Just imagine you're talking to me, or Cinna. Just not Haymitch, I've seen how you glare at him."

As Peeta went to join the runner to head towards his interview, Katniss was approached by Cecelia.

"Katniss, Cecelia," District Eight's woman held out her hand. "Come with me, I do this bit every year."

Katniss felt as if she had no choice but to follow the woman as she looked behind her to Haymitch for reassurance. Her mentor simply nodded and gestured for her to keep up with Cecelia.

Eight's woman continued talking as Katniss hurried to catch up, "Given your new talent, I imagine they're lining you up to replace me on this. They always like a younger face every few years."

"Oh. I'm not sure I'll be any good. I don't want to do interviews."

"Then that's fine. Just don't be as good as me at answering their questions!"

"That will be easy. I don't know what I'm talking about."

"Don't worry, you won't be the first victor to pass off someone else's work as your own. We all see it as a bit of a joke anyway, this talent thing. I imagine Cinna has spoken to you about the designs you're showing off, just talk about what's familiar to you. Oh, and don't forget to talk positively about the kids. Your pair did well, make sure the Capitol knows that. If you're stuck, I'll help you. I realised I've been doing this as long as you've been alive."

….

Effie had ushered the children back to the penthouse with Cinna and Portia whilst Haymitch stayed to watch the interviews with Chaff. Unsurprisingly, Peeta did a fine job. He was quickly getting used to presenting himself in interviews. He appropriately praised Twelve's children whilst drawing attention to Chaff's boy, who despite his stature, had become lost in amongst the excitement of Two and Four's tributes.

"Your boy's done good, Haymitch. He's a natural. Done me a favour too. You'll be out of a job soon enough," Chaff laughed.

"I've got no problem with that. The boy can do all the interviews for all I care. I trust him not to make a mess of things. The girl though, we've got to work on her. She's too impulsive, can't act to save her life."

The two men watched as Brutus and Noah bantered about their tributes and who would end up with the most sponsors. It was clear that both men were confident in their chances in the Quarter Quell. But the interviewer soon cut through their jokes to move the evening show on, and they soon found Katniss and Cecelia in their seats, ready for their turn.

Noticing Haymitch tense slightly, Chaff joked, "Don't worry, how much damage can she do talking about clothes!"

"Everything she does causes trouble."

"Taking after her mentor!"

….

"Katniss, how wonderful to have you here, in your first year as a mentor, in a Quarter Quell year too! How exciting this must have been for you!"

"It's already a new experience, seeing the Games as a mentor. I'd never thought about what the parade looked like for the audience here in the Capitol either."

Cecelia quickly joined in on the conversation to try to take the pressure off Katniss, "I'm sure Katniss will agree, but it's a lot to take in at first, all rather overwhelming. Especially after the year Katniss has had! I remember being a newlywed myself!"

"It's all been so exciting hasn't it, Cecelia! I can't imagine how delighted you must be feeling Katniss! Your victory, your wedding and now you're back with us again! And having worked with Cinna on your new projects, you must have an insight into the work our stylists have been doing in preparation for this incredible event."

"Of course. I'd never realised just how much work is involved in making these outfits. Just like last year, Cinna and Portia have done a brilliant job. Twelve looked fantastic. Like Peeta and I, they're proud to be from Twelve and I think their outfits said that."

"Did Cinna give you any hints as to the outfits he had been preparing or was it a surprise?"

"Cinna wanted me to be surprised tonight."

"And who else caught your attention?"

"It was difficult to ignore Two and Four, but I thought Cecelia's girl looked great. She's determined and we could all see that."

….

Cecelia and Katniss left the interview together with District Eight's woman having to stop the younger victor from breaking into a run to escape the studio.

"You did fine!"

"It was obvious I don't know anything about what you were talking about."

"That doesn't matter. Nobody will notice. It's all inane chatter anyway. Something to fill their empty brains here."

"Am I going to have to do this every year?"

Cecelia laughed, "Interviews, yes. Probably not the fashion slot all the time. They sometimes get someone from One. There will be lots of attention on you and Peeta for a while yet, so you'll have to get used to it. Speaking of your husband, I haven't been introduced to him yet."

….

Peeta decided to spend his time observing. He had spoken to the people Haymitch asked him to, got some attention for his boy and some substantial sponsorship offers too. But Twelve was being ignored in favour of Two and Four, so it gave Peeta a chance to watch.

He was seeing Haymitch in an entirely different light. Peeta was surprised at how charming his mentor could be. Not the polished, classy charm Effie favoured, but there was something easy-going and relaxed about him which drew people towards Haymitch. Of course, he held them all in contempt. But some of the Capitol attendees seemed charmed at his thinly veiled insults and enjoyed his jokes. Peeta was unsure whether they understood what Haymitch was saying about them or not.

But Peeta enjoyed seeing Haymitch with the other victors. He was his best self with them. It was obvious that there were deep friendships among many of them and their company seemed to lift a weight from his shoulders. Whilst Haymitch hated the Capitol, he was not alone in his misery in Twelve, and the victors understood him. He was one of them.

Haymitch had told him he would find out who else had been involved in the failed rebellion attempt whilst he was here. Following Orchard's death, Woof, Claudia and Levi also passed away. There were reports of attacks on the victors from districts Three and Four too, so Peeta presumed that most, if not all of the victors from those districts were also involved. It was no surprise to decide that Chaff and Seeder were heavily involved, having seen their district and their bond with Haymitch.

Peeta watched as Haymitch took hold of yet another drink and approached Blight of District Seven. This was clearly another established connection and whilst Johanna had a reputation as a troublemaker, Peeta decided to watch the other victors from Seven too. He was beginning to realise that the victors were far more than their public personas.

….

The time before the first day in the arena passed by quickly and before Peeta felt prepared, he was being shown the controls in the Mentors' Centre by Haymitch and Effie. His escort, he realised, went above and beyond her remit and was comfortable in the Mentors Centre. None of the other victors were perturbed by her presence either so Peeta realised that Effie must have stepped in to assist Haymitch in the years he had spent mentoring alone.

All too quickly, Effie had left them and Peeta and Katniss were sat at the controls with Haymitch looking on. They received their first glimpse of the arena and Peeta's heart sank. Katniss was the only District Twelve tribute he could think of who would have known how to swim. He certainly did not, and the thought made him panic, as if he were in the arena again, only now with the prosthetic leg that he was still trying to adapt to.

Katniss noticed his increasing panic and took hold of his hand, "You're not in there. It's not you. We're here, together."

Peeta caught his breath and slowly began to focus once more. He was not in imminent danger, but the children in his care were. His boy was next to Two's girl and Katniss' girl stood alongside Two's boy. This was no coincidence and Peeta knew what it meant. Twelve would not be given a chance this year. He wondered how many more years they would find themselves in this same situation.

He was not surprised when both children died. At least it was quick, and they would be brought back to the Capitol shortly. There was nothing he could have done. Whilst he hated feeling powerless, Peeta knew at heart that he was not responsible. Only he knew he was not going to get rid of the misplaced guilt anytime soon.

Katniss sat with her head in her hands, fighting tears, but before Peeta could try to comfort her, Haymitch spoke up.

"Not Twelve's worst by any means! One minute and forty-five seconds and two minutes twenty! The water slowed the inevitable, but I think that puts them in the top seventy per cent."

"Haymitch! Seriously! The kids are dead and you're joking like it means nothing. Go get a drink or something, at least it will shut you up," Katniss shouted as she stood up sharply and walked away from the control desk, unsure where she intended to go.

Seeder got up and followed her and Peeta could hear her trying to reassure Katniss that it was always worse the first time around and that they'd find a balance. Joking was Haymitch's way of dealing with it and Seeder would rather he joke than drink himself to death.

Peeta silently agreed. He remained staring at the blank screens in front of Eleven and Twelve's stations before saying to both Haymitch and Chaff, "That was always going to happen, wasn't it? To all of ours, right at the start."

"You're learning quickly, boy. Of course it was. It wouldn't have happened any other way. Just a question of whose kids did the job."

"Were they told to do it?"

"I think you already know the answer to that," Chaff continued before he moved closer, "So you know who to blame too. The Twos make these things quick, and the Fours don't want to be caught up in this trouble. Mags and Chloe apologised on the way in, so we knew it was coming, and we'd never blame them."

"He's not always this mature," Haymitch laughed, having overheard Chaff's advice.

"And neither are you!"

"I might take the girl up on her suggestion and get myself a drink after all this serious talk."

Chaff moved to join Haymitch but as he left, he turned to Peeta, "Don't worry. I've got him. You're doing fine too, both of you. She'll calm down. It was pretty tame compared to some of the first death strops we've seen."

Peeta turned to watch the scene in the Mentors Centre. The career mentors were huddled, reviewing the situation as the bloodbath ended. He could see that District Six's victors shared his and Katniss' fate as he overheard them discussing the inevitability of it all and their relief that it was over quickly. The older man announced he was going to bed and his peer moved to help him get to their floor before letting Cecelia know she would be back to assist as soon as she could.

The Sevens had both of their children alive and were conferring about their approach with the sponsors. It appeared as if an alliance with the girl from District Eight was a possibility too, so Peeta watched as they began to discuss strategy with Cecelia.

The group was also approached by the younger victor from District Three who had brought over drinks from the bar and announced she would watch over the children if they all decided to approach the sponsors. Both of Three's children had also died and she wanted to make herself useful.

Beyond the arena, there were wider alliances at play between the victors and Peeta was unsure where he and Katniss would fit in. He was roused from his thoughts by Maria, the oldest victor from District Ten who was also waving Seeder and Katniss over.

"You need to learn what to do, the pair of you. So, when you do get a pair that is allowed a chance, you're not acting like fools. Charo's girl is still alive, so she and Adan are going to go play the sponsors. You can help me watch over the girl and I'll show you how this all works," Maria said, gesturing to the desks in front of them.

As Charo and Adan departed, Maria invited them to sit at the empty chairs at Ten's station.

"Why are they going to the sponsors now?" the older victor started.

"The girl is still alive. She's settled and far enough away from anyone else that nothing is likely to happen," Katniss replied.

"Good. Exactly. The horror show is over, the careers are preening whilst everyone else has scarpered. The Gamemakers won't try anything now unless all twenty-four were somehow still alive. Plus, you want to avoid being surrounded by sponsors when your kid dies, it's horrible. It will happen to you at some point. The Games are the Games. But you want to avoid it, especially in your first years."

Maria showed them how to move the screens around to bring up different images to assess the surroundings in the arena and Katniss interrupted, "No signs of fresh water."

"My thoughts exactly. That will become a problem. There doesn't look to be anything at the Cornucopia either, so that will mean the volunteers will be on the move soon enough."

She continued to show how the screens could be used before moving on to sponsor gifts, "You can bring up this screen here and see what is available and what the prices are. It's a Quell so everything is stupidly expensive. You want to do this right at the start, ideally, so you can get more information on the arena and begin prioritising for when they do make it out of the start alive. So, what can you tell from the list?"

"There's only weapons at the Cornucopia so there aren't many on the list. The ones on the list are the most expensive items," Peeta started. "Lots of medicines too."

"Yes, so you'd have to be stupid, or stupidly desperate to parachute in a knife right now. And the medicines are varied so we can't narrow down exactly what the threats in the arena are," Maria replied. "What else?"

"There's water in the arena somewhere," Katniss said. "Only empty containers on the sponsor list."

"Exactly. But this list can change too. If nobody finds water and they start dropping, we'll be able to buy it. It all plays into the Gamemakers' hands, and we end up doing their bidding."

….

Peeta watched on as Katniss found herself accosted by Blight and Linden from District Seven who had just returned from the sponsors' hall.

"If it isn't the girl on fire herself," Blight started.

"Although I'd say she's looking rather frosty right now," Linden laughed.

"The kids have died, and the boy is doing a better job of making friends if I do say so myself."

"Blight, we're being rude. We haven't introduced ourselves, no wonder she can't make friends! Linden Almstedt, Blight Baltacha, District Seven. Friends of Haymitch."

"Brilliant," Katniss said, rolling her eyes.

"She does speak!" Blight laughed. "Haymitch obviously not in her good books right now. I wonder what our esteemed drunk has done now?"

"The usual by the looks of it. Calculated how long they lasted, ranked their performances and started drinking with Chaff. A vintage year for Haymitch!"

"And he didn't even have to mentor this year, the lazy git!"

"Enough about Haymitch, how about you girl on fire? How you finding the spectacle?"

"Hideous. Are you always like this?"

Blight and Linden laughed, "There's a sense of humour in there too! But come on, how is it, married life and everything?"

"Tiring."

"I can imagine! I bet you and the boy are up at all hours. Poor Haymitch."

"Wouldn't want to be living next door to that! Johanna at the start was bad enough," Blight echoed.

"I didn't mean like that."

"Yeah, yeah, we get how it is. You don't want to talk about your love life with two strange victors from Seven."

"I don't see why not, Blight. We make great confidants," Linden said.

"Better than Johanna. Speaking of which, we should introduce you. I'm sure you'll hit it straight off. Both troublemakers, both grumpy, stubborn."

"I'm not-"

"We've been speaking to Haymitch, girl on fire."

"Well, you clearly know enough about me from speaking to him, so if you want to know something why don't you ask him?"

"Linden, I don't think she's very happy with us."

"Think we might have struck a nerve."

"Haymitch did say she would be a bit highly strung."

"Blight! Linden! That's enough!"

Their joking was interrupted by Poppy approaching and chastising them both. "You're supposed to be playing nice with Haymitch's victors."

"We haven't spoken to Peeta yet, maybe we should. Girl on fire here is sick of us both."

"I would be with the way you've been carrying on. Go and see if Peeta is more receptive and be nice this time!" She turned to Katniss, "Ignore them when they're in this mood. Their kids are alive, they've had a drink and have been fooling with the sponsors. They're not normally like this. They're good guys, my friends in all of this."

"Listen to Poppy, Katniss. She's one of the best!" Linden shouted as he left with Blight to find Peeta.

"Maybe don't ignore that bit," Poppy laughed. "I like to think I know what I'm doing. And you need to find out, so I'm here to help."

"Everyone keeps saying they're helping," Katniss replied.

"They are. Well maybe not Linden and Blight when they're like that, but we are. Victors floundering in their first year is no fun for any of us. Makes this whole thing worse."

"It's a freak show."

"And you're its newest star, my girl."

"I need to learn how to play the game. I get it."

"You have been listening to Haymitch! That's not what he told me."

"Has everyone been speaking to Haymitch about us?"

"Everyone who cares to know, yes."

"Great. Why do you care to know?"

"Because I care. We've got a lot in common, Katniss Everdeen."

"What do you mean?"

"We're very similar. Both survivors, fending for ourselves young. I lost both of my parents when I was eight, so off to the community home I went. A fate I understand you escaped because you stepped up. I get that. You have your sister. The young ones in the home looked up to me too and I did what I could. Extra tesserae, the usual. We both carried ourselves through the arena and you carried the boy too, after Seeder's lovely little girl. I admire that. Then we both found ourselves at the deep end of something we don't quite understand and we're having to live with it. So, I get you, more than you think."

Katniss nodded and smiled slightly, "You had people looking up to you too."

"Yes. Still do. That's something you'll have to continue dealing with. And it's a lot. I get why you're tired, but you're going to have to keep going. This wheel keeps on turning and you've got to stay with it."

"You sound like Haymitch."

"I sound like Haymitch, Haymitch sounds like me, or maybe we're both the same. Apart from the drinking. I don't do that and I'd rather you didn't either."

"All of this and I just wanted to save my sister."

"I know you did. You did too. Only that makes you a victor and you're here. So, you have to deal with it."

"I don't think I know how."

"You're going to have to learn to take direction. That means listening to Haymitch. Or me, if you'd rather it come from me. But I imagine I'll be saying the same things as Haymitch. He'll do everything he can to make sure you don't fail but you have to help him with that."

"Or Haymitch has an accident?"

"Precisely. And maybe you will too. Or your sister."

"But I'm just not very good at all of this."

"You did fine last night. It's just mindless chatter to fill their mindless brains after all. Before the kids start dying. They enjoy that, it's a real character flaw," Poppy laughed. "But seriously, solo interviews might never be your favourite thing or your strongest thing. You work better in joint interviews, especially with Peeta and that will be great, for you both."

"Just don't say anything that will get somebody killed."

"Exactly. And make an effort with all of us too. It's no good sitting on the sidelines feeling sorry for yourself. The Fives and Nines are happy on the outside, but the rest of us get it. We're the only people who understand. Yes, people are trying to get a rise out of you, but they want to know where you'll fit in, and you need to help yourself. Or at least let me help you. I know these people."

"Now you're beginning to sound like Effie too."

"I'll take that as a compliment. She's one of the better ones. Not immune to silly comments but Haymitch will shut those down. But she knows what she's talking about when she rattles on about people."

"She wants me to broaden my horizons," Katniss laughed.

"Well, you've made a start by listening to me. And with the Tens and Elevens. There's an outlier connection you all have so you better keep it. You'll help each other because of where you're from. The Nines will leave you alone, as will the Fives. You might get something out of Barric, Maizey or Porter but I wouldn't expect much. You already know Cecelia. She's one of my closest friends so I'll always speak highly of her. She knows what she's doing with these Capitol people too, really knows. She helped Haymitch with you last year too. As did the Sevens actually."

Katniss looked shocked, "I don't think they really like me."

"Linden and Blight are harmless. To you anyway. They were having fun. You know how many victors have died or been targeted these past few months; they've been stressed. Now they're letting off some steam. But Blight and Johanna watched over you whilst Haymitch slept, Cecelia gave lots of interviews in your favour, selling the idea of you and Peeta as the next golden couple. You can roll your eyes all you want Everdeen, but she gets them, and you'd do well to listen to her."

"I get it. Cecelia knows how to help me better than I do."

Poppy laughed, "Now you're getting somewhere! Now the really important people, other than me and Max, the older guy from my district, who you want on your side, and who are on your side, is District Four. You've met Mags and Finnick of course. Mags is wonderful. In charge of all of us so what she says goes. Finnick is Finnick. When you get him alone or just with the other Fours, he's fine. Not one for humility, but his head and heart are in the right place. Noah won't be distracted from his boy at the moment but he's a good one, a real sense of fun. Chloe and Coral are great too. They're Mags' eyes, ears and voice and will follow wherever she goes, but don't underestimate them. The others are at home but I'm sure Rowan and Song will be back another year. They'll want to meet you and Peeta."

"I need to talk to them, don't I?"

"You do. If Noah's boy does win, they won't have the time but if Brutus' boy does, then I'm sure Mags will arrange something proper with you and Peeta. You should make friends with the Threes too. Pluto might not be back often, but the others will. They exaggerate the weirdness and Halley is one of my best friends.

The others, now I'd say they're more like what you would expect. Brutus and Lyme are the best of the Twos to talk to. They have a real respect for outliers and victors in general. I'm friends with Enobaria but she didn't like the whole 'star-crossed lovers' thing so be warned. Mason is more your age, but he won't leave Lyme or Brutus' side right now. Cleo is retiring after this year so she might not bother speaking to you.

The Ones are a mixed bag, maybe more for Peeta to deal with. Gloss and Cashmere are more Peeta's people anyway. Aria will be lovely to you, she's the nicest of them. Gem is good too, especially if she's alone or with Maria. I wouldn't try talking to Luxor. Augustus is lost up Luxor's backside, Topaz will ignore you and if you come across Satin, I'm sorry. But after this Quell, I don't think she'll show up often, so you'll have a lucky escape. And that's just about all of us."

Before Katniss could reply, Effie Trinket arrived with a flourish, "Katniss, how lovely to see you making friends!"

"Poppy's been telling me everything I need to know."

"I rescued her from Linden and Blight."

"I see they're back at their station now, and with Peeta too. But they are in a silly mood."

"It's why Katniss needed rescuing and you might have to go and rescue Peeta, Effie."

"I will be doing Poppy, don't you worry. After I've collected Haymitch, who is up to his usual habits I see. I wondered if the distance from it all might help but obviously not. Silly me for even thinking that! But never mind, we must get you ready, Katniss. It's a big, big evening for you at the sponsors' ball!"

"Sponsors won't help them this year."

"Katniss!" Effie said, chiding her newest victor. "You are to be introduced to the sponsors at a formal event this evening. You are to be suitably appreciative, many of them did help you both last year after all. There's always next year to think about too, got to maintain interest now that my lovebirds have piqued the attention of anyone who is anyone in the Capitol."

Katniss rolled her eyes, but Poppy spoke up before she could irritate Effie any further, "Seeder will be there, I'm sure. I will be too, if it helps. There is something to be said for building up some reliable connections. Get people to buy into the idea of a new, fresh start for District Twelve."

"That's the spirit, Poppy! A new era, for my victors! And Haymitch too, although Haymitch is Haymitch and try as I may, there is little I can do about that!"

….

"This is crazy. All of it. I hate it."

"I can't say I'm happy either Katniss," Peeta said. "People in Twelve are still starving and people here are still throwing up so they can eat even more."

"They're disgusting."

"I know. But we need to find people who aren't quite so bad. People we can connect with."

"People like you better. You can win them over."

"Katniss, people like you for being you. You do things that get people interested. I'll talk and you keep on being you and we'll get somewhere."

"We stick together?"

"I won't leave you, Katniss."

"I know."

"I'm pleased you got on with Seeder and you spent time with Poppy earlier. Linden and Blight speak very highly of her. Once you cut past all their jokes, they're great. But if they aren't your people that's fine. Between us I think we can get most of the Mentors' Centre on our side, those who want to talk to us at least."

"I don't need to make friends with everyone."

"That's true. But they're important, Katniss. They're the only other people who properly understand. It's how we get through this, year on year. You see how they are with Haymitch. Other than us, they're the only people who care about him. Besides," Peeta started, moving in closer to Katniss' ear, "We're the only people across the districts who can meet each other. What Haymitch was talking about in the Village that night, they're crucial to it happening again, and maybe it could work this time."