Heads up, this is a very long chapter, but this is also where the subplot really kicks off. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Also, language warning.

Puer Begonia, 31, Head Gamemaker

Puer liked lists. Lists put everything into perspective. On one hand, a daunting task or busy day seemed less so when it was divided into separate boxes to be checked. On the other hand, small tasks could become more time-consuming than originally predicted, and Puer would know to get a head start on the day.

Today's list consisted of all the tasks that needed to be completed before the parade: discuss morning odds with the bookies, health checks for the horses, tribute profiles, final approvals on outfits, speak with Capitol TV to prepare for the broadcast, and check on the final touches currently being added to the arena.

She didn't anticipate anything being added to the list… that is until one of her assistants popped her head into her office to inform her that President Snow wanted to see her.

Puer felt her heart jump into her throat when those words came out of the assistant's mouth. Meetings with the president were common this time of year, but they always made Puer nervous. One wrong word, one step out of place, and she was dead, hanging on the Avenue of the Tributes just like Plutarch.

Still, she knew she had to remain calm. After all, presidents could smell fear.

Puer looked up at her assistant and nodded. "Send him in."

The assistant shook her head. "Actually, ma'am, he's requested you come to the mansion."

Oh…

Puer nodded. This was normal. Sometimes, President Snow was too busy with ruling Panem to travel to the Tribute Center. It had only happened twice in the past several years, but it was still nothing to be worried about.

"Tell the driver I'll be down in a minute," she said, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "Did the president say what it was about?"

The assistant shook her head. "No, he didn't say."

Puer sighed and nodded again. "Okay, I'll be back soon. Also, please tell the mutation department that I want an update on the status of the Marionette Project when I get back. And get yourself some coffee, okay? You look exhausted."

The assistant nodded and left in a hurry. Puer took a moment to reorganize her appearance, straightening her jacket and ensuring her hair was still neatly tied back into the ponytail she had haphazardly thrown into that morning. Then, she exited her office and made the short walk to the elevator where she was greeted by one of the presidential aids. "Ma'am, if you could please follow me once we're downstairs."

Puer swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes," she replied quietly.

The elevator down and subsequent walk through the tunnel that Puer used when she was on her way to a meeting that required as little press attention as possible only caused her mind to race more. Did she forget something on her list? Was this about a tribute? Did she fail to keep McCoy's outburst under wraps? Did one of the outlier volunteers do something rebellious?

Stop overthinking it, the more rational part of Puer's mind snapped. Odds are, it's just a routine meeting regarding politics or the state of Panem and how the Games need to affect that. If he wanted you dead, he would have killed you along with Plutarch.

Puer forced in several deep breaths, something the aide, much to her dismay noticed. "Are you alright, ma'am?"

Puer nodded. "I'm fine, thank you."

"Don't worry. The President isn't displeased with you at all. He just wanted to speak to you about the coming weeks."

Somehow, while that calmed Puer down slightly, it didn't completely erase her fears. After all, the pressure to perform was immense, and while Puer liked to think she was improving, her anxiety was always spiking about something nowadays, especially this time of year.

While she kicked herself for letting the driver see her weakness, she did feel grateful that he tried to help. She suspected that she wasn't the first Head Gamemaker to be called to a secret meeting with the president.

It was almost silent when Puer stepped out of the car and was led into the mansion. No press, no avoxes, just guards and the distant sound of the city.

Puer's anxiety eased a bit, being replaced with suspicion. This was…odd. Even on the day she replaced Seneca Crane, the mansion had more buzz than this.

Her suspicion only rose when she and the people escorting her seemingly bypassed Snow's office. "Where are we going?" she asked one of the guards quietly. The aide answered. "To Snow's chambers."

This took Puer even more by surprise. Why would she be taken there…unless something was wrong with the president?

Sure enough, when they arrived, Snow was lying on a bed that was reclined upward. An IV was hooked up to him, and several doctors were nearby, one administering some kind of medicine and the others running tests.

Puer looked on, completely stunned. Snow greeted her with an unsettling smile. "Ah, Miss Begonia, nice of you to join us." He looked to the doctors. "If you could please, give me a moment alone with my dear Head Gamemaker, I must discuss something of great importance with her."

The doctors looked hesitantly at each other, then slowly filed out of the room. The aides followed closely after them, leaving Puer alone in the room with Snow.

Puer honestly had no idea what to say. Thankfully, Snow was the one who spoke first, motioning to the plush chair that sat next to the hospital bed. "Come, sit down, Puer. We have much to discuss."

Puer quietly and carefully sat down in the chair. "How are you feeling, Mr. President?" she asked slowly.

"I appreciate the concern, Miss Begonia, but there is no need to worry about me. Rest assured, nothing in Panem has changed just because of a single illness, though it is not the first time this has happened, it is the first time this will be disrupting my participation in this week's festivities."

Puer blinked, in shock. "You've been hospitalized before?"

Snow chuckled, coughing a bit as he did. He picked a handkerchief from his bedside table and placed it over his mouth. Puer had to try not to shudder when she saw the red droplets now staining both it and his teeth. "No need to sound so surprised, Miss Begonia. I'm turning eighty-eight later this year, after all, and these things tend to happen, more often than I would like, I must admit, but I didn't call you here to discuss an old man's health. The doctors do expect me to recover, but I will be unable to carry out my official duties for at least a few weeks." He tried to speak again but was interrupted by another cough.

"Do you need some water?" Puer asked.

"Yes, I think that would be wonderful." As Puer poured him a glass of water, Snow continued. "Three years ago, you put your utmost trust in me. You served your country and its people and I will never forget that. When I made you Head Gamemaker, that was me reciprocating that trust, and I am pleased to say you have not let me down."

"I appreciate that, sir," Puer replied, unsure of where this was going.

"Now, I am asking you to put your trust in me once again. Normally, when a president is incapacitated, someone from the cabinet takes on his or her responsibilities until such a time as the president's duties can be resumed. Normally, as one of my top advisors, the current Head Gamemaker would assume my duties."

Puer's heart nearly jumped out of her chest, and she perked up, ready to take in Snow's next words. However, they were not as she had hoped. "As much as your sense of duty and priorities are, and as competent of an advisor as you are, you are not a politician, far from it. Now, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I need someone who can navigate the landscape that is Panem's politics, not to mention you are needed in the Tribute Center. I've heard great things about your plans for this year's Games' and I don't think you need the added distraction of being interim president."

Puer couldn't help but deflate a little, but she knew Snow was right. She was not a politician. She tried delving into that world once, with disastrous results. No, she was best suited in the Nest, where she could control an entire world from screens and notebooks instead of round tables and an iron fist.

"Who will be covering for you then?" Puer asked carefully. She had met the members of Snow's cabinet when she first started as Head Gamemaker, and none of them seemed like decent people. (Puer was well aware of the irony of that observation, given her occupation.) They would all be sure to step on her toes and try to take over the Games to advance their standings if given the chance. As timid as Puer was, the Games were her territory, and she was more than ready to defend it. It was the only thing she had going for her.

"I have decided to appoint Minister Antonius Casper to serve as interim president during my absence," Snow said, and Puer felt her heart sink. The minister of defense. Of all the people Snow chose, it had to be him. "I'm well aware that Antonius is hot-headed," Snow continued, perhaps sensing Puer's trepidation, "and he prefers shows of force over subtlety, but rest assured, I have made sure he understands to leave the shows to you. I expect you two to work together to ensure things proceed smoothly, but he has assured me that you will be left alone so long as you perform at the standard, I know you are capable of. If he oversteps, I will know about it."

Puer wasn't so sure about that. Antonius Casper was certainly hot-headed and showy. He would have made an excellent Gamemaker had he not gone into the military, but it was obvious to everyone who was looking that he was gunning for the presidency once Snow passed away. Even though the election was two years away, no one would dare run against Snow while he was alive. Puer was too young to remember or understand the last election, but while Snow had run unopposed, he did have one potential opponent who had dropped dead of heart failure.

Coincidence? Probably not, but people liked living too much to look into it.

Perhaps the only reason Antonius himself wasn't dead yet was because he was waiting for Snow to pass, which, judging by his age, was coming sooner rather than later.

Puer nodded slowly. "I won't let you down, sir."

Snow nodded and smiled that unsettling smile once again. "I know you won't."

As soon as their conversation ended, Puer stepped out of the room, her heart pounding. The doctors quickly went back in and one of the aides went to escort her back to the car and Tribute Center.

The sound of a man clearing his throat turned Puer's attention to one of the hallways, where she saw Antonius approaching. "Ah, Miss Begonia. I was hoping I'd run into you before you left." He smiled coldly. Puer kept her gaze hard, trying not to let her disdain for the man show. "I know you are quite busy, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm looking forward to working with you."

He offered his hand to shake, and Puer reluctantly accepted. His grip was so tight it ached slightly, and it took all of Puer's restraint not to pierce his hand with her fresh manicure. "And I as well," Puer said tightly.

And that was most certainly a lie.

Augustus Braun, 29, District One Male

Augustus needed a drink. The entire day was filled with either worry, annoyance, or some combination of both. Safira and Caden seemed to get along, but there was some tension. They would either be a force to be reckoned with or would kill each other once the gong sounded.

He made it to the Avenue of the Tributes about an hour before the parade started. Despite his concern for his two tributes, he knew Safira and Caden were in the capable hands of both stylists and the escort, and so he felt comfortable headed to the section where the VIPs sat during the parade. It came with a full-service bar and snacks, which was exactly what he needed. A plate of deviled eggs and a glass of wine later, he was making his way down to the front row where the mentors usually were.

"Hey, Auggie!"

Augustus grinned when he saw Amber smiling and waving him over. He quickly but carefully walked down the steps leading to the empty seat next to her. She took his plate of deviled eggs from him to allow him to carefully maneuver into the seat. When he took the plate back and placed it and the wine glass on the small table in front of him, he noticed Amber was nursing a glass of wine of her own, along with a slice of chocolate cake. "Rough day?" he asked.

Amber hummed in agreement. "Moscato."

Augustus almost shuddered at that, but he expected nothing less. Amber was notorious for her sweet tooth. "Chardonnay. How have you been, Ames?"

Amber chuckled. "Same old, same old. Got a tribute that volunteered despite knowing nothing about the Games, but we're working on it. You?"

"Well, I'm sure you heard I have a rogue volunteer that- What? Did I hear that right?"

Amber nodded slowly. "Yeah, you heard that right."

"H-He's messing with you, right? He's got to be messing with you. How could you not know about the Hunger Games?"

"Well, he's from this area in District Nine called the Middle of Nowhere. Where my grandpa was from, actually. They don't get much in the way of electricity or television or anything there. Yeah, the Capitol is in the process of cracking down and getting televisions over there, but only a few people really know about it. They know it exists, they have to attend the Reaping every year, but they don't watch it."

"Did you tell him?" Augustus was completely shocked. He knew Amber was from a rural district, where power wasn't always a guarantee, but a town outside of the realm of the Hunger Games' influence was outright unheard of.

Amber nodded; her mouth pressed into a hard line. "Yeah, I did. He… I can't tell if he doesn't believe me or if he's in shock but…well, it's been interesting. He asked me if I was still in contact with my district partner."

Augustus blinked. "Oh…"

Amber sighs, a pained look on her face. "Yeah… I know he didn't know better but…ouch. Enough about my kids though. Anything interesting with yours?"

Augustus couldn't hold it back anymore, and told Amber everything, from Safira going rogue to the corruption of the Academy to Caden being Caden. When he was done, he had gained an audience member in the form of Gaius. "District One mentor problems?" he quipped.

That got a bitter laugh out of Augustus. District One put too much emphasis on prestige and flashiness and not enough on honor, the complete opposite of the way District Two ran things. It was part of the reason District Two had more victors and the reason why there was so much corruption in One. It was almost comical how things were run there and would have been if Augustus hadn't been a part of that comedy.

"Yeah, you could say that," he said. "I'm just glad I'm here now, with my friends." He grinned and looked at Amber. "I really missed you."

Amber chuckled. "We talked on the phone all the time, Auggie, but yeah, it's really not the same, is it?" She took his hand and squeezed it. Augustus's smile widened at this. "Once you drop off the kids for training tomorrow, why don't you come up to my floor for some pancakes? Sylva's recipe is still in the kitchen."

"That sounds lovely," Augustus replied. He looked up from his hand and at Amber's face, and they locked eyes.

And then nothing else existed. Nothing except for that intense stare and those silver eyes. His eyes turned to her lips, and her hand reached up to caress his face. She leaned in, and Augustus closed his eyes and-

"Ames and Auggie, sitting in a tree!" someone called out in an all-too-familiar sing-song voice. Augustus's eyes snapped open and he looked up to glare at Mako, who couldn't resist yet another joke about her "favorite couple."

"F-u-c-k-y-o-u!" Augustus called back, sending Mako into a total laughing fit.

Amber laughed. "Oh, leave her be. We probably shouldn't do that in public anyway. Tabloids."

Augustus chuckled nervously. "Yeah… I really don't want to wind up on another cover of Capitol Couture anytime soon."

Amber groaned. "Those reporters are so invasive!"

For a while, the two talked, with some of their other mentors getting in on the conversation and they all got caught up. On a dare from Gaius, Mako bought Safira a drink to "calm her nerves," which the Queen Cobra downed grumpily.

Annie was offered a drink, but she declined. Then, Finnick revealed that she was pregnant and everyone celebrated. Even Amber, who never quite forgave Finnick for his role in what happened in the Quell and who she still blamed for Sylva and Rycin's deaths, congratulated him, albeit stiffly.

Cordy was doing alright, and while raising several kids on her own was difficult, she was managing. Texanna was still Texanna, but still showed off pictures of her grandchildren.

Kaia hung back a little bit, sticking close to Mako but not really participating in the conversations. Amber gave her a friendly smile. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Kaia nodded quickly, and Augustus gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry. The districts may be divided, but we're not. We're all victors here. We look out for one another."

And that was something Augustus was proud of. There were tensions, particularly towards Finnick, but the victors were still united, and not even a Quell could change that. While they came from different backgrounds, they had all been through the arena, experienced similar traumas. They understood each other, looked out for one another. The Capitol had tried to break that, and they failed, and all they managed to accomplish was further alienate the victors, including those who were once loyal.

The Quell was a disaster, in more ways than one, but it did show one thing: the Capitol was afraid and desperate, and that meant that change was possible.

The anthem began, and everyone quickly filed back to their seats to watch the parade. Augustus leaned forward with anticipation and the crowd began to roar when the first chariot emerged, carrying Safira and Caden, who were both dressed in candlelight. They were beaming, waving to the crowd, and holding hands, raising them up high for the world to see. Seeing them working together in that chariot, raising each other up, and showing district pride, put Augustus's mind at ease about them. Safira blew kisses and waved to the crowd, while Caden gave the occasional wink, and even pounded his chest a little bit.

It was not the disaster Augustus feared, and he'd take it.

He heard District Two before he saw them, with Saffra's loud obnoxious cheering earning her some strange looks. He really hoped the Fives didn't hear that… Silver and gold was the theme of the night there. Zhenya looked like a shining knight in armor, and he seemed incredibly excited to be there. Macha was more reserved but just as confident, and looking quite prideful in her golden soldier attire. She looked like a warrior goddess. "Macha is the name of an ancient warrior goddess," Mako explained, a big grin on her face. "Looks like Cael and Haverty did their research."

The cheering crowd suddenly became deafening, almost drowning out Gaius's groan of indignation. "Oh for Snow's sake…" Augustus raised an eyebrow and looked away from Mako and back towards the street…and saw that Gaius's boy had ripped his binary-pattered jacket and shirt off and was flexing to the crowd. The girl was muttering something, Augustus couldn't tell what. She was looking around and almost appeared switched off aside from the grimace on her face. Thankfully, she didn't try to follow her district partner's lead. Not that she could, with how heavy that LED studded dress looked.

Gaius buried his face in his hands, and Amber reached over, gently patting him on the back. "Sponsors?" She got another exasperated grunt in reply.

Finnick, who had wrapped his arms around Annie when the parade started and the noise became too much, coaxed her back to reality so that she could see the Fours. Becket and Lucien, if he remembered correctly from the documents he got from Four before the Reaping (like those did any good sometimes). Both of them appeared intimidating, not smiling or waving, just staring ahead and looking confident. Becket donned an Atlantis-themed, seafoam green dress, while Luce wore a similar outfit with scale-like patterns. The crowd loved them.

The next mentor protest came from Saffra as District Five rolled out, holding hands, with the girl appearing both coy and bashful in an outfit that sparked with lightning, flirtatious despite looking very close to the boy, who was trying his best to look tough despite looking like a wind turbine. "I told them not to do that. I told them!" Saffra cried. "Fuck, why doesn't anyone ever listen to me!"

"Because you give bad advice?" Kaia quipped in a rare moment of bluntness.

"I'm sorry, who mentored you out of the arena?"

"Not you," Mako said matter of factly.

Augustus decided that that wasn't a can of worms that he didn't want to be around when it opened, and instead turned his attention to the Sixes. Mercury looked incredibly nervous as they rolled out. "Don't flip off the crowd…" he pleaded quietly. "Don't flip off the crowd…"

The girl, who cursed at the entire world at the Reaping, did not flip off the crowd, but didn't make much of an effort either, instead looking straight ahead with a scowl on her face. Augustus couldn't blame her for being angry. That scarecrow costume made her look surprisingly fierce, but it did not look comfortable.

The boy looked adorable in his train conductor outfit, but Augustus couldn't help but feel bad for him. He was trying so hard to be confident, but he couldn't seem to get out of his district partner's intimidating shadow.

"Halfway done," Augustus said. He looked to Amber. "How are you feeling?"

Amber smiled nervously. "Tilly will be fine. It's CiCi I'm worried about."

"The one who…" Augustus's voice trailed off. Amber nodded and Augustus reached out and squeezed her hand. "It'll be fine, Ames. They're both in good hands."

Amber relaxed a bit, not entirely relieved but more at ease than before.

She didn't let go of Augustus's hand either.

Kaia Blanken, 18, District Twelve Mentor

The nightmares from Kaia's time in the arena were as intense as the flames that destroyed her competition. The idea of bonding with two kids around her age who would also likely perish made her chest ache, but when she looked at her baby nephew, who would be a year old this year, and not even exist had Kaia not done what she did. She tried to take comfort in that.

Kaia hated to leave her family, but even if she wasn't required to return to the Capitol to mentor, District Twelve was without a mentor after Haymitch died in the Quell, and she felt obligated to help Ansi and Cole in any way that she could.

Not to mention, she would get to see Mako.

If you told Kaia a year ago that she'd become best friends with a girl from a Career District, she would have thought you went absolutely bonkers.

Granted, if you told Kaia that she would volunteer for and win the Hunger Games, she wouldn't have believed you either.

Kaia had been living in luxury for just under a year now, with enough food for herself and her family plus some. There were enough rooms in her large house for her equally large family. She was able to get her parents, her older sister, and her grandfather out of the coal mines. Yet, she was still overwhelmed by just how decadent the Capitol was. For years, she wondered how the people in here could just sit there and watch children like her fight to the death on live television. She still wondered, even after seeing the lives and lies they were spoon-fed. She knew, deep down, that it wasn't truly their fault, that the people here were just as oppressed as the people in the districts, just in a different way, but she couldn't help but feel envious. Kaia had to quite literally fight for a future for her family. These people never had to do that.

And now, there was a rift between herself and the people from Twelve as well. Her family tried to help, but they couldn't understand how she felt, and she was glad for that. She was glad it was her who went into the arena and not her cousin, but she felt lonely at times.

Until she met Mako, that is.

And she was so looking forward to seeing her in person again.

The moment Ansi and Cole were at the remake center and in Cinna and Portia's capable hands, she went looking for her. It didn't take long, as Mako was seeing off her own two tributes. The two shared a warm, tight, hug, and Mako was immediately off, asking about her family and being her usual, cheerful self.

After some talking and being harassed by the press, Mako suggested lunch at a nice café that Gaius had recommended to her last year.

"They have amazing Monte Cristos," Mako explained as she hailed a cab.

"Monte what?" Kaia blinked, completely confused.

"They're turkey ham and cheese sandwiches, but like a French toast!"

Kaia cocked her head. "I don't know about that…"

"I didn't either, but Amber recommended them to Gaius, who recommended them to me, and they are phenomenal. You can make them at home too! Also, the lattes. Don't even get me started on the lattes."

Once they arrived at the café and the smell of sandwiches and coffee washed over Kaia and she realized just how hungry she was after not having much for breakfast.

Once they were seated, the two girls started talking about their trip to the Capitol and what they thought of their tributes so far. They both agreed that an alliance between their tributes just wasn't possible, but Mako was willing to try in the future. Kaia took a bite of the Monte Cristo and her eyes went wide. "This is so good!" she breathed. "Wow, how are these so good?"

"I know!" Mako replied. "How they made this work is incredible! How's your latte?"

"It's really good," Kaia replied. "This was a good idea. I did have a question, by the way."

"Of course! What's up?"

"This is my first year mentoring, and I didn't exactly have a good…guide, I guess? What should I expect this week?

The color from Mako's face drained, and she took a quick sip of coffee. When she brought the cup down, her face was hard. "Is something wrong?" Kaia asked carefully. "Did I say something?"

Mako shook her head. "Right now, your job is to answer your tributes' questions, give them advice on what to do during training, and basically everything Saffra did with you…but actually try, which you'll have no problem with. The arena part of things, well, that's a little more complicated and easier to explain when I can show you the equipment. Just remember what I said before, okay?"

Kaia nodded slowly. "Okay, I can do that. Is…there anything else?" Mako looked down, her face going hard. Kaia raised an eyebrow. "Mako?"

Mako looked around for a moment, then leaned in close across the table. "Do you trust me?" she whispered.

Now, Kaia was really confused. "Well, yes. I do. Why are you asking me this?"

"Tonight is the tribute parade. I can't say anything now, too many ears, but promise I'll explain everything later, but I need you to follow my lead, okay? Follow my lead and trust me."

Kaia frowned hard. "Mako, you're worrying me."

"I know, and you're right to be, but believe me when I say you'll thank me later."

Then, Mako leaned back and began to laugh. "Kaia, you're so funny!"

Kaia did as she was asked, and followed Mako's lead, but her words stuck in her mind up until it was time to get seated for the parade, where Kaia got to meet the mentors and enjoy her first glass of beer. It didn't taste all that bad, something that apparently was rare for a first-timer.

The alcohol didn't put Mako's mind at ease at all.

Mako's sudden solemness, the tone of her conversation, something had to seriously be wrong.

The first four chariots passed by in a blur before the sound of her former "mentor" complaining snapped her back to reality.

I told them not to do that. I told them!" Saffra cried, pointing indignantly at the Fives, who were holding hands. "Fuck, why doesn't anyone ever listen to me!"

Something about that rubbed Kaia the wrong way. Where the sudden resolve to snap back came from, she would never know, but she found herself glaring at Saffra. "Because you give bad advice?"

Saffra whipped around and shot Kaia a dirty look. "I'm sorry, who mentored you out of the arena?"

Mako placed a hand on Kaia's shoulder and scowled. "Not you," she retorted on Kaia's behalf.

"Hey, she lived! I got her sponsors!"

"And you got her an empty canteen. In an urban arena with water too filthy to safely drink. Excellent work."

"Hey, it made an excellent container for…whatever it was she used to burn the place down!"

Kaia swallowed hard as her hands began to shake from the memory. "I'm not proud of it," she muttered.

Gaius glared at Saffra. "Give it a rest, will you?"

Saffra turned her ire from Mako to Gaius, and Kaia sighed with relief. "Thank you," she whispered to Mako. Mako just smiled sadly in response. Her gaze turned to the cameras, and then to Kaia's shaking hand. She slowly took it and gave it a quick squeeze before releasing it.

Then, the Sevens came out and Finnick sighed. "Well, so much for taking my advice. Seriously, how hard is it to smile and wave?"

Kaia looked towards the street to find the girl from Seven catching a rose and angrily tossing it away. The boy, on the other hand, looked like he was both unsure of what to do, and on the verge of strangling someone.

"Well, at least yours aren't hiding!" Cordy cried. "How is she even doing that in that hat?"

Sure enough, the girl from Eight was hiding under her district partner's cloak, all while the boy was smiling and waving to the crowd. He even managed to catch a rose, and rather than toss it aside like the crazy from Seven, he gave it a sniff, then posed with it. The crowd went nuts at that. "At least he's winning them over," Amber offered.

"He's aiding and abetting hiding," Cordy replied, trying not to smile. "But yeah, he's pretty good. And honestly, I'm impressed with Blanca. If she can be stealthy, she just might have a shot."

The Nines came out next, and Amber leaned forward with anticipation. The girl was all smiles, waving and laying on the charm. The crowd seemed to love it, not as much as the previous chariot, but it was still love. She looked stunning in a golden tunic, white leggings, and a crown of wheat on her head. She was most certainly outshining the boy, who looked completely confused and white as a sheet in his farmer outfit.

"That's good, right?" Augustus said. "Tilly did what she does best and CiCi didn't embarrass himself." Amber hummed in agreement.

Kaia felt a twinge of pity when she saw the two kids from Ten, the poor boy shaking in a sparkling farmer outfit and the girl…well, Kaia wasn't entirely sure what the girl was supposed to be. A slab of meat, maybe? Either way, neither looked very happy, and she swore she heard Texanna curse the stylists under her breath from behind her.

It was almost over, and Kaia was relieved for that. The Elevens came out, both dressed like fruits, an apple and a strawberry, she was pretty sure. Both were all smiles and waves and when Florin managed to catch a flower, he blew a kiss in the direction of the flower thrower and placed it in his hair. "I pity them…" Thresh said sadly, and Kaia had no time to wonder why when District Twelve came out. Her eyes went wide in awe, as Ansi and Cole both donned Victorian-era outfits, a nod to Kaia's previous arena, both smoldering slightly. They wore bangles on their wrists and they both looked confident and determined. Kaia couldn't help but smile. They looked incredible, and she didn't even mind the reminder of last year. It was fine when Cinna and Portia did it.

Then, Kaia noticed the screens and saw her face on them, gauging her reaction.

Then, Mako was pulling Kaia close so that Kaia's head was falling onto her shoulder.

Static filled her head and it spun as the entire world saw her like this. She was frozen, unable to react or do anything other than try and bury her head in Mako's shoulder to try and hide her embarrassment.

What was she doing?

Why was she doing this?

As quickly as the cameras were on them, they were on the balcony, where President Snow was stepping up to a podium to give his traditional "welcoming" speech.

Perhaps it was because she wasn't thinking clearly due to embarrassment, but she swore she saw him flicker a bit.

"Why did you do that?"

That was all Kaia could think to ask Mako as they stepped onto the District Two floor.

"Kaia, please! Not here!" Mako pleaded.

"Yes, here! You embarrassed me in front of the entire country! People asked if we were dating!"

"Did you tell them anything?" Mako suddenly sounded nervous and Kaia shook her head angrily.

"Are you seriously asking me that right now? Mako, I trusted you! I thought you were my friend!"

A sad look crossed Mako's face. "I am your friend. I asked you at the café if you trusted me, and you said yes. And trust me when I say that the world thinking we're dating is going to save you."

"Save me?" Kaia felt her vision flood with red. "I don't need you to save me, Mako! I can take care of myself!"

"I know you can, and I wish I could tell you why I did what I did, but I can't do it here."

"Then where can you do it? Because I think I deserve answers."

Mako swallowed hard. "I don't know, Kaia, but if you just give me some time, I can figure something out. Just please…please trust me on this one."

Kaia just slowly shook her head. Mako knew that Kaia didn't like having attention on her. She knew that the spotlight was horrifically uncomfortable, yet Mako made a tabloid out of her.

Mako sighed. "I guess I should have warned you. I just…didn't know how. It's…there's more to it than you think. Just try to understand too, okay?"

"I'm sorry," Kaia shook her head again. "I just… I just need some time. I need to process this."

Before she could stop herself, or think of any sort of reason as to why Mako would do what she did, Kaia forced herself out of the room and back onto the elevator.

She just hoped she could gather herself before she had to face Cole and Ansi again.

So, that was eventful. To summarize:

1. Snow is very sick (which is being kept secret to not show weakness) and Antonius is interim-President

2. Amber and Augustus are a thing. They were a thing since the end of the previous Games. I decided to skip the will they won't they bs there, and instead take Augustus's storyline in another direction.

3. Mako is hiding something from Kaia, and even though seemingly has good intentions, embarrasses Kaia and makes a spectacle of her, which Kaia is angry about. What do y'all think that was about? Is Kaia right to be upset? Why is Mako being suddenly so weird around her?

In other news, training starts next chapter! Alliances will be established, so any final predictions? Knowing what you know now, who do you think will win? Who do you predict will die in the bloodbath? Why do I keep asking questions?

Regarding the parade, don't get me wrong, most of the mentors are happy about their tributes making an impression. They're just not happy about the fact that they're going to get interviewed about it or they're unhappy with the stylists, or both.

Parade Tier List Based on Initial Mentor Reactions

S for your mentor is So proud of you: Macha, Zhenya, Becket, Luce, Jann, Tilly, Tali, Florin, Ansi, Cole

A for At least you didn't embarrass yourself: Safira, Caden, Viorica

B for could have been Better, but could have been worse Cordy, Hendrix, Dawn

C for Come on, we talked about this! Leonie, Vaughn, Gideon

D for Doomed. You are Doomed. Ebony, CiCi, Hoover

F for Facepalm: Rhys, Blanca (affectionately)