Day One: Onstage

"Ash Redfern!" Caesar Flickerman's smiling back at him with that ever so white smile, and it's all Ash can do not to lunge for his throat. After all, the One girl had that same smile when she was laughing something about tree rats, and now she's lying in the ground with a snapped neck and Ash is sitting up on stage. Sitting up on stage like this is two weeks ago and he's

Instead, Ash gives a jaunty wave and nods towards Caesar, then out to the crowd. "It's good to be back, Caesar! I was almost sure I would miss this opportunity, but you know how I feel about you! Couldn't miss my crew, not for the world. So, how's all been? I see you still have that horrific haircut, seriously man! Get a better one." Playful. Act playful, act fun, and maybe they won't realize that you were a mistake, that they should have dragged the One girl, or Four's bitch, or. Hell, or his district partner, because if anyone deserved this Victory it was Rowan.

"Ah, Ash! Ever the Joker. So, shall we go back to your original introduction?" "Why, of course Caesar!" Back to that mess of a Reaping. Peacekeepers everywhere, and Seven was meant to be loyal. But Ash didn't let that, at the Reaping, scare him. Instead he offered a wave up to the cameras, 'subtly' wiped the tear away from his cheek and gave a hug to his girl before walking up to the stage. It's applauded back in the studio, the boost he needs to get him money.

Then training, and Ash is a star. He's good with an axe, and now cameras are allowed in the hall to interview willing tributes, Ash makes sure to tell everyone just how good he is with an axe, and the Sponsors all over the city have to be taking notes, just have to.

Because otherwise why did he get so much money.

The rest of the views is brief. A skip over his dud of an interview, and then onto the other tributes. A quick glance, before Ash relives his own Games in crystal clear clarity. Gets to see every wound, every horror in slow motion.

The One girl. His final kill. His final competition.

"Ah, Emerald. She was incredible. They called her the Sword of the Morning here, did you know that?" And Ash doesn't know that, that's a softball question. "No, Caesar, I don't. Fancy title, though. How'd she earn it? I know her allies died, three of them before I killed her, but." "Well, Ash, it's from an old book. Not much survived, but that name did. Pretty cool, if I do say so myself." Ash gives a nod, and the screen switches on again.

Caesar's wrong. She's not cool, not amazing and inspiring. She's a monster. Ash can see it all, in the high definition only the Capitol has. Emerald, her name was, those viciously curved swords in each hand. The three boys are circling her from her alliance, three swords. Johanna told him that was why they didn't enjoy them as much, why Ash got all those sponsor gifts. Too many swords

Emerald's not holding back, swords spinning. Choosing one target, driving him back and letting the other two circle for an opening, one sword clashing with her target and one with a pursuer. It's a brutally effective strategy, but she's falling back now and it's all over. Then the Two boy lets his guard down for a second and now his throat's open and he's slumped on the ground. Emerald lets the swords spin in her hands, and then it's no holds barred. It looks like it's over, but when the One boy slips for just a second, it's enough for Emerald to kick him back, block Five's overhead swing with one sword and sink the other into his gut, deeper. Drag it out in time to catch One's swinging blade.

Then it's One on One, and it's no contest. One puts up a valiant fight. Even gets a few hits in, Emerald taking a slash across the stomach. But One dies, head rolling down the grassy hill. Emerald drops her swords, tries to catch her breath. Falls asleep, hidden beneath a mound.

When she wakes up, it's with Ash's hands wrapped around her throat. One moves up, a brief twist. Ends the Games.

"She was amazing with those. Glad I didn't catch her at the wrong time." Caesar laughs, but it's true. A fair statement. Then onto the next Tribute in what (Blight had told him) was an awfully dull games.

Rowan.

"Rowan was cool. She was. Well." "You had a good time in the Capitol?" "Yes." The audience laughs, excitedly proud to know all about Ash and Rowan, but Ash knows what they think is wrong. Sure, they'd think that climbing up onto the roof with the fruit they'd brought was a date, but Ash and Rowan. Well. Rowan had a girl back home, and Ash wasn't sure what he liked. So they'd climbed up onto the roof, and spent an evening before the bloodbath gossiping. Talking about what they'd do if they won, because Rowan wanted to get married with a proper sapling planted in front of their house and not some ugly scraggly thing. Seven wouldn't approve, but she'd be a Victor. Nobody tells a Victor who not to marry.

They'd agreed. Grab what they could on the outskirts together, go. They'd make it to the forest, and from there reach the final two.

But Rowan had wanted some warmth. She saw the sleeping bags. Ran for them.

At least the spear, from what he'd seen, had been quick. Through her heart, and Ash hadn't been willing to grab any more. He'd run into the woods surrounding the Arena.

No other standouts, compared to a girl Ash had only interacted with once and his dear dead District partner. Oh, they spend a bit of time on Eleven's boy, Thirteen's girl. But soon enough it's Ash's turn, to relive his Games.

Louder words. "Are you all ready?" Greeted with a roar of excitement from the live audience. Softer words. "And Ash. Are you ready?" There's nothing else to do. He nods. The story of his life, his Games, begins.