Katniss Everdeen

Katniss was dressed for proverbial war; the black corset Cinna had created was her armour; the stoicism she wore as a mask in public, refined ever since she left the arena, had been an asset as she had been pulled unwillingly into the treacherous web of Panem politics.

However, taking her seat before Snow, the armour felt pointless- exposed to his scrutiny Katniss was nothing other than the stupid sixteen-year-old who escaped the arena and ended up making a deal with the devil himself. Katniss mourns the bravery she flaunted in her youth, how she was able to meet Snow's eyes unflinchingly- how she naively clung to her viewpoint of the world, seeing everything in black and white. Her dealings with Snow, the impossible decisions she had been forced to make resulted in Katniss drowning in an ocean of grey, questioning everything. Beneath Snow's serpentine gaze, she feels vulnerable as though he is poised to strike, and she is at his mercy: One of Panem's brave Victors in only name.

"Do you know why I have called you here Katniss?" The question was asked in a nonchalant tone, but Katniss' mind flew through the possibilities: Was he aware of the training she had begun to provide to prospective Tributes in 12? The 'happenings' at the Hob? All illegal, and possibly dangerous for not only her but everyone she held dear. Should she plea for clemency, or attempt to divert his attention elsewhere? Instead, she chose honesty.

"No." The word sound like a question; unlike Peeta, Katniss was never one to indulge in wordplay. She didn't understand the gentle nuances and subtleties the way that Snow and Peeta did, how they were able to enthral and intimidate others with a simple word or gesture. Whenever she was unfortunate enough to find herself in positions like this, Katniss felt like she was floundering- a fish out of water.

But some of Katniss' spirit, the girl on fire, remained as she balls her fists. She doesn't doubt that Snow holds all the power in this, and every, interaction they have but she wants to show some form of the defiance she once wielded like her bow.

"Are you scared Katniss?" Katniss held his gaze, fighting every instinct in her body that was begging her to look away; he held all the cards, but Katniss had learned that the outcomes of any interaction could be dire. Her thoughts went to Gale, who suffered the same fate as her father when she challenged Snow's authority in the stupidity of her youth- misguided in the belief that her victory in the 74th Hunger Games could shield her somehow, or the ones she loves. She simply nods her head, not foolish enough to try and lie- she shivers as Snow smiles widely, finding pleasure in her discomfort before laughing and swirling the scotch inthe crystal tumbler he held gracefully in his hand.

"You delivered me Plutarch Heavensbee Katniss, you have earned my trust to a degree. You have no reason to be scared, even with that little training program you have introduced in 12. You have shown me that you will do what is best for Panem..."

"I did what I did to keep the ones I love safe, and I'd do it again." It felt rehearsed, the same thing she had said to herself and others more times than she can remember. For moths her mind had branded her a traitor, the loss of Plutarch had served a devastating blow to any form of rebellion; Katniss regretted what unfolded, how her stubbornness and ignorance extinguished any form of rebellion that could've freed Panem from the clutches of those like Snow.

Snow was once again observing Katniss, something he appeared to find great joy in; savouring the discomfort as she realised how helpless she truly was in the grand scheme of things.

"That's good to hear Katniss, now have you ever heard of a creature called a hydra?" Katniss wracked her brain but was clueless as to what he was asking, once again she felt like they were playing Snow's favourite game of cat and mouse, where she was inevitably being led into a trap to say something incriminating or ignorant. She'd wait, if there was one thing Katniss had come to know about the President, it was that he revelled in explaining himself while reminding her of her ignorance.

"A hydra is a fascinating creature from mythology; you cut away one its heads and two more grow back in its place- do you understand what I am implying?... Of course you don't, you see Plutarch is dead- you yourself saw to that. However, his 'grand ideas' very much remain alive. This little 'rebellion' is very much alive and now there are two heads for me to root out. I am not a foolish man Katniss- your fellow Victors and yourself are probably sympathetic to the cause; yet luckily I have not been informed of anything incriminating, but rest assure I am always watching."

Katniss felt uncomfortable, she was not aware of any rebellious action being undertaken; she had made it her mission to stay as far from anything like that as possible. But she could guess a few of the figures who may be more that 'sympathetic', and she would try anything to keep them away from Snow's watchful eye.

"Do you want me to keep an eye-"

Snow began to laugh, mirthless and almost mockingly. Shaking his head to himself, as if Katniss had insulted him with whatever she was about to suggest.

"Ah Katniss, Katniss- you have grown as an actress, you could almost convince me you do not loathe me entirely. However, if I wanted to recruit a spy amongst the Victors, there are many I'd consult before you- your charming husband for example." Katniss bowed her head; the threat was veiled but it was there; she had promised when she first entered this sick game with Snow that Peeta would never be tainted by his vile poison. Everything despicable thing she had been roped into doing at Snow's behest was to protect others, even if that came to the detriment of herself.

"What is it that you actually want?" She regrets it instantly; the last time she had snapped so carelessly at Snow bore brutal consequences. With her eyes trained firmly on the mahogany floors, Katniss waited for the Peacekeepers to storm the office and drag her away- instead she was greeted by something much sinister: Snow's laughter. This wasn't mocking or mirthless; it was genuine, an almost joyful sound. But hearing it come from Snow was one of the most disturbing things Katniss had ever heard.

"It has been a while since you have been so bold, so direct- I've almost missed that passion, that fire." Katniss cannot suppress the shiver that wracks her body, somehow finding Snow's praise more horrifyingly violating than any vitriol or punishment.

"I simply want you to take a simple message back to your fellow Victors- you will be very much occupied throughout the Hunger Games. Ms Devereaux's plans for you Victors will keep the audience on the edges of their seats. So Happy Hunger Games- and may the odds be in your favour." Katniss nods her head, and Snow simply turns in his seat to the large computer system to the left of his desk; simply ignoring Katniss' existence after his cryptic message. As he continues to ignore her presence, Katniss stands from the chair and squares her shoulders before walking away; full of doubt and self-loathing, Katniss Everdeen once again mourns how the girl on the fire, the Mockingjay has become nothing more than a canary in the mines. As she closes the door behind her she hears Snow's voice one more time:

"Patch me through to President Coin,"

So there's Katniss, she might be a little OOC but I hope to explain that more as I go through the story.

A few more snapshots to come to try and set up my AU a bit more.