Larii, with her long flowing silver hair and petite form stood tall on the stage of district Eight. Eyes wide and bright with excitement for her fifth year in the Hunger Games, drawing the names of another two.

"The female tribute for the 74th Hunger Games, Melody Clear!"

There was silence, and that unfortunate clearing of the fifteen year old's section, were a slightly beefy blonde girl with grubby, curly hair emerged. She wore a pale pink dress, and was no taller than the twelve year olds.

To my surprise she didn't cry, or scream, but on the crowds her parents could be heard weeping.

"Come now lovely!" Larii encouraged, trying to beckon her onstage excitedly. The poor thing got there, and when she was close enough I could see her eyes were brown.

"Fantastic, and now for our male tribute."

Larii reached into the bowl again, and pulled out a slip of paper. "The male tribute, from district eight, Zeke Ikari!"

A boy stepped out ridgidly from the seventeen year olds, and came to the stage in shock, tears on his face unlike Melody's.

"District Eight, here are your Tributes, Melody Clear and Zeke Ikari!"

No applause, no sign of reaction, they just stared. Peacekeepers lead them away, off the stage, Woof and I following sadly.

"They're both young," he said, to which I only nodded. I was Melody's age when I went into the games. I won so why couldn't she? The same goes for Zeke.

"Talent?" He got my one worded questions as always, "I'm not sure. We'll see, would you and Axel like to talk to them on the train?"

My ears perked up and I looked at Woof in surprise. In my current state and age, Woof noticed my immediate feelings for the eighteen year old Mentor.

I smiled at him happily and nodded my head eagerly. "Well alright," he walked away, and I knew he was retrieving Axel.

I boarded the train and walked into my quarters. The screen wall lit up with the reapings of the other districts. One and Two were as I expected, full of themselves.

Three's kids looked smart, Four's were no less threatening than them. Five wasn't much to look at, Six, Seven, Nine, Ten were average and alike to one another.

Eleven hurt, as I watched the most adorable little girl come on stage, her big brown eyes watching her small family. I didn't expect anyone to volunteer though. An older boy, possibly eighteen was the male tribute.

Lastly was twelve, and I expected no more than what was in the other poor districts, like my own for example.

I giggled quietly, watching as Uncle Haymitch tried to give Effie Trinket a hug whilst they were   on stage, and despite what Larii might think, Effie is nice, and much more than the other that host the reaping.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"

I hate that line.

"Ladies first!" She chanted, before trotting towards the bowl on the right. Taking a slip from it, she read the name out clearly. "Primrose Everdeen!"

A beautiful name. There were two different separations or disturbances, the bigger one being in the twleve year olds section.

I felt the same pain as I did with Rue when the small blonde, only tiny, petite, perhaps even shorter than me, approached the stage. Something about her however makes me feel even sadder, as though Rue may have had a chance, but this one didn't.

Someone. Anyone. This one has no chance!

"Prim!" The strangled cry of a dark haired, dress clad girl emerged from the sixteen year olds. I watched as she called out to her again, and the Peacekeepers approach her.

Reaching the small blonde, the girl pushed her behind protectively and shouted "I volunteer!"

For a split second my heart lurched in relief, before I felt grief for the brunette. There was some confusion up on stage between Effie, and who I assumed was the Mayor.

Katniss, her names was Katniss. Before I could finish watching, Celia came and told me it was time to go, so I came to the compartment where the tributes were waiting.

They looked up at me in fear, which was upsetting. "Azaylan," I introduced, holding my hand out to Zeke. He took it carefully and shook it gently.

Well, he seems too soft already.

"Zeke," he replied, though I already knew. I turned to Melody who shook my hand too, and introduced herself.

They ate as carefully as they could, but I knew they were starving desperately, and tried not to be...pig-like.

I tried to place them, because they did look familiar. I inspected Melody's brown eyes carefully, before an image of her, only a child, came to mind.

A woman who worked in the Peacekeeper's Uniform Factory, with Melody hanging off her hip. Yes, I know her. Zeke I was not sure.

I watched as they gave each other awkward looks, and then they would looked at their food hungrily. "Larii...not here. Eat quickly." My words as per usual come out starchy, struggled and slow.

My gaze downcast at my capitol born shoes. Currently I wore a white dress that reached mid thigh, and it had a large bow that protruded from behind my back, and my shoes were white too with small heels.

My long, dark red hair was let down freely. I probably looked despicable on that stage to everyone. Little Azaylan Starfire, the one who sings over the roar of the machines is now the adorable girl from District Eight the capitol love.

That was my 'brand', as Woof had put it. Being innocent, cute one might say.

I don't see it. When I look in the mirror I feel weak. The mental nut that can't speak properly.

"Azaylan's right. Whilst Larii's not here, you may as well eat as much as you can, however you can as fast as you can."

Axel's voice startled me. My head snapped up to see him with a tight smile. Looking back at Zeke and Melody, I nodded to get the point across.

That was it, they dug in greedily. It did turn me off completely, but that didn't matter I wasn't absolutely hungry anyway. I smiled at Axel who returned the gesture.

Sadly he did not return my feelings, though I was sure he was quite aware of them.

 "Okay," He sighed, sitting down beside me on the couch that was adjacent to the table. "Let's discuss how to win this."