Althea Hart's soft hands enclosed themselves in an old oven glove, opened the door, and entered into that hot, steaming air to retract a cherry pie. The pastry had gone slightly dark on the edges, and that sweet, blood red filling was spilling over slightly, but it filled the kitchen with a pleasant, homely scent.

Placing it upon the counter to cool, Thea removed her oven glove and glanced at the clock. She had been anxious all morning: the reaping was a mere hour away and her stomach churned with anticipation. District 12 had produced two victors in its time (aside from the rumoured winner during the games' early years), and the regular sight of weak, sickly children dying had left her devoid of hope. Now, all she felt was hope that when they died, it was quick and painless.

Thea sighed, forcing herself to think of anything other than the imminent doom of whatever poor kids got selected this year. She thought of Haymitch in his house, insistent he could get himself up and ready for the reaping, and decided checking how he held that would be a more productive use of her time. After packaging up the pie, as one small piece of home to bring with her, she exited her house, walked a few feet, and came to his front door. Not bothering to knock, she entered.

"Haymitch?" she called out. When there was no response, she sighed deeply. As always, she found him in a heap at the kitchen table, last night's bender leaving him unconscious.

She grabbed him by the shoulder and shook him. He gasped and woke up, staring up at her.

"Goddamn it... what time is it?" he groaned out.

Thea crossed her arms. "It's 1pm. So, come on, move your lazy ass. Did you shower last night?"

Haymitch rubbed his temple, slowly coming to. "Wow. Aren't you bold, princess, asking about my showering habits?"

"I'll take that as a no. Come on, do you wanna look completely disgusting at the reaping?" Her voice had a stern edge to it.

"Disgusting?" Haymitch smirked, sitting up. "Oh, come on, I get enough pecking from Effie. I don't need you on my ass, too. Although..."

Thea gave him a look, which abruptly ended his joking. He got up and stumbled to the bathroom, leaving her alone in his kitchen. Empty liquor bottles scattered the room, and it smelled vaguely musty. Her hands itched to get her cleaning products in here, but she knew now wasn't the time. Instead, she adjusted her dress. She had spent months dieting to fit into the outfits her stylists insisted she wore, and truth be told, it remained too tight around the chest, just bringing more attention to her cleavage. She wasn't able to escape the capitol's obsession with her chest, and she resented that fact more than anything.

Eventually, Haymitch stumbled out of the bathroom, fully dressed. He remained his usual disheveled self, but at least he smelt better.

"What you been baking, princess?" he asked, glancing down at the box in her arms.

"Cherry pie." she responded.

Haymitch nodded approvingly. "Nice. I'll be having a slice of that on the train..." he leaned in, kissing her head softly. "Happy Hunger Games, junkie. You took your morphling yet?"

"Few hours ago. I think I need another shot."

He responded with a snort, picking up a half-drunk bottle of liquor. He took a swig straight from the bottle. "Can't say I blame you. Doesn't get easier, does it?"

She hummed in agreement. "...we'd better get going. The Peacekeepers will be here soon to escort us. And Effie's gonna be having a panic attack because her wig ain't on right, probably."

Haymitch laughed. "You're right. Come on."

As they exited the house, cameramen were setting up for that iconic moneyshot of past victors exiting the Village to attend the reaping. Thea sighed, standing a little straighter as the crew prepared their cameras. A gaggle of stylists rushed over, immediately fawning over her.

"Miss Hart! We're the top graduates of the Capitol's stylist school. Our reward was to get to work with you!" one of them said, straightening out her dress. "We are so excited to be your stylists for this year's games!"

Thea nodded, plastering on a smile. Every year, she had different stylists, and being one of the most popular victors she was commonly used as a reward for those fresh out of school, along with Finnick Odair. "It's my pleasure. Congratulations on graduating."

"Okay, okay. You look nice. Maybe a bit homely. We'll have you looking sensational when we arrive at the capitol."

Thea glanced over at Haymitch, who was being mostly ignored. They exchanged a look and she tried not to laugh.

"Cameras are live in 10 seconds. Look alive."

The stylists bustled out of the way, and Thea quickly adjusted her dress. The countdown ended, and they were live.

Putting on that famous smile, she walked down the path of Victor's Village, giving a coy wave to the camera. She could practically hear Caesar's commentary, and waited for the cameras to stop.

"Okay, and cut."

She breathed out in relief as the cameras came to an end. Peacekeepers outside Victor's Village waited to take Thea and Haymitch to the Hall of Justice; the reaping was set to take place very soon. Walking there, a heavy silence set over the pair.

The crowds of stern faced young people always broke Thea's heart a little. Some of them looked far too young to be bothered with such a burden; others looked years beyond their age, worn down by the anxiety of being reaped. As they took their places by the stage, she bowed her head. It made her guilty, but it was the one time she felt focus was off her body and she felt the need to embrace it.

She jumped slightly as Effie tapped on the microphone and began her usual spiel. She ignored the video for the most part; as usual, she pretended to pay attention and be the perfect, Capitol-adoring bitch everyone knew her as. Haymitch caught her eye at one point, and she thanked the Lord he wasn't embarrassing her with his drunken antics.

Soon enough, it came to the main event: selecting what poor kids would be forced into that arena this year. Thea listened in silence as Effie selected one name from the girl's bowl, feeling a jab in her gut as a small blonde girl was selected. The fear on her face broke something in her: she was too young; too innocent.

Her thoughts were interrupted as an older girl started screaming out to the girl. Peacekeepers made to push her away until she shoved them away and spoke.

"I volunteer as tribute."

Thea's eyes flicked up. There was dead silence: this had never happened before. Effie paused in surprise before inviting her up onto the stage: the girl stared blankly at the crowd as she introduced herself as Katniss. Effie encouraged a round of applause, however what she got in response was thousands of hands raised, holding up three fingers, in unity. She desperately wanted to join them in their salute but knew if she did it would carry some sort of punishment. She kept her head down.

The second tribute was chosen: a short blonde male the same age as the girl who volunteered. The two stood on stage in silence, blank-faced.

Thea took a moment to exchange a glance with Haymitch as Peacekeepers began leading them to their train: the tributes would be allowed some time to say goodbye to their families, so this was the time for her and Haymitch to settle on the train.

As they boarded, Haymitch went straight for the bottles of alcohol, selecting his favourite whiskey and taking a long drink. Thea took a seat a few feet away.

"...I'm already drained and we ain't even started yet." she mumbled.

"It's how they control us, princess." Haymitch replied, stuffing a small cake in his mouth. "Drain us. You want one of these? They're nice."

She shook her head. "No thanks. I'm watching my figure."

Haymitch resounded with a roll of his eyes. "You don't ever take your eyes off your damn figure. Live a little."

"...I have that pie." she placed the cherry pie she had boxed up among the food. "Fresh cherries, you know? I got them from the market this morning."

Haymitch nodded. "To be honest, princess, you could have bought them from a man in an alleyway and I'd still eat it."

She looked him up and down. "I can tell."

He shook his head. "I don't know why I bother. Here I am, complimenting my beautiful lady's baking and you turn around and insult my dashing looks."

She rolled her eyes, a soft smile crossing her face at the banter. "Cry about it, fatty."

"Yes. I will. Right after I finish off this whiskey."

Thea stood up, rubbing her back. She went into her bag and pulled out a small vial of morphling, drinking it. She sighed softly. "God knows I can't wait to get my hands on some syringes in the Capitol. Taking it orally just ain't the same."

Haymitch rolled his eyes. "You're my pretty little druggie, ain't you?"

"You're no better." she responded. She felt his hand on her waist, gripping her against him.

"Well, well. Aren't we bringing the sass?"

Thea couldn't help it at that point; she burst out laughing, turning to him and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Stop it."

He chuckled lightly, pressing a sloppy, drunken kiss on her lips. She was about to speak when the door of the train opened: instead she pushed him off her and looked up to see Effie.

"Thea!" Effie squealed, coming over and giving her a hug and kiss on both cheeks. "Oh, look at you, dear, you look beautiful! Oh, you're practically glowing!"

Thea smiled. "Thank you, Effie, you look pretty too."

Effie laughed loudly. "Oh, stop, stop, you're too kind. Now, the tributes are waiting on their lovely mentors, so I..." she grimaced as Haymitch downed another whiskey shot. "...suggest you both make your way to their carriage and introduce yourselves."

"Absolutely, Effie. We will." Thea assured her. Effie gave her a smile as she bustled off somewhere.

Haymitch looked up and sighed softly. "Well, sweetheart. Let's get going. Time to face the 74th Hunger Games."