the end of the boy's pants were rolled upward into a sloppy manner. His boots looked dirty as he walked along the edge of the road, his hands shifting every few seconds on the crate he held. His hat shielded his eyes from the bright sun as he turned down a long row of people, they looked at him with disgust and confusion. No one had ever willingly visited twelve, it was a place that wasn't anything special.

This boy didn't stop his quick pace as he pushed the crate more upwards so it wouldn't drop. He greeted a few people as he passed, a smile on his lips when a few would wave back awkwardly.

His hat flew off his head when a big gush of wind flew into the atmosphere. He looked surprised as it landed on the dirty ground, he shifted the crate in his arms as he sighed in annoyance.

He walked toward it, making sure not to bump into anyone as the crate dug into his arms. He went to reach down and grab it but someone had already started to grab it. "This is your hat?" her voice sounded annoyed almost as she held onto it.

Asher let out a soft exhale as he looked at the girl "yeah, wind made it fly halfway across the place". His accent was different then ones she was used to, she could sense he wasn't from around here by that alone.

"You're not from here, I don't think I've seen you around here before" he grabbed his hat from her hands as he chuckled. "Is it obvious that I don't belong here? I've only been here four times before, of course you'd never notice me before due to my strict orders to avoid the locals near the train station".

He flipped his hat atop his head as he smiled "you've won the games last year, Everdeen wasn't it? I watched all of ten minutes of that little trick you pulled at the end, shame about your victory tour, I won't be in my district to greet you alongside all the other stylists and victors".

The girl raised her eyebrow "you're a stylist for the games? I've never heard of you before". He chuckled "I was in the games long before I became a stylist, district eight isn't full of much sunlight and grass, so I tend to travel to find a muse for my clothes. Shame I'm only here on business, you'd have looked good in one of my dresses".

She smiled weakly "I don't wear dresses" he hummed "neither do I, but they're quite comfortable when tailored by the right gentleman, that's me of course, most of the women at home claim I make the best dresses in all of panem. They mainly want to sleep with me so they'll say anything to get my attention".

He clicked open the crate in his hand "I do believe you'd find this better than a dress". He handed a pair of leather boots to her "for your little hunting trips along the fence line, I do have a few friends who hunt when all else sleeps here, I do hope we run into each other, maybe I'll tell you all about dresses".

He pushed his crate closed with a lock before he tilted his hat down at her "pleasures all mine Everdeen, do wish you the best of luck on your tour, it'll be a long trip and it's not easy for most victors".

She nodded briefly, observing the way he held himself and his boldness. He didn't seem hesitant to even mention the hunger games, he didn't flinch when he saw her like most of the other victors who saw her.

He just smiled, kept his eyes bright and he didn't even care about the glares he would receive. He turned, dug his boot into the gravel as he started to walk away, but he paused as he turned and looked at her.

"Do hope I run into you when you reach district eight, maybe you'll change your mind about hating dresses when you get a look at my work. Cinna isn't the only good stylist in the capitol, I'm second best".

He smirked before he turned back around, he adjusted the crate in his hand before he made his way towards the black market. Katniss watched him with a slight chuckle before she made her way towards the train.

—

"I saw that girl from twelve today, she's a good canvas, no wonder you're always drawing new designs for her". Asher sat across from Cinna as he set his pencil atop his paper, he saw the one hidden beneath Cinna's arm. "You really think she could stop all of this? That some mockingjay costume will make people actually wanna fight back?".

Cinna smiled as he pushed the folder shut, pressing his hand over it "just a precaution, an idea I had". Asher chuckled "you really are suicidal then, with the games next month, it's a shame I haven't been called to mentor yet, capitol always make me go. Even if I refuse to mentor and work on costumes instead".

He kicked his foot along the wooden floor, dragged his boot on top of a patch of fabric as he smiled. "You really think they'll do it this year? Send us all back in as a punishment, I heard word of it from a friend of mine in the capitol who's a peacekeeper, Snows being sneaky. I paid extra to personally deliver a few peacekeeper outfits to the capitol, and have a few inside men who all tell me the same thing".

Cinna leaned back "it's possible, it's a quarter quell this year. Snow will do anything to get Katniss". Asher grabbed a hold of the beer that rested beside his hand, "I'll be prepared regardless of the decision, gonna have to make sure the last drop of peacekeepers outfits that are sent to the capitol. Are laced with gunpowder, be sure that place burns".

Asher looked at the folder beneath Cinna's hand "the mockingjay, it's a bit much don't you think?". Cinna smiled "I think it's perfect, then again you never appreciate my designs". Asher stood up as he grabbed his crate from beside his feet "I think it's about time we show the capitol we're not scared, and if some silly little mockingjay costume is the trick, then so be it. Just don't get killed before that happens".

Asher grabbed the rest of his belongings and made his way towards the doorway. Cinna watched him "you could just say it's a lovely piece!" Asher turned and chuckled "okay fine, it's a beautiful piece. I'll be back later tonight with fabric from the shops".

He walked outside, when the door shut he let out a shaky breath as he pushed the crate more into his arm. The mockingjay? It couldn't work right?

—
authors note:
a basic first chapter to get this book started, it was sitting in my drafts for the last few nights so I thought, why not just get it published already. Anyways enjoy! I'm gonna go work on other stories now.