"Don't go near me at training," Taiya muttered as she and Finnick took the elevator down to the training floor.

"Sorry?"

"The game makers. Most of them I know. If they still think of me as Seneca's partner I might be able to garner some sympathy from them. If they see us together at training they'll come to their own conclusions. That would work against us in the arena."

"Plutarch wouldn't let them target us," Finnick tried to reassure.

"No, Plutarch won't let them target 12. Like I said Finn, we're cannon fodder to him. A means to an end."

"Little miss positivity aren't we this morning?" he smiled lightly as he tucked her hair behind her ear. "We're going to be ok Tay. Plutarch promised. Besides, if 12 see us together they might be more open to an alliance."

Taiya frowned. "You should know better than to trust the promises of Capitolites," she sighed, stepping out of the elevator as the doors opened. "If 12 see us together they'll just know how to target us more." Taiya looked around the training room, it looked like only half the tributes had bothered to show up. "I'll admit, it's a better turnout than I thought it'd be."

"They've already given up," Finnick sighed sadly.

"I know," Taiya nodded sadly as she looked back at him. "Come on," she gestured him forward to join the semi-circle around Atala, the woman who ran the training sessions, in time for her to start her introductory spiel. "Hey," Taiya greeted Johanna as she came to stand next to her friend.

"This is such bullshit," Johanna spat out.

"Oh my god there's two of them," Finnick rolled his eyes at the pair's negativity.

"Where do we want to train first?" Johanna asked.

"I'm going to hang with Cashmere and Gloss," Taiya answered before tilting her head as she noted Johanna and Finnick exchanging nervous looks. "What?"

"Is that a good idea?" Johanna asked.

"I'm not sure hanging out with them will help you, Tay," Finnick added. "I mean they're going to..."

"All the more reason to hang out with them now," Taiya snarled. "Don't tell me what to do please," she muttered before turning and speed-walking over to the knives station where Cashmere and Gloss were setting up. "Yo yo!"

"Hey," Cashmere smiled widely. "I'm kind of surprised you're here, not going to lie. I thought that fish boy would keep you away."

"He doesn't make my decisions for me."

"Still got your talent?" Gloss asked.

"Oh you know I do," Taiya laughed.

"Show us what you've got them," he taunted.

She immediately rolled her eyes and walked towards the start. "We don't need help," she cut off the knive's trainer before he could introduce himself. "You ready to see pure talent Gloss?"

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"Why don't we make it more interesting?" Taiya challenged.

"I like where your head's at," he nodded with a smirk.

"Competition. 10 throws each, the highest score wins."

"Oh, you're on!" Gloss grinned wickedly.

"Ummm," Taiya mumbled as she looked over the computer screen before sheepishly turning to the trainer. "Ok, we're old. We haven't trained with the simulators before, how does it work?"

*********************

"HAHA!" Taiya cheered as she threw her arms in the air. She'd won their competition after Gloss' last knife strayed slightly to the left and hit the simulation's shoulder.

"You got even better Ambersnow," Gloss admitted with a smile. "Congratulations."

"Well I had to channel my rage into something for the past few years," she shrugged nonchalantly.

"Most people chose knitting when they're looking for a relaxing hobby," Cashmere snorted. "You're a psycho," she laughed, making Taiya giggle along with her.

"Check out these arms Cash," Gloss teased as he grabbed Taiya's upper arm. "This is actual strength here, unlike your stylist's implants."

"Oh my god, I didn't tell you!" Cashmere gasped. "My stylist said the style this year is a 'victor's body' they're all getting muscle implants to get muscle definitions."

"Oh my god, no way," Taiya curled her lip in disgust. "They're the psycho's Cash."

"Agreed," Cashmere nodded.

"Check it out," Gloss nudged Taiya and pointed over to the knot-tying section where Katniss and Finnick were standing. "He really wants her for an ally?" he scoffed.

"It's what he's leaning towards," Taiya admitted as she studied her fiancé carefully.

"How do you feel about that?" Cashmere strategically asked, trying to ascertain Taiya's thoughts on alliances without directly asking.

"I think..." Taiya structured her sentence carefully. "I think Finnick believes he's making the right choice. I know I'll have to follow him, but I hope he reconsiders." She had to let them know they'd be aligning themselves with 12, without pissing them off and making her and Finnick targets.

"Ew," Cashmere gagged. "Good luck to you," she laughed lightly. "You're going to need it. Besides, it's pretty selfish of him to try and align you two against your friends. Because we are friends Taiya."

"I know," Taiya whispered. It was obvious. Cashmere and Gloss were already playing the game. And they wanted Taiya on their side, even if it meant splitting her and Finnick up. "I'm going to keep talking to him about the career alliance, don't you worry," Taiya lied.

"Good. Because we'd ally with you in a heartbeat," Gloss confirmed. "Both of you."

Before Taiya could say anything else she frowned. "What the hell is he doing," she huffed. "I'll talk to you guys later," she said, hurrying off towards Finnick, using the opportunity he'd presented to leave the awkward conversation. "What are you doing?" Taiya asked with a giggle as she stood in front of Finnick, taking up the position Katniss had just quickly vacated. Finnick had tied a line of rope into a noose and had pretended to hang himself for Katniss's amusement. Although the girl hadn't seemed very amused and had quickly walked off.

"Making friends. She didn't seem too keen on taking me for a walk though," he smirked as he played with the end of the rope. "What are you doing?"

Taiya sighed as she grabbed the rope from his hands. "Spending time with my friends whilst I can. I'll take you for a walk," she smiled widely.

"Lead the way," he wiggled his eyebrows at her, causing her to roll her eyes and spin around, pulling the rope gently as Finnick trailed behind her.

"Want to work together for a bit?" she asked.

"Always," he nodded as he let her remove the noose from his neck. "She's a little unhinged don't you think?" Finnick jerked his head and Taiya turned around to follow his gaze.

"Johanna? Totally," Taiya agreed. Johanna was stripped naked and was oiling her body up for wrestling training.

"Probably why you two get on so well," Finnick teased.

Taiya giggled as she looked up at him. "Shut up," she shoved his arm lightly before stiffening up. She'd almost forgotten to maintain the facade. She quickly cleared her throat. "So?"

"Archery?" Finnick suggested.

"Archery, really?" Taiya complained.

"Come on, may as well learn the girl on fire's trade," he placed his hand on her back and gave her a light shove as they walked over to the archery station. "Ladies first," he gestured to her and she sighed before stepping up to the plate.

"So what you want to do is..." the trainer began to instruct before being cut off by a glare. "Ok," he muttered, stepping back. The instructors had been having a rough day. The victor's bitterness made the trainers an unwanted addition to the environment, and the victors had been making their thoughts on their presence abundantly clear.

Taiya grabbed a bow and arrow and drew it back, quickly releasing it. It flew through the air and landed in the simulation's knee.

"Ouch," Finnick cringed.

"It's not a death shot," Taiya grumbled as she stepped down, handing the bow over to him.

"It's as good as one," he encouraged. "You cripple them and it's much easier. Take every advantage provided to you."

"You just give it a go," she rolled her eyes.

While Finnick was taking his shot, Taiya glanced up at the Gamemaker's box. Plutarch was watching her. She took a deep breath in before giving him a quick nod. That was the confirmation he was after. She was in. She was an ally.

*********************

"Finn, help them," Taiya nudged him. Gloss, Chaff and Peeta were currently moving the tables around the dining room, pushing them together so all victors could have lunch as a big group.

"Yeah, come help us, pretty boy," Gloss taunted, and Finnick rolled his eyes before walking over to help push tables.

"Puppet master," Cashmere pointed to Taiya, "and puppet," she pointed at Finnick.

"Stop," Taiya grabbed her friend's finger and pulled it down. "It's a very loving relationship built on mutual respect."

"Sure," Cashmere winked.

"Cash?"

"Yeah?"

"Go help."

"On it," Cashmere nodded, making a quick getaway.

"Girl on fire doesn't look too happy," Johanna smirked as she claimed Cashmere's spot.

"What do you mean?" Taiya asked.

"Well all of us victors are all happy to hang out, and look at the sour puss over there," Johanna subtly nodded her head in Katniss' direction. She was right. The famous girl on fire was glaring at the group table situation forming in the room. It was obvious she wanted to sit in a corner with just her and her bread boy.

"Oh, that face just makes me even keener on this lunch set up," Taiya smirked.

"You're mean today. I like it," Johanna nodded.

"For you my dear," Finnick called over to Taiya, pulling a chair out for her. There were no Gamemakers in the room so they were free to act as they pleased.

"Why thank you," Taiya mockingly curtsied before she walked over and took the seat. "Jo! Sit with me!" she yelled back at her friend who hurried forward to sit next to her. "Where's Blight?" Taiya asked, finally broaching the subject she'd been too nervous to ask.

Johanna just snorted. "Emptying the contents of his stomach probably. The idiot drank himself into a stupor last night. Disgusting."

"If it's a problem you can sleep on our floor," Taiya offered. "We have a spare room obviously."

"Dude I already know you and Finnick are doing it, I do not need to hear about it too," Johanna teased.

"Jo!"

"What? You two obviously don't just sleep together and cuddle all night. Well I mean I'm sure you cuddle, you know after..." Johanna taunted before being cut off as a spoon full of stew hit her on the forehead.

Taiya snorted as she put her spoon back down. Her quick catapult had been a success.

Johanna let out a quick giggle of amusement as well and wiped her face. "That was funny," she admitted. She then leant around Taiya to look at Finnick. "You could do better," she teased as Taiya laughed and shoved her friend's head back.

"Here," Taiya handed her a serviette to wipe her face. "Careful who you bully next time, I have lightning-fast reflexes."

*********************

"Taiya," Finnick held both of her arms down as he forcibly dragged her over to Katniss who was at the fishhook station. "You two need a re-introduction. So Taiya, Katniss. Katniss, Taiya. Taiya here is an expert at fishhook making, she was taught by the great Mags herself," he declared proudly as he jostled her arms up and down. "Alright," he released her and slapped her on the back. "Have fun."

Katniss and Taiya both sized each other up and down. Neither one wanted to work with the other, but it was too awkward to leave. Taiya relented first, knowing she needed to put aside her grudge if the plan was going to work.

"Hi, I'm Taiya," she grumbled, holding her hand out. "Nice to re-meet you."

"Katniss. A pleasure," she responded shortly as she shook the girl's hand. "So you're good at this?" she gestured to the station.

"Yep," Taiya turned to the station and picked up a thorn and began moulding it into a fishhook. "Our friend Mags taught me, she had a stroke a few years back. It took her a while to get her motor functioning back, but we used to make fishhooks to pass the time, it was a kind of therapy for her, and she taught me at the same time. Just follow what I do," Taiya slowed down her movements so Katniss could copy.

"You volunteered," Katniss spoke up, interrupting the awkward silence they'd both happily fallen into.

"Yep," Taiya answered quickly.

"I thought you didn't like inspiring volunteering," Katniss snarked. Her point was fair. Taiya had been very critical of the idolisation that Katniss had triggered, and then had followed it up by volunteering herself.

Taiya lowered her fishhook. "I guess I understood your motivations more," she admitted, quickly glancing out of the corner of her eye at the girl.

"Who was she?" Katniss asked quietly, her voice softening.

"Annie," Taiya exhaled. "I couldn't let her go back in," she looked at Katniss. She could tell Katniss wanted to question her more on her motives. But she wasn't in the mood. "I'll see you later. I think I'm done for the day," Taiya said quickly before retreating to the elevators.

*********************

Taiya largely avoided Katniss the next day at training. Finnick didn't. He'd made it his mission to gain her friendship. They'd been exchanging archery and trident lessons.

Taiya had instead found herself more comfortable around Peeta. The young baker boy always seemed polite, no matter how aggravated.

"Teach me how to do that," she skipped up to the boy as she saw him painting his arm to blend into a field of grass. "Is that a skill from the bakery?"

"Yeah," he nodded with a wide smile. "From decorating the cakes."

"Did you get to eat them?"

"Only when they were burnt," he smirked. "So not really, no. I mean in District Four I'm sure you have better food than we do."

"I had a good childhood," Taiya nodded.

"Daughter of the mayor," he nodded. "One of Katniss' friends back home is the daughter of the mayor. She lives much nicer than the rest of us, so I can't imagine what your life was like." He wasn't saying this to be judgemental or resentful, he was genuinely curious about the differences in their upbringings. "I mean I saw the mayor's house when we were in your district, I can't imagine growing up there. It'd be so nice."

"It was nice," Taiya admitted. "I got to learn piano."

"That was your skill, on your victory tour."

"Yeah," Taiya nodded.

"Katniss and I have been watching all the victor recaps, we watched yours last night."

"I guess you guys have to. You don't really know us that well."

"Yeah," he nodded. "I mean after all these years you all must be pretty close."

"We are," Taiya agreed. "It makes this all a lot harder for us though than for you."

"How so?" Peeta enquired. "I mean when we've been talking with Haymitch he's been warning us about how we're the new kids here. All of you have relationships and have been friends for years."

"It makes it harder though doesn't it? For us. Only one comes out of this. What if we hesitate to kill a friend? Whereas with you and Katniss, where's the hesitation? You don't know any of us well enough. It'd make it easier for you if it came down to it to just... kill one of us. Whereas we'd have to be able to live with ourselves, killing a friend we've known for years."

"I hadn't thought of it like that," Peeta admitted. "It's an interesting perspective. I'm sorry," he sympathised. "Give me your arm," he held out his hand and she placed her arm on the table. "Here, take a seat," he pushed his chair towards her.

"What are you doing?"

"Painting," he smiled. "No peeking until it's done," he warned as he set to work.

He'd been working on her arm for forty minutes when Katniss walked up to the pair. "Wow Peeta," she gasped.

"Can I look now?" Taiya asked impatiently.

"Yeah, you can look," he nodded as he released her arm. She quickly turned her head and gasped. He'd drawn a landscape on her arm. Of what he imagined District Four to look like. It was the beach at sunset, and it was stunning and full of detail.

"Oh my god," she laughed. "Peeta! It's stunning! FINNICK!" she yelled out to him, frantically waving him over. "Check it out, check it out, check it out!" she waved her arm in his face.

"Woah," he let out a breath. They were both homesick, everyone was. "You've got talent," he smiled at Peeta.

"You like it?" Peeta asked nervously.

"Of course! Oh my god, I love it!" she squealed. "This is so beyond stunning Peeta. Thank you!"

*********************

Private sessions. She hated it the first time around and she hated it this time.

"What are you going to do?" Johanna turned around to ask.

Finnick had just gone in and she was waiting for her turn.

Taiya just snorted. "Probably take a nap."

There was a mild titter of giggles around the room. No one particularly cared what their scores were this time around. It wouldn't make much of a difference when it came to sponsors. This year sponsors were familiar with the tributes, their money would be directed towards the ones they were more emotionally invested in. Scores wouldn't change that. Plus none of the tributes this year really wanted to pander to the Capitol and their rules any more than they had to.

"Come on little miss Taiya," Chaff chortled. "You've got to impress them at least a little."

"Maybe I'll throw a knife at them, I know Seneca loved that," she tauntingly directed at Katniss who quickly looked down. Not everyone was aware of the incident that occurred last year between Katniss and the Gamemakers, but Taiya knew better than to follow that example. That wouldn't work a second time around.

"Taiya Ambersnow," a robot voice echoed throughout the room. Taiya groaned before slowly getting up and waltzing towards the door.

"At least throw one knife!" Chaff called after her, and Taiya merely threw up a dismissive hand.

"Taiya Ambersnow, you have 15 minutes to present your chosen skill," Plutarch announced as she entered the room.

"Hey fellas," she waved at the Gamemakers. There was an obvious difference in the mood this year. None were drunk and none were stuffing their faces with food. Plutarch in charge had brought a sense of professionalism to the Gamemakers that had been missing for years. Some awkwardly waved back at her though, they had been friendly for years and it was now awkward to see a girl who had been on their side of the curtain for years down in the tribute area again.

Taiya merely sighed as she pushed the tridents and knives that were resting on the table apart and hopped up to take a seat. She swung her legs up and down and whistled as the Gamemakers looked at her curiously. They'd watched her perform well throughout the training sessions and now she was choosing to relax.

"Miss Ambersnow you are only allotted 15 minutes," Plutarch reminded her.

"I'm aware," she nodded. "It's just that you're all very aware of my skills so why waste my energy? Better off conserving it for the Games right?"

"We still do take your training session into account, my child," an elderly Gamemaker who had always been kind to her reminded her. "You should know that better than most."

"I'll do something but may as well relax for a bit," she shrugged.

And relax she did...