The Flames of the Mockingjay

Understanding

"You all have seen this before so it's nothing new," Cinna started talking to the four tributes from District 12, "Katniss and Peeta, both will outfits will be full on, Haymitch and Esmeralda, your outfits will be the seems so its more dramatic and more of a statement."

"Esmeralda you push this when you are ready, it will activate all four of your outfits so it's more cohesive" she nodded and took the small button from Cinna.

"Esmeralda can I talk to you" Cinna told her and walked her over to a less populated area of the waiting area before the Avenue of Tributes.

"Esmeralda you've been quieter than usual is everything okay?" Cinna asked.

"Cinna this is the first time that I have to see Snow since the party that he held for Katniss and Peeta, having to make a public relationship with someone I care about for the sake of Snow not killing him is all I think about" Esmeralda said letting out a huge sigh and not wanting to cry in front of all the tributes.

"I know I will never understand your pain, your worry, or anything that the Capitol has made you feel but know that I'm always in your corner, I'm always betting on you my Flame. And I know Finnick will protect you and himself. You should've seen the way that he came up to me and Effie about getting you two the rings, it's like everything he ever wanted was coming true. I want you to remember that I said that because you have Finnick, and me, and Haymitch, and Effie," Cinna said giving her a hug. Esmeralda wanted to protest but she knew there was no point, she needed it and Cinna always knew exactly want to say.

Esmeralda walked back to Peeta, "I haven't been able to talk to you much and 'm sorry about that but I wanted to check in on you, how are you feeling?"

"Honestly I don't want to go back in but I'm ready to protect Katniss any chance I get, I know I'm not as fast as I was in the last games, but with the new leg I'm going to do whatever I can to protect her" Peeta told Esmeralda.

"And I believe you will Peeta, I always have and always will, remember that" Esmeralda told her fellow tribute.

They walked back to the chariot where they found Finnick talking to Katniss but it seemed the conversation what over.

"Nick" Esmeralda grabbed his attention.

"My thunder stealer" Finnick said with a smile walking up to her giving her a quick kiss on the lips and walking away.

"Hey hey wonder boy, don't do that in front of me, that's my little girl" Haymitch told Finnick, and Finnick raised his hands in defense while walking away and smiling, then winked at Esmeralda before he turned around. Haymitch smiled seeing Esmeralda seem happy for the first time in what feels like forever.

"What did he want?" Peeta asked Katniss.

"He wanted to know all my secrets" Katniss said with a fake smile.

"Well he'll have to get in line" Peeta said with a chuckle and Katniss smiled. Esmeralda thought to herself that this is the first time she saw Katniss smile, and a real one not the one she puts on her the Capitol or interviews. Esmeralda knew Katniss was pretending and Peeta wasn't but it's moments like this that shows Esmeralda that Katniss has growing feelings for Peeta.

While Esmeralda and Haymitch were talking to Peeta and Katniss the careers were talking to each other.

"You saw that right" Gloss asked.

"Yeah there is no way we have an alliance with district 4" one of the careers said.

"We have to be ready, we are going up against the youngest winners of the games, one of who killed half the tributes by herself and the other who is quick with a kill"