𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒕𝒖𝒔; 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒊𝒓

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒋𝒂𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌

Katniss struts onto the stage, her white wedding dress swaying with each step. The audience erupts with cheers and clapping. They sure do love their Girl on Fire. When Katniss finally reaches Caesar, he takes her hand.

"My, my," Caesar says. He then makes a whooping noise while fanning himself. The audience quiets down. "Now Katniss, this is a very big and very emotional night for all of us, wouldn't you say?"

"Oh, don't go crying on me now, Caesar," Katniss smirks and gives Caesar a side glance.

Caesar begins to laugh, then the audience joins in. "I can't make any promises, you know me!" He jokes.

"Well, you know I wouldn't believe you even if you did!" Katniss jokes back. Although, she doesn't seem like she's joking.

The audience roars with laughter. Whether she means to or not, Katniss sure can move a crowd.

"I love her! The Girl on Fire, so cheeky!" Caesar chuckles.

Caesar helps all of the tributes in any way he can. That's what Lilith admires most about Caesar.  Lilith recalls last year's Games when Katniss was fumbling over her words on stage. She was so nervous. It was written all over her face. But, Caesar jumped in and helped her sail smoothly through the interview.

"But, Katniss, on a more serious note, I think we're all a little disappointed, more than a little disappointed, that a certain wedding did not take place. Aren't we folks?" Caesar says. The audience coos and murmurs a bit. "Alas, but, am I correct in assuming that this is the gown that you would have worn on that day, yes or no?"

"Yes, President Snow thought everyone would want to see it," Katniss says with a tone Lilith can't quite figure out. It's almost snide.

"Well, President Snow, as usual, was right, was he not folks?" Caesar says. He chuckles loudly and turns to the audience. "I love it! I love it! Don't you just love it? It's incredible!" He yells over the audience's cheers.

Caesar gestures for Katniss to move in front of him. When she begins to twirl, Lilith learns her assumption from earlier was right. Cinna has incorporated those glowing flames into Katniss's gown. But, as the Girl on Fire keeps spinning, the flames keep consuming the gown. All of the pretty white fabric burns away, exposing a darker fabric. It looks as if it's covered in feathers. Then, Katniss lifts her arms up, making the illusion that she has wings. Lilith can't help but watch in awe.

This show earns a standing ovation from the audience. They cheer and clap so loudly, that Lilith can't hear herself think.

"It's got feathers? It's like a- what is it? It's like a bird, like a-" Caesar stutters over his words.

"Like a mockingjay," Katniss interrupts.

"Your stylist has certainly outdone himself, hasn't he? What theatricality! Cinna, take a bow!" Caesar compliments.

All eyes go to Cinna as he stands and bows. The audience keeps congratulating Cinna, but he just stands humbly and claps for Katniss.

It takes a moment, but the crowd finally settles enough for Caesar to bring Peeta Mellark to the stage. Lilith actually likes Peeta. He's a very genuine person.

"But Peeta, the wedding? Marriage? Never to be?" Caesar asks solemnly.

Peeta is quick to talk when Caesar tilts the microphone to him. "Well actually, we got married, in secret."

Lilith glances down at Katniss, who looks slightly shocked at Peeta's statement. But Peeta's words are so sure, so real, that Lilith can't tell if it's true or not. Either Katniss has brain damage from the Games, or Peeta is one good performer.

"A secret wedding? Alright, do tell."

"We want our love to be eternal. It was a small gathering, a tradition we have in District Twelve. You know, Katniss and I, we've been luckier than most."

Lilith's mind goes to William's lost life. To her feeling for Finnick. The star-crossed lovers from District Twelve sure have had it luckier than most.

"I wouldn't have any regrets at all if..." Peeta trails off. "If it weren't... If..."

"If it weren't for what? What, what, what?" Caesar says, clearly growing more impatient. Lilith admits, she's on the edge of her seat too.

"If it weren't for the baby," Peeta blurts out.

The audience gasps. They begin to yell. Lilith hears a mixture of: baby and stop the Games. Lilith has to stop herself from gaping her mouth open. She can't believe what she just heard.

"Calm down, this is news to all of us," Caesar tries to settle the audience to no avail.

Peeta walks back to his spot next to Katniss and they share a hug. All of the tributes begin to join hands. Lilith grasps Silas's hand with her left and Gloss's with her right. Lilith can't help but look down the line a bit to see Finnick. He also turns his head and looks at Lilith.

Lilith imagines she has a hold of Finnick's hand, far away from here. She hopes that the message is conveyed through their eye contact.

All of the tributes begin to raise their joined hands as the audience screams. Caesar looks back at the string of people and looks worried. Suddenly, the lights go out and everyone is engulfed in darkness.

Lilith knows that this is only the beginning. Katniss's stupid mockingjay wings fanned a spark that cannot be tamed. The same spark Lilith saw in Nancy's eyes before she killed her. This spark has turned into a flame that will tear everything apart. Lilith is sure about one thing: this is all because of Katniss Everdeen.