Hey guys!! Author here - hope you're enjoying Ceasar's adventures so far. AND DON'T worry! For those of you who love romance, there's plenty where that came from! *Hint hint* I want to dedicate chapters to YOU! Yes that's right, YOU the reader!! So anyone who gives me a comment on this, (tell me who you are, I know you're out there!) Will get their own dedication. :) Thanks!!

Farwells. How I hate saying them. Because now, my eye makeup, that I managed to get out of the house without Mum seeing, is running everywhere over my face. I look like a mess, as I sit in the tiny room waiting my family. Mum comes in, drawn face and tears streaking down her light cheeks. 

"Ceasar, I'm so sorry!" She weeps, throwing herself into my arms.

"It's not your fault." I pat her head, sending a fresh wave of tears down her face and soaking my shirt.

"If I had only been... there for you after your father died, Ceasar! Now I won't see you again!"

I'm slightly annoyed that she doesn't think I have a chance, so I try my best to console her and then glance at the door. "Mother, we have 2 minutes left."

"Oh!" She reaches into her pocket and pulls out a large ring. "Here, Ceasar, I bought you something."

I gasp out loud and take the large ring from her, popping a small lock on the side. A perfect mirror comes into view. Tiny, but useful.

"Mother, thank you!" I hug her, now with joy. "I can't thank you enough!"

"Your district token." She whispers. "Something to remember me by. Goodbye Ceasar!" The Peacekeeper is dragging her away while I wave.

****

"Isn't the train marvelous?!" Genie keeps closer to me as we walk aboard. Leia hasn't stopped glaring at her since she was picked for the hunger games.

"I think I'll go and get Dexter, you two can make yourselves comfortable." She points around at the food on the tables.

"I'm not hungry." Leia says snobbishly. "I wish we could just get into the games first."

"Patience, dear. There's the interviews to get through first. And then your training, of course."

Genie wobbles her way on her high heels into the opposite carriage. I slump down in a seat, while Leia takes the opposite one. "So, ready to die Ceasar?" She gives me a grin that looks like an evil smirk.

I ignore her, looking around. "You know what I don't like? I don't like it that the tributes don't get to show off what we're made of. We should have some sort of show before the event!" My mind snaps me a picture of chariots walking in the tributes, paraded in front of a huge adoring crowd who throw them roses.

"Ceasar, grow up!" She takes a grape, then groans. "I swear, if I eat another thing I'll pop! My family already put on a huge feast at home before we left for the reaping."

I ignore her again, concentrating on my own thoughts. What if the tributes were paraded in front of the crowd? Shown off, instead of just being interviewed and rushed off to the games? The crowds never get to see them, except to hear them being drilled by our interviewer whose knows as being pretty mean.

Cornelius Censur is an old man, softened by the Capitol, plumped up, fake and ravishing. Everyone hates him, which is probably why he's the host for the tribute interviews. But my mind is still reeling. the tributes need a show to show them off, so the crowd can see what they're made of - a makeover. Some of the kids are scruffing looking, especially those from district 11 and 12. After their makeover, they could be paraded by the crowd, who would then be able to determine who they wanted to sponsor. These days, people only go on interviews. But in the future...

Leia snaps her fingers in my face as the door opens again and Genie walks in with our mentor, Dexter. He looks exactly how I imagined him to - fit, athletic, with sandy hair and tanned skin. He pulls off his sunglasses and smiles at us. "Congratulations, you two." His smile diminishes slightly when he sees my outfit, but he plasters it back on again.

"You are probably the ones with the most potential."

"I can throw knives straight, at anything and hit it ever time. I can lift 50 kilos in both hands and... I can shoot with a bow and arrow and use a sword." Leia says immediately. Then she shrugs. "But I'm open to anything you want to teach me."

Dexter has a grin as wide as a ceshire cat. "Well... that is good news. Ceasar?"

"I can put on makeup and make it look good in under 10 seconds... I'm used to eating anything and I can paint pictures." I look at my nails and look up to find his gaze on mine. 

"Anything else? Can you use a sword? A bow? Ever killed anyone?" He asks, disappointed.

"No." I say with a shake of my head. "I've cooked a chicken before."

"I think I'll work with Leia for the moment, Ceasar. You can go with Genie, she'll prepare you for the interviews." Dexter says in his smooth voice. I nod, and Genie looks pleased that she's allowed time away from Leia.

"This way." She pushes me down a corridor in the train and into a room. "Now, Ceasar, the interviews are nothing to be nervous about. They're..."

"A chance for the audience to see who they want to bet on." I smile at her. "I know. I watch it every year."

"Oh." She smoothes her dress. "Yes."

"Do we get to dress up?" I ask.

Her smile widens. "Oh, yes, dear. You choose what you want to wear. In fact, I can help you with that if you like. I have some old clothes from my son who used to live with me. A while ago." She shrugs. "I can show you if you like."

"Thanks." I steal a cupcake off a tray and follow her down the halls.

"These are lovely." I look at the beautiful Capitol clothes. They're stunning. Colourful and bright.

"Take your pick. I can already see the Capitol crowd loving you." She pats my hair and leaves me alone.