"Ladies and gentlemen, your master of ceremonies, Caesar Flickerman!" The announcer yells to the applause of the crowd. This year his hair has been dyed a flaming hot red and he wears a bold maroon suit to match.

"Thank you! Thank you!" He bows graciously to the audience, soaking in the excitement from the audience. "Welcome, welcome... to the 66th Annual Hunger Games!" Thunderous applause follows his words as the Capitol waits with anticipation. "Now, in about 5 minutes, they're all going to be out here. All of the Tributes that you've heard about. Are you excited?!"

Dahlia tugs at the neckline of her dress, which is strapless and dips rather precariously. The tight corset-like bodice ensures that nothing will fall down but she can't help but feel exposed. At least Juno had the decency to provide her with gloves and a full-length gown... unhelpfully the gloves were made of black lace and the fabric had a slit in the leg, so that did little to ease her worries. Juno also decorated her neck with strings of pearls to make the look feel elegant and sophisticated, yet Dahlia felt anything but. She could barely walk in the bedazzled, strappy heels she'd been forced into and her feet hurt just standing still. All the other female tributes were dressed colourfully, like those of the Capitol. But the Black Dahlia must remain in her signature colour.

Cove sent her an approving smile and Dahlia returned the gesture with a discreet thumbs up. The District Four girl was wearing a gorgeous royal blue gown, the darkest colour besides Dahlia. It had beautiful beading which shimmered like a mermaid tail and blue fabric flowing out from her shoulders as if it was following the water current. Her team was obviously trying to sell the graceful but deadly persona for her. She was older and more experienced, but still had beauty which could not be ignored. Everyone was set on making an impression tonight.

The line in front of her slowly disappeared, one by one the Careers displayed their confidence for the crowd. District Three gave lengthy detailed answers to each question while Cove didn't need to act at all. She was her usual kind but witty self. Then Caspian, Cove's district partner, was called up before Dahlia and the nerves started to sink in. This was the worst part. She could smile and wave as much as she likes, but would she be able to pull this off when the cameras were focused on her? She didn't have much time to wonder as a man dressed in a black suit ushered her forward and guided her to the edge of the stage.

"Now, a special treat for us all." Caesar declares as Dahlia grew grateful for the gloves hiding her sweating hands. "From District Five, we have a tribute who is already making a name for herself here in the Capitol. Please welcome... The Black Dahlia!" She slips into character, strutting onto the stage with a wide grin. The audience roars and cheers in response as Dahlia grips onto Caesar's outstretched hand. "Welcome, my dear. You look fabulous!"

"Oh, Caesar, are you sure you're not talking about yourself?" Dahlia replies, to which the crowd and Caesar chuckle. "Go on, give us a spin." Caesar fumbles for words as the audience cheers encouragingly. It doesn't take much for the man to give in and twirl around for them all. "Gorgeous, Caesar! You put us all to shame."

"You are too kind, my dear. Flattery will get you everywhere." He comments and Dahlia fake laughs like it's the funniest joke she's ever heard. "Now, we're not here to talk about me, are we?"

"I thought that's why I was invited." Dahlia feigns confusion, a gloved hand placed delicately to her chest. "Is this not the Caesar Flickerman show?"

"Well, you're not wrong there." Caesar states with a laugh before turning serious again. "No, we're here to talk about you, Miss Blossom. You have certainly made your mark on the Hunger Games and the game hasn't even begun yet."

"The games begin from the moment your name is picked. It's a whole experience for me, Caesar. The Reaping, the parade, the training... Everything going on outside the arena is in preparation for being in the arena." Dahlia explains, trying to seem ready and raring to go.

"So, every little move is planned with a purpose?" Caesar questions, sticking the microphone back in her face.

"Of course. Although, I never planned on getting a nickname." Dahlia smiles out at the crowd and gestures to them with her hand as she says, "I have the wonderfully intelligent people of the Capitol to thank for that." She's lying through her teeth at this point, but the audience is eating up her words like it's their favourite meal. They clap and whoop for her in praise.

"Well, you have certainly lived up to the name." Caesar compliments as Dahlia continues to send small waves out to individual members of the crowd who look like they are rolling in money. "Black really is your signature colour."

"Black goes with everything." Dahlia responds, smoothing down the black fabric of her dress. "I think you would suit black, Caesar. We could match."

The spectators laugh along and cheer in encouragement. "I don't think I could pull it off quite like you do."

"Oh, I beg to differ." Dahlia quips back quickly.

More laughter, more applause. Dahlia begins to wonder if she could just say anything and these people would laugh. They seem like mindless robots controlled by one person. Although that description isn't too far from what they actually are. "Now, Dahlia... What do you have planned for us in that arena? Are you making any allies or do you plan on going alone?"

"A lady never tells." Dahlia answers with a sly smirk to the onlookers. "I can't be giving away all my secrets now. No spoilers."

Caesar nods in understanding. "Of course, of course. Let us be surprised. But, do you think you have what it takes to win the Hunger Games?"

"No, I don't think I can..." Dahlia answers cryptically, earning severely overexaggerated gasps from the crowd. She strings them along, toying with their minds as she pauses for dramatic effect. Then she leaves them with her final words. "I know I can. And I will. Nothing will stop me."

Caesar guffaws in excitement. "Wow! Such confidence! I love it, I love it, I love it!" The audience joins him in his enthusiasm, some rising from their seats to give her a standing ovation. "It's been a pleasure, Dahlia. Ladies and gentlemen, from District Five... The Black Dahlia!" Caesar grips her hand and raises it into the air while Dahlia forces one last smile on her face.

As soon as she's offstage, her grin disappears and the Black Dahlia turns back into plain little Dahlia Blossom. It's easier to just pretend she's acting and that the Black Dahlia is a character, not really her. Easier to imagine that it's all an elaborate performance, not a cruel reality. She pauses to take deep breaths as the panic slowly leaves her body. The Capitol seems to like her, which hopefully means she's done enough to secure sponsors.

Dahlia is surprised to find Cove waiting for her. The blonde hobbles over to her with one heel dangling from her fingers and the other still strapped to her foot. "You did so well!" She squeals, nearly collapsing into Dahlia.

"Woah, there! So did you!" Dahlia responds in between small giggles. Cove uses her as a balance to remove her other shoe, shrinking before Dahlia's very eyes.

"Ah, that's better." The girl sighs, her eyes closing in pure satisfaction. "Your turn." Cove now holds Dahlia steady while she kicks her own shoes away. "Much better, right? You know, I never love heels more than when I get to take them off."

Cove snorts to herself as she swings the heels around wildly, but Dahlia ponders over Caesar's question of allies. Of course, it's not impossible to win the games by yourself. But Dahlia seems to be the main target of the Careers right now, which means she could probably use all the help she can get. Wyatt is obviously out of the question, the outlying districts won't be able to offer her much help. That leaves one option.

"Cove." Dahlia calls out, halting the girl in her tracks. The blonde senses the seriousness in Dahlia's tone and immediately strides back to her side.

"What is it?" She asks in concern, placing her hands on Dahlia's arm comfortingly.

Dahlia shakes her head. "It's nothing bad. I just wanted to talk to you about something... About the games." Before she can continue, someone wanders in behind her. Wyatt.

"Great job out there." He comments snarkily to her, leaning his body against the wall. "You certainly know how to put on an act."

Cove's eyes narrow at the boy, sensing the dislike between the District Five tributes. "At least she's putting up a fight."

"What's the point? We're already dead." Wyatt spits out venomously, glaring back and forth between the two girls. "And since when were you two such good friends?"

"Since you abandoned your district partner to be a whiny little bitch." Cove retorts, making Dahlia cover her mouth to stifle her laughter. Wyatt's chest heaves with angry breaths but Cove isn't bothered in the slightest. "Come on, Dahlia. You can hide out with me until the dead boy calms down."

Cove and Dahlia's sniggering laughs echo in the large hallway as they link arms and stride away. "That was amazing." Dahlia exclaims as they enter the elevator. "Wyatt is convinced there's no point in trying to win. Which I have nothing against, but it doesn't mean he needs to destroy my hopes of making it through."

"My district partner is the complete opposite. I think Caspian believes he's already won." Cove giggles as they start to climb floors. "We can talk more in the apartment. Caspian is never there. He's too busy sucking up to the other Careers." She rolls her eyes in disgust as the elevator dings. "Here we are." Cove grabs Dahlia's hand and pulls her along to the door, practically shoving the girl inside. "Hey, Finnick. I brought a friend." Dahlia's heartrate increases as Cove shouts through the apartment. Finnick is here.

"You managed to make a friend?" The boy replies teasingly, rummaging through the kitchen cupboards to find a snack. "Did you threaten or pay them?"

"Oh, ha-ha!" Cove drawls out sarcastically, tugging Dahlia into the kitchen. Finnick now searches through the lower cupboards, nearly climbing inside to reach the back. "It's District Five's tribute. Dahlia."

Suddenly, Finnick jumps up and hits his head on the roof of the cupboard. Rubbing the aching spot, he whips round quickly to find Dahlia and Cove struggling to hold in their giggles. His eyes soften at the sight of the two girls laughing so comfortably in each other's presence, even if it is at his expense. Though his cheeks are flushed and his heart races at the excitement of seeing Dahlia again, he attempts to play it cool and casual.

"W-- What are the two of you doing up here?" Finnick asks once he's managed to find his voice, still rubbing his head and fighting hard to maintain whatever dignity he has left. He internally cringes and worries that the stutter has betrayed his nerves to the girl. But Dahlia just smiles, and he swears his heart skips a beat.

"Avoiding our delightful district partners." Dahlia responds as the two girls pull out a chair at the table.

"Ah. Fair enough." The boy mutters, shuffling his feet awkwardly. Without all the eyes of the Capitol watching him, he seems so much more human. He is, after all, just a boy. The same age as Dahlia. The games force everyone to grow up, but this was the first time Finnick had seemed so shy and genuine. Like she was seeing the real Finnick Odair, not the character he put on for the Capitol. "I'll just, uhh... Leave you two to it, then." He just about trips over his own feet as he heads to his room, but he keeps turning back to glance at the dark-haired girl until he disappears round the corner.

"I don't know what was up with him. He's never normally like that." Cove explains apologetically, leaning forward on the table to look at Dahlia. "So, what did you want to talk about before we were rudely interrupted?"

Dahlia inhales deeply, pushing aside any fears and doubts to quickly blurt out, "I just wanted to know if you had allied yourself with anyone?"

Cove is quiet for a moment before she answers, "The Careers asked for Caspian and I to join them. Caspian agreed..." Dahlia's hope fizzles into despair at that admission. Her one choice of an ally was taken by the people who most wanted her dead. "I declined."

"What?" Dahlia's head snaps up in shock. "Why would you do that?"

Cove smirks at the younger girl. "Because they won't stand a chance against you and I."

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