"Cashmere and Gloss. Brother and sister. District One." Haymitch explains as the first Tributes appear on the screen. With blonde hair and chiselled features, the siblings look like they are descended from Greek Gods of war. Sickeningly, they both wear happy smiles on their faces as if it's an honour to have been chosen and sent away to possible death. "They won back-to-back Games. Capitol favourites. Lots of sponsors. They will be lethal." Clicking to the next video reveals a fearsome pair who one might mistake for Roman gladiators. Their joined hands are raised proudly in victory and they roar animalistically at the cheering crowds. "And the other half of the Career Pack, Brutus and Enobaria."

"What's with her teeth?" Katniss asks with a grimace, eying up the sharp spikes protruding from the woman's mouth.

"She had them filed into fangs so she could rip people's throats out." Haymitch replies casually as they see a close-up of the razors on full display.

Peeta lets out a dry laugh and jests, "She's committed. I'll give her that."

"Wiress and Beetee." Haymitch continues, moving on to District Three. "Not fighters, but brilliant. And... weird. Real tech-savvy." These two Victors are more reserved and timid compared to the boldness of the previous Districts. "He won his Games by electrocuting six Tributes at once."

Next was the Reaping footage from District Six. "The Morphlings. Masters of camouflage. Basically won their Games by hiding until everyone else was dead." These two Victors have dark circles around their eyes and seem permanently startled by their surroundings. Their skin is thin and pale, clinging tightly to their bones and giving them the appearance of tormented ghosts. "Self-medicating ever since. Which I applaud. Not a threat."

The air seems to shift as District Four's Reaping pops up on the screen and the Golden Boy himself lights up the room. Living up to the nickname with his sunkissed hair and bronzed skin, he grins smugly and waves to the crowd as he saunters across the stage. Katniss recognises him immediately and speaks up, "Finnick Odair, right?"

"Yes. He won his Games at 14. Youngest ever. Extremely humble." Haymitch jokes as the boy seems to bask in the cheers of the crowd.

"You're kidding." Katniss deadpans, raising an eyebrow at her Mentor.

"Yes, I'm kidding." Haymitch exclaims, pushing the blond strands of hair out of his face to mock the Victor's apparent vanity. "He's a peacock. A total preener. But he's the Capitol darling. They love him here. Charming, smart and very skilled at combat. Especially in water."

Peeta leans forward in his seat, analysing the Victor as he questions, "What about weakness?"

"Two. The first is Mags." Haymitch reveals, pointing to the screen as an elderly lady throws her hand up for a horrified young redhead. "She volunteered for Annie. Mags was his mentor and basically raised him. If he's trying to protect her in any way, it exposes him."

Katniss scoffs lightly to herself, "A guy like that has to know she's not gonna make it. I bet when it really comes down to it, he won't protect her."

"Well, Katniss, I just hope when she goes, she goes quickly." Haymitch says sadly as the footage shows Finnick wrapping Mags in a tender embrace and kissing the top of her head. "She's actually a wonderful lady."

An expression of regret and remorse falls on Katniss' face as she stares up at the pair with sad eyes. But Peeta's eyebrows scrunch in confusion. "I thought you said two weaknesses."

With a sigh, Haymitch flicks to the next Reaping. District Five. The fierce sight of the Black Dahlia appears onscreen, dark eyes glaring piercingly into the camera with a terrifying smirk. Katniss tenses up at the confidence oozing off the woman in waves, remembering their previous meeting. She nearly gasps out her name, "Dahlia."

"Oh, you've met her?" Hamitch hums in surprise, noticing the look of recognition on his tribute's face. "Was it a positive experience?"

"I wouldn't say that." Katniss mumbles downheartedly, dismayed that she will now have to go up against this woman. "But she certainly made a lasting impression."

"Yeah, she tends to have that effect on people." Haymitch chuckles fondly, glancing up at the screen with a faint smile. The first time he'd met the girl, she managed to steal the flask out of his jacket pocket and drain every single drop of its precious alcoholic content in one long chug. He was less than pleased when he found out, but even he had to admit that it was impressive. "Dahlia Blossom. Don't let the name fool you. She's better known as the Black Dahlia. And she didn't earn that nickname by smiling and looking pretty."

"She sure knows how to perform for the camera." Peeta remarks blandly, noting the way she always stares right down the lens. It made him feel like she was glaring directly at him, reading his every thought and deciphering every secret. But she was even more unnerving to those unfortunate enough to meet her in person. Katniss and Peeta experienced that firsthand.

"Because she knows how to play the game." Haymitch reveals solemnly, remembering the determination on the young girl's face as she was paraded around the Capitol. Back then she had only been a Tribute. A young girl who many believed was kidding herself if she thought she could win. She proved all the doubters wrong. "She always has. Right from the very beginning. And for that reason alone, she may just be one of the deadliest Victors you come across." Striding closer to the star-crossed pair, Haymitch focuses his attention on Katniss. His eyes plead for her to comply with him and listen to his words. "You need her on your side, Katniss... Or neither of you will be going home."

Katniss does not heed the warning and rolls her eyes at the woman who, in her opinion, has too much confidence in herself. "She's just a bitter self-centered girl who let victory get to her head." She spits out, glaring right back at the woman on the screen. "People say she went mad after her friend and sister were killed in the Games."

"What do you say, Hamitch?" Peeta asks, looking to their mentor for answers.

With a lighthearted shrug and a small grin, Haymitch replies, "I say she was always a little bit mad. All the best people are." Alaric had been his friend from the moment he offered Haymitch a drink on his Victory Tour. So he knew how much that man adored Dahlia like she was his own child. And if Alaric advocates for the girl like his life depends on it, then Haymitch supposes he can get behind her as well... No matter how much she scares him. "But she's less of a weakness for Finnick, more of a strength."

"What?" Katniss questions in confusion, eyebrows scrunched at the conflicting statement. "How can she be his weakness and his strength?"

"Well, Katniss, unlike you two," He wags his finger between the fake lovers with a playful expression. "Finnick and Dahlia truly love each other, no matter how much they choose to deny it." Katniss sits up in surprise, glancing at the supposedly cold-hearted woman. "They will die and kill for each other, have no doubt about it. But while Mags is more vulnerable to attacks, Dahlia is a born fighter. She's very intelligent, able to adapt to her environment and can pick up new skills incredibly fast. She learned how to wield a sword in three days using her mentor's instructions and a pair of silver candlesticks. She's also ruthless. Together with her ally, she hunted down and killed every Career in her Games, carving a smile into each victim's face. And she didn't waste any time winning it. The 66th Games was one of the shortest in history." The District Twelve tributes feel their hopes sink the more Haymitch lists about her. If they don't get her on their side, she will be a formidable opponent. "I mean, I could go on..."

"I think we've heard enough." Katniss huffs, sinking back in her chair as the fear starts to flood her body.

"But I haven't even told you about her former mentor." Haymitch whines, perking up as Alaric strolls onto the screen with a stern expression. "My close personal friend, Alaric Silvers." Haymitch brags shamelessly to his tributes, grinning smugly at being associated with the man. "He may be one of the older Tributes in the arena but he's not one to be underestimated. He's been mentoring tributes for years. No one knows the Games like Alaric. Not to mention he's deadly with a sword in hand."

"So what is your advice for those dealing with those two?" Katniss questions warily, watching as the duo are practically hauled offstage by Peacekeepers.

"Try not to piss her off." Haymitch suggests unhelpfully, throwing his hands up in surrender when Katniss sends him a sharp look. "Hey, you asked for advice, sweetheart."

"I meant, how do we beat them?" Katniss clarifies, feeling incredibly outnumbered by the vast number of lethal tributes they find themselves up against. "Any weaknesses, past injuries... Anything to help us get past them."

"Look, sweetheart," Haymitch starts, staring Katniss down with a strict gaze. "These people have known each other for years and so have I. They're my friends too. Friends that I will have to watch die in those Games." Guilt instantly hits the two Tributes as they had completely disregarded Haymitch's feelings in their desire to survive. "What I need from you is trust. I need to know that I can trust you and you need to trust me. Can we do that?"

Katniss ponders for a moment. She's never been too good at trusting people, always needing to keep walls up to protect herself. To protect her family and the people she loves. To put her faith in someone else's hands is scary for her. Especially knowing that Peeta's life is on the line too. He is her top priority. He doesn't deserve to die in the Games, but death may free her from
the burden that's been placed in her shoulders. Haymitch seems to have a plan in place to help them. And if it gets Peeta out alive, she's all in.

"I trust you."