Disclaimer: Forgot to put this in chapter one, this will be the first and last time I say this. I do not own hunger games, I am writing this simply for enjoyment and to further my writing skills as a future author.

Needless to say, after the conversation with Aldon sleep never came.

After about an hour and a half I finally gave up, brewed myself some coffee, and read a book while I waited for the time to pass when I would have to get ready for my meeting with the mayor.

Though I find I can't focus on the pages for long before the letters all switch places and rearrange themselves; spelling out my fears. Scarlet. Tessa. Hunger Games. The Capital. Helplessness. Loss.

I throw the book against a wall and sit there staring out the window for the next hour, until I can no longer see what's in front of me; that instead being replaced by the images that haunt my nightmares.

The coffee mug on the table shatters against the floor, pieces flying violently.

I step around the mess, pieces sliding across the hardwood as the toes of my shoes hit them. I make my way upstairs in the dark, turning on the lights when I reach my room.

I pull open the closet, tossing something onto my bed without looking at it, throwing a pair of shoes next to whatever dress I've picked.

I walk over to the bed to examine the outfit I've created; a strapless red satin dress with a thin black ribbon belt at the waist and thin black tulle peaking out of the skirt. The shoes? Bright sea foam green heels with traffic cone orange gems adorning the toe to the sides of the shoe. Why I owned them I have no idea; they were probably a 'gift'.

I look at myself in the mirror as I sit on the bed strapping on the ungodly heels. I stand and straighten out the dress which is one of my favorites; the otherwise elegant and beautiful style marred by the offensive shoes.

An amused smirk greets me in the mirror as I think of more ways to make this outfit worse. That reflection is replaced with a more serious but wistful one as I kick off the ugly shoes. I would love to go to the meeting wearing a tablecloth and clown makeup, a big fuck you to the fashion and beauty district; see the horrified and appalled faces of the Recruiters as I walk into town square.

But I know this is silly and would accomplish nothing except maybe to cause more trouble for myself, Scarlet, and Tessa. So I dig out a pair of cute black stilettos with heels encrusted in black gems, slipping them on and taking a seat at the vanity.

My eyes scan the array of makeups and lotions, stopping on the small silver compact, sticking out like a sore thumb among the high tech looking casings of the other products. The compact looked antique but well cared for, swirling lines and flower designs creating smooth grooves in the metal. It had been my mother's, given to her by her mother, passed down through the family since before the dark days.

There was still some light rose colored powder clinging to the sides of the compartment inside. The powder had been replaced many times as it was passed down until now when there was barely any left, my mother'd never replaced it but still kept it's mirror and case sparkling clean.

It reminded me of when Scarlet and I were little and borrowed mom's makeup for games of dress up and makeovers. Scarlet was always the stylist and I did our makeup. Sometimes we would use some of the blush from the compact but I would always clean the mirror and polish the silver before we put it back.

I close the compact and set it down gently on the vanity, plucking a brush from the wooden holder and grabbing a sleek black compact.

***

When I'm done my long black hair falls over my shoulder in waves and my eyelids are grey and smokey; I now look like an acceptable member of District 15, no longer a BBZ. Not that I wasn't pretty before, but to be accepted in 15 you aim for sexy more than beautiful; a meeting with the mayor was one of the few times I absolutely had to follow this unspoken rule.

I liked the tablecloth plan better.

I still had time to kill so I painted my nails a dark burgundy and brewed another cup of coffee.

The mockingjays were singing their morning song as they always do just as the sun rises and I decided now should be the time I head down to the town square.

I retrieve a small crystal encrusted clutch from the counter after pulling on a thin, insulated black jacket and leave out the front door.

I stand on the steps for a moment to gather my nerve and then I'm on my way, the sharp clicking of my heels echoing lowly off the surrounding buildings.

Just as yesterday the streets are nearly empty but for shop owners and peacekeepers; but this time is different.

As I walk by they stop, staring in a way I can't describe. For a moment I am worried, what's wrong with me? Is there something on my face? Has a mockingjay decided to nest in my hair?

But then I remember how I am dressed, how the delicately applied makeup makes my green eyes seem deeper. But then, this is the norm for my district. Why are they staring?

I've never done well with having so much attention on me at once, it makes my skin crawl and I must fight against the urge scratch the feeling away.

I do my best to avoid their stares and finally I reach the glowing white marble steps of city hall.

Warm air breezes across my skin as I slip through the door, replacing the cool, crisp smelling fall air with the scent of something mechanical.

The change makes me uneasy but I walk forward towards the receptionist nonetheless.

"Name?" She asks curtly. Her hair, as red as blood, is pulled up at the nape of her neck, held loosely by a pair of black lacquered chopsticks. Her face holds a look of severity as she stares down at her nails, uninterested.

"Cassia Vindette," I reply quietly in my musical tone.

She looks up slowly, her gaze meeting mine showing mild interest. After scrutinizing me for a minute she stands and walks around the desk, moving toward the large mahogany doors at the end of the room.

"Follow me," She calls mid-stride.

She leads me down a maze of halls and doors only never looking back to check if I'm still with her and only acknowledging me once before dropping me off in front of the exquisitely carved doors of the Mayor's parlor room.

I rap lightly against the brass door plate and am greeted with a muffled 'Come in,'

I turn the knob and the door swings open slowly. I have to squint for a moment as bright white light assaults my eyes. Hesitantly I take a step inside, eyes slowly beginning to adjust, and remove my jacket, hanging it on the coat rack. The room is sweltering.

"Good morning Ms. Vindette, take a seat won't you?" Asks a thin, small man from the head of the table at the center of the room.

"Good morning Mayor Walton," I reply, taking the seat across from him, about two seats away from his chair.

"Please, call me Victor," His smile is almost predatory, sending chills down my spine.

"Victor," I amend. "I'm curious as to why you requested to see me today, I-"

"Ah, they'll be plenty of time for questions after you've eaten Ms. Vindette,"

"I'm not particularly hungry," I say trying to look apologetic. The truth was I'd always been a bit, unnerved by our mayor; he just seemed to give off this aura that felt, unsafe, just like his predatory smile. Needless to say I'd lost any appetite I may have had walking into this room.

"Oh but you must have something," He says laying a napkin on his lap. "Tea?" He asks, gesturing to a glimmering silver teapot at the center of the table.

I shake my head slowly. "Coffee?"

"Certainly," He smiles, pouring me a cup from a small thermos. He reminds me of a snake, and not just because of his newly altered eyes.

"Thank you," I say, taking the cup from him and dunking in sugar cubes.

In our district there are not many 'privileged' enough to be altered. Unless you are of high status like that of the mayor's you must not change your hair color, skin color, facial structure, eyes, or get more than 3 pairs of piercings; at least, not unless you're picked. If you are somehow 'lucky' enough for a Capital citizen to take a liking to you and take you with them, all those privileges open up to you and eventually you gain capital citizenship as well.

All for just the minuscule inconvenience of being a slave.

"Ms. Vindette, I'm afraid if you don't pay more attention your cup may spill over,"

My hand pauses, hovering over my cup which now has coffee filled up to the brim as my spoon sits above it, loaded with sugar cubes. I carefully set the excess sugar down on my saucer and lay the spoon beside it.

"I apologize, It seems I've been distracted as of late," I say quietly. I almost cringe at my formal tone, how I must speak to this man and every other official I cross paths with just to ensure not mine, but my girl's safety, and its already a slippery slope we stand on.

"Not at all Ms. Vindette," There's that smile again; it seems more and more to be taunting me. "Perhaps I should have thought to schedule thin meeting a bit later, I'm just so used to being up at the crack of dawn,"

"It's quite alright, really the hour is fine, I find myself up this early as well; I like to watch the mockingjays," I admit.

"Very well then, now, to answer your questions," He starts.

At this I straighten in my chair, fingers nervously playing with the hem of my dress.

"As you know, you've never undergone the evaluation,"

Oh God, the evaluation. My heartbeat quickens and I can feel my palms begin to sweat yet I regain my composure. I nod solemnly, staring straight ahead into the reptilian eyes of Victor Walton.

"Normally it is something citizens sign up for willingly, unless of course, they are taken to the Galley before that time,"

I am sure he saw me wince and the smile returns.

"Though you, Ms. Vindette, never applied," He clasps his hands together and rests his chin on them. "Now I was wondering, why is that? Beautiful young woman like you, I'm sure someone would want you,"

"Well I, I was never really interested," I whisper.

"No?" This time he frowns. "Could this be, because you don't have a talent?"

I shrink down in my chair, averting his gaze. It sickens me the way his eyes rake over me like I'm a piece of meat.

"I assure you my dear, you're more than, endowed, enough that you don't need to worry about talent, unless, there's something you'd like to tell me?"

I shake my head slowly, not moving my gaze from my lap.

He does not say anything for a moment and I can feel his gaze on my face as I finally look up.

"I believe it would be in everyone's best interest if you were to apply," He says coldly.

For a second I am startled by his sudden change in tone before it registers what he means.

If I do not comply, they will do something to my girls.

I nod meekly.

"The choice is yours Ms. Vindette, if you wish to apply for evaluation Mrs. Collins, my receptionist, will be more than happy to help you fill out the forms," And just like that the smile is back as well as his cheery tone, but I'm still chilled to the bone.

"Yes Mayor Walton," I say, slipping my napkin back onto the table.

"Well look at the time," He says standing, not even glancing at the watch on his wrist. "I'm afraid I must take my leave if I want to make my next meeting,"

"Yes, of course. Thank you for your hospitality," I reply, careful not to let the slowly cracking mask of mine drop. I follow slowly behind him towards the door when inside what I want most is to run, out of the town and through the woods, into the Galley.

"It was my pleasure," He says, handing me my jacket and holding the door open for me. "Ladies first,"

"Thank you," I say, not quite sure whether or not I imagined the sneer that crossed his lips as I passed by.

Well, hope you liked :33 Please review and alert so you know when the next chapter is up! ^^

Also, be sure to check out my friend, and one awesome authoress, DreaDreams! Be sure to check out her new story Capitol Girls! And to readers and future readers of my Hunger Games story Embers, our plot lines will be linking up somewhere around the 75th Hunger Games! So be on the lookout for Cassia Scarlet and Tessa to make an appearance in Capitol Girls and for Coraline, L.N and others in Embers :)