Annie and Quinn didn't have much breathing room as they were loaded onto a truck like the ones that brought tributes to the train after the reaping. It wasn't all that cramped though, because they didn't need to share the seat with an escort. The drive was silent, it felt like the reaping in Four all over again. What were they supposed to say? Goodluck, I hope anyone but you gets reaped? If they did, that meant their odds were even higher of getting chosen. Just like before, they were both secretly hoping someone else was chosen-- even if that meant each other. Then again, Quinn still had her promise to Finnick...but would the same rules still apply to this reaping? Would volunteering even be allowed?

"Good luck," the driver turned in his seat as he stopped near the stage where a few other Victor's were being escorted up to the stage already. The driver had a smile on his face, he was genuinely excited for them-- he was clearly eager to see the outcome of the Third Quarter Quell. Quinn stared at him as Annie stepped out of the car, and Quinn followed close behind her.

Everything was busy. Decorations were already hung with the number seventy-five in bold, and under the number it read The Third Quarter Quell. The Panem flag was draped over the stage, and President Snow's podium had two bowls on either side. In front of the stage there were rows and rows of seats where in just a few hours, there would a tribute parade. The first few rows however, were roped off, and in the seats, Victors were being seated. Some of them were forcing themselves to look happy to see one another and chatting with the other Victors. It was all just for show, she knew that for a fact. But then there were a handful of Victors who sat quietly in a chair, maybe whispering to others who were doing the same.

Then all of the other seat, and the bleachers were full of Capitol citizens. Their hair an assortment of colors, and their clothes were just as bright with accessories to match that varied from size and color. Most of them probably say there, waiting anxiously, and hoping to hear their name, their child's name, their friends name-- they just wanted to know who the favourites were, Quinn hated them for that. But part of her just felt sorry for them, they were brainwashed-- they couldn't think for themselves.

Quinn seated herself next to Annie. Quinn was on the end of the row, and on the other side of Annie was Maeslee Becker. A Victor from District Two, she was in her thirties. Her face was stone hard, and she didn't look please to be there, her eyes stayed glued on the stage. Then a few rows back, sat Haymitch Abernathy from District Twelve. He had a good shot at being the favourite-- he won the second Quarter Quell, people probably would love to see him in another Quell.

Annie turned to look to see who Quinn was looking at. She smiled a bit and waved, "Hello, Haymitch."

He didn't really smile, but he didn't really frown either as he waved back. Quinn had met him once during her Victory tour. But he had been a drunken mess...

"Have you forgotten what it's like to be sober yet, Haymitch?" Finnick asked as the two of them approached the Victor after her speech was over.

Haymitch frowned, glaring at Finnick. "Don't lecture me," he sighed and then stuck out his hand to Quinn. She took it, and he gave it a rough shake, "You should try it, Four has some of the best boos I've ever had."

Finnick sighed, "Really, Haymitch?" he asked, "I thought the morphlings would be the ones I'd have to watch out for."

"No, the morphlings are still at the top of that watch list of yours," he replied, "Finnick here has had a list ever since he won, Victors to be friends with, and Victors stay away from-"

"-For my own health." Finnick added quickly, "Haymitch is the only exception."

"I'm great company." Haymitch said, sarcasm in his voice and a the smell of whiskey flowed from his mouth and Quinn had to bite her tongue to distract herself so she didn't look so repulsed.

"I'll keep that in mind..." Quinn replied.

"You might need my help some day," he sighed, "I could vouch for you or something."

"Why would I need your help?" Quinn retorted, raising an eyebrow.

He smirked, "Just trust me," he sighed, "I know what it's like to have certain people after me."

"Nobody is after me." she replied, but she wasn't completely convinced herself.

"That's not what people have been saying," he sighed, his breath smelled awful. And this time, she didn't try to hide her repulsion.

"He has a point though," Finnick sighed. "Some of the Victors are ones that you just have to trust. And surprisingly, Haymitch is one of them."

Haymitch held his hands up proudly before putting them back down at his sides.

"Some of the Victor's have a bit of a alliance." he shrugged, "Welcome to the group."

Quinn turned around in her seat. Trust was a big word, especially now. If he was chosen, would he still be on Finnick's side? Would that alliance still be a legitimate one?

"Welcome,"

Quinn hadn't seen Snow walk up to the podium. But as soon as he spoke, the crowd fell silent. All of the Victor's became even more stuff in their seat if that was even possible.

"Welcome Victors, and citizens alike. It is my pleasure to be here with you on a day like today." he said and the seats of citizens cheered, and all of the Victor's clapped too less enthusiastically. "I suppose we shouldn't put it off any longer," he paused as he motioned to the two reaping bowls.

Again, the seats erupted with applause. The row of seats behind Snow, with a select group also clapped. Quinn scanned the group, and saw Celestia and Orion sitting next to the empty chair that had been President Snows'. Celestia wore a light pink dress, and Orion wore a casual suit. Probably not one that he had chosen himself. He and Celestia were whispering to each other, not entirely paying attention to their grandfathers words.

"We'll start with the Victor's," he announced, "Guests first." he added as he reached into the bowl that was to the right of his podium. He mixed the names around a bit, and Quinn glanced around at the Victor's around her. She felt like she was at a normal Reaping...nobody wanted to look at anyone in case they were reaped. nobody wanted to be connected to whoever went in. "The voted Favourite Victor is..." Snow paused as he unfolded the paper. "Quinn Maverick!"

Quinn felt her stomach drop as the rest of the seats of citizens began to cheer. She looked around quickly at the other Victors, part of her hoped someone would volunteer. But nobody moved...

She felt like she couldn't move or breathe. She should have known it would have been her. She shouldn't have been dismissing it since the announcement. Annie touched Quinn's arm gently, the cheering was still progressing as Quinn forced herself up to her feet. A sudden wave of dizziness hit her, as if she had gotten up too fast and she could feel herself go pale. She quickly steadied herself, and then made her way back up the stairs that she had been led down to the seats. Everything seemed to be in slow motion, and everything sounded like she was under water or like she had cotton balls in her ears. Then as she stopped next to the reaping bowl that Snow had just drawn her name from, she looked down at her chair. Just moments earlier, she had just been sitting there-- not getting sent off to die again. But in a blink of a eye she was in this position.

"Congratulations, Quinn." Snow said as he placed a hand on her shoulder before looking back out at the crowd. Quinn's eyes flickered to Annie's, they were tear filled and she held her long sleeves on her cheeks as if to catch the tears as they fell. Quinn starred at her until she was sure they had made eye contact. She wanted to just shake Annie again, to remind her that she was a mentor for two tributes now. Not just Finnick. "Now for the Capitol citizen that you have voted to enter the arena alongside Ms. Maverick..."

The crowd became silent again as everyone waited. President Snow mixed around the names in the bowl on the other side of the podium before finally drawing one out. He unfolded it, reading it before making the simple announcement. He let out a long sigh.

"Orion Snow,"

The citizens of the Capitol when historical. Roaring with shouts and whistling as they all clapped. Both Snow and Quinn both looked back at Orion in his seat. He looked like he just couldn't move for a moment as he let it sink in.

Quinn turned back towards the crowd. She felt sick to her stomach. She knew this wasn't a coincidence. This was Snow's way of getting rid of her and making sure Orion never tried anything again. He planned this, it was always part of the plan. Since they planned the Quarter Quell.

• • • •

Quinn and Orion sat in the back of one of the trucks, to go to their prep team to get ready for the parade. The drive was completely silent until Orion finally broke the silence that had been giving Quinn too much time to feast u the reaping in her head.

"Any advice?" he asked, "You've survived this once."

"Barely." she retorted.

He sighed, "It's the Quarter Quell, we just..." he paused, "Just give them a show they can't forget."

She sighed and looked away from the window and at him. "Just make sure they don't forget you." she sighed, recalling the advice that Finnick had given her for her games.

"I think we've already accomplished that." he replied.

She nodded, "That's why we're in this now."