Clove sank back against the cool tile as the elevator doors cut through the bustle of the tribute parade, closing with a dull thunk, giving her the first moment to herself she'd had since leaving 2. No stylists to fuss over her, no prep team to muss with her hair, no crowds scrutinizing as if this were a dog show and she were best of breed. No disgusted looks from Brutus, no tirades from Enobaria on appearances, none of that mindless babble from that floozy escort-what was her name again? Who the fuck cares. But mostly, she was glad to be free of Cato, if only for now. Relaxing into the shuddering of the spacious elevator, Clove replayed last night on the train, feeling Cato's roving hands on her skin, his weight on her chest, his hot breath on her neck, his lips smashed on hers. She didn't know what she thought of it, she was not yet sixteen, so she was shocked when her much older district partner was suddenly lusting after her. It wasn't horrible, but not something she'd like to repeat. At least not with him. Not like she would be anyway.

The elevator jarred her from her train of thought as it squeaked open and let in a rush of cool night air. Clove looked up to realize that she had completely forgotten to hit the button for her district's floor, and wound up on the roof. She pondered for a moment, and decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to sit out on the roof and escape everyone for a while. Especially Cato. Fuck him. Staring at the sky above, she picked out some familiar patterns visible from home. Cygnus. Gemini. Bootes-her personal favorite. He was the hunter after all. Like Orion.

"Orion's beautiful tonight, don't you think?"

Clove whipped her head around at the person disturbing her precious alone-time. Of all people, it was fucking Fire Girl. Standing right next to her as if she belonged there. All tall and slim, with that smirk. That jumpsuit didn't look too bad after all. Clove gave her a hard stare, caught somewhere between flabbergasted and confounded.

"It's Clove, isn't it?"

Clove gave a terse nod.

"Well, Clove, I'm Katniss. Nice to meet you." Fire Girl extends a shiny black hand, and Clove tentatively grips it in her own. Katniss does not shake it, rather, just holds it, maybe brushing her thumb over Clove's as if to calm her. Clove decided that she didn't really mind this touch. But, she still lets go after a moment that feels all too short.

"You can't be that old at all, couldn't someone have volunteered for you?"

"For your information, Katniss, I'm almost sixteen. And I don't need to be volunteered for. I would have been the volunteer in a few years, in fact."Clove speaks for the first time. Brutus already couldn't take her seriously due to her small stature and youthful face. It didn't matter how skillful she was with a knife, she was too small, a runt. "What are you even doing up here? Your face is currently plastered all over the damn city."

"Same thing as you. I wanted to spend some quality time with me, myself, and I. And I guess you, now." Katniss grinned at that last statement. Clove was unnerved by Katniss's pleasant demeanor. What game was she playing? Then she remembered that Katniss wasn't here like Cato was. She was here simply so her sister wouldn't have to be. Nothing more. Clove couldn't help but feel a pang of...admiration? "I'm sorry about what I said, it's just that I have a little sister, and you kind of-"

"It's fine. That was incredible what you did for her. I have to say, I have a lot of respect for you, Fire Girl." Clove felt some heat in her cheeks, as if Katniss had been standing too close to her. She looked up to find that Katniss actually was standing too close to her. Clove flushed further at Katniss's hand clasped gently on her shoulder.

"Look, I don't know what it is, but I trust you. I just do. So...allies?" Clove was floored. Someone from twelve wanted to join the Career pack? "Not the Careers. You. Nobody else has to know." This was against everything her trainers had told her. Cato would kill her in a second. Enobaria would never allow it. But in that moment, Clove felt an undeniable sense of security, and decided to throw common sense to the wind.

"Allies."

And with that word, a relationship between two people seeking familiarity was formed. In a bold move, Katniss almost imperceptibly pressed her lips into Cloves dark hair.

"Goodnight, Clove." She stalked off to the elevator with a stupid smirk on her face. Clove threaded her own fingers through what was left of her hairstyle, as if she could still feel that jolt from Katniss's lips. Maybe having someone around could be a good thing.