If We Burn..

My eyes flick across the table. Nicotine is already there, along with Katniss, Peeta, Sassy, and a few ponies I don't recognize.

Shifting the book under my wing slightly, I trot over to the table. I am greeted with a discerning "Mmm." from Nicotine, and a cheery wave from Sassy Saddles.

"Anypony know where Haymitch is?" Peeta asks

"Check the bar, he's probably getting wasted." Katniss rolls her eyes.

Sassy Saddles sighs, but gets up anyway, and heads off to the bar. A unicorn levitates a plate of sushi towards me in a chartreuse aura. I thank them, get Uglies out, and start to read it.

Soon enough, Sassy comes back in, leading a hungover Haymitch. He slumps down in his chair and yells at one of the- Servants? Assistants?- To get him some liquor.  I sigh and turn my attention back to my book. After a few paragraphs, I am vaguely aware of  Sassy chastising me, presumably for reading at the table. I put down my book, and say "If I'm gonna die, table manners can be overlooked." I return to Uglies, and I swear I can hear Katniss mutter "I like this kid..."

A little while later, Sassy suggests we watch the videos of the Reapings. I'm up for it, and so is Nicotine. Haymitch is too drunk to care, Peeta doesn't seem too adverse, And Katniss... I'm not sure where she stands, but she isn't against it.

Some tributes stick out from the commentators' droning.  Colour Wash from District Two, a pink Earth Pony mare with a blue mane, and a scar over one eye. Starflight from Eleven, a dark gray half-Unicorn-half-Zebra filly with a floppy, white-and-purple emo mane. Starblaze Fireheart from Four , a Pegasus mare with an orange coat and yellow patches over her hooves and muzzle, with black and orange hair draping elegantly over her face. Blazin' from Seven, a Pegasus stallion with a gold coat and flame-colored hair who looks like he could rip my head off single-hooved- I make a mental note to stay far away from him. And Starstruck Sakura, an Earth Pony filly from Nine with a lilac coat, and a long, deep purple mane. She barely looks eleven, Her face pale, her legs shaking. And yet nopony volunteers. Not one motherfucking pony.

God, I hate equinity sometimes.