It takes ten times as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart.

I know what blood poisoning is, Katniss," says Peeta. "Even if my mother isn't a healer." I'm jolted back in time, to another wound, another set of bandages. "You said that same thing to me in the first Hunger Games. Real or not real?" "Real," he says. "And you risked your life getting the medicine that saved me?" "Real." I shrug. "You were the reason I was alive to do it.

If you won't talk about yourself, at least compliment the audience. Just keep turning it back around, all right. Gush.

I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun.

Tuck in your tail, little duck.

Make sure they remember you.

I look down from the branch I'm perched on. The Careers look murderous. Now I smile.'How have things been with you?' I ask sweetly.