Katniss expects pre-parade preparation to be routine, but Flavius, Venia, and Octavia repeatedly cry over her return to the arena. Their grief forces Katniss to comfort them even though she is the one facing death, which leaves her angry and drained. At the same time, their reaction makes Katniss reconsider Peeta's earlier point that some people in the Capitol do feel attached to victors, even if that sympathy may vanish once the Games begin. Cinna steadies Katniss, feeds her lunch, and redirects his feelings into work instead of tears.

Cinna then transforms Katniss's image for the opening ceremonies. He gives her severe makeup, a black metal crown, and a fitted black suit that glows like living coals when activated. The effect makes Katniss look dangerous rather than decorative, and Cinna tells her to ride without smiling or waving, as if the audience is beneath her notice. Katniss embraces this harsher persona because it matches her anger and helps her face the other victors.

Down in the tribute staging area, Katniss notices that the victors are social with one another in a way last year's tributes were not. Finnick Odair approaches her, flirts openly, and offers sugar cubes meant for the horses. Katniss recalls his history as a young, beautiful Career victor who now receives lavish gifts from Capitol admirers. When Katniss asks what he is paid with, Finnick answers, "With secrets," suggesting that information is his true currency. Peeta arrives, and Katniss jokes about Finnick's behavior, but the encounter leaves her unsettled.

Katniss and Peeta discover they are dressed alike in Cinna and Portia's ember costumes and activate them just before entering the parade route. Remembering how much has changed between them, Katniss takes Peeta's hand, and both commit to presenting themselves as one united pair. Their silent, cold performance turns the familiar "star-crossed lovers" image into something darker and more powerful, drawing attention from the crowd, other tributes, and even President Snow. Their appearance clearly dominates the opening ceremonies.

After the parade, Cinna and Portia praise Katniss and Peeta, and Haymitch brings District 11's victors over to them. Seeder embraces Katniss and quietly confirms that Rue's and Thresh's families are still alive, giving Katniss a moment of relief. Chaff greets Katniss with rough affection, while Capitol attendants quickly break up the warm interaction, implying the Capitol dislikes signs of victor solidarity. Johanna Mason then joins Katniss, complains about her own costume, strips out of it in disgust, and continues teasing Katniss on the elevator. Peeta explains that Finnick, Chaff, and Johanna are baiting Katniss because the Capitol sees her as unusually innocent, which only irritates Katniss further.

Back on the floor for District 12, Effie cheerfully points out that their new Avoxes are a "matched set" because both have red hair. Katniss recognizes the female Avox from last year, but then realizes the male Avox is Darius, the Peacekeeper from District 12 whom she last saw badly injured after Gale's whipping. The discovery reveals that Darius has been mutilated and enslaved by the Capitol, turning the chapter's final moment into a personal reminder of the regime's cruelty.