"So, what am I wearing tonight?" she asks, eyeing the garment bag that holds my newest design. "President Snow put in the dress order himself," I tell her. I unzip the bag, revealing one of my wedding dresses. Heavy white silk with a low neckline and tight waist and sleeves that fall from her wrists to the floor. And pearls. Everywhere pearls. Stitched into the dress, in ropes, forming the crown for the veil. It's my favourite design, and seems to be the most liked by people, too, as shown in a voting in the capitol. "Even though they announced the Quarter Quell the night of the photo shoot, people still voted for their favourite dress, and this was the winner. The president says you're to wear it tonight. Our objections were ignored." I explain as I see her disbelieving face. She rubs a bit of the silk between her fingers and after a long pause, she says "Well, It'd be a shame to waste such a pretty dress."
I help her carefully into her gown. Her shoulders shrug slightly as it settles on them. "Was it always that heavy?" she asks, surprised by the weight of the dress.
"I had to make some slight alterations because of the lighting." I answer, which is a lie.
When President Snow issued Katniss wearing her wedding dress I first tried to change his mind, but since this didn't work, I went back in my studio, hoping to find a way to avoid the president's order. I had a lot of work until I finally had what I wanted.
She nods at my explanation but I can see she doesn't quite believe me. I don't know why I don't tell her the truth. Maybe I'm afraid she would not be pleased if she knew what we planned her to be.
I deck her out in the shoes and the pearl jewellery and the veil. Touch up her make-up. Have her walk to check I didn't forget anything. She looks gorgeous, just like I imagined. "You're ravishing," I tell her. "Now, Katniss, because this bodice is so fitted, I don't want you raising your arms above your head. Well, not until you twirl, anyway." I give her as final instruction. "Will I twirl again?" she asks me. I thought about this too. Without her twirling, all my work was useless. But I came to the conclusion that Caesar will ask her to twirl anyway, so I didn't waste many thoughts about it. "I'm sure Caesar will ask you," I answer. "And if he doesn't, you suggest it yourself. Only not right away. Save it for your big finale." I add. "You give me a signal so I know when" she proposes. "All right" I say, although I think she will figure out herself. "Any plans for the interview? I know Haymitch left you two to your own devices" I want to know. "No, this year I'm just winging it. The funny thing is I'm not nervous at all." She answers with a slight smile and I believe her. Both of her interviews last year were fairly good, so why bother to practise more?
We meet up with Effie, Haymitch, Portia and Peeta at the elevator. We get in and ride downstairs, where Katniss and Peeta will meet the other tributes. When we arrive, we have to split up, Katniss and Peeta have to wait offstage while we are supposed to take seat on the tribunes. I can hear the other tributes fall silent as Katniss and Peeta enter the room and I'm pretty sure they're all staring at her dress, not sure if they should be jealous or sorry. We take seat on the tribune and wait for the interviews to begin. Finally, the first tribute get onstage, sits down on her chair and Caesar Flickerman starts to interview her. One after another, they take seat, answer questions, ask for a change of the game rules, question legality of this quell and leave after their time is up. By the time Katniss is introduced, the audience is an absolute wreck. People have been weeping and collapsing and even called for a change. The sight of Katniss in her white, silk wedding dress causes a riot. Even Caesar's professionalism shows some cracks as he tries to quite the crowd.
"So, Katniss, obviously this is a very emotional night for everyone. Is there anything you d like to say?" he asks. Katniss answers with a trembling voice "Only that I'm so sorry you won't get to be at my wedding... but I'm glad you at least get to see me in my dress. Isn't it just...the most beautiful thing?" Without looking at me, she knows this is the right time and she begins to twirl slowly, raising her sleeves of her gown above her head. I see her dress begin to burn, smoke rises up around her. The crowd begins to scream as the smoke thickens. Her dress devours, pearls clatter to the stage and charred bits of black silk swirl into the air. For a second, she's engulfed in the strange flames, and although I knew this would happen, I'm totally stunned about the effect the fire has. She seems to be completely afire, covered by flickering flames. Then all at once, the fire and the smoke are gone. She slowly comes to a stop, curiously looks down at herself. She's now wearing a dress of the exact design of her wedding dress, only it's the colour of coal and made of tiny feathers. I'm ravished by it. Notwithstanding I have designed it myself I didn't dare to imagine it looking so amazing. I can hear the audience gasping as they discover what she's supposed to be.
I've turned her into the Mockingjay.