Clenching her hands tight together to stop them from protectively covering her breasts, Meera watched silently as her prep team circled her; commenting on her body and for what could be changed and altered to give a better appearance. Finally after a rushed goodbye they hurried out the door and left her to sit quietly.
After a few moments a tall woman with tight lips and long silver eyelashes walked in, her high heels letting loud clicking sounds against the cement below.
"Hello dear, my names Celestia. I'm going to be dressing you for the opening ceremonies."
She looked up and for the first time Meera noticed the pale green vine tattooed across her cheek. "What will I wear?"
Celestia smiled and pulled something from a bag by her feet. "We want to make an impression. And it's my job to make sure you do. Each year the outfits will improve, so next year will be better than this; but we aren't focusing on next- for now all we must do is show you off over the other tributes"
With a twist of her thin wrists she pulled out a short golden dress with grey crystals of metal to wrap around her bare legs and arms. The back was mostly tie up waist lined in what seems to be the tiny granite crystals and a head piece with stone wings. "Try it on"
Meera gasped, struggling to breathe as Celestia once again tightened the waist. The stood alone surrounded by the other tributes, all dressed to suit their district.
"How am I meant to walk in this? It's too tight"
Celestia smiled and gently touched her shoulder; "You're not meant to walk, you're meant to smile and wave"
Meera frowned and reached back to try loosen it, but Celestia just waved her away. "I won't be smiling if fainting over the carriage"
At that Celestia gave a short laugh before strutting over towards Enobaria, the female mentor for two, and engaging in some sort of quick uttered conversation.
Sighing she forced herself to move, walking up to her carriage and the two chestnut horses that stood by it. She pressed her hand against ones neck, feeling it breath and its body quiver under her touch. She wondered how it felt to live here, amongst so many colours and people who dressed to match the blood of slaughtered Children.
"Nice dress"
Spinning around she felt the little air remaining leave her lungs. A tall figure stood over her, looming and strong. Her eyes shadowed for a moment as she struggled to breathe again.
Finally she could make out distinct features. A strong jaw, perfect skin and golden blonde hair. The boy from district one. The one who won three years ago… back when Imagine died.
"Thank you" He must be hear as a mentor now. That meant he would do anything to see she dies. She was a threat to his tribute. And that meant he was a threat to her. He grinned, his eyes wondering down across to her waist; "A little tight though? Wouldn't you think?"
Frowning she leant back against the horse, finally getting some rhythm into her breathe. "It's fine"
"You'll faint. My sister almost did two years ago"
A hand brushed her shoulder and she turned to look up at Celestia: "Gloss darling, as a mentor you cannot talk to other tributes" there was something dark and uncomfortable about her voice. Maybe she didn't like him. Or maybe she didn't like him insulting her work.
Gloss simply smirked and turned to leave, calling over his shoulder; "Then make sure your tributes can breathe…"
Celestia frowned, behind her back gesturing for Enobaria and Troy. "Ignore him sweetie, he's just trying to put you down. He's the opposition"
And yet what Gloss said was true.
From the side Enobaria ran over, pulling Troy with her. "Ok, the Capitol like skinny and hot, sexy and funny. You need to keep the attention on you two. And stay close, I don't care how close you are in reality but as long as the camera is rolling you need to pretend you have some sort of relationship."
For a moment Meera dared to glance at him but he wasn't looking at her. Then they were pushed on to the carriages and the horses trotted down into a line behind the tributes from district one; a pretty brunette girl with long flowing hair tied into a high bun and a much shorter boy with strong arms and eyes as black as the night.
The second the horses started out the crowds roared and the lights shining over head were blinding. Everywhere she turned people were shouting out and waving and reaching over the railing to try touch them. Remembering Enobaria's words she raised her hands to wave and smile, beside her she felt Troy do the same.
Finally the horses came to a stop and President Snow, dressed in a grey suit with a single white rose clipped to his pocket, stood to speak.
But she could hear his words slurring and her eyes seemed to show everything doubled. She gripped onto the side of the carriage, her breath hurried and rushed. Troy whispered something to her and pulled her upright, allowing the breath to return and her sight to clear. "Thankyou" she whispered and tried to turn to face him, but all she saw was a blinding purple light blaring at her.
The horse suddenly moved and she realized they were moving out of sight.
When they came to a slow stop Meera felt as hands helped her down and she started towards an elevator. Climbing in she realized Troy had left her and she was without her mentors. What level was she? Where did she need to go? Feeling a small rush of panic her breath started to quicken and she rushed to loosen the straps of her waist. In desperation she called out for Troy and Celestia, even Enobaria, but none answered. Suddenly she felt herself falling. This couldn't happen. In all surrounding her how had something so unlikely occurred?
A sudden grip stopped her from hitting the floor and suddenly the dress realised its grip on her. She choked out in desperate gasps and felt vomit in the back of her throat. Not now. Not here.
Then the grip loosened slightly from her arms and pushed her to her knees.
"Breath slowly"
After a white she felt her pounding heart ease and suddenly the blackness around her made sense. Kneeling before her, his arms pressing down on her shoulders was Gloss. The winner of the sixty third hunger games. The boy Cato predicted.
Do you like it so far? tell me what should happen next!
