Sorry it took so long! Complications! Enjoy! -KMK
The day went as planned. Magnus, Kern's escort, wasn't uptight since we had made it to District 1 on time. Magnus, normally, had a laid back personality, but these days leading up to the Capitol visit were hectic and stressful for him. He always had anxiety over not making a good impression to his Capitol friends and President Snow which disgusted me. I didn't like that he tried so hard to please people that didn't deserve it. Although, he was a Capitol citizen and they wanted nothing more than to be liked.
When I walked in the train I went directly to my room. I was too tired to do anything else. I would shower in the morning. I let my green dress slide to the floor and I dug through my closet to find pants and a tank top. It was colder now than it was yesterday. After getting dressed, I walked into my bathroom as quickly as possible. I wanted to get to bed soon and would have loved to run into the bathroom, but my energy level was non-existent. I needed to wash my face to get rid of all the makeup our stylist had put on me or it would be everywhere but my face when I woke up.
After several minutes of scrubbing and too much soap, my eyes burned and my skin was a little raw, but I got most of the makeup off. Thankfully my blonde waves were left natural today which meant no more work for me. I walked back into my room and plopped my body down on the bed, simultaneously crawling under the heavy down comforters. Once underneath, I laid on my back and thought about the next few days. Finnick and I would be staying in the Capitol a few extra days while everyone else went back to District 4 for the Harvest Festival. We each had "jobs" to complete. They were assigned to us shortly after our victories in the Hunger Games. Finnick, being more attractive than the average male, was used for the Capitol women's pleasure. My slick tongue and persuasive tone became Panem's voice of support for the Hunger Games. But in between our jobs, boy did we have fun. We'd go out and explore the Capitol a bit. We'd have some drinks, but by the end of the night, I'd be left alone. Finnick would go home with some woman who would tell him all her secrets. Sure, I had advances, but I wasn't hopping into some strangers bed, mainly because I wasn't obliged to. Finnick had to.
Lost in my thoughts, as I usually was, my door slamming open against the wall brought me back. I sat up quickly, but not soon after, I was knocked back onto my back. When I realized what was happening, I saw Kern's face.
"What the hell are you doing?" I yelled at him. He didn't respond. He was only grunting heavily. With each breath he took I could smell the alcohol on his breath. He had me pinned down and it looked like he was getting ready to punch me. He threw several punches, but I was somehow able to dodge them. He was very lathargic with all the alcohol in his system.
"Get off of me!" I screamed again. He raised his fist and was ready to punch me again when Finnick and Magnus ran into my room. Magnus started panicking and yelled.
"For God's sake, Kern what are you doing?" He yelled. I could hear the panic in his voice. I got my leg out from under Kerns and pulled it back to my chest getting ready to kick him in the groin when Finnick pulled him off of me. By the time I noticed, though, my foot was already flying into my now changed target. Somehow, Finnick put himself in the path of my foot. The impact of my foot sent him back a little and off the foot of my bed.
"Shit! Finnick! Are you okay?" I asked as I hurried out of my bed. Finnick was on the ground. With my hands and feet being my favorite weapon, I was able to put him in a lot of pain. He was moaning a little with his hand on his chest. He righted himself and leaned up against the bed. Magnus moved over towards Kern.
"What the hell were you doing? I was getting him off of you." He asked, seeming out of breath. The blow to the chest probably knocked the wind out of him.
"I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to kick you." I said apologetically.
"You're lucky you didn't kick him. He needs to look good for the Capitol visit," he scolded.
"It wouldn't have mattered, no one would see," I replied defiantly. Magnus ignored me and helped Kern up. Kern staggered back out of my room and I turned to Finnick. "I'm really sorry, Finnick. How bad does it hurt?"
"You," he paused to catch a breath, "might have cracked a rib." I winced. He seemed like he was struggling to breath from the pain.
"Let me take you to see the doctor on the train. They'll have some medication for you." He nodded as he slowly pushed himself off the ground and too his feet. "Do you want to see if Annie is still awake. Maybe she could go with you if you'd prefer."
"Naw, that's fine. I'll let her sleep."
We walked through the hallway. Past the kitchen. As we walked through the hallway, if there was an Avox, they would press themselves against the walls as we walked by. It was uncomfortable when they did that. We didn't feel above them the way they were forced to feel about us. Finnick broke the silence as we walked down the hallway.
"Kern is getting on my nerves. He's such an idiot."
"Yeah, tell me about it. Aggressive drunks are not good. Ever. Especially when they pin you down on your bed and try to beat you," I replied.
"Hey, at least it's the last night we have to spend with him. Well, until next year," he said dreadfully.
"You'll be on your own next year. I don't think I'm coming back. I mean, I don't need to. I've been given the choice since we have so many victors now."
"Oh, I understand. Maybe you'll change your mind."
"Maybe," I said as we reached the clinic.
"I'm good from here. You look dead to the world. Get some rest."
"Alright, and sorry again. I hope you don't bruise too badly," I said remorsefully. I didn't want him to hurt because of me.
"Yeah, like you kick that hard," he said as he disappeared behind the sterile doors. He was gone before I could say anything.
I walked back to my bedroom alone, barely able to walk. I desperately needed sleep. It was very quite on the train now that everyone was asleep. I saw a clock on my way to my room. It was three A.M.. At least the Capitol ran on slightly different hours than every other district did so we wouldn't have to be off the train for twelve hours. I had reached my room and fell onto the disheveled bed. The sheets were torn off and the comforter lay on the ground. I spun myself on the bed and reached down to grab it. I pulled it over myself and I quickly fell asleep.
I woke up to knocking at my door.
"Maisy, you need to get up. We're going to be at the Capitol in a few hours," what sounded like Magnus said.
"Alright," I responded with what voice I could muster. I heard the footsteps retreat. I slid out of my bed. I knew that I needed to get up right away or I would be running behind. I stood up a little too fast and lost my balance while the room spun from the rush of blood. When I regained my balance I stretched my muscles and walked into the bathroom. I flicked on the light and started the shower. I undressed and walked over to the full sized mirror. My body didn't take over the entire height of the mirror being as the mirror stoof from floor to ceiling. My waist was slightly shrunken form the lack of food over the last twelve hours. The thought of food made my stomach growl. The blonde nest on top of my head no longer resembled hair or at least hair that I would like on my head so I walked from the mirror and into the shower, soaking myself in hot, steamy water.
Getting out of the shower, I grabbed a towel and dried myself off. I swapped my towel for a robe and wrapped it around myself, leaving my hair wet so they stylists could do what they wanted. The rest of the morning was pretty uneventful. Kern didn't remember anything last night because he was so drunk. All through breakfast, Finnick and I ignored him after he had no remorse for his actions. Finnaly the stylists came. They took Kern first, being the victor, and then Finnick and Annie since they finished their lunch before me.
When Aelia, our stylist, was ready for me, she took me back to my room, sat me down in a chair and went to work. She shared the latest Capitol gossip. Who was with who and who was the most fashionable. She dropped names of game makers and other people I wasn't familiar with. The head gamemaker was fairly new, so this would be the first time meeting him, or at least seeing him. I didn't remember him from last year. It would be interesting to see who would all approach me. Normally, I made myself seem unapproachable so I would be left alone. Only the brave or, in some cases, stupid, would come talk to me.
When Aelia was done curling my hair and doing my makeup, she handed me a mirror and asked for my opinion.
"It looks good. I can actually say I love it!" I said enthusiastically. Normally it was pretty bad, but my makeup looked good this time.
"Yes! I finally found your sweet spot for makeup! After nine years I got it right." Aelia squealed in her thick Capitol accent. She had been my stylist since I had been a tribute. We butted heads at first, but after several years, we made peace with each other. "Now that your makeup and hair are done, its time to show you your dress!"
She went over to my closet, dug around a bit, shuffling clothes around, and pulled out an ice blue dress, handing it to me. I pulled off my robe and stepped into my dress so my hair wouldn't uncurl itself. While I was getting into the dress, Aelia pulled out some shoes. When I was done, she tossed them to me from across the room while she packed up her supplies. I caught them easily, one in each hand. sliding the heels on I stood up and walked to the full sized mirror. The heels made me seem much taller, which was awkward. I was used to my slightly less than normal height. Looking into the mirror, my blue eyes popped with the makeup surrounding them. Blonde curls cascaded down my back with blue tinsel curled in as well.
"Wow, this really does look amazing." I complemented the both of us simultaneously.
"Well thank you very much."
After examining my outfit, I left my room and walked into the common area. Annie and Magnus were talking while Finnick gave Kern some more advice on how to behave in the Capitol. We had a few minutes until the train arrived at the platform, so I sat down and grabbed a magazine off the table. I flipped through some of the pages. There were advertisements for makeup and beauty products, fashion tips, and interviews with several people behind the games. None of the interviews looked interesting. There was one man, however that was interviewed that had an interesting beard. I couldn't figure out if it was weird or intruiging. The train felt like it was slowing down so I put the magazine back on the table and waited for the train to stop where we would be getting off.
When it stopped, we waited until Magnus led us out the door, Kern following behind him. We walked out and were quickly escorted into a small car by two peacekeepers that thwarted the crowds away from us. Shortly after getting in the car, we arrived at the Chariot Hall where Kern would be interviewed with the ever creepy Ceasar Flickerman. People thought he was great with how he helped out the tributes, but he was no better than any other Capitol denizen. We squeezed out of the car and entered from the back of the building to avoid crowds. People working on the set of the interview were shuffling around getting ready for the interview. One woman came and clipped a microphone onto Kern's suit.
I could hear through her headset someone say, "We're live in 5 minutes."
She walked away. "Kern, good luck, I guess. It's not that difficult of an interview. Just don't forget to bring up your talent, being an asshole," I said.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Thanks for the reminder," he said sarcastically, shortly before walking onto the stage.
After he walked on stage I walked away and took a seat on our chairs backstage. Annie came to join me shortly after along with Finnick. Magnus refused to sit and stood as close to the stage as possible. He was really concerned with how Kern's interview was going to go. He shouldn't though as it was the final interview and there were no sponsors left to impress. The interview was over pretty quickly, and we quickly left in order to be on time. Magnus hurried us out of the Chariot Hall and into the car where we drove to President Snow's mansion.
As we pulled up to the front there was a long path lined with peace keepers that were holding back people. The path lead to the front entrance of President Snow's mansion. In my mind, it was the most hideous building in the Capitol. It had a a very industrial look and it felt as cold and unwelcoming as the man that lived in it. We were once again rushed out of the car by Magnus. He prodded us along as we walked down the path, mainly because Kern was the first person and apparently he couldn't walk and watch the people behind the peacekeepers simultaneously. As we reached the doors, Magnus gave us all stern looks.
"Now, remember, best behavior, all of you," he said looking at Kern, "Not too much drinking. Save it for the train. We can't afford for you to be throwing punches at people here, understood?"
Kern waved him off and pushed the door open. The crowd by the door immediately noticed and some came around him. My job was on hold, now, unless he came near me. I nodded my head to Annie and Finnick and walked through the doors. Aelia followed me as we walked to the table with food. I tried a few things to tide me over, not wanting to look like a slob. Aelia ate a lot, and was constantly going to the bathroom to rid herself of what she had already eaten. Not wanting to be around that, I walked around and was congratulated for mentoring a winning tribute, even though Finnick had worked with Kern the most. Aelia eventually found me again, bringing me a glass of some sweet juice while she had some strong liquor that I could smell standing next to her. Thankfully she knew me well enough to not bring me the same concoction. While standing with her, she commented on my appearance.
"No one is ever going to talk to you with our air about you," she said matter of factly.
"That's not true. I've had people talk to me."
"Yes, but you have a lower chance of a guy coming to talk to you if you act so high and mighty," she pointed out.
"If I'm going to be with someone, they need to be able to not be scared of me," I replied. "I don't want someone weaker than I am."
"I have yet to see someone put out a stronger air of authority than you. You do this every year. Have some fun, let go," she prodded.
"I'll be fine, Aelia," I said ending the discussion immediately. She needed to stop pushing it so hard. I walked away to the food table and had some more of my favorite soup. It was red and very thick, almost a chowder. After a bowl of that and some bread, I walked back out and past Magnus who beckoned me over to him. He was talking with another man.
"Ah, Maisy, there you are. Mr. Crane, I'd like to introduce you to Maisy."
AN: CLIFF HANGER! Not really, but I left you all hanging on a step. STEP HANGER! Sorry for not updating sooner, I've been camping, and the original version of this chapter, when it was near it's completion, got deleted, so I had to start over. I think this is better, though. Since the story has begun, I've added another friend to my awesome editor group. Katie is new and I thank her for her time. Both Britt and Katie edit the story for me and give suggestions. I truly appreciate all their help and support. Keep reading please! Chapter 3 should be out much quicker than this one. I have most of it written and just need to paste it all together. Remember, I love comments. They will keep me going and motivate me! One last thing: who do you see as Magnus? I know there hasn't been much description if any but who do you think? Thank you all! -KMK
