Phoenix Ashes Chapter 2
A/N: Thank you for the tremendous response to the first chapter! I was overwhelmed!
Peeta and I were quickly rushed up to the second floor by Effie. Effie always wanted us to be on schedule, especially during our Victory Tour. She opened a door on the left side of the hallway, and motioned me into it, and did the same to Peeta after opening the door across the hall. She then rushed down the stairs, muttering to herself about place settings and proper table etiquette. Peeta and I chuckled quietly to ourselves for a moment, and I turned to go into the room where torture was awaiting me, no doubt. And by torture, I mean my prep team brandishing curling irons and powder brushes.
"Katniss," Peeta said, effectively getting my attention, "What I said back there, on the train, I…"
"Katniss, dear, we need to get you ready!" Venia's head popped out, trilling about some glittery blush we had to try. "Oops! I'll give the lovers some time alone!"
Her head popped back into the room, and we were alone in Mayor Undersee's hallway. I could feel a blush rising up in my cheeks. We are not lovers. Peeta and I just engaged. And that's it. Peeta crosses the foot of carpet in between us in one stride, and looked at me, mirth and caprice in his eyes.
"Katniss Everdeen, victor of the seventy fourth Hunger Games, go conquer those eye brushes." Peeta joked, squeezing my hands.
"Oh, I'll make them do my bidding. When I come out, you probably won't even recognize me." I said, turning and opening the door.
Inside, Octavia, Flavius, and Venia had laid out countless tubes of makeup, just like it was for the rest of my Victory Tour. It seemed like they had arrived a little before us, as an evil contraption that I know knew was called the curling iron had a single curl of steam billowing away from it. After I had sat down in the chair, my prep team began to work away at my imperfections. I hardly had any imperfections now, though, at least not from the Hunger Games. Those scars had been wiped away, now that I was a victor. Too bad the Capital doctors couldn't wipe away the horrible memories, too.
Octavia and Venia began to work on my hair, while Flavius applies makeup to my cheeks and nose. While they work, they chatter about the daily nothings that happen in their lives in the Capital, but to people who are from the districts, just sounds frivolous and stupid. I mainly tuned them out, but I did happen to catch that the newest Capital fad was to dye your skin a pattern, and animal prints were the current favorites. They continued to poke and prod me with brushes until, suddenly it seems, they stand back and admire their work.
I turn to look in the mirror at myself and gasp. I look exactly like myself. Well, myself at my best. Not myself creeping around in the woods, hunting. Not my Seam self, coated in a thin layer of coal dust. But, the girl in the mirror is me none the less. No flashy makeup like there had been in the other districts, just a perfected version of myself, looking pure and happy. My cheeks were pink, and my skin was smooth and creamy. My hair was pulled back into a low bun, with a small braid on each side of my head.
"Well, what do you think?" Octavia said quietly.
I contemplated her question. I didn't look like I normally did while in Twelve, not by a longshot. But, I did look like Capital Katniss.
"It's nice, thank you." I said, with a small hint of happiness in my voice.
They moved towards the door, happily talking about the merits of lime green rain boots versus synthetic animal skin boots. I shook my head at how narrow minded they were, and sat there, waiting for Cinna to enter, as per custom on the tour. I looked in the mirror at myself. Was this flawless girl the face of Mrs. Peeta Mellark, victor of the seventy fourth Hunger Games and star crossed lover? Was this the woman that would return to the Capital every year to mentor helpless children? I couldn't imagine how heartbreaking and depressing that would be. It was only five months away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a figure shift in the corner of the mirror. Turning around, I saw Cinna, garment bag in hand, with a sweet smile on his face.
"Katniss, you look beautiful. Natural, just what I ordered." He moved behind me, and adjusted my hair, moving the braids more near my ears. "I wanted your neighbors to be able to recognize you. Now close your eyes."
I closed my eyes, because I trusted Cinna. I felt a soft fabric slip over my shoulders and arms and stop just below my knees. I opened my eyes, and gasped. I was in a black tiered dress, with three tiers that were shaped and colored in a way that looked like fire. When I turned to the side, they shimmered and moved like flames.
"Cinna, this is beautiful!" I gushed, impressed.
"Thank you. But, you know, I did have a beautiful inspiration." Cinna replied sincerely. I hated compliments, they always made me blush. But this one was sincere, I knew, coming from Cinna. "By the way," he continued, "I talked to President Snow's staff about your wedding dress."
"What? What happened?" I said, startled.
"Snow's staff asked me to design your wedding dress, and I agreed to it. I didn't think it was fair to make you design your own, my budding fashion protégé." Cinna, said, teasing me after the seriousness.
My mind reeled. Snow was planning my wedding, already. Would he let me make any of my own choices in my life, ever? How soon would he want the wedding? I was still just getting used to the idea myself. So much had happened; a year ago I wouldn't recognize myself now. If you told the old me that I would've won the Hunger Games and was engaged to Peeta Mellark, I would've laughed in their face. But here I am. Cinna leaned over to whisper in my ear. He probably wasn't as paranoid as me, thinking that there were audio devices hidden in the corners of the room, but he probably just wanted to tell me something loving, in a friendly way.
"I'm so proud of you, Katniss. And I'm still betting on you, Girl on Fire." Cinna whispered tenderly, and left the room.
For a long time after Cinna left, I just sat there, my mind still reeling. I looked at the clock, and I still had about a half hour before Peeta and I were back on Effie's rigid schedule. That was the one thing I loved about my prep team: they worked fast and efficiently. I slipped on my black pumps (luckily they were not very high) and decided to find Madge.
Madge and I were friends before my reaping. Not friends, really more like companions. I sold her father food, and she'd be there, so we'd chat. We were both quiet in school, so we just gravitated towards each other, because we were different. While I had the weight of supporting my family on my shoulders, the weight that a child so young should never have to bear, Madge was above all of us in District Twelve, because her father was the mayor. And, although compared to the Capital that meant next to nothing, here people resented it, if only slightly. After I came home to Twelve after the games, I began to enjoy Madge's company more. She's a good listener, understanding, and doesn't judge me.
I wandered around the second floor of her house, not knowing exactly where her bedroom was. I had only been to her house when I was selling game or plants with Gale, and never after we had become friends after my games had we gone to her house to talk. We always met up at my house in the Victor's Village or walked around town or the Seam. Suddenly I stopped, grateful that both my ears could hear yet again. I heard a soft, sweet humming coming from a room a few doors down.
"Madge, are you in here?" I knocked. "It's Katniss."
The humming stopped, and I heard Madge take light, springy footsteps towards the door. Madge opened the door, and hugged me lightly, probably not to ruin my hair, or something ridiculous like that.
"Katniss, you look so nice! Come in, I was just braiding my hair!" Madge practically squealed, and opened her door wider, gesturing me in.
I looked around Madge's room. It wasn't anything like the homes in the Seam, but it was much less splendid than the Capital's homes. But, if I had never been through the Hunger Games, it would've been the best house I had ever seen, for it was the best in District Twelve. Madge gestured for me to sit down, so I sat on the edge of her bed.
"Congratulations on your engagement." She said excitedly. When Madge talked it was always meaningful and happy.
"Thank you, Peeta and I are both very happy." I said, attempting to give a generic enough answer that I had been giving everyone except for the select few.
"Katniss…" She paused briefly, considering my expression, "…is there anything wrong? With you and Peeta, I mean? You can tell me. I won't tell."
"Well, Madge, I don't know. I can't do any better than Peeta." I said, remembering Haymitch's words, "But, we're just so young."
I lied. I just lied to Madge, probably my best girl friend. Actually, she was probably my only friend other than Gale. Cinna, Haymitch, and Peeta were my friends, but they were also my closest allies. They all supported me and had my best interests at heart. We were friends, yes, but to categorize them the same as Gale seemed wrong. We had a bond because of the Hunger Games, one that was stronger than friendship. I couldn't even describe it. It bothered me that I had lied to Madge, yes. Madge was my friend. But, she was also naive to how much control Snow had over Victors, and in all reality, how was lying to her different than lying to all of Panem?
"Yeah, you both are only sixteen." She agreed, taking a deep breath, "But, you and Peeta have been through a lot together, as district partners and as a couple. You both almost died in the arena. You both have been through more than all the couples in District Twelve, although you're only sixteen. You deserve happiness."
And hearing her say it, I could see it. I could see us being happy together. We did deserve it, but on our own terms, if ever, and that just wasn't meant to be. Snow was going to force us into this, weather we wanted to or not. Peeta knew this, and so did I. Marry or face the consequences. Conform to what the Capital wanted, or face the consequences. I took a deep breath and, faced Madge.
"Thanks, Madge."
"Oh, no problem," She said, shrugging it off, "You are just having pre-wedding jitters, a little early, of course. But, you always think ahead Katniss, so I'm not alarmed." She laughed.
A knock sounded at the door, and Effie rushed in, looking flustered. She looked as flustered as I had ever seen her: her wig was slightly askew, and the clipboard in her hands was trembling. She looked at me, probably checking over my appearance for any indication that it was ruined.
"Katniss, thank heavens I found you! You're due downstairs in, "She checked her watch, "Two minutes and thirty seconds and counting! And, are you Madge Undersee?" She asked Madge. Not waiting for Madge's answer, she bustled us both towards the lower level of the house.
Madge and Effie both went down the stairs, while I was practically ordered to wait by the staircase for Peeta, so we could make our "entrance" together. I cringed at this, but obliged. Effie would've probably had a cow if I hadn't followed her detailed schedule and disappeared again. I leaned on the banister of the staircase, thinking while waiting for Peeta. It truly felt satisfying to be back in District Twelve.
I heard heavy footsteps behind me, and that was practically Peeta's trademark, and now that one of his legs was no longer real. I cringed again. I shouldn't be thinking about that, as him not having one limb anymore was my fault. I let Peeta get closer, letting him think he had the upper hand, and then turned suddenly.
I appraised Peeta's outfit. It was very similar, when I compared it to my own: black Pants, black shirt, a tie that looked like a flame, and black dress shoes. Great, Portia and Cinna are trying to play us off like a matched pair again. Except this time, it hit me suddenly, we were a matched set. They should be presenting us as a pair. We were engaged.
"Katniss, you didn't just conquer those brushes, you dominated them into submission." Peeta commented, his voice quiet, "You look stunning."
"Thanks, Peeta." I said, while we intertwined our arms.
We talked down the stairs, at least somewhat gracefully. It looked like Effie's etiquette lessons had been paying off, because I didn't trip or stumble on way down the staircase or on my way towards our seats in the middle of the table. Peeta pulled out my chair and then sat on my right. Prim was to my left. Our Prep teams, our stylists, and our families were all in attendance, in addition to Cray and the Undersees.
Although the food was better than anything she had eaten in District Twelve ever, the meal was still very awkward. Peeta and Mr. Mellark tried to make small talk about the bakery, the weather, about anything of consequence. But, unfortunately for them, no one at the table was really chatty, except for Prim. Miche and Rye were stuffing their faces, not that I blamed them, and Mrs. Mellark was scowling into her roast beef. The stylists and the prep teams were talking among themselves, and Haymitch looked completely drunk, and was rambling on to Effie about some nonsense with slurred words.
After the meal, we were all ushered onto the platform set up outside the Justice Building in the town square. Peeta grabbed my hand, and let me go up on the stage first. I walked up, slowly. This was the same stage that I walked up, about a half a year ago, jogged up on to volunteer for my sister. I never expected to be back here. I never expected to make it home. This was no time to break down, though; I had to keep a straight face. Cameras were focused on us now and the shots they captured would be played live in the Capital and be recapped later. In the square, people were dancing along to a fiddler playing off to the side and people eating food freely and merrily off of kiosks set up to the side.
This was one of the benefits of being a Victor. Although we had to go on Victory Tours and mentor in the Capital every year, plus do whatever Snow asks of us, our district was fed. Once a month for a year, a train arrived to the station with food rations for each family. Each family got various canned foods, plus grain and occasionally a special treat like candy or fresh fruit or vegetables. When the first had come in about a week after our return, I dragged myself out of my bed, braided my hair and went to the train station, and watched families eagerly accept their share. That was the first, and probably one of the only times, I felt good about being a Victor.
On stage, Haymitch was stationed in his usual seat on the right, next to Effie. Our stylists were on the left, next to our respective prep teams. Mayor Undersee was at the microphone, holding plaques. We stood slightly behind him, like we did with all the other district's mayors. Suddenly, I panicked. I didn't have a speech prepared. Not even something slightly special. Victors normally had something a little more elaborate or touching for their homes, even if it was short. But, after the debacle in Eleven, I didn't think we would be allowed. I glanced over at Peeta. He surely had something planned. Or he would just do say it on the fly. I could, do that too, right? Who was I kidding? I am terrible with expressing my thoughts in words, and Peeta was amazing.
"To honor our Victors, the Victors of District Twelve, Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen, I would like to present them with these plaques on behalf of the entire district." Mayor Undersee gestured us forward, and we accepted them, all happy and humble.
"Thank you, Mayor Undersee." I started, grasping the microphone stand, "I just want to thank all of District Twelve for supporting me all those years, and especially during my games. I am happy to be home, and can't wait to settle in. I am so grateful to my family and friends, who have helped me through so many things. Thank you."
I stepped away from the microphone. That wasn't so hard. I didn't have to mention the Capital; I didn't have to mention my engagement. Peeta forward, and cleared his throat.
"Thank you, Mayor Undersee, for this plaque. I'm sure I will cherish it for many years to come." Peeta started. "District Twelve is such a special place to me. It's where I grew up, where my family is. It's where I learned to bake, learned to paint. But, most importantly, it's where I met my beautiful fiancé, Katniss. I am truly grateful for her, and a, looking forward to many future memories here in the future with her and all of you."