Chapter 2: The Capitol
When we arrived at the Capitol we were greeted by a crowd so vast it seemed to go on for ever, however eventually we managed to get through it all and into the building where we would be staying until the Hunger Games began.
'Now' said Felix 'you will be going straight to your Stylist crews in a minute, but first, you must meet your Mentor, come follow me.'
Sinder and I followed Felix down several hallways then entered an elevator and waited as it took us down into the depths of the building 'the training area is down here, this is where you will be training in due course' Felix explained.
We got out of the elevator and proceeded down another hallway until we met a tall muscular yet attractive looking woman, pale blonde, fairly young, her hair tied back in tight bun.
'Willow and Sinder, meet Serilda, she will be your Mentor while here' Felix said gesturing between us.
Serilda looked down at the two of us, her eyebrow raised 'so, you're the next two I have to work with from District 9 hmm?'
'You sound bitter' I said not being able to keep my smart mouth from yapping.
'Bitter…no, doubtful…yes' Serilda replied 'I've been working with District 9 for over 6 years…I can't say it has done wonders for my reputation.'
Felix put on a smile 'well I like to think that every year presents a new opportunity, a new chance for that to change, no?'
I stared at Serilda, wondering how old she was…she didn't look old, but she had slight age lines on her face despite all the wonders the Capitol could probably do…she was probably in her thirties or so.
'You'd better get them to Katrina, before she and her crew have a fit over you being late' Serilda said to Felix.
'Yes' said Felix 'yes you're right, come along you two' once again we followed Felix back along the corridor, up the elevator and down several hallways.
Finally coming to a door Felix opened it and gave me a gentle shove 'right in you go dear, Katrina will be waiting inside, boys will be going somewhere separate for this' without another word he left with Sinder and I walked through the door.
'Ah, there you are at last, where have you been, all the other tributes are already half done, we are so behind schedule' a bright coloured lady in magenta clothes ran over to me and grabbed me by the arm, pulling me over to the only empty bed in a long row of beds.
I couldn't see the other tributes, except their feet, but they were all lying there 'you Katrina' I asked.
'No dear, no time for talk, clothes off' she looked at the other two women standing by my bed while I tried to register what she'd just said.
'Everyone ready, everyone got everything…good because Katrina will be irritated enough to learn that we started late, chop chop' the woman said briskly, clapping her hands.
I still stood by the end of the bed, watching them, not quite sure I had heard them right.
'Did you not hear me right dear, I said clothes off, how do you expect us to wash you and give you a full make over if you are wearing these tatty old rags' the woman asked.
Feeling utterly embarrassed but glad at least that there were only girls around, I stripped down.
'Very good' the woman said her voice sounding calmer at last.
I can't honestly say I'd ever guessed this was a part of the Hunger Games preparation; bathed multiple times with numerous chemicals, soaps and oils until my skin feels red raw and then waxed free of every hair on my entire body save for my head and eyebrows. But they did clip my eyebrows; trim them with tiny scissors to artistic perfection. They then clipped my nails as well. By the end I felt very clean but also uncomfortably naked, no hair, no extra layers of grime or skin. But then that was probably the point. My hair had never been washed well at home so dealing with the tangled mess was certainly something for these stylists but they managed to get it clean and immaculate and tied back in a braid.
When the nightmare was finally over I was given some silky soft black pants and a silky magenta top to put on; I dressed and looked in front of the mirror; wow I could hardly recognise myself, I looked…amazing, not myself in a disturbing way but amazing.
The rest of the girl tributes had long left by the time I was done, I was kind of glad, I wasn't up for meeting with any of them so soon.
'Willow' said the stylist in magenta 'Katrina will see you now, follow me.'
I followed her down a hallway and was shown into a small lounge room, sitting inside was a tall graceful woman with reddish brown hair the colour of chestnuts.
'Welcome Willow, you look spectacular, I am Katrina and I will be your Stylist do I need to explain what that means or do you know?'
I sat down and said 'well, you make me look pretty right?'
Katrina laughed 'that and so much more my dear, my job is to ensure you make an impression, one that sticks in the minds of the people who will watch you here at the Capitol.'
'Why is that?'
'As your Mentor may or may not have told you, what could save you out there, is how much you mean to people here; when people like you, they sponsor you, when they sponsor you, you may get gifts in the games and that might just change everything.'
I came down for dinner to see a whole new Sinder and he likely saw a whole new me as well, he actually stopped eating and gaped slightly making me laugh.
Felix, Katrina and Serilda all sat with us, eating and talking over what to do for the Opening Parade. Sinder and I were more than happy to eat and listen until spoken to directly.
'We aren't going with the ridiculous bread idea again are we' Serilda asked, sounding like the thought alone was murder.
Katrina sighed 'what else would you have me do; they plow fields for goodness sake' turning to the two of us she quickly added 'no offence dears.'
'None taken' I say but she clearly doesn't catch my sarcasm.
'We aren't going to win any support for them when they ride out on a chariot dressed as loaves of bread' Serilda argued 'we're a laughing stock as it is.'
'I'm sure we can do something to make the costumes more interesting' Katrina replied.
Felix sighed, shaking his head 'I think we need a new angle Katrina, those costumes will do nothing for us.'
'Such as what' Katrina asked frowning.
Looking at me and Sinder, Serilda said 'well let us ask them, I mean…they come from the district…what could we dress you in?'
I frowned thoughtfully 'um…I don't know' I had never been very good with style, if Katrina could only think of a costume looking like bread then I'd be hopeless.
'You could try making something…I don't know, a costume that looks like crop or fields of grass' Sinder said uncertainly.
Katrina's eyes lit up 'I've got it, I have an excellent idea, but I'll need to start work right away' she got up, excusing herself and headed off.
We ate in silence for several moments, enjoying the food and drink immensely, I knew these would probably be some of my last, not to mention best, meals of my life and intended to enjoy them, besides I needed to get my strength up.
'So, I gather Katrina explained about sponsorship' Serilda said to us finally as she wiped her mouth.
'Yeah, how do we go about getting those' I asked curiously.
'I am the one who officially signs the contracts but Felix will be helping me find people, as for gaining the interest, that is down to you' Serilda explained.
'How' Sinder asked frowning.
'When you have the crowd's attention use anything and everything you have; charm, charisma, passion, even daring. Show them any skills you've got, make them love you, in the interview, in the parade, through your scores…everything.'
I had to wonder in that moment, how many times had she repeated this speech to tribute after tribute, only to watch them die…did she feel anything for them or was she just someone sent by the Capitol to Mentor a district that has none. Felix and Katrina were obviously Capitol born, that was clear, but it wasn't obvious with Serilda.
'So the Opening Parade is the first chance' I ask.
'Correct' Serilda answered 'I just hope Katrina's new idea will win us some support.'
I was guided to my room and left there for the night, considering we were all going to die, the accommodations were very nice; comfy beds with silk sheets, large wardrobes able to hold far more clothes than I would ever have and a large bathroom connected to the main room.
I washed my face in the bathroom then stripped down for the night, I felt self-conscious though, as though they might be watching me by camera. I got under the covers and tried to go to sleep but I couldn't, far too nervous about the Opening Parade tomorrow.
