Chapter 3: The Ceremony

I grit my teeth together as I try my best not to snap at my designers. They're peppy, useless talk rung in my ears and I wish I could make them just shut up. I can't believe people in the Capitol actually worry about things like how their tattoos didn't come out right or how horrible a party was. I remember when I was only 7 years old and I was worried about how I was going to live on without my father and brother. It makes me sick.

"Finally we have a tribute that has good looks!" Exclaims one of the designers, Olive, I think. "It's so much easier too!"

She starts rubbing this cream on my face, and I let out a gasp as I feel it sting. I really hate these people.

"Sorry, darling!" Ailis, another designer, apologizes, "This will just make it so that the facial hair doesn't grow back in the arena!"

Yeah, like I'll be worrying about that in the arena, I think.

Ailis continues rubbing the cream on, and I try my best not to punch her. I would never hurt a woman (though I may have to make exceptions if they're trying to kill me) but Ailis and Olive are getting on my nerves. The other designer, Tamaki, is doing something with my hair. He's not cutting it, just rubbing some sort of goo into it. I don't like this shit.

"I wonder what Aurora has planned for your outfit?" Tamaki wonders, "She could do so many things with District 4."

"You mean she hasn't told you?" I say, surprised she hasn't consulted in her team.

"She usually doesn't," Ailis said. "She'll tell us what to do with you, but the outfit we never see until you're in it."

"I have a feeling it has some green in it," Olive says. "To match your eyes."

I try my best not to roll my eyes at this, so I just shrug. Honestly, I have not a clue what this Aurora person will do, but I just hope I'm not dressed up as a fish. Or seaweed for that matter.

I hear the door open and a woman comes in. She has pale skin with long, luscious golden hair. Her eyes have a warm golden-brown look to them and she has some permanent eye shadow to match it. She's dressed in nice black pants and a flowing orange shirt. She looks at me with a speculating gaze as she walks around. This must be Aurora.

"Stand up and strip the robe," She orders me, her hand on her chin.

I raise my eyebrows, but do as she says. I suddenly feel very uncomfortable with their eyes all on my naked body. What do they need me naked for anyways? Can't I at least be wearing some shorts?

Thankfully, though, Aurora waves her hands and Olive gives me my robe. They're all smiling, though, and I roll my eyes as I slip it back on, feeling less vulnerable as I did before. Aurora nods to them and all three of them walk out, just leaving me and her. She stares at me for a little bit before she motions me to sit down.

"You have a good look," She begins seriously, taking a chair to sit down in front of me, "which means the more attractive you are the more sponsors you're able to get."

"No offence," I say, "But that's horribly shallow."

She chuckles quietly and murmurs, "Yes, it seems so, but that's how the people here think. They are shallow, so we have to serve it to them."

"So…what are you planning?"

"You'll see," She smiles a bit, "but don't worry, it won't be embarrassing."

"Thank god," I mutter.

Aurora laughs again and says simply, "Just expect something green."

Well, it was green alright. And as I stand in front of my mirror, wearing my outfit, I can't say I'm too happy about it. It's good, don't get me wrong, but I feel so…sparkly. Ugh.

I'm dressed in a jumpsuit that is green, like the shade of my eyes (no shock there). But whenever I move, it flashes and sparkles like how fish do in water. On my forearms and going along my spine are fins. They're elegant and show superiority, but I hate them. I feel mutant.

"Well?" Aurora asks me, "How is it?"

"It's…" I can't say that I don't like it, so I just say, "It's great."

She smiles a bit at me, as if knowing I'm lying to her, but she doesn't question me. She leads me out of my room and into the hallway. Topaz is waiting there in the same design I do, except her costume is golden. I wish I had gotten golden, instead of green.

She eyes me and says, "Someone was going for physical looks."

I look down and notice that the jumpsuit is so tight that it shows every curve of my body. Not to mention my six-pack (which I'm proud to say I have). I sigh and shrug, I wasn't really caring about that, because I mostly look like an alien.

"Ready?" Mags asks me, and I just barely understand her.

"Yeah," I say.

"Smile and wave," Ebony tells us, "And don't be afraid to show off."

They push us both into the elevator, and there's a couple seconds of awkward silence before the doors open. We step out and notice that we're one of the lasts to arrive, and I see our carriage idling by the rest of the Careers. They're talking and flaunting, unlike the rest of the people who are just standing around, silent.

Topaz doesn't even look at me as she heads over to our horses and carriage. I follow her, noting that the horses are a soft golden while the carriage is blue, representing the sea. I sit down on one of the steps and stretch out my legs, leaning back on the door. Topaz gives me a frustrated look, as if she was planning on going up there, but she doesn't say anything.

Suddenly, the people from Districts One and Two come over. I recognize one, Aidan from District One, from when I watched the other Reapings. He's large with a stocky build and long, wavy brown hair. His brown eyes flash when he comes towards as, a cocky grin on his face.

Next to him is his tribute partner. I don't know her name, but she's stunning with bright green eyes and short, soft red hair. She's very attractive, I say that much, and she looks to be about 18 years old. She crosses her arms as she sees us, a frown on her face.

The District Two people are the same. The boy is actually small, but looks very strong. His muscles ripple under a tight custom and he flips his blond hair. Next to him is his tribute partner, who I don't know the name of also. She has dark brown eyes and very dark brown hair, almost black like Ebony's. She has a serious and dark look to her that would make anyone shiver under her intense gaze.

"So you're the District Four Tributes," Aidan says, giving us a good look, obviously seeing if we're worth his time, "I'm Aidan." He gives out his hand to shake.

Topaz shakes his first as I stand up. "I'm Topaz," She says, her voice slightly cold, "And this is Finnick."

I grit my teeth together in frustration; I am perfectly capable of introducing myself. But I shake his hand and nod to him, before releasing from his grip.

"I'm Cara," the District One girl tribute says.

"I'm Flint, and this is Gemini," the District Two boy tribute says, nodding to his partner Gemini.

"Nice to meet you," I say flatly, leaning back on the carriage.

"How old are you?" Gemini asks, her dark gaze narrowing.

"I'm 17," Topaz says.

And before she can say what I am, I say, "And I'm 14."

"14, huh? A little young," Gemini mutters, giving me a look.

"But perfectly capable of winning," I growl, crossing my arms and giving her a look back.

Aidan laughs and says, "Nice. Well, we better head over to our carriages. See you in training."

They walk away while Topaz gives me an annoyed look.

"What?" I snap, frustrated.

"Couldn't you have lied about your age? Then you wouldn't make us seem so weak and vulnerable," She growls at me.

"They would've figured it out anyways," I wave my hand as I climb up into the carriage, "do I look 16 to you?"

"Obviously not, but they could believe that you grow late."

"It doesn't matter," I say, "let's just get this thing over with."

She mutters something inaudible as she climbs up next to me. She gives me good enough space, obviously upset with me. But I don't care, she'll die anyways, all of them will, if I am able to come home. The doors open and the District One carriage pulls out, then two, and then three.

When it's our turn, I start getting nervous, but I do as Mags and Ebony told us. As we pull out, I flash a winning, attractive grin. I can see more than half the women in the audience faint. I try my best not to laugh as I try to look as sexy as possible. When you need sponsors, you'll go to any extent.

We pull around the loop and we stop in front of President Snow's mansion. He comes out with a smile on his face. He looks too pale with pure white hair. He has a rose in his shirt pocket and he goes up to the stand as he begins to talk. I ignore him as he starts talking, because I bet everything he says is just a load of crap.

When he finally stops, there's a large cheer and we pull out. I'm thankful once the doors are shut and I can relieve myself of that stupid grin I've had to keep on my face all the time. I sigh and jump out after Topaz, landing on the ground solidly. Mags and Ebony come over, looking pleased.

"You did well," Mags tells me, and I finally understand her this time.

Topaz gives Mags a confused look, obviously not understanding what she said. She hasn't been around Mags as much as I have because she's my mentor, of course she can't understand her.

"Now let's get you out of these ridiculous outfits and go upstairs," Ebony says, making a face at our wardrobe. "Who knows how these designers get their ideas."

Mags just gives a slight shrug as she hobbles towards the elevator. I'm really surprised in Mags, by how long she has lived and for how long she has mentored children. If I mentored people for that long, I would go insane. Either that or become like the District 12 mentor, Haymitch, or the District 11 mentor, Chaff, who always drink. Either that or turn to drugs like morphling.

We head into the elevator and I go into my room to change. I put on a regular t-shirt and pants as I head into the main room to watch the ceremony. Julius talks about how wonderful we look and Ebony and Topaz both give him looks like he's crazy. We laugh a little at the other costumes, like how District 9 is dressed up as animals and District 12 is starched naked, covered in coal. I guess we weren't the worst out of all of them.

Once they're done, Mags turns off the TV and says, "Off to bed?"

"What?" Topaz asks.

"Bed," I tell her, "We need the rest anyways."

"We'll wake you up at 9 so that you can eat. By 10 you have to be in the Training Center," Ebony tells us.

"Alright, Ebony. 'Night everyone," I say as I get up and walk to my room.

Topaz heads into her room without saying a word to me as I head into mine. I shut the door and collapse on my bed, exhausted. It finally hits me that these people we had just been laughing at because of their costumes, they may never come back. Only one can, will that be me? Will all these other people die for my life? Or will I die for someone else?

Will this room be empty at the end? Or will I be in it? Who will die because of me? And how the hell am I supposed to win?