The next morning wasn't anything like the day before. Katniss's anger had seemed to simmer. Breakfast felt very light and airy as it began, the food was already presented in front of everyone on their grand, silver plates. Juices, teas, and bread were prepared at the perfect temperature. Every other moment between someone grabbing a random roll of bread or more eggs, when no one was looking, Haymitch would give Katniss a hard glare as if that was keeping her in check. Every time he leaned over for more alcohol, he would twitch his hand a little to indicate he was onto to her. It really was the only thing she was holding onto, her whole world was falling apart in the palm of her hands and it was only the second day of her mentoring, their first morning together. She was about to break but she really couldn't here, not in the Capitol.
It was Susan who started up with the questions and Katniss didn't mind offering her advice. They had just started to stuff their faces silly with warm pancakes or creamy soups when she blabbered out something meaningless. The questions quickly turned into more important topics. Surprisingly, Katniss wasn't biting off Susan's head between questions and it made Peeta a bit more aware of the tone of the situation. Everything was beginning to feel too real for him, but he had to push that aside. The information Katniss was giving was too good to ignore, but also too much to process at once. Peeta quietly slipped into the conversation, tiptoeing around Katniss until it seemed like she wouldn't attack him.
They were finishing up breakfast when Katniss got a phone call. She groaned and got up in a rush. Haymitch tried to call her back but she ignored him. She knew what it would be and it would mean trouble. She didn't need it right now, nor ever, but it must be done. Another meeting while the tributes got ready for the opening ceremonies, she knew for sure.
She was completely right.
Katniss returned with an angry spit. The survival advice ceased and the backlash at first wasn't pretty. The tributes quickly learned to stay quiet as they finished breakfast or the remarks would get worse as they pushed into unknown territory. Haymitch didn't even attempt to calm the fuming beast. Effie couldn't get one sentence in without some form of anger seeping out of Katniss, which made Effie quiver into herself and soon leave to powder her nose.
Not soon after breakfast was over and Katniss had stormed off to her room with a bottle of white liquor in hand they arrived at the Capitol. Peeta and Susan unconsciously ran to the glass windows to look out at the view. The grand city shone brightly in the daylight. The glass buildings reflected the yellow sun and the mountains far into the horizon were a darker shade of blue than the sky. They could see miles out where clusters of homes were located, all painted in different and bright colors.
They stayed there staring until they reached the train station where they would be dropped off. Once it opened up to the platform, their vision was blocked by the hundreds of people dressed in crazy colors and fashion screaming their names against the train. It was surprising how quickly they had people in love with them by just being chosen as tributes. Peeta guessed it was a good sign to have so many people waiting for their arrival, maybe they would be lucky enough to get good sponsors.
On the other hand, Peeta thought about why they were all here. To watch him either die or kill trying to survive.
Peeta's attention was diverted when the door to the train car opened up to Katniss. She was wearing a form-fitting dress the color of wine with a slit down the right side, exposing her smooth, olive-toned leg. The dress was made of a silky material, hugging her curves beautifully, and the cut plunged down to reveal her cleavage. She wore simple heels that matched her dress and her nails were painted white, making her skin pop. Her hair was curled into an up-do with ringlets falling down to structure her face, a dark rose adorning her bun. Her lips were painted a dark red with a deep nude eye. Small diamond jewelry adorned her wrist, neck and eye lobes.
Peeta couldn't keep his eyes off of her, Susan had to nudge him to close his mouth before Katniss noticed.
"Once your prep teams are finished with you, you'll be meeting your stylists," Katniss said in a calm tone. She seemed to have left her morning mood in her room. "Anything they say goes, whatever experiment they want to do on you either with your hair or skin or eyes, let them do it. They know what they're doing and I promise you won't go on stage naked."
"Why are you telling us this?" Peeta asked quickly. His mind wasn't working straight and he was trying hard to fix that.
Katniss turns to him with a smirk. "Don't be nosy, Peeta, it's very rude. Anyway, I have an engagement I need to tend to prior to the parade. I'll be leaving as soon as those doors open, so the next time I see you, hopefully, you'll look like stars."
The doors open too soon and Katniss is gone. The screaming audience quickly turns their attention to the stunning victor until she is in her cab and is gone. Their attention goes back to the two tributes.
"You should learn how to close your mouth, lover boy. Or everyone will think you have a crush on our mentor!" Susan laughs.
Katniss enters the ginormous building quickly. She can't be late or that'll end badly. As if these meetings don't always end up in disaster. She rolled her eyes at the thought. She followed down the known path until she reached a private elevator only a few individuals were allowed access to. Peacekeepers stood on each side of its doors and did not question Katniss when she strolled right along into the elevator. She pressed the button for the top floor and waited patiently until the doors opened up to the grand hallway. The ceiling was probably twenty feet up with ivory pillars lining the walls, paintings and flowers and chairs filling the empty spaces. Peacekeepers lined every pillar and didn't try to hide their stares as Katniss flaunted by, the sway of her hips in the dress was irresistible. It was too easy to sweep men off their feet. Her laughter was the only other sound in the hall beside her shoes clicking on the tile floor.
"Appointment for ten, Miss Everdeen?" the assistant at the desk asked. Katniss smiled.
"Actually, ten-fifteen on the dot. But, please tell him it needs to be quick, I have tributes to attend to."
The male secretary chuckled. "As long as the boss doesn't keep you."
"Very funny, Xavier," Katniss said sarcastically, leaning on the tall desk area.
"By the way, you look stunning as always," Xavier said. He quickly informed the big boss of Katniss's arrival while he looked her up and down.
Katniss chuckled, it was husky and sweet. "Xavier, are you flirting with me? You know I have a boyfriend."
He gave her a bright grin. "That sounds like it's against many rules. No, I am not flirting, I was just stating the facts."
She shook her head at him, smiling. An Avox quickly appeared to fetch Katniss but she waved the girl off. Katniss was very familiar with the halls of his office, she had been down them at least a dozen times before. The white doors were hard to miss anyway in the bustle of the top floor.
Katniss took a second to breathe before the Peacekeepers opened the grand doors for her.
The first thing she noticed was the strong stench of blood and roses filling her nose. She long lost the too-sweet, fruity fragrance her prep team smothered her with, but she now missed it. Katniss could feel her stomach and lungs rejecting the smell; it was much stronger than before and she didn't know if she could handle even five minutes standing by it much rather an hour sitting in it. Besides the smell, everything else in the room was the same. The silver tile was spotless and the walls on either side of her were perfectly filled with colorful books. There were tables at each corner, holding plants or liquor or just another place to sit at. There was only his desk in the middle of the room with only two chairs adorning it. The man himself was standing in front of the floor to ceiling window, the bustling city in full view.
"Good morning, Miss Everdeen. Please, come in."
The president waved her in as he continued to stare out the window. "Good morning, Mr. President."
"Oh, Miss Everdeen. I have told you many of times, its Coriolanus."
She clicked her tongue as she walked to the window. "And I have told you many of times, its Katniss."
Coriolanus Snow chuckled as he turned to the young woman. "Would you like a drink, Katniss?"
Katniss smiled. "Of course I would, Coriolanus."
The president moved swiftly as he went to a corner of the room where glasses and multiple bottles of liquor were stored. He poured two cups and turned to see Katniss roaming about the room, peering at his collection of books.
He handed her the drink. "Thank you," she mumbled. She quietly took a sip and agreed to drink this wisely. The liquor he had chosen was much stronger than anything she could get in Twelve or even delivered to Twelve. "So, what brings me here today? Is there another ravenous bidder?"
Coriolanus chuckled as he strolled back to his desk. He was never this casual with his colleagues, only the few that owed him things, and Katniss owed him a lot. Coriolanus sat down in his large chair, motioning for Katniss to join him on the chair opposite of him. She slowly made her way to the smaller, floral chair.
"Yes, actually. You and your little boyfriend will be joining another lovely couple. But that's beside the point. Katniss, you know why you are truly here."
She took in a quick breath and looked at the ground guiltily. Of course, she knew, hadn't she been punished enough for it?
"So you do?" the president said calmly. It was a good sign for Katniss, at least for now. "Then you also know the requirements you must meet in this situation I have placed you in."
Katniss looked up at him, shocked. "No… You did this!"
Coriolanus chuckled. It was deep and menacing. "Of course I did. Did you assume your punishment was over? I must always keep my victors in check; you don't understand that this is just the beginning. I could have done so much worse to you to start off with, but you have obeyed all of my commands since you started."
Katniss took a long sip from her glass.
"So, what must I do?"
Coriolanus kept quiet for a few moments, making Katniss's heart race.
"I have kept up my side of our signed agreement. Your family is safe, your sisters' name will never see the Reaping bowl. You have offered your whole self to your job in order to keep this deal meet. I'm hoping you continue to do just that with your new predicament."
Katniss was trying hard not to show her anger too much. He spoke of this so easily and she knew it was to push her buttons. He acted as if nothing was wrong and this was very normal. It wasn't. Nothing about this was normal, it was actually torture for her. Damn, and he knew it.
She turned her cheek and kept a calm face. "Of course, I will. I have already forgotten what used to be."
"That is good to hear. You wouldn't want to see anything unfortunate happen once the games start."
She smiled. "No, I wouldn't."
Coriolanus smiled as well. "Well then, we both know how this should all play out then. May the odds be in your tributes favor, Katniss."
"Thank you, Coriolanus."
"I will be seeing you soon."
Katniss nodded as she stood to leave. The guards opened the doors and she quickly made her way back to the elevator. Xavier waved goodbye to her and she smiled. Katniss had to pretend everything is fine. It really wasn't, but when was it ever?
Peeta meets his prep team right after he stepped out of the car. Susan was pulled away by her own prep team as well, looking a bit worried as they began to talk to her in their high pitched voices. The three of Peeta's team were all equally different. Their skin was tinted green and pink with gold tattoos on their faces and arms. Their hair was styled in curls and straight with spikes, dyed a bright green or orange – it was Peeta's favorite color but he has never hated it more. His team's clothes much worse. Corsets with dozens of bows and puffy, bright pants. Their nails were plain, thankfully, only because they would be scrubbing him down. They all had long, crazy lashes and bright lipsticks – yellow, purple and white. One of them even had contacts on that made their eyes look like flowers. They were a sight for sore eyes, but Peeta wouldn't hate them just because they were raised differently than he.
As they walk to the makeover room, they introduce themselves. The only male with the orange corkscrew curls introduced himself as Flavius. He would be working on his hair, hopefully leaving it at its natural blonde. Octavia, she had the green skin and flower eyes, would be in charge of making the skin on his body smooth and scar free. Venia wore the corset with bows, a fluffy pink skirt underneath; she would be removing his facial hair and cleaning up his eyebrows.
They strip Peeta of his simple outfit once they get to the makeover room. Their voices are as squeaky as Susan's team but they don't go crazy over him like hers did. Octavia gets to work quickly on his scars, using a machine to remove the blemishes. Once that is finished, all three of them work on scrubbing him down and removing at least four or five layers of skin. He is raw and pink, sensitive to the touch when they are done. Before he dries up, they rub all sorts of lotions and oils into his new skin. Peeta smells like he's been standing in the middle of a flower field for days.
Flavius takes a second to reapply his purple lipstick before working on Peeta's blond locks. He washes Peeta's hair before trimming it slightly and styling it with gel. Venia shaved his face quickly, applying a liquid that would keep his facial hair gone until the games were over or he met his death, whichever came first.
Octavia gives Peeta a soft robe to dress himself in and they all wave goodbye to him as they leave. His stylist would be with him soon, but their job was done.
Peeta was left alone in the white room. Everything was so clean, he didn't understand how anyone lived that way. He was used to dark colors back home, dirt everywhere and coal always in your lungs. The Capitol smelled fresh and clean. There wasn't a speck of dirt in sight.
A man soon walks in, interrupting his lingering thoughts. He looked nothing like a Capitol citizen, no crazy clothes or skin painted a bright color. His attire was all black: a shirt and vest with trousers and boots. His naturally black, curly hair was trimmed down short and his dark skin was smooth. His eyes shone bright, a beautiful hazel. The only thing distinct to the Capitol was his gold eyeliner. He held his hand out to Peeta who was sitting on the table still.
"I'm Cinna, your stylist."
But Peeta knew his name before he even said it. Cinna was Katniss's stylist last year. He created all of her beautiful outfits and helped her with her talent for design. Peeta shook his hand, a bit dazzled by the man himself. He was so relaxed and Peeta enjoyed his presence. He could trust Cinna.
"Peeta."
"I was assigned to you by Katniss herself if you're wondering why I'm not with Susan. You probably already know but I was her stylist last year, she was actually first. She thinks I can do wonders for you."
Peeta chuckled. "I'm sorry you were assigned such a terrible district."
Cinna shook his head. "I chose Twelve. Anyway, last year's costumes were a hit, so Portia and I came up a similar look for this year's. It will be different but with the same elements."
The two men laughed at the joke. Of course, Peeta knew there would be fire. The people went crazy for it last year and Katniss looked beautiful surrounded by it.
"I don't think Katniss would like it if you tried taking attention away from her," Peeta said.
"Oh, she doesn't need a costume for people to give her attention. Either way, she understands that she is no longer the tribute: you are. You are the ones who need the attention from sponsors and these costumes will determine if the Capitol will be staring at you to win or waiting for when you die."
Peeta was a bit shocked at how truthful Cinna was, but he appreciated it. It wasn't every day you found someone who was truly honest.
"So what did Katniss tell you?" Cinna asked, pulling Peeta away from his thoughts.
"To allow you to do whatever experiment you wanted on me."
Cinna chuckled and shook his head. "That girl – she's a keeper. She's very determined and strong; if these costumes don't get you sponsors, she will. Don't ever question her, she knows what she's doing with you tributes. Trust me, Peeta, you will be in a whole line of trouble if you cross her wrong."
Peeta gave a breathy laugh and nodded sadly, knowing how true his words were.
Peeta met Susan after he was dressed and fed. Their chariot was sturdy and black, two black horses roped to it. The horses sat recklessly and the two tributes took to combing their long hair. Neither spoke.
Cinna and Portia, Susan's stylist, were talking with their prep teams. Effie was talking to Haymitch, who was surprisingly not drunk out of his mind. He was dressed in a clean, grey half suit. His long blond hair was washed and styled in a low ponytail behind his head. Effie was a different story. She was decked out in a purple dress and wig, with matching lipstick and shoes. Her jewelry was gold and bulky. Gold accents adorned her dress and headpiece. Her skin was painted white like before.
Katniss came tumbling through the elevator a while later. She still wore the burgundy dress but her hair was redone to act in soft curls across her right shoulder. Peeta was still stunned when he saw her.
She walked up to her tributes and smiled. "Wow, don't you two look stunning!" It was probably the nicest compliment they were going to get, all her other ones had punches to them. Katniss couldn't help but stare at the two for a second. Cinna and Portia created matching, black suits with detail work in a different material. Each was adorned with black headpieces and capes that stopped at their knees. Susan had on dark eye makeup and a nude lipstick. She looked fierce for once. Her hair was curled and brushed onto her shoulders, the only feature that made her look delicate. Peeta, on the other hand, looked much stronger, like a Career. He held himself high, his toned chest showing as the suit hugged him well. Cinna painted his face with dark powder, making Peeta's face look sculpted with harsh angles and curves.
Katniss turned to the stylist and applauded. "You two did great."
Everyone joined in and clapped for the couple. They still have a little while to go until the doors were opening so everyone lingered, talking about simple things.
The whole lot of them jumped, along with many others who stared at them, when Katniss screamed. She was giggling as a bronze man picked her up from behind and spun her around. He put her down and spun her to face him. They locked lips, the man stooping down to kiss her as she was much shorter than he. Katniss threw her arms around him, her fingers digging into his bronze locks. The man wore an expensive looking suit, the color of the dark night sky. When he pulled away, you could see his sea green eyes shine. Peeta knew this man. Had seen him on television for years and most recently on Katniss's hip. He was Victor, a Career. He was a threat to Peeta.
"Peeta, Susan, meet Finnick Odair."
Finnick shakes both the tributes hand and smiles. His was dazzling, Susan had no words. She just giggled like a little girl and turned away to talk to Portia. Peeta, on the other hand, was trying to be impressed. He definitely was and it made him bitter. Finnick was built much bigger than him, but Finnick had many more years of training than Peeta. He was a bit taller than Peeta, give or take a couple of inches. Finnick carried himself with confidence and was too beautiful to question. Peeta was nothing compared to the Victor. He was perfect for Katniss, who shared many of the same features as Finnick. She was athletic and confident, not as tall but all the more beautiful.
Peeta truly hated him.
He watched as the couple walked away from the group to grabs some drinks. They held hands and stared at each other lovingly while they laughed happily.
Peeta was fuming for the next minutes as they waited to climb onto the chariots. Susan noticed his change in mood and took to teasing him.
"So, lover boy, you seem a bit twisted. Did a little fisher boy get your girl?"
"Shut up, Susan."
She laughed. "It's all over your face! You love her!"
Peeta couldn't help but let his anger loose on Susan. He grabbed her arms and spoke quietly into her ear. "You better shut your mouth or you'll be the first one dead in the arena."
He could feel her trembling, but she hid it well. Peeta felt terrible for becoming this. She scoffed, which made him tighten his grip. "Face it, Peeta. We know who's coming out of this alive and it's not me."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
She rolled her eyes. "You're oblivious to everything."
Peeta shoved her away and went back to combing the horses' hair. After a few minutes, Katniss returned without fisher boy on her wrist. She didn't notice the tension between the tributes. Everyone else had seen the little outburst, heard their discussion, but kept it to themselves.
Katniss walked away for another moment and came around to the tributes with Cinna and Portia in tow.
"I hope you two aren't afraid of fire," Cinna said. Katniss laughed, lightly slapping Cinna's arm. He held a torch with red flames licking the top. Portia held some sort of cover for it.
"Is it real?" Susan asked. The fire she had earlier was gone at the sight of real fire.
Katniss laughed again. "No, princess. It's not real."
Susan turned forward and allowed Cinna to light her first. Her cape and headpiece were quickly engulfed by the bright flames. Cinna gave Katniss the torch and lit Peeta's cape carefully. Cinna had mentioned earlier about Katniss helping him out on the new version of the fake flames.
The tributes began to ascend onto the chariots. Peeta didn't offer his hand to Susan so she was left for a minute struggling onto the high platform. Eventually, Haymitch lifted Susan up and glared at Peeta.
"Better get that stick out of your ass or sweetheart will have all of our heads."
Peeta scoffed at Haymitch but he removed the anger from his face. Even as he watched Katniss reunite with Finnick a little ways away from all the commotion of chariots, he kept his composure. The tributes stood still, looking forward as the grand doors opened into the night and the first chariot strolled down the path. Two giant bleachers of seats lined the path to the main circle, they were filled with Capitol citizens dressed worse than Peeta's prep team.
Cinna suddenly called them, but they barely heard him. They turned to their stylists and watched them grab each other's hands and hold them up high. The tributes were already moving forward, the crowd noticing the tributes on fire. Peeta looked at Susan up and down when he realized what the stylist wanted them to do.
Susan leaned over to Peeta. "What do we do?"
Peeta rolled his eyes and sighed. "We listen."
He bitterly grabbed her hand and smiled at the crowd. He had only held hands with a girl once before and surprisingly it didn't feel the same.
Susan and Peeta played with the crowd as they took them in. They first gasped and soon the flames captured everyone's eyes. They were screaming their names and throwing roses at them. The other tributes were turning their heads to see who was taking up all the attention. Some Careers snared at them and turned forward, ignoring the beauty of Twelve. The two tributes on fire ignored the others and played the crowd well. Susan caught one and pressed it to her nose, then her heart. Dozens of people fell for her actions and were crying, thinking it was their rose she caught. Peeta mimicked Susan, catching a white rose in his hand and blowing a kiss to his suitor.
The Capitol was in love with District Twelve's tributes and everyone knew it.
"I feel like a raw bird."
Cinna chuckled as he brought Katniss to a small room where she would get ready. The walls were a rich wood with light carpet. There was a body mirror on one wall with a step stool in front of it. A single door beside it held an area to change and outfits for Katniss. There was a bar on another wall with a window above it, the sun still shining high in the sky. Two small, red sofas surrounded a coffee table built into the ground. "The team did you good then?"
"They probably removed ten layers of skin, so yes."
"Are you hungry?"
Katniss nodded greedily as she sat down on a couch. She ate a small breakfast, the nerves playing with her mind too much. Damon had to force her to eat something.
Cinna pushed a button on the coffee table and it split open, a grand fest of a roasted bird and side dished rose out of the darkness. Katniss sat shocked as Cinna walked to a bar and filled two cups with water.
"Go ahead and eat. I'm going to get your outfit ready," Cinna said. She smiled and accepted the cup of water. He walked into the closet and shouted, "I put a little something in your drink to take the edge off. Haymitch said it would help."
Katniss laughed out loud. She grabbed a plate and served herself some of everything. She was in the middle of eating when her prep team rushed into the room. They waved at Katniss, who had stuffed her face just moments before they walked in. She waved back and watched as they walked into the room with Cinna. They spoke quietly for a few minutes then proceeded to bring out a bag with what must be her outfit for the chariot ride. They allowed Katniss to finish eating, promising her they would have dinner after the whole thing was over.
Her prep team gets her out of her robes and they reveal her dress. Katniss gasped when she saw it. It was a mermaid dress adorned with a small train. She didn't get a lot of time to look at it on the hanger, her prep team quickly shoving her into it. The dress fit well against her body up until her mid-thigh, when it broke off into the flowy material. The top was cut straight across with gold arm bracelets attached to the sides. A thin white material was stuck to the arm bracelets and fell behind her like a cape. The dress was a gradient going from light blue on the top to a dark indigo on the bottom. The very top of the dress was adorned with dark grey crystals that resembled embers burning. She then understood what she was looking at.
"Portia and I spent a lot of time working on your outfits. We hope you and Damon like them," Cinna said once he finished her makeup. "I hope you aren't afraid of fire."
Katniss gave Cinna a questioning look. She took a breath, not knowing what to expect.
Katniss couldn't believe what she saw in the mirror in front of her. Her lips were painted a light nude and her eyes were colored with dark blues and blacks. Her grey eyes were very noticeable against the blue. Cinna painted her face to look sharp and soft all at the same time. Octavia, one of the women on her prep team, glued fake nails on and painted them white, making her olive skin pop. She helped Katniss into white stilettos as well. Flavius had curled Katniss's hair and pinned it up elegantly. He left curled strands of hair fall around her face and placed a gold crown on top. Venia clipped diamond earrings and a thin bracelet on Katniss for a finishing touch.
She looked beautiful, stunning. Too bad she wouldn't live long enough to wear something like this again.
"Are you alright, Katniss? You look a bit shocked."
She smiled. "I'm fine. The dress is just so beautiful."
Cinna patted her back. "Thank you. But you look even more beautiful in it."
Katniss laughed quietly. Cinna helped her down from the platform in front of the mirror and they walked out of the small room. They took two cars down to where the chariots were waiting for them. When they entered, there were other prep teams and stylist, escorts and mentors, bustling around with their tributes. All twelve, black chariots were lined up in front of the giant double doors. Each with two, black horses in front of them attached by black reins. There was silver detail work on each chariot, marking them all different depending on the district.
Effie and Haymitch met Katniss and the rest of her team at Twelve's chariot. They were all waiting for Damon, who was a bit late. "Portia called. Said they had to make an alteration to a piece of his outfit," Haymitch said when Katniss asked where he was.
There was small talk, everyone complimenting Katniss on her beauty and Cinna on his design. Effie couldn't help but blab away about her hair and makeup looking so beautiful against her olive skin. Effie's get up wasn't as elegant as Katniss's. Her skin was painted white again with a few gold tattoos on her arms. Effie wore a green bodysuit with ruffled in different shades of green all over it. Her platform shoes were decked with more green ruffles as well as her green jewelry. Her wig was a light, candy green, straightened and pulled back into a ponytail. It fell well past her waist and bangs were clipped on in a different shade of green. Her makeup was, again, green. It was a sight to see, for sure and while Katniss loved the color, the whole ensemble made her cringe.
Damon soon arrived minutes before all the tributes were supposed to climb onto the chariots. Katniss couldn't help but stare at him. She didn't even notice as she took him all in that he was staring right back at her.
He was wearing a light grey suit, textured with a material the resembled embers cooling off. Surprisingly, it moved like regular cotton and felt like it to. He wore a white shirt underneath and a light blue tie, matching the top of her dress. The edges of Damon's suit were sparkling with the same dark crystals are her dress; it made his plain, black gentleman shoes pop. He wore a cape just like Katniss's but it was a thick white material and it cut off at his ankles. Gold clips held it to his suit, they matched the gold button on his suit and the gold crown hiding his trimmed and styled hair.
Katniss noticed that his face was clear of facial hair. It made him look much younger, but he was the same seventeen-year-old she had seen in the morning. Damon smiled at her and she relaxed a lot.
"You clean up quite nice, Kat," Damon whispered to her as everyone began to talk around them. She couldn't help but laugh out loud. She could feel her cheeks flush underneath all the makeup.
"You don't too bad either, Damon."
"Alright, kids," Haymitch said. "It's time."
Cinna came around with Portia in tow. He held a torch with blue flames licking the top while Portia held a something that looked like a case for the torch. Katniss was shocked at what she realized was happening. She turned to Damon in disbelief. He was tugging on the collar of his shirt, a bit uncomfortable with the thought of being on fire.
"Is it real?" Katniss finally asked.
Cinna and Portia laughed. "No. We spent months studying fire to replicate them. It's fake, you won't feel a thing."
This reassured the two. Damon climbed onto the platform of the chariot first, lifting Katniss up after him. She would have never been able to climb up herself with that dress on. She smiled at Damon, who squeezed her hand. Cinna quickly lit Katniss's cape first, then her headpiece. Damon was next, his white cap going up into blue flames just like Katniss's. His crown was on fire too. All the flames were a matching blue, brightening up their area.
The grand doors began to open once everyone was set. The other tributes couldn't help but look back at Katniss and Damon. They were on fire! But their attention was soon diverted to the crowd. The sun was bright as it was lowering in the sky. The path to the main circle was filled with an audience of thousands, all screaming tributes' names. They threw roses at those who they hoped to win. Katniss and Damon had to wait until District Eleven's chariot began to move to begin the trip to the main circle.
Katniss took one last look back at their stylists for any last tips. Cinna and Portia locked their hands together and rose them up. Katniss understood instantly what they wanted her to do.
"Give me your hand!" Katniss had to yell over the crowd.
"What?" Damon yelled, pulling his face closer to hers. She groaned and rolled her eyes. Katniss grabbed his hand and entwined their fingers. It was a gesture of strength, of a bond being made. It was against the Capitol for taking away their freedom. They were allies till the very end, nothing would take that away.
The Tributes Parade was the time to make a statement to the Capitol. To show off what you had. Cinna and Portia certainly made them stand out. Even Caesar Flickerman and Claudius Templesmith were captured by District Twelve's tributes. Their attention was instantly taken when they reached the streets. The crowd turned their attention to Katniss and Damon quickly. They began shouting their names and proclaiming their love for them. Roses were being thrown at them from each side. Katniss was quick to grab one, blowing a kiss to whoever threw it. Women and men were fanning themselves over the thought of her kiss.
Damon had an idea. He grabbed a rose and waved at the audience. He turned to Katniss, who was smiling and waving at the crowd. She wasn't ever one for being the center of attention, but she wasn't afraid to talk to people. People usually didn't like her at first because she came off as a bit rude with her brutal honesty, but they warmed up to her. Cinna had made everyone forget about who Katniss was and made her a beautiful goddess on fire. Who could say no to her? Damon tapped her shoulder, seeing many of the screens with them plastered on it.
She turned to him smiling. Damon handed her the rose, a sweet gesture that the crowd would eat up. Katniss smiled as she saw the look in his eyes. He was playing the crowd by being completely honest with her. She quietly dropped the rose she had in her hand and took Damon's. She put it to her nose and smiled widely at him. They stared at each other for a moment before returning to the crowd.
No one noticed Damon's red, blotchy neck or Katniss's sweaty palms.
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A/N: GUYS IM SO SHOOK. IVE BEEN DYING TO WRITE THIS CHAPTER AND I HOPE EVERYONE IS AS SHOOK AS I AM. EVERYTHING WILL SOON MAKE SENSE IF YOU ARE CONFUSED.
BTW, I imagine Damon as Douglas Booth (he played Romeo in the 2013 version of Romeo and Juliet) and Susan as Elle Fanning (who was Aurora in Disney's live-action adaptation of Maleficent)
~Jez xo