I'd just like to write a short message thingy. Thanks for all of your reviews, they really do mean a lot to me. I'd like to specially thank Pendryanne. So, thank you for your support and review. I'm glad we've been pming each other as we have. :D And also I'd like to mention ViolaCastalle. CHECK OUT THEIR PROFILES AND STORIES! 3 ~Cassie xx
Chapter 6.
Finally. The day of the interviews. My prep team's favourite day of my time in the Capitol. The day they have to themselves of ripping hair off my body. The day of my teeth being gritted as I try not to call out from the pain. The day for them to sculpt a person out of my figure and face. And they start as early as possible.
They wake me at a ludicrous time, 5.45 am. I didn't even think they got up that early. I guess Cinna instructed them too. That must mean they need to do a lot to me. Fantastic. I climb out of bed and Octavia hands me a paper thin robe to change into. I slip into it and follow them to prep.
Walking down the corridor past all of the other prep rooms, I realise just how many Tributes there actually are. All of the rooms are dark, I must be the only one up. That annoys me because I know Ash is still tucked up in bed asleep. We reach mine and Flavius draws back the curtains. Its exactly the same. I suddenly become aware that Venia's hand is on the small of my back, I squirm uncomfortably. I get taken through to a separate room that I didn't notice before. Inside is a bath. Just a bath. But it's full of foul-smelling green stuff that makes me cough. But they don't flinch. "Could you get in please?" Venia asks. I nod and take my robe off. I then climb into the horrible stuff. It has a strange texture, almost solid yet liquid at the same time. I lie back in it and I feel like I'm moulding into it. "This is really weird." I think out loud. They laugh. "We'll just be out here Renèe, get everything ready. You just relax." Flavius says. I say, "Okay." And that's it, they're gone. I let my eyes close and slowly drift off to sleep.
I dream that I'm in the Games (As I do most nights.) I'm being chased by the Careers. I wade into a swamp that slowly starts to harden around me. Soon, I'm stuck in stone. I start to panic and I soon hear the Careers laugh cruelly behind me. "Guys. Let me take her down. I want the pleasure." I recognise that voice. I turn my head, my eyes wide with fear. The Careers part and Ash walks out grinning madly. "Ash, please." I start to whimper. "Shut up. I want this to be silent." One corner of his mouth rises into a smirk. The Careers start to sneer at me as tears stream down my face. Ash draws a gleaming sword from his belt. "Ash.. What are you going to d-" He interrupts me. "I SAID SHUT UP!" I whimper again and he edges closer, the sword reflects the eyes that I always fall into. Something high-pitched is ringing in my ears. I then realise I'm screaming. Ash raises the sword. I wake.
My prep team come running in and I realise I'm still screaming. I stop and they help me out of the bath. I wrap my robe around me again but its soon taken off as they hose me down and scrub me with rough sponges. I'm taken back through to the other room and they say that they'll need to wax my legs and underarms. Great..
Finally they've finish waxing me down. My skin is pink and tingly. They then assemble into their preferred professions. Flavius is snipping away at my hair, cutting layers into it and waving, weaving, curling, plaiting. Venia is glueing acrylic nails over my own and painting them. Octavia is applying my make up. I just let them get on with it. At one point, we hear people chattering. The others are arriving. The chat soon dies down as they split off into their prep rooms. I hear Ash gossiping to Portia and shudder from the memory of my dream. My prep team keep working and I lie silently.
Octavia starts putting heap loads of powder on my face that makes me sneeze. I go bright red as Venia passes me a tissue. "Sorry." I mutter. Octavia just chuckles. "Its fine Renèe, don't worry!" I nod and blow my nose before lying down. The work on me continues for many hours. I've ended up in some sort of daze. I day-dream about District Twelve, Ash, my mother, Ash, my brother, Ash, my father, Ash and the Games. Oh and Ash. "Renèe!" I jolt out of my day-dream, suddenly realising that Flavius has been calling my name. "Huh? What?" I sit up, blinking. "We're ready for Cinna." I grin. I've known about Cinna since like forever but had never met so its been nice to spend these past few days with him. I wonder what beauty he has waiting for me.
As soon as Cinna enters the room, my face has cracked into a huge grin. "Hey Renèe." He says coolly. He gives me a light hug and we settle down for a spot of dinner before putting my dress on. I suddenly become aware that I haven't eaten any breakfast or lunch and my stomach roars. I hear Cinna chuckle lightly as he presses the button that makes our dinner pop up. I still can't get my head around that, food, at the press of a button. Cinna passes me plate and I dish out my food. That chicken in the creamy orange sauce is there, along with the lamb stew, rice, vegetables and mashed potatoes that look like they have been mixed with swede or something because its orange. I take a bit of everything and start to eat. Cinna pours me a glass of a sparkling drink, I think he says its lemonade. Its delicious anyway.
When we're done eating, the food disappears back into the table. Cinna helps me up and checks the time. "Ah good, we're on schedule, Effie would kill me if we weren't." I giggle at his remark. There's a knock on the door. Cinna answers it. Venia walks in holding a covered dress hanger. I hold my breath as Cinna takes it, thanks Venia and she leaves. "You ready?" I shake my head. "Can you blindfold me like last time please?" Cinna nods.
I'm stood in the dark, something on me. I can't figure out what it feels like, just light and comfortable. Luckily the dress isn't too long and the heels aren't huge. "You ready now?" Cinna asks. "Do it." I say eagerly. He unties my blindfold and I blink while my eyes adjust. I gasp. Stood before me is a girl. But not just any girl. Her brown hair is curly, one plait wraps over her head with small red gems in equal distance from each other. Her petite features are highlighted with little make-up. A small line of black rims her eyes, ending in a small cat eye flick. Pink blush brightens her cheeks and her lips are a deep cherry red. Her dress is the main spectacle. Deep crimson, long that touches her ankles. The sleeves touch the floor. Silvers swirling patterns are embroidered onto the red. It looks like a dress from a film I watched a while ago. It was an ancient film, from hundreds of years ago. The Lord Of The Rings or something. It looks Elvin. Her feet are encased in tiny black heels with more swirling patterns on them. Her nails are red with silver gems on them. I can hardly believe that the girl in the mirror is me. "Oh Cinna."
We stand in a line. I just start to get impatient when they show us to our seats. Then the show starts. Caesar Flickerman welcomes the crowd and all that jazz. Maddy from 1 gets called up. She looks incredible in a puffy turquoise dress. That boy with black hair from 1, Phil I think, gets called up. Viola looks beautiful in a flowery summer dress. Then my names called. I step out and I hear gasps and sighs of content from the crowd. I blush and walk quickly. "Renèe you look amazing!" I smile shyly and talk quietly, "Thanks." Caesar laughs. "So timid." I blush more. "So, Renèe, what have you enjoyed most about the Capitol?" I bite my lip as I think. It clicks. "The materials. It's all so different and beautiful. I've never felt anything like it before." Caesar nods understandingly. "I can imagine it's very different for you. What's it been like, knowing that your Aunt went through all of this 25 years ago, knowing that your mother must be devastated at the thought of losing you?" I struggle to hold back tears as I ponder on my answer. "I'm not sure Caesar because, I have Katniss here to help me through it all. And my mother, I know she'll accept that if I don't make it, I haven't made it. There's nothing she can do about it." I spot tearful faces in the audience so I keep my gaze on Caesar. I think he's realised how uncomfortable the subject is making me feel because he quickly changes the topic. "So, your entrance. It certainly brought back memories from your Aunt's Games." I nod. "Yes, the flames were extraordinary, I don't know how Cinna does it." I catch Cinna's eye in the audience and he grins. He then looks at his hands and fiddles with something. A burst of light momentarily blinds me. Gasps and shrieks from the crowd fill the room. I look at Caesar, scared and confused. He's staring at me, his bright yellow lips parted in shock. I catch a flicker in his eyes. I look up at one of the screens and hold back a scream of shock. I'm completely on fire.
Once the citizens have calmed down, I stand up slowly. My shoes have changed into fire shoes, as has my dress. I rotate slowly on the spot, feeling my dress and hair flying up around me. I come to the conclusion that Cinna pressed a button. I close my eyes as I spin faster and faster. I soon stop abruptly and look at myself in the screens. The fire's stopped. But the person on the screen is no Renèe Winters. A majestic woman stands there. Her dress black as coal. Her hair piled on her head in magnificent twists. A dark inky crown perches on top. Her feet don't touch the floor from the pure ivory wings fly behind her. An angel of the night. Smoky eyes, deep purple lips. A woman.
A buzzer goes off and Caesar blinks back to reality. "Ladies and gentleman, Renèe Winters." I smile and walk off stage. Everybody stares at me but I ignore them and sit down to watch Ash's interview. He ascends the steps to the stage. He wear a jet black suit with a bright white tie. And then he a Caesar sit down. They become friends instantly, discussing Ash's looks and charm. My mind goes into a blur as they make a few gags. Finally Ash announces his feelings about me. "I've never felt this way before, about any girl. It sounds so much like I'm copying Peeta but I'm not. I think I love her." The crowd goes silent as I go bright red. Then its over and I rush back to my room. I wash off the make up and slip on my strap top and shorts. I leave my hair on top of my head, I just remove my crown. I'm asleep instantly, forgetting the darkness that will reach me when I wake.