I don't see Aurora all night. I thought she was going to visit me in my sleeping quarters sometime during the night, but she never shows up. It hurts. I feel like we're more distant than we've ever been when we need to be closer than ever.
I understand, though. It's been less than a week since her dad was killed, and now she's being sent to her death. She probably feels like it's her fault that I'm here, too. I can't blame her for being distant.
It's not until the morning that I see her. She's dressed in a pretty blue dress, and I've been given a blue suit to match.
"You look beautiful," I tell her as we sit in the main train car, waiting to arrive in the Capitol.
"Thanks," she says quietly. She looks exhausted.
I stand up, coming behind her and embracing her from behind. She relaxes into my arms.
"It's not your fault that this happened," I murmur in her ear. "I want you to know that. I still care about you more than anything else. Please don't give up now."
She shakes a bit, and I can tell she's trying not to cry. "I just feel like everything's my fault," she says quietly, her voice shaking. "I can't take it anymore. Everyone I've ever cared about is gone, and you're next."
We're interrupted by Salacia, who coos when she sees us in our embrace. Embarrassed, I stand up and let go of Aurora.
"Your outfits match my skin!" Salacia cries excitedly, and I have to stop myself from gagging. I don't know who would want their skin to be blue, but I'm sure it was expensive, and I know it was not a good choice for her.
Aurora gasps as she looks out a window, and she runs to the window. I follow her, and I can't believe my eyes. All I can see for miles are giant buildings of all sorts of colors. Many are covered in gold. Hovercrafts zoom through the sky, transporting Capitol citizens across the city. Everything looks so expensive. My brain can hardly comprehend what I'm seeing.
The train comes to a stop at a train station. There's a massive crowd of Capitol fans at the station behind Peacekeepers, and they cheer as we step off the train. I hold Aurora's hand, and I lift them up for the fans to see. They cheer in excitement.
Salacia seems to think the fans are cheering for her because she waves at the crowd like a celebrity. She leads Aurora and me through the station, and we approach a well-dressed young man. He offers us a frown and looks down at us carefully as we stop in front of him.
"Griffin, Aurora, this is your Capitol-born mentor, Nereus," Salacia says with way too much enthusiasm. "He formerly worked as a leading Hunger Games analyst and sponsor."
Nereus shakes my hand, and even though his demeanor is cold, there's something I like about him. He seems reliable and dedicated. That's all I can ask for.
"Welcome to the Capitol," he says to us in his fancy Capitol accent. "It's an honor to be your mentor this year. Between us, you two are two of the strongest-looking tributes out of the bunch."
"Thank you," I say, even though I don't like that we're being sized up like animals.
"Before we get to training and strategy, we must proceed with the Opening Ceremonies," Nereus explains. "Salacia will lead you to your stylists, who will prepare you for the Parade."
Aurora thanks Nereus, and we are led to our stylists by Salacia.
I'm put in a small, private room. Inside is a very short, wide woman with glasses. She shrieks, hobbling over to me excitedly as I enter the room.
"There he is!" she cries. "There's my tribute. Welcome, Griffin. I'm LeeAnn, and I'll be your stylist."
"Hello LeeAnn," I say, peering down at the short woman in front of me. "You can call me Griff."
"Alright, Griff, let's begin," LeeAnn says, sitting me down in a short chair. "I can't wait."
I strip from my clothing, and LeeAnn brings in her team. They're three women who look identical other than their different brightly colored hair. They pick and prod at me, making notes. I feel vulnerable and exposed under their gazes, but I try to keep my cool. I'm going to have to go through worse than this in the next week, I'm sure.
"Hmm, yes, that'll have to be removed," one of them says. "But look at those eyes!"
"I'm thinking blue for the hair," another one murmurs. "Maybe a good royal blue."
After the three finish their consultation, they get to work with LeeAnn in the lead. I'm waxed, shaved, plucked, prodded, and poked. I don't even know half the things the girls are doing to me, but at the end, I will admit, I look good. I'm thrown off when I look in the mirror, though - it looks like they've dyed my hair a dark, rich, blue color, a far cry from my normal black hair. I have a feeling Aurora will hate it, but If LeeAnn thinks it'll work, I'll trust her.
Next, I'm fitted into my Parade outfit. LeeAnn looks proud as she pokes pins into the fabric to make it fit just right. "I designed this piece myself," she says proudly.
I'm in a flowy blue outfit with a gold crown, and I look like a king. "It's amazing," I tell LeeAnn, and she looks like she's going to faint.
I leave the odd woman, joining Salacia as she guides me to the chariots.
"How long was I in there?" I ask as we walk. It feels like I was in there all day.
"Oh, I'd say two hours," she responds cheerfully. "You had light work done, trust me."
I believe her. At least they didn't dye my skin blue like her. Yuck.
On the way, I pass the District 1 chariots. The tributes both look intimidating, dressed in outfits entirely covered in rhinestones. The boy, Phoenix, looks down at me as I pass, and he offers me a nod. I nod back at him before he turns around.
Aurora is already waiting on the chariot for me. She's allowed to keep her blonde hair, and she looks wordlessly at me. I can tell she hates my hair, but she doesn't say anything. "You look great," I tell her.
"So do you," she says with a small smile. "They cleaned you up good."
"They shaved my legs," I say. "And everything else, actually."
"Good," she laughs.
In front of us, I can see the District 3 tributes. They look scrawny and weak. I only remember them vaguely from the Reapings.
"What is their deal?" I ask Aurora, pointing to the District 3 tributes. I know she watched the Reapings in her own car.
"They're best friends," she says after thinking for a moment. "They both worked in District 3 to hack the Capitol's surveillance system, so they were both sent in here for that."
The two of them must be really smart then. Before we can talk any more about it, the Panem anthem begins to play, and the District 1 chariot takes off.
I catch Nereus' eye before we begin to move. He offers me a nod of encouragement, and then we're off.
The Capitol crowd is massive, and they cheer with savage excitement. All these people are here to watch us die. How sick is that?
Aurora and I hold hands, waving to the crowd sweetly. I look up to see President Snow, standing high above us on a pedestal with the other government officials. He looks down solemnly at us as we approach him.
Pulling up the end of the drive, our chariot comes to a stop. I look back to see the last few chariots pull in, cringing when I see District 12's ensemble. This year, the tributes are completely naked and covered in coal dust. I would hate to be them, especially since they'll probably be killed off by the Gamemakers after what happened in the Second Rebellion.
The crowd quiets as Snow steps up the microphone. As he speaks, his words echo down the massive chamber.
"Tributes, we welcome you. On this day we salute your courage, your bravery… and your sacrifice."
The crowd goes wild and I can feel a shiver running down my spine.
"It is my distinct honor to facilitate the return of the Capitol's most beloved tradition. There has been much speculation within the Capitol of who will oversee this year's Games. It is with great honor that I reveal this year's Head Gamemaker, Dr. Julius Heinrich. Doctor Heinrich, I thank you for your service."
On a giant screen behind the President, a video shows the Head Gamemaker. He is standing in an all-white room surrounded by other Gamemakers. The Doctor is very tall and lanky, with glasses and an intelligent face. He gives the camera a wave before the screen returns to a shot of President Snow.
"Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever… in your favor."