Her feet slipped easily into the pale green shoes as she fastened the clasps on the dress. She looked in the mirror, her small form was easily encased in the pink-red fabric. Dotted with shiny black and hanging loosely over her hips she smiled, pushing her frizzy hair back with the blue headband. Her token. The multitude of small buttons up the front of the dress reminded her of the single wedding dress that her neighborhood had and she ran her hand over the buttons as she pushed the glimmering green bracelets onto her arms.
The emerald jewel vines winded their way up her arms, matching the glittery shadow brushed over her eyes. Her face was lined with powders that made her skin paler and her cheekbones sharper, her face and arms glittering as she walked to the door. The skirt billowing around her she turned to walk out of the room before placing her hands against her head.
She was about to officially become a tribute, at least in the eyes of the Capital, and she wanted to be herself. Looking up she fixed her glare on the Presidential Palace, before closing the door to the room quietly and making her way back into the main room. Reed waited for her by a silver door opening it with the push of a button, just like everything else. She walked carefully into the small room, the light and soft fabric of her dress brushing against her still stinging skin. The much taller man came in as well and the room began to shift downwards, she squeezed her eyes shut.
Until it came to a smooth stop and the door opened of its own accord and she followed Reed out, "remember, smile, there's no place you'd rather be than here. I know it's a lie, but it's a lie that could save your life." She nodded her head not trusting her voice, stepping up into the carriage. "Chin up and wave, hell return a kiss if you feel like it, but make, them, love, you." The man stood beside the carriage and handed her something, "I saw your token, so I thought this would be appropriate."
In his hand was a crown, woven of white flowers with silky blue ribbons trailing from it. She felt her heart soar as she took it from him and set it on her head, the slight weight resting on her hair. Something inside her broke but her shoulders straightened, and her hands rested on the front of the carriage, steady and strong. The male tribute stepped into the carriage as well as it lurched forward, carrying her out into the sunlight.
Against her will, her face broke into a smile and she waved to the colorful crowd. Cheers erupted as flowers drifted down around her. Fake this was all fake, but she grinned and returned their kisses and smiles. They were here to see her fight, bleed, starve, and die, yet she smiled, she would not bow to her fear no matter how it swamped her.
The applause rang in her ears as she was carried forward to the cul-de-sac, right below the Presidential Palace. Coming to a stop she waited for the speech seeing the pale white-haired man who had helped ruin her life, standing above everyone on the luxurious balcony with the bright white rose on his lapel. But when he started to speak she didn't bother to listen. Instead, she chose to stare Snow in the eyes as he spoke, his words falling on her deaf ears.
