A/N: Hello all, here is the new chapter, a bit longer than usual as a reward for waiting so patiently for it. I had finished writing it but I hadn't had time to edit it, I've been busy with work, school, and finals, and like all of you finding a way to survive the pandemic. Nevertheless, here it is and I hope you enjoy. Happy Reading!
CHAPTER 7
Three brisk knocks woke Darya abruptly, her door swinging open revealed an orange wigged Pumpernickel practically vibrating with excitement, her chirpy voice sounding grating to her, as Pumpernickel flitted around the room.
"Oh, darling, you're awake good, we have arrived," Pumpernickel said excitedly, "just wait until you see the dress I picked out for you, everyone will just die, just die I tell you."
Darya sat up and smiled wanly at her, she liked Pumpernickel fine, yes she was vapid and silly but Darya did believe she meant well, however misguided and ignorant she was to her situation, but hearing she had arrived at the Capitol made her anything but excited.
"Well don't just sit there, lovely, up, up, up," Pumpernickel said setting a big white box at Darya's feet, "you have to get dressed and we are already running late."
Darya sat up at that and stood up in her flowy manner toward Pumpernickel, who had now opened the tissue filled box and had splayed out a white beachy dress on the bed.
"Late, but how is that possible, did we have to stop to refuel?" Darya asked curiously as she walked to a drawer to look for a clean towel and some underwear.
"Oh, no dear, it was the worst, apparently there was a faulty breaky something or other that had to be fixed, that's why the lights went out," Pumpernickel answered distractedly as she perused her wardrobe for some "adequate" shoes.
"Oh, it must have been an old part and it just gave out," Darya said carefully not trying to look too openly interested, even though it was odd, nothing was ever faulty from the Capitol, "well I'm going to shower but I won't take long Pumpernickel."
"Hmm, oh, yes good idea you're hair wet will look very fitting, very clever," Pumpernickel said turning to smile widely at her, before she went back to look for whatever shoes she was so desperately looking for, "where are they, I know I ordered them, they just have to be in here."
Darya bit her lip to keep from laughing at her and entered the bathroom, closing the door gently behind her before stripping and stepping into the intricate shower. There were so many buttons and options available that Darya gave up trying to figure out what was what and just pressed a pink button at random. As soon as she did a pink frothy goo fell onto her hair, it smelled soft and clean at least, rather than that sickly-sweet hand soap she had used before. She quickly scrubbed and rinsed her body clean, and just stood for a while letting the water run over her body, she sighed wistfully when Pumpernickel knocked impatiently on the door, she grabbed the bright white towel and dried herself swiftly, pulling on the lacy white set quickly, and opening the door.
Pumpernickel wasted no time in dragging her in front of the mirror and pulling her towel off her body and wrapping her hair in it, leaving her in nothing but the lacy white undergarments she had chosen, they had been the most comfortable looking of all the other pairs. Pumpernickel brought the white dress to Darya and slipped it over her head, the hem falling to her ankles, the dress was soft and pretty the fabric emanating an almost translucent shimmer as it moved. The dress looked reminiscent of a toga only clasping on one side and fitting loosely on her body, the parallel waves of the skirt flowing, the dress, only fitted at her waist, emphasized her hourglass figure beautifully.
Pumpernickel placed some pearly iridescent short-heeled shoes in front of her and ripped the towel from her head, her dark wavy tresses falling sporadically around her, it was still wet, but it wasn't dripping.
"Perfect, oh Darya you really are beautiful," Pumpernickel clapped satisfied with her stylings, "we won't have troubling finding sponsors for you, none at all."
Darya sees her reflection in the mirrors and can't help but to grudgingly agree, she does look nice, and she does want to get sponsors, but she can't help to think worriedly in exchange for what, still she offers Pumpernickel a smile and thanks hers.
"You did a great job Pumpernickel, thank you," Darya praises her.
Pumpernickel beams at her, extremely pleased at her words, grabbing her hand and patting it affectionately, before remembering the time. Tugging on her hand, she leads Darya out of the room and into the dining compartment where she sees Gillian looking smart in a nice casual white suit, the color bringing out his olive complexion and his striking green eyes more.
He is sitting at the table facing Finnick and Ron whose backs are to Darya and Pumpernickel, she can hear them talking about staying clear from fires at night, he's about to argue when he spots Darya and his jaw drops. Ron and Finnick turn their heads in unison to see what distracted him and she sees them both widen their eyes, Darya can't decide if she feels flattered or not but mostly she feels odd at being gaped at by the three of them, she fights desperately not to blush.
"Well don't just stand there darling, sit, sit, we only have short amount of time before we must disembark," Pumpernickel chirps, patting Darya's shoulder and sitting primly down at the head of the table.
Darya nods and takes a seat next to Gillian, filling her plate with fruit, she finds she quite likes the taste of oranges best, though she does enjoy the strawberries too, she is humming in approval at the taste as she's working on the orange flesh, sucking gently at its sweet juices, when she looks up to see them all just staring at her. She can see Gillian and Pumpernickel staring at her with almost glazed eyes, their mouths slightly gaped open, Ron is more subtle, his stoic face almost frozen in disinterest, but his eyes are locked onto her lips, almost mesmerized.
Completely clueless as to why they're all staring at her, she turns to Finnick, once she locks eyes with him, his gaze intense and dark, comprehension dawns, she suddenly feels the desire to do something again, her thought reminiscent of that moment they shared in the laundry room, she feels herself lick her lips at the memory and watches as his gaze moves sharply to her lips, his light eyes darkening more.
She understands now all too well the looks she's receiving and what they mean and despite the surprisingly overwhelming, almost primal, pleasure she feels at evoking a reaction from him like that, she also feels uncomfortable with him not being the only one and being looked at like that by them.
Almost as if reading her thoughts and sensing her uneasiness, she sees Finnick's intense gaze leave her, an almost guilty look on his face before she sees it replaced with anger and disgust, his culpable gaze now turned toward the others glaring.
"We are almost at the Capitol disembarking station," Finnick says purposefully loud, "it may be a little disconcerting at first with all the bright colors and the camera flashes, but it will be quick and then we'll be inside."
Ron was the first to break from his stupor, the mention of the Capitol bringing him back again.
"Don't forget to wave and smile, this is their first glance at you, make sure you make an impression, it will be easier to get you sponsors that way." Ron added after clearing his throat.
"We shouldn't have problems with that, and with Dar in that get up, they'll be lining up for the chance to sponsors us," Gillian said confidently winking at Darya smiling boyishly.
Finnick started at Gillian's shortening of her name, it was odd coming from his mouth and he didn't like it one bit, and from Darya's surprised face she wasn't expecting it either. He hadn't even realized he was standing up until he felt Ron's hand grasping his arm firmly to keep him seated down. He turned to look at him about to shake him off but his serious eyes gave him an expressive pointed look and his usually stoic face looked both exasperated and worried at the same time, it was only when Finnick nodded tersely that he let him go. Finnick let out a frustrated sigh, and when he looked down at his hands they had been balled into fists and he hadn't even remembered doing it, slowly he opened his hands and stretched out his fingers, deciding to splay them on the chair's arms instead as Pumpernickels chirpy voice cut in.
"Oh, yes, that's true, you look absolutely beautiful Darya dear and you're so naturally sensual," Pumpernickel added breathlessly pleased, "It takes real skill to learn that, oh, I just can't wait, oh just wait until Effie sees you two, she'll be so jealous!"
Ron rolled his eyes, scoffing at her, opening his mouth ready to insult her when this time Finnick gave him a pointed look, scowling Ron looked away annoyed, but he shut his mouth and didn't say anything. They had made a deal, last they talked, about not doing anything that could affect Darya's chances of surviving the games, good on their word, the both of them were doing their part, however grating it was on their nerves, unbeknownst to them Darya had been watching their interaction curiously.
The rest of the meal went on without much of a hitch, Finnick and Ron spent all their time informing and advising Gillian and Darya on what basics were important to know before going into the arena, the two of them listening with rapt attention, on occasion even Pumpernickel chimed in. Every so often the train shifted and moved closer and closer to the disembarking station, they could hear the cheers not far now, the bellowing screeching sounds hard to tune out, the closer they got the less they spoke until finally it was their turn.
Finnick had been right to warn them, but even his cautions did not prepare them for the sea of bright loud colors that bombarded them when they came into view. Pumpernickel had already had Darya and Gillian standing, ready to have them wave and greet the Capitol citizens, Darya felt sick to see them so excited, knowing they could very well be dead soon, she also felt pity though, they were like children, completely ignorant to the hardships surrounding them, with no autonomy of their own, bribed with candy in exchange for obedience, she wondered what would happen if all of their ignorance was stripped away and they were forced to confront the reality of the consequences they were perpetuating.
Despite this though she waved gracefully, a serene smile playing on her face, she focused her thoughts on their childlike wonder and pretended she was an indulgent parent, that is the only way she could get through this, if she just saw them all as misguided children in need of some attention and guidance. And that is what she emulated, as soon as she and Gillian stepped off, she smiled at them, almost cooing at their silly antics trying to get their attention. She could feel Finnick's presence behind her, comforting and steady, she saw the way they all swooned and screamed his name, she figured it was something Gillian wanted to strive to achieve, because she saw him blowing kisses, winking and even stopping to kiss a couple of hands. Feeling the need to not fall behind, Darya scanned the audience, a warm and inviting smile still plastered on her face, when she finally found what she was looking for, a shockingly blue woman was holding a little blonde boy, she was struggling to push her way toward the front, the little boy being jostled in her arms, Darya stopped in her tracks, Finnick almost crashing into her she stopped so abruptly, the others in her party stopped too. The audience was pleased though with getting to seem them longer, and she could hear them start to lower their volume in anticipation when she started walking closer to them, she could hear them start to whisper in excitement and curiosity, no one else had approached them like this. Darya walked into the crowd in her graceful manner, the people parting to allow her to move into their space, she reached the blue woman and the little boy, who both looked at her in awe, she smiled gently at them and just started speaking to them, asking if they were all right and if they had been enjoying their time. The crowd was now almost quiet, everyone straining to hear what the beautiful tribute from District 4 was saying, the crowd almost bursting with coos of excitement when she asked to hold the little boy and he nestled his head on her shoulder sleepily, the toddler clearly exhausted with everything going around them. She continued holding him, rocking him to sleep very easily as she continued to converse with the blue woman, who she found out was named Azurina, how fitting, it wasn't until Finnick touched her shoulder gently, a charming smile on his face, and reminded her they needed to go that she returned the little boy carefully to his mother, making sure to sigh wistfully as if she'd rather spend all her day with the blue woman and her child than anything else.
Leading her back, his hand on her waist, she could hear the crowd whispering excitedly.
"Did you see that!" a pink-haired man with orange lipstick said.
"Oh, she is so beautiful and so sweet!" a yellowed-hair woman beside him answered.
"Forget that, look, Finnick Odair, is touching her!" a green skinned woman said behind them, kind of put out.
"Do you think their together, they're both so good-looking!" the yellowed-hair women turned to say.
"Oh my god, imagine their kids!" the green skinned woman returned, no longer disappointed.
"She's so good with kids I bet they would be adorable." The orange-haired man said.
"I hope she's good!" the yellow-haired woman said the rest of the surrounding people nodding their heads in approval.
Darya felt Finnick's hand tighten on her waist as he led her back toward their group, she knew he could hear them, they both could but pretended not to, she wondered if she should be worried, her intent was to make herself seem maternal, like family, to squash any thoughts of her as anything else, now she wasn't sure. She chanced a quick glance at Finnick's face from the corner of her eye, he had a dazzlingly smile on his face, his whole persona oozing charisma, but Darya found no sign of him looking worried or upset, he kept a hold of her until they were inside, his grip almost desperate on her as they stood close together on the elevator ride to their floor, only releasing her when the lift door closed behind them.
Darya gave him an expectant look, now that they were safe from the cameras and the crowds surely, he would tell her whether she had messed up profusely or if she had done herself a favor. Finnick was staring at her, but he had a very calculating look on his face, which she took to mean she hadn't messed everything up, but before he could even open his mouth to share his thoughts Pumpernickel bombarded her with compliments and insisted she and Gillian go to their respected glamour stations, for their makeovers. He gave Darya's questioning look an apologetic quirked smile, mouthing a quick 'later' to her before leaving her side and striding over to stand next to an annoyed Ron, she saw him whispering something to him that made Ron look thoughtful before smirking and nodding his head in agreement.
She saw them both make their way to another elevator, the both of them whispering furiously to each other, briefly Darya was reminded of Finnick and her Uncle, Finnick still hadn't told her what they had been talking about, but then again with everything going on she hadn't asked either. Her thoughts were broken when Pumpernickel introduced their glam team, a woman with gold everything, including some of her teeth beamed at them, whilst behind her an older, tall, dark skinned man with intricate silvery tattoos offered them a kind bright smile, Darya was sure he must have placed small diamonds on his teeth for the way they sparkled in the lights.
"Aurelius, Tenebris, meet our new tributes Darya and Gillian, aren't they just beautiful?" Pumpernickel said boastfully.
"Indeed, and such pretty skin the both of them, such a good foundation for us to start with." Aurelius informed them, her gold eyelashes fluttering excitedly.
"We are lucky then, though I suppose we mostly always do luck out with 4, they do have the better-looking people." Tenebris added thoughtfully, the deep timbre of his voice reminding Darya of the deep ocean, "the process won't be long at least since they are both somewhat groomed already."
"You come with me dear," Aurelius told Darya grasping her hands between her own, "we're going to have such fun."
Aurelius dragged Darya to a room where two other women, both with similar styles of fashion as Aurelius, except one looked as if she's been dipped in silver and the other in bronze, were fiddling with strange contraptions.
"Darling meet my sisters Argentia and Aesia," Aurelius said, pointing to the silver and bronze women respectively, who beamed at her as soon as they saw her, "isn't she just lovely girls."
"Oh look, her legs and arms are almost completely hairless," Aesia said gleefully, her high-pitched and lilting voice sounding like a squirrel, "oh, I just love fours."
"And her hair, if we add some conditioning serum and shape her waves more," Argentia added, her voice hissing her s's in that very Capitolian way, "at this rate we'll be home by lunch."
"Oooo, that new place with the new fusion dishes are to die for," Aurelius said, while she and her sisters started to undress Darya, " did you hear about that new designer boutique that just opened up."
Darya tuned them out, their gossip not interesting to her in the least, she was just their little doll, they rarely ever talked to her anyway, except to compliment her on her hair or lack of hair on her body, most of four shaved regularly because it helped to swim faster. Darya thanked her district for it, because she only had to endure one waxing session, her body tingling and sore from the offending strips that had been placed and ripped off her body. She also only had to be hosed down once, even though she had showered before she got off the train, after they rubbed some cooling lotion on her entire body, it had burned almost unbearably at first before it settled, they placed both her hands and her feet into bowls of bright blue liquid before they started working on shaping her nails into long ovals.
After she was dried and painted, they moved on to her hair, all three of them working on a section at once, she recognized the smell of the pink goo she had used on the train, the soft and clean smell comforting to her now.
"What is that, it smells lovely?" Darya inquired softly.
The three women cooed and squealed at her question, apparently, they thought her endearing for asking, and not for the first time Darya thought they probably likened her to a doll, a toy that they were simply dressing up for fun, and not to send her to her imminent death. Ignoring her dreary thoughts Darya focused on Aurelius who answered.
"Peach and orange blossoms," she said, her golden eyelashes fluttering as she spoke, "isn't it just divine, I mean it is a bit subtle, I prefer vanilla and roses myself, but it's still pretty, and it makes your hair so soft."
"Hmm, yes, it is subtle, I quite like it," Darya said, not being able to help the little dig, not that they noticed anyway, "do you think I could have a bottle?"
At her request all three of them started cooing again, Argentia handing her a little pink bottle of the stuff, the three of them continuing their conversation as if she wasn't there, talking about how fortunate they were that they had such handsome victors to work with and how lucky that they cared about their grooming.
When they were done poking and prodding her, the metallic trio said their goodbyes and left her in the room alone in nothing but a robe. Darya sat there waiting for about half an hour before the door opened once more, she didn't know why but she was surprised to see Tenebris's tall form step into the room, she had thought he was just another lackey, she hadn't realized he was the designer.
"Darya, good, you're ready to be measured, please step closer." Tenebri's said after offering her a dazzling smile.
He pressed a button on the wall and a small round platform emerged in the middle of the room, as she made her way to it, the door opened once more and in walked another man, his hazel eyes meeting hers, as she stepped onto the platform.
"Ahh, Cinna, good, you're here, if you could take her measurements, please," Tenebris said without turning around, it was clear he was expecting him, "Darya this is Cinna, he's in training to be a stylist, like me."
"Hello," Darya greeted shyly as Cinna reached her.
"Hi," Cinna said kindly, as he raised her arms from her sides and took what looked like a silver chain and wrapped it around her waist, "it's lovely to meet you Darya."
Darya smiled in answer as their similar colored eyes met again, she noticed that except for some enhancing gold shadow, he was not adorned or accessorized in any exaggerated way like most of his counterparts, his voice too was different, his accent not as prominent as the others.
Other than his greeting at first, he remained silent and worked quietly, only answering some questions here or there when Tenebris's deep voice asked, when he was finished, Tenebris nodded at him in approval. Tenebris helped Darya down from the pedestal and motioned for Cinna to press another button near the door, when he did a small sitting room area revealed itself.
Cinna made to leave before Tenebris voice stopped him.
"You may stay and join us Cinna, this part is just as important, if not more." Tenebris's voice commanded.
Darya could see the surprise flash on his face briefly before he started following them into the room. The room had two blue couches facing each other, with a circular coffee table sat in the middle, one wall of the room was nothing but a huge window looking out into the city, the others were white and bare.
Tenebris and Cinna sat on one couch and Darya sat on the other facing them. Tenebris pressed a button and the table split and pushed the smell of food into the air, a roasted bird of some sort appeared, lathered in creamy sauces and accompanied by some buttered green vegetables and some mash potatoes.
"Please, help yourselves, the both of you," Tenebris said, his palm open to them as he motioned to the feast displayed before them, "you must be tired after working so hard today, I know I am."
Darya studied Tenebris's face more closely, she had a feeling he wasn't talking about just today and by the look of curiosity on Cinna's face, she harbored to guess she was right. Darya was a bit peckish but she wasn't necessarily very hungry, but if like Tenebris said, and she assumed he had been referencing Cinna's hard work, as she had done nothing but sit and stand when she was told, and they were tired she should take a plate just to be polite. So she did just that, she served a moderate serving on the plate making sure it all fit neatly, when she filled it to her satisfaction she handed it to Cinna, who looked at her surprised and only took the plate after glancing at Tenebris, who watching them closely nodded at Cinna in permission. Cinna took the plate gently from Darya, offering her a kind smile in thanks, which she returned. Darya fixed another plate with larger portions for Tenebris, who gifted her one of his glittering diamond smiles and took the plate chuckling.
"Darya, I must say you are quite perceptive, being observant is a very good skill to have," Tenebris said, "you never know just how valuable information can be to have."
Darya knew he was addressing her, but as Tenebris spoke he looked only at Cinna, who returned his calculating gaze.
"I assume so, especially if it's information nobody else has, or better yet that only one or two are privy to." Darya answered astutely.
Both Cinna and Tenabris whipped their heads to look at her when she answered, she hadn't meant to speak out loud, it was after all a bit of a rhetorical question if anything, but she had. She was worried she had done something wrong and was regretting saying anything at all when Tenebris let out a booming laugh, a pleased expression on his face. Cinna was more composed in his reaction offering her one of his small smiles, but looking impressed with her nonetheless. Darya found the whole situation to be quite confusing and was again unsure as to how to navigate the situation, wishing nothing more than to be able to leave soon and hopefully sleep.
As if he could sense her thoughts Tenebris stood, Cinna rising with him picking up a tablet.
"As you are most likely aware of by now Darya I am your stylist, Aurelius will be you're partner's," Tenebris explained to Darya, "however since you're from four and therefore one of the first districts to arrive, the opening ceremony won't be until tomorrow, when the final districts arrive."
Darya nodded in understanding before Tenebris continued, "This means we have an extra day to make alterations, we have designed some outfits in advanced, and with the measurements we took of you today we'll be able to alter them accordingly, you will be allowed to either pick which one you like best or let us choose and be allowed an alteration."
"Do the other Districts get to do this, the outlier ones, do they get to choose what they would like to wear?" Darya asked.
"No," Cinna said, "they do not,"
"Then I won't either," Darya said, "I'll let you choose and decide on an alteration after my fitting."
She saw both Tenebris and Cinna smile simultaneously at her answer.
"Very well then, Darya you are excused and may return to your team," Tenebris dismissed her in his soothing deep voice, "Cinna if you could show her the way, Pumpernickel should be waiting for her in the waiting room."
Cinna pressed a button and the door slid open, exiting he led Darya back through the area she had passed through before, eventually they came upon the elevator that Finnick and Ron had taken hours ago.
"This is where I leave you Darya, the waiting room is on the fourth floor," Cinna explained, "just press the button and it should take you right up."
Darya stepped into the open elevator and did as she was told, turning to face Cinna who was still standing outside.
"Thank you, Cinna." Darya managed to say before the doors closed and the lift ascended dinging when it had reached the fourth floor.
The doors opened and Darya stepped out.
Well there you have it, I hope you enjoyed Cinna's little cameo. The next chapter will be posted in the upcoming week and then the good stuff begins. I'm still debating about the type of arena I want Darya to have maneuver through, I'm open to suggestions so please let me know what kind of arena you would like to see her in. Thanks again for the support and don't forget to review...please.
