I feel terrible for not being able to remember their names, but they seem to have no problem with that, in fact they probably will never find out, seeing that they hardly give me time to breathe, much less to speak. My preparation team talk and talk, and they shot questions to me without giving me time to reply, which is good. If Capitol people are like this maybe they aren't that bad at all, just a little foolish and way too talkative.
My ears are buzzing now, I'm tired of noise so I am relieved when my preparation team leaves, they've shaved practically all my body, they erased my face to paint it all over again with soft make up, and when I watch myself in the mirror I see I am still myself, just prettier. I wonder what Peeta will think when he sees me like this, or Gale. I shake those thoughts off my mind, I need to focus on what I am about to do. I've realized that when I think too much off the Games and what awaits for me there I get anxious. So I decide to take only baby steps, focus on the immediate thing I have to do. Right now I need to calm down, and wait for my stylist to show up. Will his or her hair be blue? Maybe their skin will be green, like one of the women that were part of my prep team. I entertain myself thinking about what he will be like while I wait for him to show up. I am surprised as a very normal man walks up to me moments later.
"Katniss, I'm Cinna, your stylist. I must say it will be an honor to work with you." I cannot help but to smile, he seems good, and mostly normal. The only thing that do catches my eye is a soft line of golden eyeliner that suits him very well. I nod, and I know that is my way of telling myself and him that I approve of him. He invites me to walk into the next room. "I believe lunch would be a good idea, don't you?" He asks gently, his voice is soft and comforting. I trust him immediately, standing up and following him.
"So, Katniss, how are you?" He asks, and for the first time since I've arrived the Capitol, someone seems concerned about me. They've asked that question many times to me today, but I know that they expect me to answer things like "I'm perfect! Can't wait for the arena." or "I'm so excited! I want to go kill children now." But Cinna's soft voice and eyes tell me that he knows it a cruelty, he doesn't congratulate me for being here like everyone else. It seems like Cinna sees the Games as they truly are, instead of seeing them as just another tv show. "I'm calm." I say after a while and he nods.
We sit at a living room and Cinna presses a button, a plate appears in the table along with plates and glasses for us two, it seems to be some sort of pasta and beef, but I am completely amazed. Sure, since I got into the train I've eaten much more than the past 18 years of my life. But to press a button and get the food magically appear? At least on the train I had to wait for other people to bring it, which gave me the sensation that food was someone's work. But here it seems to be just a luxury more. Do kids think about if they want a diamond ring or an apple? Is it the same thing for them? Have they ever been hungry? I know what is like not to eat for weeks, to live off water and a bunch of roots trying to leave all food for my mom and sister, but now I am assured the Capitol people are alien to the concept of being hungry.
"How despicable we must seem to you." He says, probably noticing my expression. I choose to ignore it, because they are all despicable to me. Except him, probably. And my preparation team, because no one can hate such adorable idiots. So I just let him serve me food and thank him silently, I wait until he starts eating to do so myself.
"You are new, aren't you. I've never seen you before." I say after a while and he nods, his manners resemble Effie's, he is a perfect gentleman, but he doesn't frown at me when I accidentally wipe my hands on my robe."So they gave you District 12." I say, not really asking. It is obvious that 12 isn't the first choice, of anyone. 74 years have passed and we've had two Victors, one of them is an old drunk. Which is why Cinna surprises me by saying. "I asked for District 12."I see he notices the look in my eyes, he knows I wonder why. But either he doesn't feel like sharing or he doesn't trust me because we stop talking about that.
"The prep team gave me this." He says and looks in the pockets of his pants, handing back to me the Mockingjay pin and Peeta's ring. I sigh relieved and slide the ring in my left hand, feeling the now familiar and reassuring weight on it. "It is beautiful, who gave it to you?" He asks softly. "Danny's brother... my boyfriend." I reply in a whisper, hoping that that way my voice wouldn't break. "He proposed to me when he came in to say goodbye." Cinna looks completely astounded. And he seems not to know what to say.
"That is why you volunteered, to save the boy." He says after a while and I nod. "You are the bravest person I've ever known, Katniss Everdeen. It is an honor to work with you." I hate it when people repeat themselves, but somehow with Cinnay it doesn't seem to bother me.
A few hours later I'm wearing what it seems to be a full body black suit. Even without the final touch Cinna keeps talking about it looks absolutely gorgeous. It makes me look dangerous, and sexy. Which is probably appealing for the Capitol. They've left my hair in a slightly more stylish version of my everyday braid, and the make up is minimal. Cinna wants them to be able to recognize me once I enter the Arena. Danny seems nervous, but also a little excited. I keep reminding myself that everything is new for him, underneath it all there is still a twelve year old. He gets a chance to see all of this again though; If everything goes as I plan it he will have to come back every year, to mentor the other kids. But he will be alive, Peeta won't lose all of his family of a sudden.
Danny and I are both wearing crowns, as if we had already crowned ourselves Victors. And moments later Cinna shows up with what is the final touch: fire. He claims that it isn't real fire, and that we are completely safe. He will light our capes and our crowns, giving the sensation that we are coal, which is the main product of District twelve. It will be a big hit. Still, I'm terrified that all my efforts to keep Danny alive might be in vain after this fashion madness.
The Parade starts, and we can see it in the tv screens while we wait. All the tributes are smiling, proud to be there. They look all dangerous and terrifying, and I have the urge to pick Danny and run away. But we can't. So instead we wait for our turn and when it comes Cinna lights us up. It is a funny sensation, to be burnt alive, it tingles but it doesn't hurt. But before I can thank Cinna for it the chariot moves and we are launched into the city center. Suddenly I can no longer listen to my own thoughts, the crowd cheers our names so loudly I can't listen to anything else. When I get a glance of us in the screens I can see why, there is no way you can look away from us. We are District 12 and we are on fire. Suddenly I feel Danny's hand on mine and I raise it to my lips to comfort him. The crowd goes insane, and in the next screen I can see my ring is visible. I hope Peeta can see it.
Even the tributes from another districts have completely turned around in their own chariots to see us, we blow kisses to the crowd and pretend to catch theirs. We come to a stop, but the fire doesn't die down, and I can see they all have a hard time ignoring us to pay attention to President Snow. Is it me or his snakelike eyes are stuck on us too? I try to stare back at him, but I'm unable to. He wishes us all Happy Hunger Games and we start our last turn before we disappear. The crowd cheers us again and even after the door is closed behind us I can still hear our names. Effie and Cinna congratulates us, Haymitch gives me a nod. But I'm more interested in the looks the other tributes are shooting at us. They hate us, and I know it, we've stolen the attention that belongs to Careers. I pull Danny behind me and look back at them. I dare them to hold my gaze, but even the large boy from 2 looks away after a while. We walk away and I can't suppress a smile. They fear me: Katniss, the girl on fire.