Chapter 3

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"Alright, you're going to be put in the hands of your stylists. They're going to prepare you for the parade." I warned them both. Peeta has stopped waving and was sitting back down. "You're not gonna like it, especially you Katniss. Just know that whatever they're doing to you, just agree to it. Don't resist. Is that understood?" I looked at both of them. Peeta and Katniss didn't make a move. "It's the very first step if you want people to like you."

Katniss and Peeta were taken away as soon as we arrived at the Capitol. I, still wearing the clothes I wore during the reaping, followed Haymitch through the streets of the Capitol. Not once have I left his sides. Not that I don't know the streets of the Capitol, actually I knew them too well. I just didn't want to be left alone in those streets that I came to hate. Walking among those men and women who were too busy about their own little comfort, to worry about the children that they were about to see fighting and dying. It was all a game, nothing more. Nothing more.

Haymitch grabbed my hand and put it in the crook of his left arm. "Come on, Princess, there's nothing to worry about." He patted my hand gently.

"I just don't like it here." I replied to Haymitch. "I really don't." I repeated as I watched a rounded belly man walked nearby, his hand on a very young woman's hip.

She couldn't be his wife, she mustn't be more than eighteen or nineteen years old and he was middle aged. She was beautifully dressed but she didn't look like she was enjoying her time with him. Taking advantage of people, abusing them or slaughtering them was a hobby of them, people of the Capitol.

Haymitch and I were also taken care of before the parade. Well, me more than Haymitch. He only had to put on a new suit and that was it. I, on the other hand, was being plucked like a bird about to be roasted. It was painful but lesser than the first time I had the hair of my legs, arms, armpits and torso removed.

I had someone doing my makeup. I made it clear that I didn't want anything too colorful. And usually they succeed at making my blue eyes pop but it's not too much. As for today, the eyeshadow on my eyelids was a pale blue, almost white. They then used a darker blue eyeshadow all around my eyes, with a dark eyeliner. My hair was pinned to the side, reaching my rib. A few strands tickling my collarbone. I was dressed in a navy blue dress, that almost matched the color of my makeup. The sleeves were shorts, only covering my shoulders and the hem of my dress reaching my kneecaps. I wore a light pink lip-gloss.

I joined Haymitch on the main place of the city where the parade was about to begin. Walking in high heels and trekking up the stairs, moving around a sea of people was not my idea of fun. It was actually a real pain. And all those men and women, looking at you from head to toe, forming nasty little judgments in their heads about your appearance. But I learned with time not to pay attention to their scrutinizing gaze. And deep down, I think, they couldn't really help themselves from doing so.

Haymitch was sitting on the middle row, a drink in his hand. I walked up to him, smiling and apologizing to the people I was disturbing by doing so.

"You saved me a seat?" I asked clasping my hands in front of me.

Haymitch looked up at me. His eyes widened slightly, my eyebrows went up in my hairline at his reaction. But he recovered quickly, he patted the empty space at his side. "Feel free to join me, princess." I smiled and sit down next to him. "Care for a drink?"

"Thank you." I said as he handed me a glass with an amber liquid that I associated with the whiskey.

I looked around me at the crowd of people. So many of them, all from the Capitol of course. As for the people in the district, they'll get to see the parade and the competition on screens. All day, everyday. From the parade to the end of the game. The interviews, the scores, everything was shown to them. To us.

And the massive doors opened and the first chariot made its entrance. On it were the tributes of District One, providers of the luxury items for the Capitol. They waved at the crowd, as they moved to the City Circle. District 2 was soon behind them, and the others were all following. They were waving at the crowd, the crowd cheered for their favorites, screaming their names and waving back.

The tributes were dressed in clothes that would represent the specialty of their respective districts. I was dreading to see Peeta and Katniss in the clothes that will represent our districts. We are miners in District Twelve. We provide the Capitol with charcoal. And the previous costumes of the District Twelve's tributes turned out to be completely ridiculous and did a disservice to our District and our Tributes. I was expecting to see Katniss and Peeta anxiously. I dawned my glass in one gulp and choked on the burning in my throat.

"Easy, princess." Haymitch patted my back. "I wouldn't want a pretty face like you to choke to death."

I dabbed the tears that came with the harsh cough and set my eyes back on the parade. And what I saw mesmerized me. District Twelve will never be forgotten after this. "Haymitch, you see that?" I said standing up.

"It's the only thing anyone sees." Haymitch replied.

Peeta and Katniss were both dressed in black, black as coal and flames were dancing on their back. As coal they were burning. They were breathtaking, attractive and yet recognizable. The crowd cheered, yelling their names. "Katniss! Katniss!" "District 12!" "Peeta! Peeta!" And more so when they both held their hands up high. Holding onto each other, they appeared united in a competition where only one could survive. They sure made an impression and one that is to be remembered.

They finally reached the City Circle. President Snow rose from his chair and silence fell upon us. I sat back down next to Haymitch.

"Welcome." President Snow started. "Welcome. Tributes. We welcome you. We salute the courage and your sacrifice." As if they had a choice. "And we wish you, happy Hunger Games. And may the odds be ever in your favor."

And the Tributes were taken to the Training Center under the crowd's cheer. Haymitch and I stood up as one and with a bit of difficulty walked through the crowd to join our tributes to the Training Center. We weren't the only ones as I saw the Victors from the other districts. We knew some of them and over the years we became friends. I think.

Katniss and Peeta stood together in the middle of the other tributes, their stylists; Cinna and Portia were already with them.

"Oh, we all are anybody's going to talk about." Effie exclaimed as she suddenly appeared at our side; walking up to Peeta and Katniss. Like us.

"You did make an impression." I grinned madly at them.

"So brave." Haymitch commented.

"Are you sure you're spinning up a new flame?" Katniss asked him.

"Fake flame?" Haymitch asked back. "Are you sure you…?" He trailed off as he looked over Katniss' shoulders. I followed his line of sight and discovered that the male tribute, Cato from District 2 was glaring at Katniss. "Let's uh…let's go upstairs." Haymitch suggested.

I exchanged a glance with Haymitch. It appears that Katniss' and Peeta's entrance did really make an impression. Enough for a tribute from one of the favorites district of the Capitol and Sponsors, to feel threatened by them. And that was a nice change.

We followed Effie Trinket in the building in which all of the tributes were to stay before going to the arena. Where all the victors from districts were to stay for the duration of the competition.

"So each of the districts got their own floor and because you're from twelve, you get the Penthouse." She explained as we stepped into the elevators.

The ride was silent. My shoes were killing me. I couldn't wait to take them off. We finally reached our floor.

"So, this is the living room." Effie gave a tour guide of the apartment to Peeta and Katniss. The Avox were at their post dressed all in white. Effie's tour guide was quite brief as she ended it by suggesting to the two young tributes to clean themselves up before dinner.

I went into the living room, sitting down, taking my shoes off. I massaged my sore feet as Haymitch plopped down next to me. "Have you thought of a strategy yet?"

"I'm still thinking about it." Haymitch replied.

"The first training session is tomorrow, Haymitch." Effie reminded him through pursed lips. "Maybe, Ash should take care of the tributes and sponsors this year."

"I've worked alone the previous years, Effie, it didn't do any good for our tributes." I told her. "I made bad decisions, I'm not that much of a risks taker. And Haymitch, when he's half sober, knows what choices to make." He raised up his glasses as if he was toasting at my words.

Dinner was served, Cinna and Portia joined. Wine was served and we made small talk. Peeta and Katniss were focused on the amount of food, meals they have never eaten. The conversation finally turned to the parade. How beautiful their costumes were, what effect they have on the audience.

"Whose idea was the hand holding?" Haymitch asked.

"Cinna's." Portia answered.

"Just the perfect touch of rebellion," Haymitch said, "very nice."

And he was right. The other couples stood apart as if the competition has already started. Peeta and Katniss are adversaries but also friends in the eyes of the audience. And this will make the difference, maybe some sponsors will pay to see them kill each other. Blood bath was always entertaining. Others might want to help them to stay alive as long as possible.

But there's other meanings behind Haymitch's words. Rebellion was what the Capitol feared the most. District 13 has tried but they had been destroyed. President Snow's wrath fell upon district 13 and it shall be an example towards the other districts. And it has been for many years. However, time might be changing, and yet I pushed this thought aside. Rebellion is a felony and nothing must jeopardize our tributes' chances of winning.