Hey guys, the next chapter is FINALLY here! Sorry this took so long, I've just sort of lost my spark for writing. I think it's because the first chapter of Catching Fire was kind of, well...not good. I have a bad feeling that the whole book might not live up to the first one...Anyway, we're getting closer to the end of this story! After this chapter, I have requests for Mr. and Mrs. Everdeen, Mr. Mellark, Madge, Random Capitol Person/Sponsor, Random Mentor, the District 3 boy, and Katniss's perspective on herself, which is my idea. I'm also going to do one additional drabble, the subject of whom will be kept secret until it's posted. Anyway, thank you all so much for all your great reviews and feedback, this is the most reviews I've ever gotten in a story before! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and if you have any prompts, mention it in your review!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.
Cinna wanted to be inspired.
He was tired of designing what felt like the same outfit over and over again for a seemingly endless parade Capitol models, all of whom were virtually identical. Creating outfits had almost become a chore to him; it was just so tedious. He knew it was affecting the quality of his work, which was becoming more and more obvious. He needed a change, or else he'd find himself with fewer and fewer clients.
Which was why, when the Gamemakers offered him a chance to be the stylist for a tribute in the upcoming Hunger Games, he accepted eagerly. What more of a change could you get, from a pampered, surgically altered Capitol model to a totally fresh young woman, a complete blank canvas for him to work with? He knew he'd probably end up with one of the lower Districts, but that didn't matter. He rather liked the darker, more exotic look you got from their citizens. It would provide an interesting contrast to his usual body of work, anyway.
Every year, all the stylists watched the Reaping together. At the end, they put their top three choices into a keypad, which was what the Gamemakers based their tribute assignments off of. The stylists with the most seniority generally got the District they wanted most, and they usually squabbled over the tributes from the Career districts. The youngest stylists got the lower Districts, and as they worked their way up the ranks, they got progressively better Districts. Of course, no one would expect Cinna to want a lower District, but secretly, he did.
The day of the Reaping, he and all the other stylists were seated in a large room with a top-of-the-line screen forming one of the walls. He and Portia were the newest stylists this year, as well as the youngest ones. Cinna was glad he had her; their creative visions were almost always complementary to each other. It would be a pleasure designing with her.
The first few Districts are the usual, highly predictable bunch of stony-faced killers and improbably attractive sexpots, none of whom piqued his interest in the slightest. However, the girl from District 5 has a slippery, clever look to her, along with striking red hair that catches his eye, until he sees the boy tribute from her District. He's so dull, so utterly forgettable, that he knows he couldn't force Portia to design for him. It would be impossible to make him as memorable as the girl.
The next few Districts are either a disappointment with both their tributes, or one is a possibility, but the other too plain to be useable. Though Cinna rather likes the pair from Eleven; the contrasts in their size with the similarity in their coloring would be exciting to work with. He looks at Portia, who nods with approval.
But all thought of the tiny child and hulking monster from Eleven fade when he sees the girl tribute of District 12.
At first, the name 'Primrose Everdeen' is called, and the camera zooms in on a tiny, delicate little girl. Cinna feels a little sick at the sight of it; a child as fragile as this one has no chance. The one this age from District 11-Rue, she was called-looked strong despite her size, but this one has none of that strength. He wishes he could look away from this poor, doomed child, but he also knows that the Gamemakers are always watching for any sign of weakness or sympthy amongst the stylists.
Then all of a sudden, it's not like the little girl from District 11, because a frantic voice is shouting, "Prim! Prim!" The camera focuses on another girl, an older one, running towards the stage. Cinna leans forward in excitement, staring at the girl.
She is everything that he could have hoped for.
The beautiful black braid that moves across her back as she ascends the stage is the total opposite of the blonde looks of what he assumed was her younger sister. She is of medium height, and although slender, there is obviously strength under that dark skin. Her large grey eyes try not to betray any emotion, but the pain from having her sister pulled away is apparent. But for the moment, Cinna forgets all that. All he can see is his dream, his inspiration. She is not exquisitely beautiful by any means, but he can make her so. He was meant to design for her. Already ideas for a costume are flittering through his mind…should he emphasize her dark looks with an underground theme? Or perhaps something more unusual, something glittering, because after all, didn't diamonds come from coal?
Finally, the commentators say her name. Katniss Everdeen. An unusual name to go with an unusual face! And then, they mention something else.
They're discussing Haymitch's-the District 12 mentor-tumble off the stage. One of them jokes, "Where's the fire, Haymitch?"
Coal is burned.
Which produces...fire.
And what is a better symbol of strength combined with the power to destroy than fire? Wasn't that why she's going to the Capitol, after all? To destroy? Besides, she has just given him his fire back, his fire to design.
With that, Cinna's mind is made up as to what the costume will be.
He will dress her with fire, and make her unforgettable.
His Girl on Fire.