The sleek train shot through a tunnel, and emerged in a dazzling wonderland of multi-colored skyscrapers, flashing billboards, and well-fed people. The train slowed down as it approached the Training Center, and crowds of fans lined the streets along the electric tracks. Peeta waved to them, smiling his charming smile. Katniss scowled out the window. She pressed a button, and the glass slid down.
Cupping her hands over her mouth, she shouted, "You suck!"
Haymitch grabbed her arm. "Those are your potential sponsors you're talking to," he snarled.
"I'm too hood for sponsors," she said, frowning at him.
"No," he closed the window, "Nobody is too hood for sponsors. You need all the help you can get out there. Anyway, you probably haven't done too much damage. You've got a great story, saving your little sister. Everybody already loves you," he looked at Peeta sadly, "That kid's going to have to work for it though."
Peeta took a white paper bag out from behind his back, and rolled down his window. He took a handful of chocolate chip cookies from the bag and tossed them out of the train. The crowd's arms reached up in response, cheering wildly.
They got off the train, and were led by some Capitol security into the Training Center. They all got into a big elevator with curved walls.
"I've never been in an elevator before," said Katniss.
"Aww, that's adorable," Effie cooed.
"Yeah, poverty is adorable," Katniss said.
Haymitch took a bottle out of the inside of his jacket. "If sarcasm was a tangible thing," he said shakily, "You would have, like, a ton of it."
"If sadness was a tangible thing, you would have a ton of it," she raised her eyebrows, "But I think that's called alcohol, so-"
This kind of hateful, somewhat drunken banter continued until they reached the floor they would be staying on. Katniss and Peeta went to their separate rooms. Katniss experimented with the various technologies that were, until now, completely foreign to her, such as hot showers, microwaves, and floors.
The next morning she awoke, again, to find that clothes had been laid out for her. She dressed, then found her way to breakfast.
"Today is a big, big, big day! You'll meet with your stylists, then there's the parade!" announced Effie.
An Avox appeared at the table, bearing a large silver dish with a shiny chrome cover. Haymitch snickered as he set it on the table.
Peeta put down his fork. "What?"
Haymitch pressed his lips together, smiling with his eyes.
The Avox removed the cover, revealing two loaves of peeta bread.
Peeta stood up and walked away.
"What?" said Haymitch, laughing, "What?"
xxx
Katniss felt raw, having had an entire team of stylists wax and pluck her to the bone like a chicken. They spun around wielding various design instruments, occasionally swooping in and taking a stab at her.
One of them stroked their purple chin thoughtfully. "We've considered dying your skin."
"Dye it camouflage, so I'll blend in to the arena," she said, flinching as a single eyebrow hair was expertly removed. They laughed.
"No, seriously," she said.
Cinna entered. He lacked the eccentric piercings and color of the rest of the design team. Had he not been well-fed and educated he could have almost passed for a Distritct citizen.
"I think you're going to like your dress," he said. Even his Capitol accent was less silly.
"Is it equipped with a jetpack that I can use to fly away from my doom?"
He smiled sadly. "Well, no-"
She shrugged. "I probably won't like it then."
xxx
Katniss and Peeta stood on their carriage as it cut it's way through the crowd. Katniss looked down at her flaming body appreciatively.
"Not bad," she said. Peeta squeezed her arm.
"Smile," he squeezed out from his shining teeth.
"Oh, come on, they love us now," said Katniss, "Look," she cupped her hands around her mouth, "You suck!"
The crowd pressed up against the barrier separating them from the street, calling their names and cheering wildly.
"See?" said Katniss.