Flynn had Circa dress me in something simple, but noticeable, just in case there was any cameras as we stepped out onto the train platform. There wasn't, of course, but he was beginning to freak out, so everyone arrived at the conclusion it was best to go along with it. So within ten minutes, I was stepping off the train beside Layton, Circa and Klaus, dressed in slim fitting trousers and a thin white blouse that let the morning breeze run across my skin.
We were taken to a tall building called the Remake Centre on the outskirts of the Capitol, where we were instructed to go up in groups. Seeder, Chaff, Layton, Klaus, Circa and I went up first, followed by the prep teams and the workers hauling all their stuff behind them. It worried me slightly to learn on the way up that the two stylists were in cahoots with each other, muttering about what look would complement both me and Layton.
"Tonight is the Opening Ceremony," Flynn reminded us happily as we stepped out onto our floor. It was a wide open space, with a living area that looked out over the Capitol through a wall of glass and hallways to both sides leading to what I presumed must be the bedrooms. Everywhere seemed to be white and crystal clean, like they were showing off the differences between them and the Districts. "You'll both be spending the day with your corresponding stylist and prep team."
"Don't worry," Klaus assured us with a quiet mutter. "You're both in safe hands." It made me feel a little better to see Layton looked an awful lot more uncomfortable with the idea.
The prep team went mad. Unfortunately, Circa and Klaus didn't seem to have made up their minds about what exactly Layton and I would be wearing, though both of them constantly assured me that they knew what they were doing. Still, we spent the rest of the day experimenting with different ideas. The moment everyone was up to our floor - Floor 11 - Layton and I were separated into our own rooms. It was huge and fancy, just like the rest of the building. A large, king-sized bed stood against the far wall, and to the left, another wall of glass looked out over the view outside the Capitol. There was a huge, flat TV screen opposite the bed, as though they thought I might want to catch up on the progress of the Games. A door beside the bed led through to a bathroom just as big, with huge mirrors that dominated almost every inch of the walls, a bathtub almost as big as the bed, and a shower cubicle the size of a small room.
"Well," I sighed heavily as the prep team dumped their bags on the bed. "This is . . . quaint."
Circa smiled softly at me, but Ava squeaked in delight. "The Games aren't quaint though are they?" she beamed.
"No they most certainly are not," I agreed through my teeth, masking my irritation with a misplaced smile. None of them seemed to notice my discomfort, so I took a deep breath and set my shoulders back. "So, where do we start?"
I almost wished I hadn't asked. Again, the prep team went mad with chemicals and fumes, filling the huge bathtub and making sure my skin was scrubbed red raw and perfectly smooth before Circa even looked at me. Ava rewashed my hair and dyed it to make the colour 'glossier', whatever that meant. Xavier spent ages working on my nails - hands and feet - while Rye plastered my face with make-up. But every time they'd perfected one look – refusing to allow me to look in the mirror in case my opinion wasn't what they wanted to hear – Circa would take a picture and hurry to consult with Klaus. I spent those periods curled up on the end of my bed, flicking through the television channels in bemusement and quickly coming to the conclusion that people in the Capitol had a very strange idea of what was normal.
Eventually, Circa let me undress and wrap myself in a robe so that I could eat dinner with the others while she and Klaus had a final discussion. I didn't argue, not even caring I was only in a robe. I'd been coped up in the same room all day, and I was so restless, I couldn't sit still.
Seeder raised an eyebrow at me. "Are you okay, Blake?"
I shook my head, gulping back a glassful of water with an impatient frown. "Too much sitting around," I explained simply. She blinked, exchanging a look I didn't understand with Chaff. Right now, I didn't care enough to question it.
Finally, Circa and Klaus seemed to come to an agreement, with only two hours before the ceremony was supposed to start. Cutting our dinner short, they ordered Layton and I to our corresponding rooms and left the prep teams rearrange our look to specific requirements. All three members of my prep team kept mumbling them under their breaths, as though scared they'd forget.
Ava insisted on re-washing my hair at least six times, all the time chatting animatedly about how beautiful I was going to look. She kept saying things like how we were going to steal the show, but I really hoped she was kidding. I didn't think I could handle that much smiling.
She messed about with my hair, weaving the dark waves with something that looked like golden reeds. While she worked, Xavier re-did my nails, painting it with a clear liquid again before splashing it with gold glitter and painting the tips until they shone. Rye, on the other hand, applied make up to my face, far too freely. In the end, my skin was as sun-kissed as ever, with highlights across my cheekbones and plenty of black eyeliner and thick eyelashes. He'd added a flick of gold across my eyelids, and filled my lips in with a full, plush pink.
Then Circa entered with my dress, and my breath caught in my throat.
"I can't wear that," I said slowly, shaking my head.
Circa raised an eyebrow. "You don't like it?"
"No, I don't want to break it!" I protested weakly, and she smiled softly.
"You're going to look amazing," she told me sternly, sweeping the dress toward me. "Attention completely on you and Mr Forge. Simplicity at its best."
I didn't dare ask what she meant by that, but as I let my robe fall to the floor, I couldn't help hoping that no one noticed me at all. I might've been sarcastic and arrogant when I wanted to be, but I still couldn't shake the thought of my family and friends back in District 4 watching me. Suddenly, pretending I was having a good time seemed a lot harder than it usually did.
It took a while for Circa to help me get into the dress, and every time something caught against my body, I gasped and made her check the dress for tears or rips. Eventually though, I ended up stood in front of a full-length mirror, staring in awe at the woman stood in front of me.
She was tall, slim and beautiful. Her long, dark hair was braided over one shoulder with streaks of the golden colour I saw every day in the fields of District 11, and her make-up was flawless. Her dress was amazing. It curved around her upper body and fitted around her waist and hips, before slipping gently to the ground with a small train behind her. It looked like Circa had painstakingly stuck perfect golden leaves straight across the bodice, and when she turned the lights out, allowing the silver moon to shine through the windows, the dress suddenly seemed to shine. Not anything too bright, but enough to make my breath catch in my throat again. The most amazing part, as far as I was concerned, was the golden hood that settled softly on top of my hair and laid gently across my shoulders.
My lips tugged at the sides. "Nice touch," I smirked at Circa.
She smiled at me, her eyes shining as she stretched out to rearrange the hood carefully. "Seeder told me what happened with the Peacekeepers back in 11," she explained. "And when I saw you in the Reaping . . . it just made sense. You look beautiful, Blake."
I took a deep breath and smiled. "Good. Now I just need to nail deadly, and we're good to go." She chuckled slightly, taking my hand and squeezing it tightly as she led me out of the room. It took a moment for me to find my feet in the golden heels she'd made me wear, but the moment I stepped outside, Ava squealed, clapping her hands together in delight as Xavier laughed happily and Rye raised an eyebrow with a small smirk.
"Blake, you look amazing!" Ava squeaked.
"Gorgeous!" Xavier agreed with a wide beam.
"Stunning," Rye mumbled, scanning my dress. Again, his eyes managed to make me shudder uncomfortably.
Circa ignored them all, turning to me with a deep breath. "Are you ready, Miss Hart?" Gulping, I forced myself to smile widely and nod, allowing Ava to link her arm through mine excitedly as we moved out to meet Seeder, Flynn, Chaff, Layton, Klaus and his prep team.
The moment they caught sight of me, their eyes bulged. I blinked back. "What?" I smirked.
"You look . . ." Layton trailed, for once not looking terrified. He was stood in the simplest of outfits - a sharp black suit with a golden tie that matched my dress perfectly, with golden flecks in his dark hair.
"I know," I grinned back at him with a wink, releasing myself from Ava's hold and moving forward to link my arm through his. He immediately looked scared again, and Seeder and Chaff laughed loudly.
"I like this girl!" Chaff declared with a smirk.
Seeder punched his shoulder jokingly with a reproachful look. "Let's just get them downstairs, shall we?"
Layton and I were herded into the elevator beside Seeder, Chaff, Circa and Klaus, moving down to the ground floor again, which basically looked like a stable. Chariots were being latched onto horses for each of the twelve Districts. Our horses were bucksin horses, with bodies a soft golden colour and black manes and tails. I could see the other tributes, being led to their chariots and the sight of them made my stomach churned. I couldn't stop my eyes drifting further down the line to the District 4 chariot, where the stylists were fussing around Myles and Iris. Myles didn't seem to be in the mood, scowling toward the front of the queue, but Iris's eyes shone in fear, and she kept flinching whenever someone ventured too close to her. Mentors from that District kept trying to reassure her. I could see one elderly woman I thought might've been called Mags, and a younger woman named Ione trying to keep her calm.
Seeder cleared her throat, frowning in their direction in concern. "Come on, then," she smiled. "Up you get."
Klaus leapt into the chariot to help the two of us up, making sure our hands were looped through the straps at the side to keep us steady. He shot a concerned look in Layton's direction as he jumped back down, but I winked once at him and slipped my arm back through Layton's with a smile. Klaus mimed a thank-you at me as Layton shifted awkwardly, eyeing my stance warily. I just shrugged a shoulder at him with a smirk. "Hey, if showing up to this thing with the best-looking girl here doesn't get you noticed, I don't know what will."
He looked mildly alarmed, but Chaff chuckled at me fondly. "She keeps getting better," he mumbled at Seeder, who rolled her eyes with a barely restrained smile.
"Just keep that up in the interviews, and they'll be pouring money on the two of you," she smiled, and I couldn't help thinking maybe she was being a little generous. If Layton couldn't even keep his balance long enough to climb into a chariot, I very much doubted a rich snob from the Capitol would sponsor him.
"Let's just get this over with, shall we?" I grimaced in his direction, and he nodded enthusiastically.
And all of a sudden, District 1 is riding out in a chariot pulled by snow-white horses. They're dazzling of course, since their District makes luxury items for the Capitol. Of all the Districts, they are probably the ones most likely to gain sponsors and survive the Games. I tried not to dwell on that too much as District 2 got into position to follow them. My lips pursed as I watched 2 and 3 ride out to the applause of the Capitol, and my eyes were once again glued on Iris. Of all the girls in District 4, why her? Why the only child I ever actively protected my whole life?
She hurriedly scanned the room one last time, still panicked, and I could see Mags and Ione smiling at her kindly. Even one of the male mentors, Finnick Odair, who'd previously been too busy trying to keep Annie Cresta calm, found the time to shoot her a quick smile and thumbs up. But she kept turning . . . right up until her eyes found me.
I realised she must have seen me being Reaped in District 11, but surprise abruptly clouded her fear and my chest tightened. Aware that her mentors were watching me now, I smiled as best as I could and twirled a finger, warning her to face the right direction. Her eyes were shining in tears, but I frowned and gave a small shake of my head, winking at her once. Iris nodded shakily, taking a ragged breath and turning to face the front.
"Who was that?" Layton asked curiously.
"The little girl from 4," I replied quietly, trying to rearrange my expression and ignore the mentors watching me. "She looks terrified."
He hesitated. "You know her?"
I glanced sideways at him with a stunned look. "What? How on Earth could I know a tribute from District 4?" He looked away, embarrassed, and mumbled something under his breath. My lips pursed again and I turned back to face the front. "She just . . . reminds me of someone, that's all."
Conversation ended after that, but I still couldn't shake the stares of District 4. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Annie Cresta staring at me with wide eyes. At least she's not freaking out anymore, a quiet voice mumbled irritably in the back of my head. Beside her, Mags kept nudging Ione and gesturing toward me with a worried look. Ione herself folded her arms over her chest and turned away, moving to take Annie by the arms and lead her back toward the stables. Finnick Odair hesitated, eyeing me curiously. When he noticed me looking, he raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. Very deliberately, he lifted a hand and slowly blew a kiss in my direction. My carefully arranged expression fell in shock, and I squirmed on the spot before I could help myself. He grinned back, satisfied he'd provoked a reaction, then turned and walked away.
"They seem to like you," Layton murmured oddly.
I shook myself, unable to stop myself frowning at him. "Why'd you say that?" I asked shortly. He blinked, opening his mouth to answer, but the words failed him. My frown faded, and I made to apologise, but the chariot suddenly jerked forward and we were thrown out into the Capitol crowd to the sound of blaring music and mildly enthusiastic recognition for District 10.
Dark was beginning to descend outside, but somehow my dress seemed to glow warmly, reminded me vividly of the sun that set over the fields in District 11. The crowd gasped and exclaimed in admiration, pointing toward me in excitement. Cheers and shouts soon followed, and I forced myself to grin smugly, waving half-heartedly. Layton stood beside me, managing the occasional smile and nod of appreciation. Honestly, I was grateful he didn't try to wave. I didn't want to have to stop the chariot to pick him up off the floor.
The twelve chariots began to fill the loop of the City Circle. Tall buildings surrounded the Circle, where wealthy, prestigious citizens of the Capitol gathered on balconies to watch. The chariots pulled up right outside President Snow's mansion, and the music ended in a loud, celebratory flourish. The President himself - a small, thin man with paper-white hair - stepped forward to give a speech welcoming the Tributes to the Hunger Games. Looking at him made me a little queasy. Something about his features seemed wrong . . . haunting almost. Like I'd seen them before but just couldn't place where from.
His speech, thankfully, didn't last long, and the national anthem was soon playing. Cameras took in all the tributes one last time as the chariots jerked into movement again, leading us toward the Training Centre, where we'd be spending the next week preparing for the Games. I continued to smile and wave at people with a fake sense of ease, making my gestures and expressions as theatrical and sarcastic as I could manage. And, just like I expected, the crowd was lapping it up, not realising that everything I did was supposed to be mocking them.
The moment all the chariots had arrived at the Training Centre, the doors were shut behind us. Instantly, our prep teams rushed toward us, with wide grins and shining eyes. "Oh, Blake, you looked so beautiful!" Ava gushed as Circa and Rye helped me down out of the chariot.
I smiled at her. "Well, you guys did an amazing job," I assured her and she flushed in pride, yanking me into a tight hug before I could move away. "Alright!" I laughed easily. "Calm down!" She pulled back and pouted, but clapped her hands together in delight and allowed Rye and Xavier to lead her away, both of them apologising to me with a grimace. I waved them away with another smile, rearranging my hood as best as I could before Circa noticed.
"That's a remarkable dress, Miss Hart," a quiet voice came, and I started, turning on my heel to see Finnick Odair smirking slyly at me, running a hand down one of our horses' necks.
I suddenly found myself struggling to keep hold of my act, looking at his somewhat revealing outfit. But, when Circa boldly side-stepped Klaus and slipped her arm through mine with a warning look in his direction, I managed. Just. "I have a remarkable stylist," I smirked, squeezing Circa's arm gratefully.
Finnick glanced between the two of us, his smile widening in amusement. "I'm not that terrible, am I?" he asked Circa carefully.
"Probably not," I answered with a small shrug before she could say anything. "But I'm not very bright."
He stared at me in surprise for a split second, then laughed with shining eyes and stepped forward to take my hand. "It's been a pleasure, Miss Hart," he smiled smugly, kissing my hand softly.
"Oh, I know," I assured him with an arrogant grimace. He grinned again, shaking his head in bemusement as he turned back to return to his District.
Circa watched him walk away with a frown. "You shouldn't encourage a boy like that, Blake," she mumbled.
"He was trying to put me off!" I complained. "Make me uncomfortable. Well, two of us can play that game."
She scowled at me in concern. "There's only one game you need to be playing at the moment," she scolded softly, and my lips twisted. She sighed. "Come on. Let's get you inside before you attract any more attention." I smiled and nodded, but I couldn't stop my eyes drifting back toward District 4.
Stop getting distracted, the voice at the back of my head warned. And still, I knew it wouldn't be that easy.