A/N: I'm still obsessing over Catoniss fics so have another update!
Cato POV:
I barely register anything Venecia is saying to me as we exit the train and head to the tribute centre, where our stylists are waiting to dress us in outlandish costumes and send us round on a stupid parade. I don't bother learning the names of my prep team, they're too busy fluttering around me like strange alien butterflies to take much notice that I'm a person in the first place. My stylist Lorelai, on the other hand, seems genuinely nice and puts me in a golden gladiator-style outfit, which isn't quite as horrendous as I had originally pictured.
The parade
I'm led by Brutus towards a large room filled with bustling Capitol people and victors waiting with their tributes for the chariots. I look around to take in my competition and hopefully get a glimpse of that girl from 12. Katniss. The fire in her eyes was enough to set my soul on fire. Stupid idiot, she's gonna think I'm out to get her. Why wouldn't I be out to get her? I'm from 2. A career. My thoughts are running at a million miles an hour until I meet her eyes. She's wearing an all black jumpsuit, clinging to her like a glove, her makeup dark and imposing. God. She tilts her head at me in curiosity, probably wondering why I haven't glared at her or made some kind of sinister, wordless threat. I make it a point to smile at her as sincerely as possible, hopefully we can make an alliance or something, I'd really rather not have to kill her.
"What the fuck was that all about, Cato?" Clove grumbled at me as Brutus and Enobaria ushered us onto the chariot. I roll my eyes at her, she's been nothing but annoying the whole time we've been away from District 2. "Don't know what you're talking about."
The chariots begin to move, some blonde girl and a lanky guy that doesn't seem all there mentally are the District 1 tributes in the chariot in front of us. God, I don't want to be in alliance with any of these people, I hope the kids from 4 are less insufferable to look at or be around. The crowd is cheering at us and I hear my name being chanted by a fair few in the crowd, so I look around and smile and wave, hopefully I'll at least get a few sponsors. Suddenly, the crowd goes silent, like they were in shock or something. I turn to see what could have caused this reaction, as the crowd starts frantically cheering and screaming out, "Katniss! Katniss! Katniss!", and I see her. God, I don't think I've ever seen something so beautiful, but so intimidating. Flames appeared to be coming from her, flickering in the slight breeze of the stadium, she looks shocked at something, then a large smile appears on her face, her confidence growing as she hears the crowd calling her name. I watch as she catches a rose in her mouth, then holds it up in her left hand; her right hand, I notice as the unfamiliar feeling of jealousy bubbles up in my stomach, is taken by her district partner, who is also up in flames. I hope to all things holy that this is just for show, I just don't know why I feel quite so affected by it.
The chariots pull to a stop as President Snow welcomes us to the Capitol, oh so gracious of him, I think snarkily, but I school my expression to show nothing but cold indifference. I do not like that man. There's something about him, a coldness to his eyes and a viciousness hidden in the way he speaks that just rubs me up the wrong way.
As we're stepping off of the chariots, I see her again, her flames gone this time. Her stylist must've seen the fire in her eyes though when she volunteered, otherwise he wouldn't have put her in a costume so fitting to her aura. She smiles at me tentatively as we make eye contact for the second time of the night. I feel my cheeks warming slightly, hoping that there isn't any blush showing. I smile back at her, nice outfit, Fire Girl, I mouth to her. I see her giggle slightly and I feel like I've accomplished something spectacular. Her district partner, Paul or something like that, turns to her then follows her line of sight to me, frowning as he meets my eyes. I harden my features and glare at him. Smarmy git. With that, I turn to my mentors and insufferable district partner, and I'm led towards the elevators.
Katniss POV:
Effie is waffling away about our exit from the train being SO important and I simply can't bring myself to care. Peeta is smiling and waving at the crowds, the alien looking Capitol people losing their little pea brains about it. Ugh. "He's got the right idea, sweetheart." Haymitch mutters to me, tilting his bottle in the direction of the stocky boy beside me. I glare at him and allow Effie to lead me towards the tribute centre.
This has to be some kind of torture. I'm being scrubbed down with rough scrubs and weird smelling soaps, before they douse me in lotions. My skin feels raw and tingly, until I feel aggressive rips as they tear the hair from my skin. Everywhere. They're turning me into one of those strange hairless cats I've seen some of the Capitol people holding onto during the rare times we have electricity for television. "I think you're ready for Cinna." the sparkly man who's been fiddling about with my hair says to me. What on earth is a Cinna? Some kind of torture device they use for beauty, probably.
I find out that a Cinna is actually my stylist, and probably the most normal looking person in the whole city. The only thing that gives away that he isn't from a district is the golden eyeliner on his eyes.
"I'm sorry this had to happen to you, it was very brave of you to volunteer for your sister." His tone is solemn, and I feel like he's the first person in this godforsaken place that has recognised my own feelings about the Games. "Most people just congratulate me..."
"Well I don't see the point in that, what's happened to you is a tragedy, and I'm going to do my darndest to give you the best chance of survival possible. Now... you don't happen to be afraid of fire, do you?"
I meet up with Haymitch, Effie and Peeta at the chariots, slightly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people in the room. My eyes widen as I look at the people who are going to be in the arena with me. There is an absolutely huge guy from District 11, it must be his last year of eligibility - he's practically a man, and a tiny little girl clinging tightly to his arm. I feel my heart twist at the sight of her, so similar in stature to Prim, I just hope I don't have to see her die. I turn to see the District 2 tributes, only to find the hulking blonde guy that volunteered already staring at me. I tilt my head at him, why is he just looking at me? He smiles and I don't see an ounce of malice in his face, so I smile back, I really don't want to be on his bad side, his giant hands and arms look like they could snap my neck instantly. Haymitch and Effie lead us to the chariot as Cinna and Portia, Peeta's stylist, give us our instructions.
The chariot starts to move and I hear the crowd calling the names Cato, Glimmer and Thresh - probably my main competition then, I think darkly - before the crowd goes dead silent. Oh, right. We're on fire. Then, an onslaught of calls pierce my eardrums, they're calling MY name? I'm momentarily startled, then let a large smile erupt on my face, waving at the crowd of surgically enhanced dingbats that apparently love me. I even catch a rose in my mouth and hold it in the air with my left hand, coming to the sudden realisation that Peeta is holding tightly to my right. Huh. Weird. We stop in front of President Snow and I can barely keep the glare off of my face. Evil bastard.
When we're back in the room we waited for the chariots in, I tune out Effie's fawning and look around. I see the blonde man from 2 again, and remember from the recaps that his name is Cato. I smile at him and take great joy in the fact that his cheeks pink slightly as he smiles in return. He's mouthing to me, calling me Fire Girl (God I hope that nickname doesn't stick) and complimenting my outfit. I can't help but giggle in response, only stopping when Peeta turns and looks at me weirdly, before following my line of sight to the muscular man across the room. It's like the temperature drops 10 degrees with how frosty their silent interaction is. Cato and I turn away from each other and allow our respective mentors and escorts to lead us to our apartments. I have the distinct feeling that something is going to be different about this years games.