Clove's POV

I take a deep breath as my personal prep team approaches me. They stare down at me, and I feel like a monster or animal, trapped. I'm not sure whether the stylists are just plain queer, or just what the Capitol residents consider fashionable. Each person has an eccentric hairstyle, along with unusual piercings, non-human skin tones and heavy make up.

Quietly, they whisper to one another, but I can't make out any of the words. I rest my head against the soft pillow of the mattress, when they start to grab at my limbs. As a reflex, I struggle, but the prep leader calms me down and explains that they were starting to work on me. Even though I'm still unsure, I relax and let them do whatever they want. As long as I can get sponsors.

First, they start to wax my skin. Every strip pulled stings, but I let it be. I have to withstand this little pain if I'm going to win the Hunger Games. They move on quickly, though, maybe because I only have a bit of hair on my body. The next events feel like I'm in a fast-forward film. Each of them knows what they're doing, and they don't say a word. Some people start spraying on a substance, some doing my hair, while others are examining me and taking notes. I never expected that so much went into preparing a mere tribute.

Finally, I get sent to a small room. There's a small closet, but I can't see anything else spectacular since the lights are dim and low. For some particular reason, I feel fake, as if I'm part of the Capitol. I sigh in frustration. Is Cato doing alright? I hope they don't change him too much.

I hear the door slam behind me, giving a mechanical click right after. I spin around to see a man smiling at me. For a second, I thought that it was Filote, but I stop in my tracks when I clearly see who he is. He seems to be taller than Filote, but he has a smaller build. Unlike Filote, the man has a friendly, young face. I'm glad that he isn't as crazy as the prep team - no, he looks almost normal, apart from his clothes.

Without a word, he strides across the room and opens the wardrobe. I lean to the side to take a peek at what he's taking, and I see a shimmer of gold shine in my eyes. The man turns to me and grins.

"Ah, Clove, is it? You're a bit young to volunteer," he says as he flattens the piece of clothing down on the bench, "Ah, sorry! Call me Trigent."

I smile and nod, but when I catch sight of the dress I gape. It seems to be in the theme of a roman goddess, and that explains our district's purpose - masonry. All in bronze and gold, it has scaly feather-like material at the neck that stretches into a curve line, and silk hangs down as a sarong-like skirt. The cloth shines in my eyes, and I have to look away to keep it from blinding me.

"Wow...it's amazing, Trigent!" I say finally, still staring at the dress. Trigent seems to be pleased since he starts to talk more about the dress, and then brings out my headdress that goes along with the outfit. It has a metal round hat, with the same type of feather material as wings. It complements with the outfit really well, and I love it, even if I have never taken any interest in fashion at all. Trigent gestures for me to wear it, and he waits patiently. He's not going to stay, is he? After a moment of hesitation, I'm almost sure he expects me to undress in front of him. I guess the past tributes have done so, anyway.

Reluctantly, I start to undress. I feel uncomfortable but I force myself to do it. Trigent suddenly starts to help me put on the dress, and I feel extremely awkward, but he doesn't seem to care or notice. I guess he's used to seeing girls. Eventually, I'm all ready and prepared, all that's left is make up. There is a full-body mirror in the middle of the room, and I smile as I see myself in this marvelous creation.

Trigent leads me outside, where I the other tributes are getting ready to go. This is the first time I've seen the other districts - most of them have ridiculous outfits, I can barely hold in my laughter. I look over to District 1, and roll my eyes. Usually, they have a girl who can rely on nothing but her looks; and sponsors. Their outfits are just as bad as the others, and I'm sure that we have the best stylist.

"Stand up straight and look confident, Clove. The sponsors need to notice you" Trigent whispers. I nod and stand taller, when I see Cato coming. He has the same outfit as me, except manlier, and his headdress doesn't have a top. His prep team has done really well, considering the fact that he almost looks like a celebrity, "Now, these wings on your heads actually flap two and fro, so make that visible"

"Looking good, Clover" He jokes. I playfully hit him. I hate being called Clover...everybody knows that. It's been a long time since he's called me that, though. Syne had first generated it in winter, when he was chattering as he called my name.

"Right back at to you!" I laugh, indicating at his Roman skirt. He folds his arms and stands straight, but his stylist starts to fuss over him. Trigent does the same, too. I'm guessing he's putting on make up to complement the outfit - gold, and glittery.

"Hey, the Romans used to regard skirts as manly. I'm not ashamed to wear one" I hear him say, but I know that he's hating the costume now. I hope that he's wearing shorts underneath, and I snicker to myself.

Finally, the animated voice starts speaking overhead. We all look up to see Caeser Flickerman on the big screen. Caeser is well-known for his sense of humour, and his technique to making everybody look good. He's the guy everyone wants to be with when on stage. On the screen, he gives a cheesy smile, and tells us that we were going out in 5 minutes.

Cato and I slowly approach the carriage. Two black mares snort and look around obediently. I wonder how they get them to be so well-trained as I've seen in the past parades. I jump on first, then Cato, and the horses instantly starts to go forward with no instructions. I look at Cato nervously as we go through the black doors, and into the massive stadium.

There are literally millions of people watching and cheering. The colours they wear are bright and stand out, so everyone contrasts each other. Suddenly I start to shake, which is extremely unusual for me to do. Fortunately, Cato assures me by holding my hand, which is hidden beneath the front decoration of the carriage.

As we finally go out into the spotlight, I can hear the immediate screams of girls as they catch sight of Cato. He really is everybody's ideal guy. I smile and try to act natural as I wave, and I can hear continuous chants of 'CATO' and 'CLOVE'. The support of these people feels good, even though I still hold a grudge.

Suddenly, everybody's attention focuses on the back. District 12 has fire flowing out of their backs! I'm angered at how they had just stolen our spotlight, and so I activate my wings. Cato follows, and soon, we have half of the attention again. I smile, elated, and we finally reach the finish.

President Snow makes an 'inspiring' speech, but to me, it means nothing at all. I'm sick and tired of his usual words that he repeats each year. After a while, Snow finally departs from his balcony, and we get ready to go back.

Trigent and Enobaria hug me, saying that we did a fabulous job of getting the crowd's attention. I smile at Cato, but his attention is on District 12. I tilt my head and see the tributes, but then I look away. Eventually, Cato stops staring and we introduce ourselves to the District 1 tributes.

The boy tribute, Marvel, is tall and skinny, and he looks smart, yet powerful. He is friendly and really nice, and he reminds me a lot of Syne. The girl tribute, Glimmer, is just plain annoying, like most of the District 1 past tributes. Ugh, the names given to District 1 children are just absurd. I admit that she is pretty, but she simply shoves me to get to Cato. I roll my eyes as they laugh, and I can see Marvel scowling at them.

"What, do all guys melt when they see a pretty, blonde girl?" I grin, and Marvel laughs. It turns out he isn't her biggest fan either. I can tell that we are going to work cooperatively.

I turn back and head to the inside department with Enobaria, Brutus, Trigent and Pylo, Cato's stylist. I call him to come with us, but he just ignores me and continues talking. Brutus shrugs and tells me to get going, and that he was going to deal with him. For a second I feel guilty, but then my anger replaces my sadness.

We get the penthouse, just like all the other Districts. As I step into the doors, my eyes widen in amazement. This is just like the train...no, it's much better! It looks modern and futuristic, and everything is neat and tidy. We sit down at the dining table, the table already prepared. Dolly joins us for dinner, and we start to eat.

Shamelessly, I eat whatever I want, and my mentors just laugh. They've been through it too, I expect. Although District 2 isn't poor, we never eat food as luxurious as this. I hear from Dolly that us Careers don't get dessert, but I just shrug. I don't think I can even fit dessert in! However, Dolly sneaks us some ice cream which we all glady accept. She's not as bad as I thought she was.

In the middle of our conversation, Cato finally arrives and sits down next to me. He pauses momentarily to take in the view, and Brutus just stares him down. Apparently, he had taken a tour of this place with the District 1 tributes, but I doubt that Marvel had agreed to come. Without thinking, I stand up and address everyone that I was going to sleep, then quickly walk into my new room. I hope Cato gets my message I'm trying to send to him. I definitely won't enjoy working with the spoilt Glimmer.

Thank you for the reviews again! Please tell me what you like/dislike (eg. more Clato, too much detail, etc.). It'll help me more than just a simple 'It's good' xD Praises are accepted too, though!

Oh, just a question. Do you guys want a lot of Glato and Clarvel? What are your opinions?