Chapter 15:

Once I'm awake, I immediately think how awful an idea it was to not do as Peeta said last night- just wake Prim up temporarily and head off to the sleeping car, where we both could sleep comfortably and undisturbed. Instead, I was only able to doze for a couple of hours, and judging by Peeta's face, it was the same for him. I have a gigantic crick in my neck and can temporarily move my head in only one direction. But Prim, using my body and eventually Peeta's for support for most of the night, looks rested. I then realize that it was worth it, that her comfort and security what is most important right now anyway. But it is definitely going to be a long, long, long, day as well as a big, big, big one.

We go back to the dining car for a Capitol breakfast- where I drink a couple of glasses of fresh orange juice before looking at anything else. We've been able to buy it in the last year, but it is still a poor substitute for the Capitol's version. And, of course, I have another large steaming cup of hot chocolate and decide to choke down some coffee as well to help give me a much-needed energy boost- I am half-filled up on liquids before I've had anything to eat. Paavo eats like there is no tomorrow (which unfortunately could very well be true for him); over the past year he has refused to accept a lot of the luxury food items that Peeta has offered to him out of principle. Prim samples a little of everything, focusing more on Capital specialties that beat anything that we can purchase in District 12.

While we're all eating breakfast, the Capitol comes into view through the train windows, and Prim and Paavo immediately run to them to get a better look. Peeta and I sit back, watching Prim and Paavo transfixed on the glass, captivated. Peeta and I exchange brief smiles, like old parents watching their children excited on a family vacation. But looking at the Capitol a little longer brings nothing but intense feelings of hatred towards the surface. Watching Prim look at it also serves to remind me of how the Capitol is using her, as it did me, as a sacrificial lamb. I can only hope that she spites them better than I did.

Paavo and Prim are well-versed in what will happen immediately upon arrival at the Capitol. If they are the same as last year's, than both Prim and Paavo know the names of everyone on their prep teams. Like Haymitch did for us, I have counseled Prim on several occasions to let the prep team work their magic, even if it hurts a little. I just hope to God that Cinna, who must understand how important she is to me by now, takes it easy on her.

Despite knowing what comes next, Prim is anxious as we arrive and meet up with their prep teams. She is now in the hands of Venia, Octavia, and Flavius and will be for the next several hours, and she'll be meeting with Cinna for quite a while after that. I kiss her cheek and assure her that I will find her and wish her luck prior to the opening ceremonies this evening. Together they, along with Paavo and his own prep team, head off to the Remake Center.

Peeta and I, meanwhile, are escorted to the Training Center. In honor of our upcoming wedding, the Capitol has designed a brand-new addition to the twelfth floor of the Training Center tower, where we will all be staying. Peeta and I now have our own suite at the end of the hall. When we open the door, we see a massive foyer with a gigantic sparkling hanging chandelier, in the design of- what else?- flames. The foyer is enormous, and to either side are two nondescript doors, which we are told leads to our individual bedrooms. Next to the doors are two ornate spiral staircases, both winding their way up to a single second floor balcony, where a set of double doors sits centered at the top. Secured to the two doorknobs is a gigantic heart-shaped lock.

"What is all of this?" I ask incredulously to the Peacekeeper who has escorted us here.

"This is for your wedding. Until your wedding night, you will stay in your separate rooms, but at your reception, you will be given the key that unlocks the door to your honeymoon suite," the Peacekeeper replies.

I continue to look at the Peacekeeper as if he has gone completely out of his mind. Why in the world would the Capitol go to all of this trouble for us?

"There will be a segment on this suite aired as part of a second wedding special the night before the Games begin," the Peacekeeper clarifies.

Oh, so that's why, I think. Another ridiculous wedding special. TV. It all makes sense now.

The Peacekeeper escorts me to my room, and I have to suppress a laugh. The bed can't be more than three feet across; it is the narrowest one I have ever seen. It is clearly meant to signify that I should be sleeping in this room alone (that, and nearly everything in the room being a Pepto-Bismol pink, making it unmistakably girly). But it is amusing more than anything; if I can sleep on a tree branch in the arena for a week, than I can certainly squeeze in this bed with Prim- or Peeta.

As the Peacekeeper exits our suite, Peeta and I break into laughter. Seeing his own bed, he has obviously just reached the same ridiculous conclusion. The Capitol thinks that this is going to deter us from one of the only human comforts that we have? Coffee ineffective, both of us exhausted from last night, we set out to prove them wrong, right now. We kick off our shoes and slip under the covers of my bed. As close as we've been sleeping, there's even a little room to spare.

We are napping a mere twenty minutes, however, when there is a banging at the door to our suite. Groggily, we open it to find Haymitch, Effie, and Cinna waiting anxiously.

"Cinna!" I say, excited but still sleepy, and I throw my arms around him in a hug.

"Hello, Girl on Fire," he replies softly, gold eyeliner not distracting me from the affection that I see in his eyes.

"So…what's going on?" I inquire to the group. As happy as I am to see Cinna, I look wistfully towards the bedroom, as our napping felt nowhere near complete. Haymitch looks as though he has finally sobered up from the 2nd Annual Get Bombed on Reaping Day event. "Welcome back, Haymitch," I add.

"You two look exhausted," says Effie disapprovingly, and I can tell this affects her unspoken plans. "You need to look your best this evening. I thought we should watch the recap of the reapings this afternoon, since we missed them last night," she looks pointedly at me, "but after looking at the two of you, let's just postpone that until tonight after the opening ceremonies are over- that way Prim and Paavo can see them as well. Get your rest." She coughs. "But before you do, Cinna requested to speak with you." She turns back down the hallway, gesturing for Haymitch to come with her.

"I just wanted to tell you that you will be on your own with the tributes before the ceremonies- and really in general," he says gruffly. "Since you will be around to advise the tributes- which I trust you to do well, since you have a vested interest in them- I will be able to put that time into trying to get them more sponsors."

Peeta and I nod. It's a good plan. Haymitch scurries down the hall, as well as he can scurry, after Effie.

I gesture for Cinna to come in, and Peeta thankfully takes the hint and heads to his little bedroom, closing the door. The foyer contains a loveseat, and Cinna and I sit down, turning slightly inward so that we are facing each other.

"Katniss, I just wanted to run a few things by you in regards to my final designs for Prim. First of all, I wanted to let you know that unlike last year, Prim and Paavo are going to have pretty different looks; they won't be united the way that you and Peeta were."

I look at him, puzzled.

He quickly explains. "The move is partially strategic. I've been speaking with Haymitch. Not to mention, we're not doing the star-crossed lovers angle, and Prim and Paavo are about as different-looking as you can get. He's what, 6'2"? All muscle? 18? And she's barely a teenager, and still looks like a little girl. It just won't work. Now, you and Peeta will still have flame-inspired garments, but they will be a lot more muted than last year, since you won't be in the Games. But because Prim doesn't have quite the same fiery spirit that you do, I didn't design a fire theme for her. I did take the liberty, however, since I had the time and resources, to design a couple of potential looks for her opening ceremonies and interview. I was hoping that you could help me narrow them down."

I don't question him. I nod, and say simply, "I trust you, Cinna."

He smiles. "I know you do. But let me ask you this. How do you want the world to see your sister?"

I find myself getting emotional again. Stop it, Katniss! If Cinna were asking this question about me I would be solid as a rock- but my sister is my soft spot. "I, um, guess I would want the world to see her like I do- beautiful and sensitive and vulnerable," I say, fighting tears. "Before all of this started, back when things were more normal- there was so much dullness back in District 12, in my life. She was the bright spot that I looked forward to most each day." I pause. "Could you make her look like that? In a way that will get her sponsors?"

"Yes, I think so," Cinna says, reassuringly patting my hand. "Don't worry, Katniss, I think I have just the thing."