AUTHOR'S NOTES: And here we get to meet the stylists. They are sort of a shoutout to a couple other characters I like, but don't think too much about it. It's almost time to start catching sneak peeks of the other tributes, because we'll catch glimpses of them during the parade and whatnot. In the meantime, perhaps Cadence really does have a heart of some sort down in there somewhere.
Either way, Happy Reading!

CHAPTER 5: Kurai and Kuro

Neither Cadence nor Lucia said anything when there was a knock at the door, although when Nephenee stepped back inside, she mentioned something about how sometimes tributes would get a little frisky when left by themselves. Cadence mentally admitted that he was not necessarily above that idea, but he had no interest in making any advances on a girl that would either live to experience his death, or that he would outlive if he made it to the victor's throne. Besides, most importantly, he was not sure that Lucia would even welcome it. He didn't know if she felt the same way about him, especially since he knew she couldn't actually see him.

"And now, the main attraction!" Nephenee beamed, welcoming a man and a woman into the room, and Cadence's eyes immediately scanned them before he even so much as stood up to greet them. The man had dark, wild hair that dropped to his waist in a series of wild spikes, and his outfit was rather red and shiny. Part of him wanted to quip that this man looked like a lobster with a bad hair day, but then again, one glance at the exotically-dressed Nephenee made him change his mind. Aqua blue and seafoam green were her colors of choice today and that didn't change how garish she looked in Cadence's mind.

However, as Lucia stood up, Cadence also caught eye of the female stylist: a very busty woman clad in black and gold, with flowing waves that dropped past her hips. The style was much less garish or outlandish than the man's, although her hair was colored a soft shade of lavender. The primal man within cadence had to tear his eyes away from the woman's cleavage, which her outfit generously exposed. He had a bad feeling about these two right away.

"Kurai; Kuro… don't be strangers!" Nephenee cast her eyes first to the man, and then to the woman. Great; they even had almost-matching names? Cadence audibly groaned.

"Now, now, darling…" Kuro spoke up, her hips swaying with each movement, "There's no reason to get angry so soon… we're here to make you dazzling!"
"Give me four good reasons why I shouldn't hate your very existence." Cadence warned.

"We're here regarding your image, Cadence Montoya," Kurai spoke up, "You're under my care, while Kuro will ensure the same for Lucia. We're not here to turn you into an enemy." His tone had some commanding power to it, but at the same time, felt warm and most importantly, genuine. Cadence cast his threatening glare back towards both of the stylists once again, looking them over (and having to almost pull himself away from staring at Kuro's cleavage again). Perhaps they were not the ones threatening his well-being the way those that ran the Hunger Games were. He'd have to see.

Lucia seemed much more trusting, and as the two stylists led the two tributes towards the studios where they would get cleaned up and receive makeovers for the evening, Cadence saw Kurai and Kuro exchange looks before briefly casting glances at their tributes. It was clear that Kuro had an easy tribute while Kurai had his work cut out for him.

Rich districts like District 5 generally produced well-kept tributes, and despite his bad attitude, Cadence fell into this category just as Lucia did. As such, the cleanup phase and operation did not take as much time as Cadence thought it would, and soon Kurai began outfitting him. He, like nearly every other stylist to ever dress a tribute, was utterly unfazed with seeing Cadence naked, as it was just part of the job.

"You're easy on the eyes," he pointed out, In the Capitol, that's one of the things a lot of sponsors look for. Call us shallow if you wish, but many would not wish for an ugly tribute to win the games."
Cadence opened his mouth, but it seemed that Kurai was prepared. "Of course, I highly doubt that anything I say can sway your judgment if it's so firmly rooted, and so you're welcome to hate me because of who I am as much as you like. However, I will continue to do my job to the best of my ability as long as you are under my care."

Maybe the stylists were different after all. Cadence was silent as Kurai outfitted him in a black and gold suit with little electrical pads and wires etched all over it. His fiery curls were styled to be a little frizzier than normal, although he suspected it was part of the costume. As much as Cadence had wanted to dislike this man, the calm way he did things and the way he was so accepting of Cadence's judgment made him think twice about the guy. He might have accepted Cadence's harsh opinions of him, but he didn't let those scathing words change his actions or thought processes.

"I guess I should apologize," he confessed after seeing himself in the mirror.

"For what?" Kurai tilted his head slightly, his wild brown spiky hair falling to the side. "Despite your complaints, you did not resist or give me further grief."

"For being an ass earlier," Cadence confessed, "I'm upset about a lot of things… but none are your fault." He paused, looking Kurai right in the eyes.

"I need her to survive," he whispered, and it was clear who he was referring to. "She deserves it."
"that's why I need you to shine out there," he handed Cadence a seemingly innocuous object that looked like a flat metal board on a stick. "Wait a few moments after the parade starts and then lift it high above your head before you press the button. Just trust me. Lucia will know of it too."

"Right," Cadence nodded, observing the item in his hand. "I guess I should go out and meet her then; she's nearly done, yeah?"
"She should be," Kurai nodded. "I wish you the best of luck."
True to his prediction, however, Lucia had a much easier time with Kuro. Like Cadence, she had no qualms with Kuro seeing her naked as she got dressed.

"Darling, I think the most tragic thing about this entire situation is that you won't be able to see my masterpiece!" Kuro sighed, "You are a gorgeous woman; beautiful enough even without my help… someone as sweet and perfect like you deserves better."
"It's okay," Lucia nodded, "I'm used to it. I can't change it, and so I make the best of my situation and go from there. Don't worry though—I trust you when you say I'm in good hands."
"Then prepare to be amazed." Kuro grinned as she began outfitting Lucia, starting from the bottom up with a glittery pair of heels that truly were electrifying, "you'll dazzle more than just Capitol heads out there tonight, I promise." She gave Lucia a little peck on the nose as she continued dressing the blind tribute. She might not have fully understood Lucia's plight, but her emotions and expressions were genuine and heartfelt. She apologized profusely at the end of the makeover for an obvious mistake.

"How do I look?" Lucia had asked after Kuro announced that she was done.

"Come and see!" Kuro habitually guided the girl to a mirror, but Lucia didn't react.

"I take it I'm… 'dazzling'?" she asked innocently. Kuro slapped her forehead and frowned.

"Darling, I apologize profusely! In my excitement in dressing you, I was a fool and forgot you can't see. Let me show you what I see though…"
She took Lucia's soft little hands in her own, and started from the top. "your hair is done up mostly to stay out of your way. It's a little frizzy to go with the electrical theme we want for you, and your clothes are similar. Be careful not to touch these little heavier parts…" she guided Lucia's hands around similar little electrified areas on her flowing dress that were similar to the ones on Cadence's suit, "I'm not sure if you know colors, but the golden highlights are accentuated by the black color… and as you might have heard me say earlier… these shoes are darling enough that I'd wear them all day if I could!" she giggled.

Lucia had a mental picture of herself in her head, and smiled at Kuro's affectionate description. "I believe you did a good job with me then," She smiled. "I know I can't really prove it at all, but I believe you. You're a genuine person, Kuro. I like that."
"I just hope that poor Kurai can get that point across to your partner." Kuro frowned. "He's just as nice a man as I am, but I don't think Cadence sees that."
"I'll make sure to clear it up if he doesn't," Lucia promised with a smile, "Cadence is a good person… he's just conflicted and angry about certain events outside of his control. He means well… he just sometimes gets a bit moodier than he should."

"Indeed," Kuro nodded, "although Kurai is right, you know. We're here to keep you two beautiful and popular as long as you draw breath. So go out there and let's show everyone what District 5 is made of!"

She gave Lucia the same prop item and instructions that Kurai gave to Cadence, and with one final embrace, the stylist and the tribute parted ways to go and meet up with their partners to wait for the parade. Both sides would have different roles of course, but it was to the parade that both couples were headed…