Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the HUNGER GAMES. A few things might resemble some parts of the book but it's only to make more sense to the fiction. I'm not making any sort of profit with this story. Thank you for reading.
Author's Note Part 1: So… I thought I was posting each chapter each weekend, only to find out I was only uploading, NOT updating. My bad! Now everything is back on track. I posted 9 chapters last Monday (Yes, I will still put their own OST based on) and now I will update every weekend.
For this chapter, I took inspiration on God is an Astronaut – A moment of Stillness: Frozen Twilight, Crystal Canyon and Elysian Fields.
Chapter 12: Perfect! Now we can die.
R-i-i-i-i-i-p! Madge grits her teeth as Venia, a woman with aqua hair and gold tattoos above her eyebrowns, yanks a strip of fabric from her leg tearing out the hair beneath it. "Sorry!" she pipes in her Capitol accent. "You're just so hairy!"
"Please, don't apologize. We don't have these costume where I came from. It's okay. Really". Madge let a few tears drop. Venia apologized every time she riped her hair from somewhere. And she wasn't sparing a single place. Only her hair and parts of her eyebrows survived. All the rest was being waxed and an acid cream was being used to prevent them to grow back again.
"Okay, this is the last part", Venia announces.
"Finally! Then I can meet my stylist?, asks Madge. She has been in the Remake Center for more than five hours. She was in a private room but she could hear the other tribute girls screaming, crying and punching something or someone.
"Oh, not yet. I'm so sorry." Madge let out a sob. They already put her in a bathtub full of mud, made her nails into uniform shapes, scrubbed her skin, cleaned her teeth with some strange machine and they weren't done yet?
"Hey, don't worry. You're doing very well. If there's one thing we can't stand, it's a whiner. Grease her down again! I want to see her skin pure white and shinny. This coal dust is curse around here", says some guy named Flavius.
The girls, Venia and Octavia, rub her body again with lotion that first stings then soothes her raw skin.
They stand back admiring their own work.
"Oh, my. I thought you were really cute already but now I'm kind of jealous of you", says Octavia.
"Thank you all. I know I must have looked awful but back home, I don't have reasons to look nice like you guys", praises Madge putting on her best fake smile. They smile at her and order her to sit in the chair. They will call her stylist.
"Don't worry darling. Cinna will still make a few changes but the worse is gone. After he is through with you, you're going to be absolutely gorgeous. We promise!", says Flavius before leaving.
Madge takes a few moments alone in a small couch room. It's warm and cozy. She notices a full body mirror standing in a corner and goes there.
"Ow my goodness!", Madge touches her face. She looks at least 2 years younger. Her green eyes seems to outstand in her face more. Its dazzling. Even her mouth has a healthier shade of pink with her almost too bright white teeth.
Suddenly she feels sad. I'm in the Capital. I'm going to fight, kill and luckily survive but what will be the costs? I don't need the money or a big house. I had it all. A friend, a family, love?, Madge can't help herself and starts to cry shyly.
The door opens and a young beautiful man who must be Cinna enters. He's so natural compared to all stylist they interview on television. The only alteration he has is a metallic silver eyeliner above his eyes. He could almost be a Town citizen from District 12.
"Hello, Madge. I'm Cinna, your stylist", he says in a quiet voice watching her clean her tears. "I just need a moment to look at you and then you can put your robe on, all right?"
She only shakes her head. She was only wearing a light camisole.
He does the same thing Haymitch did on the train. He walks around her, analyzing, measuring, and looking at her face.
"When you volunteered your hair was up tied in a yellow ribbon but when you came here, it was tied in plait. Did you braid yourself?", he asks her.
"Yes. Before my mom got sick, she taught me how to braid it by myself", says Madge.
"It was beautiful. I have some ideas about your hair. I'm not going to cut all down but… well… you'll see it when I'm done. Then, I want you to teach me how to braid it again in that plait. It fits you well, Madge.", Cinna kindly smiles. He puts her robe on and tells her to sit in a chair. He doesn't take long with his scissors and asks his team a few paints.
After almost an hour, they wash her hair and she is able to look at herself in the mirror again. Cinna cut her front part of hair, making a small framing bang. The tips of hair are of a whiter shade of blonde and at the end a strong shade of res. She holds it up "Wow. It looks…"
"… on fire. I know. That's what I was aiming. Nice you noticed. But the red color will come off after you shower today." Cinna smiles. "I think it's time for your meal. I have a few details I wish to discuss with before you dress up"
"You're new, aren't you? I don't remember seeing you on television or magazines", Madge asks as they sit.
"Yes, this is my first year in the Games," says Cinna.
"So they gave you District twelve", she says. Newcomers generally end up with Districts 7 to 12.
"I asked for District Twelve", he says without further explanation. "Here, eat something. You need energy to hold up. From now on until the day you enter the arena, you will have to eat more protein".
Madge takes a while to eat but get to much distracted wondering and remembering things back home.
"I wonder what your motivations are", he says quietly without directly addressing to her.
"Sorry?", asks Madge.
"No matter", Cinna pretends to concentrate in his papers. "So, Madge, this year's rule is quite clear. You and your partner, Rory, will go home if everything turns out okay. Me and my partner came up with complementary costumes. As you know, it's customary to reflect the flavor of the district."
"Oh, no. No, no, no. Coal miner outfits?", Madge alarms.
"No, not this time. You see, rather than focus on the coal mining itself, we're going to focus on the coal. And what do we do with coal? We burn it!"
Madge holds her hair. Fire. He was going to put her on fire.
"Do you trust me, Madge?", Cinna is looking at her expressively.
"Yes", Madge lies. The guy literally just said he was going to kill them before the games starts.
A few hours later, Madge dresses in a beautiful black dress. A part that covers her arms and chest are bordered with lace and near her feet the dress is shorter showing her ankles. They put a strips high shoe. Her hair is half tied in the same plait she wore earlier but a few red locks are standing out.. She is wearing a special leather cape that Cinna explained to be especially made to hold fire.
Her face is clear of makeup, just a bit of highlighting here and there, and strawberry gloss on her lips.
"I don't want to make your face looks like a clown", Cinna explains. "I want the audience to recognize you when you're in the arena. Madge, the girl who was on fire."
Cinna helps Madge up on her chariot. That's when she looks around searching Rory. She smiles proud with what Portia did.
Rory's hair was tamed and cut short. His eyebrows were also trammed and uniform but without losing his masculinity. His face is almost clean with a purpose bad shaved around his chin. Even his teeth also received whitening. He looked handsome and breath-taking.
Cinna follows her look and waves at Portia. Rory's jaw drops for a few seconds after he spots Madge.
"I didn't think it was possible", Rory gasps.
"What?", Madge asks.
"You look even more beautiful. Your hair and your face are magnificent!", Rory mentions to her make over.
"Well, you don't look bad yourself. I bet you're going to have more sponsors than any boy ever had in the Games", Madge says.
"Yes, but honestly, I hope never go through that ever again. Oh, the things they did to me." His eyes darken remembering his afternoon. Madge laughs.
"What do you think? " she whispers to Rory. "About the fire?"
"I don't know. I'll rip off your cape if you'll rip off mine", he says.
"Don't you dare!" protest Haymitch. He is walking towards them with a satisfaction smile. "Well, well. Not bad at all".
"Where were you? Did you know they are going to set us in fire?", Madge whispers quickly.
"Staying sober, darling. Or else I couldn't be here with both of you. Who knows? I might catch on fire too. No one would want that."
"Sure, no one…", Effie snorts. She is bringing them some water and cookies. "Don't worry both of you. I watching him closely than he knows"
"My dear Effie, I was hoping to keep our relationship in secret. Who knows where these reporters hide in these days", Haymitch grabs lots of cookies. Many pieces are left in his messy beard.
"You and me? No way. Never. You're too old. Too chaotic". Effie points disgustingly at his clothes.
"Enough both of you!", Portia interferes. "We need to get them ready. It's about to start!" Portia and Cinna brings some sort of torch and standby waiting.
"Ok, ok. Now, pay closely attention both of you. They WANT to love you. Give them a chance. A drama, an angst, a romance". Haymitch quickly grabs Rory's arm and hold it behind Madge's back.
"Romance?!", they both exclaim.
"Shut up! One more protest and I grab all the alcohol this Capitol holds". Haymitch gently grabs Madge's hand and hold it in front of Rory's chest.
"It's for your own good. Trust us", Cinna assures.
"They look so lovely. Just need a little more chemistry between them" Effie admires.
Cinna and Portia exchange a few looks before making their final touches.
The opening music begins and the first chariots rides out. Madge holds on tighter against Rory's chest. He smells like a raining day in autumn. So nice. She can't resist and rest her head against his shoulder.
When District 11 chariot rides out. Cinna turns on the torch. "Here we go then", he sets their capes on fire. But there isn't heat or pain, only a faint tickling sensation. Only their cape is on fire while their clothes are intact but reflects shades of black and dark red with orange. "It works", Portia says relief.
"Wait, what do you mean it works? You guys weren't sure before?", Madge protests
"You never know. Don't worry, Portia had a plan B just in case. Remember. Heads up. Smile. And wave. There are going to love you both", Cinna laughs. Portia was beside him holding a fire extinguisher.
Rory holds her chin. "We'll be fine, Madge. If they made you even more beautiful, they can make this work", he smiles gently.
Madge is dazzling looking at Rory. He looks so beautiful. They stare each other for a few more moments when loud screams interrupt their moment.
The crowd's initial alarm at their appearance quickly changes into cheers and shouts of "Districts Twelve!". Madge can hear many girls crying Rory's name and when he blows kisses at them, they faint.
"What? It's funny. Try you too", Rory laughs. Madge performs her most stunning smiles and wave at the crowd. They go mad with cheers.
Madge catches a sight of them on a large television screen. They are breathtaking. Madge motions for Rory to put their intertwined hands in the air. They're a strong couple. They're going home together. They have to show it to Panem.
Rory keeps their hands in the air and for a moment he drops Madge's hand only to circle his arm around her waist back again. She copies his actions and the crown go nuts. The people of the Capitol are showering them flowers, shouting their names and blowing kisses back.
The twelve chariots fill the loop of the City Circle. President Snow welcomes them and makes his traditional speech but this time he adds the special rules of the 75th Hunger Games. The cameras take turns showing each District but Madge can tell the cameras holds on District 12 chariot longer than all others. After the anthem plays, the parade follows its course into the Training Center.
The doors shut behind them and Cinna and his team quickly go help them down. They babble their praise and make tiny jumps of joy.
"C'mon, all of you. We have to go. Now!", Haymitch comes around them and point at the elevators. Madge doesn't understand until she glances around. All tributes and their prep teams are shooting them dirty looks. In the past, tributes killed each other even before the Games officially started. The gamemakers had to forbid it but that didn't stop a tribute from fighting a little.
They fill an elevator and Haymitch press the button number 12. He says each district has their own floor. District 12 being the last one. Each elevator is programmed to only ride with tributes and prep teams of the same district. "Say, if some smarty ass tribute tries to secretly kills you at night. The elevator, itself, will recognize that the tribute is pressing the wrong button floor and its floors will open and kill him", says Haymitch. Portia and the others are impressed.
"No, it won't. Stop tricking them. The elevator will only knock the tribute out and steals his clothes", Effie plays along.
"Even a prep member?", Portia dramatically asks.
"Especially a prep member", terrorizes Haymitch. Portia seems to cry but Cinna hugs her and surrender from their jokes. Madge thought they were probably more than friends.
The elevator finally makes a stop.
"Both you, go shower and then we meet back here. I'll show you around after you clean. And hurry! I want to watch the recaps from today after dinner", says Effie as she escorts Madge and Rory.
Madge's room is right across Rory's. Her room was ten times bigger than the one she on train. Even the bathroom had more accessories. Bathtub (big enough to hold ten people), hairdryer, oils, towels, combs, make-up, robes and many other products she couldn't understand. The panel she had on train only had a few options but this one had hundreds of buttons.
She hurried to clean herself but it was to entertainment to play with all those buttons. In the end, her bath was warm with lots of pink bubbles, watermelon scent, green light and ocean wave's sounds.
She had more time to look up her room. The bed was huge and soft. A huge television screen covered the wall across her bed. But where were the closet with her clothes?
"Out, out, out. Madge, dear, we have a schedule to follow. Why aren't you dressed yet?", Effie comes in.
"I would love to but I can't find my clothes. Should I wear my outfit again?", Madge looks around searching it. Cinna must already pick up from her bed.
"You people from District 12 are so funny. I thought you being Mr. Undersee's daughter would at least know a few things more around the Capital", Effie walks to the mirror next to the bathroom and presses a small button.
Behind the mirror is another room bigger than her bedroom. It's full of dresses, shirts, skirts, blouses, coats and shoes. There's a section dedicated only for shoes.
"Too bad they don't allow you, tributes, to wear wigs and tan your skins like us. Even jewelries, watches, glasses and purses were forbidden a couple years ago. They told me a female tribute from 5 tried to hide a few pearls when she went to the Games. But how or where I don't know", says Effie. Madge holds a laugh. She should thanks Cinna and Haymitch for not allowing her to wear those hideous things from the Capitol.
Madge chooses a simple green dress and white sandals. She lets her hair loose and put only a gloss on her lips. It tastes like grape. She definitely is hungry. She hurries outside her room, back to the main room. Dinner is served.
Rory and Portia are already sited.
Madge wished to talk freely with Rory. They should have planned some strategies together but that could raise lots of suspicious with Haymitch and the others. She will have to wait for Haymitch dictated his advices and then plan her owns.
"What do you think?", Haymitch asks. He comes out of his room with Cinna just behind him. His hair was cut and dyed. His beard was shaved and gave him a jovial attractive face. He was wearing an elegant black pants and white buttoned shirt.
"WHAT the Hell?", Effie yells. "During years a have been telling you to dress nicely and only now you do it?
"Just nice? Cinna will be disappointed. He expected better compliments", Haymicth pretends a disappointed face.
"You look unbelievable breath-taking awesome, Haymitch. I bet women around Capitol will curve at your feet begging your phone number", Madge replies. Her words just have a hint of sarcasm but she really meant most of them. Haymitch looked like a tramp before. Now, he looks decent for a citizen of District 12.
"Definitely, Haymitch looks much better. Good job, Cinna. I guess Haymitch won't be single much longer", Rory taps Cinna on his back. Cinna is smiling with happiness.
Madge analyzes Effie. Effie was with red cheeks, she looked angry, maybe jealous. Is about the make-over Cinna did? Does she want one for herself or… does she want Haymitch only for herself? She looked back at Haymicth. He was always alone back at District 12 but he never seemed to like Effie that much so far. They loathed each other.
"Okay, guys. Enough. We need to eat soon and watch the recaps from today", Portia says.
Dinner is served by the servants around the room. First, a nice salad. Second, mushroom soap. Third, pasta. Fourth,lamb. And after those Madge couldn't remember anymore. She was full but food wouldn't stop coming. She watched Rory, he was eating a little bit of every dish served.
Madge felt disgusting about the Capitol. Ever since they were drawn, food was never a problem for citizens of the Capitol. They had technology, safety, happiness. They could grow old and never worry for the sake of their children.
"Please, excuse me". Madge got up and ran to her room.
She was feeling dizzy and nauseous.
Rory had three brothers. He had a healthy mother. He had to win this. If only he could make through this and live up in the Victor's mansion. Gale wouldn't have to work in the mines anymore. Rory could invest in his brothers and help them open their own business. Vicky and Posy would never need tesserae. They could have better jobs and live longer.
Madge will have to make sure he makes it. She didn't have what he had. Her father was absent. Her mother always ill. No brothers or sisters. No one. If Madge makes it, it would only be a bonus for her. Only.
"How despicable we must seem to you", Cinna whispers. He is standing behind her holding a glass of water. "I still can't understand you, Madge. You're a beautiful mystery in my head. Your motivations captive me like a mariposa with fire. I know I'll get burn but, honestly, I don't care".
"Cinna…", Madge yelps. She can't tell him. He is kind and was making sure she and Rory had sponsors. The less he knows, the better and safer for him. "Forgive me, I just felt sick. That's all."
"Here, drink this. It's just water with medice for your stomach. Haymicth said you kids aren't used to eat this much back home". Cinna hands her water. "You need to go back to the room. It's mandatory you watch the recaps too."
Madge only nods her head.
What will people back home think of them? Was Katniss alright? Her mom and dad? Rory's family? She feels already so different so much mature than two days ago. She only hopes to achieve a few sponsors for now. One step at a time.
Author's Note, Part 2: So? What did you think? Haymitch and Effie do and will interact more in my fic. Did you notice he was there sober? Ha! No jokes about him catching on fire. Effie is also more affectionate towards Madge and Rory. Reasons will come later. Oh, and Cinna is not in love with Madge. He is only curious to this girl that had everything and is risking her life in the games. Again… reasons will be more explained later.
Thank you for reading!
NEXT CHAPTER: Others Point of View (Can you guess who will be?)