Chapter Three: All Beauty, No Brains.

It felt like I was being abducted away from normal civilisation and taken to a world of freaky aliens, who were lightyears in front of us with technology. I was shown how the citizens of the capitol live like royalty and we were their labour, did all their hard work, for very little to show for it.
Lace, our escort was crazy looking enough, but you could tell her style was toned down compared to a lot of the others here. Tattoos were huge in the capitol, but it seemed cosmetic surgery was too, with some people going as far as to get whiskers implanted into there cheeks.

I was greeted at the train station. Lace got of the train first, and formally greeted us 'distinguished Guests' to the capitol citizens. Marble got of the stage next with Granite, and immediately there was a flurry of photographs and flashes coming from what I could only call the capitol paparazzi. Luminous put her hand on my shoulder. "Come' dear", she said sweetly as she led me off the train.
Stepping onto the platform, I heard the crowd gasp as they saw me. I looked up as a billion flashes recorded me. It was blinding, I could really see anything. Luminious had to grab me, make m face down as led me away from the crowds.

"I have never seen such a frenzy on a first glance of a tribute", she commented seemingly happy about their response.
"Is that a good thing?", I replied breathless.

"Certainly. It means you have captivated them already. Already you are one to watch".
"Surly that will go against me? Make me more of a target", I frowned.
Luminous pursed her lips. "In some stances yes, but I don't think that will be a problem in your case. You haven't shown threat by being a skilled fighter, but by having breathtaking beauty. The tributes, and your allies won't take you seriously because of it, ultimately giving you the ball to play with it as you please".

I considered this for a few moments, her words swirling in my head. They are going to think I am some dumb blonde. That I don't actually know what I am doing. Well I will certainly show them.

Lace showed us the training building, the room in which we train in, is located in the basement, then there is the lobby area, and then our floor, which is on Level 1.

Being from district one, I always considered myself lucky, lucky to be a district in which the capitol favours, but you realise, once you have actually been to the city, that being favourable to the capitol doesn't actually give you nice things. I shudder to think what the living arrangements in other districts are like, if they are comparing it to our district, because compared to the capitol, district one alone lives in the slums. I have heard from school that some districts are really poor, many districts have an area in which is called 'the seam', in which the poorest of families live together in nothing more then huts.
Here in the capitol is completely different. Everyone is showered in riches. Everything is expensive. Everything is the best. Your treated like dirt everyday in the districts, but as soon as you become a tribute, your showered with kindness and fresh food and gifts. I guess it is the best they can offer considering they are killing 23 of us ultimately. They are just making us do the dirty work.

I am shown my room, which has an en-suit. My bed was huge. I could lay either way on it if I choose too. "Unfortunately being from district one has it disadvantages", she smiled sweetly.

"Other districts have it better then this", I questioned disbelivingly.

Lace laughed. "They get a real window", she said pointing to the window. I looked out and saw the capitol citizens walking around normally.

"I don't understand", I said frowning at the women. Has she gone mad?

Lace laughed again. "It's a television screen dear. We are too close to the floor to have a real window. The citizens would be able to see you and harass you. No, we had to protect your privacy".
I nodded. "Well it could have fooled me", I laughed.
Lace seemed pleased that I wasn't annoyed about the window. Had past tributes been upset about it.
Thats when I heard it. Marble. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN I DON'T GET A WINDOW", he roared down the corridor.
I rolled my eyes and shut my door. No need to have to listen to him more then that was necessary.
I looked around and flicked the TV on. Of course the only thing they would have on TV is re-caps of last years Hunger Games, which was in a nothing by desert. It lasted a whole 3 days. No where to hide you see. Only run. In the end it the victor was the boy from district two. Figures.

I walked into the bathroom and noticed that not only did they provide you with a shower, but a bath tub as well. The tub was large and luxurious obviously, but I had never seen one so shiny and so kept. There were more nuzzles on it then I had ever seen before. I turned on the obvious which was the hot taps, and then decided to play with some others, which dispensed some soaps. I laughed when I saw it, some pretty peculiar colours.

I fell asleep in the tub it was that relaxing. Most would find these moments distracting, or traumatic. Knowing you are actually going into the Hunger Games where you have very high chances of death. But I relished it. I was away from father. District one was merely memory to me. I could quite easily get used to being here. As long as I didn't have to be beaten anymore. Anywhere was better then home, and that included being on deaths doorstep.

I woke up an hours later, and got dressed in some clothes provided by the capitol from the wardrobe. This must have been done all last minute, for all the clothes were my exact size. Impressive.
I checked the time and saw it was 5:50. Lace had insisted before that we be at the reaping recaps at 6pm. Obviously I wanted to see this, wanting an impression of what my rivals would be like.

When I walked in, there was food on the table. "Luminous are we allowed some of this", I asked rubbing my stomach. I didn't realise how hungry I was until I saw the food.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, of course you can. Oh, and call me Lumos. I really hate my name".

I nodded and helped myself to some chicken and rice, and sat down on the sofa next to my mentor. Marbles arrived just in time for the recaps to start, but had a face like a slapped arse. It seems he isn't getting on too well with his mentor. I shrugged, nothing to do with me. Not my problem.

Of course, the reapings went in order, so I was the first tribute to represent the selection for this years games. The commentators straight away told how they were blown away with my good lucks and can't wait to see what they are going to do with my parade. I smiled to myself when they mention how ugly Marbles looks compared to me, and that he better have a better training score then me if he doesn't want to be over shadowed by my goddess flame.

I glanced at him and I could see he was furious, which only added to my personal glee. He didn't say anything though, probably because although he hates it, he knew it is true.

Next was district two tributes. Our allies. Of course they looked threatening. The girl was filthy and had dirt on her face and greasy hair. My nose crinkled up at the sight of her, and I could only imagine what she actually smelt like. The boy however was the complete opposite. He outdid Marbles in every-way. He was attractive and muscled and very well built. I knew instantly that I would have to keep my eye on him. For personal reason as well as for my own safety.

District three were nothing special. Both quite young, but there was something about the girl I was curious about. The crowd were definitely upset she had been chosen, so she must have been some kind of figure back in her district. But at only 13, I doubt she will accomplish much in the games. Four however was a disappointment, normally we ally with four but the girl was reaped and was only 13 and the boy, although a volunteer looked a bit scrawny and not up to scratch.
"Well thats interesting", commented Marbles raising his eyebrow.
"Just because she didn't volunteer doesn't mean she isn't a career. I know for a fact that they have regulations in four. If a career is reaped, no other volunteer is allowed to take his/her place".

My eyes narrowed as I looked at the girl. Could she be a killer? Doesn't really look like the type? But then could I be a killer? Does my beauty really should murder?

Districts 5 and 6 were equally average and nothing delightful. But district 7 got all of our attention. A volunteer. 18 years old lad who was as big as the district 2 boy. "Was it a relative", I asked my eyes widening at the site of him.

"No, his name is different to the slip", Marbles replied not caring who asked the question.
"Cousin?".
The taken aback district 7 escort obviously had the same thoughts as she asked him if she knew the lad he had taken the place off, to which he replied a blunt "no". He also refused to shake the hand of his tribute partner, and showed no signs of happiness of being there at all.
"I wonder what his story is", I said aloud to nobody in particular.

Lumos smiled, "I guess you can find out in training. I am guessing you will try and gain him as a career. From the look from 4, you are going to need the extra help".

Districts 8 -11 were again in my opinion average. I could find any special qualities about any of them, and district 12 were appalling racking in two thirteen year old who looked like they had never seen clean clothes before, let alone a weapon.

I closed my eyes as the programmed finished. I had enjoyed today. The trip to the capitol had been truly lovely, but you cannot escape the fact that soon 23 of the tributes will be dead. And I very well could be one of them.

"May I now be excused?", I asked politely.

Lumos looked at me and winked "Of course sweetheart. Goodnight".