I suppose a lot of things happened in the last chapter. It was a very long one and I tried to cut some parts of the story as to not make it so long. We have our tributes but that's not all. Once we reach the Capitol, we will get to know other tributes from other districts as well, don't you worry about that. I just wanted to focus on Hayley and the Mikaelsons for now.
In this chapter, Hayley and Josh will experience things at the Capitol they've never experienced before and it's going to be a long ride to see what will happen before the real competition begins. The main characters haven't even met yet. There is a long way to go before the actual Hunger Games. I will keep in mind the pairings you gave me.
Thank you for reading and please leave me reviews! It really helps me get inspiration and motivation to write :)
District 12: Hayley Marshall
The Next Morning
There was something new and odd about the smells and the sounds and my bed felt way too comfortable. I opened my eyes and I looked out the window. I was in a train and I was moving. I immediately stood up and looked around, my memory finally coming back to me. I was on the train that would take me to the Capitol. I took in a deep breath as I examined the perfectly good clothes on me. The material was so soft. I had no idea clothes like these even existed. The wardrobe was open and there were so many outfits to choose from. The bed was perfectly well shaped and it looked absolutely gorgeous and rich in colors. The whole room did actually and this was just something on the train. I wondered what would happen when we would arrive at the Capitol. I was chosen as my district's tribute along with Josh. I looked at the clock and it showed that it was exactly 9 AM. Effie told me that at 10 AM, we would be arriving at the Capitol. I sighed and grabbed a good pair of clothes, getting out of the room.
To my surprise, Josh's bedroom door was wide open and he was already at breakfast. He didn't look like much of a sleeper. As usual, Effie, Kieran and Josh were having breakfast together. I entered the room and sat down at the table with them. "Once again, you manage to be late, just like you were last night for dinner." Kieran commented with a small smile as I sat down. I smiled back at him and put some of that good butter on toast and started eating. Just because I hadn't eaten this kind of food before, that doesn't mean that I had no idea how to eat. "I am excited to see the Capitol. I've heard so many things about it and seen it on TV." Josh exclaimed and offered me a smile too. I thought that he was speaking to me this time. "I suppose." I mumbled. I was not excited to be going there, the place filled with people that have killed other innocent children with these games and many more will follow them to the grave this year. I hated them especially that president of theirs. "Come along now! Eat up the lot of you. We have a very big day ahead of us." Effie exclaimed and I nodded, decided to listen to her as she knew best. Getting there with an empty stomach was not in the plans.
"Don't get too excited, Josh. It won't be what you expect. They will be gullible to you and they will try to sweeten you up but what they're really after is completely different. Every person in there has at least two faces and they will want to test you, they will follow your every move. Once you're there, you are under their control. They can do whatever they want with you. You have to resist until the games when it comes to publicity. You will be shown on television almost every night so don't go around doing something that you fear will cost you sponsors or even your life." Kieran informed him and then looked at me. "Now, I know that boys may be interested in alcohol and I am warning you, Josh…" "Yes, I got the message." "…but you are different, Hayley." "Because I am a girl? What could I possibly do?" "Just don't let yourself be influenced or fall for someone's charms. It won't end well for you." I shook my head. "I am not that kind of girl, Kieran. You don't know me at all." I whispered.
Breakfast turned out to be quiet afterwards and things between all of us were solved very easily but once again, Jake and Lucy came into my mind. I shouldn't be having a good time with these people. As long as I was here, I was to act as emotionless as possible. My mother told me when I was younger that you feel less pain that way. She knew from past experience I suppose when my father died. "I hear that you used to have a job, Hayley." Kieran whispered and looked at me, confused. "I was allowed, yes. With the new rules and everything…especially since our mother abandoned us and our father is dead. My brother and my sister needed special care and as the eldest, it was my responsibility." I whispered. "Are they in good hands right now? Who did you leave them with?" I shook my head. "With no one. We have no one. No relatives." I whispered and continued eating, mostly enjoying the homemade bread. "I see…"
"Would it be possible for me to send some of this delicious food to them?" I asked. Kieran shook his head. "A lot of tributes tried this before. It's not permitted. Only the tributes are allowed such fame and nourishment because whether you like it or not, you will need good food in training." "Training?" "You didn't honestly think that you are going out there without days of actual training right?" Kieran asked surprised and Josh looked at me as if I've grown another head.
"Oh, we are finally here." Effie said, looking at her watch. I looked out the window and got up from the table, same as Josh. We had finally entered the Capitol and there were people, very colored people cheering for us. "What are we supposed to do?" Josh asked. "Do what you must. Smile at them and socialize. Act very excited and act strong in front of them. They are your fans after all and they plan on getting to know you better for the next few days that you'll be here before entering the arena for The Hunger Games." Kieran explained. I watched them all how they were smiling and looking like they were the happiest people on Earth that we have finally arrived. "So we are supposed to just suck up their love and friendship for the next couple of days? What if I don't want to? These people look so shallow." I commented, crossing my arms over my chest. "Well, let's put it this way. If you don't, you won't get sponsors meaning that no one will root for you to win, meaning that you will be the most likely one the die in less than one hour in that arena, meaning that you will never get to see your brother and sister again, meaning that you will leave them alone and starving meaning you breaking your promise to them that you are going to be there for them." Kieran said rather quickly. I sighed and realized how right he was. Katniss was never known as a very sociable person but she looked amazingly friendly on television from what I remembered. Maybe this really was just an act after all to survive. I could do the same thing, as Kieran proposed but it would be very difficult.
The train stopped and Effie made us come with her to the exit. "Do not worry about the rest of the things on the train. They will be brought to you very soon." She told us and we followed her. People were yelling and screaming excitedly once we stepped out of the train. They weren't allowed to touch or speak to us yet and I couldn't care less. I didn't care about giving them a smile of mine now. All I cared about was finding a way out of this place so that I could go back home. Josh was doing the exact opposite in fact. He was trying to get people's attention even though Effie was trying to get him to move along with her and ignore the crowd for now. Josh must have been really desperate to get these sponsors that Kieran was talking about. "Just keep going, Hayley." Kieran was whispering to me behind me and I nodded.
District 2: Niklaus Mikaelson
The Next Morning
I found myself sitting on the sofa to my new room at the Capitol. We had arrived yesterday pretty quickly and I had immediately gone to watch what these people on television were saying about the tributes. Most importantly, I was looking to find the District 12 tributes. I knew very well why. I had to keep myself focused and focused on them to avenge Cato and Clove. It had been 3 years but the agony that I couldn't do anything in that time really haunted me. All they were doing was praising Districts 1 and 2 for their amazing effort to maintain the peace and we were praised for our loyalty to the Capitol, therefore, we were filled with riches. Everyone knew that. I smirked as I saw my face appear once again and my brother's face too, but not as often as mine. The Mikaelsons were the most popular loyal family to the Capitol and I was proud of that. Camille came in at that moment and again sat down on the couch beside me. I had no idea what I was doing that made it so damn interesting to her.
"What are you doing? Still watching yourself on television?" she asked me with a smirk. "Why do you ask? Are you jealous that you don't appear?" I asked her and she smiled and shook her head. "You are so full of yourself." "You're not the first person to tell me that, Bookworm." I whispered. She snapped her book shut. I think that I finally managed to hit a nerve. "You really are a jerk you know that? The only blonde that you seem to respect is your sister. You didn't respect Caroline and you sure as hell don't respect me." Camille said and I sighed. "You can wish to be the kind of woman that can survive in the games but you're not and I hold no respect for people who just come here to make me look bad." "Make you look bad? I am perfectly capable of looking out for myself out there. Take a hike, Klaus!" "You take a hike, sweetheart and realize that the most you'll be able to do is hit someone in the head with that book of yours." I told her with a devilish smile, knowing that I really pissed her off. She finally stood up and looked at me. "You know what, I came here because our mentor recommended us that even though we don't like each other, we can at least try and be partners and look out for one another in the games." "Sorry but I don't partner up with people like you. If I am going to get myself allies out there, I am going to do it my way and not because I am supposed to be stuck with you. Face it, Camille, you don't stand a chance." I told her and she huffed. "Oh yeah, we'll see about that! When you're in danger, don't you dare call out for me to help you out because I won't!"
Gora came into the living room at that moment and put her hands on her hips. "You should not be treating her like that. Whether you like it or not, you are her partner in the games. Districts 1 and 2 don't operate like the other districts do, remember that. You are all going to be sticking together out there." She explained and I shook my head. "In case you haven't heard, the male tribute from District 1 happens to be my oldest brother, Elijah whom I haven't seen in years and we loathe one another since we were born. There is no way in hell I wish to lay eyes on him, much less partner up with him." I told her and she scoffed. "I am going to talk to Camille. And you should know that we should be taking both of you to the salon instantly to get cleaned up." I shrugged. "What's the point? I took a shower." "It's more than that, boy! You will be appearing on television for the whole period of The Hunger Games and as a Career Tribute, you need to look splendid and so does Camille. Go ahead and get dressed. You're coming with me."
District 1: Elijah Mikaelson
The Next Morning
We have arrived at the Capitol in about an hour the other day and I had seen my brother on television. He was the most praised, being a Career Tribute who finally had the courage to volunteer for the games. I knew what he was up to. He wanted to avenge his tributes, and he was acting just as repulsively about this as Katherine was. I couldn't believe that she was right here with me. She had barely spoken to me and went straight to bed, choosing to sleep quite a lot. We got the apartment on the first floor, being from District 1. The view wasn't that great. It would have been majestic had we been put at the penthouse but that was where the tributes from District 12 would be staying. They must have arrived this morning, being the furthest one away from the Capitol, literally and figuratively speaking.
Katherine came out of her room and I looked at her a bit worried. "What do you want, Elijah?" she asked me immediately even though I hadn't done anything but look at her. "What is going on with you? How many times do I have to ask you?" She just shook her head. "Nina says that we have to get to the salon to do us a complete makeover for this blasted television show. You should get ready." She wanted to leave but I stepped right in front of her face. She smirked at me, that smirk that I used to love when we were dating. "What is it, Elijah? What do you want from me? Do you want us to pick a fight before The Hunger Games have even started?" "Do not play with me, Katerina. Not this time. I am asking you to tell me what is going on. You have been praying for a lifetime to get in The Hunger Games and avenge your friend. What happened now? Why aren't you excited that your dream came true?" She looked at me like I'd grown another head and that was bothering me even more. I didn't mind this side of Katherine. I accepted her for who she was but sometimes, she could be a little too cruel.
"Katerina, listen to me! Whatever it is, I can help you." "No, you can't and you shouldn't, really because I think that right now you have bigger problems to deal with and by that, I mean your brother, Klaus. You are competing against him this year, remember? Focus on that and don't focus on me that much." Katherine told me and turned her head where Nina was there with our mentor watching us. "Let's get to work! We have some real grooming to do, not that you really need it, being from the best and richest District and all." Nina said with a sweet smile. "I can groom myself, Nina." "Nonsense, Katherine. You will be taken care of. You know that you have the Tribute Parade tonight. You need to look your best." "And what of our costumes?" I asked her. "I don't know. That will be up to your stylist but I don't think that there will be much change from any other years. You will most probably be wearing the same glamorous pink furs that represent royalty, dignity and the wealth of District 1." Nina told us. "I like pink, but maybe I can make a few suggestions to the stylist to add some black to it." Katherine said and looked back at me. "Shall we?" she asked. She held out her hand and I took it, trying to be polite and led her out of our room, with our mentor and Nina following.
We had been washed in some machines and taken care of so that we looked very stylish. "That's wonderful! He's glowing!" Nina exclaimed with a smile as he watched me. I got myself out of the bath and I couldn't believe the way they were handling me as if I was in fact a woman, with manicures and pedicures… "Is this really necessary?" I asked Nina and she smiled. "Only the best for my 2 tributes. It's a television show, darling. It's supposed to be this way. You need to look your splendid." She told me and at that moment, I saw Katherine getting out of the bath and she was glowing, breathtaking…beautiful. I gaped at her as she made her way to get her nails done and she glanced at me with a small smile, a genuine smile this time. I began to realize why I had fallen in love with her years ago. I loved her still and she could never understand that. I also couldn't help but think a lot about what she said to my brother. I would be fighting against him. I would have no choice and we were both Mikaelsons who had to honor the family name. Our stylist sighed. "Alright, there is nothing more I can do to you. I will have to think of costumes for tonight though so we'll keep in touch. You're free to go now."
"I am so glad we have this salon made especially for us. I could have used a lot more pampering but I guess it's enough for one day. So what would our costumes be like?" Katherine asked our stylist and he shook his head. "The regular, I guess. It's supposed to be something that would represent your district and I guess we will stick to the pink fur." "Then make sure to add just a little tiny detail to it." Katherine replied. "What?" "A little more black for cunningness." I smiled at her this time. She was exactly the same old Katherine that I remembered.
District 2: Niklaus Mikaelson
The Salon
I couldn't believe that I was doing this. It wasn't necessary at all, but they were supposed to make me look good on TV so I wasn't complaining that much. Camille, on the other hand, was complaining that they didn't get her hair right or her nails or whatever the hell she wanted. This time, even Gora was rolling her eyes at her. She was being too picky for a girl like her, not a step away from my ex-girlfriend, Caroline. I sighed and rolled my eyes. They were all the same. "It's just the tribute parade." I groaned at her and shook my head as she was looking over the manicures and pedicures. "Yes, and I need my make-up all done, if I am going to get people to sponsor me. Don't you know how it goes?" Camille snapped at me and I smirked. It wasn't like I needed to try. I could easily throw them a dashing smile and I would win more sponsors than her.
"Our theme of the district has always been masonry so you are going to wear those golden and special Roman themed armors, alright?" The stylist told us and I grinned. I kind of liked the idea even though Camille didn't seem to enjoy it. "District 1 always has that pretty pink fur costumes. Why can't we?" she complained. "Because that is not our theme, don't you hear? Luxury is their theme and even though we are pretty rich ourselves, we have a different theme and we stick to the Roman Armors whether you like it or not." I snapped at her and she turned away from me as the people there were still making her pedicures. "Alright, I think we have enough complaining. Your mentor will explain to you what you need to do the minute that you go out there for the first time and you're being shown to the world." She might have said some other things but I wasn't paying any attention. All that perfume in the salon was making me sick. "I need some air." I told Gora and headed for the door and outside the salon.
I was finally seeing with my own eyes the tributes that I wanted to inspect. The tributes from District 12 were being led by the Capitol woman and their mentor towards the salon. The boy who was representing District 12 didn't pose much as a threat. He looked skinny and weak and from the look on his face when he saw the salon being this big, he was to be considered very stupid. "Piece of cake." I whispered to myself when I thought about how easy it would be to kill that guy to avenge the death of the other tributes from my past. Then, my eyes went over to the girl. She looked to be about 16 years old and she was looking around, very amazed by what she was seeing but only her eyes showed that. Her mouth was straight and she looked serious. Whether I liked to think that way or not, she was in fact beautiful, no doubt about that. Her thick and glorious brown hair would make that happen and her piercing green like emerald eyes. "Hmm." I thought as I watched her. She didn't look like much of a threat either, despite her looks that could kill anyone, but then again I didn't consider the shy girl, Katniss Everdeen, much of a threat either and she turned out to be the victor along with her partner.
They were moving fast and I realized that it must have taken them quite a while to get here, a whole day by train, I believed. Then, the girl's eyes met mine and she frowned slightly as I turned my direction to something else out there. She frowned at me as if she recognized me from somewhere. I sure as hell didn't know her, but there was something odd about her as I watched the Capitol woman and the mentor lead both of them into the salon. There was indeed something captivating and mysterious about this girl. Nevertheless, I had to keep reminding myself that she was Katniss' successor and she should be considered by the Careers the main enemy. I knew that I would see her soon and I would have to find out what she's up to and what she's capable of. At that moment, Camille came out with her hands on her hips. "Just so you know you are wanted back inside, now!" she told me with a smirk and I smirked back. "What do you want from me, Bookworm?" I asked her. "First of all, I need you to stop calling me that. I have a name and secondly, I want to be your partner. Is that so much to ask?" "Alright, fine! I'll be your partner in this." Camille was smiling up at me and whispered, "Good to know." Before she winked at me and turned back to the salon. I rolled my eyes. What was that about?
District 12: Hayley Marshall
The Salon
"What is going on here?" I whispered as I saw so many different people with colored hairdos and covered with makeup were waiting for us. "We are running out of time, my dear and we are already behind schedule as we are the last team to arrive here at the Capitol. Tonight, you know what will happen. There is a Tribute Parade in which you will go out on chariots and you will be presented to the world, to all the people of the Capitol, including the President and the people at home who watch our television show. "So, you are going to groom us or something?" Josh asked and smiled as he looked around. "Please remember why we are here, Josh." I told him in a whisper. "So what? You think that just because my life is in danger that I am just going to stop enjoying it? I don't mean to say anything, Hayley but you have some issues." Josh told me and I shrugged. Maybe I did but I sure as hell was the only one thinking clearly around here.
"Okay, if the 2 of you are going to stop bickering, you should know that Effie and I have some business to attend to so we are going to leave you in the hands of our professional stylist, Rona!" Kieran introduced us and then they left. Cinna was the one I was hoping to see but I remembered that he was killed during The 75th Hunger Games. This girl was also African American and she didn't look very friendly. "Alright, we'll start off with showers and long hours of scrubbing in places you could never imagine. It would have been easier had I had the ones from Districts 1 and 2. They're the cleanest people I have seen in ages." Rona commented. "Because they have money given to them by the Capitol because they're their favorites." I told her and she looked at me in shock of the way I was speaking but didn't seem to mind. "Well, you're right about that but don't let other people hear you say that." she whispered with a smile. We got put in showers, my hair was brushed and my eyebrows were arranged, I was waxed everywhere for the first time in my life. "Ahh!" I yelled out when she waxed my second leg. "Oh my goodness, girl. Where do you two live? With rats or something? You're both going to need a lot more of washing before we even begin with the makeup." Rona said and that bothered me.
"So, what are our costumes going to be like? Are we going to ride out there in flames like Katniss Everdeen?" Josh asked with a goofy and excited smile. Rona shook her head sadly. "Listen, kids, if I am going to help you out on this one, you need to understand something. Cinna was one of the best stylists on the planet and Katniss was sure as hell lucky to have him, but I am not him alright and I can't do as much as he did and so flames are out of the question." "Why? They're just fake flames but they don't need to know that." Josh argued but I gave him a stern look. "So, what can you do for us?" I asked. "Dress you up as coalminers, what your district represents." Rona told me simply. I knew just how boring that was going to be.
It couldn't happen at all. Kieran had told me that I needed to show everyone my style to get sponsors. Coalminer costumes sure as hell wouldn't do that. "Dress us up in silver." I finally told her. She looked at me kind of shocked. "What does that mean? What does that represent?" she asked me. "It symbolizes peace and justice." I told her and she softened when she thought of it. "Just silver? I can't let you go out there just in silver. You need something else added to it. It's too plain that way." She then thought for a moment and nodded. "I heard on the news that there would be a full moon tonight. It's perfect. I know what to do. Leave it to me."
That night, we were out there and Rona was hoping that she would make us stars. Josh and I were both dressed up in sparkling silver costumes and she did well to put us good makeup on. I felt so different and on one part, I loved being dressed up like this but on the other part, I needed to think about Lucy and Jake and what I would need to do to survive The Hunger Games. Rona was standing with us near our chariot as the other stylists were standing with their tributes. Rona finally pulled out a box and spread some hot liquid on us. "What are you doing?" Josh asked. "Just trust me. Keep the liquid on and don't freak out once you get out there." "What's going to happen?" I asked. Rona smiled. "The moon will reflect on you and it will make you shine the way you never expected. You will certainly get the crowd's attention with this." I smiled at her and whispered, "Thank you, Rona." "Don't thank me. It was mostly your idea. You wanted it to represent peace and now everyone will know exactly what you're talking about."
District 2: Niklaus Mikaelson
The Tribute Parade
I was not dressed up in the same old and gold roman costumes that every tribute from District 2 has worn in its history. Camille had complained about why we couldn't wear something new. With her geek routine, there was no way in hell that it would be easy for her to get sponsors. She needed a perfect costume for tonight, and it wasn't like she got it. All I would need to do was wave and flash a couple of smiles to get attention. I was a Career Tribute. Everyone would bet on me instantly. I was standing there, proud and tall as I looked over at the other tributes. I finally eyed my brother. Elijah. I hadn't seen him in a very long time. He was looking good and strong and so was the female tribute with him, Katherine or something from what I heard on television. I didn't know what I was going to do about my brother. I didn't even know if he saw me and I couldn't care. We would settle this in the arena when the time came.
Looking over at the other tributes some more, I finally spotted the ones from District 12. The stylist was explaining something important to them because otherwise, they wouldn't have been listening this closely. I couldn't stop looking at that female tribute from 12 though. She had a beautiful smile on her face and finally hugged her stylist which I took as in complete shock. It wasn't like she had done her a favor. She was doing this because she had to. "What do you keep staring at?" Camille asked, glancing at the tributes from District 12. "Ah, I see! This is about avenging the former District 2 tributes, right? Don't worry. You'll get your chance soon enough. Honestly, when I look at that girl from a distance, I can say that she looks exactly like Katniss Everdeen to me. Can't wait to slip my claws into her hair." Camille was giggling but I wasn't paying attention. I was still looking at her and admired what she was wearing. "Doesn't seem like they are dressed up as coalminers and I don't see any of that flame." I told Camille. She scoffed. "It's a little pathetic if you ask me. They're not even dressed according to their district. They should be coalminers. The public will surely disrespect them for not representing their district properly like we are." Finally, I shook my head and looked away from them.
The parade had begun and the people were surrounding the place, waiting excitedly for us to appear. All the tributes have boarded their chariots and were assembled in line according to district and waiting to be given the cue to enter and start with all that waving and smiling crap for sponsors. "Don't try and mess this up for me." Camille whispered as she finally got up on the chariot next to me. "How could I mess this up?" "I don't know. Just don't do it. You have a very good chance of getting sponsors and this might be my only chance. Don't ruin it for me." "Thanks for the warning. I will try not to keep that in mind." I said with a smirk at her. Before she could respond, came the countdown and we were set off to enter the arena on our chariots. The doors were wide open and we could hear people screaming, throwing red roses and clapping at us. My brother and Katherine were right in front of us wearing those horrid fuchsia fur costumes. They were both waving calmly at the crowd with small smiles. Then came me and Camille who did the same thing. Well, my partner added some air kisses and huge laughs to back her up. It still didn't seem to help her that much. I did my best and flashed that smile of mine across the place and people were blowing me kisses in fact.
Finally, after we had moved a while, there were sounds much louder when the tributes from District 12 made their appearance. They were showed on screens as they laughed, smiled and waved at the crowd, holding their hands up in victory just as Katniss and Peeta had done with their flames, only this time, these 2 were shinning the way it would make your eyes burn. I looked up in shock as I saw the full moon reflecting upon them. "Oh my God! They can't do that!" Camille was saying as she looked up at the moon and the way it was reflecting only the tributes from 12. "Apparently they can." I whisper and looked back and caught the girl's eyes from a distance. She was beautiful now glowing with the moon in silver. "You know, silver is in fact a very promising color that symbolizes peace, freedom and the calm moon at the same time. Do you think these 2 young tributes are trying to send everyone a message? Anyway, the stylist from District 12, even if she is not our lovable Cinna, God Rest his Soul, has really done a fabulous job of impressing us!" I could hear none other than Caesar Flickerman saying that over the radio that could be heard by everyone out there. They only filmed those 2 and almost completely forgot about the rest. "Once again. District 12 manages to outshine the others."
We all stopped once we reached the ending of the way and we looked up to see President Snow standing there with a grin as he saw us. There was something about him that I hated even though he has done a lot of good to my family. "Welcome! I welcome you all!" he exclaimed into the microphone with a smile and rounds of applauses could be heard from everywhere. "I welcome you, our tributes who have come here, chosen and destined for greatness to show us the true meaning of courage, bravery and sacrifice! Happy Hunger Games…and May the odds be ever in your favor!" he declared and then he waved goodbye as the chariots were taken out of the arena, announcing the end of the parade. "Are you kidding me? That was it? What am I supposed to do now? Grr, those blasted tributes from 12 are going to pay for this. They completely outshone us. Are you just going to stand like this and do nothing?" Camille was speaking to me. The stylist had helped us out of our chariots and I was still looking at the tributes from 12, especially at that emerald eyed girl. There was something about her… "Well, are you going to do something? We're partners in this, Klaus and you have to help me!" I nodded as I continued to look at those 2 from a distance. "Oh, I will do something…but at the right place and at the right time." I told Camille and she seemed to have calmed a little.