AN: To guest. I'm sorry for the time delay for the next chapter, but I couldn't use Fanfiction for 3 days. Above all that, I've been incredibly busy as well. I hope this 2000 word chapter is a good enough apology for my slacking.
The screen blanks after the leader boards and Abadiscritto stands up, clapping his hands.
"I'd say it's time for you all to go to bed now. We have a big, big, big day tomorrow!" I roll my eyes, stand up and walk to my room. I melt into the soft, feathery duvets and dissolve into sleep.
************************************************************************************************************************ "Up, up, up! We have a busy day ahead of us! There is no time for dillydallying!" Abadiscritto cries, dragging away my covers, causing me to groan.
"Now, now, young lady. Your prep team will be here in an hour! Now pull on some clothes and join us in the dining room." I groggily climb out of bed, pull on a tee and some joggers, as well as a pair of trainers, before pulling my hair into a ponytail and walking to the food. I have pancakes covered in maple syrup and ice cream for breakfast. Then 12 strange Capitol people enter. 3 come over and shepherd me to the elevator. We take it to floor -2. There are lengths of covered over spaces, each only a few meters long and wide. I'm pulled into one and told to remove my clothing.
"Um, who are you people and why do you want to see my naked?!" I asked, honestly quite freaked out.
"Oh, how rude of us! My name is Phillipa and I am your head stylist." A purple lady informs. "The flowerbed is Livanna,"She indicates to a lady dressed in flowers, with flowers for hair, flower tattoos, like, the whole works. "And the Dalmatian is Doggy." She indicates to a pale man, coated in black spots and dressed in white clothing with black dots. He reminded me of Cruella De Ville. I hesitantly remove my clothing, these people are hardly, well, people anyway! I'm washed, first. they use a shower to hose me down and then coat me in a honey smelling oil/shower cream. Then they wash it off and rub on honey scented lotion.
"The Prince just adores the smell of honey!" Phillipa smiles, as she rubs some onto me. Then my hair is washed with a honey scented shampoo and conditioner. They trim my wet hair and then blow dry it. Next comes the dreaded waxing. Why can't they shave me?!
"Oh my! You are so hairy!" Livanna giggles as they apply the wax strips before ripping them off. I make yelps and grunts as I lose all my hair and probably several layers of skin. after that they rub in a honey oil, which soothes my sore skin. I'm given a think, light blue, hospital robe, that covers my chest and finishes half way down my legs. Phillipa works on my hair, Livanna my make up and Doggy my nails. My hair is pulled into a sleek ponytail, my hair slightly straightened. My face is painted with a thin coat of foundation, I'm given a mixture of browns, blacks and beiges on my eyes, creating a smoky, slightly scary look, that brings out my eyes. My lips are coated in a red lipstick and my cheekbones dabbed in bronzer. My nails are painted black, the tips turning gold.
"Now you get to meet your stylist! His name is Vector and he'll be in, in a minute." I'm left to my thoughts until a kind looking man comes in.
"Hello. My name is Vector and I'm your stylist." Vector had tanned skin and was in his mid 30's, I'd say, though unlike most Capitol citizens, he didn't try to hide his age. He had a crop of white hair and was dressed in white clothes. He seemed alright.
"hi. I'm Clove. Clove Fuhrman." I hold out my hand, which he politely shakes.
"Now, the plan for today is to make you look invincible, strong. We've got to overshadow the tributes from one, seeing as they're doing pretty well. Luckily, you're already a public favourite. Now, all of the tributes from your district are strong, including you. We need to get some meat on your bones before the interviews, but I can tell that you're strong and have muscles instead of fat. Today, you'll be dressed as a warrior." I nod in acceptance. This will either work and look great, or fail miserably. Only time will tell. He hands me a coat hanger, covered in a thin material. I'll leave you to get change and then I'll do a few tweaks." He leaves and I examine my outfit. I pull on a gold skirt, warrior like that fans out to my knees. It looks alright, I suppose. then I pull on an armour coated gold top. It isn't sexy, revealing or proactive, just cool. Vector walks in, nodding in approval.
"Perfect. It just needs a little something here," he straightens up the front, "And a little something here." He smooth's down the skirt. "And then I've got these," he holds up a pair on roman gladiator tie up sandals, "And this." He holds up a winged, gold helmet. He secures it on my head and ties up my shoes and then I'm finally done. Vector and I walk to the elevator and he presses a button for the ground floor. The elevator flies up and then the doors open into some sort of stable. Vector leads me over to the first chariot labelled 2.
"You and Alfie will be in this chariot. I want you to stand straight and proud, as if you need to do nothing to win the Prince's affections." I nod and he bids goodbye. "I'll see you after the parade." He calls over his shoulder as he walks away. I step onto the chariot and look around at my competition.
The first people I spot, are those infront of me, the district 1 tributes. The girls are giggling together and the boys and moaning about the costumes. Glimmer and Marvel, the first 2 tributes, are dress in fuchsia outfits, both bedazzled in gems. Glimmers dress is puffy and she wears a crazy, feathery headset. Marvel's suit is loose and he seems uncomfortable, as if the outfit is to unbearable to be seen in. The twins, Cashmere and Gloss were dressed in silver. Cashmere's dress was short and sparkly, while Gloss wears a sleeveless suit that is the same.
Next I see Alfie approach, his armour showing off his muscles.
"Hey, Clovey." He greets and I feel a pang in my chest for my sisters nickname for me.
"Don't call me that." I whisper and he drops the subject, looking concerned.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Don't worry about it." I interrupt. Enobaria and Brutus come next, dressed in masonry clothes. Enobaria styles a crop top and leggings that hug her thighs and butt, while Brutus styles a pair of shorts. They look fierce and intimidating so I decide against complementing. District 3 are dressed as cogs. Then comes district 4. the first two, the blonde girl and 12 year old boy, sport fish costumes. Then, Finnick, is just wearing a net, that covers his intimate areas and Annie is dressed as a mermaid, her dress like running, shimmering water. The people from district 5 were- well, I'm not sure what they were, they were just really glittery. District 6 were covered in netting and glitter and had these weird crescent moons framing their faces. The first set of district 7 tributes were white, to do with paper by how crisp and pristine it was and the second set were dressed as trees. District 8 looked like odd bods, just dressed in scraps of material hastily sewn together. District 9 was dressed in frilly, grey outfits, with gemstones. District 10 were all dressed as cowboys and girls. District 11's little 12 year old, Rue, was dressed in a shimmering, silky blue top ,with a dungaree dress and silver wheat headdress. The boy. Thresh, was wearing a white top, dungarees and had a matching headset. The second set of tributes were wearing flowery outfits, Seeder and Chaff, I think they were called and reminded me of Livanna. Districts 12 first set, Katniss and Peeta, were dressed in black suits and the second set were dressed in a different kind of black attire. The girl, Madge, the mayor's daughter, was dressed in a halternet black dress and the boy, Gale, a sleeveless suit.
"Tributes, please board your chariots." An automated voice calls out, killing all noise. Everyone scurries to their places and the chariots begin to pull forward. District 1's tribute seem to shine under the lighting, while it makes us seem ruthless and to be avoided. The last set from 4 look amazing, Annie, like a mermaid. The little girl from 11 is so cute! Waving and smiling at the crowd, this place will crush her innocence. The first set from District 12 are ablaze, the second like a smouldering fire. I salute their stylists. When we reach the end, the King and Prince stand on a balcony looking down on us.
"Welcome, welcome. Tributes...we welcome you." the King starts and the crowd erupt as if he hasn't just said welcome a couple of times, but something worthwhile. "We salute to your courage and sacrifice." I panic for a sec until I realise he means giving up our old lives. Well, Grandpa, we didn't really get a choice. Then we're led inside and I scoff. Really? They do all of this for 5 seconds. I'll just go out in joggers and a tee next time. We all disperse to our floors, using the multiple elevators. I end up in one with Rue, Thresh, katniss, Peeta, Madge, Gale, Finnick and Annie.
"Hey," I say, bending down to Rue. "You look amazing." She smiles at me and giggles.
"Thank you." She beams and Thresh frowns at me.
"What do you want, 2?" He growls and I hold my hands up in surrender.
"Nothing. I'm not after anything." I defend and he raises and eyebrow, grunting. Rue places a hand on his arm.
"It's Ok Thresh. She wasn't hurting me." She turns to me. "Thresh and my families are friends and he promised to look after me. he's just a little overprotective sometimes." I chuckle but nod in understanding.
"Don't worry about it." I turn to the District 12 lot. "I think it was really brave, setting yourselves on fire. You look amazing!" the mayors daughter smiles, Gale narrows his eyes along with Katniss and Peeta shrugs awkwardly.
"It wasn't real." Gale huffs and I sigh.
"Still. It looked pretty real." I say. "I'm really sorry about your sister." I say to Katniss and her expression softens.
"You had one too, didn't you?" I nod and she places a hand on my arm. "I'm really sorry. I know what you're going through." Gale scoffs, shaking his head.
"What she's going through? She's grown up, 10 bloody districts up! She's had a roof over her head, electricity, toys, school, new clothes, shoes, all the food and clean water she can eat! I bet she's never worked a freaking day in her life!"
"Gale!" Madge hisses. "I'm so sorry." She apologises. "He gets a bit...angry sometimes. It's not your fault. Being in a low district can be very eye opening. Gale doesn't usually get on with towns people like me and Peeta. His Dad died a few years ago and he's been working long hours in the mines, trying to keep his family alive ever since." I nod.
"I lost my Dad when I was 5. We live in a 3 roomed house, with no warm water, heat and very little electricity. My mother's been mentally sick ever since. She works as a washerwoman and I do my rounds, handing in and taking in the washing and collecting the money, often doing some myself. I've practically brought up my sister since she was born! We only just manage to get by, living off stew, porridge and stale bread. The job I got at the bakery was because I needed a dress for the reaping and we couldn't afford one." I spit at Gale who's face pales and he hangs his head in shame at his jumping to conclusions. "I'll see you all tomorrow." I say as I walk out of the elevator, onto my floor. I shower away my make up and fall into a deep, dark sleep.