Hebe woke up the next morning, not to the sound of Ambrosia's shrieking in her ear but Luca peeking around her door, fully dressed, softly saying her name
She shot up in bed, caught off guard by his presence but more worried about anything else.
Hebe had known Luca for many years before the reaping, although the extent to which he seemed to have latched onto her was surprising. He attended the academy and was friends with Annie's younger sister, Selene, so he was familiar. He was always surprisingly polite considering most boys his age were vain and arrogant, not to mention moronic. So Hebe felt for the boy, he didn't deserve to be on this train, headed towards his imminent death. So she had made a vow to protect him. If she couldn't make it she would do everything in her power to make sure that Luca did.
"Are you ok Luca?" Hebe asked softly, standing up out of her bed.
"Yeah I'm fine. Sorry for waking you up. We have an hour until breakfast and I was thinking we could watch some of the old tapes from the games. I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep." He said, trailing off slightly.
Hebe smiled, "Sure thing. I'll get changed and meet you in the last compartment."
Luca smiled back at her, seeming more at ease, clearly he had been worried about having woken her up. She turned and began pulling her dress from the reaping back on slipping her shoes back on, opting to leave her hair loose. She walked down the corridor to the last compartment where she found Luca holding several highlight reels, all from victors from 4. Hebe sat down on the sofa, as Luca got up to put on Adrian Morris' games, the winner of the 58th games.
He had won by secretly allying with the tributes from 7 before the games while publicly joining with the careers. He would meet with the two during the games when he was sent off to fish a nearby lake. When all of the rest of the tributes had died off, he then led the male tribute from 1 and the female tribute from 2 away from the main group and ambushing them, stabbing the girl from behind and drowning the boy in a nearby river, leaving the two from 7 to take care of the rest of the careers, including his own district partner. The pair of tributes from 7 managed to overpower the careers, but when Adrian rendezvoused with them back at the camp he found that the girl from 7 had beheaded her district partner with her axe. Adrian fought the girl but she was no match for him. He broke her neck.
Luca and Hebe watched, almost enraptured. Hebe knew that she had to do something equally as devious to capture the attention of the Capitol. The only reason Adrian lasted so long was because of the generous sponsors that he earned by being not only charming but creating a scheme so clever and interesting that people couldn't turn away.
Her plotting was interrupted by Ambrosia knocking on the door to their compartment, calling them for breakfast. The pair stood and made their way down the hall yet again, walking in step behind Ambrosia to the dining car.
Mags and Finnick were sat in the same seats as yesterday, their tributes following suit. Their ridiculously dressed escort took her seat at the head of the table and quickly began babbling about today's itinerary. Hebe switched off, already knowing that today was their arrival in the Capitol and tribute parade. She was only broken from her daydreaming by Finnick's voice cutting through the haze of her thoughts.
"You'll be brought to the remake centre and taken in by your prep teams. Don't make a fuss, and don't argue with them. And don't be a brat, rumours spread fast in the Capitol." He said, almost sternly. Hebe resented being treated like a child when they were the same age. Who was he to talk to her like that?
The irritation clearly showed on her face as Finnick then turned to her, asking, "Is there a problem, Cross?" He glared at her, practically spitting out her name like it left an unpleasant taste in his mouth. Hebe furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Had she done something to offend him?
"No, no problem." She replied calmly, still perplexed by his strange reaction to her. What a weirdo.
They finished off their breakfasts in relative silence, Hebe savouring the last morsels of her fried breakfast, which had been a meal of eggs, sausages and toast piled high on her plate. She quickly excused herself to her room, wanting some time alone before they reached the Capitol and was swamped by people for the rest of the day.
Her wish for peace was not granted however as on the way to her room she was cornered by Finnick, yet again asking her questions.
"Why do you hate me so much?" He asked. Hebe whipped around. This question probably confused her more than any of his actions so far.
"What?"
"You heard me."
"Yeah I did, I'm just confused."
She was genuinely lost yet he looked at her like he was making perfect sense and she was just being evasive.
"Well at breakfast you basically rolled your eyes at me-" He started, before Hebe cut across him angrily. Was he really this pathetic?
"Oh my god is that what this is about? I'm sorry if I don't kiss the ground you walk on but I'm here to win not stroke your ego."
"Really? I thought you were here for my own personal amusement. My mistake I'll make sure to actually mentor you now." Finnick replied, voice dripping with sarcasm. Hebe didn't let herself be fazed.
"Why thank you. Could you add 'stop treating my tributes like they're 5 years old' to that list?" She stared up at him coolly, him seeming slightly shocked by her neutral expression. He quickly recovered though, seeming significantly less annoyed than he had just moments before.
"You're way more interesting than I thought you'd be." He said, a familiar smirk gracing his face. And then, before she could respond or even react, he began walking away, telling her they'd be in the Capitol in less than 20 minutes.
Hebe simply stood outside the door to her compartment, trying to process what had just happened. God why couldn't she have been given a sane mentor. It would make her life so much easier. That thought in mind she stepped inside her apartment, sitting in one of the sea green armchairs and waiting for her arrival in the Capitol.
Ambrosia came to collect her this time, leading her to the doors to get off the train, Luca, Mags and Finnick already waiting for her.
"When you get off, smile. Wave. Act gracious and humble, but don't forget to be determined. They give you anything, flowers, gifts, you take it, thank them, and move on. We don't have all day." Finnick said as Ambrosia flitted between the two tributes, fixing hair and straightening collars.
"So basically be as appreciative as possible in as little time as possible but don't make it seem like you're rushing, as well as acting gracious and humble and determined and polite. Oh and wave." Hebe replied, raising an eyebrow. Why did everything have to be so complicated?
"You forgot to smile." Finnick said, shooting her a sly grin. Hebe just chuckled, and then she was thrown to the monster.
There were hundreds of them, swarming and pushing to try and catch a glimpse of the two tributes. They were certainly unnerving with their large assortment of strange body modifications, dyed skin, tattoos of animal prints, fur, nails so long they could be used as deadly weapons, eyelashes even longer. Despite how disturbed Hebe might be by them, she plastered on a smile, waving until it felt like her hand was going to fall off, Luca did the same. Someone handed her a flower over the barricade, a tulip, a black one. She smiled, thanking them, trying not to get lost in a memory of her mother.
She was 8 years old again, sat in her mothers garden, her pride and joy. It was springtime, mid April, and her mothers tulips were in full bloom, her favourite flower. Every morning before school she would show Hebe which new flowers had bloomed, and although Hebe would pretend to be bored, she secretly loved it, loved how happy it made her mother.
Until her father died. Their garden was now overgrown with weeds, her mother never bothering to plant new tulips. The only thing that remained was a patch of white and blue forget-me-nots, that would be swept over as seeds from the garden next door.
Hebe blinked, remembering where she was, and began smiling and waving even more vigorously than before. They chanted her and Luca's names but she could barely hear it above the roar inside her own head.
And then it was over, the two whisked away from the crowds, the doors slamming behind them in the Remake centre. Hebe looked down at her hand that held the black tulip, its dark colour reminding her of how unnatural the Capitol is as a tear threatened to slip down her cheek. She threw the tulip in a bin next to her and wiped away the tear, pushing thoughts of her mother to the back of her mind.
She was then collected by her prep team and rushed to one of the rooms to be prepared for her stylist, separated from her mentors and Luca before she had a chance to say anything.
They sat her down on a metal slab, introducing themselves.
The first was a middle-aged woman named Boa, she had long pale arms and legs coated in tattooed scales and eyelashes that threatened to swat Hebe in the face whenever she got too close. The second was a tall man with dark skin named Blaire, who seemed to be the same age as Boa. His hair had been dyed to replicate flames and he was dressed in all black leather. The final member of her team was a woman with pale skin and eyes, and bright white hair, she was undeniably beautiful and despite being the most striking of the trio appeared the most normal. She looked to be around 25 and spoke only very softly. Hebe thought her name was Vesta, but she said it so quietly couldn't be sure due to how quiet she said it.
They all flitted around her, chirping like insects as they made small talk with each other, and Hebe, asking her all kinds of questions about 4 and her life there. She answered them as politely as she could considering all of her body hair was being vigorously waxed. They told her they thought she was beautiful, and they were lucky they hadn't been given an ugly tribute like the boy they had last year. Hebe was yet again surprised by the blatant comment towards her looks. She'd never thought herself anything special although her mother would constantly bang on about it, telling her how pretty she was, but Hebe just assumed mother's were supposed to say that to their children.
Her prep team hosed her down again, before moving on to her makeup. Boa inspected her nails, tutting at their short length.
"Why did you cut your nails so short sweetheart! They would be so pretty long!" She exclaimed the way people in the Capitol had a tendency to. Hebe chuckled, shrugging and saying,
"I play violin and to play it properly you have to cut them really short. Look, if you feel the edge of my fingers you can feel the callouses you get."
Blaire gasped in delight at this, and started asking her questions about music. He was clearly a musician himself and Hebe smiled in the knowledge that Capitol people weren't entirely alien. Vesta smiled from above her, saying that she must be very talented.
Vesta was in charge of doing her makeup for her face and currently seemed to be in the process of drawing large swirls stemming from her eyes and reaching her temples. Boa had moved on from her nails having been put off by the story of how Hebe's fingers used to bleed when she played for too long and was instead sticking small pearls along her arms and legs forming a similar pattern of swirls to the ones she could feel Vesta drawing onto her face.
Soon they were done, leading her down the hall to another room to await her stylist. They wished her luck saying they would be in the crowd to cheer her on. Then they shut the door leaving her momentarily alone, feeling slightly ridiculous sitting on a slab with nothing on but a small surgical shift dress and pearls adorning her skin.
Then she walked in, head held high, body covered in tattoos that mimicked a tigers pelt, long black claw like nails and long hair elegantly plaited down her back. She grinned at Hebe, sharp animalistic teeth on full display. She held out her hand for Hebe to shake.
"Hebe right? My name's Tigris, I'll be your stylist."
Hebe grabbed the outstretched hand and shook it firmly, smiling back at Tigris.
"Nice to meet you."
"Oh believe me, the pleasure is all mine. I had the most ugly snivelling brat of a boy last year so the elegance that you display is much appreciated. Makes my job as your stylist much easier."
Hebe already liked Tigris. She wasn't anything like the shrill, stuck up Capitolites she'd met thus far, and although her prep team was kind, they didn't have the same fire that seemed to burn through Tigris. Hebe felt more at ease with her than she had since she said goodbye to her mother in the justice building and it was a welcome change. She just hoped she liked her designs as much as she liked her.
"So I'm sure you're wondering what you'll be wearing?"
"I'm just hoping I won't be a fisherman or a boat."
Tigris barked out a laugh at that.
"Don't worry my dear, I'm not like any of those other idiot stylists 4 has had over the years, I know how to celebrate a great beauty like yours."
She turned and grabbed the hanger off the back of the door and unzipped the black cover revealing a shimmering garment. She held it up for Hebe to see, and the girl realised with a gasp that it was made of hundreds of seashells. Mother of pearl. They were fashioned into a sort of breastplate and skirt, looking like the kind of chainmail that knights wore in her story books. Behind it flowed a sheer cape that connected to the wrists and shoulders studded with pearls. A hood was also attached to the armour, that would cover her hair and neck. It was beautiful and Hebe nearly ran and hugged Tigris for making such a beautiful outfit for her. It was bound to get her sponsors.
She took off her surgical gown and slipped on the dress, confused as to how they had managed to get her exact measurements but not pondering it much as she revelled in how beautiful it was. She pulled the hood over her head and brought her loose hair round so it sat on her shoulders.
Tigris then got to work adding the accessories, wrapping silver bangles around her wrists and attaching the cape to them. She also put silver hoop earrings into Hebe's ears and tucked her necklace holding her fathers wedding band into the neckline of the dress.
She stepped back and smiled, admiring her handiwork before moving over a pressing a button to reveal a floor length mirror. Hebe stared at her reflection, hypnotised by the glimmer of the shells and the She didn't know someone could be made to look this beautiful and silently thanked god that she hadn't been given one of those idiot stylists that made District 4 into fish with neon scales or bearded fishermen.
Tigris then handed her a pair of heels encrusted with seashells and let her put them on. She stood back up, trying not to wobble too much, Hebe had never had the best balance, Annie always teasing her for being clumsy. She grinned at Tigris with a determined look in her eye and Tigris returned it with just as much fire, leading her out of the room and down a corridor toward a growing roar of the crowds. They rounded the corner and her two mentors stood next to one of the chariots along with Ambrosia, Luca, and his stylist, a man dressed in a sharp blue suit with wild flowing black hair whose name Tigris said was Antonio.
Hebe caught glimpses of the other tributes, the girl from one turning to give her a glare, her district partner peering to see what she was looking at. Hebe only snorted, mainly at their ridiculous costumes, large, ugly, multi coloured gems on sheer fabric covering the pair in a slightly unflattering fashion. She was once again glad that she didn't have an idiot stylist.
Luca was dressed similarly to Hebe wearing white trousers encrusted with bright blue seashells and a breastplate made of the same shells, his stylist adding finishing touches to his hair and polishing a few shells.
Luca seemed to notice her first shouting her name with a smile. She waved at him and continued walking towards the chariot. Finnick then looked up, his eyes resting on her, a strange look on his face. Mags then followed suit, staring at Hebe with a certain warmth that made Hebe feel just as at ease as she had felt with Tigris. She came to a stop next to Luca whose stylist had finally stopped fussing over him.
"Nice outfit."
He laughed, "I could say the same to you."
Finnick finally seemed to snap out of whatever daze he had been in and said, "Well don't you look beautiful. Nice job cleaning this one up Tigris."
Tigris just shrugged and Hebe laughed, "Aw. Can poor Finnick not cope with not being the prettiest one in the room?"
"Getting a bit cocky are we? We all know you could never steal my title away from me." He raised his eyebrows, eyes glinting in amusement.
"You look gorgeous Hebe, and you're very handsome Luca." Mags remarked, looking at the pair with a kind smile.
An announcement then went off in the auditorium telling tributes to start mounting their chariots. Finnick and Mags then departed to go and round up potential sponsors, but not before Finnick imparted some more of his wisdom on the pair.
"Do what you did when getting off the train but turn it up. You're never being too cheesy or too fake. Lay it on as thick as humanly possible. And remember your roles."
Tigris and Antonio then helped the two tributes onto their chariot, Tigris tucking a piece of Hebe's hair behind her ear and straightening her dress.
Then they dismounted and Hebe was left to wait for the parade to begin. Her stomach was wrapping itself into knots.
She looked down at Luca and he seemed equally terrified.
"You good?" She asked.
"Not really. You?"
"Shitting myself."
He barked out a laugh at that, settling both their nerves slightly before sending them into overdrive as they felt the chariot start to move. Hebe grasped the railing so tightly that her knuckles went white and grabbed onto Luca's hand.
The lights of the stretch to the City Circle blinded them both, trying not to squint as the sight of the long promenade lined with stands overwhelmed them, the screaming of the crowds intensifying as they came into view, and the blasting of the capitol anthem was so loud that it felt like Hebe's ear drums were going to explode.
Then it felt like some kind of adrenaline kicked in as she began smiling and waving, winking at people in the crowds and even blowing kisses at them. They began chanting her name as she passed just like they had at the train station, and she giggled, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth trying to appear almost bashful at all the attention. She just knew watching the replay was going to make her sick. Then came the flowers, huge hosts of them showered on the tributes, most of them seemed to be tulips, and she pushed the thoughts of home down into the recesses of her mind. She caught a white tulip, smelling it as delicately as she could, winking at the crowd and pushing it behind her ear. She turned to see Luca smiling and waving and beamed down at him.
It felt like the parade lasted so long and yet also went by in a flash, as they soon neared the city circle. Hebe was grateful for the rest her arm was given as it had begun to ache as had the muscles in her face. She was worried when she eventually got off the chariot that she would be stuck smiling for the rest of her life. President Snow came into sight and Hebe's first reaction was surprise at how old he was.
He was thin and pale, with wispy white hair and a thicker beard. He was well groomed, wearing a velvet purple suit and crisp white undershirt that was even brighter than his hair. His voice was proper with more than a note of superiority as he droned on about the glory of the Capitol and the honour of competing in the hunger games. Hebe switched off, no more interested in hearing such drivel live from the mouth of the president than she was in hearing it blasting out of speakers in her home district. She masked her boredom as determination, keeping a hard glare etched on her features. Soon his long, dull speech was over and Hebe only had put on a few more waves and smiles for the watching cameras before disappearing into the darkness of the training centre.
Their stylists and mentors stood waiting for them, Tigris and Antonio clapping, Mags giving them a big thumbs up and Finnick smiling, looking impressed with the pair. His eyes locked on to Hebe and he moved towards the chariot, reaching out a hand to help her down. She eyed his outstretched hand curiously but he didn't take his gaze off her. She grabbed it and jumped down, helping her district partner down too, although it was a damn sight easier for him without heels.
The three walked over to the rest of their team.
"You guys were great! I had goosebumps watching you!" Ambrosia cried, Antonio nodding vigorously next to her. He seemed like a typical Capitolite, but nice nonetheless.
"Well we would've been nothing without your costumes," Luca said bashfully.
"It's our pleasure my boy, and no worries, we have something equally stunning planned for the interviews," Tigris said with a conspiratorial wink at Hebe who just grinned back. She was glad for the comfort of Tigris. It made being sent to her possible death all the easier.
"You were indeed, surprisingly charming," Finnick remarked, eyeing Hebe. She reached over with her foot to kick him, but he dodged just in time, "Ah there's that aggression we all know and love. I was worried you might've finally grown out of it," he smirked.
"Never." She smiled at him sweetly.
Mags, again, intervened to diffuse the situation.
"You were both so brilliant. I knew you would be." She said, grabbing the pair's hands. They both thanked her gratefully.
"Now it's time to show you to your quarters, don't you think?" Finnick cut in, almost seeming excited by the prospect.
"What's got you so excited?" Hebe asked incredulously. She didn't think he was capable of joy that didn't stem from her humiliation.
"Food. I'm fucking starving." He grinned.
Mags gave him a smack and a scowl, shaking her head at his foul language. It was then that Hebe remembered that Finnick too was 18, barely an adult. Maybe because he acted so confident and superior all the time that she forgot, but for some reason Mags' motherly scolding warmed her.
They bid goodbye to the two stylists, thanking them again for their help. They then made their way to the elevator, getting in one just as the pair of menacing tributes from 7 did. They seemed to be without their mentors, and looked equally moody as they did at the reaping. However now it may be something to do with their state of dress, wearing nothing but leaves. They were covered from head to toe and both wore large headdresses that looked like antlers but were made of twigs. On their faces they had smears of brown paint that looked like mud, maybe it was supposed to be warpaint? The outfits matched with their sour expressions made the pair look, frankly, ridiculous. It took everything in Hebe to stop herself from bursting out laughing.
They all stood in awkward silence, until the elevator stopped at the fourth floor and the group got out, leaving the miserly tributes to their own devices. Hebe could hear Finnick sniggering quietly beside her, clearly trying to hold it in rather than get slaughtered by Ambrosia. She looked over at him and he was bright red and looked like he was in physical pain trying to stop himself. That sent Hebe over the edge, bursting out into giggles before doubling over in uncontrollable laughter at his expression. Her reaction clearly seemed to do it for Finnick as well, joining her as the two practically rolled around on the floor, seemingly having a fit.
Luca stared at them incredulously and started laughing too, though not quite as rambunctiously. Even Mags let out a chuckle. Ambrosia just looked at them like they'd gone insane, clearly having no idea what had caused such a reaction. But the look on her face just made them laugh harder, practically heaving at this point, not being able to breathe.
Ambrosia just shook her head at them, clearly disappointed by how juvenile they were being. They eventually seemed to recover, returning to an upright position, but every now and then remembering the looks on the faces on the District 7 tributes and letting out a small snigger. Then the group made their way into their apartment and any amusement left over in Hebe was replaced by pure awe.
The room had a high ceiling which was coated entirely in gold leaf casting a bronze glow over the group, large statement lights hanging from it like clouds in the sky, the lampshades looked to be in the shape of sea anemones, harking back yet again to her home district. They were positioned directly over a grand mahogany table and chairs that were on a raised platform, marble steps leading up to it in a grand sort of way making it look like a sacrificial altar. At the foot of the steps stood an avox dressed in a blood red robe the sight of which sent a shiver down Hebe's spine. Next to the avox was a large couch set into the floor like a kind of conversation pit, coffee table in the centre and holographic projector on top of it.
There was another set of marble stairs that Hebe assumed led up to their rooms. She continued to stare in pure shock, jaw slack at the show of riches. How could the Capitol afford to be this extravagant while the districts were starving. Finnick smirked at her as he moved towards the steps leading to the dinner table and mocked her gaping expression. She closed her mouth and sneered at him, but followed him nonetheless.
The avoxes served them their food, and somehow it was even more grand than on the train. Mags and Ambrosia made polite small talk while Luca, Hebe and Finnick stuffed their faces. He really hadn't been lying about being starving. Hebe had loaded her plate with all kinds of potato (boiled, roasted, dauphinoise) and meats (breaded chicken, veal, beef wellington) and breads (granary, baguettes, olive) and cheeses (stilton, brie, cheddar) as well as multiple colourful salads with a variety of dressings. She ate all that she piled on, scraping the rest of the dressing from her plate with her finger.
Once again she sat back and cradled her sore stomach, Luca and Finnick following suit, unable to eat any of the deserts that followed. Ambrosia tutted at the three of them, yet again disappointed, this time with their outright display of gluttony.
Hebe excused herself from the table and went to explore the rest of the apartment, eventually reaching the balcony, enjoying the blast of cold air in her face. She sighed softly at the feeling of freedom that washed over her, even if it was entirely fabricated.
Her peace was interrupted by a tap on her shoulder. She whipped around, eyes wide with alarm, relaxing slightly when she realised it was only Finnick. She huffed and turned back to the view.
"Well hello to you too." He walked forward and stood next to her. He was still smirking and she wondered if his face was permanently frozen like that.
"Why are you intent on interrupting any small silence I get?" Hebe said, her voice coming out slightly more harsh than she had intended. Finnick however, was unfazed by her hostility.
"Oh don't be like that, you know you enjoy my company really."
"Do I? Must've missed the memo. Although you aren't quite as insufferable in person."
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Finnick exclaimed.
"Well you were so very irritating in your interviews that I was worried I might jump off the balcony from pure frustration," She replied, gesturing to the city below them. "However In person you're only, like, 70% irritating."
"Not quite enough to warrant your suicide then?"
"No. But there's still time." Hebe said, a wry smile wiggling its way across her face.
"Unfortunately for you, the Capitol has so kindly prevented you from jumping to your doom," Hebe looked at him, puzzled. "Allow me to demonstrate."
He plucked the tulip from behind her ear, fingers brushing along her face as he did so. She blushed slightly, hoping he wouldn't notice. Fortunately for Hebe, Finnick was too busy mimicking the delicate sniff she had done at the parade, drawing a chuckle from her, before throwing the tulip over the balcony. Hebe looked at him, her expression changing from puzzled to incredulous. Then she heard a sizzle, and watched in shock as the tulip flew back up into Finnick's outstretched hand.
"Of course. They can't even let me have my threats of suicide can they?" She said, a touch of bitterness in her voice.
"No they can't."
They fell into silence for a moment before Mags ambled onto the balcony, telling the pair to go to bed. Hebe yawned, realising just how exhausted she was by the day's events. She whispered her goodnights to Finnick and Mags, wandering through the apartment until she found a room with her name on it. She walked inside, peeled off the dress from the tribute parade, and collapsed on the bed.