We wanted to do something to help bring down the Capitol. Instead we sat eating the cheese buns and worked on the book. Joan and Mox came by once every day bringing bad news from town. More people being punished or dropping from starvation. Cato rang a couple of times a day much to Roy's and my annoyance. Winter had begun to leave by the time Roy, Jenny and I had healed. Mom gave me exercises to do and left me to walk on my own with Roy. I went to sleep one night, determined to go into town the next morning, but awoke to find Venus, Octavian and Flanks grinning down at me. "Surprise!" They all squealed loudly to Roy and I who were still on the couch. "We're here early!" Flanks said about them being there. After Roy and I got whipped Joan managed to push their visit back by a couple of months so we could heal. We weren't expecting them for another 3 weeks but I acted as though I was delighted that my bridal/choosing shoot was here at last.
Mom had hung it all up, so they were ready to go, but I hadn't tried any on. After the usual hysterics about the deteriorated state of my beauty as they got straight to business. Their biggest concern was my face, although mom had done a remarkable job healing it. There was still a pale pink strip across my cheekbone. The whipping wasn't common knowledge, so I told them she slipped on ice and cut it. I realized it was the same excuse for my foot but they weren't the suspicious type and so I was safe there. As I only have to look hairless for a couple of hours instead of several weeks, I was shaved not waxed. But I still had to soak in a tub of something but it wasn't vile as usual. They were working on my hair and make-up before I knew it. The team as usual were full of news but I did my best to tune them out. But then Octavian made a comment that grabbed my attention. A passing remark, of how she couldn't get prawns for a party. "Why couldn't you get prawns? Are they out of season?" I asked bout it but I had forgotten that District 4 gets bad weather. "Oh Ruth, we haven't been able to get any seafood for weeks! You know because the weather's been so bad in 4." Venus said about the weather in 4 and my mind went buzzing.
No seafood for weeks from District 4. They were pretty angry on the Victory Tour. I was suddenly, certain that District 4 had revolted. I began to question them carefully about the hardships winter had brought them. They were not used to want so any little thing had a huge impact on them. By the time I was ready to get dressed, their complaints about the difficulty of getting different products – from crab meat to music chips to ribbon – had given me the sense of what Districts were rebelling. From seafood to fabric as the thought of such a widespread rebellion had me trembling with fear and excitement. I wanted to ask more but Cinna appeared to give me a hug and to check my make-up. Downstairs, the living room had been cleared and lit for the photo shoot. Clive was having a whale of a time ordering everybody around keeping everything on schedule. It was a good thing, because there were 7 gowns and each one required its own headpiece, shoes, jewellery, hair, make-up, setting and lighting. From creamy lace to ivory satin to heavy white silk for the wedding dresses. But for the last two it was a half Gold and teal dress for each. After I chose who I want to be with I would be placed in the dress that is a mix of my favourite colour and the chosen person's favorite colour. The moment one shot had been approved, they moved straight onto preparing the next one. I felt like dough being kneaded and reshaped again and again.
Mom managed to feed me bits of food and sips of tea while they worked on me but by the time they had finished I was starving and exhausted. I was hoping to spend time with Cinna but Clive whisked everyone out of the door and I had to make do with the promise of a phone call. Evening had fallen and my foot hurt from all the crazy shoes, so I abandoned any thoughts of going to town. Instead I went upstairs and washed away the layers of make-up and conditioners and dyes and then went down to dry my hair by the fire. Jenny sat in one corner talking with Fletch and Sage who came home from school in time to see the last two dresses was talking about them to our mother as they both seemed overly happy about the photo shoot. When I lay in bed, I realized it was because they thought I was safe. The Capitol had overlooked my interference with the whipping since no one wanted to go to such trouble and expense for someone they planned on killing anyway.
