METANOIA ↝ THE HUNGER GAMES [1]

[6]

As the train wove through the bustling streets of the Capitol, Aspen continued to watch from the window as crowds flocked them on both sides, citizens trying desperately to get a first look at the new tributes that would all be arriving before that evening's Tribute Parade. While she'd spent years thinking Sabrina Sovereign's outfits had been over the top whenever she'd been in the district for the reaping, it was nothing compared to those she was now seeing through the glass.

"Wave," Johanna said adamantly to Aspen and Alder. "You want to seem friendly, and approachable. That's what's going to help get you sponsors."

Aspen reached a hand up, waving as they passed and forcing a smile onto her face, though her stomach felt like it was tied in a trillion knots. The train continued to slow until it passed underground, the faces of the Capitol residents blocked from view as it came to a stop, and Aspen's smile instantly faded as soon as they were out of sight.

"Welcome!" a new voice sounded as the train car door opened with a hiss, Sabrina watching Aspen and Alder with a proud smile, her too-white teeth practically glowing in the dim light of the car. "Welcome to the Capitol. Now, we'll get you two inside so you can meet your stylists, and they'll get you both ready for the Tribute Parade tonight! Oh, it's so exciting! Everyone's going to absolutely love you."

Aspen ignored Sabrina's words of excitement about the Games, rising to her feet and following Johanna and Blight from the train and into the building, Alder at a short distance behind her. They followed the mentors down a bright white hallway, lined with doors on each side baring a single number on the door for the district it belonged to, until they stopped outside two doors marked with the number 7.

"This is us." Sabrina said cheerfully, giving the doors each a knock to alert of their arrival. "Aspen, my dear, you'll be in the room on the left, Alder, the one to the right."

The door opened to reveal three people waiting inside, two women and one man, who instantly grabbed Aspen by the wrist, pulling her inside and shutting the door behind her. The woman who had hold of her wrist, clad from head to toe in a light blue color with the color of her skin tinted blue to match, began inspecting Aspen's hands, tutting softly in disappointment.

"We've got a lot of work to do," she announced to the other two before turning back to Aspen. "Undress." she ordered, gesturing her forward to where a metal table lay before them with a tray of small metal cosmetic tools, as well as a washtub in the corner.

"What's going-?" she began to ask, but was cut off by the other woman, who had dark purple hair pulled up in an elaborate bun and eyelashes so long Aspen felt a faint breeze whenever she blinked.

"I am Leto," the purple haired woman introduced herself. "This is Daphne," she said, gesturing back to the blue woman, "and Aro." Leto pointed to the man, who held a more robotic appearance, glints of metal lining his face and disappearing into the collar of his shirt. "It's our job to prep you before you meet Hero."

Without another word, Aspen was stripped down and placed in the tub, where her prep team began to scrub her from head to toe, removing any layers of dirt and dead skin that resided on the top from her years of tree climbing and working in District Seven. She hissed in pain as Daphne began to wax her legs, while Aro got to work on removing the calluses from her hands and Leto scrubbed her hair, all three of them speaking openly about how disgusting she'd been prior to their help as if she wasn't around to hear it.

By the time the prep team had finished, and left her lying on the metal table with only a sheet to cover her body, Aspen felt exhausted, her skin stinging all over from the scrubbing. She continued to stare at the metal ceiling above her, her mind racing with the reality of what she was about to endure in the next couple of weeks, provided that she lived long enough to see it all come to fruition.

It seemed as if the morning before, where she'd been sitting in the trees with Ash and Cedara talking about the Games had been years, rather than merely hours. She'd told them she would put up a fight if it came down to it, but truthfully, she didn't have a clue of what she would do the second she set foot in the arena.

After what seemed like an eternity, the door swung open, and a man entered. He seemed different than the other Capitol natives she'd encountered throughout the day, not as conspicuously dressed as Sabrina and Daphne had been. He wore a sleek black suit, the only thing putting him out of place from the districts was a line of dark red eyeliner rimming his under eyes, contrasting with the dark shade of his hair.

"You must be Aspen," the man spoke in a voice that was as smooth as honey, and Aspen quickly sat up, holding tight to the sheet to keep herself covered. "My name is Hero."

"I'd say it was nice to meet you, but if I had things my way I'd be at home with my nephew right now." she said honestly, and he nodded in understanding.

"I know this situation isn't ideal for you, and I'm here to help." Hero assured her. "It's my job to help you stand out. The more you stand out, the more the Capitol citizens want to help, and that can save your life down the line. One single gift can mean the difference between life and death."

"Thank you," she said.

"Now, for the Tribute Parade, I'm sure you're aware that we typically showcase a theme that matches your district." Hero continued.

Aspen nodded. "Lumber for Seven." she replied.

"Typically, the tributes for District Seven are dressed as trees." Hero explained, and she nodded as he spoke. "This year, I want to focus on how trees look in the fall, when the leaves begin to change. Myself, along with Tatiana, the stylist for the boy from your district, have come up with a little something we hope you'll both enjoy."

Hero handed Aspen a robe, which she quickly slipped on, hopping up from the metal table, and he led her through a passage at the end of the room, leading into a bigger, brightly lit room with a mannequin on the end.

The dress on the mannequin was bathed in bright shades of maroon, orange, and yellow, all blending as they moved through the fabric, as well as a line of what appeared to be tree branches, branching off like veins. To Aspen, it looked like a tree from the grove Ivy and Grover worked at, in the middle of autumn when the leaves were just about to fall from the branches at the end of the season.

Hero turned back to her, the smile widening on his face as she studied the dress. "Shall we get started?"