ＷＩＴＳ | ＭＡＲＶＥＬ ＨＵＮＧＥＲ ＧＡＭＥＳ ✅

ｆｉｆｔｅｅｎ

This dress is not the greatest dress. However, if Rybbon had to pick between this dress and her outfit for the parade, she'd rather have the dress. As Wealer and a few other stylists help her into the dress, it feels soft against her skin. The off-white shade it has makes her skin have a bit more color, but that may also have to do with the makeup being applied to her face. They give her lips a deep red shade, like blood, as they make her cheeks look like she's blushing. The large light brown belt against her waist shapes her hips and breast as her heels with the same brown tone accentuates her legs. When Rybbon sees herself in the mirror, she's speechless. She looks like someone else.

"Ah! Beautiful," Wealer exclaims, patting Rye on her shoulders. "Just a little touch here and here," he mumbles, moving her hair to fall in front of her face partially. It makes Rye's brow itch. "Wonderful. A wonderful woman you are. Ah!" he exclaims once more. He and the other stylists applaud like they just made Rybbon into an art piece, but all she can do is wonder if she can recognize herself.

Sadly sooner than later she is waiting to go up on stage. She stands up against a wall, watching as Districts 1 and 2 go before her. The District 2 boy just went up, leaving Rye with only a few minutes before she has to go on stage. Leaning up against the wall, she tries her hardest not to vomit. It doesn't help that she's feeling a little light-headed, finding these heels are beginning to cut off circulation to some of her toes.

"You okay?" Chase asks, gaining her attention.

"I fucking hate this shit," she grumbles, pushing her hair behind her ear. "My feet are going numb," she laughs dryly.

"At least your whole suit isn't itchy." That makes her chuckle, leaning her head back against the wall.

"You sound like Cook when he has to wear his dress shirt." Leaning her head forward, she looks over at Chase, eyeing him for a moment. "You two would've been good friends. You know that?" Her voice goes soft, the boy giving her the feeling of home.

"Yeah. You would've been good friends with Moni." His words put her at ease.

"Maybe in another world," she chuckles, her head hitting the wall with a quiet thud, eyeing the ceiling above her.

After seconds of silence pass a pat on her shoulder gains her attention before she's tugged gently. Looking down, she sees some man in black pulling her. She allows him to do so, only giving Chase a look before disappearing behind the corner.

"Stand here. When Caeser calls your name then walk up," the man says before leaving her to the wolves. She looks out onto the stage, watching as Caeser Flickerman rants about something. All Rye could think about was how he looked like the blueberries she saw on the train ride here.

"Well everyone, I think it's time to go on to District Three. Intelligence," he whoos, the crowd following. "I bet this girl will have the brains and beauty," he laughs. "Now, let's all give a warm welcome to Rybbon Fyrnsby!"

The crowd wars in applause, it takes Rye a few seconds for her feet to get moving. She walks as Wealer and Adema taught her to, lifting her dress up so she doesn't trip. When the bright lights hit her eyes, she squints before noticing the crowd of Capitol citizens watching her. They're still applauding luckily so they don't hear her heart race, but it still fills her with anxiety.

She finally gets to Caeser, who holds out his hand. She grabs it gently, giving it a quick peck before gesturing to sit down. Rybbon does so, still in awe at all the people looking at her. However, her eyes fall short at seeing her brother in the front row. He claps too, sitting in his dirty work clothes with his shoes one size too big, and a big smile on his face. Seeing him eases her tension. A soft smile forms on her lips before looking to Caeser, him calling for her.

"So my dear. Rybbon. It's such a beautiful name, as you are yourself," his compliment makes everyone swoon. It makes Rybbon herself giggle, not having heard many compliments in her lifetime.

"Thank you, Mr. Flickerman," she says, trying to bite back her smile.

"Oh, and manners. Dear me, you must be taken back home," he laughs, the crowd eating from his palm.

"No, I'm too busy taking care of my little brother, Cook," she says, looking over at where he's seated. He waves at her, making her grin slightly. "He takes up all the time in the world, and love him every little bit." Her words make the crowd awe, so she continues on. "He's the sweetest. Like those cookies and cakes you have here." Even Caeser awes at that, finding the thought adorable.

"And did you tell your brother anything before you left?" His words make her freeze. She looks over at where Cook was sitting, only to find him not there. She swallows, finding it hard to breathe.

"He told me to come back," she says, looking back to Caeser. Not knowing what to say next, she creates a white lie. "I promised him I would, no matter what it took." The words hurt the back of her throat, knowing it not to be true, but what choice did she have? She needed to see him again, the real him. "And I promise you, Mr. Flickerman, you will see me for the post-Hunger Games interview," she states, giving him a smile while moving to hold his free hand.

"And I'm sure you will, Rybbon. I'm sure you will," he says, giving her hand a kiss once more. "Rybbon Fyrnsby, everyone!" he exclaims, pulling her up from her seat. She waves at everyone, a giant smile on her face before walking off stage. As soon as she's behind the curtain, a giant wave of relief falls on her, only for a wave of pain to follow. Her feet ache from the heels, her dress seems too tight, and her makeup is starting to get in her eye.

Walking down an empty corridor, she sits down quickly, leaning back against the wall as she removes tries to remove her heels. However, the buckle doesn't seem to want to come off. She tugs and tugs but doesn't let go. Before she goes and breaks it, a pair of hands move her own out of the way, making her look up instantly.

"Calm down. Just look like you needed some help," Marvel states, putting his hands on her ankles. She flinches from his touch and the heat coming from them.

"Why are you still down here?" she asks, he looks up from her, pulling the first high heel from her foot. A sigh escapes her, happy to be able to wiggle her toes again.

"Watching your interview. Cato wanted me to talk to you anyhow," he says, placing the shoe gently on the ground before moving to her other foot. His words make her scoff.

"You're his errand boy now?" He looks up at her, glaring at her before pulling the other shoe off and placing it on the ground.

"Okay, listen," he starts, "Cato thinks you could be a good ally for us."

"What?"

"You know stuff. He thinks you'll be good."

"You didn't have anything to say?" That makes him raise his brows.

"Why do you think I have anything to do with this?"

"You're the one talking to me so either you gave me a good word or you're his errand boy." Her words make him scoff, looking down the hallway like someone is coming. He gets up from his kneeling position, standing up tall and strong. He gives her a hand up, finally giving Rye a second to notice how tall he is compared to her.

"I think your intelligence will come in handy. Sometimes different eyes help see different things."

"Who taught you that?"

"Are you joining or not?" he asks, his patience seemingly running short.

"If I don't?" His hand tightens around hers, pulling her against him. It makes her have to look even higher to see him eye to eye.

"Then we'll kill you."