THE SIREN'S SONG 𓇼 F. ODAIR

4 | THE TRIBUTE PARADE

"How about we give her highlights? The sun has bleached it unevenly throughout her head," a woman with green skin said.

"Ooo and let's even out her tan, might as well lean into the sun-kissed look, " a man with spiky gold hair added. "Maybe we could make it this year's trend!"

Carolina was taken to get cleaned almost immediately after arriving at the Capitol. Strange-looking people stripped her down, put her in a shower, and scrubbed her skin raw. She was then placed on a cold, metal table where every hair that wasn't on her head was either plucked, shaved, or waxed off.

Carolina bit her lip to stop herself from screaming out in pain. This was later applauded, as the green-skinned woman complimented her on her naturally red lips.

"We've got a pretty one this year," the person who was in charge of her eyebrows cooed, treating the girl as if she were a doll. "Last year's tribute was a mess. She wouldn't stop crying, and it made her face so puffy."

Carolina wanted to comment on their insensitive words, but Finnick wanted her to get as many possible sponsors as possible. And if her stylists were already so willing to gossip about other tributes around her, she couldn't even imagine the things they would say about her later to people they actually knew.

Besides, Carolina figured they would be too ignorant to actually realize that their words were wrong in any way.

So, she just kept her mouth shut.

When the small group was done, Carolina was led to what looked like a medical room and told to lie down on the examination table. She did not move an inch for about 20 minutes when a man burst into the room holding a dress bag in his arms.

"Well, aren't you a lovely sight! I am going to have so much fun with you," the man said. He was wearing a black button-up with a blue and green plaid vest and matching pants. His tie puffed out and looked like a clownfish. The man must've noticed her staring at it, as he said, "Oh, don't you just love this tie? I thought it would remind you of home!"

Clownfish aren't native to the waters surrounding District 4.

That is what Carolina wanted to say. But Carolina would get yelled at by Finnick if she said that, so she just smiled and nodded.

"Perfect! This was inspired by the outfit I made for you for the parade," the man giggled. "It'll almost be like I'm in the parade too. Every eye in the Capitol just looking at you, screaming your name, cheering you on! Oh, you are just in for a treat!"

Well, if you're so jealous, then let's switch places.

"I am so sorry," the man gasped, and Carolina thought he was going to apologize for his ignorant comment, but that was too much to ask. "I never told you my name. I'm Affron, like Saffron without the S! Lovely to meet and style you. Now, let's get you dressed!"

He unzipped the dress bag to reveal his creation. Carolina let out a breath she didn't even know she had been holding in at the sight.

At least the dress isn't as bad as his personality.

It was a strapless mini dress that shot out at the side, similar to the shape of an hourglass. It had orange and white rhinestones placed in stripes, similar to a clownfish, and the headpiece made it look like two large fins were sprouting from her head.

Carolina grabbed the dress and waited for Affron to leave the room to give her privacy, but he never moved an inch. She stared at him for a moment before clearing her throat awkwardly and began to undress herself, using the dress bag to cover herself.

Once the dress was on, Affron's smile widened.

"Aren't you just gorgeous!" Affron said. "Everyone in the crowd tonight will either want to be you or be with you!!"