THE SIREN'S SONG 𓇼 F. ODAIR

46 ~ the siren sings again

When Carolina walked into her dress fitting the day of the interview, she was ecstatic to see Narcissa Bordeaux sitting in the corner, twirling her bright red hair lazily with her pen. The stylist stood up at the sight of her client and immediately began to get Carolina ready.

Affron was still there, but he just stood to the side the entire time with his eyes focused on the ground, not uttering a single word. Not even when Narcissa called him an uninspired stylist who had not a single original idea in his small brain.

"It's lucky I was able to step in and help the poor man. Well, I wasn't doing it for him," Narcissa shrugged as she tightened Carolina's corset. "I didn't want you to walk out so exposed again, and if that means Affron gets to keep his life, then I guess that's a good thing for someone."

Carolina laughed and turned around to look at herself in the mirror, and her smile only widened at the sight.

"Affron originally wanted to put you in another see-through dress. Seriously, the man only has three ideas and just recycles them over and over again," Narcissa continued, rolling her eyes. She then put her hands on Carolina's shoulders, looking at her through the mirror. "I thought this was much more fitting."

The gown had a floor-length skirt with multiple panels that looked like dark, shimmering scales. Over it laid a net that was ripped up and scattered with seashells and pearls, making it look like it was pulled from a shipwreck. The bodice was simple and elegant, so it wouldn't take attention away from the voluminous skirt.

If Carolina knew one thing, it was that Narcissa Bordeaux never failed to impress.

"I know I always say this," Carolina said slowly with an unmovable smile on her face, "but this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

"I had a feeling you would say that," Narcissa smiled proudly. "I had to save the best for last, of course."

Carolina's smile dimmed for a moment, and Narcissa simply turned around to grab the headpiece she had designed for her. She knew that Narcissa and she had a strictly professional relationship with not a single emotion involved other than the laughter that was shared between them while gossiping, but her words still hurt.

However, Carolina would take the slight tinge of sorrow to the bawling stylists that she could hear from next door.

A Peacekeeper opened the door, motioning to Carolina that it was time for her to head backstage. Carolina nodded and began to walk to the door, but Narcissa stopped her before she completely left the room and placed a golden crown of sea stars and shells upon her head.

"Carolina," Narcissa reached out to cup her cheeks. "You truly are a work of art, and it was an honor to be your stylist for all these years. I hope to work with you again someday."

The two women hugged. When they pulled away, Carolina held onto Narcissa's hands.

"Well, thank you for letting me be your canvas," Carolina gave a soft smile to her stylist and turned to look at the quiet man in the room. "And Affron, I wish you were going into the arena and not me."

Carolina held her middle finger up to the man before turning around and letting the Peacekeeper escort her to where all of the other tributes were standing.

When they arrived, the tributes from Districts 1, 2, 3, and 8 were already there, and the rest of the tributes were quickly filing in after.

Cashmere and Gloss were styled in shimmering silver outfits that complemented each other perfectly. There was no doubt that they were going to bring up the fact that they were siblings as many times as they could during their three minutes in the spotlight.