Dandelion | ATEEZ Hunger Games!AU

4: Wavering Purities

San sighed as the rustling noises around him grew ever more.

His eyes were set in front, watching the other Tributes adjusting their extravagant costumes and discussing last-minute changes to make for an optimal first impression on all the sponsors sitting in the audience. Some were nervous, he gathered, while others stood highly upfront, their faces betraying nothing of chittering nerves likely churning inside.

Up until now, he hadn't seen the other Tributes before. For the most part of the ride, he had been alone, despite being with his District partner. The girl whom he shared equal fates with seemed not to want anything to do with him, and although it pained him slightly, he understood. The preparations leading up to the Games were hardly any times to befriend other children, especially when they'd inevitably end up facing each other in the Arena in the end. Still, he would've found some company welcoming.

In some way, he thanked his lonesome situation to those who gave him the most dangerous name of all; The Capitol's Favourite. It rang a cold shiver through all of the other Tributes, knowing that he was the one on whom Sponsors and all other higher-ups confidently placed their bets. Before the real bloodshed had even started, he was already named a threat. And as he stood waiting in the staging area, he could feel the stares of those who passed by. Some gave him envious looks, such as the boy from District 3 who passed by him with a scoff. Others merely looked at him and turned around with whispers, making him wonder what they thought of him.

With his growing reputation, he was unsure whether he liked it. Although others would likely give up anything to have such an awarding and promising position before the real games would start, he had never anticipated such a whirlwind of fame. In fact, when he got reaped, all he thought he had to do was abide by the rules and play the games as intended. He visioned himself as a boy with average qualities, hoping to disappear among the crowd. And yet, while he pondered on what it was exactly that made him stand out, the public seemed to love him. A blessing in disguise.

Nonetheless, there were, after all, certain advantages to the prospect of being the Capitol's Favourite, as they called it. People in the audience would undoubtedly turn their heads as he'd pass by, helping not only himself for more sponsors but his District partner as well. They would be a sight to reckon with, charming in all those who'd give up sums of money simply to watch for a better game. And he'd just have to stand there and look pretty.

And while that may have seemed like a simple task, it was a surprisingly hard one. Although he knew of all the preparations that went in hand with the Games, he never realized just how much a child would be put up with. Uneasy and long stares from strangers, a novel of different rules to act by, and very uncomfortable costumes.

He couldn't lie that his stylist didn't try her best to make him look very well put together. In fact, if it were someone else and he would be watching this year's Games as simply a watcher, he would've been astounded by the beautiful craftsmanship of it. The piece he wore, although straying quite the distance away from his home back in District 4, looked like something that belonged in a museum. It was something so intricately made, that he was afraid that if he were to make one wrong move, it would break.

A chocolate brown harness featuring baroque motifs, held together via silver chains, was made to catch eyes all around. Although he had been feeling bare, as the stylist had only given the harness as the top, it did what it needed to do. The top showed off his well-built physique and complemented his honey-brown skin. Paired together with a wide flare pants in matching brown, with his ebony hair slicked back and only a few strands loose, he truly did seem divine. And even though he had hoped for a little homely touch to his fit, he was most pleased with how he looked. Never had he seen this version of himself, and in some ways, it felt like he had become a mere stranger.