May the odds be ever in your favour

Chapter 4

By the next morning, we arrive at the Capitol. We don't have time to sightsee, though. The first thing we spot is the sky-high buildings painted in all kinds of colours. The only times I had the opportunity to look upon the Capitol were the few scenes that the Hunger Games broadcasters take every year to show the world how superior the Capitol is. But even the Capitol's advanced technological equipment isn't able to grasp the luxuriant reality of this place.

We pull up at the station which is crammed with Capitol citizens, interviewers and photographers. They see us through the windows and look fascinated. It's like they gaze upon a special kind of animal or something. We're completely alien to them. To me, they are the alien ones. Their colour palette includes every possible colour I can think of. They look like big exotic birds, with their obnoxious feathers, jewellery and make-up.

We're being rushed outside the train. Before we step outside, Darion tells us to wave right as we walk outside. The show starts now. We have to be conscious about cameras watching our every move even now. Once I take my first step outside, a big light flashes before my eyes. A photographer steps in my view trying to talk to me, but I can't understand a single word. I'm overwhelmed by the crowd and all the voices directed at me. I manage to wave slightly though. A path clears before us and we are taken into a building. I know we have to meet our stylists soon enough. They are going to be in charge of how we look in every public appearance before the Games begin.

We are walking inside this strange building and I find the opportunity to talk to Wren since Darion and Charlotte are leading the way in front of us. "How did it feel? Being called onto the stage." I ask him, "I think you know the answer to that. It was horrible. Remember when we were taken to those rooms to say our goodbyes? That was the moment I realised I was going to die out there. I have no skills or knowledge for survival. I'm surely going to die somewhere in that arena, whether it will be during the usual bloodbath in the cornucopia or at a cave or by hunger or by who knows what else" he answers blankly.

"Yet, when I first heard your name being drawn my first instinct was to volunteer for you, if I could. I would never let you go through the Hunger Games if I had a choice." he continues. "Wren, I don't know what to say," I say astonished. "You don't have to say anything, Rosy. I know we both can understand each other now more than anyone. Words aren't needed. We have each other's presence for now." he says, taking my hand in his.

Suddenly, we come to a stop and Charlotte turns around to face us. "You are gonna be having some small mandatory alterations done before you meet your stylists. I'd suggest you comply with whatever the prep team deems suitable for you," she exclaims to us, fixing her posture. Not a few seconds after, Wren and I are separated and led to different rooms. Once I'm in, I see a lifeless white room. It's different from what I was expecting, providing that I've travelled to the Capitol. I'm greeted by three strangers looking at me like I'm a wild animal. They simultaneously march forward and start blabbering about the alterations that my body needs. I'm bombarded with comments about my height, my weight, my bushy eyebrows and so many more features in my body. After a while, I find out their names.

The blue-haired woman with violet contact lenses in her eyes wearing a hot pink blazer suit is called Atala, the man wearing a pea-coloured wig and with light green alternated skin is called Florus and another woman with cherry-red hair styled in a big bun and bright yellow eyes is called Messala. I knew Capitol names were weird, but I am now comprehending just how weird. They keep on blabbing telling me it's time for my beauty treatment and that I should sit back and enjoy it. They even make comments about how miserable I must have been back at home, not having access to what they deem to be necessary for a young lady like me. As much as I hate the Capitol though, I can't bring myself to hate those three. As much as they insult my homeland, I know that in their twisted way, they are trying to genuinely help me.