a flicker of hope | tmnt 2012 hunger games au

Preparation

A/N: So I think I'm waiting on just one more interview outfit. Other than that, we're good :)

***

The moment the door to their apartment opened, Sarina's eyes grew huge as they flashed in amazement, giving off a blinding light. She gazed around the apartment–more like penthouse–in surprise.

"Oh, Donatello, look at this!" she gasped, hurrying inside. "Look at the architectural design of this place! Oh, it's so roomy in here...so much bigger than back home..."

The cyborg's expression turned longing for a moment, but as her gaze turned to the enormous glass door by the dining room, it changed to fascination once more. She scrambled over, sliding the door open and walking out onto a small stone balcony.

"Donnie! Come here!" she called excitedly. "The view is amazing!"

The purple-masked turtle chuckled, following his friend outside, while their prep team bustled off into the living room to discuss plans. Donatello stepped out onto the balcony, joining the cyborg girl outside. The two of them rested their arms on the balcony railing, gazing out at the beginning of the sunset. Before them, the entirety of the Capitol stretched, a shining sea of buildings, dotted with the brightly-colored wigs and clothing of the Capitol residents. The slowly-setting sun bathed it all in a stunning orange-scarlet light.

"You're right," Donnie breathed. "This view is amazing."

"Beautiful," Sarina agreed. "It's upsetting to think that we might never see sunsets like this again, not after the Games."

Donatello's content expression immediately faded to one of sorrow as he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder comfortingly.

***

Michelangelo hadn't been in the Capitol for long, but he already loved every bit of it.

Throughout the train ride, he'd blabbed on and on about how excited he was to visit the Capitol for real. All the way to his apartment, he'd squealed and acted like a total fan-turtle as he gazed around at the brilliant buildings with wide eyes. Now, he bounced around the apartment, unable to contain his excitement. Shelby sat on a couch nearby, her eyes distant as she gazed out a window at the setting sun.

"Oh. My. SHELL!" Mikey whooped, beaming. "Can you believe it, Shelby? We're actually here, at the Capitol! Isn't this so great?"

"I guess," came the halfhearted reply.

Michelangelo's joyful expression faded as he noticed his District partner's troubled expression. He walked toward the shorter girl, settling down on the couch beside her.

"What's wrong?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Shelby's pale blue eyes flickered to him for a moment before they looked away. She turned away from him, settling her gaze on the smoothly polished walls.

"Nothing," she murmured.

"I don't think it's nothing."

"It is," Shelby flashed back, her voice coming out harsher than she meant to. "Don't worry about it."

Michelangelo shrank back, his eyes widening briefly.

"Oh...okay," he said quietly. "If you say so."

He slid off the couch. Shelby turned her head just in time to see the young turtle's hurt expression before he turned and skunk away. Guilt immediately crushed her, like a thirty-pound weight had just been dropped on top of her.

"Mikey, wait–" she called, but was cut off as the District Eight prep team bustled into the room.

"Oh, Michelangelo! Where are you going?" one of the stylists asked. "You should be heading with us, both of you."

"What for?" Shelby asked, raising an eyebrow.

"To get yourselves prepped up, of course!" the stylist chirped. "The Tribute Parade is starting in a few hours, remember? And we stylists have got a lot of work to do..."

Her eyes, turned an unnaturally bright pink thanks to contacts, scanned over the two Tributes as she said her last sentence.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Shelby growled, sitting upright in an instant.

"It means you should be coming with us. Come along!"

Shelby found that her feet were dragging her along with the rest of her prep team, as they led her out of the apartment. Michelangelo padded along ahead of her; his gaze was fixed straight ahead, but a frown was engraved on his face. He shivered as goosebumps prickled up on his arms.

Geez, when'd it get so cold in here? he wondered. Whatever. Don't be sad, Mikester! Soon you'll get to wear an awesome costume and wave to a gigantic crowd at the Parade, just like you always dreamed of doing. That'll cheer you up!

Won't it?