Mockingjay: the dawning

Chapter 9: Discoveries and Prep teams

Katniss opened the door. It went into another lounge room, only that this was very posh. There was a glass elevator at the end of the room. These houses are designed just like the tribute centre, thought Katniss. She stepped into the elevator. There were buttons for 25 levels and a tour of the levels. Katniss stepped in and pressed 'tour'. She saw a level dedicated to training, just like the training centre. A level with a huge bakery in it. A level with a hospital set up. A whole extra 5 bedrooms underground on top of the 10 they had above ground. A huge room with a black floor and a long mirror labelled "studio". A bunker. Well of course the Capitol would install one of those in victors houses, thought Katniss. Many other things passed by Katniss  that she didn't notice because of the shock.

Eventually she came back up to the top level of the secret underground. She found a note from Plutarch.
Dear Katniss, I hope you enjoy your new house and the underground that I assure you have just discovered. It's the latest in technology so your house is the only house with it. Not even Peeta's. By the way, we know he moved in and that's why we sent the package. Doctor Aurelius' idea, not really mine. Look around the room for a little shoot that this letter came out of. This is how you can directly communicate with me with no fear of anyone seeing it.

Plutarch

P.S. Please bring out the smiles for the big interview. I know it sounds stupid but you give the country hope.

Fabulous, thought Katniss, sarcastically as she shoved the letter in her back pocket for safe keeping.

Katniss went back upstairs. She found Peeta, Annie and Johanna eating the breakfast she had made earlier. Peeta had set aside a plate got her.
"Where were you?" asked Peeta.
"I was in the garden, looking for the box of firewood." replied Katniss
"Our fire doesn't need wood..."
"Oh... I didn't know..." said Katniss as she chuckled.
"Come on brainless, eat the breakfast that Peeta so graciously put away from me..." said Johanna
"She was ready to eat your share too. Thanks Peeta for the delicious breakfast," said Annie
"Actually I didn't make it." said Peeta
"I did." said Katniss
"Really? Brainless can cook?" said Johanna, surprised.
"It's delicious thanks, Katniss." said Annie.
"Yes it is, Katniss." said Peeta.
" I know it seems early but I might lie down, the baby was kicking me all night. I didn't get much sleep." said Annie.
"That's alright Annie. I'm going to clean up breakfast and go to the art studio" said Peeta.
"I'm going to go hunting." said Katniss.
"Be careful. There is still snow on the ground." said Peeta.
"I'll be okay." replied Katniss
"Remember the prep team is coming this afternoon." yelled Peeta up the stairs after Katniss.

Soon after, Annie was asleep, Johanna was carving something out of wood and Peeta was in the art studio. Katniss snuck back to the living room, twisted the brass knob and went in. She went back into the elevator and pressed tour and asked for annotations. Of course, they were Plutarch talking. She discovered the art studio floor, a weapons armoury full of bows, a music level, and a level full of Cinna's work. In all sizes. Clothes for her, children's clothes, men's clothes for Peeta and maternity clothes.

Katniss

Wow.
I got off at this floor and explored more. Armour suits like my mockingjay suit. I found bounds of jewellery. Formal wear and casual. Shoes, the ones like I had in the Capitol that didn't hurt my feet. Hunting jackets. And a prep room, filled with all the supplies that I would ever need. All the best makeup from the Capitol . The makeup Cinna used on me, not the crazy stuff the Capitol citizens used. With every dress or piece of clothing I looked at there was a note from Cinna. Holy crap. This is amazing. I went back in the elevator and back to the couch. I sat for a moment and got myself a glass of water from the bar in the lounge. I got up and heard Peeta in the lounge. He was looking for something. I wait until I was sure he was gone and then I got out and went up to our room, quieter than a mouse. That was close, I want to keep this a secret until I can fix it up for a surprise for Peeta.
Suddenly I heard the doorbell ring. It must be my prep team... But they aren't supposed to be here till later.... I look at the clock and see that it is later! It's already 2pm in the afternoon! I run downstairs and see Peeta has left me some cheese buns on the table. I scarf one of them down and open the door. It is my prep team.
"Katniss! Long time no see!" said Octavia as she came in. Venia and Flavius both arrived and hugged me.
"Katniss, how have you been?" asks Venia
"I've been okay thanks." I reply.
"How's Peeta?" asks Flavius
"Alright." I reply
"How are the star crossed lovers doing?" asks Octavia
"Just fine." I reply with a little smile on my face.
"When's the wedding?"
"Are you having kids?"
"Has he moved in?"
I get these questions in a succession and I am a bit taken aback.
"Has he proposed?" asks Venia.
"No, not yet." I reply.
"I'm sure he will! He must be planning to do it soon!" replies Flavius.
"I'm sure we'll get there eventually." I reply.
"Now Katniss, let's get down to business. Let's go to the big bathroom and Katniss, go get the supplies." Octavia begins.
"I'll be back in a minute." I say as I run to the lounge room, turn the brass knob, and get in the elevator. I press the button for 'closet' as that's the one with the Prep room. I go to the drawers and grab a bag full of stuff, and shove more things into it. I quickly get back into the elevator and press for ground floor. I sneak out as quietly as I can and get back upstairs. I get into the bathroom and they have their equipment. I hand over the bag.
"Wow Katniss, you have a lot of beauty products for not using them." remarks Flavius
"And they are all of the highest Capitol quality." added Venia.
"It's a gift from Plutarch I think."
"That's nice of him, dear." said Octavia as she unpacked the supplies onto the huge vanity in our main bathroom. Flavius motioned for me to sit in this chair that had a basin at the head of it.
"Come Katniss, we are going to put some new life into your hair."
"What does that mean?" I say, slightly concerned for what they might do.
"I'm going to put a conditioning semi permanent hair dye to give you some face framing highlights. And some deep conditioner for your split ends." replied Flavius.
I let out a sigh of relief.
"And while he does that I will do your nails." says Octavia.
"But I won't torture you and wax you at the same time." added Venia with a chuckle.
"I always wondered why there was a chair in here with room around it and a basin.." I laughed.
"It's a beauty chair. We don't use them in the remake centre as they are expensive to have each tribute in. But you deserve somethings comfortable while we make you over. And we can do everything in this chair except shower you which doesn't really matter." stated Flavius, as he started painting the dye on little pieces of my hair and wrapping them in foil.
Octavia had cleaned and filed my nails.
"Katniss, what colour do you want?"
"I don't mind."
"How about sunset style?"
"You can paint a sunset on my nails?"
"Yes. I can paint woods too."
"Okay I'll take the sunset style."
"Good choice." replied Octavia.
As they worked on me, I almost fell asleep. I came out of my day dreamy state when Flavius began to wash the dye out of my hair. He massaged my head at the same time. God how they treat you differently from when you are in the remake centre. I looked down at my nails. They were beautiful. Exactly like the sunset. The same one that Peeta loved.
"Thank you, Octavia." I said. She smiled in return.
Soon after that, I felt Venia rip the hairs from my legs. It didn't hurt nearly as much as it used to, I guess I have gotten used to it. Then she waxed my face. I tried to pretend like it didn't hurt, but it burned like hell. Venia clearly noticed this.
"It's alright I'm nearly done, Katniss. Then we will get you into wardrobe and make sure you have everything." said  Venia, as she ripped off the final wax strip from my eyebrows. They finally finished.
"You look fabulous, Katniss." remarked Flavius.
"Even at beauty base zero." said Octavia, with a smile.
"Here is the dress." said Venia as she pulled out a long black dress, with gold detailing at the bottom. She pulled out matching jewellery and a pair of black heels.
"All the makeup on you will be very neutral, except for the red lip we have for you." Continued Venia as she pulls out a red lipstick.
"You like it?" she asks.
"I love it." I say with a genuine smile.

A/N:
Super long chapter to make up for the previous short one. Thanks for all the support and the approaching 300 views! The link in the note is to the outfit I did for the interview. I'll post every outfit I do for this series on my polyvore account and put a picture down here.
Xx Avi