The razor is brought up my leg slowly and some kind of cream is applied straight after. Hair removal was something the Capitol were insistent about, no matter the event. My legs are being shaved instead of waxed, because they had been waxed on the day of the tribute parade and don't need any more excessively harsh treatment. Sanita smiles at me as she starts shaving my other leg.
Lucinia is glossing my nails again, and Matteo is pulling my hair out with the brush.
Once they'd finished they left me alone for Lalon to dress me. The dress is silky to the touch, but a little too tight around my chest. The ruffles almost touched my chin and the hem of the dress hung around my knees. It was orangey in colour.
"It matches your firey personality. Not quite girl on fire standard, but you'll do." He says, a little disgust tinting his tone. He pulls my dress down
I roll my eyes and sigh. I'll never be like Katniss, and he knows it. I know he wishes I were. Everybody loves Katniss, the stupid girl. I'll beat her. Even if I die trying. Cato will beat her.
* * *
I stand next to Cato waiting to go in with the other tributes. We will sit backstage. The female tribute will go before the male. I will be on after Marvel. Tonight was the start of the games for me; tonight is when I show The Capitol that I'm not some weak girl who happens to be skilled with knives. I had to show that I do stand a chance in the arena. I have to get sponsors. I have to show them that they can like me.
The doors open and we walk into a large room backstage. The other tributes are also taking their seats which are in coupled chairs. Ours has a large red 2 on the back, so we know where to sit. I sit down next in the chair closest to the door on to the stage, as I'll be going first. Cato sits down next to me, and Glimmer shoots him a smile. I can almost feel the daggers in my back as I turn my back on her evil stare. Marvel offers me a tentitive smile, and I almost feel sorry for him. He doesn't seem to be like the usual career. He's shy, unlike us.
We can hear the crowd roaring as the backstage cameras pan across us. I look straight ahead and don't smile. I can faintly hear Caesar Flickerman talking excitedly into his microphone and the crowd going wild. A man comes through the door from the stage and the sound of the crowd increases.
"And our first tribute, from district one... Glimmer!" Caesar shouts into the microphone and Glimmer is ushered up on to the stage. Her dress is almost transparent, but pale pink and fluffy around the skirt. It is obvious that her interview approach is 'sexy'.
We each have a 5 minute slot, making the entire show around an hour long.
After around 4 minutes, the man comes through the door again and collects Marvel. They stand just inside and the door swings shut. A minute later Glimmer struts back through and plops down on to the chair beside me. I give her a disgusted look.
Her face is pink and has a light sheen of sweat across it. She is breathing heavily and I don't even want to look at her chest.
"Big buzz?" Cato asks sarcastically.
"Oh yes, it's amazing!" She gushes. She continues, but I ignore her.
After a few more minutes the man comes back through and says my name. I stand, give Cato a smile and follow the huge figure in front of me through the door.
The first thing that hits me is the heat. It is stifling. No wonder Glimmer was sweaty. The second thing is the noise of the crowd. They are shouting and screaming so much I don't know how Caesar can manage it. His blue hair twinkles, and Marvel sweeps past me, weaving a path of the smell of his sweat.