The Third Tribute

Chapter four: Cinna

The next few hours are quite painful. I'm literally being plucked like a bird just before it gets roasted. Venia, one of the members of my prep team with aqua hair and gold tattoos above her eyebrows, is uprooting the hairs from my legs with sticky strips of fabric.
"My goodness you're hairy!" She squeaks in her high pitched Capitol accent. After the three hours I've been in the remake center, I have yet to see my stylist. Apparently I still have to prepare for him. This involves scrubbing down not only dirt, but at least three layers of skin, shaping my nails, and ridding myself of every bit of hair besides my braid.
"She's looking better now, but she seems to whine a bit. Grease her down!" Says a guy named Flavius. He shakes his orange corkscrew locks and reapplies a new coat of his signature purple lipstick. Venia and Octavia, a heavy woman with pea green skin, rub me down with a lotion that stings, but then eases the aches from the process I've been through. They then make me remove my robe I've worn on and off, and I stand there as the three circle around my naked body, wielding tweezers. I know I should be embarrassed, but they are so unusual that I'm no more embarrassed than if a bunch of strange animals were at my feet.

"Excellent! You almost look like a human being now!" says Flavius, and they all laugh.
I force a small smile. "Thank you." I say, pleased at their work.
"You are bound to look stunning by the time Cinna is through with you." Venia comments.
"Let's call for Cinna!" Flavius insists. My prep team darts out the door, leaving me unaccompanied and nude. It's hard not to hate my prep team because they are such idiots, yet, I still know they are only trying to help me. I look at the cold white walls and floor and resist the temptation to retrieve my robe. I would, but this man, this Cinna, will surely make me remove it immediately. Instead i reach for my hair. The one place on my body my prep team left untouched. My fingers slowly make their way down the silky braid my mother's fingers carefully arranged. My mother. The thought floods my mind, and I suddenly realize I left her dress and shoes on the floor of the train. It was one of the few things I had left from home, and now I'm left with two things. One of which is my braid, and the other my pin. If I lose those, I will be left with simply my memory. Although that can fade fairly quickly.

The door opens and a young man who must be Cinna enters the room. I'm surprised at how much he lacks any proof of living here. Then I notice his eyes, he sports a thin line of gold eyeliner that brings out the flecks of gold in his green eyes. I know I should be disgusted by the unnatural aspects of anyone, but I can't help but think about how attractive it looks. "You must be Cinna." "Indeed I am. You must be Katniss?"
"That's me. So you're here to make me look pretty." A moment of silence creeps upon us.
"No. I'm here to help you make an impression." He circles around my naked body, not touching me, but taking in every inch of it with his eyes. "Who did your hair?"
"My mother," I reply. This brings back short bursts of flashbacks that bring me deeper and deeper into grief every time.
"It's beautiful. A perfect match to your personality. Simple, classic really. Make sure you leave it that way. I need to study it so I can redo it for the opening ceremonies."
"Alright. You don't look familiar. You must be new, let me guess, they made you do twelve?"
"No, I volunteered for twelve," he answers.

"Come, let's discuss your outfit for the ceremonies over lunch." I nod and he leads me to a separate room connected to the one we were just in. It must be his break room, or his office. Sketches of beautiful clothing flood the table. "Sorry. I just finished my designs. Here, take a look." He insists. I take a look at them, and they aren't colored, but they still show every bit of the message, fire. "As you know, every district is supposed to represent the flavor of their district through their costumes. But this year, we aren't focusing on mining. We're focusing on the coal. What do you think, are you willing to be the girl on fire?" I cringe at the thought of burning to death before the games even begin, but I'm probably going to die anyway. Besides, what choice do I have?
"Okay, but how do you plan to light us on fire? You know, without us dying?"
"That's a secret. But I can ensure you it will be very memorable." The words send chills down my spine. Memorable? As in, a memorable death? I like Cinna more than anyone else from the Capitol thus far, but now he just gives me goosebumps. I shake off the thought and agree.
"Why not? I mean, I'm going to die anyway." He chuckles.
"Perhaps you will, but I can assure you it won't be because of Portia, Vibia, and I's designs. We are certain the flames are harmless." "Who are Portia and Vibia?" I ask him. "The other district stylists. Portia is in charge of Peeta's wardrobe and appearance, and Vibia, Gale's." I nod in understanding. "You hungry?"
"Yes-" and before I finish my sentence the table splits in the touch of a button on Cinna's chair, and an extravagant meal rises from the hole below. I look at the food in awe and try to piece together how much effort it would take to remake it back home.
Let's see, chicken and chunks of oranges laid on a bed of pearly white grain and tiny onions, with a side of flower shaped rolls, and for dessert, a pudding the color of honey. I try to piece together this meal from what I would have back home. I would never find a chicken in the woods around district twelve so I'd have to make do with a turkey. I'd have to shoot another turkey to trade for an orange, which I've only had once in my life when my dad brought one home for me. The tesserae grain is nothing like this grain, so I can't imagine how expensive this grain is. There are onions in our garden and people trade for them in the hob. I could get rolls from the bakery, but I don't think they have flower ones, and special orders are too costly. I don't think they have any pudding in my district, so there's no way I could get anything like this pudding. I come to one conclusion. I could gather enough to recreate a Capitol meal, but it would be a poor substitute to the luxuries here.

Hours later I find myself in what will be either the most unforgettable or deadly costume at the opening ceremonies. I'm in a black bodysuit with my hair up to make it look short and there are weaved braids on the back of my head. We have an extra large chariot than all the other districts, because of our extra tribute. Cinna says he wants to light us on fire. He says it's harmless; I'm not so sure.
Since we are the twelfth and final district, we always go last, so that also applies here. Gale and Peeta are on either side of me on the chariot, which kind of mocks me, since I have to choose who I'm going to let get home.

The crowd roars as the first chariots parade throughout the city. As a luxury district, district one is all sparkles and sequins. District two are dressed in roman style golden robes with matching headpieces. Most likely representing the bravery of their district for providing peace keepers, the roman gladiators were very brave and strong looking, plus it's gold, like the gold they manufacture. Four is very blue and green, as it is the fishing district. Five being the power provider, looks like sparkly silver light bulbs. Seven is a tree costume they've used for many years. It makes sense since they are based on lumber and there isn't much you can do with that for stunning outfits. The other districts don't have much that's interesting, but the girl from eleven is dressed in a floral patterned dress with a flower crown, and the male is in a similar outfit. And then there's us.

Gale glances at me and I look into his brown, beautiful eyes. There is a look on his face that I alone can interpret. Fear. "Don't be afraid." I whisper to him.
"I'm not afraid." He argues. He stares at the crowd and focuses on the end of the route. Cinna strides over to us.
"Chins up, smiles on. They're going to love you." He says. Peeta is obedient immediately. He grins and corrects his posture. But Gale slouches, frowns, and tells me this.
"What is there to be happy about? All they want is us dead. Not just us, but our entire district. Why else would we starve?"
"I'll give you a reason to be happy. Listen to me Gale. Gale?" I grab his chin and turn his face towards mine. "Because you want to live and support your family. If you don't do this, you ruin it for the three of us. If they want us happy, so be it. I'll do whatever it takes to get sponsors. Understand? I'm not letting you get in my way." I snap at him.
"Fine. I'll do it for you, Catnip." He says. I blush but then immediately stop myself.
"Save it for the cameras." I murmur. Cinna lights our suits and my heart skips a beat. What if he was wrong? What if it isn't harmless?
When our chariot starts to move the little spark once on our backs spreads, engulfing us in flames. I want to scream but I stop myself. It isn't burning my skin. It's alright. Cinna was right; they do love us. Peeta speaks up.
"Trust me." He holds his hand out for me, and I take it. I reach to Gale, and he takes my hand. I lift my arms above my head and smile widely. Gale follows. The crowd starts throwing roses, and Gale catches a red one. The crowd gets louder and cheers for Gale. I hear my name and Peeta's in the background.

As soon as we come to a halt the fire extinguishes. We dismount and Cinna congratulates us. He whispers in my ear "People who help out in the games aren't allowed to bet. But if I could, I'd be betting on you, Girl on fire."
I stare into his eyes. "Thank you." He nods. I remember what Gale attempted to do before we took off into the streets. He was flirting with me. Either he really likes me, or he wants me dead, because the more likable he is, the more deadly he is. But then I realize, two can play at this game. I get on my tiptoes and kiss him on the cheek, right on his bruise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A/N~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, what did you think? If you think it's going too slow, wait until around chapter nine. The games start in chapter nine and things go by faster. I may or may not have already written the ending up, and let me tell you, you are going to be shocked at the finale of this! Xoxo - Fourtris_Fangirl