Survivors

Chapter 25: Xain

Chapter 25: Xain

            The tour of the Capitol was kind of boring. Well, I guess since I’ve been here a few times before, and they give the same tour every time, I was the only uninterested one. Jada, Clay, Katya, and Melissa were the only ones who seemed interested in the tour since they’d never been here.

            After the tour, we’re turned over to a prep team. Mine has me strip down as they scrub my body from head to toe. I feels like they're using steel wool rather than cloths. I don’t appreciate all of the talk of how filthy I am either. One of them seems only interested in talking about her daughter and how perfect she is. One asks me about Jada, asking if we are at all related. She says that we resemble each other, but I think she just means that we're both dark-skinned. The ignorance is truly a whole new level in the capitol, which they call Devinia, it’s formal name.

            “Oh, I have to admire how soft your skin is, but it’s so filthy!” One of the prep team members says in a tone I can’t quite comprehend. He’s, or I think it’s a he, wearing icy blue lipstick that matches his nails, eyes, and scarily, his tongue.

            “Oh, gee thanks,” I respond sarcastically, “I guess I’ll scrub extra hard when I get home to my issued shower.”

            “Yay, you caught my memo,” the man squeals and jumps up and down and claps in excitement. I let out a low growl as they continue to scower every bit of skin I have left on my bone.

            The prep team is done in about five minutes and they hand me a cloth gown to relax in. I’m completely naked and cold for about five more minutes before another woman comes in with a pair of black sweats, shoes, underwear, and shirt.

            “Put these on and knock on the door when you’re done,” she says, and then exits as quickly as she came in. I don’t question anything, just rip off the gown and slip on the clothing. I stride over to the door and gently knock. As soon as I do, it’s Kandi who pokes her head in and smiles.

            “Follow me,” Kandi says and then walks off. I follow her out.

            We end up in a room filled with wardrobes and dressing rooms. Kandi whistles and the rest of the inhabitants come out. It’s the rest of my C-5 party, and they’re in the same clothes as I am.

            “Welcome to the inner-sanctum,” Kandi says, “I bet you’re wondering why we’re so dicreet.”

            No one answers, but we do wonder why Kandi is beind so secretive.

            “Well then,” Kandi continues, “this area is the last place anyone would think I would hide my outfits for you. I made them in secret from Honey to show her that I can design things without her hand. Plus, you guys aren’t allowed here. You’re outfits are in the dressing rooms marked in order of your ages. Hurry up, because the banquette is in two hours and make up has to be applied.”

            With that, she’s gone. We assume that Jada is on the far left with me on the far right, so we don’t say anything as we enter the booths and get dressed.

            My suit is an all black tuxedo with silver cuffs and gold buttons that have the capitol seal: an eagle with arrows grasped in its tallons. I also have a golden bowtie that is supposed to clip on, a white shirt that glimmers, and shiny, black shoes with silver socks. Surprisingly, it only takes me a matter of five minutes to dress. I wait outside for the rest of my crew. Clay is first to come out with a similar suit, except his buttons are more bronze than gold, his bowtie is silver, and his jacket is slightly lighter in color. His jacket is lined with gold, though.