Of Victors and Tributes

Chapter 3: The Tribute Parade

When I wake up, everyone is screaming. No, more people than are on the train. The whole of Panem is screaming, screaming right outside my window. We've reached the Capitol.

I leave my room while straightening my hair with my fingers, which has dried from my pre-bedtime shower, and meet the Capitol citizens at the windows. I have the urge to run away and hide in my room, overwhelmed, but Koi pushes me forwards a bit. Standing away from the window so that he can't be seen, he mimics smiling and waving. I didn't even consider my first impression to the Capitol until right now. I begin to wave at the people, who cheer through their synthetic outfits and fanciful faces. I think of how Weaver was first seen by the Capitol, the cameras capturing his grin and pride. I hope that I'm pulling off the same thing. Vestia joins me, just in time to get a few waves and smiles before we pull into the station of the Remake Center.

"Don't argue with anything they say," Cecelia warns us. "Even if you're completely naked, go along with what your designers want." Vestia and I respond with nods before being whisked away.

Three ridiculous looking women gather around me, giggling and smiling and telling me that 'for a boy from an outlying district, I don't look too bad.' I'm pushed into a bath and have every single layer of dirt stripped off of me. My hair is scrubbed until I can no longer feel my scalp, my skin is red and raw, and they even wax my armpits.

"We're keeping the leg and arm hair. It makes you look more handsome," whispers the quietest and most bearable of my prep team. She's a tall and sharp woman with giant pink hair and dark skin called Angora. She's nice enough. The rest of the team, on the other hand, are driving me crazy.

It's not really the fact that I'm completely naked in front of three women I've never met in my life. It's mostly the fact that Satine, the youngest with light purple skin, and Venus, the oldest with blood red eyes, are giggling and talking about how cute I am, how I look so much like my brother. I'm not exactly comfortable with the thought that they were working here when my brother was a tribute, but what did I expect? It's only been three years.

"Just like your brother– goodness, it's almost gross!" shouts Satine, combing through my hair.

"You're even more handsome than him," laughs Venus. She's been a little clingy, which is disturbing considering she seems old enough to be my mother.

"You'll be a wonderful tribute," Angora says kindly, and she seems to mean it. I don't want to hate them; in fact, I almost feel like I can't. They're clueless of what our lives are like in District 8. Plus, they aren't Snow. They didn't make the decision to start the Games. They're just reaping the benefits like I was reaped from my home.

"As far as we know, Farah has a wonderful idea for you," Satine suddenly says, ripping out a hair from my eyebrows. I try my best not to react physically, just smile.

"That's wonderful. I'm so grateful that all of you are willing to help me," I reply carefully.

"So sweet!" cries Venus, hugging me. I pretend that I'm not highly embarrassed by her hanging on to my bare skin.

"If you were from the Capitol, you'd be as famous as President Snow himself," Angora says, her voice quiet as ever.

"He reminds me of Finnick Odair," Satine says, fanning herself. This time, I can't stop myself from physically flinching. The girls back away from me, confused, but then Venus and Angora begin to yell at Satine.

"Idiot! His brother died in that Games!" screeches Venus. I block them out until they finish their screaming match. I officially decide that Angora is my favorite of my prep team, considering she isn't a pervert or ignorant and blunt.