Crown Jewels: Cashmere's Story

Chapter 3: Beautiful but Lethal

"Just relax, darling!" Roxie, one of the members of my prep team, says. The other two, Orpheus and Iggy nod.

Relax?   I'm making my first appearance in the Capitol in two hours.  First impressions are everything.  

And I still haven't decided how I'm going to act.  Smile and wave at the audience? Act like they don't exist?

Ever since I got off the Tribute Train, I've been thinking about this.

Rip!  The sound of wax snaps me out of my thoughts.  

"There. That was the last one. And you were such a good girl!" Orpheus takes out a container of what looks like lotion.  "This will soothe your skin." 

The smelly lotion stings at first but becomes soothing and cool.  

After that, I'm set in a bathtub of rainbow colored water while the team rubs foreign concoctions, oils and conditioners through my hair, gives me a manicure and has me put on a dozen face masks. 

I'm already dreaming about what my costume will look like.  I'm praying it won't look like the 61st Hunger Games costumes.  Our tributes were dressed as giant see-through perfume bottles, and the smell was so strong it made 10 people faint. 

"Cashmere, you can get out of the tub now." Roxie hands me a towel.  I hastily dry off, doing my best to cover my lady parts. 

"No need to hide. There are no secrets between you and us," Iggy says and a cheeky grin spreads across her face.

"Iggy!" Roxie scolds.

"You're very beautiful. You look almost...exotic," Orpheus notes as he examines me. 

I guess I do look exotic.  I got my dad's blonde curls and my mom's slanted green eyes and ivory skin. 

"All the sponsors will have their eyes on you!" Iggy exclaims and half-dances around the room as she takes out a set of brushes. 

As my prep team does my makeup, they chat among themselves, tittering like colorful little birds. I just sit and listen learning about this peculiar world. 

I want to see how I can win over the Capitol. And who's better to ask than a Prep Team?

 "Roxie?" I ask. 

"Yes, darling?" She replies. 

"What's your favorite part about the Opening Ceremonies?" 

"I like sizing up the tributes and seeing their costumes," Roxie answers. 

"What kinds of tributes are your favorites?" 

"The ones that are beautiful and strong.  Mainly the careers."Roxie applies more makeup to my face. 

"The hot boys that wave at me," Iggy swoons dreamily. 

"The people who have that fire in their eyes, like they want to win," Orpheus adds. 

It seems like all of them want beauty and confidence.  That I can do.

***** 

"Hi Cashmere.  I'm your stylist, Quintus," Quintus greets me.  He has long green dreadlocks and dark skin tattooed with snakes. 

"Hi," I say.

"Wow, great job team! She looks amazing," Quintus congratulates the prep team. "Now, for your outfit." 

I inhale sharply. Don't be a see through perfume bottle.  Don't be fur undergarments.

"It's a surprise."