skull on fire: A skulduggery pleasant/ hunger games crossover fanfic

Chapter Sixteen: Dress to impress

Chapter Sixteen: Dress To Impress

Clarabelle sits me down on a chair in my dress. I am still stunned with the beauty and quality if the design of the dress and I barely acknowledge the glance she gives me.

"Right," she begins, "The first thing we need to review is posture. You need to be able to walk well in heels and sit daintily before we move onto the next part."

I sigh as I slip my feet into the tall shoes and begin to pace back and forth according to Clarabelles instruction. This is going to be a long few hours.

Fifty minutes later, after being grilled on stance and sitting along with walking and twirling (it may be necessary) we are finally free to begin our actual interview preparation.

Clarabelle tells me this is extremely important as it is when I get to really figure out what I am going to act like and who I am going to be to get sponsors.

Of course, just before the interview is the parade, lasting about twenty minutes as the president gives his speech. Apparently they used to have the parade days before the interview and training, but everything changed when a rule was brought out giving more time for training in the Capitol. Apparently it's more fun to watch experienced killers slaughter each other.

Me and Clarabelle talk about how I should act in the parade and what I should say in my interview.

"The first question really is should we tell them about your and Skulduggerys relationship. It might get you some fans rooting for true love, but most people will probably think its a little weird."

"I think we should tell them. They will find out when we're in the arena anyway, so it's better if we don't make them think we're trying to hide it."

"Okay, good. I agree. So with that in mind I want you two holding hands in the chariot. I think you should be the one to tell them in the interview since you are on after Skulduggery. Also he tends to be a little.... aggressive sometimes."

"That seems like a plan to me."

We discuss how to tell panem about me and Skul, before moving on to personality.

"Listen, I want you to smile. I know you don't really do smiles, but if you just pretend you're talking to Skul or something..."

"But I wanted to be aloof and mysterious!"

"That's what Skulduggery's doing. You can't both be the same."

"Then what am I?"

"Well.. I thought, I mean we wanted you to be, uhm, sort of adorable?"

Her voice trails off at the end of the sentence as though asking a question and her eyes gauge my reaction carefully. I try to act brave.

"Yeah." My voice is almost a whisper, "Yeah, I can do that. Sure."

Clarabelle sighs in relief that I am not throwing a tantrum and starts to coach me in the act of being adorable. Needless to say, I am awful at it.

"No!" Clarabelle sighs in exasperation an hour later as I sit in my lovely dress, pouting, "You need to make your eyes bigger, like a puppy. Otherwise you end up looking like a constipated bulldog."

I laugh at her comparison and try again. Surprisingly, Clarabelle is a really good coach and I have already mastered shy walking, adorable sitting, cute giggles and ditsy twirls. I feel like a ridiculous schoolchild but Clarabelle assures me the Capitol will love it. I finally master pretty pouting (haha, see what I did there?) And Clarabelle pronounces me ready for the interview.

I sit in my long dress, careful not to crease it, as my hovercraft flies to the Parade grounds. I wanted to share Skulduggery's hovercraft, but for some reason we're not allowed. Maybe some tributes got into a fight or something. Nevertheless when we arrive I am happy to see Skulduggery and give him a hug before stepping into our chariot. Skulduggery steps up next to me, striking in his new suit, and we set off.

We are fifth in line to exit the hall and I hold Skulduggery's hand tightly as we enter through the huge black doors into the circuit. The crowds cheer for our outfits, shining and sparking in the dark, and I wave and giggle as I was taught. Someone throws a rose and I catch it, blowing a kiss in the direction of the thrower. Soon we are showered in flowers and people are chanting our names as Skulduggery stands aloof and distant.

Suddenly I have an idea and stand on my toes, pulling Skulduggery toward me and giving him a quick peck on the jawbone. If that doesn't show the Capitol we are together, I don't know what will. A huge roar is heard from the crowd and they chant our names loudly as we come to a stop before President Titus. The president gives his customary speech and I purposefully avoid looking at him as the anthem plays and the camera flicks over each of the tributes, lingering over mine and Skulduggerys. I notice the camera still focused on us as we leave the circuit and enter the hall once more.

The doors close behind the last tributes and the music booms to a stop. I realise I am shaking and lean into Skulduggery's chest, his arms snaked around me as Clarabelle and Ghastly run over to congratulate us.

"You were amazing Val!" Clarabelle enthuses, "The kiss was a stroke of genius, they loved it!"

"You dun good too." Ghastly says to Skulduggery and I laugh.

"So now the interviews?" I ask, even though I have had our schedule hammered into me by Clarabelle.

Ghastly nods, "Now the interviews."

A/N: Hope you like this chapter! It's been months since I uploaded so really soz about that. Please please please comment because that is my favourite thing in the world. Also vote! I like that too:)

"I believe in me, Valkyrie, and that is enough for now."
Skulduggery Pleasant.

P.s: I changed the cover to one I drew and made myself because I wanted it to look a little more sophisticated. Please let me know what you think of my new cover in the comments, do you prefer it to the old one?