Chapter Text
I was startled from my 'dreamland'. Turning towards my left, I saw Prim sleeping, eyes shut tight. She always looks younger sleeping but doesn't everyone?
As I pulled on my hunting kit, I sighed quietly. Nightmares plagued my sleep every night. Before my father's death, it used to be irregular and reasonably infrequent but after? Every single damn night. I'm lucky if I get over four hours of sleep a night. I was an insomniac in my last life and it has carried over slightly as well which just made sleeping even harder.
Avoiding Buttercup, who was quite possibly the only cat in the whole world to hate me (and I hadn’t even tried to drown it like my counterpart), I made my way to the fence and slipped underneath. Knowing I would be earlier than Gale, I collected some weapons I had made/been given by Mitch (Haymitch) over the years for some last minute training before I had to hide my skills at the Capitol. Joys.
Even the victors that knew me didn't know I could fight, they thought I was simply the person who was stopping Mitch from dying from alcohol poisoning, which to be honest I was as well. Even Mitch only knows about my bow and arrow skills (and how well I can use cutlery as a makeshift weapon if I can get my hands on them). Gale is the only one who knows I can use knives just as well as arrows, but all my other skills are my secrets. As such, I only took my quarterstaff and knives with me. By the time Gale got there, I'd hidden my quarterstaff once more, and damaged a tree rather badly, lots of small slices bleeding sap marred it's bark.
I had carefully created a quarterstaff which just so happened to be my favourite weapon in my past life. Sadly, I could not electrify this one as I once did but it was a good enough replacement. I took a little time to get used to the difference in the weight in the one I had created and the one I was used to, but eventually after creating multiple versions suited to my size as I grew, I had perfected my version, and learnt how to quickly adapt to the difference in weight. I had done some exercises and used a tree as a fake enemy, practising my control by halting the staff just before it hit the tree etc.
When Gale appeared we went through a conversation similar to the one in the books, including Gale's wish to run and my/Katniss's rebuke. Honestly, I don't really see what Katniss saw in him. Whilst I certainly don't like Peeta like that either, Gale is just far too narrow-minded. One, I know that if I wasn't there to persuade him otherwise, the food we shoot that we don't need wouldn't be given to the poorest for very little in return; two, how can he stand forgetting his family because he is too caught up in the idea of running? And three, he was the person who had the idea of the bomb that killed Prim in the books, which I will be doing everything I can to prevent it, mind you, but he still lost marks for it even if he hasn't done it yet.
Anyway, after our successful hunt (Gale was still as overly noisy as Susanna thought he should be which is beyond annoying) we followed the book with some deviations on my part. After giving Madge her strawberries and leaving the Hub, I took what was left that neither my family nor the Hawthorne's needed and slipped off towards the homes where I knew people waited for me.
There had been so many people dependent on me and my catch that I had had to create a rota to ensure that those who needed it got it. The rota was based on the weeks in which the families could survive on what they got paid (they were paid on different weeks which was extremely beneficial to me as different people were struggling on different weeks) and the weeks they could not. I had managed to cut down deaths by starvation by 39% which caused the Peacekeepers to be more inclined to turn a blind eye as many did not like unnecessary deaths. Or maybe they simply liked not having to file so many records - I remember hating paperwork as well. Either way, it works in my favour.
Then I headed back to my house. Like with the book version of Katniss, I had a rather interesting and awkward relationship with my mother, because whilst I hated how she had zoned out and left us to defend ourselves, I also understood it at least a little bit thanks to my own experiences. I do still think she could have done better though, don't get me wrong.
Too soon, me and Prim were standing in line for the finger prick. Prim was a nervous wreck so I knelt down to talk to her.
"Prim, you will not be going into the Arena this year, no matter what name comes out of the bowl. I promise you." One thing I had integrated into my 'new' Katniss personality was her promise keeping. No matter the universe, if I made a promise, I kept it. This knowledge helped calm Prim down a bit.
The finger prick didn't affect me, even in this body my pain tolerance was just as high as in my previous one, but poor Prim winced. I led her to where she should stand and told her to tuck her tail in. Then I kissed her forehead and walked over to stand next to Madge.
I had to prepare myself for what was about to happen. I had to make my terror seem real, although, all things considered, I was actually scared for my little duck despite knowing the outcome. I mean, honestly, who wouldn't be.
I knew Gale wouldn't volunteer, one, he doesn't like Peeta, and two, he gave me his word as I gave him mine that the other would look after both families if one was put in the Hunger Games. Unnecessary on my behalf but an agreement is an agreement. Although, Gale should know that I care very little about my 'word' and will happily break it, especially if the other breaks their side of the bargain, and should have made me promise as that is as I have already stated, the one thing I will never break.
Effie came on stage and I tuned her out after appraising her new crazy outfit. Hmm, maybe I could get her on our side more? Possibilities. I don't actually really remember what happened to her. I think she survived? I think she was with the rebels, yet she was barely mentioned. Maybe I should try to get her and Haymitch together? Oh, that'd be fun!
The video ended and I tuned back in. Here we go.
My breath caught in my throat as Effie swished a carefully manicured hand through the slips of paper. One of those had Prim's name on it, one of them was about to be pulled, her one slip was about to be pulled out. How?
"Primrose Everdeen."
My world stuttered to a halt. For all my preparation, I was in no means ready for this moment.
"No! Prim!" It took me a moment to realise that that was my voice, screaming in anguish.
I had quickly removed Madge's comforting hand and was moving to the aisle without realising. Peacekeepers started coming towards me.
They grabbed at me but I had already shouted something that made everyone freeze. The words that had never been uttered in all of District Twelve's past.
"I volunteer!"
And then I spoke again, more clearly.
"I volunteer as tribute."
Effie was shocked just like everyone else, but props to her for recovering the quickest like a true professional. Huh, maybe I should tell her that later? Get on her good side?
"Very well dearie, come on up." But I couldn't. Acting true to the book, Prim was trying to stop me. Maybe I'll be able to use this to my advantage.
I could see Gale coming towards us from the corner of my eye, and I could see the Peacekeepers moving in. One went to grab Gale, and another Prim but I soon had a butter knife out. Thank you Haymitch and your oh so wonderful wonderful Capitolan cutlery.
They were both part of the Peacekeeper Squad bought in for Reaping Day, ones that didn't know me. If they did, they would've known not to touch Prim and to let Gale take her away. Honestly.
"Touch her and I will gut you. I don't care about the consequences, I will happily start the Hunger Games right now." My accent had slipped through in my anger, but only enough to make it soon like a lilt. Some would say it made my voice seem softer, but the glare in my eyes said everything my voice failed to do.
The butter knife at his neck did not lower, nor did my gaze waver until Darius stepped forward. He reminded the other Peacekeeper that we were making a scene and to let it be. The Peacekeeper acquiesced and stepped away. Good ole Darius. Let's not let you lose your tongue eh.
Moving on.
Gale was also released. He stood behind Prim as I crouched down in front of her. I knew the Capitol would be hanging on to my every word.
"Prim! Prim, stop crying," I knew that if she continued, I would cry also, and I couldn't afford that, "Listen to me little duck, I need you to be brave, ok? You're gonna be fine. I love you. Always."
I pulled her into a bone bruising hug and looked at Gale over her shoulder. 'Look after her' I mouthed. He nodded and replied, 'Good luck Catnip.'
Then I stood and turned, all emotions wiped from my face. My 'imma kick you into next Tuesday' mask on. And I walked steadily up the steps to the stage.
Effie was shocked into silence at my move, but Haymitch had a proud glint in his not-so-drunk eyes. Prim was crying by my mother and Gale had returned to his row, stony faced.
Haymitch then followed the script from the book, word for word and fell quite inelegantly off of the stage. This small piece of normalcy seemed to bring Effie back to herself.
"What's your name?"
"Katniss, Katniss Everdeen."
"Well, I'll bet that that young girl was your sister. Wouldn't want her taking all the glory eh?" She laughed that false Capitolan laugh that made me cry inside but I simply raised an eyebrow in response. A bit put off, Effie moved onto the boys.
"Peeta Mellark." Great. No change here then. Star-crossed Lovers entrance, curtain up.
I shook Peeta's hand, staring him straight in the eye. I think he got that I was trying to imply that we were a team, but the hand squeeze could have been a nervous reaction? I squeezed back anyway.
Then we went to separate rooms for the 'goodbye's. Prim and my mother came first. We stuck to the script almost completely, despite the change I had made earlier on. When Prim pointed out that I shouldn't have volunteered, I reminded her of my promise.
Then came Gale, and Mr Mellark. Then the book changed again. Darius came and simply hugged me. He told me to bring myself back alive. After that Madge came in and gave me the Mockingjay Pin which I gladly pinned onto my dress. We embraced and then I was led out to the cameras and onto the train.
Peeta looked nervous but my perfect mask let me seem simply void of emotions, unbothered perhaps. We stepped onto the train and I was tempted to walk off; I did however know I had to get on Effie's good side which meant I had some sucking up to do.
After getting a tour of the train and asking some 'wonderfully intuitive questions Katniss dear' that included how the showers worked, I had not only gotten Effie to like me a reasonable amount, but managed to get her to call me Kat which she had started off saying was improper but now had no problem with it.
I decided to have food in my room, before getting into the luxurious shower. I knew what was coming with the prep team and wanted to be at least a little bit prepared. That meant prepping myself, to some extent. Huh, maybe I could find out if they have a way of stopping hair from growing ever again? That might be really useful.
By the time I had scrubbed thrice, cleaned my hair at least several times, and used a conditioner that made my hair so silky smooth it was practically a miracle I still felt nowhere near ready. In my previous life, I had waxed once I was free of the Red Room, but never to this extent. Still, I knew part of the pain that was coming, which is one above Peeta. Huh. Peeta.
Maybe I should help him prepare slightly? At least make sure he smells nice coz these showers are a right pain if you don't know what you're doing and he might come out smelling like the worst combination ever. Even I had to ask Effie for help even after going over it earlier, but it wasn't something I would remember from the books so meh.
Once I'd sat back down on my bed, I felt like lying around until I fell asleep. However, I had to plan.
Mid making my plans, which included helping Peeta with the shower, talking more to Effie, and threatening 'Mitch for information just because one he would expect that from me and two why the hell not, making nice to my prep team, and getting Rue to at least know me before the parade, I was interrupted by a knock on my door. I found out it was Effie after asking who was there, and told her to 'come on in'.
"Kat deary," oh dear god, this woman and her dearies are gonna be the death of me before I even get to the Capitol, "I was wondering why you weren't at dinner? It's very important for you. You certainly shouldn't be dieting before going into the Arena."
"Don't worry Effie, I had some food in here. I was just feeling overwhelmed by everything and thought it best for me not to overdo it if you get me?"
"Yes, no worries then deary, but please, you are going to be up for breakfast tomorrow?"
"Yes, I'll be there."
"Good." She patted my knee and stood up from where she was sitting next to me on the bed. Before leaving she said a quiet 'Good night' to which I replied, "Sleep well Effie."
I finished my planning, and after hours of restlessness (thank you nightmare created insomnia) I finally fell asleep around 3am with my hair spread across my pillow.
*Timeskip to 5am*
I woke up. 5am. Huh, that means I got about 1&½ hours of sleep. Not too bad considering I'm in an unfamiliar place.
I walked over to my closet to pick out something suitable for the day ahead. After bypassing an awful lot of Capitolan style clothes, I finally managed to find something that was obviously Capitolan expense wise but also simple enough that it felt more like District clothing.
I wore a green silk top with pillow sleeves and a bow in the front that I would tuck into the jet black flared yoga pants so that there was a little poof over the waistband, a cropped black denim jacket and black chunky heeled boots which would be easy to walk in. I would pin my Mockingjay Pin to the collar of my jacket. I then took those clothes and carefully selected underclothes (because boy these Capitolans loved their skimpy underwear) through to my ensuite bathroom and hopped in the shower, hoping to be able to clean up once more before the inevitable torture that was the stylists team.
On the colour of my shirt, I had debated a red version but eventually decided against it, simply because I wanted to let Cinna turn me into the girl on fire, I didn't want to preempt it and possibly ruin the surprise.
I stepped out and let the machine dry my body whilst another machine dried my hair. I washed my face in the basin, not wanting to do it in the shower, and added the creams I'd recognised from my past life. Yes, I'd had good skin, even in the Red Room, after all, they couldn't have their Black Widows with pimples, it wouldn't work in some areas of our line of work if you get my gist.
For scenting in the shower water, I'd gone for pinewood with a pleasant hint of burning wood because that would match the fire (hopefully) smouldering in my eyes. And the heavier scent kinda reminded me of the woods back at District 12. It also happened to match my shirt colour - pinewood and green?
I quickly changed into my clothes, looking at the mirror to make sure everything was looking good. I put my shoes on and was about to walk into the corridor and down to the dining room when I remembered that I was supposed to have ever worn heels before. I decided to use this as a way to suck up to Effie even more.
Carrying the shoes in one hand, I walked in my socks down the hallway to the dining room.
Effie and Peeta were already there and as I heard movement behind me, I turned and saw Haymitch already awake and headed my way which was a victory in itself. Maybe having me as a tribute was making him more active. Or not. Don't think too highly of yourself now Kat.
"Um, Effie," I broached as I served myself some nutritional porridge with raisins and cranberry on top (and lots of syrup but shhh), "I absolutely love these shoes, but I can't walk in them. I was kind of hoping that you might have some tips? Just coz you walk in fabulously high heels whenever I see you. You don't have to help of course, but I was just hoping."
"Oh, those shoes are wonderful. And perfect for a beginner I might add," she spoke with a smirk. A very Effie-like smirk.
Oh god, what have I gotten myself into.
"I'll help you after breakfast deary. By the way, I love your clothes, they're so smart, and very well coordinated!"
"Keep talking like that sweetheart, and you'll have sponsors in no time." Haymitch smirked at me. I could tell from his eyes that he wasn't drunk yet, maybe slightly hungover though, but simply acting like it.
"I have no idea what you mean, Sugar."
"Sure ya don't, Sweetheart." I decided to leave it, but not without rolling my eyes.
Peeta seemed nervous, but once again, following the storyline of the book, he asked Haymitch for advice. Haymitch replied with 'stay alive' and then asked for me to pass the jam, just like in the book. So, I decided to continue following the book. Sorry for damaging the mahogany table Effie, but I'm sure it can be replaced.
I took my knife from the table and stabbed it in between his fingers as he reached to get the jam himself. ("That is mahogany Kat!") Smirking at his slightly shocked face I spoke.
"Listen 'Uncle Mitchy' Prim wants me home. You're not gonna have to break her heart because you are the one who has to tell her that I'm not coming home. And you aren't going to have to apologise for not training us. Put some effort in you old drunk, if not for me and Peeta then for Prim."
Haymitch sighed. "Oh, you just had to pull the guilt trip & Primrose cards didn't you Sweetheart? Fine, but pass me the jam whilst I explain some things."
Obliging, I passed him the jam, listening with a keen ear as I buttered my own toast.
"One, you need the Capitol to like you, two, don't go lighting a fire in the Arena, it'll get you killed, three, no matter what, let your stylist teams do what they want, they'll do it anyway, but it'll be more painful if you don't oblige."
"Speaking of which," I interrupted, "Haymitch, I hope you had a wonderful breakfast, get ready for the hell imma bout to bring you over the next few days. Peeta, are you finished?"
"Uh, yeah, I guess."
"Perfect. Effie, I'm afraid we'll have to postpone that lesson slightly if that's alright, after all, it would be a tragedy for me to be well dressed and clean, but my fellow tribute not."
"Oh, yes. Yes indeed. Such wonderful ideas Kat. We have six hours until we arrive at the Capitol, I'll meet you back here in say two?"
"Sounds wonderful Effie. Hurry up now Peeta, you heard Effie, two, and we have lots to do." With that I walked out of the door, shoes in hand, Peeta hurrying along behind me.
I entered his room, him stuttering behind me. Leaving the bedroom behind and entering his bathroom, I walked over to the shower, and picked the same settings as mine, but then reconsidered and gave him a strong scent of toffee with a whiff of pinewood. Perfect.
"Ok, listen carefully. I know some of the other victors, and all of them said the same thing. The stylists are almost worse than the actual games. We, have to suck it up, Bread Boy. But, we can make it less painful. This means you need to get in that shower and use this scrub. Scrub everywhere. I mean everywhere," I reiterated when he started to blush. "Including your face. But only your face once. Then you can use this face wash. Then shower gel. Then scrub again and then shower gel again. Do that one more time. Don't scrub lightly because it hurts, they won't. Then wash your hair. Use this," here I passed over a toffee scented shampoo, don't ask how I got it, these trains come with everything! "And then condition the ends using this. Only the ends mind you."
"Only use this knob to adjust the heat, I've set everything else, leave it like it is as you obviously failed last night coming from the mixed scents I can smell on you. When you're done the machines will dry your body and your hair. Use these creams on your face in this order, going from left to right. Come out and I'll give you your clothes."
"But I'll be naked?"
"For the love of Loki Bread Boy, one, right now, that's the last thing on my mind, two there's a thing called a towel over there, you can wrap it around you if you so wish."
I went to leave but he spoke up again.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because like it or not, we are in this together. And I kinda like you, maybe just a tiny bit so, uh, yeah." Well that was awkward I pondered as I walked over to his closet. Jeez, in my past life, I never really had time for a love life, boyfriend or anything but family, sometimes, not even that. This is a whole new experience so sue me for stumbling slightly!
Anyway, what for Peeta to wear?
One hour five later and I had picked out an outfit for Peeta and was busy finishing braiding my hair back into the classic style my 'mother' had done yesterday. Knowing we would be going for a couple theory later on I may or may not have made sure that Peeta matched me partially. I stayed true to his honey heart though; I could never change that part of him.
His outfit for leaving the train included a light grey pair of trousers, a white v-neck t-shirt, and a black denim jacket with a pair of green DMs. I thought I'd done quite well, it was simplistic, matched me with his jacket, and best of all, the green boots were rather close in colour to my t-shirt.
Peeta came out with the towel wrapped around his waist, and I huh. I'm pretty sure he did not have those abs back in the first book. Then again, Katniss may simply have just not noticed? Especially considering I was once the top spy in the world.
"Uh, right," I tilted my head. "#uh, you seem clean."
"I feel clean."
Laughing at that I gestured to the bed where I had laid out his clothes, and once again, carefully selected underclothes (socks included).
"Get dressed. I'll come back in roughly ten minutes." With that I left.
I walked into my room and into the bathroom. Checking my hair was good in the mirror if frowned. Whilst I wanted to seem fierce I felt a green ribbon would set off my hair perfectly. Possibly, I've only ever had blonde hair, identical to my twin's, or dyed red (for some reason never brown?) for undercover work so I wouldn't know. The question was whether I should braid it as part of the plait, or around the bobble at the end? Huh, something to talk to Effie about. Also, to do so, I would need an actual ribbon, something I did not have. Hopefully, she will have one. I couldn't appear boring to the Capitol. That just wouldn't do.
Feeling as though ten minutes was up, I walked back over to Peeta's room and knocked on the door. It opened almost immediately, but I wasn't startled.
"You have really heavy footfalls. You'll need to work on that if you wanna survive." Peeta looked a tad confused at me helping him again, but seemed to shrug it off. I had done a quick survey of him, but now I did a longer one and felt he had hust about touched expectations. He wasn't wearing his shoes.
"Do the shoes not fit?"
"It's not that, it's just, well um, I don't really know what to do with the laces."
Oh, I'd forgotten I hadn't put the laces in. Oops. Grabbing his elbow I pulled him after me as I headed to the living room part of the dining room carriage. Ok, now we're both blushing slightly. Haymitch is gonna have a field trip. Hurrah! Note the heavy heavy sarcasm there.
Sitting down on one of the two couches, I got Peeta sit next to me. I took one set of laces and a boot and left him with the other.
"Because Capitolans pick up the small details on things like clothes, we need to be careful. What I'm going to do, you need to mirror." He nodded and I set to work threading the laces through, ensuring that they were even and that they crossed over the same way every time. Then, knowing that DMs can be tough to get on when they were fully laced up, I knelt down and slipped one shoe on.
It was obvious that he was startled by my actions, but he copied on the other foot, blushing even more.
We finished doing his laces with 35 minutes left of our two hour time. Huh, that went quickly.
I grabbed the remote for the tv and looked at Peeta.
"We're gonna be facing the other tributes soon enough, we should probably get a bit of info into our brains about them."
"Now you're thinking like a tribute-victor Sweetheart."
"I learnt from a pretty good drunk Sugar."
Watching the Reaping Replay, it was surreal to see all these characters in real life. Then my Reaping came on. At the end of the day, I'm pretty happy with my Reaping. It makes me look caring, yet deadly and ready to kill. A perfect mix. Now I just need to pull it off in front of the Capitol and make them believe.
Effie startled me out of my thoughts as she walked through the door surprisingly quickly. She laid eyes on me and smiled. Then she looked at Peeta and smiled even wider.
"You look wonderful Peeta, just wonderful. And I love the touch of colour from your boots." But then her attention switched and narrowed completely and utterly in me. Oh Loki, Frigga and all the gods, what have I unleashed?
The next hour was spent with her 'coaching' me in how to walk. Only once she was satisfied with my walk did she allow me to put the shoes on. Apparently my posture was ok, but needed a little tweaking. Suddenly I realised how Nat must have felt when Mom Melinda was telling her to not slouch and she wasn't. It's bloody annoying, like seriously, I'm not and I can't straighten up anymore. And Haymitch was watching from the sidelines. I'm not gonna go further into that, use your imagination, what do you think he'd be doing to me? (Cough cough heckling and laughing are your clues.)
One and half hours later and apparently I'm good to go. Thank the heavens for that. I'm pretty sure Effie has created a new type of torture.
Two and a half hours left until we leave the train. What on earth am I supposed to do in that amount of time? Plan? Because I can't really do much of that. As much as I want to save Rue, I have forced myself to realise that I can't, not unless I want to completely mess up the timeline which I cannot afford. Right now, I have the upper hand because I know what is going to happen. But if I affect things too much? I could change the timeline completely and then I'll be just as lost as everyone else.
It turns out I'd spent the two hours annoying the hell out of Haymitch and rewatching the Reaping twice. You know, know thy enemy, as you know thy self or whatever that quote was.
When we entered the tunnel, Effie seemed to perk up and she started babbling about all the sights. I caught Haymitch's eye and when he gestured for me to do something I stared back. For. A. Long. Minute. Until he looked away, unnerved. Oh, how I love messing with people.
Leaving the tunnel, I tugged Peeta up with me to go to the window. Awe was clearly displayed on my face as I waved slightly to the cheering crowds. If anything they screamed even more. Holy guacamole. This is crazy.
Yes. I am in awe. I mean, I've been to a lot of places, but never had I seen anything with so much colour and odd strangeness. It was ugly in a way. Colourful and ugly. Odd combination there.
The train pulled to a stop as me and Peeta stood behind Effie and in front of the resident not-drunk drunk. The doors opened and my Asgardian gods, the noise level was incredible. All my senses were assaulted by all the, well, Capitolaness. Is that even a word?
Walking on the red carpet was odd, red = blood so you kinda get what I mean but then I heard something that would give me the chance to interact with the crowd outside of waving and smiling. Yes!
"Lovely shoes Katniss!"
Turning I spotted the person who had shouted it, "Thank you! Effie said they were perfect for beginners. Honestly I doubt I'll get shoes any different than this, the shoes everyone here wears look so spectacular and yet I could never walk in them!"
"I'll teach you!" Again with that Capitolan laugh ugh.
"That'd be awesome!" Before I could continue, Haymitch was tugging me away. I waved goodbye before looking at Haymitch, slightly disgruntled. He in turn gestured to Effie who was looking at the clock and me over and over. Time is ticking 'hearts are running, think that Cup-'* not the time Kat.
I was going to just follow them to where Peeta was smiling and waving with Effie but then I saw this little girl just a couple of metres before them who having slipped under the barrier seemed to be desperately trying to get mine and Peeta's attention.
I quickly moved forward, grabbing Peeta's hand (which got us a load of awws from the crowd), reassured Effie that we would be moving along shortly and pulled Peeta back with me. He seemed confused but then he spotted the girl and seemingly understood.
The little girl was holding two blood-red roses (seriously, blood-red?) and when I crouched down to say hello she beamed at me and presented one of the roses. Peeta crouched down next to me and he got the other rose.
"You're really pretty Katniss."
"Aww, thank you sweetheart, but I'm not nearly as pretty as you. I'm sure when you're my age you'll be even more beautiful!"
She giggled nervously then said, "Will you wear the roses?"
"Of course," I exclaimed as Peeta smiled and nodded. He was obviously nervous and overwhelmed by everything, or at least it was obvious to my eye. I went to take Peeta's rose, "May I?"
He nodded and I carefully threaded the stem through his top button hole in his jacket. Then I took my own and threaded it into the braid near my ear. She smiled and kissed my check and then Peeta's causing him to blush before disappearing back under the barrier with a wave.
Linking my hand with Peeta's we stood up and walked towards a nervous looking Effie and a hassled looking Haymitch who were standing in front of some doors which I presumed led to the place where the prep teams were. What's that place called? Meh, I can't remember but that's not really important. What's important is the torture I'm about to go under via prep team. Seriously.
Entering the hall Effie hurried us through to the elevator on the other side of the large room. Oh, it's the Remake Centre right? Anyway, here we joined another district's tributes and their mentors and oh shit.
District 2. Well this'll be interesting. Maybe I can give Haymitch some more grey hairs.
Or I can keep myself to myself. For now. I can freak them out later but you know, if they do try to annoy me or anything like that I will fight back. My words are just biting as my Electric Widow Bites and let me tell you, those are horrifying.
They looked us up and down once before turning to talk amongst themselves. Huh, the first weakness that can get you killed is arrogance and these two have it in bucketfuls. Wonderful. It's kind of how Clove fell in the first book anyway. If they wanna ignore me, I'll gladly use the chance to study them further. In the books Katniss didn't actually kill Clove, and Cato's death was more out of luck than anything and I don't want to have to hope for luck to get me through the next few weeks.
Cato's strong, that I already know. He's arrogant too. He favours his left leg and as such, most likely left handed which is different from what it seems in the books. His favourite weapon is a sword but he can just as easily kill you in hand to hand combat. Clove's smaller, younger, weaker. She stands more evenly but from the looks of it favours her right hand. She has the size to be able to move quickly and I know she favours knives which works well for her stature. I know that she could do some damage in hand to hand combat but likely prefers to fight from further away. I'm rather confident in my ability to take her down hand to hand but I don't know much about it because all I know is Katniss lost to her in the first book. I'm a lot stronger than Katniss was despite the classic District 12 malnutrition. Cato's another story. Hopefully I can take him out from afar, it would certainly be better odds, but I guess the odds are never in mine/Katniss's favour.
The elevator door pings open again and the people representing District 2 leave, but not before I see Brutus and Enobaria send me distrustful looks. Seems they're not as arrogant as their younger counterparts. I'm a volunteer, as such I should be an immediate threat or possible ally but because I'm from an outer district and also the first volunteer in the history of the district it would be much smarter to treat me as a threat over an ally.
Effie hurried us along. I won't go into much detail about the prep just that I'm sure it was just as torturous Katniss thought in the books only my pain tolerance is a lot higher - thank the Gods that it carried over from my previous life.
I kind of just let the prep teams do what they want, only I wouldn't let them burn my dress and I made a little chatter about the things they were using, along with the showers on the train and what I tried to do scent wise. They must have liked me trying because they suddenly tried to include me in their talks a lot more and they ended up 'educating' me on the things I didn't understand when they brought it up. I also managed to get them to use a permanent hair remover on my legs and armpits. The rest of my body I don't care too much about and I rather like having hair here and there but it's nice to not worry about those two areas; also, sweat is less stinky if you don't have as much hair which works better when hunting.
They dressed me in a silk wrap round gown and left me in the room with sweet remarks - for the Capitol at least. Slightly more excited now, I waited rather impatiently for Cinna to arrive.
Cinna had always been a favourite of mine. His designs, his style and the way he didn't care for fitting in. I rather liked his relationship with Kat as well. In all honesty, I couldn't wait to meet him. And I didn't have to wait long.
The designer walked through the doors in simplistic dark clothing and golden eyeliner. Just like what Susanna had written.
I don't want to go into much detail about it because I'm scared it'll take away from the actual experience. But it was wonderful. And he is a miracle worker. Unlike the Katniss I read about, I knew what he could do, and I couldn't wait.
The prep team reappeared and set about with light makeup to enhance my features, and sorting my hair not to mention my flaming nails. They were quieter this time, concentrated on their tasks so much they didn't chatter - a new experience for me and possibly them too.
Cinna returned within an hour, bringing with him my costume. The costume. The Girl On Fire Costume.
Before I knew it I was staring at myself in the mirror. Despite being put off once again by the differences between this body and my old one I couldn't help but be pulled in.
I know that Katniss was meant to be an attractive from both the books and the films (tell me Jennifer Lawrence isn't attractive, I dare you to try) but there were differences from how she had been described previously - my eyes had hints of green mixed into the deep brown and my cheekbones were slightly more aristocratic. (These features had stood out in my past life, it was like I'd brought across remnants of a sort.) All of this was emphasised by the light makeup Cinna had had the prep team apply emphasising my natural beauty (if I can say that? yeah, yeah I can). I smiled, a gentle smile I associated with taking care of younger kids that I liked. It was a smile that was going to win the Capitol onto my side, I just had to play the cards I had right and if I had to manipulate my hand, then so be it.
Even my eye makeup was minimalist, a small amount of eyeline and a dusting of grey eyeshadow, a touch of contour and blush and a strong but pale pink for my lipstick. I felt confident. I looked confident. I was confident. Screw District 2 and their cockyness. I was going to win, and I was going to do it my way. I wasn't given the name Red Widow for nothing, my hands were bathed in red for as long as I could remember, I certainly wasn't going to shy away from killing when it came to it.
But for now, the parade.