I'm woken up by my door flying open and people flooding into my room talking too fast for my tired brain to process. How early was it if they got to me before I awoke on my own?
It's the same team that stripped me down and waxed off every piece of body hair I had the moment I stepped off the train only a few days ago. Did I really need to go through this whole rigamarole again?
Apparently so as before I could even fully stand up from my be,. I am being corralled into the shower by two of the stylists. One of them turns on the shower without even looking. A nice steamy temperature with a heavy pressure and 5 different types of mysterious liquid are dispensed from the taps.
Fucking wizard.
I try to shake them off when they go to start scrubbing me, but they swat my hands away saying they don't trust me to scrub off all the 'District grime'.
It takes all I have not to turn on my 'scary face' as Lila likes to call it. Instead I just give them my best stare down but that seems to hold no power over them.
Thankfully, there isn't to be any waxing this time. Instead they slather a purple, goopy paste over everything below my neck and as the water washes it down the drain, the hair goes with it.
WHY THE FUCK DID YOU WAX ME BEFORE???
After a truly monstrous shower in which they scrubbed me so hard I'm shocked I'm not glowing. I step out of the bathroom to see Portia and the rest of the stylists running around like headless chickens debating on how exactly they were going to make me look my best.
Portia and one of the stylists seem to be arguing that my stubble, that mysteriously hasn't turned into a bushy beard even though I haven't shaved once, adds a certain charm that they want to use. The other 4 in the room are upset, saying it makes me look unkempt and like a 'barbarian'.
I swear with these people…
Thankfully, Portia seems to win the argument when she says that the 'beard' makes me appear older and mysterious. That opens up a whole other can of chatter as they grab me and force me into a chair to style my hair.
It was 8 hours later that I was finally permitted to leave the room and get something to eat. Walking down the stairs, I see Haymitch speaking with Katniss on the couch looking frustrated at something. When she turns to see me her eyes go wide and a faint blush appears on her cheeks for a moment.
"Wow… you look great." She says.
"Thanks, so do you. Though I do miss the braid." I say back, commenting on her hair that is set in a style that looks both 'bushy' and orderly in the best way possible. Say what you will about the stylists and their horrid personalities but damn are they good at what they do.
"Yeah, I do too. Thankfully Cinna was able to incorporate something similar." She says, gesturing to the tiny braids that frame her face making sure not to touch her hair.
I eat a simple plate of eggs and rice that is already pre-made sitting on the table for me. I look around and see the male Avox from before standing on the far wall next to the Delly lookalike. I give them a nod and smile as I quickly chow down.
When I'm almost done, Katniss is called back upstairs to be put in her dress for the interview. Haymitch uses this moment to sit in the seat directly in front of me.
"So, we've gone over the plan for the interview a little with you but I haven't gone through any test questions. Any preference on how you want to present yourself to the audience tonight? We were thinking of going for likeable and protective. Any thoughts?" He asks.
"That sounds good to me." I say, hoping to get this over with so I can quickly get changed and get this horrific day over with.
"Good. At least someone is being cooperative. That girl… I swear she refuses to see the importance of tonight. She can't stop herself from being aggressive and short." He complains.
"Well… that might have more to do with the interviewer than the interviewee." I say with a grin of amusement. "You're not exactly the most likeable or gentle person yourself you know?"
"Pfft, whatever you want to tell yourself kid." He huffs but doesn't argue any further.
"I might have an idea for my interview if Katniss' doesn't go according to plan." I say.
"Hmm? And what's that? Enlighten me."
"Play up on the love angle. You said it yourself, our closeness has been noted. We've been seen together all throughout training and everyone knows we're best friends. If I can make the audience believe it, it makes her look more desirable by proxy." I say, using the same plan Peeta had that changed everything for the Games. I honestly don't think there would even be a rule change this time around without something like that.
Haymitch seems to contemplate that for a moment. Nodding his head more and more by the second before he looks back at me with something that looks like respect. "There might be more to you beyond your pretty face and muscles. Alright, we'll try it your way."
Before he could start the prep questions, I am called up by Portia to get stuffed into my suit for the evening.
"Well, looks like you'll have to wing it. I hope you know what you're doing lover-boy." Haymitch excuses me.
"Oh Haymitch… when will you learn… winging it is what I do best." I say without turning back as I step up the stairs.
===
I open the door to my room and see all the other stylists are gone, it's only Portia standing in front of a bag that most likely contains my suit.
"Do you want to see it now or close your eyes and see it when it's all put together?" She asks, going to unzip the bag.
"Might as well let it be a surprise. Wake me if I nod off yeah?" I say with an quirked lip.
"Hm, no problem. Alright now just stand there and move when I say move ok?" She says with a huff of amusement.
It takes about 15 minutes to get all the buttons done and my hair tamed again. Once she is done she takes a couple minutes to appreciate her handiwork before telling me to open my eyes. Before I do I know it must be stunning because I've never heard such pride come from her since I've met her.
When I look in the mirror I'm shocked into silence. It's nothing like Peeta's interview getup. Where I was expecting a standard suit, maybe with some flame motifs, I saw a charcoal suit with dark black accent marks that cover random spots. It was subtle, you had to look closely to even see them but it gave the suit a depth that was compelling to look at. Like it sucked your attention to it. Matching the suit, was a tie and shoes, the same color as the accent lines.
Usually not one for fashion, I was surprised by how much I liked it. It gave me a mysterious edge that, matched with my 'pretty-boy face' promises to make me interesting to the Capitolites and sponsors.
"Woah…" I exhale.
"Woah indeed. This is some of our finest work. Cinna and I spent hours yesterday getting it just right. Why don't you try tapping your left heel a few times?" That pride is back in her voice and I can't begrudge her one bit.
I do as she's told and when I do, a flame ignites over the sole of both shoes and slowly climbs up my legs, does a loop around my waist accentuating my belt, and spreads through the flecks of black that adorned my suit. The flame finally comes to a stop as it condenses around the tie and vest combo. I look like a piece of burning coal. Like the embers at the bottom of the barbeque.
(A/N: Image here and chapter comments)
I take a moment to try to think why the outfit is different. Could it be that they are trying to give me the same stage as Katniss? I did get a bigger score than Peeta and the connection between her and I is more real to their eyes. Are they trying to make me a symbol as well? A 'Boy on Fire'? I can't imagine why. Katniss struck such a chord with the rebels for volunteering in place of her sister. What have they seen in me that makes them want to push me into the spotlight as well?
Whatever it is, I'm thankful for it.
"You're a genius Portia… you and Cinna both. In all my years of life, I've never seen any outfit take my breath away like yours has." I say with a quiet awe.
She doesn't respond for a while, just basking in her work. Eventually she pulls back and says "Well, it's almost time." She guides me to turn around while looking me over once more and brushing imaginary dust off of my shoulders. Something any boy with a mother would know was just a delaying tactic.
"You'll do great." She says with a whisper.
"Thank you Portia. For everything." She just smiles and guides me out the door and down the stairs.
We seem to be the first down because I only see Haymitch drinking from his flash while ignoring Effie talking right next to him. Not much is said as we wait for Katniss to come down. Effie shot me a quick look up and down before nodding in a satisfied manner.
After about 20 more minutes we hear footsteps descending from above and look up to see Cinna holding Katniss' hand as she makes her way down. She's wearing the same dress I remember from the movie. It's a beautiful fire red that flows as if there is imaginary wind in the room. It ends just below her ankles and there is a large bow on her left shoulder.
She looks stunning.
It must have been written on my face because when we make eye contact, she snorts in the most undignified way that contrasts the 'heavenly beauty' look she's got going at the moment.
"Trying to catch flies there?" She asks in an effort to hide the giggles threatening to leave her throat.
I don't dignify that with a response as I say "You look beautiful…" with sincerity.
"You clean up well yourself." She says with a grin, before muttering to only me "you look really handsome too" with a red face.
My heart starts pounding as I get a massive confident grin on my face. I offer my arm to her as I say "Shall we my lady?" In obvious exaggeration.
She takes a big breath and exhales all the tension in her shoulders before saying "We shall."
I glance at our audience for a moment and see both Cinna and Portia wearing smiles of endearment but also looks of pity. They know that whatever is going on between is only doomed to end in flames in only a few hours. In their minds, one of us is going to be dead within 2 weeks.
Haymitch meanwhile is sporting a contemplative look before nodding in slight satisfaction and turning to walk towards the elevator.
===
The ride down is silent, Katniss' arm still looped with mine as we gaze out the glass tube onto the city below us. We can literally see the stage we'll be sitting on in only a few moments. There is already a massive crowd inside. Not long after, we step out and are guided by the workers and assistants towards a waiting room with the other tributes.
We're last in the room yet again. Must be us being on the top floor…
We definitely turn heads when we walk in. Both done up to the nines in clothing that definitely stands out amongst the more… simple outfits everyone else is sporting.
The careers have nice clothes of high quality but the only one who stands out is Glimmer with her almost totally transparent dress.
Poor girl… doesn't even know what life is fated for her if she manages to win this. Enough horror stories of previous pretty tributes have made its way around the country for many to see hope in their less than stellar looks.
The rest of the tributes are seen in standard dress and suit. My eyes gravitate towards Rue and Thresh when I feel their eyes on us. Rue is dressed in a pure white, flowy gown that makes her look like a fairy. Just looking at her makes you want to protect her from the horrors of the world and I can feel the moment Katniss sees her as well as she gets tense again and the hand I'm nestling in my arm begins to shake. I give her a squeeze of comfort and that seems to bring her back to the present.
Thresh is dressed in a normal suit, made out of the same material as Rue's dress, only his is a dark blue color. When I make eye contact with both tributes from 11 I give a solemn nod and guide Katniss to our waiting seats.
Almost the moment we sat down an assistant comes in and tells us it's time to take our place on the stage. We are escorted out double file in order of District. The second Glimmer steps out I can hear and feel the cheer of the Capitolites, their voices literally shaking the wall separating us.
When it's our turn to walk into the spotlight, I squeeze Kat's hand and we walk out, arms still interlocked.
The cheers are shockingly just as loud as Glimmer's, if not a tad louder. That was a little surprising but I know we've been drawing eyes ever since the reaping. I just didn't have an idea as to how much attention we were actually getting. I smile and wave towards the audience as we make our way to the couch for District 12 and Katniss does the same which makes the cheers swell even more.
Caesar Flickerman takes the stage once we are seated and does his usual charismatic opening before calling the first of us up, Glimmer.
Her mentor must have had the easiest job in the world because she exudes sex appeal through her whole interview. Throwing kisses and sultry looks to the audience and camera is a cheat code for cheers of affection. There are a few cries of sadness at potentially 'ruining such a specimen in the Game' but I try to ignore those sickening implications.
After her allotted 3 minutes are up, she stands to waltz back to her seat next to Marvel. When she turns her back to the audience there is another round of lustful cheers and whistles for… obvious reasons. She takes it in stride with a smile of pride and looks over at us with a face of triumph.
The interviews go relatively quickly from there. Marvel plays up his arrogance, trying to show the people how confident he is. Clove plays up her angry, almost 'tsundere', personality as much as it pains me to say such a thing.
Cato just exudes confidence and viciousness. Even when he attempts to be casual with Caesar, it comes across as someone toying with their food. One would think that would make him undesirable as a tribute, but it just cements the idea of him being the favorite in most people's minds.
Both the boys and girls from Districts 3 and 4 are obviously nervous. Each of them are pretty small and received mediocre scores. They boy from 4 might be the most promising of the four as he's pretty stocky even if he is short. He mentioned being handy with a trident like pretty much every other tribute from 4 is. That explains his 8 in the evaluation.
The next interview that peaks some interest is Foxface from District 5. Her tone is cold. Not uninterested but as if she's analyzing every detail at every moment. I don't know exactly how much she's playing that up, but her comment about the mind being more valuable than any weapon gets some interested chatter started in the crowd.
No one else seems to make a splash. I expected the tributes from 7 to make more of an impression since their scores were so high, but they both seemed to lack confidence and were constantly squirming or refusing to look at the audience. Their chances probably tanked after that.
I almost cringed watching the pair from 10 go up. The boy looked on the verge of tears, attempting to gain sympathy for his bum leg but it falls on deaf ears. The girl on the other hand does end up shedding a few tears and has to hold back the sobs. Caesar tries quite hard to help them appear good for the crowd, but even his charm isn't magical.
He's been surprisingly good at this tonight. Guiding the nervous ones along in an easy and calming way, laughing at poor jokes, or even joining the banter the tributes attempt to use. I almost think he's sympathetic to us but then I realize it's all for the show.
Finally, Rue is called forward. She is obviously intimidated by the large crowd and speaks with a tremor in her voice, but she doesn't shy away from the questions or facing the audience. When she mentions how she's fast and that people will have to "catch me to kill me" there are 'aws' from all around the stadium. Her innocent face in the pure white dress makes her look like an angel to all the bloodthirsty Capitolites. She leaves the stage to the largest applause since Foxface.
Thresh is up next and keeps his aloof, cold attitude up for the entire thing. Like this entire thing isn't worth his respect. The cold attitude must work in his favor though, because people still cheer when he leaves. I guess being the biggest physically helps your odds no matter what. He stands at 6'5", has broad shoulders, and a brawny build. Definitely an intimidating sight.
Finally, I hear Flickerman call Katniss up. She gives me one last squeeze of her hand as she stands and makes her way to the chair.
"Welcome Katniss. Now, let's start with an easy question. What's been the most surprising thing that you've experienced in the Capitol so far? It's quite different from District 12 after all!" He asks with genuine interest. Or at least what I think is genuine.
She seems to look inward for a moment and before her silence becomes awkward she looks back at him and says "The lamb stew."
Somehow that sets off a large laugh from the audience. No doubt finding it bizarre a child's favorite thing they have to offer is a simple food dish. Bastards seemed to forget how rare meat can be in the outer Districts.
"Haha! I understand! I eat it by the bucket!" He says with exaggerated joy. He turns to the audience with a look of fear and says "It doesn't show does it?!" Which is accompanied by a wave of "No's!" and an emphatic "HELL NO!" from a particularly excited Capitolite in the front row.
"So Katniss, when I first saw you come out in the parade, I felt my heart stop! What did you think of your outfit that night?"
"You mean after I got over my fear of being burned alive?" Katniss asks back with a tone of dry amusement. That earns a big laugh from the audience. I can see Rue trying to hide a giggle as well.
"Haha, yes after that"
"Well, I thought it was beautiful. Cinna is a genius and he made something especially magical for me. I can't believe I got to wear it. I can't believe I get to wear this as well!" She says as she gestures to her current dress. When she does so, she glances to the side of the audience and stands up.
"See?"
She starts to twirl and when she does, the bottom of her dress all the way up to around the mid-thigh seemingly transforms into flame. It twirls as she does, creating a mesmerizing display of color and an audible woosh from the movement.
The cheers were the loudest of the night and Ceasar claps and says "Oh, how marvelous! Do it again for us!"
She obliged his request and spins once more to more applause. When she sits down to continue the interview.
"So about your training score. Eleven! Both you and your partner. Care to tell us anything about that?" He asks with a tone like he's asking for gossip on the neighbor.
"Well… I can say I think it's a first?" She asks while looking at the gamemakers.
They nod and when Caesar asks for more details, Katniss once again looks their way. That's when Plutarch, the one who fell into the punch bowl, stands and says that's not allowed with a joking tone for the camera.
Caesar makes a smooth transition to asking Katniss about Prim. Katniss' face transforms from a tight smile to a look of care and protectiveness. She glances back at me then looks back towards where I assume Cinna is before talking about how much she loves her sister. And how she promised to try to win and come back to her.
There are more 'aws' from around the stadium and the buzzer goes off before Caesar can ask more questions. I'm surprised they didn't bother asking about the two of us but I don't have time to contemplate that because it's my turn.
===
When I take my seat Caesar starts off with the same question he's asked every tribute so far. "So Liam, what's impressed you the most since you've arrived in the Capitol compared to home?"
"Hmm. Definitely the showers Caesar." I say with full seriousness before breaking out what my mother calls my lady-killer face. There's a murmur in the audience that becomes giggles at mine and Caesar's expressions.
"The showers? Go on…" He says in a way that says he's dying to know what could possibly be so different about a shower.
"Well for one all the buttons and knobs! So many options and levers it feels like I'm working a hovercraft rather than a shower. Back home there are 2 options. Hot. Cold." I say with humor.
"Oh, how unfortunate. I literally don't think I could live without my moisturizer cream and special soaps. Such a shame!" He says is faux depression.
Caesar and the audience laugh and he moves on to another question.
"We've seen Ms. Everdeen's outfit for night, you're looking quite spiffy yourself. Any secrets to that suit of yours?"
I grin and say "I thought you'd never ask. Portia came up with something amazing." I stand up and tap my left heel twice on the stage. When I do the flame crawls up my legs and spreads around my chest before settling on my tie and vest.
There is a massive cheer from the crowd and I can hear some women near the front cheering my name.
I glance over and see Portia shooting me a thumbs up as I go to sit back down in the chair.
Caesar looks like a chihuahua on a sugar high. He's pretty much shaking in joy before he shouts "How stunning! These might be the best costumes I've ever seen in all my years of the Games! Kudos to your stylists. They have done something magical. Now, onto the next question before our time is over. We have here a video from your reaping that caught the attention of some of our more keen-eyed viewers. Care to walk us through what was going through your head?" He asks as a video centered on me as I was walking back to my place after comforting Prim is shown on the massive screen behind us.
The screen splits as Effie goes to pull a name out of the bowl and people see my mouth begin to open. "See here? At first we thought you had your mouth open in surprise for being selected. It was only after a few of our more observant watchers pointed out that it was already open." The video continues as Effie unravels the paper and calls my name and my eyes go wide as my mouth slowly closes. They captured the moment my face goes from determined, to shock, and back to determined in only a few seconds.
"Now we all know emotions can be quite complicated during the reaping ceremony, but we were wondering if you could clear it up for us. What was going through your head at this moment?" He asks with probably the most sincere voice he's used tonight.
I take a moment to look at my hands before giving off a huff of amusement and exasperation. "Well Caesar… I was getting ready to volunteer myself." Gasps all around the stadium. Caesar's eyes are so wide it covers his eye shadow. I glance back and see Katniss' eyes going just as wide. I think I even see hers shining as tears begin to well up. I give her a quick comforting smile before turning my attention back to the interview.
I chuckle once more "I know. Shocking right. I was so prepared to volunteer I already had my mouth open to say it immediately. Turns out, fate had other plans for me."
"You were going to volunteer? Why?" He asks with pure confusion.
"Sigh well Caesar… there's this girl I've liked for a really long time…"
"Ah. Think I see where you're going with this. You wanted to volunteer, win the Games, and come back triumphant to woo her?" He says, quickly shifting back to his charismatic charm.
"Not exactly." I say. Almost depressedly for the cameras to really get a good shot of my sad face.
"Oh?" Caesar goes."And why not? Surely someone as handsome as yourself would have no problem romancing any girl back home. If you came back a victor? Well… who could resist you?"
"That may be true Caesar, but there's one problem." I say.
"And what's that?"
"She came here with me." I drop the bomb that turns the strong duo from 12 to the power couple of the nation.
I turn to look at Katniss with a sincere smile and she gives a bashful one back, uncomfortable with the publicness of it all. She doesn't seem to look shocked, like she expected this.
"I see… that explains you two being so cooperative with each other… I'm sorry. That's bad luck…" Caesar says with a sad resigned tone.
"It is… but if anyone had to be with her in the arena. I'm glad it's me. I'll do anything I can to protect her." I say with a humble yet steely tone, hoping to show them what they wanted to see. That seems to impress them as there is a smattering of applause that grows into a really loud cheer. Almost like they were supporting us already.
The timer chose that second to buzz. Caesar and I stand up and he takes my hand to lift it to the crowd. I give one last wave as I join all the other tributes for a large customary bow to the audience.
We are quickly escorted to private areas with our teams before being moved to the elevators.
Effie, Portia, and Cinna are all smiles and praise. Haymitch looks quite satisfied with himself but keeps his mouth closed until the lift door closes.
"That was fantastic. Sponsors are already lining up to get in on the action. Get as much rest as possible tonight. Tomorrow… everything changes." He says while making eye contact with both of us.
Tomorrow… over 5 years of preparation all comes down to tomorrow. I know I have the skills and ability to make it out alive. That's not even a real concern for me at this point, but for Katniss to survive I need to be on my A game.
//
A/N: I'm debating on doing reaction chapters occasionally for people to see how the families react from moments before and during the games. I'm not fully convinced it would be worth breaking the pace of the story and if I did do them, they might be shorter chapters.
Let me know what you would prefer!
Thanks for reading!
//