Chapter 10

"Ow, ow, ow!" I whined as the brightly colored people around me worked to get every speck of dirt and strand of hair off my body. I was currently naked. Naked, on a cold metal table, as strangers worked on perfecting my body, for all of Panem. Trust me, I did not want to be doing this. When Cato and I stepped off the train we were marched right to the Remake Center, where we would be fixed up for the tribute parade. It was then that I met my horridly dressed prep team, and was asked to remove my clothing. After about an hour of protesting, and being begged to remove my dress, I finally gave in, after they promised not to talk to me.

"Oh, dear look at your eyebrows!" cried a tall, purple skinned lady, who was apparently named Pompona. She frantically ran to get something to pluck them with as two other members of her team worked on shampooing my hair. The rest of my so called "prep team" consisted of two young men, Aquilon,and Boreas, with identical purple spiky haircuts and suits made of animal furs. I would never understand Capitol fashion. All I could do was pray that at least my stylist had a sense of style so, I wouldn't end up in a ridiculous costume in front of millions of people.

"Thank god, we didn't get stuck with district 11 again!" cried Boreas, his voice filled with disgust.

"Don't even get me started on that girl's leg hair!" Pompona shouted covering her eyes.

"Miles thick, I'm sure," Aquilon muttered with a shudder. They all laughed quietly to themselves as they continued to clean me up.

"Thank you Cleo, for actually showering regularly and brushing through that hair of yours . It makes the job easier!" Pompona said happily as she rinsed out my tangles.

"It's Clove, and um thanks," I muttered. I didn't want to admit that with my training schedule, I didn't always have time for showering, but I guess compared to District 11 or 12, I was sparkling.

"Oh yes! You're all the crowd will be talking about!" They all jumped up and down excitedly, laughing with joy. "Sephone will be so proud of our work!"

"Excuse me, but who is Sephone?" I asked, as I pulled a thin robe over my body.

"Your stylist!" they all chimed, as they erupted into another fit of giggles.

"And, I suppose you're ready to meet her!" Aquilon squealed.

"Are you sure we got everything done?" Pompona asked as she stepped closer to me. "Hair is good, skin is cleansed, blemishes gone, and..." she frowned. "Boreas! You forgot to grease her!"

"Oh, poor darling!" he cried as he hurried over to the shelves, stacked full of beauty products. He rummaged through a large bin until, finally removing a bottle of what appeared to be lotion. "I'm so sorry! I always seem to forget this part!" He said as he rubbed the cream across my body. It stung at first, but then soothed my raw skin. After completely covering my body with the calming lotion they told me my stylist would be here any minute.

"You look beautiful Clove! Sephone will make you look absolutely stunning!" Pompona said excitedly. I hoped she was right.

"Thank you," I replied, trying my best to smile. I reached for my bracelet, to give it a rub, but noticed it was gone. They must have noticed my surprised expression because they told me it was just right in the robe pocket. I thanked them again and slipped the band onto my wrist, hoping to remind me of someone.

A few minutes later, they waved good bye, and darted out of the room. I wanted to hate them but they were just too idiotic, and innocent. They reminded me of children, running wildly through the village, without a care in the world. Although, I didn't particularly like children.

I ran a hand through my damp hair, and hoped this would all be over soon. I tried to picture my stylist, and the outcome was a mixture of Pompona and Aquilon. I shuddered and forced the image out of my mind. Thankfully, the women who walked through the doors didn't match my thinking.

She wore a long floor length dress, that seemed to change colors as she walked. Her feet were tucked away in silver boots, hiding under her shifting dress. Her unnatural black hair was perfectly messy and piled high with diamonds poking in and out, and every which way. Her make up somewhat resembled her dress, by including every color of the rainbow. Her skin stood out harshly under the pile of makeup, a strikingly pale tone.

"Hello Clove. I'm Sephone your stylist." Her voice was loaded with a thick Capitol accent.

"Hello," I said cautiously.

"Please remove your robe, so I can see what the prep team has done with you." She tossed her sunglasses onto the counter beside me, and smiled.

I slowly got up and set the robe behind me, shivering as she inspected my body. I couldn't help but feel like I was a meal, waiting to be gobbled up. She peered closely at my face, her black eyes searching for a reason to yell at her prep team. She laced her fingers through my dark hair, muttering to herself. Finally, she smiled, satisfied with my appearance.

"Alright, put your robe back on and we'll have a chat," she said as her heels clicked across the tile. I scrambled for the fabric, and hastily threw it over my shoulders. I followed her through the doors and into a sitting room. Two red couches faced a low glass table, surrounded by three pale walls, and a window to the city. I sat down across from her, as she welcomed me to a delicious lunch, brought to us from the avoxes. Chicken, and apples, cooked in a creamy sauce, were thrown over a plate of colorless rice, a bowl of rolls from district 4 sat next me, and roasted asparagus, and beans were set in front of me. I was used to such amazing meals, prepared by Cato's mother but, some how I knew this would be a million times better.

"So, Clove, about your costume for the opening ceremony. My partner, Valentine, is the stylist for your district partner, and fellow tribute, Cato. Our thoughts, are to dress you as ancient Greek Gods, and Goddesses. As you know, it is custom to reflect the qualities of the districts." She took a sip from her cup of tea. "Greek Gods were believed to be very powerful, and so is your district, mining and building all the stone or whatever all day. You're known for being strong, and above everyone else. So it only seems to fit. What do you think?"

"I like it," and I really did. It was different, and surly something the audience would remember. I had no idea what a "Greek God or Goddess" was but, for some reason I trusted Sephone.

Her pearly white teeth formed into a smile. "Well, let's go get you ready."

A few hours later, I stood dressed in front of a full length mirror, in the most expensive outfit I'd ever worn. It was also certainly the heaviest. I was in cold metal sleeveless dress, that reached just above my knees. On the front of the dress were what appeared to be golden , metal feathers, that covered my neck and chest until coming to a tight gold belt. Gold sandals spun around my shins and up to my knee. A matching cape made of an insanely light material blew out behind me. Gold eyeliner lined my brown eyes, put other than that, my face was natural. My dark hair was fastened into a tight ponytail, and was divided up by other bands, forming my hair into round ball shapes. On top of it all was a headpiece that weighed down my entire body, with it's gold helmet and wings extending out the sides. It was more ridiculous than I expected but, it would definitely make me stand out along side Cato.

I was relieved when Cato showed up, in an identical costume. He tapped his knuckles on the metal plate across his chest, with a smile.

"Some costume," he said raising his eyebrows.

"Nice skirt." I teased.

"Oh it's very manly." We both laughed. It was funny how we were acting. It was like I never said all those things on the train, like one of us wasn't about to die.

Cato's stylist, Valentine, and Sephone, whisked us down to the bottom of the remake center, which was filled with horses, and pairs of tributes being loaded into chariots. We were one of the first district to arrive which according to Valentine, was very, very important.

Cato and I, motioned over to our chariot, as our stylists reminded us for the eleventh time, not to smile. We were meant to look tough.

"We better start making friends," Cato muttered looking at district 1 and 4, who had just arrived.

"Why?"

"Well, all the careers always team up."

"Oh yeah, duh." I said feeling stupid.

"I'll go to talk to four if you wanna take one?"

"Sure," I said even though the last people I wanted to talk to were those twinkling brats. Unfortunately, before I could duck and hide in the chariot, the girl from one came skipping over to me. She wore a long, pink, sparkling dress with a shawl made entirely of pink hair. Her headpiece was some sort of crown of the same color with feathers extending out every which way. Her face was loaded with make up, mostly different shades of purples and pinks. Some how in the hideous costume, she still managed to look beautiful. I already knew I would hate her.

"Hey! I'm Glimmer!" She bubbled flashing her perfect teeth.

"Clove." I mumbled crossing my arms.

"Carner!"

'What?"

"That's my last name, in case you were wondering," she giggled. I wasn't.

"So, we'll be allies right?" I said, trying to change the subject.

"Oh yes!" she piped. "I'm so excited, been training half my life!"

"Yeah, me too."

"My district partners name is Marvel, and he's over there!" she said excitedly, pointing her finger at a boy in a similar pink costume, talking to the boy from three. "He's kinda annoying though, always trying to flirt with me. I'm sure you won't have to worry about that though." she smiled down at me. I clenched my jaw, praying the ceremony would start soon. I wondered how Cato was doing with district 4.

"How old are you anyways? Twelve?"

"Fifteen."

She burst out laughing, covering her mouth to avoid directing too much attention. I stared straight ahead, as she tried to control herself. "Oh honey, you're just so small I thought," she erupted in giggles again. "I'm seventeen , by the way," she seemed to have her laughter managed. "Maybe you can be like my little sister!"

I shrugged.

She twirled a lock of blond hair between her fingers. "How about your district partner where is he?"

"Uh, Cato and he's talking to district 4." I said pointing.

"Holy hotness, that's him?" she said licking her pink lips.

I felt my stomach flip. "Yeah."

She batted her green eyes in his direction. "Aren't you a lucky ducky."

I won't consider it lucky.

"Are you and him together?" she questioned raising her eyebrows. I should have seen it coming. A gorgeous girl like Glimmer won't be able to stay away from him. I was not about to let her take him away.

"I, uh, yes. Well maybe. I'm not sure. No just friends." I stammered.

"Oh, I see." she purred still staring.

No, you don't.

"Well Clover, you're gonna have to snatch him up quick, before someone else does." she tossed her blonde curls over her shoulder. "Better watch your back."

She turned on her heel and strut back over to her chariot. I was left, red faced, and shaking with anger."You too." I whispered under my breath.

"So how was that?" Cato asked, pulling me up into the chariot.

"I don't know, didn't really like them." I said.

"Well at least they'll be dying," he said smiling down at me.

"Hopefully."

I climbed up and stood next to Cato. The horses were getting ready to pull us through the opening doors, where all of Panem would get a first look at us.

"How about district 4?" I asked.

"Well the boy is only thirteen, so not so useful."

"We were good when you were thirteen," I interrupted.

"Yeah, will this is district 4, they spend half their time swimming around," he said, making me laugh. "The girl didn't really want to talk, seemed scared."

"Then I guess it's just us and the pink brats," I sighed.

"I guess."

Glimmer and Marvel's chariot began to move forward, and ours was to follow. I straightened out my headpiece and wiped my sweaty palms on the back of my legs.

"Ready?" Cato asked smirking.

"Ready."

The chariot lurched forward, and the roaring of the crowd was surrounding us. An ocean of Capitol citizens filled the crowd, throwing roses, and shouting our district names. Cameras lined the street, aching to get a glimpse. I caught sight of us on one of the large television screens, heads up, and glistening with gold. We looked powerful.

Cato motioned for me to raise my hand, in a solute. With a straight and proud face, I raised my arm up, my hands extending towards the starry sky. The crowd cheered insanely loud, and I felt a smile tugging at my lips. Only it wasn't for me. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flame. I nudged Cato, and he saw it too. District 12 was on fire.

The twelve chariots lined up in front of the president, a large man with pearl white hair, forming a loop. He gave us the official welcome, the same speech as every year, but I wasn't listening. I was too busy glaring at District 12. I knew exactly what they were doing, trying to buy themselves into sponsors by wearing some fancy outfits. And it was working. The televisions that lined the buildings, displayed their faces, flickering in the twilight. I made a promise to kill them both. I didn't need stuck up district 12, getting in my way.

When the national anthem played, they did one more sweep through the tributes faces, pausing longer on boy and girl on fire. The chariots looped around the circle of screaming fans and began to parade back to the training center. I noticed the other tributes flashing them dirty looks, and Glimmer repeatedly rolled her eyes dramatically. For once, I was agreeing with her. Cato must have sensed my anger, and annoyance because he held my hand tightly, the whole ride back.