There's Nothing More Important than Family, chapter 4

Just as we promised our mentors, Nathan and I are up at eight o’clock. Palana tells us we can serve ourselves, as there is a buffet in the dining room. I help myself to some waffles and a tiny bit of fruit. Nathan must be hungry, for there is a mountain of food on his plate. We sit cross-legged in the sitting room because the chairs in there are comfier. I finish eating before Nathan does, but that is to be expected, considering how much he took from the buffet. Olivia comes in close after we did, but Sean doesn’t show up for another half-hour. Olivia tells him he must eat while they strategize with us.

“So.” Begins Olivia awkwardly.

Sean interrupts her impatiently. “Would you two be up to making an alliance with tributes from other districts?”

I shrug, and Nathan says, “It depends on who it is. I don’t want any Career allies, or that girl from six. The boy from seven is a ‘no’ as well.”

Olivia nods. “Yes, that was not what we were thinking either.”

“That’s something you two need to work on during training.” Instructs Sean. “During your lunches, don’t be afraid to socialize with the others. If you’ve seen any of the previous Games, the tributes with allies go far. They usually make it to at least the top ten; it depends on the tributes in your alliance though, of course.”

“Of course.” I mutter quietly, so only Nathan can hear me.

“Try tributes from 8, 10 and 11.” Olivia suggests. “They’re usually nice, and not bad on the ‘survival’ side of things.”

“Ok, cool.” Says Nathan. “Try to make an alliance with the tributes from 8, 10 and 11. Got it. Anything else?”

“Palana, what time is it?” calls Olivia.

“Nine-thirty!” Palana sings back. Today she is dressed in gold, browns and yellows. She told me it is in honor of District 9. I decided sometimes, she isn’t half bad.

“That means we will be in the Capitol in about an hour.” Says Sean. “We won’t talk about your strengths until tomorrow. Why don’t you two get dressed? You can’t arrive in the Capitol in your pajamas.” For the first time since the Reaping, I smile. The uptight, high-fashion citizens of the Capitol probably wouldn’t enjoy it very much if we wore pajamas all day!

I change into comfortable cargo pants and a black long-sleeved shirt. Nathan dresses in plaid shorts and a white shirt with a collar. He returns my token to my head, attaches his around his wrist, and we leave the room together. We ask Palana questions about the Capitol until the train enters a tunnel, and I know we are finally here. Nathan and I dash to the window and stare at the clean-looking Capitol. The buildings are huge, and everything looks high-quality and chic. I am now more nervous than ever. Nathan reaches for my hand, and I take it gratefully. I watch the eager Capitol fans cheering as we pull into the station. I wave slightly, and they all scream wildly. Nathan starts to laugh.

“I know.” Smirks Olivia. “They’re crazy, aren’t they?” The train stops, and Palana ushers us to the door.

Before we leave, Sean calls, “You’re going now to meet your stylists. You may not enjoy the experience but do whatever they tell you to.”

I nod to show I understand and Palana escorts Nathan and me to the Remake Centre. We walk into the building, and there is a long corridor with doors on either side. On the left side are the boys, and on the right, there are doors for the girls. A number on the door indicates which district’s tribute’s room it is. Palana takes us to the ‘9’ doors and Nathan disappears into the left room. I go through the right door. Three people are waiting for me, and I can tell they’re from the Capitol because of what they’re wearing.

“Zania!” one squeals. “You’re here! I’m Ziza!”

“I’m Mara.” Says the man in the corner excitedly.

“And I’m Hallie.” Says the last, more serious one. “We are your prep team.”

They start by removing hair from my body. They then wash the hair on my head that they didn’t remove and dry in quickly. They moisturize my skin, and paint my nails with a clear coat. They circle me, and I feel self-conscious since I have nothing on.

“She’s ready for Kerany.” Announces Hallie, and Mara leaves to go fetch my stylist. Hallie and Ziza go too, leaving me alone. Kerany comes in, and I see she looks as ridiculous as all of the others. Her eyebrows are unnaturally high and her face is plastered with makeup. She wears nothing but a silver bodysuit, and I think to myself that she looks like a surprised clown.

Kerany circles me just as the prep team had, then says in a deep, exotic voice, “Put your robe back on. Lunch is here.” I think it’s weird how she rolls her ‘r’s. I hastily tie my robe around my body and sit with her on a couch in the middle of the room. The sandwiches they have on the table are delicious. “Your brother’s stylist and I were talking, and we think we want to emphasize the unity between you two through the costumes.”

I raise and eyebrow. I’m not sure what she’s saying, so I clarify, “You want us to dress sort of the same?”

“Is that not what I just said?” snaps Kerany hotly. “Now, District 9 is the district of farmers. Moray, the other stylist, and I have decided to dress you as farmers.” I knew we would be farmers. The District 9 tributes are dressed as farmers every year. I think the stylists need to be more creative.

Kerany tells me to stand up, and the prep team scurries back in. They dress me in my costume, do my hair and apply my make-up, but I have no idea what I look like. My eyes have been closed for the last few hours.

“Open your eyes.” Kerany orders impatiently, and I reluctantly obey her.

Ziza leads me to a mirror. My hair had been woven into two braids with gauzy red bows tied at the bottom of them. I wear a checkered red blouse and a denim skirt. Cowboy boots come up to my knees, and my token has been returned to my head.

“Your circlet,” says Kerany, “It would not last long in the arena. I sprayed it with a concoction of mine. It is as strong as steel, and it will last forever.”

“Thanks.” I mutter.

“Moray and I want to show you are farmers. While in the chariot, your brother will carry a pitchfork, and you, a spade.” I nod. “The Tribute Parade starts in forty-five minutes.” Kerany says exactly. “We shall not be late. Come.”

She leads me into a back room, and I see that it is not a room, but a tunnel, and it leads to a large, stable-like room. Most of the other tributes are here. Nathan is already there with his stylist, standing beside our chariot. It is decorated by gold representations of wheat and our horses are golden as well. Nathan is wearing cowboy boots and denim overalls, but no shirt underneath. It looks good though. The females in the audience will be screeching in delight when they see him, I’m sure. I see he’s wearing his token too, and I wonder if Kerany sprayed it with her special life-lasting spray.

“Hey Zania.” He grins. I hug him around the middle.

Olivia and Sean approach us. Sean speaks, “Now, usually, we’d tell you to try to be the most memorable possible, but you two are already big in the Capitol. Everyone knows who you are, since this is the first time siblings have been reaped together. Instead, I’m going to tell you to stay close, and try looking a little…arrogant. The sponsors will see that you two are together, fighting and ready for anything.”

“It’s time to go!” shrieks Palana. “Quick, get into your chariot!”

Nathan jumps into the chariot, but I struggle to get in, so Sean lifts me. Moray passes up the Pitchfork and the spade. Once we are both positioned, Nathan puts his arm around my shoulders and anchors me to the chariot. I try to hide the fear from my face as Nathan whispers, “Get ready.” Our chariot is pulled into line, behind the chariot from 8, and slowly, our chariots enter the arena.