Put On A Show

AMARA AND BASIL WERE SOON PUSHED TO different places, both having two separate costume designers. The two of them worked together to create similar designs but, the fittings would be separate so that any details that needed to be fixed could be done right then and there.

That very night, all the tributes would be introduced to the world. One by one, they would enter the main plaza on chariots so that everyone could see them. Another thing she wasn't looking forward to at all

Amara never, ever wore dresses.

"Oh, honey. We have to do something with this bees nest." The stylist, Destry said about the girls hair disapprovingly, his tongue making a tutting sound.

"Sorry, I don't have much time to worry about my hair." Amaranth looked into the mirror, narrowing her eyes at the man. "You know, while i'm doing my job."

"Hm, I can tell but, we got this. A little moisturizer and some heat will fix this right up." Destry stopped for a moment and looked at her in the mirror. "I'm going to put in some red contacts, make you the apple of everyone's eye."

"Is that a real thing—" Amara stopped herself when remembering Lennox's words listen to everything they tell you. "You know what, that sounds wonderful."

"Amazing!" Destry clapped his hands together giddily. "I knew you'd love it."

Before the Reed girl knew it, three different women were all doing her hair, nails, and makeup.

"So, am I wearing a dress?" Amaranth asked, trying not to move her lips too much as her makeup was applied.

"Of course, honey. It's fabulous. You have some curves so it's a mermaid cut. Your body? Covered in leaves. Your eyes? Red like the apples you pick in the trees in district eleven. It's perfect." Destry let out a sigh. "I'm a genius."

"Yes you are." The Reed girl put on the best smile she could. She hoped the other districts were getting the same treatment as her and it wasn't just because she was low on the totem pole in terms of districts. Somehow the capital managed to give them everything while still putting them down.

"Alright, stop talking we need to get you perfect." Destry grinned widely and Amara stared into the mirror, her dreary fate waiting for her in the main plaza.

Her very dreary fate.

  AMARANTH GULPED SLIGHTLY AS DISTRICT TEN was called out. She couldn't help but feel insecure about the skin tight and almost sheer dress clinging to her skin. Her hair had never been straightened before, it was all new. Basil's outfit was somewhat similar to hers, both of them wearing leaves and both had contacts red in color.

"Are you ready to put on a show?" The Covyn boy whispered over to her, she nodded slightly, both putting on a fake smile for the crowd.

"We have to be, don't we?" Amara straightened her shoulders and looked ahead, ready to be let out into the auditorium.

"District eleven!" She heard the announcement and the horses, adorned with leaves and flowers began to move forward.

Basil slipped his hand into the girls and they stood closer, more for support than a show, they needed each other.

The crowd roared loudly as they entered, and it was unlike anything she had ever seen before. They passed by the capital crowds and much much more people than she had ever seen before in her life. A show, a show, a show. It just kept repeating over and over in her mind.

Amara smiled more brightly, waving her hand in an "o" shape like she was taught. Basil followed along with the gesture and the crowds cheered even louder. The capitol noticed how in sync the two were, both of them following each others moves and they loved it.

The closer they were, the more the games would damage them, which was better for those watching.

"I think they like us." The Covyn boy spoke in utter disbelief.

"They like what we'll do for them." Amara nodded her head to satisfy the people of the capitol, never letting her smile falter. "So we'll do it all."

"We have to." Basil turned to the side, bowing slightly, the Reed girl doing the same thing on their side.

If they wanted district eleven to do well, they had to please everyone.

AFTER STRIPPING DOWN FROM HER CLOTHES, AMARA took a minute to lay down and admire how lovely her room was. The bed was soft, blankets were fluffy, everything was high tech. It was a dream within a nightmare if she had ever seen one.

"If only this was real life." The girl sighed, blowing stray strands of hair from her face. The straight pieces kept separating and going into her eyes which, she hated, she didn't ever want to straighten her hair again.

... but the capitol loved her straight hair so, it had to be done.

The Reed girl got up and approached the closet which was filled with clothes for her to wear, all of them neutral in color. The capitol loved robots and that's what they were getting when it came to her, a robot. She would do anything she could to get enough sponsors for her and Basil, to try to keep them alive as long as she could.

Once she had finally changed into what she deemed a more comfortable outfit, she made her way down the hallway and towards the dining room where Twinkle, Lennox, and Basil were already eating together.

"You guys are full of manners, aren't you?" Amara spoke jokingly. She knew there had to be surveillance somewhere around there, why not act happy she was marching towards her death.

"You seem to be in a better mood today, Amaranth. It's quite nice." Twinkle grinned, taking a sip of her wine as she looked up over her cup.

"The crowds loved you two today, by the way." Lennox commented, taking a big swig from the wine bottle in his hand. "Best ratings for district eleven since I was in the games."

"That's good, right?" Basil asked as he finished a humungous bite of food, the boy savoring every bite he got.

"Of course it is, silly. You'll get more sponsors, if Lennox can talk to them correctly during your training period, and the games, of course." Twinkle cut into her plate of food with her pinkie raised. "He can be a bit snippy."

"Is training soon?" Amara questioned with a raised brow, taking her seat at the table.

"Training starts immediately. You'll be with the other tributes and on the last day, you'll show the game makers what you've learned." Lennox pushed his fork around his plate solemnly. "A test of skill if you will."

"It's all very exciting isn't it?" Twinkle was beaming at the thought of seeing the two of them excel in practice, she wanted both of them to do well, in her own weird little way.

Amaranth felt like her heart was at the pit of her stomach, if she showed the game makers what she learned, she felt like they would just take away her resources, make her work harder.

"Very." The Reed girl smiled, reaching over for the champagne flute in front of her and taking a big gulp, knowing she needed it.

This was all life or death.

AUTHORS NOTE—
Training time is coming so I get to introduce the other tributes!

Thoughts on Miss Twinkle Hightower?

Hope you enjoyed!