CHAPTER TWO.
CITY OF PLASTIC.

Out of the entirety of Panem, Adaliya would have wanted to be anywhere else but the Capitol. The city full of plastic dolls in bright colors and their enthusiasm towards the tributes just so happen to be quite disquieting.

She should have gotten used to it by now, but she could never feel normal about the Capitol.

Perhaps it may have just been the color and their disgusting sense of fashion, or the whimpers they cry out whenever they see her. It was not out of true sympathy, Adaliya knew.

The morning they had arrived to the headquarters, she was whisked into the preparation room, the walls lined with mirrors and racks of shimmering, extravagant dresses, the air thick with the scent of makeup and hair products.

"Come along, dear." A stylist led Adaliya to a backroom, where a small army of attendants waited. Two of them led her to a private shower, and the warm water felt like a balm on her skin. Adaliya closed her eyes as the attendants scrubbed her with soaps that smelled like vanilla and roses.

Once she was out of the shower and wrapped in a soft towel, Adaliya was led back into the main room. She was gently sat down in front of the mirror, and the stylist regarded her with a smile before leaving her in the room.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror. For the next few days, she would be treated like royalty. After that, the people of the Capitol would cheer and gasp and clap when they watch her die through their televisions.

Adaliya turned her head when she heard someone come in. The familiar blonde hair. "Oh, you, of course." Adaliya muttered.

"Yeah, me." Cassiopeia said in response, twisting Adaliya's hair into an updo, securing it with too many pins and clips to count. She gently carressed her cheekbone with a finger. "I see your bone structure is still very... distinct."

"Uh, thanks." Adaliya watched as Cassiopeia brought trays of makeup and products to the table, another few stylist followed.

She picked up a brush and glazed it over her cheeks, "You know, I really didn't think I'd get to do this again on you."

Adaliya frowned and squinted her eyes from all the powder. She knew the stylist didn't just mean that she would return to the games. "Me neither."

"Close your eyes." Cassiopeia ordered, before the stylists applyed layers of mascara to her eyelashes.

Adaliya let them turn her face into one of a doll's, with golden eyeliner and a rosy lipstick to symbolize her district of power. They curled and teased strands of her auburn hair, leaving delicate curls on her shoulders. Cassiopeia made the final touch, pinning threads of electric light in her hair.

She stepped back to admire her work. "Oh, it's gonna look gorgeous with the dress."

Adaliya stood up from the chair, and her eyes widened at the gown selected for her.

"Go on," Cassiopeia gestured for her to put it on.

It was a delicately crafted masterpiece, designed to look like a dazzling web of electric lights. The bodice was snug, the top was adorned with swirling golden patterns that resembled the circuits of an electric device. The skirt of the dress twisted around her.

Cassiopeia beamed at the sight of her in the dress. "The people will love it. You'll get more sponsors."

Adaliya smiled lightly. "Thanks, Cassi."

"Adaliya! It's time!" She heard Hemera's sing-song voice from outside before she was ushered to the chariots. Here, she was to be shown off as some attraction, something that her district should be proud of.

She knew that they weren't.

Adaliya slowly walked inside the hall alongside Marcel, holding her head up high, knowing all eyes would be on her. The two of them reached their chariot, and Adaliya could almost hear the hatred her district felt for her.

She brushed her fingers through the mane of the horse. "You know anyone here?"

"Yeah, a few," he responded. "You?"

Adaliya scoffed. "Hemera didn't bring me any tapes. But I'm pretty sure they all know me. And maybe half of them hate me."

"This time is different from the last. Try not to smile. These people are deadly, and you don't have a great reputation."

"Yeah, I- I'm aware."

Adaliya looked around, the victors, both this year's tributes were standing around in small groups, talking. Of course, they all knew one another and she obviously didn't have any friends there.

"Hello, Marcel," she heard a voice say. She turns, and Finnick Odair's stands right behind the two.

"Finnick," Marcel regarded him. Adaliya was feeling quite uncomfortable, considering how his parade outfit is just a golden net.

He turned to her. "You're Adaliya Longhurst, aren't you." Surprisingly, he grinned at her.

"And you're... a fishing net," she replied, gesturing at his outfit. "I've heard some pretty great things about you."

"I've heard some things about you too."

Adaliya bit her lip. "Yeah."

"But you see, I don't believe them. All that crap from someone like you? That seems kind of impossible to me."

She raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"

"I'm gonna talk to Katniss over there. I'll see you soon." Finnick said. He shot her a charming grin, before grabbing a sugar cube from one of the counters and walked away.

Marcel turned to face Adaliya. "You know, Finnick Odair is basically a living legend. He's a career, he was only fourteen when he won. He's skilled."

Adaliya thought for a moment.

"Alright, I want him as an ally."

"Try not to be too rash right now."

"What? You told me I should start making allies earlier on."

"Addy, you haven't seen what some of them are capable of. Some of these people would off their own allies to survive."

She turned her head towards Finnick, who was holding up a sugar cube to the latest victor, Katniss Everdeen, before the music began.

The two climbed onto the chariot, and the horses started to pull them forward.

The crowd roared as their chariot rolled into the light, hundreds of fans screamed her name, but their voices seemed blurred.

Each thump from the drums and each note blown from the trumpets echoed in her ears. The crowd had seen enough of her sweet smiles, her face remained stone cold.

For the first circle, Adaliya noticed President Snow's icy blue eyes on her. She looked away into the crowd, and to her relief, she felt his gaze off her as well. He started to speak from the balcony, welcoming all the tributes to the Quarter Quell.

The anthem started to play again, as they made their final loop around the City Circle, Adaliya caught another glimpse of President Snow. His eyes were fixated on Katniss Everdeen from District Twelve. She remembered watching Katniss' games. She remembered watching her defy the rules of the Hunger Games. She remembered feeling a sense of relief when Katniss create a spark of rebellion.

Adaliya watched Katniss and Peeta on the big screen, they weren't just beautiful star-crossed lovers. They weren't on fire anymore, for fire can so easily be flickered out. They were burning coals. Strong and enduring, dark and powerful. They were unforgiving.

Adaliya had to admit, they were truly mesmerizing. But even she was afraid that the Girl on Fire had fueled an unrest she cannot stop.

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carol speaks !

i'm sorry this took so long 😭 it's probably been half a month (?) anyways i have found my motivation and i'm so so glad adaliya is back (she missed yall)
i am so grateful if people kept reading, it helps a lot when people actually want to read this book!!

hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!