Chapter Three: Pretty In Pink 

"Ow!" Lucy complained for the eighteenth time today. 

She was on a hospital type bed in the remake center, wearing a hospital gown to match, her prep team were ripping the hair out of her legs, plucking her eyebrows and anything else which involved making her 'beautiful.' But if she was honest, she felt like a chicken that was having all it's feathers torn out. 

"Almost done, I promise," Daphne, one of her prep team members, said. "We've got the worst part over and done with." 

"Thank goodness you're not a District 12 tribute! They're filthy!" Wanda, another of her prep team members, pulled a face. "But District 1 tributes are always clean, much higher class." 

"Um, thanks?" Lucy replied weakly, she really didn't know what to say to Capitol people because  she was worried she'd slip up and say something wrong.  

"We want you perfect for the tribute parade, as well as your District partner...well, isn't he a charmer?" Daphne giggled. 

"He's my friend," Lucy growled through gritted teeth as another wax strip was torn from her leg. She glanced at her legs and saw they'd got a nasty shade of red, she hoped the colour would die down for the tribute parade. 

"Didn't say he wasn't. Now go scrub yourself down with this, get rid of the dirt that we haven't managed to get rid of." Wanda thrust a bottle into her hand and pointed to a room nearby. 

Lucy saw there was a shower in there so she quickly entered and scrubbed herself down with the substance that removed all the unwanted dirt from her body and when she had finished she returned to her prep team who then began filing her nails and ridding them of minimal dirt.

"Excellent! Your stylist is going to be so impressed with us, you know that?" Steven said as he combed the knots out of her hair and Daphne added a simple clear coat to her nails. 

"I wish I was..." she muttered. 

The next thing she knew Daphne, Wanda and Steven led her down a corridor and into a room with two seats, they thrust a robe into her hand and closed the door behind them. Lucy took off her hospital gown and slipped on the robe before sitting down on one of the two chairs.  

She wondered how all the other tributes were getting on, perhaps they were still going through torture or maybe they had been cleaned up ages ago. Maybe it was just her that had to endure half an hour of wax strips? Then again, her prep team had said that the District 12 tributes were the worst, and the other poorer Districts had to be as bad...

She closed her eyes and tried desperately to take her mind off of The Hunger Games...and, even though she had been looking forward to the tribute parade, what would happen if she fell off the chariot? Well, she'd be the laughing stock of Panem of course...

But would Marvel catch her if she fell? Wasn't he the sort of person who would protect her no matter what? Would he continue to do this in the games? Surely not, he must want to get home himself. He might cry like her parents when she died, but wouldn't hang on the thought forever, which was fair enough...

Suddenly, Lucy's thoughts were whisked away as her stylist walked in. Just like the rest of the Capitol, he wore the crazy fashions that were in trend at the moment. He studied her then sat down on the chair opposite her and smiled. 

"Marcel," he said and held out a hand. Lucy took it weakly, hoping this was the right response. 

"Lucy," she replied nervously and he let go of her hand. "Probably going to be the first District 1 tribute to bring shame to their District."

"You don't have a lot of confidence...it's a good job I'm here to help. Clothes give you confidence, m'dear," Marcel reached out to the table separating them and picked up a glass and filled it with wine. "And if I'm going to give you a chance at making a good impression, I'll have to make you look good for the tribute parade."

"And what were you thinking of making me wear?" She wondered, hoping it wasn't anything embarassing like she'd seen some tributes wear in the past. 

"Well, Marvel's stylist and I were thinking that you could wear matching outfits and they will both symblolise District 1, the District of Luxury." 

"So what do these outfits consist of? What colour are they?" 

"I can't tell you too much can I! It's a surprise! But I will tell you that the outfit's are pink, that's it." 

"Good luck getting Marvel to wear pink. If there's one thing he hates it's wearing pink." Lucy shook her head. "Lets hope his stylist hasn't told him about that yet." 

"We try to stay in all tributes good books, Lucy, but tell me." He placed down his wine glass and stared into her eyes, trying to de-code her, trying to see what type of person she was. "What do you believe is the key thing to winning these games?" 

"I don't really know...if I'm honest with you I don't like The Hunger Games. I know, I know, I'm probably the first District 1 tribute in history to hate the games."

"That's why I'm here! I'll get you the most perfect outfits and the whole of Panem will love you!" 

"Are you sure?" Lucy asked as he stood up and clasped his hands together. 

"Of course! Now lets get you in that outfit..." 

Lucy stood up and followed Marcel out of the small room and down another corridor and this time into a professional dressing room. Outfits hanging on a rail, all her size and more to the point they reflected her personality. 

"You'll be wearing some of those soon, but lets focus on today's outfit first shall we?" Marcel said as he walked past the rail of clothing and opened up a small wardrobe that held a few other outfits but before she could even take a look, Marcel slammed the doors shut and turned around. One of his hands was behind his back, hiding something from her. 

"You're absolutely going to love this!" He laughed. "Now, close your eyes. I won't let you see it until you've got it on." 

"Alright..." if she was honest, she didn't really trust Marcel when he said that she was going to love the outfit, but she really didn't have a choice in this. She was going into the tribute parade whether she liked it or not, it was the rules of the Capitol. And she would not argue with the Capitol.  

Marcel successfully helped her into the outfit for the parade and when he was finished he smiled, but no words escaped his lips and Lucy hoped those un-spoken words related to the phrase 'words cannot describe how I feel' but hopefully in a good way. 

"How do I look?" Lucy wondered, not looking at her outfit and at the same time ignoring the feeling that her arms were being tickled. 

"Stunning!" Marcel clapped his hands together and then he placed his hands on her shoulders and spun her around so she faced a full length mirror that stood there waiting for her. 

The girl looking back at her in the mirror had a full-length tight fitting dress that sparkled, a fluffy pink coat that covered her shoulders, a pair of pink high heels and a pink headdress that was covered in feathers making her look like some sort of bird. Her eyes seem to sparkle, making Lucy a little relieved...although she was a little unsure about the crazy outfit. 

"Are you sure about this, Marcel?" Lucy whispered as she tried to get the fact out of her head that she had been told her and Marvel were wearing similar outfits. 

"I'm completely positive, the whole of Panem is going to adore you!" He chuckled. "Now, remember you and Marvel will be the first on the chariots and the first to give Panem your love! Smile and wave, don't be shy!" 

"But I'm incredibly shy...how will I ever make it?" She wondered and bowed her head, causing her headdress to topple a bit. 

"Oh, Lucy — " Marcel sighed and put a finger on her chin, forcing her to face him. "One, don't mess up your outfit, it took me a long time to make. And two, the Capitol people are your friends, if you make a good impression you'll more likely get sponsors and that means, you'll have more chance of winning..." 

"But — " 

"No, no! Come on, lets go get you downstairs so we can get you on that chariot!" Marcel laughed then took her hand and led her downstairs to the stables where all the tributes were ready and waiting to get on their chariots. 

Marcel led her over to the District 1 chariot while Lucy studied everyone else's costumes; the District 2 tributes were dressed in gold complete with little hats, the District 11 tributes wore dungarees' and had wreath's on top of their heads (Lucy couldn't help but notice how small the District 11 girl was) and the District 3 tributes wore silver and fancy hats that was supposed to represent technology. Lucy remembered the girl called Rookie from the replay of the reaping's from earlier on, Rookie gave her a small smile. But when Lucy blinked Rookie had turned away and she felt like it had never happened. 

"Well look at you!" Marvel teased as Lucy approached him. He was wearing a pink jacket much like hers but his has sleeves, he wore pink trousers and a top made of the same material that her dress was. 

"Shut up!" She laughed. "Never thought I'd see you in pink...and how fantastic you look in it." 

"Well take a good look because this is the last time you'll see me in pink." 

"It takes a real man to wear pink," she winked as Marvel hopped onto the chariot. He held out a hand to her and she took it with thanks. He lifted her up to the chariot and the two stood next to each other, both feeling a bit more confident now that they had made each other laugh. 

"Remember, smile and wave!" Marcel grinned as all the other tributes readied themselves for the tribute parade. "They're going to love you!" 

"Oh I hope so, I hope so..." Marvel rolled his eyes as the horses began to pull them forward as the massive stable door opened and they were greeted by a massive cheer that seemed to shake the stadium that the Capitol people sat in, carefully watching the tributes. 

"Woah..." Lucy muttered as they were, at first, slowly pulled out of the stable by the horses. 

"You ready?" Marvel replied. 

"No, never am and never will be!" 

Marvel said something but Lucy didn't hear as the crowd began cheering an unmistakeable: Lucy and Marvel! That shocked them both that the crowd knew their names. Lucy began waving to the crowd gingerly and put on a smile that she hoped was good enough. 

Now she heard the chant of 'Cato and Clove!' Even so, they were still the centre of attention. Lucy had never got this much attention in her life and was feeling pretty special that people were bothering to pay attention to her. 

She glanced at Marvel and saw he was enjoying himself too, the way his face lit up at the sound of the crowd cheering his name made Lucy smile. And then he suddenly caught a rose from a member of the crowd he held on to it and continued to wave. 

Lucy hadn't realised how far they were until she heard the yells of 'Katniss and Peeta!' She glanced behind her and saw that the District 12 tributes were on fire. She gasped and realised that District 1 was in trouble of not getting attention. Apparently Marvel had noticed this too. 

The two turned back to face the crowd and as they did, Marvel handed her the rose and she pretended to blush causing the crowd to erupt with cheers. She smiled and waved at the excited Capitol people. 

Then suddenly the chariots pulled up in a line around a balcony in which President Snow was about to give his speech and now the camera was starting to focus on all the chariots. It started with twelve and was going to end with District 1. 

And just as the cameras focused on Lucy and Marvel, Marvel lent in and kissed Lucy on the cheek. This time, Lucy blushed and she meant it. So many questions were whizzing around her head as President Snow began his speech. 

"Welcome, Welcome" President Snow said as he silenced the crowd. "Tributes, we welcome you. We salute your courage and your sacrifice." The Capitol people cheered in response. "And we wish you, happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour." 

The Capitol people continued to cheer as the horses drew the chariots backstage. Lucy grabbed Marvel's hand as they came to a sudden stand-still, she was terrified that she was going to fall off the chariot. 

"It's OK," he smiled and then got off the chariot, he helped her down, Lucy was about to ask why Marvel had kissed her when Marcel, Marvel's stylist, Gloss and Kathleen ran towards them. 

"That was fabulous!" Kathleen squealed. 

"Words cannot describe how fantastic that was!" Gloss grinned at the two but then he looked at Marvel and whispered in his ear. "I'm glad you didn't let District 12 steal all the attention." 

"Wouldn't dream of it," Marvel chuckled. 

"Come on, lets get something to eat. I'm starving!" Gloss moaned and gestured for Lucy and Marvel to walk in front. They did just as the Panem national anthem began playing outside, making Lucy smile even though the true meaning to it scared her. 

Of course it meant revenge, power and most of all it revolved around The Hunger Games. Anyone who said otherwise would be a fool. 

Before they left, Lucy took one last look at all the other tributes and wondered how they felt about District 12 stealing the show...and how Marvel had so suddenly kissed her. They probably weren't everybody else's friends. 

She glanced at Cato and Clove who were busy talking to Enobaria whom was their mentor. Katniss and Peeta were happily talking to their stylist who looked very pleased with their performance. And lastly, Lucy looked at the District 3 tributes, Rookie stood there and stared at her while her District partner spoke to their Capitol escort. Rookie waved. Lucy blinked and she was talking with her Capitol escort. 

Lucy shook her head as they all stepped into the elevator and Kathleen pushed the button that said '1' and the elevator pulled them up to their floor. They arrived in seconds and when the doors opened a floor full of Capitol luxuries greeted them. 

"Welcome to your new home!" Kathleen smiled and led them both in. "Fantastic isn't it?"

"Yeah, fantastic that I've seen this stuff being made in my District," Marvel scowled and gestured to the chandelier above their heads.

"Think yourself lucky that you'll finally get to appreciate your District's work!"

"I think the only thing I'll get to appreciate at the moment is my bed...where's my bed?" Lucy said through a yawn as she took off her headdress.

"You can go to your room in a minute, dear, why don't you take a moment to appreciate the Capitol's work?" 

Lucy looked up for a about three seconds then said. "Lovely, can I go now?"

"Oh just go, you ungrateful children! I expect you back here for dinner though!" Kathleen shrieked and sat down on one of the sofa's provided while Lucy and Marvel dashed down to the corridor that held their rooms. 

"How can I appreciate this place when most of it has come from our District, where people have worked their socks off to make it?" Marvel sighed. 

"Stop being ungrateful!" Lucy impersonated Kathleen which made Marvel laugh. 

"Training tomorrow..." Marvel muttered as he shook off his coat. 

"I'm looking forward to that," Lucy rolled her eyes. 

"You were un-sure about the tribute parade but you enjoyed that, right?"

"I guess so, but I've never been good at training, you're excellent at throwing spears and I know you'll get a good training score...as for me...well, I don't even want to think what I'm going to get."

"You never know, you could find your talent soon." He winked. "See you at dinner." And with that he opened his door, stepped inside and then closed it behind him.