𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒕𝒖𝒔; 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒊𝒓

𝑵𝒆𝒘𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

Back in the Capitol, the grooming process for the parade begins. Lilith is happy to see her prep team after months. She listens intently as they recap everything that has happened.

Lilith is left alone for a moment. Her makeup and hair has been finished, and now she is waiting for Julia to arrive with her outfit.

This whole thing seems surreal to Lilith. How did she even get here? One day she's enjoying her luxury life as a Victor, and the next she is being thrown into the ring again. It's bullshit.

"Hello, dear," Julia says as she walks in. She has a sad smile on her face.

"Hey. So, what do we have for today?" Lilith says, turning her attention to the bag Julia is holding.

"I'm warning you now, there's not much of anything." Julia hangs the bag on a hook and unzips it.

Lilith peers into the bag. She sees that it is a two-piece set. The top looks like a fancy bra.

"Wait, I can't wear that," Lilith says getting up from her seat.

"Why not?" Julia asks. She almost looks offended.

"No, not because it's bad. It looks gorgeous," Lilith corrects herself.

Julia looks confused, but relieved that her work isn't being criticized.

"Then why can't you wear it?" Julia asks, taking the bag off of the outfit.

"There's something on my side. Didn't anyone on the prep team gossip about it?" Lilith says. She could've sworn that group of people would have been quick to tell everyone about her imperfection.

"No? Honey, what's wrong with your side?" Julia steps closer to Lilith.

Lilith unties her robe and slightly pulls it to the side, revealing her scar.

"Oh," Julia says quietly. "It's alright, all we need is a bit of makeup."

"I don't think that would work," Lilith argues.

"A bit of makeup, plus the beading that hangs over your sides, will fully conceal it," Julia reassures Lilith. "Also, in case you forgot, I work magic."

Lilith laughs slightly.

The process of covering up her scar begins. Julia uses color corrector, foundation, concealer, powder, and then sets it all into place with setting spray.

"These products are very high quality, so they should last the whole parade." Julia steps away from Lilith, checking her work. "Time to get you dressed."

Lilith stands in front of the mirror. Her top has beautiful beading that lays on her perfectly. The skirt is floor length, but has a large slit that almost reaches her hip. It's so sparkly, she'll definitely catch some sponsors.

"So?" Julia asks.

"Beautiful, as usual," Lilith smiles. "Thank you."

"You're my girl, you know that?" Julia says in a serious tone.

"Yeah," Lilith nods her head.

Lilith is now escorted down to the carriages. She looks everywhere for Silas. Instead, she finds a certain boy from District Twelve. She decides to have a little chat and walks over to him.

"Lose your fiance?" Lilith puts on her most innocent voice as she talks to Peeta.

"Uh, no, she's by our horses," Peeta says confused.

"I'm Lilith." She holds out her hand.

"Peeta." He does the same, shaking her hand.

"I watched your games last year. Very impressive," Lilith praises.

"Thanks, a lot of it was Katniss," Peeta smiles.

Lilith chuckles. "You know, I mentored Cato and Clove. It was such a shame how they died. Especially Cato, so gruesome."

"Yeah. I didn't know them well, but they seemed close," Peeta gets a look of remorse on his face at the thought of the dead teens.

"They were. But with their deaths, you get to be with her," Lilith says, nodding her head towards Katniss, who is now talking to Finnick.

Peeta gets a sad look on his face, then he snaps out of it and smiles. "Yeah."

"Well, I have to go. But, I wish you luck. I'll make sure to keep an eye out for you, I liked our chat." Lilith turns to walk away, but notices a bowl filled with sugar cubes. She smiles, plucking one from the bowl. "Why not, right? We're going to die anyway." She throws it in her mouth.

As she crunches on the sugar cube, she finally finds Silas. He's wearing the same silver sparkles as Lilith. His is in a vest form with matching dress pants.

"What are you chewing on?" He asks.

"Sugar cube," She shrugs.

Silas chuckles, rolling his eyes.

"Let's go," He says, getting on the carriage.

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