A little hope is effective.

Sending my lamb to slaughter.

I wake suddenly from a soft dream full of pastel shades with a start, I turn to see that the sky is just beginning to lighten. Axel's face is pressed into my neck and his breath softly touches my skin, warm and soothing. But my breathing is still ragged, and won't seem to lesson because today is the day- today is the day I have to let them go. I stare at the ceiling, feeling repulsed at myself for what I did last night, I should have stayed with Marina and helped her through this night, which I know only too well is the hardest night to survive- the hardest night to sleep through.

'You awake?' Axel breathes against my neck, I nod not breaking my look with the ceiling. 'Ayda you knew today was coming...' He sighs, pulling me impossibly closer.

'I didn't realise it would be so hard Ax, I thought I could do this but it's just a million times harder than I ever could have imagined.'

'I know Ay, and I wish you didn't have too...' His words hang in the air, heavy and painful.

'I know...' I whisper, sitting up and standing from the bed.

'There is an outfit in the wardrobe, on the left-hand side.' I walk, almost trancelike over to the huge armoire and open the decorated doors, and pull out the fine clothing bag.

'Why do I need this?' I ask without thinking.

'I think you know...'

'Not today? That's not fair, it's not right.'

'Is any of this remotely fair, or right?'

'Fair point.' I breathe.

'Sit down, I'll get you sorted with hair and makeup.' I look over to the little ticking clock and see its six. 'Yeah, they get the tributes up at seven, so probably best we get sorted now anyways.'

I sit like a statue as the brushes caress my face, and the heavy padded brush runs through my hair; with my eyes closed I relax into the moment thinking of nothing more than getting through the day. That's what today is, one of the things Haymitch told me on my very first day here was that the first day of the games was one that could only be watched, mentors are nothing until day one is survived because sponsors won't do anything till the bloodbath is well and truly over.

'There we go...' Axel breathes, his breath warming my face. I open my eyes and take in my reflection: take in the soft flicks, the perfectly blended pinks intermingled with grey on my eyelids; my brows subtly enhanced; the thick array of lashes that somehow manage to make my emerald eyes all the more green in contrast to the black; my lips outlined and tinted making them look all the more plumped and desirable; my face contoured and highlighted to give me definition and curves that didn't before exist; and the whole thing smoothed out with the sweep of soft colour along my cheekbones. My hair is braided along the top in two thick plaits that join on my crown and become a thick and heavy ponytail, that reaches my waist; there is a shimmer of gold in the braids as the soft light catches the golden pins which hold in the heavy braiding.

'It's beautiful...as always...' I whisper, smiling softly.

'Your beautiful always...with not one exception.' He says softly.

'Thank you.' I murmur.

'No need to thank me...'

'Not for that, but for all of this... for being here when...'

'Shh...' He whispers, placing his forehead gently against my own.

We sit for many moments like this, him bend and me sitting; until some unspoken moment in which we both move back and I stand from my chair and walk over to the bed and the all but forgotten garment bag. I take the zipper in my hand, and slowly pull it down revealing a beautiful intricate blouse and an equally beautiful skirt combination. Soft what I believe is satin, each embellished with a beautiful pattern of interlocking swirls made up of glittering sequins and what looks almost like small buttons. The shirt front holds five very large gold buttons that contrast well against the pink satin fabric and its feminine pallet of embellishments- there is also one single golden button on the back of the short skirt, helping to conceal the small array of little buttons that help to secure the skirt together.