lost | the hunger games

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❝the real world is where the monsters are.❞

annabeth chase, the lightning thief

☾

I needed a day to myself. More or less. I really just needed a day away from training and the other tributes I'd have to kill. I skipped the last day because, though I know the Quarter Quell wasn't something to be taken lightly, I was confident enough in my skills to miss the last day. I admit, it was a poor decision on my part, but then again no one was about to stop me. Why not spend the last day sleeping in and relaxing?

The next night was the interviews with Caesar Flickerman.

Ines and I were in the prep room trying on dresses for the Interviews that afternoon. All of which were Ines's designs, thank god (Aquellius's visions were on the smaller scale of fashion in the Capitol). I was well aware of the fact that very few stylists allowed freedom for the Victors, but Ines had brought in four racks all of which I could choose from.

I stood in front of the mirrors, twisting around so I could see the back of the dress. When it came to these things, I was extremely judgemental about how the dress looked on me. Presentation says a lot about who you are. And I didn't want to look like I just got home from some pink pony village or something, which was the exact vibe the dress was giving me. The dress was a range of blush tones with a line of buttons trailing down the back and outlining the corset and thick straps with mesh in between. It was pretty, but too . . . princess-like. I'm not a princess. I'm the youngest murderer in Capitol history. Long story short: the dress wasn't right.

"Not it either?" Ines mused. She was lounging in a love seat with her ankles crossed on the armrest. "That's the sixth dress you've tried on."

I frowned. "I know, but none of these have the impact I'm going for. Don't get me wrong, they're all beautiful," I quickly amend. I smoothed out the short skirt of the dress. "But I haven't found the right one for me, yet."

"We should pick soon; Hera and Rhys and the rest of your team will be here in a couple of hours and they need a color scheme to plan out."

"Why are there so many choices," I groaned, plopping to the carpet, "I don't remember Interviews like this."

Ines laughed. "Apparently the new quarters, training facilities, and arena aren't the only things President Snow wants bigger and in excess. I think he wants to sell them after the games."

My eyes hardened. "Things are worth more when the person who wore them is dead, I suppose. Even more so when they're a tribute victor from the Quarter Quell."

Ines's eyes flickered. "Sorry, I didn't mean to dampen the mood."

"It's my fault. I guess the only thing that's been on my mind lately is how I can't protect my family in the Games."

"You're family can hold their own. And even then, you're the strongest woman I've ever met. If anyone can do it, it's you, Pallas."

"And when I'm dead?" I mused.

Her lips set into a flat line. "Don't do that. It's not over yet."

Yet.

Ines noticed the catch on the last word. "The citizens of the Capitol love you. You're the Pearl of the Capitol, Pallas. A legend amongst the district--"

"As is the rest of victors who are the tributes in this Quarter Quell."

I hated being pessimistic like this, especially when I knew that Ines was just trying to lift my spirits. But it's true and I guess I just have a knack for dampening the mood. I point out all the shitty things in life to counter whatever good thing happens like I want everyone to suffer alongside me. On top of it, my pride restricts me from ever really apologizing for it. Can you tell that Post-Games Pallas is a ray of sunshine?