The Hunger Games - Rebirth - book 2

Chapter 4

The new morning when I woke up Cinna was at my side with his group of stylists. They were looking at me eagerly and it was setting me on edge. Cinna reassured me that everything was fine but the Game Makers have decided to switch a few things up. Instead of having the interview of the 3rd day it was moved to the second day. This should be interesting.

I rose willingly from the bed and moved to the shower where a few female stylists helped me scrub my body down with some rock textured body scrub that smelled like spring time in the meadow of District 12. After the exfoliation of my skin I was dried off by their body drier and then wrapped up in a robe before I was sat down in a chair.

I winced as a few stray eyebrow hairs were plucked and my body was re-waxed. Why oh why were females given hair in places they didn't need it. I mean come on human species why do females grow armpit and leg hairs when we are just going to get rid of it later. What is the use of it?

"I know it gets frustrating but if you ever get into work in the Capitol you will be at a high enough rank to receive the NH Pills. Every female in the Capitol and District 1 and 2 take them so they don't grow hairs in those areas." One of the females said.

Ace came over and began talking about what he wanted down with my make up. The make up artists put a bit of blush on my cheek bones to give me some definition in my face and added a neutral shade to my lips before they pulled my hair back in a simple bun with a few loose strands.

Once they were done with my face and hair they did my nails, painting them all red. Finally came time for the dress. It was a dress of long feathers that were light to the touch, softer even then silk. The feathers were colored and placed in all the right places to simulate flames from a fire. Cinna helped me into the dress before it was time for the shoes. They were simple black heels but the heel itself was made from large pearls.

I spun slowly in place infront of a three point mirror and smiled. A tear gently slipped from my eye but I caught it with my finger and wiped it away. Turning quickly I hugged Cinna.

"Thank you so much, you are the greatest."

He nodded his head and smiled. "Don't thank me thank my son." He said before he turned me towards the door that had just opened.

Ace stood in his steps staring right at me before he smiled and walked forward. "I see you bring out the best of the dress. I made it special just for you when I heard you were chosen for the Quarter Quell. I had three designs a sewing team of 6 and 2 days to get it done." He walked round me checking to make sure the measurements were perfect and smiled. "You are probably wondering why I took to this perticular design aren't you?" He asked me.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror trying to put two and two together with the feathers and the flames and couldn't get anything. "Yes certainly."

"You see legend has it that after the destruction of District 13 before the Hunger Games came to be from the District's ashes came forth a bird. This bird was a MockingJay that had died but was reborn into a fire bird that we all call a Pheonix. Since then the Phoenix has been link to rebirth and second chances. More so it is connected to symbolize ever lasting life. I have seen the tapes from your parents times in the Arena and then saw yours as well and thought that it would fit your perfectly for you to be the Phoenix."

I listened carefully as he spoke of the meaning behind the dress and smiled as he finished. He dressed me to symbolize rebirth. "This is definitely beautiful."

"The dress is only a dress until it is worn by its owner. Now the dress is a masterpiece as it lays upon your skin." He finished in his mellow tone.

He was just like his father from the way he designed things to his train of through and even the way he put together his words and let them roll elegantly from his toungue.

"Thank you" I blushed.

Haymitch entered the room and announced it was time for me to head to the stage where the interview would happen. He smiled as the sight of me and like a gentleman linked his arm to mine and escorted me.

"Is Lexidous still mad?" I asked him.

He nodded his head. "Don't worry her grudge will let up once you enter the arena. If she doesn't try to help you or even do her job she won't be getting a friendly wecome back to District 12."

We came out of the elevator and took a quick left and entered a pair of doors that over looked a stage. I unhooked my arm from Haymich and walked over to Katniss who was dressed in a rainbow made of dazzling jewels. Every catch of the light made her glimmer.

"Oh my Panem you look dazzling. My fathers design?" She questioned as she walked around me.

I shook my head. "Your brothers."

She threw her hands up and laughed. "I should have known. You look lovely, let me be the first to tell you if you survive the games every man is going to be wanting your hand in marriage. You look like you belong in District 1."

I felt myself blush as I listened to her compliments. Suddenly order was being called to us all and we were moved into a line by Districts, females first then the male. All at once we filed onto the stage and took our seats. Just as we all sat down they called up the first to be interviewed who was District 1's female tribute Katniss Eamon.

"Welcome to the first interview of the Quarter Quell." The host greeted.

Katniss smiled and shook his hand. "Thank you for having me here."

"So Katniss, your name is rare isn't it. Where did it come from?" He asked her.

Katniss smiled as she recalled the memories her father spoke to her about. "I was named after my fathers first tribute he worked with in the Hunger Games. Her name is Katniss Everdeen. My father met my mother during his work and they connected very quickly. My father was deeply inspired by the stength that Katniss showed from the moment she stepped up to volunteer for her sister. Being his first born daughter he naturally wished the same strength for me and gave me a name he thought represented just that."

"Well that is interesting enough. Miss Everdeen.... or now days Mrs. Mellark is the symbol of strength. So now how do you feel coming into the competition again? Do you think you stand a chance?" He asked her.

I gripped the sides of my chair not wanting to hear this question. I felt it was barbaric to ask a human if they think they can keep from getting slaughtered. Truthfully everyones answer should be no because you can't exactly plan this. Even the strongest that had done perfectly in training lost to a kid who could barely lift a sword. Things just happened.

It took Katniss a while before she finally answered. "I think my chances are as good as anyone elses."

A buzzer went off and her three minutes were up. She came and sat down and the next tribute from 1 got up. I toned his interview out because I didn't want to hear anything from him. A buzzer announced his time was over and he sat down. One by one the tributes got up and did their 3 minute interview and sat down. Soon enough it was my turn.

When my name was called I got to my feet and walked over to stand before the host. He took my hand into his and kissed it. I smiled and blushed a bit and gently let my hand drop back to my side.

"Welcome Aloe. I'm not sure if every knows yet but this is the daughter to Katniss and Peeta Mellark. She was the Champion in the 91st Hunger Games at the age of 12. That makes you 21 years to this day am I correct?" He asked me.

I nodded my head. "21."

"I may be the first to say this but correct me if I am wrong, if you come out of these games men all over are going to be begging you for your hand in marriage."

I rose my index finger to grab his attention. "Actaully sir my ally Katniss Eamon beat you to the punch just before we came onto stage."

"That just prooves my point love, everyone knows that you are high in demand. Okay now tell me about your family? How do they feel about you being reaped again? Do you think you can win a second time?"

I thought about the answers to his questions carefully before I answered. "All I have to say is that I agree with Katniss, my chance is as good as anyone elses. But if I wind up not making it out I just want my mother and father to know that I'm proud of them and that I hope they can learn to be happy without me."

The buzzer went off and my turn was over. Smiling I wiped a tear from my eye and headed back to my seat. Before I could sit down Haymitch pulled me into a hug.

"Good job kid" He said to me before he headed up to the stage.

"Haymitch Abernathy, winner of the second Quarter Quell. What does is feel like to be back on the line?"

"Feels like I won a million bucks." He replied sarcastically. The crowd laughed.

"50 years later here you are again except this time you volunteered in place of Peeta Mellark. What was going through your mind?" The host asked him.

"Isn't it obvious. All my years of drinking have all but killed me. I'm a dying man so why delay the inevitable. The Mellarks have already lost their son and I didn't think it'd be fair of Katniss to be in the position of possibility of losing her husband and daughter as well." He looked around the room for a bried second before he continued. "I know I may not seem like the caring type but after going through the Games with them and watching them grow into the people they are today I feel sorta like a daddy to them. Dads would do anything for their kids even if it means dying so they could continue to have their chance at life. I'm a ripe old man, my time is long past over due."

The moment he finished his final words the buzzer went off and his turn was up. He got a huge applause as he retuned to his seat. Soon after the host gave his final words and told everyone to stay tuned before they cut out. I rose to my feet and Haymitch brought his arm over my shoulder as we walked out. When we got to the 12th floor he stopped me.

"What I said on that stage was true you know. Your parents are like my kids, and you are like my granddaughter. I've never been prouder than I am when I see the potential released from you three." He hesitated and made a few awkward movements before he pulled me into a hug. "I love ya kid."

I felt the tears move before my eyes before I wrapped my arms around him. I never met my grandfather from my mothers side because he had died in a mining accident so Haymitch was the next best thing and I couldn't deny it.

"I love you too grandpa."