to win - haymitch abernathy

⁴ 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝒸𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓅𝒾𝓉𝑜𝓁

The train came to an abrupt stop, jolting Rosemary out of her restless thoughts. She had been growing increasingly impatient during the journey, her anxiety gnawing at her like a persistent insect. But now, as the doors of the train slid open, revealing the bustling chaos of the Capitol, her weariness began to transform into wonder.

Outside the window, Rosemary's eyes widened at the sight of hundreds of Capitol residents, each dressed in the most eccentric and flamboyant outfits she had ever seen. They were a kaleidoscope of colors, with hair dyed in vibrant hues and makeup that defied imagination. It was a world far removed from the muted tones of District Five, a world that was simultaneously dazzling and surreal.

"Rosemary!" they yelled from the outside, their voices a cacophony of excitement. Rosemary couldn't help but smile, her initial discomfort giving way to a sense of novelty and curiosity. She waved gingerly with her left hand, feeling a connection with these people she had never met but who were now cheering for her. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and she couldn't help but be swept up in the moment.

The Capitol citizens seemed so captivated by her and the other tributes that, if not for the vigilant presence of the peacekeepers, Rosemary believed they might have swarmed the train in their exuberance.

Porter, the mentor, appeared at the train's door, her smile reflecting the joy of the Capitol crowd. Rosemary approached her, still hearing the distant cheers from the outside.

"We're off now," Porter announced, and Rosemary followed her out onto the platform.

As she stepped off the train, Rosemary took a deep breath, savoring the sensation of fresh, untainted air entering her lungs. It was a stark contrast to the air in District Five, unburdened by the heavy scent of factories and the ever-present hum of machinery.

The Capitol residents surrounded her, their extravagant appearances causing Rosemary to stand out even more. They gawked and commented on her presence, making observations about her inquisitively. She tried to ignore their scrutiny, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other as she walked behind Collumbae and Quartz, who were equally captivating the Capitol crowd. A tall male with blue hair and sophisticated makeup touched Rosemary on the cheeks as she walked the small path they had made. She stared down the ground, not sure if he did it just because he could. It disgusted her. She was a puppet, a tribute in the Hunger Games and she had no say in what anyone did to her. At least not anymore. The chatter about her and her resemblance to her sisters buzzed around her like a swarm of bees. It made Rosemary self-conscious, but she held her head high, not wanting to show any vulnerability.

"Look at the girl, she's a duplicate to her sisters." An older lady in the crowd said. The word spread among everyone and soon all eyes were on her.

"She's tiny compared to them."

"Her hair is longer."

"Her skin is as soft as the others." The man who touched her said.

♕

Soon, Porter and Quartz left, leaving Rosemary with her own "cleaners." Their instructions were clear, but when Rosemary was told to disrobe, her initial hesitance was evident. However, she complied, reluctantly stripping down under the watchful eyes of the Capitol workers.

Rosemary stripped of her clothes and the two workers stared at her slow movements. When she had taken off the last piece of clothing, she was ushered to a metal bed.

The subsequent process was both uncomfortable and painful. The scrubbing, spraying, and waxing felt like an invasion of her personal space, a stark reminder of the Capitol's control over her body. Rosemary gritted her teeth and endured the ordeal, refusing to show any weakness.

The male worker started with spraying her body down with water- and thank god that it at least was warm. Around three minutes of steaming water in the air, was soon filled with the smell of artificial shampoo and body wash. The woman scrubbed Rosemary's body harshly, however, the pain ended as the water ran all over her limps. After that, wax strips were placed all over her body and was removed shortly after. Rose had never felt this kind of pain before. A sharp pain. But, the thought that her siblings had been through this themselves, made her push away all distress.

The workers stopped and whispered something to each other. "What are you talking about?" Rosemary asked.

"Oh, nothing dear." The woman said.

Finally, she was handed a hospital gown, and when she was clothed, a sense of modesty returned to her. But Rosemary couldn't shake the feeling that she was being stripped of her identity, one layer at a time. She sat on a similar bed to the one she laid on earlier. Staring at the walls, and when her eyes reached the door, it opened- as if it had waited for her to witness it. I came another woman. Her heels clicked on the concrete flooring and her dress reached her knees. She wore her hair half down - half up. No outstanding colors and subtle makeup. The woman did not look like she came from the capitol.

"Rosemary," The woman said through a breath. "You're indeed beautiful." She smiled and Rose glanced down her hands, fiddling with her thumbs. "I am Sage and I'm your stylist in the games," Sage said. She walked closer and took hold of Rose's hands, calming her down. "I'm terribly sorry for all of this." Rosemary looked into Sage's eyes. A calm deep brown color, full of trust and sorrow.

"Are you here to make me look beautiful?" Rose asked. Sage stroked her right cheek.

"No, I'm here to help you. My job is to make you look astonishing."

The stylist, Sage, appeared with an air of professionalism and kindness. Her calming presence and gentle touch put Rosemary at ease. As Sage worked her magic, Rosemary underwent a transformation. Her hair was woven into an elegant French braid, and her makeup highlighted her features, making her look mature beyond her years. Her eyes popped out with the silver glitter that adored her eyelids. The dark contour on her cheeks made her look older than she was, and her lips was painted with a similar silver color as her eyelids. She looked like a woman.

In a dress that also shimmered with silver and glitter, Rosemary felt like a star. The headgear, adorned with even more glitter, was placed around her face, adding to her radiance. She was no longer just a tribute; she was a symbol of District Five's strength. However, Rose couldn't help but think the accessories looked ridiculous- and saw herself more of a star, than an actual woman.

Walking in heels was a foreign experience for Rosemary, and she stumbled at first. "Careful there, we don't want them see you falling on the first look." Sage said, holding steady under Rosemary's elbows.

"I never walked in heels before."

"You'll do great. It's not to far of a walk, and then you'll be standing on the carriage." Rose was unsure of what exactly she would have to do. She knew of the tribute parade, and that it was approaching quickly.

Rosemary felt like her district being power, could offer another form of takeoff. Though she would lie if she said the dress was not beautiful. It was elegant. Knee-length, tight on the top with bare shoulders only carried up by thin spaghetti straps.

As they made their way backstage, Rosemary could hear the excited voices of the Capitol citizens growing louder. Everything felt overwhelming when Rosemary walked beside Sage. She heard the capitol citizens talk loudly to where they would soon show themselves off; where all twenty four tributes would try to make an impression.