I never really liked the color red.
Ironic, I know as my name literally is Red. But seriously, what kind of idiot would name their daughter Red, if their last name is Velvet? My parents, apparently. They thought it was clever, naming someone after a food, the red velvet cupcake, which I had tasted twice, for my seventh and sixteenth birthday as a special treat. Sometimes, the shallowness of the people from District One appalls me.
Which is why when my stylist, Francesca dela Merced, or Fran, told me that my dress wouldn't be red, I hugged her like there was no tomorrow. I told her about how I feel for that color, and I guess she listened to me.
Now, I'm standing in a small, but elaborately decorated dressing room, wearing nothing but a thin, white robe. My hair is perfectly curled. Gorgeous little diamonds -real ones, might I add- are weaved in and out of the curls, catching the light whenever I move.
My prep team went all out with my eye make-up. They kept the rest of my face bare, just a bit of blush and some lipgloss, and focused on my eyes. They lined my eyes with dark, dramatic eyeliner. Glued fake black lashes on my eyes, saying that it would make it look even more dramtic than my natural blonde lashes, and added tiny blue gems at the end of each lash, making my blue eyes stand out. They swept my lids in silver eye shadow, which blends and turns into a deep blue color. I don't know how they did it, but it looks fantastic.
Fran sets a box in front of me, squealing madly, "Open it!" she says, jumping up and down on her ridiculously high heels. I don't hesitate. I gingerly open the box, and it reveals a beautiful blue fabric covered in shimmering blue beads. It's calming, and it's the same shade as my eyes.
I take it out, to see the whole thing. It's of modest length, stopping just a few inches above my knee but not short enough to reach mid-thigh, and strapless with a sweetheart neckline. "Oh, Fran I love it!" I start squealing with her. The dress is amazing, much nicer than than any of my dresses back in One, and I know that it must cost a fortune.
"Try it on!" she urges, and she steps out to give me privacy. I quickly shed out of the robe and step into the dress. It's snug on the top and the skirt flies out whenever I twirl. I put on the matching shoes, which is five inches high, and is pleasantly surprised when I see that it's not hard to walk on. I adjust my hair, fluffing it up a bit and then I come out of the dressing room.
Fran screeches when she sees me, "Oh, Red you're gorgeous! I wouldn't be surprised if I see Capitol boys lining up in front of your door tonight!" the thought of Capitol boys drooling over me isn't exactly the most pleasant idea, especially if they're middle aged dudes. But if they do start lining up, I won't be surprised because I look THAT good. Fran speaks of the truth.
She ushers me to walk, "You'll be the first one up. I know you're ready, Red. Go." she kisses my cheeks and gives me a slight push. Peacekeepers are instantly at my side, escorting me to the backstage. Butterflies start fluttering inside my stomach. I'm anxious, yes, but not a nervous wreck. I see other tributes fidgetting on their seats, looking nervous as hell, the scared looks on their faces ruining the beautiful outfits their stylists made for them. My name is called, and I take a deep breath, before heading out.
The Capitol people screams, applauding wildly when they see me. I put on my best smile, and wave at them, blowing kisses every now and then. My interviewer, Sequin Sparkles, welcomes me with a hug.
She, like her name suggests, sparkles. Her pale purple face seems to have been dipped in glitter. Her eyes are like an owl's, huge and blue; and they look like they are insanely glossing and sparkly. Her lips are thin, like really thin, and covered in sparkles. She doesn't even wear lipstick. Her cotton-candy pink hair hangs down her back in tight ringlets, and she wears a matching pink dress with glittery sequins covering the whole thing.
Seriously, she looks like a huge wad of gum, all chewed up, spat back out then was thrown into a pool full of glitter.
It's hard to look at her, especially with the bright spotlight, but I'll adjust. "Welcome to the Capitol, Red Velvet!" she shrieks, but it isn't painful to the ears. In fact, it sounds mesmerizing, like music. She must have altered it. It's the only thing pretty about her.
"Thank you Sequin! It's a pleasure!" I smile. My mentor, Paris Lapworth gave me a simple advice. Gush. Be pretty, and cute and shallow as my name suggests. The Capitol would eat it up. I won't have any problem doing that, since that's how I act with other people. They're so guillible, and I love it.
"I have to say, Red, when you stepped out, I was afraid you'll outshine me, literally!" she says, smiling kindly, eyeing my gorgeous blue dress. My grin grows wider, "Oh no, Sequin. No one can outshine you!" I reply. It's true, no one can. Not unless they swim in a pool of glitter and probably eat sparkles for lunch. But, of course I don't say that. Do I have a death wish? No. I'm not stupid. I know that the Gamemakers are watching, and one wrong move and I'm good as dead.
Sequin giggles girlishly, "I'm flattered." she says between giggles. Oh, but she shouldn't be. Walking around like a living disco ball isn't anything you should be flattered of. But I keep my thoughts to myself, and instead I join Sequin in giggling. Oh, this interview would be a breeze.
"Alright, let's get down to business. How do you find the Capitol?" she asks, smiling at me. There are pros and cons. A lot of people here are weird, with an exeption to a few others. Their fashion senses could be improved too, but instead I say, "I love it here! It's so beautiful and big. The food is incredible and your clothes are lovely and I've never met any nicer people in my entire life!" I muse. Not true. I've met a lot of nicer people back at home. But the food is to die for, that I can't deny.
"Aww, thank you." Sequin gushes, "Now what do you miss most back home?" she bats her eyelashes at me. Some sparkles fly off her lips every time she talks. Isn't that supposed to be some choking hazard? There are some gems there that's quite large.
"My family, definitely. They are so kind, so loving," the truth is, they are anything but, "I miss them so much." I say, smiling and adding just the right amount of gratefulness in it that the audience can't help but 'aww'.
Haha, suckers.
"That's adorable! But, no boyfriend?" Sequin asks once the crowd settled down, looking genuinely interested.
I let out a girlish giggle, "None. I'm completely single." I say, winking to the audience. The males go wild at this. Perverts. I supress a shudder.
"Really?" Sequin looks surprised. Does she think I can't get a boyfriend? That's offensive. Because I can, I just don't like boys from our District. Most of them are players, and the decent ones are usually taken... like Titan, my District Partner. He's pretty cool.
"Yes," I bat my lashes, "Most boys in One are players, and I'm still looking for the one who will sweep my feet away." I answer, sighing dramatically. Sequin shrieks like there's no tomorrow. I'm glad that her voice is altered, otherwise I would probably have slapped her in the face because of the noise she keeps making.
"Well, since you are single, are there any tributes here that caught your eye?" she queries, her blue eyes glimmering excitedly.
I giggle, and pretend to think about it, "Well... there's Titan, from my District, but I think he's already dating someone. Such a shame. Jackson from Three, the color of his eyes are incredible and I could stare at them all day," I say giggling uncontrollably, "And Chase, from Six. He's really handsome." I add. This is actually true; they are all so handsome. It's too bad we're in the Games otherwise I would probably have bonded with them. They'd love me, the real me, I know.
"Oh, yes I agree! I quite like your taste in men, Red." Sequin tells me, "So, who do you think stands out the most this year?" she asks, moving on to a different topic.
Finally, something I can answer truthfully, "We're all an interesting bunch this year, with Callisto Reed and India Fox both thirsty for blood. Titan Emerald, seemingly laid-back and cool, but obviously he could be deadly. Aubrey Harris because she hates District One, and she seems to be hiding something. Chrystal Davis, too. She looks like someone who would backstab anyone when the chance presents itself." I stop for a moment to collect my thoughts. Sequin looks surprised that I actually sounded smart. Crap. Not good, Red. Go back to being sweet, shallow and stupid.
It sucks, because it looks like I won't be able to answer anything truthfully.
Still, I go to a different angle, and continue with my shallow and stupid act, "Sparrow Falls, because her hair has pink tips. It looks really cool, don't you think?
I'm going to have my hair like that when I'm crowned Victor. Noelle Jenkins stands out as well, like, why can't she speak right? She sounds so weird and creepy, which is a shame because she's actually really pretty. Oh, and Devlin Summers! He's that guy with a burnt face, right? Disgusting, but he seems really dangerous." I say, feeling bad that I just dissed out three potential threats in the Games. I've seen all of them train, and they are actually pretty good.
"Yes, such a shame about Noelle. She's a beautiful young lady. So do you think they are your biggest threats?" Sequin asks, looking weirded out by my sudden change.
Don't slip up, Red. I should be on guard more often, especially since the Games is almost starting. The more people I fool, the better. "No. We Careers are the biggest threats, no doubt about that." I state like it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"Yes, the Careers are a really mixed bunch this year, and joining together would make an even bigger threat out of all of you," Sequin agrees. Wow, props to her; she actually sounded smart. Didn't think she's actually capable of that.
"So true!" I gasp, "You are so smart, Sequin." I say just to flatter her. Sequin giggles, and, if her face isn't covered with glitter, she's probably blushing like a sunburnt lobster.
"Thank you!" Sequin says, fluffing up her cotton-candy pink hair, "So, who do you think is the weakest tributes?" she asks.
To be honest, no one. You can't rule anyone out in these Games, there are so many factors to consider, so many different strengths and weaknesses. But, of course, I can't say that, "Ohhh, that's tough. Everybody seems really strong." I say, and that's not exactly a lie, "Oh, but that girl from District Three!" I gasp suddenly, like it only hit me then and there, "Cherry, right? She seems too young and frail to be able to make it far. And, I hear she has, like, lung cancer? That's gotta suck." I answer, shaking my head sympathetically.
I actually feel bad for Cherry. She does seem too weak for the Games, but I'm sure she has something hidden under her sleeve. Like I said, too many factors to consider, I can't rule anyone out.
"Yes, having lung cancer does make you weaker." Sequin agrees. I think all this woman knows is to agree with the tributes, "So, what gives you an advantage in these Games?" Sequin questions.
I'm smart; smarter than most Careers, but of course, I can't say that. If I do, then my cover would be blown. I'm cunning, obviously, but I can't say that as well.
"I'm a Career! I've been training for this my whole life." I start, going with the easiest answer, and the shallowest, I can think of. I am about to add more, but Sequin interrupts, "But there are other Careers here as well. What sets you apart from them?" she asks.
Damn it! How can I answer that without blowing my cover? I was wrong; Sequin doesn't agree with every word I say. "Well," I say uncertainly. Think, Red, think! What happened to that non-blonde brain of yours? "I am not cocky." I state, quickly finding a loophole, "Most Careers are cocky. And I can survive even without supplies. My academy trainer taught me quite a few things about the wilderness." I answer carefully.
Nice. I have survival skills, but I'm not taking credit for it. Thank you non-blonde brain.
The truth is, my trainer never taught me survival skills; I taught that to myself.
Sequin accepts my answer, "Do you have any allies?" she asks, yet again, moving onto another different topic. Couldn't she do this sublty, not just suddenly changing subjects? Meh, who cares? Definitely not me.
"The Careers, obviously." I answer. Allies are essential if I want to make it far, but I'll have to kill them sooner or later if I want to win.
Sequin nods, "Why do you deserve to win?" she asks, moving off topic, again, without warning.
"It's not that I deserve to, because I think everyone deserves this, but I want to win, I need to win. For Crimson." the words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. Tears prickle my eyes, like they usually do when I talk of my brother.
Sequin smiles sympathetically, and pats my hand in a very friendly manner, "Yes. I remember Crimson. He was your brother, I assume?" she asks with so much concern that I find myself regretting the fact that I judged her so quickly.
"Yes." I manage to utter. I quickly blink the tears back, and force another winning smile on my face. Sequin, unexpectantly, pulls me into a hug. I hug her back. The crowd awws wildly.
The buzzer rings, and we pull away. Sequin pulls me to my feet, "Ladies and gentlemen, a round of applause for District One's Red Velvet!" she screeches, smiling encouragingly at me. I gave them my most winning smile, said my goodbyes, and left.
That was harder than I thought, but I survived. Let's see if I survive the Bloodbath as well.