Deadly Game - Extra

DG Extra 5 - Axara's, D8, POV, The Opening Ceremonies

So, I may not have been completely naked in front of strangers before, but I'm still quite okay with it. Not that some of the ridiculous lingerie I had to test covered up anything at all, really, so that counts as naked. But there were only women watching me.

But really? Does it make any difference? I'm going to die soon anyway. 

I follow Revdes out of the room, out to a balcony. The wind is quite chilly, and I shiver as my bare feet hit the cold metal floor.  

Revdes notices. 

"Oh, sorry," he says, pressing a button on the table, speaking a few words into a microphone. Soon a servant arrives with socks and a quilt, and I immediately pull the soft socks on. The thin material is almost transparent, still they're very warm. Special fabrics... 

I quietly sit down while Revdes orders his food, and wrap myself in the quilt. 

"What do you want, Axara?" Revdes asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. 

"Umm... I don't know." 

"Okay, I'll order you the same as I ordered?" 

"Yeah. Thanks." I smile at him, and he flashes me a quick smile before turning to the servant. 

Revdes seems kind... Not like I imagined a Capitol citizen. My prep-team were certainly talking a lot, but they weren't that bad either. So how does everybody think all Capitol citizens are so evil? 

The food arrives, a delicious steaming hot dish of food. Chicken-risotto, I think that's what Revdes said. 

I eat in silence, discreetly watching Revdes. I know his name, know his designs. I have, like everyone else, admired his clothes - never Revdes himself. So the question stands. 

Who is he really? 

He asks me things, nothing way too personal, during the lunch. 

"What's your favorite color?" 

"Black and silver." 

"You have any particular style of clothes you like? Prefer comfortable, flowing, or tight? Any favorite fabrics?" 

I answer, puzzled. Why does he want to know this?  

The lunch continues, and Revdes keeps asking.  

"Family?" 

"Two sisters, younger and older. Mailey and Eriza. My mother." 

"Is your father dead?" 

I stick with the story. 

"I don't know. Don't even know who he is." 

Revdes nods. "My father is dead." 

I don't know what to say.  

"Ever heard the name Carter Dhane? That was my father." 

Carter Dhane is a legend, almost.  

"Yeah, I've heard. I'm sorry." 

He just gives me a sad smile, his lip-piercing flashing points of light around the room. 

"Are you ready?" he asks. My plate is empty. I nod. He rises, and I follow. To my surprise he doesn't lead me back to the prep-team's room, but to another further along the corridor. I wonder why.  

Then we step into the room, and I gasp. 

Clothes. Everywhere. Expensive-looking fabrics, bright colors, special effects... Everything you can possibly think of. Revdes puts a hand on my shoulder. 

"I always make things that the customers like. And I don't know what you like. So show me." 

"I... You want me to choose a dress?" 

"An outfit, yes. I see that you know a lot more about fashion designing than you give away." 

I blush. Of course, we talk a lot about fashion in District 8. It kind of comes naturally while working with fabrics. But no one ever even dreams of being a fashion designer. You dream of a job in the best factories, yes, but designing clothes? That's a dream that's considered a waste. 

It has always been my dream, though. 

I'm hiding it well. No one knows about it. But Revdes just somehow threw me off-guard. 

I walk around the room,  running my fingers over the fabrics. 

"What can I choose?" 

"Anything," he answers. "Textile - such an easy theme. Anything you wear is made out of fabric anyway. Well, all normal clothes at least." 

I watch all the clothes. A few pop, and I go closer to investigate them. Revdes tells me about them, and I ask a lot of questions - finally able to be myself after locking up my true interests for so long. Soon, of course, they'll be locked up again, but right now I'm free. 

I inspect the dresses. I like many of them. 

And then I see it. 

It's almost hidden in the far corner - a knee-length strapless dress with lovely designs of black and white. The pattern is simple, it almost looks like waves, or fire, or tendrils of smoke.

Yeah, tendrils of smoke. That's what the pattern looks like.  

And all over the dress, sewed into the fabric, the sharp points hanging free, are silvery needles. 

"This one," I say. Revdes smiles.  

"You have a good taste, Axara." 

He helps me take on the dress, but when I turn to face a mirror on the wall, his fingers suddenly cover my eyes. 

"You're not allowed to see it yet. Hair and make-up first." I sigh. 

He leads me back to the prep-team, and they work on my face, hair, and nails.  

When I'm allowed to open my eyes, I'm stunned. Small silver needles are fastened into my blonde hair, shimmering whenever light hits them. My face is covered in a light make-up, my greenish eyes standing out. 

The dress fits me perfectly. It's amazing - hugs my curves, and doesn't look too revealing. 

It's perfect for me. 

The chariot rides pass in a blur. I have no memories of the twenty-minute ride. I just stand stiffly beside Sam, my fellow tribute, as I force a smile to my face. 

We arrive to the City Circle, and I scan the other tributes. The girl from 2 stares at me, challenging me with her eyes. I don't break eye-contact, and win the staring-competition. 

Something on the big screen catches my attention. A girl in a blue dress, the girl from District 4. I search for her among the tributes. I noticed her while watching the reapings - she looks strong, still kind. 

I want her as an ally. 

She seems to feel my gaze on her, 'cause she turns to look at me. I meet her eyes, and she gives me a small but genuine smile. I smile back, then turn away from her.  

I hope she can be my ally.