•ACT ONE•
~Training As One~

There was no going back now. Not that there ever was. Ophelia had been waxed, plucked, scrubbed—honestly she couldn't tell you one thing they hadn't done and yes that is as uncomfortable as it sounds.

She now stood in front of her stylist Cinna who honestly had been a breath of fresh air for her when she was in desperate need of breeze. He seemed to actually have faith in her for someone who'd met her only twenty minutes or so before. He held up a dress she was to sport for the Avenue Of The Tributes. They were like prize cattle being auctioned for all in the Capitol to see.

The dress had been black and a material she'd never quite been accustomed to. It fit her like a glove, tight around every inch of her that it could possibly cover. The dress had been long collapsing into a puddle around her feet. Her arms had been completely bare aside from the thick strap over both her shoulders. The neckline had been near a square and her hair had been half down half up, pulled into many braids and secured into what looked like a bun at the back of her head. Cinna had done a most remarkable job. She'd never felt nor looked so beautiful in her life and it was all in the lead up to her death.

Nonetheless she smiled up at the stylist after running her hands down her sides, "where have you been all my life?" She mused watching him smile in return.

"Waiting for this very moment"

She sucked in a breath while stepping to the side to take in her appearance in the large mirror behind Cinna, "I feel—" she paused trying to think of the right word, "powerful"

Cinna stood behind her placing a hand on her somewhat exposed shoulder, "that's not the dress—" he watched the confusion inhabit her expression which made him smile once again, "that power you feel?" She nodded, "that's all you Ophelia" his words seemed to settle with her. Usually she'd nod in agreement yet not feel an ounce of truth to the words but when Cinna said what he had—it felt like he was being more honest than she usually was with herself.

He'd walked out his arm in hers as they made their way toward Gale who suited a full black skin tight outfit which cut into a V shaped neckline. Gale's eyes took in every inch of Ophelia. He hadn't known much of her other than seeing the girl around the woods and going back to a rather broken look home in a literal sense. He'd never seen her look like this. She looked absolutely ravishing.

Every pair of eyes would be on the two of them that was for sure, or more so Ophelia but Cinna would set this in stone when he said, "how do you both feel about fire?"

"I like it at a good distance" Gale would try to joke.

"Let me emphasise your costumes are flame proof" he lifted a hand to his chest before smiling, "how about we send you both out to make a real impression" Ophelia's cheeks grew rosey with excitement, this sounded exhilarating, "how about we send you out in flames?" He asked.

Ophelia nodded immediately, whereas Gale looked nervous until the girl turned to face him, "how bad can it be?" She asked, "the outfits are fire resistant—we will be totally safe, right?" She looked to Cinna for a nod of confirmation which he gave.

"Fine" Gale near huffed, "but if I'm burnt to a crisp out there—"

Ophelia touched his arm, "don't worry, I'll sweep you up"

The pair had been walked to their chariot. The back chariot. Stepping in side by side and taking one final look at each other as if they'd decided to partake, when in reality this had been far from optional. Cinna would do some final checks while Ophelia stared ahead trying to get somewhat of a glimpse at the other tributes. The tributes Haymitch swore to give them a run down off that very night. It had been too dimly lit to really make anyone out. The only thing she could see was the height difference between the male and female tribute in the chariot ahead of them. Her heart ached at the thought of the smaller one's age. She could only hope this kid wasn't too young and was just shorter than she was.

Her heart then raced feeling someone else's hand lay atop of hers. Hers which she hadn't realised was gripping their handle for dear life, something she'd ease up on when she noticed Gale's larger hand over her own. He gave her a bump on the shoulder in an attempt to calm her before removing his hand to place it beside hers instead.

Before Ophelia could overthink anything else she felt a tug on their chariot. Hearing the horses hooves smacking on the ground as they were tugged along. She could guess when the very first could be seen by the sound of howling applause. Goodness, whoever was in the first few clearly had a lot of fans. She looked to Gale unsure if they'd get the reaction they wanted. Hoping it wouldn't go up in flames. Literally.

The light of the open stadium only got closer and closer until it was there. Fire engulfed the pair but she felt no heat other than that to her cheeks which were on fire. As soon as chariot twelve could be seen she could hear first many gasps followed by applause and Capitol folk cheering in excitement at the sight of both her and Gale. She felt Gale straighten his posture watching as he raised his arm to wave at the rather large audience. Ophelia looked around on her side scanning the many blissful faces covered in makeup and wearing mighty colourful outfits. Eventually her eyes landed on a young girl no younger than the girl ahead of them now looked. She waved persistently and smiled brightly towards Ophelia which made her smile. Slowly she lifted a hand to wave back watching the young girls glee as she turned to tell her mother who gushed tapping the bodies of those around her. Ophelia then heard a wash of aww's around her making her heart jump.

She then near flinched at the feeling of Gale's hand on her shoulder, turning to face him he mouthed for her to wave while he held her shoulder. She hadn't had the chance to argue and so she did as he'd said hearing the roaring cheer and every set of eyes on them.

Many yells could be heard, they're on fire, oh my isn't that extraordinary, and so forth and for the first time in her entire life she felt seen.

Slowly the chariot's began to slow and stop in a half circle around a large podium. She took a quick glance back at the many flowers and hats that had been thrown their way. She watched ahead then as the older gentleman she knew to be president Snow made his way to the centre and let out a bellowing "welcome" as he shushed the crowd, "welcome" he'd repeat, "tributes, we welcome you, we salute your courage and your sacrifice" that would make Ophelia's gut churn, courage? sacrifice? It was nothing of the sort. Most of them hadn't had a choice they'd been selected with no one willing to volunteer in their place, "and we wish you a happy Hunger Games" she was certain this guy just wanted to rub in their lack of choice. She hadn't liked him before now but stood here in front of him only made her hate him in place of the dislike she'd always had, "and may the odds be ever in your favour"

Ophelia and Gale had been rushed out of their chariot toward Cinna who looked like a proud father. He walked at quite the quick pace to the pair, "that was amazing" he'd beamed.

Effie and Haymitch appearing side by side with Effie letting out a near squeal of excitement, "we are going to be all everyone is talking about" she gushed over the two placing a warm hand on Ophelia's cheek for a moment. Haymitch would add, "so brave" though she couldn't work out if it had been sarcasm or not.

"Don't get too close" Ophelia bit back at her mentor, "open flame, remember?"

"Fake flame" he corrected with a smirk, "are you sure you—" he lifted his head and stopped mid sentence as his eyes landed on something over her shoulder.

Ophelia turned her head to find the source of his attention. It was a tribute stood behind staring directly at her. Not Gale, not Haymitch. Ophelia. She felt her heart rate pick up just from the intensity of his gaze. Crystal blue eyes that could pierce through your soul never mind using a knife. He had been quite tall especially in comparison to his fellow tribute, blonde slightly messy hair and rather well built. A career she'd imagine. The muscle he had was that of someone who trained. He could probably snap her neck with his bare hands if her tried. She met his eyes expecting him to look away but he never did, confidence or cockiness she didn't know but she'd always guess the latter.

A small smirk tugged up on his lips. Whether that had been due to the look of fear that must have possessed her looking at him or just an intimidation tactic, it had still been infuriating. She tried to look as daunting as he had but that would be a near impossible task. If she was going to stay clear of anyone—it would be him. That was for sure.

Ophelia watched as his partner bumped his arm but his gaze stayed on her. Until it moved ever so slightly, before she could follow she felt Gale place a hand near the curve of her back. The blondes eyes now burned a hole into Gale's hand which had partially made Ophelia slightly uncomfortable but she wouldn't make a fuss. Not in front of this mammoth of a boy. She decided it best for her to look away first. Probably not a good idea to get on his bad side.

His outfit had been pretty fitting even if she didn't know which district he resided in. Gold godlike armour. It suited him.

"Let's uh—" Haymitch continued pulling his eyes away from the blonde, "let's talk upstairs"