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SHALL WE RISE?

act one.

(chapter ten, crying in my gown in silk sheets)

tribute centre / city circle, 2304.

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WHEN VALENCIA WOKE UP, she was greeted with the sight of Delphine towering over her bed. She was wearing her best outfit yet: a long, soft pink dress that went past the ankles, its intricate design causing Valencia to be mesmerised, pooling on the floor with her wig being a blonde colour with little golden flowers stuck within it. Today was the interviews, of course Delphine was going to be dressed up.

With the announcement of another big day, Valencia got up after stretching her sleepy muscles and walked down to the dining room with Delphine by her side, chattering away.  At the table, the only person present was Commie, who looked wide awake and rather presentable, meaning that his own prep team must have cleaned him up.

"Good, you're up," Commie said as he bit into an apple. "Your prep team and Ezra will be here soon. Eat up before they do."

"Where is Silas and Terry?"

"Oh, Bigfoot's team and stylist is already here so they're working on him, apparently there is a lot to do with him which is confusing because he's a lad." Commie sighed. "And Terry is currently with Odair, I believe."

"Finnick Odair?"

"Yep." Commie groaned. "And I would be with Haymitch right now, but being the good mentor I am, I'm with you, Barlowe."

"You have no reason to be, Flint," said Delphine as she picked at her breakfast. "Go and get drunk with good old Haymitch Abernathy."

"What's in your wig this morning?" Commie asked her with a smirk as he plopped a grape in his mouth, throwing away the apple core. 

"Today is a very big day, as you know," she said. "I am just nervous for our tributes."

"There is no need, Delphine," Valencia assured her. 

When the pastel trio came running through the elevator after Valencia finished her breakfast, she was whisked away from Commie and Delphine. They took her somewhere else and immediately started working. 

Aria began to moisturise Valencia's hair with some sort of oils whilst Mateo worked on massaging creams into her face and legs. Bette immediately got to work, putting on acrylic nails for Valencia, in which she immediately apologised for biting her natural ones. 

"Oh, it's no fuss, Valencia," said Bette as she glued the nails on. "We get bitten nails all the time after the individual evaluations."

All of it was such a blur, for they immediately started to work on the design. Sheets of paper were everywhere, all having instructions of how Valencia was supposed to look tonight. 

Aria quickly gathered up some hair products and got to work in applying them and spraying them into Valencia's hair, getting a hairbrush and running it through. Bette, having finished putting the acrylics on, started to paint them with a gold polish, adding small, pink, and white flowers on them. Mateo started to work on her makeup, using nearly all the exact colours that he did for the Parade. He dusted some gold onto her eyelids and then a very light shade of pink on her cheek bones, outlining her lips with a nude colour like last time. But this time, he made the flick of the eyeliner more dramatic than it was at the Parade.

When they were finished, Valencia looked unrecognisable once more when she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked more intimidating than she did during the Parade, her hair in a low, but very tight bun. It had the wet illusion to it like her last outfit, but it made her look more mature. Her eyes looked massive in the mirror because of the eyeliner that winged out, the golden dust atop her eyelids complimenting her dark eyes. Her cheeks looked more structured and bony. She had Mateo to thank for that.

As the pastel trio all admired their work, the door opened and Ezra entered. He still wore his silver jewellery, but had gotten rid of the silver glitter, rather it being gold. His suit was long gone and now he wore a set of robes that was a nude colour, white and pink flowers all over the clothing like a waterfall of nature. 

"Good job, you three," he said as he took a step forward and surveyed how Valencia looked. "I'll take it from here."

The prep team left all smiles as Ezra stopped and grabbed a white bag from the closest to his left. Valencia knew that the dress would have to look something like his robes, for he wouldn't change his white suit unless it was for a very good reason considering it was the only thing he ever wore.

"Now," said Ezra. "This is a version of your dress from the Tribute Parade, but much better and much more extravagant. You're going to thank Delphine for teaching you how to walk in a gown."

As he unzipped the white bag, Valencia's mouth dropped in awe. Hanging from a coat hanger was a gown that looked much like the one from the Parade. There was no sleeves on this one however, but there was a row of flowers that went up and over the shoulder, a section coming off and drooping down the arm. The corset of the dress was completely stitched with flowers of pink and white, another v-line coming down from the chest. There was multiple layers of fabric underneath for the skirt, the top half being a transparent sheet of material that had flowers stitched onto as if it came flowing down from the corset, the rest of the layers being a light nude colour with a bit of gold accents being added to it. There was a slit in the dress around her thigh, just like the dress from the Parade. The gown was beyond gorgeous. 

And as Ezra helped Valencia slip it on and into a pair of heels that matched, she couldn't help but feel beautiful. Beautiful, but deadly, just like what Ezra wanted. With the slicked back bun and the intimidating makeup done by Mateo, Valencia felt powerful. She felt ready. 

"Are you ready, Valencia?" Ezra asked her as he let her hold onto his arm as they walked through the apartment, heading for the elevator. 

"Yes," she replied. "I'm ready."

"I'll be sitting on the main platform with the other stylists. You'll find me easily," he told her. "So, if you get nervous or freeze, just know I am cheering you on loud and clear."

"Thank you, Ezra." Valencia sighed. "Thank you for making me look beautiful."

"Anything for my winning girl."

They made it to the elevator where everyone else was. Nearly everyone was wearing nude coloured clothing with pink and white flowers sewn on. Silas was standing next to Antares, wearing a suit and tie with flowers stitched on. He looked like he was going to murder Valencia when she rounded the corner with Ezra.

"Hey, I was gonna wear that," Commie joked as he saw her. 

"I bet you would look gorgeous, Commie." Valencia chuckled as she and the others entered the elevator. "You should have worn it."

"Good to see your enjoying yourself," Delphine told her, admiring her dress. "Just keep that up for when you are on the stage."

Valencia nodded as she took deep breaths, Commie patting her back as the elevator opened, revealing the other tributes lined up to take the stage. They all sat in designated seats, all in order. The Careers' look all dolled up and magnificent for their interviews and when they caught glimpse of Valencia, they all gave her a sickening smile. They obviously didn't like that she had gotten a higher score than them.

Commie and the others walked away from her and Silas, leaving them alone as they made their way to their seats beside Eight and Ten. Valencia would be ninth up for the interviews, she just had to sit through eight of them. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, your Master of Ceremonies." A voice echoed around as the opening music began to play. "Caesar Flickerman!"

Caesar came bounding onstage, wearing an entirely white suit that Valencia wondered if he had copied Ezra's style. His smile was so much wider in person that she couldn't help but wince. The smile was so fake that it made her want to puke all over her gown. But she forgot all about that when the crowd began to cheer so loudly that everyone in the waiting room cringed.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Caesar cheered. "Welcome, welcome to the Sixty-Sixth Annual Hunger Games! Now, in about five or so minutes, all the tributes are going to be out here, every single one of them! Are you excited?"

The crowd cheered loudly as someone signalled for Confetti to come and take her place by the edge of the stage, waiting for her time to come on. 

"Let's start shall we?" Caesar laughed. "Please give a warm round of applause for the dazzling Confetti!"

She sauntered on stage to a deafening roar, her blonde locks bouncing around as she walked confidently. Valencia heard Silas growl as he watched the girl and she immediately concluded that he did not like her.

As the names went on and on, Valencia listened to every one of them. All of the Career tributes were full of themselves and talked about how they were going to win the Games. They all spoke clearly and confidently, some of them even sneaking in winks to the camera. Whenever they walked off, the crowd would give them a large round applause. 

District Three came by without any notice and soon, District Four came on. They got cheered for the loudest, even louder than the Careers'. Valencia supposed it was because of Odair, her theory being proven since most of Caesar's questions were about the latest Victor. 

Five came and went and the girl from Six went trembling onto the stage. She didn't have any angle like the other tributes did, just answering the questions silently and some not at all. Caesar was given a run for his money. Maynard came on next and he had to duck under the doorway to go to the stage. Even Caesar was surprised by his monstrous height and made a few jokes about it, the crowed chuckling away whilst Maynard just stared at the camera. Silas's interest was definitely high when he watched his 'friend'.

The pair from Seven were nothing interesting, Caesar doing most of the talking as he tried to pull information out of them, but when the boy from Eight came on, Valencia was beckoned by one of the stage crew to join them at the skirts of the curtain. 

Her entire body was shaking as she slowly made her way to the edge of the stage, fiddling her hands together as she listened to whatever story the boy from Eight was telling. When the buzzer went off to move to the next tribute, Valencia tried to control her breathing when Caesar suddenly went very quiet.

"Now, this is the tribute you have all been waiting for," Caesar said softly into the microphone as he stared out to the crowd. "She is the sister of our very own Terry Barlowe. She is the girl that scored the highest during the training... let's give our girl, Valencia, a loud cheer!"

Valencia was pushed on stage as Caesar beckoned for her to come to him. She was momentarily blinded by the lights as she came sauntering on, nearly everyone in the crowd jumping out of their seats and applauding for her. Caesar had a wide smile as he looked her up and down before turning to the audience.

"Before we say anything else, we must talk about your dress!" Caesar chuckled as he inspected it. "It's just absolutely gorgeous! I daresay the most extravagant we've seen in a long time. We must put our hands together for her stylist, Ezra Gael, who's sitting right there!"

Valencia chuckled as everyone turned and cheered for Ezra, who was sitting right at the front with the other stylists. He stood up and waved at everybody before turning around and giving her a wink, sitting back down.

"Come, come, sit down, dear," said Caesar as he reached out his hand and Valencia took it gratefully, sitting down on the white seat. "Welcome, welcome, Lennie... can I call you Lennie?"

"You can call me whatever you like, Caesar." Valencia smirked at him, laughing as she heard his reaction.

"Well, well!" Caesar laughed. "We got a charmer on our hands everyone! Now, we're going to start strong here... when you came out in that chariot, my heart literally stopped beating—"

"Caesar, dear, if that happened, I wouldn't be talking you right now," Valencia butted in, looking to the crowd as they laughed. 

"Oh, you know what I mean!" Caesar chuckled loudly. "What did that dress represent for District Nine? Every outfit from the Parade must represent their district so how did it symbolise Nine?"

"Well, me and Ezra wanted to represent the beauty of District Nine, but also the darker side behind it," Valencia started to explain. "We wanted to represent the beauty of the grain fields in Nine, but also the darker side about the factories. Beautiful, but deadly, as we say."

"Beautiful, but deadly," Caesar repeated thoughtfully as he stroked his chin. "I think that represents not only Nine, but you yourself, Lennie!"

"Stop it, Caesar, you're making me blush." Valencia chuckled to herself as she leaned forward and patted his knee before leaning back into her seat. 

"I think I'm gonna make you blush even more," Caesar announced. "Because I'm sorry, but I have to compliment you on you scoring a massive number eleven in the individual training! How did you manage that?"

"Well, it's all down to genetics I say," Valencia told him as she cleared her throat. "I am incredibly lucky to have someone like Terry as a brother."

There was a sudden chortle that came from someone in particular. Valencia sighed internally when she saw Commie covering his mouth, a flask in his hand as he coughed, Antares hiding his face beside him.

"I think your mentor agrees with that!" Caesar chuckled. "I mean, you are incredibly similar to Terry, aren't you? It's like you're twins."

"I wouldn't go that far to say we're twins." Valencia chuckled as the cameras zoomed in on her brother, who was patting Commie on the back to stop him from choking. "But we are so close that obviously he would have an effect on me. No wonder I got an eleven."

"Terry, beg my pardon, is one of my favourite Victors' of all time." Caesar laughed. "And there he is! There's my boy!"

Antares looked up from Commie and to Caesar, who was pointing at him, and gave him a wink and a thumbs up before going back to a choking Commie. 

"Well, I am ready to take his title of favourite Victor," Valencia replied as she stared at her brother. "It's time for a new Barlowe to take over."

"That is the mindset we are looking for, Lennie!" Caesar cried. "The confidence is practically radiating off of you that even I'm becoming more confident in myself."

"Don't be silly, Caesar." Valencia smiled at him. "Your ego can barely fit this room as is."

The crowd went crazy with laughter as Caesar's jaw dropped jokingly, cackling a, "I thought we agreed to not talk about my ego, Lennie," in which Valencia just shrugged and turned to the cameras, chuckling to herself.

"Okay, okay, settle down." Caesar laughed as he regained the attention of the crowd. "Now, Lennie, we know about Terry and what not, but is there someone back at Nine that is just waiting for your return?"

"Oh, of course." Valencia nodded. "I am rather the traction back at Nine."

"You're rather the traction here at the Capitol!" Caesar told her. "But isn't there one person who you just can't wait to see again?"

Valencia looked into the camera and sighed before catching the eye of Commie, who had stopped his choking fit and looked directly at her, forcing her to remember what he said during her lessons with him.

"Not that I can think of, no," she lied. "I can't think of just one person back at home."

The crowd sighed at this, some rubbing their eyes which caused Valencia to raise an eyebrow, saying, "It's really not that sad, don't know why you're all crying."

In the crowd, Delphine slid down her seat in embarrassment and Valencia paled, thinking that she had said the wrong thing, but she chuckled softly when everyone started laughing instead of frowning. 

"Sadly, our time is nearly up," said Caesar. "But there is one thing I want to address before that buzzer goes off... do you think you can win, Lennie?"

Valencia swallowed the lump in her throat, staring out into the crowd and at Commie, who leaned forward in his seat intently as he fiddled with the flask in his hand. She remembered their conversation during their practice interview and tried to force a smile, saying softly, "I'll try... I'll try and win... for my mentor."

The buzzer went off loudly and nearly made Valencia jump. Caesar gave her a wide smile and shook her hand before giving her a tight hug. Her legs were swaying and trembling as she forced herself to walk off the stage, but not before she glared at the camera.

When she reached backstage, she was finally given a moment to herself, for everyone would still be out in the crowd waiting for Silas to finish his interview. Valencia, after taking deep breaths and mentally slapping herself, watched Silas walk on the stage. He didn't get a loud applause like Valencia did, but still got a warm round of claps. 

He acted like he did at the station and Parade in the interview, joyful and all smiles. Caesar clearly tried to joke around like he did with her and whilst Silas tried his best, his interview was not as good as Valencia's. But despite this, he was still a fan favourite, for when he walked off, he was exited with a very large round of applause.

He joined Valencia back stage and the others come swarming in. Commie ran and gave Valencia the biggest hug he could muster, kissing the top of her head as he slapped her back once more. Ezra kissed both of her cheeks and then Delphine nearly sobbed. Antares gave her a light smile and a nod of the head before walking off and talking to Silas. 

When they got back to the sitting room on the ninth floor, the television came to life and the boy from Ten was just finishing up his interview and it wasn't anything special. But Valencia did pay attention to Eleven, wondering how Rome would go on his interview. Donna, in her interview, was very bubbly and joyful, which Caesar loved. She told stories about her and her mother on the farms in Eleven and immediately brought the crowds sympathy. When Rome came on, he came on with a Capitol translator, something Caesar had to explain to the crowd. Rome's interview went all right and was given a respectable round of applause. 

When District Twelve finished, everyone sighed and all went up to go to their rooms. They all knew what tomorrow would hold and they didn't need to say anything until the next morning. Delphine nearly bursted into tears and Valencia didn't want to see her cry anymore, therefore she gave a curt nod to Commie and Ezra before smiling lightly to her brother and completely ignoring Silas, walking back to her room. 

She was going to die and this may be the last time she ever slept in a comfy bed and so she used every single moment of her time left in the soft silk covers. Valencia looked around her quarters as tears began to run down her cheeks. Here she was, Valencia Barlowe, crying in her bed in the most extravagant gown she had ever worn. Here she was, only hours away from her inevitable death. 

⇢ ˗ˏˋ matz 🎧 !

— so close to the arena ! 

anyway, here is what i imagined her dress to look like