When a Flower Withers.

[youwillburnwithus]

i think peeta is the most romantic of the two of them but like katniss said gale has fire xx ;P

[youwillburnwithus]

Chapter 5
“I can’t believe you people actually live like this…you honestly have NEVER had makeup on?” squeals one of the women from my prep team. Eleanor I think her name is. She is a medium built woman with an afro of multi-coloured hair puffing out in every direction. She also had tattoos of every shape and colour covering every inch of her skin except her face. She had nose rings and lip rings and rings in places I didn’t know could have rings attached…
“I mean it’s almost criminal. You don’t have a single piercing!” she exclaimed then her odd features took on a grim quality “but we can change that…”
I suddenly got very scared; I didn’t want these freak-show piercings all over my body! Fortunately the three that made up my prep team were told only to take care of the basics like ripping every shred of hair from my body, rubbing me in salve that stung like a thousand bee stings and then dipping me in gooey green liquid that smelled sickly sweet. They also had to wash and condition my hair until it was glossy and apply fake nails because I made rather a habit of chewing mine off when nervous which recently…has been a lot.
“Yes well…you may not be Capitol standards but you are one of the prettiest tributes we’ve had…just look at these curls!” drawls another one of my team. His name is Grandis and he is not exactly normal looking – I’m beginning to think no one in the Capitol is – but he is certainly the least outrageous. He has flaming red hair and sparkly red eyes to match he looks as if his arms have been dipped in glitter and he has a bright blue suit on. The last addition to the team is Garcia. She is a fairly plump woman with bright orange hair and a multitude of clips in every shape, colour and size in it. She also wears a white dress covered in different designs and it looks as though she has stuck small sweets and birds onto her dress. I will never understand the Capitol.
When I have undergone the last of the agony of both the waxing and the threats of piercings and tattoos from the prep team I am given a thin, silk robe to wear and I am lead into a small, white room and told to wait for my Stylist. I am tempted to bite my new nails but resist. I didn’t want this person looking me up and down like a piece of meat. I needed to get out of here. Just before I went completely insane a small man came shuffling into my room. He had dark curly hair with chocolate brown eyes and matching brown tattoos from the side of his brow all the way down beyond his collar. He seemed…normal. Well, more normal than my prep team but it wouldn’t be hard to beat that really.
“Hello, my name is Malith. I will be your stylist for the games this year.” He said in a clipped, formal tone.
“…hello…” I ventured
“I apologise but I need to take a look at you so I can discover your skin tone. Is that alright?”
“Erm…you mean take the robe off?” I said plainly
“I’m afraid so…”
I gingerly slid my robe off and dropped it to the floor. No one had seen me naked since I was little, not even my mother, and I was letting this complete stranger look at me when I am most vulnerable.
“There’s no need to be uncomfortable. This is purely professional” he said with an apologetic smile.
This was not my image of my stylist. I imagined him with fake whiskers or with knobs or trinkets all over his face with unnatural shades of colours tinting his hair. This man was nothing of my expectancies. I then shocked myself my voicing my thoughts.
“you are not what I thought my stylist would be…” I said in a quiet, unsure voice.
Although I was avoiding his eyes, I could hear the smile in his voice. “yes, I get that quite a lot. I have a very…well unique style as far as the capitol is concerned. That being I don’t dress like a freak.” His eyes opened in alarm at what he had admitted. “I must apologise. That was extremely rude.” He said without meeting my eyes.
“I don’t think freak quite covers what goes on here…mentally impaired maybe. Or colour blind. One of the two at least.” came my cutting reply.
He smiled and gestured for me to put my robe back on. After I had done so he held out his had to me
“It is my great honour to be your stylist. I do believe we are going to get on just fine.” He gave a slight, formal bow.
I smiled at him, I thought we would too. I just hoped that his sense of humour was as good as his sense of fashion.

[Aira548784]

this story is pretty good. I like the stylist. Please keep writing.

[youwillburnwithus]

thanks <3 xx the stylist is based on my big brother xx the next chapter is up l8r on 2day xx

[youwillburnwithus]

Chapter 6
Malith wasn’t wasting any more time on pleasantries. He went straight to work on me, redoing my hair and makeup in different ways until several hours later he handed me over to the prep team and described what he wanted done whilst he dealt with the outfit for tonight’s chariot event. After what seemed like hours of the prep team doing and re doing makeup and hair I was left once again by myself in a room. Malith returned a few moments later with a long black bag with a zip up the front.
“Close your eyes and lift your arms above your head so I can slip this on.”
I do as I’m told and lift my arms up whilst closing my eyes. The fabric feels soft and featherlike against my skin. I can hear Malith moving something in front of me; I assume it’s a mirror. Malith tells me to open my eyes and my excitement flares along with a feeling of terror. I think back to Eleanor and her grim parting words ‘we can change that.’ I still wanted to look like me. I didn’t want to go into the games looking like someone else. Also I didn’t want to look like a fool on the chariots. It seems shallow but I need to make an impression on sponsors tonight. Each child must wear clothing that represents their district. Marco and I are District 7, Paper and wood. ‘I hope I don’t look like some kind of tree trunk…’ Whilst my internals were having a heated debate I felt a soft pressure of reassurance on my shoulder. It was Malith.
“Lilly…you look beautiful. Open your eyes” he said in a soft, kind voice.
His words drove my curiosity into near insanity and I opened my eyes. He was right…I was beautiful. I have never looked beautiful before. I had no cause to back home. My dress was a plain white strapless dress that flowed down just above my knee and pinched at the top of my ribs. It had green vines crawling from the base of the dress around my waist and into the front of the dress and the bottom of the dress was decorated with small white and pink roses surrounded with vines. My skins was pale but not in a sickly way and my eyes were framed with faint green glitter dust and ever-so-slightly lined with charcoal gray and black so that my hazel eyes stood out against the pale of my skin. My hair was set in my usual ringlets spiralling down my back past my waist and was braided with the same flowers on my dress. The two front tassels of my hair were pulled to the back and a vine tiara with jewels hidden within the vines and flowers lay across my forehead. I looked like something from the fairytales I used to tell Jack to put him to sleep if he’d had any nightmares. A fairy princess caught in a horrible mess. Innocent. Helpless. Suddenly I knew that Johanna had already begun to pick my angle. It looked like I was going to be following in the footsteps of my dear mentor.

[youwillburnwithus]

Chapter 7
Malith needed to go find the other district 7 stylist so I stood very awkwardly next to my chariot. I attempted to go and stroke the large animal standing in front of the chariot but changed my mind as I was unfamiliar with these beasts, as beautiful as they were so I stood on my own and wished Malith would return so I wouldn’t be as awkward. I looked at the other tributes standing stiff and formal in front of their individual chariots throwing envious or just plain evil glances at other tributes. Most aimed at me. ‘Your being paranoid.’ I told myself. I’m thankful I asked Malith to stop by my room and get my token spawl I hold the small, soft animal in my hands and tears start to brim. I bite my tongue, I cannot cry in front of people. I cannot appear weak. A sharp, penetrating voice came from behind me and I could tell before I looked at her she is not someone I would get along with.
“Your district 7 aren’t you?” she drawled. She had blonde hair far brighter than mine and it was poker straight all the way down to her shoulders. She had an emerald green clip in the shape of a array of sea shells with a tight fitting dress that resembled seaweed to match. It shouldn’t have worked but it did, although I thought she could wear a bathrobe and still look outstanding. Her eyes were a bright see green. She was obviously from district 4, a fishing district. She was truly beautiful but the look those eyes gave me screamed danger. She sensed my hesitation.
“Erm…well my name’s Charlotte, I’m District 4.” She obviously thought I was a little slow.
“Uh…yeah. Hi. I’m Lilly. Yes I’m in District 7.” I said brilliantly.
“Yes…well. Your District are paper and wood manufacturers are they not?” she said with no genuine interest.
“Well…” I began but she cut me off.
“So you are some kind of tree? That’s cute.” She said bluntly. Was she serious?! I faked a laugh and attempted to paint a bright smile and act clueless.
“Well thanks! My stylist is so sweet. I love your costume is it a kind of sea flower?” I said brightly
“It’s seaweed actually” she spoke in a superior tone as if teaching a small child the simplest thing.
“So…you’re wearing a weed? How cute.” I said in a clueless tone, Smiling my head off at her. She threw me a dangerous glance and twitched away. That girl has major problems. I wouldn’t want it to come down to the two of us in the arena that’s for sure. Still deep in thought, another voice appeared behind me startling me.
“I was expecting a giant tree, but not anything like what you’re wearing” came Marco’s voice. I turned with a smart reply ready on my lips but it froze when I saw him. He looked so different! He was wearing a tan ghillie shirt that showed most of his chest and vines on his belt and in his short, wavy hair. He had dark green trousers that moulded to his legs with vine like patterns all the way down them. His piercing blue eyes shone as he spoke to me.
“You ready for this?” he said in a nervous tone.
“Not even a little bit. You?”
“I’m not sure yet…I guess we’ll see if I puke later on.” He said tensely
“Hey…we’re going to be okay.” I said, trying to muster up as much courage as I could
Marco stared at me for a long time and I stared back. He looked as if he was searching for something in my eyes…it made me really uncomfortable. He opened his mouth to say something when Malith showed up and fixed my head band.
“Hello beautiful.” He said with an optimistic smile. He was planning on blowing everyone away with his designs. Marco made himself busy with the huge beast pulling the cart, whispering softly to it. It was rather fascinating actually. I’d never really looked at Marco before, he had a strong jaw line and bright blue eyes just like his brother Tom but there was something about him that was completely different to his twin. Something I had never noticed before. It was as if a light had been switched on inside of him. I had always thought of Marco as shadow behind Tom but now I think I’ve been wrong the whole time...

[Aira548784]

This is really good writing. I want to keep reading please.

[youwillburnwithus]

hey guys xx haven't been on this in months!! so much to do so little time xx well ive done a few more chapters and they're pretty short so im just posting them together xx xx enjoy!! <3

Chapter 8
“You ready?” says Malith with a tender smile. I smile and nod as if I have a clue and grab his hand with mine and hold spawl tighter in my other. These are the things that will keep me strong through this horrible ordeal and I will not let them go. He helps me onto the chariot and I stand next to Marco. We exchanged an uncomfortable glance.
“Well done Malith, they almost look Capitol.” Said Johanna in what I assume was supposed to be praise. Malith gave an embarrassed smile whilst Marco and I glared at Johanna. Pleasantries were passed between our small uncomfortable group and advice was given to Marco and I about how we should act around the crowd, as if I wasn’t nervous enough. And then we were left alone on our Chariot whilst our group went to take their seats.
“I swear she does that on purpose.” Said Marco with venom in his voice
“who are we talking about?” I replied. The boy needed to understand my head was far from in the one place and he was going to have to be a little more specific.
“Johanna of course! Can you believe what she said? ‘They almost look Capitol’ she makes me sick.”
“Marco...she knows what she’s doing and if...if one of us is going to survive” – might as well lay everything out in the open sooner rather than later. – “we need to listen to her. And if we have to look Capitol for one night then...what’s the harm?”
Marco stared at me for a long time but this time with a look of disgust. It unnerved me.
“I really thought you would amount to more than that Lilly. ‘What’s the harm?’ they’re preparing us for slaughter god dammit! And they aren’t even letting us die respectfully. They’re dressing us up like show dogs! I thought at least you would get it. you know what, Never mind.”
I was shocked. I had never heard Marco talk above a murmur and now he was shouting these profanities about the Capitol right in the middle of the Games. Well I had to admit...he was brave. And what the heck did he mean ‘he thought I would amount to more than that’! All I’m guilty of is laying everything out on the table and trying to survive! Exactly what I promised Jack I’d do. I realised I’m starting to sound like a career. If my father heard me this way he’d be more than disappointed...
“Marco I...I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that, I’m just...scared. That’s all.” I’m no good with words especially when it came to this letting-your-feelings-out-crap. I didn’t have anything to add so I hastily took an interest in the wooden knots on the floor of the chariot. Marco sighed beside me
“Look Lilly...we’re all scared. I know how you feel...I’m sorry for taking it out on you.” He also fixated his attention to the floor. Looks like he had the same problem as me with words and feelings I thought with a smile. He caught my smile and returned it and in a moment of insanity we laughed. We laughed at each other, at ourselves at the whole horrible mess we were in. It got to a point where the other tributes were staring at us as if we had lost our minds. Well...maybe we had. Who can tell? Some official capitol woman was telling all of us that it was time to go and before I could even think about panicking Marco grabbed both my arms and made me face him
“We’re gonna be fine. We have this in the bag. Trust me.” Then he beamed at me and turned back round, and with that the beasts pulling the chariot lurched forward and the doors opened.

Chapter 9
I found myself in my assigned quarters in the training Centre before I knew it. I could hardly remember what has happened in the last few hours. The last solid memory I had was talking to Marco on the chariot, there was a bright light and our chariot was moving into a huge arena surrounded by overlooking seating. I can defiantly remember the fear and panic, that was for sure. Hundreds of thousands of Capitol women, men and children were screaming when we entered on our chariot. Marco grabbed my hand and when I looked at him he motioned for me to wave to the crowd. I had gone numb...I couldn’t believe I was here, surrounded by so many people. I mustered up all my strength to paint a smile on my face and wave to the adoring crowds...and then it was over. We were directed back to where we started behind closed doors safe from the crowd’s eyes. With Marco’s help I shakily stepped off the chariot and it had never felt so good to be on solid ground before. Marco looked as shaken as I felt but we both smiled.
“You didn’t puke.” I said “I’m impressed...or disappointed. Can’t quite tell yet.” We both laughed as my delightful friend from District 4 passed with a cutting remark “don’t look so pleased with yourself district 7. The Capitol will applaud anything.” She gave an evil sneer and once again, twitched off. God I hated her, and I’m pretty sure I’m not her favourite person either. And even if I didn’t want to think about it...I’m sure she has already come up with at least seven different ways of killing me in the arena...

[youwillburnwithus]

hey guys xx just wanted to give you guys a wee visual aid of Lilly's dress for the opening ceremony, hope you like it <3 xxx

[youwillburnwithus]

Chapter 10
I awoke from a nightmare in a cold sweat. I haven’t had a nightmare since I was 7 years old...I had a feeling I was going to get them rather more frequently than I would have hoped for. I was dressed in a ball gown and attending a Capitol party when suddenly in a change of scenery I was in a forest with a pack of careers chasing me. I felt a sharp pain in my left arm and turned to see an arrow protruding from it. I fell, unable to move an inch further and was pinned to the ground by a girl with bright blonde hair, Charlotte! She had a mean smile carved on her lips and she leaned down and whispered in my ear “this will be fun...wont it Lilly?” the glint of the long blade was the last thing I saw before I woke up, panicked. Looking out the huge windows that covered one wall of my grand room in the training centre I guessed it was about 6:00 am. There was no point in trying to get back to sleep. I walked to the bathroom and messed about with the buttons for the shower again until it was satisfactory and when I was clean and dry I walked back into the bedroom where some clothes were waiting for me on the bed. They were simple clothes, a light green, short-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of tan coloured shorts. I dressed quickly and headed down the hall to the dining room for breakfast. When I got there I found that Marco and Johanna were already up and deep in conversation. A normal conversation...well, as normal as it can get in these situations, but they weren’t insulting each other or passing cutting remarks...this is a first, maybe there is hope after all.
“Good morning sleeping beauty.” Said Johanna sarcastically, “you start your training today. They want you down stairs at 8:00 am sharp so eat and we can watch the recaps until its time.”
I obediently grabbed a plate of food and sat down next to Marco

“Judging from the scream I heard and those dark circles I’m going to guess you didn’t have the most wonderful sleep?” said Marco with sarcasm so tired sounding it hardly had any effect.

“Oh, you heard. Sorry...nightmares.” I mumbled, embarrassed.

“Don’t worry about it...I didn’t exactly have a peaceful slumber either.” Marco said in a grumpy tone.

The conversation dried out and we ate the rest of our breakfast in silence. Afterwards we headed to the lounge area and sat in front of the TV to watch the recaps of last night. Malith and Doris had snuck in and murmured their congratulations for the night before as we settled down to watch. District one came out in flowing white satin material peppered with diamonds and glitter. The Girl from that district looked gorgeous, with long cream coloured hair that was braided in some places and entwined with sparkly jewels and the boy was also dazzling with his bronze curls and strong jaw...they were certain to get sponsors. District two were nothing special they managed to put a sexy twist on the ordinary masonry workers outfit but to be honest it was bordering on vulgar. District three made no real impression...not really a shock. They looked more like stars than electronic devices. The District 4 tributes were one of the more outstanding competitors they were dressed in jumpsuits with strips of silk, satin, velvet and so many other types of fabric in every shade of green with a gold band that looked like seaweed round their waists and more gold intertwined throughout the costume. Charlotte had light green seashells pinned in her hair and gold highlights to brighten up her already bright enough hair. Districts 5 and 6 were also quite unremarkable and then Marco and I made an appearance. I was stunned! We looked amazing! Especially Marco, he looked strong and impish like a fairy boy, always up to mischief and together we looked like two otherworldly creatures, me small, venerable but brave and Marco strong and handsome.
“Malith...you’re a genius...” I said in stunned awe
“well, it’s been known to happen” came the smug reply. I turned and smiled at him; he smiled back and then motioned for me to watch the rest of the recaps but I couldn’t pay attention, I was too excited, giddy with the fact that I might just get sponsors...and with sponsors, I could be in with a chance of winning this thing. I could keep the promise I told my father. I could give Spawl back to Jack. I could live.