Голодные игры
Chapter 9
IshakeCaesar’soutstretchedhand,andhehasthegoodgracenottoimmediatelywipehisoffonhissuit.
"So,Katniss,theCapitolmustbequiteachangefromDistrictTwelve.What’simpressedyoumostsinceyouarrivedhere?"asksCaesar.
What?Whatdidhesay?It’sasifthewordsmakenosense.
Mymouthhasgoneasdryassawdust.IdesperatelyfindCinnainthecrowdandlockeyeswithhim.Iimaginethewordscomingfromhislips."What’simpressedyoumostsinceyouarrivedhere?"Irackmybrainforsomethingthatmademehappyhere.Behonest,Ithink.Behonest.
"Thelambstew,"Igetout.
Caesarlaughs,andvaguelyIrealizesomeoftheaudiencehasjoinedin.
"Theonewiththedriedplums?"asksCaesar.Inod."Oh,Ieatitbythebucketful."Heturnssidewaystotheaudienceinhorror,handonhisstomach."Itdoesn’tshow,doesit?"Theyshoutreassurancestohimandapplaud.ThisiswhatImeanaboutCaesar.Hetriestohelpyouout.
"Now,Katniss,"hesaysconfidentially,"Whenyoucameoutintheopeningceremonies,myheartactuallystopped.Whatdidyouthinkofthatcostume?"
Cinnaraisesoneeyebrowatme.Behonest."YoumeanafterIgotovermyfearofbeingburnedalive?"Iask.
Biglaugh.Arealonefromtheaudience.
"Yes.Startthen,"saysCaesar.
Cinna,myfriend,Ishouldtellhimanyway."IthoughtCinnawasbrilliantanditwasthemostgorgeouscostumeI’deverseenandIcouldn’tbelieveIwaswearingit.Ican’tbelieveI’mwearingthis,either."Iliftupmyskirttospreaditout.
