Голодные игры

           ThismeansthatcomingfromDistrict12,PeetaandIwillbeinsomekindofcoalminer’sgetup.Sincethebaggyminer’sjumpsuitsarenotparticularlybecoming,ourtributesusuallyendupinskimpyoutfitsandhatswithheadlamps.Oneyear,ourtributeswerestarknakedandcoveredinblackpowdertorepresentcoaldust.It’salwaysdreadfulanddoesnothingtowinfavorwiththecrowd.Ipreparemyselffortheworst.

           "So,I’llbeinacoalmineroutfit?"Iask,hopingitwon’tbeindecent.

           "Notexactly.Yousee,PortiaandIthinkthatcoalminerthing’sveryoverdone.Noonewillrememberyouinthat.AndwebothseeitasourjobtomaketheDistrictTwelvetributesunforgettable,"saysCinna.

           I’llbenakedforsure,Ithink.

           "Soratherthanfocusonthecoalminingitself,we’regoingtofocusonthecoal,"saysCinna.Nakedandcoveredinblackdust,Ithink."Andwhatdowedowithcoal?Weburnit,"saysCinna.

           "You’renotafraidoffire,areyou,Katniss?"Heseesmyexpressionandgrins.

           Afewhourslater,Iamdressedinwhatwilleitherbethemostsensationalorthedeadliestcostumeintheopeningceremonies.I’minasimpleblackunitardthatcoversmefromankletoneck.Shinyleatherbootslaceuptomyknees.Butit’stheflutteringcapemadeofstreamsoforange,yellow,andredandthematchingheadpiecethatdefinethiscostume.Cinnaplanstolightthemonfirejustbeforeourchariotrollsintothestreets.

           "It’snotrealflame,ofcourse,justalittlesyntheticfirePortiaandIcameupwith.