Belphoebe -- Capitol -- 15 -- fin

Ridiculously small for her age, and easily mistaken for someone closer to twelve or thirteen, rather than fifteen, Belphoebe's not gonna grow up to be one of those professionally beautiful people that buy her parents' jewelry, but at least she's pretty enough. The red hair is a bit of a shame, being so vibrant and untamable by any brush or comb, even when it's long. Her mother claims that it's practically a feral creature in it's own right. Fortunately, her eyes are a fetching dark blue that 'never goes out of style', with long lashes and shaped 'just right', according to Mama; big and deep set, but not sleepy like some District 10 heftier. Bel's smile and voice are both soft and sweet, never harsh or faltering, and if she had to spend a number of years having her teeth straightened and bleached, well, that's her little secret. Her small, childish body isn't as shapely as it should be, but she didn't need the slightest bit of enhancement to suit her dance master's aesthetics, either. A perfectly lovely, delicate sylph.

The freckles, though? She's been to half a dozen different places, all promising to banish her spots forever, and they still pop up like dandelions after the rain anytime she goes outdoors. Likewise, her fair, slightly sallow complexion turns to angry red burns with the slightest hint of sunshine. Mama says someday, she's just gonna have her scrubbed til she's pretty and pale for good.

Silken sheets, sweet scented baths, and scrumptious meals-that's what Belphoebe dreams of. Living life in the lap of luxury. Like every capitol citizen born and bred, she longs for the finest fashions and tastiest treats.

Reality, though? Well, that's somewhat different.

She isn't a poor girl, not really. And definitely not by the standards of the districts, but who would be content with that? No. She's a girl who knows what she wants, and won't stop until she gets it-even if it means chaining herself to the richest, oldest man she can find. Or woman. She's not terribly picky, so long as she's treated like the princess she obviously is.

It's only unfortunate that she's not exactly alone in her dreams, but that just means she has to find a way to stand out in the crowed. Just like Mamma says, she'll be the perfect wife: cultured and clever without being a threat, pretty and fashionable but not bizarre, and strike just the right balance of sweetness and spice.

Bel is a naive girl, sweetly spoiled by her sire and slowly being throttled by her dam's iron grip. Touche-starved, and more than a little brow beaten, she clings like a small ginger limpet to anyone who shows the slightest bit of kindness. Thankfully, she genuinely enjoys dancing and music and art of all sorts, or else she'd be a truly miserable young lady, without the slightest clue as to why. After all, it's all for her own good, right?

As the youngest child of the skilled jewelry designer Gaius Corona and his wife Jezebel-and with her elder brother Regulus having long since left to become a Peacekeeper-Belphoebe has led what appears to be a picture-perfect childhood. Doted on by her rather fearsome tiger of a mother and the apple of her father's eye, Bel never lacked for anything, except maybe a bit more time to herself-between her standard classes, tutors, and dance lessons, she has no time to simply be.

Belphoebe doesn't seem to mind, though, cheerfully trotting from one appointment to the next in hopes of a bit of praise or treat at the end of the day. From before she was old enough to understand, Bel was told it was her job-her duty-to marry well (preferably old, gullible, and rich) and ... eventually produce a small horde of children to continue the tradition. There is, of course, no room for silly girlish notions like love, friendship, or romance on the marriage market.

By capitol standards, Bel's fashions are rather simple and girlish-even plain: a wide array of empire wasted, knee length frocks in jordan almond colors, tutu skirts that bring to mind her dancing costumes, smart and sporty equestrienne chic, and pretty, sparkly patterns. (Her father seems to enjoy plying her with dresses, baubles, and pets to make up for his absence. The current in a distressingly long line is a fluffy, blue-eyed, white kitten named Lux).