Post by dragonxiii on Jun 2, 2020 17:11:48 GMT -5
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The sunlight from my bedroom window hits my face as the Avox girl draws the curtains back. I have barely opened my eyes, and I can tell it is going to be a glorious day here in the Capitol. Another Avox, an elderly woman this time, approaches my bedside, placing a tray on my nightstand. She turns down the heavy, embroidered comforter and I push myself into a sitting position so that she can lay the tray holding my breakfast across my lap. The divine smell reaches my nostrils as she lifts the cover from the dish. Quail's eggs, lightly poached in a creamy sauce. Crêpes with small pieces of lightly seasoned crab. Potatoes, sliced paper thin, fried, and sprinkled with spiced cheese. Beside the plate, a small bowl of mixed fruit in heavy syrup. And coffee, light and sweet and hot, just the way I like it.
As I lift my fork to begin my meal, I address the elderly Avox without looking at her. "The green dress today, I think. The one with the gold embroidery. It is very sunny, so find the matching parasol, I would rather not be burned when I go outside."
She probably bows her head in response to my order, but I do not see it, I am focused on my meal now. No matter, she has been attending to my wardrobe since I started picking my own clothes, and she has not failed me yet. She is a little too old of course, and Father will have to replace her soon. Hopefully her replacement will be as dutiful. The girl has moved to my bedside, prepared in the event that I should require anything else before I finish my meal.
In total, I have six Avoxes to attend me, but only the girl and the old woman are actually allowed to enter my bedroom. I do not know any of their names, of course. Father says it is better that way. Once the old woman has prepared my outfit, she will return to clear my tray, then she and the girl will stay behind to clean my bedroom when I leave to get dressed.
Right on cue, the old woman returns just as I am finishing the last of my fruit and coffee. She takes the tray and leaves again, presumably to return it to the kitchen. The girl bows her head and approaches, turning my covers down the rest of the way and helping me rise from the bed. I do not need so much help, I suppose, but Father has always insisted that we not deprive the Avoxes of their work. So I let her help me out of bed, then cross the room to the door that leads to my dressing room.
Two more Avoxes are waiting for me inside, twins, women just a little younger than I am. They are responsible for my hair and makeup, as well as helping me dress. I cross to the beautifully carved vanity and wait. In the mirror I see them bow their heads respectfully before approaching me. My arms extended, I allow them to lift my silk nightgown over my head, then seat myself on the padded stool.
The twins go straight to work without needing to be told what to do. My dress is hanging next to a full length mirror on the other side of the room, and they know best what to do with my hair and makeup to complement my choice of wardrobe. First is to brush and brush and brush my hair. It has never been cut, so the bright red locks fall well past my waist. Streaked with gold, it looks like living flames cascading down from the top of my head. Brush and brush and brush, until it feels like liquid silk. Then comes the braiding. The skilled fingers of the Avox twins twist my hair into elaborate shapes, a style popular among the youth of the Capitol.
My makeup comes next. Not too much, of course. My complexion is flawless, so there is no need for heavy layers of foundation to conceal my natural skin tone. Pale as porcelain, they focus on highlighting my natural features with black eyeliner and gold eyeshadow. Pale red lipstick with gold flakes. A light dusting of powder, infused with more gold, just to highlight my cheekbones.
My makeup finished, I rise from the stool and cross the room to the large mirror. Undergarments come first, lace and silk and so light that they are barely noticeable. The twins then help me into the dress. This part, at least, is necessary, there is no way I could put this dress on by myself. With a fitted bodice, laced up the back, at least two people are necessary just to put it on. The fabric is a swirling pattern of different greens that tricks the eye, embroidered with tiny golden flowers, a meadow dappled in sunlight. The hem falls to just above my ankles, and sandals of gold with an inch high heel complete the ensemble. The final touch, a delicate gold necklace, glittering with tiny emeralds, rubies and diamonds, along with matching earrings.
My parasol, in shades of green and gold to match my dress, leans against the mirror. One of the twins takes it up while the other opens the door leading to the hallway. With the twins in tow, I sweep out of the room and follow the corridors leading to the Great Hall. Specifically designed as a reception area for guests of the House of Varda, the vaulted ceilings and elaborate woodwork of the Great Hall evoke a sense of grandeur which Father says is no less than we deserve.
Descending the marble staircase from the upper floors, I spot our butler, Orion, standing by the front doors with my last two Avoxes. Clearly the old woman has let him know that I would be ready soon, and he has made all the preparations with his usual efficiency. The Avoxes standing at attention behind him are not twins, but may as well be, with their identical, muscular builds and dark hair. They are my escorts whenever I leave the mansion, but they are more like porters than bodyguards. My driver doubles as my bodyguard, the Avoxes are just there to lift and carry if necessary.
"Good morning, Miss Emerald," says Orion, bowing low as I approach. "Your plans for today?"
A slight smile as Orion straightens, he is not an Avox after all, so a little respect is due for his long service to our family. "Some shopping I think, first of all. The Tributes Parade is tomorrow, and I absolutely must have my new gown fitted before the festivities, it simply will not do to be seen there in something I have worn before." A slight frown this time, as Orion nods his assent.
"Of course, Miss Emerald. Your appointment with the stylist is already scheduled for one o'clock this afternoon."
"Ah, plenty of time for me to visit Poria's shop before then. I do hope she has restocked the Tribute tokens from the 84th Games. I am still missing Gala's, and she was my favorite, after all." Another slight frown. I have been collecting Tribute tokens from every Games for the past ten years, but Gala's token from the 84th sold out so quickly. Of course, Beck won the 84th, not Gala, but Gala was still my favorite. The way she volunteered for her twin just broke my heart.
Orion opens the front doors with another bow, and the two muscular Avoxes follow me out, one of them holding the parasol above my head to keep off the sun. My car is waiting, a plush limousine, driven by Atlas. Orion's son, Atlas doubles as my bodyguard whenever I venture into the city proper. I have always wondered if a bodyguard is truly necessary inside the Capitol, but Father insists.
Once I am comfortably settled in the back of the limousine, I hear Atlas' deep, even tone through the intercom. "Where to, Miss Emerald?"
I briefly consider what I have to do today, on the eve before the Opening Ceremonies, but decide to stick to my plan. "Tributes and Tokens, please."
As I lift my fork to begin my meal, I address the elderly Avox without looking at her. "The green dress today, I think. The one with the gold embroidery. It is very sunny, so find the matching parasol, I would rather not be burned when I go outside."
She probably bows her head in response to my order, but I do not see it, I am focused on my meal now. No matter, she has been attending to my wardrobe since I started picking my own clothes, and she has not failed me yet. She is a little too old of course, and Father will have to replace her soon. Hopefully her replacement will be as dutiful. The girl has moved to my bedside, prepared in the event that I should require anything else before I finish my meal.
In total, I have six Avoxes to attend me, but only the girl and the old woman are actually allowed to enter my bedroom. I do not know any of their names, of course. Father says it is better that way. Once the old woman has prepared my outfit, she will return to clear my tray, then she and the girl will stay behind to clean my bedroom when I leave to get dressed.
Right on cue, the old woman returns just as I am finishing the last of my fruit and coffee. She takes the tray and leaves again, presumably to return it to the kitchen. The girl bows her head and approaches, turning my covers down the rest of the way and helping me rise from the bed. I do not need so much help, I suppose, but Father has always insisted that we not deprive the Avoxes of their work. So I let her help me out of bed, then cross the room to the door that leads to my dressing room.
Two more Avoxes are waiting for me inside, twins, women just a little younger than I am. They are responsible for my hair and makeup, as well as helping me dress. I cross to the beautifully carved vanity and wait. In the mirror I see them bow their heads respectfully before approaching me. My arms extended, I allow them to lift my silk nightgown over my head, then seat myself on the padded stool.
The twins go straight to work without needing to be told what to do. My dress is hanging next to a full length mirror on the other side of the room, and they know best what to do with my hair and makeup to complement my choice of wardrobe. First is to brush and brush and brush my hair. It has never been cut, so the bright red locks fall well past my waist. Streaked with gold, it looks like living flames cascading down from the top of my head. Brush and brush and brush, until it feels like liquid silk. Then comes the braiding. The skilled fingers of the Avox twins twist my hair into elaborate shapes, a style popular among the youth of the Capitol.
My makeup comes next. Not too much, of course. My complexion is flawless, so there is no need for heavy layers of foundation to conceal my natural skin tone. Pale as porcelain, they focus on highlighting my natural features with black eyeliner and gold eyeshadow. Pale red lipstick with gold flakes. A light dusting of powder, infused with more gold, just to highlight my cheekbones.
My makeup finished, I rise from the stool and cross the room to the large mirror. Undergarments come first, lace and silk and so light that they are barely noticeable. The twins then help me into the dress. This part, at least, is necessary, there is no way I could put this dress on by myself. With a fitted bodice, laced up the back, at least two people are necessary just to put it on. The fabric is a swirling pattern of different greens that tricks the eye, embroidered with tiny golden flowers, a meadow dappled in sunlight. The hem falls to just above my ankles, and sandals of gold with an inch high heel complete the ensemble. The final touch, a delicate gold necklace, glittering with tiny emeralds, rubies and diamonds, along with matching earrings.
My parasol, in shades of green and gold to match my dress, leans against the mirror. One of the twins takes it up while the other opens the door leading to the hallway. With the twins in tow, I sweep out of the room and follow the corridors leading to the Great Hall. Specifically designed as a reception area for guests of the House of Varda, the vaulted ceilings and elaborate woodwork of the Great Hall evoke a sense of grandeur which Father says is no less than we deserve.
Descending the marble staircase from the upper floors, I spot our butler, Orion, standing by the front doors with my last two Avoxes. Clearly the old woman has let him know that I would be ready soon, and he has made all the preparations with his usual efficiency. The Avoxes standing at attention behind him are not twins, but may as well be, with their identical, muscular builds and dark hair. They are my escorts whenever I leave the mansion, but they are more like porters than bodyguards. My driver doubles as my bodyguard, the Avoxes are just there to lift and carry if necessary.
"Good morning, Miss Emerald," says Orion, bowing low as I approach. "Your plans for today?"
A slight smile as Orion straightens, he is not an Avox after all, so a little respect is due for his long service to our family. "Some shopping I think, first of all. The Tributes Parade is tomorrow, and I absolutely must have my new gown fitted before the festivities, it simply will not do to be seen there in something I have worn before." A slight frown this time, as Orion nods his assent.
"Of course, Miss Emerald. Your appointment with the stylist is already scheduled for one o'clock this afternoon."
"Ah, plenty of time for me to visit Poria's shop before then. I do hope she has restocked the Tribute tokens from the 84th Games. I am still missing Gala's, and she was my favorite, after all." Another slight frown. I have been collecting Tribute tokens from every Games for the past ten years, but Gala's token from the 84th sold out so quickly. Of course, Beck won the 84th, not Gala, but Gala was still my favorite. The way she volunteered for her twin just broke my heart.
Orion opens the front doors with another bow, and the two muscular Avoxes follow me out, one of them holding the parasol above my head to keep off the sun. My car is waiting, a plush limousine, driven by Atlas. Orion's son, Atlas doubles as my bodyguard whenever I venture into the city proper. I have always wondered if a bodyguard is truly necessary inside the Capitol, but Father insists.
Once I am comfortably settled in the back of the limousine, I hear Atlas' deep, even tone through the intercom. "Where to, Miss Emerald?"
I briefly consider what I have to do today, on the eve before the Opening Ceremonies, but decide to stick to my plan. "Tributes and Tokens, please."
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