Will was not too helpful. With one tidbit or two that was actually sort-of-advice, Rachel and Kurt sat in their beds that night and came to the conclusion that Will couldn't live with what he'd experienced as a tribute once, which is why he drank. Kurt spent a long time that night as the train sped along getting chills over what it's like in the arena to ruin a person that bad. Around noon the next day, the train reached the colorful and intimidating Capitol.
"I hate that I'm saying this but it really is an epic place. All those giant buildings and rich people." Rachel said, and Kurt supposed he could see what she meant. They got off into the station and Kurt suddenly became conscious of the coal dust lining his hair and nails. He tried to hurry away from the Capitol people who had come to thrill over tributes arriving. A few Peacekeepers lead him to a big silver car that he was put into. As soon as he realized Rachel was in a seperate car though, he panicked and tried to open his door. It didn't budge and he slammed his hand on the tinted window. Without his sai swords or someone he trusted near him, Kurt began to feel the effects of dawning realization. He wasn't safe anymore.
------
"Chin up." ordered Mercedes, Kurt's designated stylist. She thumped his jaw and he straightened his neck, somewhat infuriated by being observed so closely in nothing but Capitol-issued shorts.
"Just grit your teeth, I hated it too." Will had told him. Well, at least that was some kind of advice.
Mercedes lifted his arm gently and then proceeded to a trunk of beautician supplies. "You have a really good profile. Those eyes should be easy to work with, they're a stunning blue," she began ticking off her thoughts on him and Kurt blushed. "That skin is really something for a boy from the mining district." Returning with a pencil of some sort, Mercedes held Kurt's head still and applied a thin layer of red eyeliner and then black eyelid dust. Kurt admired her incredibly complicated hair fixtures before speaking.
"What exactly are you doing? I know the prep team remade me to Beauty Base Zero or something," he mentally flinched at the wave of sting that memory brought back. Having your skin picked and burned of flaws hurt. "But why are you putting me in all this sparkly stuff? I'm not going into the arena like this, am I?"
"No. We present the tributes publicly with a theme of their district before the games every year. The theme me and your girl tribute's stylist decided on was burning embers. Like the dying wood in a nearly out fire."
Kurt suddenly remembered that this was true. Normally he avoided watching the games but one time he had witnessed the tributes being presented in flaunting costumes to President Sue. After a long time of standing still and being painted, Mercedes turned Kurt around so he could see in the mirror. He looked... ravishing. It was the only word he could think of. His facial tones were brought out by a light auburn blush and the suit he was in reflected light in the way that Kurt honestly looked like he was burning, and all of it was so elegant. Kurt decided to go ahead and like Mercedes.
------
Kurt came up behind Rachel and tapped her on the shoulder. Any nervousness on her face vanished when she looked at him.
"Oh my GOD Kurt!" she exclaimed. She grinned like the Cheshire cat and he twirled for her.
"We look pretty awesome. I hope people like us. And if they don't, who cares we look like we're on fire and they look like Barbies dropped in a bucket of lace and neon paint." Kurt quipped, looking over her equally glowing dress. All around them other tributes were either talking quietly with eachother, getting last touch-ups on their makeup or simply watching everyone else. While awaiting the chariots to be signaled for rolling out, Kurt observed these other tributes more closely.
The asian boy from District 4, clad in armor that was somehow sailor-like, glared at them. A latina girl was watching the blonde District 1 tribute with mysterious eyes, like some sort of cat. Possibly the District 5 girl, maybe District 8, was playing with a strap on her heel and smiling. Kurt wondered if she was the mad girl that was rumored to have been reaped. But his gaze locked on the District 11 boy who was staring right back. The boy had dark messy curls and he seemed mystified by Kurt's suit or- was he mystified by just Kurt? A few seconds passed and then they both looked away. Suddenly someone told them to get into the chariots and Kurt was left to ponder that stare as he climbed in next to Rachel and held her hand firmly with his. Kurt was distracted but he had to play the tough card again. As the District 12 chariot was driven out they kept proud smiles on and lifted their hands high, hopefully signifying strength and catching a sponsor or two's eyes. The Capitol people cheered deafeningly in the stands and Kurt was momentarily reminded of being the man thrown into a Lion pit like the ancient Greek times.
------
Late that night in the hotel suite 12, Kurt figured out some of the devices the room had to offer and was tortured by a complicated shower. His hair ended up smelling like some sort of fruit. He rolled his eyes through a dinner with Will and Emma discussing things and headed to bed shortly after. Rachel snuck into his room quietly as soon as the lights were turned out.
Kurt toyed with a tassle on a pillow as she spoke. "I miss Finn. Strangely, I miss even school. I had a real shot at being something there at least. There's no chance I could have been a professional singer, I know those stopped existing a long time ago. But at least I would have been alive, you know? And now I won't get ho-"
"Don't you dare say that." Kurt cut off sharply. "Don't even think about that."
"You know it's true. Have you seen some of those tributes? That District 2 girl looked like she wanted to spin me over a fire."
"Doesn't mean you can't win. At least you aren't handicapped like that poor District 3 boy Artie."
Rachel nodded sadly. "Yeah some of the tributes don't even have the edge we do with knowledge of weapons."
A set of hazel eyes came into Kurt's mind and his heart skipped a beat. "Rach- no neverm- well. I just- do-" he stuttered over how to begin the sentence. She gave him a patient look. He tried again. "There was this.. one guy.. that I saw at the tributes' presenting today. He kinda stuck in my mind. The District 11 boy. I just.. I had this feeling.. I really don't want him to get hurt. I REALLY don't. I can't afford to think like that but," Kurt's voice became quieter. "He just looked so nice and I know he couldn't kill someone. He doesn't have it in him."
Rachel took this in. "I think his name is Bruno or Lane or something. I understand what you mean. Some of the twelve year olds I got like a mother-feeling over. It really hurts knowing you'll be in the arena with them." They talked about a couple other tributes, what training might be like, and spent some time imitating Emma before finally she left and Kurt was alone. His only thought was those hazel eyes and how Kurt would fight to the death, literally, to keep that tribute safe and he didn't know why. Sleep carried him off soon enough though, and Emma came in way too early too announce their "Big, big, big day ahead!"