The train that would take us to the Capitol awaited. Chris and I walked into the lush, comfortable carrier. Chris sat down in a chair, and I watched as the electric door to the sleeping chambers silently slid open.
Kate stepped in. `Chris, Karen, your trainers.` She took a little bow as Finnick and Tara appeared. I nodded at Finnick, then ran and embraced Tara.
`Hello sister.` She said.
Chris' jaw dropped. `Your sister is our trainer?` He asked me, his eyes filled with amazement, as the train sped towards the Capitol.
Tara stepped up. `Wong blood has a tendency to get chosen at the Reaping.`
A little smile appeared on his face as Chris let this sink in.
Kate looked out the window. `We're here, welcome to the Capitol.`
The crowds cheered as we entered the stadium. The waves of pastel colored clothing surged forward, following the train until it reached the training center.
The tributes present in the training room were minimal. In fact, only the Careers, District 1, 2, and 4 were here.
`I'm Marvel.` The boy from District 1 said, `And the girl from 1 is Glimmer. The 2s are Cato and Clove.` All four of the Careers looked dangerous.
`I'm Karen Wong, and this is Chris Mark.` I said, scanning the well built, and well fed Careers.
`If you want to join our ranks, then prove yourselves at the Cornucopia by killing and surviving the first day's bloodbath.` Cato said. Clove nodded.
I blinked. Yeah I would show them, show them real good.
I stood in front of a mirror, looking at what I would be wearing at the parade. It consisted of a long, navy coat, over a sailor's uniform. A long trident shaft was embroided on the back of our arms. Our designer, Tanner, gave Chris and I gloves. It was stiff, and held our finger in place, like a three-finger silent salute. The prongs of the trident were printed on the three upright fingers. Tanner positioned us on the chariot, then loaded on a mist machine to the back. Lastly, they placed blue streamers on the horses and in my ponytail, and crowned us with a band made of dried seaweed with trident prongs spiking up around the top rim. Oh yeah baby, we were hot, except maybe cool, because we were decked in blue…
We rode into the preparation room. Clove's headdress had what looked like Herme's golden wings on his boots, Cato adorned by a golden breastplate. Marvel pointed to the District 12 group. Katniss and the Lebanese flatbread were decked in a black suit, and her hair was tied into a ridiculous braid. Clove snickered.
Their designer, Cinna, approached them with a small blowtorch. `I hope Haymitch isn't near, he'd ignite.` Glimmer sneered. What could I say about her appearance? She was sexy with the near see-through dress, and in jeans. Well, I guess that was the nature of District 1, supplying the Capitol with their jewels and all…
An Avox, a criminal who had their tongue cut out, motioned mutely for the horses to line up. Capitol music began to play, and the gate opened, District 1 making their first appearance. 2 followed next, and then 3. Right before we left, Tanner gunned the mist machine. The horses began their trot along the parade avenue. The mist left droplets of water in our wake, and covered our feet, as if we were standing over frothy waves. The crowd cheered as we raised our arms over our heads, displaying the trident.
We were halfway down the length when loud screaming erupted from the back. I looked at the screen, and much to my disappointment, District 12 was making a big show. Cinna had lit them on fire, creating steam from the mist we had let behind us. The effect, even though I'm not supposed to root for them, was amazing. Flames and steam billowed from the two amateurs. We pulled up beside District 2, and shared a furious look.
Rage found its way into Cato and Clove's faces. I think they were slightly angry at us, first for the mist show, and secondly, for helping the 12s create the steam. None the less, all the Careers were angry.
Catnip and the flatbread lifted their interlocked hands. Anger flooded the 1 and 2s faces. They were doing everything they could to keep on their golden costumes, and not flinging them to the ground.
Chris turned to me. `At least if we have to fight, we have weapons.` He motioned to the tridents printed on our fists, then at Cato's golden, plastic dagger at his side.
I lifted my eyebrow in mild amusement as the 12s pulled up in front of President Snow.
`Happy Hunger Games everybody, and may the odds be ever in your favor!` He bellowed, as we returned to the sheds.
Cato ripped the headband off Clove's head, twisting it in rage. Dismounting, we all shot murderous looks at the 12s. Clove shook her head, smiling in a twisted grin at the 12s. `Not a good idea 12s, not good at all…`
A/N: For this chapter, I felt like I should bring out Cato and Clove's malice a bit more. All my other stories and most of the CatoxClove stories I have read seem like they are trying to make Clove the good girl that kind of turns bad. But since we don't know their background here, I guess I can make them a bit nastier and more sadistic. What do you think? Give me feedback.. You review, I write.
-Katara Macken