From the Prep Team to the Tribute Parade
The corridors were light but it the stone walls did not make me feel any better. The floor was tile and cool under my feet. The guards ushered me into a room. There were five people in the room. Their bodies were different colors and their hair were primped and curled in weird designs. The one I guessed was in charge lead me to a table.
"Lay down and hold still." He commanded.
I did what he said. Then the prep team began to work. My clothes were cut off, and thrown away. They bathed me and brushed and combed my hair. They plucked and cut my hair where they thought it was to wild or embarrassing. I was washed down and bathed I don't know how many times. The prep team did my nails and made them round and smooth. I was waiting to see what they did when they got to my feet. Since no one in District 14 wears shoes we have hard calluses. The lady with mustard yellow hair and putrid green skin gasped and went to the man in charge. They did so much work to make it look pretty I almost laughed. All they could do was smooth the calluses and hope that the stylist did not get mad. The prep team finished and left me sitting on the table with nothing on. The door opened and a man in a pin striped suit walked in. His hair stuck up at the front and he wore shoes that looked like they came from somewhere else besides the Capital.
"Hello! I am Tennant your stylist. Although I do not know why I am a stylist maybe my style is a bit different. Aye?" He chatted cheerfully.
I stared at him. "
Aye" I said weakly. He looked me over then tossed me a cover up.
"Put it on and come with me. I obeyed even though I thought this man was a bit different I liked him. He took me to a different room that had a blue dress on a stand. The back was cut so my back would be shown and the front was cut in a way to accent my shape. There was a long slit in the side. I put it on with his help. The light blue was pretty and made my tan stand out a bit. Tennant had me sit down and he put my hair in dreadlocks. Tennant got a choker of mother of pearl and put it on. I was nervous but Tenant made me smile and laugh a bit. He put some blue and light green makeup around my eyes and looked at me with a sly grin.
"This is going to work perfectly." He told me, "Years ago one of the stylist for District 12 before the Mockingjay Rebellion made a dress that went up in flames. Yours though will generate water that will make a vortex of water around you. Rubio's outfit will do the same. Brilliant isn't it?" he chuckled then looked at my feet and smiled. "And both of you are going to go barefoot. That is the way of District 14."
Tennant led me to the Tribute Parade. Rubio was already there. I almost gagged. He was wearing a kilt and no shirt. The kilt was the same color as my dress. Rubio's hair stuck up like Tennant's so I guessed Piper thought that was cute. Rubio had been slicked up with oil to make him shine. All in all I think we felt we were ridiculous. We got into the chariot and looked at Tennant. He handed me a little button.
"It will activate your outfits… Do your best." He told Rubio and me. We were left in the chariot as Piper and Tennant went to their stations by the Training Center.
"You look nice." Rubio whispered.
"Thanks. You look…"
"Weird?"
We started to laugh then the Capital anthem started to play. We became sober and the chariot started to move. There were thirteen chariots in the line. We were last. As we came out the people were already cheering. Rubio gave me a small nod and I pushed the button. My dress generated water in a circular motion, Rubio's kilts did the same. The water swirled up my dress and I felt like I should panic. The crowd started chanting "District 14" and I felt sick, Would this day ever end. The chariots stopped by President Kio's booth, We waved at him and continued to travel to the Training Center. The Tribute Parade was over we walked into the Training Center and was greeted by Ada and our two stylists.
"Well done you two. The entire Capital is talking about you two. Come now lets see where you will be staying. Since the place where you live is decided by your District number you get the pent house." Ada led us the elevator. We got to the 14th floor and Rubio and I made a beeline to our rooms. Tennant came in to help me get out of the dress. He said nothing and showed me where the clothes were kept he left. I put on some shorts and a shirt. I sat on the bed and cried. In my mind the Games had already begun.
