CH 4: The Tribute Parade
As the doors to the train opening we are bombarded by capital citizens who are held back by an army of peacekeepers. We are Lead to a car and driven to the Tribute Center where we will meet our stylists and prep team to prepare for the tribute parade.
We arrive at The Tribute Center and Shane is brought into another room while they take me to a different one. My stylists walk in and I'm almost blinded by what they look like. Lili is a plump obnoxious yellow skinned woman with black tattoos all over, Jare is a tall boney man who is a purple color with red swirls under his eyes and lastly there Wetai, a medium weight, rather short powder blue woman with sliver stipes on her forehead. They pretty much do just about everything they can, waxing, nail painting, botoxing, shampooing my hair and much more.
After what feels like an eternity they leave to go fetch my stylist. He walks through so fast I jump as he does. "Hello I'm your stylist, Ludar". "Hi, I'm Amber" I say trying to sound pleasant. As he surveys my body he talks to himself making notes such as "slim body" or "shorter waist span".
When he's done he leads me into another room that has a stunning yellow dress that is so detailed it looks as is its sparking. Then it hits me power, electricity I'm going to be the power its self. As I dress into it. I can't help but feel pleasant even if it's probably the last time I'll look beautiful. After Ludar is done I look in the mirror and see that this is the best I have ever looked. Ludar has put yellow eyeliner under my eyes and yellow lipstick with the dress I look like I just came out of the power plant. As we walk to the Tribute launching station I wait by my horse talking with Ludar then Shane comes in he is wearing a Yellow suit with the same exquisite detail that makes it look like its sparking. Then the Tributes mount up on the Chariots.
This is the first time I actually notice my competition. Only a few spark remembrance from the reaping a blonde muscular boy from 2, a tiny but fierce looking girl from 1, a devious looking girl from 4, a gigantic boy from 7, and two twins from 10. As each chariot rolls out I count until it's our turn 1…2…3…4. As the District 4 chariot rolls out we begin to roll. The crowd is already clapping I smile and wave to the capital citizens, hoping one will sponsor me. As we reach the end we pull into the front of President Snow's pedestal. He begins as usual saying how he honors our courage and our bravery and that he wishes us all the best of luck. I don't know why he bothers we didn't want to be here, except for the careers so it's not courageous or brave. After the parade we head back to the tribute center and head to the elevator and hit the 5 button. What I see is so amazing I don't even know where to start. First it's a huge room with a big sofa and large TV with a dining room in the next room over. Then there is the rooms where Raina, Haradale, Braten, and I will sleep when I arrive inside my room its spectacular in every way a huge mint green bed with fuzzy blankets and pillows. I worry as training begins tomorrow but I eventually just jump in the bed strip to my underwear and sleep.