Chapter Six: Welcome to the Capitol!
Clancy.
As it was our turn to come out, I put on a big smile and wave to the audience, blowing kisses and throwing back those who return them, Emery timidly waves to the crowd as they ate it up.
They like us but were not doing enough to make them roar with excitement, but then I realize that we have that magic button Clay gave us, and I think it's about time we found out what it did . . .
"Emery!" I yell over the crowd, "The button!", she looks over to me and nods as she cautiously presses down onto the button.
Emery and I both jump in astonishment as blue monarch butterflies explode out from the back of the chariot. The crowd went crazy as a butterfly lands on Emery's finger and she gently pet it. A split second later the crowd started to attempt to catch the butterflies. The cheers of the audience were so loud it made my ears pop. I think I can safely say that were hit. . .
"Dis-trict Eleven!, Dis-trict Eleven!" the crowd roars uncontrollably and clap in rhythm while we make our pass.
As an added measure, I put my arm around Emery's shoulder as she did the same putting her arm around my waist as we wave towards the adoring crowd. Our chariot pulled to a stop towards the President's residence, we waited patiently as President Snow slowly came up to the podium and addresses us and the crowd.
President Snow wears lush a ivory suit with along with his signature white rose, purple stole and sleek black leather gloves. His lavish outfit goes hand and hand with his paper coloured hair and beard. This is the man we (not even we) 'they' elected to serve this country and make it a 'better' place. I read in law class that the President of Panem is only subject to two terms, once renewable . . . Yet he served almost four terms in office.
"Welcome Tributes of the Sixty-Seventh Hunger Games!" he roars triumphantly as the crowd booms with applause,
"We wish you a Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"
After he recited his speech which I toned most of it out due to it being utter lies, he strode back into his home as the national anthem booms and the horses went around for one more lap as we rode back to the stables.
We dismount our chariot and make our way back to Minnie and our team, who were chatting it up with other Capitol citizens. As we made our way towards her I watch as other tributes eyed us curiously, possibly because of our 'flashy' entrance. They can continue to be jealous, I find it amusing.
Minnie lets out a happy squeal and claps her hands giddily as we come to a stop in front of her.
"Do I really need to say anything...?" Minnie gushes letting out a happy scoff with a giant grin on her face. I give her a light smile as she moves to Emery.
"I'm so proud of you, finally breaking out of your shell a bit! The people we were just speaking with absolutely adored you two!" she drawls grasping Emery's shoulders.
Vincent rolls his eyes in disgust of Minnie's cheerfulness, "You guy's did fine." he says gruffly with his arms crossed.
Persephone slugs Vince in the shoulder playfully as he let off a sly smile. "You guys did more than just fine!" she affirms,
"Especially you Emery." Clay winks as she nods and smiles at the attention shes getting.
"You guys can look around if you wish. When you're ready then come up to your apartment which is located on floor eleven, like your District." She gives us a thumbs up in approval as she and our team approached the elevator and went up.
Emery turns towards me with her eyes beaming, "Do you think we got sponsors?" she asks quietly,
"Yeah of course Emery, if we do get sponsors it would be because of you." I say leading her towards the elevator.
It was pretty self-explanatory like Minnie said, your floor reflects the number your District is. Emery clicks'11'.
Before the elevator could close, Evan, Lucius and Izzy rush in. Everyone looks straight forward in awkward silence, for who knows? We could be standing next to our killer or people were going to end up killing. Lucius stares at Emery, studying her every feature as she quickly looked the opposite way. He then gives me a head nod and I surprisingly return it. I look at Evan and he looks at me. After a split second of staring at each other, he winks at me. I grimace and quickly look back only to see him staring forward with a blank expression as if he didn't do anything.
This stupid elevator won't go fast enough . . .
"So, what do you guys think of the Capitol so far!?" Izzy says breaking the silence, we all glance at her confusingly.
"Well? I know I'm not speaking to myself!?" she presses as Evan and Lucius whisper among themselves. Evan laughs outloud staring straight ahead as Lucius crosses his arms suppresses a chuckle
"It's okay I guess. " murmurs Emery in an almost whisper looking down towards the ground.
Izzy's face lit up, "I love it here!, it's so different!" she beams as she suddenly raises her hand into the air in a quick motion making a "Nur!" sound.
Me and everyone else jump backwards in astonishment.
"Sorry!" she coos, rubbing her arm and fighting to keep it back down. She smiles and looks towards me as everyone else did, wanting my opinion.
I nod, "I agree. It's different from home." I turn my attention back to Izzy.
Observing Izzy, her hair was a deep orange, curly and all over the place but neat at the same time. Her emerald green eyes had a 'twitchy' and 'antsy' look about them. She stood at least three or so inches lower than I did and dawns a slender yet full figured figure. I keep a keen eye on her as she bounces in place almost as if she can't help it . . .
After a moment we arrived on floor two as Lucius steps out.
"Later Evan." he mutters as he strode into his apartment as the elevator door shut.
The elevator returned to silence as Evan got off, He turns back to elevator and lets out a hearty laugh. When it was time for Izzy to get off she made a "heyo!" sound with both of her hands shoot up into the air, then walks into her apartment leaving me and Emery puzzled.
Lastly, it was our turn to get off. As we walk out of the elevator we walk down a few steps and see Clay, Priscilla, Minnie, Vincent and Persephone sitting down at a stylish dining room table.
"Ah! here they are." Clay said drinking from a glass and raising it into the air.
"What do you think about your temporary home?! I know it's a little too much for children like yourself but . . . " Minnie chirps uneasily, keeping her eyes on us as we observe.
There was a three step drop to the living room with a long cream coloured couch and a giant holographic TV pad on a long brown table, with a glass table and black and white checker pattern rug. Emery ran towards the window beside the living room and glances outside to look at the flashing lights of the Capitol, she then marvels at all the artwork on the walls as Mars happily barks and joins her side.
To be honest, not once have I ever thought I'd live in a place like this, everything was so unreal . . . Too bad the current situation I'm facing was a clear and present one, or else I would enjoy this much more.
After five or so minutes of looking around, Emery and I sit at the table where everyone was situated as a male servant gently passes Emery and I golden plates with utensils, the plate reflects off my face with a shimmering glow.
"Thank you." I nod to the man as he gives me a weak smile and quickly leaves as if he weren't allowed to converse with me.
"No need to say thank you to the avoxes Clancy dear," says Minnie sternly. She surprises me a bit from her change of tone, for she's always happy.
"Why not?" Emery asks looking at the different avoxes positioned around the room, all with their heads bowed and arms at their sides.
"They're servants of the Capitol, disgraced ones at that. During your time here, they are to follow your every order." Minnie says taking a drink out of an elegant glass as Emery coos an "Oh.." and looks back down at her plate. We continue to eat as Vincent got up and strides towards the elevator.
"Where are you running off to?" Persephone chimed peeking her head over towards the direction Vincent was walking off towards,
"Who are you, our mom? I'm meeting up with Haymitch for some drinks." Vincent jeers as the rest of the adults around the table groan in disgust.
As he left, Persephone said how we could either ask the avoxes to bring us something or go get it ourselves. We choose to go get our own food and walk into the kitchen. Both me and Emery chose pasta and went back to the table to join the others. The kitchen reminds me of Mayor Fleming's kitchen back home, so stylish and large. I went to his home to receive a medal for saving our educational building from burning down.
It was nothing much really. . . It was first period law class, we were just going over the previous days assignment when Julian went outside to take a drink, only to find the hallway filled with smoke. As everyone ran away from the flames, all I did was get a fire extinguisher and sprayed down the boiler room where the main blaze was while the fire brigade took out the minor flames.
"You guys did perfect tonight, but you're not done yet!" Minnie chirps happily taking in a mouthful of salad.
Were not done by a long shot...
I should of said it out loud, but these people are my only way of getting out alive.
"Tomorrow is your first training session! Are you guys excited!" she continues as me and Emery groan in unison, Minnie frowns and turns her attention back to her salad.
Emery looks down towards her plate then stares blankly at me with a sort of dreamy look on her face, as if she were thinking about something. I gave her a meek smile and she quickly looks away. I don't think she knows I know she like's me yet. I'll be sure to deal with that soon enough.
"We'll go over it tomorrow morning, until then try to relax! Come Mars, come!" Minnie nods towards us and leaves the room as Mars happily follows after her.
The way people go on about all this upsets me, we can't exactly 'Try to relax' because we might die in a handful of days! They make all this stuff seem so normal, probably because they follow the same routine year after year.
I finish my pasta in record time then excuse myself as an avox shows me to my room up some stairs right beside far the window Emery looked out of. As the avox flips the switch I gripped the side of the wall to prevent myself from dropping to my knees . . . and I thought the train was too much.
My room had a giant sized bed with a brown frame, a sofa, a stylish brown dresser and a view of the Capitol with a clothing compartment to top it all off.
The avox smiles as if he's seen the same reaction in the past. He put an arm around me as he helped me toward my bed, and left me to my thoughts.
Emery
What a day.
Clay's dress was so beautiful, because of him everyone was paying attention to me. I especially loved the way Clancy was paying attention to me. He made me feel so good about myself, it's kind of the first time he's ever been so interested in me and it felt great. I hope we get enough sponsors though...Clancy said we did so we probably did.
After Minnie, Clancy left then Persephone, Clay and Priscilla. I was the last one to finish my food and leave the table. As I left the table, an avox silently shows me to my room. As we got to my room my face lit up as my eyes dart to different corners of the room. I had a seemingly comfortable bed with my own dresser and clothing compartment! And a window so I could look out and enjoy the city sights.
I say my thanks to the avox who smiles back and leaves as I change into a white nightgown and silk purple robe. Once I was finish changing I inspect a remote laying on my dresser, I press the power button and surprisingly my window showing the night lights of the Capitol transforms into a news channel recapping the chariot rides, apparently an opinion poll stats that me and Clancy's costumes were ranked first in terms to favorites followed by Spinel/Lucifer's, then Evan and Shelley's.
After watching a bit of the news I click 'background'.
The screen went from the news to a roaring waterfall, with sound effects and all. I skip past a few backgrounds including a lava river and a cove until a certain background warmed my heart, a rolling plain with a farm and crops in the background.
It reminded me of home, nana's oatmeal, the baby brother or sister that I may never have the pleasure of cradling in my arms . . .
"I miss home too." a smooth voice murmurs from behind me.
I look up shocked to see Persephone looking down back at me, how did she get in here so quietly I don't know. She holds my hand and gently guides me to the sofa as we both take a seat, we stare at the screen lost in our thoughts until I look up at Persephone again, her eyes full of loving and care.
"Too bad I won't get to see home again," I say with a ping of sadness.
She shakes his head dismissively and gets up from the sofa as I yawn silently, only for her to turn around and chuckle,"You should get some sleep.." she sorts out my covers for me as I move onto the bed, sighing at how comfy and warm I felt.
A few minutes after my body made contact with the bed I was out cold.
Tyler: If you came this far, thanks for reading!, I truly appreciate it.
