YAYAYAYYAYYAYAYAYAYAY! MY LAPTOP CAME BACK TO ME! It wouldn't charge, so we had to send it away to get fixed.

This is my happy gift. I only write when I want to... make note of that... and I was really happy, so I decided to write.

Anywho... Here ya go.

The black metal making up the seat of the carriage seeps cold into my rear. The hardness of the seat causes me to sit straight-backed, shifting to keep my bones from aching.

After dinner yesterday, Effie and Amar had explained how everything would work. Cato and Clove's faces had transformed from boredom to sheer eagerness as Amar explained the opening ceremonies, the training, and the interviews.

Uriah, on the other hand, held a blank face which sometimes caved to show a distinct look of disgust, complete with flaring nostrils and a lifted lip.

I could hazard a guess and say that my expression was bordering one of rage.

"The opening ceremony is to show off the tributes." Amar said. "It gives you all a chance to be seen!"

I don't want to be seen wearing an assortment of black clothing and makeup, shown off in a carriage through dark alleys next to abandoned buildings. I do not want to bend and be a movable piece of the Hunger Games.

I glance around at the four other carriages. Unlike the Dauntless scrap metal carriage, the Erudite buggie looks comfortable. The cushioned, suede seats are extremely appealing to my aching fanny.

I catch a glimpse of the hay bails in the Amity carriage, and the shining mahogany in the Candor carriage before I am unceremoniously shoved off the seat by the person next to me. I give Uriah a light punch in the stomach as I pick myself up off the rusty metal, brushing the iron red off my pants.

"So what do think off all of this?" Uriah asks, grinning, and gesturing around at the inside of the warehouse.

"It is absolutely appal-"

"Excuse me," A deep voice interrupts me. My head snaps toward the sound and I see a small, dark-skinned man with several diamond ear piercings. He is wearing dark dress pants and red, collared shirt. "You must change now. Just so you know, the design team will also be making a few alterations to the carriage."

Uriah steps down out of the carriage, but I still stare suspiciously at this stranger. I have never seen him around the Dauntless compound, where he is obviously from. The tattoos I notice on his forearm sell him out.

"I am your designer, Mon. I normally work at the clothes department. Perhaps you know my brother, Cinna." He glances over towards the group of Amity tributes and makes eye contact with what could be his twin, if not for the height difference. Cinna waves.

Uriah chortles with laughter. "Your names… are… Cinna…and Mon?" His words come out as gasps as he keels over with laughter, attracting odd looks from random people. "Did it ever occur to you that…your names… together… equal cinnamon?"

Mon's jaw tightens, as it seems that Uriah has hit a sore spot.

"Let's go."


After being cleaned, plucked, prodded, and poked, I am smeared with makeup, dark around the eyes, and transported by wheelchair to a mirrored room. Amidst my many reflections, I see an armoured Dauntless guard uniform.

As soon as the beauty surgeon leaves, I rip off the plastic hospital gown and change into the familiar black clothing.

I feel pain, everywhere. Bullets shoot at me, impacting me. The paintballs explode across the black uniform, in my hair, and into my eyes. Someone enters the room, and through my cracked eyelids I can make out Mon. He smears brown makeup on my face.

The cleaning was a pointless waste of time.

Per Mon's instruction, I hobble through corridors and back into the main room of the warehouse.

Upon arrival, the beautiful ferris wheel on top of the Dauntless chariot takes my breath away.

There ya go. Also, if you can find the HG quote, please review it. Please review anyways. I want suggestions for improvement. Also, "Taiwanese plastic" is mentioned in what song? Hint... Smile don't cry!

Cya. I will update the next time I feel a sudden stroke of happiness, or when I feel like it. :P

FactionMixer