Hey guys! As always thanks for all your amazing reviews, it really means a lot. This is the final chapter on the parades, written in Marissa's POV, which I'll do every now and then so I hope it makes sense :)
Enjoy!
Disclaimer- All credit for the amazing Hunger Games goes to Suzanne Collins
Chapter 9: The Opening Ceremony and Training
Marissa's POV
As I wait in the backstage area of Snow's mansion I can't help but feet nervous. The careers from districts one and two both look extremely threatening even dressed in their ridiculous parade costumes. My sight catches the siblings from district ten, holding hands to calm each other down. I know that if one of them was to win they'll know exactly how I feel, loosing a sibling to the Hunger Games, under the hands of the Capitol. But that wasn't going to happen, I came here to win and that is exactly what I'm going to do.
"You ready?" Seale places his hand on my shoulder, observing the other tributes just like they are us.
"Yeah, as ready as I'll ever be," I reply simply. I've tried not to get to close to Seale, I I'll continue to do so until the games are over. If I make the mistake of befriending him like some of the others, it's only going to be harder if he's killed… when he's killed.
Our stylists add a few last minute corrections to our costumes and I find myself pulling up the low cut blue leotard a lot more than they'd like. "Good luck," Finnick says, patting us both on the die of our arms. "Remember, smile and at least look like you're having a good time." I nod, as does Seale. I take one last glance at the other tributes, some of which are staring back, before I follow Seale to prepare for the parade to start.
We step onto the horse drawn chariots and watch the screen above as Ceasar and Claudius introduce themselves and tell the audience how excited they are about this year's bunch of tributes. And before I know it, the anthem starts playing, the music pounding in my ears, as the chariots start moving towards the entrance.
District one disappears in a cloud of silver, their capes flying behind them, followed by district two, and three, right before us. The moment our chariot is pulled through the entrance, light streams around us, radiating blue from our costumes and unless I'm just imagining, the Capitol seems to scream even louder. Seale and I put on award winning smiles and take in every minute of the praise.
The careers seem to be enjoying it more than anyone but every now and them the screen will show the face of another tribute who looks more surprised about the attention than ever. Others look nervous and a little awkward while some have smiles that are much to fake.
At this stage, everyone seems to forget the ridiculous costumes and do their best to be noticed and I hear Ceasar and Claudius commentating as each chariot enters.
"And there's the two from district four!" Caesar's voice booms louder than the music.
"Yes! Her brother was in that exact position only two years ago!" Claudius adds and for a moment I can't help but feel angry that they keep reminding everyone of the event. To me, it only makes Luke look weak, something he was defiantly not.
"And district six! Both such young tributes," I'm almost glad to hear Ceasar moving on. He even almost sounds a little bad for them, which is why it's difficult to dislike Ceasar.
Eventually we all make it to the entrance of Snow's mansion where he welcome's everyone and tries to calm the cheering crowd. I'm hoping that our entrance maybe turned a few heads of sponsors for the two of us. "Happy Hunger Games… and may the odds be ever in your favor!" Snow finishes and once again, the crowd goes wild.
I sneak in one last wave which they seem to like before our chariots are pulled inside and away from the crowd and cameras. "How was that?" I ask, meeting Finnick as we step of the chariot.
"Perfect!" he replies and Seale and I exchange proud glances.
I look around again and see the girl from district two staring at me almost like she's planning something… but I don't bother thinking about it any further, so instead I just ask when I can get out of this costume.
Our escort and mentors take us up to our room in the training building that would become our home from now until the games. We stuff ourselves full of food until we can't eat anymore before heading of for bed for the first night in the Capitol.
The next morning, I wake to find my training outfit set out in the bathroom. After showering, I change into the outfit of black pants with a blue stripe up the side and a tight-fitting matching shirt that has the number four sewn onto the front pocket. I finish by pulling my hair into a high ponytail and slipping into comfortable leather training boots.
When our first training session begins, we are told what we should and shouldn't do, before being allowed to use the center freely as we wish. Back home, I never really had such high tech weapons to practice with because I never trained as a proper career. I was particularly good at tying knots and hand-to-hand combat so I decide to try our each of the weapons and thankfully discover each one not to difficult for me to handle.
Some of the other tributes however, seem to struggle a little, particularly the ones with no experience that go straight into the difficult stations. I look over to the careers every now and then and see them working away with spears and knives. At one point I see Seale talking to both male careers, which has gotten me questioning his motives in these games.
By the end of the day we're all exhausted and looking forward to climbing back into bed. Only a few more days until the real thing and that's when the skills we showed today will become very useful…
I hope you liked it! It didn't really turn out how I planned but I really wanted to get it posted. The next chapter will be back to everyone's POV's for their training scores :)
Please review though, I love to know how you think I'm going with your characters!
