I soak in the power of the moment for a brief second and let it all absorb. I close my eyes and take in the screaming crowds and the triumphant anthem. Our names on the tops of a thousand lungs. I know the ride is almost over. The roar fades as we slow. The horses' trot turns into a fast walk, then a walk, and then nothing at all. We are pulled into place next to Districts Three and Five. And suddenly, our the parade is finished.
The wind is no longer blowing through my hair, and the streamers behind me settle down. I lean forward and grip the edge of the chariot and have a deep sigh. Man, was that an adrenaline rush. My face is still beaming.
The final few chariots rattle into place behind me. Now, all 24 tributes are all in one place. We are all facing a huge white building. And by, all, I mean everyone. Including the crowd of people that is just now starting to be quiet and sit down. So, we are all looking up at the grand columns that reach higher and higher. The imposing building is juxtaposed by a small balcony where I see President Snow.
Once the crowds finish talking he goes right into his speech. "Welcome tributes! Welcome to the..." That's as far as I got before I stopped listening. It's the same thing every year. Welcome yadda yadda bravery, honor, sacrifice, blah blah 24 tributes yadda yadda Hunger Games. Yes, we know we're in the Hunger Games and that we are brave and all that.
I tune him out and look around at the other costumes. Today was the first day for people to see the tributes, and it really starts off the race for betting and sponsors. Our costumes are easily some of the best. District 7 looks rather elegant in their trailing tree garments. And even though Jasmine and her partner are rather weak, their stylist must be good. I am looking at a weird abstract District Five one when Toren nudges me.
"Look over there," he whispers, pointing to District 12. I squint. As the sun goes down it is getting harder and harder to see. The 12 tributes are dressed in black clothes for the coal or whatever they make. I look a little harder and burst out laughing. They're naked! Naked and covered in black powder. The girl has her arms crossed awkwardly across her chest and the boy cups his family jewels. They look like they want to sink through the floor. Several tributes begin to snicker as they notice their costume/lack thereof.
Toren and I laugh loudly at them, taking no pains to hide it. So what if we offend them? They never win anyway. It's really good that they are so hideously dressed. District 4 has one of the best costumes this year, and easily the best of the Careers districts. My spirits soar. This is an excellent entrance to my Hunger Games.
But also, I am reminded that this is the first time to see my competition. Of these 24, only one will win. I'll need to ally with some of them in order to win. And I'll have to kill some of them to. I look to my left, where Toren is alternating glances at Snow and at other tributes. Even him, even Toren, is my competition. The realization chills me a little, because I've already started to think of him as a friend.
With some dramatic words that make the entirety of the Capitol clap, President Snow finished up. The chariots move out of the semicircle where we were gathered. The horses move in line and follow each efficiently. Before we enter the Remake Center, I turn around and get one last look at the crowds. The magnificently uniquely dressed people cheer when we are exiting. I wave my hand one last time at them as I depart.
And then the tribute parade is over.
Inside the massive Remake Center, two Avoxes come and start taking the horses off. Toren takes off his blue crown and heaves a large sigh. "That was actually rather fun." He says. He steps down from the chariot and holds his arm out to me.
"Oh, why thank you." I say as I use him as a crutch to get down. I jump down on the floor and instantly take off my ridiculously high heels and toss them back into the chariot. My bare feet slap comfortably against the ground. I whip my hair over my face and begin to take the streamers out. Within seconds I stop due to the pain that arises whenever I pull on one tied to my hair.
Toren hands me a water bottle and I drink gratefully. I splash some on my face and try to get the gunk off of it. When I open my eyes, he's doing the same. We both look like mutts with melting blue skin but we don't care. There aren't any cameras around.
Toren and I clean up as best as we can and start heading for the exit. We turn the corner of the chariot and halt in front of a large girl who blocks our way. Her name is Mara. District 1. A Career.
"Oh," she says, offering her hand to us, "I was going to say how awesome you looked out there but I guess I was too late to see anything pretty." Mara's eyes look into mine with a coldness that reminds me of my instructors at the Academy. My cheeks redden beneath the smears of blue and silver. But I don't look away.
I take her hand as her brow furrows. She holds her grip a moment longer than needed. "Well, the feeling is mutual." I say pointing to her costume. She is dressed in little circular mirrors that reflect light: something designed to make her sparkle and appear heavenly. But it looks angular and robotic. Not beautiful. "Except that my designer actually did a decent job."
"Well," she says, "Maybe your stylist will be able to help you when you're on your own in the arena."
Was that a threat?
"I'm sure that Alexis will certainly help." says Toren, interjecting his say. "And I must comment on your costume, Mara. It really looks something on you."
Mara takes the complement in stride. She bounces her rusty curls up and down as she nods.
"Oh, wow. There's Scylla and Jet." I say dryly. Toren takes the hint. We make our excuses and leave.
As we're walking away, I turn to him and ask Toren what he thought of that.
"She's seems fine." He says. I turn to look at him and cock my head to the side. "Okay, fine she's a little aggressive, but so were you. You're both volunteers who've trained for this. She just wanted to make up for the fact that we had better costumes."
"Or she could just be a total bitch."
He laughs, "Well, yes, maybe that. Remember, we need to ally with her if we want to make a Career alliance."
"Yeah..." I mumble. I pout for a second before I realize that Jet and Scylla are talking to a Capitol couple. A man and a woman, who both look rich; judging from the jewels dripping down their necks. They're all nodding and smiling.
"Oh, here they are!" Scylla comes over with a smile (yes a smile, you heard me). "Toren and Annie. One of them is sure to become victor!"
The man ruffles his feathers on his jacket and stares us down. "They certainly don't look the part."
"Oh stop it, Agrippa!" says the woman. "I'm sure they will do excellent."
She turns to us and winks. "We always sponsor District Four. My husband's just being a pain." She turns to him and he scoffs.
"Well, I assure you, sir, that looks don't matter in the arena. Just skill and strength." I say.
"And brutality." Toren mentions.
A brief look that could be approval flits across Agrippa's face.
Jet sees it and grips him by the shoulder. "They are fine young tributes. I'd bet on them too. Here, let's retire to my apartment and we can talk details." Agrippa and his wife follow him along the passage to the outside. Before the woman leaves, she mouths 'good luck' to both of us. Then she gives us a beaming smile and heads out.
Scylla relaxes her face, which was in an uncomfortable grin the whole time. She explains, "Agrippa and Cornelia Gaius. They are sponsors for us almost every year. Congratulations, you've just won one sponsor. You actually handled that well."
Scylla continues to make half-compliments as we ascend the elevator to level four. She notes our performance in the parade. "You two are getting some buzz right now. If you keep it up over the next few days you'll get many sponsors and be favorites to win. Tomorrow, I will help you conduct yourselves for training." As if on cue, the elevator door opens up. "But for now, clean up and get ready for dinner."
We all enter into the suite. It's pretty similar to my large house in District 4. The furniture is the same: angular faces colored bright neon. My right opens up into a large dining room/living room space. It has a table, chairs, a wall-screen TV and several couches. To my left, a hallway leading to my room and Toren's. The walls are painted a cheery white that makes it seem less constricting. Toren and I walk into our respective rooms.
It is large, with a bathroom connected to on one wall. The carpet is a soft green. The adornations are simplistic: just a large bed, some tables and a nightstand. The walls are a light blue and waxes and waves its way across the room. It reminds me of the ocean. This small touch leaves me feeling a little less homesick.
But it's missing the smell of salt in the window. And the heat blowing in from the sea. And the sun setting on the water that I can view from...
No. Now is not about home. It is about the Games. It is about winning; winning and bringing honor and pride to my district.
Within the next half hour, I take off the constricting costume, shower, and put on a new silken robe from the closet. Of the fifty shampoos available, there are only 20 or so I recognize or even know their use. I pick a few at random and rub it through my scalp. The scents of mint, mango, and a spicy orange smell I don't know overloads my senses. I decide to stop experimenting.
With the hideous makeup down the drain, I am beginning to look like myself again. I pull the wet streamers from my hair and throw them away. With all of the water, they slip off like butter. My face is now pale white again, and hair is entirely devoid of sparkles. Satisfied, I put on a red robe and walk to the living room for dinner.
No one is there yet, so I help myself to some roasted animal that looks delicious. I drizzle some green sauce on it and pile it into two pieces of rye bread. As I bite down, green and red juices drip down my fingers. Mmmmm...I don't even know why this is so good.
When Scylla walks in, I hastily wipe my mouth on a washcloth and pretend to be eating courtesy. She doesn't even notice.
"Good news," she begins, tapping away on her tablet, "You and Toren rank as the second and third most valued tributes right now according to most polls. Titus, that volunteer from Six? He's first, which is unusual. But, of the Careers, you two are first, followed by...let's see...Mara in fourth, Sheen in sixth, and Thorn and Sasha are eighth and ninth respectively."
She looks up and gives me a nod. This is excellent news. If I'm a favorite, that will make winning much easier. But that Titus is a surprise. I guess the shock of a volunteer from a non-Career district covers his mediocre tribute parade.
I finish my meal quickly and give my plate to the Avox standing near. I yawn loudly.
"Go get your sleep." Scylla says after chewing a piece of pastry, "Training is tomorrow, and you will need to start impressing. You have done well today"
I pass by Toren in the hallway. We wish each other goodnight and collapse into my bed and go to sleep quickly.
