A/N: I'm really sorry that this chapter took almost two months. Part of the reason why is that I was debating with myself whether or not to release my Chariot Outfit drawings along with this chapter, but in the end I decided not to because the drawings were taking forever to complete and I thought the chapter was already taking too long to post. But the main reason why this chapter took so long was my serious lack of motivation. Lately my depression has been really bad, and I've had very little motivation to write, review, go to school, go to work, and do things in general. I hope this chapter is alright despite the long wait.
I also have some important notes and announcements at the bottom of this chapter, but without further ado, here are the Chariot Rides of The Same, But Different.
Chariot Rides
Token Waterman, age 18
District 1 Male
I can't believe I'm finally at the Capitol. The shiny buildings glisten in the sunlight, and the colorful people wave back enthusiastically as Reign and I smile and wave at them happily. All my previous anger at Blake dissipates into thin air as the train pulls to a stop and Snowbelle leads us off the train and down a pathway with fences on the sides to separate us from the screaming crowd. Sure, my mentor said some annoying things about not using steroids, but who cares about that right now? I'm in the Capitol, and everything I've worked towards is about to come to fruition. This is going to be awesome.
"Hey everyone! I'm Token of District 1, and I'm so excited to be here!" I yell at the crowd as I follow Snowbelle and Reign. Reign smiles and addresses the crowd of colorful Capitolites as well, and I feel like I'm walking on air. I've only just arrived at the Capitol and I'm already having the time of my life.
Snowbelle leads Reign and I into a building whose door closes behind us, leaving the cheering crowd behind us.
"Welcome to the Remake Center, Reign and Token," Snowbelle says as she continues walking briskly. "Here is where your Prep Team and Stylist will get you all cleaned up for the Chariot Rides that are happening tonight." She giggles. "Of course, you two are plenty clean already, but every tribute goes through Prep. I'm pretty sure you know this already, either from your training or from your mentors, but you'll have to be naked in front of your Prep Team and Stylist for a while. But trust me, it'll be over before you know it. Just know that everyone's trying their best to make you look your best."
Reign murmurs an affirmation, but I frown. "Yeah, about that," I say. "Do I have to be naked?"
"Yes, Token," Snowbelle says as she stops in front of a door. "Reign, just go through this door, and you'll find your Prep Team behind it." Reign nods and disappears behind the door.
"Your Prep Team needs to wash you and make sure you're as clean as you can be," Snowbelle continues as she walks down the hallway with me following her. "I understand if you're made uncomfortable being naked in front of strangers, but it's protocol. How about I ask your Prep Team and Stylist to be extra quick?"
"Look, I'm already super clean, honest," I say impatiently. "And if my Prep Team and Stylist want me in a different outfit for the Chariot Rides, why can't they just give me the outfit and I can change into it myself? No need for them to see my scars..." I catch myself saying too much and trail off.
"Oh," Snowbelle says softly, stopping in her tracks and turning around slowly to face me, her blue eyes understanding. There is a pause before she continues, "I'm sorry, Token. I really am. But I'd like you to know that you're not alone. Many tributes come into the Remake Center with scars. Nobody is going to judge you for the imperfections on your body."
"This is different," I say, my throat tightening as I look down. "I don't want anyone to know that I have them, and it's already too much that I told you." I can feel my cheeks turning red with anger, though it's more at myself and the way I let my secret slip than at my escort, who really hasn't done anything wrong.
"Token, there isn't any reason to be ashamed of any scars you may have," Snowbelle says, "but if you don't want anyone to know about them, you can trust that I won't tell anybody that you have scars. I promise."
"Thanks, Snowbelle," I say, relieved that at least my escort seems like a respectful person. "But if I'm naked in front of my Prep Team and Stylist, that'll be like four more people who will see all those scars. I get that they have to clean me up, but honestly, I'm not a poor kid from Eleven. Do you think that you could, I dunno, ask them to not look at me naked? I can shampoo and wash myself, and put on my chariot outfit myself as well."
"That can be arranged," Snowbelle says, smiling. "You're right. Mae is a kind and respectful person, but I wouldn't trust Vennie, Viddi, and Veechee to keep their mouths shut about your scars if they saw them. Don't worry, nobody else will know about your scars if I can help it. Now, if you'll follow me to the Prep Room, we're on a tight schedule here. I'll come into the room with you and tell your Prep Team and Stylist not to strip you naked."
"Thanks again," I say as I follow my escort to another door that looks like the one Reign disappeared into. Snowbelle opens the door, and I follow her into a brightly lit room that looks like a beauty salon. Mirrors line the walls, and a shower stands in the corner. Three monochrome Capitolites who I assume are my Prep Team stand chatting with each other in front of a salon chair.
"Oh Snowbelle, finally you're here," a woman with ghostly white skin and hair exclaims, turning away from the other two Capitolites and smiling broadly at us, revealing a set of shiny white teeth. "Don't worry dear, we'll deal with the tribute from here."
"Thank you, Vennie," Snowbelle says politely, "but Token here would like to request that he prep himself without anyone looking."
"I don't like to be naked in front of people I don't know," I say quickly.
"But dearie, we're the experts!" a man with jet-black skin and hair protests, throwing up his hands. "We've been washing, plucking, and greasing tributes for years!"
"Look, Viddi, we don't have much time," Snowbelle says testily. "Token doesn't want to be naked in front of people he doesn't know, and you'd better respect that. I'm his escort, and it's my job to make sure that my tributes are comfortable here in the Capitol. If you don't respect Token's wishes, I'll be happy to escort the three of you out of this room so that Token can have the time he needs to get himself ready for Mae."
"Fine," my third Prep Team member, who I assume is Veechee, huffs. Veechee's gray skin and hair makes them look like a stone statue, and I find it amusing how Vennie, Viddi, and Veechee all have matching gold circlets on their heads and similarly monochrome outfits. Veechee walks over to a cart full of shampoos and body washes, and pushes it over to me. "Token, go ahead and clean yourself up while we get Mae. I know you're pretty clean already, but you could've at least let us have our fun. Gosh."
"I'll make sure I'm clean," I say awkwardly as I take the cart and push it towards the shower. I turn back to Snowbelle and my Prep Team. "Uh, you guys can go now. Thanks."
"No problem, Token," Snowbelle says with a tired smile. "I'll go right now and tell your stylist, Mae, that you don't want to be looked at while naked. Vennie, Viddi, Veechee, let's go."
Vennie huffs again and follows Snowbelle out of a door that leads out of this room. When my Prep Team have filed out of the room, Snowbelle pauses at the door.
"Token, just knock on this door when you're done," Snowbelle says.
"Got it," I say. "Thanks again for, y'know, saving me from… you know."
"No problem," Snowbelle says, smiling as she exits the room.
As soon as I'm alone in the prep room, I let myself exhale deeply. Crisis averted there. If anyone knew that I've cut myself in the past, my chances at victory could be ruined.
I just have to focus on the Games, I think as I turn on the water and unbutton my shirt, exposing the scars on my side as I let it fall to the floor. Once I win, maybe things will get back to normal.
-X-
The music starts, and excitement pumps through my veins as the District 1 chariot starts moving. I realize that now is not the time to mope about the past or worry about the other tributes. Now is the time to present my best self to the audience.
Our snow white horses trot through the opening doors, and I break into a huge smile as I catch my first glimpse of the Capitol crowds. A thunderous cheer echoes all around me as the crowd sees me for the first time, and I've never felt better in my entire life. There are so many people in the stands, it's like the whole world is watching Reign and me as we stand in our chariot, smiling and waving at everyone. I realize that, considering how many people are watching us from their homes not only in the Capitol but also in the Districts, the whole world might as well be watching.
Another wave of cheers and applause rings around me - it's probably for the District 2 chariot - but I notice that it's not as loud as the reaction to the District 1 debut. I don't even look back at the District 2 chariot - I mean, why would I do that when my chariot is the best? Reign sneaks a few backwards glances, but I just continue smiling, waving, and cheering.
Ha, I think, getting more and more confident by the minute. Sure, District 2, your gladiator costumes are great, but District 1 is AWESOME.
As the parade continues and music continues to pump into my ears, I realize that I'm getting restless. I still feel great, but I'm feeling so euphoric that I can't stand still. I yell along with the crowd, presenting a victorious, proud posture. A rose flies in my direction, and I catch it, waving it wildly in the air and causing some of its petals to fall off.
"Token! Token! Token!" the crowd cheers, and I've never felt more pumped up in my life.
"Hahaha, YES!" I scream, pumping my fist into the air. "I love you too, all of you! I'll kill everyone in the arena and return to you, just you wait!" I'm screaming at the top of my lungs, and even though I know that nobody can hear me I know that they love me.
"Hey Token, will you chill a little?!" Reign yells above the music, laughing. "You almost knocked me off the chariot!"
"Victors don't chill, they kill!" I yell back, facing my District Partner and raising her hand into the air, smiling broadly. I continue to wave wildly at the crowd as Reign just smiles and says nothing more, continuing to wave at the crowd along with me. I hope she's at least a little intimidated. She'll be a good ally, but there's only room for one Victor, at that will be me.
As our chariot continues its route around the Capitol, Reign looks behind her once in a while, perhaps to survey the other Districts' chariots. I scoff when she isn't looking. Why would we, the best District, care about what the other Districts are wearing? Sure, District 12 had unusually good costumes considering how weak they are as a District, but their fire getup can't hold a candle to me and Reign. I know that we have the best costumes - our glittery, sequined pink outfits are simply dazzling.
Now I'll just have to keep up this momentum through the rest of the Games. The chariot rides are only the first part of the Games - I'll have to go through Training, Interviews, and, of course, the Games themselves. But I'm not worried. I know that, with my training and determination, I'll be the one to emerge victorious.
It's all downhill from here, I think happily as I continue waving at the audience without a care in the world.
Kayne Ramino, age 15
District 7 Male
The amount of color around me is overwhelming, with every color of the rainbow present in the vast room I'm in. Six chariots, each with four horses attached to them, sit in a random formation in the basement of the Remake Center. Each chariot is the same - black with golden embellishments - and marked with a District number. Not every chariot has arrived yet - Districts 8 through 12 are missing - but some of the tributes have already started mingling. The Careers from One and Two have gotten off their chariots and stand clustered together, while the pair from Three keep sneaking glances at them. Calder Murray and Pearl Tang from Four stand awkwardly on their chariot, not talking to anyone, and so do Kasumi Honda and Axel Villa from Six. On the other hand, the young tributes from Five are making conversation with each other.
When the District 7 chariot carrying Piper and I rolls into the room, a few heads turn towards us, only for everyone to resume their activities immediately afterwards. Our costumes aren't that impressive, so I don't expect anyone to approach us. I stand stiffly, gripping the chariot and hoping that I don't break anything. My tree costume is so cumbersome that I had to be literally lifted onto my chariot by the District 7 stylists, Aprilia and Donatello. I'm glad no one saw that, but now all of Panem will see me looking silly as I'm paraded around the Capitol in a tree costume that won't earn me any sponsors because every District 7 tribute in every past Games I've seen has been in a tree costume.
I just want this to be over.
"I guess we're allowed to get off our chariots and move around until the parade starts," Piper says to me as the District 8 chariot arrives, the tributes wearing a patchwork of light blue and pink. For some reason, Piper isn't dressed like a tree. Instead, she wears an origami-themed dress made of fabric that looks like folds of white paper. I'm slightly jealous of her. How come she got the innovative costume while I got stuck with the tree?
"Mhm," I say, staring straight ahead and starting to sweat under the bright lights.
"Why don't you move around a bit?" Piper asks, smiling. "You look stiff as a board."
"That's because I am," I answer, and Piper starts to laugh. I can't help but smile as well. I didn't mean to make a joke, but my District Partner's laughter is contagious.
"No, really," Piper says, her face turning serious. "I don't understand why I'm laughing. Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm just nervous," I say as I watch the District 9 chariot arrive. The Nine tributes are wearing odd-looking bodysuits of gold and silver, which I find to be very weird because I have no idea how their outfits have to do with grain.
"I hate being in front of a lot of people," I continue, looking down. "I prefer being alone in the woods with the birds."
"Really?" Piper asks, raising her eyebrows. "I can't relate. But I get what you mean by being nervous. I'm nervous too."
I nod as the Districts 10, 11, and 12 chariots arrive in quick succession. The tributes from Ten are wearing gold-and-white cowboy outfits, which look pretty nice on them. But their outfit can't compare to the District 12 outfits. I notice that everyone in the room is looking at Kivan and Amanita. Usually, District 12 has the worst outfits in the tribute parade. Not this year - the District 12 tributes look like royalty. Kivan and Amanita wear all black, except for golden crowns and flame-orange capes the color of embers. In comparison, the District 11 outfits look simply lazy. The boy wears a suit made of random leaves glued onto muslin, while the girl is dressed in a furry chipmunk suit and looks furious about it.
"Hey," Piper says, prodding me gently on the shoulder. I turn to her, still gripping the chariot handle.
"I'm going to walk around a bit," Piper says, leaping off the chariot. "I'll be back before the parade starts."
"Okay," I say, managing a small smile. I'm still nervous as heck, but being around Piper is relaxing. I'm amazed at how well she's hiding her nervousness, if she's nervous at all.
I look around the basement of the Remake Center as Piper walks straight to the District 12 chariot. Wow, she's really going to talk to the best-looking District? I think as I scan the room. Pearl, the girl from Four, has joined the Careers and is now speaking quickly and excitedly to the tributes from One and Two. The District 3 tributes are still watching the Careers like hawks, and I don't understand why. Sure, the Careers are the most dangerous tributes in the arena, but what good is watching them? I know that I'm going to stay as far away from the Careers as possible.
Meanwhile, the thirteen-year-olds from District 5 have left their chariot and are talking with the pair from Ten. This doesn't surprise me - oftentimes the younger tributes stay together in the Games. What does surprise me is the fact that the Careers keep sneaking glances at the District 12 chariot. Are they really considering Amanita and Kivan as potential allies or threats? Perhaps the Careers think the Twelve pair should be taken out simply because they have the best costumes.
Piper and Amanita seem to be having a pretty good conversation going, while Amanita's District Partner stands awkwardly off to the side, not getting involved with the younger girls. He isn't the only tribute who isn't talking to anyone. The pairs from Six and Eight stand quietly in their chariots, looking around at the other tributes the way I am. The boy from Four looks around at everyone as well, paying extra attention to the pairs from Three and Nine. Millie and Koras from Nine are talking with each other, and so are Rielle Corde and Chip Latier from Three. Finally, the small chipmunk girl from Eleven is stomping around the room cursing her stylists, while her District Partner watches her with wide eyes.
With everyone accounted for, I try to sit down, but the trunk of my tree costume makes it impossible. I sigh and continue observing the scene around me for lack of anything better to do. I notice that every District chariot is attached to four horses of the same color, with the District 7 chariot being pulled by chestnut horses. Each chariot is pulled by different colored horses, and the horses range in color from the snow white horses of the District 1 chariot to the jet black horses of the District 12 chariot. The animals are so well-trained that they just stand there until it's time for the parade. Most of the tributes are ignoring the horses in favor of the other tributes, but the twelve-year-old girl from District 10 is petting one of her tricolored horses as she talks to the other young tributes, who are now joined by the boy from Eleven.
I look away. It's going to be hard when those young tributes die.
"Five minutes until the parade starts," a voice sounds gently from the speakers. "Tributes and stylists, please get ready."
Five minutes until all of Panem sees me in this silly costume, I think as the tributes around me say goodbye to the people they are talking to and return to their chariots. The stylists swarm around the chariots, doing last minute checkups. Piper returns to the District 7 chariot, smiles at me, and climbs into the chariot. Our stylists hurry over to us.
"I'll admit it's a bit of an experiment for us to deviate from what we're so used to," Donatello says to Piper, adjusting the folds of her outfit, "but I think you can pull this off. Don't forget to smile and wave."
I'm not sure whether or not Donatello's comment was directed at just Piper or the both of us, but I know that it will be impossible for me to smile and wave when I truly feel as stiff as the tree I'm dressed as.
"I will," Piper says, and Donatello gives her a thumbs-up.
My stylist, Aprilia, is busy brushing the horse in front of me. I sigh quietly, not loudly enough for anyone to hear. I'm used to being ignored, but still, it's disheartening to be shafted in favor of a horse.
With Piper taken care of, Donatello joins Aprilia in grooming the horses. Piper and I are silent as we watch the twenty-four stylists place their finishing touches on the chariots.
"One minute until the parade starts," the same voice from before booms in the room. "Stylists, please return to your designated areas."
"Here it comes," Piper says with nervous excitement as Aprilia and Donatello leave us.
"I'm terrified," I say flatly. In my mind I envision too-bright lights and too-noisy crowds, and I frown.
"Maybe you can think of home?" Piper suggests. "Or close your eyes, you won't have to see everything that way."
"I'd probably fall off the chariot if I did that, though," I say frankly. "But I guess I can do the former. Thanks."
Piper gives me a smile, but her response is drowned out as the parade music starts blasting at full volume and the District 1 chariot starts moving. The tributes are dressed in sparkly, gem-studded pink-and-white outfits, and I can already hear the deafening roar of the Capitol audience as Reign Graceland and Token Waterman make their debut. I'm not surprised by their reception - District 1 outfits are often the best.
District 2 lines up behind District 1. Brock Winters and Hestia Ashton are dressed in golden gladiator armor, and their costumes, while nice, don't complement each other as well as the District 1 outfits. The four slate-gray horses of the District 2 chariot start trotting forward through the vast double doors, and the black-and-white District 3 horses get into position. Rielle and Chip are wearing outfits of silver mesh and elaborate headdresses, which, if I'm honest, pale in comparison to the golden District 2 costumes. The District 4 outfits of light blue fabrics and coral-like accessories look much better. Together with the bluish-gray District 4 horses, the District 4 outfits really evoke the beauty of the sea.
The District 5 chariot rolls into position and moves through the double doors, Alec Bolton and Sonata Rae Lynch holding hands as they start waving at the audience. Sonata wears a simple black dress with orange fairy lights draped around her shoulders, while Alec wears a plain black collared shirt and pants with a glittery orange tie. Their outfits are simple, but complement each other well.
"It's almost our turn," Piper says excitedly as the four reddish-brown horses of the District 6 chariot start trotting forward. Kasumi wears a golden yellow dress, while Axel sports a suit of the same color. What I don't get is the crescent moon shapes that surround the tributes' faces. What do crescent moons have to do with transportation?
Suddenly, I feel a lurch as the District 7 chariot starts moving forward. I panic momentarily, fearing that I'll fall off the chariot when I realize that I'm still holding onto the chariot for dear life. My eyes widen with fear as we move through the double doors and onto the sunlit Capitol path. A cheer greets Piper and I - it's not as loud as some of the previous ones, but it's still far too loud for me. The crowds are huge! So many colors, noises, and shapes surround me, and my heart starts racing as the chariot continues moving forward. How long will this parade last? How much longer until I find a moment of peace and quiet?
All I'm answered with is the booming parade music that resonates all around me.
Poppy Keyes, age 15
District 11 Female
"Five minutes until the parade starts," a voice sounds gently from the speakers. "Tributes and stylists, please get ready."
Get ready my butt! There's no way I'll lose what little is left of my dignity by being paraded around the Capitol in this idiotic chipmunk costume. Can I skip the Chariot Rides? I briefly consider making a run for it when I realize that there's really nowhere I can go. Besides, skipping the Chariot Rides is probably an action that can be seen as rebellious against the Capitol.
I sigh angrily, remembering my mentor's command about not defying the Capitol. I hate how peaceful and boring Seeder is, but she's right. Too much resistance against the Capitol would equal me getting blown up by the Gamemakers, my family dying, or both. I know I wouldn't want myself biting the dust in such a lame way. As for my family, I hate most of them, but even I wouldn't wish death upon them.
Seeing my stylist, Sans, start walking towards me makes me want to punch that lazybones in the face. He deserves it for even thinking this was a good idea. Then I remember that punching Capitolites probably counts as a rebellious action as well, so I stomp back to the District 11 chariot and climb into it, seething. I make a mental note to myself to get back at Sans by the time I'm shipped off to the Games.
Digger climbs into the chariot next to me and grips the chariot handle. He's shaking like the leaves on his outfit. I still don't understand whose idea it was to dress us like a chipmunk and a pile of leaves. There's no way this lame-ass getup will earn me any sponsors.
Digger's stylist, Luxe, ambles lazily towards us, Sans walking even more slowly behind her. I resist the urge to flip them off and just roll my eyes as the two overweight stylists approach the District 11 chariot.
"Eh, looks good," Luxe says flatly as she looks us up and down. "What do you think, Sans?"
"I'd say our job is done," Sans says with a bored look on his face. "Let's go get some malasadas."
"Eating definitely beats working," Luxe declares as she and Sans walk away from Digger and I, leaving us standing awkwardly in our chariot.
"Sans and Luxe really suck," I declare angrily. "I'm going to get back at them for dressing me like this."
"Mhm," Digger says quietly, nodding. It seems like he's doing everything in his power to not cross me. That's good. I know I need some allies, but anyone would be more useful than the little wimp that is my District Partner.
Crap, allies! I was so busy stomping around angrily and swearing vengeance on my stylist that I forgot to look for them! I look around and see that pretty much everyone is on their chariot, ready to go. I decide in annoyance against talking to anyone at this moment, because I'm probably going to be taken more seriously if I were in a training outfit as opposed to this stupid chipmunk suit. However, I make a mental note to watch Amanita Rivers during Training. I liked her spunk during her Reaping, and the fact that her chariot outfit is one of the best can't hurt. I think she'd be a good accomplice during the Games, though I wouldn't mind leaving her high and dry later.
"One minute until the parade starts," the same voice from before booms in the room. "Stylists, please return to your designated areas."
I get ready to grin and bear it, even though I'm dying inside. I hate Sans and my outfit with a passion, but I'm not dumb enough to not heed my mentor's advice to look happy for Capitol sponsors. Seeder made a good point in that if I'm mean and sour in front of the audience I'll earn no sponsors. I made a promise to her that I'd put on a show. It's all a big fat lie, but I'm used to lying anyways.
The parade music booms through the speakers, and the huge double doors of the room open slowly, allowing the District 1 chariot to parade out into the cheering Capitol crowd. I scoff as I look away from those Career pansies and their shiny outfits that practically yell "Look at me, I'm filthy rich!"
District 2 lines up behind the District 1 chariot. Hoo boy. This is going to be a long, unnecessary parade.
When the District 11 chariot finally moves into the open air, I plaster on my best fake smile. I briefly consider waving to the audience, but I'm not going to stoop that low. I'm furious when I notice that the cheers for District 11 are the lamest yet. Thanks a lot, Sans and Luxe. Still, the sounds around me are deafening, the colors around me are too bright, and Digger is crouching down in the chariot with his hands on his ears like he's given up hope completely. I wonder what's going through the little twig's head. I hate being here and I hate the Capitol, but I'm not freaking suicidal.
The twelve chariots parade around the Capitol until they reach the Presidential Mansion, where they come to a stop and the parade music ends with a flourish. The President of the God-forsaken hellhole of Panem steps onto a balcony and, in a stuffy speech, welcomes everyone to the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Even I'm not reckless enough to disrespect President Snow, so I stand there, my legs hurting like hell, as Snow continues his speech and the cameras cut to the faces of the tributes.
I notice with disgust that me and Digger, who has now stood up shakily, have barely any screentime. On the other hand, it's hard to take one's eyes off the District 12 chariot. Amanita and Kivan look like they're on fire.
When the President finishes his speech, the chariots parade once more around the City Circle and then disappear into the Training Center, where the District Teams come to meet the tributes and help them off their chariots. There's a veritable flurry of excitement around the District 12 chariot, which I'm currently glaring at along with a good half of the tributes. I wish I had a competent stylist.
Without anyone giving me permission to, I jump off the chariot and shake the cramps out of my legs. Sans and Luxe are nowhere to be found - of course - so it's me and Digger's Prep Teams who escort the two of us away from the chariot and into one of the elevators. Digger asks the six colorful Capitolites where the District 11 stylists are, only to be met with shrugs.
Ugh.
-X-
As soon as I'm in my spacious quarters, I quickly search for a closet and find one stocked full of different kinds of clothes. Sighing in relief, I get out of my chipmunk costume and throw on a comfortable plaid shirt and blue jeans. I walk around the room, savoring its comfortable design, when my eyes fall on the chipmunk costume. A bright idea crosses my mind.
I scoop up the furry suit and walk out of my room. When I reach the main lounge, however, Seeder is there, sitting on a couch.
Crap.
"Hello, Poppy," she says pleasantly. "I hope your time on the chariot wasn't too unbearable."
"It wasn't bad," I lie with a smile. I figure that if I appear angry Seeder will want to have a talk with me, and I don't want that to happen.
"Thanks for listening to my advice and smiling out there," Seeder says. "Trust me, it'll help get sponsors."
"I know," I say, puffing up my chest confidently. "Why don't you go check on Digger? I think that weenie needs your help more than I do." And you'll be out of my hair.
"Poppy, what are you doing with your chariot costume?" Seeder asks, her voice sharp.
Crap. Uh, quick thinking!
"I'm returning it to Sans," I respond, careful to keep my voice at its natural level. "You don't need to help me, I can find him. Really, I'll be fine."
"Too fine, in fact," Seeder says sternly. Her voice softens. "I understand that it's tempting to take your anger out on others now that you've been Reaped, but you need to focus on getting home alive. Causing mischief in the Training Center won't help that cause. Why don't we sit and talk a little? If you want to complain about your stylist I'm here to listen - as long as you don't say anything too crazy, of course."
"I can cause as much mischief as I want, thank you very much," I snap, glaring at my mentor, furious at her for figuring out part of my plan. "Win or lose, I'm going back to Hell any way you slice it. So while I'm here I'm going to have some fun." I sigh as I see the expression of concern on Seeder's face. "Don't worry, I won't do anything too crazy. I hate my family but if all of them died that'd be a real bummer."
Seeder pauses, understanding the connotation of what I said. She nods slowly and sighs.
"Alright," she says, defeated. "Be careful, okay?"
I roll my eyes. "Duh."
"Be in the dining room for dinner at eight," Seeder says. I nod, and she continues, "Do you want to strategize? I'm here if you need me."
"Nah," I say confidently, seriously hoping that she'd just leave. "Can you go away now?"
"Okay," Seeder says, getting up and disappearing into a hallway. I listen until I hear a door close, and then I spring into action.
I explore the floor, looking for my stylist. I have a bone to pick with him. By the time I've combed the whole floor, however, I still haven't found Sans. I ran into Digger, Simon, and Seeder a few times, which was embarrassing, but my stylist is nowhere to be found. He's probably behind the only locked door I saw.
Sighing in frustration, I decide to put into action Plan B. I enter an elevator and press the "Roof" button. When the elevator arrives at the roof, I waste no time in admiring how "marvelous" Cornelius said it was. I walk right to the walled side of the roof and hurl the despicable chipmunk costume over the edge.
Good riddance, I think with a smirk as I watch the suit drop down towards the Capitol streets. It'll be amusing when a wandering Capitolite comes across that thing.
I'm thrown for a loop, however, when there is a sharp zapping noise and the costume hits something invisible but solid. A blue spark appears at the contact point, and the chipmunk suit bounces back up, and I'm dumbfounded, but not dumbfounded enough to not step aside as the suit falls gently onto the concrete floor of the roof.
I stare at the crumpled outfit on the ground for a while before picking it up, walking to a different section of the roof, and hurling it again over the edge. I'm not surprised when the same thing happens - the chipmunk suit bounces back onto the roof.
There's something surrounding the building to prevent tributes from escaping, I realize. Hmm… maybe I can put this knowledge to good use.
I hear a rustle behind me, and I whip around, certain that someone was watching me. I see the boy from Four - Calder was his name, I think - run away and disappear behind the elevators. What would he want with me? He's gone now, so there's no bother asking. I don't think I want to ask, either. Being from a Career District, Calder isn't exactly someone I want to cross.
With a huff, I sling the chipmunk outfit over my shoulder and head back down to the District 11 floor.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the Chariot Rides! Sorry it wasn't completely in chronological order; I just thought it'd work better this way. With this chapter, every tribute has had their second POV. Do you understand why I chose Token, Kayne, and Poppy to have Chariot Ride POVs rather than Train Ride POVs? With Districts 1, 7, and 11, I had to have one tribute have a Train Ride POV and one tribute have a Chariot Ride POV, due to the fact that those Districts had two submitted tributes. I chose Token to have a Chariot Ride POV because I thought Prep would be a good time to address his scars and reveal his self-harm issues. Kayne is a quiet and observant tribute, so I thought he'd be a good narrator to describe the Chariot outfits. Finally, Poppy got a Chariot Ride POV because I thought it'd be funny to see how she reacted to the costume her submitter requested.
I don't have Chariot Outfit drawings posted yet, so it's harder for readers to visualize the Chariot Outfits. However, for the most part the tributes' Chariot Outfits were the canonical 74th Games Chariot Outfits, unless the tribute's submitter requested another outfit. I'll be posting this story's Chariot Outfits on the TSBD blog as I finish them.
Chapter questions: Any thoughts on the Chariot Outfits - for example, which Chariot Outfit was your favorite and your least favorite? Do you have any alliance predictions, considering who talked to whom prior to the Chariot Rides? What do you think Poppy and Calder will do with the knowledge of the forcefield?
Random question of the chapter: Do you like Pokemon? (This question may or may not be THAT random... you'll have to read my remaining notes to see why.)
Next up is Training Day 1, but before that chapter gets posted, I have some announcements to make.
As my pre-chapter Author's Notes said, I'm suffering from a serious drop in motivation. Over time I've been less and less motivated to work on TSBD, and I just think that now, with everyone having their second POVs done, is a good time to take a break. I'm more unmotivated than ever to work on this story, and, to be honest, there are a lot of other things I'd rather write besides TSBD, such as Portraits of Panem and that one-shot I was dared to write months ago and never got around to writing. I really miss Pokemon fanfiction too - writing it, reviewing it, and the SPPf Fan Fiction community (which will always have a special place in my heart because it introduced me to fanfiction). This is why the random question of the chapter was Pokemon-related - if you like Pokemon you just might be interested in checking out my Pokemon stories. ;)
All of this means that The Same, But Different is now on a three-month hiatus. I'm giving myself three months after the posting of this chapter to take my break, and then I'll resume writing this story. I promise that within four months after the posting of this chapter I'll post the first Training day. There's no way I'll discontinue or summarize this story - I have far too much planned for that. I know I said that I don't have much motivation to write this story, but I have enough motivation to not discontinue this story, y'know? Also, during the hiatus, I'll be updating the story blog, so this story won't exactly be DEAD for four months. ;)
So thanks for reading and understanding, and have a great day!