I am still missing check-ins for the following tributes:

Seine Hopper
Nicolyn Vargas
Josie Doyle

The check-in note can be found at the end of Chapter 17. Please submit your answer via PM. This will be the last reminder.

Due to an overnight trip, I haven't gotten that much of a chance to update. But I wanted to get the Parade out of the way to make room for a more important chapter later. Plus, I get to write from Topaz's perspective again!

Topaz Blitzen, 21
Gamemaker

This is it. It's real. It's happening.

I clutched my hands tightly together, careful not to bump into any of the colourful people flying around me, chattering in their strange accents. Somehow, I managed to navigate the hall and find the stairs. Taurus let me know earlier that I had a special booth reserved just for me.

How important I was, for the Head Gamemaker to reserve special privileges in my name! Yet, I couldn't let myself get distracted. I had another job to cares about all this fancy stuff like private booths? I'm on the inside. That's all that matters.

Despite that, I was still worried as I headed upstairs. What if I was discovered? What if I said the wrong thing and gave my identity away? No...stop. Bad Topaz! Think positive, think positive...
Somehow, I made it to my booth without incident. Settling down onto the giant cough, I took in my surroundings. An entire wall was missing, having been replaced with a glass, so I could see the streets below.

An entire road had been left cleared. Music began to play and everyone started clapping, cheering, and screaming. In the booths around me, the same noises could be heard.
The Parade was about to begin.

The first chariot rode out and the crowd gave them a huge round of applause. Leonidas wore a black suit that looked rather snug, as if it was made to show his muscles off to the crowd. Beside him stood a rather dazed Desdemona, dressed in a pale silver dress covered in shimmering diamonds. She had a huge grin on her face as she politely waved at random people, causing them to yell even more.

District 2 managed to draw even more attention with Challis clapping his hands over his head. His suit's texture looked interesting, as if it had just been carved out of stone. Several Capitolites joined in as Challis began to chant, "DISTRICT TWO! DISTRICT TWO!" Victoria looked rather nice as well, in a flowing golden dress and black leggings. She had both of her hands pressed over her ears. I didn't blame her.

Several oohs and aahs could be heard when Axis appeared, in an emerald green ballgrown and a giant fancy headpiece that looked like a motherboard. How she managed to keep that thing on, I had no clue. Mark, on the other hand, looked like he was more or less trying to hide behind his district partner. His clothing was mixture of all sorts of colours; a black jacket, a pink shirt, a blue bowtie. I never knew that kind of combination worked. But then again, it was the Capitol.

The next chariot was a bit harder to look at. With the way her dress reflected all the light around her, Rowena looked as if she was glowing. She waved elegantly, not too bothered by her clothes at all. Bravo's maroon suit was a lot easier on the eyes. He gave the crowd a few smiles and waves, nothing too extravagant. Two different styles for two different tributes

Neither tribute from 5 was waving. They both just stared forward. Zeke wore a neat black suit, and Brynnelle had on a floor-length white dress. However, there were a few things I picked up on. The way Brynnelle fiddled with her fingers, the tear in the corner of Zeke's eye. It was unnerving, really. The way many tributes looked so strong and composed, but you can tell they might break down at any moment.

Wow. I sound like a Capitolite.

Is that guy staring at me?

Don't worry about, just go enjoy the Parade...think positive, think positive, think positive...

District 6 was up next. Seine just wore a purple blouse and a darker skirt. Nestor didn't seem to be following the tradition of dressing nicely, considering his leather jacket and spiked up hair. The crowd roared at the sight, to which Nestor replied by yelling some not-so-nice words and sticking his fist in the air. The crowd just cheered even louder at the sight. If looks could kill, Nestor would have already murdered everyone.

The cheering continued to grow as District 7 pulled out. Everleigh, blushing from all the attention, was wearing a short green dress decorated in tiny silver beads. Kyliana gave her a warm smile; her dress was a lot longer and in pale orange. Everybody seemed to like the two girls as the horses pulling their chariot trotted onward.

Then came District 8. Paisley wore a simple sundress covered in a pattern that I knew, but couldn't quite place. Oh wait...it's paisley pattern. I get it. On the other side of the chariot, Christopher was wearing a nice white dress shirt underneath a blue blazer, along with some khakis. He didn't seem too excited about his clothing, though.

I was trying to enjoy seeing that tributes, but I still couldn't shake the feeling someone was staring at me. Yes it sounded silly and maybe I was worrying too much...but it was more than that. I didn't just feel it. I knew.

Nervously, I shook my head and stared back out the window. District 9 rolled on by. Nicolyn wore a maroon dress with long sleeves that extended to her wrists. She was scowling at the crowd around her. Virgil seemed a lot more relaxed, in a white slacks and matching blazer, leaving his chest completely exposed. It was hard to ignore the screaming hordes of women and the rather inappropriate comments they were shouting. Why, though? He's just a kid!

District 10 had some nice outfits. Eagle was wearing a white suit that had a symbol of his namesake sewn onto it, while Shana was dressed in a simple purple dress. But upon their arrival, the crowd went crazy. Eagle ducked as shoes, cups, and trash was thrown at him from all angles.

"You freaking traitor!"
"Go die already!"
"Rebellious scum!"

Eagle just stared forward, attempting to ignore everyone. Shana kept her head down, clutching onto the chariot as tightly as possible.

The audience had just started to quiet down as District 11 pulled up. Basileon had a robe made from lion fur rapped around his body; it didn't look like it fit him at all. Gaya wore a green dress and just kept picking at the lace on her sleeves. Neither tribute made much of an effort to look the crowd in the eye. Perhaps they were just shy? Or maybe they were worried that they would be treated like Eagle.

Last but not least, District 12 appeared. Brady was gaining a lot of attention as he jumped up and down in the chariot, waving like crazy. His outfit was pretty simple; just a polo shirt and some grey slacks. Josie had her arms folded, wisely keeping her distance from Brady's arms. She had on a knee-length orange dress.

Together, all chariots stood in two rows, awaiting a speech from President Sterling Snow. As he formally welcomed the tributes to the Capitol, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
It was the man, the one who kept staring at me. He probably wasn't much older than I was and wore a red uniform. His jet black hair had been spiked up and I caught sight of dark circles under his eyes; they easily stood out against his pale skin.

An Avox.

I never knew what to do with Avoxes. I had been told they were all filthy criminals, but I had a hard time believing it. We punish criminals in the districts, but never so severe as to cut out their tongue and treat them like worthless slaves. It always felt wrong to use them like that.

The Avox had been carrying a tray containing only a single drink. He picked the drink up and placed it in the table in front of me.
"I think you have the wrong table, I didn't order any-" I was cut off by the Avox placing a finger against his lips and stepping outside. He didn't leave, though; just walked a couple steps down the hallway, then turned to watch me.

Carefully, I picked up the drink. It was a see -through glass, containing some sort of fizzy soda that tasted like ginger ale. On the bottom, I noticed two notes. One was from Foxy. I tucked it into the pocket of my jacket. Here would be a terrible place to read it.

The other note was lot smaller and slightly crumpled. Unlike Foxy's smooth, slightly messy handwriting, the words here were all jagged and slanted, as if the note was scrawled down in a rush. I Ink splotches were everywhere. Yet, it only contained one simple sentence.

Tell James that I love him.

Instantly, I glanced behind me at the Avox, but he was already gone.

So, that was the Parade! I know it was a bit repetitive, but I did enjoy describing the outfits you all gave me.

Out important chapter's gonna be coming up next, then it's training time. Hopefully, I can get the next chapter out at the end of this month, and Training Day 1 at the beginning of June. My trip did mess up my OLS schedule up a bit, though.

Also, as a random side note, tomorrow's my birthday!