Okay! Here's the parade, people! *SQUEAL!* I hope you like it. Oh, and by the way, we don't know HOW they got to the parade, so there's another jump. Sorry. Also, this chapter is going to be slightly…er…colorful ;)The Games are starting to hit them…READ NOW…

-ArianaWeasly

Chapter 25 - Vala's POV

Swish, swish, swish.

The brush moved back and forth across my skin, tickling me. I giggled.

The swishing stopped.

"What is it?" Awuor asked, as she set down the brush.

"It tickles," I said.

Awuor rolled her eyes, and got back to work, saying "It didn't tickle Kenn."

I suppressed another giggle. Why was I laughing so much?

"There," said Awuor, satisfied.

Awuor had been brushing small blue sparkles, all over my skin. I looked down. You didn't notice them until I moved. They would sparkle and dance when I moved, but were still when I just stood there.

Across the room, Accalia, one of Adrielle's prep team members, had finished doing the same thing to Adrielle.

"Are you sure I'm not too sparkly?" Adrielle asked, worried.

Awuor crossed over to Adrielle, saying, "No, honey, you look great!"

"Cassia?"Adrielle called to her stylist, not listening to Awuor, "Too much?"

"No, you look perfect," Cassia replied. "So do you," she added, looking at me.

I saw Adrielle scowl at this.

What was wrong with Adrielle? She had scowled when she had first seen me. She didn't talk to me much. What was weird was she hadn't asked me how she looked. Normally she would've asked me, not Cassia, if it was too much. I wonder what was going on in Adrielle's mind.

"10 minutes," a female voice announced from the speakers.

All of a sudden the room broke into chaos, with stylists and prep teams running around, making final touches to everybody's outfits, and at the same time screaming at each other to bring them this and that. Fiona, Lion, Awuor, and Kharmen surrounded me. Fiona adjusted my dress, and ran off muttering something about a remote. Lion darkened and added sparkles to the highlights in my hair, and then made sure each strand of hair was where it should be. Awuor added more sparkles to my eyelashes, and then darkened the swirls on my face. Kharmen put a coat of protective polish over my nails, so I wouldn't chip the designs.

Finally Fiona came back with a small gray rectangle in her hand.

"What's that?" I asked, but she just shook her head with a small smile.

"You look great," was all she said.

Then she and my prep team flocked over to Adrielle, while Adrielle's prep team and stylist came over to me.

"You have such good skin!" Squealed one named Andromeda. "That's a shame; they didn't use the scanner on you though. Not that you need it."

"What's a-" I started to ask, but I was interrupted by Accalia.

"Oh you look so gorgeous! Who did your hair?"

"Cassius," I said, careful not to say Lion.

I could've sworn Accalia's cheeks flushed slightly as I mentioned his name.

"Oh, I love your colorful swirls!" Galla exclaimed. "Adrielle only has the gold one."

I looked over to Adrielle at that, and saw her staring at me with a small scowl on her face. Quickly, I looked away.

"You look wonderful, Val!" Cassia said to me. "Now go knock 'em dead!"

"Er, I was kind of hoping to do that in the Arena actually," I joked.

Cassia burst out laughing. She had a very melodic laugh that made you feel wonderful inside.

I noticed Adrielle look over at me again with a frown on her face. Yeah, I made your stylist laugh, so what? I couldn't help but think. As if reading my mind, Adrielle quickly turned back towards Fiona, who was glaring at my prep team about something. Probably the scanner, I thought.

"Tributes, on the chariots," the same female voice announced, in an overly soothing way.

"Hurry!" I heard Awuor squeak from all the way across the room.

Adrielle's prep team ushered me over to all the chariots that were pulling up. I stood next to Adrielle and waited for the chariots.

The first one that pulled up was from District 1. The chariots always went in order of the District number. The chariot was gold, and encrusted with thousands of jewels. The horses that pulled their chariot were covered in gold. Everybody gasped as they saw it, and Amber and Chiffon climbed into the carriage with identical smug smiles plastered on their faces. Obviously they thought they had the most supremacy of all of us. They were both wearing short, poofy, gold dresses that sparkled so much you wouldn't have noticed them in a glitter factory. They were hideous, but I caught Adrielle eyeing them.

Then District 2's chariot pulled up. It was silver, with small gold and copper accents. District 2 always tried to show off their wealth. Amaya and Blair climbed into the carriage. They were wearing copper colored dresses that went down to their knees. The top part of the dress was gold plated.

Amber and Chiffon glared at them, and then looked straight ahead. So did their stylists.

I stifled another urge to laugh, but Adrielle let out a loud snort and started to crack up. Everybody looked at her weirdly.

"Didn't you guys see that?" Adrielle said to me.

"The glares?" I asked.

Adrielle nodded and we both burst out laughing. Whatever had been rubbing Adrielle the wrong way earlier had passed.Hopefully.

"There's your chariot!" Accalia squealed suddenly.

We all gasped, even the tributes from other districts. The chariot was amazing.

The whole chariot was made out of glass, and it had been carved into elegant swirls, that looked like waves frozen in mid-air. Inside the glass was water. The water was filled with everything oceany; coral, fish, shells, seahorses, starfish, and even baby dolphins. The wheels were made of glass too, but they went over bumps smoothly without breaking. Pulling the carriage were-

"Unicorns!" I squealed.

Everybody looked at me and cracked up.

They did look like unicorns. The horses, or unicorns, were ocean blue, with a rainbow horn on their head. Their tails and manes were a dark purple, while their hooves were green.

I heard whispering over to my left and saw Adrielle talking to Cassia. They were probably talking about the chariot. Of course Adrielle couldn't talk to me about it.

"In the chariot!" said Fiona.

Excitedly, I walked towards the chariot. Adrielle was fast-walking at the same pace I was, as we were both eager to be in it. I, being nice, let Adrielle get in before me. She scrambled in to it. I followed her up.

"Careful!" Cassia called to us.

It was like walking on water to be standing in that chariot. Little fish and seahorses were swimming contentedly underneath my seaweed wrapped feet. I looked underneath the fish, at the bottom of the chariot, and saw little colorful corals. The corals came in all shapes, sizes, and even colors. Colors I didn't even know existed were there.

"It's pretty, isn't it?" I said to Adrielle.

"Hmm?" she asked, even though I knew she had heard me. "Oh yeah. Sure."

I guess she hadn't gotten over what had happened earlier. Whatever that was…

I looked over at Adrielle again. She was staring at the unicorns. She hadn't noticed them earlier?

All of a sudden she started giggling. I couldn't help but join in too. It was nice to finally let my weird laughing urge out.

"That's cute," I said, calming down.

Adrielle stopped laughing immediately. She pressed her lips together and nodded.

I frowned. What was up with Adrielle? I guess what she hadn't gotten over whatever had happened earlier. I could feel anger bubbling up inside of me, like a little monster about to attack, but I pushed it away. There would be time for anger later.

"What's wrong?" I asked quietly.

Adrielle just glared at me.

"Stop being like that," I said, touching her arm.

"Like what?" Adrielle snapped as she pushed my hand off, even though she knew perfectly well what I was talking about.

"Your attitude. You didn't have one before," I snapped back at her. "Why do you have one now?"

"Val, we have 3 days before we go into the Games," Adrielle said coldly. "Don't you think it would be good to be less…"

"Benign?" I suggested.

"I have no idea what benign means," Adrielle said.

"It means to be-"

Adrielle put her hand up, stopping me mid-sentence. Surprised, I glared at her. She had never interrupted one of my rambles before.

"I think it would be good if we, or I, were less soft," she said in a steely voice.

"And I," I said, dragging out the I just like Adrielle had, "think that we could actually win this thing if we worked together!" I replied in an even steelier voice.

"I just want my friend back." I added quietly, trying to keep every ounce of desperation out of my voice. I really did need Adrielle; the Games would fall apart for me if we weren't friends.

The ghost of a smile played across Adrielle's lips, but she quickly corrected it and turned away. I was appalled. Was she playing with me? Was she trying to make me get down on my knees and beg for her to be my friend? I can tell you right now, I was not going to do that.

"Don't think you can throw one of your diva fits now" I snapped,"because I am not going to fall for it. Just work with me here, and we can do this! Look, I'm sorry you have to be here! I know that you're mad at me for it, but it's not like I'm enjoying this more than you are! It's not like I ran up to Snow, begging him to put us in the Games! Just please, please try to get along with me. Be whatever you want to be towards other people, but cooperate with me," I said, snarling the last three words.

Adrielle turned around, her lips pursed. I could tell she was thinking.

"Depends. I'll probably be nice most of the time."

I glared at her. Most of the time was not enough in the Arena.

"To you." She added. "Don't be surprised if I'm not though."

Was that happiness in her voice? I thought angrily. I guess I'd just have to play her game for her.

"Fine!" I snapped. "As long as we get along in the Arena."

Adrielle turned around again, her back facing me. She was silent for a few minutes. Finally she turned back around.

"Ugh, fine. Once we're in the Arena I'll get along. With you," she gave in.

"Good."

"BUT, that doesn't mean I have to get along with the other tributes," she added, with a mischievous grin.

Like hell you won't, I thought.

Adrielle began to laugh for no reason. Her laugh sounded mad, like she wasn't all there in the head.

"Thanks for agreeing to get along with me," I said, feeling happier than I had in days. Even if she was going slightly insane, even if she was playing her own little game with me, that didn't mean I couldn't fight back. I could toy with her as much as she was toying with me. At least she had decided to get along with me, that part was at least true, I hoped.

I hugged her, to play up my act a little more. I also really just needed a hug at the moment. She was stiff at first, but then she loosened up and hugged me back. Before we broke apart, I whispered "We need to make a plan. Soon."

"Okay. I'll ask Finnick if he can stay up with us and help us form a plan," Adrielle whispered back.

"Aw, isn't that nice. Little fwends hugging each other," a voice sneered from behind us.

We stiffened, and turned around to face the carriage behind us. In it, was a redheaded girl, who was giving us a sickly sweet smile that had hate plastered all over it. At first I was afraid that she had heard our plans, but once I looked at her more closely, I figured she was just messing with us.

"Damn," I whispered angrily.

"Yeah. What a bitch. See? That's what happens when you're too 'benign'." Adrielle whispered to me.

I gave her a sheepish smile and whispered back, "Fine, we can be more parsimonious then,"

"I don't even want to know what that means," Adriellereplied hotly.

I grinned at her.

The redheaded girl spoke up again. "You guys are best friends, right?" she taunted.

"Watch out District 5," Adrielle said threateningly.

I agreed with Adrielle, but I was surprised to see her so malicious. Usually I was the one that would do all of the arguing and threatening. Adrielle just gave me one of her mischievous smiles, and walked off the carriage.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

Adrielle didn't say anything, and just kept walking. She was going towards District 2's carriage. I knew this was something she didn't want me to hear, a part of her game, so naturally I strained my ears to hear everything.

"Blair," I heard Adrielle say, her voice dripping with honey.

"Adrielle, right?" said a sweet voice that probably belonged to Blair.

"I just wanted to say that I call that redheaded ass from District 5 over there," I heard Adrielle say faintly. "I call her for the bloodbath."

My blood went cold. Was Adrielle going insane? What happened to the sweet little girl who was too nice to kill a spider? Now she was going around, calling dibs on people, pulling off acts of temerity.

I heard Blair say something, so I strained my ears again, "I like you," was what she said. "And yes, she can be your…first kill."

I stood there, stunned. Even though what Adrielle was doing was so wrong, so evil, so terrible, at the same time, it was the right thing to do. We would have to sweet talk the other Careers, get them to like us, and then kill them. I shuddered. It was so wrong, but so right. I would have to pull some "Adrielle"s soon; I'd have to be parsimonious. It was the only option if I was going to come out of this thing alive. It was the only option for me if I was going to play my game.

Turning around quickly, for I had just heard Adrielle saying good bye to Blair, I faced the District 5 carriage.

"You better watch your back Red, or sooner or later your hair won't be the only thing that's bleeding," I spat at the redheaded girl.

She gave me a surprised look, trying to cover up her fear, but I could still sense it in her. Good.

Turning around, I greeted Adrielle as she climbed back into the carriage. I helped her up. She was humming happily for some reason, and I could tell that she hadn't heard what I said to the red haired girl.

"What were you talking about with Blair?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing. Something about her wanting to be ," Adrielle lied happily.

I shoved her against the side of the carriage and whispered furiously, "No you weren't. Don't lie to me. I heard what you did."

"So…?" she demanded defiantly.

"It was perfect," I said, sounding insane even to myself. "Good thinking."

"Thank you," Adrielle said smugly.

"Just, please promise me that you won't lie anymore? That's the only thing I'm mad about. Tell me the truth from now on," I whispered.

Adriellecontemplated my request for a few seconds. "Yes," she began hesitantly, "But you do know that there are things I won't tell you, right?"

I felt hurt, but nodded. "You won't lie to me though, right?" I asked hopefully.

"Unless it's extremely important," Adrielle said slowly.

"No, especially that. You have to tell me," I said.

"Let's just see. It depends, okay?" Adrielle replied.

I felt even more hurt, but I went along with it. I knew everything about Adrielle already, so it felt unusual to not know something about her. Under normal circumstances, I would've argued with her last offer. I only agreed because I had my own secret that she didn't know about. She didn't even know I had a secret…quickly; I refocused my mind on something else. My secret was too painful to think about right now.

We stayed silent for a few minutes after that, both deep in thought. My mind was busy pushing away the secret, while Adrielle's was…actually, I don't know what Adrielle was thinking about. Usually I could. I guess this was a new type of thinking for her.

"Blair did really seem to like me," Adrielle mumbled suddenly. "It's good to already have a place in the Games,"

She seemed really happy. I guess I would be too if I was in her shoes.

I smiled. "Good. I'll have to do some of that too if we're going to be in this together."

Adrielle scowled. I ignored her. She hated it when people copied her. I wasn't copying though; I was using her strategy to help us win the Games. At least I hoped it was still got so sore about everything lately.

"Ready?" I said, as our chariot began to inch forward.

Adrielle gave one of her sullen nods, but then corrected herself and said, "Yup. Let's go show those Capitol people that we aren't just a piece of their Games."

I smiled.

The chariot moved slowly forward, and then stopped. We had moved closer to the gate that was in front of the first 3 chariots. The gate was a shiny, polished gold, and had a large Capitol seal engraved on it.

"The gate will open in 5…4…3…2…1," the female voice announced.

The gate opened slowly, and the roar of the rowdy crowd greeted us. The first chariot went out. If I strained my neck, I could see Amber and Chiffon waving to the crowd, their bejeweled dresses sparkling like stars on steroids. 15 seconds later, the chariot from District 2 followed it. Blair and Amaya's gold plated dresses revealed detailed designs that had been carved into the shiny metal. They smiled brilliant smiles, and the crowd went crazy. Then District 3 left, looking smart as usual in their sparkly silver dresses.

Finally it was our turn to go out.

"Be parsimonious," I whispered to Adrielle.

"I still don't know-"

"Allow me to elucidate," I cut in with a grin.

"I don't know what that means either!" Adrielle whispered, aggravated.

I just laughed, and she began to laugh with me. We were still laughing as we straightened our shoulders and glided out to greet the screaming crowd.

Hah. Tricked you. The chapter ends early You already knew that though, after reading the last chapter. So the NEXT chapter will have the parade. Yeah.

What do you think of Val's POV on the whole insane Adrielle thing? Don't ask me what's going on in Adrielle's mind…even I don't know. All I can tell you is that I think Adrielle is becoming a physco path.

Blame KatnissTheGirlOnFire19 :D

PLEASE REVIEW!

-ArianaWeasly