Gabe Blackthorn, 18, D7
I was taken away from Alene, which I wasn't too happy about. I have no idea what the capitol citizens are going to do to this poor girl, I just wish I could be there to keep an eye on her.
My prep team completely waxes me, which they say was the orders of my stylist. He didn't like hair apparently, even though I had a very broad masculine feature. They dig out any dirt from my nails, which is a considerable amount, and they shampoo and wash all dirt from my hair, making it gleam.
My stylist introduces himself as Sachel. I laughed at the name, but managed to cover it up with a cough.
He studies me, making me flex a couple of times, and nods with approval. "My team has done a good job cleaning you up", he comments. "I was quite concerns when I saw your ceremony. But this is nice".
"Tel me , what do you expect from me", he asked simply.
I was surprised, I never expected to be asked this question.
"I… erm, oh…", I stammered trying to find words.
He laughed. "Don't worry you don't have to answer that. I shall just tell you what to expect. I am your stylist. I play not part in giving you gifts in the arena. I am merely an aid until you enter the games. I dress you, and make you look the 'personality' you have chosen that will represent yourself throughout the games. Normally the stylists choose the personality for you. I don't work that way".
"I understand", I said nodding. "Does that mean I get to choose my outfit".
This time he burst out laughing so hard I had to put my hands over my ears.
"You're funny. I like you. No Gabriel, you do not. But I do need to know how you will want the capitol to perceive you", he laughed.
I look up to him. I know exactly what I want.
"I want them to see me as generous, that I will kill to protect".
Sachel smiles. "Strong, I like it. Self defense to win the games. don't sought to kill, but kill if necessary".
"Yes. I will make sure Alene comes out a winner", I said boldy.
Sachel frowned. "You're district partner. I see. But why young tribute".
"Because I feel that she has been already given a cursed life with her disabilities, why snatch her away from her family a make her fight for her life where she has a clear disadvantage. its just cruel".
Sachel squinted her eyes at me. "Mr. blackthorn. I understand where you are coming from. But speaking like that, here, in the interviews, it won't get you anywhere. It will only make you lose faster in fact. And that my young tribute will certainly not save that girl you seem so eager to protect. My advice, is be strong for yourself, play an act if you may, and then protect her when the time comes".
I understand what he was telling me. He was telling me that if I didn't actually care about winning, and wasn't fighting for myself, the capitol will see it that I am not playing their game properly and in the end will just disregard me and find a way of getting me killed.
He dressed me in my outfit, which was basically my work uniform back in district seven.
"This is just for the district parade", he assured me "when it comes to other events you will be dressed much differently".
I found Alene who was wearing similar outfit, but was made to look more sluttier then it should be. Like she was some kind of hillbilly.
"Gabe", she said when she saw me. "I look awful, and with only 1 arm I look ridiculous", she whined.
I got a good look at some of the other tributes and noticed they weren't much better. Obviously this is a traditional make the tributes look stupid ceremony.
Our carriage started to move and we were moving quite fast. I was quite worried Alene was going to fall out because she could only hold on with one hand, so I put my arm around her without thinking to make sure. They were a lot of gasps, and people cheering. I wonder what impression this was going to give, and I knew I would have to make up some kind of story, if I am asked.
I didn't really take in what was going on around me, because frankly I really could not care.
Gary Gregory, 15, D8
I was taken to the prep team who seemed overjoyed and way over excited.
"It is such an honour to meet you", one of them said.
"Why?", I asked. "I haven't won yet", sarcastically.
The other laughed. "I like your tongue…. Now strip".
i scowl and take off my clothes and let them do everything they needed to do.
"We watched your reaping. You're a lot cleaner now then you was then. It's so good they build them trains with bathrooms, imagine what the tributes would look like", they nattered to me with awful snide comments about my hygene.
"Do they never wash in district 8", another asked.
"Our living conditions aren't quite ideal compared to the capitol I reply. "After all, we work for you don't we".
One glanced to the other and shrugged they just continued to do what they did.
I was introduced to my stylist Lacy and she told me she always loved styling for district 8, because we are the District that makes clothes. Meaning they can dress in absolutely anything they wanted.
Unfortunately this didn't actually work to my advantage. This women saw herself as a fashion icon and had me dressed in what she thought looked good on a catwalk. Needless to say, I would absolutely ridiculous in my many accessories and what she called a man bag.
When I made my way to the chariot, Avalon saw me and burst into laughter. It was the hardest I have ever seen her laugh, so much that she couldn't breath and went a shade of purple.
your stylist has made you look gay. She stated so innocently. I frowned.
"Well sweet cheeks", I said in a camp voice and a flick of the wrist. "I must say I think I look fab-u-las".
This resulted in Avalon laughing even harder.
Luckily for both of us, the crowds seemed to like our outfits, after all, we were practically dressed as they would.
Deli Cry, 14, D9
I am so annoyed. I have been dragged out here and prodded and pulled around by some insane looking capitol people. My mentors have told me if I live, I will live in misery, so I may as well just die in that arena. I just want to go home. Home where I belong. I shouldn't even be there.
I don't talk to any of them. Some of them asked me questions but I just blanked them and let them get on with whatever is so important. Normally I am polite, but I seem to be losing more and more patience.
A lot of it hurt, but I never let it bother me. I didn't care. What is the point of showing them that they are getting to me?
They tell me they are finished and leave me on my own. A few minutes later the door opens and some women walks in. she is very erratic, but soft spoken.
"Hello", she greets me, shaking my hand. "I am Rovelli. I am going to be your stylist".
"It's nice to meet you", I say poilitely then turning my attention away and looking around the room.
"You don't wish to be here do you?", she asks me drawing me attention back to her.
what sort of a question is that?
"I would rather be in district 9", I state.
"I have been stylist for district 9 for years. They won't move me because of the lack of interest I get from the tributes I style".
I frown. "I am very sorry to hear that", I say
She shrugs. "I understand, it's the Hunger Games. There are only 3 districts that are stupid enough to actually volunteer, I know that. If I was from district 9, I most certainly wouldn't volunteer myself, I completely get it, plus I am comfortable here. Become quite good friends with Clearwater actually", she beamed.
"oh, then I am very happy for you", I say, unsure what to actually say.
I have decided to go simple this year. Me and Lucca decided it would be best to do a matching piece, but to be simple about it. We want our tributes to be seen for who they are today, rather then what district they come from. But the rules and rules and you have to resemble it some how.
I put on the outfit she gave me to find it was basically plain t-shirt and trousers with words of different kind of bread written all over it.
she wasn't lying to me. It really was simple.
I met up with David and exchanged glances with him. I shrug my shoulders and he shrugged his.
Then I gave me a little smile, which he nicely returned to me.
It was quite awkward because I really had nothing to say to this poor boy. I knew he didn't have a hope in the arena, so what is the point of trying to ally with him. Knowing he has nothing I could use and gain from, just like I had nothing to really offer him.
The crowd of course didn't seem to care much about us. I decided to wave, which ofcourse was returned to me, with some wolf whistles. David didn't entertain the audience at all, and just stood there looking ahead.
Raven Morris, 13, D10
I was taken to an empty room by my escort and left there for a few minutes until my prep team turned up.
There was only two of them, both male. One had bright orange hair, and the other was bald but had tattoos all over it.
The orange haired one stopped and looked at me and frowned. "I thought we had the female tribute this year", he stated his confusion.
I rolled my eyes.
"I'm Raven Morris", I said in a bored voice.
"Oh… well you are definitely who we are here for", he smiled shrugging his shoulders.
They stripped me down and basically tortured me. I kept wiggling and trying to get away from what they were doing so badly that they had too strap me down.
"We really are sorry, but this is all for the good, I can promise you", he apologized sympathetically.
"Good muscles" said the bright orange haired guy who has now introduced himself as Leonard, in a horrible camp capitol voice.
Finally after what seemed like hours they were finally finished with me.
I met my stylist who greeted herself as Madam Maxine.
She stared at me for about 10 minutes before she said anything.
"How old are you Raven", she asked sweetly, her tone unlike the capitol citizen.
"13", I replied.
"You seem strong for a tribute so young. Got plenty of tone", she said smiling. "Do you work out".
"I work a lot for my father back home. It involves a lot of lifting. I suppose that contributes to my muscle".
She smiled. "You look good. I hadn't anticipated this. From what I heard for Medicane, his tribute, your district partner, is a lot strong".
I thought back to Angel. I nod my approval.
"well I am afraid our outfits don't show off your tonnage will have to wait til after the parade".
I got dressed in what she had given me. COWBOY.
I had cow print shirt, trousers, heavy duty shoes, and a cowboy hat.
I stared into the mirror, my jaw locking.
"I would give you a gun, but when I asked about it I was told your not to be given any weapons until training room tomorrow when you're under the control of the trainers and game makers".
I blinked at her and heaved a sigh.
I was taken back to Angel, who liked me matched, but she was a horse instead. We both looked ridiculous.
"Yours is better then mine", she said annoyed.
"Really. Do you think so? Because personally I think I look stupid", I replied equally annoyed.
"At least you don't have to wear a horse hat", she shot back.
I didn't reply. Nether the less, the capitol seemed to love us and we waved back at them eager to impress.
Lillian Brown, 18, D11
I was taken away from my brother Brown, which unsettled me.
"When will I be back with Brown again; I asked the prep assistance.
"As soon as the parade will start, now please calm down and take your clothes off, we have some work to do". She said calmly.
It seemed that everything they did to me hurt loads, but I didn't show any emotion. All I could think about was how Brown was coping. I am sure he is a total wreck if they are doing the same to him that they are doing to me.
"I am so sorry you're going in the arena with your brother. They odds really wasn't in your favor", one commented while the other one gasps.
"Oh sorry, I shouldn't have said that", and with that she left the room.
"sorry about her", the prep assistant said to me. "You're really not allowed to speak about the odds when it comes to tributes. She has left only temporary to try and calm down over what she has said, have a bit of a break dear".
I frowned. I don't see what she has said as wrong. It really hasn't been in our favor.
I shrugged it off, mainly because my mind was still on Brown.
My stylist come in, she was a black women but she had bright blonde hair in an afro, with red sparks going through it.
"Lillian", she said hugging me. "I am honored to be your stylist", she said kissing me on both cheeks.
I blushed, but you couldn't really see it.
"Thanks", I mumble.
I was dressed up in a big purple dress, with a fruit basket hat on my head.
"oh fabulous", she smiled.
I looked in the mirror. I actually looked amazing if you took the hat away.
I finally managed to make it back to Brown who was wearing exactly the same only a purple suit instead of a dress.
I laughed when I saw him. I couldn't help myself. He looked at me perplexed.
"Don't laugh at me. You're wearing exactly the same as me".
"Oh Brown, we both know this was designed for a female", I laughed at him.
The crowed already loved us before we even started to move. Everyone seemed intrigued with the brother and sister from District 11. I held up our hands together, to show our unite. People cheered and blew kisses, and were shouting our names.
Adam Banner, 17, D12
When I arrived at the capitol I was immediately taken off to see some the prep team. As district 12 are always the last to arrive we are always the ones to have to rush, to make sure we hit schedule.
I was waxed of any body hair, and was shaved around my chin. I was then given this special laser which hurt to make sure no body hair comes back during the games. It is ridiculous, they actually want us to look young and vulnerable when in the games to make sure it looks like we are killing children.
I could help but think of my family back home. My mouth hardens as they pull and yank at my hair, and clipper it to make it look more presentable.
Finally my stylist comes in. She introduces herself as Roxie. She is covered from head to toe in tattoos and wear far to much finger jewellery.
She smiles at me. "Yes", she says looking at me up and down.
"Yes", she repeats.
"I can work with you just fine", she continues.
I give her a hardened look.
"You know, I have worked with District 12 for the last 7 years, and finally I have a male tribute who actually has some muscle structure", she said smiling.
"Yes", she replied once again.
I didn't say anything. I didn't really feel there was anything I could say.
"And your handsome as well. Yes…. Okay clothes off".
I blinked at her.
"Excuse me", I replied.
"Get naked for me please", she smiled.
"Sorry? But why", I asked confused.
She raised her eyebrows at me.
"Because I said so", she said seeming agitated as if though I am questioning her brilliance.
I undressed and stood there with my naked body. I felt so stupid.
she covered me in black. Seemed to be enjoying rubbing her hands all over my body.
"Put these on", it was a pair of Speedos and a hard hat"
I put them on and she smiled.
"Finished. Follow me to the chariot please"
I didn't move even though she had begun. She stopped when she reached the door and looked back at me.
"well come on then", she said.
"Sorry, but I don't like this. I'm naked", I said bluntly.
"You will dress as you are told young man. I am your stylist and I own your body until you go into that arena. I am trying to get you noticed and this young man WILL do it".
I didn't argue with her. In her crazy way she is right, she knows what the capitol citizens will want to see.
I get back to Ren and notice that she is completely different from me. Most of the tributes are dressed similar but not us. She has the whole miners work uniform on. She has definitely got someone who hates her as a stylist.
She smiles at me when she sees me. She probably thinks I have it worse. I shrug. And climb onto the chariot. I can she Ren is having some trouble so I be a nice guy and lend her a hand to which she says thank you sweetly.
I feel bad because I know that Ren is such a nice girl, who probably won't do so bad in the arena, but I will be working alone, there is no point in having an ally, its just more heartbreaking when they die.
People don't seem to bothered by us in the parade. A Few ladies blew me kisses and I heard my name a couple of times, but we were practically ignored. The capitol obviously thinks our district is a joke.