Chapter 7: The Tributes parade

The Man in Blue from before was sitting in a chair across from him was another man this man had black hair, dark eyes, a beard, and was dressed in a black and red suit. The man in blue turned to address the audience.

"I'm here live with head Gammaker Seneca Crane." Now my first question to you is why do you think we have the games? "I think it's our tradition." "It comes out of a particularly painful part of our history." Yes. Yes. The man in blue said. "But it's been a way we've been able to heal." "At first it was a reminder of the rebellion." It was the price the Districts had to pay. "But I think it has grown from that."

"I think it's …. I think It's something that knits us all together." "Yes, very interesting now Seneca now that you've seen them what do you think about this years crop of recruits?" "Are there any surprises that we can expect this year." Its really hard to tell just from a reaping but I think... this is a very interesting mix. Yes. Said the man in blue. "Whenever you have a volunteer from an outlying district, that's something you can't ignore."

"Though I think the that interests me the most is the male tribute from district 12." What…. What was his name again. "Uh Quasimodo I think." said the man in blue checking a nearby screen. "Yes, Quasimodo that was it a young man with a strange name and an even more strange appearance." The fact that president snow himself picked him is an interest in it of itself.

"Though one wonders, why?" Why him? "Why not some one else." Perhaps well never know. "Well he does look like he'd be quite strong wouldn't you agree?" The man in blue asked. Yes, I suppose he does look strong. "Seneca Crane everybody!" The man in blue shouted to his audience. The audience cheered.

Meanwhile Katniss sat in a quite room waiting. Waiting for someone to come in. Suddenly the door opened. A man walked in That was on of the bravest thing I've ever seen, what you did for your sister. My name is Cinna he said shaking her hand. Katniss. Looked around where's my…. Your friends in another room ill talk to him after we're done here. I wanted to talk to you first.

"I'm sorry that this happened to you, and I'm here to help you in any way that I can." Most people just congratulate me. "I don't see the point in that." So tonight, they have the Tribute Parade. "Where they're gonna take you out and show you off to the world." So you're here to make me look pretty. She said wrinkling her nose in disgust.

No. I'm here to help you make an impression. Your districts trade is coalmining correct? Your going to dress me up like a coal miner, aren't you? No. I'm thinking something else. What? You'll see. My times up. I'm going to go have a chat with your friend. He left the room leaving Katniss even more anxious then before.

Meanwhile in another room Quasi sat anxiously. "What was going to happen?" Were they going straight to the arena?! "No, Katniss said they had a two weeks of training, then they would be evaluated based on there strengths, followed by a quick interview before being sent off to the arena."

But what was going to happen tonight?! Suddenly the door knob slowly began to turn. "Who was it?" He looked around for someplace to hide. There was nowhere. He just stayed and watched as the door swung open.

A man walked in. He was completely different then anyone he'd seen in the capital so far. He had dark hair and dark eyes and was dressed all in black. Unlike the rest of the capital the only make up he had on was what looked to be gold eyeliner around the rim of his eyes. The strange almost normal looking man stared at him for a while before finally speaking. "Come with me."

Quasimodo followed the man down a long hallway until they came upon a room that looked like some sort of lounge area. "Sit." He obeyed nervously sitting across from the man. "You nervous?" W-What? About tonight? He gave the stranger a blank look. He sighed. "I suppose I should have started with introductions." "My name is Cinna, and you are, Quasimodo, correct?" Quasimodo gave a small timid nodded.

"Who…Who are you?" I'm someone who's here to help you. "A friend if you will." I saw your reaping day video. "It didn't seem right, forcing you to participate in there "Games", then again the capital was never big on fairness." Why exactly did snow pick you? Quasimodo sighed and told him everything. He didn't know why he was telling this stranger all this, but he felt as if he could trust him. Hmm…. Interesting. What? Nothing. Its nothing.

"So, do you know what tonight is?" He shook his head. "Tonight, is the tributes parade where there going to show you and the other tributes off to the world." So you're here to make me look "Normal", he said looking down in shame. "No I'm here to help you make a good first impression." Look I'm sorry this happened to you, but there is nothing you can do about it now.

Now usually, they dress people in clothes represent their district. Yeah. Our district is coal though. What are you gonna dress me up like a coal miner? "They did do that every year, but I don't wanna to do that." "I'm gonna do something that they're gonna remember." Oh great. "Did they explain about trying to get sponsors?" He nodded. Yeah, but I'm not very good at making friends.

"I mean I'm not exactly normal looking." Most see me as a freak, he said looking down. "I don't see a freak," said Cinna smiling. "You- You don't." Cinna shook his head. "You could have run even before the games started and yet you stayed." To be fare I didn't even know about the games till Katniss told me on the day of the reaping.

"So, what know?" You gonna dress me up in some stupid costume. He shook his head. " I don't think someone as brave as you should be dressed up on some stupid costume." You…You Think I'm Brave? You wouldn't still be here if you weren't. He was right. He could have escaped if he had wanted to. What was stopping him. Was it Katniss? Or was he trying to prove he wasn't a coward. Cinna stood up. I'm going to make sure they learn not to underestimate you ever again. Are you ready. He nodded. Then Its time."I can do this!" He said over and over again in his head. "Can I do this?"

Meanwhile the man in blue sat next to the same man in the black suit he had sat next to while reviewing footage of the previous games. "Over one hundred thousand people craning to get at this years tributes." "The sponsors get to see the tributes for the fist time as well." "The importance of this moment cannot be overstated.

Quasimodo and Katniss stood next to each other listening to Cinna in his hand he held a torch with a blue flame. "It's not real fire." Looks pretty real to me! Said Quasimodo eying it nervously. "These suits are built so you won't feel a thing," He said motioning to what they where wearing. Both him and Katniss where dressed in black leather suits.

They stepped into the chariot. The chariot was drawn by black horses. "You ready?" He asked her. She looked at him nervously. "Don't be afraid." "I'm not afraid." She said. Lets just get this over with. The chariots began to move. The Tributes Parade had begun.

The man and blue was talking to his co-star in the black suit again and again they where discussing the tributes, and soon enough the chariots appeared in there line of sight. Here they are. Here they are. The man in blue said enthusiastically. "This year's Tributes." It looks exciting, said the other man. "Doesn't It just gives you goose bumps." "Don't you love how the stylists; they so clearly are able to reflect the character of each district?" Right, right.

There's District 4! He pointed to the tributes from district 4. The tributes wore long tunics made of layers of fabric in various shades of blue (presumably representing waves). The outfits were secured at their shoulders with pins shaped like starfish, and they wore elaborate crowns decorated with pearls. Yes, the fishing. I get it. I like it.

That's very good. And behind them we have two power plant workers, right? He said pointing at the tributes from district 5. And then-he paused his attention caught by something in the background. what is that in the background? Then "they" came into view. Dressed from head to in black leather, the backs of there costume set aflame.

Quasi turned to look at one of the many giant screens that showed there faces. Katniss looked beautiful; her face lit by the flames. Quasi however thought he looked monstrous compared to her. He looked like a terrifying demon straight from the depths of hell. I shouldn't even be here. Why am I here? "I'm going to make sure they never underestimate you ever again," He heard Cinna's voice say in his head. Cinna. Cinna had believed in him. maybe it was time he believed in himself for once.

"I'm not going to let the underestimate me ever again!" He looked at his face as they passed one of the screens. He did look different that was for sure. But it was a good different. He looked brave, almost, intimidating. "Is this what it felt like to be strong?" To be a warrior. A champion! "All they want is a show." He remembered what his friend Gale said. "All they want is a show." So, lets give them one! He reached for Katniss's hand. What are you doing? She said moving her hand away from his. "Come on." "They'll love it." Do you remember what your cousin said? "All they want is a show" Well I say lets give them one they wont forget! She smiled at her friend. "I like the way you think." She took his hand. Together? Together he said with a look of determination.

They held the hands above their heads a look of fierce determination ablaze in their eyes. "Now see that!" Said the man in blue. "I love that." "Two young people, holding their hands up!" Saying; "I'm proud, I'm from District 12. We will not be overlooked!" I love that! "People are sure to be paying attention to them right now."

Meanwhile up on the balcony of president snows mansion president snow watched the tributes of district 12 with intrigue. I knew you were the champion I was looking for. He said. And we're ready. Said someone in the back. President Snow, you're live!

Quasimodo and Katniss's chariot began to slow down as it stopped in front of the presidents mansion. As soon as the chariot stopped the flames on their costume went out. At least he wasn't on fire anymore.

Then he heard all to familiar voice of the man who started this all. Tributes. We welcome you. We salute the courage and your sacrifice. Quasimodo glared up at the old man on the balcony. He didn't look as evil as he expected him to be.

He had white hair and a white beard and he was dressed in a black suit. "So this is president snow?" He sounds just like I remembered him. -And we wish you a happy Hunger Games, "And may the odds"-he said staring directly down at Quasimodo, who glared back at him-"be ever in your favor."

That was amazing. Said Cinna looking proud. We are all anybody's going to be talking about! Said Effie looking ecstatic. So brave a third voice said. Quasi turned to see Haymitch approaching them. "Are you sure you should be near an opening flame?" Quasimodo said referring to the amount of alcohol he had probably ingested. "Fake flame." Are you sure you…? He pauses to look over his shoulder.

Quasi follows his gaze to see that one of the male tributes was looking right at them. He was dressed to look like a gladiator. His eyes met his momentarily before Haymitch guided them both away. Let's uh... let's go upstairs. Quasimodo followed Katniss and the others to the elevator. He looked back once more at the other tribute, his back to him, before following the other. The tribute turned to watch him leave.

"So, each of the districts got their own floor and because you're from 12, you get the penthouse." Come on. Said Effie cheerfully. They exited the elevator and entered the top floor penthouse. It was huge! "So, this is the living room, "said Effie showing them around. "I know!" She said commenting on their stunned expressions. "Now, your rooms are right over here." "Why don't you go clean yourselves up a little before dinner." Quasimodo walked into his room. It was nicer then his room back in 2016. That night after a quite and awkward dinner quasi collapsed in his bed. Tomorrow was the start of his training. "Lets hope I don't make a bigger fool of myself then I already am," he thought as he closed his eyes. Tomorrow the training begun!