"Tall, muscular, and a skilled carver; don't be fooled by the sullen pout, ladies and gentlemen, Lyod Templeshmit is a model tribute!"
"I can't take it" mumbled Effie hiding her face in her hands "It's terrifying!"
Cinna looked at her sympathetically then returned apathetically to the screen of their room, her eyes fixed on that poor boy, who though splendid in his blue and red embroidered shirt and black pants, would be dead or destined to become unrecognizable the next day.
Lyod Templeshmit stepped off the pedestal and disappeared from the screen, while the voice of the announcer (who knows where they had found him, but he was certainly a grotesque tease to Caesar Flickerman) announced the next tribute.
Dear viewers, give it up for Jendy Keeeellagheeen!
Cinna's heart skipped a few beats as she watched her niece, very elegant and austere in her dress, position herself in front of the cameras. She could barely hear what the presenter was saying about her little Jendy, so much so that her anguish grew as she saw her eyes dark with fear. As soon as she was gone, the stylist hid his head in his hands.
"Damn you, damn you, damn you, Jackal, you and your perverse desires!" he exclaimed in despair "Look where your daughter is, you bastard, look at her going to die so beautiful!
"Cinna" murmured Effie laying a hand on his back "Cinna, it's not your fault"
The man didn't answer, but it didn't take long for her friend's attention to focus on her niece. It was her turn to suppress a sob and close in silent despair.
Lyssa, dear viewers, is a peperina armed with a knife and a stinging tongue. Watch out for her in the Arena!
"But what are we to them, human shit?" asked Effie to the air, immediately closing her mouth after realizing the expletive.
"Obviously" mumbled Cinna gloomily.
"One way or another it will end" he added.
\\\\\
The former winners watched mute at the absurd parade of tributes. It had been Plutarch's idea of course, but Katniss didn't see it as very enthusiastic. After all, those were her fellow citizens. Helios Flichart smiled crookedly at the cameras and then disappeared behind the red curtains. Plutarch inhaled sharply.
"You always make strange noises when you see that boy" Johanna pointed out, grinning "Do you know him?
The former HeadGamemaker looked at her impatiently and then shrugged her shoulders.
"I know his mother" he answered. Johanna giggled followed by Enobaria, Annie looked at him questioningly, Haymitch gave a half-smile. Katniss looked at Peeta, who had his eyes fixed on the screen.
"Not like that" Plutarch muttered "Magdalene Flichart and I have been fierce rivals for the position of HeadGamemaker. We didn't spare each other the lows. In the end she won, and so..."
"You made her son a tribute," Johanna concluded, smacking her lips. A terrifying silence fell.
"You're scary, Johanna," Annie said, scandalized.
"It's not far fetched" Enobaria defended her. Haymitch seemed to be of the same opinion because he looked at Plutarch with a rather eloquent raised eyebrow.
"No... I... no! " stammered the latter, horrified "I would never have done that! Why then? To what end?
He tried to add something else but interrupted himself with a shocked expression.
"We're all going crazy," Katniss thought. Then she noticed that Peeta strangely didn't express an opinion. He made to stand up but the door to what was now called Headquarters (Snow's former conference room) opened and Beetee entered in his wheelchair. Everyone turned to look at him but he didn't give anyone a look. He stood next to Peeta but no one decided to speak.
"What is it? Shall I leave?" the inventor asked in a hoarse voice.
"No, Beetee, please stay" Plutarch answered - Stay.
"We are watching the "presentation" of the tributes" Peeta explained seraphically "The dresses are beautiful"
"Cinna and Effie's nieces?" Beetee asked again.
"You missed them.
Haymitch huffed in surprise.
"Since when do you call her by her first name?" he blurted out to the winner of the 3rd.
"It's been a long time since I've heard you make a jealous scene" he said "Too bad she doesn't care now.
The winner of the 12th made to get up but Katniss held him back in time. While his former mentor sat down, the girl mimed with her lips "what are you talking about? The man did not answer.
Oh oh oh, dear viewers, the presenter resumed speaking The real star of these Hunger Games is about to enter! Be prepared for the icy stare of Clariiiiisse Snooooow!
A slender figure stepped onto the stage with regality. Snow's granddaughter was something to take your breath away: she wore a snow-white, silk, off-the-shoulder dress adorned with a large crystal decoration that branched above her head, crowned with tiny slivers of mirror. The twelve-year-old girl had her hair pulled back into a French braid crowned with a sparkling tiara and wore transparent, low-heeled shoes. Her blue eyes flashed across the studio with superiority. At HQ you could hear the drafts of wind coming in through the windows as silence enveloped those present. And for just a moment, Katniss could have sworn she saw Clarisse looking straight into her eyes.
\\\\\
One night alone at the Arena...
Lyssa was thrashing between the sheets, in the grip of her worst nightmare, sweating with terror...
Jendy was curled up in the corner of her room, wrapped in her long lilac nightgown, murmuring pleas for mercy...
Helios was scanning the city from the terrace, his eyes glazed with tears, his fists clenched until his knuckles whitened...
Clarisse paced up and down the room, thoughtful and occasionally casting worried glances at the clock on the wall...
Lyod counted the rivulets of hot water that slowly flowed over his skin, hoping to drown himself...
Elister was punching a large sandbag, biting his lip wildly.
Cinna cried locked in the bathroom, Effie twisted her hair in despair, Peeta and Katniss stared at the ceiling without speaking, nobody slept, nobody at least, had the courage to do so.
Beetee and Plutarch were watching a big screen.
"Well?" asked the latter.
"Then everything is ready" answered the inventor "Tomorrow morning will start the 76th Hunger Games "
Note: The Hunger Games will begin in the next chapter, and in anticipation of that I'd like to ask you to write in the comments (if you'd like I could use it) the tribute you're preferring. It won't affect the story too much but it would help me get a general idea. Thanks! :) :)