Hosanna Guerra - District 2 Female - Age 18
"One more," Donuta Fellipe, the extravagantly dressed stylist hired by the Capitol said as she placed another strip of hot wax on Hosanna's leg.
3… 2… 1…
Hosanna held her breath.
RIP
She let out a sigh of relief. It was finally all over. Hosanna was unsure as to whether or not she enjoyed the parade preparation. On one hand, she wasn't used to being treated like a pretty princess, and she heavily enjoyed it, but on the other, the leg waxing hurt like hell. She hadn't ever cared about her appearance or had any to change it, but seeing all the tall women with perfectly symmetrical faces made her eager to be like them.
"You know, your face has a really nice shape to it," Donuta said, applying a rogue to her cheeks. Hosanna had never worn makeup before and she had no idea what made a face shape "nice," but she nodded and accepted the compliment:
"Thank you so much, ma'am."
Hosanna tried her best to stay still as Donuta continued to apply her makeup. She couldn't help but giggle as the brush tickles her eyelids, and she had a hard time not licking the peach scented gloss on her lips. Once the makeup was over, Hosanna sighed as Donuta went to the back of the dressing room to get her costume. District 2 usually wore some sort of armor in the parade, because how the hell is one supposed to dress like masonry, so Hosanna was surprised to see Donuta return with clothing that didn't resemble a viking.
Donuta had created a beautiful golden dress that resembled an ancient goddess. It was unlike anything Hosanna had ever seen before and the color of the dress was the exact same of that of her eyeshadow.
"It's beautiful!" She exclaimed, spinning in front of the mirror.
"I'm glad you like it!" Donuta cheered, opening the door so that Hosanna could reunite with Ammo and mount the chariot.
She exited the dressing room to see Ammo and Micah bickering once again over something probably stupid. They had been throughout the entire train ride, and while Ammo was always charming with her, seeing him argue with Micah made Hosanna see him as a completely different person.
"Could you guys stop fighting?" Hosanna stepped between the two boys.
"We weren't fighting!" Ammo pouted, "We were having a passionate discussion."
"Well then stop discussing whatever it is." Hosanna removed herself from being in the center of the two boys, "We have a good first impression to make!"
"She's right." Micah chimed in, causing Ammo to make a face at him.
The drama had given Hosanna little time to take in what Ammo was wearing, but he did look incredible. He was wearing a suit, the exact same shade of gold as hers, and he had a golden crown placed atop his dreadlocks.
"You look stunning by the way," Ammo softened up, "Gold is definitely your color."
"It's yours too," Hosanna said, "But we ought to get on the chariot."
The two headed towards the chariot pitch, and waited alongside the second chariot in the line, emblazoned with the number 2. Hosanna tried to look around at all the other tributes, but from her perspective, she could only see the tributes from 3, who were wearing tacky bodysuits that lit up, and those from 1.
"I suppose I should introduce myself now," The boy from 1 who was wearing a velvet blazer and sequined pants, approached Hosanna "Brycen Rosenthal, I assume we'll be allies."
"I'm Hosanna and this is Ammo!" She gestured to her District partner, "I was told I would be allying with you and your partner as well."
"Well it's good we got that out of the way then," Brycen started walking back to his chariot, "Come meet my partner Sapphira."
Hosanna and Ammo followed Brycen to the District 1 chariot, where a girl in a long dress made of sequins with her hair in an elaborate bun, sat on the steps of the chariot.
"Who's this Brycen?" She glanced up from her sparkly shoes which she had been putting on.
"Ammo and Hosanna," He pointed at the pair, "District 2."
"Oh well then excuse me!" Sapphira jumped up from her seat and went over to give the two a hug, "I'm Sapphira Starlett and I am absolutely exuberant to work with you darlings!"
"Well you seem like you'll make things fun," Hosanna laughed, hugging Sapphira back, "It's great to meet you."
Truthfully, Hosanna wasn't sure what she thought of Sapphira yet. She was definitely perky, and seemed to hold herself in high regard, but not in the way the girls back in 2 did. Sapphira was surely better than them, and she knew it. Hopefully she wouldn't get too annoying, though nothing could be worse than Ammo and Micah's bickering.
"Well they were lovely!" Hosanna said as Ammo and her returned to their chariot, "Don't you think?"
"They seem fine," Ammo said, helping Hosanna board the chariot, "Sapphira seems a bit too chipper, but I think Brycen and I will get along fine."
"Having allies never hurts." Hosanna said, "This isn't a social event afterall."
"I suppose your right," Ammo sighed, "And they probably aren't bad at all."
"Not bad at all."
The two silently stood on their chariot as they awaited Lucky Flickerman's announcement that the parade was beginning.
"Are you nervous?" Ammo whispered into Hosanna's ear as the chariot began to move.
"Not particularly," She whispered back, "Just smile and wave and it'll be fine."
That's exactly what the two of them did as the chariot paraded down the main street of the Capitol, passing down aisles of screaming Capitolites, who waved back at them. The lights from the photographers flashed brightly as they continued to ride, but Hosanna didn't mind it one bit. It was nice to be the center of attention for once, and not just one of the many hopefuls from the academy.
"Well that was fun!" Hosanna exclaimed as she hopped off the chariot, once it had returned to the pitch, "Right?"
"It was great!" Ammo said, hopping off as well, "I don't know why I was nervous."
"See!" Hosanna smiled, "We're going to be okay."
Bariq Fossil - District 5 Male - Age 15
Bariq was not a fan of the Capitol to say the least. He thought the bright lights and noise wouldn't be too much for him to handle, he was very very wrong. Everywhere he looked he saw somebody staring him down like he was some sort of exotic creature, and although he was used to being fetishized, he didn't think he would experience it in the Capitol where everybody was supposed to be pristine and proper. The people weren't directly asking him for the favors he had previously been forced to do, but Bariq could tell they were thinking about it. The manic thoughts in his head meant it was nearly impossible for Bariq to focus on the weird auto mechanic costume he was being forced to change into without feeling like the stylist whose name he couldn't remember wanted to do something to him.
"Please Bariq," She said holding out the outfit, "Just put it on."
Bariq had tried his best to not speak as speaking was usually what hurt him, and so far he had barely spoken to any of the Capitolites, just the way he liked it.
"Fine," Bariq changed into the outfit, "Can I leave now?"
"One second," The stylist paused him, "I have to fix your hair."
Bariq sighed as she slicked back his shaggy black hair with gel and he coughed a bit when she added hairspray.
"You can leave now!"
Bariq ran out of the dressing room as quickly as possible.
"Dude!" Solis, Bariq's overzealous mentor said as he exited, "You look so cool!"
Bariq rolled his eyes at him. He was way too familiar with fake kindness, and he didn't want to get hurt again, even though he was likely to die shortly.
"Can I get a high-five?" Solis extended his hand, which Bariq pushed down, "I guess not."
Bariq decided to wait outside Wendy's room. He wasn't that fond of Wendy, but he figured she wouldn't hurt him since she knew how horrible the orphanage was. She took a while, but it was fine because when Bariq was a child, he'd learnt to live with patience. The regular flogging, the inhuman treatment of orphans at the orphanage, and the way they reacted when somebody passed slowly and steadily led him to a stage of indifference and detachment.
"Are you waiting for me?" Wendy asked as she opened the door. She was wearing a similar outfit to Bariq's, but she had a skirt instead of pants.
"I didn't want to walk alone." Bariq answered.
It was true. He had no idea what kinds of people would be lurking in the hallways, and he wanted somebody with him if they turned out to be bad, and Wendy was the closest thing he had to a friend, though honestly she was far from one. Bariq simply isn't friendly at all. While he can change stances and be diplomatic, he doesn't know how to be a friend. He does not trust people at all, and why should he anyway? They're backstabbers. He just doesn't think he's capable of making friends even deserving them at all.
Not a word was exchanged between the two as they walked to and mounted the chariot. It wasn't like they had anything to talk about anyways. Bariq had been doing a good job remaining calm, but that all changed as soon as the chariot started to move. Suddenly, he couldn't stop shaking, not because he was dizzy, but because he was scared out of his mind. People were staring at him and he was just supposed to wave at them and even enjoy it? He couldn't. It's not like Bariq thought he'd be able to do good on his chariot ride anyway as his whole life had left him crushed and helpless, and his confidence and self esteem were in the drain. He had no faith in himself doing anything properly, and the chariot ride was just another exhibit of his worthlessness.
"Are you okay?" Wendy whispered to him.
He didn't respond. Clearly he wasn't okay. How could Wendy not notice the tears streaming down his face and his crooked posture, as he could not stand up straight. He was practically at war with himself at all times, and of course he was losing when people's impressions of him were actually important.
"You're fine." Wendy said at the conclusion of the ride. Bariq had closed his eyes and sat on the ground of the chariot since he simply couldn't continue, "It's all over."
Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman - Announcer
Parade day was historically Lucky's favorite part of the Hunger Games. He could experience all the glamor that the Capitol was known for, without having to talk to the twerps, like he had to during the interviews. It's truly the best of both worlds. And while this would be his first parade in a while without his parrot Jubilee, her successor Jubilee 2 was proving to be excellent company.
As usual, District 1 was dressed to impress. The girl was wearing a stunning crystal ball gown and her hair was in an amazing updo. The boy's velvet sport coat without a shirt and his glittery pants created a stunning combination that would surely win the pair some major sponsor coin.
District 2 made the bold choice to stray away from their typical viking outfits and instead opted for a more modern look. The Tributes were wearing a heavenly shade of gold, with the girl in a dress and the boy in a suit. They appeared to be like gods and goddesses.
District 3 was once again, a disappointment. They looked like fucking Chirstmas Trees. While the intention of a motherboard and sparks was obvious, the result was "Christmas in July" which wasn't a great look.
District 4 is known for their mermaid looks, so this year wasn't shocking. They both looked extraordinary, and they seemed to both be having an amazing time on the chariot. The boy wearing glitter on his face was certainly a bold choice, but it worked.
District 5's "auto mechanic chic" was more like "auto mechanic bleak" honestly. And the boy, is he okay? Doesn't seem so. At least he added some excitement to a typically boring district.
For the love of Panem is District 6 ever going to realize that there is no such thing as a sexy train conductor. Their stylists can pleat their skirts and rip their jeans all they want, but it simply isn't hot to conduct a train, though the boy seems to disagree.
District 7? More like the District of Heaven! The girl's tree costume was a brilliant contrast to the boy's lumberjack outfit. He seemed young but he sure could rock a flannel and some suspenders! While normally a tree costume is boring, the girl's confidence made it a hit.
Just because District 8 specializes in textiles, does not mean it is allowed to wear denim on denim. Every year they do this, and every year it disappoints! At least match the shades of denim please.
The District 9 girl looked absolutely stunning in her sundress but why the hell was the boy wearing a potato sack? Was it meant to be funny? Well, nobody was laughing. Well actually they were laughing, but for all the wrong reasons.
District 10 was alright. They were dressed as a cowboy and a cowgirl which is unoriginal and boring. Where's the flavour?
District 11 had really improved recently. The boy was only wearing overalls, and he had the body to rock it. The girl was wearing a white dress with a bandana on her head, and she also looked amazing. Nice work District 11!
Another year, another set of District 12 tributes in Coal Miner uniforms. At least it was predictable, and it couldn't get worse. The tributes were young though, and they looked cute as the uniforms barely fit them.
Jubilee 2 seemed to enjoy the parade just as much as her father did, and Lucky did truly enjoy it.
WOW IT HAS ALREADY BEEN A MONTH SINCE I PUBLISHED CHAPTER 1! THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR KEEPING UP WITH ME! Please leave a review if you enjoyed the parades. Next chapter is training and it's about to get SPICY