Tribute Parade

Pascal Townsend, 17, District 3

I knew I probably looked like an idiot the way I kept blinking, but I couldn't help it. My prep team had complained for an hour about all the work they had to do to make me look presentable enough for the Capitol, this included exchanging my glasses for contacts. Not to mention, they cut my hair.

The suit they had me in was made out of an expensive textile with a pattern the seemed to mimic a microchip, except for the fact that the design was far from scientifically accurate. The angles and proportion of the design were all wrong and it looked borderline riduclous.

My district partner, Malikah had been put in a dramatic dress of the same textile and when we stood right next to each other at the right angle, the textiles matched up to make us look like one giant, scientifically inaccurate microchip.

Gaging from the six hours I had known her, Malikah seemed nice enough, but I wasn't sure if I trusted her yet. We had talked a little on the train but since then we hadn't interacted much until now. It was hard for me to trust people, especially those I had just met. For the most part, I tended to keep to myself but my mentor L.C. had explained to me the importance of social interactions when it came to the games.

L.C. had given Malikah and I each a word she wanted us to exude during the parade so she could start creating a brand for each of us. Mine was 'intelligent'. Apparently the Capitol didn't always bet on the strongest or fastest, but sometimes went for the smartest and if I could appear 'intelligent' I might have a chance at sponsorship. I knew I was smart, but the idea of having to impress so many peope truly made me anxious.

I hated big crowds and loud noises.

"Should we go talk to people or wait for L.C.?" she asked me, as her stylist, Parrah, silently adjusted her dress before motioning at us to stand next to each so she could make sure the pattern still lined up perfectly. Nodding in approval, Parrah smiled at us, "You two look just fabulous! I'll be in crowds, good luck darlings!"

Malikah and I shared a look. "Maybe we could just wait for L.C.- I don't really know if I want to talk to people..." I responded, "...yet." I added.

Malikah frowned for a moment. Clearly that wasn't the right answer. Suddenly she smiled again, "Alright, that's fine. But if someone appraoches us, we're talking to them. Deal?"

I nodded. That seemed fair enough.

A few moments of silent awkwardness passed before L.C. finally arrived with a slight smile on her face, "Your stylists did a good job," she commented, squinting at the pattern of the fabric. From the irked expression on her face, I could tell that like me, she too found the inacuracies of the pattern to be rather irratating.

"I just have two last things for you- be confident and make me proud. I know you both will." L.C. finally said after about a minute of frowning. She said the words with such ease- as if we weren't begining a ride to our deaths, as if we were just off to a casual presentation at the labs- something I had done a million times before.

If only things were that simple, maybe I'd actually have a chance.

Tennor Blankette, 14, District 8

"Smile for the camera, darlings!"

I didn't have to force a wide curve on my lips, unlike Lisle, who seemed to be struggling with the whole 'smiling' thing, as Penny Lithgow wrapped her arms around Lisle and I for a photograph. The blinding flash caused me to lose my vision for a few, brief seconds but after hearing Penny gush over how great the photo looked, I assumed the extra light from the much more advanced Capitol cameras was actually quite beneficial.

By this point in my life, I had become quite accustomed to the flashing of cameras (albeit, none of the cameras in district 8 had flashes this bright). My parents were both photographers and while my father did fashion photography for Panem Weekly, my mother photographed for the weather section of the D8 Tribune. Needless to say, being in the Capitol wasn't too far off from the life I was used to.

The tribute parade was always my family's favorite part of the games, as it was mine, until I actually realized I would actually be participating in the parade and suddenly a wave of nervousness came over me.

Lisle and I were dressed in matching rainbow colors- a bright display of all the textiles district 8 had to offer. The patchwork idea wasn't the most unique- variations of which I had seen in the past games- but there were definately far worse outfits out there and at least we were fully covered.

Peeking back to the chariot behind us, I noticed the pair from 9 who looked visibly mortified. Wearing what I had nicknamed "Whole Grain Swimwear", the two of them were very rendered practically naked, their outfits leaving little the imaginiation. I truly pitied them, but judging from the past reactions of the Capitol, I figured their reception would be positive enough to make up for the embarassment.

Out of nowhere, Penny slipped away and was replaced by Paolo, my stylist, who motioned for us to mount our chariot. In the slight distance, I heard a bell ring and the large wooden doors in front of district 1's chariot began to open.

Clinging on to my side of the chariot, I offered a slight smile to Lisle, who in return gave me a calm nod. I was really impressed by the way she seemed to manage to remain so collected throughout the entire process, knowing I could use a bit of that.

"Ready?" I asked, as our chariot began to roll forward.

She shrugged, "Ready as I'll ever be, I guess..."

"Well, that's all you really need, anyways," I responded with a light chuckle.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally felt our chariot roll past through the massive doorway. Instantly hit by the bright sunlight and the cheering crowd- the noise elevating to a whole other level the moment we entered- I couldn't help but smile.

The waving came effortlessly, as well. Penny would be proud.

Everything about this felt so natural to me and the crowd seemed to love it. Unlike the typical stoicness of some of the other tributes, which seemed to bore the Capitol, the absolutely genuine smile on my face brought what appeared to be sheer joy to the crowd.

I didn't know how to fight with my fists, but I sure as hell knew how to fight with my smile.

a/n: Sorry this is so late! This chapter might have a few typos/grammar error, and if so, I'm super sorry (I'm just about half dead, right now from studying). But anyways, I'm super excited with how this story is going! Special thanks to CelticGames4, who invited me to her forum, which is absolutely amazing! Also, the blog is finally up! Sorry it took forever! I'm still waiting on some FC's so if you haven't sent them in, please do so, anyways, the blog is: bloodshotsyot . weebly . com without the spaces. Question time!

1. What did you think of Pascal?

2. What did you think of Tennor?

3. What do you think of the blog?

Thanks for all your support and love! - Cass