This is the Chariot Rides chapter! Hopefully the costumes were semi-creative. Hopefully you review! I'm hoping to start a SYOT once I get a bit farther into these games. It's simpler to create characters on your own, but it's fun to see what others come up with as well. After this chapter will come two or three chapters in the Training Center, then I'll move onto interviews and then the Games themselves!
edit: reposting after being betaed. thank you to Fritz as Pritz
Fauna Flowers sits pin-straight in her chair, hands folded on the table in front of her. The blinding pink dress she wears is completed with two over-sized feathers in her hair and five inch heels that match in color and outrageousness. Very contrasted next to Silvius, who is the moon if Fauna is the sun. His pale, glittery white suit is the absence of color next to his co-host, the only pop of color being another bedazzled red bow tie.
"We're on in five," The cameraman gives the heads up, and Fauna and Silvius adjust their hair and clothing to make sure they are as presentable as possible for the rest of Panem.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1-
"Hello! If you've just tuned in, then welcome, welcome, one and all! The Opening Ceremonies of this years' Hunger Games are just minutes away!" Fauna begins right on cue. Spending her early career presenting enhanced-brushes that color your hair and perfume that represents "the scent of each District" had actually paid off. Ms. Flowers had never actually been to District 12, but at times she felt like she knew it like home just because of its lovely fireside smell.
"As always, I'm Silvius Baptiste,"
"And I'm Fauna Flowers."
"They've just started the music for the tribute's entrance. We received some inside information from the stylists of Districts One, Four, and Seven about what they designed for their tributes this year. We'll have to see if their creations give the descriptions they gave us justice."
The balcony box the studio owns gives the hosts a perfect aerial view of the chariot's pathway below. Cameras outside focus in on all angles, ready to give a 360 of each pair.
"Oh! Here comes District One now; the stylists are Severina Mallow and Johan Jeme. And what lovely, classy outfits! Ms. Imogen is wearing a jeweled tiara and a beautiful glittery golden gown! Next to her Mr. Abner looks dashing in a sharp black suit with a sequin tie, with a silver bejeweled crown." Images of the two flash on screen, getting at a better angle. Gambit has his hand around Stardust's waist, looking confident and supportive as Stardust waves and flips her hair platinum blond hair. "They're complimented very nicely by their horses, don't you think?" Silvius comments, and Fauna nods enthusiastically, displaying her agreement.
"Now District Two is coming into view! Romulus Grace is a knight in shining armor, holding a silver sword and a shield with District Two's emblem. He looks quite intimidating! Especially next to his pretty District partner, London, who is dressed as a regal, elegant princess."
"Look at District Three! What interesting costumes; I quite like them, do you Silvius?"
"Indeed. Very retro. Atom Kishen and Zoee Laclie are adorned with DNA patterns." The two tributes wears tight black suits and the DNA pattern stands out a bold electric green. They are led by jet black horses, whose mains have been tinted with green. The boy and girl look timid and overwhelmed by the screaming crowd.
"Out next we can see District Four. Now, we talked to the stylists for this District too, and their outfits. It seems their plans have translated well, as you can see! Marina Neith and Sebastian Saylor have on matching bodysuits patterned with reflective scales that are a lovely shade of blue. Vesta Marbles, Marina's stylist, talked to us about her inspiration for the outfits, which was the fish so abundantly found in District Four. They captured her interest and sparked the idea for the outfits."
"District Five is led by four pure white horses. Harvie Ebba seems to be trying to put on a brave face, but it's clear that Shiloh Kendall is the more confident one in the chariot. District Five's industry is of course, power!" Images flash up, showing the two tributes wearing white shirts and pants that have lightning bolts on the sleeves and legs. An image of a storm cloud is on the front of each of their shirts. "Their outfits are nice, but don't particularly stand out, do they Silvius?"
"Not next to Four, no. And they are rather outshined by Six as well, who represent transportation. Teague Harper, the most mysterious tribute, is dressed as a pilot, complete with goggles that hide his eyes. His partner, Paravati Vasclar is a train conductor." Silvius doesn't say it, but Paravati's outfit is slightly obscure for an average train conductor. She wears an extremely short dress that is striped blue and white, with a bandana and conductor's hat. Teague has on a leather bomber jacket, a scarf, and a pilot's hat, making for a very stereotypical aviator.
"District Seven has arrived! We spoke to their stylists as well, Summanus Winters and Iuno Lesser. Summanus requested Seven, last year being stylist for District Twelve. He designed Cherry Bosworth's costume, made entirely of artificial leaves!" Cherry's outfit, or lack of one, is fake leaves that cover her. Gabriel is a traditional lumberjack: red plaid flannel shirt, jeans, chainsaw boots and suspenders. He holds an oversized fake axe, the tip smothered with fake blood.
"District Eight looks strikingly sharp! Percale has on a pretty patchwork dress and sweater, and her makeup is done to perfection. Stitch is adorned in a finely tailored suit."
"Oh my . . . District Nine is . . . interesting to say the least," Fauna seems at a loss for words. Silvius clears his throat and steps in as pictures of Saffron and Rye appear on screen. Saffron has on a yellow dress with a ridiculous looking green jacket and green collar that covers the majority of her face. Rye looks equally strange in a yellow shirt and bright green jacket. "I believe their stylists' stuck with their inspiration of corn a bit too literally. Better luck next Games!"
The image quickly flashes to District 10, who don't impress much either. Dixie looks thrilled to be in front of the crowd, wearing a pink wool sweater, jeans, and her hair done in braids that are kept together with pink bows. Bennett is more passive, wearing a leather cow skin jacket, jeans and a cowboy hat. Both wear cowboy boots. "These two cuties have piqued the crowd's interest but there are others who have been able to hold it a bit better."
"District Eleven is here with Thistle Holloway and Jeriko Trench! The two are holding hands and wearing similar outfits: green tee shirts and shorts with flowers and fake fruits embroidered on them. There are clovers and petals sprinkled on their hair and shoulders."
"To end the parade, District Twelve with Micah Lazarus and Mildew Campbell. These two are done up with dark eye makeup and black dust, wearing shirts and pants made out of some sort of metallic black material? It's a sort of edgy look that closes out the evening successfully."
A camera pans to the aerial shot of all twelve chariots as they make their way to the City Circle and the President's Mansion. Above on a balcony, a figure is seen walking out, and the camera zooms in so his face is shown more clearly. He is a large man, in his late-forties, his bright red hair tied back in a ponytail. The suit he is wearing is made of red velvet. He has an almost comical sort of mustache that twirls up at the ends. He is the most respected man in Panem.
The chariots and the music both come to a halt on cue, as President Phocus steps up to the microphone to give the official welcome. The camera cuts to each chariot, getting a final shot of each District as the President makes his speech.
"Welcome, welcome tributes, to the Twenty-Fourth Annual Hunger Games! Each year, a boy and a girl from each of the twelve districts are selected to participate in a fight to the death as punishment for their past rebellion. The sole victor will bring fame and glory to his or her district, and return home alive. All twenty-four have the chance to be that victor. The games will put your instincts and skills to the test. As you proceed into the Training Center to prepare for these games, keep in mind your opponents, your surroundings, and your emotions. I wish you the best of luck and will watch each of you progress in these short days before the Games. In conclusion, may the odds be ever in your favor!"
"And there you have it. That was President Vulcan Phocus, reciting his amazing annual speech to the country. We can see the chariots slowly disappearing indoors, so that means it's time for us to go as well. Don't go away, as we'll be bringing you continuous Hunger Games coverage starting again at three PM, Capitol Time. I'm Silvius Baptiste,"
"And I'm Fauna Flowers, signing off."