This was written by PurpleandBlackPandas, I just edited some stuff. REVIEW when you're done reading!
Patience's POV
I paced around the train car anxiously, awaiting the call from Greene. Ferrera was in the next room over, and I'm sure his nerves are much more relaxed. A loud bang on the door gave warning that it was time to view the recap of the Hunger Games Reapings. "Come on! We won't hold up for you!" Greene called, and I waited until I heard footsteps to walk out of the room. Ferrera was behind me, and we walked into the large room Greene lead us to without a word.
I took this time to notice Ferrera is crippled in the foot. I don't know how I didn't notice before, but he limped on his left leg. It was odd, and probably not the best thing in an ally, but he's all I got. And that's when it hits me. Allies! I have to find allies! That's how I will survive! I didn't bother the fact that I'd have to kill them before they killed me. Plus the fact that I was an easy target. Not the best position.
"Patience, Ferrera, come on, we're starting the recap." Greene called excitedly. Sometimes that man can just get on my nerves. Ok, a lot more than sometimes. We were sat into a large, pluffy couch, and the recap was started.
It started out with District 1's reaping. A very pretty blonde haired, green-eyed girl that looked to be 17. I believe her name was Glimmer Malik, was the female Tribute. The boy Tribute was this big, hulky fellow that looked around the same age. His name was Marvel Frilanka.
Then, District 2's reaping started. A plain, but pretty brunette around the age of 16 was chosen. She was glowing with happiness, and I think I heard the name Clove Slavinya over all the applause. I admired her gall to actually look at the camera and tell the Capitol to "Rock out, beotches!"
Then, the boy was chosen. Some dweeby looking kid name Domonic, or something. It was a surprise that he was from the Career District, and he had absolutely no muscle. And, then I remember being practically paralyzed with astonishment and fear, as a brutish boy looking to be 18, yelled out that he would take Domonic's place. I did not want to run into that man. He looked like he could squish me with two fingers, but that Clove girl, I did want to ally with. She seemed nice enough.
The rest of the Districts flew by, unwatched by me. Some creepy chick from District 4. I planned on staying away from her; she looked like she would drink me.
Then, I saw Greene dance onto the stage giddily, and talk a bit about the annual Hunger Games, and gush about how he hopes the odd will be ever in our favor. And, of course they weren't. I watched as his hand dipped into the reaping ball, feel around for a moment, and tighten his grip around a slip of paper. It was sick, and disgusting, Greene was giggling about holding someone's life in his hands. My life in his hands. "The girls' tribute for district 10 is... Patience Mostorna!" He laughed again while I walked onto the stage in horror. You could see the surprise and horror in my face. I looked terrible.
Greene hopped around the grungy stage for a minute or two, then went about plucking a boys name. "The male tribute for district 10 is... Ferrera Goryol!" A minute or so of clapping ensued.
More unwatched Districts, and a girl named Kat-something from District 12 that volunteered for her little sister, and then the tape came to a close.
"That... Was... Terrible." I said as we were walking back to our train cars. Ferrera gave me a questionable look, and started the first normal conversation we have ever had.
"You're just mad that you looked like an idiot!" He said playfully. I laughed, but it was half-hearted and slightly bitter. Suddenly I was aware of our age difference. He had to be at least 17, and I'm a tiny 13 year old. Oh, what an interesting Games this year will be!
It was a fairly fine night, and I had a good sleep. By the time I awoke we were close to the Capitol. "Only a few hours!" Greene chattered excitedly. Is it just me, or is he always chattering excitedly?
Once breakfast was eaten, a delicious rich buffet of everything imaginable, we were ushered into the Capitol to meet our stylists. We rode a distance in, and I sat watching the oddly colored people walk and prance around the streets. It was quite entertaining. Most likely a lot more than watching kids kill each other. But I guess it's not my place to speak.
The train eventually stopped in the Capitol, and we were sent off to meet our stylists. I first met my prep team, Petyl, Fedury, and Sewter. Quite odd names. The insisted on removing any 'imperfections' before I meet my stylist. I reluctantly let them. The waxed all the hair off my body, bathed me several times and prepaired my face. They wanted me to stand there stark-naked while I met Sillar, my stylist, but I refused, and forced them to let me wear a robe. I hate nudity. A lot.
"Hello Patience. I'm Sillar. Let's get down to work, shall we?" She said, entering the room. She looked fairly nice.
Cato's POV
As I walked back to my bed that night, my thoughts were blurred. I could barely think straight. If it was a life or death situation, would you kiss me? I guess so... I mean, Clove is my best friend. I would do anything in these Games to not have to kill her, but a relationship? Not in the games. It could never work.
But, do I want it to? Do I secretly want to date her, want to have a relationship? No! I screamed at myself, not with your best friend! Not during the Games! Ugh! This is all so confusing! I paced around the room, sorting out my thoughts and coming up with ideas.
Wait! What a good play! What if I could play for the cameras? What if mine was to be the insane boy from 2, and Clove was the distraught lover? The one who was fighting for her life to save me, because I was too crazy up there to really try? Would that be taking control of Clove? Would that be too much of a stretch? Would anyone agree with it?
Yes, I had faith that Enobaria, our mentor, would agree that this was a good plan. But would Clove? I mean, she wasn't exactly the crazy-for-her-love type, but she did ask me that question yesterday. And, she could easily be the vicious-in-these-Games-do-not-mess-with-my-man type. Yes, I could see her like that. I planned on telling Enobaria tomorrow, after the chariots. Yes, what a good play.
Sleep did not come easily. My brain was too clogged with ideas and I was barely able to get in a wink. I hoped it wouldn't show.
"Get up! Time to get ready for the chariots!" Haret shouted from outside the door. It's a good thing she had the sense not to enter, as I would have ripped her throat out if she had. I hopped out of bed and threw on whatever I had been wearing the day before. I was much too tired to object.
When I met up with my prep team, Flortil, Gnort, and Ocvitia, I zoned out completely. I could feel them prepare me, and followed their instructions. I didn't object to anything, as I was still too tired to put up a fight, but I still tried to look intimidating. It didn't work. You can't try to look intimidating with a tired glaze over your eyes without looking like you have rabies, sorry. My stylist was named Batminsta. He explained that he wanted to have Clove and I wear clear nets with weapons stitched into the fabric. It didn't sound bad to me. In fact, I kind of liked the idea. It'll help with the crazy idea.
He brought out the outfit, which was just the net, and said he was going to sew the weapons in while it was on. God, this was starting to sound like a bad idea. But I let Batminsta suit me up and begin sewing in the weapons. He put a knife over my... peanut, and a spear across my back. A gun was strapped over my shoulder, and big balls of metal with spikes lay over my chest. I did look crazy.
I met up with Clove in where we were told, and we prepared ourselves for the next few minutes. I helped her up, and she held my hand until we were released, which was soon considering we're from 2. Eyes were on us as the oohed and aahed at our creative costumes. They were pretty good, and they showed off the major cleavage on Clove. Her weapons were placed the same way as mine were, but she had a bigger knife over her... place. But we were in the public's eye for a brief time, as more elaborate costumes had come out. I didn't mind all that much though, I was never one for the cameras. But, if it would save our lives, I would play it up.
I heard practically every guy in the audience wolf whistle, and, being a guy, I wanted to see what they were going on about, and my jaw dropped when I did. The most beautiful creature I had ever seen had just strutted onto the stage, wearing nothing, and I really do mean nothing, but strategically placed, live sea creatures, making it obvious that she was from District 4. She had auburn hair and dazzling turquoise eyes that held the most deadly and sensual bloodlust out of all of the deadly Tributes from the past. She looked like she kiss you or kill you.
Her male counterpart was walking awkwardly next to her, obvious uncomfortable in all the slimy octopuses. Then, the dazzling girl stopped, and dipped daringly low, leaning into the first row, letting a provocative amount of her breast show. She whispered something in one man's ear. I think he was a sponsor, and she had just won his vote by the look on his face.
Clove was seething next to me, since I was practically drooling over this celestial creature. I'm just a guy, it's my nature.
"Come on, Cato. Let's go and get away from the District 4 whore." She almost growled, pulling on my arm. I took on last look at District 4, and then started walking back with Clove. We were almost back into our chariots, for one last round around the City Square, when something changed.
I knew that something was up when the crowd went nuts, screaming one phrase over and over again.
"Katniss! Katniss Everdeen!" Clove and I swiveled around and we saw the Tributes from District 12 waltzing up onto the stage. They. Were. On. Fire! Literately! Their capes and head dresses lit aflame! The slimy little monstrosities!
"What. The. Hell." Clove snarled through clenched teeth, "Oh boy, let the 74th Hunger Games begin, District 12, let them begin." And, then she turned on her heel and stalked off. I was quite surprised she didn't rip the machine gun off her costume and start firing it at the Lovebirds, who were holding hands, and smiling the fakest smiles I had ever seen in my life. I automatically hated them.
I climbed into the chariot after Clove, and then all of the chariots went around the Square once before disappearing. The whole time, the cameras were trained on the flaming Tributes. That really ticked me off.
Once that was over I forced myself to tell Enobaria of my idea. We had to get Clove on board. We couldn't do it without her. "Enobaria! Wait! I must tell you something!" I called out to her, but kept the volume low, as I had started the crazy act already. It wasn't hard. It was pretty much being myself, just with less control. "Enobaria, I know what we must play as. I know how to get sponsors!" That got her attention.
"Shoot." She said, pulling me away from the large group of people walking back to their sleeping areas. I began to tell her of my breakthrough, but left out Clove's question. I still didn't know the answer. But I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Patience's POV
Sillar had me wear a short dress, that went to my knees, that was made out of a grass-like material and color. A white fence surrounded my bosom, and a large sun was attached to my headband. It was beautiful. Sillar had quite an imagination. I couldn't wait to see what else he had in store.
Ferrera was in the same thing, except he had a long shirt and tight leotard-like pants. His fence was on the bottom border of his shirt, and he had no sun on his head. We represented a pasture, since District 10 is livestock. I'm just glad we weren't dressed as cows. God do I hate cows. A lot.
Our chariot wasn't last, but it was close to it. People were pleasantly surprised with our costumes, since they were expecting cows. But we weren't memorable. We were outshined by District 12. Majorly, and we had to be memorable if we wanted to survive. And we did.