- Part Three – Parade to the Training Center-
The following day, after the tributes had seen their stylists and gotten their outfits, they stood grouped together and waiting for the parade to begin.
"Heh, nice costume Ivan." Alfred said, grinning.
"I'm a sunflower." Ivan smiled. "What are you supposed to be?"
"Well…I'm electricity. I think. You know, I'm from the District that makes electronics…yeah." Alfred explained, looking down at his outfit. His clothing and hair had a sharp color to it. It was a bright mix between blue and yellow. His skin was sprinkled with sparkling flecks.
"Yours is certainly better than mine." Arthur commented, sighing.
"…what are you?" Alfred asked, staring at Arthur's outfit. Arthur was completely red. His clothes were dyed a dark scarlet and his skin was painted a lighter shade of red. His teeth were, somehow, red too. His hair had dots of crimson decorating it.
"I'm blood. District 6 is the medical District and it's also supposed to show how violent I am." Arthur laughed quietly. "This thing they put on my teeth is annoying though."
"Well I'm a Peacekeeper." Gilbert announced, gesturing towards himself.
"That looks safe…" Romano muttered glancing at the various weapons attached to Gilbert.
"It's totally safe. What are you? Aren't you supposed to be a coalminer?" Gilbert asked.
"Not this year. My stylists thought that the coal mines are too obvious. We do have a few bakeries and they thought I would look cute as a baker." Romano said, folding his arms and glaring at his costume.
"Alright everyone!" The announcer exclaimed, walking into the room. "The chariots for the parade will be arriving shortly. We had a bit of a problem with one of the horses so we have to get a new one."
"Seems there are a lot of problems this year." Yao said, glancing at the announcer.
"Yes, but don't worry. The actual games won't have any flaws!" The announcer reassured him.
Gilbert stood on his chariot, waiting for District 1's chariot to move and begin the parade. The four horses in front of Gilbert stood motionless, not even moving their tails or heads.
"You do remember what you're supposed to do, correct?" Gilbert heard his mentor, Roderich ask. Roderich had won the Hunger Games a few years ago. It was a surprise to the ones who knew him.
"Impress the Capitol. Make them excited. Earn some sponsors. Win them over. And overall, win." Gilbert answered, repeating what his mentor had told him earlier.
"Good enough. I'll meet you back at the training center." Roderich finished and walked away.
"What great advice." Gilbert muttered sarcastically, sighing from boredom. Despite being in the Capitol and about to be in the Hunger Games, he was bored.
Four more days and I'll be in the arena. Too bad Panem won't be able to see any opening bloodbath. Gilbert thought. He smiled. That's if everyone is serious about the plan. It sounds good to me; there can't be a winner if no one dies.
"Okay! Your turn to go!" The announcer notified him, motioning a worker to go to the horses.
"Fantastic." Gilbert said, looking up at the endless crowd of people that watched him excitedly.
"That's the spirit!" The announcer replied as the horses began walking on the command of the worker.
Gilbert looked down at his outfit as the sea of spectators cheered for the beginning parade. The only weapon he knew how to use that he had was the bow and arrow. Roderich had suggested the idea but had advised against it.
Gilbert reached behind him and grabbed the bow off his back. He grabbed an arrow from where it was resting on his outfit. He paused and looked over at the crowd. Now he just needed a target.
A good part of the crowd was cheering his name and his District. Gilbert noticed a banner on the chariot in front of him. It proudly proclaimed 'District One' on it in bold lettering.
Gilbert grinned. I'm sure Ludwig wouldn't mind if I used that for target practice. He thought as he slid the notch of the arrow onto the bow. He shifted his position and drew back the string.
He couldn't remember if he had a good aim or not. He figured he would find out soon enough. He aimed the pointed tip of the arrow at the center of the O.
Gilbert released the string and the arrow flew through the air. It lodged itself in the middle of the O. The crowd cheered at Gilberts lucky shot. He grinned and raised his bow into the air.
Ludwig looked behind his shoulder briefly in confusion. Seeing nothing unusual, he turned back to face the crowd.
Gilbert continued shooting the arrows at the banner throughout the course of the parade, earning him several cheers from the watching Capitol. I wonder if I'll still get sponsors when I'm teamed with the rest of the awesome tributes. Gilbert wondered briefly as he reached for another arrow.
His hand grabbed air, all the arrows were gone. "Damn, now what?" He whispered, asking himself. The other weapons available to him were a few guns, which lacked ammo, several throwing knifes, which he had no training with, and a spear, which he doubted he had good accuracy with.
Fortunately, the parade was almost over.
"We can't reveal our plot yet." Gilbert said in response to Ludwig asking about the arrows.
"Then why are we talking?" Ludwig asked, glancing at Gilbert as he examined the banner.
"Hey, as long as the Capitol can't hear what we're saying, the plan is safe." Gilbert explained nonchalantly, watching the announcer who was on the other side of the spacious room.
"If they did hear us, they could easily change the layout of the arena to their advantage."
"That wouldn't be fair."
"It's the Capitol. If they were fair the Districts wouldn't exist."
Gilbert was about to reply when the announcer began to approach them.
"Yeah, I hate you too, Ludwig." Gilbert said, grinning. Ludwig responded with a glare.
"Okay, enough fighting. Time to go to the Training Center!" She explained to the two, smiling.
"The parade isn't over yet." Gilbert stated, moving away from chariots that were beginning to move again.
"The Tributes are going to be traveling separately. The train ride was merely an accident." Someone behind the announcer said, eyeing the two Tributes.
"Oh. I wouldn't know. I've never cared for the opening ceremony while in my District." Gilbert replied, watching the stranger.
"That makes sense. You'll be coming with me to the Training Center." The person gave a small smile and turned to Ludwig. "Someone will come for you in a moment."