Nobody's POV, Capitol
The most popular part of the Hunger Games festivities besides the action within the arena is the Chariot Parade. This is the first glimpse of the tributes that the Capitolites will have. Here, they'll be able to see the Tributes in the flesh and not behind a screen. They'll be able to see what angle they've been told to go for and presumptive decisions will be made on who will live and who will die. Betting stations will properly open tomorrow morning and theories on who will die when and what by will occur will begin to circulate.
It is the Chariot Parade where the Tributes will be able to feel luxurious for one night - dress even better than those spectating them would. The feeling should be exhilarating, yet for most it'll be a reminder about how real this is; how they have been sent to their inevitable deaths. That's the thing to remember with the parade - we see twenty four tributes, yet only one will return down the same route during the Victor's Parade.
We might see a tribute we all assume to be innocent yet, in the arena, they may be the most bloodthirsty tribute in the whole Games. And the most confident tribute now? They could be a mess when it comes to the action.
The sponsors'll be looking out for who looks formidable, who looks determined and who they want to sponsor. Just because you're not the buffest tribute doesn't mean you don't get sponsored; sometimes people like an underdog.
The crowd is restless. Chants of 'Hunger!' get louder and loud, faster in pace and tempo. The Tributes will be arriving soon and for that we cannot wait any longer. Drums sound out the initiation of the Parade and the crowd goes silent, the echo of horse's hooves signalling that the Tributes are coming.
District One enters the passage and screams of approval already ensue. The female tribute, Buckingham, is dressed in a floor-length dress that feathers out, quite literally into masses of peacock feathers. The closer you get from the bottom of the dress to the top it ombres from the blue of the peacock feathers to a pearly white at the top of the bust piece. Connected via bracelets on her wrists are pieces of satin which drape behind her, giving her a regal effect. Her hair is in a simple bun which is adorned with a golden crown with an obvious ruby in the centre. She screams luxury, radiating powerful vibes which the Capitolites eat up. The male tribute, Diamond, is dressed in a similar fashion - his suit ombres from blue at the bottom of his trousers, blazer and sleeves to a white at the top of each. Instead of where a rose would traditionally go, a peacock feather replaces it. His hair has since been dyed from the reaping - from a dirty blonde to a dark chestnut brown which delights the crowd; it makes him look older, more formidable. Both tributes wave graciously - not too gingerly but not cockily either - and it's clear that they'll be among the Career tributes this year.
There are louder screams for District Two, purely because of their sibling-tribute angle, though their outfits also call for attention. Both are dressed like gods, magnificent and powerful. Both are draped tastefully in a toga, allowing them to be modest yet still exude power. Calamity wears heels to make her the same size as her brother, ensuring that both are towering over the others - not that she needed the boost. Her hair, dark brown and long, is curled and falls perfectly on her shoulders. Calloway's hair, curly naturally as we've seen in the reapings, is less wavy and more straight, styled in a slight peak to the side, quiffing ever so slightly. Both of them have had subtle highlights added in order to ensure that their hair looks extremely healthy and lucious. Both are adorned with golden laurel crowns and have a slight shimmer on their bodies - obviously body glitter placed strategically to emphasise their muscular builds. Calamity waves to the crowd, flipping her hair every so often, giving the impression that she's incredibly sure of herself. Likewise, Calloway also waves and, from time to time, he flexes, showing the crowd how physically fit he is. Of course the gesture of flexing alone makes the crowd go wild and both look pleased with themselves.
District Three surprises the Capitol, but it's a welcomed surprise. Delta is clad in a skin tight, pitch black bodice that, at her waist, flares out and kept in place by wires, giving it the impression of a Victorian-esque dress. The wiring, on the outside rather than the inside, is green and connects together intricately to replicate that of a motherboard. Her legs are covered by a pale green pair of tights and her boots are black. Her arms are bare and are dusted with a light green shimmer - she doesn't look sickly, but rather like an emerald. Her hair is is in a tight high pony that, laced around it, an illuminated green wire sits. Melvin also wears a similar coloured black jumpsuit, again, sleeveless. Like Delta's skirt, green wires connect to one another across his chest and legs to give the similar vibe. His hair is slicked back and he wears a headpiece of random wires - some illuminated, some not - that borders looking tacky. Both wave as confidently as they can but it's obvious that they don't have as much enthusiasm as the previous districts and are attempting to generate a similar vibe.
District Four go for contrasting looks, tied together by the gold powder on their shoulders to represent sand. Stellar's outfit starts with a blue bikini top that, when the light catches it just right, shimmers purple and green. At her waist is a golden band with small shells adorning it. She wears a tight fitting ankle-length skirt that's primarily green in colour but, like her top, changes colours depending on the light in which you see it in. Her hair is dyed an even brighter blonde at the tips and falls messily to give the impression of a mermaid. She wears a gold circlet with a pearl in the centre. Shelldon, on the other hand, wears a simple robe from his waist to his mid-thigh that's pale blue in colour. In his hand is a fake trident that's a pearl colour to tie in with Stellar's circlet. The muscles in his arms are defined by some contouring and his brown hair ombres out to blonde at the tips. The acne evident in the reaping is gone, making him appear more attractive. Stellar waves excitedly whilst Shelldon is more calculated with his movements. Two different characters in different outfits.
District Five is both lacklustre and the most exciting thus far. Both tributes, Victoria and Tesla, are dressed in skin-tight silver chrome jumpsuits that you can't look at for too long with all the lights shining down on them. Thankfully for them, both have athletic builds and the movements they do enable these builds to be accentuated and shown. Victoria's blonde hair is tied up in a loose and messy bun whilst Tesla's once wavy hair is more reigned in and styled. Throughout both of their hairs are streaks of white, hair bleached to tie in with the colour of their outfits. Most Capitolites are ready to look past it until a crack is heard. Whizzing around the two District Five tributes are bursts of energy, creating lines in their air similar to the effect of sparklers. The crowd goes wild purely because of the lack of expectation. The cheers for them revitalise the Tributes' waves and they become more confident, perhaps with the hope that they might get sponsored now.
District Six has attempted to go for a similar angle, yet doesn't execute it as well - perhaps their stylists are new? Kaiya's is somewhat more bearable than Kumple's. She wears a black spandex bodice with a tight fitting, knee length black skirt. Around her are blue lines that surge with colour every now and again - the same effect is attempted as District Five, just less intense and more boring. The stylists have kept her hair the same way it was in the reaping - the shoulder length bob, just with some upkeep. Kumple wears a black spandex jumpsuit which, given his larger appearance, isn't flattering and the Capitol citizens turn their nose up at the Tributes, despite their enthusiastic waves.
The Capitolites look towards District Seven to pick the Parade back up, however, it doesn't seem to be that way. Both tributes are dressed in clothes that look half finished - Candella wears the framework of a dress and Chandler wears some fabric that covers what's below his waist directly. Both have been cleaned up though and Candella's long blonde hair is half in a ponytail and half down. Many Capitolites begin to boo but, as they ascend the passage, something incredible happens. The small studs on their clothes - which many assume were last ditch attempts to make the outfits more interesting - begin to sprout bright green leaves of all variety. Their waves, which were shy at first, begin to get more confident. As they continue their leaves change colour to browns, pinks and oranges which gives them an almost regal look. Now Candella's dress has flared out, looking much more presentable for the Parade and Chandler's bit of clothing is more bearable to look at. The Capitolites cheer enthusiastically at the welcomed change.
District Eight is one of the districts who's outfits resemble their industry the most. The girl, Bobbin, is dressed in a small dress of multi-coloured fabrics that's hemmed with needles to give the impression of a spool with different coloured threads. Her hair, in a neat bun, has two plastic sticks going through it, intending to imitate needles. There's something charming and sweet about her dress, probably because of her age. It suits her. Phantom, on the other hand, is clad in nothing more than some boxer briefs. He doesn't seem to mind, however, as he waves confidently all the same. His once wavy black hair has been cut a little, probably to suit the Capitol's tastes better - he looks better too, some Capitol women comment that he looks more attractive. Both Tributes wear kimono jackets made up of different types of fabric of the same colour. Bobbin's lies effortlessly on her shoulders whilst Phantom's has more structure in their sleeves and shoulders in an attempt to give the illusion that he's wearing more clothes than he actually is. Bobbin's wave is definitely shyer than her partner's, but many Capitolites find it sweet and some even wave back at her.
The next set of tributes, District Nine, is a little more underwhelming once again. They wear gold to signify the fields of grain within their district, but it looks as if their stylists have just pulled clothes out from their closets and put them in them. They're stunning, nevertheless, but not nearly as unique as the others we've seen. Both of them have had their hair dyed to golden and a zoom in on Laurel's face reveals she's wearing stunning gold eye makeup. Both tributes have golden lips. Laurel wears a floor length ballgown that's gold with white accents whilst Blake wears a gold tuxedo. Laurel's hair is straightened and pulled over one shoulder whilst Blake's is swept to the side. Laurel waves and holds herself modestly whereas Blake is emotionless, waving every so often.
Unfortunately District Ten is rather predictable. They're cowboys, again, and the only reason the Capitolites don't boo at it is due to the District Ten stylist being one of the most acclaimed in the Capitol. Subsequently the Capitol cheers, not for the District Ten tributes, but for the stylist behind them. At least this year, due to both of the tributes' builds, they fill out the costumes and aren't swamped by them - it makes them somewhat more bearable to look at. There's a mismatch of denim and cow-print leather and the denim parts have sequins over it - Illea's sequins are pink and Dion's are blue. Both wear golden cowboy hats and, in Dion's hand, is a fake lasso. They both look tacky, but that's the idea. Besides, District Ten always has at least one surprising tribute - my bet is on Dion. Illea has hair extensions in, taking her shorter hair down to her shoulders. It frames her face a little more and makes her look a little skinnier. Dion's hat is tipped in such a way that we can see some of his hair, giving him a boyish charm with reminiscent memories of childhood. Both wave as if they're enjoying themselves. That's the best way to be, especially with the impending entrance into the arena.
District Eleven is rather charming and elegant, something that's not seen from them very often. Ellie wears a pearl coloured gown with long sleeves. Around the dress are green vines that swirl and curl from top to bottom. Her hair has been put into two buns, giving her a mix of elegance and robustness. Placed on her temple is a crown that's green in colour with an emerald hanging from the centre, landing in the centre of her forehead. Brock is dressed in a similar coloured sleeveless suit with darker green vines wrapped around him. His hair hasn't changed much since the reaping, maybe it's slightly lighter in colour to reflect the light, but his temple is adorned with a similar crown sans the emerald. Both have calculated waves ensuring that they, like their predecessors, will be careful throughout the Games.
District Twelve comes out with their standard coal miners outfit, definitely not a crowd pleaser. The Capitolites groan and the only saving grace is that Alys, the female tribute, is in a sexualised version. Whilst Cadin's attire covers his ankles and stops at his elbows, Alys' stops mid-thigh and mid-upper arm. Her's is tighter fitted too and is a two piece rather than one, allowing her midsection to be shown. Her hair is styled in two pigtails and her lips are an unmissable red. Cadin, next to her, is rather plain and boring and subsequently the citizens of the Capitol don't pay too much attention to him. Both tributes wave but have a lack of character to them, keeping them ambiguous.
The chariots stop one by one at the bottom of the passage where President Snow gives a speech, thanking them for their sacrifice. The tributes nod, knowing that cameras are trained on them and that one bad move could seal their fate within the arena.
"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"
The catchphrase of the Games receives a deafening applause and you can see some of the tributes shift uncomfortably at the noise. They pull off to the right and murmurs on who the victor will be have already began.
This was such a fun chapter to write! Which chariot design was your favourite? :D
Truth be told this chapter made me rearrange my provisional death list because I found I liked some of the tributes - it also made me reconsider an alliance or two!
Now we've got a day of training, the evaluation, the interviews and then the Games! We're nearly getting there!
I've also got a quell idea and I'm itching to try it, so that might be my next SYOT (someone stop me omg)
As always, reviews make me happy~!
-Oli