Chariots 2
I stared gloomily at the screen ahead of me. District one was being showed, and they looked amazing. Or at least the girl did. She was smiling and waving like she did this sort of thing everyday, and she shifted slightly every now and then, so that her dress would send flashes of light onto the audience. The Capitol people were going crazy. By the end of this she was sure to have plenty is sponsors.
I looked down at my own costume. I was in a suit of amour, dressed as a knight. Our stylists decided to expand on the sibling's factor, and make it so that I was Melissa's protector. Melissa was furious at the idea, for she did not want to look weak and helpless. It just wasn't in her nature. It took a bit of coaxing before she even got on the chariot, and she was still fuming beside me.
"It's alright, Melissa," I assured her, bending down so I was at her level, "The Capitol will love it."
"Easy for you to say, you're not dressed in some dainty princess costume," she snapped, looking at her dress in disgust. She was in a light yellow dress with flowers strewn across her neckline, waist and fringe at the bottom of the garment. Her makeup was light and natural, creating a look of innocence. Melissa hated it, but I thought it suited her well.
"You look beautiful though," I said calmly back at her. This caused her to smile.
She squinted her green eyes at me before she laughed and shoved me playfully, "You're just saying that.
I was about to contradict her when our chariot began to move. Instead I just shook my head, "Remember to act shy and innocent."
"Remember to act like a stick in the mud," she giggled back at me, before we rode out into the Capitol. We were instantly engulfed by the screams of the crazed Capitol citizens. They were crying out our names, our district and throwing flowers at us. I stood my ground, staring straight ahead, like I was told to do. Melissa, on the other hand, had a shy smile on her face and was waving weakly at the crowd. She really knew how to act, I thought. This was defiantly not her normal self. When someone sent a flower flying by her face, she looked startled and shifted towards me. I took the clue and grabbed her hand, pulling her close and smiling just for her. The crowd went insane at our little act, and the screams became louder and more directed at us. Flowers were raining us on, but I wouldn't let a single one touch Melissa. I snatched a rose out of the air that was coming for her head, and held it out for her. She only looked at me expectantly. More, I could hear her trying to tell me, give me more. I had no idea what she wanted me to do, so I got down on one knee, and then presented the flower. Melissa blushed a deep red before shyly taking the rose from my fingertips. She brought it to her nose, and smelt the sweet perfume emanating from the plant. With a smile she curtseyed, as if telling me thanks, so I got up and bowed. Melissa held out her hand expectantly, so I took it and kissed it softly. The crowd roared with delight.
"Thank-you," she mouthed at me before continuing her waving and smiling.
I bent down and whispered in her ear, "No, thank-you."
We rode on, Melissa continuing her humble act and me protecting her from the onslaught of flowers. Eventually, we made it to the end and the chariots spanned outwards, circling a pedestal that held the president of Panem. He began his speech but I could barely hear anything. My ears were still ringing from the loudness of the cheers behind us. The only this I got was,
"Welcome, and Happy Hunger Games!"
With that we were shoved away into the training building, where we would await our slaughter.