Hello Dearest Readers,
I know it seems I haven't updated in a long time… which is true, but it is because of the recent sweep by moderators on the sight which completely decimated a lot of people's stories which I thought was pretty extreme and well I thought that if I updated any sooner they might blow it off the map!
This will be a shortish chapter and I am sorry but I'll be going back to regular updates soon enough and everyone who has stuck with this with reviews and such will definitely be rewarded in the long run ;)
So, now we move on to the Chariot Rides! And we'll be seeing them through the eyes of Cinna ;)
Cinna Despardos, Capitol Citizen.
Despite my aversion to the multiple homicides that the Capitol sanctions on an annual basis, I cannot suppress my enthusiasm regarding the fashions which are featured throughout the stages that over time have become known as the 'Pre Games'. Tonight, I am lucky enough to see the Chariot Rides up close and personal which will be so important in my chosen career of becoming a stylist; to see how professionals work their fabrics and how they manipulate these materials in a way which reflects the tributes home district, although this is not always done in what I would deem a 'suitable' manner seeing as I think that the outfits are often too sexualised especially when some of the tributes are as young as 12. Eloise, Tahmena and their friends are seated either side of me and are almost humming with a barely suppressed excitement; I wouldn't be in the slightest surprised if starting jumping up and down and screaming like the unrefined morons I know them to be.
"I'm so like excited, like we're going to see the tributes like so soon. I bet they are like so, like hot." Tahmena is glancing around as if everyone should acknowledge the fact she has made an epiphany of some sorts, I struggle to stop myself rolling my eyes at her tendency to point out the blatantly obvious. Eloise is nodding her head, while leaning her head against my shoulder and twirling a finger through her deep purple hair which clashed horrifically with her lime green silk gown which was far too revealing to ever be deemed elegant in my humble opinion. In other words, despite her father being a major stylist Eloise somehow managed to pull off some rather elaborate fashion faux pas'.
"Yes Tammy darling, I'm sure everything will be fabulous isn't it always; but none of those tributes are as hot as my Cinnie Poo" I barely repress the shudder of revulsion that threatens to overwhelm me when she drags her claws up the length of my forearm, the feel of her crimson talons trailing against my bare skin is one of the most disturbing thoughts to have ever crossed by mind but by some miracle I'm able to arrange my features into what I hope is a flirtatious smile and not a grimace of disgust. She flutters her ridiculous false eyelashes and presses her body against mine and I can't help but squirm away, I notice her face fall as I execute this manoeuvre and then instantly rectify it by throwing her arm across my shoulders and giving her a wide smile which couldn't be more artificial, even if I had it surgically altered.
"Sorry I appear so distracted, you know how I get around this time of year; I want to work in fashion so I cannot afford to be distracted, however alluring the distraction mat be." Although what I said was a blatant lie that tastes sour on my tongue it has appeased her and should hopefully save me from any more harassment; she just gives a glowing smile before preening her hair, winking at me and turning to start some stupid conversation regarding breast augmentation. I breathe a sigh of relief, Eloise and her dimwit friends are pivotal to my future career as a stylist so I am forced to tolerate them and their narcissistic ways even though I can feel my IQ rapidly deteriorating every second I spend with these people. I look down at the binoculars I bring every year, but I doubt I'll need them seeing as I am in the 'majestic circle' as I am with such influential people; well people with affluent parents. A voice booms throughout the whole City Circle:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would like to take your seats, the Tribute Parade is to begin shortly." I can't help the quickening of my heartbeat, although I like to think of myself as morally superior to my fellow Capitolites, when it comes to fashion I must admit that I can be as flamboyant and downright ridiculous as them but at least I try to see even that through a rational lens. Throughout the whole stadium you can hear hushed whispers, people already talking of which tributes to sponsor. See, that is the main difference between me and a vast majority of the Capitol audience here today: They are only concerned with the tributes and how soon they will be slaughtered without just cause, whereas I am entranced by the fashion; how it reflects the district and what design techniques have been employed with the sole purpose of improving my own work. When it comes to the actual tributes, all I can feel is an overwhelming sense of pity for what awaits them and admiration for their courage with the only exception being the career tributes since they willingly place themselves into this precarious situation. I lean forward and place my notepad on my knee, a pen held in my hand ready to make any notes and then the siren rings announcing that the parade is about to being.
The blindingly white chariot of District One emerges from where all of the tributes are held beneath the Remake Centre where many Capitol citizens go for their surgeries when the tributes aren't occupying the place, it takes my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the blinding light and the applause is so loud I think I may have perforated my ear drums; once I focus I scribble down the words crystals and silk which seem to be the major components regarding the outfits of the tributes whose names are Nicoli Spinoza and Ruby Ashford according to Claudius Templesmith's commentary. The girl is painted head to toe in gold paint and is covered head to toe in crystal and other reflective gems, I cannot discern if she is in fact wearing a dress but the effect is great; she looks ethereal and embodies everything about her district, the excessive luxury and if I were wearing a hat I would tip it to her stylist as the almost luxurious sexuality is further enhanced by her demeanour: Waving a blowing kisses and she moves her body in a seductive manner as she leans towards the Capitol audience from the Chariot. The boy is dressed in a silver suit made of fine silk if my assumption is correct and it is tailored to enhance his lean physique, whereas the girl appears to constantly glow this Nicoli seems to shimmer as his body moves, more subtle and more enigmatic. He beam into the crowd and I am able to ascertain that the material is pearlescent and reflects light in a way which is meant to allude to light reflecting from the facets on the face of a diamond as he raises his arm to wave enthusiastically; or that is my own stylistic interpretation. I continue making my notes at rapid speed scribbling words such as china silk and masculine tailoring, these are more of an indication of trends which will be appearing in the Capitol.
I have a few moments before the second chariot will emerge so I decide to indulge in watching the tributes; Nicoli looks as though he is having the time of his life waving into the crowd with his mega-watt smile still in place, he keeps touching his suit as if amazed by the texture and I smile. He doesn't seem like the usual career with this optimistic aura he is projecting but the audience love him all the same and a vast portion are chanting his name, charm is pivotal in this aspect of the Hunger Games and apparently he has this quality in abundance. The girl, playing the expected role of sultry siren is more distant but seems to be getting a lot of attention from the prospective sponsors, particularly the males seeing as she seemed to ooze sensuality; but I notice something more, the furtive glances she directs at her district partner and I am intrigued as to the status of their relationship. She looks at him wearily as if he is a subtle threat, and there is a calculating edge to her stare whereas Nicoli seems happy to ignore her and bask in the attention being given by the crowd. The claxon rings again which signals yet another Chariot ready to emerge, I adjust my note pad where I have just added a few quick sketches and once again look to the point from which the chariots emerge with my pen poised to start scribbling straight away.
Sorry, it is my best friends' birthday today so I cut this chapter VERY short! I don't know where or not to continue with Cinna or introduce some tributes POV but I'm giving you this since I've been neglecting the story a bit as of late! But you know my reasons…
Remember to REVIEW and the next chapter will probably be with you tomorrow! :D
Oh and I've just surpassed the 100,000 word mark and have over 200 reviews which is astounding so … THANK YOU!
Loves yah, xx