The District 1 train slowed to a halt, and Crystal could hear the wild screaming from outside.
"Careful," their mentor, Velvet, warned. "They get a bit eager."
Crystal and Bronze plastered their most confidence, winning smiles across their face and stepped out to face the music.
The Capitol was unbelievable. Almost every citizen was surgically altered or enhanced, and their sense of style was outrageous.
Crystal barely suppressed a snigger at one woman who had so many nose-jobs it had become a beak.
Julius and Velvet led their tributes to the Re-make Center.
Crystal stood patiently whilst her extravagant, icy stylist, Frost, moved around her.
"I must say, you are beautiful," Frost said dryly. "But I'm sure you're used to people telling you that."
"It gets a little tiring, actually," Crystal retorted. If this man thought he could beat her on terms of wit, he was sadly mistaken.
Frost raised his silver eyebrows in surprise. He hadn't expected such a glamorous, glitzy girl to be so feisty.
"Well, I'm only going to touch-up on a few things, you're almost perfect," he explained, summoning Crystal's prep-team.
They got to work, a flurry of bright colors, and when they were finished, Crystal shone even more radiantly. Her Tribute Parade costume was striking. It was a shimmering golden gown, with a bodice encrusted with diamonds, and she had a tiara placed on her loose, dark curls.
Crystal re-united with Bronze, who was dressed similarly in a golden, shining suit and smart, blinding white shoes. He'd accomplished the royal theme with a large golden crown on his head. Crystal had to admit, he looked rather handsome.
"Hello, sweetheart," Bronze chuckled as he pulled her onto their chariot. "You look ravishing."
"You don't look too bad yourself," Crystal replied, lips twitching into a smile.
Being the first district, their chariot was to lead the way into the Avenue.
There, the tributes would be taken to President Snow, who gave a speech to all of Panem. It also gave the Capitol citizens a good chance to admire this year's tributes. Disgusting fiends, Crystal thought. They should rot.
Crystal and Bronze's chariot horses were a beautiful palomino, and their chariot was encrusted with jewels. The Games were a fine opportunity to display District 1's wealth.
Crystal sneaked a glance behind, and she saw the tributes from District 2, Garnet and Ace, boarding their chariot.
They were dressed almost completely in black, with glowing lightning bolts across their chests. The only difference was that Garnet wore a figure-hugging dress, whilst Ace wore a dark, leather jacket that reflected the light and cast dancing rainbows around him. All together, their look had a very dark, intimidating affect.
Before Crystal could watch anymore, the chariot jolted forward and the Capitol citizens roared with applause and the tributes made their way down the Avenue. Crystal blew sultry kisses and forced her most dazzling smile. The crowd loved her and Bronze. They cheered raucously and tossed roses. Crystal lapped up the attention; the Tribute Parade was a fabulous way to attract sponsors.
As the chariots gathered together and the citizens fell silent so President Snow could give his long, boring speech, Crystal glanced over at 2's chariot, again.
This time, Ace's eyes found hers. Emerald locked with topaz, as the two gazed at each other curiously.
It was Crystal who first regained her senses, and winked cheekily at him.
Ace smirked, and then returned his attention to Snow. Eventually, the president of Panem concluded his welcoming, and the tributes were taken to the Training Center.
As Bronze helped Crystal from their chariot, District 2 came over. Ace looked determined yet cool, and Garnet seemed anxious about something. Crystal regarded them with hostile gazes, no hint of a smile on their lips. This was the moment of truth.
"Hey, I'm Ace, this is Garnet," Ace introduced, although they already knew. "We'll obviously have to see your performance in the Training Center, but from what we've heard, you two seem like pretty good fighters. We're keen to form an alliance."
Crystal arched an inquisitive eyebrow. "Oh? Are you sure it isn't you that has to prove worthy?" she teased.
Ace's expression relaxed into an easy grin. "You'll see, Sparkles."
Crystal rolled her eyes and Bronze offered his hand.
"Sure, man," he said. "Strength in numbers, right?"
"Temporarily," Garnet added quickly, dark eyes dancing with amusement.
Ace shook Bronze's hand briefly. "Right," he agreed enthusiastically.
"We'd better go," Garnet insisted, glancing at her frantic escort.
"See you in tomorrow in the gym, early," Ace decided, taking the role of their leader. Crystal could accept that, he seemed to fit the profile.
"Later, handsome," she giggled. Ace smirked and turned to leave, with Garnet striding purposefully ahead. Crystal laughed at her impatient antics.
"Come on dears, do hurry!" Julius cried. "You must rest; it's a big, big day tomorrow!"
.
I was utterly exhausted. My aching feet were propped up on a fur stool, whilst Linnet and I watched the Tribute Parade on TV. The District 1 tributes were typically dressed to boast their district's wealth and importance. 2 were made to seem frightening, but they didn't intimidate me in the slightest. At least, not yet. Seeing my confident, unfazed smile was shocking, because I'd been a nervous wreck at the time. Me and Linnet looked very District 4, wearing ocean colors of azure and turquoise.
"We're not joining the Careers this year," Linnet said suddenly, his dark blue eyes hardening.
"I don't think they wanted us anyway," I said quickly. Fine by me. They were too arrogant and brutal to be classed as human beings. I had no time for people like them.
Maelstrom seemed satisfied with our grand entry into the Capitol, so the atmosphere in our apartment was calm.
"Come on!" Topaz snapped. "Into bed! It's a very busy day tomorrow, we have a tight schedule!"
We knew better than to argue with her. Linnet and I said our goodnights and retreated to bed.
My room was wonderful; it even had a wall which could be changed with the flick of a remote, to anything I fancied. I left it on the ocean view and drifted into a restless sleep.
