A/N - This chapter is a thank you to my two latest reviewers (noro & emilygleefinchelfangirl) and my latest story follows. After my lack of motivation with that last chapter, thanks for your comments and support - it really helps!
Am i missing any character faves that anyone would like to see included?
Rachel smoothed the sheer light blue fabric of her outfit, she had just finished with her stylists for this evenings arrival ceremony. She stared at her reflection, surprised by the woman who looked back at her, she looked nothing like the 17 year old girl she was. She mused if this somehow made the citizens forget they were sending children to their death. Ebony her stylist had informed her that they were referencing an ancient mythology a time before the Capitol and the districts existed, something she called called the Greek Gods. It seemed Ebony had a pennant for Ancient History and fashion and this was her artistic trademark. She was styled as Amphitrite, the greek goddess, queen of the sea, wife of King Poseidon. She had been informed that Finn and his stylist had been onboard with Ebony's suggestion and would be styled to suit their Greek God theme. She couldn't help wonder what he would look like, her mind recalling images of Finn in his swim wear that he wore back home, her cheeks turning pink.
Her outfit was nothing like her clothes back home, the strapless dress was made of a light and sheer blue fabric which bordered on being see-through, the fabric wrapped tightly around her body accentuating her demure figure. The floor length skirt had a large thigh high slits up the front, allowing her to walk with ease, and gave the illusion of rippling waves around her as she walked. Her hair had been heated with these strange utensils which ended up giving her hair a boost in volume along with loose waves that framed her made up face. Ebony had complimented her on her skin, she said that it was the first time she hadn't had a need to do much. She had put a product on her face which seemed to illuminate her skin, overall Rachel was impressed with what Ebony had achieved, she felt beautiful for the first time in her life.
"Rachel, are you ready?" Mr Shuester had appeared through her door.
"Yes." she nodded, nervously taking in a deep breath. She had followed him out the door and was instantly flanked by a pair of Peacekeepers. Emma had told her to expect a strong presence of peacekeepers, there had been several incidents over the years of tributes getting into altercations with each other before the Games. It was a few years ago where a tribute from district six had been killed by a career after the opening ceremony. That had sparked controversy among the districts - there had even been talk in the school yard about a conspiracy. It had been a quiet walk to the meeting location, there were people everywhere, she anxiously scanned the crowd for Finn, not daring to leave the side of Mr. Schuester.
"Will! Rachel!" a little hand waved in the air. "Excuse me, coming through" the crowd seemed to part and Emma appeared from seemingly nowhere. The figure behind Emma caught Rachel's eye, her heart skipping a beat, her eyes drawn to Finn's exposed bare & bronzed chest.
"Thank God you are here, the chariots are positioned over the other side. We have to head there straight away and get them ready." Will nodded, Rachel could only assume that it was her and Finn they required to 'get ready'. She had to focus on maintaining a regular breathing pattern as Finn fell in-behind her as they began the arduous walk to where their chariots awaited, she could feel his gaze upon her and the sensation left her feeling a little excited.
They finally arrived where it all was happening, looking around there were tributes everywhere. She looked at the chariot positioned behind their station, she could clearly see the two district five tributes dressed in what she could surmise as Power Plant worker uniforms. The male tribute who looked to be the same age as her had what Rachel could only describe as the biggest lips she had ever seen on a human before, while the female tribute looked like the terrified child she was, she couldn't have been older than 12. Seeing the young girl made her feel sick in the pit of her stomach, instead she opted to spy on the chariot in-front. She heard their stylist whose loud voice carried the distance to where Rachel stood call them Blaine & Tina. The tributes from three were always termed the 'brains' of the tributes, they always survived on their wits, but always fell short at the end of the Games. Brains could only allow you to survive for so long, you also had to have the ability to kill without remorse to win the Games. Rachel didn't want to look any further ahead to where the district two tribute - Santana her name was - awaited, Rachel positive she could kill without any emotional conflict.
"It's time" Emma looked over to Will, the Capitol anthem beginning, which could only mean that President Sylvester had entered the arena. Finn had jumped on the chariot with ease his hand instantly extending to Rachel. She gripped his hand tightly as he lifted her up with ease.
"You look beautiful." he whispered it so softly Rachel was unsure if she had heard him at all. She turned to look at him, his brown eyes locking with hers it was as if the entire world around them had ceased to exist and it were only them. He lifted his hand and brushed a stray piece of hair from her face, she lifted her hand tracing the path of his hand the electricity from his touch still very much alive. The chariot suddenly jolted, and they were instantly thrust back into the real world Rachel losing her balance, falling forward.
"Whoah" he gripped her by the shoulder, preventing her from falling off, landing face first in a pile of dust.
"Sorry" she whispered, embarrassed once again by her lack of co-ordination.
"I've got you." he reassured her. The anthem had finished playing and she could hear the roar of the crowd, the time had finally come for their grand entrance into the Capitol. The crowd now quickly dissipated and only the mentors, stylist and tributes remained. There were already exchanges of insults being thrown at each other, thankfully none had been directed at either Finn or Rachel. The loud neighing from the horses indicated that the chariots had begun their procession, and with that she grabbed ahold of Finn's hand unsure of whether it were for comfort, support or the need for her to be touching him and feeling that jolt of electricity again.