We catched the elevator to go downstars and there we found my escort, who screamed "oh my" and couldn't stop looking at me. I just laughed.
We arrived at the preparation room - and yes, I was the last one - where I was able to meet the other Tributes for the first time. I couldn't help but laugh, even the biggest, probably stronger ones - like that guy from 4 - looked all ridiculous on their outfits. I don't think he liked me laughing at him, though. I found Ebony sitting alone in a corner, and I was on my way to her when I got interrupted. This girl - probably my age - approached me, but she wasn't wearing any outfit at all - only plain normal clothes.
She was gonna say something, but I interrupted.
- You ain't gonna get any sponsors with normal clothes like that, you better warn you stylist - I said, with a smirk on my face.
- Idiot - she immediatly answered. - I'm District's Seven mentor, not a mere Tribute.
- A mentor!? - I said, laughing. But yeah, now I could recognize her. She was that girl who won two or three years ago, I can't remember.
She turned her back to me and started walking away, but I stopped her, still laughing.
- Hey, hey. I was joking, I remember you. Gabriela, right? Or something like that.
- Gabrielle - she corrected me. "Whatever", I thought. - And you ain't gonna get any sponsors dressed like a goat either - she continued.
- Pft. We'll see. - I said, provoking her.
- Just be thankful for your body - she said, with a smirk on her face. I didn't understand what she meant, but when I was going to ask her about it, she was already gone.
I could hear the noise starting to itensify outside, which told me the parade was about to begin.
The carriages soon arrived, leaded by black horses. Oh boy, oh boy. I could recognize them. They were trained by my father and I, some years ago! From x to x years, we were demanded to train new horses for the Capitol. Those were the ones we dispatched last year.
Dallas, who was conversating with the other mentors, approached me with Ebony by his side and told us to get into the chariot RIGHT NOW. I was hoping I would be able to spend some time with the horses after that.
I petted the head of the two who were leading our chariot and got inside of it with Ebony by my side. She was dressed up like a satyr too, but she also had this coat which covered her torso. And her horns where shorter than mine, obviously. Glad the Capitol got that right.
The Capitol hymn started and instantly, the first horses started galloping. The mentor from Seven took my time from analyzing the other tributes, but I kinda liked her. While the other carriages left the preparation room, I tried telling Ebony some jokes to cheer her up, but it didn't work at all.
The horses started galloping and Ebony almost fell down but I was able to catch her at time. I could hear the screams from the Capitol citizens - I hadn't realize we were already live. Oh my. Ebony got herself back together and I looked at the crowd waving, with a smirk on my face. People started screaming louder and louder, and red roses fell on our carriage. I catched one on fly and grabbed it with my teeth. The screams made my ears hurt. But man, I was surely loving all the attention.
The carriages stopped and I could notice the president looking right at me. The look on his face made me uncomfortable. He welcomed us to the 49th year of the Hunger Games, and started with all that boring conversation we've heard dozens of times. I didn't care to listen.
Then the carriages went back to the preparation room - the screams became louder again, I couldn't help but keep smiling at the crowd.
I got of the carriage and stayed next to the horses, petting them and feeding them some sugar cubes. "I'm sure you miss the fields in 10 buddy", I told him.
- You talking to the horses? - a familiar voice sounded beside me. Gabriela the mentor-not-tribute from Seven was there.
- Yeah, actually I am. - I said. - What were you saying about the goat man not getting any sponsors? - I smirked at her, taking one of the roses from the carriage and offering it to her.
- What is that for? - she asked.
- It's for you, dumbass. I got it from my non existent sponsors. - I answered, without thinking much.
- Note, when trying to impress sponsors or a girl, do not call them dumbass. Second note, they are not your sponsors yet, darling. - she answered, arrogantly.
- Well I am sorry to disappoint you, but I ain't trying to impress no one. - she was starting to annoy me, but I admit I should have thought before saying that.
- I don't think you need to try to impress... - she then places her hand on my chest. I could feel myself blushing. - That did it for you - she completed, smirking.
What the hell? Why would the Capitol be interested in my body? Muscles doesn't necessarily mean stregth. I've seen weaker guys winning this. I couldn't even handle a blade.
I ignored my thoughts and answered naturally.
- Well, that required some effort from myself, you know. - I smirked. She smirked back and murmured "may have", not taking her eyes away from my body. Then someone called her, someone I couldn't recognize, but before turning away from me, she told me one more thing.
- Hope you don't die immediatly, that would be a waste.