Act 4
'Representing Your District'

The train ride had lasted longer than I thought it would. I had thought we were going straight to the Capitol, but instead traveled to the final four districts to pick up the other tributes.

I had learned that this train was 12 cars long; one for each district. Dezji, Gaius, and mine being the eighth; corresponding to our district number.

Still, the trip took a little less than a day.

After Dezji and I had eaten breakfast, Gaius began to speak.

"I wonder, what's up with those two?" he muttered.

I raised an eyebrow to this, wondering who he could be talking about, while Dezji had no concern.

"Your mentors of course," responding Gaius to my obvious confusion.

"Our mentors?" I parroted.

"What? Are you a complete idiot?" asked Dezji with a sarcastic undertone. "Past victors from our district who are supposed to help us prepare for the game."

"Yes, but neither of them have been out of their rooms for the entire thing," Gaius added. "And we are coming up on the Capitol, too. They better shape up soon."

"The Capitol…" I whispered.

I looked out the windows. Only darkness could be seen. A little ways back the train had entered a tunnel. This tunnel was one of only a few ways to enter the city. The other few also being tunnels. They were heavily guarded. Right before we had entered, I had caught a glimpse of the entryway. The train was going really fast, but I saw those white-clad guards.

As I watched the windows across from me while I ate, I could see little flicks of gold amongst the black. Soon those flicks grew to rays and sun traveled into the window. Due to staring, I was at first blinded by the sudden light. It had looked like I wasn't the only one, because out of the corner of my eye I saw Dezji repeatedly blink as if affected by the sudden sun.

Once the effect faded out and I could see clearly once more, I was welcomed by the amazing, yet terrifying sight of the Capitol. It was like something out of a dream.

It was like clouds. Entirely pristine, the city looked to be nothing like any of the districts. Compared to the cities in District 8, the Capitol was on an entirely different level. It was peaceful, as if its residents didn't have any worries in the world other than what colour they were going to base their appearances of next and who would be the most interesting tribute to cheer for. While everyone in District 8 was busy working or well, no really just working, the Capitol was busy with mundane daily tasks that no one I knew would ever get a chance to do. You could defiantly tell the Capitol was high above, pushing the districts down as to stay up there.

"Looks like we are here."

The voice came from the way to the bedrooms. The owner was someone I didn't know. A tall man stood there; nothing much to him. His skin was as pale as his blonde-white hair that hug in a shaggy mess to his ears. His face had caved in on itself. It was not the usual cave in from drugs, which I had come to recognize, but from another all too familiar cause, hunger.

"Look who has finally come out," said Gaius. "This is one of your two mentors, Weft."

Weft, a name definitely defining him from our district. Yet it was a surprise to figure he was a victor. He didn't look as if he could take on anyone.

"Looks like you got a shot after all," whispered Dezji.

I could only shoot him a glare.

As we began to slow down, I began to hear cheering. It soon became obvious it was coming from the terminal. When we looked outside the windows once more, both Dezji and I saw people of the Capitol cheering. It was literally a mass of rainbow wearing animals.

"Looks like we are here," said Gaius. He turned to Weft. "Go get Woof and meet up with us after the parade."

Weft nodded and quickly left.

"Parade?" I asked.

"Okay, now I swear you are just asking questions to ask questions," said Dezji.

But he didn't bother explaining it to me. I don't know if it was because he didn't want to or because he didn't know either but would sound stupid for admitting.

"The Tribute Parade, or really a chariot ride, is used to introduce you as tributes and to the sponsors," explained Gaius. "And trust me, we want the sponsors on our side for the Games."

Upon exiting the train and dealing with the mob, we made our way by car to a large building. Inside, each of the tributes, including myself, were taken to a small area to be cleaned off.

It was actually a very annoying, impersonal experience. A bunch of highlighters spraying me with water and scrubbing me down; they acted as if I had never had a bath in my life. Granted, they weren't as common like if I would have been in the upper districts, but I had them. They even had thrown hot wax onto my arms and legs, ripping out all the fine, little hairs I had. I thought my skin was going to come out.

Apparently they didn't do this just to females either, because I heard Dezji scream in pain.

"Do that again, I dare you," I heard him on the other side of the curtain.

"We have to finish up or it will look stupid with a small patch done," said a voice of one of the workers.

I sort of pitied the highlighters working on Dezji. He was scaring enough when just being himself.

When that was finished, we were ushered to dressing rooms to get us into costumes.

I had always zoned out during the chariot rides and all that jazz, so I truly didn't know what to expect.

I was pulled and pushed around as people measured me, pulled things over my head, and held stuff up to me. My stylist, a female named Iridis, just watched as this carried on, all the time appearing to be thinking about something. Finally, she stopped everyone and spoke.

"Okay, so after looking at you and the guy, I think that the outfits will truly suit you," she said.

Could she be anymore ominous? I thought.

I was handing a dress made up of white, silver, and black patches, giving it a slightly ombre effect. I couldn't tell much from just holding it, but upon putting it on, I could tell I was going to hate it.

The top was an empire-style in plain ghost white. Attached to it were trumpet sleeves that ended just below my hands. The skirt was the patches, falling down to the ground. I felt like a creepy old doll.

With this dress, my red hair was put up in a messy bun and hidden underneath a grey detached-hood trimmed in white lace. A few locks fell out in front of my face, but were quickly brushed aside.

"Perfect," said Iridis, proud with herself. "It is so cute, you are bound to make an impact with such an outfit."

I highly doubted that, but I wasn't about to argue with her. Her cheerfulness reminded me of Lilleth's and it made me sort of reminiscent.

"I don't like it."

Dezji had walked in wearing his costume. He was wearing a white poet shirt tucked into ombre patchwork pants matching the skirt of my dress. He wore black boots and a hood similar to mine; minus the lace, but instead trimmed in basic white.

"Why is it so bleak?" asked Dezji. "I know District 8 is considerable bleak, but shouldn't we be a bit more colourful if we want to get sponsors?"

Dezji had a point. We both looked at Iridis.

"Everyone is going to go for a sparkly, colourful crap-filled costume," she explained. "Most will look like someone just threw stuff together, added some glitter, and called it done. But I wanted to do something different. I think this looks much more intricate than a basic colourful patchwork clothing District 8 is used to."

I can admit that the outfits were well done, even if not my taste. I could see how too many colours could distract from that.

"Okay, we should get you ready," said Iridis.

We once again were ushered around, soon to be placed on a golden chariot based each other.

It was minutes before the parade and I was looking around as everyone got to their places. Walking past us towards the front was two of the most feared districts; one and two. Both being career districts, everyone knew they were to be feared in the games. They were trained, always got sponsors, and tended to win.

The first district's tributes were dressed up in pink sheer clothing with every bit of them being seen. Clusters of jewels were placed in designs right in front of private areas, so that they weren't showing off too much. Their clothing was defiantly flashy, which seemed to be an obvious fit coming from the flashiest, richest district.

District Two's tributes were dressed head to toe in gold, appearing as if to be warriors. It was a rather intimidating outfit, like they were ready to take out anyone right then and there.

I was staring at them as they passed and ended up catching the eyes of the District 2 male. His golden eyes seemed to narrow as the met mine. He was creepy, just glaring at me. It wasn't like the same glare that Dezji gives me, but one of complete intimidation. A smirk crept across his face, as if knowing I was clearing intimidated. But just as quickly as it appeared, his smirk disappeared and he quickly turned away.

I looked over to see Dezji beside me glaring straight back at the guy, giving him the same stare the boy gave me.

"Whatever," said Dezji, rolling his eyes at the boy. "If he is just going to be scared off with a glare, he shouldn't be dishing them out himself."

I gave him a silent, sincere thanks for helping me out.

Once everyone was in their spots, the television monitors hanging from the ceiling above us flickered from their black, dormant stage to on. On the screen were two men, one with bright orange hair and the other purple.

"Welcome to the 24th Annual Tribute Parade," greeted the purple-haired man. "I am Lucida and am here with Laetus."

Lucida gestured to the man with the bright orange hair.

Both men resembled the Capitol perfectly. Everything was fake about them; from their hair to their noses to their enthusiasm.

"We are here to introduce this year's tributes," said Laetus. "Which is incredibly important as it also introduces the tributes not only to us, but the sponsors."

There is that word again, sponsors. I am growing to hate how it sounds.

In the bottom right corner of all the screens was a count down. 10… 9…

"We're about to go," whispered Dezji. "Try not to embarrass our district."

I bit my lip, trying to hold back snapping remarks. It didn't help though.

"I could say the same to you too," I said, continuously looking forward.

Dezji gave a half-hearted smirk.

"Lilleth likes you, I can somewhat see why," said Dezji.

Before I comment back on his actual compliment, the first one I heard him mutter, the countdown hit zero and the chariots began to move.

The crowd of Capitol spectators cheered wildly as the parade began. They howled like animals, as if watching us like we were food. In a sense, we were being paraded like food for the sponsors.

"First up and gathering the most attention is District One with their shear clothing," Lucida announced.

Figures, I thought as our chariot finally came out from the tunnel.

"The parade is the best way to also introduce what the districts are best known for," said Laetus.

"Oh, yes," added Lucida. "Like District Four with their fishing net-themed clothing…"

I looked up at the screens decorating the sides of the parade, which were used so spectators could get a better look. District Four had two very attractive tributes featured on the screen. The male's tan skin seeming to glow against the netting and navy blue fabric. The female's feminine physique shining through her navy blue mermaid dress with a cut out midriff and netting overlay.

The fourth district was another career district, so it figures that the tributes would be so in-shape.

"… And District Seven, as trees as usual," continued Lucida.

The screens displayed two bark clad teenagers. They contrasted in physical appearances; the girl short, the boy tall, the girl thin, the boy built. Still their outfits pretty much matched. Bark covering most of their body to make it seem like a tree, with moss and leave placed up the legs and at the arms, along with on their heads as headdresses.

"… And it looks like District Eight is going a different way this year," said Lucida.

"Yes, deviating from their normal colourful patchwork clothing, District Eight seems to have toned it down with a simple grey-theme," explained Laetus.

Dezji was waving slightly as the cameras zoomed to us. I felt slightly uncomfortable with all these eyes on me.

"Wave," muttered Dezji.

I couldn't quite get what he was saying over the crowd.

"Wave," he repeated, this time a bit louder. "You want sponsors, don't you?"

I realized what he was getting at and began to wave at the crowd. All of them were screaming passionately. Not entirely sure if they were screaming at us or other tributes, but I would take it as to us. It made me feel a little more important if I believe it was to us.

Soon the parade came to an end and we were escorted off the chariots and to our groups. Waiting for us was Iridis, Gaius, Weft, and another man I hadn't met.

"Not as sexy as District One or Four and not as strong as District Two, but I think we did secure some sponsors with our simplicity," said Gaius. "Now we just have to get through training and the interviews."

Dezji and I nodded.

The group began to walk back to where we will be staying. As we walked, I noticed the District Two female was looking this way. More specifically, she was looking at Dezji. When she had noticed me looking, she sneered and looked away.

What was that about? I wondered.

So yeah, Dezji is not a douche, but being like every big brother, teasing and torturing the crap out of everyone he cares about. I don't think he holds much feelings for Calico other than a sense of friendship through Lilleth.

Let me say this now, do not expect any KatnissxPeeta-type relationships here. I feel like that would be a one-time deal. And as this is the 24th Hunger Games, I feel like if it happened now, they would have been prepared for Katniss and Peeta; which they were not.

I had a short chapter last time, so I hope this 2000+ word chapter makes up for it. To tell you the truth, I didn't think I could get past 1000 words with this one, but as I was writing, it just easily passed 2000. It is like close to 2500 words and it makes me happy. I felt like I was letting you guys down with the last chapter and wanted to update with a longer one.

Next chapter will be the beginning of training. I plan on having two training chapters and then a private training session/training scores chapter. Games should start around Chapter 10; maybe a little later, but no later than Chapter 12.

P.S. I am going based on the books with having District Four as a career district.