Claudius Templesmith, 43

Hunger Games Announcer

A makeup brush tickled my cheek as I fought to see the big screens above me. The Tribute Parade was starting soon and the cameras would be turning on me any moment. I needed to get a good look at the parade route, organize my thoughts, and prepare some witty comments.

But this damn brush was too distracting!

Finally fed up, I waved my stylist away.

"Alright, that's enough," I told her. For a moment she looked like she'd protest, but then she nodded her head and began packing up her cosmetics bag.

She left the room just as the cameras turned on. I flashed my biggest, most winning smile and started my spiel.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and those who have transcended the concept of gender, welcome to the Tribute Parade of the 69th Hunger Games! I don't know about you, but I am so excited to see what our spectacular stylists have designed. I'm sure every tribute is going to shine! Oh, and here comes District 1!"

"Kendall's dark brown suit is lined with amber-brown hawk feathers. Earthy makeup highlights his handsome features and the huge wings on his back are moving, as if he is about to take flight. He is smiling and waving at the crowd."

"Meanwhile, Kallik is giving us shy smiles. She seems much less confident than Kendall, but still friendly! Her dark hair is pushed back with a diamond headband and she too is dressed in feathers. She's wearing a beautiful white dress with snowy owl feathers on the neckline, sleeves, and hem. Streaks of white face paint highlight her exotic features and her white wings flap gently. I'm not sure what it has to do with luxury, but it's certainly stunning."

District 2's chariot was pulled by two large dappled gray horses and the chariot itself was decorated with golden leaves. Even the wheels shined. It was a mount fit for a god.

"District 2 is leaning into ancient history for inspiration, and it works! Valerius is wearing a white toga that fades to a stormy gray color. A golden laurel wreath rests on his head and he has a golden belt around his waist. In his hand is a sparking metal lightning bolt."

"Octavia's copper hair is up in an elegant bun, which is decorated with golden leaves. Her white dress covers one shoulder and she has golden bracelets all up her arms. Her makeup is soft and golden and she almost seems to glow. My guess is that they're Zeus and Hera. In some myths they were married, but in others they were siblings. A very fitting costume for these two. Bravo to their stylist!"

"District 3's horses match District 2's, but their costumes most definitely do not. But they're great! Ai and Yarrow are boldly dressed in jumpsuits made from rolls of film. Cords wrap around their wrists and necks like jewelry and they both have shimmery green makeup on. Stunning!"

"Dorian Sargasso is a good-looking guy, and District 4's stylist knows it! He has his chest exposed, with only a tangle of seaweed covering his nether regions. His hair is styled to look as if he's underwater and he has a confident grin on his face. The ladies in the audience are swooning, and I can see why!"

"Poor Alara looks rather shy, but she's beautiful! Her blonde hair is curled and strips of bright green seaweed are wrapped around her chest. Her short skirt is made from layers of netting and a pale pink seastar is pinning her hair to the side. Her pink-toned makeup gives her a soft, sweet look."

"There's a storm coming! District 5 looks beautiful this year. Trydan and Birdie are wearing soft, fluffy gowns and a stormy cloud is hanging above their heads. It crackles with lightning and water is streaking down the tributes' faces."

"District 6 can be tough, but their stylist nailed it this year! Trayne is wearing a silver racing suit with the Capitol emblem on his chest, in black. He's wearing a shiny black helmet, but as he reaches the promenade, he's taking it off! He's winking at the women in the crowd now and they are eating it up! And Alley is Trayne's opposite, dressed in a black racing suit with a silver Capitol emblem. Her helmet is tucked under her arm and she's glaring fiercely. I wouldn't want to be on her bad side!"

"And here is District 7! Are we going to have trees this year? No, we are not! Instead, Cactus and Rowena are dressed to the nines - in paper! Cactus's crisp white suit doesn't have a single fold, and there is a small cluster of leaves pinned to his lapel. Rowena's dress puffs out around her, crinkled paper making an intricate-looking skirt."

"District 8 seems to have taken a page - hah! - out of District 7's book. Tommy and Taylor are both dressed very formally, but their clothing is knitted! Taylor's skirt is woven from deep blue fabric that matches her eye makeup, and Tommy has an adorable red bowtie. But neither of them look very happy. How unfortunate!"

"Here comes District 9, pulled by two beautiful palomino horses. Robbie is waving and has a big grin on his face. At least he is happy to be here! He's wearing dirty blue denim overalls with one of the straps unbuckled. It shows off his impressive pecs though, so I'm sure none of us mind! He's got a piece of straw in his mouth, like a scarecrow should but he's holding a scythe instead of a pitchfork! What a clever twist!"

"Adorable Amberlynn is also dressed in overalls, but she's wearing a pretty pink blouse underneath them. Her pointed straw hat has a pink ribbon around it and she's tipping it politely to everyone she passes. What a sweet girl!"

"District 10's tributes are shining this year! Shepard and Virgo are wearing glittering coats over their black costumes and each of them is holding a red cape. As they're reaching the biggest section of the crowd, they're waving them in the air. And the crowd is loving it! Oh, someone just threw a rose! And Virgo caught it! What a gorgeous moment."

"Here's District 11, and it's clear where their stylist got their inspiration from! Clover is in a big green pear costume, with only his face, arms, and legs visible. He's scowling, and I don't blame him! He's a handsome boy - don't make him a pear!"

"Persimmon, or Persi, as she likes to be called, is also a fruit. Can you guess which one? If you guessed persimmon, you'd be correct! Like Clover, only her face and limbs are free, but she has a little hat with a stem and a leaf on top of her head. It's still not the most flattering costume, but she's a little cuter than Clover is."

"And finally, pulled by two lovely black horses, is District 12! Enzo is wearing a brick-red jumpsuit and his headpiece is sparking dangerously. And his smile is just as menacing! Watch out - this boy is wild!

"Josie, on the other hand, is stone-cold, though her headpiece is just as bright and fiery. She has her arms crossed and is glaring straight out in front of her. She may be young, but I wouldn't dare cross her."

"And that's everyone! Our stylists did an excellent job this year and I'm excited to see what these tributes have in store for us, aren't you? Well, President Snow will address the tributes any moment, so keep an eye on your screen for his speech. And be sure to tune back in for a tribute breakdown and a word from our Head Gamemaker, Phaedra Fox!"

Hi everyone! I know I updated two days ago but I wrote this chapter ages ago and I was excited to post it. Claudius's little intro is what I want to say if I ever give a speech. But since I likely never will, I gave the line to Claudius. May he use it well. Oh, and if it wasn't clear - the District 12 costumes are sticks of dynamite.

I don't have much to say here, but I do want to thank you all for your reviews. I love seeing them and they always make me smile. Don't feel pressured to review though! I don't want to force anything on anyone. All support is appreciated.

QUESTIONS

1) What did you think of my/Claudius's opening line?

2) Which costume was your favorite?

3) Which costume was your least favorite?

4) After checking out the blog, do you have any arena guesses? (all of the non-faceclaim images used are hints)

5) Which tribute(s) would you ally with? Why?

Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!

- Fiona