Gladiators -- Clato

-Sweet and Sarcastic-

sorry for lack of update!

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I watch in disdain as Glimmer flounces onstage in a see-through golden dress that leaves nothing up to imagination. Her blonde curls flow and bounce perfectly as she gives a disarming smile to the crowd.

"Now that is quite an outfit," Caesar remarks. His hair is lapis blue this time around, and his eyebrows are dyed to match.

Glimmer giggles. "Yes, Caesar, and it feels good too."

The crowd murmurs at her suggestive tone, and I roll my eyes. Cato has his eyes on her, and honestly, I'm pretty sure it's not pretend. I mean, come on. She's got perfect curves and those sapphire blue eyes.

Caesar asks her if she's ready for the games, and Glimmer laughs confidently.

"Of course I'm ready," She coos.

The rest of her interview is just a bunch of stupid chatter. She tells us about her mother, a famous model from One, and the Capitol goes crazy. I have no idea who she is.

Caesar thanks her and she waltzes off stage and into the back, brushing my shoulder as she walks past me. I growl in her direction.

Marvel Sanford has a way of manipulating the crowd. He's got energy, and spits out joke after joke effortlessly. Combined with the way Caesar elevates him, Marvel is instantly a Capitol favorite with his charm and intensity.

As Marvel leaves, Caesar prepares to welcome me to the stage.

My hands are twitching as I try to stay calm amid the panic. I'm going to screw it up-

I don't have much time before Caesar's booming voice echoes through my ears.

"From District 2, another Volunteer...Clove!"

My feet seem to carry themselves onstage. I put on a sweet smile and lift up my skirt, blinking innocently at the crowd as they applaud and cheer for me.

It feels weird smiling in front of so many people. I don't like it. But I have to play the part.

Caesar offers me his hand as I take a seat in one of the plush white chairs on the stage. I smile at him and he gives a laugh.

"Clove!" He bellows. "Clove Kentwell. You look stunning tonight."

Sweet and sarcastic, I remind myself.

"Do I?" I ask snidely.

Caesar puts a hand on his heart, feigning offense. "At-ti-tude!" He enunciates.

People laugh. I smile again.

"So, Clove. I think we all are wondering...how's it feel to be in the Capitol?"

"Amazing," I say. "It feels like... my dreams are all coming true. I can't wait to get into the arena, though," I add.

"Oh, of course!" Caesar caws. "A little ball of bloodlust, isn't she!"

I interject. "Yes, Caesar, I may be small, but I can kill as well as anyone."

He seems to like this response. So does the crowd. I offer them another innocent smile, raising my eyebrows, and they go wild.

He clears his throat. "So. Talking weaponry. I have heard you're quite facile with a knife." He tilts his head slightly, finger raised questioningly.

I pause for a moment, and nod slightly, smirking. "I'm the best," I say breezily. "I can kill you from clear across this stage."

Caesar's face distorts into one of mock-fear, and the crowd laughs. I allow my lips to curl up in a slight smile, and bat my eyelashes.

"I take it you're prepared for the big day, then?"

"Absolutely. I'm ready to give it my all, everything I've worked for." I smirk at the crowd. "Get used to hearing my name often."
The Capitol people, in their garish outfits, ooh and ahh at my remark. It's stupid, but hey, at least they're interested.

"I love your energy." Caesar says. "That District 2 spirit, eh, folks?"

The crowd screams their love for both me and my District. I give a genuine smile. They love me. Everything I've worked for is finally paying off. I'm sure to get sponsors.

"Well, Clove, any last thoughts before we welcome your District partner onstage?"

I give a small but confident laugh. "Well...just watch out for me."

I get up and leave as Caesar calls out my name again amid the screeching and raucous applause of the crowd. My strategy seems to have worked. I barely have time to throw Cato a look before he's being paraded onstage,
"Cato!" Caesar calls, and the crowd erupts into applause.

I watch Cato walk confidently onstage and towards Caesar. The crowd doesn't even need to know anything about him to immediately love him. The surname "Hadley" is somewhat of a legend in the Capitol, after the games were won by his grandfather.

Cato sits in his chair with an air of arrogance. He folds his left leg over his right, holding his ankle in a way I'm sure I've seen him do in school. He's got a relaxed, at ease sort of attitude that displays his lack of fear.

His suit is a shimmering, sort of satiny gray fabric that glows slightly in the strobe lights of the stage. His shoes and undershirt are black. He looks...

Clove, stop! My mind screeches. This is not the time!

But I just can't take my eyes away from the sharp tilt of his jaw, the spiky blond hair over his forehead, and those eyes filled with determination...

I realize I've drifted off because Caesar has finished with the introductions and is now asking Cato questions. I kick myself internally. This is the absolute worst time to let my guard down. I'm less than a day away from fighting for victory in the arena. I have to keep my head in the game.
"You're here...by choice," Caesar says, pointing to the relaxed-looking Cato.

He nods lightly. "Yeah."

"Why?"

Cato licks his lips. "I mean, I think these were the greatest games ever invented...and, uh, I just wanna be here to win it. And I think it's awesome, and it's something I've always wanted to do since I was a kid...and I think anybody who doesn't want to do it is-" He pauses. "An idiot."

Caesar lets out a loud laugh, looking from Cato back to the crowd with a huge grin on his face. Cato grins back, and nods along with Caesar. The two of them look perfectly in tune.

"Well I wouldn't go that far," Caesar says.

Cato leans forward in his chair, looking out to the crowd. "I'd go farther than that!" He announces. "It's the Hunger Games!"

This earns him one of the loudest standing ovations of the crowd so far. The cheering seems to go on for ages before finally Caesar says his goodbyes to Cato and he leaves the stage.

Everything goes as planned from there. Marina has a pretty mediocre interview, but she uses Finnick's name as a talking point enough times to gain some interest. The Outlying Districts have interviews that range from awkward to just downright pitiful. The little girl from Elleven earns some sympathy from the crowd. Her huge counterpart speaks little, but his presence is enough.

Everything is perfect, until the girl from Twelve begins to twirl.