Author Games: The Last Cannon

TASK ONE: Parade Entries

District 1 Male - CASIMIR LYONS

Through the years of training, Huxley has taught me one of two things. First, never underestimate your competition; everyone's deadly in their own way.  Secondly, when faced with a puzzle you always look at the bigger picture, not just the pieces it's composed of.

Running my fingers over the pocket watch, it was clear that it had a significant meaning behind it. After all, Huxley isn't just a simple man. Before I can even glimpse at the inner clockwork, I'm pulled away by Castiel. For the first time, he seems calm. His crystal green eyes shimmer in the chandelier's light as if stars were bursting from the centre.

From a distance, the range of outfits and designs would look rather ordinary but as I walk closer to the stables, there's nothing but harmonised creativity.  District Two, as usual, stands covered in almost marble-like white costumes. The fabric portrays the perfect silhouette as it is draped across Valeria. Her small yet impactful curves push against the fabric, making it almost impossible to resist looking at her shimmering figure. She chuckles at the sight of me looking before receiving a headpiece that unravels down her curved back.

I try to balance myself on top of the float but as the horse pulls away I hurdle towards the ground.  Without hesitating Cosmo flings her arms and catches me, her slightly muscular biceps pillowing my fall.

"How are you so strong?" I ask, clearly amazed at the strength hidden in the midst of her beauty.

She tosses her hair over her shoulder, smiles and replies;

"A girl never gives up her secrets!"

Her head twist back around before gliding over towards Castiel, who by now is schmoozing the girls from Four. Despite the other tributes, I find myself focused on Cosmo's delicate curls as she twirls a few strands between her delicate fingers.  Her strapless dress is covered in a variety of coloured gem's that ombré towards the hem. It singes in her waist allowing for her defined curves to pop. As she moves through the room, the gem radiates every little speck of light. She notices me staring and, without thinking, turns her back towards me.  I stare in awe at the low cut back; only a few shimmering straps covering her caramel coloured back. 

"Dude, you're drooling"

Blushing, I turn myself towards the voice to see Castiel hovering beside me.  I hadn't realised that he had moved.

"I'm not!, I'm just checking out the competition" I whisper, trying to wipe away any liquid that escaped my mouth.

His infectious laughter causes me to turn brighter as if I was a ruby sparkling on her dress. He nudges my shoulder, clearly astounded that for once I was caught off guard.  I could tell he had some jokes waiting to explode from his lips. At least their some things that haven't changed.  By now the production crew begin to fill us onto each parade float.  Cosmo and Jade slip carefully onto the front whilst Castiel and I take the back.

"Casi... Casi" He whispers.

"What it is?"

"What do Cosmo and space have in common?" His voice breaks up with short intervals of laughter.

I shrug my shoulders.

"They're both out of your world!"

Bam, there it is. A joke. Or whatever you call that. His face burns bright red; his laughter rockets through the thickening atmosphere and for a split second Cosmo's head tilts to the left. A small smile begins to form at the corner of her lips. She heard everything.

The horses pull out onto the precisely laid out floor. This is it. The doors to the parade route fall away as the wave of hysterical screams enters in with a gust of wind.