Waves Crashing (Finnick Odair)

Tribute's Parade

I miss seeing water alive
and sparkling beneath the sun;
that first sweet taste
of fresh ocean air!
It shwooshes
through this valley-weary heart
takes all the dust away,
and all my cares with it.

-Carolyn Brunelle

Getting off of the train was absolutely terrifying.

As soon as we got on solid ground, we were swarmed by the people of the Capitol. I felt myself begin to hyperventilate as I took in all of the noises and the colors. Everyone around me was shouting Silas' name. He was already popular with the overly colorful people. No one paid much attention to me, for which I was mostly grateful. 

As soon as I was told that we were going to be taken from our mentors, I shoved my notes on the other tributes into Librae's hands. Hopefully, she would take care of them. 

I was taken to a cold, sterile room where two people waited for me. They quickly stripped me of my clothes, leaving me to shiver naked. I covered myself as they examined me, discussing the beauty treatments I needed.

The treatments didn't sound too bad, besides the waxing. 

The two got to work, trying to make me look as beautiful as possible. I liked the concept of looking pretty, though I wasn't sure about looking pretty solely for the people of the Capitol.

It took hours before they deemed me 'ready for viewing' like a groomed zoo animal on display. 

Once they were finished, I was led to another cold, sterile room and instructed to lie down on a table. I did as I was told.

I was there for only a few moments when a woman came hurtling into the room. My head snapped to look at her. She was pretty, but her entire get-up made her look... weird. She sauntered over to where I was before smiling broadly, her yellow-and-black bob swaying. 

"Oh, darling! I'm so glad they gave me someone pretty to work with!" she basically yelled at me. She seemed surprised, "I was so scared that they were going to give me someone ugly! I'm your designer, Azara Augustus!"

"Well, I'm glad I don't disappoint you," I muttered, then spoke aloud, "Didn't you watch the reapings?"

"Of course not!" she laughed, looking at me like it was obvious, "I wanted to wait to see you and your partner in person. It is always such a wonder when I get to see the tributes the first time! Makes this whole process all the more fun!"

Fun? Is that what she thought this was? Fun? Naturally. She was a Capitol citizen. This was to be expected from her kind. I shouldn't have expected any more from her. I kept my face blank, though my cheeks flushed, and I had to force my fists to unclench. 

"Anyway! Let's get you into your outfit for the Tribute's Parade! How fun!"

Does she yell every sentence?

I found out after she had helped me into my outfit that yes. Yes, she did yell every sentence. She yelled every word. Maybe it was because of the culture in the Capitol to be really enthusiastic. I truly had no idea.

I stared at myself in the mirror. My hair was gelled, and it looked wet. My face was unrecognizable. I might've hated the Capitol, but their beauty treatments were miracles. My outfit, however, was the most hideous thing I'd ever seen.

The dress was blue with stitchings of clownfish, angelfish, and lionfish sewn all over. It was a mess of clashing colors and immaculate stitchwork. 

"Do you like it?"