Author Games: Dacnomania Nexus Accourt

Task One - Tribute Parade

District One Female - Shardonnay Efflorescence

When the doors open out, we dive into our route, exposed as the nation feasts on all we can sell them.

Neck down; our entire bodies are polished in layers of sparkling glitter. Each bare part of pale skin, covered in the itchy fabric. The flickering sequins patter lightly on my arms and become gloves around my hands. Laurent and I beam an iridescently under the judging lights that surround us. The crowd stand in ovation to our appearance, their excitement like a thunder soon to storm the approaching distance. They bounce like ever-flickering fires, urging for us to submit to them all we ever can.

And submit we shall. One by one, bowing to the toll of death.

“I feel like a disco ball…” Laurent sighs beside me. His smile is large and charming – the crowd adore it either way. He carefully slips his hand into my own and I squeeze it tightly in response… We’re loved and adored by the teeming multitude. I brush my hand through my hair and desirably flaunt all I possess. Its all I can do - play the game... its all I want to do. Standing here feeling invincible, loved and wanted. I won't die. Not if I can help it. We can only participate in their animalistic game of blood and silk.

District One Male - Laurent Bloom

Don't get me wrong. I was determined to be a Victor. Laurent  Bloom, Hunger Games Victor. It had a special ring to it. I would do anything to win. Murder. Betrayal. But my stylists were going a bit overboard with my outfit. 

A loud, elegant sigh came from beside me, and I glanced over. Shardonnay smiled nervously, her bright white teeth glimmering. Her shining brown hair, usually scrapped into a high ponytail, fell around her shoulders in loose curls. Fake, glittery eyelashes rimmed her dark green eyes. She would be beautiful if she didn't look so artificial. 

I assumed that was a harsh statement. I wasn't one to stand in front of  the mirror, but I was sure I was close to artificial. Maybe not as artificial ghastly skinned girl from the Capitol, but it was enough. My own eyeliner rimmed eyes were covered in glitter. 

Screams and applause rang though the air as the very first chariot moved into the sunlight. A golden chariot covered in shimmering gems that reflected the sun's rays. The District One chariot.

Taking Shardonnay's hand in mine, we stood, showing the work of our stylists to the screaming crowd. The watched for a moment, nearly blinded, which I suppose was the point.

Our bodies had been stuffed into tight suits, nearly skin tight. Mine puffed out slightly in the middle, much to the disappointment of the teenage girls in the crowd. They started at the neck and stretched down our bodies until they covered our feet. 

The most spectacular part of the costume was the color. Glitter of all different shades covered us. Blood red. Ocean blue. Shardonnay counted to three under her breath, and the she twirled. Gasps of awe rang from the crowd as the sun turned her into a shimmering rainbow.

I glanced down at my own suit. The rainbow of victory. Will I be sparkling as I am crowd the Victor?

 District Two Female - Bellona Blake

The District One chariot rolls out into the night in front of me. Even from here, I can hear the crowd gasp as the sight of them. Shardonnay and Laurent are a sight to see, but Vilmos and I look better.

“Remember,” the escort mouths to me, “Face high, smile wide!”

The chariot moves out of the shadows, and all of Panem sees Vilmos and I in our costumes for the first time. Just as I had expected, the audience is pleased and delighted at the sight of us.