Sea of Madness - Annie Cresta 70th Hunger Games

Chapter 4 - Preparation

As soon as our train pulls into the Capitol station we are greeted by a crowd of thousands, dressed in the most bizzare, outrageous outfits. I take a moment to look at the astonishing city skyline before we are taken to a building were I am separated from Warrick. I am lead into a room where I find three interesting looking Capitol folk waiting for me. They are all bone thin, one with a tree shaped tattoo branching up her neck towards a canopy of green hair, another had pink eyelashes almost three inches in length and the other had golden hair and skin tinged a shade of blue.

The introduced themselves to me as Ghanu, Penvia and Luda, before them got to work on "making me pretty". I was hosed. Striped of my hair in all places but my head and eyebrows and prodded, scrubbed and inspected in the most intimate places before I was deemed, "ready to meet my stylist".

I was left waiting for a tedious 20 minutes before my stylist finally dared to show her face. The first thing I noticed about her was her floor length, flowing turquoise coloured hair, which fitted perfectly around her petite, heart-shaped face. She introduced herself to he as Tinna, her pale gray eyes studying my body. Her warm, calm attitude caused me to like her immediately, so I had little trouble connecting with her unlike Reece. She sat me down and disappeared through a door to later return with my chariot district costume modelled to represent our district's main export to the Capitol; Delicacies and luxuries from the ocean. I tried it on and inspected it in a large floor to ceiling mirror. The outfit is a flowing blue gown, with a shawl made entirely from woven gold, adorned with fish and crustaceans made from precious gems. No doubt made to symbolize a 'golden catch' , a term used often by fishermen in our district to describe a catch worth a lot of money. I twirl around in my dress, grinning with delight like a six year old with a new toy. I suddenly pause as Tinna reaches over to push a button on the hem of my dress. A cold sensation rushes through my body as I watch my dress turn into a water fountain as streams of cold liquid glowing blue runs down the seams of the dress. I stand still in shock unable to process words of appriciation, so I pull Tinna into bear hug.

"I'd hoped someone would like it," she whispers with delight. After all the games are about pleasing the crowd and getting sponsors. We leave the prep room and head off to the chariot launch area.

* * * * *

Warrick and I stroke the horses in silence as we wait for the go signal, like me Warrick wears the golden catch shawl but a suit with flare pants instead if a dress. I am confident that Tinna's design will blow the crowd away, looking around most of the other costumes barely impress. I feel sorry for thse district 10 tributes; Jeremiah and the girl, both dressed in chicken suits. The first gong sounds and District 1 are headed out in their soft silk kimonos.

Two Gongs... District 2

Three gongs... District 3

Four Gongs...

The blearing noise of the crowd drones out even my most intamite thoughts. It takes me a few seconds to regain myself to smile strongly and confidentely at the crowd. I hear ohhs and ahh as the citizens marvel in awe at Tinna's designs. Soon enough our chariot is cascading with bouquets of flowers and extravagent top hats.

"They love it," I think to myself, "They actually love IT!

And for the first time since the reaping I feel confidence.