A Cloveniss Tale

Chapter 3: Tributes Parade

Cato and I arrived in the Capitol to a roaring crowd of vibrant colors. Soon we would entertain these fools but as soon as the doors opened to the awaiting crowds I plastered on a smirk. Cato is already grinning and flexing. I calmly walked behind him as the peacekeepers lead us to the Remake Center.

At this center they plucked and pulled, dabbed and brushed, kneaded and waxed until I was ready to meet my stylist. I stood naked in this room as my stylist walked in. The fuck?! He looked my age! I suddenly felt self-conscious as he examined my body. He nodded his approval.

"Hi Clove, I'm Newt. I'm your stylist. Now what I'm gonna do is explain. You're beautiful Clove. So that's not the part I'm worried about. We'll go with minimal make-up. Now, you've got muscle but not that much. So we've put sleeves on your parade costume. So since you're so magnificently  beautiful like a goddess we've decided to do a Greek god costume. Are you ready?"

I nod suddenly becoming nervous. I croaked out an answer, "Yes."

Newt calls in my team and they apply make-up. Then Newt reveals my costume. It was artistically styled.

"Oh my god, Newt it's beautiful!"

Newt smiles and helps me into my costume before placing a light-weight gold metal helm on my head.

My costume was complete as I checked myself out in the mirror.

"Clove, time to go to the chariots you'll look great!"

"I will thanks to you!"

Newt leads me out the room to the chariots where I pair up with Cato again. His costume was similar but different to mine. He only had a gold band made of the same material as mine. He also had no sleeves because his stylist wanted to show his muscle. He winked at me and rolled my eyes again. I scoffed. The nerve of some people.

I mounted the chariot without his help even though he offered me it, and he climbed in next to me. Everyone looked ridiculous compared to us, including District 1. Except, District 12, she took my breath away. She had little to no make-up like me. Her body was hidden by a black suit matching her District pride. It hugged her every curve. I couldn't look away.

Then we caught each other's eyes. Her eyes were everything I fantasized, erm, not that I did. What seemed like an eternity, was only a couple of seconds before I looked away blushing. I, instead looked at Cato, he happened to be smirking at me.

"What Cato?" I asked angrily.

"Checking out the competition are we?" That smug smile he wore, I wanted to smack off.

"Shut up." I said as I gave him a little shove, but I don't think he moved. He was so massive compared to my height.

"Didn't know you swing that way." Cato murmurs.

"Now you know." I say quickly.

"You should've told me or else I would've made advances. Now I'm glad I didn't because you wouldn't have said yes." He finishes with a small laugh.

"Oh...okay." Now I suddenly felt bad. Here I thought he was an asshole, and now he's not even a jerk.

"Cato, I'm sorry I thought-"

"It's okay Clove. I act that way sometimes."

I snort. "Don't you mean all the time?"

He laughed and I chuckled with him. We fell into a comfortable silence that's been the first since we've met. It was quiet except for the background noise until Brutus, Enoboria, and Newt walked over.

"Okay, showtime!" Brutus' gruff voice says.

Cato and I immediately get ready and into our stance gripping the sides of the chariot awaiting movement. Cato and I also put our Career faces on. I don't care what anyone says. We're not monsters. District 1 starts to move for the doors. Our chariot began to move after. I looked behind for District 12 but they were in the back. I couldn't spot the brunette beauty. I turn back and my senses were filled with abrupt noise. The Capitol people in the stands go wild for the Careers. Cato and I don't look to bad. However, District 1 waving and wearing that crap made us look ridiculous. I wanted to burn holes in the both of them.

However towards the end of the parade there was an uproar as the crowd went crazy over something, someone. Katniss and Peeta were on fire! Literally and figuratively! She was so beautiful to see. She looked directly at the camera. I'd like to make  myself think she was looking at me. But that might be the 'crush' talking. The flames engulfed her being that made her look like she's glowing. She was magnificent and the crowd thought so too. She'd get a ton of sponsors. That would last her in the Games.

I looked back at Cato. His face looked conflicted. Like he wanted to be angry but didn't know if it was a good idea or not. It was because of me. I liked fire girl. He didn't want to ruin it by hatred. I grabbed his hand and nodded thanks. He gave me a small smile. I will get Fire Girl.

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I might do a POV in Katniss' view but it'd start at the end of the parade so maybe next chapter? Also did i mention this is going OOC but staying within the whole concept? If not i have now. Thanks for reading. Be sure to check out my other stories at fanfiction.net and i am 1stSoulVamp.  Thanks a bunch!
~EnragedRebels