Uncharted Waters [1]

Chapter 12

Mira is feeling uneasy. She waits for her partner to arrive before they go to the stables.

She was wearing a bikini-like outfit that left little to the imagination. It had a mermaid-like texture that held an iridescence that seemed to dance when hit by lights or when seen from a different angle. Her waist held a lightweight, exceptionally fine, stiff netting that flowed like water whenever she walked. No doubt, it would look better on the chariots. The same type of cloth on her waist was also placed around her neck, made to look like fins. Her hair was weaved into a mermaid-like hairstyle and adorned a heavy but beautiful headdress that looked as if it was made for a real mermaid princess. Her face and parts of her body were painted with luminous scales that matched her outfit.

All in all, she looked different but mesmerizing. It's like straight out of a fairytale.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror and tilted her head as she studied herself. That's when she noticed that she was missing something on her ankles.

"It's safe with me, lovely," Nixie reassures her as if reading her mind. "It doesn't go with the outfit. I'll return it to you because I know this is important to you." She smiles, before putting on a coat of azure lipstick on her lips.

Just then a couple of giddy voices joined them in the room. The air was filled with excited chatter when Destan showed up, clad in a similar outfit with his stylist and prep team. Destan looked even older than before with his whole makeover. He only had on briefs that had the same style as Mira, with the same flowy net on his waist. But instead of the cloth on his neck, he had a fin-like net around his biceps. Mira also observed that his toned body and face were peppered with the same mermaid-like scales as hers. He also has a headdress but was made to look more masculine.

The stylists and prep teams all took their time to gawk at the pair who stood awkwardly.

"It's official: we styled the most beautiful pair of tributes this year." They all sighed in agreement and continued to stare at them.

"We'll have enough time admiring our work when the ceremony starts, so let's take them down to the stables now.", says Nixie while ushering both tributes down to the bottom level of the Remake Center, which is surprisingly a gigantic stable that held all the chariots and other tributes.

The ceremonies are just about to start, and the pairs of tributes are being loaded into their respective chariots. District 4's Chariot was made to match their outfits, which did not surprise Mira. The horses were surprisingly tamed and well-trained, making Mira want to caress one's mane.

After both the stylists ensured everything was set, Nixie left a quick reminder before she left, "Remember you guys, be confident and show them what District 4 is all about.", she winked and saunters off with Destan's stylist in tow.

The stables began to quiet down as the people entered their respective places. Mira bit her lips in anxiousness, gripping the chariot to calm herself.

"You do that a lot when you're nervous huh?" Mira turned her head to look at Destan who was calmer and more collected than she was.

"Do what?" She asked a little dazed.

Destan chuckled, shaking his head a little as he looked down. "Your lip-" He looks back up but with a cute smile on his face. Mira noticed a dimple pop on his cheek as he looked at her. "You bite them when you're anxious-", he looks forward, still smiling. "Or scared."

He looks at Mira again, but now with a lazy smile. "You look beautiful." He compliments, and Mira is taken aback, parting her lips in bewilderment. She was at a loss for words. She was so used to the rude and grumpy teenage boy that she doubted whether the guy in front of him was the same guy he traveled with a few days ago.