Chapter 15
1010 Words
If I may be so bold, I think I've outdone myself with this one.
Polyphemus Ignotus POV
"Good morning, Panem!"
"I'm sure you were all as shocked as I was at the amazing twist President Galba gave us this year. I've heard through the grapevine that the Parade is as full of novelty as the Games, and I can't wait to see what happens next!"
"Oh! What is this? Folks, I am not disappointed. There are no chariots. I repeat, there are no chariots! This year is bigger and better and so are the Tributes! I can't believe what I'm seeing! The seven from District One are rolling in on a float covered in dazzling jewels. The wheels are solid crystal and horses just wouldn't do this float justice. Two enormous, jet black elephants are pulling the float. Even among all this glamour, the Tributes stand out. In lieu of a costume, they're each decorated with sparkling stones all over their bodies. Chantel's are pink, Priscilla is a vision in orange, Diamond is as white as her namesake, Hunter is blood red, Kazuo is pale blue, Miall is amber, and Rapture matches his lovely sister. Oh, my! They're throwing handfuls of gems at the crowd. The people are going wild and so am I!"
"What Two lacks in numbers they make up for in ferocity. Avariella and Thompson perch atop a gunmetal gray tank float. Even the elephants are decorated with menacing Roman battle armor. Avariella is terrifying in a leopard print loincloth and top. The bow on her back marks her as a fearless sss and the war paint highlights her merciless face. Thompson's sleek black outfit dotted with blades indicates he's a deadly ninja. I don't doubt they're as perilous as they look. They look a little more nervous than the gang from One as they toss their favors. Woah, no wonder! They're ever so delicately scattering metal stars into the crowd."
"District Three is rolling up in a spaceship that looks none the less advanced for its unusual, elephantine means of conveyance. Wyatt, Emmeline, Cordin and Hailey are covered neck down in shiny bronze plates and they each wear a stylish pair of sunglasses. What's that they're throwing? They're green squares covered with little lines. I don't know what they are, but I'm sure they're high-tech."
"District Four is taking us under the sea! Their float is draped with colorful coral and their elephants are festooned with waving blue ribbons. A gurgling fountain fills the pool in which mermaids Vera, Celestial, Dane, Shogo, and Whyte lounge. They dangle their glistening tails off the side as the throw handfuls of iridescent sea glass into the crowd."
"I wasn't sure how Five was going to reflect power, but they proved me wrong. Four waterwheels form the bottom of their float, and the tributes sit on mirrored solar dishes. Daniel, Sarla, and Gordon are covered in green glowing paint and look as perilous as an atom bomb. They're throwing flashing lights into the crowd and filling the hall with dazzling patterns."
"District Six had the easiest job, but they didn't disappoint. Their stylish float looks like a vintage convertible. Its bright red paint is reflected in the decorations on the black elephants. Hadley, Yasmine and Lyte wear capes that flare out like an airplane's wings. They catch the wind as they toss tiny cars at the adoring crowd."
"The elephants of District Seven pull a wooden wagon covered with verdant trees. Asper, Timber, Reiner and Oakley are ever-popular woodsmen, while Myrtle steals the spotlight as what can only be Mother Nature herself. Her skin is as green as the trees around her and her ethereal dress is entwined with branches. I can't see all the details from here, but I'm sure the carvings they're tossing are exquisitely shaped."
"District Eight has a lovely frilly skirt and is covered in multicolored fabric cushions. Caldwell, Alayza, Haber and Ryker wear matching gingham outfits and their orange wigs mark them as rag dolls. Oh, that's adorable! They're tossing darling stuffed animals at the Capitol children."
"District Nine rolls up in, what else, a hay wagon. The six Tributes smile out from patchwork pants and red plaid shirts. A merrier gang of scarecrows I've never seen. But what would the grain District throw as a gift? Of course! They're scattering sprays of rainbow puffed rice. Now that's a party!"
"Oversized tractor wheels turn on the corners of Ten's float. Bree, Starling and Emmalie make adorable black-and-white cows, while Jean, Felix and Mouse are fearsome longhorned bulls. Are they... are they throwing what I think they're throwing? Yep, it's cheese and barbecued ribs. Oh, I wish I was down there!"
"What is that? Oh, it's an apple basket! And what are they wearing? Of course! They're the apples! The leaf hats make the outfit really pop. Apollo is red, Jay is golden, Frankie is green, and Zach is marbled. As for the lone girl, Willow, she's a lovely apple blossom, stunning in a white dress with a subtle pink lining. My mouth is watering just watching as they throw handful after handful of exotic, delicious-looking fruit and the hungry audience."
"Twelve's float is as black as the elephants that draw it. Rocks and pickaxes litter the top of the float. The ladies outnumber the gents in this District and their costumes reflect it. Valerie, Elara, Mary Sue, and Natasha are the miners and Alex looks singularly embarrassed as a lovely yellow canary. What could Twelve even- oh! They won't be the least favorite anymore! The Tributes are tossing out beautiful, shining nuggets of gold. What I wouldn't give to be down there!"
"I can't believe what I just saw. I'm stunned, completely stunned by the showmanship, the craft, the spectacle, the grandeur of it all! There's never been anything like this in Panem's glorious history. See it for yourselves, folks. There's nothing more I can say."
That has to be the most successful parade in my Games, since usually they're full of mishaps and pratfalls.
- Writer
