Chapter 16
1043 Words
I went right into the descriptions, since the intro is always the same anyway.
Polyphemus Ignotus POV
"Here! They! Are! It's District One, Panem's bastion of taste and luxury. Emelia stuns in a dazzling pink dress dripping in sparkles like the jewel she is. She's loving it, folks. Every time she points at the crowd I feel like the roof's going to burst. Hunter's pink suit is perfectly appropriate and tasteful, but he messes up his hair more every second and his cheeks are as pink as his outfit. Someone is not thinking pink."
"Ava and Mase are dressed as sturdy golden Peacekeepers. Mase is standing tall and proud, gazing straight ahead like a good soldier. Ava isn't so sure. She looks like a warrior, but she doesn't seem to see it. She keeps tugging at her waist. I don't see why- the suit is perfectly tailored."
"District Three is always full of suprises. There isn't as much electricity from them this year. Abigail has a glitzy gold dress that shows exactly how she intends to place in the Games. She's enjoying them, waving with one hand while the other grips the chariot. Cordin has on the same old wire-covered suit Three's stylists drag out when they can't think of something new. Yawn!"
"What has the tide brought in this year? Kisarna's outfit seems to be based off of that stunning pendant she's wearing. It contrasts her pale skin wonderfully in her dark blue bikini. Her damp hair explains the water dripping from Four's chariot. Shogo is giving us the show of the year! He's striking one pose after another, turning to face all the cameras. Kisarna keeps dodging him, and she's looking at him like he's a nut. I can't agree with her. I'm enjoying the show."
"The pair from five are wearing some odd round getup with notches missing. Are they... gears? It's not much compared to last year's fireworks, even if there was a little mishap. They match so perfectly, I don't know why Skyler is squished into a corner of the chariot peeking at her partner. Gordon is glaring at the chariot floor. He almost looks sad. With all this color and excitement, it doesn't make sense."
"Oh my goodness! OH MY GOODNESS! This is just stunning! I can't make this up. Hadley's stiff hoopskirt seems normal enough until you look closely. It's moving, folks! There's a track on the hem with an adorable little train circling her. I can't believe it! You designers better take notes. This is going to be the next big thing. She's standing still with her hands on her hips, looking down at Lyte. He's dressed as a conductor with the cutest little hat, and he's playing with the train on her dress. This is just too cute."
"Miss Forrest- isn't that just a perfect name?- looks like the trees she's named after in an ombre green and gray gown. Reiner's gold makeup and popout branch pants make him look like both lumberjack and tree. He's swinging around two wooden swords wildly. It's a good thing they're wooden, since Ashlyn is having a hard time staying out of his way."
"Eight is the easiest District to dress, so they either end up mediocre or amazing. Th stylists took a different track this year with Jamie. His pale face paint, dreadlocked hair and patchwork suit suggests an old-fashioned ragdoll, but I've never seen a rag doll jump up and raise his fist. Tillo's certainly making a statement. Her impeccably sharp pinstriped suit and shiny top hat sends the image of a shrewd, ruthless mobster. Her head is high and her smile is confident and bold."
"Demetria is wearing just what WHEAT expect from Nine, ha ha! It looks like her dress is actually made of grain. She's a little overwhelmed and is sticking close to Mink. Wait, what is he wearing? I didn't realize there were pitchfork-holding mermaids in Nine. There's a very confused stylist backstage. For his part, Mink is owning the outfit. He's stabbing the air like he's going to be stabbing his opponents soon."
"After finally breaking free two years ago, Ten returned to the cows of old last year. Will this year prove different? Yes, it will. Calvary's denim shorts pretend to cover her rump and her knotted blouse shows her pink farmer's tan. Uh, oh. She's not feeling the magic. Our little cowgirl is scowling under her perfect twin braids. Her arms are folded and she refuses to engage the audience. Felix is more friendly, waving merrily at the crowd. Ten couldn't quite stand to try something new. Felix's jeans split for his cow tail and he has a ring in his nose under his straw hat. Cowboy or cow? He's both."
"Oh... my. The Hunger Games Parade can be a wonderful display of creativity and diversity. Or it can be this. This is, without question, the worst outfit I have ever seen. Willow is covered from head to toe in thick, gloppy mud. She appears to have nothing on underneath it, judging by how she's crouched in the chariot with her hands over her chest and rump. Ladies and gentlemen, have mercy and look away. Ever the gent, Caleb is trying to block the crowd's view of her, even as he wears a loincloth made of fresh green grass. That's true class."
"What do you know, Jamie and Mary Sue are miners. Couldn't the stylists get a better fit for Mary Sue? She's drowning in that thing. At least Jamie's fits. Mary Sue is waving and clamoring for the crowd's adoration, while Jamie is more bashful. Why couldn't this parade have ended with Eight?"
"This year, I can only say that this was indeed a show. Some of these outfits will be remembered forever, whether or not we want to. Choose your favorites wisely, and may the odds be ever in your favor."
It's so much more fun when the parade's a half-baked train wreck, isn't it? Now you know what you get when you request to see your Tribute in "something stupid". No hints on which one it was.
Mink was originally submitted as the Four male, so I left him in his original outfit for a laugh.
- Writer
