velvet’s parade (d8)

Instructions

“it’s a mystery, sweetheart. just like me.” ——————————————————— velvet was…unsure of how to feel about the parade. it was a bit of a weird feeling, to be shown off to the capitol in costumes and adorned in jewels, but at least she got to experience some luxury? she had been loitering by her district-mates, occasionally drifting off to go stare at the chariot and horses pulling it. she was trying to encourage herself silently, her ears pinned back as she fixed a part of her outfit to lay correctly. it was a beautiful thing, really. based on her favorite myth, the one of orpheus and eurydice, and was one of the few things that made her happy to be in the capitol. she had followed eleutherios’ advice, and had tried her best to ‘ascend to her full potential’, in his words. basically, she was trying to be someone that she was not typically. normally, she was nervous and shy, doing her best to survive. but, why just survive? why not thrive, or at least, convince yourself that you will? the thing that pushed her over the edge (in a good way, of course) was what one of the attendants said to her as they were helped into chariot. “smile. they’re going to love you, you know. you’re going to flourish out there.” she had confided in the attendant the anxiety that she had felt about the whole situation, and that was what they had told her. that they would adore her, she just needed to be herself, or the best version of herself. so, soon enough, the chariot was moving. after a moment of regaining her balance, she had taken a deep breath. once her eyes had opened again, they had widened to the size of saucers. it was beautiful. everything. the clothes, the decorations, the chariots, absolutely everything. even the audience. and it started to feel like everything came naturally to her. she started to smile, her gleaming eyes scanning everything. she didn’t know if she were to speak or not, though she winked at many. “oh, look at this! i feel so special. i love this place!” she giggled as she spoke, going to all sides of the chariot to see everyone. she blew kisses, twirled a few times, everything. she wanted them to love her, to adore her, to /remember/ her. and they would. she was confident that they would all remember her, the bubbly and charming girl from district eight. she would be their rose. their darling. the victor, of their hearts. of their games.