- - - Macaroni walked into a dim room, careful pawsteps and a few sniffs investigating what was around him, followed by the five other cats from his district. As xeir eyes adjusted to the light, xey looked around. The room was decorated beautifully in pastry-themed props. Cookies, cakes, you name it. All there, emphasizing the 9th district's importance as the grain producer. Showing the delectable result of the constant hard work and toil. And, of course, the room had somehow been infused with the overwhelming scent of BREAD. The smell crept into xeir nostrils, his mouth filling with saliva. Xey hoped he wouldn't drool. Heh. Five white x's were positioned on the floor on different platforms. Macaroni didn't see his for a bit, before spotting a set of stairs that led up to a raised platform, the highest one in the room. He rolled his eyes. He already knew he was short, they didn't need to emphasize it. Macaroni made his way up the stairs, watching them disappear into the platform. Welp. Looked like he was stuck here. He looked down as the remaining tributes tentatively took their places on the x's below. Suddenly, the door swished open. Macaroni barely managed to contain a yelp. Hundreds of eyes stared at them. He heard the click of cameras, and suddenly a spotlight flashed onto him. Xeir costume was revealed. The cats gasped. The mottled amber cat grinned as the spotlight lit up the hundreds of glittery flecks in his transparent cape, which looked as if it were made of wisps of cinnamon dust. Xeir green eyes had been emphasized, the makeup giving them the illusion of being wider, more childish-looking. Macaroni's head had been dyed white and fluffed up to look like his head were covered in frosting, this then decorated with an assortment of candy decorations as the sprinkles. Little white mittens covered each of his paws A plan grew in Macaroni's mind. He lay down, letting the cape droop on the platform, hanging his little paws out, and faced the crowd. Eyes wide. Blinking. Round. Belly showing towards the crowd in a sign of surrender. Truly, Macaroni was the epitome of innocence. Take pity on this poor, small child. He doesn't deserve this. He deserves your support. Support xem. Love him. Cherish this innocent being. You cannot let him die. - - - Music is Cafe 1930 by Astor Piazzolla