Meeting Him

To say she was dreading tonight was an understatement, she really did not want to be put in front of thousands of people and aired live for this interview. Elysia much preferred working behind the scenes rather than being the center of attention. However, she had no choice but to attend, it was afree all mandatory and could result in lack of capitol favoritism. While Caesar was with his prep team of his own reapplying his lime green hair dye to match this years colors, Beetee and Wiress were with either of their tributes as they were primed and polished for tonight's interviews.

***

"Roopin can you tell me what kind of questions to expect?" i asked as he came over to me with a corset and wrapped it around my body, securing it tightly.

"Breath out" he instructed and i did so, at the same time he pulled the laces tight and tied them. I gasped for breath after that, Roopin reassured me by patting my arm. "You'll get used to it. As for the questions, Caesar is very excitable and most of the time doesn't stick to the script and just asks what he finds more entertaining"

"Great" i sighed as he brought over what looked like a skin tight dress. "Um, Roopin i thought we agreed for a more modest style after the chariot ride?"

"This is modest" he smiled as he hung the dress up and instructed Ninon to do my hair in cascading waves. Kumi worked on matching my nails to the dress and Oribel set to work on my makeup. "And we are going with a natural makeup look"

"Thanks" i mumbled.

The screen came on and Caesar'e theme song played as he entered the stage, i didn't need the screen to tell he was getting the crowd hyped up i could hear it through the walls. Soon enough the female tribute from District 1 appeared and took Caesar's hand. I was appalled at her methods as she threw herself at the Master of Ceremonies. Apparently Caesar was used to this sort of behavior because he played along with her banter for the five minutes she was on stage. As soon as she departed Caesar fixed his tie and readjusted his suit and that made me think that maybe he was uncomfortable with her advances. I smirked at the thought of Caesar Flickerman actually having standards, but really was that such a surprise? He was the face of the capitol and needed to be picky about the face he would choose to join him. Surely whoever he married would be in the light just as much as him. I contemplated the many capitol women i had seen and tried to pick who'd best appear on his arm. I ran through about six different goofy looking styles before i realized with all Caesar's extravagance he needed someone with simpler taste and looks. Someone like me ... I shook my head not understanding why i imagined myself in that position. Then again it made sense i was a young women whose life was about to end before i got a taste of any of that. Never to experience kisses, never have a romantic endeavor, never marry. By the time i entered the arena i would probably picture myself with every male i had meet thus far.

"Dress time!" Roopin sang as he brought it towards me, Ninon and Oribel held each of my hands as Roopin helped me step into the dress and guided the dress up my body. It was just as tight as i thought but Roopin was right it was much more modest than i had thought. My cleavage was completely covered which relaxed me enough to withstand this night. Kumi brought over black wedge shoes this time and i looked to Roopin and we shared a smile at the thought of me tripping in the last shoes i'd worn.

"It's time" Beetee said. He took my hand and helped me walked towards the entrance to the stage. The shoes were much easier to walk in but still Beetee was the only reason i had yet to fall on my face. I trembled with the thought of falling in front of all those people since Beetee couldn't walk me onto the stage.

"You'll do fine, just make them laugh" Beetee whispered and let me go. I kept breathing as hard as it maybe and took one step at a time focusing on not trying to fall and i did a good job until my eyes meet Caesar's and i put my hand out to his. Just as our gazes locked and he had my hand i stumbled and fell into him, i closed my eyes fearing i would open them to find myself on top of the Master of Ceremonies in front of all of Panem. But when i opened my eyes i hadn't fallen to the ground, Caesar and prevented me from falling past him. He stood me up right and helped me to take a seat in the red chair laughing.

"Looks like someone is still getting used to the Capitol" Caesar smiled out at the crowd making them return the gesture and i realized he was waiting for my response.

"While there's just so much to adjust to" i smiled back at Caesar.

"That there is. but tell what do you miss most from home?" he inquired with a raised eyebrow.

I paused, the only thing i missed besides my mentor Kuval was the safety it provided me from these damn games, the distance between me and the capitol. Clearly saying any of that wouldn't earn me any favoritism. I thought of an answer they would want to hear, something that would make them sympathize with me and make them 'aw'.

"There's this dog, i guess he just belongs to everyone in the District but every morning he stops by my house and scratches at the door until i let him in for some water. We go for a walk and then i don't see him again until the next morning. Whenever i'm sick he comes and lays with me until i better" i explain smiling as i pretend to be recalling a memory. There really is a dog that everyone knows about but no one likes him, he is mean, vicious, and a thief but of course they wouldn't know that nor would they take the time to find out if i was lying. Caesar's smile turned into one without teeth as he 'awed' with the crowd.

"Tell me about you score, i'm sure i speak for everyone when i say we weren't expecting such a high score from such a little girl." I smiled in a playfully challenging way.

"There is nothing little about me Caesar and i assure you i am full of surprises" i giggled to finish it off. I certainly was full of surprises because here i was acting like someone i am not for the sake of images. Caesar's gaze meet mine and i looked deep into his eyes to discover he knew i was lying. Its like he was reading my eyes to know that i didn't walk with that dog, that i was in fact not full of surprises, that i was nothing but a fraud.

"Yes well we expect to see more surprises in the games" he said and stood holding out a hand to me to help me stand. "Ladies and gentleman from District 3, Elysia Wires!" He held my hand up to his lips and kissed my hand before helping me to the edge of the stage to hand me off to Beetee.

"Careful there, she's got two left feet" Caesar smiled to Beetee. I turned to his with a glare.

"We shall see" i smiled playfully after my comment. Caesar's smile widen like i was his own personal source of entertainment.