[Interview Day, Studio HG, Capitol City, 61 A.D.D]

"No," Harkin determined, his eyes fierce. "I refuse." His stylist was trying to force him into a black suit with a bright pink shirt and silver tie. Harkin, however he might have been from District 1, refused to play these silly games. "Black shirt, black tie, black suit."

After a further five minutes of discussion, the woman complied; if only to shut him up. He dressed silently, there was a time for talking, and no matter what his mentor had told him, he refused to play nice with the woman who was dressing the dead. Even if he'd yet to die.

Effie stood equally silently beside him, her dress a brilliant white that emphasised her platinum blonde hair and icy blue eyes. With the string of glittering diamonds in her hair, Effie looked like an ice princess. While Harkin, dressed completely in black from head to toe, looked severe and sombre. They were at odds with each other.

Business as usual then.

The Presenter, Caesar, called Effie on stage, his blue hair and eyes matching his blue silk suit and tie, as he bowed low over gracious Effie's hand, pressing a lingering kiss to it. Effie blushed, her eyes twinkling with innocent delight as she allowed him to hand her into her seat. Harkin wasn't fooled, Effie was a right bitch when she needed to be. You didn't survive the School if you weren't.

The talk between the two was light and distracting, Effie portraying herself a young princess, innocent and sweet. He watched as her Mentor's phone buzzed constantly, the man writing down sponsor after sponsor. After a year like last, when unsuspecting 12 won the Second Quarter Quell, the audience was expecting big things this year. That District 1 would target the previous years winners and shred them alive. Or so Caesar portrayed it.

The it was his turn. He stood, scanning the room with a superior expression, eyes alighting on the traumatised District 12 Mentor, and loped up the stairs, playing the charming prince as he kissed Effie's cheek. Her blue eyes flashed with rage as he did so, knowing that the sponsors were going to love it. Sure enough, the Audience went wild. Cheering and yelling with abandon.

Harkin smirked.

"Harkin Black, you dog!" Caesar laughed, slapping his arm lightly. "Do you have designs on your district partner then?"

Harkin allowed a small smile to cross his face. "She is very pretty," it was a non answer, something to keep the audience begging for more. He'd cleaned out everyone during the crowd manipulation class. It had been easy. "As are you, Caesar," flirtation came easily to him. He was naturally charming.

"Oh you," the young host laughed, blushing vibrantly. It was Caesar's first year hosting the Hunger Games, he was particularly vulnerable to flattery. "How are you, Harkin; I can call you Harkin, can't I?"

Harkin smiled genteelly, allowing his eyes to warm. "Of course, Caesar, nothing would give me greater pleasure." He smiled a bit wider, meeting the eyes of the audience. "As to how I am, well I am well of course. I'm in Capitol City!" The last words were a cry as he raised his arms out to the audience, standing once more, as if to envelope them into a hug.

Caesar laughed, "you are a charmer, aren't you Harkin."

"Only for you, Caesar," Harkin flirted easily, smiling with just a touch of amusement. The had no idea that he was silently mocking them. Cursing them. He hated them, but he'd never let it show. His survival depended on it.

Caesar leant in closer, his warm eyes glittering with the promise of bigger and better things. Desire too, floated within those glossy, blue depths. Harkin smirked. "Now, tell me, is Effie correct in saying you're a bit of a bad boy?" Caesar asked him, his tone conspiring.

Harkin laughed easily, "well, I have a bit of a reputation." He admitted, "but Effie, she's such an innocent, you know? I would never hurt anyone deliberately, of course. But, well, things can get out of hand at times, yes?"

Oh the irony. He'd come here to kill people younger than himself. Deliberately. And he would undoubtably be guiltless at the end, if he survived. Caesar, however, didn't make the connection, grinning in delight as he watched Harkin. The District 1 Volunteer didn't doubt that those blue silk pants were tight and filled with throbbing veins.

"Of course not," Caesar hastened to agree, still cheerful. "So, tell me Harkin, do you expect to win?"

Harkin mulled the question over, knowing that the chances, one out of twenty-four, were slim. However, unlike most, he'd been training for this his whole life. If he didn't die he would join the rest of the male tributes at the School running the next lot of volunteers ragged. Frankly, he was glad he wasn't female. As a female he'd be forced to bear some Capitol scum's brat. As his mother had been forced to.

"I'd like to," he finally replied, honestly enough. And he would, but at the same time, being bred to kill and fight had its downsides. "But until I get into the arena, I can't say for sure."

Caesar didn't look happy with his answer, it lacked the vibrant quality of their previous dialogue, but Harkin couldn't bring himself to care. "Are you worried about competing, Harkin?"

Harkin cocked his head, smiling tightly, "of course not Caesar, I've been looking forwards to this my whole life." The alternative for potential tributes in District 1, who were not called up, was death. Harkin had never fancied being murdered in his bed because he'd never been nominated to volunteer. "I mean, come on, its the Hunger Games!" Harkin was back to smiling widely. "Glory, glory to the Capitol!" He shouted, pumping a fist into the air.

The bell sounded, his time was up.

Harkin stood, hugging Caesar briefly and smirking as the older man pressed his lips to Harkin's neck, and left the studio. His Mentor, a woman with tired eyes and broad hips, met him at the bottom of the stairs. She said nothing as she guided him passed the District 12 Mentor and into the lifts.

As the doors closed with a quite 'snick', she turned to him and smiled slightly. "You have sixty-four sponsors."

Harkin smirked.

[End Part Four]