Chapter 6
Next to take the seat with Caesar is the female tribute from District 11. The slim blonde girl wears a flowery, short dress that cuts off far above the knee. Her head gear would remind someone of a field of corn. She wobbles some, due to her lack of experience in high heels. She smiles slightly and sits across from Caesar, shaking his hand.
"Well, how nice to see something a little different from District 11," Caesar says with a smile. "You look lovely, Ryne."
"Thank you, Caesar," Ryne replies in a sweet voice, looking out over the crowd and then back at Caesar. "My prep team really did a great job, didn't they?"
"They sure did. I love the dress, as I'm sure some of the male audience does as well!" Caesar says as the crowd laughs some and some whistling and wolf calls come from the audience. Ryne blushes and looks back at Caesar.
"So how has your stay at the Capitol been?" asks Caesar.
Ryne nervously rubs her knees and tugs at the much too short dress. "It has been pleasant,. You people have such fancy trains! I loved the couch; I slept there as much as I did my bed!" The crowd laughs and cheers Ryne's excitement.
"Oh, many a night I've ended up on the couch myself, but I think that was more Mrs. Flickerman's doing!" Caesar raises his hands in a mock shrug and the crowd goes wild at the joke. "So you enjoyed the train, how about training. Any special memories there?"
"Well, I'm not very good with weapons…" Ryne says brushing a blonde lock from out of her eyes. "But all my time in the fields in District Eleven have taught me what I can and can't eat plant wise."
"I've seen many a Hunger Games where the winner just needs to outlast the others. Sounds like that's the kinda game your hoping for!" Caesar says, smiling.
"Very much hoping for, Caesar. I'd say its my only chance." Ryne's weak smile fades and Caesar moves to counter it.
"Well, I don't know Ryne. You just need to smile and I'm sure you would melt quite a few tributes with that gorgeous smile you have." The crowd fills with Aws and Oohs. Ryne's smile returns.
"I'll try Caesar; that would be something, wouldn't it?" Ryne says. Caesar nods in agreement.
"Anything to say to your folks back home?" Caesar asks.
"I just want to tell mom I love her, and Eric, you better behave. You will be old enough for the games next year, so watch and learn from your big sissy," Ryne says looking at one of the many cameras. "I love you both so much, and well….good bye I guess."
The buzzer rings and Ryne quickly exits the stage.
The next Tribute is the male from District 11. He wears a green suit with a yellow shirt and tie underneath, the tie looking like a head of golden corn. He smiles and slowly sits next to Caesar grasping his hand and shaking it firmly.
"Well, Brewer, you and Ryne looked mighty sharp in that Chariot this year, my best memory from District Eleven anyway," says Caesar.
"Thanks, Caesar. As Ryne already said, we had a really great prep team." Brewer smiles and leans back in the chair. He seems far more comfortable in front of a crowd.
"Well, tomorrow the games begin. Are you prepared mentally and physically?" Caesar asks.
"Well as good as anyone else," Brewer replies. "I learned a few things I didn't think I was capable of, and of course made sure to brush up on the skills I do have."
"You sound fairly confidant," Caesar states. "It would be nice to see you do well tomorrow!"
"Oh I plan to," Brewer replies. "I think it's a big challenge really, but hey, I remember a recent Games with some big surprises."
"Well how is your stay in the capitol?" Caesar asks. "Have you enjoyed these last few days?"
"Very much so Caesar. I can't say I've seen one angry or rude person. I feel like a celebrity!" Brewer replies.
"Well you and Ryne sure look like celebrities. I mean, prep teams can do a lot, but you guys looked beautiful out there." Caesar smiles. "And that smile won a few hearts I'm sure; you will be every Capitol girls crush if you win the games."
"Oh I wouldn't go that far Caesar!" Brewer says with a smile as his cheeks flush. "But yea, a few admirers sure makes me feel like I can take on the world." Some cries and shouts from younger girls in the audience brings Brewer to wave and smile up at the crowd.
"See, you got what it takes to be a star," Caesar says. "So what are your plans after the games?"
"Haven't really thought that far ahead Caesar," Brewer says slowly. "I would like to make District 11 a better place to live, and well, with a win here at the games I'll have done just that!" The buzzer sounds and Brewer stands and slowly bows to the crowd and moves away from the stage.
The girl from District 12 approaches the stage with trepidation, dressed in a skin-tight black body suit that lacks sleeves. Her bare arms are spattered in black paint, meant to look like coal dust, and a light is strapped to her head with a black rubber band. A short necklace of fake coal surrounds her slender throat, and her long, dark hair is straight and shiny.
"Nice to meet you, Wren," Caesar greets her.
Wren's smile is warm, lighting up her gray eyes. "And you, too, Caesar," she tells him as she sits.
"That's an… interesting outfit," Caesar says, trying to be kind.
Wren laughs. "Interesting is a good word for it! I'm supposed to look like a just came out of the mines, but if I'd just come out of the mines, I'd be wearing a bit more than this!"
Caesar and the audience laugh with her. Her cheerfulness is infectious.
"You seem like you're having a good time here in the Capitol," Caesar comments.
Wren nods. "I am. And it's mostly because…" She bites her lip and looks down, cheeks flushing.
Caesar leans forward, sensing a good story. "Yes?" he prods.
"Well, it's mostly because I've been able to spend time with someone I've always liked," Wren tells him quietly, her eyes glowing. "You see, we've never had much time together, just the two of, back in District 12..."
Sounds of pleasant surprise well up from the audience, and they turn their eyes to the male tribute from District 12, a sharply handsome young man with dark hair and eyes.
Wren looks at him, too, and he gives her a steady smile and a nod. The girl turns back to Caesar. "Caspian and I… We've enjoyed our time here… together."
"Isn't that sweet?" Caesar gushes. "Did you two grow up together?"
"Sort of." Wren nods. "And now, we've finally had the chance to… date each other."
"How romantic!" Caesar exclaims.
Wren smiles again, but it's a bittersweet smile, and her voice is suddenly distant. "Yes. It is. Isn't it strange, Caesar, how it's here-at this most violent of events-that love finally has a chance to blossom?"
Cheers arise from the crowd, but those cheers sound garish against the sweetness of Wren's gentle voice.
"That's sweet," Caesar says. "So what sort of talents are the two of you bringing to the arena?"
"I'm kind of agile," Wren replies with a shrug. She smiles a bit. "I've learned to dance some here in the Capitol. I like dancing." She flashes Caspian another smile, and it seems suddenly that they are alone, that there are no crowds around them.
Then the buzzer signals the end of Wren's time on stage, and the audience watches eagerly as Caspian takes his place under the lights. His lean form is draped in a pair of blue overalls, stained black in places, and he wears a coal miner's hat and thick gloves.
The crowd cheers for him, but Caspian has eyes only for Wren, watching as she leaves the stage.
"So… Your time in the Capitol has been romantic, has it?" Caesar asks, waggling his eyebrows at the young man.
"Yeah. It has." Caspian smiles crookedly. "Wren… She's a great girl."
"And you must be a great guy," says Caesar with a wink.
"Nah. She just… She brings out the best in me," Caspian replies. His eyes are intense and sincere.
"Have the two of you seen many of the sights of the city?" Caesar asks.
"Oh yeah." Caspian leans back and nods. "The buildings, the vehicles, the clothes, the people… It's truly an awesome place." He closes his eyes and sighs. "And the music… Ah, the music… We've danced many a night to the sweet sounds of music."
A few audience members sigh.
"Sounds like you've had a great time," Caesar comments.
Caspian's dark brown eyes open. "Yeah. We really have."
"And what about tomorrow? What sort of skills are you bringing into the arena?" Caesar inquires.
Caspian sits up and straightens his shoulders, his sharp features hardening. "Whatever it takes to protect Wren."
Everyone can see that he's deadly serious, and there is a momentary hush.
Caesar attempts to lighten up the mood. "And what sort of skills will you be using to do that?"
"I've picked up a few things in training," Caspian tells the host, holding his gaze. "I didn't have much weapons experience when I arrived here, but I've got some now, and I've always been resourceful. I'm pretty good with ropes and tying knots and that sort of thing." He shrugs. "I think I've got what it takes to see her to the last day."
Caesar knows better than to ask what Caspian will do if he and Wren are the last two left. Anyone can see that the young man from District 12 will take down whoever he sees as a threat to Wren's victory-even himself.
"So what would you like to say to the folks back home?" Caesar asks with a smile.
Caspian's smile is half-hearted. "There's really no one waiting for me back home. For me, there's just Wren. There's always been Wren…" His eyes widen and seek hers, and she smiles back at him with tears in her gray eyes.
The buzzer sounds on the final interview.
Okay, the interviews are over and a new story will be written for the actual games. I would love to hear from you guys, let me know who your favorite Tribute is and who you think will win. Also, for a reference on who we chose to be cast as Tributes check out this youtube link. .com/watch?v=wVQFlq_w5Ts
The actual fighting starts soon! Pick your Tributes and place your bets!
