And what's your name little girl?

I'm Emma.

Do you know who I am?

You're Caesar.

Yes, that's right. How old are you Emma?

I'm five.

Corporal Dever, you and the misses have a beautiful girl.

Thank you Caesar.

Well, thank you Corporal for stopping by. Congratulations on your award. You're a real Panem hero.

Thank you sir. Ladies and Gentlemen, Corporal and Mrs. Dever and of course little Emma.

Chapter 7

The Interview

"The heels should be higher." "No. They're fine." "The neckline should be lower." "You might be right there." "I think I'll add some glitter to her make up." "Are you sure?" "Here try it with this bra. It might show some more. You know" "She doesn't need to show more." "Walk over here dear." "She walks well in heels."

Between the prep team, Fuchsia, Lannie, Tigris and me there is more estrogen than should be allowed in one room at one time. If one of us started to cry it would start a flood. While Goffer and Brutus are working with Simon I'm being picked and preened for tomorrow night's three minute interview with Caesar Flickerman.

"What are you going to say?" "It depends on the questions Lannie. Caesar is a master in leading an interview. I'm just answering his questions as they come. Don't worry." "I am concerned. The interview can sway sponsors one way or another." "Lannie relax. You'll have everything under control." "How come I'm more worried than you?" "Because I've been through this before in a prior life."

Tigris leads me away from everyone. I take the dress off and give it to her. I think she's putting it under lock and key. "Here's the schedule hair at …." Fuchsia reads off my schedule for tomorrow. Wash, prep, hair, make up, dress, fine tune, ride to studio, fine tune again, sit for nine minutes, interview for three, sit for an hour, stand for anthem, come back to the tower, sleep.

I force a smile and say "I'm leaving. You guys continue without me. Okay?" No one notices. They have such tunnel vision about their own jobs no one realizes I got dressed and left the room.

Wow. Simon is gorgeous in the suit Goffer designed for him. He's a big boy but the suit is perfectly tailored to his body. His outfit is black and white except the yellow flower on his lapel. "Hi Emma. How'd it go in there?" "A little scary" I say with a giggle. "They'll be with you in a few."

"I saw you in your dress. It's very pretty." This is not something I expected to hear for him. "Thank you Simon." "I just have one suggestion. A little cleavage can't hurt." "Thanks. I'll speak to Tigris about that." Every time I move him up a level he manages to roll back down.

I deal out the cards for the eleventh time. Still stuck.

I'm done for the day. Brutus and Fuchsia are working with Simon. Tigris is working on some last minute details on my dress. The prep team is gone and Lannie says she going to try to work on sponsor issues due to my low score. She must be really worried. She wasn't wearing underwear.

"Let's talk about your interview." "What's to talk about. I'll have him eating out of my hand." "Simon, a little humility goes a long way." "You don't need to be humble when your so great. I got the highest score. I showed them I was the best." Fuchsia was having trouble handling Simon when Brutus steps in "Listen boy. Intimidation and fear are important but they have to be balanced with other things." Fuchsia pleads "Listen to him. In the arena you'll have to work with others." "NO, NO. I'm in charge. They'll listen to me." Simon storms off and I can hear the room door slam. "He's infuriating!" Fuchsia leaves also. Going to the kitchen.

"I want to go over the members of your alliance." "Sure Brutus. What's up?" "I'm not worried about Nine or Ten, there just add-ons. The girls won't be a problem. And from what you've written the Fours will follow. But I'm concerned about Boy One. You note he has authority issues. Is he a early threat?" "Yes. He wants to take charge. He'll make a early move on Simon." "How 'bout you?" "Doubt it. I haven't shown to be a threat to anyone. Plus Simon and I haven't paled around in training." I didn't want to tell Brutus I'm off on my own as soon as the bell rings. How will he react when it comes to helping me? Well, if Simon is out, he'll help. He wants a winner. "I need to talk to the boy."

I'm so bored. The TV is all Games all the time on all channels. There are no books to read. I deal out the cards for the twelfth time. Still stuck. I can't figure out the problem. I've tried as many variations as I can think of. This is frustrating but it occupies my mind.

"Emma get up. Dinner." I open my eyes and look up and see Simon standing above me. "Get up. Dinner." He really is a big boy. I think he's gotten bigger since we arrived. He and Brutus take up one long side of the table just for themselves. Fuchsia and Goffer are at the heads of the table and I sit between Lannie and Tigris. Lannie runs her fingers through my hair "Did you have a nice nap?" "Yes. Thank you." It's quite a spread tonight. Different meats, potatoes, vegetables and sauces. I reach for the carrots when Simon manages to get a sentence out. "You better eat more than that rabbit food. Remember what Brutus said." Then he gets another plate of food. Brutus has just as much food on his plate as Simon but he's a much more civilized eater. I take a slice of ham.

"Goffer, Simon's suit was very sharp. The flower was a nice touch." "I thought it made me look like a woos" Simon chimed in. "Thank you Emma. I had it dyed to match your dress." I still can't figure out if Goffer is a male or a female. She has a husky voice and a medium build. He wears a turtleneck so I can't see the size of the adam's apple. Even though she wears loose clothing I can see a small chest. He has man hands though.

"Emma! Emma! Up, Up, Up. Big day." She has scared me to death. I can feel my heart beating like crazy. "I'm up. Relax. Slow down. It's not til seven tonight." "I don't think you know how much we have to do." I take a quick shower, dry off and dress in something resembling my mom's scrubs.

First, prep. I'm hosed and scrubbed. "I have to say again how nice your skin is Not like..." I cut her off "Please don't pick on the other districts. Be charitable. They live a very hard life." "Yes, yes. You're right. We always have to remind ourselves of that."

Second, nails. They are soaked. Then trimmed. Then painted. "Mani. They're beautiful. What did you paint on them?" "I know it's small but it's a little yellow flower. It matches your dress and it is the same as Simon's." "You're quite an artist." "Thanks. You're so sweet."

Third, hair. "There is a horrible rumor that you're cutting your hair and dying it black after the interview. That can't possibly be true." I bite my lip. "Yes Tress. It's true." She spins my chair around and glares at me "Are you INSANE. This hair is pure gold. I can't do it." "Tress, if you don't do it I'll put a bowl on my head, cut it myself and then dip my head in an inkwell." "You're incorrigible. You've put a knife in me and now you're twisting it." "I'll make you a deal. Save the cuttings and make extensions out of them." "Um. Not bad. Okay, but I won't like myself in the morning. Now let's get to work."

Fourth, make up. Probably the fastest of all the prep work. "You have such beautiful skin. I hate to cover it up. Just enough to accentuate your features."

Fifth, undergarments. Absolutely shear stockings and the best fitting bra I've ever worn. "I saw that thing you were wearing when you came in. I could tell from a mile away it didn't fit. Get refitted more often."

"A girdle? Tigris, what are you trying to tell me" as I turn sideways and look at my figure. "I was just trying to put on a little weight for the arena. I might not eat for a while. "Well you succeeded. Now put this on." The little gut that I have is drawn in. "It's hard to sit in this." "You'll be fine dear. Deal with it." "It feels like your preparing me for battle." "A fashion war and I plan to win. Now put this robe on a go watch TV. Don't touch your hair. Don't touch your make up. Don't break any nails." "Yes Ma'am." "For the next four and a half hours." "What?" "Yes. We'll dress at four-thirty. Then leave for the studio at five-thirty. Go. Go. Go."

Sixth, nothing. I deal the cards for the thirteenth time.

Seventh, dress. I look in the mirror and I look at a woman. My hips, my waist, my chest. It's so simple and so pretty. "It's perfect Tigris." "It makes you look like a woman. You are eighteen you know. I put the bow on the back just to show there is a little girl left inside."

"Emma. You look hot. See a little cleavage goes a long way." Brutus smacks him in the back of the head "HEY! What was that for."

Ladies and gentlemen, from District two, Emma Dever.

Hello Emma.

Hello Caesar.

You are beautiful in that dress. Spin around for us. Very beautiful. Please sit. Sit please.

Uh Emma. Do you recall when we met?

Of course I do Caesar.

You were so small then I didn't think you'd remember.

How old were you?

I was five and I was on stage with my parents. You were interviewing my father.

Yes. Yes. He had just been awarded a medal.

And promoted.

Yes. Yes that's right, promoted.

They must be so proud of you.

They are. Especially my father.

And now let's turn to you. I'm told that you're very good at sports.

Yes I've won a lot of medals and trophies.

What is your favorite sport?

I'd say cross country. It gives me time to be with myself.

And a girl as popular as you at school must need some alone time. How do you keep all the boys away?

Oh Caesar, you must know that's my fathers job.

Of course. Of course. Very funny. Very funny. Is there anyone special?

I do date but I don't have a steady. Much to the dismay of my friend Eleanor.

Oh, she's a matchmaker?

Yup. A hopeless romantic.

Unlike the rest of the tributes you've been to the Capitol before. Is it still as fabulous as you remember?

Oh. Very much so. The Capitol residents put on quite a show.

Well Emma, you're a wonderful young woman. We wish you all the luck in the world.

Thank you Caesar.

Ladies and gentlemen, from District two, Emma Dever.

Sorry to the guys for a very girlie chapter. :)