Chapter 7
*The voice of Hunger*
Pt.1
A seven. That's actually a lot better than I had hoped for. At least the game makers saw something in me. Bella, and a few of my closer opponents scored lower than I did, giving me a boost of confidence. Maybe I'll manage to catch the eye of a few sponsors. But then something jumps out at me. Compass Rose and her eleven. How had she managed that? Tributes from higher districts are usually weaker than the rest, and their scores reflect it. She's obviously someone to be wary of.
I think of all this as I lay in my bed, staring at the black ceiling. Tomorrow will be the tribute interviews. When I'm presented to all of Panem one last time before the arena. With this the last thing on my mind, I manage to somehow find sleep.
"War; terrible war…." I'm sitting with Madilynne Love in the viewing room, watching the treaty of treason on television. "And so it was decreed that every year, the various districts of Panem would offer up, in tribute, one young man and woman, to fight to the death in a pageant of courage, honor, and sacrifice, until a lone victor remained…"
"Such a lovely film, is it not?" Madilynne asked me, fluttering her neon-yellow eyelashes.
"It's very lovely," I said back.
What? Why the hell am I agreeing with her? "But it's not even half as lovely as you are."
What the FUCK did I just say!?
"This is how we remember the past. This is how we safeguard our future…"
"Alexandre…" Madilynne stares dreamily into my eyes, and I can't help myself. I lean in to kiss her….
I jumpstart awake and find with alarm that dazzle was seated on the foot of my bed. She stares at me; blinks- her eyes changing from green to brown- and says, "Do you normally recite the treaty of treason in your sleep?"
"Jesus Christ, I hope not," I said, making the sign of the cross over myself.
"At any rate, you know tonight are the tribute interviews. So we've got some work to do."
"Quite," I muttered dismally.
I hop in the shower, which Dazzle has already adjusted to a special setting, and clean up. After I'm dried off, Dazzle sits me down. "I know how you feel about capitol glamour and all," she says. "But there is one thing I want to do to you." she produces a simple pair of scissors as her eyes rake my hairline.
"Have at it," I say. My hair, which has been relatively unkempt since the reaping, now flutters to the floor at my feet as dazzle snips here and snaps there. When she's done I say "So…". Dazzle steps aside and lets me view my hair in the mirror. She must have magic fingers. My hair is now close-cropped, in perfect profile with my features. Just slightly longer in the front than the back. My jaw line seems somehow more defined; my cheekbones more prominent; all this behind a set of dark brown eyes.
"Nice," says Dazzle over my shoulder. "Now about the rest of you…"
"Forget it," I say.
Dazzle chuckles. "Okay, how about another approach?" she skips over to the walk-in closet, and at the push of a button, the doors slide open. Inside is an enormous selection of rich, delicate dress clothing. "I'll let you decide your look."
Looking at the fine clothing; picturing me wearing any of it, I die a little inside. At it's core, this all still just a show. But the practical side of my brain tells me that this must be done; if I'm to attract the attention of a sponsor. I approach the closet and give Dazzle a look. "Privacy," I say. She smiles and leaves the room.
About ten minutes later. I'm dressed and having Dazzle look me over. I chose a relatively simple look. I stayed with black; with a silk dressing jacket, inlaid with gold trim; creased black pants; and a pair of black silk gloves. "Very nice," she says. "But if I can make one more addition…" I shrug permission. She retreats to the closet floor and retrieves a black hat. It's simple enough; looks to fit my head closely. It had a wide brim and a white stripe that ran around it. Dazzle puts it on my head and then give it a tweak so it rests sharply angled on the right side of my head. She steps back; the biggest grin on her face. The effect is amazing. The angled brim cast a shadow over my face, hiding my eyes from foreword view entirely. To the meek observer; I'm not someone to be crossed.
"I see it now," Dazzle says. "Alexandre Deacon. The dark horse of the Hunger Games."
"Dark horse implies I'm some kind of underdog," I say.
"Well, you are," she says back. "In light of the heavier competition. Then again, everyone is." She leans back against the dresser. "I guess now we have to work on your behavior, etiquette; how you'll present yourself to the crowd." I push up the brim of my hat to give her a questioning look. "I know your escort should be doing this since you don't have a mentor, but since she's a lady, I doubt she can teach you much about being a gentleman."
"And you're more qualified because…?"
"I have four older brothers; I know how guys work." Dazzle starts to pace back and forth now. "But you're not really a gentleman, are you?" Dazzle seems to grow more excited as she speaks. "So far you're the biggest rebel the Hunger Games have ever seen. At the reaping, you defied mandate by refusing to shake your opponent's hand; you dared to show your true, un-altered face to the capitol at the tribute parade. Now we have a chance to put the icing on the cake. If you can come across with that same self-believing defiance, you're sure to get some second looks."
I like this angle, my smile shows it. Then Dazzle shows me how I'm to conduct myself. She teaches me how to walk. I hook the thumb of my left hand in my left pocket, just grasp the brim of my hat with my right thumb and index finger, and take slow, confident strides. Dazzle shrieks with delight at it's effect. She tells me how to sit. I'm to cross my legs and angle my head downward, so the brim of my hat hides my eyes. I'm to remain just like this during the other interviews. Not showing even the slightest interest in what the other tributes are saying. My unshakable cool will surely attract more attention than a gaudy plea for sponsorship.
She stands me up and looks me in the eye. "You got this," she says. And she kisses me on the cheek.
…...
A/N- The rest of the chapter will be dedicated to each of the tribute interviews in their entirety. It may get a little lengthy, so bear with me. I'm not sure how this will go over, so please excuse any repetitiveness. I at least want to give all the tributes a face, a drive, and most importantly, a personality. So settle in, and get ready to meet the tributes.
- B.D. Skunkworks
…...
I stood in line with the rest of the twenty-four tributes. We were in order from district one to twelve; me bringing up the rear. Meeting Bella this time around was like meeting a whole different person. She looked like a striking midnight queen. Her black velvet gown flowed around her like a dark mist; her gorgeous black hair was ornately woven with satin ribbons; her eyelashes elongated and luxurious. She was beautiful. "You look good, Alexandre," were her first words to me.
"Thanks," was all I said.
There was no time for further discussion as the anthem of Panem had started playing around us. And in single file unison, we moved out onto the stage. The roar of the crowd was immense. The city circle was absolutely packed. Those who couldn't get seats crowded the isles and ally ways, all clambering to get a glimpse at us. The night sky was black above us, but the artificial lights lit the place up like day time. When the final swells of the anthem died away, we all took our seats. I immediately adopted the cross-legged pose Dazzle instructed and rested my chin on my hand, in a state of somewhat attentive boredom.
And then from back stage, the man of the hour appears. He bounces onto the podium and strikes a deep bow for the audience, who have reached new heights of frenzy. I know this man; everyone does. The immortal host of the interviews. The one and only, Caesar Flickerman. The voice of Hunger.
His color for this year is violent neon- yellow. He's damn near impossible to look at directly, like staring into the sun. He speaks into the microphone, "Welcome, citizens of the capitol. And a happy Hunger Games. Tonight, as you know, is when we take the time to all get a little closer to our dear tributes. The dreams, hopes, and aspirations of twenty-four competetors to be laid out right here, right now!" The crowd responds with a roar. "So without further ado, let's start the show!"
The crowd goes quiet with anticipation. "And first up, from district one, please welcome, Eureka Hearthstriker!" Eureka Hearthstriker walks down the isle with a confident stride, no doubt taught by her stylist. Medium height with a short bob of fire-red hair. Her dress follows suit; brilliant crimson that seems to radiate heat. She joins Caesar at the podium and shakes his hand. "So, Eureka, how are you finding your stay at the capitol thus far?"
"It's been such a wonderful experience, and a great honor," she says back.
"Look at you, all decked out in red. What inspired this look?"
"My burning desire to win!" Shouts Eureka. This gets a roar from the crowd. "Don't get too close, Caesar, you might get burned!"
Caesar takes a dramatic step backwards which gets a laugh from the audience. "And how is it you plan to win, Eureka? What's your strategy?"
"I've got it all, Caesar; the strength; the speed." she gives her head a provocative toss. "And the look." The men in the audience hoot their approval.
"Indeed you do!" says Caesar. "And thank you, district one Eureka Hearthstriker!" she's applauded back to her seat. "And now welcome her district counterpart, Diamond Sutra!"
A lanky brown-haired boy leaps up and jogs the length of the isle. He seems to have a real upbeat energy about him, as the smile never leaves his face. His tuxedo is snow-white and completely covered in the gemstones of his namesake. He shines brilliantly. He doesn't even wait for Caesar's first question. "Hey Caesar, so great to be here!" he shouts.
"My, we've got a lively one here, eh folks!" A roar of consent from the crowd.
"You bet!" says Diamond. "I'm rarin' to go! Let's start the games right now!" The crowd feeds off his energy.
"So, Diamond, what do you think gives you an edge over the competition? Aside from the obvious." he says this jokingly to the crowd, obviously alluding to Diamond's abundance of energy.
"It's all about the attitude, Caesar. And my attitude? I can't lose!"
"Now that's the spirit! Indomitable force of will!" cries Caesar. "Thank you for your time, Diamond Sutra, ladies and gentlemen!" he jogs back to his seat. "Moving on to district two. Give a round of applause for Ilene Southworth!" Ilene struts to the podium in superb confidence. She's a little taller than I am, the heels she's wearing probably help. Her grey eyes peek mischievously through her smooth black hair. "Welcome, Ilene, welcome. Tell me, what was your first impression upon arriving here?"
"My first impression?" Ilene says in a husky voice. "That is one helluva suit!"
"Why thank you!" Caesar says. "I've got my own stylists too, you know?" he says with a wink. The crowd laughs. "Now, Ilene, I hate to bring up a slightly sore point. But your training score; slightly below what would be expected from your district. Care to shed some light on that?" "I was hiding my abilities," Ilene says simply. "If I showed what I could really do, the other tributes would die of fright!"
"Oh is that so?" Caesar says. "Well I for one am certainly dying to see what you can really do."
"Don't worry, the best is yet to come," was Ilene's confident response.
"Sounds good to me! Ilene Southworth, of district two!" Ilene takes her seat. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, here is Trigger Suresight!"
Trigger Suresight. He's as impressive as his training score of ten. He's a solid six feet tall with long limbs. He wears a long black trench coat over a deep plum tuxedo. His blue eyes are intelligent and calculating. As Caesar asks him how he's finding the capitol so far, his reply is, "Come now, such trivial questions, Caesar." The audience is in an awed hush at the smooth confidence of his voice. "I'll get strait to the point," he continues. "The Games are a show of skill, no one here possess as much skill as I do. I plan on being in that victor's throne, no matter what." Trigger has completely taken over this interview. "And before you ask me how I plan to do this, I'll tell you. There is nothing I can't do. Thank you for your time."
Trigger walks back to his seat just as Caesar snaps out of his stupefied gaze. "Uh…Trigger Suresight, district two!" The crowd explodes to life. I'm sure he just won every sponsor in the house.
"Wow. He was good," Bella whispers to me.
I shake my head as Caser moves on. "And now, here's district three's Persephone Redfield!" A short black-haired girl walks up to the podium. Though she's not too tall, she's to be taken seriously because of her solid training score, and there just seems to be some kind of strength she secrets under that benign, dreamy face of hers.
"Welcome, Persephone. How's everything been for you thus far?"
"Fantastic, thank you." her reply was short, but not necessarily rehearsed.
"Ooh, I've got this feeling about you," Caesar says. "You seem to be someone to keep an eye on, no?"
"You and everyone else," Persephone says.
The audience chuckles in appreciation. "So, a solid eight for you in training. Care to offer us some insight?"
"I do. But it's impossible." There was something in Persephone's short, concise answers that definitely hinted of a hidden inner strength.
"Oh, so focused this one is. Persephone Redfield, everybody!" There's a roar of applause as she takes her seat. "And now here is Fiddler Goodman!"
Fiddler didn't really make an impression on me during training, nor does he now. His stylists made him up handsome enough, his sleek blonde hair swept over his head, revealing his hazel eyes. He's clearly nervous as he steps up to the podium. "Good evening, Caesar," he said shakily.
"And good evening to you, Fiddler. How's the capitol been for you so far?"
"It's a lot bigger than it is on television," Fiddler chuckles.
The audience joins him. "So, any particular aim for you in this years Games?"
"Besides surviving?" another laugh from the crowd. "I'm gonna do my best, just like I promised my sister."
An 'Awww' drifts from audience. "And that you will. Fiddler Goodman of district three!"
He's applauded back to his seat. "And now please welcome, district four's Gloria Tidesender!" A roll of polite applause follows her name. Gloria was a tiny twelve-year-old with curly brown hair and sea-green eyes. Her costume is patterned like gold fish scales and her skirt ripples out in the shape of a mermaid's tail. In a word; she's cute. Caesar squats down to look Gloria in the face, as she's so small. "My, my that is quite the adorable dress, isn't it folks?" The crowd gives enthusiastic hoots and applause.
Cleary given confidence by this, Gloria squeaks, "Thank you so much, I worked so hard on it."
Caesar's eyebrows go up. "You designed your own costume?" he says, impressed.
"Yes!" says Gloria. "I designed it while I was at home. I wore it to my big brother's wedding, and maybe I thought the capitol would like it too!"
Adoring coos go up from the audience. "Well I think you most certainly made an impression here, didn't she now?" The crowd reacts supportively. "Gloria Tidesender, district four!" she takes her seat. She really charmed the crowd with her cuteness. But sadly, cute does not win these Games. "And now, Sullivan Highwind!" Sullivan is about my height. He has fair blonde-white hair and jet-black eyes. He stands strait and proud, and I wonder if this posture is natural. Someone with such a weak training score can't really be that confident. "Welcome, Sullivan, welcome," Caesar says.
"Thank you, Caesar," Sullivan says back. "I'm grateful for this opportunity, and I plan to make the most of it."
"And just what is the plan, Sullivan?"
"I'm gonna be smart. I'm the best survivor here; I can live off the sea or the land." Caesar nods his head at the audience in approval. "And when I see my chance, I'm defiantly gonna take it."
"I love the confidence!" Caesar shouts. "But given the unpredictable nature of the Games, just how do you plan on cashing in these opportunities?"
"I can pick up on things," Sullivan says. "Years on the ocean and in the woods have taught me see things others can't."
"I like it! And we'll see just what you do at the start of the Games. Sullivan Highwind, folks!" A great round of applause as Sullivan returns to his seat. "And now welcome district five, Roxanne Maestro!"
Roxanne is the same age as me. Her jet black hair hangs in fancy bobbing curls from her head, and her eyes are a light brown. When she reaches the podium, she gives the crowd an extravagant curtsey before giving Caesar the same gesture. "Good evening!" she chirps.
"My, what a respectful young lady, don't you think?" he asks the crowd. They respond favorably. "And look at that dress," Caesar continues. "Could you…?" he makes a circular motion with his finger. Roxanne obliges and twirls in a circle, her deep purple gown flaring out, giving you the impression that she could fly away at any moment. She definitely seems to be playing on her good looks. "Wonderful, wonderful!" Caesar cries. "And now on a serious note; that score of nine; the highest in district five's history. How did you manage that?"
"Oh, I'm more than just a pretty face," Roxanne says mischievously. "I've definitely got the skills to go with it. I'd say I'm the total package."
"With a score like that, I've no doubt. Thank you, Roxanne Maestro!" A huge roar of appreciation from the audience; she's defiantly a favorite. "And now, here's Julian Zephr!" Julian rises from his seat. Something about the way he conducts himself; the set of his shoulders; his sharp attentive eyes; and seeming tautness of his legs. He screams athleticism. "Julian, so good to see you!"
"Thank you, Caesar" he says back. Even his voice seems fit and healthy.
"I must say; another solid score coming out of district five. How did that come to be?"
"How about I show you instead?" Julian asks with a smile.
"Well, go right on ahead," says Caesar.
Julian leaves the podium and jogs to the end of the stage. He takes a breath of preparation, and then gives himself a running start. And then he launches himself end over end in a series of perfect back flips down the length of the stage. The audience is going absolutely mad. He lands neatly on his feet just in front of me. I remain just as Dazzle instructed and don't even give him a glance. Julian rejoins Caesar who is laughing delightedly. "Now THAT was amazing!" the crowd roars agreement. "Julian Zephr!" the applause is immense.
It's about this time when I notice the audience members directly in front of me pointing and whispering; "There, him. That boy on the end."
"What, district twelve?"
"How could he ignore that?"
"What's with him?"
"Could he be that bored?"
It's working. My impartial posture is attracting attention, just as Dazzle said it would. "And now representing district six, Meredith Wingstar!" And down the isle she comes. Her gown reflects her name perfectly. It's deep black and patterned with hundreds of little glowing stars. And set on her shoulders is a pair of white feathery wings. "Good evening, Meredith. You look quite splendid!"
"My stylist thought so too," she says back. A chuckle from the audience.
"So tell me, what will be your approach to the Games this year?"
"Firstly, my score belies my abilities, I'll say that now," Meredith says this right to the audience. "I don't expect anything less than at least reaching the top four."
"The top four?" Caesar says with inflection. "A lofty goal indeed. We'll see how you get on at the start of the Games. Thank you, Meredith Wingstar!" she gets a good send off to her seat. "Now welcome, Kaiser Viridian!" I remember him, if only for his lack of presence. He took no part whatsoever in training, and yet still managed to score a six. I kept my ears open for this interview. "So, Kaiser, how has your time been spent in the capitol so far?"
"Well, I've been looking through the windows a lot; there's a lot to see." Kaiser spoke with a sort of methodical honesty; he seemed to chose his words carefully.
"Is that what you spent your training time doing?"
"No, I was watching the other tributes training."
"And what were your impressions?"
"They're nothing special."
And 'oooh' went up from the crowd. "Undaunted! I love it! Kaiser Viridian folks" Kaiser took his seat to great applause. "And moving right along to district seven, Here's Compass Rose!" An explosion of applause greeted her name. Compass's lean frame was encased in a long gown of forest-green silk. Her blond hair was woven with white flower petals; all enhancing the shine of her green eyes. "Compass, Compass," Caesar said. "I'm sure everyone here certainly remembers you from the reaping, am I wrong folks?"
They respond emphatically. "And they're right to," Compass says cockily. " I'm in this to win this. I'd love to see someone try and stop me!" The crowd hoots with delight.
"Compass. Your score of eleven; the highest in this year's pool. Do you think that's an edge, or a liability?"
"Both," Compass says firmly. "The game makers saw what I could do, and I'm sure all of them," she nods her head in our; her opponents direction, "Have a bull's eye on me. So, come and get me!"
The crowd gasps. A tribute directly challenging her opposition; a first in Games history. "Oh, save some for the arena!" Caesar says jokingly. "Thank you, Compass Rose! We'll certainly be keeping an eye on you!" She takes her seat amongst a roar of applause. "Now please welcome, Juniper Fade!" Juniper struts up the isle and joins Caesar. His black tuxedo shines like satin, really bringing out his wide, dark eyes. "Juniper. How are finding everything so far?"
Juniper lets a low whistle, "In terms of competition, it's gonna be a tough one." he says this with a light-hearted series of nods and the audience chuckles.
"So, how do think you measure up to your competitors?"
"Well, I'm taller than him; taller than her; she's got me by a few inches…" The crowd laughs hysterically as Juniper points out a few of us and gives his height comparisons.
Caesar himself is holding a stitch in his side as he asks, "How do you think your opponents will respond to your sense of humor in the arena?"
"If I can't kill 'em with a sword, I'll try and make 'em laugh themselves to death," was Juniper's response. Caesar could barely contain himself as he said, "Juniper Fade, district seven!" The crowd applauds him back to his seat. "So how bout it, folks. Having a good time?" Caesar asks the audience. They show their approval with monstrous applause. "I think that's a yes," he says with a laugh. "Alright! Let's keep things moving! Time for our next tribute!"
*End of chapter 7 pt.1*
-A/N
Okay, snap decision. I decided to split this chapter into two parts; it was getting a little long there. Rest assured part two is coming soon, REAL soon. I'm literally typing it as you read this. So hang tight!
-B.D. Skunkworks
