AN: so, during April I didn't update because I was writing in something called script frenzy, where you have to write a 100 page script in a month, like what I did in November, but with scripts. I just didn't tell you this time. Sorry! Back to the story. Oh, and I've decided to skip tedious weeks of training and cut to the interviews, then, in a chapter or two, The arena!
After weeks of training, practice fights and lifting weights, the tributes have all become stronger. My muscles have hardened, and fighting with halt no longer ends in me bruised and aching, though he's still better than me. Tonight, interviews, then tomorrow, the Arena. Katniss has decided we can coach ourselves for the interviews. So Me and Shura ended up Watching a horrible cooking show hosted by a woman died alternating stripes of neon green and garish pink. We're in the middle of watching her bake what appear to be pies made out of pure chocolate, and Effie's face appears onscreen.
"Girls, it's time to get ready for your interviews!" I shrug, flicking off the screen and leading the way to the stylist's office, the layout of the building now familiar to me. Shura pads silently behind me, and gives me a quick hug before leaving to go see her stylist.
"Good luck" I walk into Cinna's office, and he greets me with a smile.
"Hello, Alex. It's good to see you." He holds out a dress, it looks blue, and I take the soft fabric. Pulling it on, I see that it's made of soft satin, and the purple-blue colour looks like the spot in the centre of a fire, a deceptively gentle colour that can sear flesh from bone in seconds. I see a lot of burns in district twelve.
"You look lovely. Cinna hands me a Sweater, soft wool on the inside, and I slip it one, noting that, on the outside, it's the same fabric as the dress. The sweater is a pink-red colour, like the coolest, outer part of the flame. Both articles of clothing flicker and change colour as I move, making me appear to be wearing Fire. Despite the sweater, I feel exposed, the short dress barely coming to my knees.
"Good luck." Cinna tells me.
"That's the second time someone's said that to me tonight." I tell him. "Save your luck to give me in the arena." He smiles, and repeats his earlier sentence.
"Good luck."
The interviews pass by in a blur, and all I remember from each are the weapons. Gleaming steel and wood, polished metal glinting cruelly in the harsh lighting. Then it's time for the tributes of district twelve. Shura goes first, as always, Leading the way. Her weapons will be on stage. A special part of these games is showing the weapons off to the audience in the interview.
"Hello, Shura." Caesar Flickerman greets Shura, hair and makeup a vibrant gold colour.
"Hello, Mr. Flickerman." She shakes the man's hand, sitting nervously on the edge of her seat. I already know what angle she's going for. Sweet and kind, everyone will love her. She's probably mentally slapping herself right now, though. The host laughs a deep belly laugh.
"You don't have to be so polite, dear. It's only me!" This gets a few chuckles. Shura smiles.
"Sorry, Caesar, It's just…" Shura motions at everything. "So big." Caeser laughs again, and puts his arms around her small shoulders.
"I know, sweetie. No, what have you chosen in the way of weapons?" He lifts the first choice, the axe, off the floor. Then the serrated, four-inch knife. He shows the audience her third weapon, a large metal ball welded to a length of metal rope, then another ball. It's made for tripping opponents. Her interview goes by too fast, then it's Andy's turn. He swaggers onto the stage confidently.
"Hello, Caesar." He greets the man with a handshake. "No offense, man, but I gotta ask, what's with the makeup?" He gestures at Flickerman. The big man chuckles.
"It's a routine, I suppose. What's with the purple suit?" He gestures at Andy, decked out in a suit the same colour as mine.
"This?" Aiden flexes his muscles. "It's to tone down my masculinity. The ladies couldn't take it if I came at them full force." He winks at the audience. Caesar and Andy compare muscles, each trying to 'out-man' each other. The audience roars with laughter. The weapons are worked into this routine, Andy raising his hammer and sickle above his head and giving a roar. Caesar takes the third weapon, a knife with a semi-circular blade. The two do a mock sword fight, Soon sitting back down.
"Andy, I have to ask, Why would you volunteer in place of your brother, 'pulling a Katniss' If you'll excuse the term." Aiden scuffs his foot on the ground, looking embarrassed.
"I-"He stops talking, aware that the audience has gone dead-silent. "I just love him too much to watch him die like that." He raises three fingers to his lips and holds them out to a camera in an old district twelve custom.
"I'm gonna win this one for you, Bro." you could hear a pin drop. Then a buzzer goes, and it's my turn for an interview. My legs wobble, and I enter the stage, Shaking Caesar Flickerman's hand and sitting down, worried I'll collapse if I don't sit down soon.
"Hello." I greet the legendary host quietly.
"Hello, Alex!" The host booming voice dwarfs mine. "How are you?"
"Fine. There are so many things to do here." Caesar laughs.
"There certainly are. What's your strategy for the games?" I couldn't have asked for a better question. Now it's time to show off how Bent on survival I am. Bet you can't guess what my angle is for the interview. I launch into strategies, and I begin to feel more confident as I talk, the new-found comfort making both me and Caesar speak better, the confidence bouncing back and fort between us like the feedback from a microphone. I show of my weapons, the bayonet, a wickedly sharp 30cm (one Foot) long knife, and a small metal cylinder with globes of the same stainless steel on each end. They're meant to smash the head, striking at the temple. I chat about what I would do if I was in the games right now, and Caesar sends me away with a positive outlook on my performance in the games. Then it's Aiden's turn, and the little boy walks out onto the stage. He and Caesar talk for a bit, Aiden gushing about the capitol and how amazing it is. When it comes time to show weapons, Caesar hold the carver's knife up
"My dad's a carver" He says, in response to Caesar's questioning gaze.
"He-"Aiden looks down. "He told me to win for him. My dad taught me to carve. I Miss him." The boy looks close to tears, So Caesar rushes the interview, displaying Aiden's other weapons- two more knives- and, with a flourish of the anthem, the interviews end, and we're told to get some sleep. I know I won't get any rest, but I have to try. After all, Tomorrow's going to be a big big big day.
