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Carina Ellison
District Four Female, 17 Years Old
"Let's give a warm welcoming to our first tribute – Constance from District One!"
At the front of the line, Kace begins to clap his hands, and every time his hands make that irritating sound, I grit my teeth. Miss Baudin most certainly does not deserve any round of applause, especially when she's wearing something as gaudy as that. Really? Gold?
Who are we trying to impress here?
Oh, wait, that's right. The Capitol; we are trying to impress them, after all. But, regardless, that color looks bad on her. Not that anything would look good on her, but gold is most certainly not her color.
After the image of Constance taking her seat across from Caesar, I give her a chance, but once she opens her mouth I ignore the rest of her interview. I can predict it now, anyway; Capitol this, Capitol that. Women this, women that. She's repetitive, really, and she's almost like a robot.
She's exactly what the Capitol wants. They'll keep her alive no matter what and that's what upsets me; they'll play favorites to their little brainwashed doll from District One.
"Now, tell us, Constance," Caesar says, edging in closer to Constance. She hasn't shifted in her seat once, her face remaining expressionless. "Why did you volunteer?"
"For my country," she states, as if that's an adequate answer. As if she's saying something that everyone else in the audience should take to heart. Does this girl ever stop?
"For your country, huh?" Caesar repeats, probably just as unsatisfied as I am. "Well, that is all from Constance of One! Now, shall we introduce her District partner, Audric Lavier!"
Constance strides off the stage, and once she passes us, she gives a nod. I roll my eyes, while Kace watches her walk by, and as Alamar puts his face in front of Kace, he looks away. Such a simple minded boy, always going after the pretty girl. He's a fool, but he's useful. At least he's competent, unlike Constance. She's a waste of space.
Maybe that's why District One has a slipping reputation.
"So, Audric," Caesar begins, lowering his voice gradually, wanting to get into some more meaningful talk. "Give us the inside scoop about your alliance. What are they like?"
"We're a diverse bunch," he says, being the vague boy he always is. He can never really say what's on his mind, always wanting to give the impartial answer. Come on, the truth is what they want to hear, not this sugar-coated garbage.
"Diverse? Do elaborate."
"That's just it. We're diverse, all bringing varied skills and talents to the table. We mesh well together and we balance one another out."
Audric isn't as bad as Constance, but I don't give him any points for creativity. He's shut-off, completely distant from this whole alliance. If he were to be the first casualty, I wouldn't even blink an eye. I wouldn't really care about any of my allies – using the term loosely. I only really consider Ceres and Alamar my allies.
The rest are just fillers.
Once Caesar his failed interrogation of Audric, he steps off the stage, welcoming the next guest. This time, it's Ceres, and as she walks onto the stage, I get a better sense of her. She's almost mechanical, but not in the same sense as Constance. She knows what she's doing, and better yet, she can do it well.
She's the real competition here. The one I'll have to keep an eye on.
"The Capitol has you pinned as enigmatic, Ceres," Caesar begins, and truthfully, she is. We barely know anything about her, even if I'm not one to reveal my whole sob story of a life. It's not their place to know anything about it. "Is this your angle, then? To be… mysterious?"
"Of course not, Caesar," she replies, the tone of her voice more amiable than usual. "It just hasn't been necessary. No one should judge anyone on how they were raised or their history, it should be about their skills and mindset. That is what defines a true victor."
I would never admit to her, but she has a point. It shouldn't matter if you were raised in the outskirts of your District in a shack or in the mayor's mansion. All that matters is what you can do in the arena and if you could survive.
After Ceres is done, Kace takes the stage, and although I wanted to listen to his, I can't bring myself to it. He won't mention anything important, anyway, and I don't value his opinion. We had a nice little chat back in the Training Center, but I don't think he listened to me. He's still the deluded boy who will get himself killed.
I just hope I won't be there to witness it.
I'll miss his flattery and compliments. He's good for that.
"Is there one last thing you want to tell the Capitol, Kace?"
"That they should start betting now. For me, that is. They all should start betting for me."
That's the last thing I would do.
I'd put my money on Constance over him any day.
As the girl from Three takes the stage, I look away, watching Kace look for anyone that stayed around. Unfortunately, the rest ditched, wanting to get away from this as soon as possible. I don't blame them; I would be out of here if I had the chance. But, I have to at least until mine is over.
The girl, Kapera, is just a ball of awkward. She can barely sit on the chair, always shifting around and playing with her hands. Whenever Caesar asks a question, she takes a while to answer, and whenever she does, it's a poorly thought out answer. She should have practiced with her mentor beforehand.
Kapera's District partner isn't any better, clearly. He's a small boy, and as Caesar introduces him, he fumbles to get onto the stage. He looks nervous, his hands shaking at his side, and it's just uncomfortable to watch. I officially look away when Caesar asks the kid about his training score and he only nods his head.
Seriously, what do they teach them back in their Districts?
They are a disgrace.
As Chet makes his way off stage, I step into the aisle, knowing that it's my time. I was never nervous; I have no reason to be. I can talk to the crowd, I can captivate them, and I have no problem with talking about myself. It's why I volunteered, isn't it?
To make myself known?
"Next up is Carina from District Four!"
At the mere mention of my name, the crowd erupts into uproar, their claps and whistles something I haven't heard for anyone else. I stride onto the stage, waving my hands and holding my head up high. This is it.
This is my time to shine.
"Welcome, Carina," Caesar says, gesturing for me to sit down. I take my seat, pat down the top of my dress, and once we make eye-contact again, I put my game face on. "How are you today?"
"You know, Caesar," I say, only slightly ignoring his question. I don't want to waste any time on pointless babbling. "I am ecstatic. Every camera is on me right now, my face on every television screen across Panem. Who wouldn't feel as good as I do?"
"You speak the truth, Carina," Caesar replies, nodding his head and looking at the crowd. "We got some insight from your allies, but now you, Carina. Tell us – what do you think about the Career alliance?"
The smile on my face faults for a moment, everything I hate about this alliance wanting to leave my mouth. But, I can't. I have boundaries and I know I can't embarrass my alliance like that. My mentors wouldn't be too happy, either.
"We're an alliance," is all I manage to say, which clearly isn't enough by the look on his face. "We're an alliance that is a force to be reckoned with."
How cheesy. That's all I can come up with?
Caesar nods, his eyebrow furrowed. "Hm, I see, I see. Now, Carina, what is one last thing you want to tell the Capitol?"
There are too many things I want to tell the Capitol.
That I loathe their existence. That I abhor the Hunger Games. That I would personally assassinate the President if I could. That I would bomb every District there is just to see the Capitol's reaction. The list goes on and on, but I can't. I can't do that.
"I am more than prepared, Caesar. And I will prove it to everyone once and for all."
Rollo Damario
District Eight Male, 16 Years Old
The girl from District Five, Limnic, can barely fit in the seat. She's too petite to even fill it remotely, so as she sits in it, it looks awkward for her. Her interview isn't any better, either, since all she has been doing is whining and saying how much she loves her alliance.
That's bullshit, if you ask me. A girl like that wouldn't care for allies.
Just as they're finishing up, Limnic attempts so stand up, her body toppling to the side on the heels. She regains control, looking up and smiling at the crowd, but she already left her mark. The emotional girl who doesn't even have the strength to walk with heels.
That's one way to make an impression.
I'm sure my brothers are laughing at this too right now. They always laughed at girls who were dumb or didn't know what they were doing. Only if I were with them right now, I'd be laughing too. But, I chose this.
I volunteered for them.
Back on the stage it's the boy from Five's turn now. Evan sits in the seat comfortably, looking more casual than any other tributes have. He talks openly, smoothly, and clearly knows what he's doing. It's sad that he's just probably being used by his District partner.
I would never let that happen to me.
I've been through too much to be so stupid. So naïve.
"You're a fan among the Capitol, Evan," Caesar says, getting a round of applause from the audience. "Do you have anything to say to that?"
Evan nods, a wide grin on his face. "I truly, truly love my fans, Caesar! I wouldn't be anything without them!"
The audience laughs, and even though I chuckled, I'm still not impressed. Caesar and him wrap up his interview, and as Evan is about to walk off the stage, he stops at the side and bows to them. They clap and whistle again, and as he walks passed us, the smile on his face has gotten even bigger.
"Inger Melville from District Six, everyone!"
Another one of Limnic and Evan's allies go onto the stage, her being someone I haven't been paying much attention to. I saw her in training a few times, but I never went out of my way to watch her. She's just another girl, another girl who's in my way. Who's in my way of fulfilling my promise to my brothers.
This girl means nothing.
But, my brothers mean everything.
The line of tributes shuffles forward, preparing for the next one to go onto the stage. Inger's interview is boring, honestly, so I don't pay much attention to it, either. They talk about her life in District Six, but once that's mentioned, her voice seems to shift in tone and pitch. She avoids the topic completely, leaving it on a mysterious note for the Capitol.
Inger is off the stage now, being replaced by her District partner, Nerva. He's the one that got the lowest score in training, being a one. Does he realize that you literally have to do nothing to get a one? You probably don't even have to show up. From what I can tell, he probably didn't even show up in the first place.
"Tell me about your training score, Nerva," Caesar comments. "What went wrong?"
"Nothing?" Nerva snaps, looking away from Caesar. "Once in that Training Center, I just wanted to get my hands on some Morphling… Apparently, the Gamemakers didn't have any, so there was no point for me to stay there."
There are a few laughs from the audience, but we all know he's serious. Even in training, he didn't do much, so I'm not surprised. It's his life, anyway. He can do what he wants and I won't judge.
I'm in no place to judge.
I've never been.
"Now, for District Seven, with Katcia Elspeth!"
Slowly, the girl makes her way on the stage, each step making her leg shake. She manages to get self-control, but as she sits down, you can see it in her face that she isn't ready. That she's nervous and wants to be somewhere. But, I can't blame her. I don't want to be here.
But, I had to be here. If I wasn't, my brother, Farro, would be. I couldn't let that happen.
I'd put his life over mine any day.
"What was your first thought when you reaped, Katcia?"
Katcia pauses, her face going expressionless. She sits there, really thinking about what happened during the Reapings, and when she opens her mouth, I almost feel bad for her.
"I was shocked," Katcia states, raising her voice a little more. "And then I was angry. And then I was sad. Then shocked again. I was a mess."
I never watched the Reapings, so I don't even know how I looked on screen. As I volunteered for my brother, I didn't know what to think. It just happened… It all happened so quickly. But, I don't regret a thing. It had to happen.
For him.
For my family.
When Katcia's interview is over, I can see that her District partner isn't much better. Silas is worrying just as much, but he's more composed about it. He looks completely pale, only a faint hint of red when he steps onto the stage. He goes right to the chair, a feeble smile on his face.
At least he's trying.
"What was your favorite thing about the Capitol, Silas?"
"I liked the food," he says, sounding interested in the conversation. "I liked the different tastes, colors, and smells of it all. It was really nice and we never had anything like that in District Seven. I wish we did."
The boy likes to babble. Caesar nods his head, letting Silas continue, but from an outside perspective, he should stop. I don't think babbling about something like the food will get you sponsors or make you seem like real competition. But, I might be wrong.
I've been wrong before.
"Next up we have Maureen of District Eight!"
In front of me, Maureen begins to walk onto the stage, and I try to listen to this one more carefully. She is my District partner, after all, and she isn't the worst person out there. Sure, she's a little quiet and keeps to herself, but I don't blame her. We never really had any time to talk, so I just chose to drop any idea that I'd befriend her.
Friends aren't worth it, anyway. Not in the Hunger Games.
They start off with talking about her experience in the Capitol, and although she can hold a conversation, she trails off her words sometimes. Now, the conversation shifts to her life back in District Eight and how she felt about living there.
"It was what it was," she says, which is vague enough. I can relate to her; I'm not a big fan of my District eight, but now is now the time to criticize it. "The textiles are wonderful, even if they're taxing to make."
She answered it well. I wouldn't be able to answer that question; my emotion would take over. I really do not like District Eight, especially all of the people in it. They're all out to ruin my brothers. They don't care for my family or for our well-being.
So, I don't care about them.
They don't deserve it.
"Well, that's it, Maureen!" Caesar says, standing up and extending his hand. "It was a pleasure speaking with you."
Maureen shakes his hand weakly, and as she turns back to walk, she mumbles something to herself. She walks right off the stage, and before I can look after her, I'm already being pushed to the side of the stage. Standing there, I finally get a better look at the audience, but I can't really see their faces; it's too dark.
It's all dark except for the stage. What a metaphor.
"Let's welcome Rollo from District Eight!"
Pacing myself on the stage, I make my way towards the seat, remembering to shake Caesar's hand before I sit down. You're supposed to do it at the beginning and end; that's what my mentor told me.
"Now, Rollo," he begins, and I know exactly where this is headed. "Answer the question we've all been asking: Who did you volunteer for? And more importantly, why?"
"I volunteered for my brother," I state, looking right into the audience. "I volunteered for him because he deserves a chance. He deserves a chance to live and I owe him that."
"What about you, Rollo?"
"My family is my top priority, Caesar. And they always come first."
Even if that means I have to die for them.
Copper Donoghue
District Eleven Female, 16 Years Old
As I watch the interviews, I begin to learn more and more about each tribute. What they stand for, if they'll pose a challenge for me, and what I should think about them. Now is the perfect time to gain a little knowledge and get an upper-hand.
And an upper-hand is exactly what I could use.
Up at stage now is the girl from Nine, Damaris, whose hushed voice just makes her seem pathetic. She barely speaks to Caesar, who seems to not be moved by her sob story of her life back home. It's touching, but only if I cared enough about that. You're here now, and that's all that matters.
Now is the time to turn that sob story around.
Now is the time to change your life.
"What about your alliance, Damaris?" Caesar asks, finally changing the conversation around.
"They're friendly," she says, staring off into the crowd. "I really like them."
My mentor tried to convince me to ally with that group specifically, but I declined, not wanting to be involved in any alliances. I have no doubt in my mind that someone would end up backstabbing me, since why wouldn't they? It's easier to kill a friend than it is to let yourself die.
That's just plain logic.
And even if Damaris did really care about her allies, it'd be a bad idea. Getting attached and making friends only leads to disappoint and is a good way to get hurt. Both of which you shouldn't want at a time like this.
"Let's wish a warm welcoming to our next tribute, Dymas from District Nine!"
As he walks on the stage, he seems to be angry, with a certain expression on his face. It's a twisted scowl, one that shows that he doesn't want to be here. I am not a big fan of being here, either, but you shouldn't complain about it. He should be grateful enough that they prolonged his death for this long.
"What was the most memorable for you in the Capitol, Dymas?"
"Nothing," he deadpans, looking to the side of the stage and then back at Caesar. "Seriously, nothing."
Caesar attempts to think of a way to reply to him, but it's just funny. Caesar nods his head, and as the two of them continue to talk, I'm a little perplexed at how some people act. I'm not saying we should actively try to impress the Capitol, since they don't really deserve it, but you could at least pretend to be sociable.
Everyone should just suck it up for the time being.
After Dymas, it's the girl from District Ten now, Halley. Although I do find her completely annoying, she makes an impression. She's talkative and funny enough, even if she is grating. I can't listen to her voice for too long, since it begins to give me a headache, but I listen in for a little bit.
"Let's try this again," Caesar says, getting a laugh from the audience. "What is your most memorable moment in the Capitol?"
Halley's eyes widen, and as she clasps her hands together, a bright smile appears on her face. "I loved making all the friends I did! Damaris is wonderful, as are Silas and Katciai! I love them all!"
At least Halley has the idea. To try and connect to the audience, not to brush them off and ignore them. They are who will sponsor you, after all, if they even decide to. Sponsors are a rare thing lately, except for the Careers. They always get sponsors.
And there's not much you can do about.
That doesn't make them any less deserving of the sponsors, though. Careers win the Games nearly every year, so why wouldn't the sponsors help them out? They can kill; that's all the Games are for. To kill, to show the Capitol's strength.
That's why the Capitol shouldn't be messed with. They scare me enough.
On the stage is the boy from Ten, the small one who's just as awkward as all of the younger boys. He's too small to sit in the chair, and as he talks to Caesar, everyone can barely hear him. He speaks softly and quietly, to the point where Caesar has to give him his microphone. I just look away, not wanting to feel bad for this boy.
He's going to die. We all know it.
As Peros begins to walk off the stage, I take my place in the aisle, prepared to start the interview. I remind myself to keep my smile on, not to be too rude, and to filter what I say. Now is not the time to make enemies, either. I just have to show the audience who I am and not embarrass myself.
How hard could it be?
"From District Eleven, Copper Donoghue!"
Instantly my legs kick into action, walking without me thinking about it much, and as I wave to the crowd, I begin to feel more comfortable. I shouldn't be afraid of them; none of them know, I don't know any of them. It'll be over soon, so there's nothing to worry about. I just have to be confident for a few minutes.
Only for a few minutes.
That's all it is.
"Hello, Copper," Caesar says, and I try to focus myself, not wanting to mess up. "How are you doing today?"
"I've never been better, Caesar."
"That's what I like to hear!" Caesar replies, throwing his head back with a smile. "Now, how are you feeling? With the Games and all, Copper."
Keeping my smile on, I want to be as truthful as I can without sounding too weak. "We're all scared and we have every right to be. But, I won't back down. I'm a fighter, Caesar, so I won't go down without a fight."
Caesar nods, glancing at the audience who seem to be completely silent. "That's an interesting point, Copper. Why are you a fighter?"
"When you grow up in District Eleven you learn a few things," I say, chuckling. "I'm sure they'll come in handy."
"So, you do have an intention of winning, then?" Caesar asks, which takes me by surprise. Don't we all have an intention of winning? Why would any of us not want to win?
"I don't want to push my luck," I say back to him, not wanting to give him too much. For that question, I really don't have an answer, but I managed to come up with that. If anything, that question only irked me.
"Then I wish you good luck."
"I appreciate that, Caesar, but I don't know if luck will help me win."
"We shall see, yes?" Caesar says, and I know he's wrapping this all up. "That's it from Copper of District Eleven, folks! Next up is her District partner, Lomman!"
Passing Lomman as I walk off the stage, I'm thinking too much to give him a smile or to even look at him. Thinking about what that interview was like from an outside perspective. I'm sure it was fine, but I don't know. I wasn't expecting those questions from him.
They were all hard to answer.
They would have been easy if I could speak the truth and not filter myself, but I couldn't do that. I know better than that.
Sitting down on a couch in the waiting area, I get comfortable, wanting to watch the rest of the interviews. Lomman is already finishing up his, and I realize I took a while to come over here and got distracted with my thoughts. Lomman is shaking Caesar's hand, walking back off the stage.
He's a nice boy. But, his alliance isn't something I take care for. I can't care for them; they'll die. I know they will.
The girl from District Twelve, Amelia, is up now, and as she walks onto the stage, I find myself drifting off. I stare at the screen, watching her every move, but I don't think about her. I think about all of the tributes and what will happen in the arena.
They all want to kill me, I'm not that stupid. I just have to know how to keep myself alive.
I don't expect it to be easy, but… but I don't know. I just hope that it's easy.
The look on Amelia's face snaps me out of my thoughts, and as I look more carefully, I can see that it's an angry expression. Perhaps Caesar brought up something she doesn't want to be mentioned?
"How does it feel to be mentored by District Twelve's only surviving victor, Amelia?"
Amelia laughs out loud, sounding rude and off-hand. "Haymitch? Please, let's avoid this topic."
I could only imagine what her mentor is thinking. That's rude, and even if I'm one to open my mouth when I shouldn't, I would never disrespect my mentor like that. My District, too. Amelia walks off the stage, the audience not knowing how to react to such an interview.
I don't even know how to react to that.
Amelia's District partner takes the stage, a mopey expression on his face. He seems indifferent to it all, like he doesn't want to be there. Like he doesn't even care what will happen to him in the next few minutes.
Why wouldn't he care?
Shouldn't this boy be afraid? Be nervous? Be skeptical?
His life is on the line.
A life shouldn't be wasted like that.
No life should.
Author's Note:
There are the interviews! Just one more chapter until the Bloodbath, and then we're in the Games! So, after this it's just the Launch, which I should be able to get out soon.
I have nothing else to do, anyway. It's sad, but whatever. Questions now.
What tributes stood out to you?
A personal question as well.
What would your angle be for the interviews?