Chapter 10
'Learning What You Need To Learn'

For the first time since the reaping, we were given a day off. Well, not really, but it was the closest thing we had to a day off. Today we were to go over etiquette for the interviews tomorrow. The interviews were yet another part of the process to introduce us to Panem and secure us sponsors. We hadn't had any really chance to show the "real" side of us to anyone. That is where the interviews came into. We got to answer questions and present ourselves to everyone. We didn't show our true nature really in the interviews, but how we wanted to be viewed and whatever personally would attract sponsors. This game was entirely revolving around them, the sponsors.

Today tributes would go over manners and other necessities to know during the interview with their escort. They would also go over their angle with their mentor. Valentina was more than happy to go over manners with us, but District Twelve didn't have any mentors. Unlike district like One or Two, we were stuck without the suggestions and tips that come with having a mentor. We were stuck trying to figure this stuff out on our own. Valentina would probably try to help if asked. She was nice and seemed to be growing on me slightly, though I still hate that almost trudging-like attitude she has at times. Still, she didn't understand angles. Her idea of an interview is to always be polite and lady-like, or gentlemanly in Morpheus' case. She didn't understand that not everyone can be like that now.

I started my day with a light breakfast, on Valentina's orders. I would have loved to stuff my face with the food. She started with me first, leaving Morpheus to think about his strategy for the interviews.

"Get dressed," she ordered upon entering my room.

I looked down at my outfit. I thought I was dressed. I was wearing a simple outfit, one of a few that Freed had laid aside for me. It was a basic white blouse with fitted brown pants and boots. I wouldn't ever normally wear this outfit back home, mostly because I wouldn't be able to afford it. But I thought it was appropriate to wear while in the Capitol. Sure it wasn't as colourful as the outfits I had seen, but it definitely looked expensive.

"Huh?" I asked.

She tossed a brightly coloured dress at me. I think she called the colour "peridot", but it looked green to me. The dress itself was a strapless, puffy dress that could have made me cringe. As I stared in horror at the dress, Valentina only grew more and more impatient.

"Well…" she said, bringing me back to reality.

"Why do I have to wear this?" I asked.

"Well, how are you going to practice wearing a dress and walking in it when you're wearing that?" she asked, gesturing to my clothing.

I huffed. There was no arguing I didn't know how to deal with these sorts of dresses and you cannot practice without one, but I was upset I had to practice in this dress. It was rather ugly and when on me, it didn't look much better. When I finally came out from behind the room divider, which I dressed behind, Valentina handed me a pair of silver heels. I didn't speak, but my facial expression must have been asking her why I had to wear heels on top of wearing this horrible dress.

"Well, you cannot wear this dress without heels," she said as if the statement was obvious. "Besides, Freed did mention they planned to have you in heels and I don't think you know how to walk in them."

True, I didn't, but wearing heels never seemed important. They still don't seem important. I will be going to the arena in a couple of days and we won't be wearing heels there. Or so I hope. I'm starting to think the Capitol will do anything, even make us wear heels in the arena. Now thinking about it, I want to see Morpheus in heels.

The next two hours were spent with me trying desperately to walk in the heels, but failing miserably.

"Walk on your toes," commanded Valentina.

Easier said than done. I was used to walking on my heels. It made me feel stronger. But you cannot walk in such monstrosities as heels on your heels, despite the name. Go figure. Still, Valentina kept at me. I don't think I ever got the hang of heels, though I was able to slightly walk in them, though I looked like I was a new-born calf. I could tell Valentina was disappointed, but there was no helping it if I just couldn't do it. It wasn't like I wasn't trying. Along with the heels, I was taught how to sit properly and back manners when it came to answering questions. Like to always make sure the interviewer, in this case Elijah, is able to finish the question. At first I liked to jump the gun and answer before Valentina even got through the practice questions. She made sure to get that habit out of me. By the time Valentina and I were finished, I felt sore. Not only did my feet feel swollen, but I think my brain was throbbing with all the thinking I was doing.

"I'm going to go work with Morpheus now," said Valentina as she got up from her seat. "You should practice more for the interviews."

She didn't have to tell me to practice. As soon as she left my room, I got dressed back into my previous outfit, minus the boots. My feet were so sore, I thought it better to skip the shoes and give my feet some fresh air. I curled up on one of my nice, snug chairs. I had to think of the angle I was going to use. I remembered some girls go for flirty. Those girls tend to be the more well-fed districts, as they tend to be more attractive compared to the walking skeletons of those who starve like myself. Flirty wouldn't be out-of-the-question for me, but more of a last resort if I couldn't think of something. I also remembered some girls went for strong and determined. Thinking this, I felt a little depressed. I don't really see myself as either. If I was more like Peony maybe, but I don't think I could pull it off even if I tried to copy her. I could maybe aim for humble… Which seemed a little bit better. Compliment the Capitol and act like I didn't deserve to be in such a beautiful place. I wouldn't be lying if I said I felt out of place. I had seen a few tributes do this. The audience seemed to enjoy the humbleness of the tributes. Seeing humbleness is a wanted trait, it might be good to take that route.

I sighed. My head hurt even more thinking about my strategy. With Valentina's instructions and now this, I felt like my head was going to exploded with all the information crammed into my brain. I had to wonder how Morpheus was doing. If he was straining like I was. No, he probably had a strategy right away. He was a cock of the walk, so you know he would probably go for a showy attitude during his interview. Whether it was appropriate or not; he never seemed to care in the past, so why would he change now?

"Why?" I strained.

I hung my head and let out another long, drawn-out sigh. I felt kaput. Almost jumping from the chair, I lumbered over to my bed and plopped down. Valentina probably would snap at me for doing so, at this time, when I should be practicing, but I didn't care. I merely closed my eyes and let my brain drain of everything. I ended up falling into a deep slumber that last the entire afternoon only to be woken for dinner.

So interviews come up next chapter. I will try to do what I did with Overture and try to explain all the tributes, which would make it a longer chapter. Be sure to review! :)