Celina 7
The elevator moved upwards quickly, but neither Martin nor I made any effort to talk. The only sound was the swish of the air rushing past the tiny gaps round the sides of the elevator. Martin had set his face in the grim determination that could melt away whenever anyone was in the room. Just as the doors opened, he started to cry, and clutched at me again, putting his hands where he shouldn't…again.
I peeled him off, but took his hand and put one arm around his shoulder soothingly and led him towards the chairs, and sat him down, kneeling down, and whispering death threats too soft for the cameras to pick up in a sympathetic manner. I stood up, smiled and ruffled his hair, sitting down in my own velvet seat. Hmmph, it wasn't as comfy as it looked.
Diamonds interview was nothing special. Usual girl-from-district-1, pretty, innocent and girly, with subtle hints of 'I'm going to kill you' thrown in for effect. Her dress was quite pretty, but it had nothing on mine. It was a long ballgown that skimmed her curves and showed off her 'best assets', while hiding her slightly stumpy, thick legs. It was shimmering silver covered in diamonds (what a surprise!) and reflected the bright lights making her look like she was glowing. Her soft blonde hair had been teased so that it floated around her head in a fluffy cloud. Mine was in the same style, but brushed the floor when I walked. Somehow Candera had made it look natural, and I treated it like my own hair, even though I had spent 15 years with a completely different style! I had been doused in smart dye again, and spent hours sitting still while my prep team worked through thousands of shades that all looked the same to me.
Rolex got called up by a very orange looking Caesar, and started his interview in a charming, slightly sleazy way. He kept making suggestive comments about Iris, even though she looked angry and uncomfortable with them. He he. I could see Iris and Morpheus whispering angrily, and Morpheus clenched his fists, glaring at Rolex.
The buzzer went off and Iris sauntered over to Caesar, obviously enjoying the reaction of the crowd at her tacky outfit. Huge wings, covered in rainbow feathers, and a skin tight white dress. It looked like it was rushed, and knowing Iris, she probably made her stylist make a new outfit tonight because she didn't like the one he prepared. No, no-one could be THAT superficial, and anyway, the stylists were the best of the best, anything produced would be top class. Maybe it was her stylist's first year?
Caesar gasped and they talked about rainbow goddesses' for ages, and Iris basically threatened Caesar halfway through there interview. She had even managed to shake Caesar, who had to deal with murderous psychopaths, crying wimps, and dull-as-bricks tributes every year, but still make them look charming. Tension crackled in the air, but Caesar just pushed a damp orange curl back, and started a conversation about fashion. Wow! She made him sweat through the huge quantities of hairspray that everyone has to go under, that takes hours to wash out, I had to give it to her, she was a real piece of work!
The buzzer went off, and Iris bouncily kissed him on both cheeks, making him look nervous, as if she was about to strike. He seemed very relieved when Morpheus bounded up, looking handsome in a sharp black suit which was made of slightly sparkling material which made my eyes hurt. His white skin contrasted with the dark rings around his eyes, and he looked strange, but god-like. More than Iris anyway, with her stupid dress, and clumsy wings.
Caesar and Rolex hit it off straight away, commenting on everything from training scores, and the fact that he was the most betted on to win. The camera artfully zoomed in on Iris, who was blushing even through her heavy foundation, and had balled up her fists. Morpheus then went on to explain how she beat him up because he got a higher score than her. What an egotistic bitch!
He finished his interview with a cutting remark directed towards Rolex, some mindlessly violent threat about breaking his neck and using his blood to water plants I think. This was put in place to protect his sister, and I knew it would be carried out of Rolex laid even a finger on Iris. I swear about 5 people in the audience fainted at this show of 'Brotherly love'. It had no effect on Rolex though, as he sauntered straight over to Iris, and pecked her on the cheek. THUMP. Iris's fist slammed into his face, knocking him to the floor.
The silence was broken by Morpheus's booming laugh, which resonated around the large stage where he sat. To Rolex's evident shame, the audience picked up on Morpheus's infectious laugh and were soon roaring their heads off. Even I had to suppress a small smile. Luckily the camera was on Rolex, receiving an ice-pack from his escort, and pressing it against his already swollen face. If Iris gets away with this…
I giggled and flicked my hair through the District 3 interviews, trying to appear silly and vain, not paying attention to them, but riveted in making sure my shimmery dress had not a single wrinkle in. Really I was just trying to calm my nerves. I had to act in front of the whole country. Not just the Capitol, but all the districts as well. If my stylist and Finnick both saw through me straight away, what chance did I have with the entire country? The buzzer went off, destroying whatever confidence I had built up, but I somehow bounced up to the big plush seat, drawing attention to my gorgeous hair by sweeping it over my shoulder so it fell down the back of the chair like a waterfall. This also put my dress in full sight. I wiggled my toes which were peeking through, and noticed silver shells had been gilded onto my toenails, identical to the ones on my fingers. I waited for the camera to zoom in on my face, and slowly blinked, scattering beams of light with my iridescent eye makeup into the camera lens.
"Hi Caesar!" I chirruped breezily, sounding as confident as I felt nervous, "Meeting you has been one of the only things that I have been looking forward to!" A huge 'aaaw' from the crowd, and I knew I had melted their hearts. Even Caesars eyes looked softer. This had been an emotional night for him!
"Well, I'm glad I made such an impression on you!" Caesar unconsciously reached out to touch my hair, leaning forward as he did so, getting captivated by the perfume I had been doused in. It smelt like seawater, but a million times more gorgeous. And I thought the sea was the best smell in the world!
"Well, your stylist has certainly done an amazing job!" Caesar gestured towards Ferrero, who was blushing and gesturing wildly for the cameras to turn back to me. "It seems he doesn't want the cameras off his gorgeous creation for even a second, and can you blame him?" He addressed this to the crowd, who shouted out 'NO!', in appreciation for the dress. I sensed the opportunity slipping away, so I immediately launched into a speech about my dress, and how my stylist was the best. I commented on everyone's outfit, digging in to Iris, but greatly praising her brother, which I knew would inflame her further. The rest of my interview flew by, but I was shaken by Morpheus and Iris punching their fists against their open palms, obviously a message that I wouldn't last 5 minutes in the arena. I laughed loudly, but the cameras captured my true emotions. I ran from the stage, sending a cheeky kiss out to the audience, and managed to look sympathetic through Martin's interview, who barely spoke, and ended up crying when Caesar asked about home. After that I just gave up, and slumped into my chair, waiting for the boring interviews to finally end. They dragged on, and the threat of my imminent murder by Iris got me contemplating the quickest and easiest way to commit suicide in the arena. I wanted to rob her of everything, even taking my life. I finally gave up when I started to feel sick, and decided to try and win, just to spite Iris. The 67th Hunger Games had started in my mind, before I had even entered the arena.