Sorry again for the failure review response, I promise I'll do better this time. Hopefully the length of this chapter will make up for my other failures. The quote means "Proud Rome herself is broken by her own wealth."
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21. Frangitor ipsa suis Roma superba bonis
Gale stumbled into the wings, startled by the sudden drop visual and auditory stimuli. He couldn't see much, but his avox escort had disappeared from beside him. Instead a man filled his vision. There was no need for introductions; Gale had seen him on TV since before he could remember. Gale took the man's hand.
"President Snow, pleasure to finally meet you." A small part of Gale glanced hopefully around for guards, before realizing that even if he ignored the consequences and attacked Snow, peacekeepers would have him subdued before he could do any real damage.
"Gale Hawthorne. I was wondering if I could have a word with you." The man gestured to a door off to the side, and an unpleasant sent reached Gale, one he couldn't recognize.
"Of course, Mr. President. Whatever you need." Gale had a sinking suspicion about the subject matter of their visit, but followed unafraid. A confident smile still graced his face from his time before the cameras, and he let it stay. Snow ushered him into a small, plain, white room, with two pristine chairs settled around a table. An avox stood unobtrusively in one of the corners. Gale sat, and Snow placed himself opposite.
"Well first, I'd love to congratulate you on your victory. And several records to boot!" Gale decided to take Snow's words at face value.
"Thank you. It wasn't without a good deal of effort."
"And the berries, ingenious." Snow held a predatory smile, which Gale ignored in his reply.
"It wouldn't have been possible if not for my wonderful fans." And the Gamemaker's help, he added internally. Snow nodded, as if in response to the nonverbal message.
"I think you'll find most things here are difficult to accomplish without help." Snow paused. "I want to be frank with you, Gale. I was never much good at word games." Gale gave a small smile in sardonic amusement. "I think we can assist each other a good deal. Certain advisors of mine believe there should be consequences for your actions in the arena, but I think differently. Words spoken in passion should not be believed wholeheartedly, and there are certain favors you can help us with. I'm your friend here, Gale, but I don't like being taken for a fool." Gale crafted his response carefully.
"I think a few things about my," Gale paused, "hasty comments will be explained in the interview. If there is anything else I can assist you with however?" Gale trailed off, and Snow gave a vulpine smile.
"I had hoped your mentor's stubbornness hadn't rubbed off on you. All I wish is for you to become acquainted with several of my friends. I think you'll find them fascinating people."
"I'm sure I will," answered Gale heavily.
"Splendid. I am glad we are on the same page." Snow rose, and gave Gale's arm another shake. "Pleasure meeting you." Snow started for the door before stopping and turning back. "Out of curiosity, how did you know?"
"Guesses. They were confirmed tonight." Snow nodded.
"Good to see it's not become common knowledge." The threat to insure it stayed that way was implied. "And the first friend you should meet is Thymoetes. He'll introduce himself, I'm sure." Snow exited, and Gale followed, uncertain of his next destination. Portia greeted him from the sidelines and dragged him down a long corridor into a changing room. Gale absentmindedly hit on her, wary of cameras, but she ignored him.
"I wanted to change your outfit slightly before the party. It wouldn't due for you to be seen twice in the same clothes, people would think I was neglecting my duty." Gale didn't respond, only put on the fiery read shirt and black pants that she offered. The shirt was studded with jewels in much the same way April's interview dress had been, and the pants had a faint dusting of shimmer. They left the gold body-paint on, although Portia quickly sprayed him down in a foul smelling liquid to insure it stayed.
"There," she said after styling his hair slightly differently and stepping back. "I wasn't given much warning, but hopefully they'll appreciate that we kept on the same theme." She ran her eyes over Gale once again. "Yes, it'll do. Finnick Odair said he wanted to talk with you, he's in the other room." Portia gestured at a small door almost flush with the wall that Gale hadn't noticed. He knocked politely, and a vaguely familiar stylist greeted him. The man's hair was dyed turquoise and black, and his skin had been bleached.
"Come in, Finnick's been waiting for you." Finnick was lounging on a chair, mostly naked as several assistants finished applying a set of small reflective blue disks all over his body. When he sat up, they rippled and shimmered in the light and Gale realized they were meant to resemble scales.
"Ah, Gale. I was wondering when you'd be done." One assistant was still finishing up his left arm, but Finnick paid him no mind. "Sorry I wasn't able to see the live highlight reel, they've been up to this for a few hours. I did watch on TV." Finnick gestured to a large television occupying a corner. Gale remembered his manners.
"I'm very sorry about Pearl and Rivvet." Finnick waved him aside.
"You were in it to win. Anyone who doesn't understand that is a fool. Pity, they weren't smart enough to realize the danger." Gale nodded, but didn't feel as though things were fully settled between the two of them. He was acutely aware of the stylist's presence. Finnick noticed as well.
"That'll be enough, Veracity." A young cat-faced woman stood back.
"Of course Finnick." Her misshapen face distorted and the soft fur moved unexpectedly with her lips. The stylists packed up rapidly and left. Gale marveled at how well Finnick had them under control, but realized it was probably just something that came with time. Finnick looked Gale up and down, examining both his appearance and something deeper. He shifted uncomfortably, but at last Finnick nodded as if in approval.
"Your stylist did a wonderful job."
"I'll be sure to pass on the praise. I was wondering what you wished to discuss with me." Gale was tired of taking on the passive role in conversations.
"I'm assuming Snow spoke with you."
"Yes." Finnick gave him a short look.
"Then there's not much more for us to discuss. I'm afraid I don't have any miraculous advice for you." Gale snorted.
"What advice is there to give? Need anything else or do you want to get this over with." Finnick rose from his chair and gestured for the door.
"After you." They were led in silence to a car. Gale smirked at everyone in sight, keeping his mind distant. If he could be someone else, it wouldn't be so hard. The best he could hope was that this Thymoetes wasn't as horrible as his name sounded.
A horse drawn carriage greeted them to carry them to their next destination. It was jet black with gold accents. The horses too were a deep midnight color, and Gale wondered absentmindedly who looked after them. The task didn't have the same air of glamour he had always associated with everything capitol. Then again, the avoxes had to have other jobs then serving disgruntled tributes.
The seats inside the carriage were leather, and a strange purple light illuminated the interior. It highlighted odd bits of Finnick's scales and his jewels. The ride to the party was uncomfortable at best. Gale had no idea where he stood with Finnick, and it made him uneasy. Finnick had been the epitome of Career, and yet was now disillusioned at least in regards to the Capitol. Not to mention that he himself was cast in the same role until further notice. Finnick broke the silence.
"Is there anyone you want me to introduce you to?"
"Thymoetes." Finnick nodded.
"I thought as much. Very interesting man. I'd watch what you say around him, it'll be all over the Capitol in an hour."
"I don't mind being an object of conversation."
"Then you'll fit in very well." Finnick became strangely closed off after their short exchange. It was odd, as he behaved quite differently from every time Gale had seen him on camera. Even when he was fourteen he radiated confidence, no one could claim it was undeserved. He had always considered Finnick to be a plaything of the Capitol. Nothing but a pawn and a lapdog, but now, as his criticisms were confirmed to a higher degree then he had thought possible, he felt only pity. Was it possible to feel pity for someone in his own position? Looking at Finnick, Gale decided it was.
The carriage jerked to a halt, and the door beside Finnick was opened. His demeanor had changed entirely, as had Gale's, and he exited, laughing as if in response to a witty comment. Gale followed with a smile, and was partially blinded for the second time that night by the flash of cameras. He gave a wave of acknowledgement as the crowd pressed as close to him as possible, held back only by a fragile rope. A red carpet paved the way to a mansion, more castle than house. It looked like one of the elaborately decorated cakes he had never been wealthy enough to buy, topped with colored frosting and sheets of metal. The sound emanating from the building caused the very ground to shake, and he wondered absentmindedly how the delicate glass windows and fixtures were kept from shattering. He ascended the ornate stair, Finnick at his side.
The entrance room was full to bursting, and the crowd swayed back and forth vigorously. Several dancers were in varying states of undress, and Gale feared they would only reveal themselves more as time progressed. Finnick pulled him into the mass of gyrating forms, and shouted into his ear.
"Dance with whomever you like, but don't do anything else. I'll come get you when it's time to meet the host." Gale was then left to fend for himself against the ravenous creatures before him as Finnick was swept away. Indistinguishable bodies pressed against him, and Gale responded with as much enthusiasm as possible. He mimicked their disjointed movements to the best of his ability, but dancing had never been high on his list of skills to learn. The frenzied people around him didn't mind however, as they became increasingly desperate to cling closer to him. At one moment he was sandwiched between a peacock look-alike and a reptilian man, and the next they were halfway across the room and several others had taken their place.
Eyes lit up as they recognized the Victor in their midst, although Gale wondered how much it mattered to people who had probably seen dozens in their lifetime. Evidently quite a bit, as a small scuffle broke out between two young ladies each trying to win a kiss. Their frail blows and pathetic attempts to injure one another brought a genuine smile to Gale's face and he laughed, blowing them each a kiss. Their fighting ceased as they reached up to catch it, and two strong gentlemen appeared out of nowhere to escort them away. The men were elegantly dressed and handsome, by Capitol standards, but there was no mistaking them for guests.
Gale danced, or rather writhed, with the crowd for several hours, only stopping a few time to drink some punch. It went to his head rather quickly, and Gale made a note to remember not to eat or drink anything at the other parties he would be attending. He felt a flash of irritation at Finnick for not having warned him, but was still sober enough to realize antagonizing his only ally within a several mile radius would bring nothing but trouble. A quick glance showed it was encroaching on three, but the party showed no signs of stopping. Suddenly the crowd thickened, and Finnick appeared at his side, a giggling middle-aged woman in tow. His arm was hooked casually around her, and she looked like she was having the time of her life.
"Come on, I've someone I want you to meet!" Finnick practically dragged him up a set of stairs to another crowded room. Gale felt rather foolish, but not nearly as silly as Finnick looked, hanging on to every word of an idiotic girl who couldn't be heard over the pulsating music. He suddenly became conscious that his shirt had been entirely unbuttoned at some point during the festivities, but he made no move to close it. The crowd parted slightly before them, but pressed closer on either side and from behind. Gale was caught in a whirlpool of pushing bodies. They ascended a gold staircase, leading to another packed room. Gale couldn't see more then a few feet ahead, so it came as a surprise when the crowd opened slightly, and he came face to face with a man.
There was no mistaking him for anyone but their host. While the guests had donned glitter and makeup, he was draped in jewels and iridescent fabrics that changed color as he moved. Blue fire snaked its way around his torso and into his hair, paying homage to Gale's fiery debut without the same vulgar ineptitude many of the other guests had displayed. It was garish and flamboyant, but expensively so. The man looked Gale up and down scandalously, and extended his hand with a grin.
"Thymoetes."
"Gale Hawthorne." Gale grasped the man's hand firmly, noting with faint distaste the satiny texture.
"I thought the two of you would want to get acquainted." The crowd surrounding them tittered, although they missed part of the joke. Finnick had said something with a smile, and it was enough.
"Yes, quite." The man ran his eyes over Gale again, and Gale returned the favor confidently.
"I must say, your much different then how Finnick described."
"And what did Finnick say?
"Only that you were powerful and knew how to throw a party. I see now he should have warned me about your radiant appearance."
"Didn't want to spoil the surprise," added Finnick smoothly. The crowd watched as they bantered back and forth. Finnick's toy interjected occasionally, basking in her small moment of fame, but otherwise conversation was kept strictly between the three of them. Gale's flirtations and innuendos swelled as the night progressed, and it wasn't long before Thymoetes called him out.
"Gale, if you are even considering half the things you've promised me tonight, I will be a very happy man."
"Are you implying I would lie?" Gale feigned offence, and Thymoetes hastened to comfort him.
"Of course not, my good friend. However now would be a fine time to defend your honor once and for all." The challenge was there, and Gale had never been one to back down.
"I could never stand for such a slight. Come, let's go prove I'm no tease." Thymoetes dragged him through the crowd, which parted with many catcalls. He belatedly wished he had gotten drunker when dancing, but in his experience regrets begot nothing but further miseries, and he already had enough of those. So instead Gale steeled himself, took a steadying breath, and plunged after Thymoetes, intent on blocking the next few hours, and indeed all similar occurrences from his mind forever.
Cameras swayed overhead as the sounds of the party stormed out of the house. The crowd danced on. Caught up in both their individualistic dramas and the sway of the herd, they continued, ignorant of the dark shadows underneath the grand chandeliers in their fairytale castle. Glass and floating lights bathed their fevered movements in a calming glow, offset by the harsh blasts of strobe lights, which froze and manipulated the crowd at regular intervals. Each momentary glimpse of clarity only obscured reality more as they thrashed in time to the music, following the flow of the party and the city itself.
False stars were visible to any romantics who glanced upward, their inspirations blocked out by more important lights. There was nothing beyond the city limits, not to its inhabitants. Even the districts themselves were naught but flawed imitations of a far grander design. But thoughts of outside were insignificant compared to the immediate concerns of the city's childish citizens, and the cynical few were far in between. Only the city's most veteran worriers failed to put aide their task for one day of fun.
Gale stole from his client's room scant few hours after entering, but the sun was already bathing the quiet city in morning light. The garish neon fixtures were dull and bland in the monotone morning air, and the house was quiet apart from the scattered snores of stupefied partygoers. The warm air left no lingering chill on the skin beneath his tattered shirt, but Gale snagged a tossed-aside jacket to shelter himself from something intangible. His shoes had been misplaced sometime in the evening, and he wandered back and forth through the rooms to avoid puddles of indiscernible fluids. The bright chiming of a clock somewhere in the house made Gale freeze, but he continued onward unable to shake the feeling of illicitness from his actions. He started again when an avox stepped out of the background décor and gestured to him. Gale followed, perplexed.
The avox lead him through a small door into an open-aired courtyard, complete with laughing fountain and bushes tall enough to conceal frolicking lovers. Gale had no interest in examining their contents. They passed back into the relative shade of the house, and through several corridors lined with closed doors, presumably hiding the mansion's wealthier patrons. A few avoxes could now be seen cleaning the night's enjoyments from the hardwood floors, and otherwise erasing the inhabitants' polluting touches. They finally stopped before an unremarkable section of wall. It started at their presence before shying away and fading into the shadow of the corridor behind it. A line of faintly blue lights dictated his path, and Gale gave a faint nod to his guide before following their instructions.
A poufy carpet rid Gale's feet of the stains he had acquired when first shrugging off his sleepiness in search of an escape. He could barely contain himself from sprinting toward his goal, now that his path was so clearly laid out before him. Even the faint clang as the avox blocked his only alternate route did little to faze him. Going back had never been a possibility, not since he had gently closed the door to Thymoetes's room and stepped out into one of the long corridors of the house. His destination took only minutes at his almost-run pace, and the curving path of the tunnel meant the true distance between his start and finish could be minimal at most. There was no door at this end; rather, it opened suddenly into a small garage, complete with bloody car and patient driver. The man, not an avox but apparently as loquacious as one, opened the passenger door and Gale slid inside.
The interior was the same tone of scarlet as the exterior, and the orange accents made Gael feel as though he had entered the inferno. He distractedly gazed out the windows as the vehicle set off. The near-black glass strained to reflect Gale's face back at him, but he looked resolutely past to the empty streets and sleepy houses. He had not kept careful track of their journey to the party, but Gale noted with distant concern that they weren't headed the proper direction. His fingers tapped out a distracted beat on the glass, but settled as the car slowed to a stop before a familiar face.
"Morning, Gale. Nice night?"
"Of course, what else would you expect?"
"Nothing, of course. First few times were defiantly the most memorable. Eventually they start blurring together."
"Pity. How was your date?"
Finnick brushed Gale's query away with a quick flick. "Average at best. Nothing I haven't seen before." They remained silent the rest of the way to the Tribute center, where a flustered Effie dragged Gale out of the car.
"Finally! We were worried we wouldn't have enough time." Gale let himself be pulled into the elevator and down to the dressing room, barely pausing to wave a quick goodbye to an amused Finnick. Effie then marched him into the changing room, heels clicking like drums counting down the time before an execution as Gale realized he would probably spend the entire day getting ready. "How hung over are you? Never mind, take two of these, and one of these you'll feel better."
"I'm not-"
"We don't have time for this. One's a sleeping pill, hurry up and take it." While Gale wasn't over-anxious to take mysterious drugs, Effie's stern gaze brokered no dissent. The moment he swallowed the small pills, the world began to shift and faint, panicked, voices were the last sound he heard.
Bright lights greeted him as he woke, and Gale became instantaneously aware of multiple hands maneuvering his unconscious body. Thankfully for those around him, his limbs were not immediately capable of obeying his sluggish mind's commands to tear the offending digits forcefully from his person.
"Look he's waking up."
"Perfect, I was getting worried we'd have to use the Lumen." Gale blinked blearily, as the faces around him slowly focused.
"Hi Gale," giggled Gaia. "Have a fun night?" Gale did not want to deal with them, but it had been a long time since his desires were the deciding factor in his actions. He gave an innocent smile.
"Yes, it was lovely. Finnick took me to a party."
"Don't try that on us, Gale, we saw the footage."
"Footage?" Gale's breath caught in his throat, and he was unable to contain his concern.
"During the party. Unfortunately none of the camera crews could get upstairs," responded Troilus, looking like Gale had taken the last bit of a particularly delicious delicacy.
"Too bad?"
"I know! Horrible shame, guess we'll have to wait for next time, eh Troilus?" Aurelis nudged his friend good naturedly. "There will be a next time won't there?" The utter anxiety in the man's face aided Gale in keeping his laughter carefree rather than hysterical.
"There will be if I have anything to say about it." They tittered along with him, and renewed their task. They were attaching small iridescent gems to his body, like a combination between April's dress and Finnick's scales. The extent to which his body had been covered made Gale selfishly glad he had been unconscious during most of the process. "What time is it?"
"Seven, the interview starts at eight thirty." Gale's stomach then decided to announce its protest over the long period of disuse. "Someone get him some food before we do his makeup." An avox glided seamlessly into the room, and Gale ate hastily while the trio flitted around him finishing the patterns of gems, and chattering about momentous occurrences in their lives. Gale sat bored once he finished his rapid meal, as they enthusiastically applied the finishing touches on his body before stepping back.
"Looks perfect."
"The way the light glistens."
"I wish we didn't have to cover any of it up." Thankfully, Portia arrived and interceded on his behalf before Gale was forced to disagree with Troilus.
"We haven't shown him nude at any other stage in the proceedings, so we won't start now. It simply wouldn't due to have his interview outfit upstage the one he used for the Re-Cap. Besides, we have to give them something to work for." Portia gave conciliatory wink to her assistants before they were ushered out the room with a few words. Portia turned back to Gale and began speaking before the door had even closed behind them. "I'll warn you now, it'll happen eventually, but I thought we could wait a year on it all things considered."
"Thank you," Gale replied earnestly, as she handed him a few scraps of red material meant to resemble flames.
"Haymitch said he wanted to talk with you before the interview, so I'll let you have some time together." Portia exited as quickly as she had entered, but Gale was not left alone long before a fidgeting Haymitch burst through the door.
"Nice job at the party. Half believed you were actually enjoying yourself."
"I try."
"Keep that attitude up during the interview. Did you think of a good reason for your little outburst?"
"I'm just going to tell them the truth. Honestly, Haymitch what are you worried about?"
"The room isn't bugged. I had Beetee fix it."
"Oh." Gale relaxed a little, before glancing at the clock. "Five minutes, any advice?"
"Just stick with the act. If he mentions Thymoetes complement him, but don't seem too attached. He'll probably ask you about the girls back home, and you'll have to come up with a satisfactory response. Don't let them know who you care about."
"I've got a plan." Haymitch gave him a hard look.
"Don't try anything stupid. You're out of their reach, but the rest of your family's fair game. How many younger siblings do you have? How many friends that they interviewed? That Sage girl and Katniss whatserface still have a year or two left in the Reapings, and you can't say adding them wouldn't make the games more interesting."
"I know." Gale's voice was serious, unlike most of the teasing or self-assured remarks he had uttered over the past 24 hours.
"No, you don't. But you'll learn, one way or another."
"Trust me, alright, I've got it."
"It's not me who's trusting you, Gale. It's all your little siblings, and friends who are on the line if you fuck up. You may feel like the smartest guy in the world, but trust me, even that won't stop them." There was no arguing with Haymitch.
"Fine. Everyone's going to die, and there's nothing I can do to stop it. Thanks for the pep talk." Gale rolled his eyes before standing up. "Where's the interview?"
"Flickerman's waiting outside." Gale stormed out as best he could while still maintaining a casual air for any cameras. Flickerman greeted him from behind an immaculate mirrored table as he walked through the door. The cameras drooped dully in their stands, but Caesar's presence made privacy unobtainable. Gale dropped into the plush leather seat provided.
"Congratulations by the way on the victory, it saved me a bit of trouble at the very least."
"Thanks, guess an hour-long interview with Thresh would have been a drag. Probably would have set a record though, 'Least number of total words spoken by a tribute.'"
"Yes, I don't know if you were old enough to remember Trent. Even I was close to sleeping! Not that I want that taken back to him." Gale acknowledged his conspiratorial wink with a nod and a laugh.
"No worries. First interview I remember really watching was Finnick, and he was plenty entertaining."
"Yes, he was good. I hear you're trying to follow in his footsteps." Gale laughed again.
"Save the interrogation for the interview, I'm sure you'll learn more than you want to."
"Oh, I doubt that." Gale started as the cameras came to life, but Flickerman waved him off.
"They're just turning on. They'll do a count down before we go live."
"Sorry, just a little edgy."
"Don't worry about it. I think it was Renna quite a few years back that broke one of the cameras before filming. What a mess that was! They've been reinforced ever since."
"Smart thinking."
"Thirty seconds," shouted a voice in the back.
"Not that I think you need the reassurance, but just remember to relax. They already love you, and it's only an hour."
"I think I'm past the whole stage-fright thing by now."
"You'd be surprised."
"Five, Four, Three, Two."
"Good afternoon Panem! Seems like it was only yesterday that we were opening these Games, and now here we are at the finish line. What do you have to say for yourself Gale?"
"Sorry I ended the party early. I had a few others booked that I didn't want to miss."
"It really has been all one big party hasn't it? What were you thinking planning that little impromptu gathering on the roof?"
"Well, this city's really infectious. I saw everyone else having fun, and decided to join in. It was pretty boring after training was over, and I wasn't going to waste my time in such a beautiful place lying around."
"I hope things haven't been as dull this time around." Gale laughed.
"Definitely not. So much is happening, so many people to meet. It's almost more overwhelming then the Games!"
"I'm glad you've liked it. Any particular favorites so far?"
"I like the way things are done here. No beating around the bush. If you want something, you go for it, that's how I operate and I'm glad this city's caught on. Company's not too bad either."
"Have any favorites in that area?"
"You know Caesar, I don't feel qualified to make that decision. Maybe once I've gotten to know more people, it'll be easier. Know anyone who'd be willing to help out?"
"You really do have a one track mind, Gale."
"One of my many, and varied talents." He gave a wink to emphasize his point.
"Any of these talents you found particularly useful?"
"Well-"
"Let me rephrase, any talents you could learn in the training room. Officially," he added when Gale made to speak again. Gale rolled his eyes.
"If you want to be boring, I guess my best answer is that it's not the things you learn in training that helps but the things you bring to the table." Caesar made to interrupt, but Gale soldiered on. "After all, where would Cato have been without his strength, or Marvel his speed? Those are things all the practice in the world can't compete with."
"So you're saying natural talent trumps training."
"Not necessarily, but usually. Take Vix for instance. She was smart and cunning. That trick with the bodies was brilliant. But that didn't make her a Victor. I don't think I ever once saw her near the weapons during training; it was all plants and camouflage. Those skills'll get you past the first few days, but then it comes down to weapons, and fighting."
"So you stress combat skills?" Gale shrugged.
"Eventually. But first you've got to live through the first half of the Games. You've got to be either strong enough to survive, or smart enough to run during the first few minutes, and then make your way until the time comes to move. That's where the Career pack becomes so useful. As long as a larger group sticks together, and hunts down any outsiders, one of them is practically guarantied to win. The only question is which one."
"Is that why you became allied with Glimmer, Marvel, Pearl, Clove, and Cato?"
"Mostly. It helped that the girls were rather nice on the eyes."
"And that brings us to the question we've all been dying to ask. Glimmer."
"That's not a question."
"Astute observation," Caesar gave a big full-throated, painfully counterfeit laugh. "How about this, what were your feelings toward Glimmer?"
"Way to ease me into it." Gale laughed. "I don't know. Glimmer was Glimmer. She was hot, strong, reasonably intelligent, maybe a little too trusting." Gale laughed again. "She was a good fling, but not nearly enough to hold my interest."
"Who is?" joked Caesar.
"Not many. Maybe someday, but for now I am a very free agent."
"It always seems to come back to that with you. Gale, are you just using this interview as a chance to pick up a date?" asked Caesar in mock outrage.
"No, whatever gave you that idea?" he asked, eyebrows pulled in bewilderment. Caesar gave a laugh.
"Nothing, Nothing. Now, back to the questions." Gale grinned. "How long were you planning that little maneuver with the berries? I have a hard time believing you were acting impulsively." Gale smiled and shifted on his seat, flicking his eyes toward the cameras.
"For a while. Truth be told, I'm surprised no one's attempted it before. The chance to cut your competition in half… It's worth any risk, and with poison, as long as you do it right, even that's negligible. I figured at least one of them wouldn't eat enough to die, but I at least thought they'd all have some. I really wasn't counting on going into that fight with Glimmer with her in full health."
"Scared of fighting a girl Gale, where has our daring tribute gone?" They laughed along with the hidden crowd.
"Like I said, Glimmer's strong and smart. It's a miracle I got away without taking heavy damage. That's the main reason I used poison. I'm smart enough to know who I can't take in a fight."
"I think you're one of the first tributes to outright state they weren't the most capable tribute."
"Now, I didn't say that. Fighting ability is only one type of strength. I think it's fairly safe to say I was the smartest tribute going in."
"And the confidence returns."
"Never left. I just know my limits, and there are certain things I can't go up against and expect to beat."
"So, what were your plans if the poison didn't work."
"The poison had to work. There was no way it couldn't. Even if say Marvel, or Pearl hadn't eaten enough berries, the remaining tributes would have likely blamed each other and fought. As long as I played dead long enough, I had nothing to worry about."
"But say you couldn't find the berries." Gale gave an embarrassed smile.
"That would have been a problem. Haymitch and I talked about sending some into the arena, but we both thought it'd be a bit obvious. Plan B was to convince everyone Cato had lost it, and start a lot of infighting. For a while I debated convincing Glimmer and Pearl to ditch the rest of the tributes and form threesome to attack the other tributes, but eventually, against my own wishes, I had to acknowledge that there was no actual survival-based advantage to that plan."
"It would have made for an entertaining Game," remarked Caesar wistfully.
"I agree entirely."
"I've noticed, you haven't been mentioning Clove in your plans, any reason?"
"You saw how Cato started acting when she died. I'm pretty sure he was moping after her."
"Frightened by a little competition?"
"If the competition's Cato with a sword? Yeah. I'm pretty terrified."
"But, you're the Victor, he's not. Clearly we know who'd win in a fight."
"Maybe, maybe not. The whole point of the poison was never having to find that out. The only reason I beat Glimmer was by tricking her. In a straightforward fight Cato'd kill me quicker than Thresh was going to."
"But you beat Thresh, who's to say you couldn't have done the same against Cato?"
"Well, first I'd say 'beating' is a strong word to use concerning my fight with Thresh. 'Barely outlasted' might be more accurate. Second… I really don't know how a fight would have gone between me and Cato, I'm just happy I didn't have to try it."
"But it would have been so memorable," moaned Caesar petulantly.
"Sorry to disappoint. I thought my fights with Thresh and Glimmer would make up for it, but I guess not."
"You keep coming back to your fight with Glimmer. What were your thoughts in the middle? I know we were all very worried about you." Gale laughed.
"You weren't the only one. I don't know if you could tell, but I was practically shaking out of my boots!" After Caesar hastily confirmed that no one could tell, Gale went on. "Well, I already told you I wasn't sure if I could beat her. Glimmer was a little confused still after all the excitement, but she wasn't that confused. So I decided to change that."
"Are you referring to your little speech?"
"Of course. It was the quickest thing I could think of doing. I decided that if I started making crazy accusations and spouting nonsense, I could distract her enough to win."
"So all that stuff you said, about the Careers-"
"And the poor starving children of district 12?"He interrupted, a look of absolute seriousness on his face. He held firm for a few seconds, staring deeply into the cameras before bursting into a small fit of laughter. "God, I can't keep a straight face. I'm a little surprised she took me seriously on that one. I mean really, when's the last time anyone's died of starvation? There's plenty to eat. It was just the craziest thing I could think of. Plus I thought it might make her less sure about winning."
"It certainly did that! I don't know what you're thinking, Gale, that was one of the best lie's I've heard in a long time. Even I started getting worried that you were telling the truth!"
"Really? I thought it was just because she was already emotionally compromised. That is funny. I can't believe people actually believed me."
"Don't worry, we found out the truth soon enough. The producers sent out a memo about a half-hour after the fact. It seems a few concerned citizens started bothering them."
"What a mess. Sorry to have caused any trouble. Like I said, it was the craziest thing I could think of."
"Crazy it was. Glad to know everything's been sorted out now."
"I should hope so."
"So was there any truth in your first statement?"
"Which one was that?"
"The one about the Careers."
"Well," he started sheepishly, "there was some truth and a lot of lies."
"Really?" Caesar leaned forward, and Gale did his best not to take a small scoot back. Instead he inched closer on the chair and continued.
"Well, it is a bit hard watching my district lose year after year. I mean, think about it, 12 of the past 15 Victors have been from districts 1, 2, or 4. At the very least it's repetitive isn't it?"
"It would be nice to shake things up a bit," conceded Caesar.
"And think about how it is for us. I don't hate the idea of Careers, or the people themselves, I just wish district 12 could get its act together enough to make some of our own. I'm a little competitive, and loosing year after year is starting to get old."
"And why didn't you do something about it?"
"Well, I did eventually." Gale gestured around himself, and Caesar laughed along.
"I mean why didn't you volunteer, or convince others to do so?"
"What makes you think I wasn't going to volunteer anyway?" challenged Gale.
"Were you?"
"Well, no. But that's for other reasons."
"Such as…"
"I'll tell you what I told the other tributes in training. In district 12, we weren't sure Haymitch would keep supporting us if we were volunteers."
"Why on earth not?" He asked in bemusement.
"You'd have to ask him. Haymitch's a weird guy. I think deep down he's a lot more insane than we give him credit for."
"Maybe down in district 12. Here in the Capitol, Haymitch's been given plenty of credit."
"So I hear."
"I remember his very first interview, before the start of his Games. He was the year with 50 tributes, as I'm sure you'll remember. I asked him what his opinion was of there being twice as many people."
"And what did he say," asked Gale, whole body fixed as if Caesar's every word were worth twice its weight in gold.
"Told me it didn't matter, because the others were just as stupid as usual."
"And I guess it didn't."
"Too true. Still, rather weird kid, right from the start."
"You don't have to tell me. I remember the first time I saw him. I think I was about four. He was passed out on the sidewalk, and I went in for a closer look. Then he jumped up like some sort of monster, and chased me about ten feet shouting. I don't think I've ever run so fast since!" They laughed together, and then Gale and Caesar continued trading Haymitch stories, as well as petty gossip about the Games and the people he had met. Serious matters aside, Gale tried to engage himself in the trivial banter used to fill up the remaining hour. He expertly hid his relief as, after what felt like several long years, Caesar finally glanced at the clock dramatically and gave a hugely exaggerated start.
"My, my, where has the time gone? Our hour's almost up."
"Really, so soon?"
"Don't worry Gale, I'm certain this won't be our last meeting."
"I should hope not. It's been wonderful seeing you again Caesar."
"Any parting comments for our viewers?"
"For those in the districts, work hard; these people deserve everything you have to give them. For everyone here in the Capitol… I hope to see you soon."
"That's it folks, tune in later for some past interviews examined by Vinnet Goldsmith." The cameras darkened, and Caesar turned to shake Gale's hand.
"Well done Gale. It really has been nice talking with you."
"Same here. And thanks for hosting. Games wouldn't be the same without you."
"Always the flatterer." Caesar smiled anyway. "I hope you'll excuse me, but I have a party to get to, and I'm sure you do as well."
"Probably," agreed Gale bashfully.
"Goodbye, if I don't see you before you leave."
"Are there any other official interviews?"
"No," Flickerman shrugged. "But I'll still be around and we might run into each other. This town's quite small once you get used to it."
"I don't think I'll ever get used to it. Too many new things to experience." Flickerman gave a light nod, and bid another farewell before departing. His stylist's assistant's buzzed in as soon as he left.
"Well, time to fix up my outfit," he joked as they rushed him into the changing room. Barely an hour later, he was in another car, headed to another party, and trying to picture another host, one much less desirable even than Caesar Flickerman.
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