A/N: Hey guys another chapter yay! I would have posted earlier but I've been watching the Olympics! (Especially Micheal Phelps and Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin!) But i still got this chapter done for you! Also I'd like to tell you that I was helping out a great author pen named- Pax Cronin - who has a forum called Pax Pals and is writing a story with a few other authors (his pax pals) and i wrote the bloodbath chapter from his story which should be up sometime tomorrow! So if you want to check out some more of my writing check out his story the Pax games! It should be really good! Well anyways we are almost done with the capitol and into the games hooray! I apologize that some of these are short i just want to get to the bloodbath! ( I still have one last chaper to go though so hold on tight!) Well that's all so don't forget to review and I hope you all like this chapter! :)
Skanner Maliss, District 2, 18 POV
After sleeping late and spending all day getting coached by my two mentors. I am ready to go to the interviews. My stylist Moneesh has been fussing over my striking roman gladiator style outfit for about thirty minutes. She adjusts the shoulder plates for the third time and stands back to examine the whole look. She sighs after a moment and then gestures for me to turn around.
"I think that's as good as it's going to get." She says finally in her thick capitol accent and then leads me out of my room and into the dining area where my mentors are waiting.
"Okay Skanner you need to find some way to mention Alice and your son on the way. I don't care if you don't want to, and I don't blame you for that, but it's the only way you'll be able to get all the sponsors. And sponsors are the only way you are going to get home." Kada tells me sharply. She is very down to business but not harsh. I think after she tortured six of the tributes from her games to death and then had to deal with the aftermath of being a victor something in her changed. She genuinely wants to get me home but she has told me more than once to not win like she did. Not that I think I could. I see the killing as more of a necessity than an opportunity.
"I will" I say to Kada and then I turn to face Aliks hoping for some last minute advice from him.
"Skanner just try to act like you're talking to your best friend from home. And especially don't think about how fake everyone here is. I know the capitol people bug you but this is very important and it has to be done right." Aliks tells me less sharply than Kada but just as serious.
Saying that the capitol people bug me is an understatement. I can't stand them. Nothing about them is real anymore. Not their skin color, most of them have dyed it random colors, not their hair it's either dyed or a wig or put up with so many pins and hair ties they couldn't even tell you how many, and especially not their values. Almost every single one of them thinks the hunger games are the best source of entertainment ever.
"I'll try" I say, I can't guarantee much else.
"Ok I suppose I'll take that." Aliks replies.
We sit for a few minutes and wait for Poppy who should be coming out any minute. Poppy and her two mentors have also been working all day on an interview strategy. I like Poppy, she seems genuine although also tough which is something often lost on other girls. She really listens to you but she is also quick to point out who's in charge, and usually it's her.
Poppy finally comes in flanked by her two mentors . She looks rather stunning in a shimmery gold dress and black heels. Her stylist also put her hair up in a complicated bun wrap. She looks powerful. Maybe that's her angle. I don't have much more time to ponder as our escort comes in and ushers us into the elevator. She takes us down to the second sublevel. Just below the stage the interviews will be on, I think. She seems to know where she's going and leads us through a maze of support beams to where twenty-four chairs are sitting each on their own platform in a line next to each other. Each one is marked by a district number, or already has a tribute sitting in it. We make our way to the chairs labeled 2 which from a closer distance have the words male and female written in the corner. I sit in the chair designated for the male and then wait for everyone to show up.
Soon everyone is seated but the girl t=from twelve, Marigold. She has really been a nuisance lately. After not showing up to the private training center, that's the only way she could have gotten a zero, and now being late for the interviews. Geez. A couple minutes later she is carried in by a couple of peacekeepers not screaming, thankfully, but with a very angry look on her face.
"I would have showed up!" she shouts at them as they set her down next to her chair. She straightens out her dress which really brings out her beauty. And then sits down. Immediately after everyone is hooked up to a microphone and then we hear Julian Sayers, the infamous interviewer not quite as famous as the late Ceasar Flickerman, welcome the crowd to the interviews of the tributes of the 104th annual hunger games. An incredible wave of loud cheers and scream and hoots follows and we are slowly lifted onto the stage.
Saralina Reed, District 4, 16 POV
Our entrance onto the stage was quite the hit. The capitolites almost exploded when we rose onto the stage to the left of Julian. After the crowd quieted Julian welcomed on Felicity who got quite a few cheers and screams from the games-drunk crowd. Julian questioned her on her private training score which she said she thought was quite good and tried to ask her about strategy but she refused to say anything acting rather sly and mysterious.
The boy from one came next getting slightly more cheers than Felicity. He spent most of the time talking about killing and his weapons skills which I thought was disgusting. The girl from two, Poppy was on next and had a really lovely gown of shimmery gold that really impressed Julian and the capitolites and me as well. She talked about being strong and ready to perform in the games while also managing to charm the audience. Rather impressive in my opinion.
The boy from two was a shocker. At first Julian asked him about the capitol and he gushed a little about it and then when Julian asked about his district he dropped a real bombshell. He immediately talked about how he never knew his parents as both died in the hunger games and how his girlfriend is now pregnant with a baby boy and how he would do anything to get back for them. I was really impressed. He shows a lot more emotion than most careers.
The girl from three was a blur, I mean following that act was tough. The boy from three was also a blur as my nerves were mounting leading to my interview. Julian called my name and I slowly stood up and walked over. The whole interview was a blur, I think I managed my flirty angle okay but I was glad to be back in my chair. I think the highlight of my interview was when Julian asked about my dress which I loved. It was a light purple gown with a ruffled shoulder strap on one side. Simple but amazing. The rest of the interviews passed quickly none really stood out.
Finally the last person did their interview and we were all lowered back down under the stage. I went straight up to my floor and took a shower to wash off all of my makeup before falling into bed where I am now. Contemplating how things will go tomorrow.
Keldern Forrents, District 6, 15 POV
I have not been looking forward to these interviews. Too many eyes on me. Uncomfortable clothing and way way way too much pressure. I like things relaxed and simple. Like they are when I'm around Blaise. I know the only way I will be able to get through this is by talking about her. As the boy from five is called up I find myself absentmindedly staring at the meadow green lipstick Julian is wearing. True to the tradition started by Ceasar Flickerman he is wearing everything in one color for these games. This year it appears to be meadow green as his hair, suit, lipstick, and even his skin are dyed the light color. The effect is rather interesting instead of looking like a seasick sailor he looks more like a flower stalk. I am stil staring at his lips when the buzzer goes off and Blaise goes in. She handles him well talking about the capitol and the chariot rides and the training score and throwing a little about me in at the end.
The buzzer ring and it's my turn and I don't think I'm ready for it. I walk to the interviewee's seat and sit down as the capitol crowd cheers loudly for me. Then the hard part begins.
"So, Keldern, how are you liking the capitol?" Julian asks to start us off.
"Well it's very different from district six" Julian nods in approval at this as the audience cheers more quietly "But I am really enjoying the change" I finish the crowd roars approval.
"I'm sure you are." Julian smiles, "So how do you feel about your district partner Blaise, I know she mentioned a little about you being allies in her interview"
Now this is the tricky part. "Yes actually I volunteered to come to the games when she was reaped because I knew she had to make it back. I would do anything for Blaise, she's arguably the love of my life" I reply and the audience coos and groans for us.
"How unfortunate to have to be here together" Julian says voicing the audience's feelings I simply nod in agreement. "How has this strained you" Julian asks striving for more information.
"Well really it has been a good thing I have never been as close to Blaise as we are right now. Although wearing shoes all the time has been rather annoying" The audience has a hearty laugh at this and Julian and I join in.
"Well that's something I've never heard before" Julian says still chuckling.
"That would be because none of you have ever tried going barefoot, now that's living" I say causing the audience and Julian to collapse in laughter. The buzzer breaks in and Julian closes us up.
"Well folks that was Keldern Forrents, we wish you good luck!" He says as I walk back to my seat pleased with my performance and ready to be done with this taxing affair. At least I made it through the interview I think as Julian moves through the rest of the tributes.
Finally we are lowered back below the stage and Blaise and I are able to head back up to our rooms for one last night in the capitol before the real horrors set in.
Jack Aspen, District 7, 18 POV
"And now Jaquelin Aspen!" Julian shouts melodically welcoming me into the interviewee seat.
"Call me Jack" I say settling into my seat.
"Well, Jack, how has the capitol been treating you?" He asks kindly trying to warm me up to the audience.
"Very well, the food in particular is delicious." I say trying to say what I know they want to hear.
"Ah yes, we love it as well" he says patting his stomach. "Anyways, how do you feel about your training score?"
"I think it was rather accurate I think the other tributes should be aware that I'm a real contender in these games"
"As you proved with that seven" The audience cheers and I give them a little smile "How are you feeling about going into the arena tomorrow?"
"You know Julian, I'm feeling prepared"
"Glad to hear it" More cheers from the crowd "Do you have a strategy?"
"Oh yes but I'm not ready to give it away just yet" I tease
"Oh please just a little?" Julian mock begs and the capitol cheers to agree with him
"Well I've got a strong alliance and we're ready to make it to the end" I say careful not to give much away just like my mentor told me.
"Well best of luck to you and the rest of your alliance" The buzzer goes off "Thank you Jack and once again good luck!"
I walk off to my seat on the side feeling proud but exhausted trying to maintain an attitude perspective for that long in front of an audience while answering the slew of questions fired at you is really exhausting. I can't wait for a last good night's sleep in the comfort of the capitol before the hard and dangerous days that will surely follow in the games. I can't wait to win and get back to district 7. The only downside will be wearing all of the dresses when I have to go on the victory tour. I've just got to get through this. Just this and then I'll be done. I think as Julian continues to fire questions and the audience continues to cheer tribute after tribute ending with Marigold. She looks spectacular in her dress. I am zoning out when a question asked by Julian causes me to perk up and listen intently.
"How, may I ask did you get a zero in your training?" Julian asks obviously truly curious.
"Well, Julian I just didn't show up" The crowd gasps in shock, nobody's ever done that before "Not to worry I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve" She adds causing the audience to cheer loudly for her again.
Tricks up her sleeve huh? I think she just might find she won't have enough time to test out those tricks when we get to the arena.