District 2 – Lanius Marais(18)

The group this year is too big in my opinion. There is 5 of us whereas I would prefer 3. I am fully aware that those numbers could very easily be cut down, but I don't trust the number 5. There is too many variables with that number, too many side conversations and paranoia that surrounds it. I don't trust anyone because of it. Not Cain, not Saphira, not Tilver and especially not Nickel. Nickel just seems untrustworthy to me, he goes around having all of these conversations with people in our group and then never discloses the topic with me – the leader. Which is fishy.

Even though we aren't in the arena yet, the mind games have already begun. My mentor Gemini told me not to get stressed or paranoid, as it makes you act without reason. She is very right. But It's hard to maintain composure, especially for someone as hot-headed as myself. Usually I have no room for judgment and I go around and knock out anyone in my road. That's exactly how my life has been so far.

When I was in training for the games back in 2, I was jumped by a crew of 5 others in my class when I was 16. They tried to beat me and pin me to the ground. They shot a tranquilizer in to my thigh and ran at me. Luckily I am not a pushover and was the best in my class, so those guys were destroyed. But they were my friends, and I never learnt to trust fully ever again; especially trust a group of 5, the number that burned me last time. More to the point, these guys are trained hard core – well not Cain. But the other 3 were the best their districts could find, and they could see me as their biggest threat, and with 3 fully trained people against me in the arena, I could be gone early. That's why I prefer a smaller group. That vision may come to fruition early in the games.

Right now though I need to concentrate on my interview with Pauly Partridge. The 24 of us are lined up in a row backstage. I am wearing a tweed suit that my stylist created. Throughout the suit flashes of iron and steel shine off at different angles. Tanya, who is next to me, is wearing something of a similar fashion, a dress that stops halfway down her legs. The dress is a checkered pattern of yellow fabric and steel and iron, like a yellow chainmail dress you could say. It must be heavy. Tanya should not be representing our District. She is an absolute abomination to District 2. We should be fit and strong-willed, whereas I feel she is somewhat ill-focused and distraught. Don't get me wrong, I have grown to like the girl. She is funny and sweet and attractive, but she is only another obstacle in the road towards me winning this thing. And that's all she can be, just another obstacle.

Saphira and Tilver kick off the interviews first. Saphira is wearing a blue dress embedded with all kinds of jewels. She is trying to play the hard-ass card. She did score an 8 in training so is legitimate competition. She has the slender figure of someone with great physical technique who would quite quickly counter your entire body weight and use it against you. Pauly asks her why she thinks she will win. Saphira responds by saying "At the moment I'm guaranteed till 5 and that's when the social politics really begin. Not only am I physically capable, but I feel I am more than capable of social manipulation as well."

Ding Ding Ding – alarm bells go off in my head. Saphira is already planning to off me. Never has she directly spoken to me about social dynamics of our group, which tells me right now that she has spoken to others and I am not a part of her plans. Which means she won't be a part of mine. I may not exactly be the most social person in the world. But I can see straight through what that is and I am livid.

Saphira takes her seat and I'm glaring at her. She looks over at me and gives me a satisfied wink. What on earth is that? Does she have a plan for me? Saphira is wishy-washy and I don't like it. Tilver is next up on stage. Tilver is a very tough nut to figure out and scored a 10 in training, he is second behind me in terms of odds to win and is a legitimate threat to me. I like the guy, he is somewhat of a loner and I get the feeling that his cogs are always turning. He is the one I will be watching most intently; who he talks to, where his eyes wander, and I will try to read him to see what he is thinking at all times.

When asked why he will win the games Tilver answers. "Because I will Pauly."

Which I find a much more trustworthy and competitive answer than Saphira's.

Tanya is next, and she awkwardly bumbles her way through the encounter without really making any type of impression. Her answer to why she will win is "Because if you want a true survivor as your Victor, then you're looking at her right now."

Pauly calls me on to the stage next. I have been tutored for this moment for a while now.

"Sit down Lanius please. Now the question I have been meaning to ask you is how did you get so big?"

The audience erupts into laughter. I however don't smile. I have been instructed to not make friends with The Capitol, that they like the silent strong type, and that this year I am the one that fills that gap.

"Genetics Pauly, just genetics." A few giggle emerge from the crowd, but only a few.

"Okay Lanius, appraise the other tributes for me. I mean, you have had a chance to watch them all and see what they do in training. Anyone stand out in particular?"

"Well Pauly, I have distinguished three groups this year. You have the strong type. Which includes myself, Tilver and Saphira and also the 11 boy and both from District 3 for example. Then you have the charismatic ones, like the 12's and Nickel from 4 could probably fit in there as well. In category three you have the weaklings and cannon fodder, like the small girls or the lad from 5. Of course there is some overlapping Pauly, but that is my general appraisal of the situation.

"Well Lanius, I must say that is a very thorough list you have. Although, some might say you could possibly be underestimating a few of your fellow competitors?"

I think about this before replying. "I don't think so Pauly, everyone here pales in comparison to myself."

The conversation continues for a while before he asks me the final question. Why I will win.

"Pauly. My victory will be swift and it will be honest. Brought about by blood, not words."

And that is exactly how I plan this thing will go.

Lanius Marais everyone. One of the biggest competitors this year. He is very aware of everything, but also a bit paranoid.

4 more to go, then on to the games. Next up is Sam Buckwood from District 5.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!

Isteed.