A/N: I'd like to say that, yes, I do know that the girls are supposed to be interviewed first, but I forgot and I'm too lazy to change it. Plus, I like it that Madge is the last tribute up there, with her really, um, interesting ideas. Okay, I won't spoil anything for you guys. Here you go. AND – I'm sorry for the wait between chapters. Huge math test on systems of equations, plus a speech on the dangers of indoor tanning, and a spelling bee. I'll put a note on that at the end of the chapter. Now, without further ado, I give you… Chapter 21!
Chapter 21: I Don't Kiss and Tell
First up, of course, is District 1. As if nobody can guess. The male tribute, Orb Hetair, walks quickly to the chair.
"Orb! Wonderful to see you!" cries Caesar, shaking his hand. This year he's dyed himself a very bright pink.
"Uh, really? I – I mean, yeah, thanks. Nice to see you, too."
"So, in your mind, what's the most intriguing thing about the Capitol?"
"Well, it's got nice landscaping. That's what I've always admired in cities – you know we've got similar structures back in District 1? Maybe I could show you guys some of our best spots after the Games."
"You sound like you think you'll win."
"You can't ever be too careful, but I don't think it's a big issue, to be honest."
I decide I don't like this kid. Orb's partner is named Elegance and is even more determined than her cousin.
"I just want the Games to start," she growls. "I can't stand waiting and it's so boring here."
"Is that so?" I think Caesar's a little offended, but he hides it pretty well.
"Yeah. If one more person asks me how I'm going to win, I'll scream!"
"And how are you going to win, Elegance?"
She sits there and glowers at him. And sits. And glowers. And sits some more. Time stretches out so long that I think the buzzer's about to sound when she finally speaks.
"I'M GONNA BEAT THE SNOT OUT OF EVERYONE IN THAT ARENA!"
Yep, she screamed. And she laughs as she makes her way back to her seat.
District 2's boy is a giant like Thresh, but forbidding like Cato. The girl, though, is startlingly angelic in a white gown made of something like stars. She's twelve years old and miniscule, and I remember her from the Reapings. Her green eyes glint in the bright lights as she takes her chair. Despite myself, I feel a twinge of sympathy. The audience murmurs wonderingly.
"You look lovely, Elvorix," Caesar tells her.
"Thank you," she says shyly.
"Is it hard for you here?" he asks.
Her eyes grow very bright and she nods. "I just want to go home," she whimpers. Her small size makes her seem much younger than she is, and she pulls off the defenseless act effortlessly.
Unfortunately, she's one of the most interesting tributes.
The boy from Three, Cordin, is unbelievably obnoxious and cracks the worst jokes I've ever heard. I notice a few of the other victors sighing in relief when his buzzer goes off. The girl from his district is much quieter and, though I'm trying to deny it, quite charming. Her curly black hair wreathes her face and she looks like someone who just stepped out of a forest in her deep green dress that matches her eyes exactly.
Naylor, the District 4 boy, is so smart that I bet he could just come up with some plan to win the Games without touching anyone. He's very quiet but when he does talk it's apparent that he misses nothing, his gray eyes darting everywhere at once. His district partner, Marlene, seems very at ease up on the stage. She has her waist-long brown hair in an intricate style and infused with glitter that catches the light with her every move.
The tributes from District 5 are twins, and it's heart wrenching to see them both on stage, lined up to die. The boy, Bridger, is pretty enthusiastic about the upcoming battle, but I've got a feeling his mentor put him up to that. Nothing he says erases the fear in his eyes. His sister, Ahna, is the same. She's excited and can't sit still in her chair. It's supposed to be endearing, and it is – but only to the Capitol viewers. Anybody from the Districts is only going to think that it's an amazing loss of energy.
District 6's boy is named Nathaniel, and he takes everything Caesar says and twists it so it sounds as though he's being persuaded. Each time, he gets defensive and retorts that it's his decision. His blue eyes are like miniature flames as he shakes his head vehemently. His sister, Lynna, is much calmer but just as focused. She's about as down-to-earth as a person can get.
The boy from District 7, Peter Keskow, just acts relaxed, as though he's already got a plan and wants nothing more than to wait. It makes me think that if every tribute could be this way, there would be so much less anxiety. But then I remember Prim and realize that not everyone's as lucky as I am – most people don't make it out alive. And the terror of last year is too fresh to forget. Twig Keskow, Peter's sister, takes everything Caesar says very literally. Every joke is ruminated over before a solemn answer.
The tributes from District 8 are much more lighthearted than the others so far. The boy, Frieze Tussah, is incredibly optimistic, but it's his cousin Paisley who makes a lasting impression. I get the feeling that she could make anything in the arena work to her advantage, and know that I'll have to watch out for her.
Key and Rachelle Ehmy are both dressed to emphasize their physical charms. A deep red suit compliments Key's dark complexion. It seems stuffy at first but as he talks I realize that the outfit makes him seem more sophisticated. His cousin Rachelle is easily the most beautiful girl on the stage. Her dark brown hair, chocolaty eyes and dark skin coupled with the sheer purple dress she's wearing make the audience murmur like you wouldn't believe. The way she carries herself suggests that she's no stranger to this kind of attention, either, and it's not difficult to guess why.
The boy tribute from District 10, Alyx Hurston, makes even me crack a smile. He has a charismatic aura of self-assurance that makes him very easy to get along with – at least, I guess he does, because I'm not the one who's interviewing him. But judging from Caesar's plentiful grins, he's quite charming. His sister Ella is his exact opposite: so tough that you could probably throw her off a cliff and she wouldn't be hurt in the slightest.
District 11's male tribute is named Zale Tanager, and his angle is assertive. He carries himself with a jaunty but not-quite-arrogant stride. There's an edge to his laughter that keys me into the fact that, just like most of his opponents, he'd rather be anywhere but here. His cousin Finch Tanager has a sly grin that's impossible to overlook. She's seventeen but looks only about thirteen and no doubt her petite build will be a considerable asset in the arena. Her responses all have a certain sneakiness that throws me off.
Finally, it's time for Fritz's interview. He stutters a little over the "hello," like we talked about, as pale as a sheet. For a few minutes he and Caesar go back and forth, and the contrast between them is starkly obvious. Fritz's hesitation and nerves make Caesar's professionalism seem flawless, though I can tell that he's thrown by such a timid subject. But when we get to the final question, he outdoes himself.
"I must say, Fritz, you seem a little nervous. Is something bothering you?"
Fritz glances at me as if asking for help, but there's nothing I can do. He takes a deep breath and I can feel the whole audience leaning forward on the edges of their seats. "I – I just – I can't stop thinking about my little sister," he confesses. "She was real sick when I left, and I don't want her to worry about me. It would only make her worse and then she probably wouldn't be any better off than – than I am."
The buzzer sounds.
With undisguised relief, Fritz bolts to his feet and scrambles back to his own chair to a smattering of sympathetic applause. Madge takes his place in a lavender gown with an intricately beaded bodice. Cinna has outdone himself: her delicate necklace and earrings are glittering crystal that bathes her entire body in light from the refracted spotlights. She seems to glow and it's difficult to focus on what she's saying rather than the dancing, bouncing rays of luminescence.
She goes for good-natured, laughing at Caesar's jokes and offering a few of her own. Charming, elegant, confident – she's got the audience from the get-go. If I hadn't heard her last night, talking about dying, I might believe that she's happy here. She's certainly a good actor; possibly better than me. I'm glad. It'll give potential sponsors something to remember her for. At this point, we need everyone we can get.
Just like he does for all the girls, Caesar asks if she has anyone special back home.
"A lover?" Madge repeats with a tinkling laugh. "What makes you think that?"
"Well, anyone as beautiful as you would have no shortage of boys," says Caesar. "Who is it?" His tone is conversational, not in the least bit prying.
Madge shakes her head, sending spots of light twirling around her. "Sorry. I don't kiss and tell."
This gets a huge roar out of the audience and Caesar bursts into laughter. "Whoever it is, they're quite lucky. I can't imagine why you want to keep it a secret, but I'll respect your privacy. Still, could you tell us anything about him? Just give us some clues."
I can see Madge's mind working at the speed of light. "He's very handsome," she says haltingly. More laughs. "And he's brave. He doesn't refuse anyone who needs help." I don't know where she's pulling all of this from, but I hope with every fiber of my being that she's not talking about me. "He's kind and wonderful and – well, I love him."
If the crowd was enthusiastic before, they're out of control now. It's like a wildfire spreading through the people as they scream approval. I clap along with all of them, but Madge's eyes are focused on me. She's got that same stony determination as she did on the roof that first night, except this time I can't imagine why.
While everyone's still yelling, the buzzer goes off, and she quietly returns to her seat. Everyone stands for the anthem but Madge is still watching me.
All thoughts of love and mysteries go out the window when I head for the victors' elevators. I see Plutarch Heavensbee standing off to the side, and I catch his eye. His fingers curl in a barely perceptible motion, though the message is clear: come with me. At my side, Haymitch nods, and I slip away.
A/N: Whew! That's what I call fun. There are a few things I'd like to address:
1. In the previous chapter, the Capitol currency is called "florens." That's a play on the word "florin" from the French. I intentionally misspelled it, okay? Sheesh.
2. Is Peeta sounding too girly? Because, yeah, I'm a girl, and writing Peeta (a guy) is a little challenging. I've got to ask, since I have absolutely no clue. DOES HE SOUND TOO FEMININE? Let me know by PM or review.
3. Does anyone else understand the joke with Snow's granddaughter? PM me or review if so.
4. In the previous chapter, Peeta tells Haymitch, "I met the President's daughter." Let it be known that I meant granddaughter and am too lazy right now to update it.
4. THE SPELLING BEE.
I came in 2nd place for my school, and I got out on the word "manducatory." No one I talk to has ever heard it before, and neither have I. And you know the real kicker? The final round was 3 people: me, my friend, and a 6th grader. The 6th grader got the word "acquiescence," my friend was given "coalesce," and of course I got "manducatory." "Acquiescence" was spelled wrong, and I misspelled "manducatory"… an "a" instead of the "u." But I know how to spell both "acquiescence" and "coalesce!" So I was wondering, has anyone actually heard the word "manducatory" before? Please let me know in the reviews! Or PM me, either way.