So! Here's the Interviews part Two! I'm sorry, this took waaay longer than I had planned, but my mother insisted on me working on the homework I've missed, and, of course, end of year testing is upon us (Snow help us all). But we're actually here, and sooo close!
Reviews!
Mystical Pine Forest: Yeah, I did stop at a strange spot… I just had Tulle as my mid-ish point, and so I didn't want to go much beyond her. The POV was getting long anyway. And it does hurt, but if I can write more because I can't do anything else, who am I to complain?
roses burning: I'm glad you feel I'm doing so good with Mera, it's difficult to keep track of 26+ characters at once. Thanks for the review!
Clis2339: About the mentors question, I was just asking if people could actually name some of the mentors. For instance, Henry's mentor is Velvet Furse, the 57th Hunger Games Victor . Thanks for the review!
As I've said a hundred times before, in Forest of Death: The 54th Hunger Games, my only remaining tribute, Atalanta, has made the Top 11, having been confirmed to survive Day 11 (at least to the death recap).
Also, the author of Forest of Death, TranscendentElvenRanger, has opened up submissions for Toxic Play: The 55th Hunger Games. You can find more info on her profile. If your tribute gets in, you should consider yourself blessed, even if Toxic Play is half as good as Forest of Death.
Also! Though she's not technically in the Games, in Make Me a Match: The 125th Hunger Games, my D2 Female, Bellona Terminus, is, well… still in the Selection, I suppose. You'll understand it better if you check it out!
Go vote in the poll on my profile! I've already figured my first two days, I just wanna see how many of you are correct…
Rebelle Rine, Age 13, District 13
District Thirteen Female, Sixth Quarter Quell
"Let's welcome, from District Eight, Henry Reynoso!" The boy from Eight stands, fixing his tie as though anyone will really care about his appearance. His stylist might, I guess.
His stylist should be fired. I think, looking at his bright green suit jacket and black pants.
"Henry! Welcome, my boy, welcome!" Julius has somehow managed to stay upbeat most of the night, but it's clear that none of these tributes are coming home.
"Yes, yes, yes! You have impressed me, Mr. Reynoso! Tell me, how did you manage to score that handsome seven?" I roll my eyes. He'll ask me about mine too, I'm sure. I deserved much more than a six.
"Clearly, I did what I had to do, Julius." He says shyly. "Besides. You know we aren't supposed to talk about our Sessions. Don't want the others to know."
"Yes, of course, of course, I'm sorry! I have to be curious, it's a bad habit! How about District Eight? What's life like there?" He asks as though he hasn't seen Eight before.
"Well, it's good. My grandmother works in the hospital, my sisters and I work in the factories. We're fairly well off, and I think I learned some helpful things there." He's grinning broadly, but I can see a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. Yes, another tribute doomed to fall.
"Harvest! Harvest? I do believe I recognize you from somewhere, my dear, but… I just can't put my finger on it." On the big screens, I see Julius biting his finger as he wracks his brain, but all the tributes know her history. Unlike Mason and I, the people are sympathetic because she was Reaped.
"Oh, of course you know me, Julius!" She laughs. "My brother won four years ago!" Another giggle, and I narrow my eyes. She wasn't nearly this talkative during training. She seemed as scared as the rest of them. I wonder what she could have done for that nine in training.
"Wheat? Your brother is Wheat? Of course! Why hadn't I seen it before?" He laughs at his own astonishment. "Yes! I'm quite excited to see you continue my favorite Victor's legacy!"
"Oh you know it!" Yes, definitely a potential threat.
"Thanatos! Come join me, dear boy! Right over here!" The boy from Nine stands slowly, looking uncomfortable outside of the robes he wore Reaping day. The black pinstriped suit is a heavy contrast to his milky white skin, his collar fanning out like a black bat. I am reminded of a story I read in my parents' treasonous library, about a man who lived in a place completely devoted to a dark and scary holiday. His makeup even makes him seem like a skeleton.
"My! You are looking quite terrifying tonight, Mr. Rize!" He shrinks back, hands shaking. His grin betrays him though. "This wouldn't have anything to do with your strategy in the Arena, would it?" He leans forward, raising his eyebrows.
Nine scoffs. "Does Death tell you his plans?" The crowd cheers at his confidence, wondering at his mystery. I just roll my eyes. What are the chances that both tributes from an outer District got the same, really high, score? About the same that the Twelves in the Third Quell earned their twelves.
"Haha, I suppose not! I suppose not! A strong tribute such as yourself must have an incredibly supportive family back home! Care to tell me about them?" I sigh, sure I'm about to hear about another useless group who's just going to be grieving in a couple-
"They're dead to me." Well. There's that, too.
"Now, let's talk to one of our favorites this year, Cheyenne Bruno of District Ten!" A roar of thunder breaks through the room as the girl from Ten stands. She gives a curtsy, as though she owns the place in her plain brown dress. And according to the crowd, she pretty much does.
"Oh, I can't be the favorite, Julius!" Ten laughs as she takes her seat, and Julius joins in.
"Trust me, my dear, you are my favorite!" He laughs. "Now, sweet, sweet Cheyenne. How's life back in Ten? What's your family like?" His voice gets gentler as he speaks, and I wonder how much of what he said was true. I'd ask Soldier, but he's useless.
Cheyenne smiles. "There's my Mama and Papa, and my sister Charlotte. She's sixteen, and is the bestest sister ever!" I grimace, wondering how the Capitol could believe all this. "There's my best friends, Rachelle and Faye. And my bestest friend, Lassie. She's our sheepdog." She gives a small giggle, playing up her innocence.
"They sound very charming!" Julius beams, "But I didn't hear about any special young men." he raises an eyebrow, searching for an answer. "Anybody of that special caliber waiting for you to return back home?"
"Good heavens, no! I'm much too young for that, Papa says." She gives another annoying giggle, and I add her to my hitlist, currently consisting of… everyone.
"Well, Cheyenne, I'm afraid our time is up! Good luck in that Arena tomorrow!" He kisses the girl's hand before she turns to leave, and she has the audacity to blush. "Now, Denny Rico!"
The tributes from Ten shake hands as they switch positions, Cheyenne reclaiming her seat and Denny taking center stage.
Seven more, and it's over.
The boy from Ten takes his seat, bowing his head slightly and fiddling with a nonexistent thread from his suit. Since when are entire suits made completely out of brown leather?
"Haha, Denny! Welcome to my stage on this glorious night!" He laughs again.
"Yeah, um, it's great to uh, be here. Julius." He barely looks up from his lap, and quickly flinches back down. I almost want to laugh.
"Oh, dear boy, the honor is all mine!" Ten flinches again under Julius' booming voice, but the interviewer doesn't seem to notice. "Tell me, Denny, what do you think about our illustrious home?"
"Well, it's um, okay I guess." He shrugs. "The food's great."
Julius roars, and I know he's trying to hide the humanity behind Ten. This always happens with the shy tributes, there were riots when some girl named Katie from Three cried during the whole interview. "Good luck in the Arena tomorrow, Denny! Next up is Willow Orchids from District Eleven!"
As the girl from Eleven takes center stage, I remember again how young so many of these tributes are. Including myself, seven tributes are thirteen and under. Granted, at least six of us had to be.
"Willow! Yes, Willow, you look absolutely adorable tonight!" He gestures to her light green dress, her innocent wavy brown hair flowing around her shoulders. I'm not entirely sure any respectable tribute would want to be seen as adorable.
She blushes, shaking her head. "Oh, Julius, I wouldn't say that." She holds her hand over her mouth lightly as she giggles, and the crowd mimics her.
"Perhaps not, dear Willow, but I felt it must be said. Willow, tell me, how's life in District Eleven? Who's back home watching?" He leans forward, waiting for a response.
"Well," she speaks softly, but her voice carries through the open space, "There's my siblings, Asher and Mint. Asher's my twin." She explains, as though it's a significant detail. "Then there're my friends, Mira and Hans. We all work in the orchards together, except Mint." She smiles, as though thinking of a happy time. There's a resounding awwwww from the crowd.
"Thorn Ashburry, come on down!" The way he says it reminds me of a game show Tobias had made us watch on the train. People were called from the audience to guess the prices of various items, hoping to get closer to being correct than the others.
"Yes, Thorn! What are your thoughts toward tomorrow's Games, my boy?"
The boy laughs venomously, and I remember him getting an eight in training. I glare at him in his tuxedo, his brown blazer. He glares into the crowd, oblivious to the heat of my stare.
"I'm sure I'm ready." He says, laughing again. "I have a strong chance."
I imagine Julius beaming at his sarcastic enthusiasm as he agrees. "Yes, of course! And what do you think of the Capitol, Thorn? It's quite different from Eleven, am I right?"
"Yes." Eleven agrees angrily. I smirk, wondering if he'll go on another rampage. "This quite the nice place, and I'm sure I could get used to coming here at least once a year." He gives a devilish grin. He's got to be bluffing, I think, I know it.
"Sweet Keola, aren't you just so bright tonight?" He giggles as she takes her seat, her silver dress shining in the stage lights. There's a ribbon tied around her wrist, with a charm that look suspiciously like a mockingjay.
"Dear, brave Keola, tell me please. I'm sure we all want to know. What prompted you to Volunteer on what may have been your final day in District Twelve?" The audience grows quiet, and I recount all the Volunteers from this year.
The Ones, Twos, Fours, this girl and myself. Not a very long list, but longer than most years.
"The girl who was Reaped was my friend." She answers slowly, "She kept the bullies away when we were younger, she stood up for me. So I had to stand for her." Women in the crowd are fanning their tears away, falling in the arms of their significant other.
"Yes, and a truly brave and loyal friend to unto death, I'm sure. Tell me, Keola, how have you spent your time here in the Capitol?"
She smiles slightly, and there's a twinkle in her eye. She opens her mouth to speak, but only gives a small cough. She tries again, and comprehensible words make it out of her small body.
"I've been sketching." She says, smiling dreamily. "I've been drawing the beautiful city, the rooftop gardens, even some people I've seen on the T.V." She blushes before continuing, "I even have one of you, Julius." Julius brings his hand to his chest, as though overwhelmed with joy.
After sending her back to her seat with the promise to see some of her sketches when she gets back, he calls out, "Soot Maloy!"
The boy on my left stands up, his silvery suit matching his Partner's dress. I'm tempted to trip him, it would serve him right for joining with the Careers of all people, but I restrain myself. I'll just have to draw out his death in the Games.
"And Soot, don't you just look amazing! I'm sure you can't get a suit like that back home, can you?" The implied question registers in Soot's mind, and he leans toward Julius.
"Well, of course not, Julius! Back home our clothing is mostly in tatters, save for Reaping day. Any fashions back home are rocks compared to the jewels of the Capitol!" He poses, showing off his brilliant suit. I'm not sure whether people really like it or not. They seem to like less modest things.
"Haha, yes, I suppose you're right. Speaking of your home, how are things in District Twelve?"
"Oh, it's great!" I can hear him pushing slightly, but he actually sounds as though he actually enjoys living in the country's toilet. "At night, the woods around the fence come to life, with owls and deer and bears. You can hear them calling to each other, looking for food. The trees sway in the soft breeze, the flutter of leaves promising a peaceful slumber." He goes on, talking about the wildlife and such, and I tune out.
You're up next. Don't screw this up.
I look down at my gold sequin dress, suddenly slightly nervous. I imagine the silver-grey cape at my back and wonder what they'll think. I pull slightly at the bracelet I got all those years ago, a reminder of all I can achieve. A present from my mother, given to me by my father.
"Now, the long-lost daughter of a Victor, Rebelle Rine!" I nod once to myself before standing, smiling to the gathered audience. Cameras are flashing, and I'm forced to blink a couple times.
"Haha, Rebelle, welcome! And my, what a name, yes? How'd you end up with a title like that?" I know what he's asking. He wants to know what exactly happened before my mother left the Arena, how exactly I ended up in Thirteen of all places. But I'm not here to betray my people. I'm here to destroy the people who have hurt them for more than a hundred years.
I pause for half a second, but it feels like an eternity. Just like you rehearsed at home.
I cock my head slightly, smiling at Julius as though there's no crowd. "Because I'm a rebel, yet the beauty of the ball." Julius' face loses some color, but the crowd is cheering. The Gamemakers can't kill me in that Arena, for fear of riots and rebellion. As long as I do better than my opponents, I'm untouchable.
He gives a roaring laugh. "Ah yes, beauty is evident enough, Rebelle." I can see his smile, forced now. "But were you ever known as Sunflower, the name your mother gave you?"
I look up as though in thought, still aware of what he's trying to do. Where he's trying to lead me. "I don't think so." I say after a moment, "I was always "Belle" to my friends and family. I couldn't imagine ever taking on the name of a flower." I contort my face in disgust, and I can't help but wonder what Eleven thinks of me.
"Well, Rebelle, I do hope we can become friends. I look forward to interviewing you again." He takes my hand as he stands, ushering me back to my seat. As I sit down, I see the look of relief on his face.
I hear him inviting Sparky to the stage, but he's already halfway there, the idiot clearly overexcited.
"HECK YES!" I hear him scream, and I cover my ears. "LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!"
Aran Quade, Age 17, District 6
District Six Male, Sixth Quarter Quell
"Okay. You two did amazing tonight! I got a few more Sponsor calls during the interviews, and one that wants to meet with me in person." Kiara's face contorts in disgust. "Some people just like the ol' face-to-face. I'm just glad it's not as bad now as it was my first year mentoring. But either way, Aran, Jetta, I won't be seeing either of you again before you have to leave tomorrow. So until we meet again," the thirteen-year-old girl before me looks into my eyes, "may the odds be ever in your favor."
She releases my hand as she departs, and I feel alone. Jetta, Railer and Fuschia are still in the room, of course, but Kiara, though physically four years younger than me, has seen more Games than anyone in the apartment. And she's been there to talk to me ever since we arrived in the Capitol. I never thought I'd be so dependent on a thirteen-year-old.
"Ah, yes, glorious Sponsor meetings. Come Jetta, I want to run some ideas by you before the Games begin." Railer takes Jetta's hand as he stands, leading her down the hall. Leaving me with our escort.
"And I have a party I have to be to! I have to tell all my friends about our marvelous team! See you later, Aran." I spoke too soon. With Fuschia gone, I'm left all alone.
I sigh. Tonight's been trying as it is. I need some fresh air.
I figured the elevator out several nights ago, after the first day of training. I even ran into the boy from Thirteen last night. I don't need any help finding my way up to the roof of the training center.
The night sky over the Capitol is crystal clear, unlike the stinking smog of the refineries back in Six. The moon and stars light up the Capitol, the city laid out below me. The Tribute Center sits on a hill behind the President's mansion, away from the main city. The only other thing up here is the City Circle and Tribute Station.
Turning away from the city, I look back at the small garden laid out on the roof. I've found that most of its nothing more than holograms, but the grass is certainly real. Certainly more than anything we have in Six.
Beyond the garden, the doors leading back to the Tribute Center. And beyond that, the hovercraft pad.
I shudder. The hovercraft will be there, early tomorrow morning, taking each of us one-by-one to the Arena. Where we'll fight to see who deserves to come home. I snort. Do any of us deserve this? Except, I suppose, the Careers.
The door to the stairwell opens, and I dive into the holographic shrubbery. I imagine Sparky doing this, but push the thought away. I can't see through the plants, something I'm sure scientists in Three worked for years to master. I've no idea who's joined me up here, and I'd rather find out before showing myself.
The figure steps up to the railing, the hood of their cloak concealing who they are. Leaning forward, they begin speaking.
"Why did I have to do this? No, I didn't. I had the choice. I didn't have to be here. My own fault. Stupid Malaya. Stupid popularity. Lies." And then she pulls back her hood in frustration, and it hits me like a freight train: Malaya Garnet, the girl from One.
She's still muttering, something about Games and worries, her own stupidity. But she's a Career. She Volunteered for this. It's what she's, likely, always wanted. Right?
Perhaps, like many Careers, she felt too much pressure from others to do this. But it doesn't matter, she's here to kill me. Reyna was bullied in school. This girl sounds like she was bullied into this. I remember in the Justice Building, imagining some faceless girl from One slitting my throat…
I'm not sure why, but I feel compelled to speak to the girl. She is my age, maybe she'd like to talk too…
I stand, and walk toward the girl who's supposed to kill me tomorrow.
Malaya Garnet, Age 17, District 1
District One Female, Sixth Quarter Quell
"I just don't want to die. This isn't how one should make a name for herself." I mutter in my anger. After the interviews, my escort was congratulating me on a wondrous job. That they loved me. But that's not me! I screamed after I got sick of it. I wish I'd never Volunteered for this joke of a spectacle! I ran then, taking the cloak Jade had left at the door.
I tense as I sense a presence behind me, steadily growing closer. Whether I like it or not, I have been trained, and it's very difficult to sneak up behind a Career. Closer, closer...
"Hey Ma-" I spin quickly, driving my elbow into my assailant's gut. He doubles over, and I kick his calf, sending him crashing to the ground. I look around for anything to use as a weapon, when I hear him speak again.
"I'm… sorry." He grunts as he attempts to stand. "I… didn't mean to… startle you. Let me try again." He extends a hand, but I take a step back. He has a small smile on his face, glowing slightly in the moonlight. "Aran Quade, District Six."
I hesitate. "Malaya." I say. "Why were you following me, Aran?" I ask, folding my arms with a small huff. What business does he have up here, other than stalking a fearsome opponent?
"Actually," he begins, "I was here first. Had I been following you, you would have heard the doors open. I'm not that stealthy." He has that stupid grin again, and I want to drive a javelin into his neck so bad right now, I just… Ugh.
"Well," I start sarcastically, "That gives you every reason in the world to sneak up on me. Because you were" I raise my hands in air quotes "here first."
"I'm sorry. Did I do something to make you mad?" He asks me this sincerely, like a small child worrying over his mother. "You sounded… upset. I was just making sure you were okay." I scoff. Really, who does this kid think he is?
"Oh sure." I say bitterly, "I'm a tribute in the Hunger Games. I've been training for this opportunity for years." I groan. Does it really matter anymore? There aren't any cameras up here, and Six'll likely be dead tomorrow. "This is all so stupid." I breathe.
He grunts. "Tell me about it. As you may recall, I was Reaped into this. All I want is to get back home to my sister." He joins me at the railing, and I don't stop him. I can't help but wonder, however, what it must be like to love someone that much.
Back home, I was always playing up the angle of "eager Career." As one of the top at the academy for years, everybody loved me, wanted to be associated with my popularity, and I loved it.
No I didn't. I was too blind to see how miserable I really was. None of my boyfriends really loved me, nor I them. No friends or siblings. My parents were never that great. Just made sure I continued to train.
"I don't know why I'm here." I say, tears welling up in my eyes. "It's what my parents always wanted. A Victor. They taught me how to lie, to love what I was doing." And then I see it. "They never loved me as their daughter. They just wanted the fortune and prestige that comes home with a Victor."
As I talk, this random boy from Six just listens, never interrupting or laughing. As I tell him my story, he seems understanding, forgiving even.
"Well, Malaya. It seems to me" he starts after I finish, "that maybe… maybe you should try being yourself for a change." His smile is gone now, replaced by a look of sincerity.
I laugh bitterly. I turn away, saying, "As much as I'd absolutely love to, it doesn't make you any friends." I feel the world come crashing down as tears threaten to fall. How can I call myself a Career? Being loved won't save me when the Twos gang up on me. As Marcus stands by. In fact, Mera may have already killed him by then. My new friends are my killers.
I freeze as I feel his hand on my shoulder. I don't react as he turns me around, brushing a few stray strands of hair out of my face. "It's true, Malaya. And I can be your friend." And the tears are rolling silently, because the whole situation is so stupid and laughable but it means so much and I just-
I shudder away from his touch, and he quickly retracts his hand. "I, uh, sorry, Mal-"
"It's fine." I say quickly. "But it's, ah, late. Yes, I have to go." I go to run past him, but he catches my wrist. I hadn't noticed before, but he's quite strong.
"Wait!" He says, and I turn to look at him. "Allies?" He's looking into my eyes, searching for the answer I know I want to give.
I rip myself free, and I run. Through the garden, past the doors, down the small stairwell to the Thirteens' floor. I don't stop running until the doors of the elevator are safely shut. I sit in a corner, arms around my legs. I hadn't realized it before, but the tears are starting to sting my eyes.
Stupid. I chastise myself. He proposed an alliance, not a marriage.
I ignore my mentors and District Partner in favor of my bedroom. I have a big decision to make.
And oh, how I've been waiting to get the chance to write this last part! This is something you often see, but not usually until the Games. If either of these two win, however, you must know that it's because they deserved it, not because I want to expand on this story arc.
dreams and desperation: 155 (Cassia Lyra Maurise, District Two Female)
The Fangirl in Pink Jeans: 79 (Infiniti Reagan, District Three Female)
caitiebug007: 85 (Devon Cynthia Rose, District Five Female)
roses burning: 92 (Devon Cynthia Rose, District Five Female)
ElvenRangerRysel: 167 (Aran Quade, District Six Male)
JaymanRepublic: 95 (Logan Woodson, District Seven Male)
Clis2339: 111 (Henry Reynoso, District Eight Male)
Wolfie McCoy: 59 (Thanatos Rize, District Nine Male)
Mystical Pine Forest: 163 (Cheyenne Bruno, District Ten Female)
Jaybird8101: 130 (Rebelle Sunflower Rine, District Thirteen Female)
Alliances!:
Queens and a Pawn (155 points): Marcus (1), Malaya (1), Mason (2), Cassia (2) (155, dreams and desperation), Esmeralda (4), and Soot (12).
Reluctance (72 points): Infiniti (3) (72, The Fangirl in Pink Jeans), and Kenzi (7).
Brains and Brawn (111 points): Blue (4), and Henry (8) (111, Clis2339).
Sacrificial Lambs (163 points): Denny (10), Cheyenne (10) (163, Mystical Pine Forest), and Keola (12).
Children of Amber: Thorn (11), and Willow (11).
Confusing/maybe Alliances!
Malaran (Araya?) (167 points): Malaya Garnet (1), Aran Quade (6) (167, ElvenRangerRysel)
Loners!
Cordin (3)
Devon (5) (179) (85, catiebug007) (92, roses burning)
Darius (5)
Jetta (6)
Aran (6) (167) (167, ElvenRangerRysel)
Logan (7) (95) (95, JaymanRepublic)
Tulle (8)
Harvest (9)
Thanatos (9) (59) (59, Wolfie McCoy)
Rebelle (13) (130) (130, Jaybird8101)
Sparky (13)
Maybe Loners?
Aran (6) (167) (167, ElvenRangerRysel)
Questions!:
Which POV was your favorite?
Which interview?
What is going on between Malaya and Aran?
Do you think this alliance will hold true in the Arena?
If you died in the Games, would you prefer your killer win or die?
Any Arena thoughts (can you find the hint?)?
Catch the reference?
(I'll award 7 points for the reference, 15 points for the hint)
Aloha!
Lord Zagreus