CHAPTER 25 NATO
I smile at Raven, the little boy from District Three. I don't believe that he actually meant those things that he said during the interview. He had to save himself from the horrible first half of it by gloating about how great the Capitol is. I hope the others understand this; if not, it can prove to backfire on him in the arena. He catches my smile and feebly smiles back. A tall woman with a red ponytail takes his arm and walks him away from the rest of us. I wonder if I should form an alliance with him once we're in the arena. I need to get to know as many people as possible during Training tomorrow. Then, of course, there's the added rule that was announced yesterday at the parade. If so many of us win, we'll only have a couple years of security from the Games, and it's obvious that the next Reapings will be rigged.
I hear Tetra Flickerman announce, "And now, from District Four, Indigo Keene!" Indigo smoothes down her green mini dress and walks out onto the stage to a tremendous amount of applause. As usual, she's cold and kind of cruel, but the Capitol people know that means a good show, and, of course, they love it. Her three minutes go by quickly and I'm up next.
"I introduce to you Nato Inderell from District Four!" Tetra announces. The crowd bursts into applause, and I walk out from behind the stage. The purple-haired presenter motions for me to sit down on the large white chair next to her. I sit down and take a look at the audience. It's a bit overwhelming; all these different colors and extravagant fashions.
Tetra starts off the interview. "Nato, we all know that District Four is generally a volunteer-generating District. What was running through your head when you were Reaped and nobody volunteered?"
"I wasn't really thinking about it," I say, truthfully. "In any case, I wouldn't want any other kid to have to go into the arena instead of me. I was just hoping not to collapse from the pressure," I add. A fair amount of laughter comes from the audience. What? I'm not trying to be funny, I think.
"Since we're on the topic of volunteers, Indigo, the girl from your District, was one. What kind of a relationship do the two of you have?"
I raise an eyebrow. "It's definitely an interesting one," I comment, smiling. "She might just cause me some trouble in the arena."
Tetra gives a short, kind chuckle. "And, about the arena. Do you have any special, secret ideas or skills that you'll put to use once the Hunger Games begin?"
I laugh. "Well, Tetra, they wouldn't be special or secret if I told you right now, would they?" Good. Now the Capitol sees me as a guy with a sense of humor, a great, secret technique, and some amount of intelligence. The interview is going better than I expected.
"Ah, Nato, that's a clever answer," says Tetra.
"Well, it was a clever question," I retaliate with a smile. I'm glad to hear that the audience is laughing. For a second I feel like there's a slight chance that I'll get Sponsors even though my mentors hate me.
Tetra waits for the applause to die down before asking one more question. "Your wooden fish pendent has become something of your symbol here in the Capitol. Would you mind telling us all its story?"
"There's not really much to tell," I admit. "Delta, a girl from my District, gave it to me before I came to the Capitol." As I say it, I regret it because I can sense what Tetra will respond with.
"Delta... is she in any way... a special girl in your life?" Tetra asks as I feel myself go completely red.
"No," I say, only then realizing I sound defensive. "We just... we used to go to school together, we hardly ever talked. I don't think we remembered one another until the Reaping."
Tetra grins slyly. "Well, she must have remembered you if she gave you the pendent." I realize she must be right. I don't know what to say, and luckily my three minutes run out. I leave the stage quickly after saying good-bye to Tetra. It shouldn't bother me, but something about her last comment got me thinking. What if...