Seraphine Devereaux, 18

District 1 Female

I was feeling confident. I'd trained for this moment my entire life. I would be a star on the stage, awing the Capitol audience with my sociability and charm. Besides, my outfit was gorgeous. Jilla had really outdone herself.

I was wearing a catsuit made from blood-red satin with black detailing and designs patterned with rubies and onyx. Jilla had curled my hair and done my makeup to perfection, and now, she was fastening onyx and ruby clips into my hair.

"You look beautiful," she said with a smile. "Now head down. It's almost time for the interviews to begin."

Hiro and I rode the elevator down to the first floor. Hiro was dressed in a silver and red three-piece suit, and looked incredibly dashing. However, we remained silent the whole way down. Our relationship had grown awkward after Wavecrest had found us talking. He'd simply been trying to convince me to join the Career alliance. However, I had no plans to do so.

I currently had no allies, but after the mishap with the girl from 11, that was probably for the best. She was intense, and full of anger. Not the type of person who would propel me to victory.

We took our seats behind a large white curtain, waiting for Caesar Flickerman to call us to the stage. His voice rang out, welcoming the audience, who cheered in excitement.

"And please welcome Seraphine Devereaux!" Caesar called. I stood and sashayed out, taking a seat in the comfortable white chair beside Caesar.

"Hello Caesar! It's such an honor to meet you," I gushed.

"And you," Caesar replied. "So, Seraphine, any insight into the Career alliance this year?"

"Unfortunately, I can't share much, seeing as I'm not part of the alliance," I revealed. A gasp rang out from the crowd.

"Oh my goodness!" Caesar cried. "Were you asked to leave?" I giggled politely.

"Oh no, I just felt that I stood the best chance at victory if I went at it alone."

"Very insightful," Caesar complimented. I bowed my head in thanks. "And I must say, your outfit is absolutely stunning."

"Oh, I know! Jilla did such a wonderful job," I gushed. Caesar laughed.

"Yes she did. Well, I'm sorry Seraphine, but that's all we have time for tonight. It was a pleasure talking to you."

"Of course Caesar. And don't worry, we'll see each other again soon."

Caesar helped me up and I strutted off the stage, waving to the crowd. I took a seat beside Hiro again, but he only stayed for a moment before Caesar called him to the stage.

Hiro talked about how he'd lost his mother, and had sacrificed everything he held dear to volunteer for the Games. He knew he would win, because he had sacrificed so much for it. A few of his answers sounded a little mechanical to me, but the audience was eating it up.

Cloelia took the stage in a silver slip, her makeup dark and dreamy. She perched beside Caesar, and her angle of sexy but deadly definitely captured the crowd. They were enthralled, and cheered the loudest of all for her as she left.

Kalmin wore a light blue and black suit, and spent his whole time on stage talking about how he was bullied as a child, and about how he had spent his whole life growing stronger and learning to stand against those who had bullied him.

Then Kaysa took the stage, but I was starting to lose interest. The folding chair was numbing my backside, but I forced myself to pay attention. Kaysa had been the lowest scorer this year. Maybe she was hiding something. Who knew?

Oren Fitzpatrick, 15

District 3 Male

I bit my lip as Kaysa took the stage, her red gown flouncing around her as she walked. She wobbled in her silver heels, but managed to right herself and sank into the seat beside Caesar.

Kaysa was friendly and cheerful, gushing about the Capitol and how beautiful and kind everyone was. She acted totally different from the mean Kayla I was used to. It was odd.

Then Kaysa was being excused and it was my turn. I shakily rose to my feet and staggered towards the curtain. The gray wool suit I was wearing itched, but I only got one good scratch in before I was onstage, being blinded by the overhead lights.

I managed to make it to my seat beside Caesar, who clapped a hand on my shoulder.

"Oren, my boy!" he cried. "Tell me about yourself." I took a deep breath, blinking at Caesar in shock. How did he expect me to speak with hundreds of eyes staring at me from the dark rows of seats?

An image of Ainsley filled my mind and I took another deep breath.

"Well, I'm not that interesting," I admitted. "But my girlfriend certainly seems to like me." Caesar laughed at that.

"Tell me about her?" he asked.

"Well, her name is Ainsley Carrow, and I think I love her. She's my first girlfriend, but she's been my best friend since I was child and I lost my mom. She's always been there for me, and Ainsley, if you're watching, I vow to always be there for you."

I looked right into the camera and felt tears prickle behind my eyelids.

"Ainsley Carrow, I love you."

The crowd sobbed and gushed as I left the stage and my shoulders sagged with relief as soon as I was out of sight. I sat down in my place and watched Wavecrest glide over to her seat.

Wavecrest wore a beautiful dress made of thin, seafoam green fabric. She balanced perfectly on tall heels and wore pearls in her hair, and around her neck. She was charming and perfectly mannered, with just the right amount of sass and silliness. The crowd adored her.

Lir stepped out in an all-black suit, eyes dark with malice. He went on and on about he was ready to kill, and ready to win. He whipped the crowd into a frenzy, and I could feel fear blossoming in my chest.

Candela was next. She looked gorgeous in a yellow strapless dress and a jeweled headpiece. She wobbled a little on her silver heels, but managed well enough. She was kind and sweet, but fairly forgettable. I hardly remembered what she said.

Pascal wore a teal suit with a pale pink floral shirt underneath. He was funny, goofing around with Caesar and bantering with the crowd. He definitely did better than Candela did.

Wilhelmina did not look good. She wore a heavy, serious dress and black tights, and her shoes were flat. Her hair was in a tight bun. When Caesar asked her about her family, she started to sniffle. But Caesar managed to cheer her up enough to stop the flow of tears.

Martin's suit was solid white, and he joked about his flaming boots at the chariot parade and about how he was in the Careers. Finally, he finished up by bragging about his score.

If the rest of the competition was this tough, Arian and I would be in trouble.

Ceras Ambrette, 14

District 7 Male

My hand was locked tightly around Hollie's as we wanted for our turn to be interviewed. Martin strutted off the stage and I gave Hollie's hand a tighter squeeze. She smiled at me as she stood up, gathering her green dress in her hands.

Hollie took the stage gracefully, smiling brightly at Caesar. She chatted about her family at home, and how all the boys wanted her, none of them could have her because she was looking for someone special. The crowd ate it up.

Hollie waved and blew kisses as she left, and then it was my turn. I stood on shaky legs, straightening my vibrant orange suit jacket. Hollie gave me a thumbs up and then I passed the curtain and was on stage.

"Hello Ceras," Caesar said kindly. "Come, take a seat." I lowered myself into the plush white chair and smiled awkwardly.

"So, Ceras, tell me about yourself."

"Well, my parents own a flower shop," I said softly. "So I know lots about plants and poisons, which I'm hoping will give me an edge in the Games."

"It certainly could," Caesar said. "That's very impressive."

"Thank you sir," I stammered.

Our interview continued awkwardly, and finally, mercifully, Caesar announced my name to the crowd and they cheered as I walked away. I sank into my chair beside Hollie and closed my eyes, trying not to sob in relief. Hollie squeezed my hand as Anastasia took the stage.

Anastasia looked beautiful in a gorgeous purple satin dress, and walked with a spring in her step. She and Caesar chatted about her company and how Anastasia inheriting the family business had actually prepared her for the Games. Finally, she talked about her girlfriend and how badly she wanted to return to her.

Tibalt wore a black and blue tuxedo and had lots of makeup on, covering his freckles and surrounding his eyes. He talked about how much he'd loved being in the Capitol and about how he couldn't wait to return once he won.

Christa looked pretty in a pale gray dress. Her hair was done up with a blood-red rose in it. She too spent her time gushing about the Capitol and going on about how she was confident in her victory.

Rudi, in a dark red suit, was the worst interview yet. He clearly had no angle and just snapped at Caesar whenever he asked the District 9 tribute a question. His interview ended very quickly.

I was starting to get sleepy as Hesper climbed the stairs in a light blue dress and white heels. My eyelids drooped as she gushed about Caesar and the food and all the other wonderful Capitol delights. As she left the stage, I slumped against Hollie and fell asleep.

Asha Morrow, 17

District 12 Female

I picked at the tulle skirt of my dress, wishing the itchy feeling would go away. Mason nudged me.

"It's almost our turn," he whispered. I raised my eyes to the stage, where Arian was just sitting down with Caesar.

He wore a dark green suit and chatted with Caesar about how he was adopted. The crowd cooed at that. Arian talked about how he loved his adopted parents, but his dream was to meet his birth parents, and said that he still loved them. I rolled my eyes, but the Capitol ate it up.

Then it was Sasha's turn. She wore a long, shimmery golden cocktail dress and had flowers braided into her red hair. She bragged about her accomplishments back at home, telling the crowd how wonderful she was. I rolled my eyes again.

Alann rose to his feet and I took a deep breath. I was next. I barely paid attention to Alann's interview, but I caught him talking about how his parents kicked him out for being gay.

And then, out of nowhere, it was my turn. I rose on shaky legs and stumbled up the stairs to the stage, crossing to Caesar. He took my hand and helped me sit down.

"So, Asha, tell us what it's like in 12?" Caesar asked. "I can imagine the Capitol being a breath of fresh air." I grit my teeth. What sort of veiled rudeness was he getting at? 12 may have sucked, but it was home.

"I actually miss it a lot," I said. "I miss my parents a lot, and my friend Ewan."

"Ewan eh?" Caesar asked. "Is there anything going on there?"

"You know Caesar, not everything has to be about dramatic romance. Sometimes, relationships can actually be wholesome."

Caesar looked completely shocked that I'd snapped at him, and cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Well, yes, of course. So, tell me about your family." I squeezed my eyes shut, remembering Meri's fading screams as the house burned.

"I lost my sister in a house fire," I said. "If I could go back, die instead of her, I would."

"Aww, what a sweet sentiment," Caesar gushed. "However, you would have missed out on this incredible opportunity."

I stood abruptly, tears pooling in my eyes. Ignoring Caesar's outraged cry, I stomped offstage and threw myself into the chair beside Mason. He squeezed my hand and then raced onstage.

"Hi Caesar!" he said cheerfully. "Sorry about Asha. She had bad sleep last night. I'm sure you can understand. We're both so excited for the Games that we're having trouble falling asleep."

The Capitol cheered at that and I relaxed a little. Mason to the rescue. He sat with Caesar and talked about his brother Emmet, and explained why he volunteered. He said Emmet had a deadly form of cancer, and Mason volunteered to earn enough money to treat him.

"He's my best friend," Mason said. "I'd do anything for him."

After Mason left the stage, the tributes were ushered away from the stage as Caesar wrapped up the interviews. I walked close to Mason, our shoulders brushing, but we didn't speak.

We rode the elevator up to our room, and right when he turned to disappear into his bedroom, I grabbed his wrist. His eyes met mine in a silent question.

"Thank you," I whispered. He smiled and nodded. Then he turned, and his bedroom door shut behind him.

Author's Note

Wow, this was a long chapter. Luckily, I started it a few days early, which gave me the time to finish it. Interview POVs were chosen randomly, so every tribute shown here was selected with a number generator. That way it's fair for who gets an entire interview instead of just a summary. I hope that makes sense.

Please tell me what you thought in the reviews! Who had the best outfit? Who had the worst? Who do you think Caesar liked best?

And please remember to submit to Pillars of Salt. The form is on my profile, and so is the link to the Google Form. Please use the Google Form if you can, but if you can't, PM is fine. Thanks!

Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

- Fiona