Chapter 19.- Cass Oceansong
"Up up up, my girl!" Plinia calls from outside the door. I sleepily sit up and brush the hair out of my eyes. "What?" I groggily call. "We have to work on your angle, my girl!" I'm instantly jolted awake. Today is the day of the interviews. I glance out the window at the Capitol, in all its colorful glory. How long ago was I at home? I count on my fingers: three days of training, plus a night of travelling, and the day of the parade. Four days? Is that it? "Cass, are you awake?" "Yes, Plinia. I'll be there in a minute," I answer.
I throw off the covers and head for the bathroom. I take off my nightgown and get in the shower, pressing random buttons. I regret this almost immediately as a stream of steamy purple lavender scented water shoots at me, then replaced by a stream of yellow bubbles. It takes me ten minutes to get the correct buttons and wash it all off. I get out, use the drying current, then head for the wardrobe, choosing a pretty red flowy dress. It feels right for today. Then I order a plate of toast and head for the living room.
Plinia's waiting for me. "Hello Cass, we have to decide on how to present you tonight at your interview." I look at her nervously. "What are you thinking?" "Innocent. Harmless." I think on it. "I think I could do that. But what do I say?" The next two hours go by with Plinia coaching me on how to sound innocent, which isn't hard, really. Finally she sits back and says, "Alright, Cass, I think you'll do fine. You can go with Riva now and get ready for tonight. She beams at me as I get up and go to find Riva and the rest of my prep team.
I'm in the District 4 prep room, above the gymnasium but below the rest of the tribute apartments. "Now, we're not going to be as theatrical as we were during the parade, of course. We're just going to make you look nice," Riva says. I nod in agreement. My prep team need no further encouragement. I'm seated and they start to weave thin green ribbons into my hair, then braid it all up into an elaborate hairstyle. Krelen does my makeup; I can't see fully what she's doing, but she puts on a lot of powder and colors on my eyes, and rouge on my cheeks and color on my lips. It takes almost an hour to do.
"Are you ready?" Riva asks as she walks in with a bag draped over her arm. "We are!" calls Lesha in her high pitched accent. "Okay, don't look yet, alright, Cass?" Riva says to me. I nod. "Close your eyes." They strip off my robe, and lead me to step into what I'm assuming is the dress. They pull it up, then cinch it so tight I can't breathe. Then they bid me step into a pair of high heels, holding me steady. Finally, Riva says, "You can look now, Cass." I open my eyes and stare into the floor length mirror. I'm dressed in a sea green dress, tight around my chest and waist, then it cascades down into what look like waves around my feet. My hair is braided with the same color green, which look striking against my red hair. My cheek bones have been drawn out, my eyes enhanced, my lips painted a ruby red. I can't stop staring at myself. I don't look fourteen, not at all; I look closer to a girl of sixteen or seventeen. And I look breathtaking. "Do you like it?" Riva asks. I turn to look at her. "Oh, Riva. It's beautiful, thank you!" I exclaim. I can't stop smiling. And I start to be excited for the interviews tonight. "Oh, how could I forget?" Riva says, pulling out Tempest's seashell necklace. "It will go perfectly with your outfit tonight." As she fastens it on, I feel even better. A piece of District 4 will be with me tonight.
All too soon, or is it not soon enough? Anyways, the interviews come, and I soon find myself seated in a long row of tributes. I'm seventh, seated next to the District 3 boy, Volt. He looks very nervous. He's dressed smartly in a blue suit with his black hair smoothed back. I try to smile encouragingly at him, but all of a sudden I don't feel very confident myself. At least there are six people in front of me. I feel sorry for the District 1 girl, Silver I think her name is, because she has to go first of anyone. Not that she looks like she minds; she looks like she is loving every minute so far.
"Welcome to the first interviews of the first annual Hunger Games!" cries the host, Octavio Floris. He's a freakish looking man, with purple hair you know is a wig, and lots of makeup. At least he's not grotesquely tattooed. "Let's welcome our first tribute: Silver Bellcreek!" The crowd cheers and Silver breezes onstage in a stunning white gown studded with diamonds. Then I tune out and focus on my breathing, at least until Keek Nightfall, District 3, goes on. "So, Keek, how do you feel about tomorrow?" Octavio asks her. She opens her mouth several times before she answers. "I'm okay, I guess. I don't really want to go in, but I will, for my mum. And I'm going to try to get out alive." "Well, that's the only way you get out, isn't it?" Octavio says, and the crowd laughs. "What do you miss most about District 3?" Keek says, "I miss my family most of all." "Why don't you blow them a kiss then?" Octavio asks. Keek makes some shuddery movements, then blows the cameras a hesitant kiss. Bzzzzz "Well our time's up. Thank you Keek, and good luck!" Octavio says. Keek gets up in her navy blue dress that is studded with lights and comes back to her seat two away from mine.
I don't listen much to Volt's, mostly because he doesn't say anything for three minutes. Then the buzzer rings, and a wave of anxiety washes over me. "Come on out, Cass Oceansong!" I put a nervous smile on my face and rise up, walking up the stairs to the stage. I take my seat opposite of Octavio's. "So, Cass, how are you doing tonight?" I try to change my nervous smile to a sweet one. "Oh, Octavio, I'm doing wonderfully. I'm so happy to be here tonight, with all of you!" I say, turning to the audience, who go wild. "Are you excited for tomorrow?" "I don't really know. I guess so, but I don't know if I could hurt a fly," I answer. Octavio smiles at me and asks, "Now, Cass, what has impressed you most about the Capitol so far?" "Oh, I think the wardrobe in my room is pretty spectacular," I say. I don't feel like myself when I'm answering, like someone else has taken over my body. "Oh, I love mine too, it's pretty useful, isn't it?" Octavio asks the crowd, who shout and scream again. "Who are you missing most tonight?" Octavio asks me. "My family, and my best friend. She's the one who gave me this necklace," I say, holding it up. "You're going to try to win for them, aren't you?" I nod. "To the best of my ability, Octavio." Bzzzzz "Well, time's up! Good luck, Cass!"
I smile again and sweep to my seat again in a nervous flurry. Then Rigg gets called and I get interested in watching his interview. It goes pretty slowly at first, with Rigg not saying much, but then Octavio asks, "Do you think you can win the Games, Rigg?" Rigg looks up so quickly it startles me. "I know I can. And I'm going to do whatever it takes to get out of that arena." "Anything?" Octavio asks. "Anything. Nothing and nobody is going to stop me from winning." A cold chill spreads over me. I have a feeling my district partner will become my worst enemy in the arena.