Marcelene Chaplin (Interviewer)

All right. Simple questions to drop their guards. Slightly harder questions to see who knows what. Ginger won't be mad if you don't get anything, but boy will she be disappointed. You're not going to disappoint Ginger. Vi had given me a difficult task. I was supposed to interrogate the tributes without any of them knowing there were being interrogated. I only had three minutes with each tribute, but I was going to use every second to the best of my ability. Lighthearted stuff. Drop your guard. Hard stuff. Are you allied with Raven? I adjusted my Captain Panem cosplay while I waited for people to come onstage, trying to calm my nerves.

"Hello, Prosper!" I called out brightly, keeping my smile painted on. He was dressed in full makeup, looking like a swirled oil painting. Van Gogh. A nice touch, if you can forget that the guy was insane. "How has training been for you so far?" Innocent question. Careers like training.

"It's been pretty nice! The rest of the Careers and I have had a pretty nice time getting to know each other, and I'm predicting a Career win this year for sure. I just wish we got more time training," Prosper replied, smiling back with a face that mirrored mine. He's fake, too. Is he malicious? No. He gets to kill people freely later. Why risk it? But he did get more time training...

While I lightly shook my head to clear my mind, Alexandria came out wearing a simple black dress, something I didn't hate or love. It didn't really compliment her, but it also wasn't hideous. 6/10. I smiled, and she offered her hand to shake before the interview began. "How has everything been with the Careers this year? I know there's been a lot of odd stuff going on, especially with Rio being fifteen!" Not odd stuff with Raven. Nope, definitely not him.

"Oh, it's been great! Rio has been pretty fun, and I'd say he stands as solid a chance as any of us. After all, anyone can win the Games, and you never know what hidden strengths somebody might have." Alexandria spoke confidently, her eyes glittering. Going for a smart angle? That wasn't the best tease, but hidden strengths always means you're acting smart.

Gallant wore a black tux, like everyone else did, but his had some golden embroidery. Simplistic and sweet. I appreciate it. He was smiling, though he looked a little bit nervous. All Careers can be nervous, I guess. "Gallant, what made you volunteer? Everyone has a deep reason," I said, hoping there would be a hint in his answer. Did he like killing people, or was it for honor?

"Things were hard at home. I was the chosen volunteer," Gallant muttered, so quietly I could hardly hear it. The rest of the interview went like that, with me happy to see him go. He tripped on the way out, though, banging open his head and causing medics to rush in. I noted the big red stain on the gold embroidery and knew the Capitol would do something with that even while I called for an intermission.

Ginger found me while the floors were being cleaned, shaking her head quietly. "None of them are going to give any leads. There's no reason for them to kill someone now. They're about to go into the Arena," she said to me, vocalizing the thoughts that I wouldn't say. I hated to see her so shaken and sad, knowing that she was really reaching for leads, but I didn't know anything I could do.

"It's all right. Maybe one of them has a hint. I can keep checking them out. It'll be fine," I replied, pulling her into a hug. I wasn't going to let her be sad. I wasn't going to let her break. Ginger deserved so much more than what she got. Our hug lasted only a few seconds while the floor was cleaned and tributes gathered themselves, but I knew it was all Ginger would need. She was strong. "I've gotta go back to the interviews. We'll find the guy, don't worry."

I walked back onto the stage, avoiding the spot where the blood had been. Three minutes had passed. Darn the Capitol and it's efficiency. Cassiopeia walked out in a purple ballgown, balling and unballing her fists while she came to sit down, and I knew she was just as shaken as the rest of us. "Cassiopeia, that was really something! Do you think it'll affect Gallant's chances in the Games?" I wasn't going to bombard the nervous girl and risk her having a breakdown. Her other questions could wait a second.

"No. Gallant's strong. He really knows what he's doing. The Capitol medicine is really strong, too. He'll be better in no time. I won't have to worry about anything like that. I've never really been clumsy. Guess that's a good thing." Cassiopeia didn't make eye contact while she spoke, and I knew she was babbling to settle herself, not anyone else. I let her go for the whole three minutes. She looked innocent to me.

Radian strutted out in a bright orange tux, something I somehow didn't hate. It was definitely out there, not lame and safe, like most tuxes were. He seemed a little nervous he was going to slip, but I smiled at him and helped him sit. "Radian, what was like for you like back in your District?" I asked him. I knew a bit about it. We researched every tribute after the Reaping. I just figured he'd feel safe sharing.

"Oh, it was fine. Everyone else focused on technology all the time, but I knew the importance of good, old-fashioned work. I wish everyone else did. It would have made life in the District so much better!" Radian replied, faking all of his confidence. I let him talk. Oh yeah, screw technology. It's not like that's all that your District is good for or anything. Nope, don't need any of that.

I jumped when Lexi came onto the stage. She was wearing pale blue pajama pants and a white tank top, strutting over to me in fuzzy slippers. All right. All right, that's gotta be something important. Who in their right mind wears pajamas to the interviews? "Lexi, that's quite the outfit you have on, there! I have to ask, is there a story behind those?"

"Oh! Well, most people wear their big dresses, which is fine, but my appearance is part of my job. I wouldn't fit the innocent look, and I don't really like going for the sexy look. I'm considering the Games paid leave until I make it home, or a promotion to deceased. Either way, I'm not going to fret about being pretty anymore. That job is done for me." Huh. Lexi's words were spoken confidently and calmly, and I found myself nodding and agreeing with what she said. She made very fair points. No work for the tributes in the Capitol.

Rio came out wearing a suit, if it could be called that. It was pastel green at the top hat, fading smoothly all the way down to indigo shoes. That's it. I can't take you seriously. I can't take this job seriously. How am I supposed to investigate someone who's wearing that? "Rio, I hear you were quite the jokester back home. Don't ask how; I have my sources. Do you have anything like that planned for the Arena?" I asked, shaking off his confused gaze while I spoke. I knew something about everyone. I lived in the Capitol.

"Well, I don't think anyone will need it, but I totally have some pranks planned for if tensions get too high in the Arena. We've gotta keep things lighthearted, you know?" Rio said, not telling me what the pranks were. I assumed a couple of them were dangerous. Could killing Raven be part of him? That would raise tensions, but he might know that. It sucks not being a genius, I guess.

Tina came onto the stage wearing a dark blue ballgown, looking exactly like a princess from a fairytale. Her hair was styled beautifully, and her makeup stunned me. I need to get the Four stylist to work for me, I thought to myself before beginning the interview. Tina looked perfect. "Hello, Tina! You like being called that, right? Anyways, an eleven is a stunning score. What do you think of getting one for yourself?" I asked, knowing that should be the star of the show. Elevens weren't exactly common.

"Oh! To be honest, I was a little surprised. I know I deserve something decent, but I'd never have guessed that I would be the top Career. Other people are amazingly skilled, and while I know I have my skills, I'm sure I pale in comparison to some of them. The Games are going to be hard with all the competitors, but I do stand a chance. The eleven wasn't wrong there." Did you? Did you plan that? Did you know I was going to ask that? Can you just speak that well? Applause erupted from the audience while Tina was still speaking, leaving everyone in awe of her before she left.

Adair was wearing a suit when he came out, looking confident without looking cocky. A good walk despite the bad outfit. We might have a contender for Victor. Doesn't look like a murderer, but how many have I really seen? "Adair, what did you feel when you were Reaped?" I asked, knowing it was often a good way to evoke emotion. And someone who doesn't show emotion is someone who might be dangerous.

"I was a bit surprised at first, of course. The Games were never the way I saw myself leaving a legacy. But now I guess they'll have to be the way! I'm not coming home in a box. Five needs me for a bit longer," Adair said, his words flowing as easily as mine did. To the Capitol it looked real. To me it was sweet talk, the same strategy I used year after year to help tributes out.

Cecilia wore a silky blue and white dress, her hair flowing nicely as she walked onto the stage. She didn't really smile, though her outfit said she should have. She could definitely be a murderer. So quiet and introverted. "Cecilia, what do you think of the Capitol so far?" I asked, not really knowing where else to go with myself. She didn't have an easy lead.

"Oh, it's been all right. My favorite part had to be you, though. You look so nice in your Captain Panem outfit," Cecilia said, easily shifting focus from herself to me. Is she flirting with me? I'm an adult. I'm a professional. I only insult people. I'd never have sex with a tribute. Gross.

Purple leather shoes. Purple leather shoes. I definitely could not take Nixon seriously. He was wearing a silk, purple tux. He was wearing purple leather shoes. He was wearing purple gloves. What is this, a joke? Should I just stop trying to get anything done? Is my entire job meaningless to all of you? I had to pretend to be serious, but the kid was wearing purple leather shoes. "Nixon, what do you think of the Capitol so far?" I asked, knowing that was one of few questions I could ask with a straight face.

"It's been a crazy experience! I always thought the Capitol was fake, just like the owners of my mom's factory, but it turns out it's real! That's just unbelievable. Maybe the Games are real, too, though I always said they were fake. Did you know that the food isn't poisoned? All the Avoxes have said that it isn't their tongues, either, which I was really worried about..." Once I got Nixon going, there didn't seem to be an end to what he was saving. I wasn't going to try to stop him.

Rhiannon came out wearing a dazzling blue dress with green and yellow near the bottom, reds and pinks tinting their way up. It was a sunrise, and it was a gorgeous one. She seemed to love it, twirling a bit while she walked out, and it gave me exactly what kind of question to ask her. "Rhiannon, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?"

"I should say the Capitol to get sponsors, but that's not true. I've always wanted to see Two's mountains, or Three's factories. Sure, Six has factories too, but they must be different. Seven's forests sound wonderful, and I just wish I could see Eleven's orchards in person, even if it was just once. Everywhere sounds so gorgeous that I can't help but wish that I could travel freely," Rhia said, easily rattling off the Districts. I was pleased with myself, knowing I had hit just the right chord to leave her feeling confident while she spoke.

Yvette was wearing a red kimono with a lab coat on it when she came out. I cocked my head at her quizzically, wondering how those two could go together, and she cocked her head at me right back. All right, we've got a funny, nice girl. That can be done. "Yvette, would you like to talk about what you showed in the private sessions? It's not every day a Seven does as well as you did."

"Well, I can't give it all away, but I showed some medicine! My family works as doctors, and they've had me work with them for the longest time. It's pretty cool, really. I know a lot of plants, since that's all we can afford in Seven. Did you know that poppy seeds can cure pain?" Yvette said, her eyes absolutely lighting up while she spoke. I smiled and let her go, amazed that so many tributes completed their interviews after only being asked one question. And none of them have given me a lead on Raven.

"Isaac, there's been quite the story of tributes escaping this year. Some even went so far as to disguise themselves. What do you think of that?" I asked the next tribute, deliberately ignoring his drop-waist pants and low-necked shirt. They were hideous, but they still beat all the tuxes, simply because tuxes they were not.

"Funny you should say! I love disguises," Isaac replied, smiling brightly. He pulled out oversized glasses with a fake nose and mustache attached, putting them on and laughing. "Escaping is serious business, but these glasses sure aren't!" I watched and laughed while Isaac winded himself with laughter, unable to hold back despite the stress of the situation.

Lacey wore a simple golden dress to the interview, not dropping any hints about what her angle was supposed to be. I could have grilled her for information, but she seemed innocent. Most outer-District kids did. Sorry, Ginger, I thought to myself, realizing that the interviews were not the place to get answers. Instead, I switched gears, back to my normal, slightly sassy self. "Lacey, you did debate back in Eight, right? What was your favorite topic?"

"Absolute right and wrong!" Lacey replied brightly, her face splitting in a smile. "Some people think it doesn't exist, but I think it has to, because otherwise everyone's opinions are kinda wrong. And there couldn't be crimes if there wasn't an absolute wrong, you know?" I nodded while Lacey spoke, happy to let her puff herself up while the whole Capitol listened.

Jacob came out in a hodgepodge of outfits, wearing a tan blazer over his white shirt, supposedly to match his... black bow tie. 0/10, everyone in the room is dumber for having seen this, I award you no points, may God have mercy on your soul. Okay, overreaction, but that gross. "Jacob, what have you thought about the Capitol so far? I heard there was a mess in your room," I said, wondering if killing a tribute before the Games could be a reaction to the Capitol. I had mostly shifted gears, but I wouldn't ignore an obvious threat.

"Yeah. It was a problem. They were blood supplies," Jacob said, mumbling the last part so I could hardly hear it. I was taken aback, so I let him sit with his words for a whole minute. I wouldn't waste a kid's whole interview, but I would definitely ruin a portion of it if he was going to be a nuisance.

Jade came out wearing a white dress, making a series of points connect in my mind. Jade was quiet. Jade was sassy. Jade threatened Gamemakers. Jade was supposed to look scary. No way. No mentor would encourage that. No one is that dumb. I smiled at her while she walked over, offering a hand that she didn't shake. "Jade, I've seen a few pieces of your art. What's your favorite thing to draw?"

Jade stared at me, not saying a word. I stared right back, letting her sit in silence until I remembered that Ginger would be mad if I wasted two interviews in a row. "What do you think of the Capitol so far?" I pressed, waiting again for Jade to speak. She stared. I stared. The joke was really on her, because I was used to harsh cameras and flinching from glare. She wasn't, and I could definitely last longer than she could. Because screw you.

Theodore strutted out in a white suit with black stripes, obviously symbolizing a piano. I smiled at him while he walked in, thinking of what Enigma had told me. He's learning himself. Make sure to get him out of his shell, she had said, wanting to make sure that he had a good chance. No one deserved to die without knowing who they were. I stood up while he walked over. "What's your favorite song to play on the piano?" I asked, gesturing to his suit.

"Oh! I really like Moonlight Sonata. It's from before the Dark Days, but the Capitol is okay with it, since it's such an innocent song," Theodore said, smiling a little. Does he actually like piano? I wondered, watching his body language while he spoke. Was he happy or was he faking?

"What notes are in that?" I continued, letting him keep talking.

"Oh, it's really complicated. I probably can't explain it well. It starts off with a C-sharp minor chord, then works its way up, kind of. It's really frustrating to get my hands to hit all the notes, but it's kinda nice when you do get them," Theo continued, and I let him talk. He seemed happy enough to be talking, which opened my door.

"So a C-sharp minor... Like this?" I reached out and hit the right keys on Theo's outfit, knowing just a handful of notes. That chord made enough sense to me, and it got the exact reaction I wanted: Theo laughed and played the top hand, easily able to play the song on his suit.

Lumara waltzed in in an acid green dress, looking quite pleased with herself. She sat down confidently, offering her hand before I had time to give her mine, and sat down, smiling while waiting for me to talk. "Lumara, I've heard quite the story about your arm! Would you like to tell us what happened there? There are a hundred and one theories," I said, knowing it would be an exciting tale.

"Well, back at home, there were some minor irritants everywhere. I tried one out on myself. Really, I spilled it when I was trying to see what it did, but it's fine. It left me with quite the scar, but I just think that makes me look a lot cooler, and it only hurt for a little bit," Lumara replied, pulling up a sleeve so all of us could see the arm more clearly. It was a nasty scar, clearly not medically treated. Better hope you don't win. It'll get twice as bad.

Arkane was wearing black slacks and a button up, which was painfully boring. Still, I preferred it to a tux. He seemed reasonably confident, though he looked around himself sometimes, as if checking himself. So he has his own doubts. Good to note, I thought before beginning the interview. "Arkane, you're the child of a Peacekeeper. What was that like, knowing you were illegal?"

"We got fed better than most. Dad didn't know how to love me," Arkane said, clearly not really thinking his words through. I could only imagine how much that must have hurt his father. Most people tried their best, and Arkane seemed pretty healthy for someone who had been straight-up abused. His father was probably just dumb.

I spooked for just a second when Amelia came onto the stage, almost laughing at her outfit. She was wearing a sparkly gold tux, something I didn't hate. She was only the second female tribute I had ever seen in a tux, so it wasn't cliche for her any more than it was for girls to wear simple dresses. "Amelia, what was life like for you back in your District? Did you live on a farm?" I asked, wanting to see if she would reveal any strengths.

"It was all right. I didn't know how to talk to many people - oh, who am I kidding? They didn't know how to be talked to. But anyways, that usually left me talking to my horses, instead. That was sure fun! They would listen to whatever I had to say, and they never got mad when I said their hair was messy." I was taken aback by Amelia's answer, used to people acting extra polite during the interviews. She was being as loud as she wanted.

Nyle came out wearing a suit, and I glared at him for just a second. Suits. At least have a tailcoat, I thought before returning to my professional self. Nyle. No legal history, nothing bad about him except some training. Gay, I thought, doing a quick checklist. "Nyle, what made you decide to train in the District? It's uncommon for Twelves to have training," I asked.

"Oh! My parents kicked me out for being gay. I wasn't going to break up with Chevron just to stay with them, though. He obviously loved me more than they ever would," Nyle replied, looking off in wonder. He was clearly expecting applause for being proud, but everyone just seemed confused. His romance was sweet, but it wasn't something a Capitolite could really understand.

Indie came out wearing a dark grey dress, and I slowly realized that I didn't know much about her. She seemed nice enough, from what I had seen, but she didn't stick out as much as acid-arm-girl. "Indie, what's your favorite thing about the Capitol so far?" I asked, starting with an innocent question to get her going.

"I don't really know. The food is pretty awesome, and the people have all been pretty nice. It's been really enlightening to meet all of you and find out you're just as human as the rest of us, I guess," Indie said, and I got the feeling she was speaking honestly. She was subdued, though I couldn't find out why. She must have had some experience I hadn't heard about.

"Well, there you have it! The interviews of the tributes of the twenty-third Hunger Games!" I called to the cameras, walking off the stage as quickly as possible. Ginger would want a word with me. She knew I could see tells better than the cameras could. She'd just end up being disappointed that almost all of the tributes seemed innocent to me.

I don't think my interviews have ever been this long before? But here we are, enjoying the perspective of one easily confused Marcelene.