Chapter 19- Astrid Clearwater
We're all lined up backstage waiting to go on and take our seats. This year, behind the two main interview chairs, there're twenty-four chairs at the back of the stage where we're supposed to sit. Lucky us. I'm tired from the long day of prep, but still riding the elation that came from my high score in the private sessions.
Currently, I'm behind Dominicus from 2, who's dressed in a red suit that looks ridiculous on him. His district partner, Agrippina, is wearing a short orange and raspberry dress with a black bow. It actually looks alright on her. Circuit's behind me wearing a dark blue suit. He hasn't said a word all day; that I've heard at least.
Meanwhile, Sparkle's put me in an actually decent outfit: blue knee length dress covered in silver sparkles, short blue heels, and Lara and Spila put my hair up on top of my head in an elaborate braided bun. I think I look pretty, but the real showstopper is Elowyn, of course. Her dress is a thing of beauty: dark and light green with a long fluffy skirt, and roses covering it. Her stylist has let her hair stay loose, and she's just beautiful.
I cross my arms and shift from foot to foot as we're forced to wait. "Welcome back Panem, to the greatest show in the world!" Marcus Fireglen, the man who does the interviews and has been doing the interviews for probably ten years now, says, bouncing out on stage. I dislike him on the principal that he's from the Capitol, but he does his best with trying to make the tributes look good. I'll give him that.
"This year is the year of the 41st Hunger Games, can you believe it?" he says to the crowd, who cheer. Forty-one years. How many dead tributes is that? I do the math quickly in my head; I always was good at math in school. Not counting this coming year, where the people around me will die in a matter of days, it's 920 tributes who have died in the Games.
Not the best odds, is it? 960 tributes have gone in so far, and 40 have come out.
"Let's welcome out our previous victors!" Marcus cries, which is the cue for all the mentors and previous victors to go out onstage and take their seats, in district order of course. I see Beetee, quiet and reserved as always, walking out and nodding at the audience before sitting down, next to a District 2 victor that I vaguely recognize from television and past Hunger Games.
"And now, the moment you've been waiting for!" I take a deep breath. I just have to remember what Beetee told me, my angle that we worked on, and I'll be fine. I wish he would tell me if I have sponsors.
"The tributes of the 41st Hunger Games!" Like we're being pushed along by some sort of invisible hand, we walk out in district order onto the stage. I smile, like I'm supposed to do, but the pair from 2 don't do anything, while the District 1s blow kisses and wave to the audience. They're Careers; they can choose whether to love or ignore the crowd.
I sit down next to Dominicus, smoothing my dress out to keep the wrinkles at bay. This is the first time Mama and Axel will have been able to see me since the Tribute Parade, and I want to make sure they know that I'm okay. I'm confident, I'm going to win. I'm okay.
After a little bit more banter with the audience, Marcus calls up his first tribute. "Come on up, Tiara Softshield!" In the interviews, it's always the girl who goes before the boy; the opposite of the private sessions. Have to keep it equal, I suppose.
Tiara struts to the stage in six-inch pink high heels and a fluffy pink dress. I can guess her angle right now: glamorous.
"Hello, hello, Tiara! How are you today?" Marcus asks as she sits down.
"Just wonderful, Marcus. You have no idea how happy I am to be here in the Capitol, seeing all of you!" she says, blowing a kiss to the audience, who go wild. I don't really listen to her interview much, focusing instead on my shaking legs and hands. Don't want to be seen as weak, and I'm sitting directly next to a Career. I do register that Tiara's really good with a sword.
Next up is her district partner, Cloak. He's big, and popular with the audience because he's District 1, but I don't think much of him. A bit dull, if you want the truth.
Then it's Agrippina. "So, tell us Agrippina, why you weren't a volunteer, as tributes from your district often are?" Marcus asks. Agrippina crosses her legs and leans back in her chair.
"I'm only fifteen, Marcus. Why would I volunteer now instead of eighteen? That was what I was planning to do until my plans got disrupted. There was a girl who was supposed to volunteer; it was all arranged. Minerva Lampright. And she didn't," Agrippina says angrily. If she could spit venom, she would be right now. "Do you know what I'm going to do, Marcus?"
"No, tell us."
"I'm going to kill everyone in that arena, and then I'm going to get out and go home, and I am going to kill Minerva Lampright." There are some murmurs in the crowd. She's ambitious, I'll give her that. I wouldn't want to be Minerva, whoever she is, right now.
"Well now, isn't that against the law?" Marcus says, a bit troubled.
"I'll be a victor," Agrippina says sweetly. "When I'm victor, nobody will tell me what to do. I'm going to win, Marcus. I don't care how many throats I have to rip out to make that happen." When her buzzer goes, I can tell that Marcus is relieved. And now I have a newfound terror of the girl from District 2.
It's Dominicus who's called up next. My legs shake harder; it's me next, after him. I find Beetee in the crowd, but he's not looking at me. I can get through this; it's only three minutes.
"So, Dominicus, you're a bit smaller than your average volunteer," Marcus says. Dominicus smiles.
"I don't think size is going to matter when I cut my opponents' throats," he says. His voice is high and a bit nasally, and it's painful to listen to. "I am going to bring honor to my district, and a new victor as well."
"I don't doubt you'll succeed," Marcus says. I'm reading him too; he's nervous around the Career tributes. Aren't we all?
Then it's Dominicus sitting down, and Marcus is calling, "Astrid Clearwater!" Time for me to stand up and make my way over, but my legs are shaking. I'm not sure I can stand up without falling down and humiliating myself.
Stop it, Astrid! You got a 7, you're not just a stupid and weak District 3 tribute. You're better than that. Before I realize what's happening, I'm sitting down in the plush seat across from Marcus, and my interview has begun.
"Astrid, welcome! How are you tonight?"
"I'm just fine, Marcus, how are you doing?" I say, giving my best winning smile. I really dislike this attention.
"I'm feeling wonderful! You know, you're the first person to ask me how I am tonight; I'm deeply touched," Marcus says, placing his hand over his heart.
"We can't forget about you, you know," I say, forcing a laugh.
"Now, you got a 7 in training. That's an excellent score for someone from District 3, you know."
"I know." I hope everyone at home is watching this and maybe feeling slightly impressed that I, Astrid Clearwater, beat the scores of most of our district's past tributes. Maybe I shouldn't care so much what they think, but I do.
"Can you tell us how you got it?"
"I can't tell you that; I need to keep some of my secrets, Marcus," I say. Nobody but Elowyn really knows what I can do with axes, and I'm going to keep it that way. I especially don't need the Careers knowing.
"A girl with a hint of mystery!" Marcus declares, and the audience applauds. I fold my hands neatly in my lap and wait for this to be over. I don't feel like myself right now, and it bothers me.
"Who do you have waiting for you at home?" he wants to know.
"My mother and my brother."
"How old is your brother?"
"He's six years old."
"Just a little tyke! I'll bet you made him a promise to come home, didn't you?"
"I did, and it's a promise I intend to keep."
"I have no doubt that you will. What do you think is going to be your biggest asset going into the arena tomorrow?"
Tomorrow. I take a deep breath and let out a shaky laugh. "My best asset?" I say. "I'm smart. I'm going to be smarter than the rest of my opponents, and that's how I'm going to win."
"I'll bet you're good with electronics, seeing where you come from."
"I'm not saying," I say. I'm trying to play up the clever angle that Beetee told me to go with, but it's tricky. "I want you all to be surprised when you see me in the arena." Am I saying the right things? I don't know.
"Do you think we'll be seeing you back here in a few weeks, Astrid?"
Deep breath. "Yes. I'll be back, you'll see." I'll be back once everyone else on this stage is dead. Obviously, I don't say that, but I want to.
"I have complete faith in you," Marcus says, patting my arm. At least one person does.
"One last thing, Astrid."
"Ask away," I say, squeezing my hands together to stop the shaking.
"Do you have anything to say to the people of Panem, and more specifically, your family?"
I look out over the sea of faces in the audience, none of which I can really place or focus on. "I want my family to know that I'm alright, I'm happy, and I'll be seeing them soon. They don't have to worry about me."
"Then we won't worry either," Marcus says good naturedly. The buzzer goes and my time is up. Marcus gives me a hand to help me stand up, and cries, "Astrid Clearwater, District 3!"
I curtsy the way Delia taught me yesterday, and make my way back to my seat. Circuit looks up in alarm. His turn now. At least it's over, and I hope I did well. I doubt I'll hear much out of Beetee either way.
"Circuit Wallcry!"
As I sit down, Circuit stands up, tripping as Dominicus sticks his foot out. He and Agrippina snicker to each other. I'd love to punch Dominicus in the face, maybe break his nose or something, but I don't want to be too noticed quite yet. And it's against the rules. That too.
I'm still coming down off the rush of being on camera, and I only really tune in to Circuit's interview halfway through.
"Are you worried about your score, Circuit?"
Circuit blinks a few times, trying to find his words. It's embarrassing to watch, knowing he's representing District 3 as much as I am. "No. No I'm not. You don't know what my strategy is, do you?"
"I'm afraid I haven't gotten the memo," Marcus says.
"You don't know a thing, Marcus."
"Then I shall have the utmost faith in you, Circuit."
"Good. You better," Circuit says, then his interview is over too, and District 3 is done. When he comes to sit down again, he doesn't meet my eyes. He was just bluffing, I know he was; it was humiliating for him to get a 3 in training, so now he's covering up with false bravado. Everyone knows he's bloodbath material; he's just trying to retain a little dignity before he dies tomorrow.
Who on this stage will be dead tomorrow? While I think, the interviews continue.
"Kelpie Agan!"
Shore Seawind
I give Kelpie's hand a squeeze before she gets up, to make her feel a bit better about being on camera alone. Her stylist did a good job with her dress; it's green and blue and looks like an ocean or a waterfall or something. I'm no expert on fashion, but it's pretty. My own stylist, Augustus, put me in a sea-green suit. Most of the boys are wearing suits, I've noticed.
"Come on up here, Kelpie," Marcus says, holding his hand out to her. She smiles shyly and takes his hand, letting him lead her over to the interview chair. I sit in my own hardbacked chair and cross my arms. It's me next, and I'm looking forward to it. The District 5 girl next to me, the one with the brown hair, keeps looking at me nervously out of the corner of her eye.
"Kelpie, how are you tonight?" Marcus asks.
"I'm really well, Marcus, thank you. It's nice to be here," she says, smiling still.
"What's been your favorite moment in the Capitol so far?"
"I think… maybe the Chariot Rides. I liked the horses."
Marcus laughs a little, but it's not mean. "Those horses are so well trained, aren't they?"
"And pretty too," Kelpie says, her smile becoming less nervous.
"How do you feel about tomorrow?" Marcus asks.
"A little nervous, I guess, but everyone's nervous." Not me. I'm going in as one of the privileged ones. I feel really sorry for Kelpie, though; Mags's and my talk keeps popping into my head. Kelpie's not going to go far, but I'm supposed to make sure she goes out peacefully. How, I don't know.
"I'm sure you'll do fine," Marcus says reassuringly.
"I've got a good team of allies, and that will help. I'm not going in alone," Kelpie says.
"Ah yes, I see your allies behind you, what a dazzling display." I look over and see Aggie and Tiara smiling for the camera that's zooming in on them.
"They'll make sure I'll be alright," Kelpie says with conviction. I want to put my head in my hands. She's naïve, and that's the saddest part. Pretty but naïve, and I think Mags is probably right about Kelpie having no chance.
"We only have a few minutes left, so before you go, tell us about who you're hoping to go home to," Marcus says, leaning forward.
"My parents and my baby brother, Sean."
"Well, Kelpie, I wish you all the luck in the world." The buzzer goes and Marcus helps Kelpie up, raising her hand in the air and shouting, "Kelpie Agan, Panem!"
Kelpie does a bow, her loose hair falling in her face, then she comes back over to sit next to me again. She's flushed, but not crying, and that's the best you can hope for with her.
"Next we have, also from District 4, Shore Seawind!" The audience claps as I stand up, waving to them. Aggie pokes my leg as I go by, laughing. I ignore her. Reaching Marcus, I shake his hand, then sit down opposite him.
"Hello Shore! How are you tonight?"
"I can't be better!" I say, gesturing to the audience. "How can I not be at my best when I have all these wonderful people cheering me on?"
"I hope you include me in those wonderful people," Marcus says, pretending to pout. I reach out and pat him on the arm good naturedly.
"You know I do, Marcus."
Mags told me to play up the confident angle; that is not difficult at all for me. I am confidence itself tonight.
"Shore, I heard a rumor that you are a fisherman. Is that true?"
"I don't know who's telling my secrets, but I'd like to know, so I don't ever tell them anything again," I say, joking.
"Well, I don't know who, but are they correct?"
I nod. "They are. I've been a fisherman all my life, alongside my Da."
"How do you like the lifestyle?"
"It's the only one for me, Marcus."
"Do you think you could adjust to the lifestyle of a victor?"
"Who says I can't do both?" I say, and the audience applauds again.
Marcus leans in further to me, smiling. He's a bit frightening to look at, what with his blue dyed hair, multiple piercings in each ear, and tattoos curling around his cheeks. "So, do you have someone special waiting for you at home?"
I smile. "Like who?"
"Do you have a special girl or boy waiting for you at home?"
"I'll tell you something, Marcus," I say, leaning in towards him. "The day I got reaped was the day I became an engaged man."
Marcus sits back in surprise. "Oh, well done Shore! Congratulations!" The audience is cheering and clapping for me; clapping for me and Thalassa. That's for you, I think, trying to beam my thoughts to her. She's watching this right now; I know she is.
"Who's the lucky girl?"
"Her name is Thalassa, and she is the most wonderful and beautiful girl in the world," I tell him. It's the honest truth.
"I'll bet you're going to try really hard to get home to her," Marcus says.
"I intend on marrying that girl, so yes."
"Congratulations again, Shore. But continuing on, how do you feel about tomorrow?"
"I'm ready," I say. "I'm so ready. You just watch, Marcus, you'll be seeing me again, on this stage, wearing a crown before you know it."
"I believe it, Shore. If anyone can win this year, I think you're a strong contender. But I'm not allowed to pick favorites, you know!"
"Oh I know," I say. "Just don't be surprised when I'm back."
"I won't be in the slightest."
The buzzer goes off then, and the interview is over. "Good luck to you, Shore," Marcus says, shaking my hand one last time. "We'll see you soon."
I stop on my way back to my seat and look out at the cameras. I blow one single kiss and call, "I love you, Thalassa!" The crowd goes insane, cheering and calling out and clapping. Ignoring them all, I keep walking back to my seat, as the girl from 5 is announced.
"Hazel Ashwing!"
Iry Coppersmith
"Do you like it?" Damius showed me the dress he was going to put me in, and I was absolutely delighted. "It's silk."
"It's beautiful," I said, feeling the smoothness of the fabric.
"Let's put it on you so we can see how it looks," he said, and he and my prep team helped me put the dress on. It was even more beautiful on me. The skirt is a pale pink, embroidered with flowers; the top is silver with flowing sleeves and embroidered vines and roses. Lem braided my hair in two, tied at the ends with rose shaped barrettes.
"You're very pretty, Miss Iry," Damius said.
"Thank you! Thank you, Damius!" I said, hugging him. Terra came in to see what the commotion was all about, and she was as happy as I was. Am. I'm still pleased, even though I'm nervous now.
"You'll be a hit," she said, kissing my forehead.
"Did Damius give you a dress too?" I asked. Tonight she's wearing a long, purple dress, and it's pretty too.
"He was kind enough to lend me one," she said. Shuttle came in after her, in a blue dress and her hair put up on top of her head.
"Thank you for not making her look thirty," Shuttle said, looking me over.
"I would never do something like that, you know me," Damius said.
"I trust you," Terra said, smiling.
"We should go," Shuttle said from the doorway. "Woof, Woven, and Azlon are already at the elevators."
"What about Postumius?" I asked, following everyone out the door. Shuttle grinned.
"I think Woof may have locked him in his room. By mistake of course." I giggled. "He will understand that we couldn't wait for him. Let's go before he gets out."
At the elevators, Woof and Azlon were dressed in suits, Woof looking very reluctant to be in one; and Woven was dressed in a dark blue pantsuit. I don't think she likes dresses very much.
"You look nice," she said, kissing me.
"Let's go; I don't want him to catch up," Woof said, hurrying us into the elevator as soon as the doors opened. I couldn't help laughing again; it was such a funny situation.
Now that's all past; the dressing, the elevator ride, and the beginning of the interviews too. Now I'm sitting under some hot lights, listening to Mariana from District 6 stumble her way through her interview.
"Thank you, Mariana!" Marcus says, letting the girl leave the interview chair and head back towards us. The Careers trip her up, like they've been doing all night to the tributes they don't like. I don't like them!
"Let's welcome to the stage, Trestle Deadwood!" Trestle gets up, passing by Mariana as she comes back, and skillfully jumps over Aggie's feet. She glares at him, but he just shoots her a smile and goes to join Marcus up at the front. I'm so nervous for when my turn comes. I've grown up around cameras, but this one's different. This one is just for me.
"Well, Marcus, I sure did not see myself here a couple of weeks ago," Trestle says, falling into the interview chair and leaning back. He's dressed all in black tonight, with his hair pushed off to one side.
"No? Where did you see yourself?" Marcus asks.
"Not here." Trestle smirks. Marcus coughs, then switches directions completely.
"So, that 11. Highest mark this year. How did you get it?"
"Just by being myself, my friend. Just by being myself. How could they give me anything less? I was aiming for a 12, but one can't be too perfect."
"Tell us a bit more about yourself. What do you do back home?" Marcus asks.
"Marcus, my friend, that's going a bit too far. Classified information, you know. I don't just let anyone know everything about me. A man of mystery, that's me."
"Well, can you tell us anything about yourself?"
Trestle smirks again. "I'm hard to catch. These ones here," he says, gesturing back towards the Careers, "Are going to want to kill me as soon as we get in the arena. They're too slow, though. I'm quick, and so is my ally."
"Who is your ally?"
"None other than the marvelous Nell Slatefield," Trestle says proudly.
"Do you two work well together?" Marcus asks.
"If we didn't, we wouldn't be allies, now would we?"
"I suppose you wouldn't. Do you have anyone waiting for you at home?"
"Classified information again, Marcus. No family, nothing to show or tell, and even if I did, I wouldn't. A man's got to keep his secrets when he's on live television, you know."
The look on Marcus's face is so funny; I want to laugh right now, but I know it's not a good idea. Terra doesn't want me to be a target, so I won't be. But Marcus looks so confused and unsure what to do; it's so funny.
The buzzer rings then, and Marcus looks so happy. "Thank you for joining us, Trestle, and good luck!"
"I'm not going to need it," Trestle says, then walks back to his chair.
"Alright, that was Trestle Deadwood! Are you enjoying yourself tonight, Panem?" Marcus calls into the audience, and they all cheer and clap. I'm enjoying myself too, honestly. It's fun listening to all the different tributes talk. Back home, interview night was always my favorite night of the Games.
"Since we're all enjoying ourselves, let's bring up Elowyn Applering!" The pretty girl from 7 is dressed in an even prettier dress; she walks gracefully up to the front. I'm happy that the Careers didn't trip her.
"How are you tonight my dear?" Marcus asks her.
"Very well, thank you."
"Are you nervous?"
"Not particularly. This is my first time on camera, though."
"It's your first time on camera? Let's give her a wonderful experience, shall we?" Marcus calls to the audience, who cheer again. Elowyn waves and smiles at them.
"May I say that you look absolutely exquisite tonight?" Marcus continues.
"It's very kind of you to say that," Elowyn says.
"I can't imagine how long it's taken you to grow your hair out that long!" Marcus says as he reaches out to touch it. If I was Elowyn, I would back away immediately. I hate people who aren't family touching my hair.
"It's never been cut. My mother always liked my hair, so I left it long." Elowyn sweeps her long loose hair back behind her shoulder where Marcus can't get at it.
"Now, what's your feeling being here in the Capitol? How are the nerves for tomorrow?"
Elowyn takes a deep breath before answering. "I'm nervous, to tell the truth. I'm repeating what my sister did two years ago, but I hope my outcome will be better than hers." Everyone goes quiet.
"Do you mean to say that your sister was a tribute?" Marcus asks softly. Elowyn sits up straighter and tosses her hair behind her again.
"She was. Guinevere Applering. She came when she was sixteen, like me, and she died two days into the Games. Now I'm here, and I'm going to win in her memory."
"Well, I'm very sorry to hear about your sister," Marcus says. The crowd is still quiet.
"Thank you. I must get home, because my parents have no other children. I'm the only one left. I can't not return."
"Do you think you have the skills to go home?"
"Yes. I can win. I will win," she says firmly. I feel terrible about her big sister. What if Terra had never come home? I would be in the community home, and I'd be sitting here now without my sister. The thought brings tears to my eyes.
I pick at my nails and miss the rest of the interview, thinking about the Games, and Terra, and poor Elowyn's sister Guinevere. I finally come back from daydreaming and listen when the buzzer goes. Elowyn curtsies, then goes back to her seat, being replaced by her district partner, Kiril.
Kiril's actually kind of funny. "Do you think I could bring a book in as my token?" he says.
"A book?"
"I'm going to get bored in the arena, and when I'm bored I like to have a book on hand."
"I'm sure it could be arranged, but wouldn't it be difficult to carry around?"
"Don't you have some miniature books by now?" Kiril says, pretending to be surprised. "Whoever's in charge of making the books is missing a serious business endeavor here, Marcus."
Then the buzzer goes for him too, and it's me.
Terra Coppersmith
"Iry Coppersmith, District 8!"
I grab Shuttle's hand and hold tight. Iry looks happy to be up there on the stage, but I'm so nervous for her. Maybe I took all her nerves for myself.
"She's fine," Shuttle whispers in my ear. "It's three minutes and then it's over."
"I know," I whisper back.
"Iry, how are you doing tonight?" Marcus asks her.
"I'm great!" she says. "It's been really fun listening to everyone else talk."
"You haven't been bored?"
"Absolutely not; interview night has always been my favorite night," Iry says, grinning.
"Aren't you glad you can be here for interview night in person, then?" Marcus asks. Iry nods.
"It's really fun being here, and it's even nicer that my sister is here with me."
"Ah yes, Terra. How has it been having a victor for a sister?" I grip Shuttle's hand tighter. I'm probably hurting her, but I don't care right now. Besides, I'm only gripping her with four fingers; it can't be that bad. I only have four fingers on that hand.
Iry shrugs. "Normal, I guess. She won when I was eight, so I've had a lot of time to get used to it."
"And how do you feel being a tribute now?"
"It's a little scary, but Terra's promised me that I'll be alright. I trust her. She's never let anything happen to me, and she never breaks a promise."
"What are you most worried about going into the arena?" Marcus asks.
"My sister. She's going to make sure I'm okay, so I'm not worried about that. It's just, who's going to take care of Terra while I'm gone?"
I didn't know Iry worried so much about me. I can feel tears at the corners of my eyes; Shuttle wraps her arm around me and leans on my shoulder. "She's okay. We'll talk to her tonight." I nod, wiping my eyes.
"You sound like a good sister," Marcus says.
"I try to be. I want to win so I can go home and stay with Terra, and with my cat too."
"You have a cat?"
"Her name is Ribbons, and I love her so much," Iry says. "I miss her a lot right now, and I hope she's not too lonely. My Auntie Deecey is looking after her while we're away."
"That's nice of her, isn't it? I'm sure your kitty will be just fine. I have a cat too, you know," Marcus says.
"I didn't know that! What's its name?"
"His name is Bobble," Marcus says, laughing along with the audience. Iry giggles too.
"I like that name."
"I'm glad you do. I do too, that's why I named him that!"
"I named my cat Ribbons because she likes to try to eat them," Iry says.
"What a naughty cat! Now, the time is just tick-ticking away, so, before you go, tell us one last thing."
"Okay."
"Do you think you can win the Hunger Games?"
Iry sits up straight and looks Marcus right in the eyes. "Yes. My sister won't let anything happen to me, and I trust her. I'm going to be just fine, and I'm going to win. Don't you worry."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Marcus says, just as the buzzer goes off. Iry jumps up off the couch, curtsying like Shuttle taught her, then runs back to her seat next to Azlon. Now that her interview is over, I can breathe easier.
"She did well. Now we just have to get through Azlon and I can relax," Shuttle says in my ear. I nod, keeping my eyes on Iry. She did really well; I'm proud of her. But I'm also a bit ashamed of myself. I didn't know I affected my sister as much as I apparently do. I should be taking care of her, not the other way around!
"Also from District 8, let's bring up Azlon Loombow!" On the other side of Shuttle, Woof shifts in his seat.
"Boy better follow through," he mutters.
"Shh," Shuttle says, poking Woof.
"Azlon, you got a 7 in training. Not a bad score for an outlying district, now is it?" Marcus asks once the two of them are settled in the chairs again.
"I wanted higher." Azlon is taller than Marcus, even while sitting down.
"What are you feeling about tomorrow?"
"I want these Games over and done with sooner than later, so I can go home and go back to work," Azlon says. His answers are short and to the point. You won't see any gushing coming out of him. The whole time he's on stage, he doesn't smile, or even acknowledge the audience. Despite that, I can tell they like him. Or at least are interested in him. He's strong and evidently powerful. Now that they've seen our tributes properly, I wouldn't doubt we'll be getting more sponsors.
Marcus doesn't get a lot out of Azlon before the buzzer sounds. Woof grunts next to Shuttle. "Was that the angle you worked up?" Shuttle mutters to him.
"He could have been a bit more talky, but he did well enough," Woof says. High praise from Woof indeed.
I feel really sorry for the girl from 9, Tilling. Twitchy and nervous, she doesn't look at ease the whole time she's talking to Marcus.
"What do you like to do best, Tilling?"
"Oh! I like to pick flowers and walk in the meadows by my house," she says, running one hand along the arm of the red velvet chair she's sitting in.
"Have any allies going in?" Marcus asks.
"No. No! I-I want to go alone. I work better a-alone." If what Iry told me is true, and I don't doubt it is, Tilling tried to ally with every single tribute, but nobody would have her.
"She's not going to last long," Shuttle whispers in my ear. I wish I could save this anxious girl, only fifteen years old, but I can't. I'm powerless to save anyone on that stage.
Reaper, Tilling's district partner, is tall, and I can tell he's really strong just by the way he carries himself.
"You're seventeen, aren't you, Reaper?" Marcus asks.
"I am. You're what, twenty-four?"
"Oh, you flatter me! You flatter me!" Marcus says, patting the boy on the leg.
"I do my best." Reaper gives a quick smile, which disappears almost immediately.
"So, what's your strategy going into the Games, Reaper?"
"Kill them all. I don't care who, don't care how. Every tribute is going to fall by my hand, and my hand alone," Reaper says. I can see the murderous glint in his eye from where I'm sitting, and I know this boy is dangerous. Iry has to hide, and hide well.
"She's going to be okay. She's going to win," I whisper to Shuttle.
"Iry will win. Don't worry Terra. We'll bring her home," she whispers back. Elm, on my other side, glares at us a little to make us stop talking. I don't care much.
I've got to bring Iry home.
Nell Slatefield
Being a tribute from District 11 is one of the worst things you can be in the Hunger Games, because in the Parade, and the Private Sessions, and now in the interviews, you're last. Not dead last, like the District 12s, but last enough that everyone is sick and tired of watching tributes mumble their way through their interviews.
Let's face it; nobody cares about the tributes from District 10. I don't, that's for sure. We're on Byron right now, and he hasn't been able to give an intelligent answer for the past two minutes or whatever it is. I'm next. I don't think I'm nervous; I'm here to give them their show.
"Thank you, Byron!" Marcus says, letting the skinny guy come back to his place beside me. "Now, I know we've all been waiting for her! The girl who got a 10 in Training- Nell Slatefield!"
This is me; I stand up and move past the long row of tributes, jumping over the Careers' feet as they try to trip me up. Bunch of morons.
"Hello Nell! How are you tonight?"
"I'd be better if they would stop trying to trip me," I say, pointing over my shoulder at the idiots sitting there.
"Well that's not very nice, is it?" Marcus says, sitting down opposite me.
"It's really not. They're probably just all jealous, that's all," I say, settling into the plush seat that's mine for the next three minutes.
"And what are they jealous of, do you think?"
I laugh. "What are they not jealous of, do you mean?" I'm running my mouth and I can see Seeder rubbing her forehead in the victors' section of the audience.
"Nell, it's wonderful to have you here tonight. You prefer Nell, don't you?"
"Eleanor is such a mouthful; Nell's suited me just fine ever since I was a kid," I say.
"I don't think any of us were surprised you got a high score, but the second highest for this year? How does that feel?"
"I think it feels just right. District 11's going to have a victor this year, and it's only right I have a good score for that, don't you think?"
"You've been creating quite a stir here in the Capitol, ever since your reaping. Your unofficial nickname is 'The Firecracker," you know."
"Good. I'm here to give you a show and make this a year you'll never forget," I say, smiling. "Everyone's going to remember my name, Marcus."
"I certainly agree with you. Why are you so driven to perform, though?"
I shrug. "I've always loved an audience, Marcus, what can I say? And now I've been given one, which is excellent."
"You gained quite an audience when you had a conversation with the President!" Marcus says. "I think that was a first."
"I think so too."
"Why'd you do it?"
"Talk to the President?" I shrug again. "Why not? He was there and he looked a good conversationalist. Good to talk to, you know?"
"It took a lot of courage to do that," Marcus says.
"Not really. It was fun." I don't tell him how nervous I was to do it, or about my shaking knees as I was talking to President Snow. I'm unstoppable Nell; they don't need to hear about my nerves.
"Let's talk about you at home. Who's waiting for you back in District 11?"
"My Auntie, Uncle, and cousin Rosa." I can't help but run my fingers over the smooth fabric of my dress. The gold flecks keep catching the light, and I love it.
"What about your parents?"
"They've been dead my whole life," I say. "I don't mind; I have a good family anyway."
"I'm sorry about your parents, but it looks like your aunt and uncle raised you well."
I grin. "I didn't make it easy for them. When I'm not working or helping my auntie, you'll usually find me up in a tree somewhere. I like being up high, but it drives my auntie crazy."
"You will be careful in the arena, won't you?" Marcus asks.
"Of course I will. I'm coming back here to sing you a song when I win."
"I'll be looking forward to that for sure, Nell. One last thing before the buzzer sounds: How ready are you to go into the arena tomorrow?"
I stop fiddling with my skirt and look Marcus dead in the eyes. "I'm readier than you think. I can do this. I'll win."
"And we'll be waiting for you here when you do." The buzzer sounds and Marcus helps me up. That was my interview, but it's not enough. This is my last chance to address the audience; last time on camera without somebody trying to kill me.
"And don't forget to sponsor me!" I shout into the crowd, getting some laughter. After blowing a kiss, I make my way back to my seat between Byron and Lotem. "Don't you dare trip me," I hiss at Agrippina.
"You're dead as soon as that gong sounds," she hisses back. I smile sweetly at her, then take my seat; Lotem looks at me out of the corner of his eye, unsure what to make of me. Good.
"Lotem Raanan!" Lotem stands up and walks down towards Marcus; I notice that the Careers don't trip him up on the way, though.
He plays up the 'passionate about volunteering' bit really well, actually; you'd never even think it was an act. Lotem's dull to me, though, so I barely listen to him, instead choosing to look out into space and think.
"Yeah, I promised my sisters I'd come home, and I will. I'll get them that big house they've always dreamed of, and life will be good, Marcus," Lotem says, right before the buzzer sounds.
"Good luck to you!" Marcus says, sending my district partner back to me. Finally, it's the last district and then we can all go home. My feet are twitchy from sitting still for so long. I just want to go.
But first there's the black-haired girl from 12, dressed in a short black dress with heavy eyeliner. Thank goodness I didn't get her stylist.
"Celosia, what a pretty name!" Marcus says.
"My mother said that she couldn't give me much in life, but she could give me a fancy name," Celosia says. "I'd prefer food and a proper house, but that's just me."
"How do you feel about entering the arena tomorrow?"
"I'm going to surprise you," is all she says. "I'm going to really surprise you."
"I'm looking forward to that!" Marcus says. "I do love surprises."
Celosia sits back in her chair and smirks, her arms crossed. "Good."
Celosia got an 8 in Training, which means she's no pushover. I'm tempted to ask Trestle if we can let her into our alliance, but he'd never go for that. It's going to be him and me in the arena, against the other twenty-two tributes. We can do it! We'll be fine. If I keep telling myself that, then I'll really believe it.
The last tribute is the silent and terrified Fissure, who says almost nothing in his interview. And then, finally! Marcus is standing up, and, on cue, we tributes stand too, waiting to hear the anthem. I hate the anthem; it's an awful tune, and I don't feel any real affection to the Capitol. They've brought me here to die, after all.
"The 41st Hunger Games begin tomorrow!" Marcus cries to the applause of the crowd. "Don't forget to turn on your televisions at 10 am sharp, so you don't miss a second! Goodnight, Panem!"
The Careers push through, shoving the rest of us to the side as they hurry towards the elevators. Their mentors follow quickly behind them, getting into the elevators before the rest of us can even get a chance to move.
"You did alright," Seeder says, appearing out of nowhere. "You didn't humiliate yourself, which is a good thing."
"I never have humiliated myself, Seeder," I say.
"Let's go up to the apartment," Lotem says, speaking up for once.
"Once it's died down a little. No sense in pushing our way through," Seeder says, looking around. "There you are, Harvest; I thought I'd lost you for a minute."
"See you tomorrow," Trestle says, winking at me as he goes by with his own mentors. I wave, but he's already gone.
"Nell," Seeder mutters in my ear.
"What?"
"I know you've allied with that boy, but I'm telling you now: don't trust him."
"Why not?" I ask, pulling away from her.
"He's trouble, I can see it in his eyes. Trouble is written across his face and he's not going to help you win."
"You don't know that!" I say.
"And you do?" Seeder raises an eyebrow at me.
"Whatever. Let's just go up." I start to walk away from my team, but they catch up to me anyway.
"It's your life, Nell," Seeder says. "If you want to throw it away, that's up to you."
"Let's go!" I say. Seeder goes quiet; after muscling our way through the mob, we finally manage to get into the elevator. It's a quiet and uncomfortable ride up.
When the doors open, I start out for my room right away. "Nell, wait."
"What?"
"I'd like to say goodbye," Seeder says. It's awkward, how we're all standing around in the area around the elevator, nobody knowing quite what to do. I'm confused, to be honest.
"Don't we say goodbye tomorrow?" I ask. This is the last night, don't we say goodbye to our team in the morning?
"Your stylists will be going with you to the Launch Room tomorrow. Mentors and escorts stay behind." Seeder looks really young all of a sudden. How many times has she had to say goodbye to the tributes who came before me? And almost none of them came back. What if I never see Seeder again?
"Then we say goodbye now," I say. Then I surprise everyone by launching myself into Seeder's arms. She hesitates briefly, then hugs me back.
"There, there Nell. You'll do just fine," she says.
"I know." I pull back and meet my mentor eye to eye.
"You're the gem I've been waiting for," Seeder says, patting my hair. "Go out there and give them hell."
"That's the plan," I say, grinning. Lotem's shaking Harvest's hand. The mentor stays quiet and stoic throughout their goodbye. Taizy grabs hold of Lotem next, hugging him tightly.
"Good luck!" she chirps at him, then turns to me. I don't want to hug her, but I do anyway, pulling back as soon as I can from her whiskers. I really don't like Taizy.
"Thanks for everything," I tell Harvest. I don't know him very well, but he nods his head at me.
"Good luck," he tells me.
"Thanks."
"You two both need your sleep. It's going to be an early and long day tomorrow," Seeder says. Lotem and I look at each other; this is one of the last moments we're going to have where we're not enemies trying to kill each other.
"Goodnight then," he says, turning and leaving like a good boy would do. I linger, watching him go. Harvest leaves then too, and Taizy. Leaving just Seeder and me behind.
"I can do it, can't I?" I say, looking at my mentor.
"You've got the spunk to do it," Seeder says. "I don't see why not."
"I'm going to be fine. Just- just don't forget about me in there, okay?" I say, panic starting to rise in my chest a little.
Seeder grabs my shoulders. "Trust nobody, Nell, except yourself. You're the only one who matters in the arena. Keep yourself safe, and I'll help keep you alive. Got it? And stay away from the Cornucopia."
"I've got it."
Seeder smiles. "Then you'll do just fine. You've been one of my most memorable tributes, Nell. You'll go far, I have no doubt."
"I'll see you when I win," I tell her, starting to back away towards my bedroom.
"I'll see you then," she says. I turn and walk towards my room; I need to take a shower and wash all this makeup off of me. And get my curly hair back. I wish I could keep the dress; maybe Opal will let me have it when I win.
Right before I open my door, I look back. Seeder's still standing there, watching me go. She gives a little nod. Then I enter my room and shut my door.