Interviews

Tatiana Emery, 15, District 2

I stand behind Henry, trying to stay balanced in my high heels. I flatten my dress down, a flowy reddish violet thing with a halter top. My stylist plastered some little purple gems at the bottom as a last minute addition, something to match the purple heels they put me in.

As Jade wraps up her interview, which she seemingly killed, they call Henry out to replace her and I'm suddenly at the front of the line, staring out onto the stage. From where I'm standing, I can only see a small portion of the audience, but that small portion tells me all I need to know about the size of the crowd.

Somehow, Henry's three minutes goes by quicker than Jade's and they're calling my name.

"You got this." Franz says before I take the stage. The lights blind me and for a moment, I believe I'm going to lose my balance. Fortunately, our interviewer, Marisol, takes my hand and guides me to my seat, keeping me stable just when I need it.

"Tatiana, welcome! Welcome to the Capitol!" She says as the audience starts to quiet out. She flips her curled bright blue hair over her shoulder and looks at me. I blink at her a few times, my response coming out before I can think twice.

"Well, I've been here for about a week, so…" Marisol doesn't miss a beat before she laughs. The audience follows and I join in, using it to release some of my built up nerves.

"Not only is she talented and gorgeous, she's got a great sense of humor, right? Well Tatiana, now that you've been here for a full week, what do you think?"

"Of the Capitol? It's fine. It's not much different than I thought it would be." I look out into the audience, most of them locked onto every word that comes out of my mouth. That's when the realization hits me. This is my opportunity.

"I hope that's a pleasant surprise for you!" She gestures to the audience, who applaud in agreement. I shrug, and the audience goes quiet again.

"I mean, are we totally sure this is part of the Capital? We're close enough to District Two…where do the districts stop and the Capital start?" I direct this question to the audience. Marisol stutters for a second, trying to find the right words to say.

"Huh, well, that's an interesting thought! Tell us more about District Two. Maybe a little bit about your family?" Her voice breaks slightly at the end. I exhale. I've got this.

"What do you consider family?" I ask. Marisol is taken aback.

"Oh, well, that's an interesting question dear, but you're supposed to be the one answering questions. These minutes are about you, after all!" Marisol tries to redirect. I bounce back.

"Well, maybe, I'm tired of answering the Capitol. Maybe I should be the one speaking, instead of being spoken to?" Nothing. The room is dead.

"But, I will answer your question. My parents are great, they're almost like my best friends. I don't have any siblings, but, I have a few close friends. The group of us…I feel more connected to than anyone else."

"That's amazing to hear. And, did they say anything to you before you volunteered?" Marisol's confidence seems to skyrocket after my derailing.

"Not really. They know I'll win. They know I'll come home. Because I will." The applause from the audience drones out the timer ringing. Marisol takes my hand and we both stand.

"Thank you Tatiana, and best of luck to you out there!" I may be imagining it, but I can almost see a relief fall on Marisol's face.

Beckett Amory 13, District 3

The lights glare in my face, yellow, orange, purple. They dazzle my senses. The shouts and chatter from the audience dulls my hearing, so much so that they appear like indistinguishable mumbles in the background, echoing through my head. The reality is beginning to settle in now, I am days away from having to fight for my life and just repeating bee facts out loud is no longer sufficient to distract me. So, I can feel panic steadily creeping into my heart and slowly crushing it. I cannot let it get to me before the interview. There is however something keeping it in check or actually… someone. Conrad. He puts me in mind of an older sibling who would look out for his younger one and, always be there for them. Maybe he has one back in District 6? Maybe that's why? I know it sounds ridiculous because we only just met but I've never had a brother and I need to find something to put a positive spin on this dreadful situation. At the moment there isn't much else that I can think of. Even if, it's probably all in my head.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the gong ringing and my name being called.

"Please welcome… Beckett Amory!"

Thinking of my home, my apiary, I wanna be there but I'm not… I'm here. I feel my legs jolt themselves forward because they have to. They don't have a choice. Then I'm trotting into the stage with cheers from the audience. I put my friendly smile on and try to wave invitingly. I don't know why. These people are here to enjoy watching me die but it would be in my best interest to get them to like me I suppose.

Of course, the first thing she does is hit me with the bee question. That's all anyone knows me for, since the parade, but it doesn't help that my interview outfit is a black and yellow striped suit.

"So, I think we'd all like the answer to this… what is it with bees?" Her eyes playfully take in my yellow and black bee suit.

For the first time in my life, I have been asked about bees and I don't know what to say. The thoughts of them are just reminding me of home, of my family. It barely brings me comfort anymore, only gloom. My family.

I clear my throat.

"Oh uh… my family owns one of the only apiaries in District 3," I manage to say.

My eyes turn to the audience. Their enthusiasm seems to be dying down, I feel like I've been sold as this chirpy, upbeat, bee boy and now that I'm feeling low on my interview, they must think they've been cheated or something. Come on Beckett you can do this!

"But funnily enough, my mom hates bees. She's scared of them," I laugh.

The host and the audience laugh on cue. The mood is lifted. There you go, you did it! I can't win by brute force or my skills, so sponsors from the viewers could be one of my best bets.

"Many of us like to get a little insight into training. Can you give us anything?"

My brain ponders for a few moments about my answer. What was the standout of training? There is only one answer to that. One person that's made me remember what happiness feels like.

"I… I uh… made some allies during training…"

"With whom?"

"The boys from six and seven… Conrad and Elijah," I answer plainly.

The host turns her excited gaze to the audience once again.

"And of course, we will be meeting both of them shortly," she tells them.

Taliesin Ulysses 18, District 4

Marissa's interview is almost a wrap, soon it will be my turn. Soon it will be me and they will all see the side of me that they've never seen before. After tonight nobody will even remember the other interviews, no one else will have any thunder left after I've stolen it all. The one thing I need to top it all off which I haven't quite figured is my new alias. I will need something that people will remember me by so I'm not just some average, forgotten career victor. Something that will grab people's attention.

So, I'm pacing in circles slowly, pondering with my hand on my chin about what to call myself. It has to be something blood that's for sure. Blood just grabs people's attention, just the word maybe not as much as actually seeing it, but they won't have to wait long for that…

Professor-Blood? No that's too campy. Maybe something water based since I'm from District four? Ah ha got it! Perfect!

Marissa now takes her strides off the stage

"And please welcome our District 4 male… Taliesin Ulysses!"

With a deep breath I begin tap dancing my way onto the stage while flapping my flashing red cape behind me which contrast with my deep black suit. The crowd erupts in a roaring applause at my display, which causes a thrilling feeling of ecstasy shoot through my whole body. A grin stretches across my entire face at the audience. I rapidly shake the hosts hand and then give the audience one more wave.

"Out of the shadows… and into the light," I announce to the whole world as I take a seat. It is to the whole world, as well as myself. To my past self, at who I've become and what I've overcome.

The host looks around, playfully perplexed it seems.

"That was awfully dramatic," she chuckles.

"Dramatic is my middle name," I wink to the audience.

Some of the audience members cheer and whistle again but the host breaks off her laugh and suddenly her eyes become more serious.

"But listen, I believe you have a little story to tell from back home relating to the infamous serial killer Corsair Black?"

My guts almost throw up inside from this question but I restrain myself from appearing irritated, I refuse to let it somber my mood for the night.

"Yes, it was an unfortunate set of circumstances but… I'm not here to talk about him… I'm here to talk about me… I'm much more interesting… believe me."

"There is something much more important I want to discuss," I say with a mischievous undertone.

"Oh yes?"

"From now on I am to be referred to by my career, hunger games alias… Bloodtide!" I announce.

This new revelation is met with a shocked silence from everyone. Exactly the reaction I wanted. They want a theater, a show. That's exactly what I'm going to give them.

"Was that your nickname from back home?" She asks, bemused.

"No, I just made it up this minute," I grin.

"Fair enough… we'll try to remember that…Bloodtide," the host replies, focusing back on the audience, with a slight joking sarcasm in her tone. They laugh accordingly, sitting there like little trained puppets on their seats.

Darrah Arinori, 12, District 7

As Conrad finishes up his interview, I can feel my nerves rising. I release the tight grip I didn't realize I had on my dress and let the air dry out the sweat. My dress is certainly one of the most vibrant and eye-catching, something I hope will make me stand out to sponsors. The dress is covered in bright pink, yellow, and orange, with the skirt layered like flower petals are. The dress touches the ground, hiding the small heels my stylist managed to get me in to make me appear taller. Combined with the makeup, I look a few years older.

"Please help me welcome Darrah Arinori to the stage!" Alright. I can do this.

I walk out and to my surprise, there's a mild round of applause. I didn't expect much excitement for the small girl from Seven.

"Welcome, welcome Darrah!" Marisol takes my hand and kisses it. I smile at her and give a little curtsey. After nearly falling in my heels, I plop down in the seat next to Marisol, with a smile still plastered on my face.

"You seem excited to be here!" Marisol says. I nod.

"I am, I mean, I love being surrounded by such amazing people." I make sure to look at the audience when I say that, and as I expected, the flattery generates a good amount of praise.

"It's an honor to be sitting with you, and all your colleagues. I heard you've befriended some of them, yes?" She asks.

"Yes, I'm in an alliance with El and Adelina. I know we're young and small, but together we're strong. We have every intent to persevere." I say with a dose of confidence I didn't know was in me.

"And we would never doubt it. So Darrah, tell us a little bit about home. Who's rooting for you back in District Seven." I swallow back my emotions.

"Well, both of my parents, they're rooting for me. I have a brother, his name is Delano but I call him Del. He's definitely the most important person in my life. I mean, he would do anything for me. If he was eligable…he probably would have volunteered in my spot." I hear a sympathetic 'aww' from the front row. I straighten out my back and refuse to drop my smiling face.

"That's incredible, that bond you two have. I know my brother and I aren't bonded like that!" Marisol is about to say more, but the bell cuts her off.

"Ah, unfortunately, that's all the time we have. Darrah, you go out in that arena and you kill it." She takes my hand and stands up and I stand with her. The audience applauses and I make sure to wave as I exit the stage. As soon as I'm behind the curtain, my face drops. I see El standing opposite to the line of tributes waiting for their interviews still. She smiles at me.

"You did great." She says, pulling me into a hug. Her outfit is a dark blue dress that hugs her body. Some kind of wires are expertly hidden, wrapping around her dress and illuminating her. With matching blue and bright white makeup, she's radiant.

"Thank you." I say, unconvinced. Sure, I was bubbly, I was confident, but how much does the Capitol really care about a small girl from Seven?

Ricky James, 17, District 9

I adjust my red tie as the disgusting girl from Eight finishes her interview. I'm pretty annoyed that the interviewer is female, what happened to their male interviewer?

Whatever. If it were up to me, I wouldn't waste my time with this interview. But like every other part of this process, I have no choice.

"Please help me welcome, Ricky James!" I roll my eyes, but put on a neutral face as I walk onto the stage. I keep my focus on the audience, with no interest in interacting with Marisol. I think she holds her hand out to take mine at one point, but I completely disregard it as I take a seat in my interview chair.

You're in charge here. I remind myself.

"Welcome Ricky! How are you doing? How is the Capitol treating you." I scoff.

"Me? I'd be better if I was at home." My response takes Marisol off guard. But she keeps her stupid composure.

"Well, nothing beats the feeling of your own bed, that's for sure! But I am sorry you're homesick. Has there been anything that has been a pleasant surprise while you have been here? Have you made any friends?"

"No. There's no one worth my time." I lean back in the chair and cross my arms. "I've made an alliance. That's all."

"That's wonderful! With who?" Another pathetic attempt to try to be engaging.

"Jonathan. District Ten." How much longer do I have?

"That's wonderful! Any other allies? Perhaps your district partner?" Ha! What a ridiculous idea. I tell her just that.

"Oh, I wouldn't underestimate the importance of your district partner. They're from home, after all!" The idiot tries to reason.

"There's nothing I want less than to be associated with any female tribute." I lean forward. "In fact, they should all be listening to what I'm about to say. Every female tribute behind that curtain should watch their back. Including Serenity Jasper, and those stupid Careers. Because I'm coming for you. Jonathan and I are coming for you." The bell rings halfway through my speech, but Marisol can't stop me. She has to let me finish.

"Unfortunately, that's all the time we have. Thank you, Ricky!" She doesn't even try to hide her eagerness to get rid of me. She's just like the rest of them. And once I'm done with them out in the arena, I'll come for her next.

A quicker chapter this time but the next one is right around the corner because its already written. Tatiana needs to be careful not to reveal herself, Darrah could be on her way to getting some sponsors, Taliesin gives himself a supervillain name, Beckett is having an off day and Ricky… doesn't seem too pleased. Hope u enjoy!

Povs written by Nautics: Beckett, Taliesin

Povs written by Team Shadow: Tatiana, Darrah and Ricky