Chapter 22:
Atropa Seigal, 17, District Eight
"Come on, feet boy, just talk to him already."
"Who?" Fete asks as he takes a sip of water, clearly knowing who and avoiding answering her. He lets out a heavy sigh as he avoids looking her way. "Astrid said I shouldn't."
"Does Astrid also tell you how to shower and put on clothes?" Atropa asks him, making him scoff at her. "Come on, Fete… I can tell how much you want to talk to him. Just do it."
Fete stares at her with his typical exhaustion, but also with a mix of fear. "I do but I hate the feeling he gives me because that could have been me," Fete whispers to her, making her immediately reach out and hug him.
"But it wasn't," Atropa reassures him. "Fate had other plans for you. Plans to get you back home to your cats. And also to just talk to Adam already. Hey Adam!" She calls over to the boy from Seven, who looks around in confusion at his name. When he looks over at him, Atropa waves him over and he hesitates for a moment, before heading their way.
Fete grabs her arm, leaning close to whisper to her, "I told you not to."
"Yeah well I think you need to or you're gonna keep thinking about it," Atropa answers before leaning away from Fete as Adam slows in front of them. "Hi Adam, Fete wants to talk to you."
"Hi," Adam says timidly, giving Fete a small nervous smile.
Fete looks at Atropa once more and she gives him an encouraging nod, before he turns back to Adam and sighs. "I just…" He brings up a hand to run through his hair but stops before touching the perfectly styled hair. "Wanted to say that you're braver than I would be…and I have a lot of respect for you as another trans man."
"Oh…" Adam says in surprise, his hands moving to touch his stomach in a way that Atropa has started to realize is subconscious. He starts smiling at Fete, his eyes getting a little misty as he stares up at him. "I…thank you."
"You're welcome," Fete says, giving the smallest of smiles that he can force himself to do.
"Tributes, please return to your spots in line. The interviews are about to resume."
"Well, it's show time boys, let's see what fate has in store for us," Atropa tells the two of them, getting smiles from both of them. She motions them back into the line and follows after them, taking her spot between them.
She glances back at Fete as Kora heads back out onto the stage, still finding him looking worried. "You can't help him," she whispers to him and Fete nods his head at her, even though it pains him. "Focus on us getting home to your cats."
"Right…" Fete says quietly before yawning loudly and leaning against the wall.
Kora greets the crowd as they quiet down. "Welcome back, Panem! It is time to kick off the second half of these interviews! We will be starting off with the second half of District Six with Elias Pilkvist!"
Elias slowly walks out onto the stage, doing his best to walk smoothly in his prostheses. He stares at the crowd with wide eyes, looking like how a baby animal looks when startled. He nervously fumbles with the metallic gray suit jacket he wears that matches the gray of his prostheses, lined with black trim, black buttons, and a black hankerchief in the pocket. Underneath, he wears simple black waistcoat, white button up shirt and black tie. His pants are also a traditional black, but have been cropped at his knees to show off what makes him different from the others. The crowd is cheering for him, but it's clear they are all just trying to figure out how this fumbling boy earned one of the highest scores out of the non-career Districts.
"Not a bad suit," Fete mumbles behind her as Elias takes his seat.
"Welcome, Elias," Kora says to Elias, making him stare at her long with wide eyes. "So you've earned quite the impressive score. An eight!" The crowd cheers at this and Elias starts to look overwhelmed by the noise. "Just how does an outer District tribute with two leg prostheses like you earn that high of a score?"
Elias doesn't answer for a few long seconds before he visibly starts shaking in his seat and making Kora give him a concerned look. "I…" Elias starts, searching around the crowd in close to a panic before turning back to Kora as tears well in his eyes. "I have been fighting since I was a kid. They made me."
"You've been…forced to fight?" Kora asks, voice full of concern as she looks around with wide eyes at the silent crowd and up to where the Head Gamemaker sits. But when she turns back to Elias, there's anger in her eyes. "Who forced you?"
Elias nods his head as he starts sobbing in his chair. "I-I am not supposed to tell…but I do not want to lie to you. Bu-but I…" Elias chokes out a sob, holding onto his chest as the host puts a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "N-no mo-more…protecting them. The-ey hurt me, made me lose my-"
"Who hurt you?" Kora says coldly when Elias stops to become a blubbering mess.
Elias shakes his head, looking like he wants to refuse her question. He opens and closes his mouth a few times before finally saying who. "My parents."
The crowd is in stunned silence as Kora shakes her head at this and Atropa just rolls her eyes. They cheer on fighting in the arena but as soon as it's outside of the arena, they pity the poor kid? Hypocrites.
Kora tries to get him talking again but he's sobbing too much as the buzzer sounds and the crowd doesn't seem to know how to react to him. It takes a few seconds for the crowd to applaud him and he stumbles over to his spot, wiping away his eyes and trying not to trip over the other tributes' feet as he passes them. "Well, that was Elias Pilkvist," Kora says to the crowd, her hands on her hips and looking like she doesn't quite know what to do, before deciding to keep going on with the interviews. "Next is District Seven, with Carameuse Juniper."
Carameuse just looks…off…as she walks out onto the stage, fumbling with the long skirt on her dress. The dark green velvet dress gives the thin girl an illusion of a figure, cinching at her wait with a gold beaded belt. The skirt itself flows around her with gold and green beaded patterns of some bunch of flowers hanging from it, hanging down from her waist. Her dark brown hair has been curled and flows down her back, with a single braid forming a crown on her head. The crowd is a mix of silence and cheers, some not knowing how this girl has earned a twelve and others just being excited to see that very rare score. Carameuse tries to smile at them as she takes her seat, but it comes off as more of a grimace.
"I wouldn't have chosen green," Fete says with a 'hmph' and Atropa doesn't need to look back to know he is crossing his arms at the stylist's choice. "If she was blonde, maybe."
Kora gives a forced smile at Carameuse as she sits down, also giving an equally forced smile at the girl. "So, Carameuse, what food in the Capitol do you find the weirdest so far?"
Carameuse looks confused at this and looks around at the crowd and the cameras on her. She nervously picks at her dress as she answers the host. "Well…I guess the…caviar? It was salty and had a weird texture."
"And what about your favorite meal here in the Capitol?" Kora asks as soon as Carameuse is done talking, not giving her time to say anything else.
Carameuse just keeps smiling pleasantly at Kora, but she still looks around at the crowd and cameras. "Um… The spaghetti and meatballs is really good."
"Very good choice, unless you're wearing white," Kora remarks, making the crowd laugh at her. "What's your favorite time of the year?"
"Oh, um…" Carameuse thinks for a few seconds before looking at the cameras once more. "I really like spring time in the morning when you see the frost on the plains. I-it makes the world look pretty."
"I see," Kora says before jumping into another seemingly meaningless question, letting Carameuse give a short answer before jumping into the next for the remainder of the interview. This goes on until the buzzer sounds and Kora visibly is relieved by it. "Carameuse Juniper," she says quickly as the crowd gives mild applause to her as she heads to her seat.
"We need to stay far away from her," Atropa whispers to Fete as the interview ends, turning back to see him nod at her. She knew from the score but with the way Kora acted…Carameuse has clearly done something to anger the Capitol, and Atropa is not getting herself and Fete caught in the crossfire.
"Next is Carameuse's District partner," Kora says, hesitating to bring out the next tribute. "Adam Vignola."
Atropa glances back at Fete to see his reaction to Adam walking out on the stage, but he keeps his face blank as he stares up at the screens. But she knows him well enough to see the pain in his eyes, so she reaches out and grabs his hand as they watch the very pregnant Adam walk out onto the stage. He keeps one hand protectively on his stomach as he tries to smile at the crowd, but he's clearly fearful over what is going to happen soon with the Games. The crowd is a mixed bag as they react to Adam, which is expected. It's not very often that there's a pregnant tribute in the Games, let alone someone this pregnant.
"I'm glad they gave him a good outfit," Fete mumbles next to her and Atropa nods her head in agreement. It must have taken a lot of work, but they did it. They altered the dark gray suit he wears so the pants and white button up shirt fit around the large baby bump. The jacket doesn't look like it will button up, but that might have been a choice from the stylist to keep the baby fully visible. Not that it's hard to miss someone eight months pregnant.
"Hello, Adam, how are you doing?" Kora asks him gently as he squirms in his seat, trying to get comfortable.
"I…I'm doing alright…" Adam says with a heavy sigh as he rubs his belly. "As alright as anyone could be in my situation," he says and looks down at his stomach, tears welling in his eyes before he looks back up at the host. "I just want to keep him safe."
"Him?" Kora asks and Adam nods his head, looking proud of his baby. "Do you know it's a boy for sure?"
"No," Adam answers as he shakes his head. "I just feel it. But who knows, he might grow up and be trans like me. Either way, I'm going to love this baby with all my heart."
Kora smiles at him, but her smile is strained. "Do you have a name picked out for the baby then?"
"I do," Adam smiles as he nods at Kora. "Baby Cain."
"But what will you do if it's a girl?" Kora jokingly asks him and he chuckles as he shrugs his shoulders. "Do you have a different name picked out?"
"Not really, so I guess I'm just going to keep hoping I'm right," Adam responds before his eyes start watering once more. "Assuming I get to see them someday…"
The crowd is silent at that, no one wanting to acknowledge the repercussions of Adam going into the arena right now. Luckily, the buzzer goes off before anyone can start reacting poorly to Adam and his nearly full term pregnancy. "Adam Vignola, everyone." The crowd applauds him as he slowly walks to his seat, holding his stomach protectively as he walks past the careers.
Atropa turns back to Fete, knowing it's her time. "Alright, remember Fete, we're trying to make these people like us," Atropa says as she gives him a pat on the shoulder as Kora announces her name. "And no talking shit about my outfit."
Fete scoffs at this and mumbles something under his breath that Atropa doesn't catch as she walks out onto the stage, adjusting her vibrant blue pantsuit as she goes out. She's excited to be in something different from all the other girls and not a frilly gown. But couldn't the stylist have given her a shirt to wear under this jacket? She had almost begged Fete to give her his shirt, but knew he would never take off part of an outfit he had a say in, not even for his best friend. But Atropa puts her best refined smile on, never letting the Capitol know as she waves to the crowd that she's even remotely unhappy about any part of her outfit. After all, they're going to see the fakest part of her so she can get sponsors for her and Fete.
"Alright, Atropa, let's get started," Kora tells her.
Atropa smiles back at the host, a totally fake smile as she's ready to win them over so they sponsor her and Fete. "Of course."
"So you're obviously from District Eight, which has had the fortune of having our most recent victor," Kora starts, pausing to let the crowd cheer in excitement over Clark. "But if you had the freedom to travel to any other District, where would you want to go and why?"
"Well, I'd pick the Capitol first, of course," Atropa says pleasantly, not below flattery to make sure the Gamemakers like her. "After that, I would pick District Three for their university. I think the new programs are fantastic and I would love the chance to study philosophy and fate."
"Well you never know," Kora tells her, "If you win, you can apply for the summer program and study there. Or you could go to university in Eight."
"I could attend classes with Clark," Atropa says, giving a fake laugh at this as she knows the crowd will love hearing about their precious victor. "Well, I feel positive about fate working in my advantage."
"You've mentioned fate a couple times now," Kora points out to her.
"I have," Atropa says, nodding her head and continuing to smile pleasantly at the host. "I've been interested in the concept of fate for many years now. How much do we have a say in things and how much is just up to fate? We can never know and it fascinates me."
"Well I think you can have quite a say towards winning the Games," Kora teases and Atropa forces herself to laugh with the host. "So who are you trying to win for?"
"Well, my family, of course," Atropa tells the host. "I have two younger sisters that I absolutely love. Twins," Atropa smiles at this, even if it's not completely true. She loves them, but not enough to win for them. "After that, well, I'm winning for Fete. He's my best friend and I'll make sure that one of us is the victor this year. Someone needs to get back home to take care of his cats, after all," Atropa jokes, making the crowd laugh with her a bit.
"Fete did threaten District Eight to care for them," Kora adds, laughing a bit at this.
"He wasn't kidding," Atropa says, hoping it will not only make sure the cats are cared for in their absence, but also maybe intimidate the other tributes a bit.
Before Kora can ask her anything else, the buzzer goes off and the crowd applauds her. "Atropa Seigal, everyone!" Kora says and Atropa smiles pleasantly at the crowd as she moves towards her seat, happy with how her interview went. Even if she wasn't, there is no reason for her to stress about it.
It's up to fate now.
"Now how about we hear from Atropa's friend and District partner, Fete Bayard!"
Atropa cheers for Fete from her spot on the stage, not giving two damns if anyone around her gives her looks for it. Fete looks so clearly fake as he walks onto the stage, his customer service grin on his face and just looking overall very positive and happy to be there. Atropa leans back in her chair, knowing Fete will do just fine at this interview. She feels proud of her friend as he heads in front of the Capitol in an outfit he had a hand in designing. This is what he loves. He just looks so…neat and not himself, with his hair actually styled perfectly swept to his right, and his all black ensemble. Black dress shirt tucked into black pants; black oxfords; black jacket buttoned in the middle and cut with a diagonal coattail, starting at his right hip at normal height and dropping to his left knee. And topped with a black belt with a gold buckle and chain leading to his pocket. Compared to the previous outfits, he stands out from the simplicity of the colors and lack of overcomplicated designs.
That's her feet boy.
"Hello, Kora," Fete says cheerfully as he takes his seat, his fakest smile on as he shakes the host's hand. Atropa shakes her head a little at him, but she's proud of him. He needs to be fake to win them over. "Lovely outfit, but I think I could have designed something better."
The crowd laughs at this along with Kora, who thankfully isn't offended by Fete's comment. "Yes, I've heard that you are a designer and that you even had a hand in designing your own outfit for tonight. How did that happen?"
"Well I just told the stylist my ideas, that's how this happened," Fete says as he gestures to his outfit, and Atropa snickers at his sass. "But if you're referring to designing in general, I've been doing this for several years and I run a wedding planning business that was my mother's."
"You do that all on your own?" Kora asks in disbelief and Atropa watches Fete, expecting a typical deadpan response from him.
But he keeps it together and in his public persona. "Well there's other employees, of course. But yes, I run it. Very successfully, I might add."
"Very impressive!" Kora says and the crowd agrees with this. "So safe to say that is what you'll do if you win?"
"Of course," Fete says, giving Kora a fake laugh. "And while I typically only design wedding dresses, I think I could make an exception to design your interview dress for next year."
"We'll have to see about that!" Kora laughs before quieting down. "So you and Atropa know each other from before the Reaping," Kora says and Fete nods his head. "How did you two meet?"
"We met as little kids," Fete tells her and Atropa finds herself nodding her head. "Her parents manufacture expensive fabrics and my mother would occasionally take me with her when she went to buy some for dresses. We've been best friends since then and…I'd do anything to get her out of this arena alive."
The buzzer goes off a few seconds after that statement and Atropa is one of the first one to applaud Fete. He gives them his fakest smile as he stands up and Kora sends him off, "Fete Bayard!"
Fete heads to his seat next to Atropa and she pats him on the shoulder. "Good job being fake."
Fete lets out a 'hmph' at this, settling into his spot and looking like he wants to fall asleep now that his interview is over.
"And now we are off to District Nine!" Kora tells the crowd. "First up is Sky Odum!"
Sky storms out onto the stage, sending daggers with her eyes at the crowd cheering loudly for the small angry girl. The girl looks even more miserable than normal in the ridiculous dress that they've put her in. A short, light pink gown covered in sequins on the top, with a high neckline and sleeves to her elbows, appropriate for a girl that young. But Sky has left a trail of feathers behind her from picking at the feathers that cover her skirt and ends of her sleeves. She ignores Kora's offer of her hand and just takes her seat, crossing her arms and glaring at the host.
"I would have murdered any client that pulled out feathers like that," Fete whispers to her and Atropa covers her mouth to hide her snicker.
"Alright, Sky," Kora starts, leaning back in her chair away from the small angry girl across from her. "We've all been wanting to know more about why exactly you volunteered."
"Oh I'm glad you asked," Sky says, clenching her fists in her lap as she glares at the host. "I volunteered because of stupid Marek."
"Marek?" Kora asks her and Atropa starts to wonder if Sky might punch the host. "I just want to make sure we're talking about the same Marek… This is Marek Hall that was part of last year's Games?"
"Yes, that Marek," Sky says, exasperated with the host. "Do you know any other fucking Marek's? No. And consider yourself lucky that you never had to know him personally because he-" Sky cuts herself off as her anger keeps building in her and she shakes her head, "He-he is a lying, terrible person who abandoned me!"
"Well he did try in the-"
"No!" Sky screams, cutting Kora off and making the host stare at her with wide eyes. "He didn't try! He threw his life away for someone he barely knew! He promised me he would get home but he didn't. And he didn't just die…he abandoned me. He had his parents adopt someone else instead of his best friend. His. Best. Friend."
The entire space is dead silent as Sky takes a few deep angry breaths, and Atropa never would have imagined this many people could be so quiet. Sky looks as if she's trying to calm the rage in her, but loses that battle and she starts yelling, jumping out of her seat, "I was just nothing to him! He was my world, but I was just another person to preoccupy his time and laugh at his shitty magic tricks!"
Sky is stopped by Peacekeepers approaching her and they grab her arms, leading her off of the stage. But she still keeps screaming, making sure everyone knows her hatred for Marek Hall. "I'm gonna kill those bastards that killed him! And then I'm going to win so I can give a big middle finger to him! Marek, I hope you're rotting in-"
Sky is brought backstage, bringing her screaming rage to an end. Kora takes a deep breath and smooths out her dress, clearly frazzled by that interview, but doing her best to keep it together. "Okay how about we bring out Sky's District partner, Eliot Eidner?" Kora asks the crowd, trying to get them back on track after Sky's interview.
Eliot is the complete opposite of his District partner as he walks out on the stage, a bundle of energy. He grins out at the crowd and waves at them, clearly cranky up the cute kid act, and Kora is clearly falling for it. But his suit is…kind of atrocious, yet he doesn't seem at all bothered by it. The majority of the suit is black, except for bright, obnoxious accents on the collar, pockets, and ends of his sleeves in bright green. They gave the poor kid a white shirt and matching green bowtie that he fidgets with as he sits down across from Kora, ready for his interview.
"Terrible color choice," Fete mutters and gets a snicker from Atropa.
"Hiya Kora!" Eliot says cheerfully to the host and she smiles over at him.
"Hello, Eliot," Kora answers before jumping into the questions. "So, I heard that you have two allies."
"I sure do!" Eliot says, grinning as he turns to look over at the tributes sitting on the stage so he can wave at Davy. The older boy hesitantly returns his wave and smile, and Eliot immediately turns back to Kora. "Davy and Jessamine are great!"
"What do you like the best about your allies?" Kora asks him, leaning back in her chair and clearly ready to just let him lead the interview.
"Oh that's tough," Eliot says as he looks up, tapping his chin as he thinks about his response. "Well Davy is just really cool and smart and just really cool to hang out with. And Jessamine is also really cool and has a fun sense of humor!"
"And how did your alliance form?" Kora asks him.
"Well I talked to Davy first," Eliot tells her. "And then we talked to Jessamine and got her to join!"
"Now one of your allies has an advantage in this Quell. How do you think that will affect your alliance's odds?"
Eliot considers this for a moment before answering. "I think we're going to do pretty well. We all get along and work well together. And Jessamine has been teaching us how to sign some basic things so I think if we lose our hearing, we're going to do just fine."
"Perhaps," Kora says before the buzzer goes off. "Well, Eliot Eidner, everyone," Kora says to the crowd and they give him some applause has he heads over to his seat. "We only have two more Districts to go! Next is District Ten with Genesis Barrett!"
Genesis is calm as she walks out onto the stage, but has a similar panic in her eyes that her ally Elias had when he went out in front of the cheering crowd. Atropa gets it, the noise is a lot, but these people need to pull it together for just a few minutes. But at least Genesis has gotten a nice gown, a crème colored satin floor length gown with the upper part on her chest and sleeves sheer fabric. The entire gown is scattered with silver beaded flowers with some gold vine accents, just enough to add to it without making it look busy. Her blonde hair has been curled around her face with two braids at the sides that combine in a little bun pulling hair out of her face.
"Not bad," Fete says and that's as much of a confirmation as he'll ever give that a gown in nice.
Genesis gives a polite smile to Kora as she sits down, but her eyes tell a different story. "Welcome, Genesis," Kora starts, smiling gently at the girl and picking up on her nervousness as the crowd dies down. "We'll start easy. How about you tell us about a time you made someone smile?"
Genesis still is nervous about this question as she folds her hands in her lap, not making eye contact with Kora for more than a couple seconds at a time. "Well…" Genesis starts, clearly trying to think of something but her brain is struggling to think straight with the crowd staring at her. "In training I helped Elias achieve something he was working on for a long time, and that made him smile."
"That's good!" Kora reassures Genesis and the crowd agrees with her, but this makes Genesis grow more nervous. "Are you two allies?" Kora asks and Genesis slowly nods her head. "Did you know about what he said?"
"No… I just saw that he could fight, but didn't know where exactly he learned that," Genesis tells her, looking back at Elias sitting on the stage and watching her with big scared eyes. She gives him a gentle smile before turning back to the host. "His past doesn't define him…he's very nice and I'm happy to have him as my ally."
"Yes, it's good to have a strong ally," Kora agrees with Genesis. "But you didn't do too bad yourself! A six in training!" The crowd cheers at this and Genesis starts flushing in embarrassment at the attention. "It seems like your alliance will be one to watch in the arena."
"I suppose," Genesis says slowly, staying polite and calm. "Assuming their sight isn't taken away and they physically can't watch us."
The crowd laughs at this, surprising Genesis and making her look uncomfortable, as she clearly hadn't meant her comment as a joke. But the buzzer saves her from having to talk anymore to Kora and she visibly looks relieved as she stands up. "Genesis Barrett!" Genesis quickly walks to her seat, keeping her head down and avoiding looking at the other tributes as she walks past them. "Now let's hear from the other half of District Ten's pair, Fox Durham!"
Fox does his best to smile as he walks out onto the stage, but the man isn't fooling anyone. Somehow, his stylist has made burnt orange work as a suit color, but only keeping the color to his jacket and giving him light tan pants to wear. Underneath he wears a white and burnt orange checkered shirt with a darker orange tie, and shoes in a similar color. Fox does his best to wave at the crowd, looking nervous until he finds a camera and waves at it specifically. "Hi Maddox!"
"Interesting choice," Fete says, but really that means he doesn't approve.
"Okay," Kora says, getting the crowd to quiet down as she looks at Fox curiously. "I'm curious: who is Maddox?"
Fox immediately starts grinning at the name. "Maddox is my son," he tells her, absolutely beaming with pride. "I'm hoping he's awake and seeing his daddy look all nice up here on this stage. It's past his bedtime, but just in case he's awake, I wanted to say hi to him… He's the best part of my life. Well, second to Paloma, of course. I love you, babe!" Fox tells the cameras, getting 'aww's' from the crowd. He turns back to Kora, still smiling but a bit of sadness has filled his features. "I miss them so much."
"Well you just need to get back to them!" Kora tells him, but Fox grimaces slightly at this. She quickly changes the topic to prevent him from staying upset. "So what would you say is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?"
"Become a dad," Fox answers right away with a laugh, and the crowd joins in. "Nothing could have prepared me for that, not even growing up in a big family."
"Do you like having a large family?" Kora asks him and he nods his head without any hesitation. "What's the best part about having a large family?"
"There's always someone around," Fox answers, laughing a little to himself. "There's never a dull moment when there are ten of you and also a bunch of kids since you're the second youngest and all your older siblings have their own families."
"Wow," Kora says, clearly not knowing how to handle that many people. "I don't think I could do that. But then again, I am an only child so who knows!" The crowd laughs at this, but even though Kora said the joke, there is a hint of sadness in her eyes. She quickly lets this fade away as she focuses back on Fox. "So do you want a large family yourself?"
Fox nods his head, grinning even more at her. "Yes… Paloma is actually pregnant right now and I can't wait to have another pair of tiny feet running around the house." His smile suddenly falters and he starts stuttering, "That is – of course, if I…"
Kora pats his arm, trying to comfort him, "You have a very good reason to fight and get back home. I think you can do it!"
Fox nods his head, but from the tears forming in his eyes, he doesn't seem too sure about this. "I sure hope so…" he says quietly before the buzzer goes off. He blinks his tears back before putting his smile back on.
"Fox Durham, everyone!" Kora says to the crowd and the boy gets cheers from them as he takes his seat with the others. "And we have finally made it to District Eleven! We've heard from her two allies. Now lets talk to Jessamine Briggs!"
The last girl heads out onto the stage, unable to hear the crowd applauding for her. But she isn't alone and a man wearing an all black ensemble walks behind her, clearly trying not to draw attention away from her as her interpreter. Jessamine has been given a light blue gown to wear with accents of black at the neckline going straight across her chest to her long sleeves and at her waist, along with seemingly random fine black thread sewn throughout. The dress itself goes to mid-thigh, but attached to the waist in the back is a long piece of fabric trailing behind her. She looks optimistic – not as much as her ally did – as she takes her seat across from Kora and her interpreter goes to stand off to the side of the host so Jessamine can look at both of them.
"Cute and appropriate for her," Fete tells Atropa.
"Hello, Jessamine," Kora says and Jessamine waves and grins in return. Kora looks back at the translator and gets a thumbs up from them, before turning back to Jessamine and putting her full focus on her as if this was any of the other interviews tonight. "Let's get to know you a bit! Obviously we are getting a hand today from our interpreter, Jeffree. Do you personally prefer communicating through sign or writing in a notebook?"
Jessamine signs her response and Jeffree tells the crowd, "I like signing, but not very many people know how to sign so I don't use it as often."
"But Eliot said you were teaching your allies some signs," Kora says.
Jesssamine nods her head as she responds. "Yep, some basic things so we can be prepared if they lose their hearing!"
"I'd say that puts you at quite the advantage in this Quell," Kora answers, pausing to shrug a little. "However, it could put you at a huge disadvantage based on the sense that you lose. How do you feel about that?"
Jessamine mulls this over for a few seconds, before smiling as she responds, "I don't think I'll lose sight. I'm hopeful that the Gamemakers will be nice to me!"
"I guess we'll find out soon!" Kora answers her. "Now we know from Eliot that you are in an alliance with him and Davy. What do you think about your allies?"
"I…" Jessamine pauses in her signing to smile as she thinks about her allies. "I'm really glad they asked me to join them. I know we're going to make it far together."
The buzzer goes off and the crowd starts applauding, and Jessamine looks to her interpreter. "Thank you, Jessamine Briggs," Kora says as Jessamine grins again before heading towards her seat. "Now thank you all for your patience. We have made it to the end of our interviews so please give your full attention to Arthur Bramble!"
Arthur looks like he doesn't want to be there as he heads onto the stage, the final interview of the night. He quickly heads to his seat, not acknowledging the crowd applauding his appearance. He's been put in a dark green suit – a similar color to Carameuse's dress – with a white button up shirt and brownish green waist coat. It's topped off with a dark green bowtie and brown dress shoes. But Arthur seems uncomfortable in the suit as he sits down next to Kora, politely shaking the hosts hand.
"Eh, could be worse," Fete comments and Atropa knows he's talking about Eliot.
"Alright, Arthur, you have a very important job," Kora tells him as he adjusts his suit and he raises an eyebrow curiously. "You have to make sure we end the interviews with a bang!"
"I'll try my best," Arthur responds politely, but it's clear he isn't going to be doing that.
"So how about you tell us about what you do back in District Eleven?" Kora asks him and he nods his head, at least looking comfortable with the question.
"I help run a search and rescue team and when we don't have any emergencies, I run a survival shop," Arthur tells her, looking a bit proud of what he does. "It was my father's team and shop first but…" Arthur pauses, seemingly considering if he wants to keep going with that statement. "But he passed away on a mission a couple years ago."
"That's a very noble cause that he had and one that you have taken on," Kora tells him, giving him a gentle smile. "If you had the chance, what would you say to him?"
Arthur looks uncomfortable at the question, but he still answers it. "I…I would tell him what I've done since he passed and hope that he is proud of me."
"Well I think he would be!" Kora answers and the crowd applauds this, surprising Arthur. "Clearly you have lots of survival skills. How do you think your life back in Eleven has prepared you for these Games?"
"Well, I think I can handle just about any nature setting in the arena, and luckily those are common," Arthur answers her.
"But this is a Quell," Kora retorts and Arthur purses his lips. "Surely Head Gamemaker Lukianas has created something we haven't seen before!"
"I guess we'll see soon enough," Arthur answers her, sounding unhappy at the thought of anything other than a nature arena.
"Well, maybe you'll see!" Kora jokes and the crowd laughs, but Arthur remains silent at her poorly timed joke about them losing their senses. Relief immediately fills his face at the buzzer going off and he stands up right away to go to his spot with the others, even though he won't be there for very long. "Arthur Bramble!"
Kora stands up and walks to the center of the stage, hands clasped in front of her and grinning in excitement. "Well there you have it, everyone! Our interviews for the 150th Hunger Games and Sixth Quarter Quell!"
Seraphim Lukianas, Head Gamemaker
Seraphim heads back into the Games Headquarters, knowing the interviews didn't end terribly. There were so many things that could have gone wrong. The rebels could have attacked the tributes or Kora. Holly could have said something. The crowd could have reacted negatively to Adam.
They made it through the interviews, but they're about to do their riskiest thing yet. If the rebels find out…he dreads what will happen. But the President insisted.
So here he is, leading Adam away from the other tributes with Stefan by his side, insisting on going wherever his tribute went, down to the floors below the training center. Adam hasn't questioned him about it, but Stefan has been giving him dirty looks, as if that would stop him from doing something bad to Adam.
They finally reach the room and Seraphim takes a deep breath before opening the door and stepping in to the room filled with a medical team and the President. Adam freezes in the doorway, hands protectively on his baby, and the President smiles at him. "Adam, please, I promise you and your baby are going to be safe."
"What's going on…" Adam says hesitantly, looking between the team, the President, Seraphim, and his mentor.
"We couldn't do this sooner out of fear you would say something during your interview," President Xavier says as he steps closer to Adam. Stefan takes a step forward at well, angling himself slightly in front of the young boy. "Stefan, the boy is going to be safe."
"Sorry if I don't quite believe that yet, sir," Stefan responds to him as he crosses his arms. "I'm not moving until I know what's going on here."
"Very well," President Xavier tells him. "But know that the consequences of you mentioning this outside of this room are very high. I will do anything to protect this country. But…I think you'll agree, considering your relationship with Luciano's older sibling."
Seraphim has to hold back a laugh as he watches Stefan actually start blushing at this, but turns it into a cough when the victor glares at him. "Adam will be getting a cesarean procedure to deliver his baby. We have the best staff here and he will be almost fully healed up by the start of the Games."
Adam gasps at this and puts both hands on his stomach, his eyes tearing up a little as he looks between the two. "But what will…what will happen to him if I-if I don't win?"
Seraphim shares a look with the President, not really knowing for sure yet the answer to that. Seraphim has said that he would get someone to care for the baby for now, but after the Games end…who knows?
President Xavier is the first one to speak up. "Your baby will be kept safe. I promise you."
Adam lets out a long breath at this before wiping at tears that want to fall. "I've been so worried about keeping him safe…so thank you for this."
President Xavier smiles at Adam, but Seraphim just feels a pit of guilt in his stomach for Adam. He's just trying to protect his baby…and all this time, he's been thinking they might both die in the arena. "Come," the President says to Adam, putting a hand on his shoulder and guiding him into the room. "It's time for you to meet your baby."
Seraphim stays back with Stefan, watching the boy start to smile as he's led away by the team. Seraphim smiles a little, but that soon fades away when he turns to Stefan, finding the victor staring at him with narrowed eyes and his arms crossed. "Why are you doing this for him?"
"It's what the President wanted," Seraphim answers honestly, knowing he can trust Stefan not to be with the rebels. Not when he's been dating a council member's sibling for years. "That baby…is related to the rebels in Seven."
Stefan's eyes widen at this before he starts shaking his head. "When are you people going to do something about them?"
"We're working on it," Seraphim tells him, uneasy as he rubs his arm as phantom pain shoots through it from the long healed bullet wound.
"Well work harder," Stefan huffs as he turns to face the operating room. "And you better make sure that baby is cared for or else."
"He will be," Seraphim reassures him before pulling out his phone. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have an important phone call to make."
Stefan doesn't say anything, so Seraphim walks down to the end of the hallway so Stefan won't overhear him. He quickly dials the number he knows by heart and waits as it rings.
"Hi honey, you looked great tonight! I bet Zephyr couldn't stop looking at you."
"Hi Mom," Seraphim says, blushing at the mention of Zephyr. He's been too busy with the Games approaching to think about seeing him tomorrow at the party, but now he's a nervous wreck. "Look, I didn't call to talk about Zephyr…"
"Well I know that, dear," Tara reassures him and Seraphim starts pacing the hallway. "Now what's up? You don't usually have time to call me during the Games."
"You're right…" Seraphim sighs as he pushes back his hair. He looks back down the hallway to where Stefan stands outside the operating room, worry all over his face for his tribute. "I…have an unusual request to ask of you…at least until I can figure out something else."
"You know I would do anything for you, Serry."
Seraphim stops his pacing at this, afraid of putting his mother in harm's way, even though she will never say no. "I know you would. That's why I'm calling you."
And we have made it through the interviews! Up next is the party and let me tell you, I am very hyped to get to those chapters! They're going to be long because I want to make sure each tribute is seen during the POVs. But each POV tribute will still get their own time, similarly to the interviews!
Thoughts on this round of interviews? Anything surprising? And of course we had a bit of subplot thrown in there with Adam. We'll find out some more about that and what happens to him soon.
I will hopefully have the first party chapter up soon! But before then, I will be posting the Wayward Games finale and then the first Legacy prologue, so keep a look out for that this weekend!