~~Anastasia Flickerman Hunger Games Announcer~~

Cascade got out of her seat, and walked towards the chair across from me. She looked gorgeous, with a shimmering, deep blue gown. She also had shimmering makeup, and pearls twisted into her hair.

"Good evening, Cascade," I smiled. "I love your dress."

"I guess it looks fine," She muttered, fiddling with one of the straps.

"On you it does," I grinned. "Anyways, I guess I could start with this. How do you spend your freetime? It seems like a cliché question, but it's interesting. And now I'm talking too much sooo...Shoot."

"My freetime?" Cascade questioned. "I work as a waitress most of the time, but I learned how to use practically anything for self-defense."

"Interesting," I mustered. "And now, the fact that the Academy seemed to not give volunteered tributes this year. Do you know what happened?"

"Oh, yes," she began. "It was a fire. A fire that destroyed the Academy. It's still being rebuilt, and now we have to do our best with Reapers."

"I never knew that!" I exclaimed. Cascade glared at the audience.

"If anyone messes with me in the arena," she hissed. "They will go down like The Academy!"

It was silent for a moment, but then the applause roared into existence. It was so loud, I barely even heard the buzzer.

"ALRIGHT!" I hollered. I continued once the crowd settled down. "Cascade, I'm afraid we ran out of time. Let's give another big hand for Jordan Flanagan!"

The audience roared in applause once again as the son of the 11th Victor walked up. His hair was neatly combed, and we wore a silky blue suit with a green cape. I smiled as he sat down.

"Jordan," I began. "We all have this, burning question. What is it like being related to a Victor?"

"Well, it's worse than you think," he admitted. "Kids spread rumors that you're 'unreapable' or the 'Capitol's Pet' and stuff like that. It's also frightening being escorted to school by Peacekeepers since, you know, kids want to see your fighting skills."

"Ah, I can see why that can get annoying," I sighed. "What about the Reapings? How do you feel when someone is Reaped?"

"I feel as if they have a good chance," Jordan explained. "I mean, if my mom won, they can too. And, like Cascade said, it's usually volunteers from the Academy."

"I take it that your mother doesn't want you to go to the Academy?" I asked.

Before he could respond, the buzzer sounded. It felt kind of empty, knowing that I may never get the answer I so desperately want. Putting my smile back on, I read from the paper.

"Next, we have Spark Costan from District 5!"

Spark was wearing a silver, glistening floor length dress and her jet black hair in a braided crown on her head.

"Good evening Mrs. Flickerman!" Spark smiled. "How have you been?"

"Why, you're so kind Spark," Spark had a large smile spread across her face. I continued. "I am doing very well. But what about you? This interview is about you, after all."

"Oh, I'm doing alright," she responded.

"Alright Spark," I began. "What about your family? Who are you waiting to get back to?"

"Well," she began. "My little sisters Twila and Solara. My mom too, but she's not home often. Also, my best friend Gina is like family."

"You sound like a quiet little household." J I told her. "What about your score? It seems so so-so, while you don't."

"I simply just don't have many special skills," she admited. "I have a few great ones, but not many."

Then the buzzer went off, and Spark walked back to her seat.

"Let's go ahead and give a warm welcome to Rusty Shoman!" I exclaimed.

He walked up to the seat. He was wearing a brown, furry suit reminding me of a bear. His red hair was calmer, but still a little crazy.

"Good evening Rusty, how are you feeling?" I asked.

"Great! How about you?" He responded.

"I feel like I've been asked this a million times tonight," I replied, then laughed. "But I'm doing great, Rusty. Let's begin. What about youe family? I know I asked this to Spark, but it's something we all like to know!"

"Well," Rusty began. "My parents work on the generators and..." He paused, as if considering if what he was going to say next would be a good idea or not. "And my brother and I try to blow them up."

The air was still for a moment as everyone sat in shock. Rusty seemed so innocent.

"Gotcha!" He exclaimed. The crowd let out a sigh of relief, but I could tell from the look in his eyes he was telling the truth the first time.

I cleared my throat to get everyone's attention. "Well, Rusty. When you heard your name called at The Reaping, how did you feel? Dread? Freedom? Remorse? Excitment?"

"I felt...confused," he responded. "I'm 12, and I didn't sign up for tessare. Unless..." His eyes suddenly grew wild, but thankfully the buzzer went off.

"Okay then, let's introduce Raven Slillo from District 6!"

Raven marched over, a tough look on her face. She was wearing a silver mettalic dress that reached her knees in the front and her ankles in the back. On the hem of the dress were tiny pictures of cars and trucks, and her long black hair was kept down and pushed back with a silver headband. Her face was also adorned in silver makeup.

"Good evening Miss Slillo, or should I call you Raven?" I asked.

"Raven's fine," she muttered.

"Okay then, Raven," I continued. "You serm you have gotten an 11 in training, huh? Well, do you feel like you have a leg up on the other tributes in any way?"

"Yes," Raven replied. Then she smiled. "But not because of the 11."

"Oh?" I responded. "Do tell."

"Well," she began, crossing her arms. "My older brother, Jack, has been training me since I was six!"

Everyone paused. There was a still air in the room, as everyone was trying to figure out if they should cheer, or boo her off. Suddenly, there was a light clapping.

Everyone, including me, turned to look. The two tributes from 12 were clapping. Soon the girl from 11 joined, then the boy from 11 and the kids from 10. Soon, every tribute was laughing, clapping, and cheering. The crowd caught on, and the applause dragged on so long that the buzzer went off right after it ended.

"I'm so sorry we couldn't get to more Raven," I sighed. "But it was a pleasure to have you. Let's welcome your partner, Bucket Leech from District 6!"

Bucket walked up, wearing a black leather jacket and jeans. He sat across for me, and his outfit seemed a bit extreme for a 12 year old.

"Good evening Bucket," I smiled. "Let's start simple, eh? How's your family, things at home?"

"Oh!" he exclaimed. "My father is a train conductor, and my mom stays home and take care of me and my older brother Axle."

I noticed he was squirming a bit, but I just assumed he had stage fright.

"Well Bucket, what would you do if you're brother had gotten reaped?"

"Hope that he'll win."

There were some chuckles, then the buzzer went off.

Another Part Done! What did Rusty realize? Is Raven's interview going to be a reason these games are forgotten? Are Bucket's lies going to haunt him in the games?