Quiola's score was actually my idea, not the submitter's. The Gamemakers debated and decided that she was the most effective at showing she could kill someone. Also, they're really mad at her for upsetting them by killing an Avox in front of them and they want her to be a target, so they wildly inflated her score.
Harlequin Marceau
Some years I just didn't feel it. The Tributes started to blur together and they seemed like more faces in the crowd. But once I started getting into the interviews I always started to get into it. When the music played and the lights converged on me, I put on my perky interviewer face to fake it till I made it.
"Here's our first Tribute, Karyssa Evans! We're starting off with a bang," I said as Karyssa sat down.
"Thank you. I fully intend to remain the first," Karyssa said, and I didn't doubt she could.
"It's wonderful to have you here today," I said to Hiyas.
"Thank you. You look very lovely today," Hiyas said. What a gentleman.
"I'm pretty much the head Career," Valerie informed me. She said it with such confidence it didn't matter whether the others knew it or not.
I always did love mischief. "So, who's the leader of the Careers?" I asked Theo.
"No one really stand out," he said.
"Oh? Valerie said she was," I said innocently.
"Really?" Theo asked with one raised eyebrow.
"I hear you made quite an impression on the Gamemakers," I said to Electra. I could tell she was older than her rumpled hair and kitten flats were designed to make her look.
"Oh, I don't know. A lot of people here are so much bigger than me. I'll just do my best," I said. I'm sure the crowd bought it, but I work here. You don't get that score with electronics by being a cute little darling.
"What's your strategy for the Games? Unless you can't tell," I said to Demarcus.
"I've been fighting all my life. Everyone who's crossed me so far has regretted it," he said. I didn't doubt it.
"What brings a guy like you into the Games?" I asked Angelo. His lips went tight and there was a second of dreaded dead air. Oops. I asked the wrong question.
"I'm happy for this opportunity to bring glory to my District and prove my strength," he said at last. What a lovely sound bite.
"I know I'll be a target, but when they come for me, I'll just kill them first," Careen said.
"Sounds dangerous," I said. I was more interested in her gorgeous pastel gown and ethereal pearl jewelry.
"I laugh in the face of danger," she said. Is that still a cliché, or is it so cliché it's not a cliché?
Great, now cliché doesn't seem like a word. Cliche. Cliche. Cli-che.
Quiola seemed like a pleasant, bubbly girl. Then I ruined everything.
"How did you get that amazing score?"
"Thanks for having me," Kerry said. "I'm really excited to be here. In the Capitol, but also for the Games. I mean, I'm still scared, but this is going to be a huge adventure." He did all my work for me.
"You don't have to go any farther. You're already talking to the Victor," Adonia said. "I'm smart, I'm confident, and I'm going to win." Well more power to you.
"How have you been preparing for the Games?" I asked Titus.
"I've done a lot of thinking. This is a funny time to get philosophical, I guess. It's easy to realize how much life is worth when you're about to lose it," he said. Woah. That was deep. Put that on a fortune cookie or something.
"What's life like back home?" I asked Ash.
"That's not important. What's important is what I'm going to do in the Arena. People are going to wish they hadn't messed with me," he said. I was glad I wasn't going in.
Desiree didn't take the stage so much as stuff it in her pocket and walk off with it. She strutted to the chair and flexed her impressive biceps for the crowd.
"So..." she purred when she was seated. "I didn't happen to notice a ring on that finger."
"Why, you know someone?" I teased back.
"I'm in town for the weekend," she said. The crowd started to cheer. That would probably be a breach of ethics (ha- Hunger Games ethics) but it wouldn't hurt to check the rules.
Incense was staring at the ground as she came onstage, and her steps were oddly high and irregular.
"What was all that?" I asked.
"I don't like stepping on cracks. Then I have to do it three times with each foot. It's a pain," she said. That wasn't going to get her any sponsors, so I segued into her talks with the mentors.
"I know I'll win because I have the coolest ally. Demarcus is super strong and super tough," Blaise said. "I'm scrappy, so we'll be unstoppable." I could see them going pretty far.
"How did you end up allying with Peach?" I asked Granja.
"I knew I wanted someone. It's good to have friends. Peach is cool and she knows how to fight. I learned how to find food, so we'll have everything. I hope we'll have fun together," she said. If the Games was a tea party, she'd win.
I knew this one was going to be difficult. Interviewing Diggory was a formality. He sat in his chair and poked at the rainbow buttons on his suit. Everyone knew it was wrong, even the crowd. It was silent as the grave. I had a wild vision of grabbing him under one arm and dashing into the sunset.
"Name?" Diggory asked.
"Harlequin," I said, and my voice was soft. I'd never lost composure in an interview before, but he did me in. I turned so the camera wouldn't catch my tear.
"Cry," Diggory said. His face fell and he came over and hugged me.
"Be okay," he said.
"I hope all the cows don't miss me," Rory blurted, and the unexpected laugh bolstered my spirits. With that, he ensured everyone would think of him as the bumpkin from Ten. But then, sponsors liked bumpkins.
The only noise Zinnia made was her rumbling stomach. She glared at me until the lights felt a lot hotter and I desperately tried to make asides to the audience to fill dead air. I counted the seconds until the interview was over.
"It was very brave of you to volunteer for your friend," I said to Hoban.
"I didn't want her to be scared. I didn't really think," he admitted. No duh.
"What did you bring for a token?" I asked Ventrix.
"It just so happens I have it with me. I haven't set it down since I got here," she said as she took a tiny book from a pocket on her dress. "My little brother gave me this. It'll make the Games bearable." Oh ha ha ha.
"How do you like the Capitol?" I asked Chase.
"Nubu showed me a lighthouse! It was so cool!" Chase said. "I've wanted to see one forever." That's the Capitol for you. Dreams come true.
"How did you come to ally with Granja?" I asked Peach in a moment of lovely symmetry.
"She kept bugging me!" Peach's answer was equally lovely.
I was ready when the curtain fell. Actually I was ready long before that. I wanted to connect with the Tributes. I should be more careful what I wish for.