Enigma Fenn (13) D1F

I was the first one to be interviewed. What had been my advantage in the past would be my advantage again, except this time, I didn't want it. I wanted to be the last one to interview, so I could go out with a bang. Still, I had to accept the privilege that had been given to me. Most tributes could expect a somewhat bored audience after the Capitol had been watching for a long half an hour. I got a fresh new crowd.

When Marcelene had settled onto the stage, I was called on. I walked seriously onto the stage, keeping my face stern. This angle did not go with my plan so far, but I hoped the other tributes would dismiss it as silly. Otherwise, my acting was all for nothing. I swished the peacock feather fringed skirt of my dress dramatically as I sat down, noting where the top sat. It was a sleeveless dress, so the Capitol was expecting my body to hold it up. I was tiny, so that wasn't going to happen.

"Hello, Enigma!" Marcelene greeted me brightly. I knew her pattern. She was probably the person I knew best. She was bright to each tribute at first, then after the first sentence you said, she checked herself. She would get coarse or nice depending on how much she liked you. It was unprofessional, but not enough that Ginger bothered to care. "You've made quite a name for yourself, being such a young volunteer. How does your age make you feel about your chances?"

I scanned her. I wanted her to like me, because if she did, the Capitol would. She had a lot of influence. "I don't think it matters too much. The Games aren't won by brute strength, which I admittedly lack. They're won by strategy as well. And I have plenty of that."

"I don't suppose you'd be interested in sharing your strategy," Marcelene replied, a bit snappishly. I checked myself before continuing.

"Well, I am a Career. I'm young, yes, but I've learned how to strategize. I can't really say much without knowing what the Arena is, but when I know what it is, I'll be the one that's able to use every inch of it to my advantage. I'll learn as much as I can about it, and then it'll help me more than it can hurt me," I replied, trying to make myself seem strong without hurting Marcelene's image of me. She softened slightly, and I hoped she didn't think I was just being cocky.

"That sounds pretty interesting. Do you think you'll have a harder time killing than some of the other Careers?"

"Physically, yes, I probably will. I just can't throw as far or hit as hard as they can. Mentally, I know I won't. I'll get creative with how I kill, and then I'll execute my plans. I understand the value of human life, but I can choose not to acknowledge it." That was a question I had planned for, regardless of Marcelene's response. I needed to establish myself to the Pack.

"Okay. Now that we're done with those quite necessary questions, what made you decide to volunteer?"

"Hm... A little bit of a lot of things. I wanted to prove to myself that I could really strategize, and that I wasn't a weakling just because I was young. However, it was also because I could use some money if I win. My mom's a schizophrenic, and I want to research how to make her better. I can't really do that without a lot of money. I'm not poor, but I can't support a lab." I watched Marcelene's response to that carefully, and I could see how carefully she was weighing her response. Part of her thought I was using a sob story, while part thought I was being honest. I could see the prior slowly winning, so I continued, "It was never too much of a problem for me. She could take care of me and my sister just fine, and we could support ourselves. It just hurt to watch her keep sewing dresses for people that weren't there."

Marcelene softened again at that, then continued the interview. "That's pretty impressive. I suppose the Capitol technology could be pretty useful to you, then?"

"Oh, yes! The technology here is amazing. One has a lot of cool technology, but the Capitol beats even us. Even I'm impressed by the food dispensers, and the medicine you have here. With the way you can take care of Victors, I'm sure none of you ever have to worry about injury. I suppose that's what makes the Games so exciting to the onlookers," I said, finishing with a chuckle. Viewers probably were living vicariously through the tributes.

"We don't have much risk, you're right. Which does make the Games pretty interesting to view! On the note of the Games - it's a good thing you brought me back on topic, Enigma! - how was your training gone? You got quite the score on the private sessions," Marcelene said, and I was pleased. She was definitely warming up to me, making sure my interview went well. I was certain this exchange would earn me some sponsors.

"I know I did. It seemed surprising, because I did so little during training. In fact, some of the tributes seemed totally perplexed by it. Perhaps the system is just flawed, or maybe I am really that good. The world may never know." That was the one question I wasn't going to explain. I couldn't tell Marcelene how I managed to get such a high score, or it would let the tributes know more about me. I didn't want to avoid it, because it would lessen the sponsors' views of me, but that was a risk I was willing to take. I could prove them wrong another time.

"Well, I think that's about it for our lovely Enigma! Thank you for such a lovely interview, darling, and who knows? We just might see you back in this seat." I got up and left at Marcelene's cue, awed by her praise. She really did pick and choose tributes, and she had chosen me. I knew she wasn't allowed to sponsor people, but I felt like if she could, she would sponsor me.

When I was off-stage, I was greeted by stares from the other tributes. Tiger seemed utterly perplexed, and I figured it was about the schizophrenia. Most people in my District didn't know that. It wasn't something that came up in casual conversation. Some tributes seemed scared of me now, which was mildly upsetting, while others were laughing at me. I watched them all while the replied, hardly noticing as Tiger walked onto the stage. I needed to know their responses so I knew who to watch out for.

I feel like there should have been a whom in there but I don't know where.

Anyways, I'm now realizing that I've never written a full interview. It's always just a couple lines. But here we are!