-Maggie, D2F-

My prep team buzzes around me, all of them talking excitedly about their vicious girl from District 2 who's going to woo the crowds. Of course I can't help feeling nervous, who wouldn't? Having the eyes of so many people on you.

It was a really long day of Nikko giving me advice. I didn't think there were so many unspoken rules to know about for this. It's such a long list and poise is everything. He laid out the template for a typical District 2 interview for me to follow, praising the Capitol, talking briefly about life back home, and finally focusing on training, my high score, and getting them to see me as a threat. Not giving away too much, but not skimping. You have to find that range that's just right.

After that, he gave me off to my prep team, who immediately got to work. They're sad that the color in my hair faded, and take at least half an hour trying to figure out what to do with it.

"Brown is so boring," complains one, "And straight is even more boring…"

"Straight is boring," I say, and laugh at my own wisecrack. Sometimes remarks like that just come out before I can stop them.

My prep team just bursts out laughing at the comment before they go back to playing with my hair and trying out different things.

"Maybe you could fishtail braid it?" I ask, trying not to sound too hopeful. I want to look beautiful for Hannah, because I hate wearing dresses and nothing will make me feel content like this. But Hannah loves me in any outfit, but especially all dressed up, so I'll do this for her. I know how much she loves to see my hair fishtail braided, maybe I can convince them…

"Oh no, dear, you've already been seen with that. This is the interviews, you have to be classy!"

I sigh quietly, swearing inside my head. They curl my hair and I sit still, and then they start to do my make-up. I hate make-up so much. I always try to lick the sticky chalky stuff off my lips, and my eyes get itchy with mascara and eyeliner and I always want to rub it off. And cover-up just suffocates my skin. That doesn't stop them from caking it on, though, until I barely feel like Maggie anymore.

My dress is short, ending a fair distance above my knees, and looks like leather, though luckily, it's more comfortable. It has silver, sparkly beads on the bodice, and the skirt frills out. They give me silver jewelry. It's interesting, they usually decorate 2 tributes in gold. I just go with it, though. They even put some glitter on my face, around the eyes and on the cheeks, which makes me scrunch my nose. Ugh.

They put silver gladiator sandals on my feet that go up past my ankles but luckily are flat. They're not exactly comfortable, but I can make do, after all, I go third.

"Smile for us, dear, you look so wonderful!" gushes my Head Stylist, Alta. She's a tall skinny woman with gold hair and eyes. "Good posture now!" she knows she won't have to remind me twice.

I stand up tall, as I'm used to, and give a smile.

"One more thing…" she says, as my prep team exchanges a look. "The glasses."

"Oh…"

"They take away from it, they really do."

"I need them to see…" I say.

"You don't need to see for your interviews, though…" She quickly says.

"Here dear, why don't you take a case and give them to your escort before you go on?" She gives my prep team a look, and they quickly snap into action. The shortest and oldest of the three scurries off to find a case for me. I wish I could just wear my damn glasses for the interview, because I think they look just fine, but Nikko told me I just have to do what they tell me.

I slide the glasses back on, trying to hold back the urge to wipe my mouth and rub my eyes. It's really miserable. Alta leads me out of the room and soon I see Vidarr and Vienna there, waiting for me. Vidarr looks slick in an entirely black suit, contrasting with his white-blond hair and bringing out the darkness of his eyes. His hair's exactly like it was when he was reaped and through training and during chariots, but because he's a man it's alright for his hair to be the same way. I sigh a little bit to myself, cursing gender roles.

"Oh, Maggie, you look so wonderful dear!" Vienna gushes, looking a little like she wants to give me a hug but restraining. "I'm so proud of you, dear!" she says, her pink lips smiling widely. "You've practiced with this, I know you'll have a stunning interview!"

She gives Vi and I another look, her bright purple eyes alight with a smile. "My first tributes… Oh, I just know we can have a Victor! You're going to knock their socks off!"

"I hope so," Vi says, scratching the back of his neck nervously.

"Come on then! Let's get in line!" Vienna smiles and leads us to the wait area, where the tributes are already gathering.

"Good luck with your interview," Iridesce says, her blonde hair in an elegant side-bun, her blue eyes coated in sparkly red eyeshadow that matches dress. Her lips are a dark shade of red,

"Thanks," I say. "Good luck to you too."

She walks to the front of the line, smiling, as Blaine Buchanan appears on the little screen up in the corner of the room, so we can watch everyone's big moment of fame. His hair is just as bright pink as always, and he wears a red velvet suit and a black bowtie, his pink eyes alight with a smile.

"Good evening Capitol! How's everyone tonight!?" The crowd roars in response. "I'm really feeling the excitement! Welcome to the interviews for the 84th annual Hunger Games!" everyone starts to cheer, and I can feel the noise and vibrations from here. "Well, let's start off the night with our first tribute. From District 1, here's Iridesce Eurian!"

Iridesce smiles and walks out on the stage, her posture impeccable, her smile looking like it's not even staged. Her dress is bright red and sparkly, long-sleeved, and ends on her just about where my dress ends on me. Her heels make her look tall and show her muscles impressively, without making her look like a muscleman.

"Welcome Iridesce!" Blaine says, smiling. "Please, have a seat!"

She sits, smiling widely. "Thank you, Blaine, thank you!" A slight giggle bubbles out of her, and she beams widely, the cameras catching her beauty.

"We welcome you to our beautiful Capitol!" Blaine says, "How have you found your time here?"

"Oh, Blaine, it's absolutely wonderful!" she says, "And the people here are absolutely spectacular, especially."

The crowd applauds and roars loudly at her comment. Iridesce smiles at her goal having been achieved.

Blaine waits for the crowd to silence before he continues. "Well, the people here are indeed great. It's so nice to see you with some color on, it definitely suits you."

Iridesce gives another giggle. "Oh thank you. I think everyone should have a little color in their lives." The crowd applauds at this, again. She's really working them up.

"Very true! So, Iridesce, we'd all like to know what you did to get the highest score of them all! A nine!" The crowd applauds again, and Iridesce waits for them to quiet before talking.

"I can't tell you much, you know that!" she says, a teasing air of scolding in her voice with a smile. Her expression becomes more serious as the crowd quiets even more. "But I'll tell you that I showed everyone exactly what I can do."

"Exactly what you can do, wonderful! So, you volunteered, why did you choose to do so?"

"I did it for the fame, of course, and the riches never hurt. For family and friends, you know, just like anyone else would. I also volunteered for me, to give myself a name with honor and prove my courage. I need to branch off, of course. I trained and now I'm going to win." She keeps a very serious face on through that, showing to everyone that she's more than just a ditzy girl who doesn't know what she's in for. She talks with Blaine a little while longer before her buzzer rings and he presents her to the crowd one last time, as they roar with applause.

"Next up, another volunteer straight from District 1, Callum Ainsworth!"

His blond hair is done as always, and his blue eyes are just as gentle as they were when he volunteered for that scary guy. His lips are pulled up in a gentle smile, but the look in his eyes doesn't convey it very well. He's wearing a suit made of dark violet velvet, a nice lavender shirt, and a black tie. He shakes Blaine's hand and takes a seat.

"Welcome to the Capitol, Callum!"

His movements and words seem to be staged, but I don't think the crowd notices. "Thank you Blaine. It's great to be here."

"Well, it's a great day here in our Capitol. What's your favorite part of being here?"

"Oh, I couldn't choose just one. Everything here has been wonderful, really, it has. The food here is really good, and the desserts are just plain tempting."

"Surely they are! Have you tried any of them?"

"I haven't been allowed to," the boy admits sheepishly, "Careers don't really have dessert."

"Oh, what a shame!" Blaine says, and the crowd agrees.

Callum nods. "Yes, it definitely is."

"Have you eaten anything sweet in your life!?" the young interviewer looks direly concerned with the fact that he could've been deprived.

"Oh, I've eaten some of the candy and such I've found since getting here," Callum says. "My grandparents were never really interested in giving me stuff like that, but it's actually really good. Homely." He laughs a bit. "I actually think it's the best thing I've eaten here."

"Ah, yes, who doesn't love candy?" Blaine smiles and the crowd applauds. "Delightful! So, we have to know. Why did you volunteer?"

"Well…" Callum swallows hard and takes a deep breath. "I live with my grandparents, and they're both getting older. I can't care for them well. Without them, I'll be alone. I need some money, and I need to break free. Really, I have to win. For myself more than anyone."

"Wow, what a dedicated young man, am I right?" The crowd applauds and cheers, and Callum's expression barely changes as Blaine asks him a couple other, much more minor questions.

"Well, it seems like you've got a lot to fight for, and we wish you the very best! Everyone, Callum Ainsworth!" The crowd applauds and I realize that it's my turn when Blaine then says, "And now from the beauty from District 2… Maggie Blackstone!"

I put my chin up, making sure my posture is picture perfect. Then, I walk out on the stage, putting a smile on.

"Welcome to the Capitol Maggie!" Blaine says, taking my hand and making friendly eye contact with me. I try not to feel too uncomfortable at his synthetic gaze as I take a seat, adjusting myself to be sure it's just as we had rehearsed earlier today.

"Oh, thank you Blaine. It's great to be here," I say convincingly, causing some of the crowd to cheer.

"Certainly is. So, is there a reason you like so much to be called Maggie? I was thinking Margaret was a fine name!" Some people applaud.

I scowl, hopefully it looks like I'm being theatrical, but I feel dead serious. I hate being called by my full name, it sounds like something a grandma would be named, not a young, carefree teenager. I've never liked my full name. "Well Blaine, the truth is that I really don't like the name Margaret. I really only respond to Maggie."

"Well, that's settled then!" he laughs. "A feisty one we've got here, folks!" the crowd applauds and nods in agreement.

"It's just a pet peeve, if you will."

"Ah, yes. We all have them. One of mine is people asking me my weight." The crowd laughs at his joke, and I allow myself a polite laugh as well.

"So, your District partner Vidarr was reaped… How do you react to that?"

The crowd makes a sort of "Ooooo" sound, and I know that they're ready for me to throw some shade.

"Well…" I try to pick my words well. I don't want to be a target, but I don't want to look weak either. "I think that he has a lot to prove for himself, considering that he was reaped."

"Oh, come on, there's got to be more to it than that! In a District that has seen two volunteers for almost every Games in history, for one to be reaped now of all times?"

"It is against what District 2 believes in," I say, very carefully. My words are just as critical in determining my fate as my training. "After all, District 2 is a District of honor, a District where the tributes have a lot of fire in them. And so far I've seen that Vidarr doesn't have it." The Capitolites treat it like an insult, but I didn't mean it that way. After all, if that fire is left unattended, it can consume and destroy Careers quickly. Vidarr's definitely kept his cool. The Capitolites treat it like some crazy kind of shade, though, so I think I've wiggled my way out of this one.

"Very wise and insightful from Miss Maggie," Blaine remarks. "So then, off the topic of your District partner and onto the most important star of the moment: tell us why you volunteered."

"Well, Blaine, I volunteered on my father's behalf." The crowd silences completely. "You see, we lost him. He died in a violent clash between Peacekeepers and…" I wonder if I shouldn't bring this up… "Rebels."

The crowd is even more silent, if possible. Blaine looks for a half a second like he doesn't know how to react, before he says, "Oh dear, what a shame. It's so heartbreaking, isn't it folks? That people are so violent and cruel?"

"He was innocent," I say, frowning and clearly upset, the memories still horribly fresh. "He didn't do anything wrong."

"Well Maggie, you're here in honor of him, and you're going to serve him well, I just know it. You've already proven yourself, so just a little bit longer and you'll be a Victor, just for him."

"Yes," I say, shaking off the sadness. It's never good to end your interview on a sad note. "I'm going to win to honor him."

"Maybe you can use your position to end some of this hate and violence. Protect the innocents, that's what the Capitol is out to do. The rebels are blindly killing. They don't understand that they are the problem."

I just nod in agreement. "I want the violence to stop before it takes any more innocent lives."

"What an honorable young woman!" Blaine says, raising the mood again. "We wish you the best of luck in the Arena!"

"Thank you Blaine," I say, smiling brightly. "Thank you so much."

He raises my hand and presents me one last time. "Everyone, Maggie Blackstone!" The crowd roars with applause and I smile as I walk off the stage, mostly just relieved that it's over.

As soon as I'm out of sight of the camera, I take my shoes off and Nikko drapes a blanket over my shoulders so I don't feel so exposed.

"Thanks," I say, as Vi goes up for his interview.

"Welcome Vidarr!" Blaine says, smiling as he sits. "My, you clean up well, am I right?"

The crowd applauds. Vi shifts slightly, looking awkward. He was much more awkward when we were first starting out, though.

"So, Vi, you were reaped. I think we're all wondering about that. What happened? Why did nobody volunteer for you?"

Vi clears his throat, his pale skin paling even more. "Well Blaine," he says, "I'm not entirely sure." He lies convincingly. "You see, I am not inexperienced. I do have a shot. Don't be fooled, Blaine."

"I think you showed that with your training score," Blaine says, and the crowd murmurs in agreement. "Care to elaborate on how you got that?"

"You know I'm not allowed to tell you, Blaine," he says cooly. "But good try."

"Well, you always have to try!" Blaine says, laughing lightly. "Alright, so you're experienced, you're ready for the Games."

"District 2 certainly wouldn't send in a tribute that didn't have full control and know what they're doing. The fact that I was reaped means nothing."

"Well, very bold and forward statements coming from our District 2 boy! I love it!" The crowd applauds and Vi seems to breathe a sigh of relief.

"So, you've enjoyed your time in the Capitol?"

"But of course," he says, lounging back and seeming relaxed. "Really the only thing that District 2 has that the Capitol doesn't is my wife. I miss her right now, I miss her all the time. I'm just aching to see her and be with her again. That's all I want."

"Your wife, huh? Why don't you tell us a little about her?"

"Oh, I could spend all day talking about her, Blaine. My dear wife Ashe. She is everything to me. We met early and fell in love pretty quick. I wasn't really looking for love, but she wore me down. We were married as soon as we could possibly be." Blaine looks like he's going to say something, but Vidarr keeps on talking. "She's the most beautiful person I've ever seen, and she loves me so much. I hate to be away from her, every second away from her I miss her more and more. I just want to get back to her, with the honor and the wealth and the title of Victor."

"Wow, how touching. Well we wish you all the best getting back to her!"

"Thank you Blaine," he says, smiling gratefully.

"I wish I had a love like that, don't you?" Blaine asks, and the audience roars, back to its previous energy. Blaine asks a few more questions before Vi's buzzer rings.

"Everybody, Vidarr Yggdraval!" Blaine smiles as Vi leaves the stage.

"Next up, District Three's very own Cyra Hensley!" The girl walks onto the stage, her blonde hair held back from her pretty face in a flirty, fun, curled ponytail. Her blue eyes were pretty dull at the reaping, but it appears her prep team knew how to make them look more vibrant. Her dress is completely covered in gemstones on the top, which gradually disperse and separate, making the illusion of a night sky with a navy skirt decorated with stars. "Welcome Cyra!"

"Thank you Blaine," she says, smiling.

"Please, have a seat!"

She sits down, smoothing down the long skirt as she does. She sits very tall and proper. She's actually very pretty, now that she's all made up like a celebrity and not just dressed in drab 3 clothes.

"Well, welcome to the Capitol! It's lovely to have you here, nice to see you! How have you enjoyed your stay?"

"Oh, the Capitol is absolutely awesome. I've seen things here I've never even imagined. It's really been an experience like no other!"

"That seems to be a consensus between our outer-District tributes," Blaine says. "What's the best part of it for you?"

"Oh, I couldn't choose just one. The food is great, the beds are so comfortable, and the atmosphere is unreal."

"The city is certainly beautiful, isn't it? Have you seen it at night?"

"I have. The view from our balcony in the Tribute Center is awe-inspiring."

"The Capitol itself is certainly the most beautiful place in Panem. And I see that you have some of the night sky in your dress! Stand up, give us a look!"

Cyra smiles and nods as she stands up and gives a slight twirl for the crowd to see the dress. "My Head Stylist is brilliant," she says.

They find the woman in the crowd, her blue lips pulled up in a smile as the audience applauds her. She puts a hand up in thanks.

"She certainly is!" Blaine says over the crowd. "So Cyra, you were reaped, true, but what do you have that they don't?"

"Well Blaine, I'm not going to say too much. What's a girl without her secrets? But, I'll say this. I am from one of the most intelligent Districts in all of Panem. I am among the oldest tributes here. I have trained smartly and have an alliance to back me up. I know what I'm doing, and I have a lot to get home to." She gives a sly smile. "Don't you dare count me out."

"Ah, yes, we wouldn't dream of it." Her buzzer rings. "Cyra Hensley, everyone!" The crowd applauds.

"Next up, we have our boy from District 3, Ductor Romilly!" The crowd applauds as the boy from 3 goes onto the stage. He looks nervous, but smiles trying to hide it. "Welcome Ductor, please have a seat!" The boy from District 3 bites his lip. "So, how have you been enjoying your time here?"

"It's been pretty good!" he says, putting on a smile. His eyes don't entirely convey it, though. "The Capitol certainly is amazing, I'll say that. The views are great, the cityscape is inspiring, and the people have been really good to me!"

"That's wonderful to hear! Yes, our Games team are certainly great people!"

"They are." Ductor smiles. "I think they deserve a round of applause!" he says, bringing out his charismatic side as the crowd roars. Even Blaine claps and cheers before picking up his microphone again.

"Sometimes tributes as young as yourself aren't nearly as pleasant. It's so rejuvenating to see a young man like you! So, Ductor, why don't you tell us about your disability a little bit to start off?"

"Oh yes," he says. "Well, you see Blaine, I speak like this because I can't hear myself talking. You see, I really like to ice skate. I had an accident, though, a while ago, and I lost pretty much all of my hearing. Like, I can hear the crowd a little bit, as if they're very far away, but I can't hear myself or you."

"You can't hear me!? How do you have a clue how to answer then!?"

"I've gotten really good at reading lips," he says, "Although sometimes I do read them wrong so you'll have to forgive me."

"You're doing wonderful!" I notice that Blaine holds the microphone further away from his lips so that Ductor can see them well.

"Thank you," he says, throwing in the hand sign for good measure.

"You also sign, then?"

"That's right. I'm not very good, though, and I don't know a lot, but I'd like to learn."

"Well, we certainly hope you will. So, you are young, you're from District 3, you're deaf… Why should we root for you?"

"You should root for me because I'm good at agility, fast, and smart. We've had 15-year-old Victors before, even 14-year-old! To count me out because of my age is just silly! You'll see!"

"Very nice! Is there anything you want to say to those who are waiting for you back home?"

"I said most of what I want to say for them. I love you all and I'm going to fight for you. I'll be back soon."

His buzzer rings after a few more questions about home, and Blaine holds up his hand. "Everyone, Ductor Romilly!" The crowd goes wild.

The interviews so far have all been good. I hope for my sake that they get worse, so that I can stand out some more. I watch as Blaine announces Serafina Anya from District 4.

-Hamilton, D5M-

Tribute after tribute goes up to interview. The District 3 interviews went extremely well, which is important because those are my allies. Now I have to carry my weight and interview well.

A nagging part of me is saying that it's a bad idea to tag along with District partners. That they'll look out for each other and I'll be the human shield. I know it doesn't feel that way when I talk to them, but when I stay up at night unable to sleep, thoughts invade my brain that just make me terrified and upset.

Blaine announces Serafina Anya, who gives us all a smile and a slight wave as she goes out for her interview. She's wearing a green dress with a flared skirt, cut very low and showing off a lot of cleavage. She knows how to use it, I presume. Her hair is done in a wavy side ponytail, pouring out in black cascades across her right shoulder. Her lips are bright red, her eyelashes thick. Her brown eyes look dark, and, thanks to eyeliner, almost cat-shaped. She smiles and waves at the crowd.

"Welcome Serafina Anya, please take a seat!"

She smooths down her skirt, crossing her ankles, showing off the silver high heels she wears. She smiles at the crowd. "Thank you Blaine, it's really an honor to be here!"

"Well then, I think the first big question is the method behind you madness. What brought you to volunteer and be here with me right now?"

"Well, I've been working pretty hard towards the Games, they're held high in my District, after all. It's a point of honor, really, and the fame and riches certainly aren't bad. I'm here to fight for my District, for my family, for me."

"Yes, yes, how honorable! But, we've noticed that you're not going to go with the Careers this year… Is that true?"

"Yes, Blaine, it is true."

"Could you tell us why that is?"

"Well, I have my reasons, really… Especially because of this bunch of Careers is so…"

"Unconventional?"

"Yes, that's a good word. I don't have much faith in these Careers, you see, because of how things worked out. But I have a different plan, one that will work out better."

"Have you made any new allies?"

"I think you'll have to wait to find that out," she says, giving a smile.

"Oo, so mysterious. Well, let's steer off of that for a bit and talk about your life back home. What did you do?"

"I mostly did Games work. But Blaine, I do have another passion that will give me an edge."

"Oh? What would that be?"

"Ever since I was a little girl, I've loved to dance."

"Dance? Really? Well, how would a pretty ballerina dancing help you in a fight to the death?"

"Dancers are very strong, and flexible."

"Well, you must dance for us then, wouldn't you like to see it?!" the crowd roars with approval.

Serafina Anya giggles. "I'm going to save it. Though it will be my Victor's talent, and I'll be glad to dance for you then." The crowd applauds some more.

"Well, could you show us some of that flexibility?"

She giggles again. "Blaine, I would show you, but I'd probably rip the dress and give you quite the view."

"We already do have a lovely view there," Blaine says, though he shifts like it's uncomfortable to him to be objectifying her. "Your dress certainly does you justice."

She winks at him, standing up and showing off the way the dress shows off her body. "Don't you know it? I'm full of surprises," she says, smirking. The crowd applauds, and some of them wolf-whistle at her, which she smiles at. I think it's gross, but it's the angle that works for her.

"Well, is there anything else you'd like to say to your friends and family that are cheering you on?"

"I'd say that I'm so thankful for their support, and that I love them all so much. I'll be home in a jiff, just you wait! I wouldn't want to keep them waiting!"

"Very good! Everyone, here's Serafina Anya Lecter!" The crowd applauds and cheers, and my stomach flops with nerves as the tributes count down to me. "Next up, another volunteer from District 4, Collin Glaucus!"

He walks out on the stage, his face totally set. His bronze hair is combed neatly, and his dark brown eyes look even darker than usual. He doesn't have any kind of expression on, and doesn't react to the crowd.

"Welcome, Collin!" Blaine smiles at him. Collin crosses the arms of the dark green suit he wears, giving a brief nod in greeting. He must be going for the quiet, tough point of view. "So, another courageous volunteer from District 4. What brought it on?"

The boy shrugs, his expression rock-hard and unchanging. "I'm ready."

"You seem like it! So we heard that you're not going with the Careers either! Is there a reason why?"

Collin just gives a shrug. He's keeping that quiet tough-guy figure and he's not budging. Blaine changes accordingly.

"Well, he's very focused, isn't he?!" The crowd applauds in agreement, but a lot of them seem slightly awkward. "He's not letting anything stand in his way!"

Collin nods, but doesn't speak. Just looks around at the crowd. There's an awkward, tense feeling in the air, but the crowd looks at him with admiration. "So, you're going to go in there and fight, and get home. Do you have family there?"

Collin nods, looking right at some of the cameras as if he's trying to see his family through the screen.

"You got quite the impressive training score. I assume you used some weapons to do it?"

Another nod.

"So interesting."

If Collin wasn't watching the crowd and Blaine so indifferently, you'd think the silence is out of nerves. Instead he seems to have this kind of power around him that puts him above doing these stupid interviews. Blaine tries to fish some spoken answers out of him before going back to some more yes or no questions about how courageous and honorable Collin is and about how great the Games are.

The crowd is kind of toned down after that, and I feel bad. I was hoping they'd be excited for Cory. Maybe she'll be able to wind them up again.

"Everyone, it's time for District 5's Cory Baker!" She gives me a last pat on the shoulder and skips out onto the stage. She's wearing a cute, short-sleeved, white lace dress that ends at her knees. Her flaming red hair has been put up into an elegant bun with a white lace headband, and her dark eyes contrast with the bright, neon pink shadow around her eyes. She's smiling and waving at the crowd, which makes them applaud louder. "Welcome Cory! Please have a seat!"

The girl shakes her head, her ponytail swinging when she does.

"No? Well, alright then! To each their own, of course. So, you're mute, correct?"

She nods. I feel nerves bubbling in my gut. I just want her to have a good interview.

"What a shame."

She shakes her head, pointing to herself and zipping her lips.

"I'm not very good at charades," Blaine says, causing the crowd to laugh, "But I believe you're saying that you chose to be this way?"

Cory smiles at him and nods.

"Why ever would that be?"

She considers. That's a hard question to answer without using words. I'm not even completely sure why she chose this. She first bats her eyelashes and swishes her hair.

"A person? A flirt?" she shakes her head, gesturing to herself and drawing a symbol with her hands I can't make out. "Oh, a girl! A female, a woman!" she points and nods at that. Then she makes a curve around her belly. "Er… Beer belly!" She shakes her head, rolling her eyes but still keeping that smile on. She cradles her arms and rocks. "Oh, uh, your Mother!" She nods. Then, she makes a shocked expression and collapses onto the ground, flailing in an awkward position. "She died?" Cory stands up again, nodding. "Alright, your mother died."

Then, she takes her ponytail and pulls it around, putting it above her face like a moustache. "A man! Your father!" she nods, then makes the motion like a gun, holding it to her head and pulling the imaginary trigger, collapsing again. The Capitolites howl with laughter at this, finding this game of charades hilarious. That makes me scowl, though. She's telling a horrible, tragic story, why are they laughing!?

"Alright, alright," Blaine looks bothered, too, putting his hands up so that the crowd quiets. "Fun and games aside. You chose to be mute after your mother died, and your father died as well… Suicide?" The crowd is silent after that. I doubt they feel any guilt at all for laughing at her. She nods, her face taking on an expression of sadness.

"Well, that is such a shame. We at the Capitol are ever-so-sorry for your loss." Cory puts on a small smile through the obvious sadness, and copies the sign of thanks that Ductor did earlier, causing the crowd to "Aaaawww!"

"Well, that took up a lot of time, but why don't you leave us with some of your biggest strengths?" Phew, I think, smiling. She can do this one.

Cory taps her brain first, giving the crowd a smile and a nod. The crowd shouts out answers, and Blaine says over the microphone, "You're smart!" she smiles and nods, then flexes her biceps, which only looks a little bit ridiculous in her cutesy lace dress. The crowd keeps shouting, and Blaine says, "Strong!" Cory nods again, then starts running in place, as fast as she can with the uncomfortable-looking silver flats on her feet. The crowd enjoys shouting answers out to her charades. "Fast!" She nods, stopping and smiling.

"Well, Panem's seen one or two mute Victors in our time. Don't count this one out, that's for sure!" Her buzzer rings as soon as he's finished saying it. "Cory Baker, everyone!" The crowd laughs and claps, whistles and applauds. I hope they liked her personality, not just the game of charades.

"Alright, next up we have Hamilton Rayce!" My nerves swell up to my stomach as I walk out onto the stage. I've been put in a slick gray suit with a golden tie, pretty simple compared to most years. The summer humidity is sticky, though, and I sweat profusely, hoping nobody notices.

"Welcome Hamilton!"

"Thanks," I say shyly, smiling. From up on the stage with the lights, the crowd barely looks like a crowd, they just look like a pit of darkness. That calms my nerves slightly.

"Well, how have you enjoyed your time here?"

"It's been really good," I say. I don't mind that my voice is quiet and somewhat shy. Hopefully that'll add to my sweet, boy-next-door kind of angle.

"Yeah? What's your favorite part been? The food? The city? The pretty ladies?" The crowd cheers at that, whistling. The noise can practically be felt from here up on the stage, almost feeling like it could physically blow me away.

"The food's really been good. And the people are great. And I've loved the view from the fifth floor balcony. Really, I don't know I could pick one."

"What's your favorite food been that you've tried? Anything stand out?" Blaine's starting with simple questions, giving me some time to ease into the interview. "I love being able to wake up and have breakfast foods. Especially pancakes."

"Mm, definitely delicious. Important question for you, Hamilton." I look at him very seriously, not sure if he's acting or he's just going to throw a big one at me. "Are you a skimpy syrup kinda guy, or do you pour it on there?"

I laugh a little bit, to diffuse the tension that was building in my stomach. "Oh, Blaine, I drown my pancakes in sugary goodness. Have to get an energizing start to my day." The crowd applauds at that. I never really realized how easy-to-please they are when they're all in a mood like this.

"That's my kind of guy right there! Now, moving away from the pleasantries, what puts you above the other tributes here?"

"Well," I say, "I can't give too much away," I realize that sounds like I'm trying to hide the fact that I have no skills, so I backpedal a bit, "I have always been pretty athletic and good with agility. I learned how to use weapons during training, and will only get better and better with it. Also, I'm bright and learn quickly, so I've got some survival knowledge."

"Well, those are some very important skills to have as a tribute indeed. How's home for you, then? Surely you've got a good number of friends."

"That's… Not exactly the case." The crowd is quiet, interested. "I've always been overshadowed by Jackson, my older brother." Just thinking about him makes me scowl. "I do have a couple of really close friends, though. Millie and Albert, I love you guys."

The crowd "Aaaw"s at that. I just give a smile that's as sweet as I can manage.

"Well, Hamilton, you're smart and have some weapons skills and fast… Who's to say you can't come out of the Games and show this Jackson who's boss?"

"I would love that," I say. I would love to come out of the Games to keep living, really. But the fact that I would have won over my brother, I guess it's an added bonus. I just keep smiling.

"Well, you're already here, so you should see it through to the very end."

"For sure, Blaine. I've got a lot riding on this, I'm certainly not going to take it lightly."

"Well, Hamilton, we wish you the very best of luck."

"Thank you Blaine." My buzzer rings, and all I feel is a tidal wave of relief.

"Everyone, Hamilton Rayce!" the crowd applauds and cheers loudly as I walk off the stage, feeling relieved.

"Next up, District Six's own Billie West!"

She walks out onto the stage, stumbling slightly in the high-heeled, knee-high black boots she's been given to wear. Her dress is black and lacy at the top, with feathers on the ends of the sleeves and the bottom of the skirt. There are some scattered gemstones on the bottom. It's fairly short, ending slightly above the knees, where the boots start, only exposing some of the skin. Her hair has been put up in a high, bushy ponytail of curls, but she doesn't look too happy about it. Her make-up is pretty plain, with some simple winged eyeliner and the rest looking natural.

"Welcome, welcome! Please have a seat." She sits and Blaine does as well. "So, how has your experience been here?"

"Well, I'm not here by choice," she says, her lips in a scowl. "Definitely not."

"Well, a lot of tributes aren't. It's about making the best of what you're dealt."

"I suppose. Even though I never wanted to go into the Games, I still will fight." I wonder if being this upfront is really a good strategy. It's bold, certainly, but… Not very smart to be talking out against the Games like this.

"That's the spirit to have! Well, even if this isn't what you were expecting, how are you going to fight?"

"I may be deaf," she scowls, "But I'm stronger than a lot of tributes here. And I won't force you to play charades with me," she says, and the crowd bursts into laughter. I clench my fists. Cory didn't do anything to her.

Blaine laughs as well. "Oh, thank goodness! I'm certainly no good at that game, as we all know."

"I think you did well," Billie says, and the crowd applauds in agreement with her.

"Oh, thank you, thank you so much! So, fill us in: anything you can tell us about your strengths? Maybe something about strategy?"

"I'm not that easy to crack," she says. "I'll just tell you a few of the highlights: I can fight, I can climb, and I am innovative and creative, more than you would ever guess."

"Oh? Were you going to use that innovative side of you in the future?"

"I mostly just used it to have fun with my friends. Although I could've used it, I suppose."

"Well, that spirit will definitely come in handy now!"

"Yes, it definitely will."

Blaine goes on to ask some more questions about her friends and family before her buzzer rings and he presents her one last time. "Everyone, Billie West!" The crowd applauds for her, but I still have some store-up anger for her jab at Cory. "Next up we have Amari Cooper!" The crowd applauds as he goes out onto the stage.

His dark hair is done neatly, a pastel pink suit contrasting with his dark skin as he strolls onto the stage with a carefree smile.

"Welcome Amari!"

He gives the cameras a carefree grin, one that I wish I could've replicated in my interview. "Thank you so much!"

Blaine sits and Amari sits, too.

"So, what's going through your mind right now?"

"I'm just thinking about how beautiful the night is and how great it is to be with all these people, especially you!" The crowd roars with applause at that, and Amari grins.

"Isn't he great?!" the crowd is still applauding.

"Thank you so much," Amari says, flashing the crowd a grin. "I think you're great, Blaine," he says, and the interviewer feeds off of his energy, putting a hand over his heart, feigning being extremely touched.

"I can't believe you think that about me," he says dramatically.

"Oh Blaine!" Amari says, his eyes alight with a joking kind of passion. The crowd roars with laughter at this, some of them whistling and some applauding.

"So, you're among the youngest here, 15. What kind of abilities set you apart from the rest?"

"Oh, Blaine, I've trained hard and learned a lot. I'll show you my impressive skills in the Arena and show you what I learned. I'm determined and headstrong, and even though I may be one or two or three years younger than the rest of the bunch, that means nothing because I'm stronger than most all of them."

"Some bold words we have here!" Blaine chuckles, impressed.

"I don't say things I can't back up," Amari says confidently, giving the cameras another smile.

"Well, we all hope you can back them up! What are you fighting for then, Amari?"

"My family, of course, but especially my friends. Hey look Mom! Hey look Dad! Hey look Kyle and Lydia! I'm on TV!" the crowd roars with laughter as he waves at a camera. Blaine even laughs, pretty hard.

Blaine asks him a couple more questions when the laughter goes down about his friends and family, and then his buzzer rings.

"One last time, it's Amari Cooper!" The crowd roars with applause, and Amari whoops with them. He confidently walks off of the stage.

"Hamilton!" I notice Cyra standing with Ductor, waving at me. "Come on! Watching the others so closely isn't going to do you much good." She gives me a kind smile.

I glance back at the screen and nod, going over to my allies and trying not to dwell too long on my interview.

A/N: Dammit, I was really hoping I wouldn't have to split this into two. I hope you like seeing the interviews anyways. Sorry this is taking so long, I promise I'm going to try to laser through the rest of the interviews. One more chapter and then we're in the Arena! So exciting!

Also, 96 still has like a million spots that aren't closed yet. It's really not as competitive as it seems I promise! I'd love to see some of you submitting to that because it takes place after this story! So please give it a read if you get the time and if you feel so inclined send us a tribute! It'd be appreciated!

Also, all of the dresses in this chapter are based off of real dresses, and I'm going to post all the pics of dresses on the Silhouettes blog! Sorry to my not female tributes, yours are much more straight-forward and I'll find something to do for you if you really want

Chapter Question: Which of these interviews held your interest the most, excluding your own tribute if applicable?