-Blaine Buchanan, Head Interviewer-
I sit on a couch in the train, prim and proper so that I don't mess up my hair and make-up as we speed to District 1.
"Do you have any idea what happened? It was so weird. In all my years of Hunger Games, I've never seen anything like that."
"I don't know. What I do know I'm not allowed to tell," I say, biting my lip. "I… I think it's all a part of the plan. Diesel and Santana know what they're doing." I hope it's all a part of the plan. I haven't seen either of them in at least a day.
"So, on your way to your first final 8 interview, eh?"
"That's right," I say, smiling at the hologram in front of me.
"You're so grown-up. 22 years old. My boy… 22 years old."
"Oh, stop it. You always knew I had the fight in me, didn't you?"
"I know," she says, wiping her eyes. "I just can't stop thinking about that day I thought I would lose you… My baby…"
"Which one?" I give her a big smile. "Yet, here I am. You did a good job on me, Mama. You and Dad both."
She wipes at her eyes some more. "My baby, a Games interviewer. You never let any of it stop you."
"I had no reason to. With you and Dad behind me there wasn't anything I wasn't willing to try." My mother cries, and I laugh at her. It's not malicious. My mother always gets this way around this time. She gets so worked up with pride and love. I didn't do anything spectacular. I just worked hard. Now I'm reaping the reward.
"I'm so proud of you Blaine!" she takes out a handkerchief to blow her nose.
"Four years and you're still a hot mess," I tease, which makes her laugh through teary eyes.
"I'm sorry. I'm just so proud of you."
"It's fine," I say, smiling. "Although I still hate to see you cry over me."
"Baby, these are tears of joy. I'm so proud of the young man you've become and the accomplishment you've earned." The waterworks start up again.
"I miss you, Ma," I say. "After we get a Victor, I'll give you and Dad a visit, okay? And Doodle, too."
"She looked up with you said her name." She laughs through the tears. My mother picks up the small lapdog, who wags her tail. "She misses you."
"Hi Doodle, I miss you too! It's decided, I'll see you then. Now stop crying, you big softie," I tease, causing my mother to laugh some more and pat her eyes.
"I'll see you then, Dear."
"We're pulling in. Gotta go! I love you, Mama."
"I love you too, Honey, stand proud!" I wave to her and Doodle before hanging up the call and following my advisors out of the car. I stand with a bodyguard to either side of me, though District 1 is the most benevolent of the Districts. The crowd cheers and waves and applauds for me as I'm lead to the first address of Iridesce's family.
The first interviewer is with Iridesce's birthmother, York, and it goes as smoothly as all Career District interviews do. After that, we go to a second address, where I interview her step-brother next. Alabaster gives a short, slightly curt interview. I'm sure we're not going to use most of the footage in the program. I interview her father Indigo next. He is slightly tense at first, but his wife Radiance helps to warm him up to the cameras, and he gives a sincere interview.
"Now, we're here with Iridesce's step-mother, correct? Radiance."
"Yes, that's right Blaine." The woman gives me a kind, relaxed smile, which I return.
"So, from what I've seen and heard there's no tension between you and Iridesce? Even though by blood, she's not your child?"
"There's no way I could possibly dislike Iridesce for a reason as petty as that. I've known her since she was just a tiny two-year-old, and I've seen her grow and develop into a strong, independent young person that is going to change the world. And I'm here in the background, cheering for her."
"So, you've been around for a while. Did you have a hand in raising her?"
"Of course. I wanted to be the best influence I could. I did everything in my power to teach her how to stand up for herself and how to make her voice heard, no matter what society told her was normal or conventional. I can't take credit for her strength, that's something she's always had, Blaine, I'm sure of it, but I hope that through my example I helped her grow."
"That sounds wonderful." The smile comes easy and I feel more relaxed as Radiance flips the brown hair behind her shoulder.
"Radiance, if you don't mind my asking, could you possibly share a moment or memory about Iridesce that you hold particularly dear?"
Radiance giggles. "Well, I could easily embarrass her. But I'm sure that's not exactly what she wants at this moment in time on national television. Let's see… Well, I was with her the first time she saw a frog in person."
"A frog?"
"Yes, Blaine. Iridesce was 3 years old and I was watching her play outside. I looked down for two seconds to check my nail polish, and she was gone! I searched all around to find her, knowing that her father would kill me if I lost his pride and joy. Well, she hadn't gone far, only around the corner of the house, and she was holding a frog in her little hands."
I laugh, knowing the Capitol will eat this story up. "Oh, no!"
"Oh yes. Well, Blaine, I was stunned. The frog knew it was in the hands of a warrior. Luckily she let it go before she did any harm to it. I knew from that day the kind of potential she had.
"So, what would you say to her now, if you could?"
"I would tell her to keep her head up, keep her guard up, and…" she shrugs. "Keep doing what she's doing."
"Well, that's all we have time for, but thanks so much for being here, Radiance! Next up, we go to District 2 to talk to Ayesha Yggdraval of District 2!"
.
I keep apologizing for how my team practically burst into Ayesha's house uninvited because we were running late and took forever to find the place, and Ayesha keeps on crying about her now-soiled macaroni and cheese.
"I'm really sorry," I coax her, and she wipes her eyes with a weird mix of a laugh and a sob.
"I'm sorry," she says with another laugh sob. "They weren't kidding when they talked about mood swings." She keeps laugh-sobbing, and I get a box of tissues for her. She takes one and blows her nose, eventually getting control of her tears. The room is small, and dim, but homely. The couch on which we sit is right by the small television. I take a second to admire the Capitol night-vision cameras, that show the tributes clear as day even though they can't see anything themselves.
"Think you're alright to do the interview now?"
"Yes, I'm sorry." She sits still as some of them as they brush her brown skin with make-up and try to make it look like she's been having plenty good nights of sleep since Vidarr was sent away.
The cameras start rolling and the interview begins.
"So, I'm here with Ayesha Yggdraval, Vidarr's wife, correct?"
"Yes, that's right. He calls me Ashe, usually, though." She keeps smiling.
"I'm sure things have been pretty quiet and lonely without him."
"For sure, Blaine." Her lower lip starts to tremble and I start to backtrack. I don't want her to cry during the interview. That's the last thing I need. "Well, Vidarr's doing quite well in the Arena right now, right?"
She nods a bit, regaining her composure.
"Can you tell us a happy memory you have with Vidarr?" I ask, hoping this isn't going to make her too emotional.
"There are so many, Blaine. Too many to count." She sniffles and pats at her eyes. "One would be… I guess… Christmas Eve." She reaches up and wipes her eyes. "He went out and bought me a ring. It was starting to snow and I was so worried he was stuck or lost or in trouble." She sniffles again. "He had been saving for months for it. He came home with groceries, but he cracked as soon as I started probing him for the full story." She giggles a little bit through misty tears. "That big dork. He didn't have to buy my anything, I'm just happy to be his wife."
"Can we see the ring?" She puts out her hand to show off the band with a gemstone the same blue as her eyes.
"Oo," I say, knowing the rest of the Capitol will do the same. "That's beautiful. As a Victor, he'll be able to buy you anything you could ask for."
"Not just me, Blaine." I wasn't sure if she was officially going to go there, but it seems as she is. The Capitolites will go crazy for this. "Another Yggdraval's going to come into the world." She smiles and pats her stomach lightly. I know that Pit was trying to put together enough for a sponsor note with the news to send down.
"You look wonderful," I say, "And we wish you the best."
"Thank-" she freezes, her eyes widening.
"Ashe? Are you alright?" Maybe she's having some kind of trouble with the pregnancy, or…
Ashe closes her eyes and screams at the top of her lungs.
It's just then that I look at the television, where lion mutts with manes and tails of fire pounce on top of the boy from District 2.
"VI!" she shouts, tears pouring out of her eyes. She runs over and picks up the television, shaking it desperately as the room is suddenly full of her husband's screams. The high-quality cameras show the bloody, gory details all too clearly. "NO! VI!" Ashe collapses to her knees, screaming. My team starts packing up. I can't make myself move. The pain fills every inch of my body, watching her grief. A cannon doesn't boom, but the lions leave their prey. He's not even recognizable anymore after being singed and torn to pieces by the mutts. "PLEASE! NO! VI!"
"Mr. Buchanan," one of my associates grabs me by the shoulder. Ashe lets out a screaming sob.
"I can't just leave her," I say quietly, my eyes filling with tears.
"We're already running late."
"Ashe, are you going to be alright?" She doesn't even answer me. It's as if I'm not there, nobody is there, it's as if she can't hear or see anything. She stays doubled over on her knees, sobbing and screaming his name.
"Blaine. Come on. You don't want to be a target of the President, do you?" he has to ask it loudly over the screaming and sobs coming from the young woman on the floor. Only a teen, pregnant, and now, alone. My heart breaks for her. I want to stay. I want to help her. I want to bring Vidarr back to life so he can be by her side.
I'm pulled by the shoulder out the door, tears rolling down my cheeks.
"We'll film a conclusion and edit it in later," is the only sentence that breaks the silence.
By the time we get on the train, I can't stop sobbing. My make-up team yells at me, but I can't stop. This is what the Games are. This is what the Games are doing. What is that poor girl going to do? I can't fathom how she's going to make it all alone.
"Just breathe, Blaine, you're doing well. Two down, six to go."
I realize that this hell is only just beginning, and try to swallow my tears. I try to tell myself they deserve this, for the Dark Days. Why is this poor girl, no older than I am, being punished? I don't understand it. I shake the pictures of her doubled over, sobbing, out of my mind as we pull into District 3, and put on a happy face. No matter what, I'm a part of this, and I can't change it now.
In District 3, I talk to Cyra's mother Ina first. Her father is out working, and from how Ina sounded when she said it, this isn't anything new. I talk to Cyra's brother Isaac, and his wife Rochelle. I fawn a bit over their little son Greg, but when memories of Ashe start to surface, I quickly move on. After the family interviews are done, the last interview is with her boyfriend.
"Here I'm with Cyra's boyfriend Lennon! So, Lennon, how long have you and Cyra been dating?"
The boy's brown eyes have a soft, sentimental to look to them as he says, "Ten months. It'll be eleven in just a couple of days, actually."
"Ah, yes, the joy of young love. A joy that some people have yet to experience." I wink at the cameras for good measure.
"It's been a joy. She's a joy. She brings joy wherever she goes. Joy and light. She can always lift my spirits. Always has been able to."
"So, why don't you tell us a bit about how you got together?"
"Well, I fell for her pretty hard and pretty quick. I'm not a shy man, Blaine, I'm not afraid to step up and say how I feel. I was upfront about my feelings. And she turned me down. She wasn't ready for a relationship at the time. At the time she was only 16 and I was 18, which is a pretty big maturity gap if you consider, and the way her life was, she wasn't ready. I tried to get her out of my head for, maybe a year, and it wasn't working. Everything always came back to her. We spent more and more time together, and every time I learned something new about her I just fell for her again and again. It was a vicious cycle, falling for her, trying to get over her, and falling for her again. Luckily for me, the stronger our bond as friends got, the more she fell for me too. I'm so lucky she loves me back, I could never move on from her."
"Well, you are indeed quite a lucky man. Cyra has plenty of admirers in the Capitol, but I'm sure after getting one look at how happy you make each other we'll all support your growing relationship."
The 20-year-old runs a hand through his dirty blond hair. "I miss her so much. But she's in the final 8- well, final 7 now."
I swallow a lump in my throat.
"I know she can win this. She's strong. She can handle whatever is thrown her way. I need her back by my side, Blaine. I have no idea what I'd do without her. She's made such an impact on my life… If I'd only known that our time could be cut short I would've enjoyed every minute twice as much, I would have held her tightly and close, I would have told her I loved her every day, every time I saw her, every time I felt it."
"So, what would you say to her, if you could?"
"I would say…" he swallows a lump in his throat. "I would tell her that she's doing well. She's in the final 7. She's so close to making it back. She just needs to remember how close she is and keep fighting until she's the Victor. I have all the faith in her and I need her back here."
"Thank you Lennon. Next up, we're going to District 7 to talk to the friends and family of Riella Delani and Kendal Beck!"
.
Since Riella was reaped first, she is the first of the 7 tributes to have her family interviewed. Her parents don't provide much, as they just tsk and tsk and talk about how she's dead to them, whatever. Really, just a waste of precious time. The one we really need isn't related to her anyways.
I knock on the door of the small apartment, and as soon as the door is opened, the smell of cigarette smoke assaults my nostrils, causing me to cough. She brushes the dark brown hair behind her shoulders, her hazel eyes smirking at me.
"What, you can't handle some dirty-ass District apartment?"
Now I can see where Riella got some of her snark from.
"You must be Andy."
"You must be one of Satan's henchmen."
I do everything I can not to scowl. I find that if you just continue to be kind it's more likely to open people up.
"Well, come in, if you can handle it." She laughs and goes in the apartment, and I follow her. It's dim and small and cramped, and is eerily similar to the apartment I was in when I was in District 2. I repress the memories as my team sets up and I do everything I can not to cough. Soon enough, the cameras are rolling.
"Well, I'm here with Andriea Barreil, Riella's girlfriend." I can't hold the coughs in any longer, as hard as I try.
She gives a snort but doesn't say anything (thank goodness). "Andy. Only Andy."
"Alright, Andy. How long have you and Riella been a couple?"
Andy just shrugs. "Who cares? We are one now and that's what matters. We will be for a long time. Anniversaries don't really mean shit."
"Alright," I say, wishing she'd keep the cursing down. I feel like she's going to be hard to manage. I can't imagine what she would've been like in the Arena. Either self-destructive, or a tribute straight out of Diesel and Santana's worst nightmares. I can't decide which. I don't want to think about it. "Are there any stories you have with her that you'd want to share?"
"I could talk about all those times we fucked," she starts.
"Er, that's alright, please…"
She laughs, knowing full well what she's doing and that she's making me very uncomfortable. She also knows that she's the only thing we've got for Riella, therefore she's guaranteed to be shown on TV for all to see, including Riella's parents.
"Alright, alright." Her fingers find the necklace around her neck, a gold chain with a birdcage charm. "She got me this for my last reaping," she says quietly. "It matches a tattoo I have." She pulls up her shirt slightly to show the camera. "It was a total surprise. She told me to look for it after she was reaped."
"Yes, she was talking to you when she was reaped. What was she saying?"
"She told me she wanted to do this. Not to volunteer. I didn't." She keeps a totally straight face, but I see pain in her eyes.
"Well, she's certainly doing her District proud in there."
"I'm proud of her," she says, quietly, genuinely. Not to pat myself on the back, but I don't think my golden touch has worn off yet. "I'm so proud of her."
"And you have all the reason to be. What would you say to her, if you could right now?"
"I would tell her that she knows what to do." Andy perks up again, refusing to stay vulnerable any longer. "I'd tell her to do it for the drunk-off-our-asses victory sex. Mm, she's so fucking hot when she gets dominant, I'd let her have her way with me all night long."
I clear my throat awkwardly, hoping that our editing team can change that into something more kid-friendly. If not, I suppose the Capitolites will think it's hilarious anyways.
"Next up, across the District to talk to the friends and family of Kendal Beck!"
It's a longer drive than expected to the camp where the Becks are. I begin interviewing his parents, who seem exhausted. They are busy people, Rube working as a teacher that travels to different camps and Catherina out and about working to keep the tree population up. However, since Kendal was reaped, they've both been home, and I can tell they've barely slept. Between both them I would guess about 2 hours. After their interview I talk to Kendal's Aunt Linnette, who is extremely kind and energetic.
"I had no doubt you'd be here talking to me," she said cheerfully. She whole-heartedly believes Kendal's got it in him to go all the way.
Finally, I interview Kendal's best friend, Agata Ingram. She's a girl with dark skin and dark hair in two tight pigtails and thick glasses. I'm not surprised, looking at her, that she would be friends with Kendal.
"Now I'm here with Agata Ingram, Kendal's best friend. So, Agata, how did you and Kendal meet?"
"How did I meet Beck? Well, it all started because of a stupid research project. I had been looking in the library for, like, a million years, and I still couldn't find any stupid books about pine trees. So I was bored to death and just, like, needed a second to get it together, so I laid on the floor."
"On the floor?" I ask, laughing, knowing that the audience will have the same reaction.
"Yes, that's right, the floor. And this nerd comes over and asks me why the heck I'm laying on the floor. I'm like, 'what's this guy doing?' So I was like, telling him about this stupid, no-good project. But really that nerd actually likes books and wanted to get one, and he couldn't get past me because of how I was laying. But I decided that if he had his own motives, I should too. So I got him to help me research. And from there it's history."
"That's certainly one of the most unique origin stories I've ever heard! You have a truly unique and special friendship then, huh?"
"It's…" she sighs a bit. "Yeah, it's been kinda lonely without him around. And quiet. He always went on and on about random facts that literally nobody will use but…I miss it. He's like my brother. If we're separated too long I actually start to miss habits like those."
"Well, he's been doing well. After all, now that he and Raoul are split, he has the majority of the haul that he won from the Cornucopia and from sponsors."
"Sponsor him more!" Agata says quickly, staring at the camera. "He's brilliant and adorable. Did you know he has a photographic memory!? I know, I've seen it! He's the one that's going to win, hear me?! Sponsor him more, dammit! You hear me? You won't regret it!"
I give a small chuckle. "Hear that Capitolites? Get sponsoring!" I laugh a little bit, knowing that the crowds love a good call to action.
"Yes, Kendal Beck, District 7, just in case you forgot, but if he met you he wouldn't forget you because he's super smart, and he's good at tying knots and identifying berries. Also, look at that face. He's single and ready to mingle. He's adorable."
I laugh, trying to reign the stallion back in. "Well, Agata, I think we've gotten just a bit off topic here. If you were standing next to Kendal right now, what advice would you give him?"
"I would tell him that my good friends at the Capitol are going to sponsor him with lots of good presents soon because I told them to and because he's a genius."
"Alright, besides that?"
"I would just tell him to keep up the good work. Keep his eyes open. Use what he knows to get ahead of the others. He's not out of this race yet. He's so close to making it back here. And we need him back. And so do you. He's not done contributing to society yet."
"Thanks so much for your time Agata, but it's time for us to move right on to District 9 to be acquainted with the place Kade Fields calls home!"
.
It's thunderstorming by the time we arrive in District 9. The weather doesn't seem to be getting any better as we drive out to locate Kade's best friend Sophia. When we finally reach the girl, lightning flashes and thunder booms loudly, causing me to jump. The girl doesn't even seem bothered.
"Let's take her to the Justice Building," one of my associates says, and after threatening one of my attendants with a knife, she gets in the car with us.
Next to my fashion-savvy make-up team, the wet, starving, homeless girl from District 9 almost looks like a different species. You can't get much more different than that. The girl doesn't take long to go from cold and defensive to absolutely amazed, though.
"Good to meet you Sophia," I say, turning around to smile at her from the passenger's seat.
"Hey," she says quietly. She still looks a bit in awe.
"Have you never ridden in a car before?" I ask.
"I've never even touched one."
"Never touched one!?" Everyone in the car is shocked. Cars are such a necessity in the Capitol. How do these people get anywhere?!
"Never."
"Maybe you could try driving back," I say, to which her eyes widen and I get a cold look from the man in the driver's seat. "Alright, maybe not. But there's a much better view from the passenger seat, so you can have it on the ride back." I really try to control my kindness toward the outer District people, but ever since the horror of this morning, I can't stop it anymore. These people need support right now. Not scorn.
We stop at the Justice Building and get out, going into the lobby for the interview. It takes my prep team longer than expected to get all the tangles out of Sophia's hair and clean the dirt and grime off of her. I wonder how long she must have been living like this. How much longer she'll have to do this. If Kade wins, surely she'll be able to live somewhere, under a roof of some sort. But if he dies… She's alone. My heart breaks for this girl.
Soon, though, before I can give it much more thought, the cameras roll and I'm interviewing.
"Now I'm here with Sophia Cole, Kade's best friend. Welcome Sophia."
"Thanks Blaine." She acts like a totally different person with all the dirt and grime cleaned off, hair combed through.
"So, have you and Kade known each other for a long time?"
"Not really, no. Only about a year, maybe a bit longer."
"Oh, wow. Fast friends then?"
"Allies first. Friends after."
"Yes, Kade seems to exhibit that pattern, doesn't he?"
Sophia looks slightly hurt at the comment, but brushes it off. "I guess," she mutters.
"So, you two worked together a lot?"
"We always had each other's backs, since we first met. I taught him everything I knew, and in return, he defended me and stayed with me. I had become far too used to being lonely, back in those days. Having a companion was something I'd totally forgotten the feeling of. And now, just like that, I'm alone again."
"But not for long, right? After all, Kade's doing exceptionally well, and he has a huge following in the Capitol."
"Right. Not for long. He's got it in him to get back, I know he does."
"Speaking of Capitol fans, just from person to person… Is there anything going on between you and Kade?"
"Huh?"
"Y'know… Romantically?"
She clears her throat, thrown off by the question as her cheeks are brushed with pink. "No. Nothing. We're just friends."
"Well, that opens the door for plenty interested fans, doesn't it?"
Sophia swallows hard and gives a curt nod. "Yes. As long as they treat him right."
"Ah, but our Capitol treats our Victors like royalty, of course!" I pause for the crowds to applaud, but Sophia just tries not to make a face.
"Yeah," she says quietly.
"So, is there a story as to how you met?"
"I wish we had some adorable story, but not really. After a while, you just kind of learn how to tell the people that live on the streets. It comes from a long time of experience. He was kinda tailing me and we decided instead of beating the shit out of each other in a fruitless attempt to gain something from it, we should work together. It took a while for me to warm up to him, and even longer for me to trust him. But from there, it was history. We were unbreakable."
"So, some of those fighting skills he showed against that boy from 4… We can attribute them to a wise teacher?"
She snorts a little bit. "I never said I knew what I was doing. I just showed him how to kick people in the balls and dash."
I laugh. "I'm sure it was more than that."
"I guess. I'm sure he'd give me all the credit, but he worked hard too." She smiles slightly.
"So, what would you say to him, if you had the chance?"
"I would tell him… To keep fighting with everything in him. Go all-in, fight hard, never give up. Make it back. Win a life for yourself. Make a name. I know you can. You have the spirit in you. The fight. Keep at it, never look back, never doubt your skill. Please make it home Kade. I need you here."
"Thanks so much for your time, Sophia. After the break, we travel to District 10 to talk to the friends and family of Raoul Keaton!"
.
District 10 is amazing to me in just how gloomy it is. You imagine 10 to be a sunny place with lots of animals and hospitable people, but on a stormy day like today it just looks sad. It doesn't take us long to find the small shelter in which Raoul's parents live.
When we arrive, only Raoul's father is present, but he agrees to sit for an interview anyways. Raoul's mother is still working through all of this pain and grief. After talking to them, we locate a couple of Raoul's close friends. The first friend, Sire, doesn't take long to find at all considering he lives just a minute or so's walk from Raoul's house. The other one requires a bit more of a distance, as Drake lives in the wealthier part of the District. I enjoy some refreshments at Drake's before the interview, which goes quite smoothly. After that, there's only one name left on the list: Raoul's brother, Reuben.
The 20-year-old looks surprised when he opens the door and sees us there.
"Hello. Reuben?"
"Yeah…"
"Mind if we come in for a quick interview?" It's awkward if I don't introduce myself, but it'd be just as awkward if I did, considering everyone in Panem is required to watch me narrate the deaths of their children. I don't tell my mother how much this job bothers me, as it's everything I always wanted as a child and it would just upset her too much. Just like I did when I was fighting cancer, I'll grin and bear it. I've gotten quite good at that.
"Oh. Uh, sure."
His house is dim and the storm outside provides no natural light. My team gets to work setting up lights and cameras.
"Why are you here? I haven't talked to my brother in three years." He seems bothered, turning away.
"We'll talk to anyone and everyone. I'm sure you have plenty to say about Raoul."
He's quiet as my team does last-minute preparations before we start rolling.
"Now I'm here with Reuben Keaton, Raoul's older brother at 20 years old. So, Reuben, what's your relationship with your brother like?"
"We haven't talked in years," he reiterates, seeming slightly annoyed and very defensive.
"Why is that?"
He clenches his fists and takes a breath. "I left after our parents and I had a… Disagreement."
"Oh?"
He gives me a harsh look that says he's not going to be pushed any further for details. "Yes."
"Well, you've seen him on his quest to the Arena and through the Games. I'd say that he's doing his District quite well. Would you say you're proud of him?"
Reuben swallows hard. "Yes." He flips some wavy brown hair out of his eyes nervously.
"I don't know about you," I say to the cameras, "But I certainly wasn't expecting Raoul to be the District 10 tribute in the final 8 this year. In fact, I would've expected the roles of our two tributes to be reversed."
"Hey, shove it. This is my brother we're talking about," Reuben says defensively, but his body language shows how hurt he is.
"You're right, Raoul has certainly surprised us! He hasn't really done much on the offensive as of yet, but do you think he might?"
"He'll do what he needs to do to win."
"Are you worried about him now that he's on his own out there?"
"No. He's never needed anyone else before. It was going to have to happen sometime. He knew it as well as any of the rest of us. He'll be fine. He's so close to winning at this point, he knows what's at stake."
"Well, I for one certainly hope that's true. I'm sure there are plenty of Capitolites whose hearts have been warmed by our shy little musician from District 10. It's times like this when we're reminded that shy tributes are totally capable of winning. They have in the past. Even tributes that trip up the stairs to their reaping." I take a pause for the audience to laugh at the memory. "And yet, every year we still fall into the pattern of severely underestimating our social caterpillars."
"Raoul is perfectly social. He's friendly and kind and he has lots of admirers. He's not a social caterpillar, he was just in shock at crowds and the prospect of the Games."
"Well, he obviously had no reason to be afraid, because he's officially in the final 7."
"He is." Reuben bites his lip.
"Do you regret losing contact with him, Reuben?"
The boy gives me an icy glare, but when I look back at him genuinely, the ice in his brown eyes melts into sadness. When he speaks, it's quiet. "Yes. I do. I shouldn't have been so rash. I should've gone back. I had too much pride to do it, though."
"Well, maybe you can patch things up if he makes it back home."
Reuben stares at the floor, but nods.
"So, if you could say anything to him right now, what would it be?"
"I would say… I'm sorry for how I acted and what I did. I hope he'd forgive. I hope we can rebuild our relationship. I still care about him and want to make things right again."
"Thanks for your time, Reuben. Stay tuned, for the friends and family of our last but certainly not least tribute, Martina Reyés!"
.
District 11 is so dreary, but the people I see watch me, wide-eyed, as if still in shock one of their tributes made it this far. I walk straight forward, associates on either side of me, and try not to look at the people on their knees and begging for me to spare a cent. It was hard for me to learn to just ignore them, but my first year interviewing in 11 I gave some of them change and President Snow almost killed me for it. I have to be careful. But, I'm used to having a high risk of death.
First, I talk to Martina's parents. Her father is kind and gentle, and her mother is fiery about her daughter and her chances of winning. After, I talk to her brother Tristan, and his wife Mariah, while their little 1-year-old Demarcus babbles happily and loudly. Then, I talk to Martina's other 3 siblings together: Leah at 16, Trey at 13, and Marleen at 5. It's another smooth interview. Her family is certainly large, but they're all kind and hospitable, and invited me to eat dinner at their table even though they really didn't have to, and I'm sure feeding me and my crew would take a harsh toll on them.
The last interview of the year is of Martina's boyfriend.
"Now I'm here with Jackson Dawson! Welcome, Jackson!"
"Thanks," the 22-year-old says. Four years is quite a difference between 18 and 22, but he seems passionate about her.
"So, Jackson, how did you and Martina meet?"
"We met working together. We were kind of curt to each other at first, but eventually she worked her way into my heart, and we've been happy together ever since."
"So, you're quite happy. Excuse me if this is intrusive, but have you considered marrying her?"
He blinks, a bit shocked at my forwardness. But, he gives an honest answer. "Y-Yes, of course I have. She's the only light I have in the darkness of my life, and I'd be absolutely miserable without her. I… I'd want to spend the rest of my life with her. I've been holding off, though… Until we were both done with reapings. But…"
"Now she'll come home a Victor. Are you sure you can handle being a Victor's husband, if she says yes?"
"I want to be Martina's husband. I'll do anything. If she did me the honor of marrying me, I'd be the happiest person in District 11. I know everyone says that, but I really mean it when I say it."
I pause for the crowd to "Aaaw!"
"How sweet," I say quietly. "Surely she'll say yes."
"I sure hope so."
"But, first she has to make it home. Of course, she's certainly capable of it."
He nods a bit, the light reflecting off his bald head. "Yes, I know what she's capable of. She can and will do anything she sets her mind to, including winning the Games. She'll be back in no time. She'll be back here soon. I just hope she'll give me the time of day back here in 11 when she can shoot so much higher."
"Well, with the relationship it seems you have, I'm sure she'll be back in your arms in no time. Did you give her a token to take into the Arena with her?"
"Yes. She took a gift from me with her."
"What was it?"
"A cherry blossom. I gave it to her a while ago in place of a promise ring, which are hard to come by in a place like this. It's kind of dried and withered by now, though, but… Yes. She took it." The mood seems to lighten a bit.
"Well then, surely that's a sign that she's not going anywhere," I say decidedly. "She is certainly well-loved by her District and especially her family. How do you keep track of them all? I'm trained and I can't!" I laugh, knowing the audience will do the same.
"I don't interact with them very much, but as I said, I'll do anything for Martina. You just learn. When in doubt you just say "kid" and all of them will respond."
I laugh some more, and Jackson cracks a small smile. "So, if you could say anything to Martina right now, what would it be?"
The mood gets more serious again. "I would tell her how much I love her and how much I want to see her come home," he says quietly. "I would tell her to keep fighting, keep believing in herself, and keep on doing what she's doing. She knows what she's capable of. Just six more, Martina. Six more and you're home."
"Well-said. Thank you so much for your time, Jackson." I turn to the cameras, which are zooming in on me. "And thank you, citizens of Panem, for tuning into another exciting round of Final 8 Interviews!" I can't let my eyes show the sadness of knowing that there are only 7 left. "Mandatory watching time will commence immediately following this program. Have a good evening, everybody!"
"Cut!" says one of my advisors. "That's a wrap."
I shake Jackson's hand and am escorted back to the train in the storm.
Another year of successful interviews, I think, sighing in relief as the train pulls away, starting back to the Capitol. Hopefully they're good enough that I get to live another year.
~.~.
A/N: Hey, that's not as long as I thought it would be! Still long, but hopefully not TERRIBLY long. So, here's our final 8! (Er, final 7. Thanks so much for Vi, Legend, I hope his death was creative and took you by surprise!) I hope you're all satisfied with the tributes left and which loved one I chose to focus on for their interviews. Let me know what you think, reviews are always appreciated!
Well, the poll for what to do next didn't help. So I'm eliminating a couple of the options and making a new poll, and I'd really appreciate it if you voted on that once again. What I'm thinking is doing another normal SYOT now, doing a second chance SYOT after Masque is over, and doing a collab with Dreamer that's Mary Sue-ish after we finish 96. So I hope that's cool! But if one thing gets, like, a million votes it's subject to change. So I'll post that poll as soon as this is posted.
This Chapter Question was brought to you by Dreamer! Here it is: If you were in this arena, where would be the first place you would go to hide?
For me, I dunno, I'd probably try to hide behind the ferris wheel and then I'd try to go back to the entrance. I'd probably die in the bloodbath, though, not gonna lie.
Review and let me know what you think! Next chapter I'll make a poll for Victor to see what you think, because I haven't decided on one yet.
Thanks a bunch for the support! If you wanna watch me draw/write AUs check the blog and pop on Sunday at 7!
Scores:
AbbyCorabby123: 10
A-Bookworm-Named-Steph: 41
Apollo's Slytherpuff Daughter: 113
bagelswift: 2
Beauty. Is. Strange: 61
Blonde4ever: 62
calebbeers21: 6
Coolgal02: 61
CrissKenobie-the-Numenorean: 110
CptAwesome: 10
Culturalchicken: 2
deathless. smile: 15
Dreamer: 736
dreams and desperation: 80
eldergrayskull: 4
elisa. anya: 5
Emrys Holmes: 98
epictomguy: 24
erica1024 (I'm assuming you're the same person who reviewed as a guest named Erica, but let me know if you're not!): 16
fat necrosis: 64
falyn. oliver: 43
GirlOnFire (assuming you were also the guest with no title): 20
GryffindorOnFire: 9
hopefuldreamer1991: 447
Ibbonray: 35
Jalen Kun: 17
Jess: 582
johnsonmiranda70: 6
Josephm611: 207
Kate: 683
Xx-Katerina-xX: 56
Kyoko Rose: 26
Lady Lysa Arryn: 127
Legend: 584
Littlefoot876: 2
LokiThisIsMadness: 155
magicharity: 163
Master Maedhros: 10
MissVolturiKingsfan: 4
Medium-Indigo (Guest): 60
MicaaAmaya: 4
Music Rules The World: 4
Mystical Pine Forest: 30
nevergone4ever: 2
OncerTillTheEnd: 4
xxPeppermintxx109: 94
PrimroseEverdeenmyLittleDuck: 10
Programming: 7
xQueen-of-Applesx: 40
rising-balloons: 80
Red Roses1000: 5
ReignRain: 2
Rosemarie Benson: 12
Sagerose the Divergent: 10
santiago. poncini20: 116
Seahorse8: 32
seaotter99: 22
Shaunaicecream (Guest): 20
stop-pulling-on-mariazell: 30
superneet1214: 6
Skyflapple: 21
starrymidnight16: 4
ThisWorldWeHate: 17
TyeTheLurker (Guest): 50
the victor of panem: 61
We're All Okay: 71
W. R. Winters: 316
youngpatriot: 44
