Interviews Part 1: Laughter Lines
Laughter Lines by Bastille
I'll see you in the future when we're older
And we are full of stories to be told
Cross my heart and hope to die
I'll see you with your laughter lines…
Note: Interviews aren't my forte in SYOTs, so expect short and to the point. Interviews will be done from Izzy's POV.
Isadora "Izzy" Stone (24) Tribute Parade Coordinator & Interviewer
The buzz of the 4th Quarter Quell's twist and Arenas has sent viewers and reviews skyrocketing, the most in the past century. Tickets to the interviews sold so quickly and abruptly that now we have to conduct sessions here at the Capitol's grand 'Snow Stadium'. Fit to hold hundreds of millions of people, the building is furnished with custom leather seats and provides dining services. Steel platforms have been installed into the field's turf, renovations made to the prehistoric building once used for sports entertainment during the Dark Days.
I look up and watch as the stadium slowly fills, Capitol citizens filling the seats by the masses. My eyes drift to the reserve seating, the Victors who file in one by one, take their place in the first row. Victor Beck Holloway shakes his head as the large screen plays clips of past Quarter Quells, skipping the 3rd entirely.
None of the Capitolites seem to care.
"Welcome everyone to the 4th Quarter Quell!" My voice sounds airy and sweet, leaving a weird taste in my mouth. "Considering the special circumstances surrounding the tributes this year, we will be interviewing particpants in order from the 1st Games to last year's Games!"
The crowd roars, deafening. The Victors stand and cheer, robotic and piercing sounds of clapping and cheering drown all of the horrors these tributes have yet to face. Nothing like they have ever seen before.
Crazed…
Damning…
Haunting…
Participant of the 1st Games- Orion Hades (District 12 Male)
"Orion… have a lot of things changed since the first Games?"
He nods. "Yes, very much so. District Twelve was much different than I remember…" He lowers his head, his eyes casted down. One of his shoelaces is untied, it falls limp next to my heels.
"How do you feel about your sitaution now… what do you plan for the Quell?"
My question takes him aback, a slight gasp escapes his quivering lips. "I-I… don't think it works like that…" He exhales shakily and looks at me, his eyes watery, the corners of his mouth twitching, his hands trembling…
"I-I mean… you don't plan for something like this. Once the countdown starts, y-your mind goes blank and all you can that races through your thoughts are the others on their pedestals. Are they targeting me the second the gong sounds? Will I die in the next five, ten, fifteen minutes? Will this even happen…?"
"Is that why you stood still in the middle of the Cornucopia?"
He hesitates then nods. "Yeah… I froze, because I couldn't believe w-we would a-actually… actually do it…"
The buzzer sounds and Orion stands and waves at the masses, tears falling from his warm brown eyes. As he walks down the aisle, his shoulders seem to slump and he hides his head in his tux's jacket.
I'm sorry this is happening to you again, Orion.
Participant of the 8th Games- Coyote "Coy" Coy (District 10 Male)
Coyote takes his seat squarely on the loveseat, propping his elbows on the velvet arms of the seat. His brown eyes widen as he surveys the area around us, millions upon millions of Capitol civilions cheering and rejoicing for these long forgotten teens.
"Coyote-"
"Please call me Coy." He states abruptly as he fixes his pink tie, his slender fingers working over the thin material. He directs his almond shaped eyes toward me and nods.
"Coy…! Cute nickname! Why do they call you Coy?"
"My sister-"
His expresion changes, his once calm and reserved demeanor fidgets and falters. His eyes waver with recollection and anger, his lips tremble. I can hear the audience murmuring over the boy's loss of words, Coy becoming more and more unstable as he grabs at the ends of his jacket's sleeves.
"Coy, how do you feel about your allies?"
He's so nervous that his whole body shakes, his hands trembling violently. "Th-They're okay…" He manages to spit the words out, his cheeks turning a rosy pink.
The buzzer sounds and to calm his nerves, I embrace the small boy and feel as his breathing relaxes and his racing heart ceases to palpilate. I can feel him sigh in relief, acknowledging the comfort of another.
Stay strong, Coy.
Participant of the 10th Games- Steele Lawrence (District 1 Male)
"Steele Lawrence, such a heart throb among the pre-teens in Panem!" He ascends the steps with the widest, crooked smile a person can have and grips my outstretched hand. His handshake proves to be strong and formal as we take our seats.
"So, word around the Capitol Is that Gemma Hambiln totally has the hots for you. Any comments?" I lean forward in my seat, my eyes eager to hear his response. Buzz like this will totally get people talking! I can see it now, tribute and mentor: forbidden love.
Oh, the response! The hope he'll have!
"Gemma and I are good friends, plus don't you think a ninety year difference is a bit too much?" The audience laughs, the platform beneath me shakes.
Can any of these kids appeal to the sponsors!? Anyone?!
"But you have no living relatives…"
He nods. "Right."
"Who are you fighting for? Who do you want to go home to?"
He closes his eyes, exhaling slowly. "I know what I'm fighting for. I may not have anyone to go home to, but I'm fighting for me. I'm fighting for the others who died alongside me." He laughs. "Maybe I'll have the chance to find someone worth fighting for."
The buzzer sounds and he descends the stage, his lips tight and posture straight. A look of determination etches itself into his face as he waves to the masses, his eyes always seeming to drift to the Victors' row…
Participant of the 17th Games- Barrik Solstice (District 9 Male)
"Well, Izzy. There are a lot of things I enjoyed and still enjoy today..." Barrik places his right leg on top of his left and places his forearms comfortably on the loveseat's armrests. He's relaxed posture puts me off edge and I soon feel at ease as he answers my questions, the crowd obviously head-over-heels for the blonde from Nine.
"How do you feel about the Games?"
"Fine, I guess. I'm ready for whatever hits me." He flexes his muscles from under his tux and laughs heartily. "I'm so pumped for this time around, you have no idea!"
Nothing else noteworthy happens and the buzzer sounds. He exits the stage, waving at Capitolites as he descends the steps.
If he hadn't passed those years ago, he could have been our next leader…
I wish you the best, Barrik. No matter the outcome…
Participant of the 21st Games- Brielle Marina (District 4 Female)
Brielle. This beautiful and active girl who demonstrated such brute force in her training sessions and surveillance clips now ascends the stage with elegance. Her blue dress shimmers like her seashore home, the dress tight around her chest and flares at her hips. Dark brown waves fall down slender shoulders and reach mid-back.
"So beautiful, Brielle!"
She giggles and takes her seat. "I couldn't have done it without, Shira." The crowd roars as she stands and curtsies, a bright smile across her soft features. "How are you tonight, Izzy?"
A soft smile forms on my lips. "I'm great, you?"
"Blessed. Blessed to be able to be given another chance." She blows kisses at the crowd. "I feel I need to do my District and family proud, unlike before."
"You placed fairly well in your first Games, Brielle. Considering the competition that year."
"I plan on winning this year, no matter what." Brielle flashes pearly white teeth to the audience, her eyes sharp.
The buzzer sounds and she leaves, the masses cheering for the bubbly brunette. I find myself impressed with her interview, but I can't help to feel that her focused persona somewhat faltered at the mention of her past competitors…
Participant of the 22nd Games- Elijah "Eli" Sonenclar (District 10 Male)
"Wow…" Eli sits, deer in the headlights, scanning the stadium seats. His mouth hangs open, a rather dumbstruck expression takes over him. I watch as his hands begin to tremble.
"Eli, how's it going?" I try to seem cheerful, and optimistic. A warm smile spreads across his face, and seems promising for the remaining five minutes of the interview until a dark presence bores through Eli's tired eyes. His mouth is agape, staring straight into me. The corners of his mouth begin to turn upward in a chaotic manner, his eyes straining.
"Eli…?"
Tears spring to life, his face contorting not in amusement or humor or acting fake. True, raw emotion emanates from this small, scared fifteen year old. The crowd has mixed responses to the boy, some cry for him. Some merely dismiss the utterly broken individual, booing and yelling expletives at him. No tribute has cried like this, sure there had been those who give pity tears or cry in joy.
Not like this.
This was realization, the bitter reality of these tributes' fates. They died and it was final, no return, no more suffering, no more pain. At least, not until the serum was finally completed. Now families will fear living, as those who are brought back hold a most special power. The power of change and loss, those who were loved now lay rotten and decayed in caskets. The tribute who wins will be feared by most, respected by some, and disgusted by the elders of this generation.
I'm truly sorry, Eli.
Participant of the 1st Quarter Quell- Faust Stark (District 5 Male)
"What a spiffy outfit you got there, Faust." My gaze falls over the boy's attire: a Victorian style coat with a cravat that is just a fancy ruffled tie makes him look as if he came from before the Dark Days. The only article of clothing that's from the modern age are beat-up black converse. "Trying to imitate the Capitol fashion?"
He laughs, a light-hearted chuckle rises and sings from the usually sullen teen. "I'm trying to keep it interesting, to say the least."
I cast suspicious over him as he waves to the masses, either a, he's actually trying to impress everyone or b, Lucy Lovering set him to this. I go for the latter.
"So, the first Quarter Quell. How does it feel to be selected for such an honor such as the Games?" The words taste bitter and sour, spitting up fake words and lies like a spigot tonight…
Something changes in him, instead of sitting up straight and proper he now slouches. An annoyed expression forms as I try to initiate the events of the twenty-fifth Games.
He finally snaps.
"You think this was an honor?! Being disowned by my District for being the outcast, the mayor's son!" His voice is hoarse, his words hissed and damaged. He spouts so more hateful and deranged words, but finally says something that leaves me paralyzed with fear. "I plan on winning this time, but for a different reason…"
He storms off the stage before the buzzer sounds, his coat trailing behind him as the seething teen runs off, anger and hurt taking over the lonesome boy.
Participant of the 33rd Games- Messiah "Alpha" Emerald (District 8 Male)
Messiah is dressed in his regular clothing: a tight-fitting black muscle shirt and baggy cargo jeans His regular clothes: black muscle shirts and black baggy cargo jeans. His reserved nature resonates through his mannerly stride, to his usually loose hair is now tied back.
"Welcome, Messiah." My hand is swallowed by his as I shake his hand. Despite his build, his handshake is gentle and comfortable. Some of my anxiety subsides as we begin the session, his responses to-the-point and truthful.
"How do you feel about being brought back?" I sit forward in my seat, my curiosity peaked as he responds without hesitation.
"I miss my Ma and Pa." He emits a nervous, low chuckle and looks toward the sky. "I'd like to think they're watching me from up there, along with my sisters."
"Is there truly an afterlife, have you experienced this in the past sixty-seven years?"
He stays silent, pondering my quite controversial question. The question nags me every year, is there truly a place of rest, a so called 'heaven'?
"That's for me to know and everyone else to find out. Telling everyone if there is or not would go against everything…" I can hear him mumble something under his breath, but his voice is so low and rumbly that I don't quite catch what he mutters.
The buzzer sounds before I can ask him anything else about his awakening and briskly leaves, a sorrowful and empty feeling left of the mysterious teen.
Participant of the 45th Games- Lilac Fields (District 11 Female)
"I lived with my parents and older brother before the 45th Games."
I nod, ready to ask another question. "How was your family situation? According to our records, your family was in poverty-"
"A lot of families were in trouble." She cuts me off and continues, her eyes hardened. "The year I was reaped, not a lot of crops were harvested due to a series of droughts. Many families including mine were affected that year." I can tell from her crossed arms and change of tone that I had hit a nerve.
What does she expect, she's going to need sympathy if she wants sponsorship this time around!
"Lilac… how tall are you?" My mind recalls the moment I opened her file and found her medical records. The startling discovery I had found that was left cold for fifty years ago.
"Around 5'2''." She adjusts herself in her chair, tucking a strand of kinky dark brown hair behind her ear.
"How much did you weigh before you arrived at the Capitol." I see something snap in her. Her hazel eyes darken, what once was a warm yellow now gleams a muddy brown. She looks around, biting her tongue.
"Lilac…"
"Less than eighty pounds." She blurts the answer so unexpectedly that along with everyone else, she startles me. The stadium erupts in cries and dramatic wailing. Lilac sits stunned, her jaw locking in place. You can see the tension in her hands, arms, legs, and torso as she stays rigid. The awakening had only replenished some nutrients and fat to her body, but she still appears malnourished.
She begins to cry and heave dry tears, even after the buzzer sounds.
Participant of the 46th Games- Azura Sparks (District 2 Female)
"Oh stop, Izzy!" Azura waves her hand dismissively as she twirls in her silver sequenced dress. The tiny gems glimmer dimly and cast an almost moon lit shine. Shiny silver makeup make her blue eyes and pale skin glitter, the gloss of her lips making her smiles more lively.
"Your outfit is beyond gorgeous!" I gesture towards her. "Isn't it?"
The crowd responds, the noise as loud as an airplane taking off. My ears begin to ring as the crowd dies down. I turn towards Azura who waves and blow kisses to the masses.
"How do you feel?"
"I feel ah-mazing, Izzy. I'm so blessed to be able to have the chance to participate in the Games again!" She blows more kisses to the crowd and cameras, the audience going wild with Azura's exuberant presence.
"Do you feel you have a chance of winning?"
She snorts. "I know I have a chance, duh." She waves a hand dismissively and continues. "The odds were in my favor when I was choosen for this, so why wouldn't they be now?"
The crowd nods, waves of murmurs sweeping over the masses.
"Right. Thanks so much for being here tonight with us, Azura."
"The pleasure's all mine, Mrs. Stone." She giggles and exits the stage; her head held high and a brilliant set of teeth form a radiant aura.
Is there more behind her smile?
Participants of the 2nd Quarter Quell- Glint Gemstone (District 1 Male) and Kale Kolman (District 7 Male)
"Do you two remember Haymitch Abernathy?"
Kale shakes his head. "There was fourty-eight of us… I honestly don't even remember my own district partners' names." He rubs his chin and looks towards the audience. He laughs nervously, a crooked smile taking form on his usually hardened persona. "I know he won our Games, though." He gestures to Glint. "Maybe our wonderful Glint here knows something about Haymitch."
Ha, I love this kid now.
Glint gives Kale a confident smirk, nudging him quite hard. "Ah, well of course. That ba-… Haymitch killed my sister." He clears his throat, giving a hearty chuckle. "I'm glad at least District Twelve got a Victor." I can hear the disdain in his voice, the rough hardness. The Capitolites don't seem to notice.
"Right… So Kale, are you excited for the Quell?"
He scoffs, his eyes animated. "Yeah, I can't wait to risk my life again…"
The Capitol citizens laugh, oblivious to his sarcasm. Kale just sighs and leans farther back in his seat, the black leather jacket he is wearing rubs uncomfortably against the white leather loveseats. My mind races with questions to ask. Damn. Why am I drawing up blanks?
Glint smirks and butts in. "I'm excited, Izzy. I'm just so happy I have the opportunity to compete once more." He runs a hand through his blonde hair, the teenage girls in the audience cheering for him. Swooning over the athletic boy whose silver suit fits snug in all the right places. "I will bring honor to District One and to my family…"
The buzzer sounds and the two shake hands, a less than cheerful encounter as the two walk down the red carpet together. The distance between them is significant; they wave to either side of the crowd with Glint receiving the most rendention.
"We'll return to our other tributes after this commercial break!"
A/N: Here our the first twelve tributes. Be sure to vote in the poll on my profile! Part II will be up soon! :D
1. Which POV(s) did you like best?
2. What do you look forward to seeing in the others' responses?
Love Always,
Domi