Phantom Spinarid, District Eight Male, 18 years old
My mentor tells me I need to place more emphasis on the interviews than I am. To care more. He tells me this'll determine how the Capitol sees me before I enter the arena - but won't they see me in there? I highly doubt this is the only chance to get them to sponsor me, but I humour him and tell him I'll be as charming as I can be. Which, by the way, is pretty damn charming if I say so myself. It's no wonder they want me to play on that before the Capitol. Besides, being charming is the easiest way to control people.
Before the interviews all of the tributes return back to where our stylists are in one communal room, separated by pathetic separators that do little to actually stop us from seeing one another. It's weird - we can all see one another as our stylists work on us, making us look good before we need to be in our clothes. I for one look around, trying to decipher what each tribute will go for. I'm sure the girl from One'll be sure of herself, trying to make herself appear sexy to get the sponsors to vote for her that way. No doubt the two from Two'll go for the twin angle - it's been their go to thing since they've got here. And I know what Bobbin's going for. Capitol's Little Sister? That's sweet. Let's hope it's she portrays herself as a cute sister and not ones you want to hurt. The latter wouldn't be very good, would it?
There's an acquired silence that hangs amongst us and people spend more time looking at one another. In a few hours we'll be waiting for our time to speak to Panem. No words are spoken, most focusing on what's being changed about their bodies whilst others try to register how certain people take pain to see who'll be a threat in the Games. Chances are, if you don't flinch at the pain then you're going to be at least somewhat lethal. That's why, as my stylists fuss over me, I make sure to have the straightest face possible. Other tributes such as Melvin or Kumple tear up and I can see the Careers rolling their eyes. I don't envy being either of those two in the arena.
Once we're all prepped we're split up, we're taken to different compartments where our stylists will dress us and where our mentors will attempt to mentor us a final time. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and have to admit that I'm looking good, which isn't too hard, but my outfit enhances it. I'll be able to be charming with ease. The Capitol doesn't know what happens inside of the training centre - all I need to do is play the role of the charming District Eight boy they can't help but want to sponsor, and then I can do what I need to do in the arena.
Nobody's POV, Capitol
For those watching the Interviews there's a tension amongst the crowd as the final finishing touches are being put to the stage. In a short few minutes they'll be able to see their favourite tributes for the last time, to hear what they have to say and see if there's any surprises who they want to sponsor. Of course there's clear fan favourites who have emerged already but it's not unusual for a late surge of interest to occur due to this final leg of the pre-Games. Caesar Flickerman riles up the crowd in the best way possible, announcing that the first tribute will be on stage shortly.
The Capitol cannot wait.
Diamond walks out on stage in a buttercup yellow suit, hair gelled back with the intention of making him seem older than he actually is. He smiles at the crowd as he comes in, causing a few Capitolite girls who are the same age as him to scream which evokes only a bigger smile. He gives them subtle finger guns and sits down to talk to Caesar. Throughout his interview he adopts a cool persona, trying to go for the 'killer yet relatable' angle - making it obvious he's going to play on his fangirls as much as possible throughout his time in the arena. His interview receives a good reception from the crowd, his cheer setting the standard for the tributes waiting in the wing, many of whom inhale and exhale deeply. For some, it'll be a long night.
Buckingham walks out next in a tight fitting, baby pink dress that stops mid thigh. Her hair is straightened and falls effortlessly on her shoulders. She blows a few kisses to the crowd who eat it straight up. She's become a favourite because of her brother, District One's male tribute from last year. Every time she answers a question there's sultry undertones but she doesn't neglect to remind Caesar and the audience - and the other tributes, for that matter - that she's incredibly ready to go and that she'll be a threat they cannot underestimate. Many have seemed to warm up to her following her interview and, like Diamond, her cheers are a signal of good reception.
Calloway enters next, wearing a well fitted dark blue suit with sapphires encrusted on his shoulders, giving him a regal appearance. Of course, being one of the main fan favourites, the cheers he gets for just appearing on stage are deafening to which he laughs at, leading into his angle of being lovable. All questions answered show him to be prepared, to be determined but, at the same time, to be slightly goofy and more realistic than an average District Two tribute. Throughout the interview he creates a 'boy next door' image of himself and, by the end of it, many Capitolites have fallen even more in love with him and his cheers blow Diamond's and Buckingham's out of the water.
Calamity doesn't waste her brother's momentum. Like him, she wears a dark blue dress with sapphires encrusted on it. She, however, goes for a different angle. Whilst his angle was more concerned with his lovable personality, Calamity focuses more on letting the Capitolites know she's prepared, smart and ready for anything that'll be thrown at her in the arena. She makes sure to flash smiles now and again, fully aware that she looks beautiful and wants to flaunt that. Whilst the cheers she receives as she walks off the stage might not be as loud as her brother's, they're substantial in their own right and it's made clear that, as always, the District Two tributes are among the Capitol's favourites - especially considering they're both twins.
Melvin from Three's appearance shocks the Capitolites somewhat. His wire glasses have been replaced with ones that frame his face more, making him appear skinnier and, all of a sudden, he seems more attractive. He wears a white suit, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, with a baby blue shirt. His interview starts out strong - he talks about how he's smart so he'll be a valuable addition to any alliance he's in but, halfway through, he begins to babble on his words before he starts to fully cry. Some in the audience feel sorry for him but others find it amusing and his reception as he walks off stage is a mix of cheers and laughter.
Delta comes on stage next and it's clear the Capitol has treated her well. She looks less skinny, making her hair look more natural as it falls in a high ponytail. She wears a floor-length gown that's gold in colour. She presents herself as someone who's willing to do whatever it'll take to return back home, telling the Capitolites to not count her out so easily. "I'm determined," she says quite a few times and many believe her - support manifesting for her happens quicker than she could've expected and, when she walks off stage, many cheer for her, proving that she's become a favourite of the underdogs.
Of course whatever cheer Delta had is paled in comparison to the arrival of another Career tribute. Shelldon, clad in a sea blue suit walks onto the stage. He's an oddity within the Careers - being the only one who was reaped - and subsequently many of the Capitolites are eager to hear what he has to say. He presents himself as the strong butcher type who, like Delta, is willing to do whatever it takes to go home. Many Capitolites see it as a chic image and, when he goes off stage, they cheer loudly. They're still no closer to knowing if he'll be their typical Career tribute but this ambiguity only excites them.
Stellar comes on stage next and it's clear from the way she smiles - sweet with a hint of insanity - that she intends to be the best Career out there. She wears a floaty white dress with pink lace, giving her a sweet image. Many think she'll go for a sweet vibe in order to gain support but, instead, she goes for a more vulgar one. She tells the audience how she's the best Career and how eager she is to kill. If this were the angle of Buckingham or Calamity, many Capitolites would be eating it up but due to Stellar's age they're somewhat unnerved but make sure to cheer for her all the same.
The Capital looks to Tesla to lighten the mood a little. His outfit alone does that - he wears a dark navy shirt with a dinner jacket, dark trousers with a tie that has a number of lights on it, illuminating it tastefully. Although Tesla's bad boy vibe echoes that of Stellar's interview, the Capitolites can look past it as it's executed better than Stellar and he looks the part. With many anticipating this moment from the chariots, Tesla hasn't disappointed and leaves the stage with a large round of applause - the best reception from a non-Career tribute this far. Many speculate that he'll join the Careers in the arena.
The same expectations are placed onto Victoria who, like Tesla, meets them. Wearing a stunning lapis lazuli floor length gown with her hair in cascading curls with natural makeup, she looks as stunning as she can be. She appears to be a mix of Buckingham and Calamity - charming and infectiously sweet yet determined. She doesn't hide the fact that she has a family she's willing to fight to return to but remains lovable by being charming enough to keep the Capitolites from receiving her in a similar fashion to Stellar. Like Tesla, she receives a large round of applause to which she smiles and waves at the audience.
The Capitolites had hoped that Kumple had improved since the Chariots but, unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be the case. Clad in only underwear sans a towel around his next, he comes running onto the stage, surprising everyone. Slipping on the towel, however, he falls and is knocked out. Some in the audience are shocked whilst others laugh. Caesar is evidently flustered as he tries to keep everything calm as Peackeepers come and drag Kumple off the stage.
Kaiya provides the Capitolites with a bit more hope that District Six isn't completely hopeless. Dressed in olives and golds - clearly going for the Mother Nature vibe - she tries to be ethereal and mysterious. It works to a degree, given her casual yet regal appearance, but many disregard her as easily as they did Kumple. They clap for her all the same, making sure that she doesn't feel too unloved, but many agree that they won't be sponsoring her anytime soon, though they anticipate a change from her in the arena.
Whilst they may not be the oldest tributes, Chandler makes sure that District Seven starts off in a good light to the Capitol. Wearing form fitted leather clothes with a sleeveless jacket, he already radiates confidence. His angle's rather enjoyable too, for many of the Capitolites. Although he's snarky to the dismay of some, his likeability atones for it and the ending image of him and Caesar exchanging banter and laughing together is one that many will look back on as a fond memory of the Games.
Candella appears on stage next and while she doesn't have as strong as an image as Chandler did, she's still met endearingly by the Capitol. Wearing a sweet dress with bright colours, Candella attempts to appear as intelligent as she can. She uses big words to which Caesar encourages her too and it works - she appears smart and many Capitolites admire her for it. Her sweet demeanour causes a few of the citizens who previously disregarded her to take an interest and her applause at the end is substantial, placing her in the middle of how well people were received.
Phantom, being one of those who the women of the Capitol took a liking too, was well anticipated and he doesn't disappoint. His black suit and tie with a burgundy dress shirt only compliments his skin tone and his hair, combed back with soft curls at the front make him all the more approachable. Throughout his interview he remains charming, finger gunning the audience, winking and smiling at every chance he gets. Many in the audience scream with approval and, when he has to leave, the applause rivals that of the Careers.
Bobbin replaces him and, as her mentor had suggested, she is very much seen as the Capitol's Little Sister. Many cheer for her just for appearing, finding her lavender dress with rhinestones across the empire waistline adorable. Her hair, decorated with similar rhinestones becomes a look many women want to try. Bobbin, as expected, is sweet and cute to the audience, which they receive well. They react perfectly with what she's saying and cheer for her when she gets a little flustered. Shaping up to be a Capitol favourite, the citizens cheer loudly for her when she leaves the stage, some shouting that they wish her the best of luck.
Blake from District Nine appears next and he wears a single mono-black outfit with a red tie. It's striking and many citizens think it's a chic outfit. He stays rather true to his character in the interviews, a thing many of the Capitol citizens can respect. He answers things short and simple, not allowing anything to be misinterpreted. He tells Caesar and the audience how he'll try his hardest and how they shouldn't count him out just because he's not as expressive as others that have been seen so far. The Capitolites respect this and cheer for him as he leaves the stage.
Laurel's muted dress colours and modest outfit - a pleated skirt with a fairly normal neckline - attracts the Capitolites. She's not as flashy as she could be but that makes her stand out. Laurel portrays herself as sweet, caring and definitely comes across as likeable. The Capitol citizens listen to her as she tells them about her friend, Bay, from back in District Nine and many cheer for her there and then, hailing her as a better person than the other tributes. When it comes for her to leave the stage, a large number of Capitol citizens chant her name, affirming that she'll more than likely get a decent amount of sponsors or at least be considered heavily.
Dion from Ten has by far the most outrageous outfit. When he comes on stage in his purple glitter suit, many Capitolites have to look away to try and save their eyesight. It gets slightly more bearable as he sits down and many forgive him for the outfit when he reveals himself to be just as likeable as some of their favourite tributes thus far. Many find his goal to be a doctor in the arena ironic and laugh with him. Although many need to look away again as he stands up to leave, they all cheer for him and he waves at them, smiling.
Illea, like she has been, appears very dreamlike with her blue, floaty dress. She holds herself with a dreamy posture and many Capitolites feel as if they're in a trance as they look at her and listen to her words. She attempts to go for a similar angle to Dion - likeable - but has a hard time doing so as she gets distracted often. Some find this adorable and cheer for her but others find it annoying and start to boo. The cheers drown out the boos after a few seconds and Illea finishes her interview without another interruption. As she leaves the stage the cheers are loud, purely to drown out the boos that continue to emanate.
Brock is perhaps the most chic tribute and, when he first comes on stage, is met with a large applause. His all black suit captivates many in the audience and they expect him, like many others, to try and appear likeable. However, that's the opposite of what he goes for. He rarely answers questions that Caesar asks and, if he does, they short and simple. Some assume this is to not give away his true form in the arena but others find it rude and, when he leaves the stage, there isn't as loud of as applause as there had been for other tributes.
Many Capitolites hope that Ellie will be able to revitalise the interviews before they end, which they're right. Ellie walks on stage with a bubbly bounce, waving at the crowd and looking adorable in her knee length yellow dress. She's energetic and upbeat, answering all of Caesar's questions with a smile and laughing a lot. Many Capitolites adore this and laugh along with her, cheering for her and, when she humours them and tries to get some crowd participation, they gladly partake. When she leaves the stage she receives an extremely loud applause, mostly because she's been the most interesting tribute recently.
Cadin from Twelve is rather underwhelming. Whilst the other tributes dress extravagantly and impress the Capitolites with their fashion, Cadin appears in a simple green t-shirt and jeans, to which the Capitolites raise their noses in disgust. He acts rather immature too, telling vulgar jokes that make the Capitolites dislike him even more. He is, however, somewhat likeable as his sarcastic comments result in some laughs but it's unclear as to whether or not they balance out the vulgarity of some of his other comments. Whilst he receives an applause as he leaves the stage, it is nowhere near as loud as some of the other tributes'.
Alys rounds off the interviews, coming out in a purple strapless dress that's tight, causing the male Capitolites to let their imaginations wander. It's clear she feels somewhat shy in the outfit as she lets herself sink into the chair, only moving outwards due to the coaxing from Caesar and the female Capitolites who cheer her on. Whilst she answers the questions with the same mysteriousness exhibited by Brock, she's a bit more likeable as she laughs and smiles from time to time. Although she hasn't made the biggest impression on the Capitol citizens, they still cheer for her and she's received among the loudest male cheers of the night, though it's not hard to assume why.
Cadin James, District Twelve Male, 14 years old
I wait with my escort and mentor for Alys to come down the stairs so we can return to our apartment level in the tribute accommodation. There we'll watch the interviews and decide who we should avoid and who we think will be good allies and the like. In my opinion, it's a bit pointless to do that, really. It's not like we're going to look at one of the smaller tributes like the girl from Eight and decide she's a threat, so why bother? We know that the tributes from One, Two, Four, Five and the male from Eleven are the biggest threats thus far in the competition, so lets just leave it at that.
Our escort and mentor seem to be quite content with the large amount of applause Alys receives, although she's quick to cover herself up at the first chance with a cardigan offered to her by an Avox.
It's a bit surreal, having to go into the arena tomorrow, but that's what the Games is. Surreal to us as tributes, the norm for everyone else. I hope I can pass the Bloodbath - that'd be the best thing.
As we watch the interviews back we realise that the girls from Eight, Nine and Eleven and the boy from Ten are well received and our mentor comments bitterly that they'll be in line for sponsors if they manage to survive the Bloodbath. Although we watch and take notes, we don't think too much about the Careers though Alys and myself agree that Diamond and Stellar, who we had both previously deemed too weak looking to be proper Careers, appear to be very questionable in terms of their sanity and subsequently we both make a note to avoid them in the arena.
And that's the pre-Games stuff done! I can't believe we've made it omg
Now onto the fun stuff! Two quick things before we get onto the Games, however;
1. I try to make it so every tribute, if they don't have a POV in the chapter, is mentioned and accounted for. Each day will consist of two chapters - one for the day and one for the night. So chances are, if your tribute doesn't have a POV in one, they'll have it in another. Sometimes, as I've planned it all out, some tributes don't have a POV for an entirety of one day but they're accounted for!
2. I have three provisional winners in my head (I'm not telling who!) and I can't pick which one for the victor. To figure this out, there's a poll on my profile asking you all who your favourite tribute is. You each have two votes and, whichever of the two tributes receives the most votes, will be the Victor!
I'll see you for the Bloodbath!
As always, reviews make me happy~!
-Oli