An In Your Face Personality

I couldn't get her out of my head. The Girl on Fire seemed content to find me whenever I tried to go to sleep. Eventually, I gave up. Crawling out to my couch, I flipped on the TV.

"And here we are with Cinna, the Stylist of the design everyone has been talking about."

The stylist gave a broad smile. He was standing in front of the chariot. " It was simple, he explained, you just use the inflamable flare. Like so..." waving his hand, the whole chariot burst into flame. With another wave the flame evaporated.

I flipped the channel to my favorite reporter, Doris Nightly, sitting in a silver chair outside the Training Center.

" We are just feet away from the Training Center, where the Tributes sleep now, to prepare for the Training this week!"

I smiled. I would be assigning the training scores at the end of this week. Then I looked back to the TV.

" And now for the underdogs EVERYONE has been talking about..." Doris crooned. "We have a special interview, never before seen footage. Caesar Flickerman interviewing District 12 escort, EFFIE TRINKET!"

There was Caesar dressed in blue, and a tall, eccentric woman wearing a bright pink wig and a gigantic grin.

The two went on for hours and I dozed off. I woke up and the sun was already high in the sky...I had to get moving. The TV was still blaring.

" One more question Ms. Trinket. District 12 has failed over and over and over and over and..."

Effie cut him off, raising a hand to the robin blue lips of Flickerman. " Well Caesar..." she said with a sly grin, her eyes widened as if she had thought of something marvelous. " We may have the hideous, horrific coal. But when put under enough pressure, coal turns in to pearls."

I clicked the TV off. Hmmm...that last statement didn't sound quite right. Still, I got dressed and rushed outside.

The sleek car pulled out and skidded to a halt outside the training center. I jumped out and was about to enter when a camera was shoved into my face. It was Doris Nightly, " Mr. Crane...How do you feel about the upcoming training scores." She shoved a microphone to my lips. " I...well, I..."

" NO DISCUSSION ALLOWED!" Squaked Plutarch Heavensby from behind me.

Together, we marched into the building and hopped into the elevator. Once in the high balcony, me and Plutarch started to make arrangements for the other Gamemakers. I allowed myself a peek at the training, and laughed out loud. The district 12 tributes were wearing identical clothes. It was adorable. Capitol citizens would eat this up.

The rest of the week passed in a blur. Some of this and some of that. I had to make a presentation of the arena to President Snow, who clicked disapprovingly and said, " It's better than nothing!". Finally the day had come, time for the training scores.

I found myself in the balcony of the Training floor. An assortment of robed figures were there as well. A large feast was layed out. We were about to dig in when Plutarch cried " Where's the punch!"

I made a quick call and two Avoxs appeared carrying a gigantic, crystal bowl of punch. Everything prepared, I took my seat and called for the boy Tribute of District 1.

The day dragged by. I watched Marvel throw a spear, some rudementory archery by Glimmer. An annoying District 3 boy had a great knowledge of wires. I found myself falling asleep when the weak girl Rue showed impressive skill of jumping without touching the ground. Then...I just about dozed off...when District 12 had a turn...

Peeta Mellark sauntered into the room. I gave a little smile, he had muscles, he could have a shot. He turned and looked straight up at me. Our eyes locked. I gave a little nod and he proceeded across the floor to the greatest weights we had. He began lifting, he was strong. Over and over he lifted. Again and again. I felt my eyes sag, as if half ton weights were dragging on them. Then, I fell asleep.

WHOOSH!!!

I yelped, my eyes flying open. A large silver arrow grazed past my head and drove the apple into the wall. Katniss Everdeen had shot with such great precision, AT US! She was smiling. Plutarch collapsed backwards, into the crystal bowl of punch, the purple liquid splashing outward. Absolute silence.

Katniss bowed and dismissed herself, strolling out of the room.

Soaking wet, punch dripping from his hair, Plutarch sloshed down into the seat next to me. I looked at him, he looked back, and we both started to burst with laughter. Tears streamed down my face. That girl had spunk. She walked in here, and was so...IN YOUR FACE. I mean, how could you not like her.

" Oh, Seneca, we cannot punish her!" Plutarch squealed. " She is amazing!"

" Of course we won't punish her." I laughed. " In fact, I believe a reward is in order."

And we did reward her...with the highest score.