Sorry this took forever, but here are the interviews. Wow, soon we will be in the arena. I have chosen bloodbath and the pre-winner. My pre-winner is the person I pick for the winner in the beginning to start the plot up, but it will probably change as the story progresses. Enjoy the interviews!

…

Jazz McNeely's POV

Caesar Flickerman is dead.

It is a worthy headline for the Capitol's shock. It is a sentence in such plain English, it conveys all meanings. The news came this morning, the very night of the interviews. They say he died of an existing heart condition, but everyone can see the foul play.

Connie Summers snaps orders at her make-up artist as Char Winters runs last minute line changes over. The two look so innocent, they reek of guilt. However, not one of the dim minds in the Capitol would point an accusing finger at them. They are just too perfect to plan the crime. Too perfect to have a doctor mark off Caesar's death to nonexistent heart conditions. But above all else, they are too perfect to let go of when the Capitol has no charming and beautiful face to lead the interviews.

I watch as the lies settle into truth and it is over. Caesar Flickerman must be screaming in his grave, but Connie and Char are laughing with the best of them. It truly is the perfect crime. But how hard is it to get away with a perfect crime in such a perfect world?

"Jazz!" The curt voice of my stick in the mud producer wakes me up from my mystery world. I turn to face Johnson and wait for whatever rant he has to go on. He surprises me when he extends his hand. "Congratulations."

I know better than to not shake his hand, but I do not mask my confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Now that Connie and Char are heading the Interviews, the station has decided you will be the perfect face for the Final Eight Interviews. You might need to do some alterations to keep up with Connie…"

I shut him out after that comment. It will only ruin my mood. I, Jazz McNeely, will be heading the Final Eight Interviews. I only pray this isn't a silly dream or cruel joke. This is the break I have been wanting. Sure, it took a murder, but I had time to remorse. This is it.

"I will just tell your co-host you're on board…"

"Wait, my co-host?" The shock and confusion collide together when my ears let Johnson back in. My question receives one of his barking laughs which only strengthens my confusion. Is this just a joke?

"You didn't think you would be doing this alone my dear? No, that young King boy will be right alongside you. You two could make the next Capitol hot couple!"

As if on cue, King appears alongside my boss, smiling a victorious grin. I don't even have time to give him a scowl before Johnson is talking again. "You two will be briefed on your jobs tomorrow. See you tomorrow."

Johnson leaves, leaving me alone with King, who probably has already prepared a monologue for this moment. "I just want to say it is going to be a pleasure working with you Jazz. If you ever consider being a 'hot' couple…"

Why couldn't the headline have read "Caesar Flickerman: Alive for Eternity"?

District 2 Victor: Season Vitale's POV

Per usual, I have interrupted the perfect balance of things I did not mean to disrupt. Unfortunately, destruction of order will find me anyway. It is such a simple little thing I have messed with, but it might as well be larger for life for me.

The Victor's platform for interview viewing is now no longer arranged per District. Now, any victor can sit anywhere. For most of the older and even younger victors, this is more of a delightful surprise. For me, I would rather die. Along with Bella, Knox, and Storm, I am completely alone. Every victor is happy to mingle with old friends, but we remain isolated.

I wait to sit down for as long as I possibly can. I try to sit as far from Storm as possible, whilst secretly hoping he will come find me anyway. However, when that moment actually comes, I try to pull down the closest bystander to keep Storm away. It is strange to say I have never feared someone so much before even after close contact with Elena Lovitz. Yet any mention of Storm tenses me.

I happen to grab the new boy from 5, Knox. He seemed to have been doing the exact same thing I was doing, avoiding his other, probably better half. Bella got a seat next to Storm and I hear both myself and Knox letting out a sigh of relief.

"Why are you running from him?"

I have been avoiding that question for awhile, even if I ask it myself. Isn't it about time I ended this distant? He is the only one left to understand me, yet I push him farther away everyday. What am I afraid of?

"I guess I'm afraid he still hates me." Admitting things to complete strangers is kind of my thing now. Still, I wouldn't call Knox a complete stranger. I have a feeling he knows how I am feeling right about now.

"Bella and I did not leave off on great grounds last time we talked."

"Same here," I say with a glum sigh. I feel another flashback coming on. Of all the ones from the Games and after, my fight with Storm is the worst above all. It is hard reliving the moment where you lost your best friend.

"You should talk to him. You can't hate someone who you have shared so much with. Hasn't been over a year now?"

"Why don't you talk to Bella too?"

Knox sighs much like I had, in a gloomy way. "She can't even look my way anymore. I don't think Storm can keep his eyes off of you. You're lucky. I don't think Bella will ever come around."

I am about to look Storm's way to see if Knox may be right, but the lights dim and the crowd begins making more noise than they had before by hushing each other quiet. It is like a complete three-sixty. No one could guess a famous television icon died this morning.

I watch as the tributes file on to the stage, some waving and others walking with about as much appeal as cardboard and they were about as stiff as it too. They take their seats and wait for the two hosts.

Let the interviews begin.

District 3 Victor: Bella Cauthen's POV

You never do know a good thing till it's gone.

Caesar may have been all smiles and wrinkle erasing make-up, but at least he could make a tribute shine. Connie and Char overshadow every tribute on the stage, down to the beautiful girl from 4 and the god-like boy from 1.

The girl from 1, Bliss, is delightful. She looks beautiful as well, but in a less than modest way in a tight gold dress. She is a bit bland, but sweet. "We've all got to die sometime. Why not do it on the grandest stage in the world?"

The boy from 1 is far less delightful. He looks perfect in his tux, but he is no match for the looks of Char. Still, he has a clear personality and it is that of part overconfidence and part jack-ass. "I suppose I can't rely on my good looks and charming wit to win me the games. I'll have to do it the old fashion way; blood, sweat, and tears... theirs, of course." That is my personal favorite quote of his, shows both halves of him perfectly.

The pair from 2 is as vicious as usual, but still proved interesting. Ben was mysterious and seems to be very intelligent beyond his young age. Anna was scary, but driven at the same time. They will go far.

I felt bad for Shiloh as she goes up. She poses no immediate threat and is not interesting in the least. She is cute, but her only way to survive is through her brother. So, you can say I am routing for her.

My heart skips a beat when Miles comes on. I try to scold myself for it, but I can't help it. He is just as charming as I told him to be yesterday. It hit a sour point when Char mentions his sister. I told him not to go for protective brother, but the boy can't stay away. "Shiloh's my world. And I'll do anything it takes it protect her. If she dies, I die, whether from the enemy or my own blade."

Four is…four. The boy is like any District 4 boy, driven and confident, yet he seems to be better than the lot of Careers District 4 produces. It is the girl, Camille, who makes me want to scream. Her shallow attitude is nauseating. I can't make myself wish for her death, but I will not be supporting her.

District 5 proves to be the most interesting so far. The girl from 5 is even more interesting. Being unable to speak is a challenge itself, but through scores, she has even more of a challenge. Still, her sweet appearance and no voice will get the sympathetic sponsors. Dexter pulls of the mysterious angle better than Ben and his almost brooding looks might get support for the ladies. The only thing stopping him is that hair.

After District 5 is over, I can't helps peeking at Knox, my Knox. I still feel it, the hatred from last year. Yet, I feel the more I fall for Miles, the less hatred I feel for Knox. Was I subconsciously in love with Knox the whole time and my anger was my way of getting over it? I wave the idea way though. I never loved Knox like that. I might have loved Battler like that, but never Knox. Never.

Still, Knox was good thing that I have lost.

District 8: Kamira Lyre's POV

The sound of the Steam's applause is far more than to be desired. Everyone loves a good sob story. Unlike many of the tributes, he knew what the audience likes. That is how things work around here. It takes the right formula and the right timing, but if you get it right, suddenly Capitolites are knocking down your mentor's door trying to sponsor.

I know what I have to follow up. Six was interesting at a normal level, not very exciting, but in a subtle way. Seven brought the attention. Steam is probably the second most good-lucking boy in the Games behind the obnoxious boy from 1. He talked about his fiancée and how he will try to make it home to her. The girl is a bit terrifying, but she will be a fan favorite like any revengeful sister and villain type.

I take in a deep breath and walk to the stage. I am greeted by the new host, Connie. I am sure I look hideous beside her as every other girl has. No one can look radiant next to someone like her. I shake her hand and wait for the rain of questions.

"Nice to meet you, Kamira," Connie starts. "So, how was life back in little old District 8? Any important people you left behind."

Time to start the sweet girl act. It is almost fool-proof. "I left my loving family. I miss them so much. They were and are the most important part of my life."

"The Games most have come as a huge shock to you? Any comments about that?"

"I don't know what to think about any of this, but I know for a fact I can do this. Or at least someone good can. So we have to put up a fighting chance right? I just hope no one is sad when these people die."

"What would you say is your greatest strength?"

"I believe it is my determination. I will not just lose. I want to get home and I don't want anyone to get in my way. I wouldn't choose to have anyone die, but it is what has to be done."

"Interesting stand point. Now, what would you say is your biggest threat?"

"Anyone would say the competition and it's true. But I will try not to be afraid of them. I am more afraid of the twists and turns involved."

"I'm sure everyone is. Anything else you would like to say?"

"I would just like to say to my family that I will see them soon and not to worry about me. I'm a fighter." My buzzer rings as I finish and Connie thanks me for the interview. I give the audience one last smile before leaving the stage. I receive a healthy round of applause that makes my smile wider.

Just give them what they want, that's all it takes.

District 10: Lyli Hyerman's POV

I take my time walking to the stage. I can make Connie wait. I don't want to waste time; I want to make an impression. When I finally reach the stage, I ignore Connie's hand in favor of flashing a rather sly smile at the audience. They eat it up, as usual.

I can hear a level of annoyance in Connie's voice, but she keeps calm. "Pleasure to meet you, Lyli Hyerman. Let's talk the Games. What is your strategy for how you will play?"

"I just plan to survive. Isn't that the best strategy? I think people get into trouble when they try to over think things. I believe it is just me against the Games and I plan to win."

"So you don't plan to make any allies?"

"I can take care or myself," I say in a cool tone. Connie doesn't seem to know how to take this which is just what I want.

"That is a beautiful dress," she compliments in order to change the subject. "Your stylist did a really good job." It is classic move, complimenting the stylist. All I am wearing is a basic black cocktail dress. Connie just must have run out of things to say.

"I hope I won't be wearing one in the arena, as beautiful as it is." This gets a small laugh from the audience. I wasn't going to go for the humor angle, but making the audience laugh at least once will strength my impression. I would make a better joke, but that might be taking it too far. Being that funny girl from 10 is not a good image going in. Who needs humor in this game?

"Who knows?" Connie says with a shrug. "Is there anything else you want to say to the audience or your District back home?"

"To the audience I want to say, don't count me out and to my District, I hope you like presents because you'll be getting lots when I come home."

The buzzer sounds as Connie thanks me for the interviews. I accept the large quantities of applause with faux modesty and I exit the stage with a slower pace then when I had come up. The interview was perfect. Now, all I have to do is win.

District 5 Victor: Knox Overstreet's POV

I guess you could call it a success.

The interviews, I mean. The audience got what they wanted and the tributes made their last contributions to their images. How useless it seems now though. Their thought process is to impress with their charm or wits. At this moment, very few of them are thinking about the fact that at least twenty two people with that charm and wit will be dying at another person's charm and wit. Useless.

District 14 was definitely the highlight though. The two will prove to be interesting. The boy was charming and exciting and will gain favor from the younger audience. The girl has an intelligent edge, one many older sponsors find appealing. I'll keep my eyes out for them.

District 11 and 12 were outshone this year. Usually, District 12 is the most interesting out of everyone, whether it is through legendary confessions or tragic back stories. 11 will be one to watch, but both seem to be hiding their true potential. 12 seems to have gone down from last year, though I don't know who could compete with the masterminds in 12 from my Games. Still, the boy is creepy to say the least.

But who cares? I will admit I don't. I don't even remember caring last year, when it was me up there. I think I made a good impression. Good enough it seems since I am standing here now. I shake my head at the thought that my winning was because of this Capitol show. I push through the bustling crowd and try to get to the Training Center with little injuries.

My plan is not successful when I bump into a Capitol girl on my way. I have the urge to cover my ears to block out her screams, but I wait a whole minute and nothing comes. I look down to see the girl trying to get up with people still pushing each other around her. I extend my hand down and help her up before she actually does yell.

"I'm sorry," I mumble quickly before beginning to walk away. I don't get very far when the girl comes right up next to me.

"It's okay. I'm surprised you helped me up. I'm Jazz by the way. You don't have to introduce yourself. You're Knox Overstreet, right?"

I look at Jazz again. She looks somewhat familiar, but I can't place where I have seen her before. I do know that I don't want to start a long discussion with this girl so I begin to walk faster around the crowd.

Jazz is faster than I thought and she is back next to me a second later. "I get it. You don't want to talk. I have wanted to talk to you though. Just don't give up okay. Bella will forgive you if you actually apologize. The Underground City won't solve all your problems. Good luck, Knox."

The girl finally walk away leaving me alone like I wanted before. But she also leaves me thinking about what I had said to Season and what Jazz just said to me. Maybe I can fix what happened between Bella and me. I change my course and manage to get into the building. I make sure no one is on my elevator and I push the third button. The elevator rockets up and lands on the third floor. No time to back out now.

I enter the third floor sitting area and walk as quietly as I can. It is not against the rules going to other floors, but it is not something people do. I enter the hallway and begin to call Bella's name in a whisper. But I stop when I hear her voice. She wasn't talking to me.

I turn around and bolt for the elevator. I knew it was too early to fix things. Only this time, it isn't my fault. Bella says I've changed. But now I know how she felt last year. People do have a tendency of letting you down.

…

And so ends the interviews. Yes, Caesar is dead, but he would have had to die sometime and Capitol people do horrible things. Next is the last chapter before the Games and one of me favorite chapters to write. It is also the last place for major pre-arena character development before half of them go insane. Did anyone notice the outfit foreshadowing?

Also, thanks to VividlyVisceral and Eac12897 for nominating me in the Winter 2010 Hunger Games Awards! Reviews make me smile. Peace, Love, and All That Jazz.

-Emma