Phoenix Rise
Chapter 19: Interview
Siobhan POV
Cinna and I meet up with Gale, Haymitch, Portia, and Effie at the elevator. Gale was in a descent tuxedo that had flame trims that reminded of his old suit. However, there was a difference since he wore gloves, which he was in the middle of taking them off when he turned around and look at me. Grey eyes fought in a battle of emotions in the gown I wore for the last interview. It was nothing that we neither wanted nor planned in the fashion of marriage.
Back at Twelve everything was simple. The brides would rent a white dress worn by countless women while the men wear something clean that wasn't from the mines. Next go to the justice building to sign a marriage certificate and be assign to a new house. Afterwards it was a small get together if affordable as the traditional song is sung and the small ceramony begins. As the newly couples light their first fire, toast a bit of bread, and share it. I smiled from the memory of Gale and me toasting bread together and joked that we got married. If only it could be true.
Gale walked up to me and kissed my forehead before taking my hand. "You look beautiful….but I hate the dress."
"Hate the tuxes," I exchange back as we walked into the elevator going down. Cinna or Portia showed no signs of being upset from our comment. They only held a smile and nodded their head in agreement. Worst day to wear such a couple outfits.
The other tributes had already gathered off stage in a quiet conversation, but all that changed when Gale and I enter. Silences with loathe glares at the wedding dress. It must beautiful yet disappointing on the term of use at this upcoming of events.
"I can't believe Cinna put you in that thing." Finnick said aloud.
"It's not his fault." I defended Cinna. "President Snow made him."
"Well, you look ridiculous!" Cashmere spat while tossing her hair and grabbed her brother hand taking places. The other tributes began to follow in line up too. If I was a normal person I would find their stares and comments offensive, however I find it amusing that they all agreed this was stupid. Some gave sympathy pats on the shoulder; Johanna did the opposite as she stood in front of me straightening my medallion.
"Make him pay for it, okay?" She said.
I smirk nodding my head knowing what she means while she went to take her places. When everyone was seated on stage, Caesar Flickerman came on in this year color of lavander with the opening speech and got the interview rolling. The atmosphere felt strange this year compare to the rest. It was fully intense with negative emotions, precisely betrayal amongst the victors and rage that followed in pursuit. But they were clever in holding their negative emotions and play the part in roasting the government and President Snow included. Although, there was the loyal district two tributes Brutus and Enobaria who felt honored in coming back into the game. But not two the other victors, some have the strength to come back fighting with a purpose. A home, family, and friends.
Cashmere started the interview with a remarkable speech in how she couldn't stop crying when the Capitol people must suffer in losing us. Gale snorted which I took liberty in stepping on his foot to behave as the skirt cover the evidences. He winked and mutter sorry. Gloss talked about the kindness he and his sister shared from the Capitol. Beetee was the first to question the legality of the quell though a bit nervous and twitchy. Finnick recited a poem he wrote to his true love which over a hundreds if people swoon. When It was Johanna's turn, she asked…more like demanded why this situation can't be changed. Why the Quarter Quell creators couldn't anticipated the relationship between Victor and Capitol. IT was a cruel fate to sever a deep bond. Seeder asked that President Snow was all- powerful that he could change the quell? Chaff had the same statement and bragged Snow didn't care about anyone.
Gale leaned into my ear and whispered, "Because he already did." I scowled shaking my head while squeezing his hand.
"From District 12, District 12, you know her as The Lady on Fire!" Caesar announced making the audience cheer. "Well, we know her as the lovely Siobhan Underwood!"
I walked on stage to observe the wreck the audiences were in, that some cry, fainted, or demanded for change. Who would have thought it took a wedding dress to put more fuel into the fire of this ordeal. It was the end of everything between the relationship and fame they anticipated from everyone. No more me, no more star-crossed lovers, the fairytale ending, and the ultimate wedding. Caesar was able to calm the crowd down as we took our seat.
"So, Siobhan, obliviously this is a very emotional night for everyone. Is there anything you'd like to say?" Caesar asked.
"It's a shame that there won't be a wedding….though it's an honor for you all to see me in my wedding dress. It's awfully lovely gown isn't it?" I look at Cinna to see him give me the signal. I stood up and began to twirl around like I did before last year, as I raised my arms above my head like ballerina.
Until a screams were heard from the crowd. It doesn't sound like a shock of pleasure in the awe but fear. That was when I smelt it along with grey clouds. Smoke. From the bottom of the skirt consuming the ball gown was fire. Not the Synthetic Fire from the chariot but actual fire. My heart panic as I stop to look at Cinna in fear to see he held a reassuring smile and nod his head high. I clasped my hands together and lift my arms in the air reaching for the sky while the fire burns away the dress. The dress became lighter as silver and white satin transformed into black silk and crystals shattered to the floor. The fire didn't burn me nor singed the skin as it engulfed my figure like a bird in flight. Like a phoenix reborn from the ashes.
Soon it stopped. The flames slowly fade away as the wedding gown was replaced by a new outfit. It was similar to the original wedding dress except different in many explanation. It was black as coal and made out of feathers while on the large skirt resigns two large wings of black white and red. I looked at my arms to examine the singded as the skin was cover in some sort of red and orange ink that represent flames going up to my chest. I looked at the television screen to see myself and what Cinna had turned me into.
I didn't look like some being that I once knew. Not with the white and red feathers on the ends of the winged skirt. The headpiece black as the chariot tiara with a smooth fiery veil of feathers.
Cinna turned me into some hybrid some mix species of legend and sciences. Cinna turn me into a phoenix rising into a mockingjay.
I cough slightly from the smoldering smoke that faded from the tentative hands of Caesar as his touch the tiara and veil draping over the bodice.
"Feathers," Caesar stated. "You're like a bird."
"A mockingjay, I believe," I thought aloud, as I traced the wings on the skirt. "It's the bird on the pin Gale and I wear as our tokens. A mascot."
Recognition crossed Caesar face, for the mockingjay wasn't the only symbol of our love. It was way past the mark of two teenagers, but the Capitol failure and the uprising. It was the symbol of a rebellion. I understand now what is going on and knew it was time for change. I look at a camera holding a serious face. "And we shall rise in our fiery glory."
"Well, hats off to your stylist. I don't think anyone can argue that that's not the most spectacular thing we've ever seen in an interview. Cinna, I think you better take a bow!" Caesar gestured to Cinna for his debuted. Cinna obliged and makes a small bow.
However deep down, I was worry for him. He done something that was practically taboo here: that put him in terrible danger. This was an act of rebellion. And he had done it on me for us. What he said a while back echoed in my head. . .
"Don't worry. I always channel my emotions into my work. That way I don't hurt anyone but myself."
But he didn't hurt himself. No, Cinna has signed his death warrant and another person I love was gone from the transformation of oppression into freedom of speech.
.o0o.
Gale's POV
I watched Siobhan transformed into a mockingjay before my eyes. I was in awe, captivated by her beauty and when she spoke about the mockongyjay pin being our mascot and more, the look on her face full of determination, and hope while drench in wary that of concern. Being selfless while being brave all together. The crowd applause louder than the buzzer as Caesar indicating her time was up. He thanks her and she went back to her seat with a trail of smoke. My name was called and I knew it was time to make a serious impression. Something that would ruin everyone and give us sponsors. I just hope it doesn't upset Siobhan. We passed each other, not making eye contact though from the corner of sight I saw fear.
"Please welcome the second of the fiery couple, the Lord of Flames, Gale Hawthorne!" Caesar exclaimed proudly as I walked on stage. We shook hands and took our seat ready to begin our interview. "So, Gale, What was it like when, after all you've been through, you found out about the Quell?"
"I don't know. I was with my family and then a nuclear bomb was dropped that the next thing I knew I was at Haymitch's…" I answered to receive a few chuckles.
"You realized there was never going to be a wedding?" Caesar asked gently.
I sighed taking a deep breath in smelling the smoke while cracked gems on the floor. Giving a dramatic pause for kicks before going with the plan in capturing the audiences. With a deep breath I looked at Caesar casually. "Not quite Caesar. You see Siobhan and I are already married."
Instantly the audiences were astonished. I looked over my shoulder to see Siobhan red not of anger but fluster with embarrassment remembering that fateful night. I smirk winking towards her then back to Caesar who looks ridicules in confusion.
"But…how can this be?" Caesar asked.
"Well, you can't call it an official marriage. Not going to the Justice Building or that boring crap. There's a ritual in Twelve, we both wanted it to assure you." I explained already I feel Siobhan glare from the back of my head. Yeah, I'm dead not from a careers but my fiancé of a wife after this night.
"Were your families there?" Caesar asked.
"Mark was, well, he knew what we did since we did it at her house. But not my family though I think my mom had her suspicions. Though Haymitch was left in the dark. Lucky we got Marks approval before he could poison me. It just happened and we kept it a secret….oops guess it's no longer a secret." I looked over my shoulder calling out. "Sorry honey!"
"So this was before the Quell?" Caesar asked again.
Here comes they first lie, "Yeah, it would be insane to do it after it." Taking a deep breath, "We never saw it coming. After everything we did together through the Games, becoming Victors, and travel everywhere. We plan on doing anything together for better for worse. We never anticipated for the games that I was willing to run away with my family."
"You couldn't, Gale," Caesar placed an arm around my shoulder. "I must confess, I'm glad you two had at least a few months of happiness together."
Instantly an enormous applause from the simple minded. Looking at the screen to see Siobhan's face with teary eyes. I couldn't tell if it's from the smoke from her dress or that she was upset in what I was saying.
"Thanks for your condolences," I said... "Though I'm not sure if the time was right for everything in doing properly."
This got Caesar to lean back. "Surely even a brief time is better than no time?"
"Depends, Caesar," I said bitterly for lie number two. "We don't know if she'spregnant."
Yeah, this is going to get me a major slap in the face while ears bleeding from Siobhan scolding. I just dropped the bomb on stage out of habit to drive everyone through the roof as the rebel I am. But hey, I'm not the only one who dropped a few bombs in the building who try to persuade the audiences. Already screams and cries were being exchanged from the most barbaric bloodthirsty people who sent me through hell and back.
The information was impossible to process for the audiences. Suddenly the crowd was erupted in wild screams, shrieks, and other things. Killing children is one thing for these animals, but sending an unborn child is low and this may help Siobhan to get home. Though later after the games she'll have to lie saying she had a miscarriage unless they change the rules again. I feel a heavy burden on my shoulders knowing it won't be true and sending my love under the buss to save her.
Caesar attempted to soothe the crown not even when the buzzer rang. I nod in goodbye and took my seat without conversation. I took Siobhan hand and feel how cold her hands felt that I squeezed them but she looked pale past the fiery paint. When the anthem played, louder than before to over-rein the audiences I stood up and help Siobhan up as well. Tears were in her eyes.
Siobhan squeezed my hand as her other took Chaffs spontaneously. Chaff complied along with Seeder who grabbed his wrist and soon a chain was form between the victors. We stood strong like we are united like our ancestors in the Dark Days, as it shown on the screen. It was cut off instantly but the audiences saw it.
It soon became chaos in getting off stage when the lights were cut off. We stumble back to the Training center as I kept my arm around Siobhan waist getting back inside towards the elevator. Finnick and Johanna attempted to join us but the Peacekeeper stopped them that left us alone. The elevator was engulfing in silences as I waited to be slap however it didn't came.
"Siob," I started.
"I can't breathe," Siobhan choked and I look at her to see she was pale and eyes red. She looks like she was about to faint as she turned around exposing her back where the corset was. Immediately I untie it so she had more room to breathe. A puff of smoke came as I unravel the thick material to see bare skin. A gasp came from her mouth as she relaxed breathing softly.
"Better?" I asked.
"Much," She panted holding the top close to herself. I shrugged off my coat and placed it over her shoulder. "Thanks."
"You're not angry?" I asked in disbelieve.
"Oh, I'm beyond angry but emotionally exhausted as well." She answered and held the jacket closer. "Juvenile as ever; to tell people that I'm possibly pregnant and that we are married. I wouldn't be surprised if they made bids if I was pregnant or not. It wouldn't matter, if I was it would had been a miscarriage."
I nodded and kissed her forehead. I used to daydream in wanting kids if I didn't live in this world. Imaging a small boy who looked like me with his mother's eyes or a girl who look like Siobhan with my eyes. I didn't want to think what would be happening in Twelve or my family reactions and Mark's. Mark knows everything and probably watching over my family in case things get out of hand.
"I want to go home," she whispered hugging tight. "I want to go to the meadow."
"You will," I replied taking the veil off her. "You will."
"But it won't be the same," She sobbed into my chest.
Because I won't be alive when she does.