Gale –
The Broadcast is live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Daily recaps and highlights from prior Hunger Games are parsed into the feed whenever the live show becomes too dull. Opening Night is never dull.
I sit at the far end of the couch, on the edge of the cushion. My hands are sweaty and I clench my teeth as Katniss fires an arrow into the water and then turns her bow upon Finnick Odair of District Four. I want her to finish him off, to not take any chances; but, her hand wavers when he holds up his wrist.
"And what is it we have there?" Caesar Flickerman and Caludius Templesmith are in a box at the corner of the screen commentating. They both stare with wide eyes as Katniss turns her bow away from Odair and onto the woman advancing up the rocks. "It appears we have an early alliance!"
Claudius Templesmith doesn't sound nearly as enthusiastic as Caesar by the early twist. "For now. Oh and look at that!" He turns the cameras attention away from Katniss and Finnick to the arena pool where several of the contestants are still trying to figure out how to get to safety. The camera zooms up on a dark skinned man with thick rimmed glasses. "This year's Arena Gear, designed by Charee Lumina, appears to have some new features."
"That stylish belt isn't for show, folks!" Caesar chuckles as the man paddles to safety away from the Cornucopia.
"Genius!"
"What's that he's saying?" Caesar frowns and the sound in the Arena amplifies on the screen.
Finnick is standing on a spoke that stretches from the Cornucopia to the mainland. Beside him is a worried Katniss. Out in the water, still on his pedestal, is Peeta. He can't swim.
"I'll get him. You don't want to exert yourself in your condition." Finnick pats Katniss' belly and she glares daggers at him.
"Oh ho!" Caesar chuckles. "Do you see that dirty look directed at Odair?"
"I always said she looked frumpy," Claudius sniffs, his nose high in the air in disdain.
"Well, you know how it goes. Hormones." Caesar slaps his hand on the desk as he chortles, unnerved by Claudius' quip. "And let me remind our viewers that there is still time to vote!"
Claudius springs to life. His smile spreads from ear to ear as the broadcast cuts back to the commentators in full-screen. "I've already placed my bet on Glacier."
"Glacier!" Caesar exclaims.
Primrose snorts. "Glacier? What sort of name is that for a baby?"
"In honor of our President," Cladius beams into the camera.
"You're assuming it's a boy," Caesar reminds him. "I'm partial to Krystal myself."
"You and the ladies." Cladius rolls his eyes.
"You've got to kidding me."
Primrose giggles and looks up at me. "As if Katniss would let the Capital name her baby. And what horrible names!"
"She definitely wouldn't name it after President Snow either," I tell her. But I can't shake the feeling of unease. It's always present inside of me now. "If they give her the option."
Prim is appalled by my assertion. She looks to her mother for support. "You don't think they'd take the baby away?"
Mrs Everdeen is silent on the end of the couch. Her lips are pressed tightly together, her gray eyes stare at the Broadcast with barely a blink. I'm not entirely sure she realizes Prim is speaking to her.
"Face it Prim," I sigh. "Our lives aren't really our own. Are they?"
Prim is unhappy with my answer. She folds her arms across her chest and stares at the screen.
"It's been an exciting beginning to the Quarter Quell. We'll take you now to the Training Center where Arda Cashmier is standing by!"
The studio shrinks to the corner of the screen again as a woman with a pile of sapphire curls takes over. Her eyes are painted with teal and silver, her face has been caked in white powder, and her fingernails and lips are the name vivid sapphire as her hair. She looks cold, like she's made of ice herself.
Arda is standing in a banquet hall that's been decorated with white and yellow roses in crystalline vases. Swaths of silver and blue bunting decorate the tables. A crowd of people has gathered behind her, among them the mentors and escorts of the tributes. I see Haymitch Abernathy sitting alone at a table behind them all, swigging from a flask and my insides seethe.
"What does think he's doing?" I grit my teeth in frustration.
"Good Evening, Panem!" Arda smiles wide so that the world can see her flawless smile. "I am standing in the Grand Banquet Hall of our brand new Training Center. This building has been under construction for the last three years in order to make its grand appearance at the third Quarter Quell.
This grand feat of modern architecture hosts a top of the line training facility, luxurious suites for the Tributes, and this Hall built exclusively for the use of the Mentors and Escorts to witness the games on state of the art video-screens. No expense has been spared!"
"Fantastic!" Caesar cat-calls.
"And what of the rumor that Grand-Mater Chef, Meringue Pastree, is catering the event?" Claudius asks.
Arda holds up a plate that contains a puff-pastry slathered in a dark sauce with fluffy cream on top. "Absolutely true! President Snow has gone all out to ensure our guests have the very best!"
"Now, Arda," Caesar calls. "You've been in the Grand Hall all day. What are people saying about the start?"
"Well, everyone was impressed by Pultarch Heavensbee's marvelous design! I had a chance to sit down with the Head Gamemaker and pick his brain about what sort of obstacles we'll be seeing this year. But you'll see that later! But right now, I want you to hear the take on the Opening from our esteemed guests!"
"Oh please, indulge us!" Claudius begs.
"Miss Effie Trinket!" Ada steps to the side and allows the garish escort for District 12 to step up in front of the camera. Her hair is a towering beehive with honeysuckle sticking out of the golden floss. Her eyes sparkle with gold powder as she bats her eyes at Arda, beaming with excitement.
"This has got to be an emotional ride for you, dear!" Arda exclaims as she places an airy kiss on Effie's cheek. "Your first district win, the famed star-crossed lovers, and a celebrity baby all in a year!"
"I know!" Effie sniffs, pulling a gold handkerchief from the sleeve. "I couldn't have asked for better Tributes!"
"You certainly hit the jackpot! What are your thoughts on tonight's start? Was the alliance with District Four preplanned?"
"Certainly not!" Effie's eyes narrow and her lips pucker sourly. "And I'm quite angry with Haymitch."
"Oh, ho!" Caesar and Claudius guffaw in their window.
"I gave him that bracelet as part of our team. Not to trade off for liquor!"
Arda and the commentators laugh uproariously at Effie's pronouncement. It's as though it's the funniest thing they've ever heard.
"And how about you, Effie? Do you have a vote for the name of the baby?"
"I don't think I can stomach anymore," Prim murmurs as the camera close-ups on Effie's face which has turned uncharacteristically serious.
Effie clears her throat and leans into Arda's microphone and says, without batting an eyelash, "Hope."
/More coming. Been a stressful few weeks. .