Diamond Cortez, D1
Diamond stands first in line, waiting for Dusk Shine to make her signature appearance. Girls always surpass the boys, making her the first to be interviewed. Maybe her interview will turn on sponsors, wanting to give this girl a chance to avenge her mother's death. And Diamond knows who her first kill will be: Kleo from District 2. Something about Kleo made Diamond tick, but she didn't know what it was. Maybe it was just where she originated from. Either way, Kleo will be Diamond's first kill, and no one can stop her.
Music began to play and the screen on the wall showed fog covering the stage. Stars began to illuminate the screen behind Dusk's chair, signaling her arrival. Diamond watched as the Capitol woman was lifted onto the stage on her pedestal, being greeted by thousands of screaming Capitol citizens. Dusk's dress was covered in little stars that shimmered as she walked, and it was the color of the dusk hour. Diamond began to wonder who designed her dress. It looked so lovely and it fit her body perfectly. Maybe that person could have designed her own dress. It looked nothing like Dusk's, and Diamond needed a perfect dress to win over the sponsors in the audience.
Dusk flounced over to her chair and took her seat. "Hello everyone and to everyone in Panem. My name is Dusk Shine and I am here to interview the tributes for this years Hunger Games. You have seen them at the Reaping, in the Tribute Parade, and what their scores were, but what are they really like? Well, tonight, I am going to find out. And we will be starting the night off with District One's female tribute, Diamond Cortez!"
A Peacekeeper tapped Diamond's shoulder and she moved to the stage. It was blatant that her stylist was pulling a sexy angle. Her dress was low-cut, probably lower than she'd ever wear, and her dress ended just past her hips. Her hair was in a complex braid, and it took her stylist forty-five minutes to complete it. As she walked towards Dusk, she swayed her hips and waved to the crowd, something that her escort taught her. She took her seat next to Dusk Shine and was ready to begin her three-minute interview.
"So, Diamond. How are you finding the Capitol?" Dusk asked as the crowed settled down.
"Dusk, I think the Capitol is lovely. The change from District One to the Capitol is shocking!" She answered, keeping a fake, sexy smile on her face. She tucked her left ankle behind her right one, like Diamond Tiara told her to.
"If you don't mind, what is that lovely ring on your necklace?" Dusk gestured to the ring on Diamond's throat.
Sympathetic gets the sponsors... Diamond thought as she looked to her mother's ring. Her eyes filled with crocodile tears as she looked back to the host. "I-It was m-my mother's ring. She g-gave it to m-me when she was R-Reaped." Sympathetic 'awws' came from the crowd as Dusk patted Diamond's bare shoulder. And the sponsors begin to pour in.
Kleo Miller, D2
Kleo's eyes rolled as Diamond 'cried'. Kleo knew that they were fake, but the audience ate it up. So, if every tribute cried, every tribute will get sponsors? Only Capitol logic. Diamond's three minute interview was over and Ian walked up on-stage. Right away, Kleo could tell that his angle was a funny guy. He bantered with Dusk and let out whoops of excitement. Kleo shifted from foot to foot while standing in front of her brother, just wanting her interview to be over and be in the arena.
Ian's time ended before Kleo could even hear what Ian talked about. Maybe his family or something? A Peacekeeper led Kleo up the stairs as she waited backstage for Dusk to call her name. "You know her as the girl from Two, the girl who came her with her brother. Miss Kleo Miller from District Two!" Kleo took her cue and walked to Dusk. She held the pure white puffy dress in her hands as she met the host face to face. Glitter was sprinkled in Kleo's hair and on her bare shoulder, and the glitter seemed to sparkle under the intense lighting. Kleo took her seat next to Dusk Shine and the interview began.
"Kleo, it's nice to have you here. And may I say that you look simply stunning. Maripos did a wonderful job." Dusk awed. Kleo smiled and tilted her head slightly.
"Thank you, Dusk. She wanted a similar color to the Peacekeeper uniforms, and a 'formal' version of the uniform." Kleo responded. She sat straighter to show the audience the black sash across her chest, simulating a Peacekeeper sash.
"She has grasped it perfectly. Kleo, are you ready for the Games, even with your brother right along side you?" Kleo kept her emotions in tact as she figured out how to answer.
"I am ready, but I am not excited about the 'sole victor' idea." Kleo chooses her words carefully. "Me and Caden both wanted to compete, but not in the same year. But, I can say that I will not leave my brother's side for anything in the arena." 'Awws' and claps rippled through the crowd at the tribute's answer.
"I want to ask you about the Reaping." Dusk began. "When Caden volunteered, what was going through your mind as he came up on stage beside you?"
Kleo looked down before answering. Unlike Diamond's crocodile tears, Kleo's tears had a genuine meaning and feeling behind them. The tears stayed at the brim of her eyes, not to ruin the make-up Maripos has graced her with. "I felt scared and afraid. Like I said before, the 'sole victor' thing scares me, because only one of us can emerge as a victor. And, I don't want to lose my brother."
Dusk leaned over to the tribute and tried to comfort her. Diamond isn't the only girl that can cry for sponsors.
Daniel Kelly, D3
Violet was on stage, talking to Dusk about her home life. Daniel was next in line, trying to figure out what to talk about, or how he should answer. His silver suit shimmered in the light, making him glow like the night of the Tribute Parade. Blaze is obsessed with making things glow, apparently. In the pocket of the suit, Daniel holds the shark tooth Blake gave him during the good-byes. That is the only thing that is making him feel calm and collected at the moment.
"From District Three, Miss Violet Dixon!" Dusk announced, standing up with Violet by her side. Violet had a knee-length dress with the same silver color as Daniel's suit. Silver strands were weaved into her hair, making her shine like the bulbs on her costume a few night ago. Luxe made sure that the dress fit the little girl by tailoring it since the Tribute Parade ended. A Peacekeeper led Daniel to the backstage area so the audience couldn't see him. Violet walked past him on her way back to the apartment. Dusk's laugh filled the area and brought Daniel's attention to her.
"What a cutie she was! And the next tribute we will see from tonight came here with Miss Violet. Please welcome her district partner, Daniel Kelly!" Daniel began to walk on-stage, not looking at the thousands of Capitol citizens in the audience. His hand was outstretched to shake Dusk's hand and he took his seat beside her. "So, Daniel. How is the Capitol treating you?"
He shrugged. "Treating me like it should treat any other tribute: making me feel special before I die." His sarcasm wasn't carried to the audience, who laughed at his 'snarky' answer. Dusk smiled and tried to think of a way to make his comment memorable.
"So you think you have no chance?" Really, Dusk?
"I do have a chance." Daniel answered and looked back at the host with no clarification. Dusk racked her brain for something to say. Her eyes shifted to Daniel's hand, which was in his pocket. Maybe that might get this stone of a tribute to say something.
"What is in your pocket, Daniel?" She said, gesturing to his hand. He looked down, and pulled it out.
"It's a shark tooth my baby brother gave me before I came here." He answered. "Blake and I were close; I was like a father to him."
"And what did Blake say to you when you left?" Dusk tried.
"He told me to come home for him and Daddy." Daniel answered. The audience let out sounds of sympathy that Daniel was all too familiar with. Almost every tribute that was interviewed had a 'sympathy problem'. And Daniel was just another tribute with that problem.
Maya Matthews, D4
Shark tooth? That should be found in 4, not some silly technology district. Maya heard the buzzer sound for the end of the District 3 boy's interview and she moved to the back stage area. No one saw her, but she saw Dusk ask for another applause for the 3 boy. Who should even root for him? He's a silly technology boy who is from a crappy district. District 4 is the place to be, and Maya will represent the best district in Panem. The 3 boy walked past her, his eyes meeting hers for a split second. Just another tribute who got the audience on their side with a sob story. Maya will not join that group.
"You know her as the Princess of the Sea. Please help me welcome Miss Maya Matthews from District Four!" Maya moved herself on-stage, holding up her sea blue floor length gown. The gown was strapless and flowed from her waist. Aloe designed it to do a 'surprise' during her interview. A bracelet of starfish and pearls was on her wrist as she shook Dusk's hand to begin the interview.
"It's lovely seeing you, Maya." Dusk began. "Are you aware of the nickname the Capitol gave you?" Maya smiled, flashing everyone her sparkling teeth.
"Yes, I am quite aware. My escort, Noi, told me my nickname when the Tribute Parade ended. She told me it fit me quite well." Maya answered, trying to pull a good girl angle.
"I believe it does, Maya." Dusk bantered. "The blue that was dominant in your costume was wonderful. It looked like waves were etched into your costume. What did you think of the costume?"
"I found it to be wonderful. I thought I was actually wearing waves." Maya's eyes fell to Aloe, who gave a silent gesture to stand and show the 'surprise'. "Have you seen this dress? I mean, look at it!" Maya stood, and flared out the bottom. As instructed by Aloe, she began to spin in circles. The response was immediate. As she spun, the dress flared into many shades of ocean blue and they meshed together, making a 'wave-like' effect. Waves have consumed the Princess of the Sea, and gave her the attention of many sponsors.
"How lovely!" Dusk said as Maya took her seat. "You truly have made an impression as the Princess. That was wonderful!"
"Thank you." Maya smiled, illuminating her whole face. And the sponsors become mine.
Isadora Jolf, D5
"Please help me welcome District Five's Isadora Jolf!" Dusk's voice said into her microphone, introducing a scared fourteen year old girl to the stage. Her brown hair is in tight curls, and her eyes are decorated with make-up to give her a 'Capitol worthy' look. Her knee-length dress is the color of the sun, probably channeling solar power through her dress. Her yellow heels clicked as she walked to Dusk, a falsetto smile on her face. She knew that sponsors were in the crowd, looking for a good tribute to give their money to. They don't want frightened children who probably won't survive past the bloodbath.
Isadora shook Dusk's hand and took a seat. "Isadora, I must ask. What made you react the way you did during the Reaping?" Shouldn't Dusk ask this to the District 12 girl, who screamed and kicked when she was called? Isadora straightened herself out and crossed her legs like Silver Spoon taught her.
"When my name was called, I was in pure shock." She answered with a confident tone. "I knew I didn't want to make a scene, so I just walked on up and took my place in the Games."
"That's perfectly reasonable." Dusk responds. "I must congratulate you on your six in training. What are your strengths that may help you in the arena?"
Yes, Dusk. I will give away everything so that the other tributes may find me. "I know my way around weapons." She says, being as vague as possible.
"Isadora, I adore your confidence. Why are you so prepared for the Games?"
"I believe that there is no 'prepared' for the Hunger Games." She begins. "You are either thinking 'I am going to live' or 'I am going to die'. What you think as you enter the arena can determine if you live or die. And I plan to be back on this stage, talking to you about my victory."
Applause is the response for Isadora's answer. Dusk's mouth dropped as she clapped for the little tribute from 5, the girl who seemed to be glowing with confidence. The clapping calmed down and Dusk began to ask another question. "I want to know who visited you before you came to the Capitol. What did they say to you?"
"My mother, aunt and uncle all visited me." Isadora says. "They give me survival tips and what I should do in the arena. And I plan to take their words to heart and do as I was instructed to win and return to this stage." Isadora kept her falsetto smile on, and it seemed to do the trick. The audience loved her, and they gave a large round of applause when she left for backstage.
Ryan Yitch, D6
Kira's interview was finished and she was taking her walk off of the stage. Her dress had the similar color to Ryan's tux, the gray-ish color of the train they arrived in. The only splash of color on Ryan was Cary's green ribbon in his breast pocket. His hair was slicked back, and his hands became sweaty. Something about talking not only to Dusk, but the whole country seemed to make him nervous. His thoughts turned to Dusk, who was talking about Kira's interview. Of course, she got a seven in training. Ryan only got a five. What could Dusk possibly say about Ryan and his silly five? He's nothing but...
"May I present the male from District Six, Ryan Yitch!" The applause deafened him as he walked on stage, forgetting about his training score. He walked to Dusk, just wanting the interview to start. The applause slowly faded away, giving him his hearing back. "I must say, I loved your entrance at the Tribute Parade. Your district stood out, something we haven't seen in many years. What were you thinking?"
Ryan took a second before he answered. "I wasn't prepared for all the attention Kira and I would get. In past years of watching the Games at home, I knew One, Two, and Four typically got the attention. It was nice to have roses thrown at you and you knew that they were meant for you."
"I love the splash of color in your suit." Dusk mentions. "If I am not mistaken, you had that on you during the Tribute Parade. Is this your district token?"
"Yes it is." Ryan answered, pulling out Cary's ribbon. "It is my sister's hair ribbon. She didn't say good-bye to me after the Reaping, but my parents gave it to me in her absence. I feel like I have a piece of her always with me, even when I enter the death match."
"Is she the 'perfect sister'?" Dusk tries.
"Yes." Ryan doesn't look to Dusk when he answers. He stares at the ribbon in his hands. "However, Cary and I don't always see eye-to-eye on things, and arguments are common. That's a main reason that she didn't say good-bye to me after the Reaping; we had a fight the night before. But, it still means a lot to me that she gave me something of hers to take into the arena."
"I can see why this ribbon is so important to you, Ryan." Dusk says to the boy beside her. "I wish you all the best of luck in the arena." Somehow, in some shape or form, Ryan could not bring himself to believe what his host was saying.
Sheila Carwell, D7
The boy from 6 was walking off the stage as Dusk Shine was introducing the next tribute. Sheila picked at her nails, even though she knew not to. The white polish will come off and she will look incomplete. As predicted by her stylist, her dress beared a resemblance to her Tribute Parade costume. It was a slim fitting white gown with strategic folding across the chest. On her left side, the folds were apparent as they made their way to her hips. It was a one strap dress, which the strap was made from the folds in her dress. Folds seem to be popular in this dress.
"Help me give a warm welcome for Sheila Carwell!" Dusk announced and the crowd began to cheer for the girl from 7. She walked on stage, baffled by how many Capitolites showed up to see the tributes. She took her seat next to Dusk and the interview began.
"So, Sheila. How is the Capitol working for you?" Dusk began. Did she always start with this question?
"Very wonderful." She answered. "I am used to seeing very tall trees in the sky rather than skyscrapers, but I am enjoying myself here quite nicely."
"Yes, I can understand how that can be a dramatic change." Dusk laughed. "I want to know about your score. A five. Personally, I don't know why a tribute could manage any less than a six. What happened in there?"
Sheila held back her true feelings as she answered the best way she could. "I showed them my skills, but maybe I wasn't impressive enough to pull a seven or a six. I don't hate the Gamemakers, nor do I believe that my score is spot on accurate. I'm not the only tribute to earn a five, so I don't blame the Gamemakers."
"Nicely said, my dear." Dusk responded. "I know I sound very jumpy, but can you tell me about the Reaping." She grabbed Sheila's hand and began to pat it. "For some of the older viewers, we may remember that your brother, Rivet, was chosen quite a few years ago. How did it feel for you to be called and, possibly, follow in his footsteps?"
Sheila kept herself calm and collected as she answered. "It felt like a helpless person. I knew I couldn't do anything to stop my situation, and I don't want to follow in Rivet's footsteps. I want to return home, just as much as anyone else in the Games right now."
Sheila's answer was met with a symphony of sympathy. She knew that her answer may have put her on the right track, but maybe her answer might compel the other tributes to kill her, just so she can be just like her older brother. Only time will tell if the answer she said is the correct one.
A/N: This chapter is a little late, but it is still up and ready for you to read. How did you like it? I separated it in half by districts, and tried to get everyone's Point of View in. For example, before this chapter, I have never focused on Ryan Yitch (D6). I want everyone to have a Point of View before the arena, which will be after the next chapter! I'm so excited for the Games to begin! Please review and take the poll on my page if you haven't yet. :)
I do want to add one thing. I am writing an original story, but I need major feedback before I finish it and send it to publishers. I am thinking of putting it on my Fiction Press account (Same name as on this site), but I want to know if you guys would read it. Please answer in the reviews, and I may put it up. ;) Thank you so much. :)