Chapter 7
Interview
As soon as I reach my prep team I see that changing into regular clothes was futile. They strip me and begin "making me beautiful" all over again. This time it's less painful and it takes less time because I only need to have my hair, make up, and nails done-though having my nails done involves lots of scraping which is highly unpleasant.
When I am finally presentable-with my hair down, but elegant, my nails and make up complete-Savera comes into the room. She totes with her a large garment bag that I presume contains my interview dress. She smiles at me, and hands me the dress.
"This is it?" I ask nervously.
"If you mean is that your dress, then the answer is yes." She says with a smile.
"Ok then." I say, resolved to tolerate whatever crazy design is in this bag.
"It's not as bad as you think it is." She assures me, noticing my hesitation.
"Yeah?" I ask skeptically, because I know my definition of 'not so bad' is very different from the Capitol's.
"I tried to keep it very simple." Savera says with a conspiratorial wink, and I suddenly understand what she is saying: she tried to keep it free of the Capitol. I know this only works to an extent, but I am less fearful as I take the dress with me behind the curtain, separating the dressing room from the main prep room.
With the curtain closed, I take a deep breath, and unzip the garmet bag revealing the dress. I inhale sharply in surprise. I actually like the dress. It's simple, but not from my home.
The dress is made of a blue gossamer fabric, and there are wings attached to the back. I smile widely-the wings remind me of my Mockingjays. They stretch out only a few inches out from the shoulders of the dress, making them most noticeable from behind. The whole thing is a beautiful and I slip it over my head quickly.
I look at myself in the full size wall mirror. As I move the skirted part of the dress shimmers. It is simple, but not too simple, and it has just enough Capitol to get me some sponsors-I hope. I'm careful when I walk in this dress, because it feels fragile, and I find that I am using the tread I use in the trees-the soft footfalls that don't break or snap any of the thin branches under my feet.
I pull the curtain back and step out in front of Savera. She looks me up and down, and steps closer. She adjusts my hair, pinning two bows into it crafted of the same material as my dress. She also drops a pair of shoes at my feet. They are simple flats in the same shade of blue as the dress.
She steps back once again to survey her work. This time she must be satisfied, because she pulls me into a hug. Being almost the same height her head rests on my shoulder.
She releases me and steps back, keeping her hands on my shoulder. Then she kisses my forehead.
"You've got this." She assures me.
"Thanks," I manage to squeak out.
"Don't be nervous. You are so brave."
"Ugh! I wish people would stop saying that." I know it's useless, but I have to try.
"Why? It's true, you know. It really is. You are so brave. I know you don't believe it, but others do. And I do too."
"Yeah. That doesn't make it easier to hear." I'm grumbling to myself now, but Savera catches every word.
"As a wise man once said, 'Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death'. That is true about you. Therefore, you are brave." I know it's pointless to argue-and I find that I do like her definition of bravery.
I sigh. Savera gives me a sympathetic smile and leads me into the hall, where Seeder and Chaff are waiting with Thresh. Together we head off to the interview floor, and we are quickly back stage. The other tributes have gathered in a line here, waiting for the 'go ahead' call that will signal us to take our seats on stage.
I watch the tributes as we wait. I notice that everyone-even the Careers-are nervous. They all show subtle signs, picking at their nails, or swaying from side to side. I notice, however, that Peeta doesn't seem to be scared of the interview-though something is bothering him.
Before I can pinpoint the cause of his unease we are motioned onto the stage. I steel my shoulders, and take careful steps out until I reach my chair. I sink into it willingly, with Thresh to my right.
There are so many people, and the cheers make it hard for me to think. Caesar quickly reigns in the crowd, and tells a few jokes-the intent, is to warm up the crowd, but I see the ulterior motive most people wouldn't. This small pause before beginning is to allow us tributes to adapt. Adapting to the crowd and lights takes some time, and the tributes from 1 need some time to readjust.
A few seconds later the interviews pick up and I watch intently, looking for anything new. I glean nothing from the Careers interviews-mostly they just want to intimidate the rest of us.
The girl from five is using an angle that really isn't an angle at all. She cleverly avoids each question, almost always teasing the audience or the Capitol. She gives nothing obvious away about herself-and she avoids the topic of her private session with the Gamemakers. This tells me what I need to know though-she is clever, and sly. This display was simple for her, though I doubt the other tributes know that.
The other tributes continue to fly by quickly and I soon find that Caesar is calling me.
"Rue!" I stand when I hear my name, and make my way over to him-using my soft footfalls, the ones for the trees.
"Welcome! Welcome, Rue. Beautiful, sweet, little Rue." He smiles at me, his blue lips stretching over his teeth.
"Thank you." I say, settling down, and adjusting my shoulders slightly, so that my wings fall in a more natural way.
"Why, you are very welcome dear. Now Rue, I think I speak for all of Panem when I say we were impressed with you're composure at the reaping."
It's not a question, so I choose to play up my 'innocence' angle. "Well, Caesar, I'm not really sure what you're asking." I feign confusion, and the audience chuckles at my mistake-if I were any older they would take it as stupidity or nervousness.
"How did you manage to keep from falling apart? We know how hard it must have been for you."
Do you? I think sadly, No, you have no idea how hard that was for me.
"I just told myself that I wanted to spend my last few days happy." I smile, tragically, at the cameras.
"So, you know your fate then?" He asks me, confused. No tribute has ever openly accepted their death-more or less-on national television.
"No… not in the sense you think." I say, purposely trying to confuse him-because yes I have accepted my fate, I just don't know what form it will come in.
"Um… alright then." He looks to be at a loss for a moment, and then he quickly refocuses the conversation. "So… Rue what did you do for the Gamemakers? A score of seven, that's quite impressive for someone your age."
"Well, it's supposed to be a secret, but lets just say I think I showed them that I am more than who they think I am. I do have some skills you know." I'm teasing, but not about the part where I showed the Gamemakers that I'm more than what I look like.
I glance over my shoulder taking in the other tributes, with a smile. Until I see Peeta-he's staring at me, his mouth slightly open in shock. I smile wider, someone knows what I'm talking about, and he apparently can't seem to grasp that someone so young could understand such a complex topic.
I stifle a laugh.
"Oh, and can you enlighten us on your skills? What will be your greatest strength in the arena? What is your plan?" He seems bemused by my carefully calibrated innocence.
"I'm very hard to catch," I say simply, understating my ability to fly through the trees. "And if they can't catch me, they can't kill me. So, don't count me out." I finish boldly.
"I wouldn't in a million years." A smile lights up his face. "Now, before your time runs out, is there anything that you want to tell the people of district 11?"
"Only that I hope they remember me, and that I've cherished every moment with them." I smile sadly, knowing that I have to keep up the innocence act-though I also know that my family understands that my message is only for them. It's my final way of telling them that I love them.
The buzzer sounds, and Caesar composes himself. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you… Rue!" He says as I stand, courtesy, and, go back to my seat next to Thresh's now empty one.
With my interview behind me, I relax slightly. Then I remember who's after Thresh: Katniss.
Thresh's interview goes by quickly, and Caesar calls Katniss up.
Her interview goes by fast, and she doesn't really say anything too revealing-and nothing at all on her secret skill. The only highlight of her interview is her stylist's design. She is once again the Girl on Fire, and she is indeed fiery.
When her interview is complete I sigh in relief-her performance, however limited, is worthy of sponsors and the people love her.
Peeta comes up last, and I watch intently, anxious to learn his approach. It's easy to distinguish: he's charming.
Finally its clear Caesar hits a nerve-or in other words, the reason he was nervous before.
"Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come on, what's her name?" Caesar looks very intrigued, and Peeta looks very uncomfortable.
Finally he sighs-as though he's admitting to some betrayal-then I understand. Being charming is only half his strategy; the other half is being in love. There's only one person I know that could intimidate someone as sweet and loveable as Peeta: Katniss.
I've never had to fight a smile so hard in my life. The nervousness, the fidgeting, the reluctance, it all points to one thing. Peeta Mellark is hopelessly in love with Katniss Everdeen-and if I'm interpreting the signs correctly she is about to find out. Along with the rest of Panem.
"Well, there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I'm pretty sure she didn't know I was alive until the reaping."
Once again I have to fight a smile-no Katniss does not know what is coming.
"She have another fellow?"
"I don't know but a lot of boys like her," Peeta allows reluctantly.
Translation: She has some kind of close guy friend, and or a powerful guy has staked his claim on her-a guy or relationship powerful enough to prevent Peeta Mellark from declaring his love sooner.
"So, here's what you do. You win, you go home. She can't turn down then, eh?" Caesar has no idea how wrong he is.
"I don't think it's going to work out. Winning… won't help in my case," I sigh, this year's hunger games will tell a tragic love story-if Katniss plays this right.
"Why ever not?" I have to stifle a laugh, because Caesar is so clueless.
Peeta blushes a deep crimson, and stutters on his words. "Because…because… she came here with me." For a moment I feel bad for him-putting it all out there for a girl, and to make it all worse they were both slated for death, tomorrow at the earliest.
I look to Katniss for a reaction, though I seem to be the only tribute with a working brain at the moment. Her lips are pressed together and she's staring at the floor, her expression almost… pained. But a slow blush creeps onto her cheeks, and whether she knows it or not Peeta has some kind of a connection with her.
I miss Caesar and Peeta's further conversation.
Then Peeta's buzzer promptly goes off, signaling the end of his interview-giving the audience next to no time to react, and leaving them little time to finish their conversation.
The anthem plays, and then the tributes all file off the stage. We all climb into elevators-and I catch a glimpse of Katniss-slipping into the elevator farthest from the one containing Peeta. I smile a little, and go into Peeta's elevator.
There are about four other tributes with us, and a few stylists. They get off, one by one, until Peeta and I are the only two left. I read his expression, and it's clear he is uneasy. I think for a moment, then I break the tribute code of silence, "You did the right thing, I think."
He gives me a tentative smile. "You think?" He sounds skeptical, but he's being sincere with me, and he's not looking at me with pity-I like him already.
I consider his question carefully-but quickly because we're nearing the 11th floor-then I take a deep breath. "Yes, I think so. Katniss on the other hand, well… lets just say you should be careful when you get off the elevator."
He laughs at this, and I join him. "I'll be on guard. Thanks Rue." I can tell he feels better, and I'm surprised he knows my name.
"Not a problem Peeta." I smile, and then hop off the elevator onto my floor.
Seeder and Chaff are waiting to intercept me before I can head off to bed.
"This is the last time I will see you isn't it?" I ask cautiously.
"Not necessarily." I smile at Seeders reluctance to admit what we all know-I will not be returning from the arena.
"Any last bits of advice?" I ask, hoping for some advice about the Cornucopia.
"I think we covered almost everything. Get off your tribute plate as soon as possible, grab some supplies, and get out." Chaff says, covering a previous strategy we had looked at briefly.
"I got that already." I smile.
"You remember this: surroundings, supplies, assailants, and allies." Seeder reminds me gently.
"I know. But remind me why I have to look for attackers, before my allies-well possible allies.
"Because, if someone attacks you it's best to know who it is, so you can target exact weaknesses. Also, allies are only helpful, if you know you can count on them. Katniss doesn't know about your plan, so that means you will be on your own. If you are attacked you need to rely on yourself." Seeder uses a gently tone, but her orders are firm.
"Ok." I nod.
Seeder steps forward and pulls me into a tight hug. She whispers into my ear softly.
"I know you don't plan on coming out, but don't give up."
"Of course not."
"I'll look after your family." This brings tears to my eyes-I couldn't ask for anything more perfect than this-she will be fulfilling my dying wish.
"Thank you." My voice wavers.
"Good luck Rue." She steps back and Chaff steps forward.
"Do your worst." He smiles, and his confusing word choice leaves me speechless. I stand there dumbfounded, until he mouths 'the Capitol'.
I giggle, and nod, giving him a quick hug.
"Thanks for your time and dedication," I address them both. "You were the best mentors I could ask for."
"You were a pleasure to mentor." Seeder says, tears in her eyes. We all know this is our final goodbye.
I take a careful breath, to keep the tears in my eyes from spilling over, then I turn to my room, and get ready for bed.
As I drift off to bed, I consider this-my last night in the Capitol, my last night before the arena. There's no sense dwelling on what is to come. With a resigned sigh I roll over, and after an unknown amount of time, I drift off into a restless, fitful sleep.
Hey! I am so so sorry for not updating for three days. I feel like such a bad person :(. I kept you amazing people waiting. Sorry, but in repentance for that (and the super short chapter last time) I wrote an extra long chapter for you this time. I hope you like it. What did you think of the mentor's goodbyes? Let me know what you think. I also want to ask what you think of my interview scenes with Caesar. Please Please Please let my know. Review or PM me.
I will also be updating again really soon. I am in a writing mood this weekend. :P
Also the 'wise man' Savera refers to in this chapter is Omar Bradley. I really liked that quote because it's so true.
Thanks
R&R