Chapter 18

Wild Things

Then leave us alone, cause we don't need your policies

We have no apologies for being...

Find me where the wild things are

We'll be just fine, don't mind us

We will carve our place into time and space

We will find our way, or we'll make a way, say hey,

Hey find your grace, don't hide your face

And let it shine, shine, shine, shine, shine, shine

So hey, we brought our drum and this is how we dance

I take deep breaths to calm my nerves. I hold the fake plastic smile on my face as I fold my dress down to sit in the armchair next to Eli.

"Look at them all! We couldn't have a more gorgeous group of tributes this year!" Caesar says into the microphone that is barely visible on his jacket.

"Our first tribute, from District One, everyone welcome Glimmer Wellington!" A large round of applause reverberates through the stage at Caesar's announcement, and Glimmer's steps towards the armchair directly across from Caesar.

She swishes her sheer pink shimmering dress as she sashays toward the chair with a bright smile on her face, and I try to contain an eye roll.

Results? Unsuccessful.

The next ten minutes pass in a dreadfully boring state as she talks nothing about the games, but the Capitol, and the people, and how 'lovely' they are. Gag.

When she makes her way towards the chair with applause surrounding her, I see her wink at Cato, and even though it sends a stab of jealousy through my body, I remain stoic.

"Lovely, lovely girl," Caesar mutters, "but now from District One, Marvel Bass!"

Even though I probably shouldn't, I clap along with the rest of the crowd with a small smile on my face, and catch Marvel's eye as he walks past me (since I'm positioned closest to Caesar). He gives me a big smile that seems genuine.

Marvel is his usual goofy self throughout the interview, even joking with Caesar. Despite that, he still manages to seem menacing, especially when they talk about the games.

"Ah, yeah, well, I have a few tricks up my sleeve that will probably be pretty surprising to viewers and fellow tributes," he says, and I know he means our alliance, but nobody else could have a clue except for Thresh, Rue, Eli, and Cato, "so underestimating me will get you nowhere good, guys!" He ends with an easy grin toward the tributes, which is at odds with the way he's eyeing each one carefully and pointedly.

Caesar gives a low whistle, "Yikes! Okay, well Marvel, good luck! Even though I'm pretty sure now that you don't need it," He laughs easily. Does anything bother this guy?

Marvel walks back to his seat silently, smiling in satisfaction. Ha. He's soooo smug.

"Clove, our District two tribute, come on up here!" Caesar announces before the crowd goes wild.

Her interview is interesting. I know that she's super intimidating, and very hostile, even though to me she's the opposite. But during this interview, she just glares and acts superior to every question, and even makes it seem like Caesar is stupid for the questions he asks.

I shudder runs down my spine. As she walks back to her seat, we make eye contact, and very very subtly I barely notice it, her eyes soften and her mouth twitches with a refrained smile.

I give her a small smile in return.

"Okay, guys. This next tribute is one of the top contenders this year, so everyone welcome Cato Evins!"

The crowd goes wild, and in response I grin a little and clap along. Just because I don't forgive him for his harsh words doesn't mean I'm not proud of him or happy for the praise directed toward him, which is increasing his chances at survival.

He's playing the cocky, arrogant District two career the moment his name is called. As he passes me though, he doesn't look in my eyes but rather slides his hand along the ones in my lap, causing a delicious shiver in return.

He sits down with a big smile.

"Caesar, man, how's it going?" he asks.

"Good, good. But the more important question is how is it going with you?" Caesar asks pointedly.

"Couldn't be better. I'm having the time of my life. Everyone's been super welcoming her in the Capitol and training is going... great," he says with an evil grin at the end, "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

Caesar has a silly little grin on his face, like he's pleased by this response.

"Hmm... is that so? That's great. You know, everyone is anticipating your show in the arena, Cato. You're causing a large buzz in the Districts-" I call bullshit, I think mentally. The only districts excited have to be the careers. Only they could be 'buzzed' about any tribute. "-everyone has been voting for you! We pulled up your files, and you hold one of the highest ranks at your training academy. You have been praised exceedingly well by your trainers, and have several outstanding achievements. Now this hasn't been released to the public, so that has no relation to the responses you're getting. So what do you think has contributed to the viewers excitement?"

Cato gives a sigh of incredulity, and looks like he's thinking of an answer. "Well that's obviously great news, but I'm not really surprised. I mean, like you said, I hold one of the highest ranks, I work hard to keep my body top of the line," he gives a very unsubtle wink to the crowd (I'm pretty sure I hear a collective sigh of happiness), "and I am very skilled. Plus I have some great alliances lined up," he ends with a smile. I'm not sure if anybody notices the plural...

"Well that is certainly something to be proud of. Now obviously, you're going to be in the career alliance this year. Usually they have a leader, or someone to follow in that alliance. Now, would you say that you'd be the leader this year?"

"It hasn't really been discussed, but man, I don't know,," he rubs his neck awkwardly, "It would definitely be an honor."

"Yes, sure, of course. Watching your reaping, you obviously volunteered. We saw that it was very.. passionate. Almost desperate. Which is very unlike the usual career volunteers. But what I, and most viewers, want to know is was the volunteering already planned beforehand, or was it a spur of the moment decision? Did you volunteer in place of that boy, or to bring pride to your district?"

This is going to seriously push Cato's buttons, I know it. I guess they didn't figure out Oliver was his brother, or that they shared the same last name.

Cato seems perfectly fine, not the least bit nervous, "Of course it was planned. It was my turn anyways, ya know? I have the highest ranks, I'm 18, which means it's my last year. I want to bring pride to my district, which is what I've been training for and anticipating my whole life. Of course my reaping was passionate, I'm very passionate about the Games, and what they represent." He continues talking to Caesar, but I can't stomach listening.

I think I'm going to vomit.

I'm 88% sure my face is betraying my anger. I look at the rest of the tributes, the careers are all indifferent, and Glimmer looks smug. Like she's proud of him. Ugh. Gag. Thresh and Eli look indifferent but I see the anger in their eyes, and Rue looks upset. I can't quite get a reading on Clove and Marvel. They look indifferent... yet not.

I can't even look at Cato, despite me not knowing whether he's lying right now. Just those words coming out of his mouth disgust me, whether or not they're true. I keep my eyes on the thread of the armchair Caesar's sitting in.

And that's what I look at for the rest of the interviews, which all bore me, except for some which I listen to.

Foxface is extremely intelligent and cunning, and I don't know whether to ally with her since she's been nice to me, or to stay away. Thresh says the least amount of words possible, and glares. Rue is just adorable and innocent, but sly and smart. Callan is... evil and gross. As usual. He tries to make it seem like he has no training at all (which I know to be wrong) and has no experience with weapons. Even though I'm 99% sure he's been training for the games all his life. AND he volunteered.

"Okay guys. I know this is probably one of the most anticipated interviews, one of the ones you've been waiting for forever. Now we've heard a lot about Panem's Spark, so here she is! Come on up here, Primrose! Everybody give a warm welcome for District twelve's, Primrose Everdeen!"

Oh god, I want to vomit so bad, but I need to focus and make sure I don't trip in these damn heels. I paste what I hope is a convincing smile on my face, and make my way to Caesar, kissing both his cheeks.

The crowd is going wild still as I sit down, and I try to look sheepish, "You guys! Stop, you're making me blush," I giggle at the crowd. Ew.

After discussing with Haymitch and Cinna, we decided my angle is going to be cute and fierce. Sweet, but intimidating. Not sure if it's doable, but I'm doing my best.

Caesar lets out a laugh, "You should've expected it! Everybody's been wanting to see you after that wonderful chariot ride. You were gorgeous, your costume was gorgeous, and you were fierce," he says sassily.

I let out a small smile, "I can't take credit for that, that's all my team's doing. But I will gladly take credit for the last one," I say confidently. This whole thing makes me want to puke. My giggles, my words, my tone, is not me. But it's what Panem wants to hear, and what sponsors love.

"Of course, of course. Now let's talk about your reaping. I think you were what Panem looks for in a tribute, am I right, guys?" he asks the crowd, receiving an affirmation, "You've been getting a lot of buzz about you being the Spark of Panem. Now what everyone want to know is, is how did you pull that off? I mean, coming from the poorest district, you've been talked about being one of the top contenders this year."

Okay, what I want to do is lash out at him for talking bad about twelve, but I can't. And that makes me so mad I can barely see. But I have to play the cute, sweetheart. Great. I keep my expression indifferent and emotionless.

"Well Caesar, you say that it's surprising I'm so-hmm what's a good word? Does strong work?- strong because I come from the 'worst' or most 'poor'-" I use air quotes and a sarcastic tone "-district. But I think that's what makes me strong. Living the way I do with my circumstances, you have to be tough. You can't be weak or pathetic, you have to have thickh skin. You have to be prepared for the worst, always. Living in twelve is what makes me strong, not weak," I decide to slip in about my alliance to Rue and Thresh, like Haymitch said to, "I mean my allies, Thresh and Rue and Eli, we know what it's like to live in harsh conditions, with harsh people, and have people constantly underestimate us because of where we're from. But obviously that's wrong, especially this year. I mean if you take a look at the tributes in the past, most of the finalists are from the least financially stable districts, along with careers. I mean we last longer than most in the games. Why? Because we aren't weak like everyone believes. We're stronger than Panem thinks. Now, I'm not saying that our district determines who we are, but rather shapes it."

I just committed an act of rebellion, albeit small, on live television. At least I know Katniss, Gale, and Rory might be proud. Hopefully...

The room is silent. Completely silent. These Capitol people must be disgusted.

I chance a look at the tributes and see Thresh, Rue, Eli, and Foxface looking at me with pride in their eyes, while everyone else looks disgusted. Except for Cato, Clove, and Marvel, who just look indifferent.

Caesar takes in a breath, "Well, that certainly is something to think about," he lets out a nervous chuckle. "But did I hear you correctly? You're in an alliance with Thresh and Rue?"

Oh my god. I don't know whether to thank him or slap him. Should I think about how he just saved my ass or ignored the most important part of my speech?

I let out a chuckle and tease what I hope is lightheartedly, "Out of all that, that's what you heard? But yes, Thresh, Rue, Eli and I are teaming up," I shoot a smile at Thresh and Rue, "and I guess this will prove what I said about us lower districts being the strongest. Let's see who lasts... careers, or the 'weaklings' of Panem?," I say the last part menacingly.

"Oooh I smell a fight brewing! We will definitely have to see. Now, I want to talk about your life back home. Do you have any brothers or sisters?" I totally recognize that as what it is- diversion tactic.

I smile genuinely this time, "I have a sister, Katniss. And well, I'm going to be an aunt soon!" I say happily and 10000% genuinely, "I'm so excited for her and Gale- my brother in-law who's like a brother actually- and I want more than anything make it back to meet the baby," I finish sadly. Even though this is my true feelings on the matter, I want to play up the sympathy with Panem, and it works, since I hear little 'awww's' from the crowd. "And I'm going to. But I'm very happy for them. Gale has been like my brother since I can remember."

"That's certainly endearing. Well, congratulations Katniss and Gale!" Caesar says into the camera, "That's great news. Anybody else? Boyfriend perhaps?"

"Oh Caesar, you're so subtle," I tease good-naturedly, "but no boyfriend."

Caesar gives a little squeal, "I know Panem's boys are certainly happy now!"

I let out a giggle. "I guess. And I do have a best friend waiting at home, Rory. He's Gale's brother, and he's family. We uh work together, and we've been attached at the hip since birth." Nobody but Katniss, Gale and I know what I mean by 'work'.

"Uh oh! I may have spoke too soon. Is he handsome?"

Um, weird question.

"Certainly handsome," I giggle fakely, "and I love him, but we're just best friends."

"Good, good. Everybody needs that. Especially someone as sweet as you. Okay, guys, before we wrap this up, I just wanted to say, I love your gown. Is this Cinna's work?"

Who else's would it be, moron? I think.

"Yes, Cinna made it. I'm so thankful to have a stylist like him," I stand up, preparing myself for what Cinna told me to do, "isn't it gorgeous?"

I hear the crowd give their praises as I stand, and Caesar's appreciative words.

I take a deep breath and give a little twirl, with my hands raised to the sky for safety purposes.

The crowd silences, and then gasps, as they comprehend what they're seeing.

Out of every crystal or gem or sequin (there's a lot) a spark of fire (like sparklers on the old July 4th celebrations from years ago) is shot out.

There's more at the bottom of the dress, so it has the most action, but basically it looks like my dress is shooting sparks from everywhere, until they eventually die out after about 30 seconds.

I give a little smirk at the silent crowd.

"Gorgeous, right?" I say.

The applause then is deafening and makes me proud of my rebellious act against the Capitol.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the Spark of Panem!"

I smile.