Thank you all so much to the readers who submitted such amazing reviews! I also want to thank those who understand the whole updating situation, I am very grateful that I have awesome readers! Since it's the first week of school, there isn't much to do, and I want to take advantage of it, so here is an update! I also wanted to get the interviews chapter done, because the tributes are going into the arena!
I just want to respond to two reviews that I can't reply via PM.
A person(Guest) Okay, but the problem is, why did you have to swear? You could've said something like 'I didn't like the ending' anyways, thank you. Just don't be mean.
Guest: I can't wait to work on the arena chapter, too! (: Here is the update you asked for.
Please enjoy, and please tell me what you think! (:
I get out of bed, and push a strand of hair away from my face. I let out a dreadful sigh, because tonight is the interviews. Where the tributes wear fancy dresses and suits and act like something they're not. I already know how to act, feisty, ruthless, and fearless. I wake up early, because I want to get everything over with.
Morraina will probably be happy that she's got one less thing to do. Oh yeah, this afternoon, she is going to teach us how to be polite and train us on how to be etiquette. God, that's the next thing I don't look forward to. I tie my messy hair into a firm ponytail and walk into the bathroom and splash some cold water on my face.
I walk outside and sit down, noticing Morraina's impressed nod. I take a bite of a strawberry pastry and ask an Avox to pour me some milk. When she does, I smile and thank her. Evan walks out of his room, also looking tired and takes a seat. Morraina said that are prep teams are to come later, to remake us.
"Eat a little faster, you prep teams are coming in an hour." Morraina tells us. I look at the clock. 9:17.
I eat three more pastries and a cheese bagel, then take a shower. I massage my scalp with the mint shampoo and scrub my body clean. I step out of the shower and the hot air dries my hair. I wrap my body with a soft towel and step outside.
"Hello!" Demeter say in a cheery voice. I step back at first, with my fists raised, prepared to defend myself, until I realize that it's just a Capitol member of my prep team. She frowns when she sees this.
"Don't scare me like that." I tell her and she nods. I smile and greet Laris and Inepta.
"Are you ready for the interviews?" Laris asks. I find myself staring at his outfit. It's a silver and black suit with swirls everywhere that revolves and makes you dizzy. I shake my head and keep myself from falling, and they all laugh.
"It's an illusion." Demeter says.
"How were you guys able to walk with him, without having your head spin in circles?" I ask, rubbing my temples.
"Don't look at it." Inepta says with a shrug.
I sit in a chair, while they walk around and whisper to each other. They're probably talking about what they should do for my hair and make-up, and they whispering because they don't want me to know until tonight.
I hope evening comes faster, because I want this to be over and get into the arena.
"Amethine, posture is very important. Never slouch, that is very unlady-like." Morraina tells me.
"Slightly tuck your right ankle under your left leg." she says, showing me a demonstration.
"And put your hands on top of each other, and place them on your lap."
I do what she says and she smiles at the outcome.
"Very good."
She doesn't have much to explain to Evan, because boys don't really have to sit in a graceful way.
"Now, time to learn about being etiquette. You're going to have to pay attention, because it will come in handy for the post-interview dinner.
"What post-interview dinner?" I ask.
I want to sleep right when we get back to the living quarters, so I can have a lot of energy for the games. I don't have time to sit around and enjoy fancy Capitol food with my future victims.
"It's when all the interviews are over and all the tributes have dinner!" Morraina claps her hands excitedly.
"Where is it going to be held?" Evan asks. He seems delighted by this idea. Am I the only one who doesn't want to go to this dinner?
"In a lovely dining room here in the training center."
"What if I don't want to go?" I ask.
"You are going. No questions asked. President Snow does this as a treat, and say all tributes MUST attend the dinner. And let me tell you, he doesn't like having his orders disobeyed." Morraina says.
She takes us to the dining table and hands us each an empty plate, along with a fork and knife.
"Hold your fork in your left hand, the knife in your right." she says. She holds the fork in one hand and the knife in the other and lifts to show us.
"Pretend there is delicious fish, fresh from district 4 on this plate."
"When eating fish, use your knife to cut the backbone and the tail off."she says. She drags her knife across the back bone, separating it from the rest of the body. She cuts off the tail and uses the knife to slide to the side, a little.
And that's how we spend our afternoon, working on table manners, posture, and facial expressions.
"I can't wait to see you on stage, Amethine!" Inepta says, applying some wet liquid on my eyelids, on the line above my eyelashes.
"Thanks."
"Honey, you'll have you over a thousand sponsors before midnight." Demeter says. I thank her.
Inepta brushes some powder over my closed eyes, followed by some liquid. I hear a zipper along with a gasp.
"Priney didn't say it would look like this." I hear Laris 'whisper'.
"Oh my Gucci" Demeter says.
"Keep your eyes closed," Inepta says.
I really want to see my dress. I know I hate being groomed and prepped, but I knew Priney's design won't disappoint me. It'll be fabulous, and judging by the trio's reaction, I'm assuming it's wonderful.
Inepta snaps them out of praise land and get them to work on my hair. When they're done, the door opens and Priney walks in.
"She looks beautiful!" Priney says.
She is wearing a long golden dress, that matches with her wig and blue heels, which match her eyes.
"You guys never disappoint me, huh?" she asks the three. They blush and thank her.
"Do not look in a mirror yet, close your eyes." I close my eyes and feel silky fabric over my body.
"Go ahead." Priney says.
I open my eyes and look down at the Priney's lovely work of art on my skin. Priney embraced the 'golden goddess' theme, because I feel the rich color radiate. On my body, is a golden, glittery, purple, dress. The golden and purple glitters shimmer in the light, making it look like I'm wearing a colorful, and bright ray of light. Both of the thin straps go down to meet with small ruffles, that are in my chest area. There are glitters on it, too and it sparkles, everytime I walk.
On my waistline is a purple line, covered in purple glitters. The edge of my dress is covered in purple lace and stops above my knees. The back of it is slightly exposed, but doesn't show too much of my back, which I like. Priney along with my prep team, have done a wonderful job.
My hair is as lovely as the dress I'm wearing. Laris has taken a section of the crown area on my head and braids to the middle of the back of my head. The rest of my hair, is curled. I wear purple, two inch heels that match everything. The liquid Inepta applied above my eyelashes, is black, showing off my blue-green eyes. Inepta has also added golden, glittery eyeshadow.
"Thank you so much." I hug Priney. She seem surprised, but hugs me back.
I hug my prep team too, and I hear Inepta sniffle a little.
"Now, let's go!" Priney says.
She take me backstage, where the tributes line up in order. Starting me on the left side, and Evan on the right side. This is down for the other tributes and the line ends with the last district.
"We are going to take our seat in the audience, I know you'll do good." Priney says.
"Go Amethine!" Laris cheers, and I laugh.
"You can do it." Inepta says, and they all walk off to join the huge audience.
"Looks like you're living up to you name." I turn my head and see Caiden in crimson red tuxedo. His head is neatly slicked back. I roll my eyes at his comment.
"Look who it is," Vinera says, appearing behind Caiden. She is wearing a floor-length silver dress with a flower attached to the strap, on her shoulder. On her chest, the fabric is pulled tight, with some nice stitching work done.
"I'm not the only one wearing something similar to my chariot outfit." I spit back.
"She's just mad because you got a higher score than her." Caiden teases.
"No, I'm not! And the Gamemakers probably gave you a ten because you blew kisses and twirled your hair." Vinera says venomously.
Furious, I push her back with all my strength and she flies back like a rag doll. It's a good thing she bumps into Caiden, because he holds onto her before she can slip. She scowls and tries to lunge at me, but Caiden latches onto her both of her arms on time. She tries to squirm out of his hands, but she stops struggling when we hear Caesar Flickerman's voice.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Are you all excited to sit down with this year's tributes?!" Caesar asks, enthusiastically. Deafening screams erupt from the audience.
"Before we bring the first tribute out, I want to wish you all a Happy Hunger Games! And May the odds be ever in your favor!" again, the audience cheers.
"Now, please put your hands together for the female tribute from district 1, Amethine Gemmis, or for some of you, you may know her as the golden goddess!" Caesar says. The crowd yells and stomps, unable to contain their excitement.
A Peacekeeper taps my shoulder, the signal for me to walk onto the stage. I walk out confidently with a smirk on my face. People in the audience may be wondering why I'm not swaying my hips, flipping my hair, or batting my eyelashes. That's something the previous female tributes from my district would do, but I'm not like the rest. I am different. Compared to the other girls from my district who competed in the games, I have skills. I am lethal and unstoppable. I will win.
"Welcome, Amethine." Caesar says. He takes my hand and we sit at the same time.
"So tell me Amethine, have you been training for the games your whole life?"
"I'm a career aren't I? What career doesn't train for the games?" I ask and slightly tuck my right ankle under my left one, just like Morraina had taught me.
A portion of the audience cheers at my answer. Caesar laughs lightly.
"So you are confident you will win, is that right?"
"Yes. I've trained for this my whole life, and I am ready. The other tributes better be good at hiding, because when I find them, it won't be good." I say with an evil grin.
"Good, now how many siblings do you have back home?"
"Three. I have a sixteen year old sister, her name is Amethyst and I have two six year old twin brothers, Garnet and Geode." I say.
"Such wonderful names! Is there anything you would like to tell them?"
"Yes." I look into one of the cameras.
"Start packing, because when I get back, we're moving into a house in the Victor's Village." I say and the crowd goes wild.
"What confidence you have, I love it! What do you think of the Capitol?"
"It is wonderful. The rooms are luxurious, and the food is amazing. I had a little bit of Capitol Fever, you know? When you really admire everything here." I say. Caesar laughs and so does the audience.
"I'm glad you love it. Now, can you predict how many victims you will have at the bloodbath?"
"That's easy. Let's just say, that I won't be able to count them all on one hand," I say.
"It looks like someone is prepared. May you have the best of luck, Amethine." Caesar says and takes my hand. We rise up together, and he raises my hand.
"Amethine Gemmis!" he says. The crowd lets out a series of cheers.
They don't stop, even when I walk off the stage. A peacekeeper escorts me to a room with plush couches and a long table filled with simple treats, like fruits, pastries, bagels, and bread. I see a big TV and sit on one of the couches and turn the volume up.
"Hello, Evan." Caesar says.
I didn't have a chance to see what Evan has on. He wasn't there when Vinera and I nearly killed each other, so he must've arrived just when I walked on stage. But now, I look at the blue suit he is wearing.
"Hello Caesar." Evan replies and they take a seat.
"Now, you volunteered, just like your district partner. Can you tell us, why?"
"Ofcourse, I volunteered because I know I'm ready." Evan says, causing me to roll my eyes.
I take one bagel from the table and take bite of the smooth cream. I sit on the couch and watch more of Evan's interview.
"Do you think you have some competition?" Caesar asks.
"No, not at all." Evan says.
He and Caesar talk a little more, when his time is over. I see the door knob twists and Evan walks in. I guess this is where the tributes go when they're done with their interview.
"Moving on to district 2, let's give it up for our female tribute- Vinera!" Caesar says, and the crowd cheers.
Vinera struts onto the stage, her silver dress swaying. Half of her is tied up and braided, and the rest of her hair that is remaining is straightened. Her prep team had put silver gems at the corner of her eyes.
"How are you, Vinera?"
"Couldn't be better, and you?" she says back.
"I'm doing alright. Vinera, what is your weapon?"
"Axes, I can take down an apple that's sitting on the top of your head, fifty yards away."
"Wow, so did you think you did a good job on your private session?"
"Ofcourse! Why? Are you asking me this, because you think I did bad?" Vinera asks, but Caesar seem unruffled by this.
"No, I don't think that. I thought you got a wonderful score!" Caesar says.
"You'd better." Vinera says.
"So what do think of your allies?"
"Caiden and I get along pretty well, because we come from the same district, obviously. Evan from 1 is alright, and I barely talk to Gary, the boy from 9."
"You forgot the girl from district 1, Amethine." Caesar reminds.
"Oh yeah, Amethine is well, she gets on my nerves." Vinera says, some people in the audience giggle.
Damn you Vinera, don't act like you don't get on my nerves.
The rest of Vinera's interview goes by, and she walks into the room Evan I are in, when Caiden steps on the stage.
"Hello Caiden, so are you excited for the games?"
"Yeah, I can't wait for this interview to be over, the dinner to go by, and sleep so I can start killing." There's something Caiden and I have in common.
"So you're excited?"
"Yes."
Caiden's interview is over and Electra joins Caesar in a black silky dress with spark yellow accents. Her dress is strapless, and there are black jewels above the waistline. Her dress kind of reminds me of a bumblebee, even though there isn't much yellow. Her hair is tied in a French braid and hangs over her shoulder, and a little section of her hair is curled and left on the side.
"What are your skills?"
"I can make a fire, and with the right kind of wires, I can electrocute someone." Electra says. She tries to sound confident, but her voice is shaky.
"Excellent. Do you miss everyone back home?"
"Very, very much. The one I miss the most is my little sister Atari. She's the one that gave me this." she lifts her hand for everyone to see, the black diamond bracelet on her wrist. The audience lets out a bunch of 'awww'
Electra talking about her token, makes me look down at my token. Something that reminds of home. My necklace with an Ametrine stone hanging in the center.
Electra continues playing the sympathy angle and walks off the stage and joins us in the room. I don't pay attention to her district partner's interview, because he only answers with a 'yes' or 'no' and doesn't want to explain. This may be the first in the hunger games history, but he actually makes fun of Caesar's suit and face.
Marina meets with Caesar in a beautiful turquoise dress that stops at her knees. It is slightly poofy at the end, making her look like a little girl. The straps on her dress are covered in beautiful shapes of shells that can be found on the beach. The shells are drawn using blue glitter, and are in complete perfection.
"Since you are from the fishing district, do you swim a lot?"
"Yes. After training, I would be covered in sweat, so a dip in the refreshing water helps, and I love to swim everyday."
"Nice, so do you get along with your district partner, Sebastian?"
"Yes, he is like a big brother to me. It's sad that we have to go into the arena together." Marina say, looking at her feet.
When Marina is done, Sebastian walks out in a tight sea green suit that shows off his muscles. His hair is combed and fluffed a little. He does a good job on his interview, being confident with his answers and making the audience laugh sometimes. When it's over, he walks in the room.
District 5 and 6 go by, and up next is Sequoia from 7. She walks out in a evergreen leaf green dress that has sparkles on the neckline. There is an impressive stitching work of a sequoia tree on her dress. The green eyeshadow matches both her dress and her hair is in a messy, but volume curls and her prep team scattered some leave in her hair, making it look like she laid down on a pile of them.
"Did you like what you wore for the parade?"
"Hell no, Tanner and I look like a couple of stupid elves." This earns a chuckle from Caesar and a laugh from the audience.
She continues to play up the mean girl act, until her time is up. I don't pay attention to Tanner and Amber's interview, but I watch Derek's, the boy from district 8.
"So you were a sewer, back home?"
"Yes I was. Thanks to that, I have quick fingers, so now I can tie complicated knots." Derek says, his black suit making him look bold.
After him, I don't pay attention to the others, until it's Gary's turn.
"Congratulations on joining the Career alliance." Caesar says.
"Thank you! I'm happy I got in." Gary says. His angle is the loveable, easy to get along with. When he's done, I watch Feltrix, the boy from 11.
"So, why didn't you attend training?"
"Because, what's the use? I'm going to die anyway." He has on an orange suit. He does have a point, what's the use of trying to achieve something, when you're sure you won't be able to get it.
After him, Mina walks out in a grey, floor-length, ruffled dress. Her prep team did a good job at hiding the dark bags under her eyes, because she doesn't look like a depressed girl. When her and Calvin finish their interviews, Peacekeepers escort us to an elegant dining room. There are 24 chairs, for each tribute.
The Peacekeepers have us sit starting with me and Evan across each other, then so on to the last district. Both tributes from a district are to sit across from each other. First course is a delicious lobster dish with vegetables on the side. I use the tips Morraina gave me, and thankfully, they come in handy.
"Wow, the golden goddess has manners!" Vinera says sarcastically and claps her hands.
Without thinking I pick up the cucumber from my plate and throw it to her. I have excellent aim, so it hits her in the chest and falls into her bra. She glares at me and throws a grape at me, but I move to the left.
"Excuse ma'am, please don't throw your food." a peacekeeper tells Vinera.
"She threw a cucumber at me first!" Vinera tries to explain, but she's too late because the Peacekeeper walks away.
Evan, Sebastian, Marina, and Caiden snicker. Vinera scowls at them and pulls the cucumber out and flicks it, and it hits Caiden on the shoulder.
"Gross." Caiden says, pretending to gag.
"Check it out." Sebastian says, we look over and see a small group leaning over, whispering to each other.
Maggie from 11, Terraine from 9, and Latteine from 6 may have formed an alliance already.
We eat the lobster while engaging in conversation, and when we're done a couple more courses go by and now, I'm stuffed.
"I am so full," I say. "Same here," Marina says.
After dessert, we are escorted to the elevators. I get into the same elevator as the other careers, Gary and his district partner, Terraine, and the tributes from district 5, Augustina and Marcus. The other tributes beside Gary, distant themselves from us, squeezing away and leaning on the walls, far away from us. Evan and I get off first, and when we get on our floor our mentors, prep teams, and stylists compliment on what a wonderful job we both did.
"Thank you for making me look amazing," I tell Laris, Inepta and Demeter. They smile.
"And thank you, for designing such a wonderful dress," I tell Priney, she smiles and hugs me. I tell everyone good night, and walk into my room. I take the dress off and slip into a comfortable shirt and pants and lay down. Tonight is my last night before I can transferred to the arena, where I will fight and kill my way to victory.
So, what do you think? Please let me know! (: I'm so excited to start working on the next chapter, and I can't wait especially to make you guys read about it, I hope you guys like it when you read it! I want to thank the readers who submitted amazing and encouraging reviews that motivated me to update! I love you guys! You're all awesome (:
I realize that I haven't mentioned Amethine's token, so it's a necklace with an Ametrine gem hanging on the center. I hope you enjoyed the interviews! I tried my best to include the other tribute's interviews (: Anyways, thanks for reading, please leave a review! (: