So far, life in the Capitol is not all that it's cracked up to be. They always make a big deal on TV about how the tributes get to spend "almost a whole week!" in the lap of luxury before they get killed, but really this isn't that great. There's unlimited food for us, Katniss would have loved that, but it's too rich for my stomach that's used to bread and cheese. There are thick blankets and warm clothes, but what's the point when you can adjust the temperature with a screen inlayed in the wall? The beds are soft, but who can sleep? If there is anything we tributes have in common between our various ages, genders, and districts, it's that not a one of us has slept a wink since we were reaped- not even the Careers. You can see it in all of our faces, a mutual exhaustion reflected from terrified youth to youth. An inability to relax or rest. I'd take my shabby old house and empty cupboards over this any day.
After lunch, I am ready to go back to the training room. As I'm about to head out the door with Awren however, I am accosted by Effie. "Prim dear, weren't you listening? It's time for your one-on-one strategy lesson from me! We get the whole afternoon to get you all ready for your interviews and think of plans for when you're in the Games." The way she says it makes it sound like I should be excited. Like I should be thanking her and jumping for joy to be allowed to consult with her about what kind of a person I'm going to pretend to be for the Capitol audience. I can't even manage a weak smile. Honestly, I have probably 3, maybe 4 days left. I don't exactly want to spend them with Effie.
What I really want to do is to bring Jace, Awren, Cynth, and Daz up to the roof in the morning to see the sun breathe life into the still Capitol air. We could run away to the roof and live forever in that perfect peace.
Free from the Games.
Free from our families.
Our districts.
Ourselves.
But no, I can't go chasing that fantasy because Effie is calling me and I'm walking into the spacious living room with its enormous screen and bright green, leather sofas. The walls in here are painted a deep shade of turquoise that I've never seen on anything natural. Effie perches on one of the sofas, her back as straight as a yardstick and her hands folded daintily in her lap. I do my best to mirror her posture so she'll think I'm trying. I almost feel sorry for Effie, I am surprised to realize. Year after year, getting to know a pair of tributes and then watching them die. It's been 25 years since 12's last victor, and Effie doesn't look old enough to have been around for that. How does she manage to keep going on every year?
"It is hard," Effie whispers. I look up, startled, and she has leaned over so that she is looking straight into my eyes. I can see a familiar pain there, a hole carved out by loss and sadness. Effie is one of us, a tribute. She is different only in that it is her fate to come back each year, living through the horrors again and again.
"I'm sorry, Effie." I choke.
"Nonsense, dear." She chirps. "You have nothing and no one to be sorry for, except yourself. There's a reason why I am doing your session before Awren's, and that's because I have been looking forward to yours. You have a certain grace, a charm. People automatically like you on sight because you look trustworthy and innocent."
She sighs. "I'm not going to promise I can get you home alive. I will promise that I will do everything I can to keep you and Awren safe. And right now I need you to hear my advice and take it if you want to live past the first day."
I am speechless. This is a side of Effie I never could have imagined. In fact, I'm almost disappointed that I'm not getting a dose of enthusiasm from her. The sad and defiant woman before me is still that same Effie, I realize, but she's not masking the hurt anymore.
"Thank you." I whisper, struggling to control my own sadness now.
She beams, putting the upbeat façade back into place for now. "You already have terrific posture, and I'm not worried about your etiquette as long as you can remember to be polite on stage. Manners are so important here in the Capitol. Of course for the interview you'll be playing a sweet-yet-strong young girl..." She trails off and looks at me apologetically. "Just because you're a bit shorter, and cute, dear. Not because I doubt your ferocity. The Capitol loves their pets, and if we can get you to survive the first few days, sponsorships will just pour in to protect the most loveable tributes. "
I nod. It's amazing how much strategy goes into the pre-Games training period. It's also amazing that Effie is the master of manipulating this strategy. Maybe there's something good that can come out of her Capitol-centered lifestyle- she can play the audience for anything.
"Cesar Flickerman is a good man," Effie says with a smile. "He knows how to ask the questions that you want to answer, and when you're out there for your interview, he'll treat you like an old friend. The trick is making sure you are ready to make yourself look good." Here she pauses and looks sharply down her nose at me. "If you don't want to take the interview seriously as part of some sort of protest, I will respect you for your choice. However, I have never seen anyone who failed to win over the audience win the Games. Will you let me help you try?"
Again, I nod. I am finding it hard to find words now, now that I have been reminded that this is no game.
"Excellent! I have some practice questions. I'm sure he'll ask you about your home, and how you like the Capitol. Maybe about some friends... Easy things like that. How would you describe your home, Prim? Pretend Cesar has just asked you, "Do you miss home?"
Yes! I think. Every last raggedy bit of it. I know that that is what I'll be expected to answer with. I am playing an innocent child, something I would have been better at just a few days earlier. No, I interrupt my own thoughts. That's not true. I haven't been really carefree and innocent since Katniss died. And even though this is awful, home wasn't all that much better. At least here I have friends, and people who look out for me. Isn't that strange? Here, where I have been marked for slaughter I am feeling like I have a family for the first time since the accident.
Effie coughs, and looks at me expectantly, so I force myself to form an answer. Remember Prim, keep it cute, and charm the audience. They don't want the truth, they want a happy story. "Of course I miss home, Cesar, even though it wasn't much. My mom and I were so happy there…"
A bit sentimental, but I had to make Effie cool. Sorry if you were hoping for some more tribute encounters, but I promise there will be plenty of those coming up ;) Thanks again to everyone who's following this, and for all of the lovely review- you are all the sweetest. ~Fancyclopedia