"Come on Phoenix; it's a big, big, big day" Effie called, poking her head in my room. I groaned and got up to shower. I would be coached by Effie while Gale would be coached by my dad. Both Effie and my dad counted on us having the best interview because of my charisma and Gale's good looks and the romance he and I shared for the sponsors and win. If we won; we would be the second couple to ever win. When I was dried; I was put in an elegant dress and nice heels for practice. I came into the living room and Effie said "You look very beautiful Phoenix and very graceful in heels." "Thank you" I replied, curtsying politely. "Well; someone was raised with incredibly good manners" Effie commented before telling me "Alright; you and Gale will be introduced and then I'm sure he will help you sit down on the loveseat. Please, have a seat."
Carefully; I adjusted the skirt before I sat down. "Back straight but relax" Effie instructed. I did as she asked and she added ""You're a very good listener. Be sure to keep this position. Keep up all this good work and you'll go to your prep team early." "I'd like that" I replied. We continued working on how I would sit and how to keep my hands folded in my lap and to keep my ankles crossed. She finally asked me some practice questions and once in awhile; she'd help me answer in a charming manner that would win over the audience. It was finally around lunchtime and Effie said "You've earned lunch Phoenix and you did an amazing job. Do that tonight and you'll have the audience in the palm of your hands or should I say wings?" I giggled and got up.
I went back into my room and changed into some normal clothes before joining Effie at the lunch table and choosing my lunch. I had just started eating when my dad and Gale came to the table. We discussed how our practices had gone and Effie was bragging on me to my dad. My dad actually admitted that Gale had been most impressive and improved a lot. We both ate as much as we could handle especially since we didn't get breakfast. After we ate; Cinna and Portia came to collect us and get us ready to be interviewed by Ceaser tonight.
My prep team scrubbed me down and fixed my hair. "Ceaser seems to think you're hiding a big secret, so are you" Venia asked. "Well; yes I am. I'm not saying anything right now. Everything comes out in the interview tonight" I replied, fiddling with the ring that Gale had given me to make our engagement official during our little rooftop rendezvous last night. They finished curling my hair and painted my nails with a phoenix on my thumbs and a fire trail on my other nails.
They finished and took me to Cinna. I saw Cinna bring out this stunning crimson colored gown and a cute pair of heels and a simple veil. "What do you think" he asked with a smile. "Simply stunning Cinna; I love what you make" I replied as he helped me get into the dress. I was dressed, had my shoes on, and the veil attached, and my makeup done. "Ready to reveal the news" Cinna asked, leading me to the where the other tributes were waiting.
"Not really Cinna but I've been bursting at the seams to shout my happiness from the rooftops" I replied. The other tributes were looking at the veil and I think a few saw the ring resting on my finger. Gale and I had a loveseat to sit on while we were waiting to be interviewed. For now; we just sat and listened to the other tributes blow their own whistles and brag about how they were going to win. Gale and I just rolled our eyes and watched as the crew brought out another chair and another gestured for us to stand and we headed up to the entrance so we could be ready. Ceaser already had the crowd warmed up and he announced "Let's welcome our tributes of District 12, Phoenix Abernathy and Gale Hawthorne." We walked out together and Gale helped me get seated before he sat down beside me. "I have to say that my heart just stopped when you two made that blazing entry at the tribute's parade" Ceaser commented, looking at us.
"Thank you Ceaser. We were just glad that we didn't burn to death" I replied. The audience laughed mildly before Ceaser asked "So; training scores of 16 for both of you! How did that feel when you two saw your training scores?" "It's pretty amazing Ceaser; I'll be honest with you. Neither of us expected to score that high" Gale answered. "I'm with Gale on that one Ceaser but we are both weapon trained and know how to be prepared" I added. "Clearly; that shows in both of you. Now; I really have to ask you both something extremely important. Everyone is seeing how close you two really have been and we all seem to think that you two are a little more than district partners that will ally. Is there something more than an alliance between you two" Ceaser asked.
Gale and I looked at each other for a moment before I answered "There is something between us. It's an alliance stronger than fighting. If and when Gale and I win these final games; he and I will be married. We have been betrothed since we were born but didn't find out until just a month ago on my birthday." "Well; I know this must be hard on both of you but judging from that 16 you both received; I would say you two will win and will have the best wedding that Panem has ever seen" Ceaser answered. "It'll be the hottest" Gale replied with a chuckle. "I would say so judging from your blazing entrance" Ceaser told us and added "I wish you both the best of luck and congratulations." "Thank you" we both replied as the buzzer rang and we were dismissed. Gale and I were finally able to go up to our suite and we would try to rest. Tomorrow; Gale and I would be taken to the arena with the other tributes and then the final battle would begin.