Hiya everyone! A nice long chapter today :) I'm kind of hoping this will help make up for the fact that I can't really upload this week, after today, seeing as I will be without the wonder that is wifi, and also without much free time. So, we have this chapter then one more that will hopefully be uploaded tomorrow and if not next week and then we're in the Games!

Thanks for reading!

Chapter Seventeen - Questioning

"Last one, okay, Alexis? Ready?…Okay, you can open your eyes now." Emeline, my energetic stylist finally gives one last tug on whatever is it I'm wearing and steps back to admire her work.

I open my eyes and gasp at what I see in the mirror. The girl that stand before me is beautiful, in her own way, but dangerous. She wears a floor-length dress that goes from green around her chest and then fades to an aqua by the bottom. The neck of the dress scoops down a bit, and the dress itself seems intent in showing off whatever curves it can find on the girl's body. Best of all, when she moves, the dress shimmers and shines like the ocean back home.

The girl's expression seems calm and relaxed, but with something underneath that, like she's masking some hidden ferocity that's just waiting to jump out. Most of all, her eyes are mesmerizing, almost seeming to change colour kaleidoscope style with her dress, showing off the blues, browns, greens, purples, and flakes of light blue like sparkles on ice.

Emeline helps into a pair of heels that are definitely 5 inches at the very least, but the shoes are much wider and, dare I say it, comfier than the torturous devices Zéle had me wearing yesterday. I slip them on, wobbling a bit, but I've almost figured out the walk now, you just have to act like you're on tiptoes, which you basically are, all the time.

I look over at my usually over-the-top energetic stylist, whose now silent in deep concentration. "Emeline, this-" I begin.

"Oh! How could I forget! You can't go showing the world who you are without this!" She rummages through her pockets, then pulls out a piece of braided string. It's plain, like the stuff we have back home, nothing fancy. I racked my memory trying to remember why this necklace seems familiar until the voice of an old friend plays in my head, something that seems to have happened so long ago.

"Please, take this as your token. I found it in one of the oysters we collected. Here," Annie explains, pulling out her necklace, which I hadn't noticed she was wearing. It's a long, plain braided piece of string. She tears it off her neck and helps me string the pearl and tie the necklace around my neck. "There." She gives me a hug and whispers, "Good luck, Alexis."

Annie. The shining pearl pendant I see in the mirror proves it. I can't believe I had forgotten my token, and I don't even remember where.

My voice comes out, a little strangled. "Where...where did you find this?"

Emeline shrugs. "Finnick gave it to me for you. I guess he must have found it somewhere."

"Thank you." I whisper. "This is perfect."

Emeline grins. "Awww...you look lovely, my dear! Now get out there and show them what you're made of!"

For training the boys went first. For interviews, it's the girls, meaning i only have six tributes ahead of me. We, the tributes, sit in a semi circle around the stage where Caesar Flickerman is firing up the crowd for us. Finnick told me he's amazing at making just about anyone seem great, which, I have I feeling, is a skill I will need him to exercise.

Caesar looks terrifying this year, his colour a deep red making him look like he was slowly bleeding to death, but, from the way he acted, it was the best thing in the world. I think I heard Emeline call it crimson.

The crowd behind me cheers as Shine slides up onto the stage, looking dazzling in her low cut sliver dress. Her blond hair flows back from her face and her light blue eyes, well, shine in the spotlight. Her stylist was obviously inspired by her name when designing the dress because it has enough sparkles to blind us. Maybe that's the idea.

Caesar and Shine chat for a while and it's easy to see the angle chosen for her; sexy, naturally. That's what most District One tributes angle is.

The buzzer goes and Shine is soon replaced by her district partner. Gray is wearing a suit that matches his name, but his personality seems much darker than his clothes. I guess his mentor wanted him to make up for the low score he got, being from District One and try to be tough and mean in his personality. It's actually quite terrifying which I guess is what he's going for.

"So, Gray, do you think you're ready for the arena?" Caesar asks.

"Am I ready?" Gray repeats, chuckling darkly. "You have no idea. I been waiting for this chance my whole life. When we get in there I won't hesitate for a second to begin the path to my victory."

"Oh, really?" Caesar says, with an over-the-top impressed voice, then address the audience, "He's a fighter, folks!" and they cheer back excitedly. "Any other tributes you're nervous about facing then?"

Gray laughs again, sending a shiver down my spine and probably that of many other tributes. "As if! A training score doesn't matter if you're not showing your full potential." He looks knowingly at the audience. It's a good cover for his score, but I'm not buying it. He's a Career after all, they don't hold back.

The audience, however, apparently does not share my opinion on this. Gray is about to go off to a huge round of applause but Caesar has one last question for him.

"So Gray, last thing. Good looking guy like you must have a special lady. Care to tell us?"

Gray's gaze softens just a bit. "Well, not back home." he says, slowly. "She's here, competing against me."

The crowd gives a gasp. For some odd reason, I can see Shine, out of the corner of my eye, glaring at me. What in the world did I do now?

"Who?" Caesar pressures.

"Oh, I can't say. But I'll give you a clue; she's has the most beautiful eyes you could ever see."

The crowd gives a collective "Awwwwwwwwwww!", but I know there was more to the comment. Hidden behind the simple compliment was the awkwardness that surrounded Gray around me, and the reasoning for Shine's anger. She must like him, but he doesn't like her. How could he possibly...?

I sigh, and push the thoughts out of my mind, specifically ignoring Cassius' shocked stare beside me. I need to focus on my own interview, not his. That's what this is, he's throwing me off. I outscored him and now he needs to out do me too.

But still...

"Shut up, me." I mutter under my breath.

"What was that?" Cassius' asks from beside me.

"Nothing." I say quickly, looking away, only to catch Jayden's smirk.

"What lovely eyes you have." He teases. I punch him lightly on the arm. He must have figured it out too.

"Yes," I whisper, "like a Capitolite with plenty of surgery. My escort told me."

On the stage above us, Tiana has taken the seat next to Caesar. Four to go.

Jayden's still cracking up, so I leave him be. The boy apparently doesn't get much time to laugh back home.

I look back to Cassius. "What's your angle?"

He glances over at me and makes a face. "Brave."

"Oooh..." I say, pinching his cheek, causing him to nearly slap my hand away. "Like a noble knight from the stories we read at school."

"The myths you mean."

"No, but I guess those too. It's amazing that all those legends have lasted so long you know? The...err...what do you call ems?"

"Greeks and Romans." Cassius supplies without a second thought.

"Yes, smarty pants. Those guys. Heroes and gods. You'll be just like that, won't you?"

"Oh yes, when I grow up, I want to be a myth!" he says, smirking.

"And I want to be a fairy princess. Sometimes wishes just don't come true." I say, bringing us back to reality.

Demetri has entered the stage. Three to go.

"No, and that's why we're here." Cassius whispers back.

"Wasn't it your wish to be here? You volunteered, after all." I needed to ask this question, but I try to say it as innocently and kindly as I can, as to not anger one of my only true friends in these Games.

Cass sighs. "I guess it is. Or was. I don't know anymore. But I never wanted to be here with you."

I stay silent as Pascale, Jayden's district partner takes the stage. Two to go.

"What are we going to do if it comes down to the two of us, Alex?" Cassius asks.

I sigh. I have asked myself this question already, and repeated it with each Jayden, Willow, Ash, Heather, and Spencer. Six friends out of twenty-four tributes. I don't like those odds. But I have an answer.

"I guess they're going to have to send a mutt after us, because there's no way you would die otherwise."

"Same to you."

I reach over and grab Cassius' hand in a silent agreement. A promise. I won't harm the person next to me in any way, no matter the costs. I go to reach for Jayden's hand, but all that's beside me is an empty chair. I look up to see Jayden chatting happily with Caesar and a knot forms in my stomach. I'm next.

Cass squeezes my hand, bringing back from the panic I was about to have. "Hey. You're going to do just great. The audience already loves you. Just keep them interested."

Keep them interested. I think. Be mysterious. Seem relax and calm, but then suddenly reel them back in, always keeping them on the edges of their seats. Make them want to know more.

I take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. Okay. I can do this. I rub the pearl on my necklace, the one thing I still have of home; a pearl from the oceans of my District. I can do this.

A beep goes off to signal the end of Jayden's interview and the beginning of mine. I walk up to the stage, careful not to trip in my crazy shoes. That's the last thing that needs to happen right now. I get to the top of the stairs and give a small, sly wave at the audience which sends them into a craze. I smirk even more; it's too easy to manipulate these Capitol folk.

I take my seat next to Caesar and lean forward on my hand, a confident expression on my face. I'm so ready for this.

"Hey Caesar!" I say, startling him by starting the interview instead of the other way around. "I love this year's colour, how did you pick it?"

Caesar recovers quickly, giving me a confused smile and wagging his finger in front of my face. "I think I'm going to be the one asking the questions here, . After all, we all want to know about you, isn't that right, folks?" The crowd screams in response. "I'm sorry, what was that?" The noise that follows is deafening, but I just laugh and lean back in my chair. "Can you believe it?" He says to the audience. "This one's going to steal my job!" He looks horrified, and the audience laughs in reply. Perfect.

Caesar looks back at me. "My goodness, don't you look like one of the Capitol! Just look at those lovely eyes, ladies and gentleman!" The crowd screams and cheers, and I try to hide the fact that the compliment makes me want to throw up. It is a "compliment" after all, and it's something I can use to my advantage.

"Aw, thanks Caesar!" I flash the audience a giant grin.

"Now, Alexis, we all know you're going to be one to watch out for in the arena, a ten in training and among the top three scorers along with your dashing district partner! How did you climb your way to the top? Any secrets?"

I pretend to pull back a bit, giving him a raised eyebrow. "Secrets? Well, don't we all have some of those?"

"Oooh, anything you can tell us?" Caesar asks, leaning for effect.

I smirk. "Well, Caesar, it isn't called a secret for no reason! I guess you'll find out in the arena."

The crowd voices its disappointment in another loud "awwwww...", but I just smile slyly back.

"Well," Caesar says, "can you tell us anything about your life back home then?"

I pretend to lighten up a lot and I can tell the audience buys it. "Well," I start. I don't really want to tell the entire world about my family, but I'm going to have to. They'd understand, and I'd be nice to for them to know that I'm still me, still remembering them. "I have the best family and friends that a girl could ever ask for. There's my mom and dad who used to come fishing with me all the time, but now it's just my dad."

"How come?" Caesar asks.

"Well, my mom had an awful accident with a shark when I was much younger and she lost her arm." The audience gives another "awwww…" as if they care at all about my mom. Since fishing is mostly using your hands, she can't come anymore. And me, well, I'm here, aren't I?" I smile.

"What about your friends?"

"Oh, my friends are hilarious. There's Brooke, my best friend since, well, forever really. We've always been super close, ever since I can remember. She's super hyper, and always has too much to say so she's tries to say it all at once! It gets really hard to understand sometimes." The crowd laughs. "And then there's Annie, who's the most sweet girl you could ever meet. She's thirteen, two years younger than me and Brooke, but we still hang out together all the time. I can't wait to see them all when I get back home. Oh, and there's Cassius too, of course."

"Yes, I heard that you and Mr. Achille knew each other before the Games. Are you guys friends? Something more?"

I laugh hysterically for a little while before I'm able to calm down. "Oh no no no." I giggle. "Cassius is the cousin of my friend Annie, so we've known each other for a while. You can be sure we'll stick together, but he's like my brother, Caesar. That would be weird."

Caesar raises his eyebrows dramatically. "Sure…" he winks at me. "Whatever you say. Are you believing this?" He asks the audience, who roars in response. I try to interjects some "C'mon!"s and "You can't be serious"es, but they're mostly lost in the noise.

Caesar finally raises his hands in defeat. "Fine, Alexis. But if you and Cassius aren't together, you must have someone special back home. Lovely eyes like those, well, we know they haven't been missed by the boys here." I gasp a little, knowing who he means, and giving him by best "back off" look I can.

I shrink back a bit and smirk at the crowd, who's hanging onto every word. "Well, I don't know." I stage whisper. "I guess I just haven't found the right guy." The crowd is silent and stares at me with a weird expression I can't place.

"Well, who knows?" Caesar says. "Maybe he's here tonight, huh?"

I give another sly grin at the audience and wink. "Maybe so, Flicks. Maybe so."

"'Flicks'?" Caesar fakes anger at my nickname, but right then the bell goes off. Caesar stands, taking my hand and yells, "Ladies and gentleman, Alexis Lace, tribute of District Four!"

The noise is positively deafening, but I manage a final smirk and a small curtsy before walking back to my seat. I'm going to take the fact that they are trying to rob me of my hearing as a good sign. I pass Cassius on my way down and give his hand a small but encouraging squeeze before he continues up the stairs.

"Good job." Cassius whispers.

"Good luck." I reply.

The crowd finally calms down enough to listen to Cassius and Caesar talking, but I haven't yet.

Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. I think to myself. You did it, good job. It's over.

Jayden nudges my shoulder. "Not bad, Ms.Lace." He says, stressing my last name.

"You too, Mr.Carter." I reply. "Hey, did Willow tell you the new plan?"

He sighs. "The one where you have to join the Careers? Yeah, yeah she did. I don't like it, Alexis, but I guess I will have to deal with it."

"Thanks."

I turn back to Cass' interview, where the crowd is just fawning over his "nobleness" and "bravery", but I can tell he just wants to get out of there. Unfortunately for him, Caesar has one last question. Me.

"So," Caesar starts. "Last thing. We've heard Ms. Alexis Lace's side of the story, but is there really nothing between you too. Nothing at all?"

I hold my breath. Please, don't make up some love story. PLEASE, don't make up some love story.

Thankfully, Cassius just laughs. "Caesar, Alex was right. I will stick with her through this, but with her being my sister, not my girlfriend."

I let out a huge breath and sigh with relief as Cass' interview comes to an end.

"Thank you." I whisper to him, as he takes his seat. "For not making us some tragic love story."

"We are, though, Alex." I raise my eyebrows at him, wondering what he said when I wasn't listening. "Family love is a thing too." I relax, and smile back at him, knowing he's right. I don't know how will ever get out of this, but for now, I'm glad he's here.

did you think the little chat between cass and alex about greek myths was random? BECAUSE IT WASN'T! Maybe this will give you something interesting to think about, but I didn't randomly choose their names either, and their origins and meaning might give you a hint about what's to come!

Alexis Lace - greek first name, irish last name

Cassius Achille - ancient roman first name, french last name, but both based off of greek myths.