Last night was long. Cato and I sat by the window all night plotting on how we will kill Katniss. So next thing I know I am in a private dressing room with Angel and her team primping me for my interview.
One woman tying up my hair in intricate knots and twists, another coating my face with a soft layer of gold makeup, the other, a man, taking in different places on my gown so it fits to my body better, while Angel is giving me a pep talk.
"You are going for vicious killer, am I correct?" she pauses so I can nod. When I do, she continues, "So all that you have to do is talk about your skills, knifes, strength, and hand-on-hand combat. Impress them. You are 16 years old, also, no offense, you are tiny." She looks at me as I feel my cheeks flush. She continues, "But, you are vicious, fiery, and a well trained killer, all along with being stunning. That is your appeal." She finishes and sits back in her chair and smiles at me. I smile back, surprised that it is an actual smile and not my evil smirk.
Angel took me over to the mirror that shows me myself from every angle imaginable. I look like… a girl. Like a lovely young woman. My dress is long, and gold with red and orange drapes wrapped all around me. The dress is stunning; I am stunning.
"You may be a killer, but you are beautiful" Angel says squeezing my shoulders from behind.
I am flattered and slightly embarrassed. I have no time to ponder it farther because the speaker in my dressing room beeps, telling the tributes to line up backstage.
Clove's Debut
I am thinking so thoroughly through what Angel told me to do that I don't notice that both Marvel and Glimmer have finished and it is now time for my interview.
A tall woman with orange skin and a large headset ushers me to the outskirts of the stage. I wait there, surprised by how calm I am until Caesar gestures towards me.
"From District 2, Clove Carlisle." He gives me the cue that I am to come out of stage, so I do so. I walk up the steps on the stage, holding up my dress so I am not to trip on it; I don't want to look like a klutz.
"Welcome, Clove." Caesar extends his hand and I take it in mine and shake it. Caesar sits down and so I follow his lead and sit in the white cushy chair next to his. "So, Clove," he continues, "How are you liking the Capitol?
"Well," I start, "It's huge. And everything is so colorful. A lot more… ummm… bright than District 2. You guys have much more knifves here than we do back home." I conclude, turning to smirk for the audience.
"What is your greatest skill that you will use in the game?" He asks me.
"I throw knives." I say, smirking again.
"Are you good?" He asks, not knowing what to expect.
I look out into the audience, pause with a smirk and say; "I never miss." And continue smirking.
Caesar looks taken aback by my confidence, but the audience just looks intrigued.
"If you don't mind my asking, Clove," He fumbles to remember my name, "Exactly how old are you?"
I glare at him and he seems to shrink into his chair with regret, "I'm sixteen." I answer solemnly.
"My my," Caesar begins, "aren't you a tiny little thing then, stunning, I do say," The audience cheers in agreement, "but tiny."
"but that makes me quick," I'm starting to get mad, "You see you don't have to be big to win the games, because I am not big and well," I pause for dramatic effect, "I am going to win." I say surely, and for a moment I believe it myself.
"Well, well, well," Caesar starts, "it was very nice to meet you, Clove. And the best of luck to you." He shakes my hand again.
"Very nice to meet you too, Caesar." I say still shaking his hand.
When the shake is over he grabs my other hand, the one at his side, and raises it into the air with his own announcing; "Ladies and gentlemen, Clove!" in his most animated voice. The audience erupts into chaotic cheers as I give a final smirk and exit the stage.