Empress- Queen of Hearts
I can be a real slob when I want to be. I already know that. But, I can trick people into thinking I'm not a slob with my appearance and the way I carry myself. Either way, I'm a secret slob. It doesn't take that long for the mentors and Rappucini and Dream to figure that much out.
After private sessions, I shower and change into an oversized sweatshirt and sweat pants that are huge and baggy. When I look in the mirror, I notice that the red streaks in my black hair have yet to disappear from chariots. I doubt they'll be gone so soon. Not that I mind. Better than a full-out dye.
I throw the training jumpsuit in the pile of dirty clothes that lays by my bed. Then I tie my hair up in two messy buns and go out to the kitchen for dinner with the others. A couple of young Avoxes wait on us, and I sit still and let them. It's best to let Avoxes do the work for you so you don't get them in trouble.
We have some chicken pot pie that tastes pretty great. The mentors talk happily as we watch, eating delicious (but hot!) food. I eat at least three rolls with butter, not caring how it affects me. Soon Rappucini yells at me for that, though. "You still have interviews!"
I huff but stop eating bread. Instead I gorge myself on chicken pot pie. "So, when's dessert?"
Everyone looks at me. This is the fourth night in a row I've asked for it. Doesn't feel like a complete meal unless you have something sweet to go with it.
"If you want to win, you best not be wasting your time on desserts," Rappucini says, and the mentors nod.
"Now come on, they're going to show training scores!" The three adults go to the television. Dream and I exchange a longing-for-dessert look, but soon follow them. Right about now I'd just like some chocolate to stuff in my face.
I curl up on the couch and watch the TV, suddenly getting quite nervous. I do not want to be outscored by outer-district tributes, volunteer or not. That's every Career's biggest fear.
Yin Kozart and Polymestor Treblanus appear on the screen, smiling.
"Good evening, people of Panem!" Yin says, and pausing as if expecting applause even though he's on the television.
"Tonight is sure to be a zinger! Tribute training scores will be announced, so sponsors, make sure you are paying close attention!"
"Let's not delay any longer! The scores will start with District One!"
I try to contain my excitement and nerves, but end up bouncing on the couch anyways, a smile tugging at my lips.
"District 1. Dream Bishop. Score of…"
I hold my breath. I'm so excited and nervous for him and for me and for our alliance and for everyone else but I try to stay calm.
"…10."
Everyone gasps, obviously pleased. I feel so happy for him.
"Empress Nakashima. Score of 9."
Everyone gasps again. I finally can't hold in the excitement any longer and end up smacking Dream's arm giddily. "Nine and a ten!" I giggle a little bit and feel really dumb but at the same time over the moon.
"Congratulations!" Dream's mentor, Honor (Victor of the 14th Games), says, patting him on the back.
"Great scores!" my mentor, Prospero (Victor of the 29th Games), says.
We all glance at the screen for the rest of the scores.
"District 2. Pontifex Gallivan. Score of… 11." My heart drops to my chest. An 11 is nothing to snuff at.
"January Denali. Score of… 9." I breathe a happy sigh. This here is a quality Career group.
"District 3. Giovanni Piccozzi. Score of… 5.
Julianna Bluebird. Score of… 4." Poor District 3's. Not that I care, I'm too busy being happy!
"District 4. Mitchell Smollting. Score of… 6.
Tia Soong. Score of… 8." Not bad. But also not great.
"District 5. Dawson Fowler. Score of… 5.
Tiffany Finley. Score of… 3." Typical.
"District 6. Garrison Eberhart. Score of… 7.
Tuesday Imboden. Score of… 7." District 6 tributes don't usually score that high, but at least it's not rivalling our scores.
"District 7. Asher Kane. Score of… 2.
Katherine Tracey. Score of… 6." Not too bad for her. Pontifex is going to blow a gasket, though. Tomorrow when I'm all dolled up I'm going to give him some puppy eyes to get control. He seems to be the kind of person that can't say no to a pretty girl.
"District 8. Ori Ward. Score of… 5.
Dawn Sarzin. Score of… 4." For a twelve-year-old, not too bad.
"District 9. Lyndon Cory. Score of… 6.
Tristabelle Baer. Score of… 7." Not bad, but again, not great. I'm not worried.
"District 10. Atticus Hollow. Score of… 9." My happiness is momentarily slashed. How'd he manage to equal my score!? He's from District 10!
"Hey, don't forget that there will be four of us, and one of him." That's true, too. Besides, I've been trained to kill, and I'm sure he hasn't.
"Angel Grace. Score of… 8." Who? I realize I haven't really seen much of the girl from 10 since we've gotten here. I wonder what she's up to, especially with a score of 8.
"District 11. Krissa Osten. Score of… 6." Again, not bad. Especially for a girl from 11.
"Vardaman Dietz. Score of… 4." If I remember right, he's pretty young. 12 or 13.
"District 12. Caledonia Gorman. Score of… 3.
Copper Zenfield. Score of… 3." I'd say that's pretty typical of the 12 tributes.
The two announcers give closing remarks, and then the screen goes to some Capitol program.
"Congratulations, my darlings!" Rappucini says, giving Dream a pat on the shoulder and me an awkward shoulder hug."
"Wonderful, wonder wonderful!" says Honor, and Prospero agrees.
"Good job Empress." Dream holds out his hand. I shake it.
"Alright. That's fine and dandy, but seriously, when's dessert coming?"
~.~.
Gio- Joker
"Sit still!" whines my prep team, "Stop fidgeting, you're only going to ruin it!"
I try to stay still, but I don't like it.
"If you don't stop moving you're going to get a cut from the razor." I try to stay still, at least until they're done with my eyebrows and facial hair, but it's still hard.
"Stop bouncing, child! Honest to God, we're going to have to chain you down!"
I get to an even number and then really do try to stop fidgeting my hands and bouncing my knees and sit as still as I can for them.
"That's better," they agree, and I sigh a bit. I really am trying to be obedient for them. That's all I ever try to do, just obey and keep my head down. I just want them to like me. I don't want to be that person that nobody can stand to be around.
They finish their last touches to my hair and face before they help me into the sparkly silver suit I'm to wear for interviews. It's heavy and I know I'm going to overheat up there, but I just smile and nod when they gush about it.
"See, look how nice it turned out to be!" It's better than chariots, at least. It makes me look more grown up and mature, like the 17-year-old I'm supposed to be instead of the panicky 13-year-old people seemed to think I was. It makes me look less scrawny, which I'm sure wasn't easy to do, and taller. Yeah, I guess I feel kinda good. At least now I take up more space and people might notice me now.
"Come now, it's time for interviews!" I'm filed out the door. Juli wears a poofy, red lace dress with four gold diamonds across the chest. I think she looks pretty cute. Ichabod, tapping his fingers together, shows us where the line will be, the screen where we'll get to see the interviews. Then he wishes us good luck and he and the mentors disappear. Soon, the others show up. They all look so good…
Empress skips to her spot, dressed in a red gown that makes her tall, slender yet strong figure stand out. She wears yet another shiny tiara, with a red stone heart front and center. Her District partner looks especially tall in his shiny red suit and silver bowtie. The Two girl tugs at the top of her black-laced, dress when she thinks nobody is looking, messing with the . The boy wears a nice black shirt and gold bowtie, looking quite unenthused.
The Four girl wears a long gown that sweeps at her feet, light blue with accents of red here and there. The boy wears a collared shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a dark green bowtie. The District 5 girl wears an hourglass-style, black and white dress. The boy (I just notice how chubby his little cheeks are!) wears khaki pants and a red collared shirt and a yellow blazer. He doesn't look too happy about it.
The District 6 boy wears nice gray pants and a white collared shirt with arms rolled up and a red bowtie. He has the jacket of the suit (which I'm guessing he'll put on when it's closer to his turn) over his shoulder. The girl wears a clean black suit and tie combo. I don't see very far past them. I don't want to look back there, anyways.
Yin announces the start of interviews, and Empress is the first to the stage, beaming and waving like a princess. I watch, nerves beginning to fly around in my stomach. She talks about her older sister and parents, about her best friend, about her pet bunny Hopper, and about her aspirations to win. She says everything with a sugary-sweet tone that doesn't match the menace in her eyes.
The boy from her District comes on next. He seems pretty animated and lively, which comes as a surprise. The second Yin asks about "back home," he's off like a shot. He talks about his mother (no father in the picture), and his best friend Gleam (whose name I remember only because their names rhyme). Then he thanks "everyone involved" for the opportunity to come here (ballsacks) and help his family.
"So, what makes you more valuable than anyone else here?"
"I'm going to win thanks to my super determination, my ability to aim projectiles, and I can run like Sonic the Hedgehog." The Capitolites in the crowd laugh as if they get the reference. I don't, though, and looking around, I don't think anyone else does, either.
Yin recovers from laughing just as the buzzer runs. The girl from District 2 is next.
January beams radiantly as she takes a seat next to Yin. She immediately tells him to call her Janie, answering his questions with ease, laughing and smiling in a very attractive kind of way. She cracks some wise-ones, causing everyone to laugh, including some of the tributes, who quickly cut it out. She tells a couple of fun, lively stories about her friends before Yin brings the big bomb.
"So, I hear your brother was once on this very stage. Is that true?"
She stopped short, the fun-loving smile quickly dissolving. Her District partner in the front of the line cracks his knuckles, biting his nails nervously.
"Yes," it sounds like it took a lot to get it out.
"And he was not so lucky, was he?"
"No." Tears appear in the corners of her eyes.
"You volunteered to be luckier than he. To avenge him, possibly?"
"Partly." She tries to hold back the tears, but they do not adhere to her wishes.
"I'm sure your fate will be much better than his."
Her voice is tense. "Yes, I hope so." Stray tears run down her cheeks just as her buzzer rings.
"Janie Denali, everyone! And now, your score of 11, Pontifex Gallivan!"
He walks out on the stage and Juli's suddenly in the front, smiling nervously. I look up at the screen, trying to control the butterflies.
"Good evening, Pontifex! Take a seat!" The District 2 boy smiles (he has a nice one) and takes a seat, crossing his legs comfortably.
"Thank you very much," he says.
"So, let's get right into it!" Pontifex answers the questions very briefly.
"Alright, Pontifex, question of the night. How's the love-life look for you?" The crowd cheers.
"Well," he says, considering. "Nothing."
"Yeah? How about in the past? Want to tell us a story about one of your previous love affairs?"
"Well…" he bites his lip. "I used to have this real big crush on my best friend in the world. But… Things went south. And I'm sorry it happened, but I can't help it."
"Yeah? I'll bet she feels pretty stupid right now, huh?"
"Probably not," he avoids Yin's eyes.
"What's her name?"
"Uh…" I thought it wouldn't be so hard, but apparently it is for him."
"Tha-" he pauses. "Thalia." He wrings his hands together nervously.
"Well, that's the past! I'm sure there are plenty of girls waiting for you to win, aren't there?!" the girls in the audience cheer loudly just as his buzzer rings. Juli is next, and my heart pounds as they call her name. I don't feel well so suddenly. I try to watch and avoid puking at the same time. All the confidence I may have had earlier has faded away.
Juli has a great interview. She makes the audience laugh and tells stories about her older brother and his antics before going into a story about her hitting her head as a kid.
"What do you think of the Capitol?" It's the typical question for outer-District kids.
"The fruit desserts here are great!" she says, smiling confidently. I don't think I could do that.
"How about allies, then?" She smiles wryly and shrugs. "I won't be the one to dish out the secrets."
Everyone laughs and Yin gives the audience a playful look. "Well, there you have it!"
Everyone is laughing by the end of the interview. I practically jump ten feet in the air when the buzzer rings because I know I'm next.
"Everyone, Giovanni Piccozzi!" My vision blurs.
I hear Ori say, "Go Gio!" as I stumbles on the stage. I trip over my own feet and go falling right on my face. So much for confidence. Everyone laughs, so I try to shrug it off.
"Welcome, welcome!" Yin says invitingly, helping me sit down as my vision becomes clearer.
"There we are," he says, and everyone starts laughing again. I can't control how red my face gets.
"Alright, alright, now." Yin sits down. "Not your day, Giovanni?"
"Y-You can call me Gio," I stammer out.
"Oh yes, of course! So, let us in, Gio. What's going on in your mind right now?"
I look out into the crowd, a seemingly-endless black pit of people, all watching me. What is going on in my mind right now!?
"Fuck." Well, at least I was honest. The crowd starts to laugh again.
"Alright, let's go off the subject. Tell me a little about District 3." I go into my family, living in poverty, and my best friend Simon, feeling much more comfortable by the time I'm done. Yin gives me an approving nod.
"So, what do you think of the Capitol?"
My mind blanks. What even is the Capitol?
"Uh, yeah. It's… Nice. Lots of colors." I wish I could make myself speak intelligently. Everyone laughs.
"So, Arena time. What makes you more special than anyone else here?"
I consider this. There's really nothing. "I have a drive to get home. And I have an alliance all set up already."
"Oh? And who is this mysterious alliance of yours? Care to share?"
"Not right now. But you'll see in time." My buzzer rings and I feel so relieved. "Gio Piccozzi!" Everyone laughs and applauds. I quickly retreat off the stage to watch the others.
The girl from District 4 is next. She tells Yin about her best friend Viola and her aspirations to win. She talks about fishing with her parents and her training, though limited, being a huge advantage.
"So, Tia, there's been a lot of talk from the others about alliances. Care to weigh in on that for us?"
"Well, I don't know about the others, Yin, but mine is kind of obvious so I'll just tell you." The crowd cheers and I can tell that this "juicy" gossip is scoring her some points.
"I'm going to be off with Tuesday, from 6."
"Oh, is that so?" The crowd applauds and Yin has a brightness in his eyes. "Well, thank you for the info. I do hope it doesn't get you in trouble!"
"I'm sure it won't." She has a confidence to her I wish I had. Her buzzer rings and the crowd cheers for her. The boy from 4 is up next. He struts to his spot confidently and shakes Yin's hand firmly. I fidget nervously as he tells Yin about the catfish farm his family runs. He shows off his token, a pin shaped like a fish, and tells the story of how his younger sister gave it to him.
"So, what's your weighing in on these alliances, Mitchell?" Yin seems a lot more relaxed than he did when I was up there.
"I don't know. I personally don't have any. And you can quote me on that. I only ally when I need it."
"Interesting words from our volunteer from 4. So, what prompted you to volunteer? It is not exactly traditional for a 14-year-old to volunteer."
"Well, my good friend was reaped. Thomas. He's blind, and I couldn't just let him go."
The crowd gasps. Definite points. I wish I had some interestingly heroic story like that.
"That was very kind of you. I wish you the very best." The buzzer rings. "Mitchell Smollting, everyone!" The crowd applauds.
The girl from Five is next. She looks like a hot mess that the stylists tried to improve on. I can tell they tried to make her look less pale and tired and sick.
"Welcome, Tiffany!" Yin says, gesturing for her to sit. She sits slowly, her eyes on the ground.
"So, how are you?" I think the answer is obvious. She mumbles something, prompting him to ask for it a second time. "Fine," she says. She sounds quiet and weak out there, contrasting boldly to her loud and lively chariots performance.
I can tell Yin is determined to get a loud interview from the volunteer from Five. Yin tries to metaphorically poke her with a stick to get her to open up, asking easy questions about the Capitol.
"So, Tiffany, we're all curious. Why'd you volunteer?" She looks up and to the left, as if she sees something up there, but soon talks, mono-tone and very quietly.
"I needed the money, and to get away from my father."
"Oh, I see." The crowd looks sympathetic. Yin starts to ask another question, but Tiffany continues to mumble to herself. "Hm?" he asks, but she shakes her head, gazing up at that same spot. The crowd whispers amongst themselves. The buzzer rings, and she receives some limited applause. I feel a little relieved, to be honest.
Next they have the boy from 5 up. Dawson fiddles with something around his neck that I can't see. He starts off giving mechanical responses and holding himself in a way that was taught to him. Whatever it is, it's not natural. He finally cracks into himself after Yin asks about his friends back home. He talks about his little siblings, cousins, and his best friend Wye. When the topic is switched, he has a wistful look in his eyes. He talks briefly about his deceased mother and father leaving the family, shedding a tear or two. Points.
Yin quickly changes the subject. "So, ally talk. What's your stance?"
"Well… I'm afraid I'm not going to spill much to you." He smiles impishly, showing his crooked front teeth that make him look even younger than 15.
The crowd sighs. "Not even a little?!"
"Nope," grins Dawson, wiping his cheeks.
"Oh, alright." The buzzer rings.
Next up, they have Tuesday Imboden. Everyone seems shocked to see the suit, so of course it's the first thing Yin asks about. She informs them that she's genderfluid, and that tonight he prefers masculine pronouns. Yin takes interest in this, asking him persistently about it before moving on.
"So, you're the ally of Miss Tia Soong, then?"
"I am indeed," Tuesday says, "Look no further!"
"How will you even her out, then, considering her training?"
"I'm determined, and I can do absolutely anything if I put my mind to it. Over the course of training, I've learned important skills. I'm definitely no liability." I definitely am a liability.
"Well, it's nice to see such confidence!" the crowd cheers.
Tuesday goes on to talk about his boyfriend Bryce and family back home, about his parents dying in factory accidents and moving in with his aunt and little cousins. After a shout-out to loved ones, Tuesdays' buzzer rings, and the crowd applauds.
Garrison is next, and I was right, he put the coat of his suit on. He seems very mechanical and tense at first, only giving yes or no answers. He's obviously uncomfortable, but Yin plows right through with the big personal question.
"I believe you have had a sibling in the games as well, am I correct?"
"Yes."
"And I'm sure you hope to avenge her in your time here?"
"I guess." It's better than one word, and he seems a little more relaxed.
"How about back home? Tell us a bit about your life."
"I work. I've been working since I dropped out of school at 15. Repairing tracks and such." He fidgets with his hands, a habit that I can relate to.
"Ah, yes, that should give you a distinct advantage in the Arena. Speaking of the Arena, want to shed some light on this whole alliance topic?"
"All I'll say is that I'm involved in one of the alliances mentioned earlier." Yin and the crowd huffs, obviously not satisfied, as the buzzer rings.
"Gio!" I look up to where Juli sits by herself. "Come sit? You've been up there a really long time."
Finally I decide to leave the screen and watch from afar instead, going to take a seat with my District partner.
Tristabelle- Three of Clubs
Tick, tick, tick. The interviews go by like fucking slugs. It's such a long night and nobody wants to be here, except maybe the Careers and the fucking volunteers.
I already told Pierce that I would not be acting tonight. He said fine, but we compromised that I would just be a less angry version of myself. I've been constantly angry for years now. I keep telling myself that it shouldn't be that bad to let go of it for three minutes of my life.
The only problem is that my anger is also my shield. It's how I protect myself from being hurt. When I'm not angry, I'm vulnerable and exposed. People can get to know me and hurt me. And, especially in the Hunger Games, that's the last thing I want.
Pierce says it's necessary, though, and I know where he's coming from. I'll just have to suck it up and be less-angry Tristabelle for a while.
I glance up at the screen where Katherine Tracey interviews. She wears a long, satiny black gown and shiny, high heels that make her at least five inches taller.
"Well, I definitely wouldn't like to be here, but I can't stop trying to survive… I have family to get back to, you see."
"Ah, yes, your family. Your mother is a Victor, of course!"
"She is. I would like to follow in her footsteps, as every Victor's child would."
"Ah, yes!" Katherine goes on to talk about her sisters and brother and her boyfriend, who she beams when she mentions. Seems she really likes him. It makes me angry, but I try to shove that anger back down.
I have to get these people to like me somehow, which sucks, because nobody likes me. And I like it a lot better that way.
"Everybody, Tracey Katherine!" the crowd applauds. The tributes blink in confusion. I thought her first name was Katherine… Or is it Tracey? I don't know anymore.
The boy is up next. He's dressed in a purple suit with red diamonds on it. He tells stories about his sister getting in trouble with Peacekeepers and his mother's failing health without so much as a frown. He talks about his family bullying him and that's when he sniffs and gets teary. Yin gets him off the subject, and soon he's smiling and talking about being a knight and touching his tongue to his nose.
"That's very nice!" I think Yin Kozart's the kind of man that never ever wants to have kids. I wonder why his job is to interview them. Amazing how the world works.
"Yeah!"
"So, you're pretty young and small, what-"
"Don't say things like that! I'll tell my mam on you!" The crowd laughs. I really want to sock that kid in the face.
No. Bad Tristabelle. I have to put all the anger away for just three minutes of my contemptuous life.
They announce the girl from District 8.
Dawn wears a cute red bubble dress with puffy sleeves that makes her look innocent and young. She talks shyly and quietly about her family and her best friend Melly. Then she talks about her uncle, who is apparently a doctor in the Capitol. Puke. (Bad Tristabelle. I can't help it.) Then she goes on about her parents and the rest of her family. No doubt the audience thinks she's cute, but I just feel sick.
"So, alliances. I know, I know, we're just curious!"
"I'm in one, yes. Someone very nice decided to take me under her wing, and now I'm in an alliance of three."
"Names, Dawn! Names!" Yin says, the crowd laughing.
"Not saying, I'm sorry Yin!" she giggles quietly, everybody laughs. The buzzer rings and she receives applause.
Next up is Ori Ward of District 8, who wears a neon orange suit painted with red hearts. The red streaks in his dark hair stand out in the lights, and he paws at it as he sits down next to Yin. He gives lively and funny answers, causing everyone to laugh and applaud when he talks. He talks about his best friends and his little brother, blah blah blah, and it makes me feel like throwing up (I am such an awful person).
"So, how does your love life look as of now, Ori?" asks Yin. Of course, he's one of the conventionally attractive guys out there.
"Well, Yin, I don't have anyone."
"I'm sure that makes a lot of girls out there quite happy," Yin says.
"I don't just want girls, though!" he says, "I'm pansexual!"
"You know, anyone with a knowledge of Games history would see the comparisons you have to a certain tribute of the past…" Of course. Only one tribute in the entire history of the Games has made me want to puke as much as this guy does.
"Hopefully your fate will be better than Osmium's, though," Yin says.
Ori nods, "I sure hope so!" He smiles and some girls start screaming. I try not to dry-heave.
"And I'm obliged to ask about alliances."
Ori grins. "Well… I'm in one of the aforementioned alliances. With a certain joker…" The crowd cheers. I scowl (no. Bad.).
His buzzer rings and the crowd goes wild. And suddenly, I'm up next.
"Tristabelle Baer!" I walk out on the stage, uncomfortable at the prospect of tearing down my walls while the whole country can seem so much of my cleavage. The outfit is very steampunk, with a corset and a mini top-hat and dark make-up. Anyone sane would feel very sexy, but I just feel uncomfortable. But, even though it makes me feel uncomfortable, I try to play it up. And though I can barely walk in these high heels (they accentuate your curves!), I try to play that up, too. I try to be sexy, though I definitely don't feel like it. I feel terrible.
"Welcome, Tristabelle!" I don't put on a grin, but I try a smile. I have to get people to like me. Be likable. Be like Wright. But not an ass.
"Thank you for having me," I say, trying to put some pep into my voice.
"Wonderful!" He sits and I sit, as well, crossing my ankles so nobody can see up my skirt.
"So, let us in. What is going through your mind right now?" I'm not going to be honest like that Three kid.
"Well, Yin, you can probably see how I'm overwhelmed by the crowd." I let out a nervous laugh, trying to be comfortable. I just can't. Not with all my walls down.
"So, let us in on the life back home."
I try to formulate a lie, but it's too late I tell the truth. "My parents aren't very nice to each other." The anger is definitely there. "And I have one brother that I don't always see eye-to-eye with." I try to eliminate the anger.
"Ah, I see. Now, what about friends?"
"I don't have many." I hold back the anger. Let your walls crumble, I tell myself, They'll only be stronger when you build them back up.
"And love?"
"I don't trust enough to love," I say, crossing my arms. I don't care how "body language means everything!" "My walls are too strong."
"And why might that be?" I can tell he's interested in the gossip more than my having a good interview.
I look away. Let your walls crumble. "When I was fourteen, I was raped by one of my brother's friends. Since then, I've spent years building up my walls." My eyes fill with tears, which catches me completely off guard. I don't cry. I haven't cried in so long. I've expressed any sadness through violent anger.
Now, my walls have crumbled to the ground, and tears fall out of my eyes. The shock just makes the crying worse.
"Oh, goodness…" Yin says, quietly. I hear the crowd whisper. I can feel my fellow tributes judging me. But I can't stop it now.
Yin tries to change the subject and I dry my eyes to see the backs of my hands black from the make-up. I try to keep up with his questions, but I feel lost without my walls. My answers are all over the place. When I hear the buzzer, I feel relieved and practically run off the stage. And I immediately start rebuilding my walls.
Lyndon, in his bright green suit (as green as his eyes), interviews next. He lists his family members, so many nobody can keep count, including Yin. He talks about his best friends (who he sells drugs with, but he doesn't mention that in the interview), and his undefeated chess record.
"So, I notice that part of your ear is missing, there," remarks Yin. "How'd that happen?"
Lyndon bites his lip before answering, "I'm not quite sure, Yin. I was so young when it happened I don't remember any of it. Just a bad, childish accident." Well-lied.
"So, I forgot to ask your District partner, but what can you tell us about the alliances?"
"I didn't get involved in much of it," Lyndon says. I think he's being honest.
"Oh, what a shame."
"Well, you don't have very much longer to wait," he points out, sounding very grim. I think it sinks in with everyone just then, because looking around I see pale faces and people exchanging glances.
"Very true." Lyndon's buzzer sounds, and the girl from District 10 is on the stage.
She wears a white top, a black tie, and a short, pleated skirt, with knee-high socks decorated with spades. Yin greets her and helps her sit, though she looks unenthused by the Capitolite's energy. He asks her questions, she provides snotty answers. He tries to make comments, but she interrupts him. Playing the bitch card.
"So, uh, how about back home?"
She actually laughs a little. "Godawful. There's a reason I beat it to volunteer here!"
"Oh, yes, please elaborate-"
"My parents betrayed me and now I'm stabbing them in the back." She smiles sweetly.
"Alright then!" The crowd isn't sure what to think. I wish I could've gotten away with this angle… Though it is making her some enemies, because the feeling in the room changes.
"Look, I'm going to come home. Just look at these people! I could take them in my sleep!" The boy from 2 growls. She's talking a big game.
"So I'm guessing you don't have any allies, then, huh?"
She laughs, "Of course not!" The crowd starts to applaud, obviously enthused by her attitude. I think the others are ready to kill her when her buzzer rings, though.
The boy from 10 is up next, in his black suit with a silver Ace of Spades card on the back. He has a carefree smile on his face as he greets Yin and sits with him. He makes wise-cracks and a couple winky innuendoes that make me want to puke. He reminds me of Wright, but less of an ass, which is exactly how I wanted to interview.
"Alright, Atticus. You were a volunteer, and I must ask you… Why?"
He looks like this question had been completely unexpected, but answers seamlessly, "Uh, I just wanted to get some fame and glory, you know? Careers aren't the only ones that honorably volunteer."
"Ah, yes, of course. Very nice!" The crowd cheers.
"So, fill us in, Atticus, we all want answers! What is your input of the alliance situation? You know, I might not be supposed to say this, but… A little bird told me that you had been talking to Pontifex Gallivan…?"
Atticus looks right into the camera, making the tributes have brief outbursts of whispering.
"Well, we had one brief conversation. But I'm not traveling with the Careers." The crowd experiences an outburst of whispering. Empress, Dream, and Janie give Pontifex a look.
"I have an ally, that I promised myself to before I talked to anyone else. And I'm going to stay loyal to them." I look around, and so does everyone else. The boy from Three looks like his heart is soaring, which means it's him.
"That's all I'll say, though," Atticus says, "Secrets can sometimes be the difference between life and death."
"Oh, alright." The buzzer sounds. "Atticus Hollow!" The crowd goes wild.
I yawn, starting to get tired. All I want is to shower all this gunk off of me.
The girl from District 11, in her puffy, pink dress (that makes me want to puke), goes on the stage next. I keep forgetting how old she is. Yin takes a seat and she sits as well, with a very pretty smile. She starts talking about her father, mother, and her two siblings. She mentions how she would like to be a teacher once she comes back from the Games.
"So, Krissa, you are another volunteer from the outer Districts. I must wonder, why?"
"My sister. Maddie. She is in love with the man of her dreams, and they're engaged to be married…" she bites her lip, "I just want them to be happy and safe together." The crowd murmurs in empathy for her. I sigh.
"Ah. What a shame. Well, you win the Games and get back to them, and everything is wonderful, yes?"
Krissa nods, "Yes, then everything would be perfect. Hopefully I've got what it takes."
"I'm sure you'll do great!" the crowd cheers in response. Krissa laughs a little and thanks them all.
"How about alliances for you, then?"
"I have one. But… I don't think they'd want me to tell you."
Yin groans. "Guess we'll just have to wait." She nods as her buzzer rings, and the boy from her District is put up on stage.
He is happy and hyper and answers Yin's questions quickly and loudly. He's certainly flashy in his bright red shirt and white bowtie.
With the red and the white, the kid perfectly resembles a used tampon.
The tips of his bangs are bright red, as well, from chariots, which definitely adds to the tampon look. Maybe if he were older it'd make him look hot. He makes jokes and makes a bunch of funny faces to get the audience to laugh, while telling stories about his best friends and his sister.
"How about Mom and Dad? Where do they fit in?"
Vardaman deflates slightly, his hand going to his cheek. "They're great," he says. "Always there for me."
There's some awkward silence, but Yin drops it. Smart.
"So, Vardaman, what do you think of the Capitol?"
"The fudge here is AWESOME!" The crowd cheers, I sigh deeply.
"Glad you like it!" Yin says, laughing. "So, how about allies?"
"I don't know. I've been talking to a couple different people," he says, his head tilted to the side.
"Well, from all of us at the Capitol, we thank you for your smiles and fun, and hope you do well in the Games."
"Thanks!"
I really want to puke now. But when he comes back and asks, "Well? How'd I do?!" I say, "Not too bad."
The girl from 12 goes next. She wears a sweet little sleeveless red dress and a silky sweater over it.
The interview starts off with mumbling and goes fairly slow at first. She seems a bit overwhelmed, and it takes some schmoozing from Yin to get her to open up. Once she does, though, she goes on. She talks about her life in "the Seam" with her family, including an older sister and a younger. She talks about her father with a special smile in her eyes. It makes me mad that I have no one that makes me smile like that. He asks the stupid allies question, but she doesn't crack.
"So, what do you like to do?" Yin asks.
"I really like trees."
Yin leans in, interested. "You like… Trees." She nods. "Guess you were born in the wrong District, then, weren't you?" The crowd laughs.
Caledonia manages a little smile. "I guess so."
"So, do you know a lot about trees?"
"As much as I could learn."
"Very interesting!" The buzzer rings and finally, we're to the last interview of the night.
The little boy from 12 has blonde hair and sweet brown eyes up close. He starts off shy and closed-off, obviously trying to do whatever his mentor and escort told him to do but unable to do so. He wears a black blazer and a gray shirt under it with a silky white tie.
He starts off quiet and shy, but eventually gets slightly more comfortable. He talks about the loss of his father, and his mother coping with a new job as a whore. He cries a little bit, but quickly dries his tears.
"I'm sorry, Yin," he says.
"It's fine, don't worry." I still can't believe that I cried. How fucking humiliating! That's the last time I let down my walls for any reason.
"I just wish I could've had it better."
"You say it like you're going to die."
"There's no way a 12-year-old is going to win, Yin," he says, sniffling. "Especially not one from 12."
"Not with an attitude like that, you won't!" Yin says. "Look on the bright side, you're going in well-fed and well-prepared!"
He nods. There is no bright side to the Games, and everyone knows that except for that audience. Copper definitely sees that. "Of course," he says half-heartedly.
"Well, what's your favorite part of the Capitol?" he asks, hoping to end the interviews on a positive note.
Copper shrugs, "The fact that it isn't District 12." The buzzer rings. So much for a happy ending.
"Well, there you have it, Capitol, your tributes! Let's hear it!" The crowd bursts out into applause. I hear names of favorites shouted out from girls and boys alike. I don't hear Tristabelle, and I'm not surprised.
Then the stage goes black, and I head quickly off to bed.
A/N: Wow, long chapter! But everyone got some quality air-time, so I'm super happy! Remember, reviews and answering the chapter question get you points! You can review any chapter at any time!
To my submitters: I really hope I got everyone right! Feel free to critique/point out stuff about your character! I took a bit of creative liberty with some of the tributes that did not have a lot of information…
Chapter Question: Which tribute is most interesting, now that all of them have interviewed? Was there anyone's interview that you did not like and why?