Chapter 64: Interview
Katniss and Peeta have spent the afternoon with his Tributes and they have toured the various stations. The boys have been surprised by Katniss' skills and knowledge, eventually trying to outdo each other in impressing her with their ability to learn what she was trying to teach them. Ramsay was more physical and a competent climber, Lorcan efficient in the more intricate work of setting a snare. Peeta had been surprised by Verity's natural talent when it came to the art of camouflage. She was fascinated with his skills and had paid close attention to the lesson. Ottilia had struggled in all areas. She wasn't strong or artistic, and she didn't like the outdoors at all. She relied on others to do what needed to be done and was more concerned with her looks than her survival. Ottilia was Peeta and Katniss' greatest concern.
When they arrive back at the apartment, after eating dinner and putting the children to bed, Katniss wants to talk to Peeta. He had done something out of character today and she is still wondering why.
"Peeta, why did you kick the chair out from underneath Ramsay today?" she asks.
"Because I didn't want him disrespecting you" says Peeta.
"I don't need everyone to stand to attention when I walk into a room, Peeta. That would make me uncomfortable. I'm not anyone special, at least I don't want to be treated that way" Katniss tells him.
"Katniss, Ramsay has been acting like an insolent brat from the moment I met him. I don't care if he treats me that way, but I'm not going to let him treat you like that!"
Peeta, the protector. She didn't often get to see this side of him. Generally, Katniss was pretty good at protecting and defending herself. Somehow, Peeta's explanation makes her feel like a young girl again and just thinking about it makes Katniss blush. Peeta notices. The last time he saw her blush like that was when he had confessed his love for her to Caesar Flickerman in front of the whole of Panem.
"Peeta?" she says.
Peeta isn't sure where this is going yet.
"Yes?" he replies.
"Thank you" Katniss tells him.
She moves across the room and puts her arms around him. Katniss feels his strength, the strength of the protector. It's in the broadness of his shoulders, the firmness of his chest, the strength of his arms encircling her. Katniss feels so safe in Peeta's arms. She always did.
They hold each other for a while as Katniss gains some of that strength from Peeta, while he gains recognition from her. Katniss is allowing Peeta to be her protector, a role from which he is often dismissed due to the fact Katniss is so self-reliant. She remembers how Gale had made her promise to let Peeta look after her before he went back to the Capitol the last time. Gale had been her protector of sorts since her father had died. Then, in a moment of selflessness, he had "given" her to Peeta. The truth was, Peeta had been protecting her long before she'd even realized it.
The strength of Peeta's body is reassuring, but it is also enticing to Katniss as he holds her now. She lifts her face to Peeta and he kisses her. First her lips, then her neck, all the way down to the opening of her blouse. He slowly begins to undo the buttons and then leads her to the bed. Peeta wants Katniss to draw from his strength and his love. Katniss wants to acknowledge Peeta's love and his strength. It will help them both to feel more secure.
The following day it is time to prepare for the interviews. Caesar Flickerman has been brought out of retirement after having spent several months in a Capitol prison at the end of the Rebellion. He had been a leading light in the Capitol propaganda campaign and it was only fitting he was now going to be used for the new Government's propaganda. Katniss will not be involved with the interviews as Peeta continues to take the lead with his Tributes. Each of the Mentors will be on the stage with their four Tributes as Caesar Flickerman introduces them again, but he can only allude to the Tributes by their number. As much as his efforts during the previous Hunger Games had been an attempt to put the Tributes at their ease, and comfort them in some small way, he had still wilfully played a part in the Capitol's games and would suffer the humiliation he deserved. The fact was, he had called Katniss treacherous and violent, and had watched Peeta squirm as he questioned him after his hijacking. Caesar Flickerman has a lot to answer for and, no doubt, the program tonight will be another hit with the audience.
The Tributes are once again dressed in their Parade outfits, but the Mentors have agreed to let the Stylists dress them in the Capitol's finest attire. The contrast between the Mentors and the Tributes will be stark and continue to add to the discomfort of the supporters of the Resistance. But, there is a fine line to tread here. The Capitol had always tried to bring out the best in the Tributes at this moment of the Games, to endear them to the audience and perhaps generate sponsorship. This time around, sponsorship is not an issue so the game plan is to further humiliate the Tributes while avoiding the trap of generating any sympathy for them. Peeta has a new Stylist and knows that he will miss Cinna's magic, but then again Cinna's magic had always worked better on Katniss anyway.
There is a large audience ready and waiting when Caesar Flickerman appears on the stage. The same triumphant music is playing and Caesar has been ordered to be his old, jolly self with the interviewees. There can be no doubt this will be difficult for him, but ever the consummate performer, Caesar will do his best. His reputation depends on it.
First to take to the stage is Enobaria. She doesn't hesitate to voice her hatred of the Capitol and what they have turned her into. A heartless, soulless fighting machine. She swears her Tributes will fight to the death, if that's what it takes, to put an end to the Resistance.
Annie's interview follows and Flickerman takes a gentle approach, hoping that will stave off some of the hatred being expressed towards the Capitol's old guard. Annie remains strong throughout the interview as she speaks of her loss and how Finnick had paid the highest price after being asked to fight in two Games which had ultimately led him to become involved in the Rebellion. He is going to be remembered as a hero, she says, and her son will know him as a man of integrity and good will. The crowd cheers for Finnick.
Haymitch has not been able to get his hands on another drink and is surly the whole way through his interview. He lambasts Caesar on the part he has played over the years, Flickerman smiling his way through interview after interview, all the while sending children to their deaths. He wonders how Caesar feels sending Capitol children towards the same fate. Caesar is lost for words and hurries Haymitch and his Tributes off the stage.
Johanna is a frightful prospect and Caesar is visibly sweating when she appears on the stage. He asks Johanna how the training is going for the Games and she just laughs in his face. "What training?!" she counters and her hostility is palpable. A number of expletives later even Caesar Flickerman is blushing as he looks to the audience for support. Of course, they are all delighted with his discomfort and jeer at him as well.
Beetee provides the calm before the storm. He is articulate and intelligent. He reminds Caesar that the old Government could have made a choice to put an end to the Games at the time of the Quarter Quell if they'd had the will to do so. It might never have come to this if Snow had just listened to the people then. Caesar remembers the outcry when Peeta had revealed that Katniss was pregnant at the beginning of the Quarter Quell. He wonders about the heartache that will soon be revealed when Peeta takes the stage.
Finally, Peeta is called up to answer some of Caesar's questions. It is the first time Caesar has seen him since he was rescued and Caesar has trouble looking him in the eye.
"Well, Peeta. Here we are again" says Flickerman nervously.
"Indeed" replies Peeta.
"A lot has happened since our last interview. Of course, I was in no position to deny President Snow's request the last time we spoke". Caesar tries to excuse himself from any responsibility in relation Peeta's hijacking and his part in taking full advantage of that for propaganda purposes.
"You're right" says Peeta. "A lot has happened, and you might like to know that Katniss and I did eventually get married, "officially", and now we have two beautiful children". The crowd cheers.
"Congratulations" replies Caesar, looking guilty as charged. "And...what are their names?" he asks falteringly.
"We have a daughter called Primrose and a son called Pictor. Thanks to Katniss, they are going to grow up in a world where they will never have to fear being reaped for the Hunger Games".
"But, Peeta, the Games helped to bring you and Katniss together, did they not?" says Flickerman.
"That's true" Peeta replies. "They helped us more than you could ever know, and now they are going to help us again. This time they will help us finally bring to justice the people who sought to destroy us".
Peeta's words hang in the air. Flickerman is afraid to touch them. Eventually, he finds his voice again.
"Well, Peeta, the odds have been in your favour in the past. Let's hope they are in your favour again". And with that Caesar ends the interview. It had been the worst experience of his life, worse than months on end spent in prison, and now he knows how Peeta felt being forced to be interviewed in support of the Capitol. It has been a salutary lesson for Flickerman and he hopes never to have to do another interview again.