Chapter 71: Johanna Mason
Katniss let out a low chuckle. "Ah, her."
"If there's anyone we're sure survived, it's definitely her," Peeta agreed.
"I bet she's waiting at the train station as we speak, ready to dish out a couple of insults at me," Katniss mused, gazing out as the tall, scaffolding-enveloped buildings of the Capitol came into view and the train whizzed past some modest bungalows, a far cry from the dazzling penthouses that had once dotted the city centre.
"You bet she is," Peeta said. "And you know what? After all that she's been through, I'd let her do whatever she likes."
Katniss nodded. "Yep, Johanna's a legend, that's for sure."
Johanna Mason
District 7
Aged 16
5 Kills
INTERVIEW WITH CLAUDIUS TEMPLESMITH
Caesar: Hellooooo Panem! And welcome back to our annual show, the Reaping Recaps! On today's menu we have all of the best bits and highlights from the long-awaited Reapings from all the Districts, so far, we've seen Districts One through Six, and now, joining us today as we discuss the remainder of our fresh new crop of tributes is Claudius Templesmith!
Claudius: Why thank you, Caesar, it's been such an exciting week, hasn't it? Well apart from the sad news of the passing of Shocker Crimson, District Five's first-ever Victor, may he rest in peace but damn everything else has been fascinating. The Gamemakers have been promising us an enticing new arena, Draco's come on here guaranteeing two hyper killing machines for all to enjoy, as if that was ever in doubt, and we've finally got our tributes! Aren't you just excited, Caesar?
Caesar: Why yes, of course, Claudius. So far there have been quite a good mix of tributes, the usual strong kids from One, Two and Four and intriguingly, a volunteer from Six!
Claudius: Ah yes, that boy really wanted to grab that cash prize, didn't he?
Caesar: Sure thing, Claudius. Makine from Six looked fiery and tough, almost like a Career!
Claudius: No doubt he's a gangster, wouldn't be surprised if he and his family all lived in the ditches, those rats from Six!
Caesar: Yes, of course, now anyway, we have with us, the curated clips from the lumberjack District that never fails to surprise us, District Seven!
Footage of the Reapings of District Seven play, heavily edited, yet just about enough to give citizens a rough overview of the two tributes.
Caesar: Well well well, there we have it, Johanna and Jasper from District Seven, folks! What do you think, Claudius?
Claudius: Well, Caesar, let's start with that girl. Yeah, she looks a bit like cannon fodder to me, doesn't she?
Caesar: I wouldn't rule out little old Johanna so quickly, Claudius! We've seen bigger surprises in the Hunger Games, after all!
Claudius: Yes, yes, but still, it'll take a miracle for someone like that girl to win. She was practically flooding the floor with tears, imagine how much mopping will need to be done after all that! And I don't think she's hiding anything either, Caesar. Look at her arms, look at her legs, there, you see? Just there, you can see how nervous she is, she's a wreck long before she's even in the Capitol, that's not a good sign!
Caesar: We've seen tributes come against the odds to win, though, Johanna looks like she has a bit of muscle in her and her Seven background's sure going to give her some good survival expertise.
Claudius: There's no point having expertise if you're the first to go down in the Bloodbath, you know that, Caesar. Look, she can barely even say her own name up on that stage! Oh dear me, look at that crowd! So lifeless, so hopeless, they must be thinking, 'oh what a terrible representative for our proud District'! She's practically begging to be slaughtered by that girl from Two, she's hugging the mic stand for crying out loud!
Caesar: Well, I guess you never know.
Claudius: Ah, she must be so upset, I know I would be too, if I knew I would be a poor bearer of my District's dignity and honour.
Caesar: I think Johanna's probably not upset about that, Claudius.
Claudius: Well, she should be! That's what's at stake here!
Caesar: Johanna's life's also at stake, you know.
Claudius: Ah, whatever. To be fair to her, she's very pretty! She's got a cute face, really lovely short hair, a nice body...
Caesar: Uhm, well, yes. It's going to win her sponsors.
Claudius: Meh, doubt it. A looker who's moping around? This girl's going to finish bottom of the pack, not even worth a bet, folks! Next up, the boy! Oh, he's got a chance, a far better chance, definitely! A strong, tall, eighteen-year-old young man, he's shaking though, but juxtaposed with that snivelling girl, I don't think he's half bad at all!
Caesar: Ah yes, Jasper Kloten. He might be a little nervous, but I'm sure we all would be.
Claudius: Why of course, it's such a huge honour!
Caesar: At any rate, Jasper looks like he believes in himself, you know? And by the looks of it, he's got a family to return home to, there's his little sister crying in the crowd. Poor girl, but at least he's got that extra bit of motivation to fight on, very important in the arena and so often the decisive factor in the Games. And of course, he's got muscle and hopefully, a little bit of brains as well. Hey, I don't know about you, but I'm liking District Seven's chances this year.
Claudius: Well, this boy is rather handsome as well, and I bet he can wield an axe. Now, what other skills does he have in his arsenal, eh? He doesn't particularly stand out for now, so District Seven, hold your horses, this might not be your year.
Caesar: You never know.
INTERVIEW WITH PRISCILLA HAYCOMBE, FORMER HUNGER GAMES STYLIST
Caesar: Hello there, Priscilla! So glad to have you on here today.
Priscilla: Hi Caesar. Do you want a Semua tart?
From behind the camera, a man hands a tray of brightly-coloured Semua tarts, treats with random shapes, random designs and random flavours.
Priscilla: I baked these myself, wouldn't want the great Caesar Flickerman to go hungry live on television like he did at school.
Caesar: Aw, yes, thank you so much Priscilla! Ah yes, dear viewers, Priscilla and I go way back...
Priscilla: Way too back sometimes, I do remember you getting drunk the other day-
Caesar: Oh, I'll have this one right there, looks like a little racecar, ah! Is that a caramel flavour I taste?
Priscilla: Who knows? I forgot what flavours I put in there anyway.
Caesar: Alright, with our tummies full, let's dive right into the Tribute Parade, shall we? So, any opening thoughts before we dive deeper?
Priscilla: I liked the ones from Nine. Estrella is a lovely young stylist and she's certainly done a bit of research about her tributes before adding those lovely touches of hers. One, Two and Four were good as always and Twelve stood out for being bad. Reminds me of that time in middle school when you had that phase.
Caesar: Hey! Let's not talk about that phase, ugh, I still wonder what on earth I was thinking back then. But good to hear your thoughts, I heard you mentioned One just now, so let's discuss Martini and Arnault.
Priscilla: Hmm, I liked their outfits, very on trend with their incredible turquoise outfits. Simple yet effective and very runway model-esque. The glowing spears weren't too bad either. Dazzling smiles, blown kisses, they usually do well as show openers and fit the bill once again. Just like you did at our school plays.
Caesar: Haha! Those were fun times for sure.
Priscilla: Indeed. District One's new stylists Marco and Donna are a breath of fresh air in the fashion world. These days, people are so obsessed with over-the-top looks and excessive accessories. But they have once again proved that all it takes for an outfit to stand out is a charming smile and a wonderful personality from the tributes. It's certainly the polar opposite of last year's extravagance, but it works just as well with those sly little winks Martini and Arnault gave the crowd. Honestly, I think this was probably better than last year. We could focus on the tribute, not the outfit.
Caesar: Totally, that was a lovely touch from Marco and Donna. Now, how about the pair from Two, Tauriel and Damian?
The conversation continues for the remainder of the tributes, with the occasional banter being shared between the pair.
Caesar: Nice analogy there, Pris! Yeah, District Six were not quite as impressive as we'd hoped, but Makine's ferocious attitude still stole the show! Now then, what about Johanna and Jesper from Seven?
Priscilla: Oh, those two. You know what, Caesar? I feel terrible for them. It's nearing the forty-year mark now, and they're still dressed as trees, for goodness sake.
Caesar: Well, there's some slight changes in the design of the trees, they're dressed as fir trees with a decent chariot design too, if I do say so myself.
Priscilla: I mean, well, yes, but still, Caesar, look at the overall picture, it's still a couple of tree designs. Incredibly unimaginative given the strong musical prowess that District Seven tributes have often shown in the past.
Caesar: The last time a stylist tried to reference that they were dressed as violins.
Priscilla: Ah yes, just like you were when we were in fifth grade. But I digress. Johanna and Jesper do not look convincing at all. The outfit is meant to showcase the tribute, to make them feel like they are the stars of their own show. But this? Oh, this is making them cringe in horror, I can see it from their wee little faces. Just look there, Johanna is on the verge of tears. The tributes are understandably nervous in their first major public appearance in the Capitol, and their outfit is doing them absolutely no favours.
Caesar: There is a saying, no publicity is bad publicity. Their costumes could well be remembered for being awful.
Priscilla: That's not going to happen, no. Their outfits have been consistently awful for forty years, that's longer than the lives of many of Panem's citizens. This constant horrific design has resulted in District Seven fading into mediocrity when it comes to the Tribute Parade. And oh dear, Johanna's nearly tripped out of her chariot there, oh goodness me, that's not a good look for sponsors.
Caesar: Poor Johanna, but I'm sure there will be sympathisers among the crowd.
Priscilla: For her sake and Jesper's, I do hope so.
The cameras cut and the pair are ushered into an empty room.
Caesar: The North?
Priscilla: Not yet. Wait.
INTERVIEW WITH BIRCH DAVISON
Caesar: Birch! Hello, good to have you back here in our studio!
Birch: Why, hello there, Caesar. How's Iris?
Caesar: Oh, she's good, never been better, looking fit and sharp, if you know what I mean!
Both men exchange a slight nod.
Birch: Good to hear that, Caesar.
Caesar: Now, I'm guessing you've most certainly stolen something from our buffet table on your way here?
Birch holds his hands up in surrender.
Birch: Guilty as charged, Caesar. Olive's been terribly sick lately and your cooks' little gingerbread cookies have always been her favourite. The guys over at the reception wouldn't hear any of it, babbled on about some fancy event, but hey, a 'no' has never stopped me.
Caesar: Love that, Birch! Don't worry, you won't be needing to steal anymore, I'll have a bucketful of those cookies delivered straight to Olive's room at once! Now, on today's show, we're here to talk about this year's duo from District Seven.
Birch: Ah, Johanna and Jesper.
Caesar: Yes, specifically, how have they been doing in training, what's been going on behind the scenes, and definitely most intriguing of all, what can our lovely viewers from across Panem expect to see from them once they hit the arena? Give us all the juicy details, Birch, you know we love them!
Birch: Hmm, well I'm concerned, Caesar. I'm more than certain that both Jo and Jes will give it their all in the arena, but their performance in training has been a cause for concern.
Caesar: Oh dear, do elaborate more.
Birch: Jo's been struggling to even lift an axe. I'm half-convinced this is all just part of her 'plan', the one she won't tell me or Blight, but the more she struggles to get anything right in training, the more worried I get. But again, for those of you sitting at home in the Capitol, yes, Jo has a 'plan' up her sleeve. I don't know what it is, but I can assure you, she's not going to wallow and cry in the arena.
Caesar: A plan, huh? Did she ever give you any hints?
Birch: No, not at all. I don't know much about her. Blight's seen her around back home in Seven, walking through some rough areas looking unscathed, so she must have something going on for her. But no, I don't have the faintest of clues. She's spent all day and night locked in her own room, refusing to speak to anybody. This morning, I found a bunch of used tissues stuffed in the bin of her room.
Caesar: Perhaps she's trying to appear more confident?
Birch: No, we agreed on a more sympathetic angle for her, it was the only way she would receive support from the sponsors. But who knows? She's kept on assuring us that she has some sort of plan, I just hope it doesn't have anything to do with ropes, she could barely tie the simplest knot in Training.
Caesar: Yikes, that's not a good sign. How about during meal times? How's her demeanour then? I know kids often open up when there's a delicious bowl of stew sitting right in front of them!
Birch: Unfortunately, she's quite reserved even there. She carries quite a depressing aura around her. Even when Blight tries to crack some jokes she cuts a dejected figure. But if it's any consolation, she's still got her appetite, wolfing down piles of food like a hungry bear. I've even caught her trying to steal some more food from the kitchens just last night, that was probably the only time I've seen her open up a little, when we shared a couple of our best thievery tales, before she went silent again all of a sudden and started sniffling. It's very difficult, managing her emotions but such is the life of a tribute.
Caesar: I see, well, we all wish her the best of luck, of course. How is her relationship with her District partner, Jesper? I know some tributes have known each other beforehand or they get along pretty well quick enough, can the same be said for these two?
Birch: I can't really see any sort of connection between these two, I'm going to be honest with you. Jes doesn't look at all interested in talking with her, and everytime we leave them in the same room alone, Jo always excuses herself to use the bathroom. There isn't likely to be a District Seven alliance this year, I'm afraid.
Caesar: Ah, such a shame, District partner alliances can be so much fun!
Birch: It's better for the both of them.
Caesar: Yeah, wait a minute, is that Nare's watch on your wrist, I see?
Birch: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Caesar: Oh, it's a 'permanent loan' it seems!
Birch: No, it's a secret swap, I swapped it for a cardboard cutout of a gold watch.
Caesar: Fascinating! Now then, we have to talk about Johanna's Training scores. A four is a bit underwhelming for a Seven, I should say. Was this all part of her 'plan'?
Birch: Not sure, she refused to talk to me after her private session. Goodness knows what she did in there, but hey, at least she isn't the lowest-scoring tribute. A good three kids scored lower than her, so she isn't spectacularly bad.
Caesar: Ah, some optimism from you there, I see. So, how's she feeling tonight? Confident? Scared? I know I would be!
Birch: Yeah, of course, the interviews are always a nerve-wracking moment for the tributes, especially us Sevens. There are high expectations for us and we know it ourselves. People want us to put on a show of sorts or stand out amongst the Outliers, because that's what we've been doing for many years now. Jo, well, from what I can tell, there are nerves, her stylist is definitely getting irked more than a little by her, not that the outfit that's been chosen is giving her much confidence anyway.
Caesar: Such a shame, but hopefully she'll still come good.
Birch: Definitely.
The pair move on to discuss Jesper.
The cameras cut and Birch excuses himself to a corner as he takes a phone call. Faintly, Caesar can hear his words.
Birch: Hey Blight, yeah, I think they bought it. Plan's in motion.
INTERVIEW WITH BONNIE MISTJOY, DISTRICT SEVEN PREP TEAM MEMBER
Caesar: Welcome back to our show where we discuss the recent interviews. Now, as you know, our cast of twenty-four tributes have been called up on stage to give their interviews with yours truly, hehe, and tonight, we interview their prep team members to dive deeper into each one of them. We've gone through Districts One through Six, now next up, District Seven, and joining me here today is none other than Johanna Mason's prep team member Bonnie Mistjoy! Lovely to have you here, Bonnie.
Bonnie: Heyyy there Caesar! Lookin' fresh today!
Caesar: Why, thank you, Bonnie. So, how's your first year being part of a prep team?
Bonnie: Well, you know, the pay is kinda meh, I mean we only earn, like, twenty grand a week, which is like, such a drag. Ugh, I feel like a plebe! But our stylist tho! So fashionable, so trendyyy, like did you see those trees at the chariot? Slay queen, such a genius move! It was, like, trending all over TikSnowTok!
Caesar: Really? Well, I guess I'm not the most up-to-date on current trends! You'll have to forgive me, I'm an old man already, hehe! How have you been enjoying working with the other members?
Bonnie: Ooh, yes, they're fun, really hip and cool. We all got our wigs and nails done the other day and it was super awesome. But I have to say, Caesar, the Tribute Centre is kinda meh, like, there's no vibe, there's none of that pizzazz that people said there would be, you know? Like, OMG, those designs are so 55 ADD!
Caesar: I hear they're going to fix it up a little after this year's Games.
Bonnie: Oh, they better!
Caesar: Anyway, let's talk about the tributes, shall we? This is the Hunger Games, after all, it's all about them!
Bonnie: Oh, the tributes, Caesar. The tributes. Oh, I would've thought that they'd be more dignified, more honoured to represent their District, but nah, they're like spoiled little brats! Ugh, those pigheads literally wolfed down an entire pie with their own bare hands. Like, can you believe it? That's so freaking disgusting, dude! Don't they have table manners or something?
Caesar: I think they were just hungry and eager to eat. After all, they probably had never seen such food before in their lives.
Bonnie: Pfft! Please, there's no way a normal kid, even the District scumbag ones, hasn't seen a meat pie yet.
Caesar: Moving on, apart from their manners, how have they been?
Bonnie: That mousey little girl has been crying all day long, it's disrupting my beauty sleep. Like, girl, kindly shut up for just a sec, why is she even crying anyway? The Hunger Games is a huge honour! Going into the arena would be such a glorious experience for me!
Caesar: Wow, you really think so?
Bonnie: Yes, of course! At least I wouldn't spend all my days moping about my own room, like sis, are you for real? Heh, I heard she stunk up training, and nearly spilt poison over her own lap, serves that girl right.
Caesar: Moving on, how was her interview outfit? What was going through your mind as you styled her?
Bonnie: I mean, not much, ya know? Like, she's sooo emotional all the time, getting even the tiniest ounce of makeup on her was such a drag. We just plopped on a green dress for her, dolled her up a bit, and then shipped her straight onto the stage. To be fair, that girl looked stunning on stage, and it was all thanks to me, ya'll! I came up with that green design, it complements her hair and her District colours, the pic we took of her in it was Capitolgram-worthy!
Caesar: Brilliant, well done, my dear!
Bonnie: flips hair overly dramatically Why thank youuu, Caesar! Shame she couldn't deliver on that stage!
Caesar: Well, I think she did a fine job playing the part of a sympathetic, emotional little girl, if I do say so myself. I really connected with her emotionally and I'm sure the audience did too!
Bonnie: Oh please, let's not sugarcoat all this crap, she sniffled and stuttered through the whole damn thing! Like, where's your dignity, sis? I was yawning the whole way. what a bore!
Caesar: I would beg to differ, Bonnie, but that's all the time we have-
Bonnie: Oh right! Be sure to follow me on TikSnowTok at bonniemistjoy123 ya'll! See ya!
INTERVIEW WITH JAMES SILVA
Caesar: James, welcome to the studio! Please, have a seat.
James: Pleasure to be here, Caesar.
Caesar: Good to have you here with us today and, ah-
A man walks by and offers them glasses of berry juice. James starts to fidget and shift uncomfortably in his seat. Caesar waves the man away.
Caesar: Don't mind him, he's a little forgetful of instructions, that's all! But back to the main gig here, both your tributes, against the bookmakers' top betting odds, made it past the Bloodbath and are officially in the top twelve! Talk us through it, James.
James: Well, it was crazy, a really crazy Bloodbath. It's been finished for about an hour and I'm still shaking from it. Twelve deaths in just ten minutes of action is absolutely insane, I still can't believe it. The Careers this year are really a brutal bunch, especially now that Makine from Six's joined the pack as well.
Caesar: Oh, totally! How about Johanna's little 'plan' that Birch mentioned just the other day? Are we already seeing it in motion?
James: Definitely. You saw her practically dance right through the entire cacophony of tributes at the Cornucopia to pick out a large axe. In training she could barely lift the lightest of weights, I knew she was hiding something when she hoisted that gigantic thing as if it were a feather. And she's got not one, but two backpacks too after dodging two Career lunges at her. I'm just left to wonder, where was this Jo in training?
Caesar: She's proving to be quite the agile tribute, it seems! It'll definitely be hard to get a hold of her in the arena.
James: For sure, interesting to see that she's gone for the axe too, I wonder if she's got something more violent up her sleeve. She might go on a hunt for these tributes, especially since the tribute count has dwindled after that first day.
Caesar: A far cry from the Johanna we saw in the pre-Games, huh?
James: Nice pun there, Caesar. Yeah, still, I can't imagine her actually hunting down a tribute. I think she'll lie low for a couple of days before making her next move. She's in a pretty good forested section of the arena, not too far from a water source which she's aware of, has sufficient food supplies and some healing salve in those backpacks. I think she's set for a pretty good time in the arena.
Caesar: Fascinating indeed! There aren't any tributes near her at the moment too, so she's fairly safe right now.
James: I don't know about that, Caesar, that girl from Nine, Ryeley, is a little too close to her for my liking, but she's still some way off her, I'm hoping she moves away from Jo.
Caesar: Certainly, now moving on to Jesper, he's got a nasty cut on his leg after that struggle with Martini, doesn't he?
James: Yeah, he's the one I'm more worried about, because his mobility is slightly limited, but he too has managed to score a backpack with some healing salve, albeit a milder, less effective one than the one Jo's got, but he's applied it and it should be fixed in no time, provided he can give himself just about enough fighting chance until then. He's wandered into the mirror maze on the opposite side of the arena here, where a couple other tributes have also gone, and from those aerial shots it seems rather safe for the time being. He's playing a good strategy, Jes, utilising that piece of chalk he's got to mark the places he's passed by in the mirror maze, and I think the overall structure of the maze is a good deterrent for the Careers, I doubt they'd want to explore there first, so he's got some time to rest.
Caesar: Definitely, but can we run it back to that fight with Martini for just a sec? I think the audience has been rather impressed by his ability to fend her off like that, especially considering he's unarmed and only got a six in training.
James: Jes did well there to keep her at bay, good dodges, landed a couple of punches on her as well to slow her movements down and weaken her just a bit, of course that gash was inevitable since Martini's got a sword and he doesn't, but overall that sidestep and shove was a pretty cool technique and he's evaded the Careers during the Bloodbath. I'll give him points for the tenacity to run off like that even with an injured leg as well. Jes has done well and I hope his run in the arena continues.
Caesar: Well, Jesper is going to be in with a shout for Victory in these Games- and, oh wait a second here, hang on for just a minute, folks, it seems like Ryeley is facing off with Johanna over here!
James: Damn it! Jo, get out of there!
Caesar: Ryeley's practically materialised right behind Johanna and is taking a swing at her here with her sickle-
James: Oh no, Jo... Dodge! Run, she's bigger than you and she's got a seven, just get out of there, quickly now, run!
Caesar: Dear me, Johanna looks scared here, she's just barely dodging those swings and lunges, Ryeley looks very confident here and- OH!
James: Jo, what the-
Caesar: Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves one heck of a surprise, because Johanna Mason has just flipped Ryeley over her head and has slashed her right in the chest with her axe! Oh damn, look at that...
James: Oh my goodness me...
Caesar: Look at that smile of hers though, that's not the look of a shy, terrified little girl now is it, James?
James: I-I, well, definitely not, Caesar.
Caesar: She looks like she's taunting Ryeley a little for trying to attack her, the cannon hasn't boomed yet, is she going to go for the finishing touch?
James: Jo, not the eyes, argh! Well, she's slashed her across the face, oh dear, oh dear, I-I suddenly feel a little dizzy...
Caesar: She's getting brutal here, she's stomping on her glasses and- James, are you alright? Do you need some water?
James: I- I'm fine, maybe a cup of water will do, a plastic one, please.
INTERVIEW WITH DIASCIA MASON, MOTHER OF JOHANNA MASON
Caesar: Welcome back to our studio ladies and gentlemen, today, as we reach the final eight of these Hunger Games, we've sent our camera crew to District Seven today and right now, live from District Seven, we have Diascia Mason, folks, the mother of Johanna Mason, a girl who has stumped the entire nation with her arena antics. Mrs Mason, how are you doing today?
Diascia: Good.
Caesar: Are those Johanna banners behind you that I see?
Diascia: Yes.
Caesar: May I ask how they came about? It seems like Johanna's got her own little fanbase back at home!
Diascia: Well, after Jo, uhm, got away from the Careers and killed the boy from One, people believe in her. Jo, you got this, just like we've always told you. Don't think about what you have to do to win this, just do it.
Caesar: That's some solid advice for your daughter, I must say.
Diascia: Thank you, Caesar.
Caesar: Has she always been a fighter, Johanna? Her martial arts and axe-wielding skills are impressive, even by District Seven standards. Did you perhaps teach her, Mrs Mason? I see some muscles under that blouse and some hardened knuckles, you raised her well, didn't you?
Diascia: Yes, I did. Growing up in a rough part of the city does that to you. I taught her how to survive, how to handle the freaks and monsters that roam the neighbourhoods at night, prowling for helpless young girls. Jo had that fire in her from a young age, and I knew she would be a fighter, so I trained her well. Her hard work at the lumber mill certainly helped with her axe skills too, and I'm glad she's doing well for herself in the arena.
Caesar: You're a fine mother, Diascia, I'll be sure to teach my little boy and girl how to protect themselves too. Any tips?
Diascia: Make sure they know what's out there, what's waiting to pounce on them the second they turn around. And most important of all, give them a reason to fight back and come back home safely. I've seen you and your wife on television, you're good people, I hope you raise your kids well.
Caesar: Thank you, Mrs Mason, that means the world to me. Johanna acted weak right from the start, was this all part of her strategy and did you know about it before the Reaping, or did the whole act come as a shock to you?
Diascia: It is most definitely part of her strategy. I admit, I was a little shocked to see my little girl cry her heart out when she was Reaped, it seemed very out of character for her. I couldn't believe that Jo would show this much emotion in such a pivotal moment. Of course, she explained it all to be when we were in the Justice Building. It would put all targets away from her back and lull the other tributes into a false sense of security. You saw how she lured the boy from One away from the rest of the pack and straight into the mirror maze before carving the number '9' on his back. That keeps up the illusion, because the last time the other Careers saw her, she was just a crying little girl, and now they think the boy from Nine was responsible for the boy from One's demise. It's all part of the plan, I just have to trust the process.
Caesar: Brilliant, now, before we go and move on to Jesper Kloten's family, do you have any final words you want to say about Johanna?
Diascia: Yes. Jo, remember what you have to do. Whatever it takes to win it, do it. You got this, the District has your back, you will win this, I am confident of that.
Caesar: Thank you, Mrs Mason, it was a pleasure talking to you today.
Diascia: Pleasure, Caesar.
Caesar: And once again, good luck to Johanna Mason, District Seven's female representative for the Seventy-First Annual Hunger Games!
INTERVIEW WITH DRACO HADLEY
Caesar: Draco! Welcome back to the studio, how are you today?
Draco: Oh, I'm feeling good today, Caesar! It's the Hunger Games!
Caesar: Excellent, yes, you have two tributes in the final six, and it's looking like the Gamemakers are drawing the tributes towards the Cornucopia for a final showdown. Feeling confident?
Draco: Oh, absolutely, heck yeah! Tauriel and Damian are absolutely bossing it in the arena right now, four kills each! I don't know about you, but that's Victor material to me! Tell you what, after those gosh awful messes that were Demeter and Allie or whatever the heck that fisher girl's name is, I think it's high time Panem gets a real Victor, someone who oozes pride and glory and honour, someone who is a true representative of what their District stands for, and someone who loves our glorious nation, ain't that right, Caesar my boy?
Caesar: Erm, yes, totally, I agree with you on that.
Draco: Hmm, what do you agree with me on?
Caesar: Why, the patriotic, true representative Victors bit, of course. I think we'd all love to see some of those emerge from the arena alive and well.
Draco: Excellent, excellent! And let me tell you this, Tauriel and Damian, they're fine specimens, perfect models of our species! Everything about them is pure perfection and I'm sure we'll have loads of fun after one of them wins, ho ho ho!
Caesar takes a nervous sip of water and swallows the bile running up his throat.
Caesar: How about the other tributes? District Seven still has both of their tributes around, Johanna and Jesper are a pair that should never be ruled out.
Draco: Bah, who cares about those soggy little scumbags? Their destiny is to be skewered like kebabs on the swords of a patriot from Two, so that their mangled corpses can be hung from the highest tree draped in Two's colours like a flag in a proud symbol of glory! Does that little girl think she's so good after two lucky kills? Peh! Tauriel and Damian will chop her to bits alive! And don't get me started on that useless joke of a boy, he's not even worthy to be soup condiments for a lower-class District Two meal, he's going to be pig feed at our farms, perhaps then he'll serve a purpose for this nation!
Caesar: And here the tributes come! And it will be Tauriel and Damian who emerge first from the mirror maze.
Draco: Go, you little pieces of shit! Murder them all! Massacre them! Make them beg for mercy!
Caesar: Standing across them right now are Martini from One and Octavian from Four, two very competent, trained Careers as well. But they don't have an alliance with one another like the Twos do, do they, Draco?
Draco: You've got that right, Caesar! That rich little spoiled brat with her fancy jewels and pearls is gonna be the meat patty of our next lunch! And that skinny, disease-infested pirate of a fisher kid is gonna be the buns of the burger for all the crimes he's committed against innocent Peacekeepers!
Caesar: Here they come, swords and spears clash here now, it's an intense battle and everyone's locking horns with one another here, but what's this? Makine from Six has flung a knife, and down goes Octavian!
Draco: NO! That was OUR kill, I hope that stupid little druggie piece of shit dies a horrible death for stealing a rightful District Two kill!
Caesar: There's his cannon and Makine throws another knife, it's just barely missed Tauriel, but she's now been alerted to the danger, and she's coming for him now, leaving Martini and Damian to fight it out with each other.
Draco: Go on, Tauriel! Finish him!
Caesar: Another throwing knife has once again barely missed Tauriel, and Makine is cutting a very frustrated, and I must say, increasingly desperate figure here, and they're now launched into a head-to-head combat!
Draco: Rip that throat of his like you're Enobaria!
Caesar: She's got her hands around his neck and she's squeezing tight, Makine looks panicked, he's trying oh so hard to save himself here and- oh that's a powerful kick he's given her there!
Draco: No, this can't be happening!
Caesar: And Makine has killed Tauriel with her own sword! The cannon booms...
Draco: YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS, YOU CHEEKY LITTLE BASTARD!
Caesar: Damian and Martini are still fighting, it's getting bloodier by the minute, and here comes Makine to join in the fight, and out of the woods come Johanna and Jesper as well, this is going to be a five-way fight for the crown!
Draco: Darn it, Damian, just kill that stupid rich bitch, you nincompoop!
Caesar: Damian has landed a pretty good slash at Martini's shoulder there, and Makine's slashed her leg just as Jesper slices at his cheek!
Draco: Yes, fight, fight, fight!
Caesar: Martini's cannon goes, Damian gets the kill to I'm sure the delight of our rather frantic guest right over here.
Draco: HAHA, TAKE THAT YOU FOOLS!
Caesar: Makine's clutching the blood on his face, he's having to deal with three different assailants now, and, oh! Johanna has decapitated him!
Draco: No, that was our kill too! Argh, damn it, you little tree hugger!
Caesar: That's a rather cynical laugh from Johanna too, but here now, it's Two versus Seven for the title, Seven have double the odds-
Draco: No they don't!
Caesar: But here they come and Damian's slashed Jesper in the legs! And another slash to the stomach!
Draco: HAHA, now finish him!
Caesar: But he's forgotten about Johanna, who punches him in the face and down he goes!
Draco: Oh, shit!
Caesar: Johanna's toying around with him a little bit here and- oh, she's slashing him, over and over again!
Draco: No... NO!
Caesar: Very brutal there indeed from Johanna, and the cannon's gone but she's still going!
Draco: Damn it, argh! How dare you kill OUR tribute?
Caesar: A final spit to the face from Johanna as she now head over to Jesper's side. They're talking a bit there, he's congratulating her, I think the outcome is clear now.
Draco: Rigged, it's been rigged!
Caesar: Lovely little high-five from the pair and a final, knowing smile from Jesper, now that's sweet of him. He tells her to 'give them hell', not a clue what that means, though. And Johanna brings her axe down to make the end quick for Jesper, and a good salute from her to her fallen District partner as the trumpets sound and here, ladies and gentlemen, the moment has finally come, we do have our winner, Johanna Mason of District Seven!
Draco: Oh, curse you little brat! You will pay for this, I will have a chat with President Snow, and I'm going to make your life hell. You will regret the day you stepped out of that arena as Victor, just you wait!
INTERVIEW WITH BLIGHT GAVIN
Caesar: Congratulations on mentoring a Victor, Blight!
Blight: Thank you, Caesar, I couldn't be happier with Jo's Victory. Such a relief, I'm not gonna lie, that someone's finally coming home. It's been more than a few years, but we've finally done it, we've brought someone home and that's all that matters.
Caesar: And what a Victor to bring home as well! I think I speak for many across the Capitol when I say that Johanna has been a delightful Victor and I'm sure she will go down as a great in that aspect, not that I think she'd care either way!
Blight: Definitely, Caesar. Well, first things first, as per tradition, Seven Victors have to pick up an instrument. I think she's going for the cello, but I'm trying to convince her to go for the drums instead. It's much more stress-relieving, especially after going through the arena. I think she's definitely considering it as an option and if that's the case, I'll still be her mentor, just in a musical sense.
Caesar: I'll pity the neighbours too, I have a feeling you two are going to be louder than ever!
Blight: Definitely, Birch isn't going to be happy about that, but oh well, we've all got to let our feelings out one way or another.
Caesar: Speaking of Birch, that 'plan' he talked about, did you know it was going to involve Johanna turning violent?
Blight: Well, I knew she was going to act weak, but I wasn't expecting, well, that. I was practically staring wide-eyed at the screen the whole time, you know. Her pre-Games acting should be nominated for an award or something, because she was light years away from the girl we saw in the arena.
Caesar: Haha! I'm sure she'll get a call from the Panem Film Awards!
Blight: And deservedly so, hands down the best strategy I've seen in the Games and she pulled it off to perfection.
Caesar: How's she doing, by the way, Johanna?
Blight: She's doing fine, she's a little unfocused at times, but she's been that way since before the Games.
Caesar: There was a rumour circled the other day by some tabloids that she has ADHD, just like Hercules, so they're drawing parallels between the two Victors. Any truth to that?
Blight: Not quite sure, but I don't think so. But I hear Draco wasn't too happy during the live broadcast?
Caesar: He, ahh, had some choice words to say.
Blight: I sure hope he did! That's what he gets for tormenting us the whole week! You know, he tried to get in Jo's head right before the interviews? Oh, if only he'd known!
Johanna: Interview going on over here?
Caesar: Why, hello there, Johanna! Victor crown looking good on your head, I must say!
Blight: Come over, Jo, I think you've got some things to say, don't you?
Johanna: Yeah, for sure! Hey, to anyone who's watching, who's laughing now, punks? Ya'll laughed at me like I was your little bitch, well, go suck a bear's arse, you cunts!
Caesar: Apologies for the fruity language, guys, but I think she's made her point! Johanna really did prove us all wrong!
Johanna: Heck yeah I did, screw you all, I don't have to deal with this Hunger Games bullshit anymore!
Blight: You go, girl!
Caesar: Haha! That's all the coverage we have today, folks, hope you have a wonderful day and for the last time this year, my name is Caesar Flickerman-
Johanna: And I'm Johanna Mason!
Caesar: -and happy Hunger Games, everyone!
Katniss and Peeta chuckled as they reminisced about Johanna's Games.
"Glad to have you here, Jo," Katniss said slyly.
"You're asking to get an axe stuck in your face with that," Peeta told her, laughing. "You know only a Seven can call her Jo."
Katniss shrugged. "She can try, but I can dodge very well, thank you very much.
With that, the pair moved on to the next Victor and the mood dampened a little. Peeta flipped the page, revealing a tall girl with tan skin, delicately braided dark hair and hardened eyes. Dark circles formed around her eyelids and she stared ahead with a blank expression. Her skin, however, unlike past Victors from Six, hadn't paled as a symptom of drug abuse, which was a positive, at the very least. "Thalia Wheeler."
VICTORS
District 1-Sapphire Huntington(4), Onyx Hibonite(9), Franc Montgomery(14), Crystal Montgomery(21), Sterling Jones(25), Luxe Carmichael(36), Geneva Cooper(37), Cartier Cooper(44), Valkyrie Montgomery(54), Gloss Irvine(63), Cashmere Irvine(64), Augustus Braun-Montgomery(67)
District 2-Ragnar Sveinsson(5), Reyna Boudicca(6), Draco Hadley(10), Scipio MacAllister(17), Freya Carson(22), Hercules Nichols(28), Julia Dawson(39), Brutus Gunn(42), Lyme Sveinsson(45), Evan Fortis(55), Enobaria Golding(61)
District 3-Nikola Johnson(13), Gadget Schroeder(24), Beetee Latier(40), Wiress Jansen(47)
District 4-Marina Bluebell(1), Mags Flanagan(11), Jolien Fisher(31), Timmy Fisher(32), Iris Fisher(33), Rafael Fisher(34), Coral Thiller(41), Poseidon Nakamura(58), Nemo Williams(62), Finnick Odair(65), Annie Cresta(70)
District 5-Shocker Crimson(8), Switch Kim(19), Flash Morrison(27), Porter Tripp(38), Marie Meredith(52), Ampere Chang(66)
District 6-Ford Hamilton(20), Kimi Bentley(51), Audi Lando(59)
District 7-Hassan Greenwood(2), Jill Wilson(15), Olive Sanchez(26), Birch Davison(35), Blight Gavin(53), James Silva(60), Johanna Mason (71)
District 8-Woof Casino(16), Calico Pepper(48), Cecelia Rheys(56)
District 9-Gwendolyn Whitfield(18), Laurel Flamsteel(29), Miller Thompson(49), Demeter Jarvinen(68)
District 10-Ringo Alvarez(7), John Gatwick(23), Mare Trybull(43), Colt Dias(57)
District 11-Orchid Bloom(12), Seeder Crue(30), Chaff Mitchell(46), Sprout Skhosana(69)
District 12-Axel Millar(3), Haymitch Abernathy(50)
Victors that are underlined are deceased.