Zinnia Urkyztrum, 14

District 3, She/Her

June 7th, 97 ADD

6:20 PM

Zinnia made herself as comfortable as she could in her chair, sweating under the bright spotlights. She'd dialed her hearing aids down a bit, too- Kellin told her the crowd would be very loud, and he was right, even though she knew they were just waiting for someone more interesting to come out instead. She shuffled her index cards in her hands again, trying to keep her breath even.

"Welcome to the Capitol, Zinnia!" the interviewer said. She could barely hear him, but it helped that she could also read his lips from this angle. That was a relief. "How are you doing today?"

Zinnia thumbed through her index cards and passed him two to read. Thankfully, he didn't give her an odd look- someone likely told him to expect this. "I am doing well," he read from the first card. He switched to the second. "The Capitol is very beautiful. Thank you for having me."

Zinnia nodded as he spoke, trying her best to be engaged.

"Now, Zinnia, I've been told you don't speak."

She nodded again. She had a card for this one, and she passed it to him. "I have a hearing deficiency," Elton read.

"I see," Elton replied, setting the card down on his growing stack. "That sounds… difficult."

She nodded seriously.

"Have you been able to make any allies?" Elton asked.

Zinnia flipped through her cards again. "I am allied with Chase from District Five, Fleur from District Six, and Shazia from District Nine. I met them during training, and they have all been very kind to me."

"That's great to hear!" Elton replied. "How did you meet them?"

Thankfully, she had a card for this, too. "Chase, Fleur, and Shazia invited me to spend time with them after training. Fleur decorated the sixth floor. It was very pink. We had lemonade."

"That sounds lovely," Elton said. "I'm glad everyone is getting along."

Zinnia nodded. She was, too.

(She'd expected to be entirely alone in the Capitol. To be proven otherwise was not unwelcome, but it still confused her a bit. She didn't understand why she happened to be in the bathroom at the same time as all three of the others. She didn't know what the others had seen in her that made them extend the invitation. And she didn't know why they let her stick around beyond helping with the prank, which was the only time she'd had a clear use to them.

Whatever it was, she had landed in an alliance with them. She was terrified of ruining it. There was nothing Zinnia feared more than the idea of being alone again.)

(Including her own death. At least she knew that was coming. In some ways, it might even be a relief- no more wondering about who it would be, or how much pain she'd be in. It would just be over.)

(But these people who decided to be her ally? They were far more unpredictable. So Zinnia was determined that she would not mess it up.)

(So little time was left.)

"How do you feel about your training score?" Elton asked.

Zinnia reached for another card- this was one of the first ones Kellin had her write. "I did my best in my private session, so I can only be pleased that the Gamemakers recognized that I have skill. I believe the score may be low because I am better at survival skills, such as identifying plants, than fighting. But survival skills are not to be counted out, and neither am I."

Elton nodded thoughtfully. "Very good point, Zinnia. Any final words before we see you tomorrow?"

Zinnia pulled out an index card and handed it to Elton to read. He cleared his throat. "I know it is easy to underestimate me. My odds may be lower, but they are not zero; anything could happen. I am going to try my very best and keep hoping. Thank you."

Elton motioned for the audience to clap. "Thank you, Zinnia!"

Zinnia nodded, then quickly turned and fled.

(The last part was a lie. She had no hope at all.)

Wisdom Garland, 16

District 3, He/Him

6:25 PM

"Welcome to the stage, Wisdom!" Elton declared. "How are you this evening?"

Wisdom ignored Elton for a moment, making himself comfortable. He had no interest in pandering to this man. Let the interviewer pursue him. He was the subject of intrigue, after all.

Finally, he glanced up. "Well enough. Thank you."

"How have you been finding the Capitol so far?"

"Impressive," Wisdom replied.

"In what way?"

"The resources here are astounding," he answered. "The possibilities are significantly broader here than in District Three. The Hunger Games being one of those."

(He kept his expression still. He did not consider the Games to be a possibility for much more than destruction.)

(And while Wisdom did have a profound appreciation for destruction, he did not enjoy the possibility of his own.)

"Absolutely!" Elton replied. "And the other tributes? Have you met any to your liking?"

Wisdom inclined his chin. "Several."

Elton raised his eyebrows. "Such as?"

"I have several allies. We have agreed that a temporary partnership is mutually beneficial, and went from there."

"Have we met any of them yet?"

"No. They will meet with you later in the evening."

Elton smiled. "Wisdom," he said, "could we get names? We're dying to know more!"

Your death is not the one I'm concerned about.

Appeasing him now meant less time was wasted on this question. "Chevre Kanaf-Kaziol, from District Ten," Wisdom replied, "Jem Piper, from District Nine, True McKellar, from District Eight, and several others."

"Several?"

"I'm sure they can elaborate during their own interview time," Wisdom said, "but as you will be able to meet them soon, I see no point in wasting my time discussing them."

Elton's mouth tightened a touch. "What did you see in them, then? You don't sound particularly close."

"Why would we be? This is the Hunger Games," Wisdom answered. "We allied on the principle of mutual benefit, as I mentioned before. They understand that. And for that reason, we will be significantly more effective than those who have chosen alliances through illogical means."

"Effective," Elton noted. "What sort of… illogical alliances… have you noticed thus far?"

"Emotional ones, mostly," Wisdom answered. "Emotion interrupts logic. I'd say most of the other alliances have not been made with sound minds. I suppose the stress of the Games could have something to do with it, but it's not a mindset I'm familiar with. That's the most I can speak to it."

"Do you and your allies, then, have a plan heading into tomorrow?"

"Respectfully, we would be idiots not to," Wisdom said. "We're here to win. I am here to win. There is no other option."

(The possibility of his own destruction was one he needed to mitigate as much as possible.)

"How do you feel about your odds?" Elton asked. "Do you think Wisdom Garland could be our next Victor?"

"I am sure of it," Wisdom replied. "And for those who may be unsure, know that I have much to show you. If you are patient, you will get the television you want."

"I love the confidence!" Elton exclaimed. "Given how low your training score was, I wasn't expecting that!"

Wisdom's eye twitched. "Perhaps the Gamemakers are among the unsure," he suggested, forcing his voice to stay even. "It is no bother to me. After all, I do know that they appreciate a good surprise."

"Don't we all!"

(Wisdom did not. Wisdom preferred knowing what would happen next and being right about it.)

"Of course."

"Another sure surprise will be the arena. That's something you can't plan for, right?"

Wisdom nodded. "We've done our best, however."

"How?" Elton asked.

"Well, there are different categories of arenas that we've been able to identify, with some help from our Mentors. An indoor arena, for example, requires different skills than an outdoor arena."

"Very interesting!" Elton mused. "Between those two, is there one you'd prefer?"

(Indoor, of course. Wisdom had taken advantage of every resource available to him in the Capitol, but he was no survivalist, and he didn't enjoy the idea of being reliant on his alliance any more than he needed to be.)

"We're ready for either option," he answered.

"How exciting!" Elton said. "We're almost out of time, though- any last words before we see you tomorrow?"

Wisdom leveled a stare at the audience. "To those of you who are betting men," he said, "I've run the numbers. The odds are in my favor, and I will prove it."

Brizo Windrake, 18

District 4, He/Him

6:35 PM

Tisiphone's cheeks were flushed when she made it off the stage.

"Good job," Brizo offered.

"Really?"

He nodded. "You, um, you did well."

She twisted the locket around her neck absentmindedly. "It went by so fast."

"That's good, right?"

She exhaled. "I think so?"

The interviewer's voice echoed from the stage. "Next up from District Four, of course, is Brizo Windrake!"

He swallowed, straightening his suit jacket.

Tisiphone gave him a small smile. "You'll do great."

(He could tell she meant it, too. He hadn't forgotten the love letter, but Tisiphone hadn't stopped being nice to Brizo. She was just never around, because Bastet was always pulling her away.

(And she went. She chose Bastet, right? But then she had these small moments, and it was like they were on the train again, before Bastet and Vince and Rumi and Aveline took over.)

(Maybe someday, it would just be him and Tisiphone again, and things would be better.)

"Thanks," he mumbled. He made his way to the stage, stepping out from behind the curtain.

As soon as the crowd saw him, they started cheering. A spotlight shone in his eyes, blinding him briefly. There was nothing but the applause in his ears and light on his face and it was all for him.

(He'd never been more seen than he was right now.)

Once it started to fade, he walked over to the interviewer, who was waiting for Brizo and gestured for him to sit in the empty chair. Brizo took it.

"Great to see you tonight, Brizo." he said. "I've been looking forward to meeting you!"

Brizo tried his hardest to stifle his surprise. "Really?"

"Of course!" he replied. "With a training score like that? How could I not?"

Brizo sat up a little straighter. "I see."

"A 10 ties you for the highest score of the group," the interviewer- Elton, he thought his name was Elton- pointed out. "Are you pleased with your performance?"

"Yes, I am."

"May I ask how you accomplished such a feat?"

Brizo shrugged. "I did my best, and the Gamemakers enjoyed it."

"What does your 'best' entail?"

"I, um, I favor dual sabres as my weapon," Brizo explained.

"A swordsman!" Elton exclaimed. "Very interesting! Was it just the sabres, then, or was there more?"

"The sabres."

"Very interesting, indeed…" Elton trailed. "I'm very much looking forward to seeing that. I have to admit I'm intrigued."

Brizo shrugged, nonchalant.

(There weren't many more details to give. His private session was a bit of a blur. He'd gotten worked up right before- something Vince said, if he was remembering correctly- and then gone in there and… earned his score.

The others underestimating him didn't feel good, but proving them wrong sure did.)

"I also understand," Elton continued, "that you have allied with the traditional group of those from One, Two, and Four, along with Mx. Valmorida of Ten?"

"Yes."

"Quite an energetic group this year!"

"Yes," Brizo agreed.

"Does everyone get along?" Elton asked.

(I'm sorry, Brizo. Maybe tomorrow.)

(Brizo, we need your sword.)

"Everything is fine."

"Some of your allies seemed to imply the opposite earlier this evening," Elton replied.

Brizo shrugged again. "It's… it's not serious. If that, um makes sense. Of course there are disagreements occasionally- there are so many people- but everything is fine, really."

The thought came to him before he could stop it.

No one in your alliance gives a fuck about you. Why are you protecting them?

(Distant rain splashed against the waves.)

(It wasn't that he was protecting them, right? He just didn't need to start any drama. The others created enough already. He didn't need to get involved and make things worse for himself.)

"It makes sense," Elton said. "Is there anyone you get along with better than others?"

"My district partner, Tisiphone, is very nice," Brizo nodded.

"I have to agree with that one!" Elton replied. "Nice to have someone from home here, too, I bet!"

"Yes," he agreed.

"Alright, Brizo. Just to make sure we don't run out of time- is there anything you'd like to say to everyone in the audience, both here and at home?"

Brizo considered this for a moment. "I… I think I have a lot to prove. But I'm ready to. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Elton grinned and started applauding. "Brizo Windrake, everyone!"

The audience erupted with cheers for him, and Brizo closed his eyes, soaking it all in.

(This was all he'd ever wanted. To be seen.

And it felt really, really good.)

Chase Holloway, 15

District 5, She/Her

6:40 PM

"Welcome to the stage, Chase!" Elton said.

Chase crossed her arms and nodded. She didn't thank him. She and Albert had talked about her interview earlier and agreed that she shouldn't play it too friendly. Chase wanted to be seen like the threat she was, and this was a better way to do it. Especially because most of the other tributes were older than her. Chase had extra stuff to prove tonight.

(She was no Career, sure. She wasn't tall or jacked or crazy like some of the others. But she had seen her fair share of trouble and lived to tell the tale. She could- she would- do it again.)

"First of all, congratulations on scoring a 6 during your private session!" he continued. "That's a very respectable score, especially for your age."

She bristled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Elton smiled at her. "Only that being younger than many of the other tributes this year makes your score even more impressive!"

"I don't care that I'm younger," she countered. "It doesn't mean shit, man."

He raised an eyebrow. "Then what does?"

"Ever been to Five?"

"I can't say that I have," he replied.

"'Course not. It takes a lotta guts to be in Five, 'cause Five doesn't look out for you. It doesn't have pretty dresses or fancy makeup or air-conditioning like here. In Five, no one cares if you're dead or alive. Honestly, they'd probably prefer you dead if you're like me and there's no one to take care of you. One less mouth to feed and all that shit."

"Are you saying you don't have any family waiting for you back in Five?" Elton asked.

"'Course I have family," Chase said fiercely. "I just had to go find them myself."

(They didn't have a television in the base for fear of it giving away the gang's location, but there were big screens downtown they could watch. They'd be there now, scattered throughout the crowds, hoods thrown over their heads, eyes shifting from the screen to the Peacekeepers and back again. She wondered if they'd pulled any heists since she'd been gone. She wondered if they were safe.)

(She hadn't been able to think about them much- not just because of the chaos of the last several days, but because it was fucking unbearable to think about. She'd fought so hard to bring them together again after Tye was killed, and now everything was being ripped from her grasp again.)

(Not to mention that the girls she'd managed to find here would almost definitely be taken from her, too.)

"...I see."

"The system, the orphanages and stuff, they won't look out for you. So I learned how to figure things out myself, and I found other kids like me, and we looked out for each other. Have ever since," she told him.

Elton nodded seriously.

"So maybe my score isn't so good," she said. "Whatever. And fifteen years isn't a lot to you. But that's fifteen years of keeping myself alive. And that's more than plenty of people can say. Those older kids, with their big scores? I don't think they're ready for this."

"Really? What do you mean?"

"They don't know how to be hungry or thirsty or any of that. I bet none of them's ever gone without a real bed. They're too busy with the fancy weapons to see what's comin' for them."

"Very interesting," Elton nodded. "And you are?"

"Fuck yeah, I am."

"What about your allies? I believe you have several- are they as prepared as you are?"

"Not so much," she said. She shrugged. "That's okay. I'll help them out. And they'll help me with stuff. That's what an alliance is for."

"Well said!" Elton replied. "How did your group meet?"

"Well- oh that's a funny story, actually. Me and Shazia were hanging out on the first day, and then later I accidentally hit Fleur with my egg launcher, and then Zinnia popped up later when we were getting the goo outta Fleur's hair. It was awesome."

"Egg launcher…?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. Thingy that launches eggs."

"I'll have to follow up with your allies about that one," Elton smiled. "Unfortunately, our time's almost up. Anything else you'd like to say before we part ways?"

Chase lifted her chin. "I'll see you back here soon."

"Amazing!" Elton declared. "Let's hear it one more time for Chase Holloway!"

Fleur Pettifur, 17

District 6, She/They

6:50 PM

"Welcome to the stage, Miss Pettifur!"

"Please, call me Fleur," she replied, beaming. "I'm so excited to be here!"

They smoothed a hand over their skirt. She adored her dress- it was bubblegum pink and made of chiffon with a sparkly blue flower sewn to the shoulder, and her heels were glittery and rainbow, which she totally loved. Their hair had been curled and put in an updo, and her stylists had pinned her token, a silk, hot pink hair bow, into their hair. They felt super cute.

"We're excited to have you!" he replied. "How have you been finding the Capitol?"

"Oh, it's amazing as always," she said. "I, um, I didn't expect to be back so soon, but here I am!"

(She and Esper had a long meeting that morning about what to do for her interview. Apparently, he'd met with the Head Gamemaker herself, and she said that it was okay to talk about how Fleur wasn't really from District Six because everyone already knew that. Esper said that in that case, they should use their "Capitolite-ness" to appeal to the audience. Fleur wasn't really sure what that meant, so she just figured they should be herself.)

"That's right," Elton said. "I've heard you're not native to District Six."

"I'm not. I'm from the Capitol. Not far from here, actually!" they answered. Fleur glanced at the crowd- they could see some people whispering to one another. She blinked and focused her attention back on Elton.

"How long have you been away?"

"Less than a year," she answered. "But it's soooo nice to be back. I missed the fashion! Oh, and the food, too, of course."

"I can't blame you for that," Elton smiled.

"I never thought I'd be-" she gestured around the stage- "here, obviously. But it's been such an experience!"

"Do say more," Elton replied. "We've never been able to hear this perspective before!"

Fleur rubbed her hands together. "Well, first of all, I got to meet a real Victor. Like, multiple times. And he's one of my favorites, so that's been really cool."

"You mean Esper Myrellis-Verilla?"

"Yes! And he said he'd bring me to meet more Victors if we had the chance. I hope we do. And there's Tomo, too, who you'll meet soon! He's really nice even though he doesn't like glitter. Umm, what else…"

"How has training been?" Elton asked.

"Oh my gosh! It's so fancy in the Training Center. And I'd never, like, touched a real weapon before-"

(-hair fell over their shoulders as she pulled the hairpin free-

-Colin's hand on her shoulder-

-knuckles scraping brick-

-her fist slamming on his chest-

-the pin sticky in her hand-)

(-she couldn't do this right now, not now-)

"-so that was a new experience. Some of my allies have been helping me with that, though."

"Would you care to remind the audience who your allies are, again?"

"Of course!" she replied. "There's Chase, who's from Five- she's the one who hit me with that egg- and Shazia's from Nine, and Zinnia's from Three. So there's four of us."

"What's it like, interacting with district people so often?" Elton asked.

Fleur smiled. "Well, they're a little different than people here!" The audience laughed at her comment, and Fleur waited until they were finished before continuing. "But I met many people in Six, and now lots of people here, and I think they're quite lovely."

"In what way?"

"Well, they're people, Elton!" they replied. "But a lot of the people I've met are… they're just as smart and nice as anyone I've met. I would looove to give some of them makeovers, obviously, but that's just the outside. And I think it's more about the inside that counts. Don't you?"

(It was what she'd always believed. It was harder to believe now, after the events of the last year. There was still that little voice that liked to remind them that people had made them feel unsafe and alone and hurt her, that Fleur shouldn't even be here right now… but she had to keep trying to believe in people.

Right now, that belief was one of the only things she had.)

"That's a very nice sentiment," Elton replied. Elton's usual bright smile faltered for a moment. "I hope to see you here again very soon, Fleur."

They inclined their head. "And you as well."

Elton turned to the audience. "Let's give one more hand for Fleur Pettifur, shall we?"

The audience burst into applause. Fleur smiled and waved.

(She'd always wanted to be a movie star. Looking out at the crowd and cameras and lights, for a small moment, they let herself believe she was one.)

Aescelin Ibbara-Ixtal, 18

District 7, He/Him

6:55 PM

Aescelin tugged at his collar with dismay. His stylists had insisted on putting him in a stiff, confining velvet suit with a cream white undershirt, but as soon as they left him, he'd undone the top button. His hair had been washed again and pulled into a high knot on his head that pulled at his scalp. His brown dress shoes rubbed at his heels, and he longed to scrape the gloss from his fingernails.

Not much longer, now, he reminded himself. He peered over at the stage again from his place behind the curtain- Valentina was still speaking to the crowd, twisting a curled lock between her fingers with one hand and playing with her skirt with the other, her chin low. The pink-and-white costuming did make her look younger, as did the strange voice she was putting on.

(She'd spoken to him of her strategy several times- feigning weakness she did not possess. She'd claimed to have a history of being underestimated. Aescelin understood the approach, although he did not favor it. Mimicking such vulnerability… was not to his taste.)

Finally, her session finished. As Valentina walked by him, she pretended to wobble on her heels and "stumbled" into him. He caught her by the forearm.

"Meet me in the greenroom after this," she muttered. "There may be an opportunity for us."

He nodded and released her. Valentina walked away.

"Now, let's meet our second tribute from District Seven: Aescelin Ibbara-Ixtal!" echoed from the stage. Aescelin pulled at his collar one last time before sending a quick prayer to the Spirit.

(I do all this in your name. I will prove myself to you, Spirit, and amend my mistakes. I trust in your truth now. I should have all along. Forgive me.)

He exhaled, opened his eyes, and strode onstage.

"Welcome, Aescelin!" the interviewer said. Before he could try to shake Aescelin's hand,

Aescelin extended his own, knuckles-first and fingers pointed down, for the man to take. After a brief hesitation, he took Aescelin's hand and released it. Aescelin took a seat.

"We're pleased to have you here, Aescelin," the man said.

"Thank you for having me," he replied.

"Now, right away, we have to talk about that private session," he continued. "What on earth did you do to score a 10?"

Aescelin leaned back, slowly drumming his nails against the arms of his chair. "Well, that is a remarkably simple question, and one I must answer with another question. Do you believe in a higher power, Mister…?"

"You can call me Elton," he replied.

"Elton, then."

"I… that's an interesting question, Aescelin. Do you?" he asked.

Aescelin pursed his lips as the interviewer dodged the question. "As you've likely surmised, I do. My deity… inspired me, Elton, and therefore I owe the credit of my exceptional performance to the Spirit."

Elton tilted his head. "The Spirit?"

"The Spirit of the Forest. Surely you've heard of them."

"I have to admit that I haven't."

Aescelin casted a look out at the audience. "I shouldn't pass judgment. There's hardly any forest to be seen here."

The audience chuckled. Aescelin repressed an eyeroll and turned back to Elton.

"And how does this deity, ah… inspire you?" Elton asked.

"What could be more inspiring than a spirit of wilderness, Elton? Of nature herself? The Earth is a living, breathing creature, and it's all too easy to forget that in large cities such as this," Aescelin declared.

Elton nodded. "Let me be more specific. What does this 'Spirit of the Forest' inspire you to do?"

"If you're referring to my private session, that was an act of worship," Aescelin said. "The Training Center is extremely artificial, and I sought to remedy that, if only temporarily."

"I… see…" Elton trailed. "What else?"

"The forest is a beautiful, wild thing, yes, but many humans do not respect it as such," Aescelin said. "We punish nonbelievers and those who desecrate the Spirit's gifts to us."

The audience was silent now. "If I may ask… punish, how?" Elton asked.

Aescelin smiled. "In the manner the Spirit sees fit," he answered.

"...Ah."

"Really, it's a shame that we must punish so many," Aescelin continued. "But-" and he turned to the audience here, finding a camera in the crowd- "the Spirit's work is far from done. There are those in District Seven, a community that is growing, that gladly accepts converts who find themselves on the Spirit's land. Go there and be redeemed of your sins against the Forest! Go and-"

"Unfortunately, Aescelin, we're nearly out of time," Elton said. "Is there anything else you'd like to say before you go?"

Aescelin took a second to catch his breath. He lifted his chin. "May the Spirit guide me home," he said.

(Please, Spirit. Please. I'll do anything for you.)

(Anything.)

hello bitches i am BACK if you felt safe now is the time to stop that. only four more chaps until the bloodbath... time is ticking... teehee...

see you next time with true, shazia, bryony, patrek, and tiernan!

rb