The stand in for Octavius grinned at her reflection in the mirror. Andromeda smoothed out her dark blue dress and slipped into her silver heels.
She was ready.
The interviews, which was her favorite part of the pre games, were set to start in just a few minutes. This year's batch of tributes were bound to be interesting.
District One;
Flare Lockwood was the first tribute out onto the stage and the crowd simply erupted into cheers. Shaking her hand, she allowed the tribute to get comfortable in her chair across from her. Her fitting red dress stood out against her skin and her makeup was done gracefully in various colors that suited her.
"Flare, you were chosen alongside your brother this year," She started, "What did that make you feel when you realized that he would be with you in the arena this year?"
"At first I was terrified, and I still am. He's my brother and I know that while we're both trained for the Games as best as we could be it still came as a shock you know." She made a movement to wipe what looked like a tear away. "Because at the end of the day, only one of us can come back home. My parents will be without one of us and that's something that still is taking some time to sink in."
"Are you ready though, that if it came down to it, would you be able to take out your brother?"
"I don't think so. I couldn't do that to him. He's spent his entire life protecting me and I wouldn't be able to do that even if it was him and I in the final two. I'd rather it'd be him that goes home."
Grayson was next, looking absolutely handsome in a red tux that mirrored his sister's dress. He had a big grin on his face as he pressed a kiss to Andromeda's cheek and took a seat.
"Now we haven't had a pair of siblings in the Games in years! But do you think you both will be able to make it far?"
"Oh definitely. Flare and I were the top two in our class and got nothing but high praises from the trainers and teachers alike. I know that if it came to it, I would rather have something take me out than her. I want her to be able to go home and be with our parents."
"It's so heartwarming to see the love that you two clearly have for each other. Any plans for the Games or is it going to be a surprise to us?"
"I'm for sure going to stick with the alliance I've made over training, we're pretty strong. Besides that? Take out anyone that stands in my way of getting Flare home."
District Two;
Myrcella Addair made way onto the stage. She was dressed in an all black outfit that seemed to shift with the light along with a pretty headpiece perched carefully onto her head.
"So Myrcella," The interviewer leaned forward slightly, "We've all been dying to know why exactly you became a career. Care to enlighten us with that story?"
"Oh absolutely. There was a bit of an accident so to speak when I was younger and I found myself in a coma for an unknown amount of time. During it I had this dream that was enlightening to me. I was a victor, something that I've always wanted and even married the most handsome prince," She let out an almost bitter laugh. "I was the Queen and went around a slayed dragon and had many loyal followers that loved me. It took a couple years to figure out how to make that dream a reality. To be the Queen would mean I would need to win the Games and what a better chance than now. Once I win, I'll get to marry my best friend."
"And who would the dragons be then?"
"Why the tributes of course!" And despite the positive tone in her voice, tears were welling up in the female's eyes.
"And I will do anything, I don't care how to get that reality. I have to." Tears fell from her eyes and the Capitol just ate it up, tears in their own eyes.
"I know you will." Andromeda spoke softly.
Evander Soren strode onto the stage, cocky expression lit onto his face as he waved to the crowd cheerfully. Leaning back in his seat, he let out a breath of pure excitement.
"Evander, where to even start with you?" She called out, " You're the first relative of a past tribute in the Games since I was a kid. Care to elaborate on it?"
"As many of you may know, or some that don't, my aunt, Clove Soren was the female tribute during the Seventy-Fourth Games. She made it as far as the feast before she was taken out by the male from Eleven. I've watched her games every year, learning more and more from her and the way she played each time. She's truly one of the best to come from Two and like I told my mother before I left, I would finish what she started."
"And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
"Taking out whoever I can. I came here to win, not to make friends. Alliances will get me far but I will have to take myself the rest of the way. I know I can, I've trained for it all my life basically." He let out a laugh. "It comes down to who wants it more."
District Three;
The first tribute from Three was next. December held herself strong as she made herself at ease.
"Now, there's something that we've all been wondering about. What certain skills do you bring to the Games?"
"I'm more capable than what people will expect of me. I'm strong, willing to kill and I possess knowledge on how to create certain things that will help me in my times during the arena." She leaned back with a smirk, but a wild look in her eyes.
"What exactly might we expect during the Games from you?"
"Something no one will see coming. If they want me to get far, they'll give me what I need and I won't even bat an eye while killing each and every one of them."
Ramiro already seemed nervous as he sat across from her, eyes flickering to and from her. Interesting.
"Are you alright darling?" She couldn't help but ask once the cheers died down a bit.
"Yeah, I'm good. Trying my best at not vomiting everywhere." A laugh went over the crowd.
"You'll be good. But to start things off, what would winning mean for you?"
"Winning would mean the world. I mean no one ever expects a thirteen year old to win anyways. It would mean being able to have something in my life that I'm proud of and bringing pride not only to myself but to my district as well."
Nodding, she grinned at him. "I've heard that you're smart, any ideas on how you'll use that in the Arena once you're in it?"
"I'm sure I can form something that will trick those that come across it. I don't want to really kill if I don't have to."
District Four;
"Reid Thasos, you definitely are a crowd favorite already. We've been wondering, what exactly has affected your life to get you here?"
"I think the first moment would be when I lost my sister." She spoke softly, as she took in a breath. "I was only four or five when it happened but it was a memory that I can still clearly recall. I don't know if it was because of all the training that she was pushed into or if it was something else entirely but that day we were at a lake. She was out in the water, swimming and enjoying the air and I was picking flowers that dotted the shoreline. One minute she was fine and the next," Her breath hitched as she wiped tears already falling away. "The next she was gone. She fought as long as she could but even she couldn't manage to swim out of it. The next thing that has changed me, made me into who I am now is when I lost my best friend. It was only a year ago that it happened. Maxwell, or Max as I called him, must to his dismay, we were in the water again. Well, he was in the water, I was just on the beach laying in the sun. I looked away for a second and turned back to see him misjudging a wave that came in and he didn't hit as he should have. He was swept off his board instantly and hit his head on a clump of rocks. Never once did I hesitate to get into the water, and I was close. So so close to him," Her voice trailed off as a sob escaped. "I had to watch as another person that I loved more than anything was taken away from me. And after all, at a certain point water will start to feel like air."
"Ikarus Pyxis, the man everyone's been talking about. The son of a victor, the brother of our beloved female tribute from last year's games, how are you feeling?"
"You know, I'm feeling good. I'm prepared, I'm ready to get things going!"
"And we're excited to see how to do it! What has having a father as a victor helps you, and at the same time how does knowing what happened to your sister could happen to you?"
He wiped his hands on the orange pants, a slight well of anger building at the mention of his sister. But Ikarus plastered a grin on his face nonetheless.
"He put me and my twin sister Vienne into training when we were young and continued to support all of us as the years went on. I know that he never expected for this to happen but I like to think that he's proud of me. Vienne is probably worried sick but won't tell anyone about it. As for Ana, god do I miss her. I've learned from her as she went in and played the best she could. I know that I need to keep my guard up and not let anyone get too close for comfort. It's the Hunger Games, there are no true allies. It's just everyone using each other to gain something in the long run."
District Five
"Damara, you look stunning today!" Andromeda spoke as soon as the woman was seated.
"My stylist said I only deserve the best and they really pulled out all of the stops." Damara grinned and motioned to the jumpsuit that she was wearing.
"Now, we all know about your past and we're not here to talk about that are we, instead I want to know what your plan for the Games is, any alliances, any tricks up your sleeves?"
Damara smirked and leaned forward, fingers tapping against her knees. " I can outright say that I will not be in any sort of alliance. As much as I could trust the others in the beginning, it would only be a matter of time before it all went south and we would all try to kill each other." She shrugged half heartedly. "Why waste my time on that when I can spend more time saving myself."
"You do make a good point, what about strategies? Anything interesting?"
"I have a few things planned, mostly tactical elements but a few other things. I'll mostly stick to areas that most of the other's won't dare to go and see what happens. I won't hesitate to take anyone out that I come across, and dare I say I'll enjoy myself during the next few weeks."
Ruon was next and he was quick to start hyping up the crowd, laughing as he shook her hand in his.
"What an entrance, Ruon, we are certainly glad to have you here."
"I'm glad to be here too! Granted I wish it was under different circumstances but at last, it is what it is."
She grinned, and crossed her ankles as she leaned back against her seat.
"Indeed, but you're here and we want to get to know you. How do you think this year will go?"
"It could go any direction that the GameMakers see fit and I'm sort of excited to see what challenge the arena will pose. I'm sure that I can take it on with no problem."
"So it's safe to say that you love a good challenge then?"
"Oh for sure, there's nothing I can't handle. I know that my allies and I, they know who they are, we can tackle everything head on and without hesitation. I know that we'll go far together and it'll hurt when we have to disband but I have full trust in them that we will all go out of our way to help each other when the time comes."
District Six
Kassidy Kane was up next and someone that Andromeda found herself excited to learn just a little more about. The glittering ball gown that she had on shined in the light as she eagerly appeared.
"You look gorgeous Kassidy!" she made sure to use the name that she preferred.
"Thank you! My stylist had a few options laid out but this one just won it all!"
"It looks amazing and I'm sure people will be wanting one of their own after this. As you know, we're only a day away from the Games, any nerves at all?"
"Oh not at all!" she let out a laugh, head tossing back slightly. "I like to think that I'm as prepared enough as I can be. I might not be a favorite to win it all but I can make it more interesting all the more."
"How was it when you found out that Delaware was your partner this year? It seems to us that you both appear to have some sort of connection together."
"Oh it was a shock but Del and I knew each other from a certain exchange the night before. Being here with him has been decent and he's probably the best district partner I could get. We'll be okay together during the Games and who knows, maybe one of us will win it."
"Anything else you can tell us?"
"I have a lot I can say but we only have a certain amount of time together, don't we?" her lips formed a faux pout, lips curling at the edges. "I know we both have plans and we plan to follow them through to the end. I might just be a pretty face for you all to look at and enjoy but I'm not afraid to go and play dirty. I value my life more than theirs."
Delaware was a lot more calm than Kassidy and he eagerly showed them just who he was.
"Yeah, I was a bit surprised when I was called out and realized that the woman I slept with the night before was my partner but hey, all's fair in love and war." The crowd simply erupted at that, and he knew that it would reach their district rather fast.
Oh well, not like Kassidy's boy toy could reach him while he was in the games.
"So that was what she meant by knowing you, interesting." He grinned at the interviewer, leaning back.
"Yeah, I didn't know if she was going to mention it so I decided to. Besides, being with her has been nothing short but amazing. She's easily someone that I trust more than anyone else and I know we'll have each other's back when the time comes to it."
"One would hope so, now any hidden talents that you plan on bringing into the Games with you?"
"I'm a man of many talents and I plan on using my words rather than weapons to get to the other tributes. Really want to break them down and maybe turn them on the alliances when the time comes for it. Kassidy and I will definitely keep everything interesting and want people to watch just what we can do when paired together."
District Seven
Singing was all she knew, and it was something that she could do forever, and so when she was asked to sing something, she did so eagerly. The short song managed to win over the crowd who cheered loudly for her as she sat again.
"That was lovely, I take it you sing a lot?"
"All the time if i could. Though recently, I haven't felt the urge to do so."
"Ah, may that have been because of the passing of your brother?" If she saw the flash of fear that overcame the girl, she didn't bring attention to it. She sighed out, and nodded.
"Losing him was something that I'll always carry with me, I could have done something to protect him. He was too young, still had so much to experience and he was taken from us. He was my best friend, someone I could trust with anything more than the other members of my family. I think he would be proud of me to still be the one keeping a part of him alive, and I just hope that no matter what happens, I'll see him again."
"That must have been an experience, do you think his death is the reason why you were selected this year by the Capitol?"
She shrugged her shoulders, gold fabric shimmering in the light. "It's hard to say, I mean why were any of us picked this year? What made us so special that they deemed us worthy enough to be in the Games?" She scoffed at that, "We're all just kids, all of us. Regardless if we trained or not, I don't think any of us would have foreseen this happening to us. All we can do really is just adapt and change how we think. It could be the thing that saves our life and takes us home."
After a couple minutes between interviews, Ay Tak was introduced. His outfit was definitely eye-catching and several of the people in the crowd showed their appreciation for it as he sat across from the woman.
"So, Ay." she began, a grin plastered on her face. "Did you ever expect that you would be selected for the games?"
"Are any of us prepared for it? Sure we knew that it was a possibility but I figured once I got here and got to see everyone, that there had to be a reason why we were all picked. I know my reason. All because my parents wanted to live outside of the norm. I knew if my mother was here she would have done just that."
"Hmm yes, your mother, I can imagine that was hard growing up. Winning would do what exactly for you?"
"Winning would mean everything. It would give me something to look back on and say that I managed to beat twenty three other people. I could give my father the rest of his life that he deserves and we wouldn't have to worry about what could come after us next."
District Eight
"Velveta Devi everyone!"
Andromeda watched as the woman clicked her way onto the stage, the violet dress shining under the light, tattoos on full display.
"Aren't you a sight tonight dear! You look marvelous in that dress!"
"Oh I know! It really showcases my tattoos for once."
"Speaking of those, is there any story about them?"
"Well I can reassure you that despite the tattoos, I'm not a criminal," she let out a laugh, "I'm just a girl that loves to express herself in a way that's out of the norm that's all."
"Care to show us them?"
"Willingly," she got up and turned as she explained the various tattoos on her body. "I have a red lotus on fire on my upper back, that was the first piece that I got done. Next was the dragon here on my left arm, it's my favorite. On my right shoulder, a broken clock. Under my ribs, though you can't see it, is a stitched up heart and to wrap it all up a green and red hummingbird on my leg."
"Do you want more?"
"If I come back alive, then yes. Probably one to show that despite going through the games and that though I might change, I'm still the same Velveta at my core. I'll even design this next one myself."
"And we'll be waiting with wide eyes to see what happens. Best of luck to you Velveta."
Fixing the glasses that were sliding down his face, Andromeda shook his hand and introduced him to the crowd.
"Rumor has it you have some sort of grand plan to help you in the games, now Sterling, is that true?"
"Me? A sneaky plan? Always Andromeda, always. It's fairly simple. I'm a marksman with my ability to turn people against each other, I'm manipulative to a T."
"And how do you plan to use that for your own gain then?"
"Easily. The mind is the most vulnerable during the beginning stages of the Games, everyone knows that. Most alliances stick together and pick off the ones that either draw attention to themselves and their groups or the ones that are off on their own. Why not slowly turn them against each other. Two birds with one stone. No one will be safe if they don't know if they can trust their allies or not in the scheme of it all."
"There's something else is there right?"
"Oh but for the rest of it? Y'all will just have to wait and see. And you will see. It might not happen right away but it will happen. Then everyone will know and remember Sterling Nadir for who he is and everything he did."
District Nine
"How do you feel about your score, and nine is rather impressive for an outer district as of late."
Her lips curled into a smirk. "I feel confident about it. I'm proud that they thought so highly of me. All I did was showcase my skills and where I'm the strongest at and they thought I was good enough for a nine."
"And how do you feel about the games tomorrow?"
"I feel the most ready I've ever felt. I have my people, I know our plans and I know my goal."
"Which is?"
"Survive."
Percy was next and he held himself in a way that made him appear strong and determined.
"Are you ready?"
"Definitely. If you had asked a couple weeks ago the answer would have been no, but now? I know I'm the most ready that I could be."
"Any doubts on your dreams and goals?"
"None at all, besides doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will."
District Ten
"How do you feel about being here with your cousin? Are the two of you allies at all?"
Chloe laughed softly to herself, "I wish it would have gone differently for us growing up. I wish I could have been a lot nicer to him," She sighed. "My actions towards him aren't where they should have been and it's something that I'll regret to the end of my life, no matter how long I have left. I just want to tell him how sorry I am for how I treated him and that I'm sorry that I hurt him and pray that he doesn't target me because of it."
Andromeda glanced at the man, a smirk of anger on his lips as he looked out to the crowd.
"No, I won't be allying with that little brat that came with me. She's worthless and pathetic to me and I wish and can't wait for her to be finally out of my life. I'm coming for you Chloe, and nothing will stop me from choking the life out of you, and as I show you how much you hurt me during those years. Those tears can't save you any more you little bitch."
District Eleven
"What do you think of your fellow tributes Maleae?"
"That while they might have gotten a big score or so, that doesn't mean they're skilled. Myrcella probably just ranted about Evander and how she should be the leader and they probably gave her a big score to get her to shut up. Ikarus is nothing but a pretty face that they want the Capitol to fall in love with. For being people that supposedly trained for years and years for this moment, they don't have much to show for it, and they all lack survival skills that will be important this year I'm sure of. So yeah, I don't think anything but negative of them and can't wait to see them fall one by one. Either it be by their own stupidity or by my hands. I don't care, just as long as they die."
Chive just grinned at the woman in front of him. "Yeah, I'd consider myself loyal to the Capitol. Why wouldn't I be? They've kept us safe and free from all the wild things that are sure to be lurking out there for over a hundred years. I owe them for protecting us."
"And how do you feel about going into the arena tomorrow?"
"Unlike other tributes, I actually paid attention to everyone, I know what they are good at and what they are horrible at. I consider myself someone who can conquer anything as long as I have the right things in my possession."
District Twelve
"Bitsy, would you say that there are any tributes that stand out to you, anyone to worry about?"
"I wouldn't say I'm worried, more so ready to get into it. But tributes that stand out to me? Always have to say the Careers, they're good this year but there's something that's just slightly off about them. Dare I say that their own downfall might come from within and it shows that you can't fully trust anyone even now. In the end, it's your life that you're trying to get home to, not your allies, as much as it pains me to say that."
"Anything we should know about you Orpheus, anything special about you?'
He shrugged, eyes flitting here and there. "Not much to say, I know I'm not as prepared as the others and that my chances to some might seem now. Hell, some might even think I'm an easy target. I know I'm not and I'm not afraid to really show who I am."
"Who might you really be?"
"Someone that wont back down when it comes to it. I don't care who I have to kill or outlast, but I know that I can do it if I put my mind to it. District Twelve isn't as weak as we appear as some might think. I might not have the typical training for a career but I'm just as prepared for this."
and here are the interviews! I tried my best to capture the best qualities of each tribute. not much longer until the games!
as always leave yalls thoughts in the reviews
nova xx