Hey, guys... so in case you didn't notice, I'm back and I'm updating. We've been through the Reapings, Train Rides, and the Tribute Parade. I know so far the only real interaction we have had with the tributes was on the Tribute Train on the way to the Capitol, but now we get the interviews. And just like on the Train, we will be treated to a different viewpoint. This, however, means that we will have the interviews in two parts: one in the viewpoints of the tributes before the interviews, and one part in Aurora's perspective viewing the interviews.
Taffeta Royden, 17, District 1
I'm so nervous. I'm not supposed to be nervous, but I am. My gold gown isn't helping, because I've never felt at home in a gown, but I know the most important thing in attracting attention is making sure I appear feminine and being a lethally trained weapon is not really the best indicator of femininity. The worst part is that I'm the first tribute to be interviewed, and that means that nobody will forget me. You always remember the first and the last, so all those middle district tributes are lucky. I, on the other hand, am not only a Career but also the younger sister of Velvet Royden, the Victor of the 99th Hunger Games, and that means that I have to not only live up to her example but surpass it as well.
Soon the good gentleman Aradon Flickerman has whipped the Capitolite crowd into a frenzy that isn't calming down any time soon, and the stage worker is gesturing for me to go out on stage. It's my cue, and I'm absolutely terrified.
Blake Stonem, 17, District 1
Good God but my district partner can be an idiot. It's so obvious to see that she's terrified, and she'd better take a deep breath and calm down before she walks out onto that stage. I, on the other hand, am calm and collected. I know exactly how I'm going to handle this, and I've been practicing all my life. I can handle Aradon, and I can handle his questions. Hell, I can even handle that crazy Capitolite crowd. I'm just not sure I can handle the expectation of making my family proud. My little sister, Eura (pronounced yoo-RA), is expecting so much of me, and I hate to disappoint her. I'm so proud of Eura. She's just like me, and nobody can touch her, literally and figuratively. She's a whole hell of a lot better than most of the other girls in the district where it counts. She's a fighter, and she's aloof like me. I don't like to let people get close to me, cause that's a weakness that can be exploited. Eura, though... I don't want to disappoint her. I'd better make sure to not sound like a sap.
Candle Saunteir, 15, District 2
I am so glad that my stylist has some style! Half of the stylists here have no concept of that word, style. They think that a tribute should just wear whatever is thrown at them and not question it. My stylist, thank god, is not that stupid. I was able to convince him to go with my idea for an interview outfit. He was ready to make my chariot outfit idea too, but his stylist partner and the president said the outfits had to be matching, and how do you match a dark dress (to show the stone my district cuts) inlaid with rubies (a few at the top and numbers increasing toward the bottom until the hem and four inches above the hem is solid ruby) to a guy's outfit? So that idea got scrapped. This dress, though... it's fantastic. I have such good taste! My black, sequined bodice falls halfway down my thigh in layers, with each layer transitioning to a brighter red. The last layer is a solid, blood red and my hair is curled into large ringlets with red extensions artfully woven through the curls. I should get plenty of those pervy older sponsors with this dress – I'd better, I've put plenty of effort into this figure.
Mars Everett, 18, District 2
The only thing running through my head right now is my sister. Heaven died four years ago in the Games, and I still remember her interview. She started crying onstage. Granted, her crying only lasted about fifteen seconds before she had herself back together, but it was enough. The other tributes caught the weakness and she the first of the Career pack to die. My dad was furious when she started crying – "She's dead to me! Dead, do you hear? Dead!" How little did he know, or maybe how well he knew. I don't know. All I know is that at age fourteen, I lost my best friend, the person closest to me, all because of my crazy Victor of a father. My father was even more furious when she died. He said she was a failure and an insult to our illustrious family. By illustrious, I mean that he, my father, was a Victor in one of the numerous games, and I don't care which one. My older brother, Bray, is 21 and another Victor as well. He won five years ago, in the 94th Games, at seventeen. He wasn't too happy with Dad forcing Heaven to volunteer at fourteen; Bray didn't think that Heaven was ready. I hope Aradon doesn't touch on that too much, because if by some miracle I make it home I don't want to hear from my father about how I screwed up on national television.
Viola Ro, 13, District 3
I am still having difficulty believing I am here, about to be interviewed, about to enter the Hunger Games. Yes, I volunteered, but it is taking a while for the gravity of this situation to settle upon me. I still think I'm in a bad dream and when I wake up I will no longer be here, but rather at home in the spacious room I share with Viole!
It isn't as though we can both win. I know that. What I am hoping for is to be able to buy Viole a little more time in the Arena, maybe even enough time to have a real shot at Victor. His survival is the least I can do for him.
Viole Ro, 13, District 3
I'm still pissed that Viola volunteered. She has to know that neither of us have a chance in the Arena, and I'm going to be able to focus less now that I know that I'm going to have to watch out for her as well as myself. With as smart as Viola is, she can be majorly stupid at the most critical of times. Thankfully, we have a competent Mentor who hasn't gotten drunk, gone crazy, or gotten high in trying to cope with the post-traumatic-stress-disorder. Eustace had some fantastic ideas, and if it weren't for the fact that we were going into an arena to fight to the death (and likely die) I would be excited to work with him.
Mistle Lou, 17, District 4
My eye patch is rubbing again. It hurts like hell, and I'm having trouble believing that my stylist couldn't let me use a glass eye or some other prosthesis. This dress isn't helping either, this black dress with green sparkles. I hate sparkles. They are in no way conducive to my confidence. I can't wait to be interviewed, though, because I am going to be the first tribute to confound this dweeb Aradon. He isn't going to know what to do with this girl. I can shut Peacekeepers up, I'm that good. How do you think I get out of trouble so much? I am a master of sarcasm, and those thick muscle-heads have no comebacks to my snarky attitude. It helps that I dye my hair or wear a wig or a hat, because this red hair is really recognizable. You'd think they'd look for teenage girls with eye patches, but they don't, so I'm pretty much safe.
Axl Floyd, 17, District 4
I for one am excited to be here. I have been in the Training Academy since I was eight, and my family is so excited to have had me volunteer. When my dad came in to say goodbye in the Justice Building, he actually gave me a hug and whooped. "Son," he said, "you could have waited another year, but wow! I'm so proud of you! Think of the honor you're going to bring us... hurry home, my boy!"
"I know, dad," I had replied. "Truth was I couldn't stand waiting another year. I wanted into the games now; I wanted to get away from all that drama. I'm not at the Training Center to flirt or sleep around, though I'm not saying that doesn't happen..."
My dad had smirked. "Atta boy," he said, grinning. "Floyd men know how to tap it whenever they want."
Now I'm here, and I can't wait to talk to Aradon. I'm going to get so many sponsors, because the ladies love a confident, suave blonde and that is exactly what I am.
Roxy La Rose, 18, District 5
This has got to be the worst. My escort wants me to get out onto that stage and "smile, laugh, charm the audience. Just relax! You are going to shine!" Like, is she stupid? I do not smile. I do not laugh, and I sure as the ocean don't charm people. Most people run away from me screaming. Kidding, but you get what I mean. People are never attracted to me, except for the asshats like my boyfriend Carl. He dumped me two days before the Reapings. What am I supposed to be happy about if my boyfriend dumps me because I'm "too serious?"
"Nic" Hadeshan, 12, District 5
I am so excited to finally be somewhere I can perform! Thankfully, my wonderful stylist was able to confer with my mentor and now, because they talked, this yellow-trimmed tuxedo comes right off to show off my bright-yellow acrobatic outfit. Sirena, my stylist, was so excited to collaborate with me in making it. She said she "appreciated a fellow artist who appreciates style and color." I feel sorry for her! Even though this is the capitol, I get the impression that very few people actually have any sense of themselves. It must be very lonely for artists like Sirena.
I cannot wait for the interview. I know Aradon is going to ask me about what I do back in District 5, and I won't just be able to tell him, I'll be able to show him too! That's what this acrobatic outfit is for. I can show him a tumbling routine, and I know the audience will love it too! The games are a performance, and I intend to perform for as long as possible!
Alaina Midnight, 17, District 6
I'm not too excited to have to go out onstage with so many people staring at me. I learned a long time ago that the best thing to do was blend into the background, and going onstage for this interview doesn't seem like a good idea. It goes against every single one of my instincts. I'm small enough, though, that I can play a quiet angle, and maybe the fact that I'm the direct middle of the tributes will help with the whole thing where people forget about you. They say that people remember the first thing and the last thing in a series or a list, and forget the middle. Maybe that's what will happen for me.
"Lee" Chang, 17, District 6
Honestly, I'm not too happy with this Capitol nonsense – not that you'll catch me saying that out loud, of course. It is way too difficult to get a decent fix of morphling, but I gotta say that when I do get ahold of enough of it, it's a whole hell of a lot better than the stuff in the districts. The stuff I get in the districts is the old, expired stuff. This Capitol morphling is new, and it's got a higher kick than the district stuff. This whole "you're in the Hunger Games, get it together" thing that my mentor is constantly yelling at me? Not cool either. I'd much rather just go home. For some reason, my mentor says that's not an option. He's so stupid. It's so an option. I'll just disappear before we go to the launch site. I'm good at disappearing.
The first half of the pre-interview jitters and opinions! I'm trying to update as much as possible, and I know how hard it can be to wait, and I believe that you have waited long enough. So here is more, and there will be more to follow.
