Chapter 21
NARRATOR | Declan Davidson, District 4
"Let's give them everything we have, okay?" Violet asks, her eyes bright. "We're the ones they expect to be in the shadows of the other group. Don't let your nerves show and it'll be alright."
Violet holds her hand out in front of her; Evelyn and Lucas both clasp onto it, and I follow their lead.
Violet's Capitol escort arrives, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Time for you all to get in line," she says with a smile on her face. "Wouldn't want to get in trouble, would we?"
I wish Lucas and Violet good luck before walking with Evelyn to our spot in line. Verity watches us as we approach, and she stares right at me as I step into my spot in front of her.
"You're nervous," Evelyn says, glancing back at me as I clench my fists in my pockets. "Don't overthink it, Declan. You always stress yourself out too much."
"There's a lot riding on this and you know it," I sigh. I suddenly have the urge to use the bathroom - is it too late to go now?
"I'm going first," Evelyn points out. "I'll do the heavy lifting for us. All you have to do is be yourself."
I just nod, but no matter how much Evelyn tries to calm me down, it'll never work. That's just how I am - constantly nervous.
"How ready are we?" Evelyn asks with a smile. "Out of ten."
This is a game we've been playing for the last few days; I'm so analytical that Evelyn has started to ask my confidence out of ten rather than suffering my long explanations. Once we joined Violet, it became a sort of ritual.
"Ten," I sigh, but I don't really believe it. I won't be able to relax until I step off that stage.
The classic theme music of the Hunger Games begins, trumpets blaring over the roaring crowd. At the front of our line, a small monitor flickers to life, showing a view of the massive crowd. My stomach drops at the sight of the audience, but I try to contain myself. This is a good thing - the more people here, the more people who can sponsor me in the Arena, right?
Valentina Remington steps out onto the stage, and the crowd goes wild. She's dressed in her signature red shade - no surprise - and she beams at the crowd as she reaches the front of the stage. I expect to see Valentina's partner, Venia, behind her, but then I remember what Griff told me earlier. Valentina and Venia always split up the hosting duties, so Valentina will be interviewing the first twelve tributes and Venia will be doing the rest.
"Welcome to the show!" Valentina cries, her eyes bright. "This is amazing - can you hear me all the way in the back?"
The crowd cheers; at the front of the line, a man in a tuxedo takes the first girl by the hand and guides her to the edge of the stage. Her District partner takes a step forward to the front of the line, and we all shift accordingly.
Soon enough, the interviews are kicked off. Eliza from One is first, which definitely makes me feel better. I wouldn't want to be in that position, and she doesn't make it look easy. Her eyes flicker back and forth as she struggles to answer Valentina's questions, and she looks like she could faint at any moment.
"Is there anything you learned working in the mines of District One that will help you in the Games?" Valentina asks the poor girl across from her.
It barely looks like Eliza even realizes she's being asked a question; she stares out at the crowd, shell-shocked. "I learned a lot," she manages to squeeze out. "Like..."
"I'm sure you developed a sense of what it's like to be a hard worker," Valentina jumps in, flashing a smile at the camera. "Our miners across Panem are so hardworking."
Eliza just nods as the crowd applauds Valentina; the buzzer rings soon after, and she's swept off-stage.
Otto is next, and I'm surprised by the boy I see on stage. I'd heard that his parents were super wealthy, but he never acted like it in Training. Now, I'm seeing that boy come out. He cries about being ripped from his dream of living in the Capitol, and the camera pans to his weeping parents in the front row of the theater.
"I just hope that I can make it out of this and rejoin my family where I truly belong," Otto cries. "Here in the Capitol!"
Evelyn glances back at me, disgust on her face. I feel the same way about Otto's performance, but I understand why he's acting this way. We all need sponsors, and this is the best way for him to get them. It's smart for him to pull out his Capitol connections when he needs them most.
Judah and Safira are just as prepared as Otto - it seems like they've been preparing for this for a very long time. Both of them try to market themselves as the strongest tributes - District Two has won the last two years, and they plan to extend the streak.
I'm surprised to hear that Safira's interview is almost completely Violet-free - she talks about her family and her love of the Capitol most of the time, and she avoids the topic until Valentina brings it up at the end.
"Safira, I have to ask," Valentina says, leaning forward with a smile on her face. "Rumor has it that your sister participated in the 93rd Games against Violet's brother - I'm sure our audience remembers it well - and that Violet volunteered to get revenge for her brother's death. I want your take on this - do you have what it takes to beat Violet?"
The crowd murmurs at this provocative question, but Safira just calmly smiles. "I have what it takes to beat anybody," she says. "I can't say why Violet volunteered - that's a question for her. I volunteered because I think I have what it takes to win the Hunger Games. And that's what I'm going to do."
I'm impressed by Safira's skillful maneuver - she's a professional through and through. Still, her deflection of the question passes the power to Violet, who will have the last word on the subject later in the show.
The District Three tributes follow Judah, and neither of them seem like they want to be there. The boy seems terrified to be on stage, and while the girl might be a little better, I barely remember any of her responses.
Don't be like that, I note mentally as the boy, Devin, steps off of the stage. Wide smile, and keep your confidence.
I wave to Evelyn as she's escorted to the side of the stage, and then I'm at the front of the line.
Evelyn enters the stage with a smile on her face; before Valentina even begins with her questions, Evelyn's already complimenting her on her dress.
"Evelyn, who have you grown close to in this group of tributes?" Valentina asks. "Any close friends, or anyone you'll be sad to fight against?"
"I'm closest to Declan, my District partner," Evelyn says with a smile. In the lighting of the stage, her green dress practically glows. "And Violet has really taken us in over the last few days. Lucas as well."
"Well, we've heard rumblings of a few different groups going on," Valentina jests. "How does your group stand among the rest?"
"On top, of course," Evelyn says with a sly smile. "You'll see once you meet them, trust me."
Overall, Evelyn does a great job of making a good impression on the audience. Before I know it, the buzzer has rung and the man in the suit is bringing me up to the side of the stage.
"Next up, we've just heard all about him from his District partner and close friend, please welcome to the stage Declan Davidson from District Four!"
The man in the suit pushes me on stage, and it feels like he's pushing me out of my own body. I stumble into the bright lights of the stage, forgetting for a moment where I'm going. I manage to drag myself back together, though. I repeat my instructions in my head. Smile, eyes forward, shake Valentina's hand, and find your seat...
"Declan, we've just heard from Evelyn how smart you are," Valentina gushes. "And the Gamemakers seem to have indicated the same. I want to hear from you - how smart are you, and how will that benefit you in the Games?"
My instinct tells me to be humble, to throw off this huge target that's being placed onto my back. My job is to sell myself, though, and that's what I have to do.
"I'm definitely smart, Valentina," I say, pushing my glasses up my nose. "But that's not my main strength. I would say I'm more strategic than I am smart."
"Well, that answer sounded smart to me," Valentina laughs, and I force out a laugh with her. "Well, tell me as a strategist, Declan, which tributes should we be looking out for this year?"
"Violet, of course," I say without a second thought. Sell, sell, sell. "She's been the one to watch from the start, and that's why Evelyn and I have stuck with her. Evelyn is very strong as well, and Lucas' strength comes with his resilience."
"Okay," Valentina nods. "Any... outside your alliance?"
The audience laughs as I shake my head. "That's for you to decide," I say with the cheekiest smile I can muster.
"I think you may be one of the best people to answer this, Declan," Valentina says, glancing down at the cards in her hands. "Our lovely Head Gamemaker, Caius Thorntree, has promised that these Games will include a mysterious twist that could completely change the Games. What is your take on this twist, and what do you think it'll include?"
How could I forget about this stupid twist? I haven't stopped thinking about it since he announced it in Training. But how am I supposed to know what it's going to be?
"Only the Gamemakers know," I shrug. "And that's infuriating. We do know that it has something to do with power, though. In a fight to the death like this, even a small advantage can be a lifesaver. One thing I know for sure is that nothing is changing in my alliance. We are sticking together no matter what the twist is."
"Alright," Valentina says with a satisfied nod. "We'll just have to wait and see, then. One more question, Declan, away from the topic of these Games - our female fans are wondering, do you have anyone special rooting for you back home?"
My mind can't process Valentina's question right away, and I feel my mind skid to a halt. Someone special back home... All I can think of is my sister, Freya, and my mind freezes at the thought. By the time I figure out how I'm going to respond, I realize how I look. I'm sitting here with my mind open, my face probably as red as Valentina's dress.
"I'll take that as a no," Valentina gracefully jokes, and I have no choice but to laugh with the audience.
"Well, I'll let you know that some of our viewers will be very happy to hear that, Declan," Valentina says with a twinkle in her eye.
"Thanks," I choke out, grateful that Valentina is able to cover for me.
"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Declan!" Valentina cries, and the crowd cheers. Before I know it, I'm backstage again.
"Good job," Evelyn cheers, giving me a quick hug. Behind her, I see Marcella, our Capitol escort, with tears in her eyes.
"I'm so proud of you both," she gushes, wiping her eyes. "Your manners were impeccable!"
"I messed up at the end," I groan, turning to see Griff and Georgina approaching.
"Oh, you were fine, dear," Marcella reassures me. "The other escorts thought it was adorable."
Adorable isn't necessarily what I was going for, but it's over now. Griff congratulates me, leading me back to a group of chairs seated in front of a monitor. Next to Griff, Georgina sits completely silent. I see that some of the other tributes are sitting at similar monitors with their mentors in the chairs nearby.
As we find our seats, one of the mentors from District Three stands to approach us. I recognize him - it's Bruno Ford, the oldest Victor from Three.
"Did you see that girl from Five?" he asks, clapping Griff on the back in a friendly manner. "Power moves, man. Congrats to you two, by the way."
"We were walking over here," Griff explains as Evelyn and I thank Bruno. "Didn't see any of it."
"Well, she says she's with Safira's camp, for one," Bruno tells us. "Out of nowhere. Simon never told me any of that."
"He's got a handful with her," Griff says, referring to Verity's mentor, Simon.
"Yeah, she was spitting all sorts of strategy talk," Bruno sighs. "She's trouble, that one. Talking about expect the unexpected and all that."
"She's unpredictable," Griff nods.
"Anyways, thought you should know," Bruno says, winking at Evelyn. "Gotta know where people stand with alliances and all that."
Bruno saunters back to his camp; I want to discuss this new development with Evelyn, but Lucas is on our screen, and I turn my attention to that.
By the time we start watching the interviews again, Lucas is nearly done with his interview. I don't get to see much, but I don't like what I see. Lucas is unable to keep his voice from shaking, and it feels like all the work that Evelyn and I have done to cover for him has gone to waste. We always knew that Lucas would be the weakest of all of us, but I just have to hope that all our progress isn't ruined by one weak link.
After Lucas' interview, Venia appears on stage. She and Valentina put on a whole scene; Venia's pretending to be upset that Valentina started the interviews without her, and Valentina cedes the rest of the time to her partner before exiting the stage.
"Now that the interviews can really start, please welcome our next guest to the stage," Venia smiles. "Violet Chappelle from District Seven!"
I'm unsure of how Violet's interview will go - after Safira's interview where she pretty much ignored her, will she do the same? I'm unsurprised to see that she has the opposite approach, though, attacking Safira for most of the interview. It makes sense for her to do that, though. Safira is the strongest member of the other team, and Violet's fate is tied to her.
"I will be the one to kill Safira Holland," Violet smiles triumphantly, rising to her feet with the cheering crowd. "My brother will be avenged!"
The mood shifts after Violet's interview. A line has been drawn in the sand, and Ansel makes sure not to cross it in his interview.
"Ansel, you and Violet grew up in the same District," Venia says, her facial expression serious, "but it seems that you're finding yourselves on opposite sides of this divide in our tributes. What caused this dynamic? Do you not get along?"
"Violet and I don't always see eye to eye," Ansel says with a small smile. "Safira made an effort to get to know me in training and worked to develop our friendship, and Eddie, Ashlyn, and Verity have done the same. Violet did not. I do respect Violet, but I didn't think that she would protect me in the Arena with her life on the line."
As Ansel's interview comes to a close, Violet approaches Declan and me in our chairs.
"I can't believe him," she huffs. "I don't care if I'm allowed to sit here or not - I can't even look at him!"
"We've all made jabs at each other tonight," I interject, trying to calm Violet down. "He's just playing a character, Violet. He's saying what they want him to say."
"I never made a jab at him," Violet says, pointing her finger at my chest. "I only talked about Safira. He didn't need to come for me like that."
I start to apologize, but we're interrupted by Verity, who scurries up to our camp with a frantic look on her face.
"Violet, we need to talk," she pants, pulling on Violet's arm. "Now."
Violet glances at Evelyn and me as Verity pulls her away to a nearby hallway marked Restrooms.
"What's that all about?" Evelyn asks, her brow furrowed.
I'm just as confused as my partner - Verity just announced in her interview that she's aligning herself with Safira, so why is she now talking to Violet? I glance over at Safira, but she's having an animated conversation with Judah. I don't think she saw what just went down.
Evelyn starts yawning as the girl from Nine hits the stage. Her interview is predictable - after the spectacle that occurred at her Reaping, she falls naturally into the role of a damsel in distress.
"I want to go to bed," Evelyn complains, picking at her nails. "I'm gonna head up when Violet gets back."
I nod in agreement, but I know I won't be able to leave so early. These interviews are important, and I want to make sure I catch every detail before the Games tomorrow.
The rest of the interviews pass quickly. Corbin from Ten talks about his younger sisters back home, sending the female members of the audience into a frenzy. He seems to be one of the most popular tributes so far. As his interview comes to an end, Verity finally returns; a few minutes later, Violet appears as well. Ansel glances over as Violet rejoins our group, but quickly turns his gaze back to the interviews.
"What was that all about?" I ask, studying Violet's face.
"I don't even know," Violet sighs, shaking her head. "You never know what to expect with that girl. I can't say too much... but I don't think she's as close to Safira as she wants everyone to think."
So nothing has changed then - Verity is still on the other team. What a waste of time.
I bid Evelyn and Violet goodnight as they head up to bed. Ashlyn's interview is next; surprisingly, she avoids talking about this huge feud we're in and instead talks about growing close to her partner, Eddie.
Eddie is next, and he barely fits in the interview chair due to his large stature. He opts to answer Venia's questions with only one-word answers, making him seem even more intimidating.
"Smart strategy," Griff notes, studying the screen closely. "Look in his eyes - he's thinking about these questions more than he's letting on. Tiller's trying to dumb him down to emphasize his strength."
As Eddie's interview comes to an end, Griff lays a hand on my back.
"You'd better go get some sleep," he recommends. "You have a very big day tomorrow."
"I should stay," I resist, but I'm starting to feel more and more tired. One look around me tells me that most of the other kids have left already.
"It's just the kids from Twelve," Griff shrugs. "Not missing much."
Griff is right; I need to rest. I give him one more goodbye - he's obligated to stay until the end - and slip down the hall to the elevator. I certainly need to be rested... tomorrow will be the biggest day of my life, and it may be my last.
A/N - And here are the interviews! I wonder what Verity is cooking up behind the scenes... two more chapters until the Games officially begin, I can't waittt
~S