The day of the interviews arrived faster than I'd expected. I was still getting used to the weight of the situation, but the reality was undeniable. I could feel the eyes of the Capitol on me, the eyes of the world, and my heart raced as the pressure built.
Honey, Soren, and Mireille were buzzing around me again, this time with even more urgency. "You've got this," Mireille said, though her voice trembled just slightly.
Soren's hands were steady as he adjusted my outfit, smoothing down any wrinkle with a practiced touch. "We'll make you shine, Emerald," he reassured me, though his eyes reflected the same anxious energy I felt.
"Let's just get through this," I said to no one in particular, but my voice was steady. I couldn't afford to show any weakness.
We made our way to the stage, the cameras flashing in every direction, the bright lights blinding. I felt like a piece of meat on display, my every move scrutinized, every emotion translated for the Capitol's entertainment.
Katniss was first. She looked stunning, her usual fierce demeanor carefully controlled, but there was something different about her tonight. The weight of being forced into the Games again was evident, but she kept her chin high, her posture proud. She didn't flinch when Caesar Flickerman made his usual attempt at pulling out her emotions, instead giving just enough to keep the audience entertained without revealing too much.
Peeta was next. He smiled and waved like he always did, but there was a sadness in his eyes, something lingering just beneath the surface. I couldn't help but wonder if that sadness was for Katniss, or something more. I caught his gaze for a brief moment, and in his eyes, I saw the weight of the plan—the burden of the lies they were forced to tell.
Then it was my turn.
I stepped up to the stage, feeling the familiar mix of nerves and adrenaline. Caesar Flickerman greeted me with his trademark grin, though I could see the slight flicker of recognition in his eyes.
"Emerald Arora!" he boomed, raising his hands as the crowd cheered. "Two-time victor, and a true symbol of survival. How does it feel to be back here, facing the Capitol once again?"
I managed a smile, though it didn't quite reach my eyes. "It's surreal," I said, my voice steady. "But, if I've learned anything from these Games, it's that survival doesn't come without sacrifice. I'm just… doing my part."
The crowd murmured, clearly buying into my words. It was the perfect blend of humility and strength, exactly what they wanted to see. The Capitol adored a victor who played the part, who remained poised even when everything around them was falling apart.
"But I think there's more to you than just survival, isn't there?" Caesar pressed, his voice smooth, like he was coaxing out a secret. "I've heard rumors that you have some… interesting connections, Emerald. Anything you'd like to share?"
I forced a smile, though I could feel my heart rate pick up. I had to be careful. I couldn't give anything away. Not now.
"I think," I began slowly, choosing my words carefully, "that in these Games, connections are everything. People who fight for each other, who fight for what's right, can change the outcome. But those connections," I paused, letting my words sink in, "can also be a weakness, if you're not careful."
It was cryptic enough, but it was just enough to pique their curiosity. The crowd seemed to lean in, waiting for more, but I gave them nothing else. I kept my answers vague, allowing them to draw their own conclusions, feeding them just enough to keep them hooked.
As the interview ended, I stepped away, the weight of the Capitol's gaze still heavy on my shoulders. I could see Katniss and Peeta from across the room, their expressions unreadable, but there was something between them, something unspoken. A bond that went beyond the Games, beyond the Capitol's manipulation.
I made my way back to them, my steps slower than they should have been. The whole purpose of these interviews was to create a spectacle, to make us into something more than just tributes. The Capitol wanted heroes, and they wanted villains. But all I could think about was what came next—the Games, the plan, the escape, and how much more we would have to sacrifice to survive.
And then, I remembered: we were just pawns in a game much bigger than any of us.
The Games were about to begin, and the real battle had only just started.