Interview - Official Submission

[Vester Lombard]

Cesar Flickerman calls your name and the crowd erupts in applause. You smile as you walk out onto the stage, dressed in a stunning, formal outfit that you helped design. After some lighthearted banter with the host, he sits forward in his chair and begins the interview.

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Choose two interview questions from the options below and answer them as your tribute would. The more personality you show, the more sponsors will invest. Tomorrow you will be standing in the arena fighting for your life so don't miss this final chance to win their support!

• Tell us about the reaping. What did you feel when they called your name? How did your friends and family take it?
  
  
• Is there a side to you we haven’t seen yet? A part of your life you’d like to share that hasn’t made it onto the screens?
  
  
• Do you have a token you’re taking into the arena?
  
  
• Some tributes place a lot of emphasis on the sponsor scores, making sure they have as much support as possible going into the games. Do you agree with that mentality, or do you think there’s a better indicator of the strongest tributes?
  
  
• The Hunger Games are all about knowing when to take risks to get ahead and when to play it cool and just try to outlast the opponents. How will you know when to adjust your strategy? Do you think the risktakers or the conservative tributes will be more successful?
  
  
• What do you think should be a tribute’s priority in the arena: food, warmth, a hiding place, friends, something else?
  
  
• Based on what you’ve seen in training, what do you expect will be in the arena this year?
  
  
• Are you satisfied with your skillsets? What do you wish you were better at?
  
  
• In these training days, tributes often take the route of intimidation or complete secrecy. Which strategy do you think has a greater effect?
  
  
• Tell us about the friends you have made here in the training center. What drew you to them and what's going to happen to that friendship in the arena?
  
  
• You’ve got both friends and enemies in this game. How can you know who to trust out there?
  
  
• Before these games begin, Is there a final message you’d like to share with all the other tributes?
  

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 10:00PM Monday, August 5

[Quinn Watson]

"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for one of your favorite tributes this year. Quinn Watson from district three!"

Quinn takes the stage with an awkward wave and a sarcastic smile. His hair has been lightly dusted with a golden hue and he is dressed in a gray pinstriped suit with a black shirt and a silver tie. The silver pinstripes mimic the circuit board patterns from his outfit during the parade. For the first time since Quinn has appeared on camera, he seems to actually fill out his clothes nicely. The tailoring of the suit seems to have broadened his shoulders and make his small, lanky body quite flattering.

Quinn takes a seat and sits uncomfortably straight. It almost looks as if he can’t even bend his torso. He tries to find a comfortable position.

"You look remarkable!" Cesar comments and the crowd roars with approval.

"Oh. Well, thanks. I don't feel that way. They made me wear this stupid back brace." The crowd laughs with Cesar and Quinn looks slightly confused.

"Well, Mr. Watson. I wanted to save this until later in the interview, but I don't think we can wait any longer. The sponsors have a burning question on their minds that we have all been dying to know the answer to. What happened during the reaping? Why was the district yelling such nasty things at you? I have a couple of examples here to refresh you memory, 'Thanks for nothing--'"

Quinn waves a hand and smiles awkwardly.

"Ahhh! That's alright, I'm fine without a refresher." He forces out a small laugh and then sighs. "Well, Mr...uh...Flickerman--"

"Oh, please! Mr. Flickerman's my father. Call me Cesar." He says with a wink.

Quinn scratches the back of his head.

"Uh, well, uh...Cesar,...that’s kind of a long story actually." Quinn gives a small laugh and scratches the back of his head. He then leans back and seems to have finally found that comfortable position.

"You see...I mean, I don't mean to brag, but...I'm a pretty smart guy." Quinn smiles. "Before all this happened, I was actually going to work in district three's top research center." Quinn lets out a cocky smirk.

"So, as you can imagine, my district expected great things from me. They even started talking that I might invent something cool enough that would increase our income and then district three could...you know...live how districts one, two, and four live." Quinn shrugs his shoulders and a sad smile sinks into his face. Then he shifts uncomfortably in his seat.

"But, you know...I'm only fifteen. It really stressed me out for a period of time when I was younger. So, I started...not...taking it...as...seriously." Quinn looks shyly up at Cesar and then a worried look crosses his face. He then quickly recomposes himself. "I mean, I did--I do take it seriously. I just didn't want to feel the...the...pressure all the time." He emphasizes the last three words and ends with a sigh.

"Then, as I'm sure you can guess, a lot of people got mad at me. There were times that food vendors would refuse to feed me until I had worked in the lab some more or...kids at school would bully me a lot because they...well because they just hated me. And it wasn't that I wasn't trying. If I wasn't in school, I was in the lab working on things." Quinn lets out another exhausted sigh. "So...I guess for what it count," Quinn looks at the camera, "I'm sorry, guys."

The crowd awes and Cesar carries a sad expression.

"That is a very sad situation, my young fellow." Cesar’s smile slowly grows onto his face. "Which, is why we must have you win these games and go home for your district!" He faces the roaring crowd with his fabulous smile.

"So, tell me Quinn. It seems with all your high sponsor reports, you've made quite a few friends...and a few enemies. How can you know who to trust out there?"

Quinn scratches the back of his head again and a little bit of gold dust falls out of his hair.

"I don't..." Quinn shrugs and lets his hands fall. "I have no idea how to know if someone is just being friendly so they can use me or if they plan to trick me. You just can't learn that from a book. My gut for people tends to be very trusting, but...especially during these times, I know I should think...differently. I just hope that there is someone I can be with during the games."

Cesar's face grins. "And who might that lucky tribute be? Word around the capital is that you've been making quite a few lady friends."

Quinn blushes and sinks slightly into his seat.

"W-What?" He lets out a little laugh. "Try telling that to the girls back at district three!" Quinn awkwardly laughs again. The crowd roars with laughter.

Cesar pushes forward. "So, tell us! Who is it?! The lovely Millie Cartwright from district one? Or the gorgeous Natalya Aeglaeca from district eight?"

Quinn's eyes grow wide and he leans forward.

"No way...they can't BOTH like me." Quinn falls back into his seat, stunned. A sheepish smile grows over his face and he curls up in his seat. "Nuh uh...no way, man." Then his eyes widen and he points at Cesar, still smiling uncontrollably.

"No! You can't do that to me now!" The crowd can't control their laughing and Cesar smiles.

"Fair enough." He turns to the camera. "Well, that closes our interview with the child genius, Quinn Watson from district three! Be sure to cast your votes to get this boy home!"

[Derrin Verittia]

Derrin took in a deep breath when his name was called. Now was the time for all the tributes and the audience to know what was going on in his mind. Where he stood and in the end, where that would eventually take him. He stepped out into the spotlights and waved to everyone, he was wearing a white suit to match his neon entrance, white pants and shoes, white everything. He looked like the picture of purity.

The only thing that stood out of place was his bandaged up left arm where he had cut deep into himself during the Skill test. Another thing he would probably have to explain. When he walked up to Cesar he grasped his hand tight and gave him his most award winning smile, which he felt he had become known for.

They sat down and when the applause calmed down Cesar began to speak with him. “So Derrin, the boy from District Six. I am sure you had a pleasant trip considering what your district does?”

Derrin shift and crossed his legs and said, “Well to be fair, they worked like I expected but at the same time, they are just so much nicer after the Capitol touches to them. Plus the food, everywhere has been divine.”

Cesar and he laughed and then it grew a bit more serious. Obviously he only had a few short minutes due to the other half of the tributes needing to go and as such Cesar looked at him a bit more seriously. “So tell me Derrin, Is there a side to you we haven’t seen yet? A part of your life you’d like to share that hasn’t made it onto the screens?” he looked at him expectantly and Derrin stood up and burshed himself off.

He held out his hands as if pleading to everyone and simply said, “Look here everyone, I am a boy, I am not wise and I am not very strong. I do know one thing. I want to be clear with everyone so they know the side of me, who I really am, whom I plan to be the arena. Sure this may lost me sponsors and even then it does not really concern me in anyway how anyone takes this, I do not want to be a deceiver into his game and I also do not want to take one step into this arena without everyone else knowing who I am.”

He coughed and then held a hand up to his chin. “I am a simply boy who has no family and no friends in his district, I volunteered so that way I could have our district go one more year without losing another boy whose family cares about him. I have no reason to ever want to go back to District Six. I hate it there and I would…and will die before I am ever going to go back there. The side of me that people may not know is not that I am secretly sad and waiting for someone to give me a reason to live. No I want the people out there to know that despite all of the bad stuff that has happened and through all of the pain, I have tried nothing but to ease the other tributes in this game and to make them smile at least once. I do not ever want to see someone sad and scared. I wanted to end my life knowing the other tributes and watching them grow and develop.”

He sat back down and looked hard at the audience, but then he chuckled and smiled at them, a single tear running down his face. “I wanted to just be happy. Happy one last time and the Capitol gave it to me when nothing else could. No matter how much our tributes or districts may hate them, there are few that still find them to be the saviors or some children’s dreams.”

“Thank you.”

Cesar and the audience were a little lost. Not many complimented the Capitol and even more so not from one of the less popular districts. He got a few awes but what he really had done was tried to get deeper into the hearts of the people who watched.

Cesar finally said, “Well thank you Derrin, I am glad the Capitol can give to those even going into the games.”

He cleared his throat and then said, “Before these games begin, Is there a final message you’d like to share with all the other tributes?” it was no more jokes and niceties with Derrin.

Derrin cleared his throat and whipped his face. He held up his left hand and said, “During my skill test I cut my arm from the middle of my hand all the way down to my elbow, I made a blood oath saying that I would not harm a single Tribute intentionally. I plan to scout and be an informant for anyone who runs into me. If they have something to offer, I will give out any data I have. Honestly I want to watch the games and help out everyone evenly. I do in fact plan to commit suicide before the end of the hunger games. So do not, unless you really want to, waste time on killing me. I’ll do it for you.”

He waved to where the tributes were waiting to be called to do their interviews and simply said, “There is one person whom I will help above all others though. They are the person whom I have deemed should go back to their district and be the example of this year’s games. Do your best and try to survive. I will never say whom I want to win. I hope the best of luck to everyone and that you guys try to enjoy yourselves one more time before you may die.”

With that he bowed to the audience and to Cesar and shook his hand one more time.

Cesar looked and said, “Thank you Derrin, and may you too enjoy yourself until the end. Everyone please give it up for Derrin Verittia of District Six!” The crowd applauded and Derrin walked off the stage.

[Jaden Fox]

Jaden walked out onto the stage wearing a suit glittering with silver and gold flakes. His hair was groomed and straightened and he even removed his eyepatch. Those healing herbs from David had reduced most of the swelling. Jaden smiled confidently as Cesar began the interview.

"Is there a side to you we haven’t seen yet? A part of your life you’d like to share that hasn’t made it onto the screens?"

"When I was really young I was raised in a very hostile environment so I ran away from home. I had lived in the woods for a couple of weeks, fending off wild animals, building shelters, and trying to collect food. When I was at the peak of exhaustion and the brink of starvation I was rescued by a pair of scavengers. They took me in, fed me, and taught me everything they know about how to fight and fend for themselves. My entire life has been one big series of Hunger Games and one way or another I promise this one will be the last!"

"You’ve got both friends and enemies in this game. How can you know who to trust out there?"

"It's hard because you can't trust anybody completely. We're all here to win. But at the same time, none of us stand a chance without the support of a team. I think my team has proved that we work well together and even more than that we can depend on each other and speak openly and truthfully. I think that's an advantage we have over all the other alliances out there."

[Adriana "Age" Leaf]

Cesar: "Some tributes place a lot of emphasis on the sponsor scores, making sure they have as much support as possible going into the games. Do you agree with that mentality, or do you think there’s a better indicator of the strongest tributes?"

Age: "I think the sponsor scores will be a huge advantage to the top tributes, escpecially when resources start getting scarce or when they don't have the time to be collecting them. However, the strongest tributes are going to be the ones with big and powerful teams. That's why I wanted to make sure I was part of the largest alliance. That way we can delegate tasks and get all the supplies we need. Some people might think large groups are dangerous but when you have a team this size it's really hard to backstab anyone because there are always so many watchful eyes."

Cesar: "Based on what you’ve seen in training, what do you expect will be in the arena this year?"

Age: "There was no swimming pool last year, so there's gotta be plenty of water in the arena this time, right? I bet there are some big perks for us swimmer types!"

[Kimber Beck]

Kimber walked onto the stage. She had a serious look on her face. She didn't want to be there in front of so many people. She could tell that Cesar was trying to make her feel more comfortable being on stage by trying to joke with her. She tried to joke back, but it didn't feel quite right.

Cesar: "Tell us about the reaping. What did you feel when they called your name? How did your friends and family take it?"

Kimber paused, "My parents... they didn't seem to care all that much. They didn't even come to say goodbye to me before I left for the capitol. As for my friends, well, I don't really have any. So in all, I suppose it was easy for me to leave my district. No one to cry over me."

Cesar seemed unprepared for an answer like that, which gave Kimber some sick sort of amusement. Ever the professional Cesar quickly moved on to the next question.

Cesar: "Some tributes place a lot of emphasis on the sponsor scores, making sure they have as much support as possible going into the games. Do you agree with that mentality, or do you think there’s a better indicator of the strongest tributes?"

"There is no for sure way to tell if someone is strong or not. Someone could just be downplaying their skills until they get into the arena so they aren't as big of a target. here's also the chance that once things get real and you have to kill someone, the front runner in points might choke. Mistakes happen in the arena. Surprises will come. The arena is a dangerous place. You never know until the time comes if you have what it takes or not."

Cesar thanks Kimber and she just nods and exits quickly off the stage.

[Katie James]

You’ve got both friends and enemies in this game. How can you know who to trust out there?

To be honest the only people you can truly trust are the people who depend on your skills to survive. If you offer something to your alliance that no one else has the ability to help with, then you should be safe with those people. However, if you don't offer anything extra to your group, then it makes it an easier decision for your allies to just let you die if you become compromised in any way. In addition, people who tend to be friendlier and nicer are more likely to be trustworthy more often than not. However, I do not believe that this should be any tribute's primary way of determining who they should trust. It is far too easy to act nice while not under pressure. It is also far too easy for people to change their minds about how they feel about you while under pressure. The only way to ensure that someone else will risk their life for you is if they need your help to survive.

The Hunger Games are all about knowing when to take risks to get ahead and when to play it cool and just try to outlast the opponents. How will you know when to adjust your strategy? Do you think the risktakers or the conservative tributes will be more successful?

Haha. This may surprise some of the tributes when I say this, but I honestly believe that playing conservatively will on average allow a tribute to live longer than taking risks. However, in order to win you must take risks, but not just any risks. They must be the right risks to take. If you don't take risks, then I would have very little hope for you to win. However, if you are always taking risks, then you will probably be among the first to die. If you wish to win, which I believe we all want to do, then you need to be willing to risk your life when the benefits of winning are worth it. Also, as I have already made known to most of the tributes, I believe that the cornucopia is certainly worth the risk. It is certainly risky to try, but the extra supplies are certainly worth it.

[Titus Volta]

"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Titus Volta from district 5!"
Titus walks onto the stage, looking over the sea of facing before throwing his fist into the air.
The crowd eats it up.
"Welcome, welcome! So, we haven't seen much of you Titus. You don't seem to be much of a team player..."
"Yes, I prefer not to show my hand so to speak."
"So then we don't have to talk about your particular skill-set, but why don't you tell us a little about your life at home. Is there a side to you we haven’t seen yet? A part of your life you’d like to share that hasn’t made it onto the screens?"
"Well, I don't have a home to go back to in district 5 anymore."
"No? What about your parents, anyone rooting for you?"
"My mother died shortly after giving birth to me and my father died the night before the reaping. Actually, I was preying to be called that day and someone must be listening because here I am!"
"Wow. So, then before these games begin is there a final message you’d like to share with all the other tributes?"
"I was called because I was supposed to be here. All I need to say to the others is that they better watch out, because I was born to win these games. And I'll do whatever it takes, especially if I've been wronged." He quickly mumbles under his breath... "Just ask my father"
The host takes a hard swallow and exclaims, "Well then! May the odds be ever in your favor, the male tribute from district 5... Titus Volta everyone!"

[Talia Zinten]

"Our next tribute, hailing from District Three: the Wild and Unpredictable Talia Zinten!" Caesar Flickerman stood and shook hands with the diminutive girl.

"Salutations, Mr. Flickerman! It is wonderful to see you again." Talia cried, throwing her arms around the announcer. She wore a cascading dark dress that seemed to pulse with lights running along the seams. She waved to the cheering crowd and took her seat.

"Well same here, Talia! Let's get down to what everyone is dying to know: You’ve got both friends and enemies in this game. How can you know who to trust out there?" Flickerman's smile seemed to leap from his face onto Talia's.

"In our predicament; trust is scarce, Mr. Flickerman. I will put faith in two things: My enemies to hunt me now, and my allies to hunt me tomorrow." Talia replied.

"My dear, Tell us about the friends you have made here in the training center. What drew you to them and what's going to happen to that friendship in the arena?"

"When this entire affair began, Mr. Flickerman, I was with Quinn in the transport from our district to the Capitol. Since then, he has been inordinately cheerful and outgoing to every tribute we have met!" Talia bubbled.

"But when the doors open, other alliances that have been amassing will dominate the field. Anyone that finds themselves alone will be fodder for large groups of tributes. I do not intend to be in that predicament."

“A very smart strategy from a wonderfully intelligent tribute!” Caesar stood up and helped Talia to her feet, signaling the end of the interview. The crowd cheered uproariously as the next tribute was announced to the stage.

[Dolan Tawt]

Dolan sat down after being called up to the stage for his interview. Dressed in a fine suit and a bow tie, his hair combed back, Dolan looked dashing. As the crowd cheered for him he could not help but smile, despite the fact that he would be facing his almost certain death the next day.

"Tell us about the friends you have made here in the training center. What drew you to them and what's going to happen to that friendship in the arena?" The interview had begun. Dolan shifted a little while looking thoughtful before answering.

"I have to say I really like Alys, I had never met her before in District 12 but I have grown to trust her. I really like William, I think he's got the right stuff for these games, he's ambitious but without being cruel, I can really see him becoming.." Dolan hesitated for a moment "becoming a hero in these games." Dolan knew that no one could really become a hero, not to anyone in the districts, but the people in the districts couldn't save their lives with money and gifts.

"Of course he'll have a hell of a lot of competition from my end." Dolan said with confidence. "Once we're in the arena I'm hoping that the connections I've made keep us from killing each other out right. Because that'd make the ending much more boring, If you want to really see something climactic, bet on me and William making it to the final 5." Dolan raised his hands hyping up the audience for the rivalry between himself and William. He could only hope it would buy them points enough to keep each other alive in the arena.

Dolan shot William a look, and raised an eyebrow at him in mock challenge.

"Marvelous" replied the show host "An exciting display for everyone to watch I'm sure! Now on to our final question.


Before these games begin, Is there a final message you’d like to share with all the other tributes?"

Dolan smiled for the audience and spread his arms out wide.

"Make it interesting yeah? Oh yeah, and Decimus is an ass, hope you die first!"

Dolan stands up and dumps his mic on the chair and walks off.

[Decimus Augusta]

"Ladies and gentlemen, the interview you've all ben waiting for! Let's get into the mind of one of the most polarizing tributes these games have ever seen! I give you Decimus Aguusta from district one!" announces Cesar. He gestures to Decimus to come up.

Decimus hops out of his seat and onto the stage. He energetically wave to the crowd and blows kisses, and a beautiful stately smile washes across his face, as he greets Cesar.

"Wow, Decimus what a pleasure!" he says gesturing for the District one boy to sit down. "Now we really only have a few short minutes so let's jump into this." he say, "Just for the few who aren't aware you actually come from a long line a victors!" exclaims Cesar.

Decimus chuckles, "Yes, that's true both my Father and Grandfather competed in the games,' he says nodding bashfully.

'Don't be so modest' laughs Cesar, 'They didn't just compete, they won!' before he can finish the sentence the crowd erupts in applause. 'Calm down everybody,' Cesar tries to suppress the noise. 'Please we only have 4 minutes,' he says with a frantic look, pantomiming the number four. "Okay first," says Cesar sitting down with a deep sigh. He gets serious again. 'Are you satisfied with your skill sets? What do you wish you were better at?'

'I'm sure any tribute would grab at the chance to train more, but I couldn't be happier with where I'am at.' says Decimus in a modest tone. He is complete relaxed in front of the crowd wearing his white v-neck shirt and a dark fine pair of serendibite laced pants which show off his gymnast physique.

Cesars nods, 'It's easy to be relaxed when you're on the top of leaders boards isn't it.' chuckles with the crowd. 'But i feel like there's more to your performance Decimus your performance so far has been unbelievable I can't imagine there being more surprises in store, though I have to ask. Is there a side to you we haven’t seen yet?' Cesar asks.

'Well,' says Decimus straigtening up, 'actually there is,' he smiles. 'I have a pretty big announcement to make, in fact that our great Capitol has to make.' he says standing up. 'Panem has always been under threat from outside forces, forces trying to destroy our very existence. It's been difficult to defend our good people against these monsters but finally we have an answer,' he pauses walking towards the crowd. 'Working with the best geneticists the Capitols Defense Administration was able to create the first ever genetically engineered, super soldier,' says Decimus rolling his shoulders back and taking a deep breathe. 'AKA me,' he grins. The crowd goes silent. 'For the a decade now the Capitol has been working on ways to improve the human body. They modified blood cells to increase oxygen flow, they changed bone composites for tougher more resilient bodies, and they improved eye sight and hearing.' he says pointing to his body as the shirt lights up and displays graphics of all his internal changes. 'You are now looking at the Panem soldier 2.0, the greatest defense for the sovereignty of Panem. These hunger games will demonstrate just how powerful our Panem army will become. Thanks to the Capitol we will soon be able to crush our enemies and create a prosperous nation!' he says.

He walks off the stage as Cesar mouths the words 'Astonishing.' in front of a silent crowd.

[William Mandela]

William enters the stage to the rush of the crowd. He strides silently forward in his surf shoes, he's also wearing cargo pants and blue/black button-up that seems to swirl like cresting waves as his broad shoulders swing back and forth.
The leather upholstery of the the chair creaks as he eases into the seat.

"Welcome William, how are you this fine evening."
"Can easily say I've been better."
"Oh, how so? Nerves? Anxiety? It's not illness is it?"
"No, no, nothing like that. Though if I'm being completely honest I do feel rather... anxious? I'm not sure if that's the right word. Hah" William laughs, half nervous, half genuinely amused by his own tongue-tied predicament.
"So district four is on a bit of upswing right now, becoming one of the power players in the couple of years, no?"
"I wouldn't say that."
"Oh and why not?" Cesar inquires.
"Well parts of the district are on the up-and-coming but much of the area is still hard-working, subsistence fishermen. Catching what they can to feed their families and selling any surplus they catch. The major fisheries are all pretty centrally located and run by the government. Seems that's the way most of the money flows nowadays."
"You've seen this elsewhere?"
"Yes. You get to see a pretty large slice of the world when you sail, going port to port in other districts and traveling upriver to the Capitol."
"So, you've been to the Capitol before?" Cesar asks, genuinely surprised.
"No, not me personally. A lot of people I know have. They all say the same things"
"Like what?"
"Ah, you're trying to get me in trouble aren't you. The people of the Capitol have thus far been very kind and giving people, and that's as much commentary as I'm prepared to give at this point in time."
"A very diplomatic answer from the young man, you've got real leadership skills, maybe a career in politics ahead of you, when, or rather, if, you when these games."

At that William glances down at his feet and his expression turns sour, "Yeah, I've been told something like that before..." he continues his distant stare but returns to meet Cesar's eyes, "Enough small talk, let's get down to brass tacks."
"Oh, so there is a fire in your belly after all. Very well, Question One: Is there any token or idol you plan on taking with you to the arena?"

William pulls a small tin whistle, and twirls it about in his fingers a bit before holding up for the cameras to see. "A first edition Konig-Straut maritime Sterling whistle. Only 200 were ever made, this was given to my father by my grandfather before his death" William's eyes seem to lose focus and he appears to be looking a long, long way away despite maintaining eye contact with Cesar. It secretly chills Cesar to the bone and he lets lose an almost imperceptible shiver. "and he gave it to me before his..." *AHEM* I only really know one tune on it... if you'd care to listen?"
"Absolutely. Who wants to hear him play?!" The crowd is roars in concurrence.

William plays the soft sea ballad and crescendos as the song hits it jaunty climax pausing to insert a key line here and there.
"Splendid. Sublime. What do they call that piece?"
"It's 'The Black Ball Line' and old sailor's song from a bygone era. It's about an actual account of a pirate ship that attempts to take a merchant but gets cut down mercilessly by the noble sailors and starts a war."
"Ah, a song of valiance among the sea, they must have been heroes."
"Definitely, they cut down those cowardly pirates and their weak and criminal desires."
"Truly a tale a good versus evil."
"There's a little bit of lore behind the story that many find controversial."
"Ooh, a mystery!" Cesar touts and faces the audience, hand over his mouth in showy fascination. "Do tell."
"The pirates were the Capitol ships that took over district four in the second rebellion years ago. They entered sovereign waters and demanded the captains overturn their cargoes to the government. Hard fought salvage and long sought fishes, enough to feed and fund a decades luxury for the people of the surrounding districts, but they seized all of it to feed the Capitol's decadence. The Black Ball Line was a fleet of merchant ships and fishing vessels that refused to roll over to the government's oppression."
He ascends to his feet with the heightening suspense of the tale.
"They fired upon the government ship, executed the captain, set the crew adrift on a lifeboat and returned all the pilfered goods back to the people. A week later the Capitol ships returned en masse and obliterated the local ships, civilian or rebel. they didn't care they sought total control of the water of Panem; and, after enough bloodshed to fill the oceans twice over, they got what they wanted. They continue to punish the innocent with these vile excuses for a games. I fight tomorrow for the honor and glory of the good, proud people of District 4 and all others under the oppressive thumbs of our beloved 'protectors'."
"Well... I don't think I've heard of a more riveting or entrancing tale of romanticism or high-seas heroics in my days." He sighs. "A lot to think about there, truly."

"ON WITH THE NEXT QUESTION!" Cesar shouts with a flivver. His energy returning the crowds from their somewhat confused state at the telling from this somber and depressing story to the Gladiatorial spectators they truly are. Many think it was simply an entertaining tale of fiction or paranoid and folklore-ish seamen. Some turn about and whisper to others around them. Several of the older viewer nod in either agreement or recollection.

"Where were we, ah yes. Tell us about the friends you have made here in the training center. What drew you to them and what's going to happen to that friendship in the arena?"

William's face suddenly flushes to a ghostly white. All the pageantry and bravado of his previous question fading like a fleeting glimpse of sunlight in the dusk. His color returns in spades and he glows a tender pink.
"I can't honestly say I've made many friends here. I mean, I like a lot of the other tributes, and I think some of them may like me. Honestly, though I haven't had much time to really get to know them. We've shared a few laughs and a few good meals, but I think my awkward nature and generally inappropriate sense of humor has made lasting connections hard to make. There are a few people who say they'll stand by me but I can't really tell if this is tactical or affectionate. Reading people has never been a strong suite of mine."
"So you don't think there's anyone who's fond of you, or maybe someone you're really fond of?"
The bright pink coloration of William's cheeks spreads to the rest of his face a burns a brilliant crimson.
"Yeah... I... I guess there is one."

Cesar leans in and cocks and eyebrow, "A girl, perhaps?"

William is now aglow, his face tactilly burns with the rushing blood.

"Yeah... It's... the girl from my district. Harmony Lockett"
An immature "OOOOhh!" spread through the audience and William turns away slightly in embarrassment.
"She's really nice is all I'm saying."
Cesar leans in an whispers just loud enough for the mic to register "That look on your face tells me that's not all you think, am I right?"
"It's... it's just... she doesn't know this, but I've seen her before the games."

"Go onnn...", Cesar drolls for the audience.
"She was with her dad down at the docks and she was helping him unload a boat. I was there with my mother on leave with the Naval Academy. She was beguiling. She was so strong, not just physically but the way she carried herself, like nothing bothered her and she could anything, and anyone, that got in her way. But now..." William looks down for a moment, searching for his words "now she doesn't seem to be that person anymore. We got to the Capitol and she turned into the frail scared creature. She wasn't a career, she was chosen and random and this whole thing has been really hard on her. Going from being a care-free girl with a full life ahead of her to catching a certain-death penalty in a game she didn't want to play as tribute for a crime she didn't, nor anyone else in these games, commit. I see what's shes reduced to and... and it hurts inside, like somebody took my heart and dropped it into a bucket of boiling tears. And, at the same time, somebody else is hitting my soul in the crotch with a frozen sledgehammer, and I want to cough up my innards, but then a third guy walks in and starts punching me in the grief bone. I want to save her from all this, but I'm not really any better or more prepared for this than she is. I volunteered for these games so I could try and protect her but I'm just a nobody. I'm just a lost little boy with something to prove and nothing to lose. I've tried to stay strong and pretend I have this great plan but I am crying on the inside, and nobody can hear me because I am terribly, terribly, terribly alone. The girl of my dream reduced to this. I haven't seen her for days now, and we last talked in for what feels like forever."
"Wow. So much to digest right there."
"I'm sorry. I know it's not right of me to turn all my troubles on you, especially right now."
"No, it's very candid, compelling. I think people are going to notice the star-crossed lovers of the high sea."
"Lovers? I don't even think she knows about any of this. Oh god! This is live isn't it?" The brilliant red returning to his face.
Cesar stands and hoists Williams arm high, "William Mandela! The Sea Captain Casanova!"
The crowds rises in unified cheers. William feels a little stronger with their support and beams a wide smile ("Who knows, maybe it will all work out...")

[Perrin Torly]

In these training days, tributes often take the route of intimidation or complete secrecy. Which strategy do you think has a greater effect?

“Ya know, some of these kids seem dead set on making as many enemies as they can. That don’t make much sense to me. They’ve already told us we’ve got to kill each other, so why would you go and give others more reasons to hate you? I figure that running below the radar of the hotheads is the best way to add a few days to my life out there, or at least to avoid painting a big old bulls-eye on myself.”

Is there a side to you we haven’t seen yet? A part of your life you’d like to share that hasn’t made it onto the screens?

“I’ve never known my parents, and don’t have any siblings. ‘Least not that I know of. My ‘family’ is just me and some other boys who’ve got nowhere else to go. I don’t know why, but they always looked up to me, you know. Heh.” Perrin abashedly runs a hand through his rough brown hair. “Came to me for help against bullies and the other scum out there. So I helped them out best I could, and before I knew it, I had the family I never knew.”
“They cried out when I got called, but I made them stay put. They’ll be all right without me. They’ve gotten stronger than they think in the years we’ve been running together. But let me tell you, I’m going to win these Games, for them!”

[Natalya Aeglaeca]

Natalya stepped on stage in a light blue and white gown. As she walked snowflakes came out of the ends of her sleeves and her train. Her designer has made her jewelry to look like icicles.

Caesar greeted her exuberantly saying, "I love your outfit. What was the inspiration?"

Natalia replied, "my designer thought my gown should match the weather in my district, as well as my disposition--It being so warm and fuzzy" *chuckles to herself

Caesar: "So the ice queen has a sense of humor? Now Natalya, we--the audience--knows nearly nothing about you, you have managed to lie low throughout the training sessions and the rest of the public appearances...Is that your strategy for the games?"

Natalya: "Not really. I never thought I would be back in the capital after being exiled when I was young so this has been kind of a shock. I don't really have a strategy. I came here expecting to die and die alone. I originally didn't want to make friends because I didn't want to feel bad about killing them. However, I have met some people who have surprised me and how they can be so genuine and humane even in the face of death. I don't plan on winning, but I don't plan on going down without a fight."

Caesar: "Interesting. So there is more to you than meets the eye. Very well, Any final works for our audience?"

Natalya: "No thanks."

Caesar gets up and shakes Natalya's hand and Natalya exits the stage.

[Fenlen Hux]

Cesar: How do you know who to trust out there?

Fenlen continued breathing steadily and slowly, a relaxing technique that was keeping him relatively calm despite the audience.
"I think the obvious answer is you can't trust anyone but yourself...and the rules. Everyone but one will die out there and you have to make decisions with that constantly in mind. I know I can trust my district mate, Age. She's sharp and I know I want either myself or her to make it back to district 10 when this is over. Also, I will have to put a certain amount of trust in the several other members of my alliance. We are a strong and robust team and I will surely be taking advantage of that."

Cesar: Hm. Astute. Do you have a side we haven't seen yet, Fenlen?

Fenlen sensed Cesar was somewhat bored with him. His last answer did sound a bit robotic coming out of his mouth. This time, he wouldn't make that mistake. He turned towards the audience and tried to lock his deep eyes with where the camera might be. Straight into the eyes of the viewers. He narrowed them slightly, but not menacingly, just enough to convey a bit more gravity to what he was about to say.

"Cesar, I grew up as a picker in the cattle fields. A picker does one thing all day: he hunts and kills - picks off - other animals that are there to kill a member of the herd. I have killed dozens - hundreds - of coyotes, wolves, cougars. I've shot them in the back as they fled, I've shot them in the head when they charged straight at my post, and I've speared them in the belly when they got close enough for me to see their eyes. Then, I ate them. So that is my background. That is what I know how to do."

He said the last line with such finality, that it was clear there would be no more back-and-forth. He shook Cesar's hand, nodded toward the audience, and walked off stage.

[Baldwin Gamut]

When the reaping came, I was terrified. I had applied for so much tessera I knew that it had to be this year. When my name was called I wasn't surprised but still I dealt as if my legs couldn't carry me to the front of the stage. When I was Finally on stage I saw my father shed a tear. It seemed like this would be the last time I'd see him. We are so close to one another.

Based on what I've seen in training, ther will be a variety of weapons on the field. At the same time some of he tributes are very dangerous hand to hand so I doubt they'll need extra equipment weighing them down. I'm hoping when it comes down to it to get a decent survival kit and stay one step a head of the game.

[David Spanial]

David, looking pretty terrified behind the curtain at stage left, decides to take something to aid him in his interview. He pulls out a little bottle with several pills in them.
There were the body high pills that David offered the group in the green house, a couple of healing pills, and finally his newest creation specially made for tonight's interview.

David created a pill that would give him a healthy glow and make him look great in front of the cameras and under the glimmering lights. He called it his Celebrity Pill. It even had come guanine for an energy kick to make its ingestors peppy and vibrant.
David takes his Celebrity pill and in a couple of seconds his color begins to come back to his face. His lips become plump and rosy, and the bags under his eyes disappear.

"DAVID SPANIAL!"

As David's name is announced, hid heart begins to race which kicks in the extra energy from the pill. David's usual shuffle has turned into a strong and confident walk. He sits next to Caesar Flickerman.

"Well, David Spanial. I've been waiting to talk to you. You know you haven't really stood out in these games too much but you are, none the less, an interesting character. You've been heard saying that you want to become a doctor if you survive this. Yet, we saw at your private session the results of your herbal remedy. Can you speak to that?"

"You know it isn't that simple to work under pressure,
Plus I think that those plants could have been fresher."
David smiles a wide grin. He then pauses. David is stunned at what had come out of his mouth, then realizes what has happened.

"Well David! You did a little rhyme there. HaHa!" Flickerman laughs, "Tell us, is there anything you'd like to tell us about yourself? We know little about you and you keep surprising us at every turn."

David continues to smile, a little nervous now.

"Well I'm from district 11, which is nothing like heaven.
There's work to be done, and it's often not fun."

David looks into the crowd. They're listening.

"So when I was young, I stopped holding my tongue.
'A Doctor!' I said, 'is what I will be!'
and in the following years, that's all I could see.
All was going well and life was divine,
until a small girl got sick, my sister, 'twas nine.
Things did not go well and suffice it to say,
my sister is gone now and yet I still pray,
That no one should suffer the fate of that day,
Especially if, you have been forced... to play."

David looks around and the crowd is quiet...

"Well David!" Flickerman exclaims, "It seems as though you have touched our audience deeply but we have run out of time." Flickerman says disinterested and he shoo's David off the stage.

David is glad to be off the stage and puts out one more smile and wave to the crowd. There is a light applause.

[Alys Stout]

Alys Stout walks onto the stage in a full length black gown, that shimmers like coal dust. The cut of the bust reveals her age, she truly is a child who's not yet reach puberty. Her long string of white pearls looks like costume jewelry, as if she could be just a young girl playing dress up.

Caesar welcomed Alys to the stage, and she took his age, walking with grace beyond her years.

Caesar: Tell us about the reaping. What did you feel when they called your name? How did your friends and family take it?

In these training days, tributes often take the route of intimidation or complete secrecy. Which strategy do you think has a greater effect?

Alys paused, recalling the horrid day. "Well Caesar, I can't say I look back on that day very fondly. This year was my first year to be entered into the games. I have two older brothers who got through their years entered into the games unscathed. My whole family assured me that there was nothing to worry about. My name was one among thousands. I suppose it shows that I'm unlucky. As I marched onto the stage, my mother wailed. She's a single mother of three, my Dad died in a mining accident while my mom was pregnant with me... he never even had a chance to see me. I like to think that he's looking down on me, where he is. I hope that he is proud of what I have accomplished and what is yet to be done. I know that no matter what, I won't be alone in the games, with my father watching over me"

Caesar "How touching, In these training days, tributes often take the route of intimidation or complete secrecy. Which strategy do you think has a greater effect?

Alys "Secrecy. Secrecy is always the greater threat. When one's hand is on the table, you know their strengths, but you also know their weaknesses. It is the unknown that we ought to be the most afraid of."