Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 15: Interviews

The line slowly pushes forward, one by one every Tribute walking out to join Caesar. The careers all played the charismatic card. The boy from three didn't seem to get a lot of attention, his district partner in a similar boat. Both four and five did okay, nothing really jumping out.

Six and seven were the same, while eight got a little bit more recognition. The girl from 9 did okay, not too bad compared to others. When Dagan walked out, I felt a little stuffy and restricted. He played the 'I'm better than anyone else' card, gathering a bit of a following. The girl from 10 didn't do as good, neither did her district partner. I take a deep breath as he leaves the stage.

"Now...for one that you all have been waiting for. You've seen her score, watched her reaping, and even witnessed her beauty at the parade. Give a big round of applause for Azalea Lantzmann!"

The crowd goes wild, everyone clapping and cheering as loud as they possibly can. I smile, walking out while offering waves and blowing kisses. A few gasp at my outfit, including Caesar who meets me halfway.

"Wow! What else can I say other than that? Just wow!"

"Thank you, Caesar."

I laugh, taking a seat as he guides me with his hand. As soon as I'm situated, he sits before turning towards me. He laughs, gesturing towards the still screaming crowd to take a seat.

"That was quite an interesting entrance at the Tribute parade, was it not?"

"It was definitely something."

A few people laugh, my smile staying in place as Caesar lets out his own laugh. He looks towards the audience, playing it off before turning back towards me.

"Now. A 10. That's an impressive score for someone of your stature and district. How did that come about?"

"Now. Now, Caesar...how would it be a surprise if I let all of my secrets out?"

"I guess you're right. It doesn't hurt to ask is what I like to say, right?"

He laughs, glancing back towards the audience as I let out my own laugh. It's nothing special, and anyone who knows me would say the same. This laugh doesn't reach my eyes or my soul, just the surface where it matters the most for the citizens of the Capitol.

"I also wanted to ask about something that may be a little...harder for you."

The crowd quiets down, a thick cloud of emotion taking over the auditorium. Caesar reaches for my hands, pulling them into what should be a comforting grip.

"The girl you volunteered for...why did you do it? You said in the reaping that it was that she was...how did you say it? Too pure?"

"Sloan...she's like another little sister to me. I was there when she was barely walking, I was there when she learned to run....and it's..it's not even just how long I've known her. She brings wildflowers to the elders who can no longer go see them themselves. She takes medicine and food to those who are too sick or too weak to go out and get it. Sometimes the bare minimum is the best, and that's her smile."

I take a breath, looking up where they plastered a still of the Reaping. It's when I volunteered. I looking forward with my head high and shoulders back. Briar is looking at me in a mix of thankfulness, shock, and fear in losing me herself. Sloan is who gathers the most attention. Her face is still, her eyes filling with tears as her hand comes up. Taking another deep breath, I look down at the ground before meeting Caesar's eyes.

"Life in 11 can be hard. Far more difficult than anyone here can fully comprehend. It's dim, dark even. Someone like Sloan only comes around once in a lifetime. Her kind, especially in the districts, is as rare as finding a diamond among coal. I wasn't going to allow not only herself, but all of district 11 lose that to the games. Not when they have already lost so much. I would do it all over in a heartbeat if it means she never has to see the inside of the arena herself."