Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 37: Victor's Crowning

I only get a few minutes to process everything I just watched before having to join Caesar Flickerman on stage for my interview. I know he will talk about Acacius. I know he will also talk about the kids I killed.

I just don't know how ready I am to speak...If I'll ever be ready...

Noviana touches up my hair and makeup, letting my curls loose from the constricting updo. She fluffs them before sending me a small smile. She squeezes my arms before the warning sounds for me to make my way towards the stage.

"I can't..."

Noviana sighs, squeezing my shoulders as we look at each other through the standing mirror in the dressing room. My prep team, Ditus, and the mentors are all already out in the audience with the rest of the people who paid to see me possibly have a breakdown.

"You already did the worst part. You won. You watched the recap. An-"

"And now I have to talk about it all before an audience of more than a thousand...."

"Don't worry. Caesar knows how to talk to victors without triggering any bad episodes. And Aetos and I will be in the front row. If you ever feel uncomfortable or that it's getting to be too much, just find us and we'll be there for you...okay?"

She pushes a strand of my hair back, sending me a comforting smile. I nod back, the sound of the warning bell ringing through the air once more making me gulp. Noviana pulls me into a hug before pulling back and pressing a gentle kiss to my head.

"If you ever need anything in the future, just call and I'll come. Until then, we need to get you on that stage."

——

"Please welcome your Master of Ceremonies..Keeper of the Stage..Caesar Flickerman!"

I hear the audience cheer, the familiar man stepping out in a grand entrance like he always has. His green hair is slicked back in his signature style, his suit matching with a glimmer shining in the bright stage lights. He does his monologue, preparing the audience for what is about to come.

"You heard all there is to hear...her story....her games....even what her mentors thought. You've heard it all..but from her. It is my honor to welcome to the stage..The Angel of Death..The Career Killer..The Reaper herself, Miss Azalea Lantzmann!"

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to step out. The audience cheers, standing as they applaud my entrance. I force a smile, blowing a few kisses towards those I can see clearly. Aetos and Noviana sit in the front row just as she said, both wearing matching black outfits.

Now that I think of it, all of them wore black. Both mentors..both prep teams..even Ditus who I have yet to see in any dark colors...

"Oh my! You look absolutely gorgeous! Red is definitely one of your colors, my Dear!"

Caesar meets me halfway, immediately pressing a kiss to my hand. He escorts me towards the pair of chairs located at center stage, both a shining gold that sparkles in the overhead lights. The backs are shaped like oak leaves, spreading out far higher than both Caecer and I's heads.

They must have changed them for the special occasion...

I blow a few more kisses towards the audience before sitting before them. I smile towards Caesar as he does the same beside me. His signature laugh fills the auditorium, causing others to do the same despite no one doing anything remotely funny.

"Alright...alright...that was some performance you did in the arena. Now we know you got that ten, isn't that right?"

The audience cheers, becoming surprisingly louder. I know I need to say something, mainly something to keep up my image. What though?