The Writer Games | Once In A Lifetime & World Edition

Welcome: Jerphydius Sylverstar

Interviews; I thought  they were stupid. I knew they could get you sponsors and help you  "survive" the Games, but the Games were hated by many, including myself.  Not only did I detest them, but also the people who created them to  keep everyone "in line": the Capitol.

To keep Chels safe -  well, as safe as one could be in an arena - I knew I needed to get  sponsors. I had to do my best to be "good" and not show my hate; even if  I died, Chelsea would win. She had to - for Ivy and for herself.

The lights of the  Capitol stage were lit up, magnificent to some, but just blinding for  me. Helvetica DeVil - with her deep crimson curls that added to the  effect that she had a fiery personality; she didn't seem soft, like the  other interviewers and watching what I'd say during her questions would  probably be advised - was sitting upon her throne: a plush red chair  that was as red as her curls. Next to her was a minuscule wooden stool,  which Chels was sitting on; they had definitely downsized, this year.  Bad economy?

Devil lady - I didn't  think she deserved capitals for her name - asked the same, basic five  questions that she had asked the other seven tributes before Chelsea:

"What is your strategy for these Games?"

"What makes you a contender to win?"

"Why do you want to win?"

"Who are the biggest and smallest threats in the Games?"

"How far do you hope to make it?"

Of course, the order of  the questions changed, probably because she didn't want to bore anyone;  but it wasn't hard, since they'd all probably just look at her  devil-like features, which would cause them to stir in their seats. Then  again, maybe they liked that type of thing. No, I was sure that they  loved those things.

Suddenly, she asked another question. "Why does your surname sound so familiar?"

Would Chelsea tell her -  tell everyone - about Marcus and her being twins? And was devil lady  acting dense, since she was employed by the Capitol, who presumably knew  every single dirty thing and every little secret there was to know  about a person.

"There was a tribute  earlier in the year called Marcus Thornglade. He and Ivy were more than  allies." Chels gave nothing away about them being siblings.

Devil lady's eyes  narrowed in the slightest bit; that meant that she was either unhappy  with the response and was going to turn the interview around and make it  so that no one wanted to sponsor her or that she was going to slap her.

"So you know Cathalina Ivy?" The interviewer pressed.

Chels countered with a question. "Who doesn't? She's the Victor of my district; everyone knows her."

The evil-looking  interviewer, dressed in some sort of fur, looked like she was absolutely  frustrated and was actually going to slap Chelsea. "Please, answer the  questions properly, Chelsea Thornglade."

"I am answering them properly."

The sound of flesh  colliding with flesh resonated around the room, gasps of shock from the  audience could be heard. A red hand mark burned across Chelsea's face,  but she didn't even look phased or hurt; she was saying something to the  devil lady, something far too low for anybody except them to hear.  Still, I wanted to go up there and put the devil lady in her wretched  place, but I refrained myself.

Then, the buzzer rang. "Chelsea Thornglade, everyone."

"Next, Jerphydius Sylverstar!" The interviewer announced.

Smoothing down my shiny silver suit, I regained my composure and went up on the stage.

"Hey, everyone!" I  smiled charmingly - I hoped it was charming, if not, hopefully it  appeared seductive - and waved to the crowd.

I sat down on that uncomfortable wooden stool, still smiling.

"Ah, Jerphydius, what a  pleasure it is to finally meet you." She looked up at me in that way  that the opposite gender thought was attractive by looking through her  lashes and blinking. To be honest, it looked weird and plain creepy.

"It's an honour to finally meet you, too," I lied through my teeth.

"So I'm sure everyone is interested; what is your strategy for these Games?"

"Well, Helly - can I call you Helly? - I can't tell you."

"'Sure you could just give us a little hint?"

"I'm afraid not, Helly.  You'll find out when I enter the Games." I winked at her, she started to  become flustered, but I didn't miss the tiny glint of anger from not  getting the answer she wanted that flickered in her steel grey eyes;  they were hard.

"Who are the biggest and smallest threats in the Games, Jerphydius?"

"Personally, I think the  biggest threats are the ones who hide behind a façade and stab you in  back - you know, the ones who act all weak, but are dangerous killers. I  guess, the smallest ones are the ones that you know are ruthless and  merciless killers, since you'll either know how they'll react if you get  in their way or stay out of their way altogether or just have a  straight, messy brawl."

There were murmurs in the audience.

"You know what? I absolutely agree with you," devil lady agreed. "What makes you a contender to win?"

"My killer looks and my  will." I shot another smile to the audience and they let out sighs. Oh,  Capitol citizens, so easy to please; no, I wasn't being a total  hypocrite.

The interviewer giggled. "I can see where you're coming from, but how far do you hope to make it?"

"Like everyone, I hope I  make it home. Alive. I think I definitely can, since it runs in the  family." Would I actually make it home alive? I didn't think I actually  could; I volunteered for one reason. And there could only be one winner.

"Ah, yes. Of course it does. Why do you want to win?"

"Simple. To be with my  family, again." That was the truth, but I mightn't win; I may still be  returned to be with my family, just dead.

"You volunteered, why?"

The audience turned silent, awaiting my response.

"I- It's because- I did  it so that I could do everything in my power to save Chelsea. I hardly  know her." Well, I wouldn't say 'hardly'. "She doesn't deserve this."

I stared at Chelsea.  "Chelsea may act strong, like she could win and do anything, but she  needs someone to protect her and I'm willing to do that. She needs to  win - for herself." She sent her protests through her chocolatey-brown  orbs, however, her mouth was sewn shut.

There was a moment of silence, then the buzzer rang for the next tribute.

"Thank you, Jerphydius Sylverstar." Soft claps erupted.