Author Games - When In Rome

Interview - Aissalyine Feristec

I sighed, rolling onto my back as the alarm went off. Beep, beep, beep! Groaning, I slammed my fist onto the snooze button, and rolled back onto my stomach. I shut my eyes, but before long the alarm went off again. I slowly sat up, yawning, and cracked my fingers. It was an old habit, and I had grown to really like the sound. I shut off the alarm, before slowly stepping out of the bed. I quickly combed my fingers through my long hair before changing out of my nightclothes and taking a shower.

The capital was so strange, there were so many soaps to choose from. Sighing, I turned up the water heat and enjoyed it as the hot water splashed over my body. In district seven we didn't have good soap, hot water, or showers. You family simply had to use a rock to clean yourself, and you got a once a month bath in a cold bucket of water that you had to share with your whole family. I rubbed a lavender body soap over myself, smiling at the smell of the fresh soap. I washed off the soap quickly, the hot water washing away the bubbles.

I choose a peach and dragon fruit shampoo that smelled unlike anything I had smelled before: sweet and strong with the scent of the foods I had yet to try. I ran my fingers through my hair, yanking out the tangles. When all the shampoo had been washed away, I put the same scented conditioner into my hair. This made my hair smooth, which felt strange considering it was very frizzy normally, as I didn't have a brush or anything to smooth it with. As much as I wanted to stay under the hot water, I quickly washed out the conditioner and shut of the water. I pulled my hair back and squeezed the water out. The air was cold on my skin, and I shivered before grabbing a light purple towel from the towel rack on the wall.

I opened the dresser beside the wooden bed in my room to find a simple red dress. That was actually surprising, considering the capital was all rich and fancy. Quickly ruling the dress over my head and tying the straps, I sat on the bed, letting my fingers run over the silky purple and blue sheets. A knock sounded on the door to my room, and I groaned as I got up and yanked the door open. A short girl with curled ginger hair dyed red at the tips stood at the door, her dark brown eyes examining the dress I wore. She held out her hand, and I shook it awkwardly. "My name is Abbi, and I am your stylist this year!" She squeaked.
I rolled my eyes as she continued . Capital people were already getting annoying, when were they not? "Anyways, district seven- trees! The team and I just made the most fabulous dress..." She blabbered on, but I didn't bother listening to the rest. I wonder if anyone back home missed me. Suddenly, I felt a small tug on my hair. I yelped in surprise. "Oh, honey, don't worry just one bit! Your hair is going to look FAB!" Sighing, I held still as my hair was curled. After what felt like four hours, they were finally done. "Bring in her dress!" Squealed Abbi excitedly, and within a few moments the dress was here. All I could say about it was it looked hideous.
The dress was green, made out of leaves as large as my hand. It cut off into ugly pink flowers at the bottom- gross. I wasn't wearing this! I was apparently wrong though, as they forced me into it. Crap. I turned dreadfully to look at myself in the mirror. The stylists had also added green eyeshadow, lovely. Not. "I look amazing, thank you!" I lied. I was an awful lier, but Abbi didn't notice. Stupid capital people.
"Thank you." She grinned blushing. "Now, let's get you to the interveiw!" Yay.

***
I heard a roar of applause as Nixie exited the stage, her bright blue eyeshadow matching her puffy Cinderella-looking dress. Now that Nixie's interview was done, that meant I was coming up after her district partner, who I can't remember his name. Nixie shot a cheesy grin at me before she exited the backstage, being hurried along by her capital stylists. I tapped my fingers and ran them over my ugly dress as I waited, before after a few minutes I heard my name. "Aissalyine Feristec."

Slowly, I stood up and made my way to the steps that led onto the stage. My shaky hand gripped the railing, pulling me up the two steps and onto the stage. Doing my best to walk in my tree-trunk looking high heels, I managed to make my way to the seat beside Ruby Shimmer, the interviewer. Her hair had been tied into a fancy bun, with loose strands or red and gold falling around her face. Her bright purple eyes that had probably been surgically changed glittered. Ruby wore a long, pink gown with roses on the straps. Different color flowers lined the bottom of the dress. This was one of the few capital dresses I actually liked.

"Hello, Aissalyine." She greeted cooly. I nodded.
"Hi." Ruby laughed, grinning at the crowd.
"Shy today, are we?" She smirked in a joking manner. "Anyways, Aissalyine-" she began.
"Ai." I interrupted quickly.
"Ai, we have a few questions for you. I'll start with how are you liking the capital?" She giggled, her fingers messing with a strand of her hair. Really, I didn't like it here at all, I just wanted to be home. But knowing that wouldn't get me any sponsers, I lied.
"I LOVE it here!" I squeaked loudly. "The building are sooooo pretty, and the food, and the clothes! But I like the people here, they are soooooooooo nice!"
Ruby let out a giggle. "Of course, who doesn't! I think it all shocked us when you volunteered-why did you?" The question brought tears to my eyes as anger surged through me. It was my SISTER! How could I not?!
"I volunteered because that is what family does for each other!" I snapped. Ruby looked shocked. "I'm so sorry." I quickly apologized. "It just made me ad to think about..."
Ruby quickly shrugged it off and continued, her voice louder and bubblier than before. "Anyways, who do you think stands out to you this year?"
I shrugged. "Every tribute is different; they all have their own details that make them special. Nixie has her alter ego, while Valerie ate a dog. I electrocuted a girl, and Fuse is named after her easily angered personality. I think every tribute stands out in their own way." Ruby nodded simply, before continuing with her next question.

"But still," she pressed. "Who do you think is the biggest threat this year?" I sighed.
"Like I said, ever tribute is different. Anyone that would threaten me jus allied, so I think I'm fine. I think the careers are the threat of is year- they always are."
Ruby nodded. "And the weakest?"
"No one." I replied quietly, staring the lights on the roof.
"Ai, do you think you have a chance of winning?"
I smiled. "As much as any other tribute." BUZZ! The capital buzzer went off, and I stood up. Quickly taking a bow, I hurried off of the stage.