#event.tribute interviews

[riiseandfall]

@victoriams

alex huffs, as soon as he's off the stage, he's pulling jewelry off and tossing it to the side. somewhere safe, they swear they won't lose anything. but every bit of it felt stifling now and they just wanted it off. the lights, the cameras, caesar's blinding smile—it all reminded him of how much he hated the interview process. it was much easier when he was just coaching others through it. less so when he was the one on stage.

but that annoyance slips away when he spots prue nearby. the two of them had spoken only a handful of times but...he was already oddly endeared by her, enough so that her presence even gets a small smile out of him. "hey...uh, if you're looking for your district i think they are over there?" they point over their shoulder. "you did a good job, by the way. they look fantastic. you must be proud."

[riiseandfall]

'it is my job to notice. this is the part where you say 'thank you'.' she doesn't give him a chance before signing a quick, 'you're welcome.' she grins, nuzzling herself closer to her husband's side—if you had seen the pair years ago, it would be a rather startling thing, given how they acted around each other at first. but now? io loved every aspect of hermes. the way that they had seen io at her worst—hell, they had often brought it out of her at the start—but they still chose her. and she chose them. and io couldn't ask for a better partner—both as a mentor and as a husband and father.

she sighs, a tired and drawn out thing as hermes signs, the corner of her mouth twitching down into a frown, 'i am still trying to decide if that makes this better or worse.' she admits, head shaking slightly as she turns to the stage. she remembered being on it for the first time during her games—it felt too large back then. now? it feels so small that it nearly suffocates. '...that's our family going back in there.' oh, they might not have been related by blood, but they were family. 'we have to give them the best chance, i've never done well with getting sponsors, you know they don't care to listen to me but...' she moves to stand in front of hermes, brows knitting together. '...how can i help? what can i do to help you help them?'

If this were twenty years ago, in the years following his own games, Hermes would have probably been annoyed by Io's attempt to placate him. He would have insisted that there was no room for calm in the lead up to the games – especially not when it came to the interviews, which were arguably the most important moment of the entire spectacle, save for the arena itself. District Three was not a powerhouse that boasted career tributes, nor was it the scrappy underdog like the outer districts – they needed to work hard to win over sponsors, and if the interviews didn't go well, it was game over before it had even begun.

It isn't twenty years ago, though, and the things that had once annoyed Hermes about his wife are the things which now endear him so greatly. It is easy for him to forget when he mutters to himself, the language he speaks aloud isn't a language that Io can understand, so it isn't one that matters very much to him anymore – though there are a few backstage workers that are now giving him strange looks. They feel Io's arm wrap around his own, and there is an instant sense of calm that washes over Hermes – they sigh but nod. She's right, even if Nilani and Volt were to crash and burn out there, there was nothing they could do about it for now.

I didn't notice, Hermes admits, chuckling as he signs back. He wraps an arm around Io, pulling her in closer and kissing her on top of her head ( though Hermes is by no means tall, he is, at the very least, tall enough to do this without much strain ). You know how much I hate this part. So much riding on words. So easy to misinterpret them. A pause, and Hermes sighs again. At least we have seasoned professionals this year, right?

[riiseandfall]

@exitio

it seemed like no matter where ari went? atlas was there. at least in some capacity. his company was well-advertised and even when they worked it was brought up. and now here he was, at the interviews. not that icarus really expected him to be anywhere else...more like hoped he'd be anywhere else.

it was already shaping up to be a rough night, and if they were being honest? the last conversation the two had was still fresh in their mind. words could cut deep and atlas had a talent for making sure his cut very deep.

"don't worry. i was getting a drink and leaving, you can go back to fawning over your date in peace." they turn to the date in question, brows furrowed. "you could do so much better, by the way. you don't happen to run a business, do you?" he clicks his tongue. "might want to be careful with it around this one."

[riiseandfall]

@damagedflames

the interviews happened only a couple of hours ago and yet it felt like it had been days. the elevators were up and running and alex had spent the better part of fifteen minutes trying to pace a hole right through the floor of his own room. they were restless. the games were close and it was this time that was the worst—it felt like you were just waiting to hear that first cannon.

and alex looked half ready to crawl out of his own skin already.

so, when he got his first chance to attempt to sneak out? naturally, he took it. he just didn't expect to run into prim-and that much is clear from the wide eyed way he looks at her. "uhh....where are you going?" deflection. always a great tactic. nailed it.

[riiseandfall]

@empyrcals

he had played the topic over and over in his head, considered every single angle—every outcome. a strategist through and through, even with this. nilani wasn't the only one who had been whispering in his ear, dante isn't an idiot...but she was among the most determined to sway him, it seemed.

he just hoped his little change of heart didn't come too late. finding nilani didn't take long with the elevators still broken, and a hand lightly grabs their arm, firm enough to get their attention, but gently enough to not raise any sort of alarms, his voice lowered to a whisper, "we need to talk. it's a conversation that i'm sure you'll agree is long overdue. you have time?"

[riiseandfall]

it isn't fair. the revelations they've had since stepping forward to volunteer—the existence of a sister that he's never known, one that he may now never get the chance to know. this love he's found, how they cling to it with greedy hands, savoring each kiss, each second he gets with apollo. scared of which one could be his last. they had stepped forward so easily, volunteered almost as soon as they were told they could—and they had been unafraid of what would await them in that arena. but now?

they're terrified of what they might lose.

it is what has them almost clinging to apollo now, feeling the way their eyes sting as they try to hold back tears, try to be strong as best they can. but in truth? they're so scared. it shows in the way their hands tremble slightly as their forehead rests against apollo's, in the uneven tempo of their breathing. that tender kiss has something in them break, tears slowly rolling down their cheeks and alex can taste it as they kiss apollo back, "i love you, apollo. don't you ever forget that, okay? no matter what happens in there. i love you so much and—" they sniffle, give a half-hearted smile as dark eyes open to look at their fiance. "...you're one of the best things to ever happen to me, okay? i need you to know that."

alex is a tenderness he can't allow himself to hold onto too tightly . he's is terrified to open his eyes , wondering which kiss might be the last , if he will never feel that brush of their thumb against his cheek again . with a sigh , he presses his lips tenderly to alex's , marvelling in the fact that he can do that now outside of the daydreams which once whisked him off to sleep .

with their promise , apollo opens his eyes once more . they're alight with . . . everything . hope , love , the blind optimism which has dragged him through this life , helped him to survive it all . " you can , alex . you're gonna make it out of there , i know it . " but what does that mean for their sister ? or for gill and finnick , for the friends he will watch climb into that arena and fight one another to send their siblings , their children , their family home . it's too much horror , and he turns from it , terrified . " i'll be waiting , " he murmurs , brushes his lips tenderly across alex's , the person he is determined he will marry one of these days . " it took this long to get you , i'm not letting go of you tonight . "

[riiseandfall]

@reblrths

dante stood out on the balcony, looking out over the skyline—the lights of the capitol, for once there isn't a cigarette in his hand. the elevators were just fixed but dante had yet to return to the district two apartment—it would just feel stifling. that arena loomed over him, it was like he was twelve again, far too young for what he volunteered for—far too optimistic and far too naive as to what the games truly were. it's like he's eighteen, new to the capitol and filled with too much grief—much anger with nowhere to put it. so he put it on everyone else—anyone else but the person responsible.

but he's not twelve and he's not eighteen and he's not naive and he knows where to direct that anger.

he's brought out of his thoughts by the realization that he isn't alone, eyes rolling as he starts to turn, "i don't have any cigarettes, so don't—oh." that annoyance is quick to slip from his expression and tone, fingers moving to tug at the ends of shirt sleeves, dante ducking his head as if it would hide the purple makeup on his face—the jewelry that adorned his fingers and ears. "...was that true? about rye?"

[riiseandfall]

@gcdeater

oh, io's eyes are narrowed as soon as she sees finnick, but there's that same playful spark in them despite her outward annoyance. yes, she was still a little miffed about the scores. but they both knew that io could never stay mad at finnick for too long.

'i'm still waiting for my apology, odair.' io reaches up to flick finnick's forehead lightly, huffing out a sharp exhale, 'since when do you not trust me enough to fill me in on your plans? i could have helped. you know, told you that it was a horrible idea, you know how good i am at that.'

[riiseandfall]

@empyrcals

'you know, one day? i'm going to look just as good as you do.' io signed, grinning as soon as she spotted effie. the interviews were still going, it was always a tense time, but something about effie just made everything feel so much lighter. it was something io always appreciated about her. it wasn't just her clothes that lit up a room, it was the woman herself.

'you are a wonderful escort, but i shudder to think of how much power you would hold as a stylist.' she moves to stand next to effie, lightly nudging the escort with her shoulder as her expression grows softer. 'you holding up okay?'

[riiseandfall]

@rebellicnrising

the interviews were done, everyone had dispersed and the rebels had done what they aimed to do—the footage had been seen by many. and no doubt snow would be after someone's head for this. but that was a distant problem, something far off...something to think about some other time. for now?

lysander was only focused on running their fingers up and down volt's arm, feeling the weight of him at their side, pressing a light kiss to the top of his head...all those soft gestures of affection that the two couldn't share outside this apartment. it was quiet, blissfully so, before lysander hums, looks down at volt. "...you know, i wish you would take me up on my offer. we can still just...leave. head for thirteen..."

[riiseandfall]

@empyrcals

the elevators were broken. that's all they had really been told. but alexander knew. they may not have been told every detail of the plan—but they knew this one. although they would have appreciated being told just what was going to be displayed on those screens. it hit him hard the first time he watched those deaths...the second time wasn't any easier. he had slipped away, just slightly past where the peacekeepers were watching—solely to light up a cigarette in the hopes it would ease his nerves. only for alex to jump nearly a foot in the air when he sees that familiar white armor—his panic giving way to minor annoyance when he notices who is wearing it.

"...i liked you better when you weren't a peacekeeper..." he grumbles, eyes rolling as he takes a drag, "here to drag me back?"

[riiseandfall]

caesar flickerman :

“ so , dante . before we go any further , we have to address your look from the tribute ball . it’s all anyone can talk about — care to comment ? ”

“ you must be so proud to see your brother follow in your footsteps , just how excited are you to take part in the games and possibly produce another victor for your family ? ”

“ is there anyone out there you’re struggling to say goodbye to ? it must be a difficult task after all . ”

— feel free to include more questions & answers , caesar usually has around 5 minutes with each tribute

interviews were easy. dante had a role and he knew how to play it well. hell, since moving to the capitol he played it almost every day. this was nothing new. he could handle this. was it a game he liked to play? no. but it was one he could play.

as soon as he steps onto that stage, the screams and cheers are greeted only with that sly, razor sharp grin. it isn't him but it's the victor they loved.

“ so , dante . before we go any further , we have to address your look from the tribute ball . it’s all anyone can talk about — care to comment ? ”

the question is greeted with several 'oooh's from the audience and a quiet chuckle from dante, brows raising as he runs a hand through his hair. there's no purple on his face, but it is accented in his jewelry, in the rings on his fingers and on a pendant that hangs from his neck. purple and silver. "aw, c'mon now, caesar, don't tell me you were surprised. have you known me to be anything but bold?" it gets a laugh out of the host.

"our victor from two! always so cheeky! i suppose not but - really, tell us about that look. it. was. stunning."

he had hoped to move on - saying nothing about the makeup was almost as damning as if he speaks on it. figures that caesar wouldn't let it drop so easily. "not sure what there is to say, i have a skilled stylist team and after that perfect score, well-" he pauses, shrugs, considers for a moment. "-i thought a change of look was in order." keep the fire off augustus. insist it was your idea. "since i'm going back in for such a memorable game, why not highlight an equally memorable game?"

"well, trust me when i say that look isn't going to leave anyone's mind anytime soon, am i right?" the crowd cheers in response as caesar holds a hand out with a wide grin. "now-you must be so proud to see your brother follow in your footsteps , just how excited are you to take part in the games and possibly produce another victor for your family?”

play the role. "oh, well you met darius-" caesar nods, comments on how the tributes were interviewed first. charming young man, reminds me of you at that age. dante nods, "-i'm incredibly proud of him. he's a good kid and if i can do anything to help him walk out of that arena as a victor, i'm going to do it."

"he certainly has big shoes to fill. youngest ever to win the games - and a quarter quell at that! seems only fitting that he be reaped for games that will, no doubt be equally exciting! but it isn't the first time you've had a brother go into the arena, have you?"

dante tenses, nails bite into his palm. not this - don't go here please.

"i'm sure we all remember the tragic death of your brother, damon, wasn't it?" dante simply nods, play the role. "my deepest condolences, i can't imagine how hard that must have been for you and your family. no doubt that was part of the reason you volunteered for darius this year?"

dante forces that grin back on his face. "couldn't let darius have all the fun, now could i?"

the audience laughs, caesar echoes it. "of course not! we certainly don't blame you and i believe i speak for all of us when i say how excited we are to see darius in that arena. and you as well!"

more cheers. he feels sick to his stomach, he wants to dart off that stage, wants to throw caesar and that fake smile across it, wants to do anything but continue to sit here. but his time isn't up yet.

play the role.

“ is there anyone out there you’re struggling to say goodbye to ? it must be a difficult task after all . ”

this question is...oddly easier. dante sighs heavily, "the goodbyes are the hardest part for any tribute. the capitol has been my home for years and saying goodbye to so many of you is...a lot tougher than i expected it to be." a lie, but the crowd eats it up all the same. caesar nod solemnly. "but - the more personal goodbyes have already been said." max and that lingering kiss at the ball. kaleb and their foreheads pressed together and a promise to come back. two declarations, two possible goodbyes. things that the capitol didn't deserve to know the details of. "there's no easy way to say goodbye to the people you've gotten so close to." the people dante loved. "and…i did make a mistake with one. said something i didn’t mean but…it is one that i hope to fix…that—that i hope to do right while i still have the chance—getting so close to the arena makes you realize that…there are so many things you want to say—things that you should have said a long time ago. so, i hope to get the chance to say everything.” he deserves that. after everything. i have to make things right. “—but outside of that? everything has been said that needs to be said.”

"a solemn and - dare i say - bittersweet note to end on. thank you dante, and best of luck to you in the arena, let's hear it for the victor from two!"

the cheers barely get a response now as dante damn near bolts from that stage.

he needs a damn cigarette.

[riiseandfall]

effie had always had a way of calming alex down, of easing those racing thoughts and making them feel seen and heard when so many among the capitol had once simply...looked over them. before they walked out of that arena, of course. now things were so...complicated and hard and alex felt so lost and small again—until effie speaks. they stutter out a laugh, sniffling as they wipe at their eyes, brows raising as they nod, "i have never been small, effie. we both know that." but alex knows what she means. effie had always felt like something closer to a mother than just his district's escort. and he so desperately wants to believe what she says, that somehow? they all get that happy ending. that peace. but it feels so...unrealistic to hope now. but effie was right, she had never broken a promise. and he knew that if she, for whatever reason, decided to start? it would not be now. he nods along with what she says, only to still at the final sentence. they both knew of the rebellion, how could they not? but there's a flicker of fear in alex's eyes at her words as he moves to gently take her hands. "stay safe, please. both of you. i know that—" there's only so much they can say and they both know it. the capitol had eyes and ears everywhere. "—no matter what happens, promise me that you all will stay safe? and promise that...that you'll get him out. if it gets bad and i can't—" he pauses, takes a shaky breath, "—i just need to know that everyone i care about will be okay, effie. so, promise me that?"

this was their child as if effie had watched their first steps, monitored the small inhale of little lungs and twirled fingers through peach fuzz. it didn't truly hit effie in the chest until staring at them, staring at the ring that meant this was no child anymore even if alex the wild feral lizard of a human being had been one when they first met. even then they hadn't been small. The hug is nearly enough to make the woman who insisted on proper manners and etiquette wondering if this was the exception to sobbing in public? Seeing Alex's own glisten with tears a gentle finger moved to brush away errant droplet that moved to make lines on cheeks. "This would be the one and only time it would be acceptable to ruin my dress because you are my small one. I will do everything in my power, everything humanly possible to make this happen. You my dearest love, my sweet alex - you deserve love and happiness and I may not know all the things but we will see that day. I promise you this and when have you ever known Effie Trinket to break one of her promises? No. Yes was the right answer because in any other world we'd have all the time to plan and I would throw the most wonderful party to announce it. I would curl your hair for your wedding and Jett would make the most beautiful outfit for my child.. Haymitch and I have plans. I don't know exactly how but you will get to say I do"

[riiseandfall]

@cfcannons

lysander watched from backstage, eyes glued to the screens as each tribute took the stage, an arm folded across his chest while a finger rubs at his lips as he thinks. so lost in thought, that they barely notice their cousin's approach, turning after a moment to raise a brow at her.

"purple is quickly become associated with you. and him." they muse, turning back to the screen. their tone wasn't accusatory or even upset—although the color being worn by them both again did not escape their notice. "are you quite sure that's a good thing?"

[riiseandfall]

@dissensiio

he hates seeing that video again, seeing what he did under snow's orders. but under that guilt? there's a flicker of satisfaction. this was the plan. and despite the hiccup regarding that peacekeeper—it had gone perfectly. but his expression remains as neutral as ever, he was on duty, after all. and with everyone confined? there were far too many eyes.

"the elevators are still broken. no, you aren't allowed to head to another floor and no, i do not know when they will be fixed." he drones off, clearly having stated as much far too many times already. "any other questions?"

[riiseandfall]

@cfcannons

as soon as they were allowed back to the floor, dante had all but collapsed onto a couch in the district two suite, an arm thrown over his eyes—makeup be damned right now. he was exhausted and those bruises that dotted his body ached. there was medicine, of course. he was just too tired to get it right now. and laying down did wonders for the pain. he exhales slowly, a shakiness to it that was not often heard. the interviews were done. one less thing to worry about.

and one more sign that the arena was so close.

the sound of approaching footsteps has his arm moving, some barbed insult ready to fly out until he notices auggie, expression softening slightly. "...the purple was a hit again. you get lectured for it too?" he pauses. "it is better if they think it was my idea, you know that...right?"