It was another freezing day, at least, that was Eli’s assumption, judging by the shivering expressions of some of the tributes. He no longer felt the cold himself, not now… he was lost in thought, reflecting on his interviews… soon he would have to face the smiling murderers who had bet on him… bet on others… Perhaps, should he become a victor, he would change that… create his own little games… where he would showcase them only to watch them perish… The thought of it almost made him sick…. He would never do that… if he won… His stylists quickly adjusted his outfit for what felt like the sixth time… honestly, he had lost count… He did know his costume was based on Persephone… pomegranate seeds were scattered across his pelt, jewels meant to resemble seeds… He was half-dead, half-alive… meant to embody the cold… to represent the spring—all at once! Would Panem feel that tonight? Would they see through the boy with many faces: one cold… the other warm? He watched as one tribute exited, looking worried… Judging by their expression, they hadn’t done very well—or at least, they thought so. How time had flown… It was already his turn. He put on a smile and entered the room… Fish? How cool? He found himself bored with the room, not that it wasn’t a marvel… it truly was… Yet he was so accustomed to entering rooms like these… The only difference today was that they were preparing for his death! !!FLASH!! The unexpected camera flare nearly caused him to fall, but he gracefully caught himself! “HELLO, Panem!” Eli declared, striding onto the stage, his voice a world apart from his hollow internal monologue. “If you don’t know me yet, then I suppose you will in a matter of minutes… for it is I—Panem’s own rising star, Elysian Porrier… modèle extravagant, hottest teen in District Weekly, your very own model!” “Well, that was quite the entrance! I was growing bored of my other interviewees!” said a voice. Eli turned to face his interviewer—none other than Ambrose Lux. “But I wouldn’t expect less from a boy like you?” he remarked? Honestly, Elysian couldn’t tell if the old man was making a statement or asking a question. “I suppose you’re right!” Eli flashed another brilliant smile toward the crowd… “I mean, the spotlight practically loves me! Am I right?” The crowd erupted in laughter? Heavens, what was funny about that? They truly had no sense of humour. “Well! Elysian, everybody wants to know: how do you think you’ll fare in the arena? I mean, there have been—” A vacant look crossed Lux’s face… heavens, was he already losing his memory? It was about time! “... a number of comments suggesting that a pretty boy like yourself would simply wilt in the arena!” Eli had to choke back the growl slowly crawling up his throat… “Well! The Company has always provided for me in ways I could never repay! That is also why I am highly skilled with nearly any weapon you hand me. I’ve been training for this moment, should it ever come, forever… so I’ll simply say I’m prepared…” He turned to the crowd. “But is Panem prepared? That will simply have to be revealed later!” Lux nodded with a toothy smile… “And if you don’t mind me going off-topic—your outfit is absolutely stunning. I mean, it is breathtaking, and you truly make it pop!” Elysian offered a smile, though to be honest, he hardly recognized himself… He’d never thought he’d say it, but he felt overly prettied up… Elysian began to notice the lights dim. “WELL, I must say—I do make it pop, as it is the wearer who makes the outfit beautiful!” He flashed a final smile as the darkness settled and the pomegranate jewels began to glow. “My designer is absolutely heavenly—credits to you, Ellie! Love you!” A soft ooh filled the room as the glowing pomegranates captivated the audience… “One more question… how are you liking the Capitol?” The truth was, he despised it—but that wasn’t what anyone wanted to hear. “It’s absolutely beautiful here… I’ve met so many lovely people: the designers, the gamemakers, and the food is voilà! But I think the real question is: how is the Capitol liking me!” He tossed one of the jeweled pomegranates into the air, catching it and splitting it in half, the glowing seeds mesmerizing the audience. “Tell me, Panem: do you truly love me? If you do, come with me and eat pomegranate seeds. I’ve captured all your attention, just as the Capitol has captured me…” “Thank you, Elysian… may the odds be EVER in YOUR favor…”
