Harriet's Interview [004]

Instructions

The jet ride felt like eternity. It probably was from the feeling of dread and the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife hanging over the tributes as the plane sunk slowly to its destination. This was the final chance to get even the slightest bit of help in the arena. Harriet Thorne hated everything about this. From the itchy, smoke colored jacket that was somehow too tight and too loose at the same exact time to the cold metal on the aircraft to the obnoxious fiery glitter in his fur. Finally, /finally/, the aircraft touched down, cutting any remaining conversation or thoughts to a halt. This was it. The tributes were led down onto the runway. Harriet shivered. Despite how heavy and hot his outfit felt, it did nothing to stop the cold from creeping in. [ don't panic, you'll be fine. It should only be three questions then you'll be done, okay? Deep breath in, deep breath out ] The Peacekeepers led the others away one by one, disappearing into the fog. It was kinda creepy, like they were ghosts. Or they were being eaten by a giant monster of some kind. Harriet hated it. Sitting in the damp cold, it gave them time to mentally rehearse any questions that they might get. He didn't want to be caught unprepared and if he didn't know what to say, he'd panic, and that would just be bad. "Harriet Thorne" The voice echoed in the baren fields, startling them out of their thoughts. He stood slowly, delaying the inevitable for as long as possible. The ground changed from solid asphalt to squishy, wet mud that dug into his fur, then out of nowhere, back to dry dirt. He hated it, he hated it, he hated it. Did he mention he hated it? Because he did, quite a bit. A cat was standing in the center, backed by way too much camera equipment. Who needed that much footage, the clip was going to be maybe 2 minutes long! " Hi! How are ya? " The cat crowed, a too wide smile on her face. Harriet was pretty sure it was a girl, but it was hard to tell with capitol cats with their accents. She gestured to the seat beside her. " Uhm, hi? I'm doing okay " He smiled awkwardly, weaving over to the chair and settling into it. The fabric was itchy and wet and gross and it took everything in his power not to immediately leap out of it and set it on fire. She grinned even wider somehow, readjusting something on the side of her head. A microphone maybe? " Well, I'm very glad to have you here! My name is Cinere, Imperium's niece, " She paused for dramatic effect. " And I am so happy to have you here! It's quite the honor to interview tributes such as yourself. I can't wait to see you in the arena. You better impress us with your skills or the capitol will be disappointed " [ Geez, she talks enough for the both of us ] he thought, glancing down at a crack in the dirt. After a long pause, he glanced back up, realizing he was supposed to talk then " ... I'll try? " He mumbled, inwardly groaning at the awkwardness of this all. " Haha! Well ain't you a funny one! " She laughed, throwing her head back. Two sharp claps ring out, making Harriet jump. " So, Harriet Thorne of district 12, welcome to the interview section of the training! I'll just ask you a few questions about your home life, your family, your opinions, all that jazz. How's that sounds? " He opened his mouth to respond but quickly shut it with a snap. [ Rhetoric question, idiot ] He dipped his head in a nod. " So, question one. What do you miss most about your home? Was it the food, your family, or something else? " Okay, he has rehearsed this one. Thank God. " one of the things I miss most is being able to hear the animals in the woods. My house was near the woods and every night I would listen and try to identify all the birds and insects I heard since I didn't have many books or any television " " Well ... isn't that charming? " She asked. Her nose wrinkled slightly, causing him to panic a bit. Did it sound bad? " I've never been a fan of the wild—too gross and dirty for me— but maybe it'll help you! " "Anyways, question number two! How do you feel about the upcoming game? It's getting here quite fast isn't it! " She chuckled, despite there being nothing funny. " Umm . . . I don't actually know. I haven't really thought about it, I've been so busy training" That was a lie. The thought made his throat close up and it hard to breathe. But that wouldn't sound good would it. She smiled, turning to the camera. " Keeping busy is always a good idea! Like I always say, success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. Maybe it'll hold true to you too " [ Final question. Good job! Just this and you can go back ] he smiled to himself, watching the other cat yammer on about some quote that he was pretty sure she made up on the spot. " Now, our third and final question. Are you ready? Who do you consider your allies and enemies? Anyone you want to avoid? " He hadn't prepared for this. Should he say something vague? +