Finally, It was his turn. Elio lifted his chin and trotted over to greet his interviewer, Cinere. The cameras were already locked on him as he made his entrance. With a blinding smile, the heavily outfitted tom blew exaggerated kisses, "Greetings lovely Panem. I return." He smirked, turning to Cinere, "Cinere, darling," he greeted first, voice animated and bright, "I must say you are absolutely gorgeous. Truly I mean it." She wore a reporter's smile. One of those grins that you never could tell if they were real or not. "Elio Burke," she greeted back, "Making quite the entrance as ever." "It is my specialty." They both laughed in the harmonious way that two actors would on set. "Please, before we begin, I must know, what are you wearing?" She asked, "Oh this?" Elio gestured to his elaborate tangle of wires and bars, "It's made of old cages that used to hold canaries. Quite clever. My designer is really the genius." "It certainly makes a statement." Cinere agreed and cleared her throat with a smile, "So Elio, to start things off I think I'll ask the question our viewers have been dying to know. Why'd you do it? Why'd you volunteer? You were eighteen with a future lined up for you. Did you know the kid or something?" "Did I know the kid?" Elio scoffed incredulously, "of course not. She got lucky, that's all. The truth is, Cinere, I volunteered out of love." "Love? Of whom?" "Not whom, but what." He smirked, "I volunteered out of a love for my country. For it's leader. Many don't realize, but Panem is a land of opportunity. Of strength and resilience. Imperium led us through war and kept the districts from falling apart. Imperium constructed a country that functions as one organism, with separate little parts carrying out vital tasks." Elio paused thoughtfully, "It's beautiful to me. It inspired me as a kid. Inspires me now." Cinere nodded, "Out of a love for your country." She repeated, "What a beautiful sentiment." "So, fans of yours have been dying to know, what's with the canary theme? Was that your choice or is there a deeper message?" She lowered her voice, leaning forwards, "Some have speculated it's part of some rebellion against the capital. Is there any truth to this?" Elio's response was prompt and genuine, "Rebel? Against the capital? I would never. I love Panem. I love the capital. To rebel is to incite chaos. I dress as a canary in honor of where I came from." Elio's voice lost it's charismatic flair as he leveled with the audience behind the camera, "District twelve is rough. I worked my fair share of days in the mines. And really, it's a timeless, terrifying kind of place. There's a sort of fearful respect you gain for the earth after being trapped underground with limited air and water. These birds, they were the first to die. They saved my life sometimes. But the ones that didn't, they would be reused. And if after so long they were still alive, they would be released from their jobs and allowed to live out peaceful lives." He sat up straight and looked away from the camera and back at Cinere, "I dress for them. Because I've made it out. I made it out of those mines, I made it out of district 12, and I'm going to make it out of these games." Cinere was not crying, but she played it up for the audience, fanning her face as if growing emotional, "It's so refreshing, and I'm sure the audience will agree, to see someone being so candid about their goals and their past. Touching, I think is the word I search for." Elio didn't reply and instead dipped his head "I do wish I could spend more time chatting, but I'm afraid this is the last question I have time to ask. It's a bit of a standard one I'm afraid. Why should we support you out of all the tributes?" "Well, apart from the obvious fact that I'm the coolest, I've just got the most to offer. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but looking at the other tributes I can't help but notice a lack of passion. Most of them don't even want to be here. Me? I've dreamed of this moment. I've waited and trained every day of my life. I have a group of very funny and entertaining individuals. I have street smarts, good lucks, and a comedic amount of ex-lovers waiting for their chance to try and kill me. What's not to love?" He gave a shrug as if to say (it is what it is) and threw off the top of his head, "personally, I think I'd be more entertaining in the long run than some edgy depressed cat who's barely surviving, so do with that as you will." Cinere chuckled, "love the energy. Well that's a wrap, Elio it was great to have you here. I don't know about our viewers, but I certainly feel like I've learned a lot about you. Best of luck in the games, may the odds be ever in your favor." "Darling, it was a pleasure," he crooned and waved at the camera before facing her with a sincere smile, "You take care. Tell your uncle I send my love." With one last wave at the camera and a smile, he was done.
Outfit Desc: Made from reused bird cages, Elio's outfit winds around his body and is a bit uncomfortable to move in, but he's mastered making it look easy. The material is made of a mixture of bronze and gold. He wears red contacts and gold makeup. Istg idek what I'm doing. I typed this all at 2 AM and drew the drawing at like 12 AM. Typos and mistakes guaranteed. I'll come in and edit.
