#acpinterview

Glint: And now, the last but certainly not the least. Someone I hear has caused just a little discord from the whispers of our Gamemakers. District Twelve's Benin Soto!

Benin: *appears from the sidelines, ignoring the gasps of the crowd. The swelling in his face has decreased enough to make him recognizable, but his cheeks remain puffed like a child who has been fed too many sweets. He smirks as he waves to the now-silent crowd, and blinks away tears from the pain in his face.*

Glint: My, my, it appears someone has been up to no good!

Benin: *combs his hair back, as per his nervous habit* Had a little encounter with Gamemaker Roma. Don't mess with her beauty routine, even at the risk of a low score.

Glint: Ah, so it was your private training that did it! You were, I might remind your fans in the crowd, the highest scorer this year! Any hints about how you did it?

Benin: Just let the given materials speak to me, is all. Thought putting in a little extra effort would come in handy later on.

Glint: And you know what else might be handy? A little help out there in the arena. Rumor has it that Sponsor Sorcha is interested in that usually-pretty face of yours!

Benin: Is she? Cool. *looks out into the crowd* Thanks. Sorry if my private training, uh, hurt...

Glint: How charming. Now let's get into... motives. What are you fighting for? Or rather, who are you fighting for? Is there a special girl at home you're dying to get back to? That- normally- handsome face has to have a lady that comes along with it.

Benin: *smiles, finding that his lips have finally stopped stinging* Nah. I mean I have two sisters, plus a brother. I think- and I'm pretty sure I've proven- that I'd do just about anything to get back to them.

Glint: Really, anything?

Benin: I'm not afraid to step on toes. *His smile vanishes as he remembers where he is.* I'm willing to do what it takes to get out of... to get home.

Glint: Well I'm sure it'll be a great show for all of us. Thanks for speaking with me Benin! We look forward to seeing you shine in the arena, hopefully with that handsome face intact again.

Glint: Please join me in welcoming our next tribute! All the way from District Four, Aquarius Sotello! *crowd applauds and cheers*

Aquarius: *walks on stage with a soft smile and gives a wave to the crowd as he crosses the stage to Glint. He shakes her hand and they exchange an embrace before taking their seats* Evening, Ms. Lovewood, it's great to be with you and the crowd tonight!

Glint: Oh, we're happy to have you, Mr. Sotello! And, please, call me Glint! We're all friends here. *crowd laughs* Let's get right into it. Now, a question that's been on everyones mind since we first learned your name: are you in fact, an aquarius?

Aquarius: *chuckles, crowd laughs in the background.* I am.

Glint: Did your parents have a particular reason for choosing your name?

Aquarius: *Opens his mouth to answer only to pause* ...you know, I never asked. Your guess is as good as mine, but you'll be the first to know if I ever find out. *everyone laughs*

Glint: I'll hold you to that! Speaking of, your parents are the present owners of an aquarium out in Four. Oh, the name escapes me...

Aquarius: Proteus' Cradle.

Glint: That's it! I can't say I've ever been there myself unfortunately. *turns to the audience* What about our lovely crowd? *scattered bursts of cheers and applause*

Aquarius: You haven't? You're breaking my heart here, Glint. *crowd laughs*

Glint: Oh, I have some time off approaching. Maybe I'll take a vacation to Four!

Aquarius: I'll hold you to that. *winks*

Glint: I never break my promises. *laughs* So, tell us, do you work at the aquarium?

Aquarius: I practically grew up there.

Glint: Ah, that must be lovely! You and your parents must be very close then, hmm?

Aquarius: *chuckles lightly and allows a soft, somber smile to linger* Very.

Glint: It must be hard then to be away from them after so long together. *frowns and gives hand a squeeze, crowd aaaw's*

Aquarius: *nods* I just, hope they're not letting the place go to hell without me around.

Glint: *joins the crowd in a laugh* I'm sure they're eager for you to return! *resumes her smile* So tell me, when you're not keeping the family business together, *shoots an exaggerated wink at the camera, scattered laughter* what do you do to keep busy? Let me guess: fun in the sun, long walks on the beach?

Aquarius: Guilty as charged *chuckles* But, I actually help out with some restoration projects throughout the District.

Glint: Oh, that's new! What sort of projects?

Aquarius: It varies; sometimes it's helping rebuild homes, other times it's volunteering at soup kitchens. Wherever I can help out, every little bit helps in the long run, right? *crowd cheers and applauds*

Glint: So very true! That's very noble and admirable of you! Is that the type of work you wish to pursue in the future, or are you destined for the family business?

Aquarius: I haven't planned that far ahead. *chuckles*

Glint: Let's come back to the present moment! You've been in the Capitol for a little over a week. How are you finding our beautiful city? *crowd cheers and applauds loudly*

Aquarius: I definitely feel like a fish out of water. *scattered laughter* But, it's breath taking, something different happening every day.

Glint: We like to keep things interesting here. *smirks* How do you feel about your private training score?

Aquarius: Surprised, honestly. *laughs* I can only hope for the best from here on out.

Glint: And, we wish you all the best in the days to come! Now, we only have a moment or two left. The Capitols own Mr. Aaru Rivera has expressed an interest in sponsoring you. *scattered applause* Any thoughts?

Aquarius: *looks into the camera* I can't express how thankful I am that you're considering me for sponsorship. If I am to receive your aid in the Arena, know that you will not be disappointed, and that I always hold true to my promises.

Glint: Promises? What promise?

Aquarius: Have to keep some secrets for the Arena. *smiles*

Glint: Oh, fine then! *audience laughs* Unfortunately we are all out of time, Mr. Sotello. Do you have any final words for your loved ones back home?

Aquarius: *pauses and looks into the camera, retaining his smile* I miss you all, too.

Glint: The night is definitely taking off! How about we welcome Aisha Jasmine Panier to the stage, everybody? *crowd applauds* Aisha, hello! ... *pauses as A.J. takes in the crowd* Oh... Are you nervous? You're hands are trembl-

A.J.: Tremors. My meds are kicking in. Not use to it yet. But yes, a little nervous. Not a bad nervous. Like... feeling potential.

Glint: Ah. *frowns but nods at the crowd* Feeling potential.. That's weird but interesting. Do you think something is going to happen? Something good?

A.J.: Always something. I can't tell if its good but. It's there.

Glint: Well, I hope it's something very good then, right everybody? *she laughs as the crowd applauds* Your training score was not too shabby, so there's something to celebrate. That medicine must be working wonders - you look very improved from your reaping! What on earth was going through your head that day?

A.J.: *sighs and instinctively ruffles her hair* What wasn't going through? I was out of it. And it's like a voice had to make it stick instead. Kind of mean, but basically said 'yes, that's you, go.' It took me a minute. I thought about it happening, being chosen. A lot, before, but I never... - I assumed... *she looks down and swallows* Unlikely. Delusions, evidently.

Glint: It's okay, Aisha. *pats her shoulder* You were afraid?

A.J.: The influence... numbs it, lets me think better. I dealt with that fear later. *pursing her lips* Wasn't fun.

Glint: I'm sure. There's quiet the talk about your using. You children need to stay away from drugs! Any trippy comments?

A.J.: ...I was high. Not really ashamed. Maybe a little, for my brother's sake, but not much. He took care of me, always. Besides there's worse things I could do.

Glint: Oh? Are you talking yourself up? Is this what we can expect in the arena? *crowd cheers*

A.J.: *swallows, staring at her feet* Who knows? I... hate thinking about that. I miss my brother, can't figure out if falling away is better than hurting him cause I died. It's only us, you know. Hey. Questions with no answers suck. No offense... to you.

Glint: None taken! Well there is some motivation there, but do you have any skills?

A.J.: Water. Chord. Dusk. Polygraph. Red. Snow.

Glint: What.

A.J.: *blinks*

Glint: Please welcome to the stage, young Milo Keaton of District Nine! *crowd claps*

Milo: *walks on stage, visibly uncomfortable*

Glint: So Milo, how are you enjoying the Capitol? Is it what you were expecting?

Milo: I don't know. I haven't seen much of it. We're not really allowed out much.

Glint: *laughs awkwardly* Yes, well, how about what you've seen at the training center, then? Everything has been updated from last year's games, all at the insistence of our great President, of course! *crowd cheers*

Milo: It's fine, I guess.

Glint: *smile barely noticeably falters* What about District Nine, then?

Milo: *raises eyebrow* What about it?

Glint: Come now, Milo, give me something here. *awkward chuckle* Tell me about your home. I've never been out to District Nine myself, I must say.

Milo: *bristles slightly* It's a lot quieter now that the war's over. *sarcastically* A lot fewer people to make a racket, I suppose.

Glint: *pulls a sad face* War takes it's toll on us all *crowd murmurs in agreement* Thankfully all of that is behind us!

Milo: Except for these Games.

Glint: Right you are. Now, Milo, what do you think makes you a contender for Victor of this years Hunger Games?

Milo: I'm used to hiding out in small spaces.

Glint: *nods* Yes, as one of the youngest this year, you are also one of the smaller tributes. So this is an advantage for you?

Milo: *shrugs* I guess.

Glint: So your size is a big plus for you. Anything else? Maybe something to pick up a sponsor or two?

Milo: I lived in a war zone for four years, so I learned a lot of practical first aid and survival skills.

Glint: *nods, turning to address the crowd* A very important skill set for the arena, as we saw last year. *facing milo* Well, Milo, we're coming up on the end of our time for now. Anything else you want to say to the folks watching?

Milo: *looks conflicted, before giving a resolute nod and turns toward the camera* I haven't forgotten, and I'm going to win this for you. So we can be free.

Glint: Ladies and Gentlemen, citizens of Panem, please welcome our District 1 tribute, Ithuriel Grey!

Ithuriel: Thank you, Ms. Lovewood. You're looking absolutely stunning tonight!

Glint: Such a charmer! Now Ithuriel, you received a six for private training. What can you tell us about that?

Ithuriel: Well Glint, I can tell you my vagina is plenty swollen after all I had to bear.

-audible gags from the audience-

Glint: I...I beg you're paron?

Ithuriel: Just kidding! My vagina is plenty okay. It's so okay that it's non-existent!

Glint: Right...

Ithuriel: Honestly, I just did what was expected of me in private training, and I can't be mad at the score I received. It was well deserved, and it was higher than venus' so I call it a win/win.

Glint: Well that's good! It's always great to hear when a tribute is proud of themselves! Let's give it up for our District 1 tribute, Ithuriel Grey!

Glint: Good evening ladies and gentlemen! Let's get a swift start by welcoming our first guest of the night. Welcome to the stage, our District One female, Venus Bishop! *entire crowd literally fucking orgasms*

Venus: *Steps TF out on stage and takes seat across from Glint* Pleasure to meet me, I'm sure.

Glint: *smiles* So Ms. Bishop-

Venus: Please, my friends call me Venus Christ.

Glint: Oh..well, Venus will do for me. Now! Venus, you've been known to be quite the controversial tribute during your short stay in the Capitol. Any motive behind it all?

Venus: Yes, in fact. My dumb bitch of a mother, most of what I do is to upset her. *looks at camera and smiles*

Glint: Well we can't all have excellent relationships with our parents can we! *crowd laughs* So, Venus what did you think of your Private Training score.

Venus: It's shit, but I'm not too shaken up about it. It won't mean much soon, it already doesn't mean much to me in all honesty.

Glint: Well at least it hasn't deterred your spirits! Now do you have any words for those looking to help you out in the arena *winks*

Venus: *audibly gags*

Glint: *audibly gags* Im sorry I have a sympathetic gag reflex *audibly gags*

Venus: *audibly gags* Anyway, i have nothing to say right here while all the other heathens are watching. They'll get my letter.

Glint: Well, we'd expect nothing but great things from you in the arena. Im sure I'm not the only one eager to see what you have in store for us Ms. Bishop. Any parting words before you have to leave us?

Glint: We're almost done for tonight, but before I go, we've got one more tribute to speak to! Lets make some noise for our last, darling female, ladies and gentleman, Jo Bakker! *crowd cheers*

Jo: *walks onto the stage slightly bewildered by the noise and cheers, sitting down next to Glint while looking rather bored*

Glint: Oh my my, aren't we the strong silent type? Little nervous, Jo? *crowd laughs*

Jo: *She raises her brow and blinks slowly, trying to formulate an answer* No, I've just been waiting a very long time so I'm kinda over this.

Glint: *nervous laughs* Well I suppose we should fix that for next year, huh? *fake smiles* Tell us, Jo, how do you like the accommodations the Capitol has provided you?

Jo: *widens eyes* Accommodations?

Glint: *smiles* Well you're from Twelve, I can imagine being here, all expenses paid, must be the trip of a lifetime! *crowd cheers*

Jo: *blankly stares into Glint's soul* Ohhh I get it. *looks to audience* You're just ignorant.

Glint: *awkwardly pauses* And you aren't?

Jo: *smiles* I never said I wasn't? You're mistaken if you think my purpose is to tuck ignorance in at night.

Glint: *looks puzzled to the audience* Anyway, moving on! Sponsorship has seemed to spark a lot of controversy this year, any last minute appeals?

Jo: *nods* Yeah, I guess. *flips hair out of face and faces the camera* Jezebel, I love ya. Sponsor me, or I'll die. *crowd laughs*

Glint: Well, I for one, can't wait to find out if you do! *crowd laughs to her clapback* I'm afraid it's time for us to go. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Jo: I know you'd hate to see me go, but you'll love to watch me leave. *exits stage*