underestimate {Maddox Interview}
Oct 14, 2021 10:43:01 GMT -5
Post by Knuckles on Oct 14, 2021 10:43:01 GMT -5
"Everyone welcome Maddox Rune from District Ten!"
Maddox steps out onto the stage, and for a moment the only thing running through their mind is not messing up. Every hair stands on end making it nearly impossible to sit down. The blinding lights and the applause from the crowd is all a blur. Seeing straight is almost impossible, but right now messing up isn't an option. Forcing a smile onto their face, Maddox stares blankly into the crowd.
"I must say, your District made quite the splash at the Tribute Parade. Tell us what you were feeling up there! Confident, nervous, excited?"
It takes a moment to even comprehend what is going on. It is impossible to think, to formulate words, and truthfully only catching half of what was said might make this all the more difficult. Maddox sighs and looks at the ground. "Of course I was nervous, but I trust the stylists because they know exactly what they're doing." It might be a copout answer, but at the moment, the only thing running through their head is to make it through this as quickly as possible and get off the stage.
"Well, you've had time to get to know your opponents. What about the other tributes? Intimidating? Interesting? Irritating?" Maddox pauses. Interacting with the other tributes hasn't been priority. In fact, the only thing they've done is spent time alone studying the others. If that is even an option. "They're interesting." Everyone has a story waiting to be told, and only one person will make it out of this madness alive, and many stories are going to come to an end. "I only know what they've shown."
So much truth to it. It is easy to get lost looking for others to care, and maybe that was the wrong answers because the interview moves on.
"So, tell me, what has impressed you most about the Capitol since you've been here?" Again Maddox isn't sure how to answer this. The food, the beds, the restrooms, the showers, everything is amazing. The people are more impressive. The way they dress, the way they act. Everything about them. "The people. They're nothing like people back home. The way they dress. It's all so fascinating." Maybe it's the wrong answer, maybe it'll help guide this a little more.
"Speaking of home, tell us what a typical day in your shoes is like back home. Do you work? Do you have any hobbies or secret talents? What is your family like? Could you tell us about them? The thought of home, of seeing their family, of wondering how they're all doing without Maddox. Probably doing fine, but that is something nobody else needs to know. Maybe their parents are happy that they're here so their precious daughter doesn't ruin anything for them. But that isn't the angle Maddox wants to go with. Airing dirty laundry for everyone to see isn't ideal. "I work with horses. I make sure they're taken care of. I groom them. I always want them to be in perfect condition. I also work on a farm. Raising animals. Giving them a good life." Maddox takes a breath trying to think of how to respond to the rest of the question. "My family is wonderful. I always hang with my brothers when we aren't busy working on the farm."
But mentioning their parents -
No.
I can't.
The hate, the pain, the anger.
I can't.
All they can hear is the sound of their beating heart racing rapidly -
I can't.
Maddox turns towards the interviewer -
"We're all dying to know: What is it that you'll be fighting for in that arena? What is it you want to get back home to?" A heavy sigh leaves their chest, and for the first time Maddox is thankful someone can read the room. "I want to prove that there is more to me than anyone knows. I want to get home to show my parents that I am not who they think I am, and if I die in that arena, then I still want to show them that I am not their precious daughter anymore."
"I'm afraid we're almost out of time. Parting words to the crowd? The tributes? Your friends and family back home?"
"Never underestimate anyone."
Maddox stands and walks off the stage breathing a sigh of relief that this is over.
Maddox steps out onto the stage, and for a moment the only thing running through their mind is not messing up. Every hair stands on end making it nearly impossible to sit down. The blinding lights and the applause from the crowd is all a blur. Seeing straight is almost impossible, but right now messing up isn't an option. Forcing a smile onto their face, Maddox stares blankly into the crowd.
"I must say, your District made quite the splash at the Tribute Parade. Tell us what you were feeling up there! Confident, nervous, excited?"
It takes a moment to even comprehend what is going on. It is impossible to think, to formulate words, and truthfully only catching half of what was said might make this all the more difficult. Maddox sighs and looks at the ground. "Of course I was nervous, but I trust the stylists because they know exactly what they're doing." It might be a copout answer, but at the moment, the only thing running through their head is to make it through this as quickly as possible and get off the stage.
"Well, you've had time to get to know your opponents. What about the other tributes? Intimidating? Interesting? Irritating?" Maddox pauses. Interacting with the other tributes hasn't been priority. In fact, the only thing they've done is spent time alone studying the others. If that is even an option. "They're interesting." Everyone has a story waiting to be told, and only one person will make it out of this madness alive, and many stories are going to come to an end. "I only know what they've shown."
So much truth to it. It is easy to get lost looking for others to care, and maybe that was the wrong answers because the interview moves on.
"So, tell me, what has impressed you most about the Capitol since you've been here?" Again Maddox isn't sure how to answer this. The food, the beds, the restrooms, the showers, everything is amazing. The people are more impressive. The way they dress, the way they act. Everything about them. "The people. They're nothing like people back home. The way they dress. It's all so fascinating." Maybe it's the wrong answer, maybe it'll help guide this a little more.
"Speaking of home, tell us what a typical day in your shoes is like back home. Do you work? Do you have any hobbies or secret talents? What is your family like? Could you tell us about them? The thought of home, of seeing their family, of wondering how they're all doing without Maddox. Probably doing fine, but that is something nobody else needs to know. Maybe their parents are happy that they're here so their precious daughter doesn't ruin anything for them. But that isn't the angle Maddox wants to go with. Airing dirty laundry for everyone to see isn't ideal. "I work with horses. I make sure they're taken care of. I groom them. I always want them to be in perfect condition. I also work on a farm. Raising animals. Giving them a good life." Maddox takes a breath trying to think of how to respond to the rest of the question. "My family is wonderful. I always hang with my brothers when we aren't busy working on the farm."
But mentioning their parents -
No.
I can't.
The hate, the pain, the anger.
I can't.
All they can hear is the sound of their beating heart racing rapidly -
I can't.
Maddox turns towards the interviewer -
"We're all dying to know: What is it that you'll be fighting for in that arena? What is it you want to get back home to?" A heavy sigh leaves their chest, and for the first time Maddox is thankful someone can read the room. "I want to prove that there is more to me than anyone knows. I want to get home to show my parents that I am not who they think I am, and if I die in that arena, then I still want to show them that I am not their precious daughter anymore."
"I'm afraid we're almost out of time. Parting words to the crowd? The tributes? Your friends and family back home?"
"Never underestimate anyone."
Maddox stands and walks off the stage breathing a sigh of relief that this is over.
credit to griffin
