warning for potentially triggering topics like talk of death, the arena and nausea/vomitting [ only thought, not actually occurring ] please stay safe <3 - astrid was not a very pleasant cat, and she never was. they never even tried to be. until now, when eivor depended on ver getting home. so, she put on a demeanor that made them seem like a kind and caring cat that's only goal was to get home to ver lover. and as she waited to be summoned, they thought about how every pair of eyes in the capitol would be trained on ver as she was prepped for a most likely death in the arena. the thought made them nervous. another thing about astrid was that ve was not a very camera-shy cat, but when it came to this... she was incredibly anxious. everyone would be looking. at. them. oh gosh.. astra felt like vomitting. another thing about astrid is that ve had a very strong stomach, not now though. never when she needed it. time felt faster then azzy would like, and before they knew it, ve was being called onto the stage, a blinding light following her to a comfortable sofa-chair next to Ellema Stratocirrus. The interviewer. Astrid froze, thinking of all about to happen and all they could loose. and then ve was being guided to the chair in a rough manner. `` hello, sweetpea. `` ellema drawled with a small frown on her face. `` nervous, are we? well no need for that, silly. `` ellema chuckled and smiled a smile that didn't reach her eyes. `` well- `` astrid started, quickly being cut off by ellema as she introduced astro to the crowd. `` ladies, gents and loyal citizens of the capitol, please welcome astrid ahmadi of district eight! surely you remember ver interview, right? `` ellema voiced loudly, a twinkle in her eye. astrid looked at the floor, finding her confidence before looking back up and smirking `` hello, everyone! `` ri almost gagged on their next words. `` it's a pleasure to be here! `` ellema stratocirrus smiled at ver, this time the smile reached her eyes `` yes, we are all pleased to have you here, sweetpea. now tell us, ms. ahmadi, about your homelife, parents? siblings? possibly a lover? `` ellema drew out the word 'lover', seemingly very aware of eivor. `` actually, i have a father at home waiting for me to return, and yes.. i have a lover, their name is eivor and they're the love of my life. `` astrid answered pleasantly. another thing about astrid is that they hate sharing about ver lover and father. `` ah, yes.. you volunteered for eivor is the word on the street! now, how did you two lovebirds meet if you wouldn't mind sharing, sweetpea. `` ellema suggested. it wasn't a suggestion, it was a demand. `` well, my father works in the market so i was a frequent guest there, and one day, eivor and their mothers stopped by our booth to buy what my father was selling. let’s just say eivor knocked the entire booth over by accident. `` astrid murmured fondly, recalling the sweet memory. ellema chuckled again, the sound was loud and most definitely fake `` ah, so eivor is a clumsy cat is what i’ve picked up, correct, sweetpea? `` astrid nodded, not willing to speak more about eivor. `` well, what’s life like in district eight. textile productions, huh? `` ellema asked, eyes glinting with curiosity. astrid paused for a moment, thinking of how to respond. district eight was…not very wealthy, so she spent their entire life in poverty. `` yes.. textile production would be correct, and district eight is quite nice, the cats there are lovely and it’s my home… so i can’t wait to go back. `` that was 2/3 a lie, district eight was /not/ nice and the only reason ve wanted to go back was because eivor and inayat were there. her family. `` that’s amazing, sweetpea! but, bringing us to our next topic of the night since you can’t wait to go back, how are we feeling about the hunger games? prepared? nervous? doomed perchance? `` ellema pried, tilting her head. `` oh. uhm, quite prepared actually, however, going into the arena is never something to have no fear of.. so also i’m quite nervous. `` astrid answered carefully. the silence was so loud from the crowd that it was nerve wracking. then they erupted into applause, seemingly pleased that ve had real thoughts and emotions on it. ellema checked the time when the crowd’s applause lulled to a stop `` well that about wraps us up, everyone please thank astrid ahmadi of district eight for being here! you can go ahead and leave now, sweetcheeks. `` astrid had never left anywhere faster, the chorus of cheers and applause echoing in her ears lo no after they left the stage. ve was quite rattled. astra was now an event closer to her death.
