Talon Naysmith | 17 | District 12
My name is Talon Naysmith, and I'm the District 12 tribute for the 56th Annual Hunger Games.
I don't know much about killing, but I do know about death, and I assure you, I don't intend on meeting mine.
They tol me to make this blog. I guess so people watching from the Capitol can ask us questions and keep up with out personal progress, along with feeling "more in-tune" with us... or something. Whatever. Ask away.
I’m sure it was a great joke, Talon. You’re very funny! *shakes her head and smiles* I’m pretty sure I couldn’t even have a bite of anything right now… this corset is laced so tightly I really don’t want to… break it. *giggles* Solid muscle? Well…. kind of, yeah. I mean, it’s…. well, I guess you could say that. *continues bouncing* Aww, that is too sweet! Not silly at all….. Thalia’s going to love it!
*smiles because Charm sthap* Right. I'm hilarious. Well i could loosen it for you. Not that- i mean loosen it like... *wipes his face because turning red* I didn't mean that in a weird way. *giggles* You think so? I really hope so... i think i know enough of what kind of food she likes to be able to get her to at least tolerate what i have planned.
*bursts out laughing* Oh my goodness…. Talon… that’s so… you’re too funny! *smiles* Well, I really can… I just really shouldn’t. This dress is tight enough as it is… any food and it might break! *giggles* Well it’s not really a secret… and I’m pretty sure my trainers are not at all pleased with all the junk I’ve been eating, so yeah. *bounces and laughs* Really? Like a real date? Oh, my god! Talon… that’s so great! So… what are you guys going to do?
I'm glad you think so... and apparently the Capitol too? I made a lame joke that they got a kick out of. Any food? Come on, i think you're exaggerating a bit. I'm sure if you had a meal it wouldn't affect you too much. Besides, you're like... solid muscle. *nods* Yeah! at least i think so. I was just going to make her something for dinner... since it would be more special that way. So... i guess just that. Wow it sounds kind of silly saying it out loud. *giggles* but I'm pretty excited for it.
*giggles* No, Talon… you’re totally fine. That is a long coat… buy my dress goes out really far too, so everyone… gets a chance to step on it. *notices the grumble* Hey, Talon… are you okay? I think… just eating cold pizza might not be so good for you.
I guess you could say your dress is... wait for it... FAR OUT! *laughs*
I'm sorry. I'm not funny. *hols his stomach* Yeah, i didn't realise how hungry i was until that just happened. Don't be bitter because you can't enjoy the wonders of cold pizza because of your super-secret diet plan of nuts and berries. Cold pizza is life. *shrugs* I can hold out for a little while longer though... I have a date with the Miss, and it's going to be a yummy inner... so...
a running tally of the people who have stepped on the back of my dress, and so far there’s been a ton of people. I’m really not used to taking up so much space!
*giggles* I think you’d be okay… I think people would be nice enough to understand! It’s very nerve-wracking, I’m actually surprised no tribute ever has…. tossed their cookies. I almost did… but anyways. Oh… so that’s it. I’m sure no one even realized! No one else knows… and you two have been really great about keeping it a secret… so I think you’ll both be okay! There’s no need to be worried about it.
huh... yeah now that you mention it, as many times as i've seen the games, I don't think any of them ever have. Wow, now i'm definitely feeling better that i didn't... *laughs* what a terrible legacy to leave behind for the poor sap who does. Yeah but- *flails* okay. If you say so... *puppy smiles* you know, it's really nice having someone to talk to about it. Sorry if it ever makes you feel awkward... feel free to stop me if you do. Apparently when i get going about it i won't stop.
*smiles and nudges him back* Well, thanks Talon. That’s probably… exactly what my stylist was thinking. Well, great! But you didn’t…. and that’s all that counts, right? *laughs* At least I hope it counts for something…. I mean, honestly… we should just get credit for not running away from the stage. *concerned look* Talon? Are you okay? I’m sure you did really well… probably better than I did, anyways.
Of course! I think if i tossed my cookies on stage, nothing i could ever do in the arena would ever be able to cover up the shame, and that's how i'll be remembered. The tribute that literally threw up his cookies. Living the dream. *shakes his head then smiles slightly* Yeah, i just... I almost spilled the secret... and i'm now thinking about how I'm really glad my interview ended when it did, you know?
*giggles* Mine too! They’re very excited…. I think they’re being squished by my dress, though… it’s so tight! *smiles* Um… well I’m not entirely sure, but I didn’t fall, I didn’t stutter… and I didn’t pass out, so I think it was okay! How about yours?
Aww, but you look stunning... *nudges her playfully* so who cares if you can't breathe right? *nods his head as she speaks* That's great! I didn't do any of those things either- well i mean i think i almost threw up... never mind. It ended up going pretty well for me i thought. You didn't see it? Probably for the best. *thinks for a minute and smile drops slightly* Oh man...
(laughs and smiles brightly* They're flapping like crazy in there! *pats his stomach* The worst- Oh!! How'd yours go by the way? I didn't get to see it, so you need to tell me about it!
Notes→ Talon's tribute interview the night before the Games.
“And we’re closing off tonight’s show with the rather impressive Mr. Naysmith –“ The boy pressed his lips together into a small smile. “and now, Talon – we’re calling you impressive because of that impressive score you received in private training. Let’s just get straight down to it and tell me, were you as surprised as I’m sure everyone else was or were you always confident in your abilities?” Damn. He certainly does get right to the point. His small brightened as he sat up straight to answer.
“Impressive? Oh, you stop right now before I out-glow my buttons and tie, Caesar.” He ran his fingers carefully through his own hair then tilted his head slightly. “Surprised with my score?” Be honest… but don’t be too honest. He shrugged slightly and continued. “I’ll put it to you this way, I came here with a trick or two up my sleeve that I knew would turn a head. I’m just pleased to see that the Gamemakers agreed. You understand why I can’t tell you now, but you won’t be disappointed when you see for yourself.” He lifted his hands and gestured to the audience, “and of course you all as well.” He added, “Should throw you all for a loop.”
“It’s a nice change, a tribute like yourself being so confident in his abilities.” The man replied.
Talon bowed his head subtly at Ceasar’s positive notion for a change. “Why thank you. I’m usually no a big fan of change but coming from you it sounds much more appealing and desirable.” It was an honest answer. District 12 definitely wasn’t known for their hardened tributes. It was like another fresh glimmer of hope.
Almost immediately after the details of his score were squashed, the crowd awh’d. Talon furrowed his brow slightly. “I guess they don’t enjoy secret keeping but I’m sure if you’re certain you can deliver a show, they’ll be more than happy to wait and see.” They can’t expect me to give away something like that can they? It’s my skin I’m trying to save keeping all of that under wraps anyway. Oh- focus. “Now since I’m sure you won’t be up for letting us in on any hints at what you could do in the arena I have to ask-“ Oh God… “Do you have any specific plans going in?” Yikes… that’s a no-no question. Talon shifted in his seat.“Any alliances or targets already picked out?” That’s definitely another no-no question. I can’t give him the honest answer for either or that will not blow over well for me at all. Okay- just… answer his questions one at a time…
The boy lifted his hands in mock defense and laughed a bit. “Hey, I’m sworn to secrecy here.” True. “I personally promise you will be more than satisfied with my magic tricks.” Also true. Damn, what to I tell him about the alliance? God- relax, just… only say what’s necessary, nothing more. “I do as a matter of fact. Staying alive being number two on my list.” He gestured by holding up his two fingers, “My alliance is another one of those things that will certainly throw you for a loop.” True. At least it’s going alright so far. Huh, maybe I’ll tell them if they really want to know- Talon carefully tapped his index finger to his lip and squinted slightly. “…Which is why I’m wanting to keep it a secret to those who don’t already know until tomorrow when you’ll see for yourself…” For the most part, he wasn’t lying; just attempting to allude to the truth without giving anything away the boy thought would endanger him or his partners. He curled his lips into another smile and turned to Caesar slightly. “That’s not too cruel is it?”
Caesar turned his head to the audience who much to Talon’s surprise and dismay looked disappointed in him again for keeping another secret. “I think it may be a little on the cruel side. We’re not one for to many secrets are we?” said the man. Come on, work with me here. He felt his ears start to warm up, and his face begin to change a bright shade of red. “We can’t know what you’re planning to do personally, or your alliance–“ God the alliance. “I think it’s only fair to give our lovely audience something to believe in.” Oh man, I am blowing this interview. The boy started bouncing his knees from the nerves. You need to turn this around- Talon perked up in his chair a little after he noticed Caesar’s brief pause. “What can you tell us to make everyone in Panem believe you can survive?” Well that’s an open door if I’ve ever seen one. First thing’s first…
“I’m not a cruel guy, I promise.” He responded sheepishly. “I’m a man of many mysteries is all…” He shrugged his shoulders slightly. “That’s why my hair is so big, it’s full of secrets.” What does that even mean? This is what happens when you think you’re funny- His thoughts were interrupted by laughter of the audience and Caesar himself. Oh… I guess they really liked that. He tilted he head slightly and nodded in agreement to Caesar’s request to give them at least a bit off information. “I think that’s fair too.” He leaned forward in his seat slightly, being as careful as he could in choosing his next words. “Well, I made a promise to two people who are very important to me that I am coming back home.” Talon didn’t expect the lump in his throat start to form so quickly and so large. Pull it together. This isn’t the time for this, not now. He continued on, being mindful of his tone. “And if I believe in anything about myself, it’s that I can outwit circles around the other tributes.” True. “I believe in that alone enough to be able to keep that promise.” …Not completely true. He turned to Caesar and smiled slightly to him, hoping that this response was more of something that would pull him out of his social grave.
“Your hair-well yes it is on the rather voluminous side, though I can’t hear anyone complaining.” Talon instinctively ran his hands through his hair again and giggled slightly. “I know for certain it’s been the fixation of quite a few people – almost nicer than mine, wouldn’t you say?” Caesar mused.
“It really is…” Talon grabbed his hair with both hands and fluffed it out in one motion. Schalla is going to kill me. He chuckled at the thought and at Caesar before going on. “I think it has a mind of its own sometimes- Almost indeed! You’ll have to tell me your secret before the night’s over.” When he took hiss hands from his scalp, his hair was in a completely different shape than what Schalla his stylist set it to before he walked out on stage. It was completely different, yet exactly the same.
“And who were these two people you promised? Family, girlfriend?” The smile on Talon’s face dropped ever so slightly. “I bet all the girls back home love a handsome boy like you.” The females in the audience all giggled in response, giving Talon the familiar blush he had whenever his mind went to a certain place. No, don’t think of her right now… you’re going to open your big mouth. His cheeks turned ever brighter.
“Girlfriend? back home?” He asked scratching his ear, trying no to sound to caught off guard. “Oh no no no… Family. My uh… mother and little brother actually.” His heart sank when he mentioned his family directly. He continued talking to try and diffuse the lump that was forming again. “I’ll admit I did get that kind of attention, but… I guess I was just always waiting for that special someone.” Not the complete truth, but incidentally not a le either- Don’t think about her too much Talon. Don’t you dare... Talon chewed his lip a bit at his answer, anxiously awaiting Caesar to continue to distract his thoughts from anchoring to her again.
“Ah-so you plan on using your wits against them, good –good we’re finally getting some answers!” Caesar said heartily. Talon relaxed a bit in his chair knowing that his interview was starting to take a turn for the better now that he started opening up a little bit. Great, keep running with it at the pace you’re going, and you’ll be golden.
“That’s right.” He laughed. “I know I know… Keep buttering me up with those compliments of yours and I might end up telling you my deepest darkest secrets…” Okay now that was definitely a lie. Stop that. He sat up in his chair anxiously awaiting his next question when he noticed Caesar turn towards the audience with a knowing smile on his face.
“Did you see his blush when we mentioned a girlfriend?” Uh oh. Not good. “Almost as though we reminded him of a crush.” This is really not good. His mind immediately went to Thalia, and he felt his cheeks burn hotter than they had all interview. “Well if she’s not yours yet, when you win she’ll no doubt notice you – hair and all.” Her smile danced through his head. “And if you don’t find that someone special back home, I’m sure there’s someone here in the Capitol for you.” The audience responded excitedly to his comments he was making on Talon’s love life, getting more and more engaged as he went on. “We do love the mention of romance here in the Capitol and a smart, good looking boy like yourself won’t have trouble at all.” In that moment, he knew he was done for. All he could think of now was the girl from District 4, completely smitten and far gone.
Talon ran his fingers through his hair again in an attempt to calm his nerves. You can’t keep too many secrets right now. Just be honest. Maybe you can try dancing around your words like she does. God I hope I’m not as bad at this as I actually am at ancing otherwise I’m in big trouble. “Crush. You could definitely call it that.” True. “Lovely as can be…” Her smile came back into his head, and he thought about all of the times she did it just for him. All of the times she affectionately ran her fingers through his hair. How every word that came from her lips was like a musical magic. “She’s actually, the sun. That’s the perfect word I think.” Absolutely true. He fidgeted with his fingers as he usually did when he was nervous. “The real sucker punch about it is she’s not back home.” No- He shut his lips the moment the words left them. You have a secret to keep. Don’t ruin it because you can’t put a cap on your feelings right now. Not right now. He let out a small nervous laugh. “My apologies to my Capitol fans, but I’m hopelessly far gone. Completely.” Oh my God, I’m going to blow this sky high. Talon rubbed his jaw slowly and squinted a little at his Interviewer. “I told you that you’d make me give my secrets away…” Would you look at that? Ended up not being a complete lie after all.
Caesar smiled widely to him as the audience awh’d again, this time affectionately. “The Sun, how very poetic of you.” Poetic? Huh… I can work with that. “She’s not-so you’ve met a lovely lady whilst here in the Capitol?” Oh God know I knew this was coming. The audience giggled excitedly as the talk of romance lived up to its expectations. As they were getting more excited, tension was building exponentially for the boy, as both knew the words that would leave Caesar next. “Well I do have to ask the name of the person who’s stolen away your-“ Just before he could finish, the time limit for the Interview expired. The audience groaned loudly, almost in unison, and Talon relaxed into his chair, feigning the same look of disappointment to hide the ridiculous amount of relief he was truly feeling. I’ll take the arena any day as long as I don’t have to go through that again, holy- “I know, I know- I wanted to know the name too audience. Sadly our time is up Talon.” The two of them stood to their feet and shook hands on last time. “It has been truly lovely speaking with you and finally getting some secrets out of you.”
Talon smiled brightly. “The pleasure has been all mine Caesar.” Not a lie. As he walked of the stage, he smiled brighter. The interview was over. Even though it started rocky for him, he thinks despite him almost destroying the secret, it went really well. Extremely well. Well enough to the point where the bounce in his step was coming from his disposition. After all, the interviews were over now, and he had a evening planned with the Sun.
We did go over it but I changed my mind. It’s different games because they have a different rule. Thalia said in go Fish you dont get to put down the matched cards you have at the start of the game, you have to keep them and match them twice. In go trees you get to.
Well same with you, every game is fun so maybe we should just stick with a nice game of go trees. It’s simple and very entertaining.
Wait... what? I've never heard of keeping the match ones twice. *shrugs and giggles* Well it sounds like we all had different names and rules playing this game back home. Although, i gotta admit it's pretty impressive we kept a lot of he rules similar considering how old the game is...
*starts dealing out the cards* Yes. Simple and entertaining is never a bad idea. Can hardly go wrong. So... how are things...?
Wait, but we discussed this already didn't we? It's different names for the same thing- unless I'm totally wrong... Am I? Now i'm questioning everything i know *flails*
Well it's up to you my friend. *Takes the cards out of his hands and shuffle them carefully* I normally enjoy a simple game with you regardless of what it is.
Well, knife-throwing is different…. I do that all the time, and I love it! I also don’t have to… worry about falling over… or stuttering… or…. throwing up, like Sterling said…. oh, dear. I don’t really know… I’ve never been this nervous in my entire life. Well that’s…. really great. I have to go first… and I’m going to completely mess up! Maybe… if you do really well with yours… they’ll forget how bad I did with my interview!
Well, you're also a fun-sized twirling unicorn fairy queen in a bubble all the time too, *smiles brightly* So this should be a piece of cake for you. In fact, I feel bad for sterling having to follow you. You won't mess up Charm. *laughs* Really well with mine? I dunno... being last is a lot of pressure... i'd much rather take your place.
You're not going to mess up. You're way too awesome. *thinks for a minute* Well then we'll just have to unnerve ourselves. Is there anything that works for you? De-stressing i mean? Don't you have to perform in front of people all the time with your super knife tricks?
We can't mess up... we're like... the ends of the interview sandwich.
