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// VII - Assessments and That Crazy Host 
// Story: The 34th Equestrian Hunger Games 
// by Sketch-Pad 
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I plopped myself onto my bed after the final day of training. I was sore, especially in my shoulders. Most of my time had been spent building up body strength and gaining endurance. My forelegs had grown to the point where if somepony touched them, they would discover that they were firm and a little bulky. Before this training, they were just soft, small and almost flabby. I didn't turn into a muscle-horse, no, the difference was only really noticeable by touch or feel. 
I flipped onto my back, curving my hooves over my chest and stared up at the ceiling. Tomorrow I would have to attend the interviews in the morning, and in the evening I would have my final assessment. I still wasn't sure exactly what skill I wanted to show them. I could show them how good I was at close-hoof combat, or maybe even how well I had been able to take up a spear in the seven days. There was also the fact that I could show them my survival skills, or how well I knew my plants and nature. 
I moaned and then crawled under the sheets of the bed, trying to make myself sleep. I lay there for a good hour or so before I gave up and ventured out of my bed and into the main room. I walked out, my hooves making a quiet rhythm as I strode across the floor. No pain shot up my leg anymore, and you could barely even tell that I had cracked my hoof. I placed my rump down on the floor in front of the window, my tail sweeping the floor around me. I stared up at the night sky with wide and curious eyes and allowed the sight of the stars to make me grin. The moon was nowhere to be seen, and after a few moments of searching for it did I tell myself that it might just be a new moon. The stars were dimmer here then When I had seen them at home, but they were still the same stars. I was able to pinpoint Orion's belt, and then the remainder of the constellation. Soon followed were the constellations of Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, the bears. 
I wondered if my family was watching the stars on this moonless night. They were the only thing we could share together of this last night before the games, and I wished my goodbye had been better. Right after that thought had vanished from my mind, did I see a bright streak slid across the sky, and then vanish. A shooting star, and a very bright one at that. I lifted one of my hooves to the window and bowed my head. I sighed sadly.
I had never looked at shooting stars the same way thanks to Circuit. We had spent almost the entire day together, laughing and having a great time. We had been friends for years, and that day was so great, we didn't want to leave each other, so we found our way on top of my roof. We had stayed there for a while, cuddling and watching the stars. I remember it so vividly; I had spotted a shooting star in the sky and pointed it out to him and told him to make a wish. And his wish was to kiss me. I remembered being shocked at first, but he had explained that he had a crush on me for the few months prior. Ever since that night, we had been dating. 
I cringed at the memory. I missed him so much, and I felt so bad for how I left things. He had every right to be scared, and he had every right to not volunteer. As much as it hurt, it was probably better that he was at home. If he was here...it just meant that one of us would be left alone for sure. Only one pony would walk out of these games alive, and if we were both in the games, one of us would for sure lose the other. And I couldn't bear that. I could not bear to see him die. Did he know that before I did? That both of us participating in the games would only cause the other the most pain imaginable?
Oh Circuit... what have I done... would he even take me back if I won? I was so cold to him because of what happened, failing to realize that it was probably for the best. I just had to hope that somehow everything would be okay.
My thoughts were disrupted when soft hoofsteps echoed in my ears, which had turned to face the sound before my head did, and seeing Jockey put a little bit of relief in my heart. I didn't know why his image made me feel that way, but it did.
"I'm guessing you can't sleep?" I asked the green stallion as he sat down next to me. 
"Yeah, there's just too much on my mind," He replied. 
We sat there for a few moments in silence, waiting for the other to say something. Finally, he broke the silence. 
"What do you think is going to happen once the games start?" 
It was a very vague question. 
"Anything could happen. We could die the first day, or we could win the games. We could have friends or we could have enemies. You should know that, right?" I answered. I think I sounded like a smartass though. 
"Well, yeah, but I mean, I get this feeling that something different is going to happen in these games. That after these games, everything will change."
I looked at him through the corner of my eye, and saw that he was just staring out the window. 
"The games seem to always change a little bit every year, but I actually have that feeling a little bit too. It's difficult to explain exactly what it is, but you aren't too alone in that realm."
What I said to him was honest. For the last few days every time I would sit and think about the games, I would always get the feeling that something would be different after these games. Or at the least, something was off. I don't know if it just meant a rule change, or if the entire process of the games itself would change. There was always the slim possibility that if the games went tragically this year, then there might not even be another game next year. That was a stretch and knowing Discord, he would not allow that to happen.
We stayed there for about half of the night, waiting until our energy was drained. We were finally able to sleep, though our beds did not call to us as strongly as the couch did. It was the right type of bed that my body had been longing for the entire time. 





The next morning was far too early. I knew the interviews were at ten thirty, but still, there wasn't a need to wake up at 6 am. We had gotten up and out of the inn so quickly that I didn't even have time to pick up my brush. I was practically thrown in the stylists' room, and they were on me faster than bees on honey. 
The mares hosed me down with water that was much colder than it was last time, and it was all I needed to be fully awake. The shampoo was far more fragrant this time, and I clearly smelled like apples once I had left the showers. They took me to a booth, and they did everything they had done before. Polished my hooves, curled my eyelashes, and lathered my mane and tail with more apple-smelling products just to make it shine. The mares brushed down my coat to practical perfection, though this time I felt so overly groomed that I felt like a doll. Literally, one of those plastic ponies given to foals. I felt like one of those. 
After they had finished, they ran me back to Glimmer, my stylist. Her calmer demeanor relaxed me once more as she came up to greet me. 
"So, I was thinking of doing something simple but unique for you," She explained for me. "You really don't seem like the kind of mare to be into flashy things, so I intend to use that."
She was walking around me, probably observing how I had grown some in the past few days. 
"I want to find something that brings out the tougher side of you, but also the more feminine side of you as well-" 
She trailed off her sentence, and she walked over the box that held a surplus of fabrics. Soft hums were heard in her direction, and She was clearly in deep thought. Her thinking was quickly interrupted with a loud "AHA!" and then she quickly pulled many fabrics out the box. The pieces swirled around me, along with scissors, sewing needles, and spindles. They were moving so quickly that I was afraid to move. 
There was a blue flash, and I found my body covered in a midnight blue waistcoat. My cutie mark was left visible, but the coat's two tails that curved over my rear-end created an elongated look of my body. The sleeves reached close to the floor and made my front legs look quite longer and stronger than they would without it. The bottom of the sleeve was lined with a dark blue glitter, but it gradually faded upwards towards my shoulder. The neck collar was cut in a flattering angle that was very feminine, and it too was lined with sequins. There would probably be a white blouse on underneath the collar, and maybe a tie or something. 
For a moment I worried if it didn't represent the transportation enough, but after viewing it in a mirror did I realize that it was sharp and sleek, much like the trains my district made. I also couldn't wait to see the look on the Host's face when he would see a mare walk out in a waist coast instead of a dress. 
"There, you see? It's perfect and unique. They will be expecting something like this for a stallion, but not a mare!" She leaned back on her hind legs and clapped her hooves a single time. "I'll have a little headpiece to match the costume as well after the others do your hair and makeup." 
She removed the garment from my body, and then she sat herself down at the sewing machine. 
The other stylists then removed me from the room and fought to put makeup on me. They used more silver colors, but they used dark blue eyeliner instead of the gold they used last time. They drew a small design at the corners of my eyes, which helped showed that we came from the district that made transportation. 
They didn't do too much with my hair, Other than just braining my bangs so they went around my right ear. They braided the top part of my tail as well, which added a nice touch. They polished my hooves once more, and then they took me back to Glimmer.
The interviews started in thirty minutes so things were starting to rush more quickly. Before I knew it, I was dressed, with a little hat atop my head, a silver bow-tie around my neck, and waiting in line to be interviewed. 

I was watching the screen intently and smiled as the male tribute from district 3 walked on to the stage. The audience cheered, and the host, whose name was Romagee, made a comment about how strong Code Red looked in his white tux. They then proceeded to talk about why he volunteered, and I felt the same heart-pains as he told the story about him volunteering for his marefriend. The audience gasped and there were little sobs that echoed in the audio, clearly showing that their story would be a tragic one. They talked about that for a while longer, and then the host wrapped it up by wishing him good luck. 
He invited the next tribute on stage, a mare by the name of Mocha Puff. She seemed nice, but she kept flipping her hair every time she answered a question. These ponies were clearly trying to win sponsors. Scale, who was in line in front of me, turned to face me, with a smirk on his face. Knowing him, he was probably thinking about how pathetic she was or something. 
I pulled my head away from the screen and looked at the dark green stallion. I blinked at him, and he didn't move his gaze. I sighed and rolled my eyes. "If she's trying that hard to win sponsors, she must not be that skilled," I told him quietly. 
Scale nodded and turned back to face the screen. That was a very weird...conversation. 
I turned and looked back up at the screen, just in time to see her wave her goodbye to the crowd, and a stallion made his way onto the stage shortly after. After him, there would be two more tributes until I would take my place onto the stage. The stallion, named Cocoa Cream, started talking about how both he and his sister were reaped. Their story was just as, if not then more tragic that the couple from district three. I would hate to be the mother of those siblings, especially since only one of them could return, if at all. How many lives did these games ruin?
I actually ended up zoning out for the interviews from district 5, mainly because I was trying really hard to calm myself down. I hate doing things when my emotions are raised, so I knew that if I was stressed for it then I wouldn't be good onstage. When It was my time to go on, I was escorted by two peacekeepers to the stage entrance. A stylist added tiny final touches to everything and made sure that I was in good shape to go on. 
I waited and listened to him. "Well, we're reaching the halfway point, my good friends, and we've reached the tributes from district six!" The audience cheered. "Now I've heard many good things about the next mare you're going to meet, so I assure you that you are all going to love her just as much as I do." He paused for dramatic effect. "Fillies and gentlecolts, I present to you, all the way from district six, Terra North!"
The audience roared to life as I made my way onto the stage, though once I had made my way fully into the spotlight, their yelling increased to the point where it was just overwhelming. I went to take my place, but Romagee stopped me, which made the audience stop cheering almost immediately. 
"Now what do we have here! Your designer surely stepped outside of the box with this one. What do you think made her decide this was the best look for you?"
I hesitated, then I remembered how much he loved himself. "Well, maybe, she liked how you looked in a suit so much she copied the idea." The crowd laughed, and I looked at them. I was able to pinpoint Glimmer sitting in the seventh row, and she was nodding at my comment. At least I was doing well. 
"Well, now I wouldn't doubt the idea," He said with a chuckle. "But enough about me! Sit down, and tell us all about you."
We sat down on the chairs, and I waited for him to ask a question. 
"So, how have your days of training going down?"
I thought for a moment. "Well, I've made a few friends, and definitely have down what my skills are."
"Friends huh? Like who?"
"Well, they're actually ponies you haven't met yet. I couldn't possibly spoil the surprise."
"Oh, come on! Surely just tell us their district!"
"Nope! You'll just have to wait and see!" The crowd clapped, and the host sighed. 
"Very well. Well, perhaps you'll tell us about your friends at home then? I'm Sure a pretty mare like yourself would have a colt friend."
I winced. "Yes, I did actually,"
"Did? Whatever do you mean; did something happen?"
I sighed and looked out to the audience. "I had a colt friend, and just before the reaping, we made a promise that if one of us was reaped, the other would volunteer. Unfortunately, that fell through." The crowd sighed. "I was upset and hurt, and I turned my back on him. I didn't listen to what he had to say before I left. He was scared, and that was why he didn't volunteer. He didn't want both of us to die, and he didn't want one of us to be forced to live without the other. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't get to tell him goodbye, I'm sorry I didn't get to tell him that I loved him." I could feel the tears falling from my face. 
Romage lowered the tone. He seemed caring. "You know, he might be listening to this right now, watching this very moment. You can say what you want to him, and he will hear you. Now is your chance."
I searched and found the camera. I stared at it, hoping that he was watching. "Circuit, if you can hear me; I'm sorry. I am so very sorry. You know that I love you..." I choked back a sob.
Romage patted my back as the crowd let out a sad 'aww'.
"You should be proud of yourself Terra. And I bet he heard you. If you go and win these game, I see no reason why he wouldn't take you back when you returned home."
I gave a sad chuckle. "You're right. . . As usual," The audience giggled.
"Before you go, could you give us a little demonstration? I've heard that you're quite gifted with magic," he asked.
I looked at my mentor, sitting next to my stylist. She nodded. 
"I see no reason why not."
"Alright then! Let's see!" 
"Mind if I borrow your flower on your suit?"
He looked surprised at first but handed it over to me. Using my magic, I sat it in the center of the stage. I stood back up from my seat and concentrated all of my energy on the small red flower from his suit. My horn was glowing with my purple hued magic, the Flower began to grow. I grew branches and vines that sprouted leaves and more flowers. Soon enough the flower vines had decorated the stage. The crowd was in awe. Then, with a spark from my horn, the plants burst into flames, fading away and leaving nothing behind, but not damaging the stage. All that was left was the same flower that came from Ramage's suit. The crowd screamed. I picked up the flower and presented it back to him. 
"Well, I hope this was just a demo of what could come in these games! That was superb!"
I blushed. "Well, I can do more, but of course, there are rules to these games," I said, looking at him. I turned back towards the audience and smiled. "But I'll stretch all of my limits! I'll stretch them all, just for you!" 
They cheered again, and I knew that it was time for me to allow Jockey on stage. 
"My friends! I told you all that you would love her! Terra North! May the odds be forever in her favor!" I bowed and trotted happily off stage. I was met with my mentor giving me a great big hug. How she appeared that quickly backstage was beyond me. 
"You did perfectly Terra. Appearance is everything, and you surely appeared magnificently," she commented. "Now come on. Let's watch the remaining 13 ponies, shall we?" 




The rest of the day went well, but in the evening, it was time for personal assessments. I was nervous - well, who wouldn't be? Even if you were beyond confident that you would do well, there was always the possibility that something could happen; you could slip-up and perform tragically. It sounds like it happens to somepony about once a year, and I just hoped that it wasn't going to be me. 
We were waiting in the square silver room, a gentle chatter among a few of the ponies. Jockey was talking amongst his friends, and a lot of the pairs were talking to themselves. Others were stretching or jogging in place. I thought that I should join a group to talk to as well, but I didn't. As much as I wanted to, there was a section in my head that said I couldn't bond with too many other ponies. It would just make their death harder on my emotions. . . 
The speaker dinged on and called the stallion in. "Jockey, from district six." 
The other ponies had already gone, and it was getting closer to my turn. I was scared, actually, and I just focused on my breathing. I closed my eyes and waited. 
Before long, all I was aware of was a clear voice that called, "Terra North, from district six."
I sighed and stood up from my chair. I walked over to the doorway and walked down the hall. I passed jockey on his way, and he had a little bump on his head. 
This was it, this was my moment.	
"You have ten minutes to present your skills. Begin," was all that I heard from the booth filled with ponies. 
I walked over to the plant quiz again and turned it on with a little beep. The screen in front of me was projected on the wall for the judges to see. I clicked start and began my quiz. It was different this time, and it required verbal answers instead of just clicking a button. 
"Dogwood. Blueberries. Western Hemlock. Mint. Douglas Fir -" I kept going, swift and barely blinking. I had finished through fifty questions in about four and a half minutes. After I finished, the screen loaded and showed that I got all of them right. I gave a sigh of relief.
I looked at the judges and saw that some of them were giving impressed nods. I wasn't finished though. I made my way over to the weapons rack and picked up a spear. I let it rest atop my hoof, and felt the weight. I aimed at the target and threw. I was aiming for the bulls-eye of the chest, but I ended up hitting the bulls-eye of the head. I tipped my head sideways in slight disbelief, and then proceeded to throw yet another one, this one hitting it in the second ring from the center on the chest target. 
I was relieved, and heard a buzzer that showed that my time was up. I gave the judges a thankful nod and then trotted out of the room with my head held high. I performed well, that was for sure, but it was up to the judges to decide how well I actually did. 

Later that night we were given our scores. The lowest scores were two sixes, both from district ten. Most of the other ponies scored well, and I was shocked to see that Scale ended up scoring an eleven. I scored a ten, a score that was worthy of the careers. Jockey scored a solid eight. The only real shocker was a mare from district one, who scored a seven. 
The stallions from one and two both scored tens, and Cherry Cloud scored a nine. Code Red scored an eight, and his marefriend scored a seven. Both ponies from District Four scored sevens as well. Golden Quill, from district five, also scored a seven. The mare from seven, the overly pretty one, scored a nine, where the stallion scored an eight. There was a griffin that I didn't catch the district of who scored a ten Moon breeze scored a ten, as well as the Chineghs mare from district nine. Both stallions from those districts scored with an eight, and the remaining ponies all scored sevens, other than a red stallion named Blaze. He scored an eight. 
These games would be tough, that was for sure. I didn't know how I would be able to face any of these ponies, let alone defeat them. 
Tomorrow was it. Tomorrow I would be starting the games. Tomorrow would change my life forever. Tomorrow was the beginning of the rest of my life.