Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games plot, but the President belongs to me
A/N: I'm back with another chapter and I've been blown away by the response from the submissions, thank you so much – in case you want to submit a character, I've put the tribute and mentor/escort/stylist submission form on my profile.
Spaces left: If you have submitted a character, they have been accepted into either your district or back up district, but here's a quick summary of the spaces I have left.
Female tribute – 2, 6, 9, 11, 12
Male tribute – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12
Mentor – (any except 4 and 11)
Escort – (any except 4)
Stylist – (any!)
Chapter 02
The Capitol
The grandmother waved goodbye to her granddaughter who was sitting delicately on the train that was destined to arrive at the station in district one.
"Stay safe, little mockingjay," the grandmother, President Phoenix, murmured to herself with her hand swaying beside her head.
Little mockingjay was what she called the young girl ever since she was a baby. On the day that the girl was born, the mockingjays sang at their loudest after a period of silence which people thought was a migratory period. President Phoenix believed that the birth of this little girl was what brought the mockingjays back, she always had done, and always would do.
There was a hiss and a whistle as the train pulled away from the station and hurtled out of the station.
"President Phoenix, I knew I'd find you here…"
Fox, if there was anyone whose voice Phoenix did not want to hear – his was definitely near the top of the list, maybe even the top position. With a deep breath through the small gap she had allowed her mouth to make, she turned slowly, pivoting on the ball of her right foot.
"Mr Fox – you do understand that your position as a gamemaker does not mean that you have some sort of power over me, don't you? Despite the fact you know about the precautions I have taken to protect my granddaughter, you do not hold a position above mine, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't keep tabs on me. And please don't assume that you know where I'll be because I am not predictable whatsoever."
"Oh President Phoenix, I could turn your world around if you so much as try to underestimate my abilities. I don't know about you, but I don't believe that anyone would agree that you had been adjusting how the reaping should occur, by the bribery you have organised so that your granddaughter will not be chosen to represent her home district. Which reminds me, how come she does not live in the Capitol, with you?"
Phoenix's mind was cast back to the moment that her daughter was in the process of bringing her granddaughter into the world. The words that were told to Phoenix were ones that forced her to promise never to let her granddaughter take a permanent residency in the Capitol, because 'it was a place that changed you for the worst' and Phoenix agreed. Phoenix agreed to take care of this little baby girl, and after she said this, the president's daughter's vitals began to shut down.
Up until now, President Phoenix and her granddaughter were all that the other have in terms of a family.
"Because I made a promise to my daughter moments before she died to not let her live in the Capitol permanently."
"Promises must be important to you, aren't they?" Fox held his hand out palm up for her. "Shall we walk?"
"I suppose." President Phoenix placed her hand on top of Fox's slender hand. "You still haven't told me what you have planned for the next Games, and the promotional video about the Hunger Games?"
To Phoenix, there was something peculiar about Fox, he seemed more secretive than was necessary. Normally, she would have found this tedious, but this time, it was different. This time was one that kept President Phoenix intrigued but weary, weary of the fact that he may try and overthrow her.
"That is because there is nothing to tell. I have no plans about any upcoming Hunger Games, or even for this promotional video…" Fox replied calmly, contrast to Phoenix's edging on frantic behaviour. "I know it's not what you expected, but I want to make a change for the Games."
"You do know that I can have you replaced should you not reach expectations. It can easily be done – it has been done so in the past, and I can just as easily do it," President Phoenix said with a huge spite in her voice – this was not a threat that Fox should take so lightly.
The way her eyes narrowed told him he needed to put his finger out and make some solid preparations for this year.
She turned away from Fox and paced a few steps before looking back. "I must journey to see Mr Horatio Sphinx and Miss Thalia Siren. My trusted interviewer and commentator – I believe you are acquainted with Miss Siren, are you not?"
A smirk crept across Fox's face. "I must say that I am. She is a bewitching specimen of a woman, with everything perfect in every single way, when she has her clothes on, and especially when she has them off. I've seen for myself-"
"Please." President Phoenix rolled her eyes. "I do not need to hear of what or who you do behind closed doors."
"You were the one who asked Madame President," Fox replied boldly, almost taunting the president. "I feel that a proposal is on the horizon."
"Don't you know that she and Horatio have been bedding one another for some time now, Fox? Believe me when I say that nothing you say will tempt me to do or say anything which may cause me to lose my presidency."
"But what of the conspiracy that you have paid someone the volunteer should your granddaughter be reaped?"
For a moment, Phoenix's heads clenched and she felt the sharpness of her large onyx studded ring digging into the hand it was on. But that moment came and went as Phoenix went towards the handmaid who was holding a parasol up for the president to shade her pale white skin from the sun's rays.
Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = I'm not so sure about this chapter – I think I just wanted to finish it – which is not normally how I write my chapters. I might apologise if you believe the ending got a little inappropriate, I just wanted conflict and taunting to arise between Fox and Phoenix :S