Clove can smell the blood from across the room. He's dressed in a sharp, black suit. A white rose is pinned to his suit jacket. His snow white hair is combed back. Clove looks into the snake like eyes of the President. She notices a young woman standing beside him. She's dressed in a long white dress, and her red hair is pulled back into a ponytail.
"Ms. Kemmings. Please, have a seat." He says. Clove just nods her head, and walks over to the table. She sits down in the chair across from him.
"I wasn't expecting this Sir." Clove says wary of why he's here in Two. From what she's heard he doesn't leave the Capitol unless he has a reason to.
"it's just a matter of principle darling. That's why I brought my lovely daughter. She's next in line to the throne. Sara Snow." He says. Sara gives Clove a nod, before giving Snow a nod as well.
"And, you're telling me this. I thought the presidency was all top secret." Clove says.
"It is. But, I trust you Ms. Kemmings. You seem like a pretty smart girl. Plus, I don't have any secrets to hide." Snow says. Clove keeps her thoughts inside her head. She knows that Snow has more secrets than he lets on.
"Neither do I." Clove says rubbing her hands together.
"Good. I think it's best if we agree not to lie to each other. That sound good to you?" Snow asks.
"Yes. I think that's the best plan of action." Clove says. She looks up at Sara, before looking back at the President.
"Good. Now, I have a problem. A problem that started with that switchblade of yours. When you were ready to end your life for a boy you barely know." Snow says.
"Not true. I've known Cato since I was little." Clove objects.
"Inside Two's training facilities. How about outside of it? Any interaction with the boy?" Snow asks.
"Never had the time for it." Clove says. Part of what she is saying is true. She never had the time for Cato outside the training they did together. But, she did find some time every now and then.
"Okay, I'm just curious why you were willing to kill yourself and him. Is it just because you disliked the ruling? Or, do you actually have some interaction with Cato that you don't want to tell me." Snow asks. Clove can feel the sweat running down her face. She's never been more nervous in her life. She's Clove. She has no emotions, and is rock hard at hiding them.
"It was a spur of the moment thing. I'm a young, naive girl." Clove says looking straight into the eyes of the President.
"Fair enough. Well, your little spur has convinced people in the capitol. They believe you're completely in love with the boy. However, some districts are not." Snow says. Clove's eyes widen a little at his words.
"How so?" Clove asks.
"You obviously don't know, but in some districts, people viewed your act as an act of defiance. Not one of love. And, if a girl near the capitol can defy the Capitol why can't they? What stops them from defying the government? What stops them from forming uprisings…" Snow says.
Clove's eyes widen at the word uprising. The last time the districts rebelled against the Capitol, they were defeated. One district was even completely obliterated. District 13. Those events were known as the Dark Days. They were the reason The Hunger Games were ever created. Millions of people died, and it is always taught in schools.
"Uprisings? There have been uprisings?" Clove asks.
"No. But, if they aren't convinced that your act in the arena wasn't an act of love. What is to stop them?" Snow asks.
"What do you need me to do?" Clove blurts out.
"When you and Cato are on tour. You need to be prepared to end it all with that boy. You need to end it all in love." Snow says. Clove nods her head.
"I'll convince them." Clove says. Snow gives her a slight nod before standing to his feet. His daughter walks out of the room, before Snow walks past Clove. She lets her guard down for second, before she jumps when she hears his voice in her ear.
"No. Convince me. For the sake of your loved ones…" Snow says. He puts a piece of paper in her lap before walking out of the study. Clove looks down, and sees a picture of Briar walking past the mines.
She knows what his words mean. Convince him of her love for Cato, or her entire family and friends are going to be killed.