Chapter 21- Damage Control

Ironically, you could have heard a pin drop in The Laughing Pig.

The programming quickly switched to an ad for the upcoming Winter Wonderland shades of Skyliner but Seneca knew it was too late. The damage had been done.

All around him, hushed voices and whispered conversations began. Plutarch seemed shocked as Seneca realized nearly every Capitolite in the restaurant was looking at him. Immediately his inside jacket pocket began to vibrate and Seneca didn't even have to look at it to know who was calling him.

"Excuse me a minute"

Time for damage control. Seneca slipped to the back of the restaurant, sharing a word with the manager who led him to the use of a secondary office for privacy. Flipping the device open, he entered an encrypted password, the secured channel flaring to life.

"Mr. Crane" a familiar voice boomed forth as he was greeted by a holographic image of President Coriolanus Snow in his office on the other end.

"Always a pleasure, President Snow. How can I assist you?" Seneca replied. Inside his guts were a seething mass of worry but his stony blue eyes betrayed nothing other than the calmest confidence, not a hair out of place.

"I take it you just watched the broadcast from District Ten"

"Yes sir. I thought Glimmer handled a potentially explosive situation quite well for us"

There was no benefit in waiting to see what the President had to say; he already what it was. He had to cut Snow off at the knees on this one and rely on his skills as an actor. There were no other options.

"Interesting. I'm surprised you interpreted it that way. "

"I did sir. The other option was to either cease the broadcast or execute the traitor on the spot given the action the woman took attacking her."

"Perhaps. You don't think the citizens won't misinterpret this acceptance of her actions as acceptable by our Victors as….accommodation by the Capitol in any way of her treason?"

"No sir, I think they will interpret it as kindness on her part."

Snow paused. Seneca knew better than to break the silence.

He who speaks first, loses. Let him play his cards first.

"Kindness is weakness. And weakness is opening the door for rebellion Mr. Crane."

"I understand sir" Seneca swallowed hard. He hoped like hell this worked. Both their lives were on the line now.

"Perhaps that girl is as stupid as she looks." Snow continued.

Seneca bristled at that comment but said nothing. It was better Snow thought that way. Even if Glimmer didn't come off as smart as Cashmere or as manipulative as half the other Victors he'd met, she certainly wasn't dumb.

Actually, he feared she'd meant exactly what she'd said out there and that scared him. It was more likely that she was the smartest out of them all at thinking on her feet. Worse, he suspected the other Victors who were most likely to be involved with seeding a rebellion were figuring that out too.

But playing dumb was a good idea and Seneca ran with it.

"She is from District One sir. I'm sure she didn't have the sense to understand what she was saying was inviting treason or even tolerating it. Their citizens do not have any concept of how those from the outer districts often misinterpret our largesse."

"Fine. I want to meet with her and the other winner when the Quell is announced. Henceforth she needs to stick to the script, so to speak. Nothing rouge"

"No problem sir"

"Execute the woman from District Ten and put the area on half rations and under martial law for a month. They can pay for that little outburst and subsequent disrespect to our Victor."

"Yes sir."

"And Mr. Crane?"

"Yes?"

"Get that girl under control however you have to, understand?"

Snow signed off before he could even acknowledge a reply.

XXX

Glimmer found herself whisked off the stage along with Cato, Cash and Brutus as quickly as six armed Peacekeepers could get them safely on the train. Though the broadcast had not shown it, the crowd had rushed the platform in their excitement, causing the front of the assembled stage to collapse and inciting confusion and panic everywhere soon after. Fortunately for her group they had been rushed off just seconds before the chaos ensued, one that Seneca would learn that afternoon had already caused nine deaths including two Peacekeepers and dozens of injuries.

The Mayor, a woman of about fifty, whispered in Glimmer's ear just as they boarded the coach car hurriedly to avoid the seething mass of people who were swarming the train station, trying to get a final look at them.

"Give us hope"

The doors swished shut in front of the Mayor then, cutting her and District Ten off from view and leaving Glimmer alone with an entirely new set of thoughts.

XXX

No sooner than the four of them had managed to sit down as the train rocketed to life, streaking past the cattle fields of District Ten heading east for the now-frozen orchards of Eleven, than a signal was received on the vidscreen in the dining car across from them.

It was the Capitol seal, blinking in gold, and Brutus and Cashmere jerked simultaneously upon seeing it. Cato looked over worriedly as Glimmer asked what was going on.

"It's the secured channel. Whatever it is, its pretty damn important. They only use it with national emergencies"

"Or riots" Cato quipped, looking out across the sprawling fields speeding across their window. Off in the distance he could see several plumes of smoke billowing in the dreary January winds.

"What he said" Brutus replied back, high-fiving Cato and both the men laughed. Cashmere however didn't find it funny.

"This is serious! All of our lives are possibly now in danger so how are you two laughing?" she chastised

"To hell with it, I'll get it…" Glimmer announced, pushing her way past the arguing group and flipping on the vidscreen. The screen bloomed into pixels and then pictures as the image of Seneca Crane coalesced on the other side.

She inhaled sharply, a well-founded fear momentarily gripping her.

"This….this is unexpected" she managed to stutter out as a greeting, collecting herself.

"I'm glad I reached you so quickly. Are you ok? Has the President contacted you?"

Something in Seneca's voice told Glimmer that he wasn't what she needed to be afraid of right now. Something was frightening the Head Gamemaker and whatever that was; it was a force to be reckoned with. She steeled her nerves trying to form a reply.

She could see Brutus' head nodding imperceptibly out of the corner of her eye.

Volunteer nothing the look said

"We're all ok, just hitting bad weather. But no…no he hasn't. Why? What's wrong?"

Seneca immediately analyzed Glimmer's expression and found her surprise oddly reassuring. Perhaps she really had no idea what she'd done.

Stupid he could work with. It was rebellious that would be a problem.

"The President feels that perhaps you were a little too tolerant of the disrespect shown you in the Ceremony today. He…he feels it would be best if you remember your position as Victor and that you represent all of us Glimmer, not just District One but everyone including the Capitol"

There. He'd gotten it out in a way she could figure out without setting off bells.

"Oh. I didn't realize that. I…I was only trying to figure out what to do with how…how mean she was to me."

She cocked her head, looking utterly vapid and puzzled as she continued.

"I…I had no idea I'd said something wrong, I was just…just trying to calm the situation down"

Seneca noted with some curiosity she seemed to be fighting off tears. Good. If Snow were watching their conversation, at least he'd have plausible deniability.

Glimmer stood there, faking tears and upset with a performance that would have made Caesar Flickerman proud. Cato and the others watched her in turn, unable to quite imagine how she knew what to say given the circumstances but fascinated by the exchange nonetheless.

Glimmer knew damn well what was wrong though, despite feigning innocence. She'd managed to set off an uprising, even if it wasn't 100% intentional. She was also smart enough to realize Snow wasn't going to tolerate that either.

"It's ok, don't cry." Seneca's voice seemed genuinely concerned. Cato wanted to gag.

"Promise not to do it again, agreed?" he replied in a voice one would use with a five year old.

"Yes sir. I won't. What…what do they want me to say when I get to the other outer Districts? Will this happen to me again?"

Seneca paused for a moment. It was a good question and quite likely too.

"Everyone saw that lady attack you. I'm sure the residents of Districts Eleven and Twelve will understand if Cato accepts the gifts on your behalf, given your advanced condition, and you can just smile sweetly instead."

Basically, play the dumb bitch and stand aside quietly looking nice. Glimmerthought wryly. I can handle that. It's a part I've played for years.

Whatever. The damage was already done and the fire had been set.What came out of her mouth however was:

"Ok. That makes sense"

"That's my girl" he replied, a hidden possessiveness creeping into his tone. Cato had to turn away, his face visibly red. Brutus eyed him carefully but he had faith the boy knew when to keep his famously hot temper in line. He could only hope.

"Stay safe Glimmer. Take care of Aurora."

"I will" she replied, trying to force a smile, wiping her eyes.

"See you in a few months" he finished and the screen went black again.

Cashmere rushed over just in time, for Glimmer had started to faint as soon as he signed off, finally letting go of the acrylic chair frame she'd been holding up to that point with a death grip. Behind her Brutus took to silently shaking his head and Cato was busy burying his fists against the unbreakable glass of the dining car window.

"When the FUCK does this shit EVER end?" he screamed at no one in particular.

"It will one day Cato, that's why this Tour is so important" Cashmere replied, trying to calm him down while simultaneously working to prevent her tribute from going into an early labor from all the stress surrounding them.

No. No, it will end when that motherfucking sorry psychopath is dead Cato thought.

Maybe he could braid a hanging cord specifically for Mr. Crane while sitting here. It would be more useful than helplessly being paraded out as a Capitol puppet and watching his wife slowly lose her sanity trying not to crack under the horrendous pressure now placed on her shoulders. He wanted a rebellion to happen now as much as anyone possibly could, but how Glimmer was going to keep it all together until and even after Aurora's birth he wasn't sure. Was she that tough?

That's what she needs you for Cashmere's look seemed to tell him. She was right. He stood up, going over to where Glimmer was now seated in the same acrylic chair she'd held furiously beforehand, trying to slow her breathing and take a few sips of water. She seemed to be having some sort of asthma or panic attack, he didn't know which.

"Here, take a swallow" Brutus offered, pouring a measured amount of the scotch from where it was kept just under the main ice bin.

"She can't have that!" Cashmere said, objecting, but Brutus was insistent, waving her off. His look indicated the matter was decided and Cashmere acquiesced, shaking her head disappointedly. Brutus gave her a gruff explanation nonetheless.

"She's far enough along, a swig or two isn't going to hurt a thing. If that kid's got all her fingers and toes, it's already determined by now"

"Well at least one of us will have all of them" Glimmer quipped back sarcastically; holding up her right hand where her pinky was gone and the adjacent finger was but a stub. She had stubbornly refused to wear the prosthetic; another reason Snow probably wasn't feeling too kindly towards her.

"Hey, my hand is permanently in the form of the three-fingered salute anyway…look!" and she waved it around. "Guess it's a sign huh?"

Brutus laughed and Glimmer laughed with him.

She had the very same ability to laugh at herself the way Cashmere often did about the grimmest of circumstances. He'd found that endearing since first meeting her.

Apparently she was going to be ok and everyone breathed a lot easier knowing that. Glimmer finished the amber liquid in the glass in one swallow, slamming it down with the enthusiasm of a sailor from Four.

"About time someone let me play with the adults"

"You can play with this adult anytime sweetie" Cato replied, winking.

"Hah!" she laughed back, tossing her hair coyly. "You gonna finally share your toys?"

Argh. He really wished she wasn't pregnant right now.

"So….so what do we do now?" Glimmer said finally after a few minutes had passed. The alcohol was warming her insides just a little and her mind seemed oddly even calmer. It was a nice feeling. She wondered if Morphling in the right doses had the same effect but pushed the thought away as unimportant. She didn't want an addiction, at least not right now.

"Well, I don't think you'll have to do much of anything now" Cashmere replied.

"Yeah, I think you've probably done enough already" Cato said jokingly, Cashmere concurring. Her tone was deadly serious however as she continued.

"The citizens of District Eleven heard what you said about Rue and your regrets. They'll understand and very likely suspect why you're so quiet throughout the rest of the Tour. That'll be ok. All they need to do is just SEE you. That'll be enough."

"I wonder what will happen to the people in Ten" Glimmer answered, concerned.

"If we're lucky, Snow will execute the woman. Best case scenario, he heaps a bunch of punitive actions on them for good measure."

"Cashmere! That's awful to think."

"No, it's reality Glimmer. You heard the woman on the platform yourself. She knew the second she attacked you she was as good as dead. Now or later, it doesn't matter and she knows it. What she accomplished…and what you gave her…will more than make up for any sacrifice she or the citizens of District Ten might undergo. The other Districts will understand. "

"I hope I haven't made a mistake doing this" Glimmer replied thoughtfully, leaning her head against Cato's chest. He swept her hair out of her eyes, kissing her forehead. It seemed the safest place in the world to her and despite the danger surrounding her, Glimmer realized she would not have wished to be anywhere nor with anyone else.

This is my family she thought. If I got nothing else out of the Games than this and Aurora, it's enough.

"You haven't Glimmer. The fires were already starting before your time."

"It's time the Capitol realizes if we burn, they burn with us."

XXX

"Very good Mr. Crane" the figure said, appearing on the other end of the holovid in Seneca's office as soon as the video from his exchange with Glimmer faded out.

So he was watching the entire time.

I'm so NOT surprised Seneca thought. He expected this distrust, having lived in the Capitol long enough to know it was standard operating procedure for any elected official when dealing with underlings.

"Thank you sir. I think she understands now what is expected of her more clearly."

"Indeed." President Snow remarked. "The others I would not concur however."

"Who sir?"

"Cashmere. And perhaps Brutus."

"Should I…." Snow cut him off midsentence.

"No, no my good man, don't worry about it! The Quarter Quell is coming. I'm sure our Victors will….find themselves busy enough this year."

Seneca shivered. So therein was his answer. Victors are not exempt.

"Enjoy your evening Mr. Crane" the image said, vanishing.

It was definitely time for a new President.

XXX

Afternote: I find listening to Kanye West, of all people, works for writing Seneca's POV in his relationship with Glimmer. Listen to "Love Lockdown" and the lyrics and tell me it isn't so: ;)

So you'll never know, never know enough

Til it's over love

Til we lose control,

Screaming no no no no…

Reviews = birthday cake. Thanks!