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Chapter Twenty-Five: President Snow
Small talk and a quick pull away from the party landed me straight in a large, ornate office in President Snow's residence. Upon entrance, there was a wall of windows to my right, overlooking the beautiful skyline while the faint sound of the party downstairs could be heard. I looked around the rest of the room to see the black tile leading up to the large, equally black desk with a bouquet of white roses sitting atop of it, sitting out like a sore thumb.
The white-haired older man stepped around me and continued toward his desk. He walked around it before sitting down and waving me forward. I walked slowly, taking in the beauty of the room as I walked. Just as I sat down in the chair in front of the desk, I looked over to see the skyline glowing in the evening.
"It is nice to officially meet you, Miss Stone," President Snow spoke, his voice chilling.
I felt the crown sitting above my head seemed to get heavier, though I knew that it was only my imagination. I crossed my legs awkwardly and tried to relax in the seat. Goose bumps were sprawling all over my skin.
"The feeling is mutual, President Snow," I responded, trying to force a smile as I folded my hands in my lap.
"I see that you have taken a liking to Seneca Crane," The older man said, looking straight at me.
I blinked several times before saying," He is certainly friendly. I've only just met him-"
"Oh, but it is a little more than that….isn't it?" He asked with a raise of his brow as he pulled a notebook from his desk. "You have a lot to be thankful to him for…don't you?"
I narrowed my eyes at him," What do you mean?"
He chuckled at this," There's no reason to lie to me, Savera. You think I've no knowledge of your first night in the Capitol? The Gamemakers may have been too enthralled in their festivities, but don't think that you made a move that I wasn't completely aware of."
My jaw nearly dropped to the ground. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my mouth shut rather than say something to make myself look like a complete fool. I enjoyed my life for the moment and didn't wish to do anything to put it in jeopardy. Nor did I think the people of the Capitol would appreciate this.
"Of course, President Snow," I said quietly.
"I applaud your intelligence; I do not applaud your actions," He told me, as a father would say to his child. "However, I do not wish to punish you terribly for such an action when I believe the intentions can be…evolved into something far more beneficial."
I kept quiet and allowed for President Snow to speak. I knew that the victors of the Hunger Games were not completely off the hook after they won. I knew that there were various ways to stay connected to the Capitol and I presumed this was what he wished to speak to me about.
"You see, Miss Stone," He said, leaning back in his chair. "I've two options for you. One, I believe you will like more than the other, but I do not wish to make any assumptions of you. Therefore, to keep this meeting going as smoothly as possible…I will present them to you straightforward."
I looked straight at him as he continued.
"The first option is to join the newly reformed intelligence agency of Panem which is centered right here in the Capitol. You must be aware that this is a demanding job and will require that you follow very strict guidelines with very little interference from outside companions. You should also know that this option requires a move to the Capitol…you will not enjoy the already crowded Victor's Village in your district," He spoke very slowly and held on to every word.
I showed no emotion and tried to keep a straight face. Any emotion I may have shown could have harmed me more than I wished.
"There's another industry that is growing in Panem. Perhaps, you have heard of prostitution in District Two? I do not wish to go into the details, but this job would be much less time consuming and…demanding. Now of course, the decision is yours to make."
I couldn't help but find it disturbing that he even offered the second one. Perhaps, it was his way of narrowing me into the corner in which he wished for me to be in. He had no respect for me, but rather my brain.
"How quickly do you require that I make such a decision?" I asked, after several moments of silence.
"As soon as possible," He said dryly. "Preferably, before you leave this room."
"Well, I could probably tell you right now which I prefer and show no regret over it later," I said with a slight smirk on my face.
"Ah, I knew there was a reason I liked you," He answered, leaning forward to place his elbows on his desk.
There truly was no way that I could physically, mentally, morally, or emotionally take his second offer. I hadn't any choice, but to move myself to the Capitol to begin work in this intelligence agency. I hadn't any idea what to expect, but I knew what I did not wish. It wasn't as though I was rather attached to living in District Two. My family would be the hardest thing to leave, but I hadn't a choice. They would have to understand for I had no choice.
Well then, I said looking out the window to the skyline which I would soon call home before looking back to the older gentleman," I suppose you are looking at Panem's newest resident and member of the intelligence agency."
A wide smile came to his lips as he stood up and outstretched his hand to me," What a splendid choice, Savera."
I looked at his hand for several seconds before shaking it tentatively," When do I move?"
"When you have finished your tour, I will be sure to make you aware of the details, but in the meanwhile…I would continue to keep Seneca Crane close," He said smoothly, eyeing me warily.
Why was he still referencing someone whom I had little interaction with? I suppose the dance was "important", but it was more cordial than anything. Still, I was not one to argue with the tyrant of Panem.
"Of course," I said quietly, but he was quick to continue.
"You know I've worked with many of Seneca's family members, Savera," He told me as he released my hand and walked around the desk to walk with me. "The Crane family has been in the Gamemaking business for quite a long time, you know."
"Oh?" I asked raising my brow.
"They've been excellent men, really. All of them. It's encouraging to see a family so dedicated to the business. Seneca isn't much older than you, but already he's shown his distinct personality in making decisions," President Snow said in a voice that seemed a little…nervous.
"Is having personality to be admired or not?" I asked, turning to the older man.
He shrugged his shoulders," He has plenty of time to outgrow his personal traits he currently has."
Personal traits? What sort of personal traits could he have that are so terrible? Nevertheless, I did not question the motives of President Snow. I was in no place to do such a thing, really. To my surprise, just as we reached the door, he linked his arm into my own," Still, keep him close. He is…an admirable young man."
I didn't know whether or not I trusted this recommendation of companions from President Snow. Of course, I nodded and told him I would, but I was deeply nervous as to whether or not I should follow that course. It was likely I would have little time for much of a social life anyways. Plus, I had no interest in any romantic involvement if that's what he was really hinting at.
He continued to talk of Seneca's geneology as we walked through the halls back to the party taking place, where President Snow unhooked his arm from mine, but not before he squeezed my hand tight.
"I'm impressed with you, Miss Stone. Genuinely. I look forward to your addition to the intelligence agency," He said with a smirk. "Enjoy your evening."
As soon as he dropped my hand, I felt another round of chills run through my body as I turned to look for Enobaria or Brutus. I couldn't grasp the reality that President Snow had just signed me off to a career for presumably the rest of my life. I couldnt grasp the reality that I would hardly ever see my family. I couldn't grasp the fact that my fate had already been set for me.
I stumbled around between the last of the party-goers (the smell of intoxication thick in the air) and got dragged from person to person, being introduced to the most interesting of folk before finally I ran into Enobaria who was holding a drink high above her head while doing some strange dance in front of a group of people whom I did not recognize.
Slowly, I approached her and watched the ridiculous thing she was doing. It took several moments for me to coax the drink out of her hand and get her to speak clearly.
"Enobaria!" I finally said and pulled the blue sparkling liquid from her.
She went into a rough of ridiculous laughter before collapsing against my shoulder," Ah, Savera. Nice of you to j-join u-u-us. It is y-y-y-your paarrty you know."
I looked around seeing that many others had left, what was left was straggling to the door, and her group was the only one that remained.
"Enobaria, I think it is time to go home," I said calmly as she dropped her body weight against me.
"I-I-I" she slurred to her party around her. "I think she's right."
They all burst out laughing as I tucked my arm under her and began to walk her toward the exit. It was at the exit that I saw Brutus patiently waiting. He was sitting in a chair, looking down at what appeared to be a photograph. As soon as we stood in front of him, he jumped up quicker than I had seen anyone do so before as he shoved the picture into his pocket.
"Someone have too much to drink?" He asked, sounding rather sober as he motioned at Enobaria.
"I did not!" Enobaria slurred before collapsing her head on my shoulder again.
Brutus actually offered to take her from my shoulder, at which I gladly accepted. Her makeup was running down my shoulder and I was very grateful to have let him taken care of her.
"You know where we're staying tonight?" I asked him as we exited the mansion into the City Circle of the Capitol, where our escort out awaited our arrival.
"Back at the training center. Last time you'll ever have to step foot in there," He said to me, still with a cold edge to his voice as he walked down, with a cackling Enobaria, who he quickly shoved into the vehicle. Surprisingly enough, he waited for me as I limped along (the shoes were killing my feet) and he kept the door open for me. Waiting for me to settle in before he got in after me.
I sat across from Brutus and noticed him staring at me after several minutes. I looked up to meet his gaze and he didn't turn away.
"Yes?" I asked, wondering just what he was doing.
He bit down on his lip before saying," Oh nothing, just congratulations once more. You really deserved it."
I couldn't help but notice how much emphasis he put on his words. It was a little uncomfortable to say the least, but soon enough the vehicle had come to a stop and upon exiting, I gave him a quick thank you before entering the training complex for once more. As I entered, memories (mostly painful) came flooding to my head….I couldn't believe that all of this really was reality. I thought that I would only visit this place once, but yet here I was in a golden gown with a crown atop of my head and my destiny mapped out to serve the Capitol.
It was Brutus, carrying a now passed out Enobaria who broke me out of the moment and urged me to move on.
Each and every step was like reliving the Games…it was so eerie. It wasn't until I reached the second floor and walked into the apartment that I allowed myself to relax. After scrubbing my face of all the makeup and stripping of the elegant gown, I changed into a sleeping gown waiting for me and literally threw myself atop of the bed, still soaking in the moment.
It was just as I pulled myself into the covers that I saw a note lying atop of my pillow.
It was a reservation note to some restaurant in the Capitol. I was a little baffled by it at first until I turned it over.
If you find the time, I'd be honored to meet you there. The food is delicious. -Seneca Crane
A/N: Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed this chapter because I liked writing it! Please let me know what you are thinking :D
MisticLight- It's okay to picture him young as of now…he's barely out of his teenage years. :D