A/N: I own very little :)
Chapter Thirty-Five: A Dangerous Engagement
In the three years Seneca and I dated, he did not meet my parents until the third year Granted, I hadn't been allowed to go back and see them either, but I knew that my family had friends at the Capitol and knew of my relationship. After much prodding and smooth talking, I had been able to convince President Snow that a trip back to District Two would be good for our relationship's publicity and that I simply needed to see them again.
I knew that President Snow didn't like the idea of allowing me to get what I pleased, therefore, he made certain conditions to this trip: only Seneca and myself were to travel to District Two, we were not to stay overnight, and we would have a security escort to and from the home for they certainly didn't want an incident occurring like last time.
The only reason I had gained much of any respect from President Snow in those three years was because of how quickly I had been able to move up in the ranks of my sector. I was a supervisor in the District Two region, much to the displeasure of many, but I had assisted the Capitol in working out many bugs in their system. Seneca also was gaining more respect as a Gamemaker. He was well on his way to gaining the same respect his other family members had received. Together, we most certainly deserved a trip to meet my family.
Though, a bit of my was slightly nervous to see how my family would react to Seneca.
"Is the infamous Seneca Crane nervous?" I teased, my fingers interlaced with his as we sat by the window of the train en route to District Two.
He shot a look at me," Of course not. I'm more nervous for you to be traveling through District Two again."
I furrowed my brow," For what reason?"
He cocked a brow," You were violently attacked last time. Do you not remember?"
I scoffed," I had it under control…"
"It was still an attack, Savera," He said, tightening his grip on my hand. "You could have been killed seeing as that was their intentions."
"Yes, but the rest of the district doesn't feel the same way and those who attacked me have been taken care of, rest assured," I told him, taking a sip of the water by my side table.
"I highly doubt that," He muttered, looking at me. "Those kids were some of the district's highest prospective for the Hunger Games. I'm sure they suffered little punishment."
I leaned in to his ear and teasingly asked," Are you questioning the authority of District Two, Mr. Crane?"
He shrugged," Perhaps I am. Either way, if they haven't punished them for attacking someone of your status, then they should."
I rolled my eyes, knowing that he was only being overprotective. He was right to a certain extent, but I couldn't necessarily be as adamant as he were.
Conversation continued for the rest of the ride as we enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere, a change from our usual stressful life back in the Capitol. We were able to spend time with one another, but not near as much as we had when we started dating. In our conversations, I relived some of my family members and the memories we had together. It had been so long since I spoke of them that it was nice to verbalize all of my thoughts of them.
"Both Titus and Ostro were very strong and the typical District Two tributes. I'm pretty sure from the day they walked into the academy, their names were shot to the top of the list for potential volunteers when they came of age," I explained to Seneca, looking out the window at all of the passing trees. "Of the two, Titus probably was the stronger and it just worked out that he was the volunteer for that year. I remember the day that we had to say bye to him…none of us would have ever expected him to go down the way he had."
Emotions were choking up my throat, but I tried to press them down. Seneca could clearly tell that I was getting emotional and placed his other hand atop of mine.
"Ostro has been wonderful though. I shouldn't take him for granted," I said, shaking my head. "We were blessed that he never had to experience what Titus or I did."
At mentioning the Games, immediately the images of horror came back into my mind. I was rather embarrassed that I was being so emotional at this moment, but I couldn't help but be pulled back to that sensitive mindset when I spoke of District Two. Sadly enough, many of my worst memories had spawned from my home district.
After much "catching up" for Seneca as to my family's situation, the train came to a halt and a glance out the window told me that we had arrived back home. I clenched Seneca's hand tighter.
"Are you nervous, Miss Stone?" He teased, looking at me with a sly smile.
I swallowed hard as we stood up," Oh absolutely not. It's just been awhile is all."
I was only being slightly sarcastic as I pressed a smile onto my lips and walked with Seneca to face the crowd that had grown to catch a glimpse at us.
Seeing all the people and waving to those whom I knew wasn't all that bad. Truly, it wasn't terrible to see them all, however, I couldn't help but feel that some of them were not being entirely genuine in their greetings. My heart sank when I saw the academy and the outdoor training they were going through. As we passed, I noticed a group out for what I assumed to be a cross-country jog.
As they ran, I recognized the teenager at the front of the line: Cato. The blonde-haired, muscular boy shot me a glare as he passed, seconded by his other cronies and a girl whose name I remembered to be Clove.
Seneca too noticed their looks," Why do they not at least hide their displeasure?"
"They are far too arrogant. I was not the predicted winner and they do not like having their schedule rearranged for anyone," I said to him quietly as the last of the group ran by. "The boy at the front will be their new Flux. It won't be long until he's parading down the streets as a celebrity."
Seneca shrugged," That may or may not happen. They thought the same thing of Flux, did they not? Perhaps, it is not good for him to be compared to such."
"They wouldn't appreciate you saying such a thing, but I suppose it is true," I muttered back to him, as we paused in front of the academy to look into its tall, gleaming windows. Inside, I could see the others training hard and did not envy them one bit. "Flux truly should have won, though, Seneca."
He sighed," You need to have more pride in yourself."
It's hard to have pride in something you aren't necessarily proud of, I thought to myself as we came closer to my home. I said nothing, however, not wishing to get into an argument with him over something like this for we would never see eye to eye on it.
We continued strolling along, with guides right behind us, until we came upon my family's house once more. I stood on the sidewalk, staring at the home. My heart immediately kicked into over drive.
"This is a charming place," Seneca commented as we strolled forward.
"It is, isn't it?" I commented softly as we continued to the front porch.
I raised my hand to knock, but the door flew open before I could do so.
Immediately, I was in my mother's arms as she kissed the side of my face and held me tight. I started laughing due to my absolute shock at her reaction and happiness to see her. After several moments, I pulled away as she cupped my face. I could tell that tears were draining from her eyes as she kissed my forehead," You must never go that long without contacting me again."
"I'm sorry, mother," I whispered to her, genuinely torn over my lack of contact.
"And this, this is-" She asked, looking at Seneca, though the look on her face said she already knew who he was.
"Seneca Crane, Mrs. Stone," He introduced himself, shaking her hand firmly.
She nodded to him," It is nice to meet you after all this time. I have seen the publicity."
Color came to my face as we looked at each other before she invited us inside. I could feel the intensity of her stare as we entered into the house. Clearly, they had been notified of our coming for the house was spotless and she was dressed in her finest attire. It was awkward to say the least when my brother and father entered into the main living area as we came in from the door.
My father looked as though he could chew nails while my brother was rather pleasant.
Ostro stuck his hand out to shake Seneca's…I noticed his eye was blackened as well as other bruises scattered about his body. I wondered what possibly could have happened to him, but knew that I probably would have only become filled with anger had I known.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Crane," Ostro said, smiling at him pleasantly. "I am Savera's brother, Ostro."
"Ostro, the pleasure is mine. Please, call me Seneca," He smiled as they broke the handshake, Ostro turned to me and immediately embraced me.
I was too distracted by the energy from my brother to see just how Seneca and my father greeted one another.
"I can't believe it's been so long!" Ostro cried, spinning me around before placing his hands on my shoulders.
He truly looked more like a man than a boy anymore. His body was more toned, he looked to be keeping fairly decent care of himself (other than the minor bruises). My father and mother looked as though they had aged greatly over the years. I could assume by the sideways glances my father was shooting me around Seneca that he did not approve. Nevertheless, he embraced me for a long moment before kissing my forehead and telling me softly," I love you, Savera. I've missed you terribly."
"I've missed you, as well," I whispered to him before slowly backing away.
I knew that there was far more that could have been said to my family members, however, I would never dare speak out blatantly against the government while with Seneca near me. There was twice as likely the chance that Capitol cameras were aimed at us, not to mention the guards standing outside of the household. We did manage to enjoy a night of getting to know one another, catching up, and acting as though we truly could trust the other, regardless. I had not the trust in the confidentiality of the area around me to tell my parents that Seneca truly was not a "hard-core" Capitol man. In fact, from the fake smiles and laughs, one would have thought us to be one big happy family that had seemingly bonded overnight.
It was after many glasses of hot cider and laughter that the dinging of Seneca's technology (I knew not the official word for his device in which he made all communications) began to buzz.
His eyes shot to me," I must take this. Please, excuse me for a moment."
I nodded before squeezing his hand," Of course."
He smiled, squeezed my hand before rushing out of the house with utmost importance.
With the door closing behind him, I swallowed hard, waiting for the room to explode. There was complete silence for several moments as we sat…staring at one another though my eyes were glued to the ground.
"Savera Stone," My father growled, shaking his head.
I met his gaze, pleadingly," Father, just allow me-"
"You've been foolish!" He barked at me, though not as loud as he could.
"Father, it is not wise to say anything you may regret of him. I've made my choice about him and find him to be an honorable man," I immediately shot back harshly.
"An honorable man?!" My father exclaimed, taking a long sip of his cider before glaring at me. "He works for the Capitol…he organizes the formal killing of twenty-three innocent children every year, Savera. What precisely is your definition of 'honor'?"
I swallowed hard, looking around and praying that no Capitol cameras had heard this, but I knew that they most certainly had.
"Father," I whispered hoarsely. "Please, don't say these things. You've no understanding of the situation nor the position he is in."
Just as he was about to fire back once more, Ostro squeezed himself into the conversation. He opened his mouth to speak and said his words very quietly," If I may be so bold as to interject something, I find that Savera may actually be telling the truth. You, father, have always been one to tell us that there are two sides to every story."
"Ostro? You don't mean to tell me that you…support this relationship?" Father growled, looking at his son with disdain.
"I'm not saying that…I'm only saying that…" He looked at me carefully. "Perhaps, we should have a more open mindset."
Father shifted uncomfortably in his chair before mother placed a hand on his knee," We have friends in the Capitol, dear. You know not all of them are…"
"His career is about the very event that has killed one of our children and nearly killed the other," He mumbled unhappily to her.
"Perhaps, it is not his choice," I muttered to them, careful not to say it too loudly.
"Everyone has a choice-" Father started, but I shook my head.
"You know that to be false. When it comes to those in authority, there is very little personal preference. Now, I ask that you please trust me when I say that I care immensely for Seneca and truly would have come back had it been approved, however, it never was. Therefore, I do not expect you all to be completely satisfied with the manner in which this has happened, but please…trust me…for a short while, at least," I said, hoping this was not overstepping my neutral stance with the Capitol.
He stared into my eyes for several moments before speaking sharply," This doesn't mean I like him."
"You hardly know him," I sighed, shaking my head as Seneca came rushing back into the room. The sound of the door being thrown back open signaled the end of our private conversation.
He looked rather flustered and the three of us looked to him to see what precisely was wrong.
"What was that about?" I finally asked as he let out a sigh and looked at me nonchalantly.
"It's nothing to worry about at the moment," He told us all calmly, but that did not satisfy my appetite for what had really happened. With eyes narrowed, I kept my gaze on him as we continued visiting.
Again after several moments of a rather awkward silence, we found conversation to flow relatively easy, even if they were wary of Seneca. It wasn't until nearly the end of the evening that my father requested to speak with him privately. Ostro tagged along for a little bit of their conversation.
Mother and I sat on the back porch, where we had many years ago, the night before I had been reaped. We sat at the table for several seconds simply taking in the sight and reliving the memory.
"You've come a long way since then, dear," She whispered to me, taking one of my hands in hers.
I smiled and met her gaze," In some ways I agree, but in others…"
I trailed off, looking to see where father and Seneca were walking, wondering just what they were speaking of. The drama that I currently faced and the pressure with Seneca filled in my head.
"How did you come to know Mr. Crane, Savera?" She asked me gently, placing a hand on top of my own.
I knew that I could not delve into the real reason as to why I had cared for Crane. I did not trust the men standing out in front of their house and nor did I trust that the Capitol wasn't closely monitoring me as was. Already, I had spoken too much. There was also guilt from lying to my mother, but stretching the truth wasn't all that bad.
"I met him after the Games. He seemed to take a liking for me while I was in the Games and…I don't know…it just seemed right. There hasn't been anyone else there who I feel as comfortable with," I explained to her, smiling and hoping she didn't see through my fib.
She stared at me before turning her eyes to where he stood," He is quite handsome and charming, Savera. Are you sure you can trust him?"
She meant this teasingly as she turned to me with a smirk on her face. I laughed before answering," He's unlike anyone else I've met. I am certain that he is trustworthy."
This remark were most certainly true. I had always been intrigued by Mr. Crane and thought that even though he put on a show for the Capitol…I felt that I could always trust him with anything since we were on the same page as far as viewpoints went. Though, my mother's words struck me since there was a piece of Seneca that I was always curious about. He had grown up in the Capitol while I grew up in the Districts and that would always separate the two of us.
"Do you see yourself….staying with him for long?" She asked tentatively.
I looked down to my nails and this was when I wished to spill everything to my mother, but I knew that I could not. I knew that I dared not delve all of the information that President Snow had threatened me with. I knew that I would not only face criticism from her, but when I arrived at the Capitol…I most certainly would hear of it from President Snow. It was not worth risking my life over.
"Yes," I answered simply, biting on my lip before smiling at her.
She beamed at this," Well, I only wish the best. Just try to keep us a little more informed from here on out."
I looked away again.
Why is she making this so hard?
She did not understand that I was bound to a system which dictated nearly all aspects of my life. Or perhaps she did, but she was simply playing her role, as well. It wasn't supposed to be this way seeing as I was the winner of the Hunger Games, however, I was living proof that even if a tribute defies the Capitol's power in the horrific game by winning…they still have the ultimatum. They still have the never-ending power.
"I will try, mother," I said, smiling at her.
I could almost feel her looking at me, nearly begging for me to tell her more. She wanted to know me how she used to know me; she wished to be my mother again. What she did not know was that I was not intentionally withholding information. I was only doing what I hoped would pay off one day. If I protected Seneca, then I could help pave the way for a different society one day…or so we hoped.
At this moment, one of the guides we had walked with came through the house to the back porch. Clearly, privacy was not respected here.
"Your schedule requires we head back to the train station," The burly man said, or growled rather.
"Thank you," I said simply as he exited and I turned to my mother, grabbing her immediately into a tight embrace.
She held me tight and kissed my cheek before whispering in my ear," Please, try to stay in touch. I don't like only being able to see my daughter on the television screen."
I looked at her," I'll try to fix that."
She placed a hand on either side of my face before kissing my forehead," I love you."
"I love you too," I answered, smiling as I leaned in to whisper to her. "Please keep dad calm. I know its hard for him too…just…don't let him get himself into trouble over it."
She stared at me for several seconds before nodding and taking a step back," He will not."
We slowly made our way back into the house where my father, Seneca, and Ostro were waiting for us. We all said our goodbyes and assured that we would be back much sooner and for a bit longer the next time, though neither of us knew if this were true. Both Ostro and my father hugged me tight. Ostro was much more willing to let me go and understanding. Though my father would not outwardly say it, I knew he was seething that I was being ripped away again.
When I embraced him, I whispered to him," Please don't worry too much."
"That won't happen, dear. I'm going to worry every day until you're home again," He said simply, placing a hand on my cheek. "But I'll be watching, so don't do anything worthy of my worry."
He was referencing watching the television set and I chuckled at this. I kissed him on the cheek before saying," I'll behave, father."
"Good," He said simply, before looking to Seneca and nodding cordially. He stuck out his hand for a firm shake before saying firmly," I like you much better in person, Mr. Crane."
Seneca laughed at this as he shook his hand," You meet and exceed everything Savera has told me, Mr. Stone."
My father laughed at this," You sure know how to compliment a person, Seneca."
Seneca shrugged his shoulders," I am from the Capitol, Mr. Stone, what precisely do you expect?"
All of us laughed at this, knowing he was completely joking before my father clapped him on the shoulder as we walked toward the front door, "Right you are, Mr. Crane. Right you are, but do take care of my daughter for me. I'm trusting you."
As we were walking to the door, Seneca's hand slipped through mine as we met up with the guides standing on the front porch. I smiled at him as he looked back to my father," That's quite a daunting task."
I nudged him and rolled my eyes before he apologized and more seriously said to my father," Of course, sir."
And then, we walked to the edge of the front porch, lingered for a couple moments before our guides led the way off of the property. We waved back to my family standing on the porch. As we reached the edge of the sidewalk stretching to the main walking path, I looked back once more to see my father's arm draped over my mother's shoulders. She was smiling and waving, as was my father. Ostro was leaning against one of the posts on the front porch, smiling at the both of us. Seneca leaned over to whisper in my ear.
"Perhaps, one day you will be free to see them whenever you please."
I met his gaze, he was only inches from my face," I look forward to that day."
"I'd like to see that day with you," He said softly, looking straight into my eyes.
I noticed the scene around us, truly was beautiful. The moonlight was sprinkling down through the trees in my family's yard. The houses all around were warm with light from the inside flooding to the dark outside world. All around was darkness, but the light from the moon was enough to set a brightness about the scene. I felt Seneca slide his hand out of mine. My eyes shot over to my family, who was watching intently. I noticed a smile on my father's lips. I was not looking at Seneca, but rather my mother's face as she gasped and put her hands over her mouth.
When my eyes looked to Seneca, I saw him not standing beside me, but rather down on one knee. In his hand, a sparkling ring unlike any I had seen before…even in the Capitol. My mind was flooding with so much excitement, that I could hardly process much of anything. Perhaps, it was for better since it gave me little brain power to overanalyze.
"Seneca, I-" I was completely lost for words looking into his sparkling blue eyes.
"Savera, please. Will you allow me to see not only that day…but every day from here on out with you? Will you marry me?" He asked me, his voice shaking and his hands shaking so terribly that I thought he would drop the box.
"Absolutely," I said, or gasped rather before he pulled the ring from the box and slid it onto my finger. Before he had even completely placed it on my finger, I threw my arms around him and kissed him, so happy that I hardly even realized what was happening in my surroundings.
The moment couldn't have been more perfectly spoiled.
"Please clear the pathway," A man's voice barked at the both of us.
The happiness flooding inside of me was quickly stopped as I looked up to see a troop of Peacekeepers marching passed Seneca and I toward my house. Seneca kept his arm around my waist, partially to prevent me from chasing after the troop of Peacekeepers. It took nearly all of his strength to stop me as I watched the Peacekeepers not only surrounded the house, but gruffly grab my father by the neck, ripping him from my mother and brother before throwing him to the ground.
A/N: Tennis is over so I now have free time! Woo! Anyways, I plan on finishing this story before Christmas time...so things are about to get exciting. Promise. Sorry about the delay...I was hoping this long chapter would sort of make up for it. :) Please review and let me know what you think. I feel like this chapter may not have flowed as well as the others since it took me a while to write it, but I hope you enjoyed!
