Chapter One-Hundred-and-Seventy-Six; Discretion
"You look suspiciously happy? Have you finally gained permission to build your long-envisioned arena for Capitolite reporters?" Vash mused lightly with a teasing smirk, as Seneca entered the room.
Seneca rolled his eyes with a long-suffering sigh, but he couldn't dim the smirk on his lips. "Not quite, Uncle," he replied smoothly instead.
Vash arched a dark brow, watching as his nephew went straight to the countertop and poured himself a cup of coffee with practised familiarity.
"Is that it?" Vash remarked.
Seneca turned around, face calmly composed, cup of inky coffee in his hand. "Is that what exactly?" he asked, perfectly collected.
"My nephew stays out half the night, stealing home covertly and wakes looking devilishly pleased with himself; and I'm not allowed to inquire – why?" Vash said lightly.
Seneca hid his smirk behind the rim of his cup as he drank a mouthful of hot, rich caffeine into his system.
"You can ask why of course Vash," Seneca agreed charmingly, "I cannot however, guarantee you'll like the answer quite so much," he finished wickedly, smirk deepening.
Vash rolled his eyes ruefully. "When has that ever stopped you before Seneca," he said drily.
Seneca's smirk never faltered at Vash's words. "I didn't expect to have a welcoming party returning to my own home last night or having to answer as to my whereabouts though," Seneca said coolly, eyes narrowed slightly in reproach.
Vash cast him an apologetic look. "Wirin called. He was concerned as to your lengthening absence. I think he was hoping that you had gone to my house after the party."
Seneca rolled his eyes, lowering his coffee cup from his lips. "Wirin is becoming unbearable with this whining – even more so than usual," he sniped contemptuously before fixing Vash with a candid look. "And what, did you just decide to call and keep Wirin company lurking about my home until I returned like forlorn puppies?"
Vash rolled his eyes, smirking lightly. "Wirin's nose was broken and needed treated. I'm his doctor. Afterwards, given as I was already here I decided to wait until you returned."
"Wirin is rather clumsy with his words," Seneca said drolly, eyes entirely unsympathetic.
Vash snorted lightly. "Indeed," he agreed. "I was more concerned with you than Wirin's clumsiness however. No one knew where you had gone last night," Vash's tone was more serious, eyes irrepressibly curious, but Seneca merely smirked arrogantly.
"That is the general idea when you are practicing discretion," Seneca remarked airily, grinning wider before taking another drink from his coffee mug.
Vash smirked fondly, shaking his head hopelessly at Seneca. He took a moment to observe his nephew shrewdly, his keen doctor's eyes noting every minute detail effortlessly. From the tell-tale smudges of tiredness still haunting Seneca's eyes that he hid so well, to the fact that his nephew was most definitely missing his usual smart blazer, right down to the barely noticeable wrinkles marring Seneca's usual impeccable shirt, as though insistent fingers had been twisting the material closer. And still there was that new-found brilliant brightness in his nephew's gaze that was so visible to Vash. And to more than just me now, Vash thought gravely, recalling the televised public apology he had watched before.
"You were with her, weren't you?" Vash deduced quietly.
Seneca's eyes narrowed marginally, defensively. "She does have a name, Vash," Seneca replied crisply, his voice a degree cooler in subtle warning.
"Miss Trindlesworth then," Vash elaborated, "You were with Miss Trindlesworth last night I assume?"
Seneca never got the chance to deny or validate the assumption, as another voice high with squawking panic cut in.
"What?! You were with her last night! Please tell me he's joking Seneca!"
Vash rolled his eyes while Seneca glared darkly at Wirin who had just burst unceremoniously into the room at Vash's words.
"Do you always make it a practice to eavesdrop on others' private conversations?" Seneca bit sarcastically.
Wirin grimaced, evidently regretting his impulsive actions. His broken nose had been reset but the livid purple bruising ringed his puffy eyes and covered his swollen nose, spreading like a dark angry splotch right from the middle of his face.
"I didn't mean to – " Wirin began in a pathetic mumble before Seneca cut across him with a derisive scoff.
"Spare us your excuses, Wirin," he snapped impatiently.
Wirin's disingenuous words immediately halted. He looked towards Seneca with a fresh look of determination. "Forgive me Seneca, but I have stressed to you countless times the crucial need for discretion in any and all of your dealings with Miss Trindlesworth," Wirin hissed.
Seneca's eyes cut to the other man while Vash glanced warily between his two irate nephews.
"My dealings with Miss Trindlesworth?" Seneca echoed disdainfully, upper lip curling contemptuously as he lanced Wirin with a scalding look. "Don't dare demean Stephanie to the status of the backstreet filth you associate yourself and have dealings with Wirin, or I will permanently rearrange your facial features," Seneca seethed in a venomous snarl.
Wirin eyed Seneca with a healthy dose of fear, remembering only too clearly the pain of his recently broken nose.
"Come on boys, can't you play nice for once," Vash drawled with forced casualness.
Seneca's threatening pose relinquished slightly, "I trust you just about managed to deal with whatever substandard medic you employed to first look over Stephanie's scan results," Seneca spat, looking condescendingly at Wirin.
Wirin swallowed as though he had bit into something sour. "I managed fine," he replied tightly.
"Wirin, if you intended to help Seneca you should have brought the scan results to me in the first place," Vash intoned superiorly.
Wirin's hands balled into white fists behind his back.
"This helpful side of you is rather new, isn't it Uncle?" Wirin said bitterly.
Seneca's eyes cut fiercely to Wirin as Vash arched a brow coolly.
"And what do you mean by that, Wirin?" Vash asked calmly.
"I mean that I don't remember you showing such support or helpfulness when I was involved with my district – "
Wirin's words were cut off sharply with a frightened cry as Seneca lunged for him.
"I dare you to finish that sentence," Seneca threatened darkly, fist already pulled back.
"Uncle!" Wirin cried shrilly in panic.
Vash rolled his eyes as he strode swiftly over to his two nephews. Vash placed a placating hand on Seneca's tensed shoulder, easing the blue-eyed Gamemaker to release his hold on a cowering Wirin.
"Come on Seneca, you know Wirin simply likes to push his luck sometimes," Vash drawled, sending a meaningful glare at Wirin who had eagerly stumbled back a step or two, as far away from the radius of Seneca's ire as he could get.
"One day he will push his luck too far where I am concerned," Seneca said icily as Wirin recovered.
"I'm sorry Seneca. I truly meant no offence," Wirin said contritely, sliding back into his usual unctuous and self-deprecating front.
"And well you should be sorry," Vash said emphatically, rounding sharply on Wirin. "That fling you had with Electra Hocol is entirely different to Seneca's situation. Your actions Wirin, after that affair ended being the most disgusting. You dragged our whole family name through the dirt that day; Electra Hocol was a beloved Victor as much for her beauty as her other talents, and you in your childish petulance cut up her face like that!"
"She was probably leaving him," Seneca interjected smugly, smirking.
"She wa – !" Wirin began fiercely before his words stopped abruptly; his face splotching with angry colour clashing horribly with his purpling bruised nose.
"Whatever the case Wirin," Vash looked scathingly towards his elder nephew, "Your actions that day and your subsequent, insolent bragging about them reflected badly on our entire Xavier family name in the Capitol."
"I understand Uncle," Wirin said frigidly, "I don't know how many more times I can apologise for – "
"Apologise?" Seneca echoed contemptuously, "What is the use in apologising now when the damage is already done? I've seen Miss Hocol's face since she returned to the Capitol and trust me, the years haven't at all improved what you did to her."
"Electra Hocol is back in the Capitol?" Vash exclaimed, disgust marring his features.
"As Miss Trindlesworth's mentor," Wirin elaborated.
Vash sighed sharply. "This…situation just seems to thrive on complexities," he muttered drily.
Seneca scoffed, going back to the countertop and his abandoned cup of cooling coffee.
"And a situation as delicate as this one requires the utmost discretion," Wirin enforced gently.
Seneca slammed his cup down for the second time on the countertop harshly, piercing Wirin with a withering glare.
"Wirin, if Seneca re-breaks your nose in the next minute, do not come crying to me to fix it again. You are meant to be the elder. You have been warned," Vash said unsympathetically.
Wirin held up a hand in a placating gesture towards Seneca. "You are an expert at practicing discretion I admit Seneca," Wirin began carefully, "But…Miss Trindlesworth on the other hand, is not so adept at appearing indifferent towards you. Perfectly evidenced by her attention-drawing behaviour, that forced you both into that compromising public apology at the party."
Seneca glared at Wirin, begrudgingly conceding the point, though unwilling to voice it. Because the fact was Seneca was loath at the idea of actually considering telling Stephanie to conceal her feelings more. He had spent too long convinced all she would ever feel for him would be burning hatred, to even think of trying to quell the show of any reciprocating feelings she had for him. And even if Wirin was too cowed to voice it at that moment, Seneca sullenly admitted that his own behaviour had been laxer than usual at the party. Sonny's innocently drawn connections between Seneca and Miss Trindlesworth had been haunting Seneca's thoughts ever since. But what Seneca was absolutely sick of hearing was Wirin's constant droning on about 'discretion.'
"Wirin, as I have said before. I shall take care of keeping my own affairs discreet and you shall do what you have been doing rather well up until now, in keeping my father's attention otherwise averted," Seneca said icily.
"Your father hasn't noticed anything unusual concerning you?" Vash asked sceptically, looking to Seneca. "Even with nearly every Capitol reporter writing stories about your 'mystery woman'?"
Seneca shrugged carelessly. "At first he questioned why I was missing meetings so frequently. That was when Wirin stepped in with the offer to help divert my father's focus elsewhere. Wirin being chief on my father's personal staff actually makes him useful – for a change," Seneca finished drolly.
Wirin bit his tongue, managing a gratuitous smile for the backhanded praise.
"Keeping President Snow's attentions fixed decidedly away from his son and Miss Trindlesworth," Vash mused, before smirking as he looked at Wirin, his tone turning sarcastic. "Why you must be pulling out your hair Wirin, trying to scramble for events and other problems to cram the President's schedule with. You'll have him out attending his own gardens next, just to avoid him seeing the daily news bulletin broadcast."
Seneca chuckled lightly as Vash grinned winningly. Wirin smiled thinly.
"Well, the President is being kept busy at present by a meddlesome rose or two," Wirin said lightly, casting his eyes down and fighting against his own widening grin.
"I don't care what it is you keep my father busy with, just assure that he is kept distracted," Seneca ordered sharply and Wirin bobbed his head in enthusiastic agreement. "Of course, of course Seneca. You're like a brother to me and I long to atone for the damage I caused my own family name, with my indiscretion concerning the situation with Electra Hocol," he added obsequiously and Seneca rolled his eyes.
"The task would be a lot easier of course if I had your cooperation Seneca," Wirin insisted meekly.
Seneca glared murderously at Wirin. "So help me if you mention the word discretion again Wirin," Seneca began threatening darkly. Vash cut in quickly before Seneca's temper would snap and the blue-eyed Gamemaker would exact physical violence on his father's chief of staff.
"Is Miss Trindlesworth informed of her condition then?" Vash asked, looking to Seneca expectantly.
Seneca visibly pushed back his anger with his pseudo-brother at the mention of Stephanie.
"She knows the entirety of it, including the procedure she will undergo after the Games performed by you," Seneca affirmed and Vash nodded.
"You gave her the pills and the correct dosage information?" Vash added.
Seneca frowned impatiently. "Vash I said I explained it to her entirely, and I gave her the pills last night when we met at the penthouses."
"You were at the tributes' penthouses last night!" Wirin shrilled in immediate alarm.
"Wirin…" Seneca growled lowly as his scathing, ice-blue gaze slide over to rest on said man. Vash rolled his eyes in irritated exasperation at his elder nephew. Wirin made to make a weak protest but the deadly threat in Seneca's expression stalled him, and he visibly relented, shifting uncomfortably.
"And what about Miss Trindlesworth's current fainting? How does she plan to tackle that?" Vash pressed on swiftly.
Seneca sighed irascibly and Vash smirked ruefully, knowing how irritable his younger nephew became when he couldn't rightly control something to go the way he wanted.
"It's a work in progress," Seneca replied tightly, before his eyes sharpened suddenly and his gaze snapped to Wirin.
"I have a task for you," Seneca snapped authoritatively and Wirin was immediately attentive.
"Find out which reporters are still focusing on the Fas Clearwater murder," Seneca ordered.
Wirin's expression tightened marginally, his smile slipping a little nervously, "Why would you want to know that for?" he asked in as light a tone as he could.
"Because I want you to stop them," Seneca answered uncompromisingly, "I won't have Stephanie endure another idiotic reporter asking her questions about or accusing her of having anything to do with Fas Clearwater's murder."
Wirin breathed a tremulous sigh of relief as he nodded eagerly, his initial alarm ebbing. "Of course, I'll make sure the reporters find something other to focus on, and are in no doubt that the Fas Clearwater murder is not a suitable topic if they want to stay in business."
"That Fas Clearwater murder was an odd affair," Vash commented conversationally.
Wirin frowned vaguely, tensing slightly. "Not so odd Uncle," he replied with forced casualness, "Fas Clearwater afterall wasn't a well-liked individual by anyone's standards. His occupation, calling out high society affairs and such, didn't make him very popular, especially amongst the top elite."
Vash scoffed derisively. "For once Wirin you're actually right," Vash agreed and Wirin smiled bitterly.
"Fas Clearwater was not liked by many at all. Especially not after his uncle's indiscretion in marrying that district – " Vash's words trailed off as he seen the look of building icy anger he was attracting from Seneca with his words.
"I'm still not convinced that Fas Clearwater's murder had nothing to do with Stephanie," Seneca stated adamantly.
Wirin gritted his teeth as he attempted a light, careless tone. "Seneca, if you are going to try and investigate Fas Clearwater's murder you will end up having your guards haul in half the Capitol for questioning. And with your other activities at present concerning the arena and Miss Trindlesworth, I'd rather think that would be a stretch of even your extensive resources and an unneeded hassle for your attentions."
Seneca arched a cool brow, working his jaw discontentedly. That was the precise problem with trying to attempt any investigation into Fas Clearwater's murder. There were too many suspects to count who had the means and plenty of motives to want Fas Clearwater dead. Apart from the bad publicity Fas Clearwater's murder had garnered Stephanie, the sleaze reporter's death hadn't actually put Stephanie in any danger as far as Seneca could see. And as far as the Capitol was concerned; there was no such thing as bad publicity, only hotter gossip.
Seneca flicked his hand through the air in a dismissive gesture. "Fas Clearwater isn't my main concern, by any means," he conceded.
Wirin felt cautious relief ease his tensed shoulders once more. He smiled tremulously.
"It seems to be the Capitolite reporters that are causing you the most hassle at the moment," Wirin joked lightly.
Seneca scoffed contemptuously, throwing Wirin a brief glare.
"I know no people as tenacious as Capitolite reporters. It is the price however, of leading such a publicised life as yours Seneca. You are the President's son and the Head Gamemaker," Vash added, grinning fondly.
"Tenacious?" Seneca echoed scathingly. "They are downright insufferable and maddening," the Gamemaker expelled scornfully as Vash and Wirin chuckled lightly at Seneca's vehement diatribe; the President' son's loathing of Capitolite reporters being only too notorious.
"They were rather fond of pestering you with questions as regards your health at the party, I noted," Vash said, smirking sympathetically.
"Courtesy of course, to my colleague King for his touching concern over my absence," Seneca replied with biting sarcasm. "Those 'reporters' also noted Dan Flickerman's absence though. Pestering though they may be, they are nothing if not observant."
"Dan Flickerman?" Vash echoed questioningly.
"Yes I already explained this to you," Seneca replied impatiently, "I'm blackmailing him to perform as Stephanie's Capitol lover. Afterall, as a Flickerman, he is a very affecting actor. But only if the damn idiot actually bothers to turn up to events and be seen with Stephanie."
"Yes I know you explained it to me," Vash agreed quickly, before looking candidly at Seneca. "I thought you also explained; Dan Flickerman's charade was only to last long enough to provide you with enough cover dates, and allow you the time to find a cure for Miss Trindlesworth's fainting. You know the cure now. Why keep Dan Flickerman putting on his act as Miss Trindlesworth's Capitol lover then?"
Seneca arched a cool brow, expression perfectly composed. "Dates with Dan Flickerman provide a perfect excuse and cover for me to meet with Stephanie whenever I please," Seneca replied easily, voice entirely arrogant. Seneca of course, hadn't elaborated on that part of his plan when he had had his unprecedented conversation with Haymitch. Seneca suspected Abernathy already knew however, that Seneca wouldn't release Dan Flickerman from his blackmailing once Seneca had gained the cure to Stephanie's fainting.
Vash's expression smoothed with comprehension. "What engagement was so pressing for Dan Flickerman then to miss the event, do you suspect?"
Seneca rolled his eyes. "I suspect rather accurately that, rather than attend the event, Dan Flickerman could have easily been located with Mrs Sharpe," he replied drolly.
Vash smirked. "I almost pity Dan Flickerman, if Sharpe were ever to find out it was him sleeping with his wife."
Seneca's lips curved with a reciprocating smirk. "I think Dan Flickerman may need to be reminded of just how merciful I am being in keeping this secret for him," Seneca began debonairly before his eyes cut to Wirin. "Remind Flickerman of his obligations," he instructed dangerously.
"Of course, Seneca," Wirin agreed instinctively.
"You can even remind Dan Flickerman of your treasured discretion," Seneca added sarcastically, smirking at Wirin. "For if Sharpe should find out about his wife's latest infidelity as a result of Dan Flickerman's own indiscretion, you can assure Mr Flickerman I will not be at all inclined to save him from one of Sharpe's bullets," Seneca finished implacably.
"I'll make sure Dan Flickerman re-evaluates the mercy you have shown him," Wirin assured.
"I wouldn't concern yourself too much about Sharpe happening upon his wife and Dan Flickerman any time soon, as it were," Vash said enigmatically.
Seneca arched a brow in silent question, "And what makes you so confident?"
"The word being passed around us in know as to Shape's true profession, is that Sharpe is being kept a lot busier than usual in recent times," Vash elaborated.
Seneca scoffed derisively. "Who has my father been having that little imp kill now?" he drawled sardonically.
Wirin hid his suddenly fidgeting hands behind his back as he swallowed nervously. "Petty squabbles," Wirin said dismissively.
Seneca arched a disbelieving brow and Vash eyed his elder nephew sceptically.
"Snow has his most accomplished assassin taking care of petty squabbles?" Vash voiced.
"You know our President," Wirin replied in an almost entirely even voice. "He likes to be thorough."
Vash's look of scepticism didn't dissolve completely but Seneca merely rolled his eyes.
"I have no desire to hear tales of my father's underhand battles with his political opponents," he said impatiently, "As I have said, as long as my father's attention is not on my affairs, he can keep that little imp Sharpe as busy as he likes." Seneca frowned, as he looked at his phone.
"What is it Seneca? Have you somewhere to be?" Vash asked, noticing the blue-eyed Gamemaker's sudden preoccupation.
"I have a Gamemaker meeting – now," Seneca replied irritably.
"Oh?" Wirin perked up.
"The final verdict and punishment ruling for that District 4 girl who attacked Stephanie. It has been made the Gamemakers' affair, and my ultimate decision as Head Gamemaker," Seneca elaborated indifferently.
"Slena Clearwater; Fas Clearwater's cousin?" The disgust was evident in Vash's voice. "The one and only," Wirin confirmed with a thin smile.
"The damn punishment could have been exacted a hundred times over by the time that media show trial had concluded," Seneca said disparagingly.
"I'm sure they mean to make it into quite the event," Vash mused, lips twisting in a sneer.
"Speaking of events – Do you think the event for today will be able to continue?" Wirin mused dubiously. He had moved over to the wide, stylish windows that were under a relentless battering of torrential rain. Looming storm clouds broiled in the sky above the Capitol.
"Looks like a storm will break soon," Vash noted, peering over his thin-framed glasses at the churning skies outside. "Hardly appropriate weather for today's scheduled event."
Seneca spared the outside world a distracted glance. "Wirin, check with the events' organisers and get back to me immediately," Seneca ordered impatiently, already stalking from the room. He just heard Wirin's muted voice as he climbed the familiar staircase, forgoing the lift.
Vash was waiting for Seneca by the front door, when the Gamemaker descended the staircase freshly showered and dressed.
"Your Gamemaker meeting will already have started," Vash remarked, smirking fondly.
"They won't start without me," Seneca stated without a shadow of a doubt, as he straightened the stylishly scarlet-bordered collar of his new, smart blazer.
Vash chuckled lightly, "I suspect you're right of course. King will probably be doing everything to work himself into your good graces again following his blunder at the party."
Seneca barked a harsh laugh, remembering Kings' greedy look as he had fixed his sights on Stephanie as the next unfortunate to add to his morbid collection. "He can try," Seneca muttered darkly, eyes entirely unforgiving.
Both men looked to the far room as Wirin's voice could be heard rising high in agitation, as he continued to argue with the events' organisers over the phone.
Vash grinned ruefully. "I imagine events' organisers come just below Capitolite reporters on your list of most loathed annoyances?"
Seneca smirked suavely. "Why do you think I always order Wirin to speak to them?" he replied sardonically.
Vash expression sobered as he clasped Seneca's shoulder surely for a moment. "I don't mean to drone on endlessly like Wirin, Seneca but – you will be careful?"
Seneca rolled his eyes as Vash lowered his hand, before the Gamemaker fixed his Uncle with a withering look. "I concede my behaviour at the party may have been a little laxer than my usual standards, but the circumstances that night were rather trying," Seneca admitted begrudgingly. "I assure you however, there will be no repeat performance to arouse any suspicion," Seneca guaranteed the elder doctor confidently.
"And if you don't believe me Vash," Seneca began adding, an impish smirk curving his lips, "Then I'd invite you to attend all future events if you think I'll need you there to keep my behaviour in check."
Vash chuckled lightly as Seneca smirked in earnest.
"You'd invite me to the events?" Vash said sceptically, "Mingling with district-dwellers isn't exactly something I think I'd enjoy," he added drolly.
Seneca's eyes narrowed minutely. "I want you to be at any future events Vash – in case Stephanie faints. I want to have a medic on hand that I know I can trust implicitly to attend to her."
Vash nodded in understanding. "Of course Seneca; wherever you need me to be, I'll be," he assured his favourite nephew.
Seneca smirked ruefully just as his phone beeped insistently. He glanced down, reading the text half-interestedly, before he snorted derisively.
"It seems King has already started his grovelling act," Seneca said sardonically, pocketing his phone once more. "The Capitol is impatient for the Gamemakers' decision regarding Clearwater's cousin, and I am holding back proceedings," Seneca finished, utterly unapologetic. "King is having a hard time placating the others."
Vash shook his head lightly. "You best go directly to your meeting then," he advised as Seneca reached for the door.
Seneca shrugged carelessly, entirely unconcerned. "I think I'll take a detour first – let that worthless, grovelling King suffer a little more."
Next update Monday :)!