Epilogue - "While The Eagle Soars".
"This is Capitol News Radio, Patricia Malmsey speaking. Today is a one for the history books as on this chilly January morning, our glorious nation is slated to swear in it's first National Congress since the advent of the First Rebellion and the dark days that coincided with it. Among the new inductees includes war hero and former Games escort Viondra DeWynter, this roster's youngest congresswoman at the ripe old age of twenty-six…"
I apply one more coat of lipstick, a deep rouge, just to make certain. Smacking my lips, I glance up at Fletcher who also occupies the mirror with me. He strikes a sombre figure, returning my smile with a weak grin. I suppose big occasions make him long for Amir. Unfortunate. Thankfully he has me in higher places. Once I truly begin, accidents like accidents that happened to a precious Capitolite like Amir won't happen again.
"You're a master sewist, Fletch." I run a hand over his work I'm wearing, a skirt suit with mutton arms and a black, skin-tight turtleneck. He even managed to pattern the ensemble after the striped hides that my babies Mars and Juniper wear.
"Anything for you, Viondra." Fletcher respectfully inclines his head, retreating from the mirror and out of the sitting room. In his place comes my husband with all his suave swagger. He grins. I return it, covering my hands over his as he places them over my shoulders and begins kneading in a way that has me leaning against the back of the chair I sit on. I squeeze his hands , our universal signal for 'too much'. He gives me a playful pout while I pucker my lips in return.
For him and I, nowhere is the 'wrong place'. Unfortunately, something far better and far more important than romping is at hand. Advancement.
"You could be at home, cappuccino in hand, avoxes catering to your every whim," purrs Antonius. "Me catering to your every whim."
Grinning, I hum amusingly as my brain conjures up a variety of fun scenario pertaining to Toni's servitude. I love this man. I love him more than a mutt loves blood.
"Yet here you are, Congresswoman DeWynter. There's no stopping you, is there?"
My grin turns stiff. Though he means it genuinely, I've heard Mother's spiels too many a time to be at ease with the comment. Father lost Brother, creating a need for a standard bearer for our branch of the family tree. Mother wants so dearly to see her eldest daughter married off, to show off to her circle of friends. With this, they get both.
Even still, neither of them are satisfied.
Brother was the apple of Father's eye, going as far as to count the days until President Snow's demise so he could properly plan out his political future. And Mother, well, Mother just believes that I, a DeWynter girl, shouldn't be lifting a finger.
Well, as the old family adage goes - what a DeWynter wants, a DeWynter gets. Sitting around while being fed grapes while all these opportunities are coming about makes for a rather boring proposition.
So, I raise one of my hands, clasp Toni's dimpled chin and pull him in for a long kiss. The logistics get too complicated, prompting me to rise to my feet and interlock my hands behind his neck instead.
"There's no stopping us," I purr, giving his cheeks a playful squeeze. "Surely you can see the potential this brings?"
Connections, exponential fame, monies - all independent from the mainline DeWynter Family. All of it unto us. Unto me.
Toni seems to agree, his hands roam the small of my back, his forehead rubbing against mine. "Oh, I absolutely love your drive."
We're interrupted by a page, who quickly clears his throat at the sight of us. "Ms. DeWynter, it's time."
Antonius bristles at that. Admittedly I often do too. Viondra Rose has a nice ring to it, yes, but as I said before, what a DeWynter wants…This DeWynter wants a path she can call her own. A path that all the men in the family seem to tread freely.
I quickly entwine my hand in his, turning his frown upside down. The vow between him and I is one I take seriously. He'll gain a lot more from this union than the one he had last, I'm sure he knows that. We kiss again, deeply, walking by the blushing page without a care in the world.
Because the day is so historic, the president herself is swearing in every representative from A to Z. With Toni in hand, I breeze past the long lineup of 'fellow' legislators without a care in the world. Many are obviously district, judging by their monotone suits of tweed, charcoal or brown. If they're good enough for Congress, then they might be good enough to build a rapport with.
Then the doors to the House Chamber swing open. They announce my name. Cameras flash from multiple angles. Toni plays his part oh so well that I can't help but smile smile smile. The audience in the gallery and Representatives already sworn in rise and applaud as I progress down the aisle. Naturally, the DeWynter brood, all three branches containing dozens of siblings, uncles, aunts and other familial titles, are the loudest in their applause of me. It makes sense. I'm about to propel the family to new heights.
There's no sign of my golden goose - the one that didn't make this 'all possible' per se, but definitely made the process exponentially easier. The invite was sent, but she's probably too busy hunting down the Capitol's enemies in the Northern Wilds and I say good for her. If there's one thing she's good at, it's being a good soldier.
My eyes spy the group of pre-Rebellion senators sitting in the wings opposite of the public. The only portion of Panem's legislature still allowed to 'operate' following the First Rebellion. All of them are holdovers from President Snow. Old and decrepit as him too. Oh yes, I plan on sitting up there in due time, just as soon as they start dropping off. If their former boss is any indication, my promotion to the Senate will be due shortly.
We arrive at the 'Well' - the open space in front of the chamber where Father, in his capacity as our nation's Vice President, stands by President Choudhury. Unfortunately for him any room for advancement is over as by March, he and his president will be out of office, the positions most likely gobbled up by the old bats in the Senate.
All the more reason to go this route, take up my elder brother's mantle as the perennial DeWynter. I won't be keeping up the family trademark of being Panem's 'right hand family' - an irreplaceable subordinate to most of Panem's leaders, no no. I plan on rising all the way to the top. That's what I want and what a DeWynter wants a DeWynter gets.
President Choudhury presents a hard copy of the nation's constitution. "Place your right hand on the book and repeat after me. I, Viondra Celine DeWynter, do sincerely promise and swear…"
I do as I am told. Sooner rather than later, it will be the other way around. "I, Viondra Celine DeWynter, do sincerely promise and swear…"
One final addendum. Call it...'Glimpse Into The Future' featuring our much-hated escort turned politician - (slash)a(slash)nx3MR0y
