Ignatius Wren was attempting to be aware of his flaws. He always knew that he had them, but assumed that with enough money it didn't particularly matter. For years, that was true. He did what he had to in order to preserve his money, his status, and his image. But last year he found himself eye to eye with one of the consequences of his actions, and all of the world couldn't hide him from it. It was time to make a change, and the first step to change was awareness.
So as he rang the doorbell of the Capitol apartment, he admitted to himself that his discomfort being there was rooted in snobbery. It was a medium to high end building, located in the Art District. But Ignatius was used to living in Wren Manor, a sweeping mansion with possibly as many rooms as this entire complex had. He would never be able to live in a place like this. But most people did. Many, particularly in the districts, were even worse off.
He would probably have to get used to such things. District One was one of the more wealthier districts, but it was still outside of the Capitol. In less than a day he would be on a train, and all of the luxuries he was used to would be behind him.
An avox in her sixties with a kind face opened the door, only for a voice to sound deeper in the apartment. "Who is it?"
"It's me, Horatio." Ignatius answered, "Your place is nice."
There was a familiar tapping noise as Horatio Wren came into view. Ignatius hadn't seen his brother since the funeral, and realized idly that this past year seemed to have been good to him. While still tall and gangly, Horatio no longer looked malnourished and he held his cane with a newfound confidence.
"Thank you. But don't lie to me. I bet you hate it." Horatio answered, holding out his spare hand.
"Loathe it." He admitted as he took his brother's hand and they headed to the couch, "You sure you don't want to come back to Wren manor? There's like six bedrooms you can pick from."
"I like it here. But you didn't come here to talk about interior design did you?"
He hadn't. Flipping through the binder of papers one more time to make sure nothing was missing, Ignatius handed the documents to his brother. "The papers in the left pocket are the official documents for clearance. The ones on the left are the braille copies. Pick up your ticket at the station."
Travel to the Districts had always been slightly regulated, not that many Capitolites particularly wanted to travel there. However, getting a ticket had become increasingly difficult ever since a riot in District Seven killed a reporter. Securing one ticket took a high amount of wealth and status. Getting two required being a Wren.
Horatio ran his fingers down the papers on the right hand side "Thank you for doing this."
"It was no problem. I had to get clearance too."
"Finally taking that trip to One then?"
"I am." Ignatius knew that the time to support Sapphire Topaz had long since passed. He had his chance to stand by her long ago, and chose his own reputation instead of her. But the woman had lost her daughter to last year's Hunger Games. And he was so tired of doing nothing.
"I wish you well."
"And I you. Why do you want to go to District Twelve anyway?"
Horatio Wren stopped reading his District Travel Clearance for a moment and turned towards Ignatius' general direction, "The same reason you want to go to One, I suppose. I'm going to right a wrong."
"Fair enough." He replied. They both had plenty to answer for. Most of his crimes had been of inaction, but Ignatius was beginning to realize just how much harm doing nothing could cause. For years he stood silently by as his brother used the Wren name and fortune to do as he pleased, too afraid of losing his wealth to do the right thing. How many people's lives had been ruined as he did nothing? How much pain could he have mitigated?
"Has the president contacted you?" Horatio's voice pulled Ignatius out of his wallowing.
"Of course she has. She's floundering a bit without our brother funding that secret project of hers." It felt wrong to call it a secret project, but Ignatius couldn't bring himself to say army. He didn't know why President Thornewood was acquiring weapons and a fighting force loyal only to her. But he helped his brother with finances enough before the man died to know most of it was purchased with Wren coin.
"Be careful. It could be dangerous, denying her what she wants."
It was something he considered on occasion. The Wrens might be one of the richest families in the Capitol, but the President had plenty of power.
"Perhaps." He admitted, "But I'm done being afraid. You'll be careful too, right? She practically owns that boyfriend of yours."
"I'm not worried about Dax." Horatio said, "But I'll keep it in mind. That said, I'm not afraid anymore either."
Ignatius gently squeezed his brother's hand. He could no longer pretend that he was a good person, or that his actions didn't have consequences. But for that one simple moment, they were just two brothers, taking a small pause before trying to change the world.
AN: Hello everybody! I made a chapter. It's an interlude chapter, but it is a chapter! And I'm going to try to get the next one out very soon. Life has been kind of hectic lately, but I promise that I'm committed to this story and I am gonna keep at it. Anyway, thank you for being patient with me and I hope you enjoy.