But I'm not alive until you call

[milieus]

Who| Jennifer Blackwood & Open
What| Open office hours with your friendly neighborhood Capitol liaison.
Where| Jennifer's office at the Tribute Center.
When| After the mini-arena.
Warnings/Notes| ???

Jennifer's office is tastefully appointed and kept tidy as always, with fresh red roses in a vase on her desk, placed beside the framed photograph of her husband, Arturas. The stack of files on her desk are kept in a neat pile, with Punchy's file sitting plainly at the top. It's clear that she's been quite busy, updating, reorganizing, keeping on top of the changes around the Tribute Center.

But Jennifer isn't in at the moment. She's been called out briefly, but is expected to return at any moment. The Avoxes that tend to her needs indicate that any visitors she may have should wait for her in the office at one of the chairs adjacent to her desk. One Avox arrives with a tray of tea, another with some light snacks, though they soon depart, leaving the guest alone for a minute or so before Jennifer's arrival.

Comments

[medecin]

Joly has no problems, exactly, but he's realized he's not thanked Mrs. Blackwood properly for her help in his being allowed to study some medical texts, and having worked his way through quite a few since she'd arrange it, it's occurred to him to drop by and at least let her know it is appreciated. A job like this, especially right now, cannot be easy, much as he dislikes the Capitol, so he'd like to make it a little better, if he might.

That, and his recent arrest and ration of Miracle Whip, which terrified him a lot, has him a bit subdued, a bit more inclined to think things through, and, really, though he wasn't the only one involved in the protest around the mini arena, he does feel badly about the fact that it might reflect badly on her. So, he's made his way over, and is waiting, a little sheepishly, for her return, standing up as she comes in, and giving her a nod in greeting.

[milieus]

If there was one soul she hadn't expected to see, it was Joly. Their earlier exchange had been pleasant enough, but they seemed to operate in different spheres. It was unsurprising that their paths rarely seemed to cross.

Still, she found herself smiling when she returned to find him in her office. It wasn't quite a practiced smile either, there was actual pleasure at the thought of a cordial conversation with a Tribute who was unlikely to berate her for something beyond her control.

"Mister Joly," she said, pulling the door closed behind her. "Or is it Doctor? You'll forgive the slight, I hope. How lovely to see you. What brings you in to see me today?"

[medecin]

It was, at that. Still, Joly had thought the effort worth the while, today of all days, and he offered her a smile that was much less practiced than genuine, despite the fact it was also somewhat...chagrined.

"Still Mister." He answered, "It will take a while yet, to catch up to all of the new things I have been learning. I've...come for a reason actually. I should not have...With the recent mini arena and the children. It was wrong of me to get involved in the rioting that came with it."

He thought that the idea itself was still wrong and horribly twisted, but fighting it like that, by going crazy, and splattering some red paint around to look like it was blood, and trying to resist arrest when they had come was not exactly the right response either. He owed a few others apologies too, but seeing as Enjolras was gone now, his would have to remain unsaid, and Joly suspected that the ones to his friends would be far easier than not.

"I...we are better than that, I think. And you did not deserve to deal with anything surrounding that when you have done nothing but work to help us as you can. I apologize for my part in responding to it. I should not have done so."

[milieus]

He was apologizing to her? What a novel concept. Jennifer felt her confidence bolster at the thought. Was it possible that she was getting through to some of the Tributes? Maybe some of them understood, at long last, that she was trying to help them through their troubles and help them to integrate into the system. If Joly had come to this conclusion, maybe others had come to it as well, or were right on the cusp. What an exciting thought that was.

"I understand that you and the other men were upset." She smiled sympathetically. "I was very upset myself. But you're right, getting involved like that wasn't the best decision. I'm happy to hear that you understand this now."

[medecin]

He was, yes. Joly had thought it over, well, rather not during the arena itself, but after, once he had had time to think, and there was a lot to regret in what he'd done. There had been the possibility that people, especially her, would have been hurt by all of that. After all, if one could not control the behavior of those they were supposed to keep an eye out for, they would probably be punished too, and that would not be fair and...

He understood, yes. He hated the understanding, and wanted to do something about it, should the change they'd talked over a few times come to be, and the opportunity granted, but for now, well. Better not to risk collateral damage that would harm someone else, particularly one who had been so kind to him.

"It all seemed rather, well...a difference." That was all he would venture there. "I think that I let it take ahold of me, and well...I am glad that more people, and more things were not damaged at least." He smiled too, ducking his head a bit. "I...would rather like to make some sort of reparation, if I could."

Helping, being seen as someone who would aid people in need was still important, and it might help the standing of his remaining friends as well. Perhaps if he was something of a good influence, at least so far as could be seen, it would spread around a little, his friends would all look less than, well, less than their records showed, and trust could be regained. It might be nice to find an anchor in the middle of a situation like that and to hold onto until it could be dropped.

"If there is anything that I might help with, I am at your, the capitol's service."

[milieus]

Reparations would be highly beneficial for everyone. Jennifer smiled, steepling her hands together. If Joly made good with the Capitol it would surely reflect well on her as the arbiter of such a deal. And she could certainly use the good publicity,

"Your willingness to work with me won't go unnoticed." Gently, she reached to give his forearm a reassuring squeeze. "I'm certain I can help you with volunteer opportunities or other ways to show your willingness to work with the Capitol."

[medecin]

They would, at that. Joly could see the benefits of being well liked, and perhaps, even, popular. Besides helping to difuse his friends' actions and hide the rest of them in plain sight, in his way, he may also gain a better standing with potential sponsors, and well, there was a lot to be said for having people trust you.

It was starting to seem, as time went on, less like the people in the Capitol itself were cruel and unjust, but that they had been conditioned to their way of thinking. It was a disservice to them too, and while Joly could not like them for their ignorance while children starved in the outer districts, and did not even have proper doctors, he felt a bit sorry for them all the same. It would do well to fully understand them, and what had made them that way, to gain their trust enough that he could know them, and this was a way to do those things.

For now, he smiled at Jennifer, nodding as she spoke. "I would certainly like that, yes. Much better that we work together to be happy, all of us here, instead of inserting ways to drive ourselves apart. In Paris it was different, and our government harmed many people. I have had a hard time distancing myself from that life, even in a world where things are so drastically different. I have not been fair to the Capitol, I think. I would like very much to change that, as I may. It takes us all doing our parts, doesn't it?"

[milieus]

How wonderful it was, to see someone come around to reason. It was heartwarming, really, to think that reformation was possible. And if it was possible within a man, why could it not succeed within an entire system? Jennifer looked pleased just thinking about it.

"It does, truly." She wondered then, if he couldn't be used in some sort of propaganda mission. "I'd be willing to pull some strings to help you get the medical training you'd need to become a doctor here, if you'd be willing to serve the Capitol in some capacity..."

[medecin]

Joly had not considered the idea that this might be disheartening for people, or that it might give the Capitol any room to set things up in such a way or he might have reconsidered. Might have. After all, he was fairly certain, still, that several of his friends, if they knew the details, would think that it was a good idea. And, too, it was a chance to do some pretty amazing things if he was able to become privy to details. Worth the risk, certainly, and it gave Joly a great place to hide in during the meantime, now didn't it?

A moment passed, in which he thought about Venus and how she might react, but he was pushing onwards anyway, deciding that she, after all, had learned plenty about playing to a crowd. This was but another version of that sort of event, yes? Either to get information, or protect his friends from a place in someone's favor, he could live with himself making this decision, certainly.

"Would you, indeed?" There was something, certainly. "I...that would be wonderful. I've missed being able to help others so much. But yes, I certainly would be willing to help...to serve, however I can."

The words felt, and tasted wrong, coming out of his mouth, but Joly was good enough at acting by now that all he did was smile instead. It was a step. If he could find the others later, before anything happened, he'd explain himself. Until then, at least he would know the truth, and honestly, a lot of his skills were those he'd have used for Capitolians and Rebels and other Tributes alike regardless.

"I am not certain what you, or anyone, may have in mind, but please, consider me a volunteer and all of my skills at your disposal."

[silberfuchs]

Albert waits.

He doesn't have any of the offered refreshment, though the tea is looked at longingly for a moment. Still, he hasn't forgotten what was potentially a threat to Jessica the last time he was here. Or a warning. He can't figure it out, even in hindsight. Everything is too murky. But his reason for being here... well, there is indeed something he wants, but a side effect, he hopes, is that he'll find out where her loyalties really lie.

So he waits.

[milieus]

The Avoxes indicate his presence before she enters the room, so Jennifer takes a second to brace herself. The last thing she wants is an angry confrontation, not after the last one, and certainly not after being forced to participate in the mass reaping.

She pauses before turning the knob on her office door, standing still in the doorway a moment before stepping inside. "Mister Heinrich. Good afternoon. You're looking well."

[silberfuchs]

Far from angry, Albert seems almost apologetic for sitting there, cane across his lap. He doesn't need it anymore, not really, but there's something about it that garners a small level of sympathy and in this case he's not above using every meager resource available to him.

"As are you, Lady Blackwood." It's an odd effect of the chip, translating 'Frau' to 'Lady' but he's since stopped being too surprised at how it decides to handle his German. Albert hauls himself to his feet as is polite when a woman enters the room, the rubber end of the cane coming to rest on the floor with no sound at all. "I was wondering if I could speak with you about a couple things, if you have the time."

[milieus]

"Of course," Jennifer says, pulling the door shut behind her. She slowly walks across the room to her desk and slips into the seat.

"What's on your mind? What can I do for you?" She leans forward at the desk, barely glancing at the framed photograph at her side.

[silberfuchs]

"First, I owe you an apology." Once Jennifer is seated, Albert takes a seat again too, this time in the chair facing the desk, symbolically placing himself below her hierarchically, a silent cue that he knows his place. "My reaction to the Peacekeeper's actions was not your responsibility and it was unfair of me to place it upon you."

He puts his cane again across his knees, the metal making a little clinking sound despite his slacks hiding the equally metallic legs underneath. "I felt this was important to express in person."

[milieus]

A look of mild surprise registers on her face a moment before her expression settles into one of serene pleasure. At last, the Tributes seem to get that she's not an enemy, that she's only trying to help them all stay alive, that she'd abolish the whole system if she could only figure out how.

"I appreciate you coming to me in person." She smiles, gesturing to the tea pot to offer him some silently. "I want so much to have a positive relationship with you and all of the other Tributes, and if I could shield you all from the Peacekeepers, I would. But, you understand, my hands are tied when it comes to those dealings."

[silberfuchs]

That's hardly the conclusion he's come to. As far as Albert's concerned, Jennifer is just as dangerous to the Tributes as the rest of them, even if she's naive enough to believe she can make a difference.

"No, thank you." He waves off the tea politely with a minute gesture of his hand. "And yes, that has been made clear to me. I understand you're doing the best you can under the circumstances. I try no to be the type of person that shoots the messenger."

Folding his hands in his lap over the cane, Albert regards Jennifer quietly, perfectly polite. "I do admit that I'm not familiar with the scope of your job description, however. May I ask what you are able to facilitate?"

[milieus]

"Certainly," she said with a pleasant smile, helping herself to the tea. "You might think of me as chief amongst the escorts. While each escort is tasked with guiding their Tributes toward victory, securing them sponsors, etc., they've not exactly had a sort of... personal connection with the policymakers running our country. I'm tasked with overseeing the operations here in the Tribute Center, monitoring the escorts, and intervening when necessary."

She paused as she thoughtfully added sugar to her drink. "I'm here to make sure the escorts do their jobs and provide auxiliary support to Tributes in areas that the escorts have no jurisdiction. For example, it was through my intervention that Dr. Norton has been allowed access to scientific instruments to further his research into cybernetics."

There was a quick smile in her eyes, which disappeared quickly. "And I've arranged for a young Tribute from District 3 to serve as a youth liaison to the Peacekeepers."

[perfectus]

By the time Jennifer rolled back in, the sound of muffled sobbing had already begun floating down the hall. The tea does little to calm Calendius' nerves, and the snacks would go straight to his love handles (or where they would be) anyways. Honestly, just the thought of it all was enough to make him sniffle dramatically into a simple cotton handkerchief. Though it was balled up and snotty, the monogram was still clearly visible. It was an impressive monogram. It even made use of his middle initial.

He didn't notice her as she entered the office. Frankly, he was too distraught. His Tributes all seemed to hate him, and, to make matters worse, this morning he'd found them making French toast in the kitchen. At this rate, there was no way District 2 would be competitive by the time the Arena rolled around. That thought alone was enough to make him convulse into another sob, pawing at his eyes again with the snotty, monogrammed handkerchief. It wasn't fair. None of it was fair.

[milieus]

She didn't recognize the source of the sobbing, so upon hearing it in the hallway she quickened her step and arrived in her office in a flurry of concern. And even then, it took her a solid three or four seconds before she fully recognized the crumpled, sad little (or not so little, as it were) man sitting in her office, weeping into his handkerchief.

"Oh no!" Jennifer's face fell as she shut and locked the door behind her, to afford them some privacy from the Avoxes. "Calendius? What's wrong? Has something happened to your mother? Is everything alright?"

[perfectus]

As soon as she stepped near enough, he threw himself onto her, burying his tear soaked cheek in the wool of her pantsuit. He took a deep breath, sniffled, tried to make sense of the question. No, there was nothing wrong with Adrastea, why would she think something was wrong with Adrastea? He sobbed again. The thought of something being wrong with Adrastea was too much to pair with the rest of his stress.

Finally, after a moment of clinging limply onto Jennifer like some sort of overgrown six-year-old, he looked up at her face. Calendius' eyes were red and aggravated. The skin of cheeks was slack and suspiciously imperfect.

"They hate me!" The last word was muffled as his voice cracked, the phlegm clouding his throat becoming too much for him. He stifled another sob. "The Tributes all hate me! And I hate them. They're awful and we should send them back!"

[milieus]

This had to be some sort of sad, demented little joke. Surely Capitol darling Calendius Rey wasn't on his knees, bawling into her thighs. Surely she was being punked. There were probably hidden cameras somewhere, and Caesar Flickerman was about to pop out and cause some whacky shenanigans.

Except there was clearly no Caesar Flickerman around, and Cal wasn't fake crying, he was legitimately sobbing. Her pants were now soaked with his snot and tears to prove it. Frowning, Jennifer began to slowly pry him off of her. It would have been a much easier task if he didn't work out so damn much. Sighing, she finally extracted herself from his monster tight grip.

"I can't understand you." She reached into her own pocket to fish out a monogramed handkerchief of her own and handed it to him. "Get a hold of yourself, for goodness sake. You're crying like a baby, Cal. Now, take a deep breath and dry your eyes and then tell me what's the matter."

[perfectus]

He pulled away, reluctantly, letting her slip away. It was a difficult loss. There was something comforting about clinging to her, even if it didn't immediately stop him crying. Finally, languidly, he picked himself up, looking into her face again as he wiped at his eyes. The tears dissipated slowly.

"The Tributes..." He choked out again. "They're fat and lazy. Jenny, they hate me, why do they hate me so much?"

[milieus]

"Cal," she said, exasperation seeping into her voice. "Your Tributes don't hate you. Don't be ridiculous."

She couldn't believe he was being so dramatic. If he was going to be a decent escort, he'd have to develop a thicker skin than this. As he gathered himself up, she watched, arms folded with a hint of impatience in her eyes. "And they're not fat or lazy. Come on, Cal. Get up. Don't be such a child."

[perfectus]

The carefully pulled together look on his said clearly that he didn't believe her. He was starting to appear less distraught, perhaps, but there was very little that could convince him that the Tributes assigned to District 2 were not, in fact, fat, lazy, and possibly plotting his imminent demise. They all seemed like the type. Every fat lazy one of them.

Still, he knew well enough when to listen to an authority figure. Particularly one in the shape of an attractive woman who happened to be his direct boss. "You haven't heard them talking about me. I did it, Jenny, I made them hate me in less than a month! All I wanted was for them to perform, and they hate me for it."

[milieus]

"You're overreacting." Jennifer's voice was firm, insistent. She was correct, he was being a drama queen, and while his bouts of histrionics were occasionally charming, he was now wearing her thin. Cooly, she placed both of her hands on his shoulders and guided upright, gesturing that he should sit in a chair like a normal person. "And even if they dislike you now, consider this: I thought you were completely horrible during our first conversation, and I've changed my opinion. Your Tributes will come around soon, if they haven't already. You can be trying, you realize. You push peoples buttons, so of course they're bound to react. It's human nature, Cal."