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

[silberfuchs]

"I see." She hadn't mentioned it. Hadn't informed him at all, but he supposes with how desperate she was to have the brand removed and stay gone he shouldn't be surprised she would do whatever it took to ingratiate herself. She's a clever girl, she can likely handle herself, but she's still just a girl and Albert will worry regardless. He'll have to talk to her later and for now keep the disgust at how the Capitol corners people into doing their dirty work to himself.

"She didn't share that she'd been given this opportunity with me, forgive me if I seem surprised." He smiles gently, something a little tired that he doesn't have to fake. He's been exhausted recently, but it has the added effect of making him appear so much less threatening than his usual stoic demeanor and broad build usually do.

"If this sort of thing is within your purview, then perhaps you can help me after all." What it will cost him is open to debate, but he has to try. He owes Jet that much.

[milieus]

"I understand. You two are close, aren't you? I'm surprised she didn't think to tell you about it. But surely she'd want to share such happy news. Ah, well." Jennifer's smile isn't quite fake, but it's clear that she's trying to make everything about the situation seem perfectly normal. It is a good opportunity for Terezi, surely Albert can see that.

Her lips twitch slightly at his change of topic and she leans in, to seem open and curious. "Whatever it is you need, I will do my best. Now, what's troubling you?"

[silberfuchs]

With her precarious smile and off-putting positivity, Albert can sense there's something of doubt there in Jennifer but he's not going to mention it. Either she's like the others and sees them as poor lowly creatures or there's something more sinister, but he isn't going to buy her believing every word she spills at him.

Best to focus on what he came for, and he'll speak to Terezi after.

"I apologize if this is forward but... you're married, aren't you Mrs. Blackwood?" He motions to the photo on her desk. "And you live with your husband?"

[milieus]

Her eyes fix on the image of Arturas, stern and handsome, an imposing looking gentleman. Jennifer's eyes crinkle slightly, the vague ghost of a smile. It isn't a look of love so much as a look of pure admiration. "I do, when he is in the Capitol. The nature of his work requires him to oversee matters in the Districts, you see."

At last she breaks her gaze and looks back to Albert. "Why do you ask?"

[silberfuchs]

"Because I thought you might relate to why I want to live with mine." Albert seems to relax a bit in finally asking his question, though he wonders briefly at her expression. That's not a look of adoration, the sort of look that reflects the heart, but instead the same look one might have in reading of the great figures of history, respect for a position or an action or an ideal. But perhaps that's how she loves. Even though she's human and therefore supposedly more relatable to him than Trolls or Hobbits, he finds he understands better why Terezi would keep her 'opportunity' from him than Mrs. Blackwood's feelings for her husband.

He leaves it alone.

"It's a simple thing. I don't want to change Districts or anything of the like, just have a mutual... home, if you will, for my husband and I." He smiles and in his smile there is affection, adoration, everything you would expect of a newlywed but so much older and deeply rooted. "Would that be possible?"

[milieus]

She could relate, of course. Jennifer was nothing if not sympathetic to the needs of the Tributes. But she was bound by protocol, and there was really only so much she could actually do. Still, if there was a way to alleviate their stress levels, it seemed beneficial to attempt it. And she could easily recall the giddiness she'd had as a newlywed, ready to set up house with her husband. "I'm not sure that there is a precedent for it. The last married pair we had, the Pontmercy's were content to stay on their separate floors. That said, I'm happy to make the necessary inquiries. Perhaps there is so sort of compromise that can be made. It is such a shame that you two have been kept apart."

[silberfuchs]

"Please let me know if there's anything that can be done." He's been toeing the line, he knows. Being perfectly amiable since his little outburst over the exposes nearly eight months ago but still unwilling to intentionally kill in the Arena - though even with that there have been exceptions, including the death of his then-fiance. He'd driven the sword through Jet's heart himself and from how often it had been replayed in the weeks after, even interspersed with their wedding footage of all things, that had certainly been a notable moment for their fans to say the least. Albert imagines the Capitol is, if not happy with him, then likely not cross with him at the very least, Cyrus Reagan notwithstanding.

At least he hasn't spit on anyone.

Of course, his continued good behavior doesn't mean the Capitol won't ask for something in return for this. In fact, Albert's expecting it. "I'd, of course, be very grateful."

[milieus]

"Of course. I'll see to your request presently." Beneath the veneer of polish and manners, Jennifer really did get it. The romance played up for sponsors and ratings drama really only went so far. Any fool could see that the emotions between Albert and Jet were genuine, and she felt like a dolt for the minor part she played in standing between them. Whatever solution presented, she would pursue to the fullest, not only because it was her job to administer comfort and care, but also because it was the correct thing to do. "Is there anything else you'd like me to look into?"

[silberfuchs]

"That's all, and I thank you for it." He doesn't want to reveal anything else carelessly, doesn't want to confirm others as being close to him or give the Capitol more fodder to hurt him or Jet or anyone else. His relationship with Jet is too obvious a target now, if the Capitol threw much more than an in-Arena road block into the works it wouldn't track well with fans, but any other relationships he has are unfortunately fair game and the last thing he wants to do is invite the Capitol to corrupt them.

"When should I expect to hear from you, Ma'am?"

[milieus]

Jennifer rose from her seat, circling around her desk in a wide arc. "Soon, I should hope. It may take some time to get the necessary permits and to find which hoops need clearance, but regardless, please expect word from me in a few weeks. I know it's a long wait, but you understand that parts of this request are out of my hands. I'll work as quickly as I can, I assure you."