thecapitol | Maybe I'm a sinner and not a saint

Who| Jennifer Blackwood & You.
What| Open log to chat with the Tribute Comfort & Care Administrator
Where| Jennifer's office in the Tribute Center
When| Anytime this month. Feel free to specify as needed.
Warnings/Notes| N/A

With the new influx of Tributes, Jennifer has had her work cut out for her. There are so many files to memorize, so many new faces to welcome to the Capitol. It's time consuming, but she finds purpose in it, and playing welcoming committee chair is something she's rather good at. The task of putting a friendly, human face to the Capitol is difficult, but she's somehow thriving. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have so many wonderful stylists and escorts on her side for this.

And happily, she's found some recent success in terms of Tribute requests. By all accounts, Feferi's salt water shampoo campaign is a real hit, and Buddy Glass has reported his satisfaction with Junior Peacekeeper Terezi's role as a media assistant, and Justine Florbelle was apparently pleased with her medical intern, Joly. And Jennifer had just received the happy news that Albert and Jet would be allowed a special suite to share, one which would unite the second and third floors. Construction would soon be underway, and Jennifer was pleased to share the news with them. Little things like that mattered in the end. Happy Tributes meant happy viewers at home, and happy viewers meant a happy President. And that was the bottom line, wasn't it?

In spite of the work she had before her, Jennifer purposely kept open office hours to allow Tributes, mentors, and employees of the Tribute Center to visit her to petition for various requests. Everyone was welcome to see her, but Jennifer was cautious after the incident with Eponine and found she was more likely to call for Peacekeeper back up than ever before. The moment a situation seemed like it would get out of hand, she would press one of several alarms hidden around her office and alert the authorities that she was in distress. These alarms were a new addition to her office, but a necessary one. She wasn't going to risk being attacked by a Tribute again.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Phil wanted to talk about District 3 but he figured it was best to well enough alone and not suffer through answers he wouldn't like. He did see the smile and mirrored it as he spoke, "You've been doing this for a while now...you're proud of it. Now what do the new victors do? Recover and get ready?"

He played with his pockets, with a thought that had worried him for a while, "Is there a way to see past arenas? To see what other victors had performed. Can't go wrong with being prepared!" That and to see if what Sandy had said was true, that Foxy had been in Panem. Or at least a counterpart.

Jennifer reached for her coffee cup, sipping it thoughtfully. "Well, I trained as an escort from the time I was in my late teens, with District Nine, initially, and I served for several years before earning a promotion to District Two. I retired to marry, then was called back into service just a few months ago, in this position, to oversee operations in the Tribute Center and to manage the escorts. Working in this field is what I've wanted all my life. I've worked closely with so many Victors, participated in reapings, escorted my charges to and from the Games and related events. It's a busy life for escorts and mentors alike. You see, Victors must mentor the next batch of Tributes after they win. It's a very important position for them, and escorts manage the day-to-day affairs of the Tributes and Victors."

His follow up question puzzled her a bit, but she responded with a shrug. "Of course there are. Not only do we rebroadcast some of the Arenas regularly, but we have an open archive to all Tributes. You're welcome to browse through the selections at anytime, and I'd be happy to pull out some of my favorites for you to watch."

"No rest fir the wicked huh? At least...at least the victors can help out as best as they can. That, that's a plus..."

Favorites? That was not a term Phil would use after seeing Karkat and Sandy's reactions to questions about the arena. He blinked for a moment and resume with his grin though he did show confusion, "Ah ha...sure! I'd like to see."

Jennifer was one of the nicest people in the Capitol but it still unnerved Gray about how normalized these events were to the people. That there had been children sent over to fight to the death while the Districts cheered them on. Some districts encouraged the tributes, he had found out on his own, willingly offering their own flesh and blood to the Games. He silently made a pact not to harm kids as long as he could avoid it.

"It's a dazzling flurry of activity," Jennifer said, lips pursed in a smile. "But it's the law and our custom. All of it has a point and purpose. It's up to every citizen to do their part now, to ensure the peace and stability of our world."

And as for her favorites... "I'll have some video sent up to your suite. You and your Districtmates can watch over them whenever you like." She considered which ones to pull, recalling Finnick, Valerius, Crito, Johanna, and Torin as particular favorites in her mind.

"That would be great! Thank you so much for the videos, I can work with that!" he responded with a bright grin but he added one more question, "Since it's, uh, my first arena...are there counselors for the event of..death?" He could use one right now, due to the whole nearly stuffed into certain gory and unpleasant death.

"I need to talk to that person, yes."

She shook her head, expressing her concern. "Unfortunately, we don't have a specific staff member dedicated to psychological care. However, you're always welcome to come speak with me, if you need someone to talk to."

Whatever jolly facade Phil had dropped at this and he swallowed, "I-I'll keep that in mind." He wanted to tell her, tell someone about what he had gone through. He wanted to be able to sleep and not see those face again. In fact, remembering those moments made him shake a little, forcing the man to close his eyes and breathe in short bursts.

"Sh..shit...I'm sorry, I should go now."

He couldn't let anyone know about the panic attacks, or the flashbacks or anything. He had an image to uphold. He could weather it out.

Jennifer smiled gently, standing up to walk him to the door. "No need to apologize. And remember, my office is open to you and the rest of the Tributes at any time. It's my job to help you, and I take that job very seriously, Phillip."

Her voice was a calming thread for Phil, enough for him to walk with her, "And by the looks of this place, you're doing a great job." He really meant that and he gave her a slightly shaky bow. "Thanks for letting me in on such short notice like this. If you need anything, I'll be at your service."

Lord knows his floor will need Jennifer's counseling.

Maybe I'm a sinner and not a saint

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject