Maybe I'm a sinner and not a saint

[milieus]

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.

Comments

[futilecycle]

Sigma smiles, relieved to learn he had come to the right person. "Yes. Please, do not think I am not greatly honoured to be a Tribute. Some time ago, I spoke with one 'Oswald Mandus' and he encouraged me to put my talents to greater use. I intend to take that advice to heart." And of course, being a Capitolite would give Sigma the advantage he wanted.

He folds his hands in his lap comfortably. "I plan on trying for the crown one last time, and should I lose, I shall chalk my repeated failures up to my old age catching up with me and bow out. I am certain you have heard I was a Gamemaker at home, but I am aware that such a position is reserved only for the highest of Panemian elites. If I can, I plan on returning to my occupation as a Genetic Engineer, actually..." He trails off, the inflection in his voice requesting Jennifer's approval, or her opinion.

[milieus]

Jennifer listens intently, politely nodding and taking mental note of his schemes. It all sounds quite satisfactory, along the lines of what one would hope to hear from a potential citizen. She's especially intrigued by that last bit, however.

"A Genetic Engineer? I do hope you'll be so kind as to explain what that means exactly. I'll admit, I'm not the most scientifically minded individual. I'm more of a people person." She says with a kind laugh.

[futilecycle]

Sigma is so genuinely flattered to have someone inquire about his field of study that he sits up straight in his chair and grins. His doctorate had become one of his last sources of pride in a long, unremarkable life - as well as the only thing he could use to connect with his biological son. That, alone, made his occupation very valuable to him. "Absolutely. I am a Doctor of Genetic Engineering, which is the manipulation of DNA to influence an organism in some way. Its uses are extremely broad. In Panem, I have seen it used in the Games' 'muttations,' for example." Even if he could have guessed it was so, Good Doctor Florbelle had finally proven it to him. He would shake her hand if the woman did not terrify him. "It can also be utilized in the art of human cloning, in making a person or animal immune to disease, or even to produce medicine. Does that make more sense to you? Discovering how the human genome can be manipulated has been my life's work."

[milieus]

"It does, indeed." She nodded, resting her chin in her hands. A slow, nagging feeling came over her however, and she furrowed her brows a bit. "It seems like such a waste of potential and opportunity to have you serving us as a Tribute when I'm sure your expertise could be better used in some other capacity. Why, we're always in need of scientists and the like, especially ones who have proved their reliability and loyalty over the years."

[futilecycle]

Sigma raises his eyebrow and smiles. It's perhaps the cheeriest he's been in the entirety of his two years in Panem, save for the short time he had spent with Diana. "Is that the case? Then, thank you. I will miss serving as a Tribute, but there will always be others who can take my place. That is not so easily done when it comes to the sciences." He is grateful, now, that he had had the good sense to conform - his patience had paid off in dividends.

Relaxed, Sigma leans back on his chair and changes the subject. "...In the event my application is accepted, will I be asked to leave the Tribute Tower immediately? If so, will I be assigned new quarters or will it be my obligation to find a place to live?" He was completely in the dark as to what happened when one was released from their duties as a Tribute.

[milieus]

"You'll have a few options presented to you." Jennifer opened a desk drawer and retrieved a few pertinent documents. "You'd be welcome to remain here in the tower as long as you wish, but you'd also have to option to find other lodgings if you prefer. Once your application is received, it will of course be thoroughly reviewed by a committee and you'll be asked to participate in a series of interviews from other Tributes, escorts, mentors, and citizens. Those interviews will provide the Capitol with a better understanding of how you'll integrate into our society."

[futilecycle]

Though remaining in the Tribute Tower would keep him in the company of allies, having his own quarters would give him more freedom to act undetected. Of course, he will not say such a thing. Eyeing the documents curiously, Sigma only nods. It was difficult to believe his sentence as a Tribute was nearly at its end, and if he were honest with himself, the idea relieved him greatly. As for where he would go from there, only time would tell; time, the greatest of his enemies.

"I see. All I can do from here is hope it goes well." He begins to rise, faking as if he intends to leave. "Thank you very much for your help today, Ms. Blackwood. You have cleared up a great deal of my confusion, and it is almost a shame we may soon no longer speak..." Then faux realization passes across his face, as if he had remembered something - it was a hard sell from a man who rarely forgot anything, but at the very least, his intentions are not devious. "Ah, that's right. Before I go, there is something else I would like to mention..." He waits for her approval in order to appear as polite as possible.

[milieus]

"Oh?" She asked, brows arched in curiosity as she settled back into her seat. "Please do go on, Mister Klim."

[futilecycle]

The Doctor folds his hands in front of him, head bowed, but not so deeply that he could not look Jennifer in the eye. "..I would like to apologize," he admits softly, an edge of guilt in his voice. "I heard about what happened the other day. There is no excuse for Eponine's behavior and I have been lax in teaching her how to show respect to those who deserve it. It will not happen again."

Perhaps Eponine would have expected him to beg for her release, or even to defend her, but Sigma knew better. It sickened him to throw his loved ones under the bus to improve his reputation, but it was not the first time (and was likely to not be the last) that he had profited from another's misfortune. Assuming responsibility for the delinquent Eponine had become and apologizing on her behalf took the heat off of her... as well as contrasted the fault in her character against his own rigid loyalty.

whoops sorry! that should have been doctor not mister orz

[milieus]

His closeness with Eponine wasn't lost on Jennifer, but she was markedly taken aback by his apology. It was unexpected, and entirely welcome, especially after the catastrophic encounter which had been her latest clash with Eponine. "I appreciate that. I've tried to impress upon her the importance of respect, but it seems to have fallen upon deaf ears. I'm very glad to know that she has a finer influence to guide her in the future."

no problem, I was inconsistent on the Miss/Ms. myself :P

[futilecycle]

Sigma nodded emphatically. He did not like to admit to eavesdropping on the network, public as it may be, but can come up with another way to praise her efforts. "I have an idea of how hard you must have tried. I love her, but she is not an easy girl to get along with. No matter what I say or do, it seems her strength of will wins over in the end. I hope that is something that the Capitol and I can cure her of."

This was quite enough sabotage for one day, he thought. Now he truly does rise, straightening the way his jacket falls over his shoulders. "I shall be on my way, now. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day." Sigma must hesitate, take a breath to prepare himself for human contact, before he reaches his arm across her desk to offer a grateful handshake.

[milieus]

"And likewise to you." Jennifer nodded, shaking Sigma's hand and smiling sincerely. "I'm sure we'll be in touch again soon. And best of luck to you and your daughter during these upcoming Games."