[Closed]

[conifer]

Who| Cyrus Reagan and Emily Finch
What| Cyrus makes Emily an offer she can't refuse: Capitol citizenship
Where| Lux 4
When| A couple of days after the Tribute Parade
Warnings/Notes| Brief mention of bidding in the starter, will update as necessary


She's not sure what to make of the invitation. Her brief dealings with Cyrus Reagan had been as pleasant as it was possible to be between a District Victor and one of Snow's top Ministers, but aside from her mandatory speech to the Youth Programme and the broadcast she'd made while trying to smooth over yet another of Jason's messes, Emily had tried her best to keep her head down and stay out of trouble. So much of her life in the Capitol was grinding her down day by day, between the nightmares that brought her straight back to her Arena and the riot in her District along with its aftermath, the daily terror of not knowing whether she'd have to spend that evening offering her body to the highest bidder, and now having to face once more standing by helpless as a child from her District is sent off to die for the entertainment of the Capitol. But as much as she loathes it, there's something she fears far more: the anarchy that would surely erupt if the unfounded whispers of rebellion proved true.

She peers nervously around the doorway, dressed rather simply compared to the majority of the Capitolite diners at the exquisitely fancy location Cyrus has chosen for whatever he has to tell her. She's sure that if it was bad news then he wouldn't have gone to such expense, and that makes her wonder if he's bid on her, though that doesn't sit right with what little she knows of him. As she spots him and heads over to their table, she gazes around the underwater finery of Lux 4 with enchantment in her eyes, remembering the depiction of District 4 at Stephen's party and Quintus' descriptions of the seaside. Seeing the tropical marine life pass by overhead was even more wonderful than she'd imagined it would be.

"Good evening, Mr Reagan," she says somewhat stiffly and nervously, hovering behind the chair for a moment until she realises that it really is all right for her to seat herself opposite him. "I hope I didn't make you wait too long."

Comments

[conifer]

Emily feels her stomach twist, and she looks down at her hands, unable to bring herself to meet his eyes in her self-loathing at even thinking about the topic. While she hadn't been bid on frequently since her return to the Capitol, it felt as though she lived in perpetual fear of the next time she'd be called upon. Then there were the inevitable bruises when she returned from those nights, and the visceral feeling of violation. No matter what else she thought of Jason, she'd be forever grateful to him for being the only person to ever try to soothe that.

She wasn't sure what was a safe reply. If she said it was often, would she be seen as complaining? If she reassured him it wasn't too often, would he make sure she was up for bidding more frequently? She still wasn't sure what the purpose of this meeting was, too, and worried that whatever answer she gave would have her treading on thin ice.

"More than I would like." She hates herself for hearing the shame creep into her tone. "I find it..." she pauses, trying to think of a word that's not too incendiary, biting her tongue to keep down her sentiment that it was degrading at best and traumatising at worst. She'd admit that to him if pressed, but she wanted to keep what little defense against both his prying and her own emotions that she feels she has here. "...It's more of a distraction from my duties as Mentor than I would like."

it might be way too late, but I'm down to come back to this if you are!

[currupted]

Diplomatic phrasing. Cyrus recognizes that there's a great deal she isn't saying-- that she wouldn't say to his face. That speaks well of her. It's rare, to find a Districter who really understands the need for discretion.

The Tributes these days-- they feel most powerful when they're complaining. A really clever Districter, someone born in Panem, appreciates the power in having a secret. In concealing something so deeply that even the Capitol cannot find it, and therefore cannot use it against you.

Cyrus can respect that. The knowledge has been valuable to him, as Minister of District Affairs. He hopes it will prove as valuable this evening.

"That's unfortunate," he says, with a frown that approximates real sympathy. "And it certainly runs contrary to the purpose of your Mentorship. Perhaps it was easier, back when you only had two Tributes to oversee, to make the time for your various..." He has to hunt for the word a moment. He finds bidders ugly. "...sponsors. But now, with so many..." He shakes his head.

"Tell me," he says, a little more quietly. The drop in volume brings the conversation in nearer, suggests that whatever she says next will be in conspiracy between them. "And tell me honestly. Would you opt out of the bidding system, if you could?"

also replying way too late, but happy to carry on if you don't mind!

[conifer]

Emily knows better than to give a completely honest answer, even when he demands one - or perhaps especially then. Her eyes drop to the tablecloth as she tries to banish the emotion from her face, knowing it's safer to act as though bidding was simply an inconvenience to her time which would be best used serving the Capitol through her Tributes, rather than the basic desire to be treated like a human being rather than a commodity, chattel to be bought by the highest bidder. She focuses on the immediate answer rather than the reasons why, glad that he hadn't asked for them.

"Were it solely up to me, Mr Reagan, it would be a great relief to opt out of it entirely."

[currupted]

"...Well," he says, and glances down at his menu, pulling himself back from the intensity of the previous question. "Unfortunately, it has never been easy to make exceptions for Victors, regardless of their circumstances or their dedication to the service of the Capitol." He doesn't need to know her reasons. He can guess at them, with more or less accuracy. The only thing that matters to him is that Emily want the bidding to stop-- want it enough to offer something in exchange for it.

His eyes flick up to her, and he says (his voice light and calm and cutting into the silence like a dart thrown):

"Of course-- Victors' rights are... rather limited, as all District rights must be." The emphasis on District is light, but unmistakable. "Relief, I suppose, is a benefit of citizenship."

[conifer]

"Certainly," Emily agrees, perhaps a little reluctantly. She hated having to specifically define Seven - and herself - as second class citizens, rather than letting the implication hang in the air. "It's perhaps even more important with Victors. With the lavish lifestyle the Capitol so generously allows us, it's vital to remind us that a line still exists."