A House
Klark walked with Leksa to the doors to the studio. “I wish I could come with you. I wish we could do this together.” Klark looked at the floor.
“I know Klark but this is my last battle. After this, I’m free.” Leksa put two fingers under Klarks chin and lifted her head so that they were looking into each others eyes. Leksa quickly placed a kiss on the side of Klark’s mouth. Klark hummed at her as Leksa, with her good arm, pushed open a door to the outside. Klark exited behind her and grabbed a hand, intertwining their fingers as they walked through the large screaming crowd toward the peacekeeper car. They each shuffled in and a peacekeeper closed the door to the car.
“They’re going to take me back to the hospital so I can help my mom. You’re going to see Snow. Be careful with what you say. Come back to me.” Leksa rested her head on Klarks shoulder as the car was driven. Leksa put her hand on Klarks thigh and lightly squeezed. She didn’t win the games just to be killed now. That would only enrage the citizens of the capitol anyway. The car took a right turn and then a left turn and then stopped in front of the hospital. Leksa had drifted asleep in the remaining car ride from the studio and Klark nudged her slightly.
“Leksa.” Klark cooed. Leksa slowly stirred against her and then blinked lazily taking her head off of Klarks shoulder.
“Sorry.” Leksa blinked again, trying to banish the sleep from her eyes.
“Don’t apologize. I’m glad you could rest a little. I’ll see you after Snow, okay?” Klark was searching Leksa’s eyes for a sign that the meeting wouldn’t go well.
“Okay.” The silent promise hung between them. Klark slipped out of the car, slowly closing the car door. She put her hand against the window, Leksa doing the same and then she was gone. Headed into the hospital somewhere to either raise hell or bend the heavens.
The car lurched forward and Leksa felt the void in her chest that appeared whenever Klark wasn’t with her. The car approached two big golden gates. The gates slowly opened, as if they knew that it was Leksa in the car. The car approached the front doors to the palace and a peacekeeper opened the door. She got out of the car and refused to let the fear she felt enter her gaze. Her eyes drifted to the columns of the palace and the flowers that adorned the rotunda in front of the palace. She showed nothing in her gaze that didn’t show that she didn’t belong there. To show that she didn’t deserve to be talking to Snow. It was, after all, a great honor to meet him.
The doors in front of her swung open and a tall woman stood before her.
“Come in.” The woman stood to the right, leaving enough room for Leksa to get in. The front foyer was ornately decorated. It was very baroque in how flashy it was. Snow obviously wanted to impress all who entered. All Leksa did was roll her eyes and follow the woman, her warpaint obviously making the woman uncomfortable. They walked down another ornate hallway and then took a sharp right turn. They went up two flights of stairs, Leksa refusing to show the discomfort of her ribs on her face. They stopped in front of a door and the woman knocked.
“Yes?” The voice from behind the door called out.
“The victor has arrived.” The woman replied through the door.
“Let her in, Miss Carey.” The woman grabbed the handle of the door and pushed it open to reveal a rather plump man sitting behind a very large desk. Two chairs were in front of his desk and bookshelves lined the walls.
“Come, Leksa, sit.” He gestured towards one of the chairs in front of him. His hair was salt and peppery and the beard he held was kept very neat.
Leksa ground her teeth together to keep from saying something out of line and sat in the closest chair to her.
“I must say.” He started. “You were very extraordinary in how you played the games. Your strategy was very different from your fellow tribute, Bellamie. He choose to ally himself with almost everyone. No one expected you to survive the first night, let alone three days and yet, here you are.” He leaned forward, putting his arms on his desk. “So my dear, how did you convince Klark to help you? How did you convince her to break the only rule we have set in place for benefactors?”
Leksa’s eyebrow went up at how dramatic he was. She knew there were obviously more than one rule to being a benefactor. Klark had just broken the big one. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, not wanting to say the wrong thing.
“I fell in love, President Snow.” Was all she managed to get out. She hadn’t forced Klark to do anything. She hadn’t manipulated her, only treated her like another person, and in return Klark had found her will crumble around her as she gave in to the feeling of what Leksa’s love did for her. President Snow watched the emotions of Leksa thoughts go across her face and nodded, understanding what she was trying to say.
“So, what next?” President Snow sat back in his hair. “You go back to the victors circle and Klark stays here in the Capitol?”
“Actually, I was going to see if I could stay in the Capitol. My District’s victor circle is almost full and it would defeat the purpose to stay there when my world is here.” Leksa crossed her legs. “What would you suggest, President Snow?” Her eyebrow went up as she waited for his reply. He looked up at the ceiling in thought for a few moments and then looked back down at her.
“I can set up a house for you two about a 3 days walk from the Capitol. You can have your privacy, only a few will be allowed to visit and if you were to come back to the Capitol or go to District 2, I must be notified so that peacekeepers can accompany you.” He was attempting to read Leksa’s expression was drawing a blank. She wasn’t allowing her thoughts to come to the surface this time around.
“We can do that. If we want kids?” Leksa wanted to ensure she asked about all they would be allowed to do. “Will we be allowed to hunt and garden or will you send food?”
“We have a few orphanages in the Capital you can visit. Yes, I will give you the right to hunt and garden on my land.” He felt the need to remind her that it was his and that he was showing her a great mercy. She clenched her jaw and then nodded.
“We can agree to this.” She evenly looked at him, her head held high.
“You may still be called upon to be a mentor.” He reminded her.
“I know what my duties are as a victor, President Snow.” Her vice was slightly threatening. He stood and she followed suit.
“Good. Your house will be up in a few days. Until then, feel free to board with Abbie and Klark. I’m sure they won’t mind anyway.” He chuckled lightly to himself.