Poisoned Flower (The Hunger Games)

Two: The Meeting

The days leading up to the all-important party was like a whirlwind. There were countless meetings about topics such as what she was going to wear, was supposed to say and who she would have to speak to. The day following the announcement a collection of files was sent to her apartment full of information on all the important people who would be in attendance. She had spent her free time sat on the floor with them spread out around her, memorising as much as she could. There were trips to visit some famous stylist, whom she did not know, to get measured and they talked about her as if she wasn't even there. Although that wasn't particularly unusual. Visits to the offices of the Presidents closes administrators were also on the agenda. They spoke to her about what topics of conversation were best to avoid. It was a lot to do within a short space of time. It wasn't as if she didn't know that this was going to happen, they just had to keep it quiet and therefore, couldn't do anything until now.

Two months before, Diantha was awoken when the sky was still dark. The outfit that had been laid out for her gave away the reason why. It was a knee-length black dress with long frilly sleeves. It would have been normal if it wasn't for the white rose pinned to the left of her chest, right above her heart. She walked down the stairs to be greeted by two Peacekeepers. Without exchanging words, they left her home, and this continued in the elevator down to the entrance of the building. Others may have found it awkward but Diantha had nothing to say to them, and them to her. Even though she lived at the very top, it only took just over a minute to travel down all sixty floors of the building. They didn't even feel it move. That's the Capital's technology for you.

Once they had exited the building, they escorted her into a black car that was parked in front, its windows tinted meaning that you couldn't see who was inside. Another four Peacekeepers stood before it. They drove the short journey to the City Circle where the Presidential Mansion stood. The sun was starting to rise as they entered the building. That wasn't unusual, there would be less people around to notice her. The only sound was the footsteps as they walked through the corridors. Three Peacekeepers were lined at both sides, all walking in sync. They stopped in front of the door and they lined up against the wall. An assistant appeared and opened the door so she could enter.

Diantha stepped into the room and the door was closed behind her. She had thought that it was quiet outside, but in here it was as if the world had stopped. She didn't move away from the door but stood with her hands in front of her in respect. However, she did not lower her head which people would usually do in the situation she was in. Instead she looked straight at the other occupant of the room who was sat at his desk. Even though she had seen him on television often, she had not seen President Snow in person since she was a child. He looked so much older than he did when she last saw him. His hair was now white and frailer. Although, she just like everyone else knew that he was just as powerful as he had always been. Unlike the President, his office had barely changed over the years. The walls were white and the floor a rich mahogany. The desk was made from the same wood, just stained a little darker. There were two red chairs in front of it and a slightly larger one where the President sat. Behind him were two red flags with the symbol of the capital in the centre. Snow wore a black and white suit with his signature white rose in his lapel. He carried on writing something at his desk completely ignoring the young girl standing before him. Minutes passed but she dared not move.

"Sit" Snow ordered without even glancing at her.

She did as she was told and moved to sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk. She sat in a similar manner as she had stood. Her hands were folded in her lap and her back was straight. She still looked at him. Several more minutes passed until he put down his pen and finally leaned back to look at her. Just like she had not seen him in over a decade, he had not seen her. She was now a young woman, an adult who had significantly changed from the shy child he had seen last.

"I see that you are well"

"Yes father"

"And everything is still as you like?" he asked. Although his tone of voice suggested that it was a statement rather than a question.

"Yes father".

"Very good". He maintained eye contact; the kind that would have made a lot of people look away in fear. She refused to look away though. He was doing it on purpose, and she wouldn't back down. It was one of his tests. "Well I haven't called you here for pleasantries. I have decided to release you back into the public eye. Are you aware of the current situations in some of the districts?"

"Somewhat. I have heard of unrest from rebels, although to what degree I don't know" she answered keeping her voice firm. "As you know, I don't get to speak to a lot of people. I only rely on what is broadcasted to the public" she added.

"I guess you do not" he chuckled unnervingly. "There are certain individuals who wish to start a rebellion to overthrow the Capital-"

"-And you need me to be a distraction?" she finished.

"Exactly. You will be re-introduced to the citizens of Panem at the end of the Victory Tour. Your job is to spread the word of peace within the districts, persuade them that a rebellion will be worthless. Make them believe that you are on their side. Will you do that?"

"Yes father". Not that she had any choice.

"Good. The same rules of what you can speak of apply as always. Succeed and you will be rewarded. Fail and, well we will work that out if it happens" he said menacingly. "You may go".

She had prepared for her public appearance ever since that day. She stood in front of her mirror practicing her smile and laugh which she would have to do during the uninteresting conversations she would have to be a part of. She wrote speeches about the Capital and the unrest that were full of lies. All the while the President's final words as she left his office that day were stuck in her head.

"Convince me".