It had been a few days since The Reaping, and the distance between Ceres and The Brewer Family had been refreshing but she knew in her heart of hearts that it was only a matter of time before they would appear at the suite in the justice building, The pale complexion of Frederica’s face appeared at the window to the room with the looming shadow of Claus appearing over her shoulder. Of course James hadn’t bothered to show, he would be too scared to be around the Peacekeepers but that was his guilty streak showing through.
“My dear girl.” Frederica began as she took her first steps into the room. “How could you do this to us?”
The question knocked the wind out of Ceres’ sails, of course this was somehow her fault, like she’d somehow forced the hand of The Capitol to choose her in The Reaping. Frederica opened her mouth to continue, her finger leisurely running along the top of a book case to check for dust and grime.
“No.” Ceres demanded, not raising her voice but firm enough that the other woman took pause. “I will not be blamed for this, I will no longer suffer you or your nastiness. I don’t want you to come and visit, I don’t wanna see your face anymore and you can...”
Her sentence was cut off as she was struck by Claus Brewer who normally was the enforcement whenever Frederica wanted. For a man of his age he could still pack a punch and the hit sent Ceres careening across the small room.
A red haze descended on Ceres, the room pulsing in the corner of her eyes as all she could see was Frederica’s twisted grin and Claus looking next to her.
“Remember that we gave you everything girl.” Frederica spat. “All we asked in return was loyalty and service.”
Ceres closed the gap between them before either could react, her balled fist slamming into the nose of Claus Brewer before he could defend himself against the incoming attack. She felt his nose snap against the force of her punch and sudden satisfaction washed over her as crimson ran over his top lip.
“Get out.” She commanded.
“Quite right.” A new voice entered the conversation and the sillouette of The Capitol’s representative filled the doorway. “Out you go.”
The Brewer’s didn’t hesitate to leave as Frederica fussed over Claus’ sudden injury. The last thing that they left her with was an evil glare as they left, and that was the last that Ceres saw of the pair of them. Good riddance.
After a small explaination and a quick set up for the cameras, Ceres was ready for the interview that was about to take place. She’d decided as soon as she’d heard that honesty was the best policy and there was no need for showmanship. With each question Ceres found herself relaxing into the interview and the camera’s barely felt as though they were there, it was over before it really began in her mind and moments later she was left alone. She’d just punched her Father in Law and the thought made her laugh uncontrollably for at least 10 whole minutes.
“What’s something you could teach me about?”
“I throw a mean punch.” Ceres laughed lightly, suddenly feeling a little embarassed at her behaviour with Frederica and Claus just now. “I guess that’s something that I could teach you, or anyone that asked.” She paused, wondering how she could whittle her way out of this. “Maybe a few that don’t ask too.”
What really makes you angry?
“I guess I don’t like being told what to do.” Ceres replied with a shrug. “There’s a lot of things that make me angry though. I can’t stand rudeness. I’ll give you one chance and if you blow it then I just won’t bother from then on. I’ll just leave you to your own devices instead.”
What would you look for in a partner?
“Well I’m a married woman.” The answer came naturally as breathing, it’d been something she’d told countless potential suitors when she’d escaped into the District, it felt jarring now and it read in the way that Ceres had answered. “If I was to take someone into the arena with me it would have to be someone that’s smart enough to understand how to go with the flow and do what’s best in the moment.”
What would you like to be remembered about you?
“I don’t want to be remembered as boring,” Ceres laughed nervously, “I mean, I’ve spent a long time with people that have tried to make me something I’m not and it’s taken ‘til today to realise that life is too short, you’ve gotta enjoy it while you can. Take pleasure in the small things.”
What constitutes the perfect date for you?
“Something memorable, I won’t want a boring candlelit dinner.” The answer was short and sweet and left enough to the imagination. Secretly it was another dig at The Brewer family who would make sure that at least once a month James took Ceres out to be seen by the world at one eatery or another, not that District 9 had many to choose from.
