call with the devil . rave . blitz

cass
Retired Staff

4,822 POSTS

last seen Oct 24, 2021 18:11:43 GMT -5

call with the devil . rave . blitz Aug 28, 2020 23:23:22 GMT -5

Post by cass on Aug 28, 2020 23:23:22 GMT -5

Octavia Strauss --

The name Valentino Salazar rang a bell. He was the father of that young victor Jacinta Salazar and even all the way in the higher, regal district two, she had heard the tales of his empire. The Peacekeepers she kept around for information had finally given her something of use. She pushed each of the numbers into the phone she had taken from one of the Peacekeepers under her care.

The phone dialed and Octavia swirled the glass of whiskey in her hands. Ice clinking against the sides as she raised it to her lips and took a sip. The chair she sat on was made of wood, designed to look like the thrones that adorned castles. In her mind, she has already won this race, the mayorship in her grasp.

Now it was time to start planning.

“Valentino,” she said by way of greeting as she leaned back in her chair. “Octavia Strauss. Let’s make a deal.”

Deleted

0 POSTS
last seen May 4, 2024 2:16:53 GMT -5

call with the devil . rave . blitz Aug 29, 2020 0:01:20 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 0:01:20 GMT -5

Octavia Strauss.

"Already?" He mouths to himself, taking the phone from his ear trying to visualize the situation. Recalling the name somewhat, there had been a tribute from Strauss- already running for election? Bold, he liked it. Sympathy points and, "Octavia Strauss."

Interesting. District Two had a lot to offer and he rolls his desk chair to his list to double check specifically what he wanted. Peacekeepers, weapons, training; kinship? "We may be jumping the gun making deals before either one of us is confirmed," he says it lowly, more so just prefacing information they both know. District Two must have a larger cemetery than Seven at this point -- he thinks of the money. The wealth, the peacekeepers- how quick he could make some work out of district two.

There's no possession better than a friend in power.

There's no possession better than power, really.

"But I enjoy working with confident people, Strauss. What's your deal?"

cass
Retired Staff

4,822 POSTS

last seen Oct 24, 2021 18:11:43 GMT -5

call with the devil . rave . blitz Aug 29, 2020 0:16:07 GMT -5

Post by cass on Aug 29, 2020 0:16:07 GMT -5

Octavia Strauss --

Perhaps Valentino Salazar was not quite as confident as she had envisioned. The net of safety thrown over the conversation happened almost immediately, an unwanted reminder that Octavia brushed aside. Matthew was no threat, from their meeting she had already seen that he had anger issues. He had spoken with such levelled calmness that anyone could notice the way he had swallowed, pushing down his anger.

Besides, she had read his file. One of the few perks of having Peacekeepers under your thumb. She had already found out all the good and bad about him. He was nothing to her, little more than a tick on her radar.

"I own a number of the Peacekeepers even now. Moving all sorts of things between our two districts through them would be a simple matter." She took a sip of her whiskey, pausing for a moment as she leaned back in her chair.

"What can you give me, Valentino?"

Deleted

0 POSTS
last seen May 4, 2024 2:16:53 GMT -5

call with the devil . rave . blitz Aug 29, 2020 22:59:37 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2020 22:59:37 GMT -5

Damn does she work fast.

Octavia pitches her side -- the peacekeepers, of course. Of fucking course, damn district two has their thumbprint on every white mask in the country. Valentino rubs his nose bridge and thinks, all sorts of things. Strauss already knows, doesn't she? Smart woman- confident woman, just like Eurydice Le Roux. Those upper district women take control quick, he's noticed. It's new room, phone calls with nobody but top dogs.

"Honest work, Seven needs work in the upper districts." He says, in the way it's the flat answer. The safe answer. Valentino shakes his leg under some of Octavia's pressure -- she must be working hard for connections. The District Two mayors must be tough competition, and she must need outside support, correct?

He takes a second to size it all up, what working with Strauss might mean.

That's right. Money.

"Though," he starts up, "I do have my own business with the peacekeepers, of course, likes of which Two hasn't seen yet. In exchange, what do you need? Donors, endorsements, a good word from the Salazars?" It must be hard, making it when hardly anyone knows your name. Octavia's got large game for a woman only known for a dead daughter.

"Money's not a issue, I'm sure you know this, but I'm interested in where this goes."

cass
Retired Staff

4,822 POSTS

last seen Oct 24, 2021 18:11:43 GMT -5

call with the devil . rave . blitz Aug 29, 2020 23:10:00 GMT -5

Post by cass on Aug 29, 2020 23:10:00 GMT -5

Octavia Strauss --

She wanted access, she wanted power. She wanted to build an empire that stretched beyond the walls of district two. Working her way into the Peacekeepers was not even the first step, it was a hurdle she had already stepped over. Next was simply spreading her power within, forcing them to work for her and creating a system that allowed her to be the eyes and ears of the districts she worked with.

She also wanted to begin to destroy the worst parts of the districts. Infest the slums with drugs and wipe them out with Peacekeepers as they started to ruin the district. It was the quickest and cleanest way to get rid of them, save money on rehabilitation by just exterminating the rats.

"Drugs, I want to start working it into the district. Similarly, I can help provide for that exciting proposition of yours you mentioned in your speech. Highland training? A clever way of inserting yourselves into career status."

The idea seemed foolish, but perhaps working with him on this might create an alliance between the two. Perhaps even one that could extend into the games. Protecting each of their future tributes.