mayor's welcome { w / t } 94th vt

We're lucky, at least.


It has been fifteen years of struggle - fifteen years that Torian hadn't even been alive for at the beginning. It's crazy to think that hope for the district has come from a fourteen-year-old boy. Even though the wage bonus was implemented, a lot of people in the district still feel unrecognized. It only told them to keep working instead of thanking them for their work. Many workers felt that it was not enough compared to the expansion of District Eight.

District Seven deserved more. The people, the children. Lately I've found myself sitting in the office and filing through reports - filing through citizen complaints, saying that the labor is too difficult and's not worth it. They're all screaming, talking, mumbling, whispering, thinking that there would be something I could do. But no matter how hard I try, the desk feels like a prison, an entrapment for the mind that only allows for logistics and nothing else.

I'm built creativity, not politically.

Maybe Renly was right, I've been thinking, because I feel like my mayorship has been little to nothing to bare proudly. What can I do? Realistically, not much by now, and I know that as the 95th ticks closer. Part of me wishes it came faster so I could leave this damned office. I was better as a teacher, better with the people rather than at the forefront.

It feels odd, but I'm the first person to greet him once he's arrived. As the face, I guess I have to be the first to welcome him home. He's only fourteen, yet he's about to become the biggest name in the district. He's got a long road, and I wish I could help. But I know nothing about what his experience is going to be like.

My heart aches for a boy who has to mature before he's even ready, and I salute him internally.

"Welcome home, Torian." I stand up, giving him my hand. "I... can't really imagine, what it's like," it's better to be honest than bullshit some story about how I get what he's feeling. I don't and I never will. "But I'm honored to have you back here, and if you need anything that I can provide, I'm here to give it." My heart is full of intent, but I doubt much of what I say can help the boy. I can't save this district, let alone this boy from a life of misery.