Ten's Future // [Kennedy/Willow Ann/Mace]

♕ m a c e ♕

❝ one more word,
and you won't survive ❞

It was two days before the Reaping, and Mace need an IV drip of caffeine. He didn't remember raising his other children being so exhausting - but then, it had been over five years since he'd cared for a baby. And, even though he wouldn't admit to this anyone else, Quinn was not easy. When she was awake, she demanded one hundred percent of their attention, and she slept fitfully at best. He'd felt guilty leaving her at home with Saffron but it was necessary. He had a few affairs to put in order before they journeyed to the Capitol.

The first order of business: designating someone to act in his place as Mayor.

He'd sent along missives to Kennedy Fowley and Willow Ann Lexington, inviting them both to lunch at the Mayor's Mansion. Regalia and he set it up personally, from dragging out a coffee table and chairs to the porch, to preparing the little sandwiches and lemonade. They'd forgotten napkins and couldn't find any utensils. What had Marlboro done with everything? Or perhaps they'd been stolen? Reggie kept a list to compare with the house's manifest.

When the doorbell rang, she led both of the Mayoral candidates to the back porch. It was broad and old, in sore need of a new sealing, but it was bordered by aged willows and maples. The bright leaves swayed in the summer breeze. Mace offered his calloused hand to both of them before taking a seat. "Please, dig in. Sorry we haven't got any forks or nothin'. The house is in need of some repairs." He took a sip of his lemonade. "Which is part of why I asked y'all here. We got work to do in Ten and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather ask to do it. The events y'all suggested ought to work just fine, as soon as we can get the budget straightened. There's not as much money to go 'round as we thought."

His brows drew together. "But it ain't all bad. We just gotta get movin' while we have momentum, right? 'Cept I'll be leavin' again in a few days. Which is the other reason I invited you. If you're amenable, I was wonderin' - would y'all like to move into this house? I know I'm askin' ya to do some work. She's not livable right now - needs some mold cleared and the carpet ripped out. I don't think it'd take more than a few days and I'd be willin' to help. This mansion just can't stand empty and I already got more space than I know what to do with. Your families would be welcome. Reggie thinks there's space for everyone, Fowley and Lexington."

He finally took a breath. Somewhere along the campaign trail, he stopped hating speaking quite so much. Sometimes he didn't even know when to stop. But today he did, as he leveled his grey gaze at Willow and Kennedy. "So what do you think?"