85th Tracker || Euphrasia Kouris || High Council

"Thank you, Ms. Van Der Woodsen," Verena says with a warm smile, more relieved than she would publically admit to be able to say it genuinely. The last few days of the Quell were some of the tensest she can remember, and not everything has simmered down: outroar from Four's supporters, from Four itself, from post-Eightieth marchers rejuvenated and blaring speeches at any public building they can reach about how they want the Capitol to handle the stasis technology. (The last of which she has to laugh at, vaguely charmed by the idea of people fervently trying to lecture her about medical ethics; still, the matter has been a frustrating complication in an otherwise smooth return to academia.) For all that, though—for all that the stubborn Ten duo sailed past exciting underdogs into too close for comfort and their last shot at a Career Victor couldn't quite cut it—Panem was glued to the finale; and Mae is, if not ideal, surprising enough to be an interesting Victor and high-District enough not to be a disgraceful one. All told, it could have gone much worse. "I think I speak for Nilima's and my entire team when I say it was an honor."

Her statements about the Council are equally prepared, of course, but she takes a moment to nod and look politely thoughtful as Van Der Woodsen shifts the subject. "If you know her reputation, you know that Assistant Director Kouris sees what needs to be done, and makes sure it's taken care of." Which is to say, the slightly distant, formal air of their meeting fit with a personality Verena has heard described as both impressively meticulous and in need of a sense of humor. Given the turmoil of the last year, though, she would rather know that the people in charge of her country are serious about the job than think they might be fun to go for drinks with. "None of us should underestimate how much the people at Aegis do to keep Panem on the right track. If her role in their work wasn't clear before—" and there shouldn't have been any doubt there, but some things are difficult to put to rest; Verena knows a little about the degree of skill and drive and sheer work it takes to make sure that people know you as yourself rather than as the child of a well-known parent, and that's with making her name well outside her mother's circles, not in her footsteps— "her time on the Interim Council has made it clear. I was honored that she reached out to me and pleased to assist." She smiles again, serious but still warm. "These are strange times for us all, but under leadership with our best interests at heart, that can be exciting rather than frightening. I can think of few people I trust more than Euphrasia Kouris to make sure of that."