The Best Laid Plans [Vasco / Catherine Blitz]

marguerite harvard d2a (zori)
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The Best Laid Plans [Vasco / Catherine Blitz] Aug 29, 2020 12:11:43 GMT -5

Post by marguerite harvard d2a (zori) on Aug 29, 2020 12:11:43 GMT -5

V A S C O

How long had it been since I’d seen the streets of district three? In truth I’d hesitated at calling Catherine because of the length of time it’d taken me to do so. She’d been kind enough to let me walk the streets of her district with her, me with my cane in hand, and her with a stiff upper lip after having lost so many of her own. Much like me she’d decided to run again, and I had to admire someone that tried their hardest to make panem a better place.

She’d struck me as one of the few that didn’t seek personal gain from office. Not to say that others were corrupt or that they didn’t try to do right by their people, but Catherine had appeared to me as someone who did what was right, even when it was not easy to do so. Someone that might understand what it meant to want to dismantle a system that rewarded the powerful and brought injustice to those without.

We’d just finished lunch when I’d rang her office. I was beginning to feel that this would be half of my job for the next few weeks, calling mayors, also-rans, and could-bes to get buy in for after the election. Many were focused on the immediate call to action for their districts, but I wanted something bigger. Something bolder, that didn’t just confine us to the walls that surrounded eleven.

“Hola, Mayor Spark? Vasco. I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” I started, “How are you? I was hoping you might have a few minutes to speak with me? I know it’s been some time, but I’d wanted to talk to you…”

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kap
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The Best Laid Plans [Vasco / Catherine Blitz] Aug 29, 2020 14:55:48 GMT -5

Post by kap on Aug 29, 2020 14:55:48 GMT -5

[googlefont="Montez"]Catherine Spark

"As the telling signs of age rain down
A single tear is droppin'
Through the valleys of an aging face
That this world has forgotten"

~

Sitting in the mayor's office, I'd caught myself thinking about the election. I started to wonder how the elections were going in other Districts. How were things going for Vasco? What about for Pierre? I supposed that would be something to find out on another day, as I didn't have any plans to speak to any of them soon, and I didn't like to interrupt.

Just then, the phone started to ring and, when I picked up, a familiar voice was on the other end. Vasco Izar. He told me that he hoped he wasn't interrupting anything, and asked how I was. He was always so kind and considerate of others. He was saying that he hoped I had a few minutes to speak with him.

"Vasco, hola!" I greeted him. "It's always good to hear from you. I'm doing alright, and you're not interrupting by any means. How are you doing? What was it you wanted to talk about?" I was cheery with my tone, and it was genuine. Vasco was always someone I liked to hear from.

~
lyrics: "Savior" by Rise Against

marguerite harvard d2a (zori)
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The Best Laid Plans [Vasco / Catherine Blitz] Aug 30, 2020 10:07:54 GMT -5

Post by marguerite harvard d2a (zori) on Aug 30, 2020 10:07:54 GMT -5

V A S C O

"Catherine, it’s wonderful to hear your voice.” She’d been one of the first mayors to welcome me into the fold, and the first to let me come to see her district. I still remembered the red bricked buildings and the quiet charm of district three. Far different from the farms and hills of eleven, but one of the more comforting districts I’d visited. I leaned toward my desk and put my elbows on the top, casual now that I was speaking to a friend.

“I’m sorry it’s been so long since we’ve spoken. How is your election going? Everything all right for you?” She’d drawn some challengers, but I had faith that someone like Catherine, with her continued leadership and cautiously optimistic attitude would pull through. “Let me know if there’s anything I could do to help you. I don’t know if the people of three would think much of my endorsement, but you were always so kind to me.”

The people would decide these races, and it would always be up to them to say who they thought could lead them. But my heart would wish for my friends to be elected, if only because it made it that much easier to work with them. I had little doubt Catherine and I could build on what we’d already started.

“I’ve got news too, if you’d rather not talk about the election.” I offered a change of pace. “I’m going to be a grandfather soon!”

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kap
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The Best Laid Plans [Vasco / Catherine Blitz] Aug 30, 2020 11:26:57 GMT -5

Post by kap on Aug 30, 2020 11:26:57 GMT -5

[googlefont="Montez"]Catherine Spark

"As the telling signs of age rain down
A single tear is droppin'
Through the valleys of an aging face
That this world has forgotten"

~

Vasco's voice was actually quite calming to me in a time that felt like everything I did was done in a frantic manner. Trying to figure out my speech for the mayor election felt difficult and rushed. Trying to campaign to the people in a way that also felt more personal yet still professional was like that, too. I suppose things would fall into place, though. Talking to Vasco just gave me that feeling.

He asked how the election was going for me, and if there was anything he could do to help. I supposed that, unfortunately, he was right in saying that the people of District Three probably wouldn't think much of an endorsement from him, but his kind words helped me feel better, at least a little bit.

"It's going alright, I'd say," I told Vasco. "Although, I do have some competition this year. I haven't met one of them face to face quite yet, but I have met Miss Nixton, and she's quite a pleasure to speak to, similarly to yourself."

I paused for a moment.

Then, he told me something that I didn't expect- something rather exciting. He said that he was going to be a grandfather soon!

"That's wonderful news, Vasco! Congratulations!" I remarked cheerily. "If you're interested to hear, I have something exciting going on myself, too. Although, perhaps not quite as exciting as your news!"

~
lyrics: "Savior" by Rise Against

marguerite harvard d2a (zori)
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The Best Laid Plans [Vasco / Catherine Blitz] Aug 30, 2020 12:40:41 GMT -5

Post by marguerite harvard d2a (zori) on Aug 30, 2020 12:40:41 GMT -5

V A S C O

Catherine seemed uneasy, but I supposed that I’d been the same way last election when I’d faced a fight three way race. No one was sure who’d come out on top. A victors brother, a former mayors advisor, and an upstart farmer all split the votes. Somehow what I’d stood for resonated. I hoped that still was true, for me and for Catherine especially. It would be harder, though not impossible to build on the work we’d started if someone else took charge. I suppose that was politics. One moment you’d worked to better the district, the next, you were back to where you’d started.

“Thank you, Catherine. Yes, I’d guess it might be tough in a real race. I’m rooting for you all the same, my friend. You can always come to eleven when all is said, one way or another.” I hadn’t had her here, but I’d hoped she might take up the offer. There were plenty of things to see in eleven, and more to discuss. I listened that she had some news as well and leaned closer to hear. What news was coming from three?

“Yes of course if love to hear. What’s new for you Catherine? Not everything is politics, at least for me.” I hoped that much was clear to those that new me. Politics may have become my passion, but people would always come first.

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kap
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The Best Laid Plans [Vasco / Catherine Blitz] Aug 30, 2020 12:50:44 GMT -5

Post by kap on Aug 30, 2020 12:50:44 GMT -5

[googlefont="Montez"]Catherine Spark

"As the telling signs of age rain down
A single tear is droppin'
Through the valleys of an aging face
That this world has forgotten"

~

The kind man on the other end of the phone by the name of Vasco Izar extended an offer for me to come to Eleven sometime, and despite the fact that he couldn't see it, I smiled.

"I'd love to come to Eleven to visit sometime!" I told him.

Vasco then told me that he'd love to hear my news, which I was glad to hear. I liked being able to have someone to share the things that were happening in my life with, even if it was just from time to time. So, I told him what had been going on.

"Well," I began. "I've started seeing someone. It'd been really difficult for me for years to be willing to date again, after my husband died all that time ago, but I think I'm ready again." I told him this and felt genuinely happy. "He's really nice, Vasco. I hope things keep going in the direction they're going."

The man I'd met, named Oscar, was very kind, funny and a good listener. It seemed like, even if this election didn't end up working out as planned, I'd still have some new happiness to fall back on.

~
lyrics: "Savior" by Rise Against

marguerite harvard d2a (zori)
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The Best Laid Plans [Vasco / Catherine Blitz] Aug 30, 2020 13:15:23 GMT -5

Post by marguerite harvard d2a (zori) on Aug 30, 2020 13:15:23 GMT -5

V A S C O

There are times to celebrate the little victories, even in the face of difficulties. I knew what Catherine has faced, with and what that could mean. The way she’d gone on, and not to say anyone needed another for happiness, it didn’t hurt to have another in your corner. I don’t know the man I would be without Emma, and don’t imagine I’d be here today if that were the case. She’d been the one that helped me through my sickness, all the while managing the district and raising Yani.

“I’m happy to hear that, Catherine. Let me know when you might make the trip. We can always make room for you, or both of you. I’ll show you around our farms, and orchards. I think you’ll enjoy it. Not quite like three, but we’re proud of what we have.” I smiled. “I know that they’re lucky to be with you, Catherine. It’s nice to hear that in the middle of all this, something like that can bloom.”

The Capitol could do many things, but they wouldn’t stop this. We still could hold onto this happiness. All the better we were for it.

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kap
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The Best Laid Plans [Vasco / Catherine Blitz] Aug 30, 2020 13:47:02 GMT -5

Post by kap on Aug 30, 2020 13:47:02 GMT -5

[googlefont="Montez"]Catherine Spark

"As the telling signs of age rain down
A single tear is droppin'
Through the valleys of an aging face
That this world has forgotten"

~

Vasco was always so kind, and his words showed it. He seemed so happy for me and the situation that I'm in with Oscar now that it made me truly grateful to be able to call Vasco a friend. He appreciated happiness in other people's lives like he did happiness in his own, and that was part of what made him such a great person. I hoped others saw me as a someone who was kind, like Vasco. Kind is something I always strive to be.

"Thank you, Vasco," I said, "and of course, I'll let you know when I- or we- can visit. I hope to see you sometime soon, and I'd love to see Eleven. It sounds beautiful, the way you describe it." I told him

It was true, Eleven truly did sound quite beautiful: farms and fields were quite a different thing than all of the tall brick buildings of Three. I looked forward to seeing it all one day, as well as visiting Vasco again. He was a good friend, and I was glad he'd be gaining yet another source of happiness in his life soon: a grandchild. Vasco Izar deserved happiness.

~
lyrics: "Savior" by Rise Against