and im terrified [pt. 2] [pre 93rd]

[pearl mcclain d4 [ryan]]

the glitz and the glamour of the capitol made annie queasy even after years of being through it. she knew that she was still talked about in any room that she walked into. it didnt matter how interesting beck or nixie or even talon was. annie's quell twist was far too important to pass up a conversation. she made it very clear that talking about her games was not something she was focusing on. in fact, she made sure to always have one of other recent victors around her so she can have them deflect questions. she answered what she wanted to answer. it wasnt important to her. not anymore.

some of the capitolites asked why she didnt come by anymore. annie didnt feel it was right of her to be blunt with them, so she always used the fact that she was a mayor now to answer that question. most of them understood, seeing as annie was not the first victor turned mayor. she would smile, have a small sip of the one glass of champagne that she allotted herself at any event and anyone shed be conversing with would nod and smile and tell her that it was okay. that her life must be so difficult for x or y reason. annie had to bite her tongue sometimes. she didnt need to get on anyone's radar for trying to avox someone that didnt know anyone better.

she had mastered the art of just walking out.

---

the next morning, she had left the apartment after pulling herself together. she had been stressed out with the games on the horizon. it wasnt like she was going to be apart of them like she used too. that torch was well passed on. beck, nixie, and talon could all handle the mentoring while annie and leon both enjoyed a quiet life now. at least, that is what she thought. then stuff like this happened, and she needed to take time out of running her already bustling district.

she needed answers though.

she turned a left and walked into the busy city circle. none o fit really phased her anymore. the amount of people had been nothing out of the ordinary, it was very clear that the capitol hadnt been touched by the plague. she thought about patricia for just a moment before shaking her head and telling a family that walked up to her for a picture that she would be willing too after she took care of the business she had been here for. they did not pressure her, a rarity in the capitol.

she hung a right and pulled out the piece of paper that had been left on her nightstand. according to her contact here, she was close to the place that could give her some answers about the glass that she had in her bag that she was carrying with her. when she took a couple more steps onto the street, a capitolite with a camera had appeared out of no where and began to take pictures of her walking up to the building that she had been looking for. great. just what she needed. another smear article written about her.

she quickly made her way through the doors, ditching the cameraman and heading towards the elevator. she clicked the up button and then when she got into the carriage, she clicked the 5th floor button. as she exited the elevator, she realized that there were only numbers listed on each door. none of them told her exactly what she was looking for. she wandered around aimlessly until she had seen a placard with a bottle on it, and figured this was the place.

she knocked.

"come in."