perro ladrador, poco mordedor. pierre/val

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Valentino had a fondness to those with tenure. 

It took a certain amount of tenacity to lead people anywhere near as long as Talon had managed to. Twenty Five years and in her leave, nobody looked near as attractive a partner. He hung up the phone call with Shiv slightly disappointed, merely because it hadn't been her. Valentino missed his chance five years ago, mourning Violetta in a way almost too human for the Salazars. 

Perhaps his biggest regret. Not losing his daughter, but being so caught up in it. It cost him so much time, and success, over something he could never rectify, and so he moved on. Just as most fathers do. It's something he can't help but think of when he goes down the list -- Izar, Laws, Salazar, Hope, some mothers as well. So many connections he hadn't made five years ago, it felt lonelier without Leia or Talon. 

Hell, even without Marina in the room. 

She had begun to hold him tighter on stage, clenching her fingers in between his in a way that he hadn't felt in two decades. There was a real passion somewhere beneath fancy skins, and he wondered if it were just the phone in his hand all along. Marina was attracted to power, and here he was. 

On the phone with, "Pierre Hope?" 

A man he hadn't talked to in over five years. He and Hope had exchanged words back in the early elections of the eightieth, and he tried to recall any big promises he might have overshared. Cold feet and big barks, and yet here he is, finally. "Long time no see, it's Valentino Salazar." He says, dastardly and gleefully, nothing brings him more pleasure than tacking on that "the upcoming mayor of district seven," on the end of it. 

"It'd be my pleasure to get to work with you this term," he says, almost as an apology for leaving Seven in the hands of Sayer. "That said, if you need any support getting re-elected in eight, don't be afraid to ask."  

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

P I E R R E

It is a day of phone calls for Pierre. Ever since the travel pass was introduced, Mayors of other Districts have been dialling the lines of Eight and the talk of alliances have been shared. Districts allying, just like their children that are tore from them every year on a stage.

It is Pierre’s third go at this election business and each time, it has felt harder and harder. Just a sister to battle with, now this is really going to shatter the divide in the family that Pierre has been working so hard on filling. So, he does not just have the people of Eight to win over but his own blood too. Big families are all over Panem, the Izars he is already acquainted with…well his little sister seems to be. There is the Laws in Twelve supposedly re-running and victor spawn Emberstatt in Ten, then of course his neighbours in Seven.

Pierre sits at the one of very few legal telephones in Eight, in the office of the mayor’s house. It feels foreign being in here now, the house does not feel like his. In a few weeks he will either be packing his bags or letting Abi pick new drapes for the living room. It has been his home for a decade, he will be fighting to keep it until the very end.

He hears his name in the earpiece as the lines finally connect. Oh, how he wishes he had an as easy win as Mr Salazar does, the only candidate. ”It is good to hear you again, Valentino.” The talk of working together again, not like the hint of a rebellion from the lips of Vasco. ”Of course we are neighbours, I’d be happy to have Seven and Eight work together. This is my third election, I have it all under control.” Though does he really? A little help may be needed this year.

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As Pierre answers the phone, Valentino can't help but wonder how things must have changed in his absence. Who in the mayor's circle is top dog, where could he be had he never backed out? What did the other mayors think of Sayer's administration -- if they thought of it at all. Through the Salazar's mess of a decade, he hadn't put much thought into Ripsaw or Sayer, only that he should have stepped up soon. 

"It's good to hear you from you again," the other man says. Good old neighbor, still kicking and sounding stressed as ever. It's warming, almost, to know Hope hadn't forgotten him. Through five years of work, Valentino could have secured a bit stronger connection, but hell, never too late. 

He stands from his desk as he tries to think of the election in eight. Pierre against one of his own family members -- what would happen if Luce had decided to run against him? Esme, even? Esme, definitely. Of the two of them, it would definitely be damn Esme to run against him. There'd be fall out in the district, that's for damn sure. 

"Good to know you still have your head on your shoulders." Especially in district eight. 

Must be something in the water at that point. Valentino paces tightly around his desk corner, "though, what is your platform? I promised Seven jobs so I'm more than happy to send help where you need." Over-joyed even, to toss leftovers over his neighbor's fence. 

Take it off my hands, Pierre.