Maudlin (adj.) foolishly sentimental
«There are two kinds of guilt: the kind that drowns you until you're useless, and the kind fires your soul to purpose." - Sabaa Tahir
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Calida carefully arranged a generous selection of food items in a sizable box, marking the third instance of such meticulous packing within the week.
Her father, well-acquainted with Calida's idiosyncrasies, had long abandoned any inquiries into her peculiar activities.
In contrast, Calida's mother never missed an opportunity to reprimand her when she discovered the extensive food-packing sessions, warning her about the pitfalls of overindulgence and the risk of putting on extra weight.
Meanwhile, Benjamin, her younger brother, perched on the kitchen counter, finding amusement in his sister's endeavour to seal the overflowing box.
Undaunted, Calida stuffed the packed box and a couple of water bottles into her bag.
Hastily, she descended the grand staircase, her mother's scolding trailing after her like a persistent echo, admonishing Calida for her hasty descent.
Stepping through the front doors, she climbed into the awaiting car and instructed her driver to head towards the zoo.
"Isaac!" Calida exclaimed, waving energetically as she emerged from the car and jogged to the enclosure where the tributes were confined.
"Callie!" Isaac boomed, straightening from his slouched position against a stone.
"Hey sweetheart. Brought over some food and water. Feeling hungry?" Calida inquired, pulling out the lunchbox and a few bottles of water.
"Thanks, Callie. I've never had this much food in front of me before!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in amazement.
Calida held back a chuckle at Isaac's sincere reaction, feeling a lump of guilt forming in her stomach instead.
"Well, you deserve nothing but the best, sweetheart. Eat to your heart's content; it's all for you," Calida said, settling on the ground and placing the box within Isaac's reach.
"How are they treating you in there?" Calida inquired, a momentary sense of unease washing over her as she posed such a question to a boy confined in a cage, aware that he'd soon be forced to engage in a deadly struggle with 23 others for survival.
"Mags is nice. She let me huddle under her jacket when it got cold," he shared.
"That's kind of her. But are you feeling cold now? I'll get you a warm blanket next time, and in the meantime, you can have my jacket." Calida shrugged off her jacket and handed it to the boy, the garment enveloping his small frame just as she.
"Whoa, thanks, Callie. I've never had something that looked so... fresh before," he exclaimed with genuine excitement.
Once again, guilt washed over Calida as she observed him.
It seemed to be a lot of things he'd never had before. It made her heart ache for him, and all the other children for that matter.
Isaac briefly looked her way before casting his eyes downward.
"Would you mind if I share the food with Mags?" he inquired, his expression carrying a hint of concern about broaching such a request.
"Go ahead. It's your food; you decide what you want to do with it."
Isaac's face brightened once more as he beckoned Mags to join.
Mags, a girl with abundant and pretty hair, seemed every bit as gentle as Isaac had depicted.
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CHIONOPHILE - Coriolanus Snow
الخيال (فانتازيا)She hated him. She wanted to smash his chiseled face into bits. The problem was that, more than that, she wanted to kiss him. Between the two options, she would instantly choose the latter. ᴏʀ Calida Bellerose lost control. And Coriolanus Snow tak...
