𝙎𝙊𝙈𝙀𝘽𝙊𝘿𝙔 𝙀𝙇𝙎𝙀 - coriolanus snow

𝙋𝙄𝙏𝙔 𝘼𝙉𝘿 𝙎𝙊𝙍𝙍𝙊𝙒

"Swan." It had become a habit for him to address her by her last name, just as she did with him. Her eyes slightly opened; she had been pretending to sleep all along. Of course, she would. He knew her too well to believe otherwise, just as she knew him. "Snow..." Her voice sounded sleepy, though Snow couldn't shake the feeling that she had likely been exhausted by the training. After all, he made sure she was pushed to her limits, especially if it meant securing a victory.

"You're ready?" The tone in his voice this time was filled with eagerness. A pleasant surprise to Swan considering the fact that she had no idea where and how long Coriolanus would have her all to himself. A kind of target that would allure its prey so easily that they might regret their decision. But she refused to push her instinct in further and nod. "Yes.."

He clasped her hand just as the Peacekeeper swung open the cage's door. Swan felt a twinge of relief at being an hour away from the confinements of the cage. Finally, she could breathe the Capitol's true air, an atmosphere laden with expectations and false hope. On this chilly autumn night, as red leaves descended from the branches, Swan couldn't resist plucking one from the midst of the falling foliage. "You know," She said, brushing her fingers through the air as they strolled away from the Academy's yard, "my mother used to dye my clothes with red leaves. It was her favorite color. She would have loved the Academy's uniform. She learned it from her sister."

His gaze softened as she spoke, attempting to mask the shared silence during their walk. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but be drawn in by the sound of her voice. In contrast to her demeanor that morning, now she resembled a gentle swan, using conversation to shroud the memories of her home. The seriousness in her tone revealed that she wasn't merely trying to impress him but stating facts until they reached whatever Snow had planned. "Your mother would have loved it indeed. Has she ever visited the Capitol before?" This time, he felt a genuine eagerness to delve into her family history, realizing that understanding and keeping close ties with her family was crucial for future success.

She shook her head, unwilling to delve further into the topic. The responsibility of expressing gratitude towards the Capitol fell on her mother's aunt, despite Swan's mother persistently opposing the idea of engaging with a wealth that had little in common with their family. She made an effort not to conceal her pain, noticing the false pity reflected on Coriolanus's face. "Enough talking about me," she said, shifting her gaze toward him, now ready to listen to her mentor. If they weren't in the heart of the Capitol, and if Snow intended this as a distraction, she would have quickly expressed her preference to return to the Zoo. "Why did you decide to escort me outside the Zoo tonight?"

Right. Snow's plan all along. Although by going to the Academy's park was a way of warning any suspicion of District 12's girl disappeared. In his favor, he had in fact mentioned Dr. Gaul prior. So if he was in trouble, he was not afraid to be reminded that he was only a poor girl's breakdown. An excuse too easy to use, not to be earned with va victorious medal. once the Games over.

"Right..."

"I brought you here with me because I wanted to ask you a favor. A favor that you had no idea to pursue of accepting."

And he was correct. If Swan were to reject his proposition, he would momentarily dismiss her, even to the extent of leaving her to face starvation like the other tributes. It was a simple tactic, he presumed, aimed at ensuring her complete allegiance until the end. However, if someone were to claim it was love, he genuinely considered it a false narrative. It was a narrative that only the Capitols of Panem would relish, eager to delve into the story of a lost soul and someone bold enough to admit his significance. After all, if he knew that tactic would make not only the people of Panem to want more but also gain its trust before elections.

"You see..." He made a concerted effort to maintain a composed demeanor, positioning himself in contrast to her figure. Her eyes were fixed intently on his, a hopeful expression on her face as if anticipating something positive from him. However, he was fully aware of the turmoil she would experience upon hearing what he had to offer. "I am presenting you with a proposition."

"Meaning?" She ensured to offer him more information, experiencing the same twisted and sick feeling in her stomach that she had on her first day here. Initially, she thought the dinner she had eaten might not have had time to properly digest, but with further consideration and the freshness of the food, she realized it was likely just her imagination, fueled by eagerness to learn what her mentor had in store for her. A place after victory? A house where she could secure a happy life for her family? However, Snow had none of that in mind. "Meaning you will have to make a few life choices."

"What—What life choices?" She understood where he was leading, but couldn't gather the same emotions as Snow dramatically presented his plan. It was straightforward: either she would be left to starve or accept his offer to live with him, with the provision of food and shelter away from her own home. As he relayed this information, her eyes widened in surprise. She struggled to express her feelings; the idea of being separated from her home was something she was determined to be returned to once the Games were over. To live with a complete stranger, even if he was only her mentor, just for the sake of health and a luxurious roof over her head, felt like a disgrace. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she fought to hold them back, remembering her mother's words: "A girl's tear is not worth a man who doesn't appreciate you."

However, in Snow's eyes, he discerned a sense of regret. It dawned on him, particularly when he brought Swan back to the Zoo, that he had left no other option for her to speak or presumed to let her defend herself. Memories of Lucy Gray and hallucinations flooded back to him instantly. While he understood that Swan wasn't precisely like her, Snow couldn't shake the feeling of remaining unchanged throughout the years. Coupled with the response he received from Swan herself, he felt a complete loss of hope.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" were the only words that escaped her lips. However, Snow remained silent, entirely ignoring her. This left her feeling hopeless, uncertain about what he had in store for her the next day. Would he subject her to the same treatment as before, or would he forsake any pretense of taking care of her in favor of pursuing his own fantasies?

He will have to talk to Tigris about it.