୨୧ 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐍𝐎𝐖 ୨୧
THE NEXT DAY, CORIOLANUS, FUELED BY A RENEWED SENSE OF DETERMINATION TO SECURE HIS RETURN TO THE CAPITOL FOR SERAPHINA, observed District 12 with sharper focus. His eyes were keenly attuned to any potential threats or opportunities that could aid him in achieving his goals.
As he navigated the streets, he noticed Sejanus engaged in a conversation with a female rebel near the jail. Coriolanus narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping in.
The sight of Sejanus associating himself with rebels fueled Coriolanus' frustration.
He had little tolerance for Sejanus' reckless behavior, especially when it involved connections to the very elements that threatened the Capitol's authority.
In his mind, Coriolanus grappled with conflicting thoughts. On one hand, he needed to maintain a facade of compliance and cooperation with Sejanus for the sake of his cover as a Peacekeeper.
On the other, he couldn't shake the growing resentment towards Sejanus, who seemed to be jeopardizing the delicate balance Coriolanus was trying to maintain.
Sejanus' actions only intensified Coriolanus' resolve to expedite his plans.
Every moment spent in District 12 was a reminder of the distance between him and Seraphina.
With Sejanus becoming a potential liability, Coriolanus recognized the urgency to secure his return to the Capitol, and he vowed to exploit any opportunity that presented itself – even if it meant manipulating his way out by any means necessary.
The morning sun cast its golden glow over the dull District 12 landscape as the Peacekeepers, including Coriolanus and Sejanus, received their unusual assignment.
Their mission: to round up the elusive Jabberjays, those eerie birds designed to mimic human sounds and relay information back to the Capitol. Dr. Gaul's obsession with these creatures made the task all the more pressing.
The air was filled with tension as the Peacekeepers fanned out across the district, armed with nets and cages, their eyes scanning the treetops for any sign of the chattering birds.
The dense woods echoed with the sounds of nature, but the distinctive mimicry of the Jabberjays remained elusive.
Coriolanus, his uniform crisp and authoritative, moved with purpose, his gaze sharp as he scanned the branches above.
Beside him, Sejanus appeared more contemplative, his expression revealing a mix of curiosity and unease.
The weight of their recent disagreements lingered, overshadowed by the urgency of their current mission.
The Peacekeepers moved in coordinated silence, the occasional rustle of leaves or snapping twigs signaling their progress.
As they ventured deeper into the woods, the distant cawing of a Jabberjay sent a ripple of anticipation through the group.
Coriolanus' mind raced with thoughts of the impending Officer Training in District 2, an opportunity that held the promise of escape and a return to the Capitol.
The Jabberjays, however, represented a more immediate concern. Dr. Gaul's expectations were not to be taken lightly, and failure could have consequences.
Sejanus, although caught up in his own convictions, understood the gravity of the situation. The delicate balance between loyalty to the Capitol and sympathy for the people of District 12 played out in the silent exchanges between Peacekeepers.
The forest, usually a place of serene beauty, now held an air of foreboding as the Peacekeepers pursued their winged targets.
The trill of a Jabberjay cut through the stillness, echoing like a harbinger of secrets.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor, the fate of the Jabberjays hung in the balance, a metaphor for the precarious dance between loyalty and rebellion in District 12.
Coriolanus approached Sejanus with a stern expression, his determination etched across his face.
The air crackled with tension as he delivered his warning. "Whatever it is you're doing, you need to stop it."
Sejanus, in the midst of preparing the Jabberjays for their journey to the Capitol, looked up in confusion.
"What are you..."
"Don't," Coriolanus interrupted him.
"I saw you talking to that woman in the jail. If I don't report you now..."
"You don't know anything to report," Sejanus retorted a hint of defiance in his voice.
Coriolanus fixed him with a glare. "They know we're friends, Sejanus. You're gonna get us both killed."
Sejanus, frustrated, snapped back. "You told me I could do something. You told me I could make a difference."
"There's a group of locals that are getting out of District 12 for good," Sejanus confessed.
"They need money for supplies. They told me I could go if I got it for them. You could come with us."
Coriolanus shook his head, refusing to entertain the idea. "Don't. Stop talking. I can't hear this."
"Listen to me!" Sejanus insisted, prompting a shove from Coriolanus.
"They're going up north to start a new life far away from Panem. They need money for supplies. They told me I could go if I got it for them. You could come with us."
But Coriolanus' attention had shifted. His eyes fixated on the recorder used for the Jabberjays.
Dr. Gaul's teachings echoed in his mind – Jabberjays mimicked everything, and with a recorder, their squawks replicated the recorded sounds identically.
"You're giving money to the locals. Are you out of your mind? They're all rebels," Coriolanus began, seizing the recorder and subtly maneuvering it out of Sejanus' view.
As he initiated the recording, Coriolanus delved deeper into the deception.
"I can't stay here. I won't. They're not planning on doing anything dangerous, okay?" Sejanus, unaware of the recording, responded earnestly.
"It's all dangerous." Coriolanus scoffed.
"They're just doing what anybody else would do, Coryo," Sejanus explained, laying out the reasons behind the group's actions.
"The leader, Spruce, he wants to get his sister, Lil, out of jail on base. Hoff is going to execute her just because she knows the man that they killed. It's wrong. I'm gonna help them get her out."
Coriolanus continued the recording, his mind racing with thoughts of how this information could serve his own plans.
Yet, beneath the facade of loyalty, a calculating mind was at work, determining how to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
The forest seemed to close in on Coriolanus and Sejanus as their conflicting ideals collided like titans.
Coriolanus, holding the hidden recorder in his hand, felt the weight of the moment intensify as Sejanus defended his actions.
"It's treason, Sejanus," Coriolanus replied sharply, the words hanging heavily in the air.
Unbeknownst to Sejanus, every word he uttered was being captured by the concealed recorder in Coriolanus' hand.
"Nobody's gonna get hurt. I'm just doing what you told me to do at the arena," Sejanus asserted, and Coriolanus couldn't help but roll his eyes at the oversimplified interpretation of their past conversations.
The frustration fueled his anger.
"I was just trying to save you the first time you did something stupid enough to ruin my life," Coriolanus confessed, stepping closer until their faces were mere inches apart.
The intensity of his anger radiated in the charged atmosphere.
"What if they catch you bringing the woman off base?" Coriolanus demanded, his anger escalating.
He couldn't fathom the risks Sejanus was willing to take, risks that jeopardized not only their friendship but Coriolanus' chances of a future beyond District 12.
"It's worth the risk to do the right thing," Sejanus replied, his conviction unwavering.
"For you. Your father will just buy your way out of it like he always does, while I'll be hung just for knowing you. Please. Don't make me rescue you again," Coriolanus pleaded, his anger mixed with genuine concern for his own well-being.
"I don't need you to rescue me, Coryo," Sejanus declared before turning away, leaving Coriolanus alone with the echoes of their disagreement.
As Sejanus departed, Coriolanus activated the recorder, playing back the captured words.
The Jabberjay in front of him squawked, mimicking Sejanus' voice flawlessly. Coriolanus, realizing the potential danger Sejanus posed, placed the recorder inside the cage with the Jabberjay.
With a sense of determination, he secured the cage on the truck destined for the Capitol, intending to deliver the incriminating evidence directly to Dr. Gaul.
The betrayal cut deep, and Coriolanus grappled with conflicting emotions. The forest, once a haven of secrets, had now become a witness to the unraveling of friendship and the impending consequences of Sejanus' choices.
The atmosphere inside the Hob later that night was charged with a mix of excitement and tension as Coriolanus found himself back at one of Lucy Gray's shows.
The dimly lit room pulsed with the rhythmic beats of anticipation. Coriolanus, seated amidst the crowd, felt an array of conflicting emotions swirling within him.
His gaze fixed on Lucy Gray, who commanded the stage with her undeniable presence.
The cheers and applause of the audience filled the air, but Coriolanus remained half-hearted in his appreciation.
The memory of his recent clash with Sejanus lingered, casting a shadow over the otherwise lively scene.
As Lucy Gray sang and charmed the crowd, Coriolanus couldn't fully immerse himself in the performance.
Sejanus, seated next to him, seemed blissfully oblivious to the tension that still hung in the air between them.
Coriolanus couldn't shake off the aggravation from their disagreement about the rebels and the potential consequences that loomed over both of them.
His thoughts were a tempest of conflicting emotions— frustration, anger, and a lingering sense of betrayal.
The music, meant to be a respite, became a backdrop to the storm within Coriolanus.
Lucy Gray's voice, which once held a certain charm for him, now felt like a distant melody, drowned out by the cacophony of his thoughts.
Coriolanus stole glances at Sejanus, wondering how he could remain so carefree in the midst of the brewing storm.
The Hob, usually a place of escape, had become a battleground of emotions for Coriolanus, and Lucy Gray's performance became a mere reminder of the complexities of his life in District 12.
Despite the external façade of a man enjoying a show, Coriolanus couldn't escape the internal turmoil.
The Hob, once a haven for distractions, had transformed into a crucible where friendships were tested, and loyalties strained.
The night unfolded, a symphony of conflicting emotions, with Lucy Gray's voice serving as a haunting refrain in the backdrop of Coriolanus's tumultuous thoughts.
Everyone's born as clean as a whistle
As fresh as a daisy
And not a bit crazy
Staying that way's a hard row for hoeing
As rough as a briar
Like walking through fire
As Lucy Gray transitioned into a slow, soulful song, the mood in the Hob shifted. The tempo dropped, and the room transformed into a dance floor, with couples swaying to the melody.
This world, it's dark
This world, it's scary
I've taken some hits, so
No wonder I'm wary
It's why I need you
You're as pure as the driven snow
Coriolanus, still seated, found himself drawn into the lyrics, realizing that the song was crafted for him.
Lucy Gray, with her guitar and emotive voice, was pouring her feelings into the words, creating a ballad tailored to his presence.
The flattery of being the subject of Lucy Gray's song tugged at Coriolanus's ego.
He couldn't deny the charm and effort she put into capturing his attention, and for a moment, he allowed himself a small, self-satisfied smile.
Yet, as the lyrics unfolded, he couldn't help but draw parallels between Lucy Gray and Seraphina.
The comparison brought a wry amusement to Coriolanus. Lucy Gray's affection, while genuine, felt like a distant echo compared to the depth of emotions he knew he would experience if it were Seraphina singing.
A hint of laughter threatened to bubble up within him. Lucy Gray was not Seraphina, and no matter how much she tried, she couldn't fill the void left by the absence of the woman who had truly captured his heart.
As the couples around him swayed to the music, Coriolanus felt a disconnect between the romantic atmosphere and his own emotional reality.
Lucy Gray's song, while a testament to her feelings, failed to evoke the intense response he knew he would have had it been Seraphina in her place.
The poignant lyrics, meant to stir the soul, resonated with a hollowness within Coriolanus.
At that moment, surrounded by the dance of others enveloped in the romantic ambiance, Coriolanus couldn't escape the realization that Lucy Gray, no matter how genuine her intentions, was a pale reflection of the woman who held the true key to his emotions.
The slow dance continued, but for Coriolanus, it was a dance with conflicting emotions, a dance that highlighted the stark contrast between the reality in front of him and the haunting echoes of what once was.
Coriolanus couldn't ignore the feeling that something was amiss, and the sight of Sejanus walking away with purpose only heightened his suspicion.
Without hesitation, he followed Sejanus, oblivious to the fact that Lucy Gray's eyes tracked his departure, an unspoken sadness lingering in the air.
As Coriolanus ventured deeper into the backstage area, he opened a door, revealing a conversation in progress.
Sejanus's voice reached his ears, "You said that the money was for supplies to get north."
Another voice responded confidently, "These are supplies."
Coriolanus, fueled by curiosity and a sense of impending trouble, moved closer, listening intently.
"You thought this was a game?" The words echoed in Coriolanus's mind as he walked further, finally encountering Sejanus in the company of Billy Taupe and Mayfair, the Mayor's daughter.
"Hey, stop!" Coriolanus announced himself, only to be met with the stark reality of an array of guns in front of him on the table.
"What are you doing? Guns, Sejanus?" Coriolanus scoffed, his frustration palpable.
Sejanus caught off guard, defended himself, "I didn't know there was gonna be weapons, Coryo. They lied to me."
Coriolanus, almost seething with anger, retorted, "You thought they'd be honest? Are you crazy? There are Peacekeepers right out there." The tension in the room escalated as Spruce emerged, brandishing another gun at Coriolanus.
"There's one in here right now."
The situation had spiraled out of control, and Coriolanus, despite his bravado, found himself reluctantly raising his hand in a futile attempt to de-escalate the confrontation.
"Okay, wait," Coriolanus said, his mind racing to find a way out of this mess that Sejanus had dragged him into.
The realization hit hard... Coriolanus really wanted to take the gun and shoot Sejanus himself.
"And the Mayor's daughter?" As the tension in the room escalated, Spruce, fueled by anger and betrayal, questioned Sejanus about the Mayor's daughter's presence.
Sejanus, desperate to defuse the situation, hastily explained Coriolanus' presence, "Hey, it's okay, Spruce. He's with me. I told him to come in here. He's gonna help."
Just to make everything worse than it already was, Lucy Gray came walking in oblivious to everything.
"Hey, where'd..." she was cut off by Spruce aiming the gun at her.
Coriolanus, the unwilling participant in this clandestine operation, tried to shield Lucy Gray from the chaos that unfolded.
His thoughts were a mix of weariness and frustration, tired of being entangled in the drama of others.
Lucy Gray, unaware of the brewing conflict, walked in, asking about the commotion.
Before she could finish her sentence, Spruce continued aiming his gun at her. "Wait, wait, wait," pleaded Billy Taupe, attempting to intervene and prevent further escalation.
Coriolanus, using his manipulative nature, positioned himself protectively in front of Lucy Gray.
Spruce, bewildered by the sudden turn of events, addressed Sejanus with disdain, "You invite the whole town, Plinth?"
"She's okay, Spruce. She's joining us too. She's with me," Billy Taupe interjected. Mayfair, the Mayor's daughter, expressed her displeasure and skepticism about Lucy Gray's involvement with her boyfriend.
"She what?" she scoffed.
"Quiet down, Mayfair. I'll explain later," whispered Billy Taupe, trying to maintain control of the situation.
Mayfair, unimpressed, said, "I think I'm done listening to your explanations. She's not going anywhere. And neither are you. My pa's gonna string y'all up for this."
"Stop!" said Billy Taupe to Spruce who was getting ready to shoot Mayfair.
"She'll tell everyone, you idiot. She'll get us all hung," said Spruce. However, Lucy Gray, perceptive to the danger, whispered to Coriolanus, "He's right."
"No, she won't, Spruce. She's all talk, no action," said Billy Taupe.
Mayfair turned to Lucy Gray and grinned.
"What do you think, Lucy Gray? Am I all talk no action? Hey, how'd you enjoy the Capitol, by the way?" Mayfair, taunting Lucy Gray about her Capitol experience and implying her role in Lucy Gray's Reaping.
Mayfair announced her departure with a smirk, "See y'all at the Hanging Tree."
Coriolanus, driven by self-preservation, seized an opportunity. Ignoring the lives at stake, he grabbed a gun and shot Mayfair in the back, the girl collapsing to the ground.
In that critical moment, Coriolanus prioritized his own survival, indifferent to the consequences that would undoubtedly follow his actions.
The room fell into a chilling silence, shattered only by the echoes of the gunshot and the weight of Coriolanus's decisions.
"Mayfair!" As the chaos unfolded and Mayfair lay lifeless, Billy Taupe ran towards her, his anguish evident.
Sejanus and Lucy Gray, overwhelmed by fear, began to shake, realizing the gravity of Coriolanus's impulsive act. Spruce, however, stood impressed, recognizing the magnitude of the rebellion Coriolanus unwittingly joined.
"Coriolanus, what did you just do?" Lucy Gray's voice trembled with fear and disbelief, tears streaming down her face.
Spruce, taking charge, informed Coriolanus of the severity of his actions. "Well, you just shot the Mayor's daughter, son. If you weren't a rebel before, you are now."
The word 'rebel' echoed in Coriolanus's mind, a label he detested.
Billy Taupe, fueled by anger, confronted Coriolanus, "You killed her."
"Quiet, Billy Taupe," Spruce instructed him.
Attempting to manipulate his way out of the situation, Coriolanus turned to Lucy Gray, cradling her face in his hands.
"You're alright. You and me, we're gonna be alright. No one's gonna think it was us," he reassured her with his silver tongue, saying everything she wanted to hear.
Billy Taupe, unconvinced and seething with rage, challenged Coriolanus. "You reckon you're just gonna walk out of here free? Dump this on me, maybe?"
But Spruce intervened, barking at Billy Taupe, "I said, pipe down." Coriolanus, sensing an opportunity, continued to weave his web of manipulation.
"You got a surprise coming, Capitol boy. If I'm gonna swing for this, you swing with me," Billy Taupe warned, charging toward Coriolanus.
Before he could reach him, Spruce, displaying a ruthless determination, shot Billy Taupe.
"I didn't trust him anyway," Spruce declared, justifying his actions.
Coriolanus, in the midst of the chaos, grappled with the consequences of his choices.
The air hung heavy with tension as the room spiraled into a dark reality shaped by betrayal, fear, and Coriolanus's relentless pursuit of self-preservation.
"Look at me. Look at me. You're gonna go back out on that stage, and you're gonna sing. You're gonna sing like nothing is wrong. And I'm gonna find us a way out of this, okay?" Coriolanus instructed Lucy Gray, who nodded through teary eyes.
"Okay. Okay," she muttered, her emotions still raw.
"Okay? I swear. I swear. Go, go," Coriolanus directed, urging Lucy Gray to return to the stage.
"Get rid of these guns. Go. Go, Spruce, go!" Coriolanus ordered Spruce, who willingly complied, taking the weapons with him.
The weight of the situation pressed heavily on Coriolanus, and he knew he needed to act swiftly to salvage whatever remained of his plan.
As Sejanus began to break down, overwhelmed by guilt and despair, "It wasn't supposed to be like this. Nobody was supposed to get hurt." Sejanus started crying with his hands on his head.
Coriolanus finally exploded with frustration. "For once, shut up!" he snapped at Sejanus, the tension palpable in the air.
Sejanus, drowning in self-blame, muttered, "It's all my fault!"
"All of this is your fault. It's only gonna get worse if you don't pull yourself together. If you breathe a word now, both of us, we're finished," Coriolanus warned, his tone cutting through the chaos.
"So we go back out there, and we act like nothing is wrong."
"I don't know..." Sejanus sighed.
Sejanus, torn by guilt, hesitated, unsure of how to proceed.
Coriolanus, shifting his approach, decided to appeal to Sejanus's loyalty and manipulate the situation to his advantage.
"Hey, look at me. You have to pull yourself together. You came here for me, right? We're brothers? Brothers," Coriolanus said, flashing a charming smile.
"Whatever you've done, I swear I will keep you safe. Those guns were the only loose end besides the four of us. So we're gonna be okay," Coriolanus assured, using his charm as a shield.
Sejanus, still teary-eyed and vulnerable, nodded in agreement.
"Okay? Not a word," Coriolanus warned with a deceptive smile, the poison of manipulation coated in sweetness.
"Okay," Sejanus affirmed, clinging to the fragile promise of safety in the midst of the chaos.
As Coriolanus and Sejanus walked back onto the stage, the air was thick with tension, yet they both wore masks of normalcy.
Coriolanus played the part of the charming Capitol boy effortlessly, concealing the storm of thoughts and emotions swirling within him.
In the recesses of his mind, Coriolanus contemplated the threats he had subtly woven into his interactions with Sejanus and Lucy Gray.
The sugar-coated warnings hung like a delicate web, waiting for the right moment to ensnare their victims. He knew that manipulation was a delicate art, and the success of his schemes depended on the careful orchestration of every move.
The thoughts then shifted to Seraphina, the Capitol's Sweetheart, and Coriolanus couldn't help but draw parallels between her mastery of manipulation and his own burgeoning skills.
Seraphina, with her regal charm and deceptive sweetness, had been his unwitting mentor in the subtle art of controlling others. Her intelligence, cloaked in an aura of silence, made her a formidable force in the Capitol's social hierarchy.
Coriolanus acknowledged Seraphina's influence on him, recognizing that she had imparted lessons beyond the confines of their personal interactions.
The image of Seraphina as a silent observer, studying the intricacies of Capitol society, lingered in his thoughts.
She had been a princess, both smart and observant, navigating the complex dynamics of their world with finesse.
Coriolanus couldn't shake the vivid memories of Seraphina's studious nature.
In the Capitol, she had been the epitome of refinement and intelligence, her regal aura concealing the true depth of her cunning.
Hours spent buried in books, seemingly engrossed in scholarly pursuits, were, in reality, a disguise for her darker experiments.
Her dimple smile, so disarming, had been a potent weapon in her arsenal. Emerald green eyes, seemingly innocent, yet pulling you into a whirlpool of deception.
Seraphina's ability to project an image of benevolence and charm while clandestinely weaving webs of manipulation was nothing short of masterful.
Coriolanus recalled instances where Seraphina had stood before him, smiling with that signature dimple smile, and he had been oblivious to the subtle poison she was already weaving into the fabric of their interactions.
The Capitol's Sweetheart had been a puppeteer, controlling the strings of others' lives with grace and finesse.
As he navigated the challenges in District 12, Coriolanus found himself drawing upon Seraphina's lessons.
The allure of charm, the importance of concealing one's true intentions, and the art of manipulating perception— all were tools he had observed in the Capitol's Sweetheart.
Seraphina's love for the color pink was like a cloak of innocence, a carefully chosen facade to lull others into a sense of comfort.
She adorned herself in pretty dresses and jewelry, creating an image that exuded sweetness and charm. Bows graced her hair, a deliberate touch to enhance the illusion of innocence.
Yet, hidden beneath the layers of sugar-coated sweetness was the subtle hint of danger— a snake concealed among the bows in her hair.
The juxtaposition of the delicate bows and the concealed serpent embodied the essence of Seraphina's duplicity.
She was a master at masking the scent of poison with an exterior that invited trust and warmth.
Coriolanus couldn't forget the allure of Seraphina's appearance— the elegance, the grace, and the deliberate choice of every accessory.
Her poison was indeed the sweetest kind, covered in layers of sugar, making it all the more lethal.
No matter how enchanting she appeared, the danger lurked beneath the surface, ready to strike when least expected.
In reflecting upon Seraphina's persona, Coriolanus couldn't help but acknowledge the undeniable truth: she was poison, deadly, and irresistible.
The lesson he had learned from her went beyond the Capitol's façade— it was a survival tactic, a means to navigate the treacherous waters of District 12, where danger wore various disguises, just like Seraphina.
She was poison covered in sugar.
Yet, poison covered in sugar was still poison.