HEART OF GOLD | CORIOLANUS SNOW

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 46

"Yes?" repeated Lilith dumbly. The cloud of disorientation forming in her head seemed impenetrable.

"Am I speaking Latin?" said Tigris, chuckling.

"You're agreeing to do this?" asked Lilith.

"Do you not want me to?" countered Tigris.

"Of course not! I mean, of course! I mean, yes, I want you to, but you haven't even heard the details. You don't know what you're getting yourself—"

Wren grabbed Lilith's elbow, cutting her off. Large and round, her eyes glistened with unmistakable disapproval. Lilith recognized the issue: This was their first acceptance after meeting with over twenty designers. She ought to stop talking. If Tigris was dissuaded by her words, everything would be ruined. But that was precisely the other problem—this was Tigris. This was someone Lilith knew, who knew Lilith. She did not want Tigris to be doing this for her, and certainly not without knowing all the facts. Skipping over the fine print felt like outright deception, especially since the remuneration had been scorned by practically everyone else in the industry.

"Details like I'll be handling twelve tributes for next to nothing?"

This was delivered absolutely evenly, and it silenced the room.

If Lilith and Wren had not been aware before, they were learning that news travelled fast, exceptionally so when it was deemed bad—and they were bad news. Lilith did not even bother opening her mouth. She could not contradict; she could not confess; she could not even conjure up something to beautify the truth.

Tigris gave a laugh. It was not a cruel one that most of her peers had bestowed upon Lilith and Wren. Hers was soft as she shook her head.

"You don't think I'm doing this for the money, do you?"

"You're not doing this for me, are you?" asked Lilith.

"I'm doing this because I agree with you," answered Tigris. "Everyone deserves a fair shot in the Games. If there's something I can do about that, I'd very much like to."

"And you don't—"

"That is very honourable of you," interjected Wren, her tone a convincing approximation of sincerity. "We are so glad to have you onboard. Why don't we get the paperwork out of the way?"

Swiftly pulling a wad of documents from her briefcase, Wren spun them around on the circular tea table to face Tigris. There was little to no explanation on Wren's part, but Tigris endorsed the indemnity forms and contracts without hesitation, looking almost eager to get the formalities over with. Once all her initials and signatures had been captured, Wren consulted her watch.

"I should still make it back for legal to get these filed today. I have to get back to office anyway. You're almost off; you don't have to come." Wren turned to Tigris and bowed. "Thank you again. We look forward to working with you. If you'll excuse me, I'll just see myself out."

With utmost haste, Wren disappeared.

"More tea?" asked Tigris. "You look like you could use some."

"Thanks," whispered Lilith, pushing her emptied cup over. She had downed all her honeysuckle to warm up from the elements and brace herself for the all-important pitch, but Lilith was desperate to feel better—to not feel guilty. Tigris handed the refilled vessel back to her, and upon inhaling the wafts of aromatic steam rising from her beverage, she took a deep swig of the floral brew.

"Honestly, I thought you'd be more thrilled," remarked Tigris.

"I just want you to know what you're getting yourself into," admitted Lilith. "I've been told not everyone holds the same view of the districts as me."