HEART OF GOLD | CORIOLANUS SNOW

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 48

Lilith stared at Tigris with nothing short of astonishment.

"Why didn't you say something?"

Tigris only sighed.

"Details," she muttered. "Why's everyone so uptight with details tonight?"

"It's your birthday!" cried Lilith, almost laughing. Truly, this was so incredulous as to be absurd. "I haven't gotten you anything, to say the least. And after everything you've done for me tonight—I'm ordering you that dress."

Admittedly, the finale piece was a collaboration limited edition that had to have captured the hearts of the entire audience. But it was one ostensibly simple, elegant, flowing gown presented in the middle of the show that had Tigris sitting up straighter in her chair, craning her neck over the crowd as though to get every possible glimpse of the deceptively intricate ensemble. Lilith couldn't be sure of what it was that charmed her so much, but she was certain that she had been charmed, if not swept away completely.

"You don't have to," said Tigris, somewhat tersely.

"I know, but I want to." Lilith gazed at her with utmost sincerity and gratitude. "I've had the most wonderful night. And without you, we'd never have Titus."

"Titus?"

Not for the first time that day, the quiet sound made Lilith jump. She looked up sharply, mortified that she had forgotten Snow's presence. It was strange; she had been quite aware of him just a moment ago. She had not been informed that he would be here, not that Lilith had asked. She had presumed it would be Mrs. Plinth at the fourth place, but she supposed he did live here, too—sort of. If she had known of the special occasion, she could have deduced otherwise besides.

In all honesty, Lilith was only just getting accustomed to being around Snow in a professional setting, not to mention a casual one was in a totally different league. Her mind and body were in constant conflict, since Tigris made her feel right at home, while her cousin's mere presence frequently reduced Lilith to a jittery mess. Lilith could not comprehend the vastly differing responses she had towards her mentors. But was he her mentor now? Unlike Professor Gaul's party or Highbottom's gala, this wasn't even remotely related to the Games.

Well, it hadn't been.

"Our second stylist," said Lilith in a whisper, "Titus Trinket."

"He's good?" asked Snow, in that characteristically inscrutable manner.

"He's Alecto McQueen's assistant," intoned Tigris. She picked up her spoon and resumed consumption of her soup, not looking at anyone, not least Snow, who was patently looking at her and awaiting elaboration.

"That means he's good," supplied Lilith.

Slowly, Snow turned his gaze upon her, and it lingered for a moment (or many) longer than was comfortable. She wondered about mentioning that it was the bartender from the gala but thought the better of it, lest he was reminded of her foolishness.

"I hope you have his verbal agreement?"

Lilith nodded fervently. "He's signed the preliminary documents. I'll send all the paperwork down to legal first thing on Monday."

"That won't be necessary."

Snow chose here to pause and sip his hot chocolate. Lilith's insides lurched like she had missed a step going down the stairs, and her heart raced in trepidation.

Had she made a mistake of bringing the forms and contract with her to the show? Had she nullified them by doing so? Was it because she had been alone, without someone in actual employment of the Games overseeing the endorsement? Or was it the social venue?