彡𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕔𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕛𝕒𝕪 𝕤𝕒𝕟𝕘彡

彡𝕋𝕒𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕒彡

(n) things better left unsaid or unspoken.

Tigris paced nervously around the room. She couldn't believe this was her life. Today she was taking her first apprentice. To say she was nervous is an understatement. She heard a shy knock on the door. This must be him, she thought. How on earth did I manage to end up here?

She sighed and wiped her sweaty hands on the silken fabric of her dress, walking over to the door. She opened it with a smile. "Hello," she said.

"Come on in." She stepped aside to let the young man in.

"Hi," he uttered shyly and stretched out a hand. "I'm Cinna."

She gently shook it. "Tigris." At least he had the decency not to immediately wipe his hands on his pants.

"I know," he beamed. "You're my idol." She felt her cheeks heating up and let out a nervous chuckle, looking away. Help.

"Oh," she giggled. "I don't know what to say-"

"You don't have to," he smiled warmly. "I'm honored to be here. When I first saw your designs, I was positively struck. I must confess - I'm a fan!"

"So... where should we start?" Tigris asks.

"Umm... mind you, this is my first time, so I'm sorry for any awkwardness."

"It's my first time too, so we're even," he chuckled.

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(set towards the end of the 73rd Hunger Games)

She clenches her lips, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Yellow-and-black-striped face, pointy nose and matching striped dress - like a tiger. This is her last year as a stylist, the last year she'll take apprentices. Snow made it very clear - she wasn't pretty enough anymore. She's made up her mind. She has to tell somebody about all she's seen.

She hears a knock on the door and the following creaking of wood. "Hii," she smiles. "How's my favorite soon-to-be stylist, hmm?"

Cinna's eyes widen a little at the sight of her, then quickly relaxes them. "Hey, Tigris," he grins. "I'm fine!"

"Come, come," she hurries him in, closing and locking the door behind him. She looks around nervously and clicks her tongue. "Not here. I need some fresh air." Sensing the room might be wired -she'd be surprised if it weren't-, she clasps his hand and walks upstairs. "Come on."

"What's wrong, Tigris?" he asks. She just shakes her head. "What is it?"

"Can't talk here. Too risky," she mutters. Cinna nods as she takes him to the roof. "Here it's much better. I'm sorry if I scared you... it's just that... I need to tell you something."

"Go ahead."

She takes a deep breath. "This is my last year as a stylist." Cinna's eyebrows raise in question. "I don't know where to begin... it's really complicated. Snow decided I just... wasn't pretty enough anymore."

"What? That's just messed up, how can he even-"

"Not only is he president, but he's also my cousin."

He raises his hands. "Woah. This is just a lot to process in one sitting."

"I know. But please, I need to get this off my chest. I don't know what waits for me when this ends. So please, just let me explain."

"Please do." He shifts in his seat, intrigued.

"This goes back to 63 years ago. 10th Hunger Games. First time having mentors -Capitol ones- for the Games. They were chosen among the 24 best students at the Academy. One of them was Snow. He got the District 12 female tribute, who made herself a name when she sang at the Reaping, the interview and the arena, all while dressed in this beautiful dress with rainbow ruffles. The official version is that Snow cheated. But I didn't believe that, I thought he genuinely cared for her. For some strange reason, I still do. His tribute won, but he was forced to enroll as a Peacekeeper because of said cheating. She was sent back to her district. He chose to go to 12 as a Peacekeeper. So did his alleged best friend, Sejanus -a District 2 boy living in the Capitol-, who he'd taken out of the arena. Then something happened, I don't quite know what. But I believe Snow was the cause. Sejanus was sent to the gallows. Treason, they said. Betrayal, I believe. They were handling a bunch of jabberjays to send them back to the Capitol for a routine check. I think Snow used one to record Sejanus and sent it to the Citadel, addressed it to Dr. Gaul. Then Lucy Gray, Snow's tribute, disappeared. Just -poof!- gone. No one knows about her fate. I doubt we ever will. When Snow returned home, I saw he'd changed. He was not my sweet Coryo anymore. In his eyes, it was just hate. Just like his father. He went to study under evil Dr. Gaul's wing. That woman was crazy. Insane, even. She was terrifying. I just wanted you to know... what really happened, even if they've wiped out every single copy of those Games."

Cinna stays silent for a while before asking, "Did they...?"

"No. There's only one left. The original one. But I doubt it'll ever see the light. The other copies were edited so that the audience didn't see a mentor in the arena sprinkling bread crumbs over his dead tribute, and another mentor beating another tribute to death. I just wanted you to know this. I couldn't possibly live another day if I didn't share it with someone."

"That's okay, Tigris," Cinna says warmly, taking her hand. "It's safe with me."

"I also want you to have this," she takes out something from her pocket. "I made it myself. It's permanent eyeshadow. And I think it's the perfect color for you - golden."

"Oh... thank you," he blinks out some tears.

"Thank you so much. You've been the best teacher I could've ever hoped for."

"Stop it, you," she blushes. "Do you have any idea where you want to work?"

"District 12." Tigris stands up and wraps her arms around Cinna's frame. "I'll try to make you proud."

"You already do," she smiles. "Now let's go. We've got plenty of things to do today." When Cinna is about to head to the stairs, she stops him. "One more thing. Snow hates mockingjays. He's told me several times."

He nods. "I'll keep it in mind," he chuckles.

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