THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES | Coriolanus Snow

part I: the mentor | 17

Lupinia awoke as Coriolanus gently tried to lift her head off his shoulder. Blinking her eyes open, she asked, "What's going on?" as the girl sat up straight.

"Nothing, don't worry. I'll be right back," Coriolanus assured her, attempting to shield her from the dangerous situation he was about to involve himself in.

He turned to leave, but Lupinia, sensing something was amiss, insisted, "No, Coryo, tell me what's wrong."

"I'm going into the arena," Coriolanus admitted quietly.

"You do what!?" Lupinia almost shouted, her voice echoing through the room.

"Sejanus is in there - I have to get him out," Coriolanus stated, sitting back down on his chair.

"I'm not going to let you go in there!" Lupinia exclaimed, her concern for the boy evident in her voice.

"I have to," he insisted, sitting opposite her and locking eyes with the emerald green gaze of the girl. Taking her hands into his, he added, "I'll be back soon, I promise," trying to reassure her that nothing would happen to him, even though he couldn't be certain. The arena was a perilous place, with tributes hungry for Capitol blood to be spilled.

"You can't promise that, Coryo. If they see you, they will kill you. It's not safe for you to go in there. I'm not gonna let," Lupinia fervently declared, shaking her head.

A heavy silence enveloped them before Lupinia broke it, saying, "If you go, I follow."

"No, you can't come with me," Coriolanus replied, his voice carrying the weight of deep concern for her well-being. The mere thought of anything happening to Lupinia left him anxious and contemplating how he could continue without her. She had been a constant presence in his life since after the loss of his parents and after the dark days. Lupinia and Tigris had always been there. His care for them remained from the beginning, even during times when Lupinia held resentment against him, a feeling he reciprocated, because he didn't know how else to cope with the situation. But what was truely behind it was that Coriolanus was attempting to forge a new connection with the girl who meant so much to him, even if this connection was one filled with animosity. Thus, their language became hurtful, their tone playful and teasing, and their connection formed a protective shield of apparent hostility that concealed the deep feelings they harboured for each other. And after some time feelings seemed forgotten, they both believed to truly despise the other person.

"I'm coming with you, no discussion," Lupinia declared, determination in her eyes, though fear also lingered in her gaze. Aware that arguing with Lupinia was futile given her stubbornness, Coriolanus reluctantly allowed her to accompany him.

A while later, the pair stood in front of the imposing structure - the arena. Two peacekeepers were stationed at the entrance. Coriolanus engaged in conversation with one of them, but Lupinia, consumed by anxiety, failed to register the details. The peacekeepers opened the doors, permitting Coriolanus to enter. Turning back, he cast a meaningful look behind, a message Lupinia struggled to decipher. As she attempted to pass through the gates, one peacekeeper restrained her, and the other swiftly closed the entrance. The closed doors left Lupinia standing just outside, the pair separated by bars.

"I'm sorry, but I can't risk losing you," Coriolanus whispered from behind the bars, his hand gently caressing her cheek. He then kissed the top of her head before vanishing into the arena.

Lupinia stood outside the arena, her hands clenched around the cold bars, the warmth on her cheek and forehead fading, leaving no trace of Coriolanus. A sense of helplessness overwhelmed her, it felt like a goodbye, but that couldn't be the end. He couldn't risk to lose her, but she also couldn't risk losing him. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she approached the peacekeeper who had restrained her. "Do you even know who I am?" she demanded, the fear of losing Coriolanus sinking in.

"No, Miss, I do not," the peacekeeper replied calmly.

"So, you do not know that I am Leopoldes Evergreen's daughter. I'm sure he wouldn't like to hear how roughly you treated me, laying your dirty hands on me," Lupinia said, looking indignant.

"No, Miss, I am sure that's not necessary. I'm very sorry," the peacekeeper apologized.

"Sorry isn't enough. I'll tell him nevertheless, unless you let me pass," Lupinia said upset.

"But, Miss, this isn't a place for a lady like you to be," the peacekeeper argued.

"So, this is your decision. Prepare yourself to hear from my father," she threatened.

"No, Miss, I mean, if you wish, you may pass," the peacekeeper hastily conceded, primarily concerned about avoiding trouble with Mister Evergreen. However, he failed to consider the more severe consequences of allowing the man's daughter into a deadly arena, which would for sure result in even greater trouble.

The gates opened, and Lupinia walked through into the building. The arena was in ruins, dust lingering in the air as Lupinia tried to locate Coriolanus. Spotting two figures in the distance, she rushed toward them.

"Lupinia," Coriolanus exclaimed, surprise mingled with growing fear in his eyes.

"Can't lose you either", Lupinia shortly explained then she turned to Sejanus.

"Sejanus, come on, let's get out of here," she then whispered urgently.

"You need to go, Coryo. You need to get Lupinia out of here," Sejanus said, looking deep into the blond boy's eyes.

"I'd really like to. I really would, but I promised to get you out," Coriolanus replied.

"Why?"

"Because you're my friend," Coriolanus responded, sincerity mirroring in his eyes as he held Sejanus's face in his hands. Convinced, Sejanus ran toward the exit. Coriolanus took Lupinia's hand, and they ran in the same direction. Suddenly, Bobbin, the tribute from District 8, appeared out of nowhere, attacking Lupinia with his knife. Coriolanus pushed her away, taking the blow. A fight ensued between Bobbin and Coriolanus, but Bobbin gained the upper hand.

"Get her out of here!" Coriolanus shouted at Sejanus, concerned only for Lupinia's safety. Sejanus grabbed Lupinia, forcing her away from the brutal scene. Lupinia protested and tried to escape Sejanus's grip, but she didn't succeed.

Meanwhile, Coriolanus leaped backward, swinging at Bobbin but encountering only air. He landed in a pile of debris, searching for some kind of defense. In that moment, Lupinia broke free from Sejanus's grip, rushing back to help Coriolanus. Bobbin attacked Lupinia once again, now aiming the knife at her face. Reacting immediately, Coriolanus's fingers closed around a wooden bat, hitting Bobbin in the temple hard. Coriolanus sprang to his feet, using the board like a club, striking Bobbin again and again without being sure where it made contact.

"Stop, Coryo. We have to go!" Lupinia shouted, taking his hand and dragging him alongside her outside of the arena. As soon as they made it onto the safe side of the bars they took a deep breath.

All three, grateful to escape with their lives, found momentary solace in each other beyond the confines of the arena.