Love comes in all shades | Coriolanus Snow x OC |

7. The Semiquaver

"Maybe it won't be that bad," Tigris said later that night in what appeared to be an attempt at comforting him. It was unsuccessful, though. If anything it made Corioalnus even more upset. He was no longer surprised by his cousin's naivety and yet it still never failed to frustrate him. Was he the only one with common sense in this household? He had never questioned Tigris' level-headedness before. He may have disagreed with her a lot, but her different approach to life and people never angered him to such an extent like today. Yes, she wore her heart on her sleeve, but that wasn't a reason to wonder whether someone was sane or not.

However now he was slowly changing his perception of her. Was she really that foolish? Maybe in different circumstances he'd find her undying belief in good and general positivity fun and heartwarming, maybe even adorable, but not in such a situation. Not when they were very close to extreme poverty. Ah, it wasn't supposed to be like this. They were meant to be celebrating tonight, paying off all of the debts they had and picking up new drapes and cushions for the living room. Instead, they were wondering when they'd be evicted from the house that the Snow family had for years, if not for ages.

"It will be, Tigris," he said impatiently, walking back and forth in the room and trying his best not to completely burst out in anger, especially since their grandma'am turned the sound of her old radio up. He learned how to live with her quirks and how to ignore her odd musical choices, but she chose a wrong day to act like her dotty self. "Can't you see it? Really? I'm doomed," he added as he hid his face in his palms. He dug his nails into his skin, probably marking his forehead and cheeks, but he didn't care at the moment. It's not like it would permanently uglify his face, he'd never let that happen. Who knew? Maybe his objectively good looking face would save him and his family? He couldn't count on Tigris in that matter, that's for sure.

His cousin had a very good heart, she had a great sense of style, was responsible and made a good conversationalist most of the time. Coriolanus had absolutely no doubt that she'd make a very good wife. Alas, she wouldn't gain man's interest with her face and body. She wasn't conventionally attractive with her bony, malnourished figure and nose that in contrast with her thin lips and small eyes looked unproportionally big. No, she wouldn't earn money with her looks.

And sadly marriage was most certainly out of question for her too. At least for now. She wouldn't get herself a good man in the Capitol if they knew about her living situation and low income. No man in his right mind would take for a wife someone drowning in debt with a crazy old lady for a grandma and cousin that struggled to pay for university.

In other ways, she had no prospects of making money out of her relationship with men. Maybe that's why such relationships were non-existent in her life. Besides, it would be bad for her reputation and by extension his as even a mere rumor like that would hurt their family's name significantly.

On the other hand, Coriolanus could indulge in such relationships without as much risk as Tigris would have. Women tend to be more discreet about those things than men. If anything, he would be able to hurt them much more than they would. That's why he started thinking about it for a minute, but ultimately decided against it after considering the matter in all its bearings. The risk would be lower than with Tigris, but it would still be there. If anyone found out that he was...meeting with older women and keeping them company no one would treat him seriously. He would be a center of upper crust's crude jokes till he'd die and even after his death the rumors would be used against his descendants. He wouldn't allow that.

No, he'd use his face, wit and charm to land himself just one woman. A particular and important one. Elise. She was his last resort. Tonight he had a shot at getting closer with her. If only he wasn't so upset with Casca Highbottom. If only that man didn't destroy his chances for having a nicer and better life. It's a distraction. He put an obstacle on his path that seemed far too serious to overcome. He made him feel as if he was losing control over his life. That put his mind on different matters rather than socializing with colleagues and being attentive while they shared the most absurd and boring stories ever.