HEART OF GOLD | CORIOLANUS SNOW

𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 97

Friday was primarily dedicated to interviews: Interviews with Capitol celebrities. Interview with the Head Gamemaker. Interviews with mentors. Interviews with families and friends of the final eight contestants.

In the districts, relatives and associates of the tributes were given front-row seats in the Justice Square pavilions, so it was easy to find them when the time came.

Otho seemed to have gained an entire fan club at home, comprising predominantly of adoring teenage girls telling the camera that he didn't need Beryl—they were waiting for him. Heron's mother, a wispy woman who looked too frail and small to have produced such a strapping son, said tearfully that she missed him, and that she loved him no matter what. Spirits were high in 7, 11, and 12, with both tributes still in the running.

"It's a very rare occurrence," according to Snow's interview. "It demonstrates the virtue of cooperation."

Ash's parents and neighbours offered the standard encouragements, then cast dirty looks towards the Sawyers. Undeterred, Linden and Laurel stood before Panem, proclaiming how proud they were of their sister, Linden adding that he wished Leigh could have worn his jumpsuit into the arena, but it would still protect her.

Oliver only had an ancient grandmother and a brother still ineligible for the reaping, who confessed they were praying for him. A boy who didn't look remotely old enough held out a plain silver ring in front of the Justice Building in 11 and declared himself to Poppy. Lilith thought this must be the boyfriend in the questionnaire Poppy had otherwise refused to speak of. Marriage at eighteen? Lilith couldn't imagine it. But apparently, people in 11 could, and a roar of cheers erupted from the gaggle of Granger cousins near the front, spreading back through the rest of the crowd.

Unyielding black lines across skin folds were a common feature in District 12, and Lilith realized it had to be coal dust. Filthy with the stuff, Clementine's father bade her good luck, though his face was wet. Her mother just kept sobbing, "Oh, my darling, Clementine..."

An orphan brought up by his aunt, Seth was addressed by a grubby woman who went by Sae. She had a croaky voice, but it was more intelligible than a few of his co-miners, whose accents were so thick Lilith got a headache trying to decipher their words while watching the original footage. When Snow enquired about her frown, she joked about needing subtitles. Subtitles were added for the national broadcast.

Even so, a faint throbbing still lingered behind her right temple, and Lilith had no reservations about rubbing it now that she was alone. Having followed Snow to Capitol News for his interview with Lucky, she was presently backstage while they were both on set and on air, going live across the country. Of course, Lilith wasn't technically alone, with numerous crew members all around, but she stayed out of their way, and they largely ignored her little corner.

With no one to scrutinize her actions, she pressed her thumb into the pulsing spot, stroking it in circles. Her eyes were closed, but she could still hear Lucky asking about Heron's performance yesterday.

"That's humanity undressed," replied Snow in a solemn tone. "That's mankind in its natural state. That's why we need the Hunger Games: To remind ourselves of what we're capable of. To remind ourselves to be grateful to the Capitol for protecting us against such threats outside of the arena."

Copying Snow's sober attitude, Lucky nodded in agreement and moved on to Harlequin's death.

"I guess the lesson here is to be careful of who we trust," said Snow.

At this, Lilith opened her eyes. Snow's back was to her in real life, but there were plenty of screens from which she could see his face. He was smiling, but wistfully, and Lilith couldn't help wondering who had made him like this.