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WITNESSING CORIOLANUS SNOW BEING TOSSED IN THE CAPITOL ZOO WAS THE LAST THING ANYBODY COULD EXPECT. Festus let out a snort beside his sister, watching as the blonde head of hair tumbled head over heels into the cage, a red blur.
The two siblings sat side-by-side, their teachers having learned long ago that sitting the two apart from one another resulted in a bigger distraction for their classmates.
"He could join the circus," Eulalia muttered, eyes glued to the screen, "That barrel roll was rather impressive." Beside her, Festus hid his head in his hands, shoulders shaking with silent laughter he attempted to subdue.
"I'm jealous of that entrance!" Lucky Flickerman spoke directly to the camera, ignoring the groaning tributes behind him as they found their footing.
"Could...anyone tell me why Coriolanus Snow is in the Zoo?" the Dean asked, turning from the television as Coriolanus approached the weatherman, hand-in-hand with his tribute.
Eulalia bit back a smile, "He still really wants the Plinth Prize, sir." Her own eyes were on the enclosure behind her classmate, eyes searching for a glimpse of Reaper or Dill.
The Dean shook his head, shutting off the television with an eye roll, "Well, unluckily for him, that act could get him disqualified. You have all of after school to meet your tributes and welcome them to the..." sigh, "esteemed Capitol. Now, back to your work. Perhaps Mr. Snow will join us in time to work on his outline."
All twenty-two mentors went back to their work, Festus subduing his laughter enough to slide his sister a note.
Zoo after school?
Eulalia nodded, scribbling back:
Just have to stop by home first, get rid of some of the pastries.
In the announcement of the tributes' impending arrival the night before, Eulalia had baked more goods than ever, not stopping short of muffins, scones, croissants, and cupcakes. Felix had practically fallen to his knees when she handed him the container that morning, proclaiming that he was 'glad she was so stressed'. The remark had earned him a smack to the back of his head by Festus.
For the rest of the class, Eulalia did her best to zone out the familiar rhetoric between her classmates, a depressive and repetitive topic to Eulalia. Typically, she got a jab or two thrown her way—although it seemed most remarks went back to Sejanus, who never feared speaking his mind.
Eulalia envied the boy, his spot was secured. He could practically say or do whatever he wanted and be able to buy his way out of it, she had to tread far more carefully: actions not even her own would cost her head.
