Can't Catch Me Now 》Treech & Vipsania Sickle

Chapter 2 - First meeting

A zoo. The tributes were placed in a former monkey cage in a damn zoo. Rarely had Vipsania felt so disgusted. It was one thing calling the Districts animals but to treat them like actual animals was a step too far.

Dean Highbottom wouldn't pay attention to the students' questions. Namely Lysistrata and Persephone but also the Ring twins, albeit with a silent, shy manner, had inquired why the tributes had to be kept in a zoo.

"So the Captiol citizen can come and watch them, maybe even feed them if they compy" Dr. Gaul - likely the sick mind behind this entire idea - had told them. "By complying I mean giving us some nice, little performances. Surely they must've learnt some tricks back in the Districts that shall entertain the viewers. It's what animals do after all." she'd explained with her usual sinister expression.

But it wasn't just that what disgusted Vipsania. It was the way Coriolanus had been in the cage with the tributes, holding hand with his stupid snake girl, taking all attention to himself and his tribute.

"Perfect!" Arachne chirped when Captiol TV had shown this as breaking news. "Maybe the clown's gonna put a snake in his uniform too - that way two problems are solved at once- ouch!" she complained as Livia elbowed her in the side. "Come on, it's not like you're a fan of Coryo."

"I certainly am not a fan of Coriolanus but who knows if sentences like these won't get us expelled from the assignment" she thoughtfully played with her food. "I won't allow Coryo taking away my chances."

Admittedly, Livia's tribute was promising too despite Vipsania couldn't remember his name. Fabric maybe?

"Coryo's chances are gone the second these games start" Vipsania said coldly. "Or does any of you think his runt girl has a chance?"

She felt bad for Coriolanus' tribute because somewhere that snake girl had a family too and Vipsania knew the importance of family. But Treech also had a family and Treech was hers. She couldn't allow anything else other than caring for his wellbeing and survival - even if it meant to loose the likes of Persephone's little boy or the Ring twins' hopeless tributes along the way.

"Dean Highbottom said it's not about turning our tributes into survivors but spectacles" Diana said with a small voice. "And Coryo's songbird can sing very well. The Captiol surely will like that, don't you think? Because I certainly do."

Despite it wasn't even offensive, Arachne stared back at Diana as if her classmate had just insulted her. "I suppose we can only do one thing now: going to the zoo and meeting our tributes too. If Coryo can do it then so can I." Arachne said, holding her head high.

~

The zoo was already full of curious people. Fortunately someone had gotten rid of Coriolanus in the cage, hopeful taking him back to the Academy to have him expelled from this assignment. It'd be a favour to do to everyone, really. No one could stand the snake.

Maybe they'll send him into the arena too, seing as he was so eager to join the tributes in the cage as well, Vipsania thought with a hint of delight. She knew it was wrong and she didn't wish harm on any of her classmates... but teaching Coriolanus a lesson was tempting. He clearly tried to cheat and cheating was wrong specifically with an assignment that had so much impact on their future.

But much to Vipsania's dismiss, Coriolanus was now sitting by the bars and talking with his tribute. The way they leaned so close almost made it look like they were about to kiss - a smart way to gain sponsors, Vipsania had to give him credit for that. People loved a good love story and if Coriolanus and his runt girl kept playing the unlucky lovers, maybe people were stupid enough to believe it.