The Letters of Sable and Gillenia

14 February, 2024

Dear Gillenia,

Meeting Coriolanus and Tigris' "Grandma'am" was so delightful! She said she hadn't known I was from 12 and if I didn't have such a strong southern drawl she would have guessed I was born in the Capitol! She's still celebrating Coryo's election by singing Panem's anthem...she made me join in too. Grandma'am and Tigris live in a new apartment now that is renovated and closer to our residence. We left for our honeymoon the next day and Coryo surprised me by taking me back to 12. I saw a whole 'nother side of the man I married. He hiked through the woods with me and I didn't even need to lead because he seemed like he already knew where he was going. Rows of trees turned into a vast lake I had never seen before. We would spend the night in the humblest dwelling for a presidential couple—an abandoned wooden shack. We jumped into the frigid water and kissed under the moonlight and the next day I sat on the porch singing while Coryo would twist flowers into my hair. Then he started having repairs on the house. He is so handsome and rugged, making fires and working shirtless. He told me Lucy Gray showed him the spot and all he ever wanted was to stay if he didn't have duties at the Capitol. He told me how she betrayed him and how he wished he had someone better to share the spot with. Now he said he does and it can be our vacation cottage, for when we need a break, from the Capitol's demands. He carved our initials in a tree and kissed me against it. I finally understood why he was having so many nightmares about this place and I'm glad he exposed himself to it again, knowing I'd be at his side. He wanted the life of a peasant rather than royalty. He loved how the small cabin bed brought our bodies closer into each other's warmth. He's hardworking, humble, and thoughtful. Still so silly too, he made me laugh about how he used to have a buzz cut the last time he was here. The next day I showed him where I find ingredients for the tea I sell and eventually we manoeuvred back into town. We ran into Flint's family, and they were fuming that we had Flint arrested. Coryo and I were whisked away on a train by peace keepers and had to spend the rest of our honeymoon seeing ruined fortresses on the beautiful coast near District 4. They used to be Spanish, I heard! Coryo and I played pirates for a bit and went to an exquisite club that evening to try all the delicacies. It was the most we've eaten in a very long while. I still alway check his wine for traces of nightlock. We've had to keep watch for assassination attempts...we are loathed in the districts. We went dancing on a boat and are now lounging on a bed even bigger than ours at home! We have a perfect view of the now tempestuous ocean waves and the canopy is blowing gently in the wind from our open terrace doors. I miss you already! Write soon!

Love,

Sable