MÁGOA ✶ clemensia dovecote

⁰⁰³ / compelling arguments

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. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : - ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ - : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .

CHAPTER THREE.
❝ compelling arguments ❞

alternatively,
i love arguing, but not this
much!

. ⋅ ˚̣- : ✧ : - ⭒ ⊹ ⭒ - : ✧ : -˚̣⋅ .
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As soon as school ended, Asclepius made a beeline for his car.

"Pedal to the medal, Buoy," he instructed, heaving his chest. "We have to beat Cor-- ooh, flowers!"

Just as his cousins reluctantly promised, Asclepius was delightfully welcomed with a large bouquet filled with white chrysanthemums and chocolate truffles in Avelot's arms. They were wrapped around a clear sheet of wrapping paper and tied together with a black bow. She passed them over to him with a gentle motion, which he took into his hand delicately. He could picture the anger on Coriolanus' face once he saw Tanner stuffing his face with the chocolate goodness while Lucy Gray was left with nothing.

Though, seeing as Tanner gave away his treats to the other tributes that asked, he might be inclined to do the same again.

Dang it, Tan!

"By the way, would you both like to join me in the zoo?" Through the rear view mirror, he saw Buoy's eyes widen while Avelot craned her head to face him. Asclepius blinked in shock at their reaction until he remembered that they were district, too. Why would they relish in the idea of children, that they might know, being held in a cage? Though district, they had a lot more empathy than his own flesh and blood. "Nevermind," he muttered while staring out the window.

The sun was beginning to set on the zoo, the sky swirling with orange and pink clouds. Once Asclepius was dropped off at the entrance, he wove through the crowd of people with a bouquet in hand. A handful of people had recognized him as Tanner's mentor, the boy with the basket, and wondered if the bouquet was yet another elaborate gift for the District Ten tribute. He didn't deny it, of course, as any publicity for Tanner would mean better cooperation from the boy.

He said his share of excuse me's and pardons while getting through the thick of the crowd that surrounded the monkey house.

"Tan!" The blonde haired boy snapped his head around at the sound of his nickname. "Catch!"

As soon as Tanner stood up and neared the fence, Asclepius tossed the bouquet over. Tanner caught it with two hands and his eye gleamed at the sight of the chocolates. "Are the flowers eatable?" he asked in awe.

He chuckled. "You mean edible?"

Tanner's face deadpanned. "I said what I said."

Asclepius playfully put his hands up in surrender. "Then no, they're not eatable," he replied. His tribute shrugged a shoulder before popping a truffle into his mouth. "How are you holding up? How's your partner? No bruises?" he asked.

"You mean Brandy?" Tanner asked as he chewed, a chunk of peanut hanging onto his lips while chocolate smeared his teeth. Clee nodded his head slightly. "She's doin' as alright. As good as we can be in this situation, y'know?"