𝐖𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 [𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫] 🔞

ᴏɴᴇ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇɴᴛᴏʀ

Two days later, you head towards the train station dressed in your academy attire. You intended to meet your tribute before class and give him some food. You walked with a small sack of treats in hand that Sejanus' Ma had kindly packed for you. You loved that woman. She was such a sweetheart. You appreciated that she went out of her way to make them for you. You hoped that Sunny would appreciate this kind gesture. Even if he would not warm up to you right away, you would feel better if he at least had some food in his stomach. You were informed that the tributes were not fed during the journey.

You arrived to the station and your eyebrow raised at the sight of Coriolanus. He stood there lost in thought, seemingly examining the rose he held up close to his face. You held back an eye roll. Of course he had the same idea as you.

"Someone's tense." You commented, approaching him.

Coriolanus looked over at you, staring a little too hard. He looks away, clearing his throat. "How could you tell?" He says, a sly smirk on his face as his blue eyes finally met yours. "In my defense it only got worse when you arrived."

"I just can." You say wittily. You stood in front of him, noticing how much he towered over you in height. You had to tilt your head up slightly to make eye contact with him. You found yourself momentarily lost in the depths of his piercing blue eyes.

His gaze flickered over you, taking in your appearance. His eyes lingered on you a little too long again as he held back what he truly wanted to say. A hint of something- longing, maybe even guilt- glinted in his eyes. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You certainly have your ways with people." He looks back down at the rose. He mentally scolded himself for being so preoccupied with your appearance a moment ago. Yet, he can't help it. Your presence had a profound effect on him.

"Is that your offering to Lucy Gray to convince her to fight for you and win your prize?" You ask him, gesturing towards the white rose. You would not lie, that comment was meant to be passive aggressive in a way.

Coriolanus chuckled, aware of the point you were trying to make. "I think we both know that girl can't fight. I just wanted to let her know that I'm here for her as her mentor."

Brutally honest as always. But it was honesty nonetheless.

"What about you? Don't think I haven't noticed that bag you carry. Have you bought the boy an entire bouquet to one up me?" He teased you, eyeing the bag you held in your hand.

"Sejanus' Ma and I made a bunch of snacks for him last night." You explained to him.

Coriolanus nods, "Ah, I see."

You both turned your heads once the train came into viewpoint, finally reaching its destination. You pressed your lips into a thin line as you thought about Lucy Gray. She must be hungry too. All of them were starving no doubt.

"Here," You say to Coriolanus, opening the bag and taking out a decent sized loaf of fresh bread. "For Lucy Gray."

Coriolanus appeared astonished momentarily. He nodded, reaching out to receive the bread from you. "Thank you." There is a hint of tension in his voice, an attempt to mask the conflicting emotions that swirl beneath the surface.

The trained stopped shortly. A brief screeching sound emerged as it halted on the tracks. You scrunched your nose in disgust at a strong stench. Were those cattle cars they were traveling in..? How inhumane. You felt a pang of anger within you.

Once the doors opened, the tributes were ushered out in a swift and aggressive fashion. You watched as some tributes were shoved out by Peacekeepers. Others were kicking and screaming while being dragged off. You scanned the group of people. Surely enough, you spotted your tribute at the end of the carts.