Lillian Crane and her formidable adversary, Coriolanus Snow, epitomized brilliance within their academic and physical competitions, their prowess woven into the fabric of their existence.
However, Lillian's world takes an unexpected turn, stripping...
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Coriolanus, visibly anxious about what awaited them, received a reassuring squeeze from Lillian, who whispered words of encouragement meant for their ears alone.
Approaching the fence, Lillian introduced herself and Wovey to the curious onlookers. "I'm Lillian Crane, I'm seventeen years old, I go to the academy, and this is my mentee Wovey." Lillian answered not letting go of their hands, lifting Woveys at the mention. As the crowd engaged with Wovey, Lillian joined the interaction.
"And who are you?" Lucky asked, looking over at Coriolanus. "I'm Coriolanus Snow, and this is Lucy Gray." He said raising her arm up. He asked a few more questions before eventually, Lillian and Coriolanus met again, sharing smiles for the cameras.
"Well, you too red coats, it looks like you're about to go back home." Lucky said smiling at the camera. The two capitol students turned around and saw two peacekeepers walking toward them. They grabbed hands and the peacekeepers walked them into the back of the cage.
Lucy Gray approached, quietly pleading for food, but a peacekeeper pushed her away, leaving the Capitol students with a lingering sense of unease.
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Lillian and Coriolanus walked into the classroom, Dean Highbottom welcomed Lillian in with a smile but glared at Coriolanus. "Your stunt down at the zoo, broke just about 5 academy rules." Highbottom says as they walk to their desks.
"The games are failing, they need to get the people involved. If they have connection, maybe they'll watch the games." He started, Lillian taking over. "Yeah, the tributes are people, maybe if the people got to know them better, they can donate money to help them. Maybe they can change the laws and let the capitol people bet on the tributes." Lillian finished speaking.
Doctor Gaul walked into the classroom, she loved the ideas the pair has made, "Maybe you two can make a proposal and bring it to my office tomorrow by nine." The two of them looked at each other nodding, Lillian was about to agree for the two of them until clemensia jumped in.
"Coriolanus and I are partners on every assignment for school so I think I should help." Dr. Gaul just laughed. "Now this, this is going to be interesting." She walked out of the room her laugh the last thing we could hear before the deafening silence.
At lunch, Lillian wrapped her sandwich and cookies in a napkin, observing Coriolanus doing the same. A distinction lingered between them; while Lillian could forgo lunch, she ate breakfast, Coriolanus on the other hand, did not. She could hear his stomach all through class.
Lillian slid her soup across the table for the blonde boy in front of her. He looked up at the girl, an eyebrow raised in confusion. "Take it, I don't need it." She said shrugging. He looked at it for a minute before he devoured the soup.
During the remaining lunch period, Lillian and Coriolanus began crafting their proposal for Dr. Gaul to help improve the future Hunger Games.
After school, the mentors gathered at the zoo to meet their mentees. Lillian headed straight for the gate near Coriolanus, with Arachne on the other side of the boy. "Wovey!" Lillian called out, seeking her attention. Wovey spotted Lillian, her face lighting up with a broad smile.
Excitedly, Wovey rushed to the fence, where Lillian handed her a sandwich and cookies. Wovey, wanting to share the moment, offered Lillian a piece of the cookie, and they sat together on the ground, enjoying their snacks.
"I'm so happy to have met you, Lilli. Can I call you that?" Wovey asked. "Why, of course you can." Lillian answered with a wide smile, genuinely pleased by the connection they were forming.
"Thank you for bringing me food. It's been awhile since I've gotten to eat. The pain was bad yesterday." Wovey said influencing Lillian to make a mental note for their proposal.
"During the war, I saw some dark stuff happen, even in the capitol. I was so hungry, I ate paper and cotton balls to stop the pain." Wovey, surprised by this revelation about the Capitol, to which she had assumed perfection.
Lillian handed Wovey the proposal, she wanted her to read it to know if she needed to add anything. Wovey was just excited that capitol students wanted to help them.
Lucy Gray and Coriolanus approached the fence both sharing the food Coriolanus brought from the school cafeteria.
"What happened to his neck?" inquired Coriolanus as Jessup turned his head. Lucy Gray followed his gaze, responding, "Bat bite, first night on the train. He stayed up all night to ensure the bats left me alone as I slept."
In an emotional connection, they locked eyes, providing Coriolanus solace in finding someone who understood him amidst the distinctiveness from other academy students. Lucy Gray, drawn by the moment, started leaning in, Coriolanus following.
"Lilli, don't look that way." cautioned Wovey, directing Lillian's attention elsewhere. "What do you mean, Wovey?" Lillian questioned, turning her head in the indicated direction. Unspoken, Lillian exchanged glances with Wovey, continuing their conversation.
Coriolanus, sensing the impropriety, withdrew before their lips could meet, acknowledging the ethical dilemma. He hesitated, aware of the transient nature of their connection and the looming possibility of her demise.
"One thing I learned from District 12 was, hunger is a weapon. Looks like your friend over there knows." Lucy Gray said making Coriolanus turn his head to look at who she was talking about.
"She is not my friend. She is poison with perfect teeth." Coriolanus said making the girl furrow her eyebrows. "Her sister though, that's the girl that was with us, she's kind and caring."
They stayed quiet for a moment until she got more curious. "You have a girlfriend? Is it her?" Lucy Gray asked turning her head to look at Lillian. "Nope, we're barely even friends." Coriolanus answered. "How about you? Any guy back at the districts?" Coriolanus asked making Lucy Gray shake her head. "Nope, not anymore."
