#i also thought that the government was making him do the hunger games in this murder maze lmao

[felixcosm]

If you've seen out of context spoilers for WOE.BEGONE (maybe before you caught up or before you started listening) what are some misconceptions you had/have about the plot?

[etfrin]

❝ꜱᴏᴜʟꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴄʀᴜꜱʜ❞ — chapter twenty-one | coriolanus snow

「ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ:��� NSFW | canon typical violence, coriolanus snow, a lot of innocent people get murdered but there's no solid description! someone gets hanged as well | lmk if I forgot anything

「ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢ:」 young! Coriolanus Snow x fem! Reader

「ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:」 coriolanus snow sees district thirteen getting what it deserves and finds himself with a goal

「ᴀ/ɴ:」 i should be studying... But here ya go! Make sure to give me feedback, we're nearing the end soon!

Beta read by the sweetheart @nowitsmissing

masterlist | navigation

It was extremely early in the morning when every single Peacekeeper was called into the Peacekeeper base. There was a TV, it was surprisingly a big screen. Definitely from the Capitol. You were standing beside Commander Hoff and behind you were several Capitol officials.

“Today, we make history. Today we'll end the rebellion from its root,” Commander Hoffs’ voice echoes onto the hall.

Coriolanus raises his eyebrows, unsure of what exactly is happening. The confusion is jarring. You looked stoic, your face devoid of any emotions. You never looked so beautiful to him. You looked like power. Fuck.

Coriolanus diverts his eyes before his thoughts turn inappropriate. He looks at the screen and watches it come alive. A familiar face shows up. Lucky Flickerman. The first-ever host of the 10th annual Hunger Games.

Coriolanus furrows his eyebrows before he begins to connect the dots. This has something to do with district thirteen. Ending rebellion from its root? How is that possible? Unless…

District thirteen still exists and the Capitol has fed him lies about it from the beginning. Coriolanus wanted to feel bitter but instead, he felt relief because it meant you were doing something about it. You wouldn't let it go. And this was a gift for him, he realized. District thirteen was what ruined his family and now you're eradicating its existence from the face of Panem.

You were extraordinary.

“Today, district thirteen will cease to exist,” you announced to everyone standing.

And then, Flickerman begins to talk,

“Citizens of Panem, today the Capitol will make history yet again. From the dark age, we have learned not to repeat our mistakes. There won't be a war in Panem ever again, and this is a step towards that,”

He continues,

“Months ago, there was reported activity near the area of district thirteen since then the government has worked tirelessly to find out the truth. It has been revealed that district thirteen exists,” Coriolanus hears multiple gasps, and even Flickerman stops talking for a moment to let the shock settle in.

The man then goes on,

“But those lives there are not blameless. They live with the blood of beloved Capitol citizens on their hands. They have rebellion in their hearts and hence keep themselves a secret. But no more! Because of a special mission approved by the President and esteemed officials' dedication to keeping the Capitol safe,”

“We'll be seeing from our own eyes how the Capitol keeps us safe. We'll see from our own eyes why the Hunger Games is needed. Thank you.”

Coriolanus looks away from the screen and turns his eyes towards you. You were already looking at him and when his eyes caught yours, you smirked.

This was the secret.

This was the mission.

He could only hope that everything goes your way. The screen comes alive in a different scene. People in military gear with weapons of all kinds. Coriolanus' eyes widened, the Capitol would be broadcasting the slaughter of the district in front of their very eyes.

Not much different from the Hunger Games.

Coriolanus wonders why they do that- why broadcast it when you can keep it hidden? This shows Capitol can sometimes overlook some mistakes too. They found out about District thirteen accidentally after all. This is a shame for all of Panem for letting them exist for so long.

But he also thinks that it will reinforce the idea of the Hunger Games. It will make everybody think that violence, the punishment are necessary, or else another district thirteen will pop up again. And history might repeat itself.

Snow looks at the screen and hears the gunshot and the screams. They were murdering indiscriminately but the camera made sure only the armed forces of district thirteen came into view. Most of the soldiers there had extremely pale skin and red eyes. The way they were holding the gun, they were shaking.

All these would be missed by the blind eyes such as of the Capitol citizens but he knew every Peacekeeper and district citizens could notice it. They were sick, extremely so. It was a massacre happening disguised as something else entirely.

There was no fight at all despite what the Capitol wanted to make it seem like. District Thirteen was weak and soon a lot of people were captured, and those people would be tried for treason. Those people would die as well. There was no doubt about that.

He wondered briefly about what would happen to the kids they captured as well. He slightly shook his head, he let those thoughts get out of his head. Not his problem.

“District thirteen is ours now,” you were looking at him as you said that.

Ours.

Coriolanus liked it.

Coryo gives you a split-second smile. The rest of the people present watching the screen go blank. This moment was shared just between the two of you. The mission was a success.

A few seconds later, Commander Hoff speaks,

“To accommodate this victory, several rebels that were caught in District Twelve will be executed at noon . Everyone has to be present. Dismissed.”

✧ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ✦✧✦ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ✧

At noon along with Sejanus, he was standing with his back facing the Hanging Tree. He looks through the faces of the people and tries to find you but fails. Maybe you were busy.

Coriolanus has another thought creep into his mind, but he doesn't let it settle. He was sure he would find you in your room when he got back.

He was stationed beside Sejanus. Every citizen present looked down, their shoulders hunched. Every instinct to fight leaves their body after seeing the latest horrors of the Capitol. It is how it should be.

Snow sees the rebels being dragged to their death. Commander Hoff speaks, loud and clear, “Watch all of you, this is what happens when you challenge the Capitols’ rule of law.”

“He's innocent!” A woman screams out, creating havoc in the crowd. “He's innocent!”

The rebel yells at her to run, and other people in the crowd try to make her stop speaking. The rebel was killed within a split second, his body now hanging. His screams are echoed by the mockingjays. It sends down a chill on his spine. His hatred for the bird increases.

Hoff commands the woman to be captured. Sejanus steps forward as if to stop them. Coriolanus holds him back, glad nobody noticed the moment of misconduct. “Don't,” he said, firmly. Sejanus has no choice but to listen.

✧ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ✦✧✦ ▬▭▬ ▬▭▬ ✧

Later, he is called into Commander Hoff's office. He was slightly annoyed because he still hadn't seen you since morning. But to his surprise, you were in Hoffs' office along with someone else.

“You have visitors, Mr. Snow,” is what Hoff said before walking away.

“What's this about?” He questions immediately. He looks at you for reassurance. Which you give him immediately.

“I promise it's nothing bad, Coryo.”

The man in the black suit begins to speak,

“I am Richard Heavensbee. I am here as the representative of the government.”

Then the talk happens. Both you and Coriolanus stay silent as the man, Richard, begins to explain why Coriolanus is here right now. Apparently in district thirteen several nuclear weapons belonging to the Snow family were found. The weapons for which the Snow had lost their fortune.

The weapons will be under the government's control as no one in his family is qualified to have the sort of military power. Coriolanus was at the bottom, after all, he should be happy for not having the responsibility. But he wasn't.

He sucks it up because Richard informs them that Coriolanus will receive sufficient compensation for ‘selling’ the weapon back to the government. It was nothing more than a formality. A formality that probably wouldn't have been done if it wasn't for you.

It wasn't enough money to pay for all of his university semesters but it would certainly pay for some. Even with the bills Snow's family already had. Tigris and grandma’am could have some small luxury with this amount. Thinking of that, Coriolanus signs the paper without a fuss.

“Can't I go back to the Capitol?” Coriolanus can't help but ask.

His question is answered with a simple shake of his head. “Your punishment isn't forgiven, I am afraid. There's nothing we can currently do about it without the appropriate permissions.” After that, the man walks out of the room leaving you and Snow behind.

“What he means is that you need to impress Dr. Gaul. And you have to do it real quick, Coryo,” you look into his eyes, your expression more serious than he ever saw, “Because I will be leaving in a few days and I don't know when I can come back.”

With that, even you walked out of the room before Coriolanus could confront you. Coriolanus looks at the empty office of Commander Hoff. He could see himself here in ten years or so if he remains a mere peacekeeper.

That's a future that he can't allow to come true.

NEXT PART

[rosewine-5]

Eyes Never Lie: Part II

gif made by thorinsbeard

Coriolanus Snow x b!woc reader

(Contains spoilers for T. B . O. S. A. S.)

summary: Being friends with Coriolanus for a long time lets you what drives him to succeed and survive. You've also gained the insight to guess how he's feeling or what he's about to say just by the expression on his face. But only things that you could never decipher were the thoughts behind his eyes.

A.N: Part 2 is here!

word count: 5.4k

divider made by firefly-graphics

Turns out you were right. As soon as the both of you walked in, Dean Highbottom threatened to expel Coriolanus. They got into an exchange. “And then you, little miss. You’re not even in the competition, what were you doing there?” He asked, turning towards you. “Helping a friend, is it a crime?” You shot back, meeting his stare. That was when Senjaus jumped in, “They didn’t show those people anything they didn’t already know.”

“I don’t need your help, Sejanus.” Coriolanus whispered while you gave him a “thank you.” “That the tributes are human beings, just like us. That’s why nobody wants to watch the games—because people know, deep down, that winning a war ten years ago doesn’t justify starving people’s children, taking away their freedoms, their rights.” You could see Dean Highbottom roll his eyes while your mouth almost fell open. He’s never sounded this passionate before. Let alone so serious.

That was when an all too familiar voice interrupted the moment. “Snow and his rose fell down in the cage. It fell down in the cage but it landed….” She dragged out, looking between you and Coriolanus “On stage.” The both of you said in unison. “You’re good at Games. Maybe one day, you’ll be a Gamemaker like me.”

“If the games continue at all.” Dean Highbottom cut in. “Oh, they’ll continue. With performances like young Mr. Snow’s and my pupil’s in that zoo.” She said a smile that could only be described as sinister. “But I came here to ask your star mentor and my student a question: What are the hunger games for?”

You and Coriolanus shared a look but he spoke up first, “They’re to punish the districts for their uprising, to commemorate the end of the war-.” “Commemorate the dull, dull, dull.” She said, interrupting him and slightly poking fun at him.

“Punishment can take myriad forms. Why not drop bombs, cancel food shipments, stage executions?” Dr. Gaul then looked to you, “And you, my student, what are the hunger games for? Shit. After a moment, you sighed, “A reminder, a way of saying you should never undermine the strength of the capitol, as well as the power.” She nodded her head, a nod of approval.

“Why Games?” Sejanus chipped in. “Here we go.” you thought. “Shouldn’t we be asking ourselves whether or not they’re right in the first place?” Sejanus asked. “You have a problem with my games?” Dr Gaul asked, a small smirk growing on her face.

“Some of those kids were two years old when the war ended. The oldest of them were only eight. The Capitol is supposed to be everyone’s government now. It is supposed to protect all of us. I don’t see how making children fight each other to the death is protecting anyone.” Sejanus said.

That was when you drowned everyone out for a minute. Between the back and forth of Sejanus, Dr. Gaul’s crazy ass, High-as-a-kite Bottom staring all 3 of you down and Arachne side-eyeing you and Coriolanus, you were five seconds away from dropping out when Corio’s voice caught your attention.

“Maybe we should be viewing those tributes as human beings,” He said, looking at Dr. Gaul, “I mean, you saw those kids in the zoo, they just, they just wanted to get to know Lucy Gray.” He had a point. The children had a genuine interest in Lucy. “If she could interest a child, imagine what she could attract from the Capitol.” You thought.

“If we need people to watch, we should be letting them get closer to the tributes before the games, to make the stakes personal.”

He had a good point, as he usually did.

“Who will watch the Games if they care what happens to the tributes?” Dr. Gaul asked, a blank face on her face but an amused edge in her voice. “Everyone.” You said, chipping in, standing up and facing Dr. Gaul alongside Coriolanus. “If they thought the tribute they cared about had a chance of winning. People need someone to root for and someone to root against.” You said, giving a quick look to Corio to see if he wanted you to continue, which he did.

“We need them to invest. And if we bend a few Capitol laws, we could even have them place bets.” You avoided Sejanus’ stare as you took a breath before continuing, “I know Lucy Gray may not win in the arena, but if you give her a chance, I would bet the Plinth Prize that she can win people’s attention.” You said, giving a Quick Look to your classmates just as Dr. Gaul gave an approving look to the both of you. “I’d like you to write up a proposal of these thoughts tonight, Mr. Snow.” Dr Gaul said, giving him the stamp of approval.

“Wait. You mean you might use his ideas?” Clemensia asked. “If it’ll help the ratings, why not.” Dr. Gaul said, a smirk on her face. “Coriolanus and I are class partners, Dr. Gaul. We do all of our assignments together.” She said, standing up. “Way to make me feel loved, Clemmie.” You thought since you 3 worked together on multiple occasions. Dr. Gaul then let out one of her signature chuckles before looking between her, Corio, and one glance at you, “It’ll be an interesting test.” And then she left the room.

After class it was lunch, and you couldn’t leave the classroom fast enough. As you grabbed your tray, the thought of Lucy passed your mind. Do they even feed the tributes? You thought. Before anyone could see you, you wrapped your lunch in a napkin, grabbed an extra water bottle, and walked out of the academy, set for the zoo. You wove between other Capitol citizens as you approached the bars, you immediately spotted the color dress of Lucy and called out to her. Her head immediately turned and began to walk towards you, Jessup not too far behind her.

“What brings you here, again?” She asked as you uncovered the napkin and sat down. You passed it to her through the bar. “Lunch.” Lucy sat down and you saw another tribute stand behind her, “This here is Jessup Diggs.” You nodded to him, but he only stared blankly back. As she took the food, she handed some to Jessup, who soon walked away. You decided to not speak up about the bite on his neck as Lucy talked up before you had the chance to open your mouth.

“You know, you’re an odd one, curious even. Ya don’t have a tribute but here every day.” Lucy Gray said, taking a bite of the sandwich you gave her, making you hum. “We all have assignments, I just got one different from everyone else.” “Why you, may I ask?” She asked with a smile on her face, making you chuckle. “I’ll tell you later.” You joked, making her smirk.

“So, Calanthe, how’d you end up without a tribute?” She asked again, making your head snap up. “What’s you call me?” You asked, making her shrug. “Calanthe, that’s your name, ain’t it?” She asked, making you shake your head. “It’s just a nickname Coriolanus gave me one day.” Making her raise an eyebrow. “Hmmm.” She hummed, taking another bite.

“So, that song you sang, did you make it up on the spot, or did you have it memorized?” You asked, making her nod. “Back home I’m a performer in the Covey, it’s one of my favorites. Hell of a place too, singing ‘n dancing,” she said before looking up at you, “come and swing by, have a drink and a dance one day, sing your little heart out too.” You scoffed, rolling your eyes. “You play too?” You asked, her nodding in response. “I play the strings,” She joked, “What about you?” “I can play a bit of a tune.” You shrugged, “I guess I can carry a note as well.” “Anyone can sing, try it.”She said. “Not me. I’m not the best.” You said, shaking you head. “And sing a spell.” Lucy said, scooting closer to the bars and looking at you, a clear sign she wasn’t taking no for an answer.

So you put your water bottle down and started singing.

You come home late, fall on your cot.

You smell like something that money bought.

We don’t have cash, or so you say.

So where did you get it and how’d you pay?

Lucy then gave you a small clap, making you flip her the bird. “You know, you make the Capitol people look good.” “Oh, don’t think that.” You said, whispering the last part to her. “ right, you’re special.” Lucy said, looking at you. “Really, and what makes me so special,” You asked. “Hmmm, I’ll tell you later,” Lucy said, repeating the answer you said earlier, making the both of you laugh.

After a moment, you looked at Lucy, analyzing her. “You’re not like they say.” You said. This made her raise an eyebrow, “And what do they say about me, since they know everything?” Lucy asked, taking a drink from the water. “Some say you’re insane, others say you’re a wildcard, even a clown.”

You said, adding the snide remark Arachne made. “And what do you think I am?” She asked you. “I haven’t found out yet, you’re officially my second mystery person sweetheart.” You stated a playful grin on your face.

“Who took the number one spot from me?” Lucy asked looking at you for a brief moment before they wandered behind you, looking at Coriolanus approaching the both of you. “That guy.” You said, nodding to Corio. He came forward with his napkin of lunch and offered it to Lucy, who then offered half of it to Jessup. “I’m not hungry.” He said. “You think I can’t hear your stomach grumbling Jessup Diggs?” She asked, giving him a sharp look. As he took it and gave the both of you a long stare, he turned and walked away, letting Corio see the bite on his neck.

“What happened to his neck?” He asked, looking between you and Lucy. “A bat bite. The first night on the train, he didn’t sleep a wink the whole journey ’cause he was keeping the bats off me, so I would get some rest.” She answered, her words trailing off when all 3 of you turned to watch Arachne taunt her tribute with a drink. “One thing I learned in 12 is that hunger is a weapon. Your friend over there sure knows it.” She said, keeping her eyes on her. “She’s not my friend, she’s poison with perfect teeth.” Coriolanus said, making you snicker.

For a moment you looked around at the tributes, zoning out of their conversation. You learned this skill during the war, drowning out the sound of the outside world to stay inside the peaceful silence of your head. It’s how you stayed sane as a child. With the sound of bombs and the agonizing wails from the dying and tortured outside, your mother taught you how to drown out the noise. You were successful, most of the time. But sometimes the screams would cut themselves short, reason unbeknownst to you. Sometimes you used it when your parents would nag, or when Dean Highbottom got on your last nerve.

Somewhere in between drowning out the noise, someone grabbed your hand, snapping you out of your haze. “You’re doing it again,” Coriolanus whispered, looking up at you now. When the hell did they sit down? “Sorry.” You said, apologizing to both of them. “Your friend here was just telling me how he ate a whole jar of paste during the war.” Lucy said a small grin on her face. She then turned to the young tribute, Wovey.

“That little one. She’s so sweet. So young.

Something about her reminds me of my cousin Maude Ivory.” She said, a sorrowful tone in her voice, “I can’t stand to think of them without me like this.” She said, talking about her family. “I’m sorry.” Coriolanus whispered in response. For a moment, all three of you sat in silence before Lucy broke it. “You two seem like good people.” She said, looking between the two of you. “Sure would’ve been nice to meet under different circumstances.” She said, a smile visible on her face.

“One of your shows maybe.” You said, her nodding in response. “Yeah. We could have had a drink. A dance or two. Like we had all the time in the world.” She said, smiling at the two of you. At that moment, Arachne’s scream cut through the air, making your head snap to hers. Her tribute had her by the neck as she took the bottle, smashed it, and stabbed it into her neck. Without thinking you ran towards her while others recoiled and even ran. “Oh no, no, no, no.” You said to yourself, trying to stay calm.

As you pressed your hand to the wound on her neck, the blood slowly seeped through as she grabbed your shirt in vain, “It’s okay, it’s okay.” You whispered, trying to give her some comfort, before you yelled again, “Medic! Someone help her, please!” That was when Coriolanus ran beside you and also tried to help you. “Somebody help us, please!” Coriolanus yelled before you saw peacekeepers approaching. For a second you thought they were there to help Arachne, but instead, they aimed and fired at her tribute. You felt Coriolanus cover you as you covered Arachne.

You knew they were aiming at her tribute, when they fired you knew she was dead. As you kept your head ducked, you saw the blood from Arachne’s neck and her tributes mixed on the ground, almost making you puke at the sight.

The rest of the world seemed to fade away as your mind began to flood with the screams of Arachne, the screams from the war, it hit you light a freight train. And it wouldn’t stop. You finally looked at your hands to see nothing but red, deep red. If you didn’t know any better, your hands matched your uniform, your bloody hands.

You were suddenly pulled back, in a firm but gentle manner, but as you snapped out of your trance, you realized it was a peacekeeper. That was when the world exploded with more screams, this time of the people in the zoo. People screaming in horror, seeing a murder in front of their eyes. In between the chaos, you were able to see the medics carry Arachne away on a stretcher, and away from her crime scene. Suddenly, someone shook you, making you scream, taking you out of your shock.

A woman was looking at your hands, asking if the blood was yours. After she realized it wasn’t, she put a towel in your hand and walked away from you. That was when you finally got another look at your hands, the blood had dried in those few moments, now dark. The sound of Arachne’s final breath and the blood burbling came back to you, audible over the distant screams of the Capitol citizens.

Suddenly, a hand reached for your face and made you look up. You were met with the worried look of Coriolanus, and for the first time, you were able to open your mouth. “I couldn’t save her.” You whispered. “I know, I’m sorry.” He said, beginning to walk you down the main path out of the park. You threw one last look over your shoulder, finding Lucy looking down at the ground, and refusing to tear her eyes away.

The two of you are soon joined by Festus and Sejanus as all of you are ushered out of the zoo. Clemensia soon joined the party, giving you a soft look before waking beside you. Sejanus’ hand reached for yours, but you yanked it away, remembering you still had blood on it. As you all passed a water fountain, you froze. Not saying a word, you walked up to it, and let the water run over your hands, the red slowly pooling around the drain as you washed it away.

The scarlet stained the clear and clean water, now tainted by the blood of Arachne, slain by her starving tribute. At that moment another person joined you, Sejanus. He had the towel the woman gave you. Except his hands were clean, why was he here? He let the towel hit the water and brought it to your face, dabbing it to your left cheek. When he pulled the towel back, small dots of red were on the fabric. He then used the dry portion of the towel to dry your hands before leading you back to the group.

As they got close to Coriolanus’ residence, you turned to him, seeing him starting to tear up, and you held his hand. “Do you think Dr. Gaul will still want the proposal?” Clemensia asked, breaking the silence. “I doubt it.” You answered, her nodding in response. You saw the tears brimming her face, knowing she didn’t want to think about it tonight, especially with the death of Arachne. As the rest of them walked on, you walked Coriolanus up to the penthouse. You told Sejanus to tell your parents you were staying over for a while, and he understood.

Grandma’am jumped as soon as she saw the two of you, fretting and almost in a panic. You consoled her as you saw Coriolanus walk to the shower. As you finally let her go back to picking a dress for her funeral, you heard Coriolanus call your name. When you walked into his room, he was in one of his father’s robes, and writing the proposal. “I thought you weren’t gonna work on it, Clemensia isn’t here.” You said. “I just want to take my mind off of the mess today. You need to as well.” He said, holding your hand before kissing it, offering you a bit of comfort.

You then sat on his bed and sighed, holding your head in your hands. “Okay, I’ll do my best.” You said, taking a deep breath and looking at the ground. For the first 20 minutes, the both of you didn’t say a word, but you kept your eyes on the ceiling, having laid back on the bed, lounging. As you attempted to silence the memory of the blood bubbling from Arachne’s throat, her scream would cut through your memory. When you tried to shut that sound out, the smell of her blood on your hands came to your senses. It was a never-ending sparring match, and you were losing every round.

“You got any ideas you want to add to this?” He suddenly asked, not looking up from the paper. That freed you from your thoughts, and you looked towards him only for him to do the same action. It took a while for your mind to come up with several ideas to propose. After a minute or two, you spoke up, “Food and water for the tributes, they’re in there to fight to the death, but they don’t need to starve while they’re at it.” You said, remembering how Lucy ate her food earlier today. “Meanwhile people throw away most of their food in the Capitol.” You thought.

“I was thinking the same thing, but how?” He asked, turning completely towards you now. “Well peacekeepers won’t do it, even though they have guns the tributes could sneak up on them.” You said, making Coriolanus scoff at the thought. Then the idea struck in both of your minds, “Drones.” Your voices mixed, making you crack a smile and a laugh for the first time since you left the zoo. Coriolanus was looking at you, a soft look on his face and a smile to match it.

“What?” You asked, leaning on your arm to look back at him. “It’s nothing.” He said, the smile never leaving his face. “If it’s on your mind, it’s something to me.” You responded, urging him to answer your question. “This reminds me of our study sessions.” He said, his grin getting bigger at the memory. Over the next hour, you and Corio bounced ideas off of each other, something veering off-topic to debate if the idea would be too much of a hassle to add on such short notice. He then gave you the proposal to read over, being his final check before he was done.

“Looks perfect to me.” You said and then took a pencil, checking for spelling mistakes. “Welp, you missed dotting one I, other than that, you’re good.” You said, holding the paper down and correcting the mistake. When you turned around, you didn’t realize he had taken the robe off and stood at the door. “Can I walk you home?” He asked. You shook your head, “I’ll be fine, Coriolanus.” You said, sliding past him. He then held your arm before making you look up at him.

“Don’t lie to me.” He whispered in a firmer tone. “I’m walking you home, whether you like it or not.” Most of the walk was in silence, but you kept a firm hold on his hand, a silent comfort for the bout of you. As you got to your doorstep, you finally broke down completely. You leaned on the door and let the tears fall. You hit your hand on the wooden door several times, hard. “Damn you Arachne.” You sobbed, hitting your hand on the door once more.

Coriolanus hand then turned you away from the door and into his chest before wrapping around you. One of his hands held your head while the other rubbed your back. You heard him whisper words of comfort to you, but they sounded distant, the memory of her scream weakening the sound of his words. Only the sound of the door opening made you snap out of it. “Thank god you’re alright.” Your mother said, looking at the two of you. You felt Coriolanus kiss the top of your head before letting your mother hug you, looking over you.

You were led into the house while your father closed the door, sharing a look with Coriolanus before walking back to you. “Those damn animals, all of them.” He said in a pissed tone. “I’m just glad you and Coriolanus tried to help that poor girl.” Your mother said, caressing your head and your braids. What? Your head slowly raised to hers, “How did you know? Has word spread that fast?” You asked, looking to your mother and then your father. “They even showed some of the footage. You looked like a real hero, darling.” He said, nodding to the TV, catching the end of the segment.

While you did have a scared look on your face, you could see the serious look in your eyes, holding the wound while Coriolanus looked like he had next to no fear on his face at all. “A hero?” You said, scoffing at his choice of words. “Herod save people, Father. Arachne Crane is dead.” You said, moving out of your mother’s hands and going up to your room. As you showered, the water reminded you of the sound her blood made while bubbling out of her neck, your tears mixing with the water hitting your skin.

You barely got sleep that night, the endless nightmare of the zoo haunting you every time you got a minute of sleep. The next time you woke up, you stayed up, refusing to go back to sleep, no matter how exhausted you felt. You took the quickest shower of your life, made yourself eat breakfast, ignored the stares of your parents, and walked to school. You didn’t even try and wait for Corio, you just walked past his residence and straight to the academy.

When you got there, it didn’t get better. An assembly, and tried to stay in the back. “Calanthe.” Coriolanus whispered, finally finding you. “Hey.” You said in a hushed tone. “Why didn’t you walk with me today?” He asked, a worried look in his eyes. “Didn’t get much sleep, I decided to head out early today.” You answered, keeping your eyes on the podium. He nodded a look of understanding in his eyes. Before he could say anything else, a voice in the microphone interrupted him.

“Good morning, students.” A woman said one you recognized. Satyria Click, the communications professor. You heard her speaking, but your mind began to wander off, the lack of sleep making you drowsy. You leaned on Coriolanus's shoulder and he wrapped his arm around you, keeping you secure so you wouldn’t fall. You didn’t realize you had drifted off when he shook you, and your eyes snapped open. “Assembly’s over.” He whispered as you straightened up. After covering up a yawn, you offered him a thank you and stood up.

“Excuse me, Dr. Gaul is requesting your presence.” Someone in a lab uniform said, standing right beside Coriolanus. You gave his hand a brief squeeze before following the woman. You followed the woman into the lab but didn’t see Dr. Gaul. “Mysterious as always, making her presence known.” You thought.

“Yes, yes, yes. The innocent spring flower has tasted her first kiss of death.” Her voice spoke, echoing through the room. She then walked from behind the other portion of the lab and made an appearance. She had a blank look on her face. “While your classmates mentor their tributes, you will assist me here, learning everything I will teach you.” She said, holding her hands open. You slowly walked forward then followed her past her desk to a large cylinder of snakes.

“My newest batch of children.” She said, nodding at the colorful collage of snakes. You got closer, watching the snakes move and the color with them. “Pretty.” You commented before looking up at her and following her up the stairs. You then looked down at the open compartment of the cylinder and saw 3 pieces of paper. As you looked closer, you noticed it was the paper Coriolanus wrote up last night. “While I was reading the proposal Mr. Snow and Ms. Dovecote wrote, it slipped from my hands. Would you mind retrieving one of the papers for me?” She asked, an unrecognizable look on her face.

You slowly reached down, the snakes moving around your hand. Slowly you were able to get one of the pages in between your fingers just as one snake wrapped around your left arm. As you came up, he rested around your arm as you handed one of the papers to Dr. Gaul. She had a raised eyebrow and a smirk on her face, “Good job, little flower.” She said, taking the paper from you. The snake soon wrapped around your neck, and soon around your right arm, moving around your collarbone. “Call them in.” You heard Dr. Gaul say. You then lowered the snake back into the cylinder and tried to get the other papers out.

“Leave them, you’ve done enough for the moment.” She said her signature dark grin on her face. “Sweet little things, those snakes.” You said, closing the hatch back up. “Sweet and deadly.” She said, making you freeze. Deadly? She then turned away from you as you heard new sets of footprints come into the lab. “Mr. Snow, Ms. Dovecote, come and see my new babies.” She said and walked back towards you. You stayed still as they approached you, Coriolanus giving you a confused look, to which you shrugged.

“Is there a point to the color?” Clemensia asked. “There’s a point to everything, Ms. Dovecote, or to nothing at all. Which brings me neatly to your proposal: which one of you actually wrote it?” She asked, leaning her arm on the lid.

Oh shit, she knew.

You shared a brief look between the two of them, a longer look was given to Coriolanus, egging him on to talk. Before he had a chance to speak a full sentence, Clemensia spoke up, “I was inspired by Coriolanus yesterday, of course. His little betting idea. But the sponsorships and the gifts in the arena, those were all mine.” “You bitch” you thought to yourself, your mouth falling open at her lie. “Clemmie?” You softly spoke, looking at her. Dr. Gaul ignored you as she stopped twirling her hair and her raised arm fell.

“So it’s your sweaty handwriting on that page?” She asked, all while Clemmie only smiled at her. “Very impressive, Ms. Dovecote,” Dr. Gaul said, only for her tone to change, “Unfortunately, my assistant mistook it for trash this morning and lined the shelf of this very terrarium with it.” She said as she opened the hatch, letting them see the snakes. “So, please, Ms. Dovecote, retrieve it for us, won’t you? So we might all consider your inspired ideas.” Dr. Gaul asked, a playful tone on the edge of her voice.

She then reached down and picked up a snake, “Don’t worry, my little predators are perfectly docile with those they can trust.” She let the snake wrap around her hand as she continued to talk, “So if they’re used to your scent, if you’ve handled their food, for example, or if they’ve inhaled the sweat of your palm on a page, they’ll leave you alone.”

She then let her hand go towards your arm that was on the lid and let the snake wrap around your arm and hand before taking it back and lowering it into the terrarium. “A new scent, however,” she said, a dramatic tone in her voice as she sighed and turned to Clemensia, “you’d be on your own, little girl.” “Retrieve it.” She demanded, she said in a sharper voice. You all could see the scared look on her face as she slowly lowered her hand down into the terrarium. “Clemmie.” Coriolanus warned, trying to get her to stop. As her hand got lower, you knew the inevitable was coming, and soon it did.

Clemensia suddenly ripped her hand from the terrarium as she screamed, a snake at the end of her hand. “Clem!” You shouted as you tried to reach for her, Coriolanus doing the same, but Dr. Gaul stopped the both of you as she hit the floor, the snake slithering away. Her scream echoed around the room soon followed by her gasp for air, a new sound to haunt your thoughts being born in front of you.

“You asked about the colors, Ms. Dovecote?” She asked, looking down at her in disgust. “I want my enemies to see a rainbow of destruction engulfing the world.” She said as someone injected Clemmie with something as she was dragged away by peacekeepers. You didn’t realize you were following her before Dr. Gaul pulled you across her body, practically shoving you into Coriolanus. “I’m not above using spectacle to create a little terror. A strategy your classmates here articulated very well in their proposal.” She said, turning towards the both of you.

“They’re good, your suggestions. I’m going to recommend my team implement as many as possible tomorrow.” She said, looking between the two of you, but got no response. “What?” She asked. “Will she die?” Coriolanus asked, looking at her as he wrapped an arm around your stomach in a protective manner. “The pleasure in breaking ground in one’s research is one gets to find out.” She said in a nonchalant voice. Your eyes began to water, “Clemmie might die” you thought. “You better keep Ms. Dovecote’s fate between us. I don’t think her mother would be happy to learn how she caught this sudden… flu.” Dr. Gaul said, shrugging at the thought.

She then spoke up before either of you had a chance to protest, “Now run along, both of you. You have an arena to promote and it’s time for my milk and crackers.” She said, dismissing the both of you before turning away. Coriolanus led you out of the lab as you wiped your eyes. “I, I didn’t know about the snakes.” You said, your voice cracking. “I know, goddamnit.” He sighed, rubbing your side. “That's two,” You said, looking up at him, “That’s two friends we’ve lost in 24 hours.”

“We don’t know if she’ll die.” Coriolanus said, looking down into your eyes. “We don’t know if she’ll be alright either. Those aren’t garden snakes, Corio, they’re Gaul’s, they’re deadly!” You shouted, snapping at him. You then took a deep breath, “I’m sorry. I’m just getting tired of these games.” You said. “Which ones? Dr. Gaul’s or the hunger games?” He asked. “All of it.” You said, then turned your head to the lab and then back to him. “You go on back to class.” You said, squaring your shoulders and going towards the closest hospital, and he was close behind you. When you ran in, you were immediately met with the screams of Clemensia. You tried to see her, but the doctors wouldn’t let either of you see her.

You finally left when her parents arrived, running inside not even realizing you two were passing. You only had one more thought as Coriolanus took you in his arms once more: how many more friends would you lose to these games?

[chevyslate158]

Threads Of Freedom 15th Hunger Games AU Archer Brown x Fem!Reader: Chapter 4 - Distance Between Us

A/N: I hope you all enjoy Chapter 4 of Threads of Freedom (15th Hunger Games AU) featuring Archer Brown x Fem!Reader! 😱✨ The tension is definitely escalating, and things are about to get even more intense as we move forward! As for Coriolanus, he will be making his return very soon in the series, so get ready for more drama! 😏🔥

Also, just a heads up – I'm working on another series called Pleasantries of 'Love' (18+), which is going to explore some very steamy and complex moments. 🌹💋 So stay tuned for that, too! Thank you all for your continued support, and I can't wait to see what you think of what’s coming next! 💕 Word Count: 5.4K Warnings: Tension/conflict, emotional strain, themes of guilt, internal conflict, political control, anxiety, oppressive government control, threats, arguments, interrogation, illness, threat of arrest, illusion to hanging and mentions of death

Chapters: Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

I avoided Archer for three days. Three whole days. Wherever I went, I made sure to steer clear of him, keeping my distance even in the cramped streets of District 12. If we crossed paths, I refused to meet his gaze, my heart clenching every time I felt his eyes linger on me. The sting of our argument was still fresh, his harsh words replaying in my mind. The memory of his reluctance to even consider leaving, the dismissiveness in his voice, made my blood boil.

He didn’t understand—he couldn’t. Every day that passed brought us closer to losing our chance, closer to being trapped in this suffocating district forever.

I tried to throw myself into work, but it didn’t help. At Annie’s bakery, I kneaded dough so forcefully my hands ached, frustration leaking into every motion. Annie noticed my tension but didn’t push—yet. The repetitive rhythm of baking should’ve been comforting, but it only gave me space to think. Was I too harsh? Should I have let Archer’s words slide? Every time I thought about it, my pride won. If he truly cared, he’d come to me first. I couldn’t make the first move this time.

The nights were the hardest. Alone in my room, staring at the cracked ceiling, I replayed our argument in my mind, emotions twisting in knots. Anger at his hesitation mixed with the fear of what lay ahead. I didn’t want to face this alone, but I couldn’t wait forever, either.

The increasing presence of Peacekeepers outside my window was a constant reminder of the danger we were up against. As much as I hated it, a part of me still longed for Archer’s presence. I hated that he could still mean so much to me, even when I was angry with him. His refusal to act felt like a betrayal and every thought of it hurt all over again.

Now in the afternoon at the bakery the rush had finally died down, I was at my breaking point. The smell of fresh bread lingered in the air, mingling with the faint sweetness of pastries cooling on the counter, but none of it did anything to settle the storm brewing inside me. I wiped my hands on my apron, glancing over at Annie as she carefully arranged loaves in neat rows on the display shelf. She always seemed so calm, so composed, even when the rest of us were barely holding it together.

“Annie,” I said softly, my voice barely cutting through the quiet hum of the bakery. She looked up, her warm brown eyes meeting mine, and I saw the concern flicker there immediately.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, setting down the loaf she was holding.

I hesitated, my fingers twisting in the fabric of my apron. “I need to talk to someone. I… I don’t know what to do anymore.”

Annie didn’t say anything right away; she just nodded and motioned for me to follow her to the back room. The small space was cluttered but cozy, filled with sacks of flour, jars of preserves, and the lingering warmth of the ovens. She pulled out two stools, and we sat down facing each other.

“Start from the beginning,” she urged gently, her hands resting in her lap.

I exhaled shakily, trying to gather my thoughts. “It’s about Archer,” I began, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “We had a fight. A bad one. And I’ve been avoiding him ever since, but it’s eating me up inside.”

Annie didn’t interrupt; she just listened, her expression soft and understanding as I poured everything out. I told her about our argument in the fields, how I wanted to leave, how I needed to leave, but Archer kept holding back. I told her about the guilt, the fear of leaving him behind, and the frustration of knowing time was running out.

“I don’t want to do this without him,” I admitted, my voice breaking slightly. “But I can’t stay here, Annie. Every day, it feels like the walls are closing in. And now, with the Peacekeepers tightening their grip, I’m terrified we’ll lose our chance forever.”

Annie reached out and squeezed my hand, her touch grounding me. “Y/n,” she said softly, “you’re one of the bravest people I know. You have this fire in you, this determination that not many people around here have. But leaving isn’t a decision you can force on someone else. Archer has to come to it on his own, or it’ll never work. You can’t carry him with you if he’s not ready to make that leap.”

Her words hit me hard, but they were the truth I needed to hear. As much as I wanted Archer by my side, I couldn’t let his hesitation hold me back. I nodded slowly, my chest tightening with the weight of what I knew I had to do. Annie gave me a small, reassuring smile.

“Just… don’t give up on him completely,” she added. “Sometimes people just need a little time to catch up to where you are.”

“Don’t give up on him,” Annie said softly, her eyes steady on mine. “You know how much he loves you, don’t you? Archer doesn’t always say it, but it’s in everything he does—the way he looks at you, the way he’s always watching out for you. That’s why he’s hesitant. He’s scared, Y/n, not just for himself—for you.”

Her words sank deep, stirring something I’d been trying to bury. I could see it—the quiet protectiveness in his gaze, the way he always made sure I was safe, even when we were fighting. He loved me, and maybe his fear wasn’t just about the Capitol. Maybe it was about losing me.

Annie squeezed my hand, her voice gentle. “Sometimes love makes people act in ways that don’t seem fair. Just give him a little time. He’s trying to figure it all out.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. She was right. He did love me, and as frustrated as I was, I didn’t want to leave without him. I just hoped he’d find the courage to take the risk before it was too late.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of flour-dusted countertops and the rhythmic motion of kneading dough. The sweet, yeasty smell of freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the bakery.

Annie and I worked seamlessly together, catching up on small details of our lives while keeping the shop running. Customers trickled in and out, each of them carrying the weight of their day on their shoulders, yet still offering polite smiles and small talk. The worn faces of the people of District 12 never ceased to remind me of the harshness of our world, but there was an unspoken solidarity among us all.

With the steady rhythm of our work became a source of comfort, a distraction from the noise in my head. Annie hummed softly as she worked beside me, her hands moving with practised ease, while I focused on rolling out dough, my mind drifting between the words she had shared earlier and the heaviness I still carried from my argument with Archer. 

The clock on the wall ticked away, each moment that passed only reminding me how quickly time was slipping by. It was hard not to feel the weight of the days closing in, how little time we had left before everything would change with the 15th Hunger Games only 7 days away. Even in the humdrum of the bakery, the uncertainty of what lay ahead seemed to hang in the air. But for now, in this small space, there was a sense of normalcy—just two friends working together, finding comfort in the familiar.

As the afternoon wore on, I felt the weight of the day settle in. When the last customer finally left, the bustle of the bakery faded, leaving a quiet calm in its wake. Annie and I moved through the cleaning routine without speaking, our actions were fluid and practised. As the sun sank below the horizon, casting long shadows across the streets, we locked up the shop. I wiped my hands on my apron and glanced over at her, offering a small, tired smile.

“Thanks, Annie,” I said, my voice softer than usual, filled with gratitude. “For the advice earlier. It really helped.”

She returned the smile, her eyes warm with understanding. “Anytime, Y/n. You know I’ve got your back.”

I wrapped my arms around her in a tight hug, feeling the comfort of her presence after the heavy day. As I pulled away, I pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, my way of showing my appreciation. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Annie. Take care of yourself.”

With one last smile, I waved goodbye to Annie and started the walk home. The familiar paths through District 12 were quiet, the streets bathed in soft hues of orange and purple as dusk settled in. The world seemed to slow down, the chaos of the day fading into a peaceful calm. Yet, despite the tranquillity, a restless tension lingered in the air, pressing against my chest with each step.

The weight of everything—the conversation with Annie, the unresolved tension with Archer, and the constant pull between wanting to escape and staying behind—sat heavy on my shoulders. My mind wouldn’t settle, replaying snippets of the day and all the uncertainty that still clouded my thoughts. I felt torn between two worlds, one that promised safety and the other that whispered of freedom, unsure of which direction to take.

As I arrived home, the familiar creak of the door echoed in the quiet house. The air inside was cool, tinged with the scent of dust and the faint remnants of a long day. The silence felt heavier here, even though I knew my father would be home soon, his slow steps on the porch signalling his return.

I moved into the small kitchen, the routine familiar and automatic. Chopping vegetables, and stirring them into the simmering pot—it didn’t require much thought anymore. The meal was simple, just stew, nothing fancy, but enough to fill his stomach. Still, as I worked, my thoughts kept drifting to him. The ragged breath he sometimes took, the way his cough lingered longer each day, now even echoing through the night. His illness was slowly consuming him, and I could see it in the weariness that clung to his every movement. He would never admit it—far too proud for that—but I could feel the weight of it in the air.

I set the table, placing two plates down, one for him and one for me. I didn’t let myself dwell on the dread in my chest, the fear that this illness might be more than he was willing to admit. I had to focus on the task at hand. As the door creaked open, signalling his return, I quickly turned the stove's heat down, giving him a warm smile despite the unease gnawing at me a gut feeling that he was feeling worse tonight.

The door creaked open my father stepped inside, his movements slow and laboured. His face was drawn, pale with exhaustion, and the lines around his eyes were deeper than they had been in weeks. His shoulders were slumped under the weight of another long day in the mines, the fabric of his worn coat hanging loosely around his frame. 

The flickering light from the hearth cast a dull glow on his tired features, making him look even smaller, more fragile than I ever wanted to admit. His steps were uneven as if the strength in his legs had already begun to fade.

He stopped for a moment, a slight tremble in his hand as he gripped the doorframe, his breath hitching in his chest. His eyes fluttered closed, his body swaying slightly, as though he was fighting to stay upright just long enough to make it over to me. The sickly coughs from earlier had come back with a vengeance, deep and raspy, echoing through the small house like a warning.

I froze for a moment, a knot tightening in my stomach as I watched him struggle to catch his breath. His chest heaved, his face contorted in pain, and his hand shot out, gripping the doorframe for support, but it wasn’t enough. Before he could steady himself, the violent coughing fit wracked his body had resurfaced once again, shaking him violently as the ragged, painful coughs echoed through the room. His legs buckled beneath him, and he crumpled forward, collapsing helplessly to the floor. 

His head hit the ground with a thud, and I felt my heart lurch in my chest as panic surged through me. For a moment, the world seemed to stop, and all I could hear was the sound of his laboured breathing, the desperate gasps for air that seemed to come too slowly. My mind screamed at me to move, to do something, but I was frozen in place, terrified that this was it—that the man who had raised me, the man who had worked himself to the bone to provide for us, was falling apart before my very eyes.

Panic surged through me, an overwhelming tide that drowned out everything else. My heart raced, hammering against my chest as I rushed to his side, falling to my knees beside him. 

“Dad!” I gasped, my voice cracking as my hands trembled while I tried to lift him, but his weight was too much, too heavy for me to bear alone. His frail body slumped in my arms, and I couldn’t stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. 

“Please, stay with me.” My throat tightened with fear, the words barely escaping as I fought to remain calm.

He gasped between coughs, each one more desperate than the last, his chest trembling with the effort to breathe. His face was pale, and slick with sweat, and his eyes were clouded with exhaustion. But despite the pain, he managed to give me a weak, strained smile. It was the kind of smile he always used to assure me everything would be alright, but it only made my heart ache more.

“I’m fine, sweetheart,” he wheezed, his voice raspy and frail. “Just… give me a moment.” He paused to cough again, his whole body shaking with the force of it. 

“I’ll be alright. Just need to sit down for a bit.” His attempt to reassure me only made the knot in my stomach tighten further. How could he be fine? Everything in me screamed that he wasn’t. But I held onto his words, not knowing what else to do.

Every instinct in me screamed to do something—anything—to make him better, but all I could do was watch as he struggled to breathe. I wanted to scream at him to go to the doctor, to get the help he so clearly needed, but I knew it would be pointless. He wouldn’t listen. He never did. His pride, his stubbornness, always won out. The thought of it made my chest tighten even more.

I helped him sit against the wall, my hands shaking as I steadied him. His breathing was shallow, each cough rattling his body. The dinner I’d worked so hard to prepare felt meaningless now, overshadowed by the fear rising inside me. I stared at the food on the table, its scent now nauseating, knowing deep down he wasn’t fine. And the more I tried to ignore it, the harder it became to breathe.

I looked at him, helpless, my mind racing. There was one place I could go, one person who might be able to help. Archer. I wanted to rush over to the Browns’ place, to talk to him, to tell him what was happening.

But I hesitated.

The argument we’d had still stung, and I wasn’t sure if I could face him. If I even had the right to ask for his help. I shook the thought away. This wasn’t about me and Archer. It was about my father. But as I looked at him, so fragile and weak, my heart felt torn. Could I swallow my pride and ask for the help I needed? Or would I continue to carry this burden on my own?

With a deep breath, I helped my father slowly stand, supporting most of his weight as he leaned heavily on me. My heart still pounded in my chest, the fear not yet fading, and I felt a deep pit in my stomach as I guided him to the worn couch.

The old cushions creaked under his weight as he sank down, his body sagging with exhaustion. I moved quickly to grab the two plates of food I had made, but the thought of eating seemed almost absurd now. Everything felt off like the world had shifted into something colder and more uncertain.

I set the plates down on the small table in front of us, but I didn’t immediately sit. I paused for a moment, my hands trembling as I adjusted the plate for him, watching him catch his breath. The shallow rise and fall of his chest made my own heartache. Finally, I slid onto the couch beside him, my body still shaken from the image of him collapsing, his legs giving way beneath him like a man broken by something far worse than just the mines. I tried to act calm, to reassure him, but the truth was, I was barely holding it together myself.

I placed his plate on his lap, but he barely touched it, his hand resting limply by his side. I took my own plate and sat closer, a quiet silence settling between us. My hand instinctively found its way to his, curling around his rough, calloused fingers. I didn’t know what to say. The words felt trapped in my throat, suffocated by the weight of everything that had just happened. 

For a long moment, we simply sat there, side by side, the warmth of the meal offering little comfort against the overwhelming tension that clung to the room. The reality of it all—the sickness, the helplessness, the fear for what might come next—settled like a heavy fog around us, and I wondered, deep down, how much longer we could pretend everything would be okay.

We ate in quiet, the sound of utensils clinking softly against plates the only noise filling the room. My father managed a few bites, though his appetite seemed faint, his focus more on catching his breath than on the food.

I ate in silence too, but every bite felt heavy, like the weight of it was pressing down on my chest, trying to force me to acknowledge what we were both avoiding. The evening felt far too normal, like a routine I’d once known, but now, it was strained and fragile as if something in the world had cracked and we were only trying to keep it from shattering.

Once we finished, I collected the plates and moved toward the sink, the water running over the dishes sounding louder than usual, echoing through the quiet house. My movements were slow and deliberate, my mind racing with everything I couldn’t say. I wanted to tell him how scared I was, how I couldn’t do this alone, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I focused on the task at hand, scrubbing the dishes, trying to bury the gnawing feeling in my stomach. When I was done, I wiped my hands on the towel and turned back to the couch.

He hadn’t moved much, still sitting with his shoulders slumped, looking smaller somehow, his body more fragile than I ever remembered it being. Without thinking, I sat beside him again, this time closer, my side pressed against him, just like when I was a little girl. Back then, I’d always curl up next to him after a long day, finding comfort in the steady rise and fall of his chest, the warmth of his presence. But tonight, it was different. There was no comfort to be found, just an ache I couldn’t ignore. Still, I nestled against him, my head resting on his shoulder, trying to find some semblance of peace, even if just for a moment.

As I sat there beside him, my head resting on his shoulder, I could feel the gentle pressure of his hand rubbing my back, the same soothing motion he’d always done when I was a child. It was a comfort, in a way, though it wasn’t the reassurance I had hoped for. His touch was shaky, but it felt like he was trying to give me something to hold onto, even if he was too tired to say the things we both needed to hear. 

The night wore on, and his breathing grew heavier, his body starting to sag against the couch, worn out from the toll of the day and his illness. I knew it was time to help him to bed. Reluctantly, he allowed me to guide him to his feet, though he grumbled under his breath, not wanting to admit how much he needed my help. 

“I can manage,” he insisted weakly, but I could see the weariness in his eyes, the deep exhaustion that had taken root in his bones. I wasn’t about to argue, though; I simply held him steady as we slowly made our way down the narrow hallway to his room.

Once inside, I helped him into bed, pulling the covers over him with care, smoothing out the wrinkles in the fabric as I tucked him in. He grumbled again, clearly uncomfortable with being taken care of. 

“You don’t need to baby me,” he muttered, but there was no strength behind his words. I smiled softly, brushing a few stray strands of hair from his forehead. 

“You’ve taken care of me for years, Dad. Let me do this.” He sighed but didn’t protest further, his eyes fluttering shut as he sank into the bed, too exhausted to keep up the fight. I lingered for a moment longer, standing at his bedside before pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

I whispered softly, "I love you, Dad." 

His eyes flickered open for a moment, and though he was weak, he managed a faint smile. "I love you too, sweetheart," he rasped, his voice hoarse but full of warmth.

I tucked the blanket around him and kissed his forehead, then quietly stepped out of his room, leaving him to rest. My heart heavy, I promised myself I would find a way to keep him safe, no matter what.

I lay in bed, the sheets tangled around my restless legs, the weight of the night pressing down on me. The sound of my father’s shallow breathing from the other room echoed in my ears, mingling with the dull hum of the Capitol’s presence. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being trapped—both in this district and in my own helplessness. My father’s condition was worsening, and I felt powerless to do anything about it. The thought of him getting worse, of him not surviving much longer in the mines, kept me awake. I needed to find a way out, for both of us.

The quiet of the house was stifling. Every minute that passed, I felt more suffocated by the confines of District 12. I needed to escape, to get away from the looming presence of the Capitol and the constant threat it posed. I had dreamed of leaving before, but now the urgency was different. My father’s frailty made the idea of freedom more vital than ever. I couldn’t let him suffer here, not like this. I couldn’t watch him waste away while the Capitol continued to tighten its grip on us.

I sighed as I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. The house was dark, and the streets of District 12 were unnervingly quiet. In just my white nightgown, the chill in the air bit at my skin, but I didn’t care.

The fences, the watchful Peacekeepers—they felt like chains. Walking along the outskirts, my heart pounded with each step, the darkness closing in around me. As I neared the mines, the tension built, and ahead, the gate stood between me and the freedom I longed for.

I knew this wasn’t the time for hesitation, but my mind was a tangled mess of fear and hope. I wanted to escape, but the reality of what I was considering weighed heavily on me. The freedom I craved was tainted with the fear of being caught, of risking everything for a dream that could easily slip away. But with every cough from my father echoing in my mind, the urgency grew stronger. I had to find a way out—not just for me, but for him too.

The night air was cool as I wandered along the outskirts of District 12, my footsteps muffled on the dirt path. My thoughts were a whirlpool, swirling in a chaotic frenzy, each one pulling me deeper into the turmoil. The night was thick with tension, and the further I walked, the more the weight of my decisions pressed down on me. I barely noticed where I was going, lost in my own mind, until I found myself at the edge of a small pond.

The still water mirrored the moon above, its pale light casting an eerie glow over the darkened landscape. I stood there for a moment, my reflection staring back at me—a face twisted in frustration, eyes hard with determination, a girl caught between the urge to run and the fear of leaving everything behind. The world around me seemed impossibly quiet, the distant hum of District 12 barely audible. It was as if the whole world had paused, holding its breath.

Then, without warning, a tap on my shoulder jolted me from my reverie. My heart slammed in my chest, and I spun around, breath catching in my throat. The shadows around me seemed to shift, and in the dim light, a figure stood just behind me.

It was Archer. His soft yet concerned eyes locked onto mine, and I could feel my frustration boil over. “I saw you sneaking off after I left the mines,” he said, his voice steady but carrying a weight of worry. “You shouldn’t be out here alone, not with the Peacekeepers around and the danger near the mines. It’s not safe.”

I could barely contain my anger. I stood there for a moment, seething, before I finally spoke. “Oh, now you care?” I snapped, turning to face him. “Now that I’m finally doing something about it? Now you want to follow me?”

Archer flinched, but he didn’t look away. “Y/n, I care because I don’t want you to make a mistake you’ll regret. The Peacekeeper patrols are tighter than ever, and the mines at night...” His words trailed off, but I could see the concern in his eyes. “It’s dangerous. You don’t know what you’re walking into you need to think about this.”

I couldn’t help myself. My frustration poured out. “You didn’t care before, Archer. Not when I needed you.” The words felt sharp as I spoke them, but I couldn’t stop them from spilling out. “I never wanted to argue. I just wanted you to understand how I felt, to see things from my side. But it feels like you only care now that I’m trying to make a move.”

There was a pause. He took a breath, and I could see the weight of my words settling on him. His voice was quieter this time, but still firm. “Y/n, I’m not here to argue with you. But if we’re going to do this, you need to be clear about your intentions. We both need to know where we stand. Tell me what you really want, so we don’t waste each other’s time.”

I swallowed, my chest tight. His words struck a chord, and for a moment, the anger simmered into something else—something deeper.

“Maybe we met for a reason,” I said, my voice softer. “Maybe you’re a blessing or a lesson, but I’m only standing between myself and what’s meant for me. I can’t keep waiting, Archer. Not anymore.”

He stood there, watching me, the silence stretching between us. His brows were furrowed in hurt and his blue eyes looking down at me as though I were a stranger. His lips were parted as though he were to say something. I could feel the weight of everything—the pain, the tension, the confusion—hanging in the air. But I couldn’t back down. Not now.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything pressing on my chest. “I don’t have time for games, Archer. Either you’re with me, or you’re not. But I’m not going to wait around forever.”

With that, I turned and walked away, leaving him standing there in the darkness, my heart pounding as the words echoed in my mind.

I walked on, the weight of my own thoughts pressing down on me, the tension between what I needed to do and what I feared doing gnawing at my insides. But then, through the darkened shadows near the edge of District 12, something caught my eye—an opening in the fence, small but wide enough for me to squeeze through. My heart skipped a beat. This was it. This could be the way out, the escape I’d been dreaming of.

I approached cautiously, kneeling down to inspect the hole, my fingers tracing the jagged edges of the metal. My mind raced with the possibilities—what if I could slip through here and find freedom? What if I could finally take control of my life and get away from all of this? I was so absorbed in the thought of it, that I almost didn’t hear the sound of heavy boots approaching.

My breath hitched, and panic surged through me. The Peacekeepers were coming.

I quickly scrambled to my feet and dove behind a pile of rocks near the fence. My heart hammered in my chest as I held my breath, praying they wouldn’t notice me. I could see the faint glow of their lanterns, their shadows moving closer. I remained as still as possible, the sound of their boots growing louder, each step drawing nearer to where I hid. For a moment, I thought my heart would explode from the fear, but finally, they passed by, oblivious to my presence.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, trembling with adrenaline. My body felt weak, but there was a fire building inside me, too—a newfound resolve. This wasn’t just a fleeting thought anymore. This was real. I had found a way out. And no matter the risks, I wasn’t going to stop until I was finally free.

-The next day-

As I made my way toward Annie’s shop, I felt a knot of unease twist in my stomach. The streets of District 12 were quieter than usual, the heavy presence of Peacekeepers a stark reminder of the tightening grip the Capitol had on us. I tried to ignore them as I walked, but before I could reach the bakery, I was intercepted by a group of Peacekeepers blocking my path.

Their eyes were sharp, their faces unreadable as they circled me. One stepped forward, his tone cold and accusatory. "Where were you last night?" he asked, his gaze piercing.

I hesitated, my heart racing as I forced myself to stay calm. "I was home," I lied, hoping they wouldn’t probe further.

Another Peacekeeper, a tall one with dark eyes, gave me a hard look. "We noticed some unusual activity near the mines," he said, his voice low but deliberate. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

I swallowed, anxiety rising in my chest. "No," I replied quickly, trying to mask the fear in my voice. "I don’t know anything."

But they didn’t believe me. Before I could say anything else, they grabbed my arms, pushing me forward. "We’ll be taking you to the Peacekeeper base for further questioning," the first one said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

My heart pounded as they dragged me away, the familiar streets of District 12 slipping further out of reach. I was powerless, trapped in a web of suspicion, and the terrifying reality of what might come next crashed over me like a tidal wave.

As they led me through the darkened streets, the path to the Peacekeeper base felt endless. We passed the hanging tree, its gnarled branches casting long, eerie shadows under the dim light. The sight of it made my throat tighten, and I swallowed harshly, the cold weight of fear pressing down on me. I couldn’t shake the thought of what could happen if I didn’t find a way out of this—if the Peacekeepers didn’t believe my innocence. My heart pounded louder with each step, the heavy silence only broken by the sound of their boots on the cobblestones.

[julietasgf]

Hello, I'm just curious but do you hate the tbosas movie?

hello anon, thanks for the ask!! ^^

well, I wouldn't say I hate the movie, but I have complicated feelings towards it. I think that as a standalone piece of work, it's very solid and I had a lot of fun watching it. I also think that there are some interesting things that it adds; I enjoyed that it gave more personality to some tributes (like coral for example), the costume design was amazing as always and it was an overall enjoyable movie.

however.

I don't like it as an adaptation of the book and I personally think it fails as such. in my opinion, I feel like the movie tried too hard to make coriolanus a more sympathetic protagonist, and as a consequence, the political core and message of the book got lost. coriolanus' journey seemed to me more like some sort of corruption arc instead of the tale that was presented in the book of a young, power hungry and bigoted white boy that could've changed his thoughts, had every possible chance to change his thoughts, and still didn't. and ofc I know that unreliable narrators are hard to adapt, but I don't think that happened only because we as an audience didn't get to hear his disgusting thoughts, but also because the script chose to change some characters around him to make him seem better, in my opinion. and I'm not talking only about sejanus (which is the character that, imo, the script failed the most to adapt and frustrated me the most regarding the movie to the point I feel like book!sejanus and movie!sejanus are COMPLETELY different characters), I'm talking about clemensia and about lysistrata, I'm talking about some mentors like festus who are presented as straight up terrible people in the movie but are average bigoted teenagers in the book.

I also have some problems regarding some visual choices that end up being political in some way. for example, they went for a visual for the capitol that reminded me a lot of brutalism and some architecture choices that can easily remind some of the old ussr aesthetics (I watched the movie with my father and he made the point of how the visual of the capitol reminded him of it). I don't think it was an innocent choice to have a clearly vile government, that's clearly presented as wrong and cruel, to have that direct visual link, and it irks me even more considering that panem is meant to criticize the usa more than once. there are also some other choices that turns a very political book, published in 2020 in the year of an extremely tense moment for the usa, into an apolitical movie.

overall, I feel like these are most problems that comes with adaptating a political book into a maisntream type of media with a big company behind it. I wasn't surprised and neither disappointed, because these are things that already happened in the previous movies of the hunger games books (and even on a worse degree considering that the movies erased the poc-coding and the fact that peeta was disabled) :')

sorry if I talked too much, anon!!! and once again, most of these are solely based on my opinions and takes regarding the book

[piracytheorist]

Last night I came up with some ideas for a SxF Hunger Games au, but since I'll never write it, I'll just share some notes here. Feel free to be inspired by my ramblings 🤪

Hunger Games rules could be tweaked to fit this. I want it to be early enough so that Loid and Yor are 18 and 17 respectively and have memories of the war from before, but also late enough that it's justified by the HG chronology that the arena is specifically built for that year's games. Canonically Mags wins the 11th Hunger Games, but since it's an au I can use that year for this story. Anyway.

Before the start of the story, we get [redacted], who lived through the war as a kid, where he lost his family and everyone he knew. He grew up and lived for a few years in District 12, where his name started entering the Reaping pools once he turned twelve years old, but a little before he turned fifteen he tried to escape. He evaded the Capitol Peacekeepers but he was found by WISE recruiters. He was exceptionally capable, and they told him his abilities could help in their plan to overthrow the government and abolish the games. And so he joined them and started with his training.

In three years' time, right before he turned eighteen and the last time his name was to enter the Reaping pools, he was assigned the name Loid Forger and was placed in District 3.

He'd been given a concrete plan: he'd be reaped to the Hunger Games, spy on the Capitol in any way he could, then get into the arena and infiltrate the system by sabotaging the arena cameras. Although WISE suggested he should try to win, he was adamant in not stealing the winning (and thus, surviving) place from an innocent tribute, and he believed he'd have a better chance to be a spy if he wasn't universally known as a victor. So he decided to secretly bring a specific poison on his person in the games, which would slow his heartbeat enough, and with the help of fellow spies from within, make the gamemakers think he has died.

So Reaping day comes. Girls first, and the name heard through the megaphones is Yor Briar.

A thin seventeen-year-old girl walks out of the crowd, when suddenly a young voice is heard screaming "I volunteer!"

They all turn, Loid noticing that it's ten-year-old Yuri Briar, Yor's younger brother who is attempting to rescue her from that fate. Unfortunately, his pleas go unheard, since a boy can't volunteer for a girl (and vice versa) and he's also too young to participate.

Yor stumbles onto the stage, looking numb, and everyone thinks she's terrified and won't make it.

Little do they know she's been working as an assassin for about three years now, and is already planning on how to take her opponents in the games down. However, she refuses to kill innocents, and at that thought she realizes she may not be able to come back home.

She's not afraid of dying; she's afraid of all the innocents she won't be able to save.

Then the announcer moves to the boys' pool.

Little does anyone know that every single slip of paper in that pool writes Loid Forger.

Though tricky, it was crucial that he didn't volunteer, as at that point it might make him look suspicious. He had to play it as innocent as possible.

And as it goes, when his name is heard, he steps forward towards the stage and bursts out in (fake) tears. Begging, grabbing at Peacekeepers to allow him to stay home, etc.

Since he came in that district as an orphan, no one visits him during the last goodbyes, while Yuri makes Yor promise to come back home.

On their way to the Capitol, they are introduced to their mentor, Sylvia Sherwood. Of course Loid already knows her as his handler. But now she's pretending to be a Capitol official mentoring them for their games.

In truth, she was also from district 12, she and her daughter lived through the war only for her daughter to be reaped in the first Hunger Games at age twelve and be killed.

As they look through the other Tributes, they see a girl with pink hair called Anya, who barely looks twelve as her title card says.

(In truth, she was the result of human experimentation and can read minds, but in that timeline she escaped and the scientists who would remember about her were killed by the Capitol for different, political reasons, so there's no one searching for her. When she was picked up by an orphanage they put a wrong age on her paper, making her essentially almost two years older than she actually is)

Loid looks at the girl, then at Sylvia (he knows her backstory) and has a silent agreement that he'll do his best to protect the girl and maybe help her win. His plan for himself is to take the poison in secret, act like he was killed by it while his heart rate will drop to almost undetectable levels and then be revived once his body is recovered.

What he doesn't expect is to start bonding with Yor during their training. Yor keeps it neutral, telling the interviewers that she just wants to go back home to her brother, while Loid keeps quiet and even brings out a couple tears here and there, saying that he doubts he'll make it.

But in the meantime, and only to Loid, Yor talks about how she wanted to protect her brother, how he was the only one she had left and how wrong it is that the Games will make her choose between going back to her brother and killing innocent kids.

And all the while, Loid is touched and thinks that maybe he ought to protect her too.

Then the Games start. The arena is a bombed city, awakening bad memories for Loid, Yor, and the few other eighteen- and seventeen-year-olds as it reminds them of the war times. Bloodbath ensues, Yor grabs Anya (who doesn't protest at all) and runs, and Loid also runs and hides.

Yor keeps Anya safe, bringing her food and water, and Anya tells her they have to meet the boy from her district (cause she read his mind and knows about his plan with the poison, and believes that all three of them can get out together, as long as one of them wins).

Meanwhile, Loid approaches a camera, grabs it and, addressing the public, he begs to be sent home. He shows a typical, very desperate position as if he truly believes crying will make the Capitol take pity on him. Unbeknownst to anyone else but his fellow spies, as he does that he takes out a wire, and reconnects it through a special wire with a secret code in it, that will allow hijackers to enter the Capitol's electronics system. Yeah it sounds silly maybe if I bothered a bit more with world building I could find something better but that's all I got now XD

He does that a few more times, carefully avoiding other Tributes.

However, he later spots the Career pack closing in on the ruins that Anya and Yor are hiding in, and he abandons everything and risks his life trying to save them. The Careers throw grenades at the ruined building, and Loid kills half of them, but Yor manages to break through a wall with Anya safely in her arms.

Loid is injured, but as Yor believes what Anya says he did for them, she cares for his wounds and keeps watch as he gets some rest.

The next morning, when Yor leaves for supplies, Loid and Anya bond. Loid is amazed by how much Anya trusts him, how optimistic she is about all three of them making it out, despite that not being a possibility as far as she knows, and he sees her and remembers watching the footage from the games Sylvia's daughter participated - and died in. And he's once again conflicted about who he should let win.

The amount of poison he carried is enough for one person, but it's questionable if it will be enough for two. He considers that due to her young age and small built, maybe Anya needs a smaller dose, and in despair he "secretly" slips such a dose into her food. Not so secretly to Anya, though, who smiles at him as she eats the food, and as he misunderstands the reason behind her smile, he feels even more guilty for endangering her.

Maybe he could have talked to Yor. Maybe he could have given her the poison and allowed Anya to win. Maybe it's not he who deserves to walk away. Maybe, maybe, maybe...

Little does he know Anya knows everything and is trusting him.

He expects her to quickly fall to her "death", but she instead starts coughing blood and he realizes! Shit! She's too young! She hasn't been trained for poison resistance! What if she dies!

And so he holds her as she starts losing consciousness, and she smiles and says she's happy she met him.

And then her eyes close, with the typical cannon signalling a tribute's death being fired.

And then he cries. For real. Genuine tears run from his eyes as he sobs and holds her and says he's sorry.

And then the Careers run towards him. He realizes he doesn't have a lot of time, as Anya has to be revived within around fifteen minutes. He also needs to be away from her body so the hovercraft can recover her, but he can't leave her alone because someone might harm her and practically finish her off.

He picks her up and runs, avoiding arrows and spears and knives thrown his way.

Placing Anya on a safe spot on a roof, he runs down and fights the Careers, but he's tired and desperate to keep Anya safe and he gets injured, though he manages to kill all but one. That one is finished off by Yor, who throws a knife at his head as he tries to kill Loid.

Loid collapses from pain and exhaustion, desperate for Yor to be safe but also realizing that with the amount of injuries he sustained, he might not survive being revived.

Yor holds him, quickly bandages his wounds so he won't die from blood loss, but he's still in a very bad shape.

They watch as Anya is safely recovered by the hovercraft, and Yor starts crying. Loid resorts to dying, after all, not trusting himself after the lies he told and the heartbreak he caused. He only hopes Sylvia will take care of Anya. After all, he did all he was assigned to do. Him getting out was secondary. Though he regrets not being able to keep fighting to abolish the tyranny and the games, and that he'll never see Yor and Anya again.

Yor holds him. "Hold on," she tells him, as tears run from her eyes. "Stay with me."

"We're just kids," he tells her. He points to the environment around them. "We survived this war once just to be thrown into it again. It's unfair." He means it this time. It's not fake begging to go back, just to distract the security from what he was really doing. He really means it, letting all his pain and despair sound.

"Why did you save us?" Yor asks. "All this time you've been begging to go back but then you risked your life to protect us. You're dying because you did."

"Maybe I just realized who was the one worthy of continuing in this world." He means it. For all he knows he killed Anya. Only thing he can do now is make sure Yor goes back safely.

Yor hugs him, and he realizes he wants to kiss her, even as a goodbye. He doesn't push.

"Are you sure you want to be here?" he asks, carefully gathering the rest of the poison in his palm.

She doesn't reply, only holds him close.

She closes her eyes as she tries to compose herself, and he takes that opportunity to slip the poison into his mouth.

He collapses against her, and she holds him.

And then she sings.

She sings the same lullaby his mother used to sing to him, to calm him down during fearful nights of the war.

His fear melts into serenity. His eyes close and her voice starts fading away...

He doesn't hear the final cannon, nor the announcer saying "Ladies and gentlemen, let me present to you the victor of the [x] Hunger Games, Yor Briar from District 3!"

Yor cries. Loid's body is carried away and she is lifted into the hovercraft to be taken back and made into a beauty for the Capitol to fawn over.

WISE spies recover Anya and Loid in time, but due to his injuries it takes a few more hours for Loid to wake up. Once he does he breathes in deep, eyes stinging with tears from the pain in his body.

He breathes in deep, eyes opening to a dark room.

"Shhh," Sylvia says, trying to calm him down. "You're alright."

"He's awake!" Anya's booming voice is heard, and Loid nearly starts crying again.

He starts thinking about how panicked he was, how he worried he might have killed her, how he left Yor alone...

"It's okay," Anya says. "I'm okay, and we're all out of there and safe."

"Briar won the Games," Sylvia tells him.

As the van they're hiding in slowly takes them away from the Capitol and towards district 13, Anya reveals to him that she can read minds, and it's why she trusted both Yor and him from the start, and that she wants to help in their plan. Loid is horrified to pull such a small kid into their dangerous mission, and also a bit because of how she knows everything, but is relieved to learn that even though she knows the worst of him, she still trusts him.

It reminds him that it's kids like her he wants to protect. And he can keep fighting for that.

They then reach and hide in the hidden underground facilities of district 13 while they start planning the sabotage of the next year's Hunger Games.

While Yor gets the spotlight as the victor, she returns back to district 3 to an overjoyed Yuri. She's happy that she's back to her brother, and that with the money given to her as a victor they'll never grow hungry again, but is terrified of Yuri ever getting reaped.

Soon enough, a secretive letter arrives. It's from Loid, who tells her that both Anya and he are alive and safe, that she shouldn't worry nor lose hope, and that her brother's name will never enter the Reaping pools. He'll personally make sure of that.

---

So, yeah. That's all I got. It takes some tweaking here and there but because it feels like it's got most of a completed story's points I decided to share :D the dynamic between Loid and Anya as well as Yor and Anya would be more like older siblings with a younger one than parents with a child, which would turn a little weird once Loid and Yor become a couple, but mostly for them cause Anya doesn't give a damn. She's happy they're all together.

[hungergamesheadcanons]

a new hunger games book has been announced !! about haymitch's games <3

I'm so sorry for the delay in responding!

I have indeed heard the news, and let me tell y'all I am incredibly excited!

I could really see this book going one of three ways (yes I know that's not the saying but roll with me here): way number 1 being Haymitch, 2 being Plutarch, and 3 being another Capitolite. Let me explain (below the cut in case people don't want my theories):

I have taken this excerpt from Wikipedia BC fuck it:

Collins was inspired by Scottish philosopher David Hume, specifically his ideas of implicit submission and "the easiness with which the many are governed by the few", which is comparable to her inspirations for The Hunger Games trilogy, namely Greek and Roman mythology.[5] Questions surrounding the use of propaganda and the power of media narratives also inspired Collins to explore the concept of what is ‘Real or not real?’ in the upcoming novel.[6]

So, this is how I see it going.

Way Number 1: Haymitch

Obviously Haymitch is a well established character, however we see Haymitch at his absolute worst. In the original trilogy, Haymitch is a broken man who lost his family, friends and every tribute he ever mentored. Haymitch is a remarkable representation of 'the many' - and is a stark reminder of the damage 'the few' can do. Couple that with the fact that Haymitch was heavily punished for doing things differently from the Capitol, and we could look at Haymitch perspective as 'the example'. We could follow from his games, watch him lose his family and friends, and then watch the horror of being a mentor. Watch other victors falling into submission after seeing the tragedy that is Haymitch. Watch Haymitch lose his hope, and it would probably have a sad ending, but we know he would gain it back again when a certain Miss Everdeen volunteers for her little sister.

Way Number 2: Plutarch

I'm not 100% on the whole Plutarch one, but I think the timelines could work out. This is definitely a more literal interpretation - Plutarch is, indeed, one of 'the few' who ends up assisting in controlling 'the many'. However, here is also a parallel to TBOSAS, which is a Capitolite finding the Games. Only difference being, while Coriolanus threw himself whole heartedly into them, Plutarch dedicated himself to dismantling them. We could have the whole behind the scenes of the revolution, maybe watching it start. Maybe he's a small gamemaker for the Quarter Quell, maybe he has a crush on one of the tributes, and that makes him realise the true horror. It could even be Maysilee Donner if SC really wants to make a load of links, and he could be thankful to Haymitch for helping her as much as he could. It could be interesting.

Way 3 - A Random Capitolite

While I don't really think SC will go this route, the fact remains that we don't know what the majority of the Capitol feels about the Games at this period in time. I can't predict where this route would go, only that I'm sure whoever it is will be in a position of power and probably have connections to some of the other previously named characters. I can't really see this route being taken, but it is food for thought.

[babbletaels]

I know a lot of fans wanted it, I didn't really see a need for it at all, but if Collins wants to write about haymitchs games then I'm sure it will be good in any case.

What I really don't want is for fans assumptions to be true. Like I don't think snow killed haymitchs entire family and his grilfriend because he found the force field lmao I think that's kinda stupid? It must be explained in a better way like maybe they already had a winner set up because the games aren't actually real and then haymitch got in the way of that and that made them do it but that also seems stupid? Like most dictators and corrupt governments aren't dumb and do evil stuff just no reason like that, cause it haymitch were to tell anyone that the capitol killed his family for literally no reason (you know he has friends outside of 12 after the game??) then wouldn't that make people hate the capitol more? I'm one hundred percent sure that something else happened, like haymitch felt untouchable after the games and tried to deny the capitol what they wanted from him as a victor, whatever that may be, just an example could be maybe it was a finnick situation and they wanted to sell him and he refused because he has a girlfriend so they killed his girlfriend? Like even something that simple makes more sense. You don't have to take the bare minimum of information given to you and try to piece it together from that if the conclusion makes no sense.

Anyway another thought I have. I can't find any info that says it's actually confirmed that the book will be about haymitch, and the title is kinda throwing me off a bit.

Because like.. Okay you can excuse it by saying "sunrise on the [DAY OF THE] reaping" but like... hmmm.. to me it really sounds like sunrise ON the reaping. The reaping is the ceremony, not the day, right? Is there a district that has the reaping that early? Does the capitol have the sunrise that early? Idk. Is it really confirmed to be about haymitch? And further more, is it really confirmed to have the games in it? I feel like there's not a lot to tell about haymtichs games because we already know everything that happened in it, and I myself would love a book where the games aren't the focus.

"BUT ITS A HUNGER GAMES BOOK, ITS NOT THE HUNGER GAMES IF THERE ARE NO GAMES" quote from a person I overhesrd when leaving the movie theater after watching mockingjay part one. Hello? Did you forget the part where it's not called the hunger games: haymitchs story? I think it would be really nice to see a story without the games in it

Edit: ALSO NO WE SHOULD NOT HAVE WOODY AS 16 YEAR OLD HAYMITCH PLEASE LET US HAVE A NEW ACTOR and NO WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TOM BLYTH AS HAYMITCH OH MY GOD

Edit AGAIN: Pleeeaaassseee give haymitch black hair like he's supposed to have

[metanarrates]

i havent read the books in ages and i never even watched all the movies, but my take on the hunger games as a Phenomenon is that having it spawn so many empty, vapid copycats (like divergent) retroactively made it come across as a lot deeper than it actually ever was.

i do like it and the message its meant to convey, and if nothing else i do think it manages to make that message come across just fine (even if its not particularly explored or nuanced), its just that the writing in the books isnt particularly exceptional. iirc its fairly dry and surface level, and it lets itself get too easily distracted by the romance despite katniss explicitly being supposed to not be someone who gives a shit about any of that. i think i was especially annoyed by that in the third book, but that might also just be because i never particularly liked peeta and having so much of it be about katniss' angst over him felt kinda grating.

all in all, definitely a ya book, definitely more interesting than most other things in its genre that came out during that period of time, definitely not the masterpiece it's sometimes talked up to be

I have a worse opinion of it than you, since I just don't think its messaging even is all that consistent most of the time, but yeah I agree with everything else. people remember it as deeper because it at least tried to have things to say. upon examination, it's just... not all that good. interesting to examine, sure, and once I finish reading the books I'm going to be looking at its cultural phenomenon because that's also fascinating, but the actual quality of the books is not great.

i think what's really knocking me on my ass about this series is that it keeps using an awful lot of very Genre Fiction stuff that is conceptually not all that serious, and then keeps asking me to look at it as a serious work with educational and political merit. i read an interview recently where suzanne collins discussed "writing about war in a way that is accessible to teens," which just feels absurdly jarring in the context of a series where a core premise is that an evil government needs a pair of teenagers to pretend they're in love in order to quell revolutionary stirrings. I'm not saying that ridiculous genre elements and serious topics can't be blended well (I fucking LOVE a lot of stuff that does that) but you can't have what is fundamentally treated as a romance novel plot serve as fuel for a serious story about actual war. there's not even a well-thought out metaphor to make it stick. it just asks me to take it seriously and I can't because it's hilarious.

[toomuchracket]

assuming you have read/seen the hunger games but if u havent delete this ask for spoilers!! 🤍🤍

just finished rereading the whole thg series and am now rewatching all the movies and i had a thought of making d word matty whos never seen them before watch the films with you <3 and bc of the age gap youre like you dont get it this was literally a crucial part of my development as a person. and hes kinda like yea ok whatever lets just watch the movies babe but by the time peetas taken by the capitol hes weeping lmfao

oh ho ho you are CORRECT to assume i've read and seen the hunger games... i was That Girl who had a mockingjay pin on her school blazer when she was 12 (despite consistently handing my homework in on time. i was not leading revolutions against authority lol). quite excited for songbirds and snakes i must say!! but yeah, i imagine you'd be like "matty we are MARATHONING these i need to watch them again" and he thinks it's adorable how excited you are but also he's like "why do you like these films so much, babe? like what is it about them that makes you want to watch four in one night lol". and i think you go off on a, well, him-style tangential discussion about how it was really your first insight into dystopian fiction and it's a critique of corrupt governments and exploitation and injustice and power imbalance and also of mass media and doing grotesque things in the name of entertainment, all the while encouraging young people to be self-sufficient and strong but still passionate and kind and loving, functioning as a warning not to blindly trust those in power and to stand up for what's right even if nobody else will. and when you finish talking, matty's looking at you the same way he looked when caveh started coughing after ripping the bong in that vid (but like slightly more smiley lol) and he's like "... alright let's watch". and you watch his reactions out of the corner of your eye as the film progresses: he doesn't say much at the start (he's like "oh shit lenny kravitz" when he sees cinna) but by the time rue dies he's teary, and at the end of the first film he's like "i see why you enjoy these now. second one, let's go". he's far more engrossed with this one - turns to you at the quarter quell like "they have to do it again? hunger games all-stars? fucksake" - and like audibly reacting to plot points. like, when the peacekeepers get cinna he's like "what the fuck!", and he yells when johanna cuts the tracker out of katniss's arm; like you said, though, the worst bit for him is when it's revealed that they didn't get peeta out and the capitol got him, like he fully weeps at the tv about it and refuses to watch any more that night because he's too sad lol (but then a cry and a cup of tea later he's like "i'm fine. get it cued, baby" lmao) <3

[katnissdoesnotfollowback]

In your opinion, please rate thg movie series with 1-5 scale.

(1 = I hate it, 3=neutral, 5 = I love it.)

1.The Hunger Games :

Things that you like :

Things that you don't like :

2.Cathing Fire :

Things that you like :

Things that you don't like :

3.Mockingjay

Movie 1 :

Movie 2 :

Things that you like :

Things that you don't like :

Thank you 😊

@curiousnonny

So let me preface my ratings here by saying that I really think these books are already so well edited in terms of necessary content that making a movie version of any of them is a mistake. Maybe I'm biased and greedy, but I honestly feel like 99% of the scenes in the books play a crucial role in either plot, character, or theme development and removing them waters down the story too much, in my opinion. I would much rather have seen a series version on screen than a movie. Not to mention, Collins made her name as a writer in television, and you can SEE IT in how she writes her novels. It's structured like a TV series so it should've been shot like a TV series. Anyways. So my rankings are gonna be... kinda low for the movies. Sorry not sorry.

But also... my thoughts on this are fresh. My youngest was supposed to read The Hunger Games with his 6th grade class. The teacher sent home a form requesting parents' permission to do so. I signed it gladly and sent it back, but apparently there were a lot of parents who sent it back with complaints instead of approval. Enough that the class read the first Percy Jackson book instead. I'm fine with that too, lol, especially since my kiddo really liked it and is now on book five of that series. I've been trying to reread along with him and will hopefully be catching up to him this week, lol.

After his teacher switched books for the class reading, he and I decided we'd read THG books together once he's done with PJO, but then, my oldest skipped a field trip he really didn't wanna go on and wound up staying at school and watching... The Hunger Games and part of Catching Fire. He came home with QUESTIONS, which immediately sparked a "Hey, not fair!" from the youngest and prompted a movie marathon. We made it through all four movies back in March, and I'm still not forgiven for not warning him about Finnick btw...

Okay enough story time. *cracks knuckles*

The Hunger Games

Ranking: 2/5

Things I don't like: Ugh where to start? The removal of Madge and therefore the significance of Katniss's mockingjay pin as a symbol of wealth and power bestowed by the Capitol only to be flipped on its head and turned into a symbol of rebellion. Also, the implications of removing Madge in terms of how they tried to make Katniss into STRONG BADASS WO-MAN while dulling some of her softer edges and dependencies on other people. See also: leaving out the gift of bread from D11 to Katniss.

The dialogue is shit. Sorry, those are my thoughts. You already had really good dialogue in the book why change that? Also, the gutting of the dialogue results in the gutting of both Katniss and Peeta as characters. The first movie turns them into The Watson character, i.e. the character whose purpose it is to ask questions so that the audience can learn about the setting/plot/other characters/whatever. The first movie made Katniss and Peeta look naive and dumb about the Games and the very world they inhabit, which makes no sense for their characters. I get it. It's a storytelling technique to quicken up the process of world building and make up for the fact that we don't get to be in Katniss's head where she tells us what we need to know about her world. BUT their characters suffer for it. Katniss and Peeta are sixteen. Anyone who has interacted with a teenager knows that at that age, we usually have #OPINIONS on things, so in the books, both already have developing opinions about the Games because they are by necessity and by exposure aware of how the Games and the government essentially work. They've lived in this world long enough. They've started to develop opinions and world views, and they act accordingly. The first movie loses this completely from the books.

Do not get me started on the dialogue in the cave scenes we will be here until the next century if we go there.

Buttercup. Christ how hard is it to cast a yellow/orange cat?!?!?! Not that difficult. And granted, this is a minor detail in terms of symbols but at the same time... it's a minor detail. The fact that they didn't even bother showed a lack of caring about the details. Also see: Rock Peeta.

The stakes of almost everything are lowered, from the bread scene (we don't realize until MJ2 that she's literally starving and knocking on death's door in that scene) to the berry scene (and here it's Peeta knocking on death's door and Katniss is desperate to save him, enough to put POISON BERRIES IN HER MOUTH and risk her own life too)... the movie lacks the desperation for both of those crucial parts.

Peeta's leg Peeta's leg Peeta's motherfreaking amputated leg!!!!!!

Things I liked: The sound and sound editing. It's such a small thing, and I have a story to go with this okay? When I saw it in theaters, I disliked a lot of things, but one of them was something I could not put my fingers on. It bugged me for weeks until the movie came out on DVD (yes, I'm old and also saw it at the veeeeeeery end of its theater run where I live... like it was a $5 special...). Anyways. Mr. Kdnfb is an electrical engineer by education and is suuuuuper picky about our sound system in our house. So when I watched it at home, the Thing clicked in my brain. The SOUND. It had been Waaaaaay Off in a way that was awful in that theater for some reason. And once I watched it at home, there was just something about the way they did the sound that made a lot of what I had hated become less of A Thing to me. The more I've watched it, the more I've realized the sound and sound editing was excellent, and I put this as things I liked because my story goes to show how such a tiny thing can really screw up a movie.

Catching Fire

Ranking: 3.5/5 (Omg I'm gonna get barbecued for this one.)

Things I didn't like: See my caveat at the top. Okay, so. One of my biggest problems is just how much got cut to adapt this one to screen. Sooooo many scenes. Finnick "hanging" himself in training, "someone else can get the stupid goat knocked up," all the hullabaloo about the wedding is talked about but that doesn't happen in the movies, the setup for the existence of D13, the plant book and Peeta caring for an injured Katniss, training like Careers, scaring Peeta with the medicine, Katniss really starting to come around to the idea of a rebellion even before the Quell announcement, "Poor Finnick. Is this the first time you haven't been pretty?" Just so much cut for the sake of time and results in the story feeling rushed and sloppy ugh.

While the cast and crew for this one did a much better job adapting the dialogue to the screen, there are still a few crucial bits of dialogue that make me itch with hives. The post jabberjay scene and the death of the morphling mainly. Good lord. You finally let movie!Peeta be as eloquent and convincing as book!Peeta in D11, why not give him the space to do it in the arena, too?

Things I do like: The casting. Hear me out. After the first movie, I was still not entirely sold on Jennifer, Josh, and Liam for the roles they were playing. Really, the only main characters who live through the first movie that I was happy and 100% on board with with were Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, and Stanley Tucci. Catching Fire is where I accepted Josh's portrayal of Peeta a little bit more, mainly because of the process of film making and what they put forth with CF showed me that he could nail the part if only they'd give him the dialogue and choose the cuts that best showed what he could do. I have no idea what sort of dialogue they were given or how much free reign they were allowed to improvise, but I do know that they will shoot a scene multiple times with multiple different delivery styles and slightly different dialogue. Which means that the actors really don't get a say on which version of their performance makes the final cut. But when the dialogue was spot on in the final version, I felt like Josh pulled off Peeta very well. I also think the way they shot CF allowed Jennifer Lawrence to put forth a better overall performance as well, although I'm still not in love with her as Katniss.

But really it's the Quell Victors/Tributes that I loved about CF. I went in unsure and came out convinced. My caveat here is that I tend to think of the movies as their own thing. The movie versions of the characters are their own iteration and I try really hard not to let them bleed into how I see or think of the characters in the books. That doesn't always happen, but I do try.

Okay this one is kinda not the fault of the first movie, but the increased budget for CF is apparent in several of the things that I liked, namely the costumes, the staging, the special effects. Much better all around.

Mockingjay Part 1

Ranking: 3/5

Things I did not like: Gale. MJ1 finishes off the complete removal of any depth Gale had as a character, a process that started with him rage rushing Head Peacekeeper Thread in CF and culminates here with him condemning Peete's words as a TORTURED PRISONER OF WAR rather than him not only intuiting what's probably happening, but explaining it to Katniss, then trying to protect Katniss from it, like he does in the books. The reason why book!Gale is so much more compelling to me than movie!Gale is because Gale's anger and fire and indignation has REASONING behind it in the book. It is chillingly easy to see the lines his reasoning could possibly take. As in... I've worked in weapons development and I have worked with real people who think like book!Gale or Beetee. Whereas movie!Gale is basically just RAWR!!! fury.

The rescue scene. I could write an entire essay on what's wrong with this, but it all boils down to they tried to shorten it by overlapping the video of the rescue with Finnick talking. Which makes zero military sense btw why the freak would you broadcast helmet video of your team going in on a stealth mission and risk someone intercepting it or noting the presence of an encrypted signal and figuring out what was going on holy hell you would NOT. You'd be freaking SILENT and just waiting to find out!!!!!!! And yes yes, but we need to see it. Okay, but you've already shown scenes with Snow and Seneca talking, Seneca and Haymitch talking, Snow and Plutarch talking, Snow and his granddaughter!!!! cuts from D11 and so much more that Katniss would not have seen, so play this like that. You can still show the audience but clearly keep Katniss and everyone back in D13 in the dark. The way it's shot is nonsensical and also pretty much waters down the horror of what Finnick went through and the impact of his words.

And while we're on this topic, they somehow used that overlapping and ridiculous video feed to try and shorten the scene, but wound up making it interminably and unbelievably long with the layers upon layers upon LAYERS of rooms the rescue squad has to go through and also the Skype Call of Inanity. The whole debacle is so freaking long that I no longer feel tense by the time it's finally over. It's so obvious that the Capitol is letting them take back Peeta, Annie, and Johanna because of how long a stealth mission (which should be almost too fast to process) takes that it becomes stupid for D13 to not suspect something. There's no desperation or high stakes for me with this scene because it's too long and too messy, makes no sense tactically and basically just erases all the emotional depth and pacing of what's in the books ugh. Seriously. You could've spent that time on the torture of the prep team or some of the Boggs and Katniss or Katniss and Finnick content we miss out on. Delly. Gale's siblings. Literally anything that you cut out. Rant over.

"He's gonna kill Peeta".... um no actually it's that Snow won't kill Peeta but keep dangling him in front of you, Katniss...

Things I did like: The sets. District 13 is... perfect. Sterile and drab and utilitarian. Zero luxury or any real sense that humans live there. There are zero personal touches in any of the spaces. No connections to art or joy or life.

Effie. I really wish we'd still gotten the prep team in D13, because it's an avenue through which we see how brutal and lacking in compassion D13 really is, but if it's Effie there with her for the movies, then Elizabeth Banks did a stellar job with what she was given to do. I do wish they'd allowed Finnick to keep his line: "They'll either want to kiss you, kill you, or be you." And if not that, then don't freaking cut the "Why, do you find this distracting?" scene. But overall, Effie in D13 works for me in terms of the movie universe.

Mockingjay Part 2

Ranking: 2.5/5

Things I didn't like: Facepalm worthy wigs and dye jobs. Dude. You are the final chapter of a big budget blockbuster franchise. I understand that the dye jobs have taken their toll and wigs may be just more practical for the actors at this stage, but DO BETTER with the money you have.

Just how much of Johanna they cut out of this part and what that does to Katniss's development.

The ending. It's so lackluster in so many ways. One of the things that I loved about the theme of the ending is how it shows that with the right kind of care, a life can be lived and be worthwhile even after the worst kinds of trauma. We get this through the sheer beauty of Katniss's final words in both the final chapter and the epilogue. To me, the movie ending felt just... blah. And I get that maybe they were aiming for a sense of calm and peace, but instead it came off as blah, we're broken and just going through the motions. Which makes sense right after the war ends, but not as the ending continues into the "Real" scene or the epilogue.

Mahershala Ali is highly underutilized in this movie. Let the man play the freaking part. He's already good with what you let him do. Let him unleash the acting chops and make Boggs sing as a character. And part of this has to do with what they cut from the film, like him carrying Katniss to the hovercraft in D8 and her vomiting on him. Same with Julianne Moore. Coin was not nearly cold or controlling enough nor did she convincingly clash with Katniss enough leading up to Peeta showing up in the Capitol.

The omission of the heartbreaking silence Katniss puts herself into and how they turned the sadness of the final breaking of her friendship with Gale into "Goodbye Gale." Ugh. I laugh at it, but it's not a good change. Like we can't allow a Strong Wo-Man Character to be sad or hurt about this, why not????

Burn. Scars. Burn. Scars. Burn. Scars. BURN! SCAAAAARRRRRRRSSSSSS!!!!!

Things I did like: The music. Odd pick I know, but even though the ending is not well done for me, I almost always start bawling the second Katniss starts singing the meadow lullaby as the credits roll. And that's just one weird instance of me liking the music for this film.

How they brought the hijacking to life. I can't even explain why this works so well, but it does. My only wish is that they'd given more time for the Real/Not Real game to develop on film and included more of Peeta's dialogue that shows both the struggle and him regaining parts of himself -- the cafeteria scene, his words to Pollux and Tigris for example.

And there you have it, @curiousnonny. My super long answer to your question. ;)

[jbk405]

I re-read the Hunger Games trilogy last week. I'd read it before a few years ago, but I'd honestly forgotten a bunch of how it differed from the movies.

What struck me the most on this re-read was how angry Katniss is throughout Catching Fire and Mockingjay. Absolutely filled with bile directed at almost everybody, including herself. I remembered that she was angry, of course, (Who wouldn't be angry?) but I'd somehow lost the feeling that it permeates every single word on every single page.

This was something that definitely didn't translate from page to screen when they made the movies. That sheer rage that she feels on a constant basis. Rage born of pain, and sadness, and hopelessness, and guilt. So much guilt.

So much guilt that there are times that I'd say she actually hates herself and her allies/friends more than the Capitol. It's not a rational or logical hatred, but that makes it burn all the brighter sometimes.

I also find myself turning over in my mind the final question of "Who killed Prim?" Because I'm not 100% convinced that it was Coin. It certainly may have been her, in fact I'll lay 2:1 odds that it was her (or at least somebody working in her administration), but it's far from certain.

The fact that Snow denied doing it himself means absolutely nothing. He has lied to Katniss repeatedly, including after saying he won't lie to her. He's also lied to the populace in general. He's a villain. I distrust villains on general principle. I wouldn't put it past him to do it purely out of spite against the rebels or specifically to stir up doubt in the new government. The defense "How would it benefit me?" is no defense at all, because I can come up with a dozen hypotheticals for how this would benefit him.

It's also possible that nobody in authority on any side did it. Maybe these are deserters from the Capitol who stole a hovercraft and think they're really delivering food, not knowing that these parachutes have been rigged with bombs. Maybe they're a splinter of rebels who lost family in the Games, saw a bunch of Capitol children grouped together, and decided to take out a personal revenge with no idea that rebel medics were close enough to get caught in the secondary blast.

I'm still leaning towards the idea that Coin did it, especially since Prim being there at all requires strings to have been pulled, but even that isn't proof. Coin may have sent Prim into action purely for propaganda purposes after they thought Katniss died the day before, "Look at how even the little sister of our Great Hero does her part!". Nobody seemed to expect the Rebels to penetrate this deeply into the Capitol this quickly, and Prim's medics may have been doing the same kind of photo shoots Squad 451 was doing and then been swept up in events.

[catastrxblues]

What do you think about Coryo and Sejanus view toward wealth and privilege?

Thank you :)

@curiousnonny

hi @curiousnonny! so so sorry i have only answered this now (and also haven't answered any of your other asks). i've never tried to actually write some sort of analysis on anything hunger games before, so i was very very nervous to start. also!! keep in mind that i haven't yet finished the ballad of songbirds and snakes so this is only what my current take from the book so far!

okay SO.

i think coriolanus saw them as a way of life and he was desperate to get them back. he was raised with old money. with a warm hearth, a great honor to his last name, and definitely not cabbage soup for breakfast. so when all was lost and his home no longer held everything that used to make it one, he was bitter.

every time he saw people who survived the war in a better place than the snows, he saw injustice. he saw wealth and privilege as something that was supposed to be his and how, had the war not happened, had his dad not invested all his money on district 13, he wouldn't have been in this situation (scraping for food, bad shirts, etc).

he resented the fact that he was poor because he, as a snow no less, shouldn't be.

now, sejanus was a WAY different side of the coin.

he, on the other hand, resented the fact that he was rich because he, as a district boy no more, shouldn't be.

i think he saw his wealth and privilege as an undeserved thing and he always hated thinking about them (which is again, another thing that differentiates these two, because coriolanus was always always thinking about them despite the fact that he barely had any).

because thinking about it reminded him of how he left his old home, where he belonged, and how everyone in there probably hated him now because his dad had one good hell of an upper hand (a feeling he thought validated because he too hated himself for it, i think).

he hated how privileged and comfortable he was because it reminded him of his own people back in district 2 who weren't so lucky (and whereas every time coriolanus thought about wealth and privilege, it reminded him of his own friends who were way luckier than him). which also reminded him that all these warmth and good food he was getting was only because he was on the wrong side of history, on the side of their oppressive government who was the reason his people back at 2 was miserable and poor and starving in the first place.

i think, while they can be no more different to one another (again, especially in terms of this subject), they both have a very passionate view of wealth and privilege that are also both surrounded with resentment and the feeling of unfairness of it all.

coriolanus would like to take what sejanus had and make it his if he could because he never did think ma's boy deserved it, while i think sejanus would be more than willing to give it to him as long as he’d no longer have to deal with what he never did think he deserved, if that makes sense.

right, that’s all i have. please share all of your thoughts too if you'd like. thank you for this!

[margokesses]

Thoughts/ questions I have about tbosas and someone who has not read the book but plans to eventually:

The only thing that I knew about the book is that snow is straight up evil and that Lucy gray escapes at the end btw

Snow is not as evil in the movie? Like his story feels like a decent guy's descent into villainy. Like you can tell that originally he does not care about Lucy and just wants the prize money but he does end up truly loving her. But from what I hear from book readers that's not the case?

Sejanus and snow have close/initmate moments together? I'm usually not a fan of just throwing 2 random white dudes into a ship together because 9 times out of 10 its boring as hell. But they did have some moments where I genuinely thought they were gonna kiss? Also it seems like they have a genuine friendship here that I would like to be explored a bit more. Especially bc they're ideologies going against each other is interesting. But from what I hear from book readers: snow cannot stand sejanus' ass

Marcus and sejanus relationship? Like we're told that they were friends in district 2 and sejanus is obviously upset when Marcus dies but I do feel like the context of who they are is missing? Like it feels like it should be a bigger point and not just something explained in 2 or 3 sentences

Lucy Gray's singing randomly? Okay so I wouldn't say that it's random. It's clear that she's a performer in her district and it's apart of her culture as being from the Covey. And i guess she sings whenever she's expressing big emotions like when she's being reaped or when she thinks she's about to die. But I do feel like we got a little more backstory to her character outside of a few lines

Also I wish we got to see a bit more from the tributes for the games. I don't even remember their names but I know they're faces and I only know that the cape guy and the sick girl are from district 11 bc that's where it seems like there's a majority black population in the movies

The guns in the shed. Did Lucy gray plant them there herself or were they already there? Bc the way she acts about seeing the guns is very... casual? Like she's not surprised or anything that they're there. What was that about?

Snow's little meltdown at the end? I am not surprised that he reacted that way but did he actually see Lucy gray and shoot her or is that just like... him imagining her? But then we do see footprints of her escaping so like?? Idk I'm a little confused about that part ngl

Snow's transformation into his dad? When tigirs says "you look like your father" to snow at the end it doesn't hit me the way that it should? Like obviously he's gonna turn evil at the end and stuff but we don't really know who his father actually was until the ending

Peter dinklages revelation? We can infer that snows dad was an evil person bc peter dinklage character mentioned that he himself thought of the games when he was drunk and snow's dad took the credit for it. Which is fine but I wish we got to know more about snow's dad and what the homework assignment actually was? Was it like what snow had to do when trying to help make the hunger games better? Did the government genuinely ask some random 18 year Olds how to punish people for making an uprising?

[shiftingtomydrs]

I've never read the Shatter Me series despite my friend telling me to so what's your dr like?

thanks so much for asking <3

i already made an introduction post for the dr which you can find here

spoiler alert under the cut for prolly all the books since my head likes to mix up what info is in which book

the shatter me series is set in a dystopian world, basically humans fucked the world up enough to more or less make it unliveable in (food was poisoned cos animals ate trash and shit e.g., illnesses like cancer were very common etc.) and then the re-establishment takes over. the re-establishment was elected by the people, promising to re-establish life as they knew it (spoiler alert: they didnt) and then took over the world, turning it into district 12 from the hunger games more or less, except its more technologically advanced (the technology is used to monitor civilians tho not to help them) while the psychopaths (really theres no better word, i dont even think that word is strong enough) at the top enjoy life

now more on my backstory (its basically just juliettes backstory from the books cos i dont have a creative bone in my body):

i was created by evie sommers (juliettes mother) whos also the supreme commander (kinda like president) of oceania in a petri dish out of her dna and maybe someone elses? idk but she modified the dna to basically make me the perfect specimen for her little project. my memories of all this are erased regularly btw so i dont talk about it to other people i coincidentally meet (this is before the re-establishment took over completely, which happens when im around 13-16?) bcs what shes doing is obviously lowkey illegal. anyway at some point (in my head when im around 4-5) she starts letting me play with the kids from the other future surpreme commanders (theres one for each continent) which is also where i get my name (as a project i dont need a name so evie never gave me one) which is juliette (its a bit complicated but basically juliette in the book is really called ella so for the sake of logic ill call her ella from now on and im juliette) and was given to me by aaron cos he likes shakespear and thought it fit me soo juliette it was. after evie discovers emmalines (ellas sister) abilities she decides to abandon me and puts me into a foster family similar to ella in the u.s. (for plots aka aaron and my love stories sake) and since theres this whole plot no-matter-how-many-times-they-erase-my-and-aarons-memories-we-always-fall-in-love-again anderson (aarons dad) thought itd be funny to make ellas undercover name juliette ferrars to see if itd make aaron change his mind (he does these fucked up little experiments for fun) or smth idk i dont understand that guy. anyway my powers (also in the introduction post) start manifesting when im like 10 or so and we have to move a lot after cos i cant control my powers yet. when im 14 it all escalates when i accidentally kill a classmate with my powers (he was an ass tho not to excuse my behavior but just wanted to add that) and after that my parents decide its best for them to give up guardianship for me and hand me over to the re-establishment / government. ella at this point already escaped her family to omega point before she ever touches that little boy in the grocery store. anyway the next few years are a lot of moving in between facilities and rehabilitation centers which ends with them locking me away in an asylum when im 16 and thats the point i shift to.

after that its mostly just the plot of the books which is i get pulled out of the asylum after a little less than a year on aarons orders, he wants to use me as a weapon for the re-establishment (but secretly not), i escape with adam (temporary love interest) and get to omega point along with kenji and then anderson takes 2 hostages from omega point and wants me as an exchange, i shoot him, we kidnap aaron, bla bla adam and i break up, aaron and i have this denial thing (from my side), aaron escapes, omega point fights against the re-establishment and gets defeated, anderson shoots me to teach aaron a lesson, i survive cos aaron saves me, we find the survivors of omega point, aaron gets them on base, we kill anderson and take over north america and then after that its the other books which are a bit more complicated but i can get into that too if anyone would like me to :)

now that i read it back its a tiny little bit confusing soo if you have any questions feel free to ask <3

[heavensbeehall]

"Catching Fire", Chapter 3

Part 1: The Spark

Chapter 3: President Snow leaves. Katniss lies to her mother. While taking a bath, she decides she can only talk to Haymitch about this. The Prep Team arrives and explains the concept of the Quarter Quell to the reader. Peeta and Katniss pretend for the cameras, just like old times. Katniss confides in Haymitch on the train and he explains to her that she HAS TO live "happily ever after" with Peeta to keep her loved ones alive.

Thoughts

-- This is a bit more "thinky" of a chapter than we usually see from Katniss. A lot of it is her sitting in a tub or having her nails done. But there's lots of concepts that are important later. So naturally I have like a million unanswered questions.

-- Did Haymitch have a "talent"? What was it? It seems like victor's faking their "talent" is not unheard of. It's certainly not something Snow seems to care about. But then what's the point of making them have one? What does the Capitol do with this knowledge? Do they think the victors should not be allowed to be idle?

-- What do we think happened in year 24/25 that caused the Quells. We know they weren't invented by the original creator. I think it must be a punishment for something. The first Quell made the Districts vote on which kids would go to the Hunger Games, and that seems like a ploy to make the adults feel "complicit" in the murder of the children. And I wonder if it had something to do with the advent of Volunteer/Career tributes. It rewards a District with food and money if they send someone strong and competitive. It's also all we ever hear about "voting" in the Districts. Like do they elect their own Mayors? Or does the Capitol assign people? District 12 doesn't seem to have any real government because it seems to be one town, but the larger districts might need to?

What does he do? I think. Drink it? I imagine him sipping it from a teacup. Dipping a cookie into the stuff and pulling it out dripping red.

I like this mental image of Snow from Katniss because I notice that even in her imagination he still has a teacup, probably a saucer. I'd like to say something smart about the Capitol's obsession with manners, presentation and "breeding" but it's been said before.

Since I've been home I've been trying hard to mend my relationship with my mother. Asking her to do things for me instead of brushing aside any offer of help, as I did for years out of anger. Letting her handle all the money I won. Returning her hugs instead of tolerating them. My time in the arena made me realize how I needed to stop punishing her for something she couldn't help, specifically the crushing depression she fell into after my father's death. Because sometimes things happen to people and they're not equipped to deal with them.

I've seen some posts on here about how Katniss and her mother are actually more similar than Katniss realizes since they both have breakdowns after losing loved ones. But I also remember Katniss being sad she'd never get to fix her relationship with her mother in the previous book, so it's nice to she that she kept that in mind. I also think Katniss' mother is like Katniss in that she likes to take care of people whens he is able mentally.

I slide down into the water, letting it block out the sounds around me. I wish the tub would expand so I could go swimming, like I used to on hot summer Sundays in the woods with my father. Those days were a special treat. We would leave early in the morning and hike farther into the woods than usual to a small lake he'd found while hunting. I don't even remember learning to swim, I was so young when he taught me. I just remember diving, turning somersaults, and paddling around. The muddy bottom of the lake beneath my toes. The smell of blossoms and greenery. Floating on my back, as I am now, staring at the blue sky while the chatter of the woods was muted by the water. He'd bag the waterfowl that nested around the shore, I'd hunt for eggs in the grasses, and we'd both dig for katniss roots, the plant for which he named me, in the shallows. At night, when we got home, my mother would pretend not to recognize me because I was so clean.

Remember for later that Katniss can swim!