Chapter 2: The Zoo

"You've got that power over me.."———————————

Emme made sure to get up even earlier despite the events that a cured from last night for not doing a simple choir that anyone could have done. But besides that she applied makeup, took an aspirin or two, and put her academy uniform on and head to the train station before grabbing food and a bottle or two of water for her tribute Dill and the other Reaper.

When she got there however she saw Coriolanus Snow standing at The capital train station, holding one of his Grandma'am white rose. Emme felt a twinge of hurt and possibly slight jealousy.

"Here." Coriolanus heard behind him.

He turned around alarmed at the sudden voice but it was only Emme holding out a fruit cup and a muffin that she had took from the kitchen before escaping this morning for the boy. He gave her a slight smile of appreciation.

"You know it would've been easier if you said to meet her or at least to meet you here." Coriolanus said, looking at Emme. As he through out the trash and turning to look at the girl.

"Well, that would've been to easy." Em said smirking. Letting out a soft laugh. Coriolanus smiled at the girl.

Before either of them could continue the conversation. The sound of a train clattering and Peacekeepers yelling "get off the train!" noting that the tributes have arrived. As the tributes got off one by one some being thrown out. Which lead to the both of you stepping back. Until the last two carts which held district 11 and 12.

Emme saw Dill exit out of the cart coughing and another young girl she remembered as Wovey from the Reaping. Emme frowned slightly going up to the girls. The Dill backed away a little before looking down at the water bottle and food. While Wovey looked up at the girl with curious eyes. Emme followed her gaze and slightly bent down offering the girls a smile.

"Hello." Emme said smiling. Dill just looked at her with a curious glint.

"Hello... who are you?" Wovey asked. Emme smiled slightly.

"My name is Emme Reinswood. I am Dill's mentor." She said, sticking out her hand for the little girls.

"W-what's a mentor?" Dill asked hesitantly.

"Well as your mentor I am here to help you through the games. I have also brought water and food for you and your friend." Emme said, smiling. Handing out her arm for the girl to take the food and water.

"Dill Don't!" A sharp voice came from behind her.

Emme noticed it was Reaper. The girl retracted her hand and backed away nervously. Reaper who now stood in front of the two girls protectively.

Emme slightly looked for Coriolanus who was holding out a the rose for his tribute. Emme felt a pang of jealousy course through her but shook it off before retracing her gaze back to Reaper and Dill.

"I promise. I mean no harm. I just wanted to me-" Reaper started to get closer nostrils flared angrily.

"Reaper don't she's my mentor she's here to help us!" Dill spoke up.

"Funny considering I don't see any other mentors except for Blondie of their." Reaper said.

"Guess we are the true ones that actually care." Emme said. Wovey and Dill shared a knowing smile knowing that they could trust you.

"Alright that's enough let's go!" A peacekeeper yelled. Grabbing Dill and Wovey.

"Hey! Be careful with them!" Emme yelled as she ran over to the truck they were being hauled into and sneaking in.

"Good luck with that gorgeous." Lucy Gray said.

"Come on, Let's go! Move it!" Peacekeepers yelled.

"Excuse me, can I- I'd like to escort my tribute." Coriolanus said, trying to get the peacekeepers attention.

Turning around going after them. He froze as he saw Emme go into the same truck as he bolted and snuck into the truck as well going to the back.

"Come on! Get in!"

He pulled Emme all the way to the back of the truck. Emme was a bit frozen not exactly knowing what to do as all the tributes started at the two dressed in red uniforms. Coriolanus turned around.

"Hi" he muttered.

"What's the matter, pretty boy?" Reaper asked.

"You in the wrong cage?"

"N-no this cage is delightful."

"And what about you pretty girl are you in the wrong cage? Or is this my unlucky lucky day?" One of the tributes Bobbin asked Emme stepping closer to her. Coriolanus tugged Emme behind him protectively.

"I will kill you right now." Reaper said, pulling Coriolanus away from her and up against the wall of the truck.

"And I got dibs on the girl." Coral said, coming up to Emme. Coriolanus tried to move to her but was pushed back aggressively by Reaper again.

"He'll do it too... Reaper killed a Peacekeeper back in 11-" "Quiet Dill!"

"Yeah and coral knows how to hook someone.." Mizzen the boy that came with coral said.

"I say we kill them!"

"I'm in!"

"Nothin left to lose!" Bobbin said.

"Y'all got family back home?" The voice made them look at Lucy Gray.

"They'll kill them if you hurt one of them... then you." They stepped back reconsidering.

"Besides, he's my mentor.. I might need him." Lucy Gray said, nodding towards Coriolanus.

"A-and she's mine.." Dill said, pointing at Emme.

"How come they get a mender?"

"Mentor." Coriolanus corrected Coral.

"Each of you get one." Emme said.

"Oh, and we'll just trust you on that? Right?"

"We are just here to help you." Emme replied.

"Why does rainbow and suck girl her get special treatment? Hmm?"

"Why aren't out mentors here? If you're here to help?" Coral said, pushing Emme into the wall more.

Which the bruise on Emme's back made it hurt more than it probably should. Unintentionally letting out a huff in pain. Which made Coral smirk. Coriolanus once again tired to move but had no luck.

"Just not inspired, I guess." Lucy gray intervened. Coral gave her a glare while Coriolanus smirked and Emme smiled gratefully at her.

There was a sudden beeping and clattering as the truck began to lift up and opened as ever fell. Reaper let go of Coriolanus going over to Dill to protect her from the fall and Coral slipped and fell going down with the others. Coriolanus went over to grab Emme and Lucy gray grabbed onto Coriolanus.

"Alright hold on!" Coriolanus said. But it was too late as the three fell into the cage.

"Oh! Ah! Ouch. Well, we'll give them a chance to stand up and catch their breath."

Emme landed hard knocking the breath out of her as she slowly got up sucking a deep breath as a sharp pain ran through her side. She looked around to see Coriolanus next to Lucy gray and Dill and Reaper on the other side closest to her.

"Well I am certainly jealous of that entrance!"

"I'm Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman, a man who needs no introduction."

'No wonder why the voice sounded familiar.' Emme thought. As she got up brushed off her uniform.

Looking over to see Coriolanus put the flower behind Lucy Grays ear as they held hands. She shook her head. She couldn't worry about that right now. She made her way towards Dill.

"You all know me as your favorite weatherman and amateur magician. But guess where I am today? Here's a hint!" Lucky said as a camera pointed at the "zoo".

"That's right. The capitol Zoo, where this year's tributes will be held here on display behind these bars for your viewing."

Emme rolled her eyes. Even though Lucky was considered a friend of the family. She at times couldn't stand him.

"Hey are you guys okay?" Emme asked, Dill and Reaper. Dill smiled gratefully and gave a slight nodded. Reaper was still hesitant but nodded his head slightly.

"All 24 of them.. What in the gem of Panem? You see, that's the Academy rouge, no?"

"Excuse me. Hello, sir." Lucky pointed at Coriolanus clearly has not seen Emme yet.

"Yes, you in red. Who are you and why are you in there with them? We're Live." Lucky asked Coriolanus.

"Lucy Gray Baird, may introduce you to my neighbors?" Coriolanus asked, as he lead her next to Emme.

"A response would be greatly apprecia- Emme? What in the heavens are you doing in there?!" Lucky asked. Emme slightly rolled her eyes.

"Well that's something new the don't see everyday there holding hands."

"Who are you, sir? What are you doing in the cage here?" Lucky turned his attention back on to Coriolanus.

"Hi. How do you do? My name is Coriolanus Snow. And this is my tribute Lucy Gray Baird from District 12." Coriolanus introduced Lucy gray to his neighbours.

"Hi, there. What's your name?" Lucy gray asked. Pontius.

Emme looked around and her eyes stopped on Ashe who was standing on the opposite side of the cage smirking and shaking his head at her.

"Well well.. Emme Reinswood in a cage." Ashe said coming forward. Emme smiled rolling her eyes.

"Dill, Reaper I would like to introduce you to someone if that's okay." Dill looked at reaper, who gave her a nod slowly walked behind her keeping guard.

"Dill, I would like you to meet my good friend Ashe. Ashe this is my tribute Dill." Emme introduced the two.

"Hello Dill. You sure did get lucky with Emme I can promise you that. I have also brought some medicine for you. If you would like some." Ashe complimented, Dill and Emme looked at him in shock.

Dill slightly shook her head no. Not trusting him or maybe simply because she knew she wasn't going to make it back. The thought came across Emme's mind making her frown for the little girl.

"Wow. Won't you look at that one of the Capitols highest due boys. Introducing himself to Emme Reinswood tribute." Flickerman said, causing the camera to move to Emme making her and dill uncomfortable.

Soon the camera moved back to Lucy Gray and Ashe bid his farewell going back to the academy nonetheless and left the medicine next to the bar if Dill would change her mind.

"Do you know my mentor? Says his name is Coriolanus Snow and clearly, Dill and I got the cake with the cream 'cause nobody else has even bothered to show up." Lucy gray said, while gesturing to Coriolanus and Emme. Coriolanus pulled Emme closer to him.

"So the Gamemakers did tell you to jump in the cage with them?" Lucky asked, the pair.

"They just said that it was a mentor's job to introduce our tributes to the people of Panem." Emme said politely.

"And I thought, well, if Lucy Gray and Dill are brave enough to be here then why shouldn't I be, too?" Coriolanus said, Emme and Lucy gray looked at him in disbelief.

"Hmm.."

"For the record, Dill and i didn't have a choice." Lucy gray commented.

"For the record, I think you both about to be whisked away."

"Let's go." Two peacekeepers said, grabbing their arms. Lucy gray grabbed Coriolanus arms whispering to him. As he slightly nodded.

"The 10th annual Hunger Games are soon approaching! So come down to the zoo, and see these tributes before it's too late. And I mean, too late!"

"For capitol news, I'm Lucretius "Lucky" Flickerman."

Neither of you said anything the rest of the walk back to the Academy. As you opened the doors to the academy.

"You ready for this?" Emme asked.

"Don't have now do we?" Coriolanus said.

"Together?" Emme said slightly jokingly.

He smirked and grabbed her hand as they walked into the classroom. Where all the eyes landed on them as they made their way to their seats.

"Your little excursion was in violation of about five different Academy rules, Mr. Snow. Chief amongst them, endangering a Capitol student." Dean Highbottom commented.

"What? Who?" Coriolanus asked confused.

"You and Miss. Reinswood... I'm moving for the Gamemakers to disqualify you as mentor immediately."

"You said we had to get our tributes to perform, not that we had to stay away." Coriolanus said annoyed, while squeezing Emme's hand.

"I'll add insubordination as well." Dean added.

"Holding her hand, Coryo, introducing her to people, you make it look as if we're one and the same as those animals." A student added.

"Coriolanus didn't show those people anything they didn't already know." Sejanus butted in as well.

"I don't need your help, Sejanus." Coriolanus said more annoyed.

"That the tributes are human beings. Just like us. That's why nobody wants to watch the Games. It's because people know deep down that winning a war 10 years ago doesn't justify starving people's children, taking away their freedoms, their rights." Sejanus ranted.

"Snow fell down in the cage. It fell down in the cage but it landed... On stage." A voice suddenly came from the one entrance to the classroom.

"You're good at Games. Maybe one day, you'll be a Gamemaker like me." Dr.Gaul said with a smirk.

"If the Games continue at all." Dean Highbottom mumbled.

"Oh, they'll continue. With performances like young Mr. Snow's and Miss. Reinswood at the zoo. And I came here to ask your star mentor a question." Dr. Gaul pursued, looking at Coriolanus. As people started whispering.

"What are the Hunger Games for?" Dr. Gaul asked. A question that could go one or two ways depending on the person you ask..

"They're to punish the districts for their uprising, to commemorate the end of the war..." Coriolanus said.

"Commemorate the... Dull, dull, dull. Punishment can take myriad forms. Why not drop bombs, cancel food shipments, stage executions?" Dr. Gaul said, clearly not impressed with Coryo's answer.

"Why Games? Shouldn't we be asking ourselves whether or not they're right in the first place?" Sejanus spoke up.

"You have a problem with my Games?" Dr. Gaul asked sternly. Which made Emme shudder.

"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 Carried on.

Which made some look at him in disgust, very little agreed. While his brother rolled his eyes and was begging for him to shut the hell up.

"That sort of sympathy might interfere with your mentoring assignment. Perhaps the Capitol students are ill-suited to be mentoring tributes. Perhaps the Game's time has passed." Dean Highbottom suggested.

"Dean Highbottom is wrong. My classmates, too.Maybe Sejanus is onto something here. Maybe we should be viewing those tributes as human beings. I mean, you saw those kids in the zoo, they just... they just wanted to get to know Lucy Gray." Coriolanus said, while standing up. Emme saw where he was going.

"If we need people to watch, we should be letting others get closer to the tributes before the Games. To make the stakes personal." Emme defended Coriolanus's idea.

He looked at her surprised for a moment before smirking slightly giving their hidden hands a squeeze of appreciation.

"Who will watch the Games if they care what happens to the tributes?" Dr.Gaul asked.

"Everyone." Both Coriolanus and Emme said.

"If they thought the tribute they cared about had a chance of winning. People need someone to root for and someone to root against... We need them to invest." Emme added on.

"And if we bend a few Capitol laws, we could even have them place bets. Look, 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." Coriolanus added further.

"I'd like you and Miss.Reinswood to write up a proposal of these thoughts tonight, Mr. Snow." Dr. Gaul said, seemingly interested.

"Wait. You mean you might actually use their ideas?" Clemensia asked.

"If it'll help the ratings, why not." Dr.Gaul replied.

"Coriolanus and I are class partners, Dr. Gaul. We do all of our assignments together!" Clemensia added. People laughed at her silly reaction.

"It'll be an interesting test." Dr. Gaul said, smirking.