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In Panem’s board leading and highly selective preparatory high school, the name Coriolanus Snow was a name well known by every student.
He was a legacy; his great-great-grandfather donated the east wing back in the days.
He was the head of the debate team, earning many golden trophies for the school, same with Model UN. He was the next student council president too; everyone knew that already. The only reason he wasn’t already was the fact that the last council elections were held when he was a freshman.
He had straight A’s, every professor loved him. (Well, other than one history teacher, but no one really knew what beef Mr. Highbottom had with a 16-year-old boy).
Overall, Coriolanus Snow was the classmate your parents compared you to when you brought home a C.
And of course, he was not only incredibly, devilishly smart, he was a Snow, one of the oldest families in Panem. He was probably loaded with money, at least the ski trips and summers in Europe he mentioned every so often implied that. Not that he flaunted his wealth. If anything, he dressed super normally. His uniform was always ironed, never too small, his hair always perfectly combed, but he would never be caught dead with a leopard print Gucci handbag for his books, unlike Felix Ravenstill, but everybody knew he had no taste so… Besides, the Snow family was not only old money, if anything can be called old money, but extremely private. No balls or anything extravagant. Just that smug smile always on his lips signaling to you, “I’m much better than you are, mortal”.
There was one thing Coriolanus Snow did not have: friends. Not by mistake, too, or because his breath smelled like dead fish (there was a freshman girl who made this mistake), but by choice. He had associates, enemies, people who wanted to be him or be WITH him, but friends… he said no to that the day he stepped foot on the marble stairs of the Academy.
There were exactly two people whom he tolerated on a frequent basis: Clementia Dovecote, smartest girl in school, and Sejanus Plinth the richest boy in school. The second was an odd choice. Sejanus might have been rich, but he was rich from his father’s military startup; aka, he was new money. Something that, combined with his soft heart and unbreakable kindness, set him up for endless bullying since he was 14. But Coriolanus tolerated him… for some reason.
Said toleration led to the start of the Rumor. It all started in PE, the only class Coriolanus Snow detested (other than history, but that he only detested the teacher, not the subject).What use is there to -he argued many times- changing clothes in the middle of the school day to run around doing useless tasks, clearly favorable only towards those who are naturally gifted or built like… like… at this point he always just pointed to Sejanus, as if the other boy’s height or back muscles were there to personally offend him.
That PE class was especially torturous because they were playing volleyball. One day he might understand, though he’d be surprised if so, why all PE teachers adored volleyball. One thing to know about volleyball is that it involves a ball speeding towards you that you have to hit with your hand... or well… it will possibly collide with your nose so hard it knocks you to the floor. Especially if Sejanus Plinth is on the opposing team and, with some strange twist of his stupidly nice heart, he throws the ball directly to you. Or at you. It depends on if you ask Sejanus or Coriolanus.
The point, as the result of these (entirely avoidable by banning PE) events Coriolanus Snow was kneeling on the green linoleum floor of the gym, clutching his bleeding nose, several people- including the teacher, who was now faced with the natural consequences of this stupid form of exercise- the following broken words left his mouth:
-I want my Tigris! Bring me my…- He caught himself, resigning to glaring daggers at anyone, so basically everyone who heard him.
-Your what…? - asked Clementia hesitantly, hovering next to him. Screw her for being good at sports, at least she sucked at literature.
-Nothing- Coriolanus’ face smoothed out, as much as it could from the pain. He recovered already. - Nothing, it’s just a saying. Roman, you wouldn’t know.
-A saying…? It sounded… personal, Snow- Clementia frowned.
-Wait…like an animal? Do you have a – Sejanus added, already kneeling next to Coriolanus, guilt etched onto his face.
-Of course NOT, you bumbling fool! This is all your fault anyway! Now step away before you make it worse! - Coriolanus hollered, his eyes sparkling with anger as the teacher helped him up
- I’m not discussing this and not with you anyway, Plinth! - He added victoriously as he was led away to the school nurse.
His nose might’ve been fine, nothing more than a little swelling, but it was too late, the Rumor had already started, dividing the Academy. Because Coriolanus Snow either was an illegal exotic pet owner or Tigris was a code for something (the options by lunch were: a secret sibling, a government organization, or some secret cool and illegal business of the Snows). It didn’t let up in the following days either.
So, when on Friday Sejanus Plinth finished taking out the books he wanted to bring home for the weekend from his locker, he felt a bit guilty. The Rumor obviously bothered his… kind of friend. He closed the locker door with a heavy sigh only to continue with a surprised shriek:
-Clementia! Oh God, you scared me to death! - he exclaimed, stepping back from the lockers, where indeed Clementia Dovecot was perched up, way too quiet and way too smug looking- What do you want from me anyway?
-Oh Plinth, you wound me! - Clementia flashed him a smile- What if I just…wanted to chat?
-I asked you for the homework in physics last week and you told me you don’t mix with peasants. - Sejanus deadpanned. Clementia rolled her eyes.
-Yeah, fine, fair point! BUT you, Plinth, talk to Snow. A lot too!
-Yes, and what, Clementia? - the unease could be felt in the air as he spoke.
-And…and…do you know what is a “tigris”? - the girl narrowed her eyes.
-No? A heavy sigh left Clementia. -Thought so! Me neither! Whatever a “tigris” is, he keeps it locked and buried! And that is why you and I are going to find out!
-We are? - Sejanus asked, even more confused.
-Yes, we are- Clementia nodded. - Give me your phone, I’ll add you on Instagram and I’ll text you the details of the plan over the weekend.
Sejanus handed over his phone, still too baffled to protest, but once he managed to grasp some of the situation he was in, like Clementia Dovecote adding him on Instagram, he managed to ask:
-Clementia… not that I… I just… what if hedidn't want anyone to know in the first place? Shouldn’t we respect his wishes?
-Live a little, Plinth! - Clementia waved his phone- It’s just harmless curiosity…and I am bored!
-It just…feels a bit invasive...- Sejanus muttered, but he found himself anyway wrapped up in the schemes of Clementia Dovecote.
So, the next week they watched and listened to Coriolanus like a hawk. Coriolanus, who frowned only mildly suspiciously of Clementia and Sejanus suddenly hanging out with each other. A lot too. Anyway, they did notice a few things. Like how he never bought any snacks and only ate the lunch portioned out by the school. How he always left school once classes were done, not being persuaded by anything or anybody to “hang out.” How his collar was slightly, ever so slightly faded. But alas, nothing actually useful.
By day 4, Clementia resorted to straight up questioning him over lunch.
-So… do you guys have any siblings, or are we all only children? - she asked, cutting up her meat. Coriolanus didn’t even look up from his math homework, shaking his head ‘no’.
-Pets?
-No.
-I have a dog, if that counts! His name is Cody- Sejanus tried, but Clementia just gave him a look, continuing.
-Exotic pets?
-No.- Coriolanus still sounded bored, finishing his soup.
-You are not very subtle! -Sejanus added this time; he gave the look to Clementia.
-I’m thorough at least! - she smiled. Coriolanus rolled his eyes at their banter, then stood up
- If you two are done interrogating me, I have better uses of my time.
And with that he just left them, without even saying a single “bye”. Clementia’s eyes narrowed as she looked after him. -Meet me in the school library after classes, Plinth!
-Why? - Sejanus asked, slight mortification in his voice.
-You’ll see...
And that is how Sejanus Plinth found himself sitting in front of one of the fancy school computers as Clementia declared: -I’m hacking into his student account.
-You what?!
-Hacking him- she gave him one of her wide, innocent smiles, already clicking away.
-Clementia! This has to be illegal! - Sejanus Plinth bit his nails nervously as glancing at the girl. - He will sue us! Oh God, how do I tell my Father the Snows are suing us?!
-C'mon Plinth! His password is..."snowlandsontop123"! He deserved to get hacked. - said the girl rolling her eyes, not even looking up from the computer- If anything, he is lucky, he gets hacked only by us!
-This has to be a privacy violation…- Sejanus sighed burying his face in his hands.
-Only if you get caught! - he heard, and he was pretty sure he had already seen the school database’s website pulled up on the screen.
-That’s not how legality works… This is so unethical!
- I ethically need to know what a “tigris” is! - she protested- Now let’s see…
Sejanus closed his eyes quietly, hoping he could just pray himself away from the moment when he heard a soft “Oh” from Clementia. When he looked up her smug smile was gone. He couldn’t help but look at the screen:
EMERGENCY CONTACT: Tigris Snow – Cousin- Click here for phone number
His eyes flew down to “ADRESS” where instead of a mansion or at least anything uptown, there was a zip code most parents of the student body pretended didn’t exist. Financial aid flagged too.
-Clementia, I’m begging you to close the tab! - and for once he didn’t have to ask twice. They sat in heavy silence for a minute before…
-Do you think his parents are…?
-Probably.
-And Tigris is not a pet but…
-His cousin- He nodded- Now we know. I hope you are happy; can we stop now?
And they did. Until next Wednesday. Because curiosity, especially in teenagers, is a strange thing. Sejanus was helping Clementia carry her books to class early in the morning (which she took 100% advantage of) when she suddenly said:
-We could…go see his Tigris. I mean…what does Snow’s cousin even look like? I couldn’t find her online either!
-Clementia, I thought we agreed to…
But ultimately that afternoon, Sejanus Plinth and Clementia Dovecote were standing next to an old building downtown. There was a closed-down bakery and some stairs, leading to what they assumed were flats upstairs. Sejanus sighed as he followed Clementia up the stairs. They’ll definitely get sued now. At least he hoped they’d get away before model UN ended.
The stairway and the hall had a strange smell of cabbage and oil. It looked lived in too. Clementia stopped in front of a door that had a pink “Barbie” doormat in front of it and to Sejanus’ dismay she knocked.
A few seconds later the door opened and there she was, the mysterious Tigris. She looked exactly like Coriolanus if he was born a girl, expect instead of his usual condescending smile she had crow’s feet around her eyes, her blond wavy hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, and she was wearing a light pink sweater and a miniskirt.
-Hi? Can I help you? -she smiled at them. -Uhm…- Clementia froze for exactly half a second before recovering- HI! We are friends of Coriolanus!
-Oh! - Tigris’s face lit up as she clasped her hands together- Coryo has friends?
Sejanus winced internally but with a slight overlook of details…- Yes, we can…say that. - He gave her a weak smile.
-Oh, that’s wonderful! - Tigris chuckled stepping aside- Come in, come in! He didn’t mention planning on having anyone over so please overlook the mess…
She went on picking up various fabric in the surprisingly small but cozy living room. There was a sewing machine on the kitchen table too, that Tigris was packing away. - I was working but if I had known! Come sit, I’ll make you some tea while we wait for him!
Thirty minutes later the old lock clicked on the door, Coriolanus Snow stepping through it throwing his schoolbag on the coatrack- Tigris, I’m… He froze as he saw not one, but two additional coats on the rack. Two extra shoes by the door as well.
Turned around very slowly, then stopped dead in his track. His eyes flicked in dangerous silence from Clementia, perched up on the couch, to Tigris, then Sejanus in the armchair by the window. To the mugs on the coffee table. Back to Tigris.
-What – he started in a carefully, dangerously low voice- are they doing here? Tigris just beamed at him getting up from her seat
- Your friends came to visit!
The color slowly drained from his face, as his eyes simultaneously sparked up with anger.
- My what?
-Your friends- she repeated, stepping to the kettle, seemingly to offer him some tea too- Isn’t it nice?
Coriolanus didn’t yell like Sejanus expected him to. He very slowly unbuttoned his coat looking at them with sharp eyes, the ones of an actual tiger assessing his territory and prey. Clementia Dovecote was sitting on their old discount couch, with Tigris’ quilt on her lap looking at the bookshelf across the room. Sejanus Plinth was sitting in his armchair. His armchair, by the window, where light filtered through just right in the afternoon hours and where the heater was the closest during winters.
-You are sitting in my armchair Sejanus- he said in a dangerously sweet and pleasant voice stepping into the living room.
-I… I didn’t know, oh God, I can-
-Get up Sejanus! - he smiled, his teeth flashing. - Now.
Sejanus stood up faster than lighting, scrambling over to sit next to Clementia on the couch.
- Okay! Okay! I’m up.
Meanwhile Coriolanus lowered himself into his armchair. He took his mug, from his worried looking cousin, in HIS apartment, which they have seen. - Explain yourself!
-Coryo- Tigris started her hand going to the younger Snow’s shoulder but he shrugged her away. They have seen it all. Everything. The sewing machine, the neighborhood the… he stopped himself in his spiral. He took a sip of his tea.
-I don’t care! Explain how are you here! - he hoped he sounded composed. Considering how terrified Sejanus looked, and the fact that even though Clementia wasn’t looking at him he did well.
-Well…funny story- the girl started. Coriolanus’ eyes narrowed. Of course it was her fault. Sejanus was smart but not like this.
-If it involves a sentence I don’t like, I’m never talking to you again Clemmie!
-It is going to involve several- the girl chuckled nervously before the words came rushing out- So... I… hacked into your student account! Tigris gasped. He felt his hands shake
- You what!?
-For a very brief amount of time! - she rushed to add nudged by Sejanus- And only because you have zero online presence! You are like a gosht with a GPA, Snow!
-And we are very sorry! -Sejanus added holding up his hands. Coriolanus just stared into his teacup.
- That has to be illegal…
-That’s what I said too, but...
-In my defense-
-There’s no defense for going through my files Clemmie! -he exclaimed and he seemed just about ready to throw hands like a dramatic TV housewife (even if considering that Clementia was the volleyball team’s captain and Sejanus… was Sejanus it wouldn’t have ended well for him)
-…your password is “snowlandsontop123”!
The room went quiet. Tigris covered her mouth, eyes wide and… Sejanus sweared he heard a giggle.
-Tigris! - Coriolanus exclaimed looking up at her- Don’t take their- That’s not the point!
-That’s exactly the point! It was so easy I only felt bad after! - Clementia gained back some of her usual smugness, but Sejanus interjected.
-Once again: I told her many times not to, with words like “illegal” and “crime”!
-And yet- Coriolanus’ eyes flashed with anger- Here you are! Both! In my home! How…wonderful!
Before he could go on Tigris placed a hand on his shoulder- Coryo, sweetheart they, didn’t mean to be cruel! They were just curious! And they are your friends…
-I, for the last time, don’t have friends!
-Ouch-Sejanus winced.
-Coryo- Sejanus watched in bewilderment as seemingly a whole conversation happened between the Snow cousins in just their eyes. Finally, Coriolanus sighed. He still looked like he wanted to scream at them but…
-You can finish your tea. Then you leave! And if anyone whispers about where I live… I’ll kill your stupid dog Plinth!
-Coryo! - Tigris exclaimed, and Coriolanus rolled his eyes.
-Or I won’t…but you’ll be socially dead. Both of you.
So, they did, filing out of the flat around 6 pm under Coriolanus’ stormy gaze, who in fact shut the door behind them with more force than needed.
The next few days made it clear: Coriolanus Snow was holding a grudge. He would not talk to them, choosing to ignore them even in class. For lunch he sat with Felix Ravenstill and his ridiculous Gucci bag even. He was willing to take this to his grave.
Well, he was until Friday afternoon he was sitting in the living room- in his armchair- cutting up study cards. He heard a knock on the door. No one ever knocked on their door. He sighed, rolling his eyes as he got up. He already knew who that must be and he in fact was ready to shut the door in their face.
But then… there they stood. Even Clementia looked apologetic, not to mention Sejanus’ kicked puppy dog eyes.
-Why are you here? - he raised his eyebrows.
-We wanted to... apologize. For hacking your account- Clementia said avoiding eye contact. He wondered just what Sejanus had on him to make her say that. Maybe there was more into Plinth than he thought. Speaking of…Sejanus held up a plastic container.
-Yeah! And we brought cookies! My Ma made them they are pretty nice if you…
Coriolanus sighed once more rolling his eyes. But those cookies were famously good. Then he stepped aside.
- Come in. Don’t make me say it again! And they did, kicking off their shoes and shrugging off their coats as if they were seasoned visitors following him into the living room- You can put the cookies on the table Plinth- he gestured absentmindedly.
-Thanks, Coryo!
-That nickname is for family only and do not beam!
-Is this a…laminator?
-DON’T TOUCH THAT!