Chapter 10 Family
The remaining districts went by as quickly as Commander Snow could manage. When Sage asked about the rush, he would only say that he wanted to get to District 2 on schedule. She remembered that he had planned to meet Titus there, not to mention the man's brother, who might be able to find Carter's lost love.
Sage dreaded stepping foot in the Spartan district after killing their well trained volunteers with such an 'underhanded' method. Whereas the other districts lost their children unexpectedly with little chance of gaining them back, Districts 1 and 2 always expected at least one to return. Sage had denied them that joy and if they weren't simply pained by the loss, then it was their pride that was injured. Either way Sage expected their hate and nothing else.
Snow seemed to pick up on her thoughts as she stood quiet and withdrawn while waiting for the door of the train to open onto the station. He wrapped an arm around her briefly before exiting towards the concrete platform. He only looked away from her when he saw Titus approaching with an escort.
"Took you long enough," the huge man said with a friendly smirk as he walked up close and gave Coriolanus a welcoming one-arm hug, but Sage could hear as the peacekeeper leaned close and whispered, "I heard about the gift." Snow only nodded in response before turning to Sage and offering his arm. She took it and clung securely close.
"Have you seen Valerius?" Snow didn't allow any waver in his business-like tone.
"Yes, he's with Slate now. We'll meet them after the speech," Titus replied.
"Good," Snow started walking with a confident step. Sage kept pace with them quietly, but she soon noticed Titus looking over to her.
"Slate has the crowd organized, but it's not pretty out there," he warned. Snow then looked from him to Sage. He pulled his arm from her grip to wrap it securely around her.
"She'll be fine. We both know district 2 won't start a riot. They're too proud to sink to that level," Snow's tone was confident as they continued to walk up and out of the lower level station. A car was waiting at the street-level exit to take them to the Hall of Justice and the stage that was waiting for Sage.
...
Sage tried not to look out onto the crowd as she recited the now memorized speech. Every face bore a hard cold glare and there was only dead silence among them. It left Sage feeling as if they were trying to crush her with it. The wall of faces didn't even seem to breathe and again there were the gigantic posters of the tributes looking just as strong and confident as when they made their first kill in the arena.
She rushed the last lines and it only seemed to gain her more disdain from the crowd, if that was possible. There was no response at the end; no applause of any kind. She scanned the massive gathering one last time before looking away towards Snow. As if on cue, the people all turned their backs on her.
Snow pulled her close and walked her into the Hall of Justice with Titus and the peacekeepers around them as escort. The inside of the building didn't resemble the facilities of the previous districts. Peacekeepers moved orderly along perfectly polished floors. Security cameras peered down from various corners of the busy space. There were more doors and more still that had a control access panel. The walls were decorated with Capitol propaganda or distinguished officers from the ranks. It was a crowded yet orderly and intimidating nerve center. Somehow it did not reassure Sage. She hoped they wouldn't need to be here for very long.
Led along by Snow, she found the three of them walking over to a pair of men who stood talking briefly before they approached.
The younger man quickly noticed them and turned to formally salute.
"Commander Snow, it's very good to receive you again," he stated with a sense of pride.
"Thank you, Slate. You'll forgive me if I dispense with all formalities and confiscate a conference room."
"Of course, Sir," he replied with a nod. Snow then turned to Geri and Carter who had been silently following through with the motions and politely told them they were no longer needed. Geri's warm demeanor seemed dampened by the atmosphere and she nodded in agreement. Carter took a moment to look over the men before he too forced himself to nod and do as he was told. He looked back once amidst Geri's muttering about how this tour had changed so drastically.
Sage suddenly realized the older peacekeeper standing with Slate had taken a chilling interest in her. He was a good ten or fifteen years older than Snow and stood tall with the aid of a cane. His hair was grey, but his stone face with its square jaw and lean look bore few wrinkles. His studying gaze resembled Snow's, but the emptiness behind it felt like a soulless void. When Snow extended his hand towards him, Sage found herself shrinking a small half-step back. There was something off about him that told her she'd be foolish to write him off as nothing but an aging soldier.
"Valerius, it's good to see you again," he said while he shook the man's hand.
"It would be better if it were under different circumstances, Coriolanus," Valerius replied mechanically as he returned the gesture with strict politeness. Slate then offered to direct them to a room where they could have some privacy. Sage could hardly breathe as she clung to Snow's arm with Valerius walking on her other side. The sound of his cane hitting the floor created a strangely ominous echo that made her shiver. It was hard to believe that this cold man was Titus' brother after seeing how warm the Head Peacekeeper could be when he was around Coriolanus.
Sage sat as far from Valerius as possible in the conference room, but she soon realized that the men insisted on standing.
"I received your message regarding the avox," Valerius started in a faintly annoyed tone as he turned his gaze back to Snow.
"And?"
"I apologize, but couldn't find anything on her," he answered coolly. Sage watched Snow pause for a long second, staring into Valerius before nodding in response. Sage then saw Snow turn to her for a moment, but she didn't want to meet his gaze. She had sincerely hoped to find an answer.
"That's unfortunate," he said and then paused politely for a small moment. Sage tried to keep her mind from picturing Carter. After a small moment, Snow changed the subject.
"As I explained to Titus, upon arriving in the Capitol I will announce my cadency. No doubt Blud has already been hunting for my replacement," he said before looking to Valerius who's focus was elsewhere.
"Are you sure she should be present for this conversation?" Valerius asked as he nodded towards Sage.
"Yes." Snow's reply was clear and it lifted Sage's heart. She heard Valerius sigh before continuing with his response.
"With your elimination in mind, Deputy Cestus has offered to take your place. Slate would then replace him as deputy," Valerius stated.
"Good. Keeping distance with Cestus has allowed Blud to think he's outside of our little circle; However, I doubt the same could be said for you, my friend," Snow suggested as he crossed his arms.
"I'm aware of your concern and I have already taken steps to see that Blud is misled should he turn his attention towards our family with any malicious intent," Valerius paused with a faintest scowl, "With the exclusion of Titus, obviously," the elder man eyed his younger brother with scrutiny before continuing. "And while you both have chosen to create a united front, I still appear very loyal towards him."
"Are you sure he will believe that facade considering Titus' involvement?" Snow questioned.
"No doubt he'll find some way to test it and possibly give away his hand. Meanwhile, you need to start your media assault," Valerius replied, revealing that this was a plan that had been long in the works.
"It's already started. All the president's dirty laundry is being aired as we speak. His publicity secretary will be working overtime to counter every claim, but with so much in the spotlight the damage will quickly wash away his support. Blood will be in the water so to speak," Snow smirked cruelly with the soft pun, "and even those he had intimidated will think he no longer has the power to make good on any threat," Snow's tone was cold and callous, but Sage tried to ignore it. Clearly this was something that needed to happen if she too wanted the old president removed.
She listened quietly to the long conversation of schedules, meetings and security concerns. None took notice of her, but she saw how Valerius continually glanced at Titus as if he were unsure of his own brother or perhaps just worried. Being Snow's personal protection was obviously a dangerous position. It was the most emotion she saw from the man throughout the discussion.
On the other hand, Titus' main focus was Snow. He stood close enough to be the Commander's shadow and never raised a question until it was over.
"Do you think you can spare a night?" he asked after Head Peacekeeper Slate left. Snow paused and turned to him curiously.
"You haven't seen them yet?" he asked.
"You know how fast paperwork moves around these days. I was lucky to have arrived before you did," Titus answered as he finally flashed his warm smirk. "Com'on, I'm sure Val told Regs and she's probably cooking for all of us right now," he added. Snow considered it a moment before turning to Sage.
"Sage, would care to have dinner with the Pike family?" he asked curiously. Sage was caught unawares by the question. She looked from Snow to Titus and then to Valerius, who was just getting up to leave after sitting for the latter half of the meeting.
"I don't know," she confessed.
"No," Valerius spoke up. "I don't advise it. The three of you should return to the train," he added with a demanding look focused purely on Snow. Coriolanus seemed to take in the glance a second before nodding in agreement.
"Agreed," he replied as Titus huffed in disappointment, but didn't argue.
"Give them a hug for me," he asked his brother, who promptly shook his head.
"I will be staying here to complete work that has gone neglected thanks to this meeting. They know that you love them," he started for the doorway to follow Slate.
"It's not the same, Val," Titus commented dryly. Valerius paused and sighed.
"I'm not hugging, Gallus," he seemed to grumble as he looked back at Titus, who's face warmed.
"You won't have a choice with him," he grinned. Valerius rolled his eyes before walking out. Coriolanus chuckled a little at the exchange.
"He'll be just as upset at not seeing you," he said before offering his hand to Sage and helping her from her seat.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want to be Val tonight. Regs will dig into him too over his paranoia," Titus replied as he got the door for the two of them.
"His paranoia has a good point," Snow countered.
"Yeah," Titus seemed forced to confess.
"I'm sorry, Titus. It sounds like you miss them a lot," Sage spoke up. Titus sighed but gave her a kindly smile.
"It's been a few years," he admitted wistfully.
"You would have liked them, Sage. Regula is very kind and Gallus is… entertaining," he added with a smirk. Titus laughed.
"Entertaining?" Sage questioned quizzically.
"If you think Titus is big and obnoxious, then you haven't seen anything. Gallus is a huge, loud, nearly intolerable quarry miner who thoroughly enjoys cracking Valerius' stones," Snow explained with a grin.
"Who are you calling 'obnoxious'?" Titus questioned with a smirk as they walked through the halls and back to their escort.
...
Dinner was a hearty roast for once and Sage knew it was in honor of Titus. Of course, Geri complain bitterly at the large chunks or the lack of expensive spices, but Sage couldn't help a smirk. Snow didn't need to ask about Carter's absence. The man hadn't been the same since he shared his story with Sage. Instead of concerning himself with it, he happily turned his attention to Titus, who ate as if he had not seen a meal in weeks. Sage had to admit that this lighthearted atmosphere was more than needed for the moment with so much waiting to descend upon them once they reach the Capitol.
"So, Titus, how did you meet Coriolanus?" Sage had to ask. She watched the man smile as he put his fork down.
"We were in the academy together. I was his squad leader at the time, but I knew that wasn't going to last. Snow had the stuff to go far, but not everyone liked that idea. There was a prank and it got him in some hot water," Titus glanced at his friend.
"The prank was on me, but it was my words that got repeated by that idiotic jabberjay," Coriolanus scowled at the memory before continuing, "Damn creature spied on me and made sure our superiors knew exactly what I thought of them, though I tried to deny it was my voice."
"There was no denying that singing voice," Titus chuckled.
"Singing?" Sage questioned.
"It spied on me in the shower," Snow grumbled into his wine glass. Sage giggled.
"So that landed us both in the academy's head office," Titus continued, "I had no knowledge that it happened, but Snow was in my squad so I was questioned too. They basically wanted me to agree that the prank didn't matter in the face of what it repeated. Frankly, I saw it like this… I could either stand with those dolts and the morons who arranged the prank, or I could stand with Snow," Titus looked fondly towards Snow.
"And he made the right choice," Snow returned the look.
"Of course that meant we were thrown onto a train, and sent all the way out to District 11 as a punishment, but I still think they were just worried Snow wouldn't take long to outrank them," he winked at Sage as he said it.
"Oh," Sage realized what it meant. They were right to be worried. Here he was only twenty-nine and already Commander. "So you spent a long time on District 11 together before you went to 8?"
"And he hated it," Titus chuckled, "Snowflake couldn't stand the dirt, the sweat, the cold showers," he continued to grin. Sage watched Coriolanus grimace as he remembered.
"Or the smelly peacekeeper who never took full advantage of said showers and snored loud enough to wake the whole barracks," Snow added with a smirk. Sage couldn't help a giggle as Titus returned the smirk.
"Like there was any water left for me after you were done," he replied.
"There was plenty," Snow countered. Titus looked back to Sage.
"The soap would be gone too. It's like he expected to go on a hot date every evening and he would have had one if he didn't give them all frostbite," Titus accused.
"I had other concerns," Snow replied before he took a sip of his wine.
"I have to say though, I still miss the sparing matches," Titus grinned.
"Of course, how could you not miss repeatedly throwing me on my ass," Snow grumbled over his glass.
"Sparing matches?" Sage questioned curiously.
"Snowflake wanted to know how to fight. Being an ex-volunteer for the games, I had a lot of experience to impart," Titus explained.
"And a lot of pain as well," Snow scowled slightly. Titus laughed.
"You asked for it," he turned to Sage, "His ass was so sore once, he refused to sit on the bar stool all night! Of course he wouldn't admit it, but I knew exactly how hard he hit the dirt," Titus's grin was jovial with a touch of smugness, but still good natured. Sage couldn't help giggling and even Geri dared to laugh at the thought of Coriolanus Snow with a bruised rear end.
"I think that's enough old stories for one night," Snow put his glass down.
"Aww com'on, Frosty! You know she's going to hear all of it eventually," Titus picked up his glass of ale.
"Not if I can help it," Snow countered.
"Are you threatening to turn me into an avox?" Titus chuckled though the joke wasn't received well by Sage.
"Keep it up and I might," is was clearly a bluff with the smile on Snow's face, but Sage couldn't find the will to laugh. Both men seemed to pick up on the silence and changed the subject.
"I guess I'm sleeping here tonight. I hope the walls are thick," Titus said before taking a long drought of the ale.
"Make yourself comfortable. I'm sure Geri can show you to a spare room," Snow replied as he finished his wine.
"Sounds like you're going somewhere," Titus observed as an air of seriousness came over him.
"Yes, I'm going to reach out to my contacts in the Capitol. I'm sure Sage would be happy to keep you company in the meantime," he said as he smiled briefly before exiting to the communications room of the train.
...
Geri had taken her leave oddly early. Perhaps she had grown tired of trying to fake interest in a conversation where she was not wanted. Surely she'd be happier when she got back to the Capitol and could launch herself into multiple interviews with her cronies. No doubt she'll rant more than rave at this rate. Sage was beginning to feel sorry that she felt shoved to the side, but it was better this way. Geri was safer if she was seen as a 'nobody' in the grand scheme of things.
Sage felt a touch of nervousness being left along with the large peacekeeper, but she had to admit it was a great opportunity to get some questions answered as she watched him settle and sink into the plush furniture. He smiled at her amiably as she came over and sat across from him.
"He's called you his family," Sage mentioned to start the conversation. Titus nodded.
"He's more than a brother. Val even considers him part of our family," he replied as the smile continued.
"He never mentions his own family," Sage noted as she looked to Titus wondering if he would divulge this secretive childhood that Coriolanus didn't care to talk about. His smile faded slightly as he looked to the side in thought for a moment. Perhaps he was judging whether or not to guard the secret.
"Snow never got along well with his adopted parents," he answered.
"He's adopted?" That was a new bit. She watched Titus nod. He leaned forward onto his knees and placed his glass on the coffee table before continuing.
"Snow was a year old when the war broke out. His parents died in it and he was found by a peacekeeper as one of the sole survivors of an avalanche caused by an aerial bombardment. He was up in a mountain ski resort area just outside the Capitol in District 1. I hear the area is a popular vacation spot for Capitol residents. In the summer its primary business is flowers, especially roses," he paused to let her absorb the information. In truth, it answered a lot in one fell swoop.
"But... he's from the Capitol, isn't he?" she asked. Titus nodded again.
"The orphans from the nearby areas, like this resort place, were brought to a Capitol orphanage. Once the war was over there were so many of these poor kids that the president found a way to make it popular to adopt. He didn't want to keep funding the institutions. Coriolanus was friends with another boy and both were adopted by a wealthy family," he explained.
"So he has a brother?" she ventured, but this time Titus shook his head solemnly as his smile dropped to match his somber tone.
"Had a brother. He died from an accidental allergic reaction when they were both fourteen. Coriolanus doesn't like to mention him. I think there is some guilt since after they were adopted it became obvious that his new parents favored his adoptive brother over him. This is why he never speaks of them, Sage," Titus looked down as he said it, as if he too had a regret in the story.
Sage was suddenly tense as her mind traveled to a wild idea. It was too terrible to put to words and she would never dare ask, but it was there in the back of her mind all the same. Snow had a brother who died suddenly; a brother who was held above him. She looked back to Titus to reassure her that the man she was in love with couldn't be that same disturbing child that all at once haunted her mind.
As if on cue, he looked up and smiled at her warmly, the warmth that he seemed to put into his dear friend any time the two were together. Perhaps it was Snow who put the hard edge in Titus when it came to being the dreaded head peacekeeper of District 11.
"I'm sure he's going to tear into me for telling you the story, but he loves you. He would have had to tell you some time," he added. So it was the truth. If Titus was saying it, then it had to be the absolute truth. Coriolanus Snow was in love with her. The concrete fact did a quick job of wiping away the anxiety that she had just felt. The relief made her sink back into the couch with her eyes closed. She nodded to Titus with a soft smile.
"I won't let him be too hard on you," she replied kindly. Titus let out a lighthearted laugh.
"Good luck!"
(Thank you all for putting up with my delays. Chapter 11 will be up on June 8th. Pinky swear!)