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CHAPTER NINE:
THE TRIAL BEGINS
Lucy Gray shot up wide awake before the sun had poked its head over the great mountains surrounding the city. She always had a difficult time sleeping in new places. Well, sleeping in the Capitol. Her shaking hands tightened around the covers while her mind replayed the vivid nightmare of some freakish zombie that resembled Coral discovering her location and dragging her out of bed to be slaughtered with her trident.
Coriolanus slept incredibly comfortable beside her, likely free from many worries for the first time in weeks since he returning home. She wished he would lend her some of his peace because she mostly felt terror. His pale arm draped over her waist, always protective of her. She tried to sink down under his embrace and go back to sleep, but that soon seemed impossible. She gently untangled herself from him and stood up. Her back throbbed, feeling worse than it had yesterday. She rummaged through her bag for the cream and tried her best to apply it over her burns. She couldn't reach them very well, so she would have to get Coriolanus to put some more on for her later.
Her feet gratefully explored the soothing carpet on the floor as she sank beside the trunk to pull out her clothes. Before, she had always known the subtle discomfort of the hard cold ground beneath her when she woke up in the morning. She knew Coriolanus wasn't impressed by his family's new living quarters, but she had never lived anywhere so comfortable. The mattress wasn't old and springy and the wind didn't blow open the windows at night which, unlike her old home, were properly latched and free from cracks. And she had slept with a full stomach. The Covey would think she was living like a little queen at the moment.
She didn't bother to save her nicer attire for some special occasion. In the Capitol, every day seemed appropriate for her velvet performance dress, her bronze belt, and a fresh pair of flower printed tights. She laced up her precious purple boots, smiling at the thought of Coriolanus mending them for her. She glanced over at his sleeping silhouette. He would buy her an entire treasure chest of clothes if he could afford it. He had promised her that he would someday. However, she didn't think she'd ever cherish any of his future gifts as much as her fresh boots, given to her at a time when both of them had very little to offer than their physical affection toward each other.
She combed back her hair, using a few drops of her prized rosemary oil only reserved for shows to smooth out her curls. There was a small mirror by the closet door, and Lucy Gray surveyed her appearance. She looked a bit worn down in the face, but overall lively in her show clothes. This was the best she could do for now.
Somebody was already up when Lucy Gray stepped out into the living area. She prayed it wasn't Coriolanus' grandmother. That woman had despised her the moment they had locked eyes. However, if she was going to put on a show while she lived here, his grandmother would have to be her most sought after audience member. Her praise could mean the difference between her staying in this safe apartment or out wandering foreign Capitol streets. Perhaps, now could be her chance to represent herself.
A tall, angular woman was cooking something at the stove. It was Coriolanus' cousin, Tigris. She was already dressed for the morning, wearing a flowing baby pink dress with a colorful scarf in her platinum blond hair. She reminded Lucy Gray of a fairy or a princess in those old tales her mother used to tell her at night before bed. She certainly acted like a princess. Lucy Gray had known that from their first interaction. She felt confident that Tigris wouldn't push her away.
"Good mornin'," she spoke, her voice still gravely from sleep. Tigris looked over her shoulder.
"Lucy Gray! I didn't think you'd be up this early. Is Coryo still asleep?" She asked. She nodded, taking a step into the kitchen light.
"Can I help you with anything?" Lucy Gray was rather talented in the kitchen. Well, talented in the sense that she could turn anything stale or on the verge of being rotten into edible sustenance.
"You're too kind. I guess you could help me peel these," Tigris pointed to the sack of potatoes on the counter. "They're not much, but I'm usually able to afford them at the market," she admitted, her cheeks pink. Lucy Gray wasn't quite sure why both Coriolanus and his cousin felt embarrassed by her of all people witnessing their poverty. They seemed to hold on desperately to outward appearances.
"I understand. I'd be happy to help you," she returned, getting to work immediately. She felt at ease beside Tigris in the kitchen. She didn't feel judged like she had when her grandmother was in the room. Tigris spoke to her as if they were newly acquainted friends. She asked her questions about her home back in Twelve, about the proposal, and about the journey here.
"I'm sorry about how my grandmother treated you," Tigris mentioned after some time while they were placing a potato casserole in the oven. "She's been set in her ways since she was a child. Then, there was the war... It's just difficult changing once you get older, you know?"
"It's alright. I know how most people view me here. I was worried that this wasn't a good idea," Lucy Gray confessed. "But Coriolanus was set on bringin' me here. He didn't want to stay in Twelve. And I... I don't know what I would have done without him," she added.
"My cousin possess a sense of ambition unlike anyone I've ever known. If he wants people to accept you here, then he'll make it happen. Besides, you'll always have a friend in this house," Tigris smiled, squeezing her hand.
"I love your dress, by the way," she exclaimed, admiring Lucy Gray's skirt. "I haven't seen a style quite like it in the Capitol. I remember being enthralled by your rainbow dress during the games."
"Thank you," Lucy Gray beamed, smoothing out the velvet. "Many of my clothes were my mama's or my auntie's. I enjoy wearin' somethin' from another time... before the war and the games," she spoke wistfully.
"I think your style would make a great fashion line here. I can see it now-Lucy Gray's star quality collection!" She declared. Lucy Gray's laughter was cut short by the loud slam of a cane to their left.
"I apologize for the interruption. Is the tea brewing, my dear?" The Grandma'am demanded, emerging into the early morning light seeping through the windows. Lucy Gray wondered if she had been spying on them.
"Yes, Grandma'am. I'll pour you some," Tigris assured, pulling out a chair for her grandmother to sit in. There was a terrible silence that followed other than the trickle of tea spilling into an elegant cup. Lucy Gray made the split decision between cowering like a discovered stowaway or greeting the Grandma'am like a distinguished guest. She summoned up her charms and addressed the old woman.
"How are you this mornin', ma'am?"
The Grandma'am dared to look at Lucy Gray's face, a bit taken aback to discover a sincere and innocent look behind those wide brown eyes. She seemed pretty, at least. Not in a seductive, misleading way. Her clothes were nothing to praise, but the Grandma'am didn't expect much from a district tramp. Her hair seemed combed and her nails clean. In truth, she appeared much more put together than when she had first met her yesterday. For a moment, she dismissed the thought that she was hosting someone from District Twelve in her home and acknowledged her.
"A bit peachy. I'm in need of tea and some breakfast."
"Grandma'am, Lucy Gray helped me prepare a potato casserole, your favorite," Tigris nudged, setting down the teacup in front of her. The Grandma'am raised her white eyebrows in mock interest.
"Well, I always thought we could use a maid around here," she snipped before sipping her tea with impeccable grace. Tigris grimaced. Her Grandma'am always had a snide way of slipping in just the right insult to derail a good conversation. She was about to defend Lucy Gray when the girl spoke up.
"I'll do anything that a maid would do around here, if only you won't kick Coriolanus and myself out of your apartment. At least, until the Capitol issues our own apartment when he begins his job as an officer," Lucy Gray declared, keeping her head held high.
"Well, I would never kick out my own grandson," the Grandma'am retorted, offended by such a suggestion.
"Alright, then just myself. I don't want to be separated from him, and I don't know how I'll survive out there if I don't have a place to stay," Lucy Gray rephrased. She realized that she had once again found herself at the hands of a Capitol citizen who possessed the power to determine her fate.
"What do you want out of him? Money, status?" the Grandma'am interrogated. Tigris let out a small moan that went ignored.
"I don't want nothin' out of him. I just want him. I would have been perfectly happy with him back in Twelve," Lucy Gray professed, refusing to break eye contact with the Grandma'am's cold and piercing gaze, so similar to her Coriolanus.
"Hm. I guess we'll see as time goes on," she murmured, leaning back in her chair. Lucy Gray wasn't quite sure what that meant. If she was to be put on trial, then she supposed she would have to accept it.
Coriolanus approached the tension filled kitchen, wearing his peacekeeper's uniform. He had planned to head to the Department, debating whether he should bring Lucy Gray or risk having her endure the wrath of his grandmother. Lucy Gray saw him, her shoulders slumping in relief.
"Good morning. I must be off to speak with the commander about my post. Lucy Gray, would you like to accompany me?" He asked, hoping she would assent. From the look on his Grandma'am's face, she seemed as though she was trying to restrain some nasty comment. It was probably better for her to have a break to process the two of them being here.
"Or, Coryo, Lucy Gray could come with me to Fabricia's shop. She was a big fan of her during the games, and I think she'd like to see her clothes," Tigris offered, smiling kindly at Lucy Gray.
"Alright, if she'd like to. I should be back here before-"
There was a rapid knock on the door. Tigris was about to rise to answer it, but Coriolanus reached the door first. If it happened to be anyone that he knew, perhaps it was best to rip off the bandaid and face the awkward questions he would have to answer about his abrupt departure. At least, he had returned to the Capitol as a kind of war hero deserving of praise. After all, he did kill a rebel, Billy Taupe.
He found himself face to face with a weary face that resembled Sejanus Plinth, sending a chill down his back. He was reminded of his last conversation with him on the dark road in Twelve. But it was his father, Strabo Plinth, who stood tensely.
"Mr. Plinth, what a pleasure to see you again after some time," Coriolanus greeted him, maintaining his proper manners in the presence of the rich and influential man.
"Hello Coriolanus, I'm sorry I-" Strabo choked, threatening to break down. He furiously rubbed his watering eyes and removed his fedora, clutching it to the point of bending it in half.
"What's the matter?" Coriolanus asked, taken aback by his fragile state.
"Oh, it's my boy. Sejanus," Strabo got out. "I need any information that I can about him. I heard from someone that you made it back to the city, so I took the chance of coming here to talk to you."
Sejanus. Of course, who else would cause constant anxiety in his parents' life? Coriolanus suspected that Strabo had heard by now about how his son had betrayed Panem and endangered his life by trying to help rebel scum.
"Yes, I just arrived yesterday. Please, why don't you come in," Coriolanus offered, opening the door wider. He couldn't let the poor man make a fool of himself out in the hallway. He generously took his hat and trench coat, hanging them on the wobbly coat rack hardly decent for any house. Sudden dread fell upon him as he escorted Strabo through the embarrassment of the Snow's current estate. There was no way to hide their poverty from him. Coriolanus gestured to an empty kitchen chair while the family greeted him, except for Lucy Gray who didn't recognize him. The Grandma'am offered Strabo tea and some breakfast, but he refused. He was too troubled to eat.
"Sejanus has gone missing. You know, after the rebel invasion of the peacekeeper's base in Twelve. I can't help but wonder if... if he was somehow apart of all that. I don't know how the peacekeepers haven't caught him yet. I need to know what has become of him," Strabo addressed Coriolanus with a desperate look. It was strange to watch such a powerful man succumb to this pitiful state.
"I couldn't say where he is... He'll be in a lot of trouble if he was involved," Coriolanus returned with furrowed brows. He decided to refrain from revealing more knowledge until he could determine the outcome. It may be dangerous to mention that he knew how Sejanus had conspired with the rebels. He could be punished as well for not speaking up. Unfortunately, Coriolanus had predicted how his ridiculous entanglement with Sejanus would have its consequences in the end and yet did nothing to stop it.
"You were his friend once. Sejanus told me that you two were squad members in Twelve. Please, if you know of anything, say it. I won't reveal anything you say to the authorities. My wife and I just want to hear something, anything regarding our son," Strabo disclosed. Coriolanus suspected that he was telling the truth, but the risk was still there. He decided he wouldn't reveal anything without a price. Money would be the thing to tempt him to speak.
"At the moment, I don't know of his whereabouts. He was still in Twelve the last time I saw him. I'm terribly sorry. I'm sure that he'll eventually turn up," he relayed. He wouldn't lie to the man, but he certainly wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a distinct answer until offers were on the table. Strabo Plinth extracted his hanker chief, wiping his damp face with it.
"Well, thank you for your honesty. I'm sorry to have disturbed you and your family so early in the morning. But please, if you hear of anything, let me know." He stood up and gave a gracious bow towards the Grandma'am before quickly seeing himself out. Coriolanus handed over his hat and coat, bidding him good luck and a good morning.
"I'm not surprised that Plinth boy went rogue, especially considering some of his outlandish behavior during the Hunger Games. I'm glad you aren't associated with him anymore, Coriolanus," the disapproving voice of his grandmother sounded from the kitchen. He returned to the table to clear his cup.
"I know, Grandma'am... Then again, I wasn't exactly a rule follower, either. It's why I got sent to the districts," he responded quietly.