CHAPTER TWELVE:

THE FADING SONGBIRD

"Well, I must say, I certainly agree with you. Sejanus Plinth seemed to reach his mental breaking point during the games. I assume it only went downhill afterwards," Dr. Gaul posed, settling herself comfortably onto a bench outside of the hospital. She patted the spot beside her for Coriolanus. He had no idea how their first interaction would play out since his exile to Twelve. Of all things, he thought she would at least be infuriated that he had cheated during her prized games. But no, all she seemed to care to discuss was Sejanus. Coriolanus assumed that the Plinths had already contacted her.

"It's true. He seemed... unstable in Twelve. I could not defend that he acted with a sane mind," Coriolanus admitted.

"Well, regardless of how it all occurred, I think for the sake of the Capitol you made a very good decision. Just imagine, the death of a defiant district-born rebel could be viewed as martyrdom. Perhaps, it would only incite more violence. However, the image of a foolish and unstable Capitol boy is difficult to fuel. And if we can frame him as just that with his father's funding, I think we'll fix the case wonderfully," Dr. Gaul beamed. Coriolanus felt a subtle pleasure upon hearing her words. Where he saw major flaws in his rushed bargain, she had unsurfaced the calculations of a true Capitol loyalist.

"I appreciate your support, Dr. Gaul. I apologize if I ever offended you during the games. When I... cheated, I didn't intend to defy you," he spoke, hoping she would believe his sincerity. She chuckled.

"Yes. Well, that time has passed. Above all, you showed real heart in the games and proved to me that you used your intelligence to rise to the top. After all, all is far in love—or war. In your case, both," she winked at him. It was a pleasant surprise to realize that Dr. Gaul had almost nothing in common with Dean Highbottom and that she created her own perimeters for what she viewed as fair play. And what did it matter? After all, he had won the games and his girl. It was only Highbottom who had screwed it up for him.

"I will be intrigued to learn how your songbird will fair in the Capitol. I must say, I was surprised to learn that you had brought her back with you. That decision seemed... uncharacteristic of a Snow," she observed. Coriolanus knew that's how most people here viewed his relationship with Lucy Gray. If Strabo Plinth had gotten the chance, he would have relayed that to him as well.

"Yes, well she's not a district girl. She—"

"She's practically Capitol! Yes, I remembered how you marketed her during the interviews. Very clever, indeed. She is... an entirely different creature. But she has not be raised in our ways. You will have to use that intelligence of yours to create the perfect image for her. It will be tricky, but nothing is impossible for a Snow," Dr. Gaul encouraged.

"So, you're not apprehensive about her background?" Coriolanus wondered.

"Oh, I'm not one to be interested in Capitol superstitions, like dirty district blood. We're all animals when we're burnt down to the core. Authority and proper control. That's what matters to me. And according to your use of control, you brought Lucy Gray here and are determined to make people like her. That's all under your authority. Without you, she would mean nothing. That's the ticket."

All under his authority. He supposed she was right. Lucy Gray would never have set foot in the Capitol if it wasn't for his exploits. Nobody in the districts should be granted the privilege to live Capitol life unless someone of the proper authority made it possible—and for proper reasons. Dr. Gaul's argument dispersed some of Coriolanus' fears.

Although, he didn't necessarily feel comfortable around the woman. She viewed everything with an analytical eye and had no empathy. He remembered how after the games he feared that she had captured Lucy Gray and turned her into one of her mutation experiments. But he trusted her enough to believe that she would vouch for him because she saw his great potential. And for her, potential should never be wasted.

In the days that followed, the trial had consumed Coriolanus, and he rarely thought of much else. While he became engrossed in succeeding to save Sejanus from the hanging tree, Lucy Gray awoke in the white and empty hospital room with the song of the same name on her lips. The lyrics always returned to her when she thought about death. She had been on the brink of it, too. Part of her had wanted to die, just to see Clerk Carmine and Tam Amber again.

The vague dream returned to her of Coriolanus rescuing her from the arena. She couldn't imagine how he had managed to break in and get her out. Then, somehow, she had ended up in a clinic with inflamed wounds on her back. It took a few visits from Tigris to disperse the dream from Lucy Gray's mind, and she came to recall the real events of the days past. She remembered their blossoming friendship, and how she had returned to the Capitol a second time not as a tribute, but as a Victor.

Lucy Gray's back soon healed and some strength began to return to her. Her fever broke and fortunately she no longer felt delirious. Years of malnourishment made it difficult for her body to fight off infection, but the doctors felt confident that she would return to her healthy self. Blood poisoning wasn't difficult to cure if one arrived at the hospital before conditions became critical.

Coriolanus would return to her bedside in the evenings, but Lucy Gray's eyes would droop from exhaustion after a few exchange of words between them. He wouldn't say much to her, but would cup her hand between both of his, watching her doze off. She wondered where he went during the day. Had he gone into debt paying her medical bills and now had to work after his training? She noticed that distance in his blue eyes. He seemed so silent and tired. She concluded that she was a burden to him. How could she not be?

Some nights he would stay over with her, but there was hardly a closeness between them. Lucy Gray would sometimes get odd spurts of energy and end up lying awake watching Coriolanus sleep on the sofa. Her tears would come thinking of him wasting every ounce of his energy to take care of her. Her arrival at the Capitol had only caused him more troubles and the fire between them to die out.

Why did she come here?

It couldn't possibly be worth it for the two of them. She could hardly take care of herself here. Nor did she really belong at all. She ached for the meadow, to run barefoot in the woods and be cured by fresh air and trips to the lake. She needed to sing. She needed to laugh again. She wanted to see her family more than anything now. When she gazed at her ring, she became bewildered when reality hit of what they had done. Had it been out of mere passion that she had bounded herself to him and deserted her home? Their marriage had been too haste. At times, they didn't feel married at all. Perhaps, it would have been wiser for Coriolanus to let her go.

Lucy Gray's days of emptiness in the hospital were soon filled with strange gifts left at her bedside. She discovered many giant baskets, overflowing with treats worth a whole evening's wages back home. There were also soothing smelling salts, creamy parchment paper, and a fine ink pen. She could write music with these. It was a bizarre sliver of joy to experience during her low moments. Her generous benefactors had signed their name on a large blue card attached to the handles: We hope you get well soon, my dear! Enjoy! — The Plinths.

"Coriolanus, who are these people who gave me these baskets? Why are they doin' this?" She asked him one evening when he was visiting her. They were both squeezed together on her hospital bed, with Lucy Gray half in his lap. She had been studying the latest shiny basket across from her.

"They are from the parents of Sejanus," he murmured.

"Sejanus?" she declared. Lucy Gray was taken aback hearing that name. Her mind had unfortunately only associated that boy with both the hunger games and the harrowing events back in Twelve. Coriolanus stroked her arm, releasing a deep breath. He then proceeded to delicately explain what he had been doing the past two weeks. On second thought, he omitted the bargain. Now wasn't the time.

"I'm sorry I haven't been here with you much. Believe me, I'd rather forget the whole thing. My only consolation is that it all worked out," he concluded.

"So, the trial was a success then?"

"Yes, Sejanus will be placed in Panem's National Psych Ward. His parents are very grateful to me for saving him from the gallows. They've heard about your illness, so that's why they've been sending the baskets. Once you get released tomorrow, we're... we're going to be moving into their penthouse," he announced. Lucy Gray gave him a bewildered look.

"We are? But how?"

"The Plinths decided to move closer to the psych ward to be near Sejanus. They don't want to sell their home, so they are allowing us to rent it for the same price as the apartment," Coriolanus let on with a growing happy tone. "I hope to buy it from them eventually once I'm established as an officer."

"That's good, then?"

"It's great, Lucy Gray," he finally cracked a smile, hugging her close to him. "This is what I promised you."