Lucy Grays smile slowly faded at that. She realised that perhaps he meant it as a compliment but it stung deeply and even sparked rage within her. The thought of becoming a game maker, of being paid to plan the slaughter of children made her feel ill. But she also couldn't afford to bite the hand that was currently feeding her. She knew she was going to have to rely on Coriolanus if she wanted to have any hope of winning these Games.
"Well these aren't exactly Games to me, Coriolanus. They are only Games to someone who has nothing to lose. You said we needed sponsors, donations so you can send me useful items in that Arena. Without them, those Peacekeepers might as well just shoot me like they did Brandy." Perhaps she shouldn't have been so direct and yet she felt the reality of the situation hadn't truly sunk in for Coriolanus. She would die unless she won.
He immediately knew that his attempt at humor had fallen flat as her smile dropped. It was a joke that he was sure his classmates would have at least chuckled at. Not that he was every very good with humor to begin with, but he at least knew what his peers and those above him wanted to hear. Coriolanus always seemed to be at somewhat of a loss when it came to Lucy Gray.
"I didn't mean to upset you," he attempted to placate as he placed a hand around one of the cage's bars and leaned closer so that his head was almost touching it. "I know it's not any easy situation to be in, but I'm trying to make this as good a situation as I can. You need to play like you are someone that has nothing to lose." Otherwise Coral or Reaper would surely have her head once they got into the arena. Then there'd be no way he'd get a prize. No way he could continue keep up his lies and education.
Lucy Gray has no doubt that Coriolanus hadn't meant to upset her. He didn't appear to have a mean bone in his body. If anything is seemed sweet, thoughtful. He had brought her food upon her request and he had come by to visit everyday, when many of the other mentors hadn't bothered. She needed him and he couldn't afford to get him offside or perhaps he would simply allow her to be thrown to the wolves like Coral and Reaper.
"So I should pretend that I have nothing to lose when I could literally lose my life in that Arena?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. The other tributes were far enough away from them but who knew if they were trying to listen, to work out their own strategies? "You've been nothing but kind to me Coriolanus and I appreciate that, truly I do. This isn't an easy situation to be in. I have a noose hanging around my neck and I'm just waiting for someone to kick the platform beneath me away." She snuffled for a moment, blinking away tears. She knew she couldn't afford to be seen as weak by the others."



















