for as hot as it is during the day, it grows cold enough at night to draw shivers out of every tribute packed into the zoo. lucy gray is no stranger to bitter chills, what with enduring winters in district twelve. jessup is no stranger to them either, but she still sits side - by - side with him and allows him to rest his head on her shoulder.
she's wide awake, staring up at the sky and counting the stars. she thinks about the covey, wondering if they're sitting by the lake back in twelve and counting the same stars. her heart aches in her chest, something dull and persistent, and she remedies it by humming a soft, familiar tune, synchronizing with the crickets and the breeze.
lucy gray only lifts her head when footsteps echo through the night, shoulders drawing up instinctively. peering through the dark, she watches as a familiar face approaches the fence, fingers pressing protectively into jessup's shoulder. the uniform, a brilliant shade of red, is what she notices first.
❝ shh, ❞ she hushes her district partner when he stirs, comfortingly stroking his hair, ❝ s'alright, jessup. nothin' to worry 'bout. why don't you try gettin' some more shut - eye, huh? ❞ her voice is set in a calm murmur, and she carefully guides his head off of her shoulder to allow him to rest against a nearby rock.
only then does the songbird stand. dusting off bright ruffles, she steps forward. unlike some of the other tributes, lucy gray doesn't display hostility. she doesn't approach like a lion stalking a gazelle. her arms dangle peacefully by her sides, head falling at a curious incline.
❝ got some nerve, ❞ she speaks up, ❝ sneakin' your way on down here after what happened to that pretty blonde girl. lucky for you, i admire myself some courage. ❞ when she reaches the fence, she kindly tucks her hands behind her back, fingers interlacing.
❝ don't mind the company all too much either, ❞ the tribute continues, ❝ but somethin' tells me you're not here to see lil ol' me anyways. ❞
@dovefalls liked for a STARTER!