hey essie!!! what i'm curious about (bc you know how much i loved your liv fic) what inspired you to write it? and how did you come up with the plot?
second (third?) question- you still planning to write the arachne fic?đ i totally get it if not because thats a big task- i just love the way you write her!
hello lily!! <3 Basically, I'm always more interested in the side characters and Livia (specifically as the possible First Lady) seemed so interesting to write! I wanted to explore the whole series from her POV specifically when it came to Snow's downfall and the things she experiences during her marriage, the things she watches the victors go through and the aftermath of the rebellion <3
And I'm planning to! I have a bunch of ideas for the Arachne fic as well as a fic about the TBOSAS mentors' childhood đ but I'm taking a break from writing at the moment due to some mental health issues :( BUT I'm hoping to publish it at some point <3
Through A Mentor's View by xtabithanala (not arachne centric, but i love her in this fic.)
headcanons.
arachne is also involved in the dog fighting world. her father started bringing her along with him when she was younger, because her brothers werenât interested. she likes to train/raise dogs to fight.
sheâs always been extremely close with her father and used to travel with him back when they were able to do that sort of thing. her father always said that it would be her who takes over the family business.
sheâs been friends with her group since they were all very young. arachne can be a total bitch, but she does love and protect her friends.
over this past year, i have had so much fun on here with all of you. i appreciate everyone on here- the mutuals, the lurkers, the og trilogy fans that for some reason put up with the nonsense! all of you have made this year so much easier for someone who was struggling elsewhere in life <3
i hope we can all continue to be silly, fun, creative, and a little a lot unhinged into the next year. this fandom is such a lovely and supportive little corner. iâve been inspired to do things i never thought iâd do- writing fanfiction, doing a fic exchange, unhinged cannibalism thoughts- the usual.
(under the cut for the gratitude things!)
- i want to start out by saying how much i appreciate anyone who sent me and ask over this past year! especially you my lovely anon friends! itâs been so much fun and in myâŚfar too many years on tumblr iâve never been able to interact with so many people! i cannot overstate how nice it is so have so many people will to engage about our silly little guys.
- i also want to say how much i appreciate the corso creatures discord as a whole! when we made it, iâm not going to lie, i really thought that would fizzle out quickly. so iâm so happy to see it thriving and everyone having fun on there together. thank you again, @coryo for helping make a place where can all truly be together and be ourselves!
now onto some people who have made this year so wonderful for me:
@the-sun-and-the-sea - i remember messaging you for the first time and honestly being so intimidated! you seemed like such a cool and popular blog + so many amazing fics and seemed wayyyy too cool to be talking to the weird tbosas girl. i couldnât have been more wrong! youâre the sweetest, most genuine, and supportive person iâve had the privilege of being friends with this year.
@felixravinstills - you have inspired me so much over the past year! before i started this blog i was so embarrassed by my interests and i felt so silly and stupid. then i met you, who was so talented and creative and insane about you little guy! and it made me feel more okay with being open about my little guys and to be a little weird about it! please forever stay the person you are <3
@fairyhagmother - my appalachian friend (in my head. you are one of us.) i was so, so excited when someone on here was so educated on appalachia and wanted to talk about it! i never would have thought at the time that in just a few months we could be talking aboutâŚcoriolanus snowâs grandmaâam and toxic yuri. i still think about that festus/pippa/liv ballet post you did btw. love u my friend.
@ylvisruinedmylife - hannah i couldnât possibly fit how much i appreciate you into a post! i love bouncing off insane ideas with you and torturing hils together. iâm always amazed by how intelligent and creative and talented you areâŚand youâre still so friendly and supportive! your support, especially with my jessup nonsense, means the world. thank you for not killing you know who in you know what. i hope treemina never frees you.
@moreespressoformydepresso - fun fact: i also was lowkey intimidated by you for a while! imagine my surprise when you wanted to befriend me and dm and tell me about all of your fun aus! now, i couldnât imagine my fandom experience without you. thank you for being so friendly and supportive and down to yap with me <3 youâll never escape me đ¤
@spiralling-thoughts - i love how you keep the tribute fandom alive and give so much life to all the minor tributes! youâre one of the first friends i had on here, and i really appreciate you sticking with my over this year! please always feel free to tell me all of your ideas, i love hearing them!
@majorsoapfan - AH youâre so sweet and talented! i love yapping with you in the dms and coming up with silly ideas! not to mention the absolute masterpieces of works you create!
@sparklebear11 - you fr are the maude ivory to my barb azure! youâre so silly and fun, please never change that about you. i hope the covey haunts you forever so youâll stick around with us!
@keeperofsecretsunderthehill - i wish i had the creativity that you do! youâre always coming with such different, yet equally interesting, ideas! cranedove ceo always <3
@xtabithanala - not only did you create one of my favorite fics and help me love liv even more- youâre also so kind and supportive to me?? an angel! i hope we can talk more over this next year and get to know each other better!
iâm so looking forward to getting to know all of you guys better over this next year! @thatthingilovewith (canât wait for more bobbin), @tumblingghosts (i miss yapping with you!, @meekmedea (always such a lovely presence but iâd love to talk to you more!), @little-de-vil (please keep yapping about the d2 lore in my dms forever), @ilovepersephoneprice (pippa friend!!!! we have so much more yapping to do!), @vampirehizzies (my mizzen sized mutual that i am so proud of!), @solar-halos (love u girlie letâs yap more), @mr-nauseam (youâre a great friend and your kindness and patience is amazing!), @ritalinrae (letâs yap more!), @threestargirls (iâm so looking forward to yapping with you in the new year!), @mollywog (we donât often interact but i love when we do- i still think about that playground thing you said!), @jinglebellpeppre (how have we not yapped together about miz?), @julietasgf (talented artist queen) <3
if i forgot some please feel free to yell at me and iâll tell you how much i appreciate you and why
7. My least favorite character
Whilst his POV is very interesting in TBOSAS and he is important for the whole story, I would say Coriolanus. He is so unlikeable and horrible as a person... but at the same time he's so well written-
8. Is there anything I wish people would write more about in fics? (A dynamic, an exploration of an arc, just a character that doesnât get much screentime, etc)
I'd love to see more fics focusing on the mentors, not just during the games but especially afterwards as they witness Coriolanus becoming president and all. Especially if some mentors get to witness the 74th Hunger Games and eventually the rebellion - possibly if some of them would join the rebellion and spill Coriolanus' secrets <3
18. A fandom take I donât really agree with
It's not necessarily for the TBOSAS fandom (and it's only my personal opinion!) but I rly don't like smut...
20. Least favorite headcanon
Maybe not least favourite hc as such but I'm convinces Coriolanus never loved Lucy Gray. He loved the advantages she would bring with the Plinth prize and that's it. Maybe what he felt was a different kind of love but clearly a toxic one.
14. My current impression of the fandom
It's so much fun being part of the fandom. I feel like there's a lot of positivity and encouragement in the TBOSAS fandom especially when it comes to fics and other fanworks âĄ
15. Is there something I wish someone would draw as a fanart?
Captiol fashion! Especially the evolution of the Capitol's fashion from TBOSAS to THG era <3
19. Favorite headcanon
I don't think Livia was as bad as Coriolanus portrayed her. While the fact she bullied him for being an orphan truly was horrible (as were her views on the Districts), I think if she really married him she had a rough time. I'm also a defender of the hc that Coriolanus didn't kill Livia. While he surely hated her, he also was aware that he needed her in order to keep the image of a perfect president with his perfect (trophy) wife, perfect family and so on. And I think Livia really wanted to be close with her children but Coriolanus didn't allow it.
(I will stop writing down all my hcs for her oops)
1. My favourite thing about the fandom
Just generally being part of it!! All the conversations, the fics, the fanworks... the hype is real âĄ
10. A fic from the fandom I havenât read yet, but I want to read
I can't name just one fic as there are so many fics I still wanna read, especially those involving Livia. There are many fics with LOTS of chapters that I haven't read/finished yet <3
13. My first impression of the fandom
"Help they're all so cool and talented, how am I supposed to fit in?!" - đđ
14. My current impression of the fandom
"It's so much fun!!" đĽşâĽď¸
Send a fandom and numbers in the ask box, and Iâll answerâŚ
1. My favorite thing about the fandom
2. My favorite fic from the fandom that Iâve read
3. My favorite fic from the fandom that Iâve written myself
4. My favorite fanart from the fandom
5. My favorite fanart from the fandom that Iâve drawn myself
6. My favorite character
7. My least favorite character
8. Is there anything I wish people would write more about in fics? (A dynamic, an exploration of an arc, just a character that doesnât get much screentime, etc)
9. Is there anything in general I wish more people in the fandom talked about?
10. A fic from the fandom I havenât read yet, but I want to read
11. The first thing that comes to my mind when thinking about the fandom (note: It can be anything, even if itâs irrelevant - literally the first thing that comes to mind!)
12. How long I have been in the fandom
13. My first impression of the fandom
14. My current impression of the fandom
15. Is there something I wish someone would draw as a fanart?
16. Favorite inside joke the fandom has
17. A fandom take I didnât think about until I saw it, and I fully agree with
18. A fandom take I donât really agree with
19. Favorite headcanon
20. Least favorite headcanon
21. An event or a conversation within the fandom I remember vividly
22. How I would describe the fandom to someone who is not in it
âYou need to wake up because I canât do this without you.â + persephone & festus
Persephone knew being a parent wouldn't be easy. But she only realised it when her three-year-old son Dionysos joined his newborn brother Flavius with crying.
Persephone sighed as she stepped over to the couch where Festus had dozed off. It'd been a particularly busy day at the bet office. Of course it was - the 18th Hunger Games were ahead.
She gently shook him awake, knowing this was the path they had chosen. But Persephone knew she couldn't do any of this on her own.
"Festus" she said. "You need to wake up because I canât do this without you."
For the ask game abt unpopular opinions, I have two things <33
⢠Livia was NOT completely bad. Or at least not as bad as Coriolanus portrayed her as. Yes she bullied him for being an orphan which is horrible. And her views on the Districts were wrong. BUT I don't think she was completely cruel and bad. Justice for Livia đĽ˛
⢠I can't see why people would ship Lucy Gray with Coriolanus. Imo, Coriolanus never loved her. He wanted the prize and she was just his tool for winning đ
ask game!
i agree about livia!! coriolanus yapped about her having a shrill voice and a pointed little face and i knew she deserved better
she may have bullied him for being an orphan but did we consider that he deserved it đ¤
i like to think she actually can be quite sweet and is a good friend!! of course, she can be a total bitch as well. but still.
BIG AGREE ABOUT SNOWBAIRD!!! iâm so sorry to any snowbaird mutuals, yâall do what you want, but i just do not get these two! coriolanus sucks and lucy gray deserves the entire world
[...] "They tried to sell you... Real or not real?"
Facet looked up, realising that this game was Livia's attempt of trying to grasp what was real and what was not. "Real" he murmured. "When I didn't comply, my siblings were reaped."
Livia stared at him with horror as she realised this was another one of Coriolanus' actions. "They didn't win... real or not real?" she asked with a thin voice.
"Real" Facet replied saddened. "Neither made it longer than five minutes into the arena."
"I'm sorry, Facet" she said. "I wanted to help the victors, the Districts... but Coriolanus- he- he wouldn't let me. He couldn't afford a rebellious First Lady and therefore" she stopped as if it only dawned to her in that moment. "He began manipulating me. Just like he's done with that poor boy... Peeta Mellark. Turning us into weapons..." Panic surged through Livia's eyes and she began to struggle against the ropes around her wrists. "Get them off!" she pleaded, her voice rising in pitch. "Please, Facet, get them off!"
Facet's hand hovered over the ropes, torn between pity and the need to keep everyone safe. "Livia, you need to calm down" he said. "I can't remove them when you're still not yourself."
"Please" she whimpered. "I won't hurt anyone, I promise. Facet" she whispered, her voice trembling. "You know me. You know I wouldn't hurt you."
He nodded despite the fact Livia, actually, had hurt him just days ago. And probably, she would've attacked him again now if the ropes hadn't been. "Livia, it's alright" he murmured, trying to comfort her. "We'll make it alright. I'm not your enemy, remember? The games-"
But as he mentioned the games, her eyes flashed with rage. "Don't you dare!" she shrieked, pushing him away. "You don't know what he's done to me! Everything I knew, everything I was, it's all been stolen and it's your fault!"
Facet stumbled back, his hands up in a defensive gesture. "Livia, I didn't mean to-"
"You don't get to be sorry!" she spat. "You don't get to stand there with your sanity intact and pretend you understand!"Â
The trackerjacker venom had her again. It was devasting.Â
And she was beyond the point of hearing him. "You did this!" Livia screamed. "The arena tour... you're the reason they're all dead! My classmates... Gaius, Androcles, Felix... they're gone" she whispered, her eyes searching his, desperate for some sign of guilt, something to confirm her distorted reality. "Io, Juno and Iphigenia... you killed them all."
Facet's gaze fell to the floor as he took in her words, processing her accusation.
[...]
"Mutt" she hissed. "You're nothing but a tool for the Districts, a breed for their amusement. An experiment, a walking weapon!"Â
She screamed those words at him, not realising when the door burst open and Plutarch and Boggs stormed in. "Facet, what the hell are you doing?" Boggs asked.Â
Facet's jaw clenched. "What does it look like? I'm talking to her, trying to make her trust me because everyone else views her as unstable and has her in handchuffs" he scoffed. "But she's not an animal you keep on a leash."
Plutarch raised his eyebrows. "You're playing a dangerous game, Facet. She is unstable. You don't know what she's capable of."
Unsettled by the accusation in his voice, Livia began to fidget with the handcuffs again. The metal rubbed against her skin, leaving angry red marks. Despite her efforts, the restraints held firm. Livia didn't try to attack anyone; instead she was too focused on trying to get the handcuffs off, going as far as hitting her hands against the wall.
TW: for mentions of child abuse/child neglect đ
[...]
"They sold my piano yesterday." Livia suddenly said, breaking the silence.
Arachne sat up. "What? But you loved that thing."
Livia nodded, her voice shaky. "Father said we need the money."
Sheâd stopped asking where the money was going - because it wasn't like selling her stuff had brought more food on the table.
Persephoneâs face fell. "Livia, Iâm so sorry."
"Itâs fine" Livia replied, though her voice cracked. "Theyâve been selling my things for weeks. They said itâs to keep us alive, but I think they just donât care anymore. Iâm not even a person to them - Iâm just what I can give them."
Once, sheâd been the Capitolâs darling, a child star with the most luxurious dresses, a face that graced every screen in the Capitol. She even was featured in a few of the latest propaganda films. Her face had adorned posters and even the occasional magazine cover, yet she hardly saw any of the benefits. Her parents made sure of that.
"I heard the rebels are targeting the media towers next" Vipsania said. âThey want to cut off the broadcasts. To stop the propaganda and manipulation. Because our broadcasts make us think the Districts hate us."
"They donât hate us" Livia said quietly, though she wasn't sure of it either. "They hate the Capitol."
Arachne snorted. "Same thing, Livi. We are the Capitol."
"Do you think itâs true?" Persephone asked suddenly. "That the rebels will win. That theyâll come for us."
Arachne scoffed. "If they do, weâll be fine. Father says the Districts wonât kill kids."
"And President Ravinstill will make sure this won't happen" Vipsania spoke up. "Father said we can trust him. He will guide us through this war."
"Mine wonât talk about any of it, he just stares at the wall like..." Persephone trailed off.
"I hate them." Livia said suddenly.
"Who?" Vipsania asked.
"All of them." Livia said. "The rebels. The Districts. Everyone who let this happen."
[...]
When Livia returned home, her parents were engaged in another argument. Neither made an effort to greet her, to ask where she was - instead they'd already planned their next move. Livia barely listened. She could very well imagine how it would end - her parents forcing her to smile and play a part she didn't want, only to take away more of her belongings.
"What if I donât want to do it anymore?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Her fatherâs expression didnât change. "Then you wonât get to eat, Livia. You wonât get to wear beautiful clothes. You wonât get our attention or love. You wonât get anything."
Attention and love. That was what she was longing for. Maybe that was why she didn't mind being her parents' meal ticket. Because it brought attention and something that could be seen as love.
"Livia, youâll learn one day that no one cares about you. Youâre just another pretty face. So you better start accepting that." [...]
đˇď¸ i read the description for this one and immediately knew this was what i needed to see
Arachne sat in her room, cradling the baby in her arms. She was exhausted but the weight of her world was momentarily forgotten as she admired her son as his tiny fingers grasped hers, oblivious to the weight of his name.
A knock echoed through the room as her maid's voice announced: "President Snow is here to see you, Madam Crane."
Arachne wasnât sure if she felt excitement or dread as Coriolanus entered. A small smile tugged at his lips. "Arachne" he began. "Congratulations on your son. A true blessing to the Capitol. You and Lucius must be delighted."
"Thank you, Coriolanus" Arachne said.
"There's no need to thank me. Seneca is a fine boy" he murmured. "Strong features. He will be a great man one day, no doubt. Perhaps even step into an important position."
Arachne's face beamed with pride.
"But raising a child in our world is no small task, Arachne. As a father myself, I know what I'm talking about. It requires guidance, protection... alliances." he took a step closer. "I would like to offer my services. Let me be Senecaâs godfather and Iâll ensure he has every advantage, every opportunity to rise to greatness. The best education, the position of a Head Gamemaker possibly..."
Arachneâs breath caught. The President of Panem, godfather to her child? It was an unthinkable honor. "I... I donât know what to say, I-"
Coriolanus placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Say yes, Arachne. For Senecaâs future."
She nodded, overwhelmed. "Yes. Of course. Thank you, Coriolanus. I'm truly honored."
Coriolanus smiled. "Wonderful. Iâll make sure that Seneca receives the finest education, the best mentorship. He will be the pride of you and the entire Capitol."
[...] But outside, as Coriolanus descended the marble steps, his smile shifted. "Such a pity." he murmured to himself as he made his way back to the presidential mansion, already weaving Seneca Craneâs downfall.
When the time came - when the boy was older and no longer had any usefulness in his postion as gamemaker - Coriolanus would act, as he always did. Quietly, decisively.
For now, however, he allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. The first move had been made. [...]
[...] "Tigris" Livia said with genuine affection. "Iâm so glad you could come."
"I wouldnât miss it" Tigris replied, her gaze flickering to the bassinet beside the table, where Fulvia lay sleeping. "Howâs my little niece?"
"Sheâs perfect. Such an easy baby" Livia said, her face softening. "Thanks to you, I might add. I donât know what I wouldâve done without you during the birth."
Snow, standing nearby, couldn't hide a look of disapproval. If anything, Livia had to thank him. He was the one who had made sure Livia had been given the strongest pain relief the Capitol could afford - where was her words of acknowledgement towards him?
Crassus entered the room then, his dark hair neatly combed. "Good evening, Aunt Tigris" Crassus' voice cut through the silence. He bowed his head, nodding at Livia. "Good evening, Mother."
"Good evening, Crassus" Tigris replied, smiling at him despite the serious expression - far too mature for a boy of just eleven - hurt. "How is school?"
"Excellent. I'm among the top students at the Academy." Crassus said, glancing at his father as if seeking approval for the comment. Coriolanus gave a short nod, and Crassus relaxed slightly.
[...]
After dinner, Livia excused herself to take Fulvia to bed, leaving Coriolanus and Tigris alone in the room. Coriolanus leaned back in his chair, swirling the last of his wine.
"Youâve become quite the companion to Livia." he remarked.
Tigris raised an eyebrow. "She needs someone, Coriolanus. You're not exactly there for her."
Coriolanus' lips twitched into a cold smile. "Livia has everything she could possibly want. A powerful husband. Two children. A home that rivals any in the Capitol. Loneliness is a luxury she should accept."
Tigrisâs eyes narrowed. "And what about you? Is there any love at all?"
Coriolanus' gaze hardened. "Livia has never been loved by anyone. She knows what it's like. And if I were you, I'd be more careful, Tigris. You should know where your loyalty should be." [...]
[...] Coriolanus surveyed the scene with disinterest, his gaze flicking briefly to his son before settling on Livia. "You're still here, wasting time."
âWasting time? Iâm with Crassusââ
âHand him over" Coriolanus snapped, gesturing to the servant standing by the door. The servant hesitated, unsure, until Coriolanus' glare froze him in place. âNow.â
The servant rushed forward, carefully lifting the baby from Liviaâs arms, carrying Crassus from the room. As soon as the door shut, Coriolanus turned back to Livia. He grabbed her wrist, yanking her to her feet. With a sharp motion, he pushed her, and she stumbled backward, falling to the floor.
âLet me be clear, Livia. I wonât poison you" he crouched slightly, his face level with hers. âBut you will know your place. You are my wife. That title is useful. You are useful. But thatâs all you are to me.â
âWhy donât you just get rid of me? It's not like you've held back when it came to that before."
Coriolanus chuckled darkly, straightening to his full height. âGet rid of you? Oh, Livia, you silly, naive thing. You bring too many advantages for me to discard you. The Cardew name. Your standing in the Capitol. Your family's money. Let's not forget your ability to produce an heirâ he smirked, his tone turning cruel. âNo one will ever love you, Livia. They only love what you can give them. Itâs always been that way, hasnât it?â
His words struck like a blade, and Livia felt as if someone had punched her in the chest.
No one will ever love you, her father's voice echoed in her head.
Satisfied that his words had the effect he'd hoped for, Coriolanus adjusted his tie and turned toward the door. âDo try to compose yourself before dinner. And remember this, Livia: in this house, you have no power. Only purpose."
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Livia alone. For a moment, she stayed on the floor, her hands trembling as his words echoed in her mind. Then, slowly, she pulled herself up and returned to her seat. Her tears came silently, her body shaking with silent sobs. [...]
[...] Arachne and Livia sat on the plush carpet of the Crane library, a rare place of warmth in a place still destroyed and full of uncertainty. From another room, Arachne's parents could be heard talking in hushed voices and it was clear they didn't want Arachne or Livia to know.
"Come on" Arachne whispered, elbowing Livia. "Let's spy on them."
They sneaked through the door, enough to be able and listen to the adult's conversation but not enough to be seen by anyone.
"I met Nero at the ration center earlier" Arachne's mother said with a chocked voice. "The little one... Proserpina. She didn't make it."
"Proserpina?â Livia whispered.
"Sh!" Arachne warned, pulling Livia back slightly.
Of course they both knew Persephoneâs youngest sister - barely three years old. Born during the war, Proserpina had always been frail.
"Starvation, they say" Arachne's mother continued, causing both Livia and Arachne to listen again. "Nero said they barely have enough to keep the rest alive. Itâs a tragedy how this family has fallen.â
"We need to think about ourselves now" Arachne's father spoke up with a low voice. "We have five children ourselves that need to be kept warm and safe. We need to bring food on the table for them too. You could even say six children if we count little Livia, bless her soul. Her parents don't care enough about her."
Arachne's mother could be heard exhaling and Livia felt herself shivering. Adults sounding thoughtful was never good. "I hope President Ravinstill's announcement will bring the Capitol some peace. May those District rats pay for the pain they inflicted on our beloved Capitol."
"Come on, Livi" Arachne whispered. "Let's stop spying on them. I know something else we can do... something that's more fun." [...]
send me an emoji and i'll write a couple sentences for the corresponding wip!
đŤ - I love you, I don't know why - Facet, winner of the 10th Hunger Games, meets a very manipulated Livia in D13.
đˇ - Stulti sunt homines - TBOSAS to Mockingjay, all from Arachne's POV.
đ - Gems of Panem - The childhood of the TBOSAS mentors before, during and after the war (mainly focuses on Livia, Arachne, Vipsania and Persephone).
đ - Untitled WIP - Focuses on the loveless family dynamics of the First Family. Focusing on Crassus' and Fulvia's childhood, the friendship between Tigris and Livia and the Snowdew failmarriage.
I tag whoever wants to join <3 Everyone, feel free to reblog/do this âĄ
