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The Hunger Games 2021 Season of Hope Holiday Gift Exchange
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2021-12-31
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1,290
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Something Sweet

Summary:

Pre-canon. Reminiscing about happier times in her past, Lucy Gray would like to create some sweet memories for the younger members of the Covey.

Notes:

Big, big, big thanks to shesasurvivor and sohypothetically for organizing this!

And to accurst_writer, thank you so much for the opportunity to write about the Covey. I've been fascinated by them ever since I read TBoSaS last year.

Work Text:

It was New Year’s Day, and that meant the old man had been dead half a year now.

Once he was placed in his grave, the Covey wasted no time selling most of his things at the Hob. Not out of disrespect, but more out of desperation. They were grateful that he’d taken in six orphans that no one else wanted. Even more grateful still that he stayed out of their way for the most part. But music wasn’t enough to keep food on the table anymore, so there wasn’t any room for sentimentality.

The bed he died in was first to go. True, it was a heap nicer than the old cots they all slept on up in the loft, but with six Covey and only one bed big enough for a single sleeper, it didn’t make much sense to keep it. Next came most of the furniture: extra tables and shelves they didn’t need. Then, knick-knacks like picture frames. All they kept were the kitchen table, a few chairs, the television set, and most of his clothes. A lot of them fit Tam Amber and Billy Taupe all right. The rest, they altered.

Right now Barb Azure sat hunched over the table working on the last of his old shirts, fashioning the yellowing fabric into a dress for Maude Ivory.

Lucy Gray slid into the chair next to hers and leaned forward to inspect her cousin’s work. “Looks huge.”

Something to grow into,” Barb Azure said, not taking her eyes off her stitching.

A spool of silky orange thread caught Lucy’s Gray’s eye and she held it up to the light pouring in through the window to admire it. “Doesn’t really feel like a holiday, does it? Do you remember when we were kids and for New Year’s our mamas and daddies would do something real special for us? We’d have a whole roast pig for supper and then we’d all dig into a big bowl of oranges or pomegranates?”

Barb Azure kept a steady hand, her gaze fixed on her work. “Sure, I remember.”

“It’s good to have those memories, isn’t it? Something to hold onto when we’re at our coldest or our hungriest. Maude Ivory and CC, they were too little to remember life before we came here. Sure would be nice if we could do a little something for them like we did in the old days, wouldn’t it?”

At this, Barb Azure set her needle down on the table. “Oh, honey, you know it would. But we can barely keep them clothed and fed as it is. There’s nothing left to sell. Can’t conjure up pigs and oranges out of nowhere.”

Lucy Gray sighed. “I know. Just a silly little thought. I’ve got to get going anyway. Supposed to be meeting Billy Taupe.”

“Well, when you do, try to find out what he’s up to. He was acting awfully squirrelly before he left this morning. Had something in his pocket he was trying to hide from us.”

Lucy Gray could guess what that was. She’d encouraged it, after all. She sure wasn’t going to tell Barb Azure that Billy Taupe was gambling, though. He wasn’t a bad card player, but winning was hit or miss with him. Barb Azure would be redder than a hen either way. The last time Billy Taupe won at gambling, most of his winnings were all drunk up in four Saturdays.
**

The Meadow was always beautiful, especially in the summertime when wildflowers of all colors would greet you. In winter, though? It could be downright magical. The sunshine made the snowy ground sparkle like millions of tiny gemstones. It sparkled and shined now, illuminating Billy Taupe as he leaned against a tree near the fence. At the sight of him, Lucy Gray’s pace - and her pulse - quickened. This wasn’t going to be a romantic encounter, though, if that’s what he was expecting. Lucy Gray had more on her mind than that. “Well, hello there, darling,” she drawled. “Any special plans tonight? Something that involves money you’ve been hiding from us?”

Billy Taupe looked almost sheepish. “There’s a game tonight,” he said. “Didn’t think you’d have a problem with that.”

“I don’t,” Lucy Gray said. “Not usually. But instead of betting all you’ve got, y’think you could set just a little aside, to do something nice for Maude Ivory and CC for New Year’s?”

“Can’t,” Billy Taupe said, pushing off the tree and striding toward her. “There’s a minimum to be dealt in. S’all I have.”

“So maybe skip the card game this time, being a special occasion and all,” Lucy Gray challenged.

“Nothing special about New Year’s Day.” He draped his arm over Lucy Gray’s shoulder. “It comes around every year like clockwork.”

Lucy Gray shrugged him away and stamped her foot for good measure, sending bits of snow flying around her. “Oh, you make me so steaming mad sometimes!”

“Yeah?” said Billy Taupe with a laugh. “And just what’re you gonna do about it?”

Not one to back down from a challenge, Lucy Gray scooped up a handful of snow, the bitter cold biting into her bare palm, and let it fly right into Billy Taupe’s face. She ducked to avoid the snowball he sent her way. This sent him running toward her. They chased each other around the Meadow, tossing snowballs at each other until they found themselves lying side by side in the snow.

“Y’know, you ain’t even kissed me yet,” Billy Taupe said once he’d caught his breath.

“Maybe that’ll be my resolution. You’ll get none of my kisses this year.”

“Is that how it’s gonna be?” Billy Taupe stood up, brushed the snow off his trousers. “And what is it I’m supposed to be doing for my brother and Maude Ivory anyway?”

Lucy Gray got up off the ground with a shiver. She told him what she’d told Barb Azure, about how special the holiday had been as kids. The roast pig. The oranges. How sweet the memories were during the hard times.

“I’ll tell you what,” Billy Taupe said softly, and for a moment Lucy Gray really believed that he would come through for them. Then he sported that cheeky grin of his. “If I win tonight, I’ll bring you all the dead pig and fruit you could want. But you can’t stop me from playing.”

**

Lucy Gray walked home disappointed and more than a little cold. Once inside, the heat from the coal stove provided a welcome relief. Maude Ivory was already modeling her yellow dress. It was far too big on her and the dingy color washed her out, but Maude Ivory seemed pleased nonetheless.

“I’d say it’s buttercup yellow,” the little girl chirped.

“That’s certainly keeping on the sunny side,” Barb Azure said, giving Maude Ivory’s head a pat.

Once Lucy Gray changed into dry clothes, everyone gathered around the table. Tam Amber passed out steaming mugs of pine needle tea. Maude Ivory and Clerk Carmine tossed an old fir cone from the woods back and forth to each other.

And not long after, Billy Taupe walked through the door, clothes still damp.

“You’re home early,” Lucy Gray said, not unkindly.

Billy Taupe shrugged. “Yeah. Change of plans.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a single sunny orange. “Thought the kids might like to try it.”

They passed around the precious orange segments and ate them slowly, savoring the sweet taste. As the last bite passed Lucy Gray’s lips,she hoped this was a sign of things to come. A sign that this year would be different. No more sickness. No more sadness. No more death. Just them and their music.

May this be the sweetest year yet.