Chapter Text
Katniss would’ve never thought in a million years that she might make more money out of her voice than her hunting game.
The whole thing started by accident. She’d been hanging out with Madge, who’d recently started inviting her over and they tended to do their homework in her bedroom, Katniss taking the desk and Madge the bed.
On one said day, it’d gotten late as Madge gently asked about the woods, going silent as they often did to finish up their homework. It’d been so peaceful and the view of the sunset from the window had unlocked something in Katniss and, believing Madge was slowly dozing off, she’d started humming and then she’d sung for a bit.
Katniss had gotten through two songs as she finished her last assignment before realizing Madge had been watching her, instantly gushing about how she hadn’t known she had a beautiful voice and a soothing tone, Katniss tried to dismiss it but Madge had said she should perform for a pay, betting there were people willing to pay her to sing.
The idea had seemed ridiculous to her, that anyone in Twelve would be willing to pay for something as unnecessary as a song.
Then the following day Madge had told her about some kind of party the Mayor was putting together and how he wished to have some entertainment, Katniss was pretty sure Madge had been the one to suggest maybe trying to find entertainment, and had simply told her he’d be willing to pay if she could put together a performance that lasted half an hour.
Katniss had been more than ready to shoot Madge’s offer down when Madge had told her what the tentative pay would be.
It wasn’t a fortune, or anything out of this world.
But it might just be enough to buy Prim the new coat she needed without having to sacrifice half her game of the week.
So Katniss had said she’d consider it.
And once she got home, she steadied herself before reaching to the very back of their small closet and pulling out a dusty guitar case she hadn’t dared touch since her dad had passed away.
As she tuned the guitar and clumsily tried to remember the chords her dad had once taught her, her mother stepped into the room, pale at the sound of music.
They stared at each other for a long moment. And then-
“I uh… apparently the Mayor is doing some event for some of the merchants or something like that… Madge said he might pay me if I… sang for them.”
“…oh, I see. Will you do it?”
Katniss shrugged, “The pay would be good. And spring is barely starting…” they both knew that meant less game to eat and trade, it would take a few more weeks for all the animals to fully come out of hibernation and for berries and fruits to grow in full again, “might do it as a one time thing.”
Her mother nodded along, hesitating before leaving, saying she needed to get something.
Prim sat excitedly at the end of the bed as Katniss managed to recall a few songs on the guitar, as a kid she’d mostly watched her dad whenever he played the guitar. She was surprised at how much she remembered and, after a few failed attempts and having to readjust her grip on the guitar, how she could pull together decent sounding chords, her voice slowly becoming stronger as the minutes went on.
Her mother returned with a box leaning against her hip, seeming nervous as she placed it on her bed, opening it and stepping back, “For you Katniss. If you’re going to… perform… you should look the part.”
Katniss frowned, caught off guard before setting the guitar aside and approaching, looking into the box and-
“Oh they’re so pretty!” Prim rushed forward, pulling out one of the dresses within the box.
They were unlike anything Katniss had ever seen in District Twelve, full of color and ruffles and embroidery and layers.
She dared reach out and carefully run a hand over the rainbow ruffles that made up the skirt of one of the dresses.
These were not merchant dresses.
“What… where did these come from?” She questioned.
Her mother hesitated for a moment, “They were from a few girls from your dad’s family. They were in… storage.”
Katniss frowned at that, “Dad’s family?”
“A few of them were singers, performers… maybe these will help you feel more comfortable singing.”
Katniss fully turned at that, “Dad’s family were singers?”
“…yes. But that was several lifetimes ago.” She trailed off as she watched Prim place a too-long dress against her chest, spinning to see the skirt flutter, “You should have them… even if you don’t wind up singing.”
Katniss took a moment, she was working on letting her mom do stuff for her… and these dresses were a part of her dad’s legacy, what little was left of it that wasn’t just coal dust and fiery nightmares.
“Thanks mom. But… I think I’d look a bit ridiculous.”
“You’d look beautiful!” Prim said earnestly, “And I could do your hair! And you could use berries and bugs to make some rouge!”
“How do you know about rouge? Anyway- that’d be a waste-”
“Come on!” Prim pleaded, “It’ll just be once! Please?”
Katniss sighed heavily, going to stare at the dress Prim had just laid on the bed.
***
“I look ridiculous.” Katniss grumbled as her mom finished doing her hair and Prim carefully applied a little bit of rouge to her cheeks and lips.
“You look really pretty.” Said Prim, so honestly and earnestly, Katniss nearly believed it.
She stood up, stepping back to try and get a full body view in the small mirror, “Well there goes my dignity.”
It wasn’t that bad all things considered.
She’d chosen some of the least eccentric pieces in the box, a long purple skirt with a dark blue checkered pattern, a white blouse and a black over-shirt with flowers embroidered in the collar, brown detailing along the pockets.
Madge had lent her a nice pair of boots since apparently her own hunting boots wouldn’t make the cut, her mom had braided half her hair up to keep it out of her face and form a braid crown and Prim had fortunately showed restraint with the rouge she’d made out of herbs and berries, so her lips and cheeks were only slightly tinted, barely enough to be noticeable but enough to bring some color to her face.
She didn’t look as dumb as she’d feared. But it was still… very different to say the least.
Prim frowned, “Don’t say that! You look pretty. And mom said this is how dad’s family used to dress for their shows.”
“It’s gonna be eight songs, that hardly counts as a show.”
“But you’ll still be performing.” Her mom gently told her as she reached out to adjust her blouse and the black shirt on top, moving her skirt for some reason Katniss couldn’t fathom, “And your sister is right, you do look very pretty.”
Katniss sighed heavily but pulled back on her groaning and moaning. They’d both done their best to help her and make her look her best and it’d been Katniss who’d accepted the offer and had signed the death certificate of her dignity.
She carefully slung her dad’s old guitar over her shoulder and went to leave, doing her best to keep her head high and not act any differently as she made her way out of the Seam, sensing a few confused glances shot her way but ignoring them.
She was doing this for Prim.
She was doing this because if the Mayor was dumb enough to pay her for singing, then she should take advantage of that.
And also, it was better to show up looking just a little bit ridiculous than to show up looking obviously Seam, since this was some kind of gathering of the better-off folks of District Twelve.
At least they couldn’t say she hadn’t made an effort.
As she was about to cross into the merchant square-
“Catnip!” She turned to see Gale running towards her, a frown on his face and a game bag slung over his shoulder, “What are you wearing? What are you doing?”
Katniss rolled her eyes as she went to continue her walk, “I told you I was doing a job.”
“What kind of job has you dressing up like… that?”
Katniss felt herself blush, feeling twice as ridiculous just as she’d started to enjoy the feeling of the skirt swirling around her legs, “I’m gonna sing at the Mayor’s party.”
“…you’re what?”
“Madge heard me sing and the Mayor wanted entertainment and offered a good pay.” She said defensively, “That’s it.”
“And the dress?”
Katniss gritted her teeth together, “It belonged to some aunt or cousin of my dad’s. Not like I could show up in my usual hunting gear.”
Gale paused, scoffing, “…and the rouge?”
Katniss stopped, turning to him, “It’s a performance Gale. I have to look the part.”
Gale shook his head, “So now you’re ready to be a dancing monkey for the merchants? Sorry- a singing monkey?”
Katniss scoffed, “Well sorry that I want to make sure my sister gets to have a new coat. It’s a good pay for half an hour of singing, I’d be stupid to turn it down over pride.”
“Pride is pretty much all we got!” Gale argued.
Katniss turned away, “I’m gonna be late.” She ignored him trying to call her back, if he had a problem with this he could have a fit about it by himself.
She knew he held some resentment towards the merchants for having it just a little bit easier than them, for not having to brave the mines.
But he still traded plenty with them.
She didn’t see how this was any different.
Aside from the possible public humiliation if it went wrong.
And the fact that she was now ‘entertainment’.
And that she was selling so called ‘talent’ and not a physical thing.
…this had been a bad idea.
Katniss tried to calm herself down as she arrived to the Mayor’s house, being let in by a Peacekeeper after she explained why she was there, hands sweating as she was led to a room next to the bigger room where the party was taking place, since she didn’t want to go in until it was time to take the stage-
Oh was there going to be an actual stage? She hadn’t even thought to ask- why hadn’t she asked?! Why had she agreed to this, it’d been idiotic.
She shut the door behind her, leaning against it and trying to breath and-
“Katniss?”
…no.
Absolutely not.
This had to be some kind of nightmare.
Katniss took in the room.
It was a small room, probably meant for storage. There were coats that clearly belonged to the guests, a few plates and glasses that were probably extras, some kind of old banner and standing next to a cart with a box-
The boy with the bread, watching her with an odd look on his face.
“What are you doing here?” It came out more aggressive than she meant it to, but she was confused, why on earth would he be here? She was sure his family wasn’t part of the Mayor’s inner circle.
The Mellarks might’ve been merchants but they weren’t amongst the top families of District Twelve.
Peeta watched her for another moment, eyes dropping to her skirt before he cleared his throat, “I uhh…” he lifted the cover that was on the cart next to him, revealing a two-story cake with white frosting and intricate blue flowers, “Delivery- they asked if I could stay to help with the cutting.”
Of course, it was a party, the Mayor could afford a cake for his guests.
“…it’s pretty.” Katniss said, unsure of what else to say.
Peeta gave her a small, bashful smile, “Thanks.”
“…you frosted it?”
Peeta shrugged as he carefully placed the cover back, “I frost all the cakes.” He glanced her way, hesitating before speaking, “What are you doing here? I don’t see your game bag.”
Katniss sighed heavily, looking down, “The Mayor wanted entertainment… I’m going to sing.”
Peeta righted up at that, “Oh, that’s great. I uh… I remember you have a beautiful voice.”
She frowned, “When have you heard me sing?”
He half winced as he looked down, going to rub the back of his neck, “I uh… I remember you singing once in school. It was a long time ago, we must’ve been like- six maybe but… I remember.”
“…oh.” Katniss remember it then, a moment she hadn’t thought of in years, before her dad had passed and she’d have to learn how to survive without him.
The very first day of school.
How did he remember that?
Katniss went to fidget with her skirt, unsure of what to do, catching Peeta watching her, eyes carefully going over her hair and the dress.
She shook her head, “I know. I look ridiculous.”
“What- no! No you… I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so much color in Twelve… if you don’t count the Capitol reaping lady. It’s nice.”
Katniss half snorted, looking down as she smoothed out the skirt, “If you think this is colorful you should’ve seen the other dresses… not that it’ll be much help… pretty sure I’m about to make a fool of myself.”
She wasn’t exactly sure why she was confiding in him, maybe it was because he’d already seen her at her most vulnerable, so who cared if a few words managed to slip through her defenses.
Peeta gave her a small smile as he stepped closer, “Pretty sure you couldn’t look a fool even if you tried. I’m sure you’ll be great.”
“Don’t put too much faith in me, I might just bolt for the door as soon as I step on stage.”
“If you want I can knock the cake over, give them a distraction so you can run.”
Katniss chuckled at that, raising an eyebrow, “You’d do that?”
He shrugged, “It gets boring standing around waiting to cut slices, could be entertaining. And if I time it just right I could topple it over the Mayor himself.”
Katniss laughed at the mental image, Peeta joining in.
“As tempting as the offer is… I gave Madge my word.”
Peeta nodded once, understandingly, “Well if you change your mind just give me a sign and I’ll try to give you an out.”
She found herself going to smile.
The door open and Madge peeked in, brightening up when she saw Katniss, “Hey! You start in ten, Peeta could you please bring the cake in to start giving out slices?”
“Yeah of course.” Peeta went to wheel the cart out as Madge hurried to the stairs, saying something about checking in on her mom. He hesitated, stopping next to her, “I meant what I said, you’ll be great. And… just for the record… you look beautiful.”
He stepped out before she could reply, her cheeks burning.
Katniss shook her head, trying to center herself.
Peeta was just being nice. That was all, it didn’t mean anything. It shouldn’t have made her feel so… so much.
She took a moment to make sure her guitar was properly tuned and that she remembered all the chords she would need before Madge gently told her it was time.
In the end, there were about thirty-five people in the room, sitting in a few tables. The stage was really more of a step a few inches above the rest of the room, Katniss walking around the edge of the room to reach it and the lonely mic that’d been set up for her.
She could feel all eyes on her, all unsure what to expect as she cleared her throat and tried to ignore the panic trying to bloom in her chest.
As she found herself forgetting the first words of her first song… and then she met a pair of blue eyes, Peeta was slicing the cake, taking a moment to meet her gaze, eyes soft but attentive, waiting.
Her fingers changed the chord she’d been ready to play, and she found herself singing the Valley Song, which she hadn’t planned on singing but was the only one she could cling to in that moment.
Peeta’s eyes lit up in recognition, a smile tugging at the corner of his lip before he returned to his task of distributing the cake.
After finding her rhythm and the appropriate distance to keep from the mic, the songs seemed to fly by, she felt almost possessed by the music, she wondered if maybe this was what her dad’s aunts and cousins had felt when signing in the same dress.
Peeta left when he was done slicing the cake, sending her one last glance, he seemed like he wanted to linger, but his job was done.
People stood to dance to most of her songs, swaying and laughing, waltzing to her last song, which was a slower one.
When she struck her final chord, she was surprisingly given a round of applause.
Unsure of what to do, Katniss gave a quick bow and hurried off the stage after freezing for a second.
Madge met her at the door with a giant smile, “Katniss you were brilliant!”
Katniss felt her blush intensify as she tried to brush it off, “I just sang.”
Madge just smiled as she handed her a small pouch of coins, “Well you did it amazingly.”
Katniss slumped against the door once she managed to fully get away and leave the Mayor’s house behind,
She took a moment to gather her thoughts before going to start the walk back home, somehow feeling lighter than when she’d made her way over.
She found that… she didn’t hate the idea of performing again.