Trigger warnings: Generational trauma, Mentioned death of a family member

"Where did you learn to do something like that?" Sparkle asks.

We're sitting on my bed, playing cards laid in front of us. She's here to stay over again- this time with my family's permission.

"My Ma," I answer simply, "My grandmother taught her it, and her father taught it. It's a family tradition."

Sparkle frowns, "Why did you never do it for training? You could have made a name for yourself instead of..."

"Being a pathetic mess?" I finish.

"You're not-"

"It's not a weapon," I cut in, "So would probably be frowned upon by the trainers. And I've only learnt and practised it recently."

Sparkle shakes her head, "I love you Glimmer I do. But- and I'm saying this as a friend – why have you never bothered to learn how to fight with a proper weapon?"

I shift uncomfortably, finding it hard to meet her gaze, "I tried, I did! It's just I found it so dull. I could never seem to concentrate and I'd always be thinking about things I could make in the shop or other stuff, so I decided to spend time my time actually doing that instead of failing training because I was daydreaming."

She crosses her arms, "So you put your hobbies over your own survival."

"Yes," I sigh, "Haven't we already had this conversation? Many times?"

She looks up at me steadily, unfazed, "If you couldn't be bothered learning how to use weapons, why did you dedicate hours to learning self-defence?"

I twist the fabric of the bottom of my shirt around my finger, "One time a guy in the bar tried to hurt me," I murmur, "I didn't want to be in that position again."

"And you think people in the Hunger Games won't try to hurt you?" Sparkle demands.

I consider her, the way that she sits forward, her eyes both pleading but also hard. It's strange that someone cares about me enough to question me like this. It's kind but also...stifling.

Misdirection. Always show people what they want to see.

I lean forward, dropping my voice slightly, "What if I wanted to be more than just a tribute in the Hunger Games?"

She frowns but I can see her weighing my words, "What do you mean?"

"There are twenty-four people in that arena, Sparkle. Sure, training helps. But the tributes from Districts 2 and 4 train too, and there's also whatever the Gamemakers throw at you and the arena itself to consider. No one can be prepared for everything. Besides, there's only a small chance of getting Reaped. So, if you don't get chosen or if you die, was all that training worth it?"

Her mouth opens and closes, as she considers how to reply.

"Well that's the logical side of it," I wave my hand and sit back, "The other reason is that I don't see myself hurting anybody."

Her brow furrows, "That man in the bar looked pretty hurt."

"He had bad intentions," I smile apologetically. I can see her coming round. After all, at heart she's a rebel who fights for justice and understands the freedom and cost that comes with not following the rules.

"Fate dealt me a bad hand. I'm just choosing to make the best of my life."

"That's slightly melodramatic, don't you think?" But there's a hint of a smile playing at her lips.

I shrug, "We don't get a lot of choice over how we live our lives."

"No," She says slowly, "We don't."

Silence falls as I wait for her verdict. My fingers continue to twist the fabric as I watch her mull over my words. Finally, she smiles and shakes her head, "Fine. Nice speech. I won't pester you into go to training. But on one condition."

"What?" I ask, tilting my head, though I think I already know.

"Show me how you did what you did," She says, smiling mischievously.

"Now?"

"Now."

I stand and reach out a hand to help her up from my bed. She takes it but halfway up I let her go and she falls back down with a grunt.

"Hey!"

"Lesson One," I grin, "Don't trust first appearances."

                                                                                               ***

The next morning, I wake to find my bed empty. There's a sweet aroma coming from the kitchen, and I gather up my nest of blankets into neater bundle, dress and head downstairs. I'm wary as I reach the bottom step. Someone's humming and it isn't my aunt.

As I open the door to my kitchen, I'm met with a sight so strange that I stare for a moment before my brain registers it. My aunt, Ma and grandmother are seated around the table whilst Sparkle is tossing something golden in a pan. She's the one humming.

"Oh hi Glimmer," She says, catching me in the doorway, "I'm making pancakes."

"Pancakes?"

"They're a Capitol delicacy. My mother got the recipe when she came back from the Capitol."

Somehow I can't quite picture Sparkle's stern mother teaching her and Marvel to make pancakes.

"Bu-" I begin.

"Oh don't worry," She smiles, "I bought all the ingredients myself so I've not used up your food."

I know she can afford it. She is the daughter of a Victor, after all. The one time I went to her house, I was amazed to find she had a working shower.

"Sit down, Glimmer," says my Ma, "Sparkle says it's her treat."

"Your treat?" I ask, as I sit beside my aunt and grandmother.

"For everything you've done to me," Sparkle smiles.

I frown. Sparkle doesn't owe us anything. I mean, yes, my Ma and aunt were aware of SPARK for months, and although they said it was stupid, they didn't give Sparkle or her friends away. It had been my aunt, too, who had led Sparkle into the shop when we saw her crying in the Town Square after her friends' death and had given her the cup of tea that she had originally made for Sapphire.

My grandmother nudges me and winks, "I like your special friend."

I sigh. "She's not-" I begin, but I'm interrupted by Sparkle placing a pancake in front of me. She watches me expectantly, her expression a mixture of excitement and worry.

Cautiously, I pick up a fork.

"Ah wait!" Sparkle says, and I jolt in alarm. She places a bowl in front of me, "Add fruit first!"

I blink. Fruit? Actual fruit?

"Sparkle," I begin, "This is too mu-"

"My treat," She says firmly.

I hesitantly pick up some blueberries and cut strawberries and place them in the centre of my pancake. I glance up at her, and she nods approvingly. I cut a tiny piece and place it inside my mouth. My eyes widen as sweetness spreads across my tongue, and I immediately take another bite. I wanted to eat it slow, to savour every bite because I know how expensive and the effort Sparkle has gone to make it, but it's so delicious I can't help but wolf it down.

When I'm done, I stare down at my empty plate, and up at Sparkle, who's watching me.

"Thanks. That was...amazing."

She smiles, and jumps up and down, "I'm so glad you like it! Marvel doesn't make any comments when I make pancakes for him."

I frown. That seems unlike the kind person I know him to be, but since his mother and sister are always making pancakes for him, the guy might be used to them by now.

"Well I should get going," Sparkle says, as my Ma and aunt clear away the plates, "It was nice seeing you all again. Thanks for having me."

"You're always welcome," Ma smiles.

I feel a jab in my side and look to see my grandmother staring at me.

"Be a good host and walk her to the door," She hisses.

I start, but head off after Sparkle.

"Thanks again for the pancakes. I never tasted anything that good," I admit.

She steps outside the shop door and smiles sweetly at me, "Were they good enough for you to do something for me in return?"

I frown, "Of course. Anything."

"Come to training with me tomorrow."

I feel like I've been punched in the gut, "Sparkle-"

"I know," She cuts me off, "But there's something I want to tell you, and I can only tell you there."

"What?" I study her. From what I can tell from her face and body language, she doesn't seem to be lying, "Why can't you talk to me somewhere else?"

Her smile seems strained now, "Just be there, okay?"

I narrow my eyes, "Okay."

"Great!" Again that forced smile, "I'll see you, then!"

She races off down the street towards her house, leaving me to puzzle out her words. I head straight into the workroom behind the jewellery shop, and continue to work on my bracelet. I've successfully managed to make holes in the beads, but I still need to figure out how someone could slip something inside the holes and then open it later on.

I decide to start making flaps to go over them. It's hard but repetitive work and although it brings me satisfaction doing it, my mind wanders to Sparkle. What does she have to tell me that can only be said to me at training tomorrow? Surely she's not planning to rebel against the Capitol again? I hope not. Her last action almost cost her life.

No. She wouldn't be that foolish. And she wouldn't tell me anything like that at training. She must have been lying, and just wants me to shoot properly.

I sigh, and pick up my soldering iron to solder the flaps to the beads. They're fiddly, but years of experience has given me patience, and I manage to secure the first couple in place and at the correct angle.

"Glimmer! Lunch!" I hear my aunt shout.

I frown. Already? I lower the soldering iron and survey my bracelet. I hate leaving it half-finished, but I know my grandmother will staked if I miss lunch. I take off the dark apron I'm wearing, remove my goggles, and untie my hair, so that it falls loose down my back.

I step out through the shop and into the kitchen. It's a lot cooler than the workroom, and I'm going for a glass of water, when I stop the extra figure seated around the table. Moonshine. He's shown up after all.

"What?" He growls at me.

I shrug, fill my glass with water, and sit at a place on the table furthest away from him, next to my grandmother. The meal is what is usually is- whatever my Ma can spare from the tavern. This time, it's vegetable soup with plain bread.

"Thank you for the meal, Citrine," My grandmother says to my Ma, and my aunt and I chorus it in response.

My Ma dips her head, and we dig in. It's warm and tangy, as always. Spicy, too. It's the one constant in all the meals she cooks with whatever food is available.

Once we clear away the plates and wash up, we follow my grandmother into the living room. We all settle down on chairs or the floor and watch as my grandmother lights a candle and pulls a picture frame from her dress pocket. It's a photography I've seen many times before of her as a younger woman, smiling with three children- my Ma, Aunt Aurora and Uncle Agate.

My grandmother sits down in one of the chairs and begins how she always does, "Agate almost didn't survive coming into this world. I've always believed that was why he always lived life to the full," My grandmother smiles, her dark eyes staring off into the distance, "He always wore his emotions on his sleeve. He was kind and fiercely loyal to his friends. Quick to anger. Quick to love too."

She dabs at her eyes with the sleeve of her dress, and turns to Moonshine, "He started courting your mother, Xiaofeng, when they were both fifteen. She was clever but also a bit of a prankster, and she always made him laugh. They married at eighteen – and oh, what a spectacular wedding it was too, you should have seen it- and Xiaofeng soon fell pregnant with you, Moonshine, and all was well..."

She swallows and takes a sharp breath, "But then he was Reaped. And, of course, no one volunteered. Everyone knew he was the best. You should have seen him with a spear. I think that's where you get it from, Moonshine. And he did really well at first too... But he didn't make it. And some months later, we lost dear Xiaofeng too, when she died giving birth to you, Moonshine. But I think it was really the grief that killed her. She wasn't the same after Agate died. None of us were."

Moonshine and I first heard this story when we were seven years old. Although I was adopted by my Ma and so not related to this family my blood, I think of them as my true family rather than the parents that chose to abandon me. I felt a deep kinship to Agate and Xiaofeng and the tragedy of their happy lives ripped apart.

"But," My grandmother lowers her voice, as she always does at this point in the tale, "Do you know who is to blame for all of this? It wasn't the tribute who killed our Agate. No. It was President Snow. He is the one who pits us against each other, who takes our best and mercilessly slaughters them. It is President Snow who caused Agate and Xiaofeng's deaths and left Moonshine an orphan, and he must pay for his crimes."

She turns to Moonshine, and we all still, "Moonshine, my beloved grandson, do you swear to do what we cannot and avenge your father and mother?"

As young as seven, we knew and agreed to the plan. One of us would volunteer for the Hunger Games, and while in the Capitol, find a way to sneak into the President's Mansion, assassinate President Snow, and forever end the cruelty of the world that we live in. It would be difficult and incredibly risky but I really, truly wanted that to be me. The hero who would save everyone.

But I never had an aptitude for fighting with weapons. Not like Moonshine did. At ten, he was considered skilled. Now, at eighteen, he is a powerhouse of destruction and believed to be one of the best fighters in District One.

Moonshine stares up at my grandmother from where he sits on the floor and sets his jaw, "I will."

                                                                                  ***

I stare out of my bedroom window, watching customers come in and out of my aunt's shop. It's the last night before the Reaping of the Hunger Games, and parents are getting their children last-minute gifts or treating them to something special.

The trainers released the names of the two best candidates for the Hunger Games this afternoon- Splendour Azle and Moonshine. They're supposed to volunteer, but like so many other years, anything could happen. Sometimes, the hopefuls decide not to volunteer after all, and some other poor kid is reaped instead.

I move to my bed, and crouch down. Reaching underneath, I pull out a small black box, and I lay it down on the floor and carefully open it. It's a simple, beautiful ring with a ruby gemstone. Twist the ruby though, and a spike filled with liquid mercury stabs out. Press it hard, and lead spikes come out from the sides, trapping your finger. Ever since, I was harassed by that man in the bar, I started making multi-purpose jewellery that could be used to protect the wearer, in case the self defence that I was learning failed me. This one I made a couple of years ago and it is my favourite. It's intricate and simultaneously both beautiful and deadly.

I was originally going to keep it in my room and wear it when I felt unsafe, but now it's the year Moonshine is entering the Hunger Games, I might give it to him so that he has one more weapon to use against Snow...

There's a knock at my door and I close the box, "Come in."

Ma enters, and her smile drops when she sees all the pieces of paper on my floor.

"Glimmer! When are you going to tidy all this up?"

"When I've made all of them," I sigh.

She raises an eyebrow.

"It'll happen at some point!"

"Riiiiiight."

She picks her way over to me, carefully stepping around the drawings. I stand up, and she places a hand on my shoulder.

"How are you doing, Glim?"

I shrug, "Fine. Why?"

"You worried about Moonshine?"

I exhale, "Not as much as I should be. He's prepared for this."

"Yes," Ma tries to smile but it doesn't reach her eyes, "He'll be fine."

But, I wonder, if Moonshine fails to kill Snow, what will happen to the rest of us?

HI!

So we've got to know more about Glimmer's family- what do you think?

And what do you think of Glimmer and Sparkle's friendship?

See you next time!

squirrelmonkey123 :-)