Work Text:
“Katniss! Haymitch! Look what I found.” Peeta runs into the room, waving a sheaf of papers. I put the tape samples I was observing down. Haymitch looks up from the geese eggs.
”Plutarch sent them over. Said it was from before the Dark Days. Before even the Capitol. Back when there was no Panem.” Peeta has a hint of excitement in his voice. I blink. Before Panem? Before. No one has ever spoken of Before.
I peer at the sheets. ”They look like music.” I say quietly. “They have notes and- and lyrics.” Peeta nods. “The theory is that it was for a religious celebration? The historians are still uncovering Before. I think it was to celebrate some dead guy. But it seemed universal, and the Theory of Before is that there were many religions, so maybe it was a symbolic thing?” Peeta rambles.
I share a look with Haymitch. Neither of us have a clue what he’s talking about. Still, I hum the tune that’s written. “Wanna try it?” I ask Haymitch. Peeta looks blank. Haymitch shrugs. “Sure. You got the piano?” He’s been trying to learn music. Especially old Covey songs. No idea why.
-x-
Haymitch starts pressing the keys, and I open my mouth.
“On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.”
It’s easy enough. I motion for Peeta to join in.
”On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two calling-birds
And a partridge in a pear tree.”
-x-
We go through all the songs. Peeta points out at some point that they have names. 12 Days Of Christmas. Jingle Bells. Silent Night. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer.
I wonder if people played these songs in Before. If someone played the piano as the rest sang.
It’s a nice, comforting, thought - we can get a piece of it even now, after all the Games, and fire, and war.