Sun is shining, it's a lovely day
a perfect morning to stitch, I'd say!
So all I need is within reach,
I take the pattern and start to stitch,
ooh, all day long
I'll be singing my stitching song!

Singing was never Sparkler's advantage, but the woman liked doing so, and she was always singing while stitching gifts – and tokens. She was stitching an armband for that year's boy tribute, and she was quite happy with the result so far. It had Marvel's name stitched in letters that resembled Celtic knots and Sparkler was just adding more Celtic ornaments when the door opened. The woman looked up from her work to see a teenage boy leading a little girl in.

'Hello and welcome' she said, smiling, but she didn't break her work. Both visitors stopped and looked around in awe. Sparkler cut off crimson thread and threaded needle with dark brown one, letting them watch everything they wanted. She worked on until the boy came up to her working table.

'May I help you?' she asked, looking up at him, but she quickly realized he was staring at her stitching.

'It's for me?' he smiled. She smiled back.

'If you're the Marvel that volunteers this year, then yes' she nodded and spread the soon-to-be armband on table. 'How do you like it?'

'It's beautiful. I was afraid I'd get something… you know… flashy' Marvel smirked in direction of shiny heart stitched in metallic threads.

'Flashy stuff is good for girls and Capitols. You're a fighter' Sparkler stood up. 'Let's check the size.'

Marvel stood straight as Sparkler was marking the size of his arm with pins. Then she drew lines with pencil.

'It seems lots of work' Marvel said and Sparkler nodded.

'But the effect is worth it' she added. 'I'll sew in rubber bands, to keep in firmly in place. I'm happy you came to see.'

'Actually…' Marvel smiled. 'We are looking for a gift for mom, right, Miracle?' he looked at the little girl, who just cuddled to his leg. 'Just… our resources are limited' Marvel chuckled nervously.

'That's not a problem. I'm sure you'll find something' Sparkler smiled. 'Just look around. Or I could make something completely new, if you want and have time to wait.'

'Oh, look, Marvel!' the girl called Miracle pulled his sleeve, pointing at stitched cards with roses. 'Mom will just love the blue one!'

Sparkler smiled to them both, getting back to her stitching. Miracle then climbed onto chair next to the woman and watched her stitch.

'This is beautiful!' she exclaimed. 'I wish I could stitch like you do…'

Marvel smiled and stroked his sister's hair. 'Yeah, maybe you'll like needles more than spears' he winked. 'Miss Sparkler, do you maybe train little ones in stitching?' he asked half-jokingly. Sparkler nodded seriously and reached to one of baskets behind her.

'I have some kits for children' she said. 'And with demand for my works growing as it is now, I'll need one helper next year and another in ten years, another. So I'll better start teaching!'

Marvel laughed, looking at patterns. Then he leaned to Sparkler.

'We were in training academy, you see' he whispered. 'Miracle didn't get in. Do you think… do you think you could teach her while I'm training?'

'I think so' Sparkler nodded. 'But you'd need to come with your parents to discuss the details. Or at least, send Miracle with your parents.'

'Okay, we'll come tomorrow with mom, before my training' Marvel grinned and ruffled Miracle's hair. 'See, while big brother will be training with spears, you'll be training with needles.'

'But we won't be together…' Miracle sighed. Marvel kissed her forehead.

'We can't do everything together, sweetie. Even if we were going to academy with me, you'd train separately, and I'm sure Miss Sparkler will take good care of you…'

Sparkler smiled to them, feeling a pang of jealousy. She never had good relations with her big brother. But she was happy to have opportunity to pass her craft to another girl. Especially to such a sweetheart as Miracle.

Marvel paid for the rose card and the siblings left, happily chattering about their plans. Sparkler sighed, wondering if Marvel knew about his district partner. She put down the armband and reached for three other token patterns.

Eight years earlier, she had just linen and stranded cotton. Token she had made for Gloss was a small drawstring bag with a line of vines, leaves and mushrooms, with a single edelweiss flower and his name. In the arena, Gloss was keeping some first-aid supplies inside. After the victory, he always kept his token close, joking sometimes that this bag saved his life.

A year after Gloss, Cashmere was going into Games. As she was Gloss' sister, Sparkler decided to repeat the edelweiss flower on her token, a linen scarf. However, having metallic threads, the stitcher added metallic butterflies and lots of other flowers in every possible color she could think of. Yes, Cashmere's token was by far the richest. But it was totally understandable, considering that Sparkler and Cashmere were best friends, classmates since primary school, and always sat together at lunch.

Now time came for third edelweiss for third sibling.

Edelweiss on a wristband, among a meadow stitched with satin and metallic floss.

Glimmering.

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