Burn It Down
Three days later an assembly was called to watch the first of Heavensbees' propos. It was much better than the original. Coin calmed the crowd. "There is no progress without compromise. No victory without sacrifice. But I stand here with the Mockingjay to announce that our moment has arrived." She held Katniss' hand high and the crowds cheered. Katniss stepped away and Coin continued.
"Beetee has increased our use of the airwaves tenfold. we will broadcast this message to all the Districts tonight. The Mockingjay's words inspiring everyone to join the rebellion. Together we will become an alliance to be reaconed with."
The crowed cheered louder and Jeanetty looked to Haymitch next to her. "I think she's getting too much in love with her power." He only nodded in agreement. "How's our Mockingjay?"
"She's still blaming herself for the deaths of those in the Hospital. Holds onto it like a sponge."
"She wont let it go until she brings down the Capitol," Jeanetty said as Coin dissmissed the assembly.
The next day Katniss and Jeanetty were working togeather in the arboretum.
"What's that?"
"Hmm?" Jeanetty lifted her head questioningly to the younger woman.
"The song you've been humming the last few hours."
"Oh. I didn't even notice." She chuckled a little. "It's a song my father used to sing when he was happy. I don't know why he did, the song is really depressing. But it somehow made him feel better when he did. My mother said it was his working song, sang it in the mines to time himself as he worked."
"What happened to them?"
Jeanetty's head bowed and she sniffed. "Things happen when an outlying District Tribute wins the Games. You get bathed in riches, crowned at the Capitol, celebrated as a hero." She took a seat on one of the benches and took a breath to steady her wavering voice. "I hadnt been back a week. I was out shopping at the Hob getting buttons for my little sisters new was 10. I collected a few other items for mother and father and made my way home." She took another breath as Katniss sat beside her. "We still lived in town. Wanted to work and spread our newfound wealth. I came back to our house on the edge of town, the one where I was born and grew up in, and it was aflame.
Katniss gaspped as Jeanetty's tears fell freely. "I was too late to save them. They had all been trapped inside by Peacekeepers. One of them handed me a copy of the orders. 'For acts of treason against Panem.' That was their crime. That was the reason they burned. Then he handed me a white rose." She wiped the tears from her face and took a third deep breath. "My father was a miner. My mother was teaching me and my sister to cultivate herbs for our pharmacy."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Katniss. It's good to talk about it every once in a while."
Katniss paused a moment before taking the wearied woman's hand. "Teach me the song?"
Jeanetty smiled. "Okay," she said wearily.
A/n: short and sweet. Perfect for a Monday.