See How Snow Falls (The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Reimagined)

Chapter 3: Lucy's Little Birdy

(Author's Note: I'm so sorry for not updating this! I am in fact a college student and finals were kicking my butt and then I had family stuff going on! Anyway, enjoy some Crow and Lucy Gray sibling stuff!)

It had been a few days since Crow had met Coriolanus and Sejanus, and they were excited. Lucy Gray and Coriolanus were going on a date to the lake and Sejanus, at Crow's request, was joining them. Crow had been bouncing off the walls all day. Usually they were quiet, and relatively calm, but on a day like this, they couldn't help but move around.
"Crow Calamine, you get your butt in here right now! I need your help!"
Lucy Gray's voice rang out to Crow from the kitchen.
"Coming!"
Crow chirped, exiting their room.
"What do you need?"
They continued to speak as they skipped into the kitchen. Lucy Gray turned towards them, with an amused look on her face.
"I need something to drink. To clear my pipes and calm my nerves y'know? And our emergency stores appear to have... run out?"
She questioned.
"Oh uhm- Actually the bottle's in my room. I started keeping it there after you got Reaped."
Crow laughed awkwardly at their own admission.
"I could go get it, if you want it?"
They continued.
"Crow Calamine, did you start drinking after I left?"
Lucy Gray questioned them, eyebrows raised and arms crossed, chin sticking out as defiantly as ever.
"Only to clear my pipes Lucy!"
Crow echoed their sister's earlier reasoning for drinking.
"I was singing a lot more after you left and it was easier to do that with a little drink every now and again, especially when I wasn't doing too well with the flu that went around the District. I had to get food for the Covey somehow."
Lucy Gray sighed in relief, arms dropping to her sides.
      "Well, as long as you weren't turning to the drink to cope, then that's alright. I understand."
Crow heaved their own sigh of relief before going back to their room and grabbing the whiskey bottle from underneath their bed. It was about half full, and had lasted the two siblings for quite a while.
      "Here you go."
Crow set the bottle down on the kitchen counter none too lightly.
      "Do you want a flask too?"
Lucy Gray muttered absentmindedly, as she started filling her flask.
      "Sure. Fill one for me."
Crow rocked back and forth on their toes, excited for the day that was to come. After a moment's thought Crow spoke up again.
      "Lucy, I thought you liked Cori. So why are you drinking before going to see him?"
      "Well I could say the same of you. You damn near keeled over when Sejanus introduced himself to you, but here you are having me fill you a flask!"
Lucy Gray teased them. That's how Lucy was, all bark, no bite. Unless you were one of the unlucky few that truly upset her. Then she would become all bite.
      "Nah, I'm just messing with you, birdy,"
Lucy giggled and smiled at Crow affectionately, using the nickname she had come up with for them many years ago.
      "I've got a bit of a sore throat, and I can't stand it when my throat gets sore. I'm a singer, singing's my life! I mean, what would you do if your legs got too stiff for you to dance?"
Crow frowned at the thought. The only time Crow had ever been too sick to dance was when Billy Taupe had spread some nasty cough to them and Lucy. Crow already didn't like Billy Taupe, but when they were so sick they could barely walk to the outhouse, all because he couldn't stay away, they decided they hated him.
      "Yeah, I understand what you're saying."
Crow interrupted their train of thought and responded to Lucy's rambling, before glancing out the window at the sun which was high in the sky.
      "Well would you look at that! It's time to go!"
Crow's excitement was renewed and they spun around excitedly, dancing around the kitchen in excitement.
      "You're just bursting with energy, aren't you?"
Lucy chuckled, before handing Crow their flask, and putting her own into the bag she was carrying with her to the lake.
      "I can't help it Lucy! I'm excited! I'm happy."
Crow uttered the two words they hadn't said since before the reaping. Happiness wasn't always easy to come by, but between Lucy's arrival home and the introduction of Sejanus, Crow was finally happy again. Lucy Gray smiled softly at her younger sibling, before throwing an arm around their shoulders and guiding them out the door.
      "Well c'mon then, birdy! It's time to go on an adventure!"