CHARADE | Glimmer (THG)

Epilogue

Trigger warnings: Mentions of death and emotional abuse

Sparkle runs a hand through her long dark hair as she sets down another glass beside the sink. She grabs the cloth and is about to wash up when out of the corner of her eye, she sees a new figure appear at the bar. She groans and turns away from the mountain of glasses and plates to take their order.

Sparkle gets as far as, "Hi, how can I help you t-" before her mouth drops open. She knows this woman. And so does everyone in the bar. Just like Sparkle's, their eyes are running over her plaited brown hair, her piercing grey eyes and the silent yet careful way in which she holds herself.

"Hi," The woman says nervously. And it's from the low pitch of her voice that Sparkle is certain. It's Katniss Everdeen. "Can I get a drink?"

It's been four years since Marvel and Glimmer died in the arena, and Sparkle has never forgotten that tracker jacker nest descending onto Glimmer, nor the spear embedded in Marvel's stomach.

But she'll always remember too the strange salute that Katniss did when the girl from Eleven died, and the fire in her eyes when she dared her district partner to defy the Capitol. Sparkle should have hated Katniss. After all, she killed her best friend and her brother. But Katniss achieved something that Sparkle never could- to create the spark that would set the Capitol ablaze. So she had vowed to follow Katniss everywhere, and she did- through the mess of the rebellion and the destruction that it brought.

And now here they are- her hero asking for a drink.

"Yes," Sparkle tries to go for an authoritative tone, but it comes out as a squeak, "What would you like?"

Katniss opens her mouth to speak, but one of the regulars- a burly man called Gem- beats her to it.

"What you doing here Mockingjay?" He growls.

"I, uh..." Katniss shifts and glances around the room, before straightening, "I've come to pay my respects to Marvel and Glimmer."

"Well yer four years too late. Shoulda done that at yer Tribute Parade."

There are mutters of assent from people in the bar, and Gem shifts in his seat, gripping his mug tightly. Sparkle reaches under the bar for her trusty club, and then ducks her head into the kitchen. It's a small room, and a man and woman are frying several things on different pans.

"Tassel," Sparkle murmurs, "I need to step out, could you cover for me?"

The man looks over, his eyes growing wide when he sees the club in Sparkle's hand, "Me? But I've never done it before. And I don't know any of the drinks! Can't Braid go?"

The woman, Braid, rolls her eyes as she shakes one of the pans, tossing vegetables into the air, "You know I can't, Tassel. I always end up losing my temper and throwing them out onto the streets. Besides, I know my way around this kitchen far better than you do, and you know it."

"You'll be fine," Sparkle moves forward to tug Tassel on the sleeve before the man can protest. His brown eyes dart wildly but he allows himself to be dragged along, "There's a cheat sheet under the bar and most of them will want ale anyway. You know how to do ale, don't you?"

Tassel nods uncertainly, and Sparkle smiles encouragingly, "See? And if they do get rowdy, Braid'll break up any fight for you, won't you Braid?"

"'Course," The woman grins.

"So you'll be fine. And if things do get bad, just give them one hit on the back of the head," She presses the club into Tassel's hands and positions him behind the bar.