Chapter Text
The Covey lived at the very end of the Seam, right beside The Meadow. It was an old house, one that belonged to the retired miner who had taken care of them up until his death the year prior.
Maisie remembered how they sang an old ballad at his funeral, a number about unfinished business being completed before heading into the afterlife. It was a sad song, but there was an undertone of sweetness to it.
Maisie desperately hoped there wouldn’t be an encore.
…
Clerk Carmine answered the door when she knocked, staring at her for a long moment before silently turning right back around into the house. Maisie stood awkwardly in the doorway, shifting the basket on her arms until the young boy returned with Barb Azure in tow.
The other girl’s face softened from its near-often determined look.
“Miss Maisie Mellark,” the brunette lilted, her voice sounding like a song even in speech. She gifted the baker with a tired smile. “T’what do we owe the pleasure?”
Maisie felt her face flush and silently cursed the pale complexion that came along with her straw-colored hair. Instead of responding as she’d practiced in the mirror—“These are for you, I hope they help!”—the baker simply held out the basket of foil and pastries to the singer, who accepted it with a strange look.
“Foil…? Oh, did Tam Amber tell you ‘bout his idea?”
Maisie nodded quickly, willing her mouth to move as she crossed her arms. “It’s uh. I figured- that should be a good portion? If not, I can. Bring more.”
Barb Azure hummed, looking through each sheet with care. “I reckon so.” The brunette glanced back up. “How much do we owe you?”
“Nothing,” the baker rushed out. “Nothing at all.”
The musician frowned, straightening up. “‘Course we do. It wouldn’t be fair otherwise.”
Maisie just shook her head. “My parents would’ve just chucked ‘em in the trash. You’re actually doing us a favor.”
“And the tarts?” Barb Azure countered, raising a brow. “I know how much those run for, even in the Hob.”
Shit. She looked away, brushing a loose strand of pale blonde hair behind her ear. “I- S’nothing. Seriously.”
“Not to us. Not to me.” The musician fixed Maisie with a searching look. “What do you want, Maisie Mellark?”
A silence fell between the two, the air filled with the noise of mockingjays twittering in the trees.
“I see,” Barb Azure muttered, her eyes still searching the baker’s face. Her mouth ticked up. “You’re a funny one, ain’tcha?”
Maisie wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that.
“How about this.” Barb Azure lifted the basket into her arms, cradling it gently. “Once you figure out what you want, you come let me know, okay?”
You! Maisie’s mind screamed. All I want is you!
But aloud... aloud, she said nothing—just gave a quick nod with bright red cheeks.
The brunette’s hand made an aborted move, almost as if she’d wanted to reach out to Maisie but had stopped herself for one reason or another. Instead, Barb Azure gave her a knowing smile. “Thank you, Maisie.”
“Of course,” the baker breathed, a shy smile gracing her features. “Of c- anything- anytime.”
…
A few days later, Maisie was manning the bakery till once again when little Maude Ivory marched in, Clerk Carmine two steps behind.
“You’re watching’ Lucy Gray with us, right?”
Maisie blinked once, then twice.
“Pardon?”
Maude Ivory tilted her head. “Barb Azure said you’re watchin’ Lucy Gray on the big stage tonight. ’S why you dropped off the tarts ’n’ foil the other day.”
“Oh.” The baker’s mind began to race. Barb Azure wanted her there? “Oh, um. I guess I am, then.”
“I knew it!” The little girl smiled triumphantly, turning her head to look at Clerk Carmine. “See, I told you they’ve gotta understandin’.”
Clerk Carmine just rolled his eyes, though he didn’t seem put out by it.
“So the interview times, they were announced then?” Maisie asked, desperate for control of the conversation.
“Mhm!” Maude Ivory scrunched up her nose. “They start at, uh… mm. I think it’s 8 o’clock here, but it’s 6 o’clock in the Capitol. That sound right, CC?”
The boy hummed in agreement.
“Okay then, yeah, 8 o’clock.” The girl blinked up at her. “But Barb Azure says you can come over whenever for supper, but I reckon we’ll eat ‘round seven since Tam Amber and Billy Taupe’ve got gigs tonight.”
Maisie, still reeling, nodded. “I’ll be there.” She paused. “Wait, what do you mean, Barb Azure and I have an understanding?”
The two kids grinned at each other before rushing out of the bakery.
“See you later, Maisie Jade,” Clerk Carmine called out over his shoulder with a smirk, Maude Ivory giggling as she pushed open the bakery door.
Before the baker could say anything, the two dashed into the Town Square and towards the Hob.
“‘Maisie Jade’…?” the blonde muttered, tapping her nails on the counter. “I don’t even have a middle name….”
Her mother came out from the back, wiping her hands with a cloth. “Who was that, sweetie?”
“Nobody, momma,” Maisie replied. “Hey, listen... is it okay if I go out tonight?”