Chapter Text
The young Miss Katniss Everdeen wakes to the bright Richmond sun beaming directly into her eyes. The inn's old bed creaks under her as she rolls over, both to escape the offending light and reach for her bedfellow. But much to Katniss's surprise, she finds the other half of the bed already empty.
Thus far, she has shared a bed with Prim every night of their journey to London. Considering it too foolish and wasteful to pay for them to each have their own room. They had spent enough funds in preparation for the season, trying to ensure that Prim would be presented as the proper, well-mannered, young lady she is.
There must be no question, no suspicion, that Miss Primrose Everdeen is anything less than the perfect, well-bred, well-funded, accomplished debutante they would all come to know. That all of society would adore, if they have any sense at all.
Prim must have had a nightmare and slipped across the hall into their mother's rented room. Her sleep terrors have become more and more common as their arrival in town nears. The visible lack of a vicious beast with orange fur stretched out at the foot of the mattress, suggests she took Buttercup with her as well.
Rising from the bed, Katniss moves to the window, pulling the drapes back to get a clearer vision of the day. Gray clouds hang low over the hills. A thick fog has, seemingly, descended in the night, but that's still better than the rain that plagued them on their travels yesterday. Yes, a lot more risks in rain than fog. In rain, wheels can get stuck in the mud, horses can throw a shoe, their old cases can fail to protect their belongings from the downpour. But fog…fog might slow them down a bit but the chances of them all arriving in London on time and in one piece are much higher if their only obstacle is a little mist.
Today must go well. They should get to London by late morning, giving them just enough time to ensure Prim is prepared for her proper presentation. Had the rain not slowed them down last night they would have already arrived, would have spent the night in the home of Uncle Haymitch's cousin, as they plan to for the rest of the season. They can take no more delays.
The Hawthornes travelled on horse-back and left a few days earlier than the Everdeen's so hopefully they managed to miss the worst of the weather and are already safely settled into their London Townhouse. It's not exactly in the West End where Katniss and her family will be staying, but it's near enough to be fashionable especially for such recently esteemed gentlemen as the Hawthornes. Mr.Hawthorne had purchased both their property in London and their Manor home, which they called The Lodge several years ago now. Though he died before he could really enjoy it, passing the property and all his responsibilities to his eldest son. Gale has made the trip to town countless times since, so regardless of the ill-weather, Katniss is sure they will hear from him and Rory soon enough.
Katniss picks up her travelling dress from where she tossed it on the chair last night. Slipping it over her shift, she pulls her boots on and sets off to find her sister and mother. When she steps out into the hall though its her aunt, Lenore Dove, who finds her first.
"Good morning, sweetling." Katniss's aunt greets her, "I was just coming to wake you."
"Oh. Is it later than I thought?" Katniss asks, letting Baronness Lenore Dove Abernathy guide her back into her room.
"No, but you are the last one up, and I want to make sure you get the chance to eat something before we set off." Her aunt answers, spinning Katniss around so she can tie up the laces of her gown. Without being asked, Lenore Dove reaches for the green ribbon on the room's vanity table, holding it between her teeth as she pulls Katniss's hair into a braid with nimble, practiced fingers. It is much more ornate than the one Katniss usually does for herself, but she's never had her aunt's skills or speed.
Technically, Lenore Dove Abernathy is not truly her aunt. She is her father's cousin. But both Lenore Dove and Katniss's father were only children, and the Baron and Baronness Abernathy never had children of their own. Lenore Dove Abernathy has always fulfilled the role of dutiful beloved aunt to both the Everdeen girls without even a moment of hesitation. So it's never made sense to refer to her as anything other than aunt.
"Why not wake me, earlier?" Katniss asks. "I did not intend to hold us up, I genuinely did not realize how late it was."
"You have not held us up." Her aunt promises as she ties off the plait. "And it is not late at all, at least not for you! But you have been so exhausted lately dear, we thought it best to let you sleep in a little."
"I am not…"
"Come, let us get you something to eat!" Aunt Lenore Dove cuts off her argument before she can even begin, that knowing smile crossing her face. "This is going to be a long day!"
Katniss follows her down to the inn's first floor and into the small dining room. Her mother, sister, and Uncle Haymitch already sit around a table, breaking their fast.
As soon as Katniss claims one of the empty seats, her sister sets a steaming cup of tea in front of her. Everyone in their party is already dressed and prepared for the day, but the clock on the hearth's mantle shows it is only just passed the seventh hour. Aunt Lenore Dove was right, it is a little late for Katniss to begin her day but she has always been an early riser. It is a habit drilled in since childhood by her father.
Burdock "Burdie" Everdeen was up with the sun his entire life. "It's in our blood." He would always offer in explanation. In a way he was correct. Their ancestors had been the King of England's Masters of the Hunt for many generations which set them up with a small holding and a bit of land. But when Burdie's father wed a low-titled lady from France — without his family's permission — he was disowned; leaving his son with no entail and no inheritance, at least not in England.
Burdock Everdeen grew up in France, and all stories tell of a happy childhood. A childhood spent climbing trees, and hunting game, and learning songs from his mother. He used to say that when his mother sang, all the songbirds would join in as if she was one of their own. Katniss always found that odd, because it was the opposite with her father. When Burdock Everdeen sang the birds stopped to listen, as if they were just as awed at the man's voice as his own eldest girl.
But as always, happy childhoods cannot last forever. And when the revolution came, despite their great distance from the true culprits of the inequality, the honorable Everdeen's were forced to flee France. As a result, Burdock Everdeen finally took his first steps on English shores, just in time for the London Season.
The story that follows, Katniss once believed was a real-life fairytale. Full of secret glances, and blossoming friendship. Friendship that soon developed into something much deeper. But not everyone was happy about these developments. The Viscount March, for one, was especially against the match. Asterid was his only child, and he had grand plans for her marriage. A match that would secure their position in society and produce enough sons that he could through legal means entail a boy his title. An Earl, perhaps, or even a Duke if it could be managed. Katniss's mother had mentioned the name of one in particular that her family had hoped to introduce into her acquaintance. But once Asterid set eyes on her Burdie nothing and no one could have pulled her away, unspoken agreements and arrangements all were forgotten.
So they wed. They built a life for themselves, a family. They traveled half of Europe and back, having grand adventures, learning of the world before finally settling back in England when it came time for their girls to begin taking their education more seriously. They had first begun to live at Covey House with Aunt Lenore Dove and Uncle Haymitch just after Katniss's ninth birthday. Her very own happy childhood. A childhood of music and hunting and love.
Katniss had thought her parent's story to be the epitome of romance as a child: a love so deep, so passionate that nothing could stop it. A love worth sacrificing all you had ever known for. A love that brought a life of adventure, of joy, of happiness. A love that survived hardship.
Then her father died. With his death, Katniss learned the true price one pays to have love like that. Her mother disappeared into her grief. Practically abandoning her two young daughters on their own in her neglect. If it had not been for Aunt Lenore Dove and Uncle Haymitch, surely, they would have starved. Surely, they would not have survived to see the summer.
But even with her aunt and uncle stepping in, Katniss knew she had no choice but to take control of her family. Her mother was not going to. Certainly could not do it, not while drowning in the grief of her stolen love and lost in her mind. Katniss did everything she could, trying to keep them afloat, keep them alive. Anything she could to prove they were still worthy of her Aunt and Uncle's continued kindness, their continued charity, their continued hospitality.
Something shifted with the spring, Asterid managed to pull herself from that empty abyss. To this day, Katniss is unsure what finally did it. Her and Prim's pleading, Haymitch and Lenore Dove's encouraging words and eventual demands for actions. Or perhaps, the ghost of Katniss's father whispered in her mother's ear and forced her to rise. Just long enough to write the letter. Just long enough to get them all to town. Just long enough to force her parents, the Viscount and Viscountess March, into a confrontation. Just long enough to hear their complete refusal of aid.
That had been the one and only time they made the trip to London. Now, ten years later, they are finally set to return. Lenore Dove encouraged Katniss to do so four years ago, when she was freshly eighteen and eligible to be presented. The Everdeen girls may be technically untitled but they have just enough connections and family history to partake. Katniss had refused outright. Declaring that she will worry for her own marriage only once Prim is settled in hers.
And now, finally, Prim is eligible for presentation. They have survived on the kindness of her aunt and uncle for far too long. Now is their chance — their one chance — to save themselves.
This has to go well. Katniss reminds herself the the thousandth time. It will go well. She always forces her mind to add, no matter how much her deeply ingrained cynicism keeps her from believing that.
Once everyone has had their fill, it is time to collect their belongings from their rooms and set off. Within the hour they are well on their way to London. Prim's excitement pours out of her as she presses herself to the window, taking in every sight that passes by with unhindered glee and earnest anticipation. Buttercup purrs peacefully on her lap.
Katniss has gone to great lengths to ensure her sister does not quite know the stress that they are under, the danger that could befall them should she not secure a match.
To be fair, Aunt Lenore Dove and Uncle Haymitch have never been anything but welcoming and kind. But even her good and kind relatives will surely tire of them, eventually. And what sort of life would that be for Prim? She deserves a life full of joy and ease, with a man who will adore her with his every breath. A life where she never needs to fear a new sunrise, where she will always be safe and secure and happy.
Yes, Prim deserves a life where she only ever has reason to smile as wide as she is right now. A life where her soft blue eyes have countless opportunities to come alight with hopeful anticipation. Just as they do as the first glimpses of London, and all its many possibilities, appear on the horizon.
The Lady Euphemia "Effie" Trinket is as overly ebullient as Katniss remembers. She bursts out the front door of her London townhouse in a flurry of bright pink fabrics. The feathers in her hair and her shrieking greeting give the impression of a predator bird descending on its prey.
Prim is her first target and Katniss watches as Lady Trinket practically shoves Uncle Haymitch, her cousin, aside to get to the young Miss Everdeen. Katniss's sister disappears entirely into the woman's consuming embrace. As soon as Prim is freed from the attack, thankfully unharmed, Katniss experiences the same assault.
Her senses are immediately overwhelmed by a powdery fragrance of lavender. If that wasn't enough to choke her, the feather that inadvertently finds its way into her mouth certainly is. She fails to hide her cough and feels the rough hand of Uncle Haymitch hit her back twice. Katniss does not need to glance over her shoulder to know he's laughing at her plight.
He doesn't get to revel in her suffering for long though before it is his turn. Lady Trinket's call of "Cousin!" Is so loud that it disturbs the actual birds in the trees. Katniss watches as a flock of Mockingbirds take off into the sky in search of quieter branches.
"Come! Come!" Lady Trinket — apologies, Effie, as they are immediately told to call her — welcomes them. "It's a big, big, big, day!"
Following the well-dressed woman up the front walkway gives Katniss a moment to take in the splendor of Trinket House. Not the exact same as it was when they last visited, but similar. Katniss's childhood memory of the home features vivid blooms of pink and white, but it seems in the last ten years, Lady Trinket has expanded her palette of colors. An ornate rainbow lays before them, seemingly with little rhyme or reason, but there's a beauty in its chaos. Katniss notes roses, carnations, even a rare hyacinth mixed among the blooms.
Katniss catches her mother out of the corner of her eye taking in the grand garden on the home's front steps, a small smile crosses her lips. Of course she would enjoy this. Her father, Katniss's grandfather, had a fondness for botany. All the rare memories she knows of her mother's childhood feature the Viscount March and his daughter huddled together over some rare plant or sapling, examining its properties and writing their findings down in the family's ancestral Plant Book. The Plant Book that Asterid March stole as her last little act of revenge when she fled into the night to elope with Burdock Everdeen.
The deep red nightshade berries that climbs up the homes face, are a particular surprise. It's odd to see poisonous plants used in such a manor, but Effie explains its to keep the beggars from stealing from the Garden. Delivering the comment with a casualness that's nearly just as shocking as the berries presence.
The inside of Trinket House has been redone as well, and is now just as colorful as its exterior. Effie leads their party through the home, room by room, pointing out every little detail in this spot and that. Clearly she has not been shy in using her late husband's vast wealth. Earl Trinket was a sour, silent, man. They had stayed with him and Lady Trinket for a fortnight, and only met the man twice. There was an awkward introduction, upon their arrival, before he disappeared into his study. Then a similarly stilted farewell, in the dawn of a cold morning, as Haymitch and Lenore Dove tried to get Katniss's already catatonic mother back into the carriage.
But there's no coughing and puffing Earl Trinket anymore. He died about two years after their last visit to town. Leaving the title to some distant nephew and a vast fortune to his widow. It seems whatever will the Earl left, allowed his wife to retain residence in her beloved London home, as well.
When they reach the guest rooms, Katniss learns that even those have been completely redesigned as well. Katniss cannot help but be impressed by the sight that greets her through the open door of her assigned rooms. Soft yellows and greens, have replaced the heavy blacks and deep reds. Ornate, embroidered wallpaper covers all four walls, depicting climbing vines of flowers and herbs.
Katniss can't help but make a note of each of the blooms she recognizes and their deeper meanings. Witch-Hazel brings protection, Edelweiss speaks of purity, Maidenferns suggest beauty, even a rare Dahlia for refinement. These are plants that would never grow in one place, would never share a garden without great care and tending, but they have all been combined on the walls. Beauty, Refinement, Purity, all qualities the Everdeen women will need to present in droves in the coming weeks if they're to survive the season in tact. Witch Hazel for protection, Katniss repeats to herself. They say carrying a stick of witch-hazel wood can bring good luck, good judgement. Now, Katniss would never consider herself a superstitious woman, but who-knows, the stress of the London season might just drive her to desperation.
The maids have left the windows open to air out the rooms in anticipation for her arrival. She never realized just how large they were. But with the new gauzy curtains and the amount of bright sunlight streaming into the space it cannot be denied. She has to look, just once, just to see if its still there. The tree. The large apple tree whose branches extend all the way to the window's ledge, and far beyond.
Drawing back the edge of the curtain just a touch further reveals the strong, sturdy, tree still remains. Peering out into the space between the Trinket's House and their neighbors, she catches sight of the fork in its branches that once provided her a comfortable respite to hideaway from the whole world. Her eyes drift up just a touch higher, following the ivy up the wall of the neighboring home. Well, almost the whole world. All except…
"Katniss!" Prim calls, making her sister jump back on instinct. "You must come see my view!"
They've placed Prim right across the hall, so it's not a long walk. Where Katniss's room is dressed in natural yellows and greens, Prim's is draped in soft mauve. With pink and purple lilacs and blooming orchids climbing the walls. Embossed butterflies dance nearly all the way to the room's high ceilings. It's beautiful.
"Katniss." Prim calls again, drawing her attention back to the matter at hand. Ah, yes, the sights from her window.
"All right, show me." Katniss agrees.
Their rooms are at the front of the house, giving them each two windows facing the street and two on the home's respective sides. Where Katniss's side windows peer out on the narrow green between the Trinket's homes and their neighbors, Prim's give her a view of the large greenhouse and gardens that have sprung up on the property since their last visit. But that doesn't seem to be the aspect that's drawn Prim's attention. No, it is the bustling streets of the city that have Katniss's sister so engaged.
There's a soft window seat set below each set of windowpanes, perfectly placed for optimal people watching; and people watch they do. The sisters sit side by side commenting on the various odd folks who pass their temporary home. It is a welcome balm to Katniss's nerves and if the way Prim's eyes widen in momentary panic at the appearance of the lady's maids to dress them is indicative of her state of mind, she feels the same.
Lady Trinket has provided them with a lady's maid each but when Prim's pleading blue eyes find Katniss's gray, she knows she won't be getting ready anywhere else but her sister's room. Despite the anxious silence of the Everdeen women, the lady's maids don't seem to mind. Octavia and Venia, Katniss learns they are called in quick order. The lady's maids quickly step in to fill any silence, or overcome any awkward pauses. They regale their charges with far too many details about their lives, their upbringings, their opinions, the many ladies they have served in the past. They seem like quite eccentric characters if the women's gossip is to be believed. Katniss finds herself wanting to be annoyed, wanting to hate them outright for their frivolity, their chatter, and their overwhelmingly affected manners but she finds she just does not have it in her. Maybe another day, when she is better rested, when there is less stress on her shoulders. But not today. Today she lets the chatter wash over her in waves, enjoying the distraction and opportunity to momentarily escape into their seemingly light and easy lives.
Yet no momentary flight of fancy can stop the ornate clock ticking along on the hearth's mantle. Far too soon, they are stepping into their gowns and slipping their feet into delicate silk shoes, all purchased especially for this day. No expense was spared. They can't risk even the slightest opportunity for someone to question if they should be permitted here.
They have tugged on every connection, every distant familial relationship and vestige of personal good-will they could manage to find. Their ancestors served countless Kings of England. Their mother is the daughter of a Viscount. Their cousin is wed to a Baron. Said Baron is the cousin of an Earl's Widow. An Earl's Widow who has agreed to sponsor them this season, has ensured that Prim will be presented to the entirety of the ton with all the pomp and circumstance she deserves.
Prim looks perfect in her formal presentation gown. A vision in white and gold. All soft cheeks and nervous smiles. Her hair pulled back into an elegant braided up-do, topped off by a perfectly placed large feather. That last bit of symbolic acknowledgement of her imminent presentation. Primrose will see the Queen today, and the Queen will see her, all of London will see her.
When they are face-to-face in the entry hall, Prim speaks in a hushed voice. "You look so beautiful."
“And nothing like myself,” Katniss answers, always much more comfortable in her sturdy old boots and loose well-worn day dresses than any of the formal attire she's been required to don for today.
Katniss pulls her little sister into a hug, these next few hours will be terrible for them all. Everything rides on the next few hours. Katniss worries for Prim, always worries for Prim. But Prim worries too, for all of them. The unthinkable might still happen, they could fail, they could be turned away, they could be dismissed outright by the Queen and left to starve and rot away in scandal far from London without even a glimmer of hope.
It's a dramatic thought, Katniss is aware. But she has to consider all possible outcomes, be ready for whatever might happen. Katniss has spent years protecting her sister in every way she can, but she cannot protect Prim from this. From the burden she will now be forced to carry.
Katniss's chest fills with pain, with anguish, at the thought of Prim being rejected. She barely manages to hide it on her face as she pulls away from her sister's tight embrace. However the hug has shifted the large feather in her sister's blonde ringlets.
"Don't lose your feathers, little duck." Katniss teases, adjusting the hair ornament just so, setting it back into place.
"Alright everyone!" Lady Trinket's too cheery voice bounces down the stairs with it's owner. "It's a big, big, big day!" She declares.
If Katniss had thought Lady Trinket's attire at their arrival was over-the-top she now learns that that was simple compared to her formal dress. A boldly embroidered gown of vivid emerald and bright pink detailing. A color combination Katniss probably would not have chosen. But Lady Trinket carries herself with such blind confidence that the clashing colors almost work. She's added even more feathers into her hair, also a vibrant magenta. She attempts to joke with Prim that they match with the fluffy accessories, but no one would count Effie among the nervous batch of girls who will be presented today. Though, that doesn't mean no one will be looking at her.
Their mother fawns softly over Prim as she joins them. Uncle Haymitch and Aunt Lenore Dove follow just a few steps behind. All are dressed in arguably the nicest clothes they have ever worn, at least in Katniss's memory. But any discomfort will simply have to be tolerated today.
The sound of hoofbeats announces the arrival of Lady Trinket's carriage, much larger than the one they arrived in only hours ago. And much larger than Lady Sickle's across the street, as Effie is all to excited to declare to them.
Katniss and her family are ushered into the bright, brand new, conveyance. The carriage is wide. It has to be for all of them to sit comfortably across the two benches. But if Katniss has learned anything about London in her limited time in town, some of its streets are exceptionally narrow. As if Katniss needed anything else to worry about today. Now she must worry if they will even arrive at the Presentation in one piece, or if they'll be leaving bits of gold paint and shattered wood all along the path from Comfrey Street to Court.
Her fear over such a crash is almost immediately confirmed. The driver sets the horses off on a blistering pace and in their haste to start they nearly collide with another carriage, forcing them to swerve out of the way and tossing all the carriage's occupants to the side, and Katniss fully off the bench and onto the coach's fabric covered floor.
Katniss is just getting her legs back beneath her, Lady Trinket already shrieking aghast comments out the window, when she catches sight of the offending coach. It's a beaten-up, run down, old thing. A flash of blond hair through the window is the only glimpse of its occupants as their own takes off down the street in a flash.