As lights went out Valkyrie immediately went very still, out of instinct. Then as the announcement called out over the speakers, she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. Most of these tributes probably weren’t great with navigating a new space in the darkness, meaning they’d probably be sticking to the main areas- their rooms, the bar, maybe the games room. Most likely, none of them would venture to the furthest carriages open to the tributes. This was probably going to be the last chance she’d have in a long time, one she thought she wasn’t going to get.
She silently left the room, careful to avoid the other tributes, and made her way down to the last carriage. She could finally sing the snippet of the song that had been circling round her head ever since the reaping. It was one of the old songs, from before Panem. One of the few things from her parents that she had allowed to stay, or if she was being truthful with herself, that she couldn’t let go.
In District Two there had never been much chance to sneak away to sing, but there had always been some chance. It was one of the few things she did not because she needed to be seen doing it, but because she loved it. And ever since Tai’s drawing she’d felt the urge like an itch under her skin.
She knew it was stupid, but Valkyrie was a woman of risk and benefit. This was the lowest risk she was going to see in a very long time, and the benefit was strong enough that she couldn’t not take the chance. As she moved into the room she quietly pulled the door closed behind her, waited a second to listen for movement, and allowed herself just to sing just up to the first chorus. Quietly, so as not to draw the attention of any wanderers.
As she trailed off into a hum, she didn’t stop the small smile on her face, safe in the darkness where no one could see.
