MATERIAL GIRL.
Effie Trinket wasn't like the other women in the Capitol any more. Hell, she used to be. She was just as bad as the rest of them when it came to the Hunger Games. She'd watch in awe, gape at the tributes, bet on the most predictable of survivors. Now, all of that sickened her stomach. It brought bile to her prude mouth, sweat to her brow, dizziness to her sanity. Things never used to be like this, and it was still confusing for the Escort to understand how quickly everything had changed. The story of how it all began went something like this.
- Three Years Ago -
A bright life! A colourful beginning. Glowing embers and blossoming flowers, dresses and miraculously planned parties. Citizens everywhere, each with the wackiest styles of hair; all handcrafted wigs, but wonderful all the same. Nowhere in the Capitol was dull, which was one of the reasons why Effie loved it so much. She was a true Capitol girl at heart. Everyone who saw her knew it straight away. Effie Trinket, the doll of the Capitol.
It was, as usual, one of those days, sunny and filled with the scents of spiced apple and honey. A tiny pink envelope was delicately placed through the letter box of Miss Trinket's home on that morning so bright. At precisely six o'clock, she awoke and began to plaster on an unusually stunning face. She slipped into something bold, peach in colour; a puffy skirt and tight lace corset with ruffled magenta sleeves. Her heeled shoes were also magenta, and so were her contact lenses. The eye shadow was styled in harmony with the colour of her skirt and fake lashes. And, finally, the wig of the day; a glittery head of perfectly twisted curls, pale peach with hits of magenta, a combination of the two, and a perfect transition.
"Good morning, Mr Sparkles." Effie chimed, petting the fluffy purple kitten as she passed him by. "It's a wonderfully glorious morning, don't you think?" She spoke rhetorically, grinning brightly as she flung open the blinding pink curtains in the decorative kitchen.
Time ticked by slowly that day. Effie left the house without checking the mail, in a rush to get to work and stick to her painfully strict schedule. She didn't have the best job out there, but it was decent; a small magazine editor for Capitol Colours. The minutes passed by tortuously, until home time, when she departed from her office for the evening, and missed the delivery of yet another pink envelope.
Midnight soon came on this Hunger Games Eve-Eve, and Effie found herself cornered. Tonight, everyone in the Capitol was celebrating the start of a New Year. Fireworks boomed in the pitch black sky, citizens jumped with over-enthusiastic joy and counted down till the morning would come. But not Effie. Four peacekeepers surrounded her briskly, in front of all of her friends. They stood tall, looking down at the short woman with emotionless faces.
"Miss Trinket, by order of the Capitol, we present you with a decree, which requests your presence at this years Annual Hunger Games Tournament. You were chosen especially by President Snow to be District 12's new Escort. You have three hours to pack up your things and get on the train to the Parade Central. Congratulations." And, a pink envelope was then pressed into her shaking hands.
Chorus's of 'Congratulations Effie' were everywhere. Men of all shapes, sizes and status's were coming over to her, offering exotic drinks, sparkling jewellery, prize possessions, and all just begging for one dance with the famous, Effie Trinket.
"This is such a fantastic opportunity, Effie, darling, and chosen especially by President Snow! You must be extremely excited. I know I would be." Her best friend, Opal Leverton gushed politely. The other party members all nodded in unison, raising their champagne flutes in a toast to the Capitol girl's newest achievement.
Effie, herself, couldn't stop smiling. "Thank you all so very much for the support and gracious gifts. I am honoured! But, sadly, I must leave you all now and pack my things. I must bid you adieu, and leave by wishing you a happy hunger games! Let the odds, be forever in your favour!" She sang merrily, a ring of 'awww's in the air as she turned to leave and go home. Tomorrow would be a very very big day.
Author's Note: Hope you guys enjoyed reading this intro chapter! I've never written for the Hunger Games section before, so I'm super nervous about posting. This is basically the story of how Effie became an Escort in the first place, and then how she got to know Haymitch day by day. This is kind of my interpretation of what they're like before the tributes arrive and when they have any spare time to themselves. But, yeah, I hope you enjoyed it, and let me know what you think! Hugs and butterfly kisses, love Starproof.