That morning Effie did not say a word to Haymitch. When Effie did look at him, she was glaring at him. If looks could kill, Haymitch would be six-feet under.
"How are you holding up today?" Haymitch asks.
"How do you think I'm doing?" Effie replies with a cross of her arms.
"Look I know you're pissed, but I-"
"But you what? I can't believe you did that, Haymitch. You and I both know our kids had a chance at winning!" Effie exclaims her voice getting louder after every sentence.
Rarely did Effie ever raise her voice. She found it a complete waste of energy, but this was different.
"They are not our kids. You got too attached," Haymitch said with a sigh.
"So you're just going to shrug it off?" Effie asks.
"Rule one of the games: Don't get attached. They should have taught you that in Games school," Haymitch replies.
"Well excuse for actual being human and having a heart," Effie says before leaving the table.
"You've got some learning to do, Sweetheart," Haymitch calls after her.
The Games went by painfully slow for Effie. She got tired of making arrangements for her fallen tributes. She was tired of crying every night for the tributes who died. She's tired of feeling guilty. That doesn't stop her from pulling out another two names. Things turned around during the 74th Hunger Games. Despite Haymitch falling off the stage, but at least it wasn't like the first year.
"That is mahogany," Effie hisses at Katniss.
"You tell her, Effie," Haymitch says in a mock Capitol tone.
Effie rolls her eyes at Haymitch, and puts away her make up. When they arrive at the Capitol, the two tributes just stare in awe. Cameras everywhere along with Capitol citizens trying to catch a glimpse at this years tributes.
Once they arrive, the tributes are ushered to their stylists.
"So who are these new stylists everyone is talking about?" Haymitch asks.
"Cinna Stone and Portia Tellan. They are the hottest designers in the Capitol," Effie beams.
"I guess we won't have to worry about coal being shoved up the tributes" private parts," Haymitch says with a chuckle.
Effie slaps him with her.
"Oh come on, it was a joke," Haymitch said.
Effie and Haymitch enter the elevator along with two other escorts. Haymitch can only try to block the sound of three high pitched women. Now that I think about, Trinkets voice isn't that bad.
"I think we have chance this year, Haymitch," Effie says as the elevator door opens.
"Remember when you said that your first year?" Haymitch asks before grabbing a bottle of whiskey.
"Haymitch I'm serious," Effie says.
"Look, don't go getting your hopes up. We have no clue what these kids are capable of," Haymitch says.
"You always say that, why don't you actually stop drink and start giving advice," Effie says taking the bottle away from him.
"On one condition," Haymitch says.
"And what might that be?" Effie asks.
"You, me, and the shower," Haymitch replies with a cheeky grin.
Effie blushes, and hopes Haymitch can't see it.
"That is highly inappropriate, Abernathy," Effie says.
"You didn't say that last time, Trinket," Haymitch adds.
Effie opens and close her mouth like a goldfish trying to find the right words to say. Haymitch grabs her by the waist, and pulls her towards him.
"So are you going to agree on that condition or not?" Haymitch whispers in her. His stubble scratching her skin, and he feels her take in sharp breath.
"No drinking more advice," Effie says not giving him the answer he wants.
"Less talking more taking off the clothes," Haymitch whispers.
"Only when I say so," Effie adds.
"Only when you say so," Haymitch repeats before leading her to his bathroom.
XxX
"Haymitch, we're already late," Effie says swatting away his wandering hands.
"Portia and Cinna can show them the way up," Haymitch says burying his face in her real hair.
"Haymitch," Effie says in a stern tone.
"Fine," Haymitch says backing away from her.
He watches intently as she turns into that porcelain doll. Haymitch finally gets dressed, but in that time Effie still isn't ready.
"See, you're taking forever," Haymitch says.
"One can't rush perfection," Effie says adjusting her wig.
She stand upright in the mirror, and brushes the wrinkles out of her dress.
Haymitch couldn't help but stare at her. Within minutes she became a whole different person.
"Okay, let's go, I think we can catch the end of the parade," Effie said.
Haymitch hooks his arm around hers. They arrive at the parade as District 9's tributes roll down. District 12 starts, and Effie squeezes his hand. Katniss and Peeta lit up the parade, literally. The crowd went crazy over the two tributes.
"Where have you two been?" Portia asks.
"Just taking care of some escort-mentor business," Effie replies.
Haymitch looks at her, and she can't help but to look back.
"Well let's not just stand here, let's go to the Penthouse," Effie says leading the group to the they exit the elevator, Haymitch an't help but to take a quick look at Effie's backside.
"Why do't you two go freshen up before dinner," Effie says.
Cinna and Portia take a spot on the couch.
"What escort-mentor business was taken care of that took so long?" Portia asks.
"For a new girl, you sure do pry," Haymitch says.
"Thank you, it's one of the things I do best," Portia says.
"I think this year is going to be it. I can just feel it," Efie says clasping her hands together.
" Hopefully the last year," Cinna says under the his breath.
"What was that Cinna?" Effie asks.
"Oh, I said I hope that it continues for years. District 12 could use the victors," Cinna said giving a Effie a warm smile.
"So, have anymore flaming ideas for the interviews?" Haymitch asks.
"That's for us to know, and you to find out," Portia replies.
""Well I know the both of you will outdo yourselves. You have Distirct 12 the hi-light of the evening," Effie says.
"Thank you Effie," Cinna and Portia say simultaneously.
"I'm surprised Haymitch doesn't have a drink in his hand," Cinna says.
"Well one can change," Haymitch says looking at Effie.
"We'll see about that," Effie says.