Chapter 4 already! This is going really fast. I hope you're enjoying this story as much as I do. Thanks for all the reviews! All characters belong to Suzanne Collins, except for Magnus and Eden. Please read and review!
Effie's eyes shot up. Silence. Hundreds of pairs of eyes looked at her. She couldn't move. She realized she had held her breath when a rebel grabbed her arm and forced her to walk towards the stage. She let out a soft whimper, and that's when all hell broke loose. It began with her father who started yelling bloody murder as he finally snapped. More people followed. "Calm down, people!" she heard Gale say. But that made the Capitolians even more angry. A few rebels managed to pull Effie's father from the crowd. "Effie!" She snapped out of her thoughts as Eden grabbed her hand and lead her to the trucks that would bring them to the Training Center along with the other tributes. They were roughly pushed in by one of the drivers. She quickly managed to take a look at the crowd.
She saw that the victors were being escorted. The rebels made sure they were safe. Suddenly Effie heard a loud bang and saw her father fall to the ground before the doors of the truck closed. "Daddy!" Effie yelled. She stood up and tried to push the doors open. "Let me out!" she begged. "Daddy!" Eden pulled her back and put his arms around her as the truck started moving and she started crying. "Shhh, Effie." she heard him say. "You've got to focus on other things now." Effie lifted her head. "Father just got shot! Why are you so damn calm?!" She covered her mouth with her hand. Language, Euphemia.
"This may sound harsh, but Eden's right." Octavia chimed in. "We should probably focus on the Games right now. Your lives are at stake too." Effie sighed. "I really don't want to think about that right now."
When they had entered the Training Center to get ready for the Parade, she was met by a tall, handsome, black man. He really looked like Cinna, she thought. "Hello Euphemia, Eden." he greeted. "I'm really sorry that this happened. My name is Magnus. I will be the stylist for the both of you." Effie looked in his eyes. "A pleasure to meet you." Eden nodded. "Effie?" "Did you know Cinna?" Effie asked bluntly. Magnus smiled, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "He was my brother." he said. Effie smiled, "He was a great man." Magnus took her hand and kissed it. "I have a look for you two that will surely blow everyone's minds. Follow me."
Peeta pushed the heavy hardwooden doors of the prep room open. "Is she ready?" he asked Magnus, who was putting away some sewing supplies. Magnus grinned, "See for yourself, young man." and opened the curtain to reveal a stunning, young-looking woman with long, gold blonde hair standing on a low platform. "Wow." Effie was clad in a long white dress with gold details. On her head she sported a gold crown, similar to the Victor's Crown. She smiled when she saw Peeta. "What do you think?" She started twirling. It looked like golden rain was flowing from her dress. "You... you look amazing."
They both heard Haymitch voice from down the hall. "Where's Trinket?" Peeta waved at him and pointed at Effie. Haymitch walked over to him. "Eff, I came to tell you that- oh my.." He smiled sheepishly. "Is that your real hair?" "Yes it is." Effie smiled and turned around. Her hair fell past her shoulders, down her back in wavy curls. It looked full and healthy. "Don't get why you hide it. Looks good." Haymitch shrugged. "Chariots depart in two minutes." A voice called. "Where's Eden?" Effie asked while Haymitch helped her off the platform. Eden ran over to them. "Here I am. We got chariot number 12. I took care of that." He looked good in his white suit, adorned with gold details. He sported a crown on his head as well. Haymitch let go of Effie's hand as Eden took it and they walked towards the chariots. "Looking gorgeous as ever, dear." He said.
As they stepped on their chariot, Magnus gave Effie a button. "Same idea as last year. Push it when you're ready. And… make sure they remember you." Effie nodded. "Got it." She heard the first tones of Panem's anthem. Eden grabbed Effie's hand. "Here we go."
As the sun shone in her eyes, she heard people cheering. "There they are! Brother and sister. Escort and gamemaker, Effie and Eden Trinket! They look absolutely amazing!" Caesar's voice boomed through the speakers. As soon as the crowd became to quiet for Effie's liking and Caesar and Claudius started talking about the other tributes, she pushed the button. In front of their feet, a cage opened and dozens of white doves came flying out. White doves. Their family symbol.
"Oh my..!" Claudius called out. "They sure know how to surprise us every year!" Effie and Eden raised their intertwined hands and the crowd cheered for them. A dove landed on Effie's shoulder. Effie smiled and looked over at Haymitch, Katniss and Peeta. They looked satisfied. Peeta put his thumbs up. At least this started out well, she thought.