AU: Fun fact, all these names I'm literally pulling out of my ass. Bashing my head on the keyboard helps me name background characters in this story. Another fun fact is I don't own any of the hunger games books or material. I'm a part time fan, full time hayffie shipper.
PANEM TODAY
PANEM TOMMOROW
*SNOW DIES*
PANEM...FOR THE NEXT WEEK?
DAMMIT LINDA, I TOLD YOU TO RE-WRITE THIS!
ALSO MAYBE DROP A REVIEW, YOU CAN EVEN SAY I LOVE YOU, I PROMISE I WONT MAKE IT AWKWARD.
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Effie stood out of the house, happy to breathe some fresh air in. The smell of inside that kitchen was enough to make her dizzy. She had sent Natla and Gangus on their ways, saying she would stay and watch for Haymitch, waiting for him to tidy himself up. So far, she was regretting her decision, it had been past out the hour, and she was getting anxious. Effie always prided herself in being punctual, but here she was, waiting for the smelly drunk to stumble his way out of the house. she had never experienced such agitation in her life, and it was only her first day. Effie rapped on the door.
"Haymitch, we need to depart, we are going to be late" she said as calmly as she could.
No sooner had she knocked then door swung open, revealing an equally agitated Haymitch, "Could you not yell so loud sweetheart, my ears don't take high pierced shrills very well".
Effie lost her insult on her tongue as Haymitch came into view, she was taken off guard by his appearance. No longer was he sloppy and a drunken mess. His hair was brushed and framed his face gently, beard trimmed up, face cleaned and the choice of clothes was perfect to offset his gray eyes. He looked, well, handsome, almost a shadow of his former younger self.
She quickly regained her composure, "Well, I'm glad you look decent" letting the last word hang in the air.
"You're much more of a nag than the last one" he replied, putting on his overcoat, "She gave up almost an hour in of meeting me"
Effie didn't reply immediately as they stepped down the stairs and theirs heels clicked on the marble path to the gate. She noticed for being still slightly drunk, he walked remarkably well, at least he wasn't stumbling all over the place.
"Are you always this stubborn" Effie asked, exiting the gated village, Haymitch following close behind, "Then I could understand why she gave up so fast"
He looked up in the sky, as if the sunlight was poison, he moved into the shade of the trees, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Of, course he was always stubborn, this wasn't a fun event for him. Effie however looked quite beside herself as they made their way close into the town square, it disgusted him.
"Better to be stubborn then excited" he mumbled more to himself then to her.
"Pish posh" she said with a wave of her hand, "What your district needs is excitement, it's so saddening here"
They made their way in silence to the square, which was starting to be roped off for the age groups. Haymitch followed the escort in a straight line to the stone stage of the hall. Each step closer, he wanted to turn around and go back to the darkness that was his life. Each step up the stage, he regretted not using the knife on himself. Each step he hated himself more to have to be witness to this.
He watched in silence, the Peace Keepers spraying the stone, a fable attempt to make it appear clean for the televised event. Effie was giving orders, more lighting, more color, and happy faces, she threw a look at Haymitch as she said this.
Haymitch didn't smile nor did he show any emotion as he watched children being hearded like animals, into the roped spots. Oldest at the front, youngest to the back, helped the Capitol keep the population under their eye.
He saw the many sad faces of the younger children and the dread of the older ones, they stood in silence as the lineup was nearing completion. He glanced at the escort who looked out beaming at the group. She had no idea what she was about to put these children through, and if she did, there was a special place in hell for her.
Effie tittered with her cards for only a moment as she saw that they were on the air, time to shine, she thought, as she let out a wide bright smile. She tapped the microphone, gaining attention from her somber crowd.
"Welcome, my dear citizens, to the annual 66th Hunger Games, I am Effie Trinket, your new district escort" she paused waiting for a reaction from the crowd. Her face fell only for a moment when she realized she wasn't going to get any reaction out of them.
"Mhm" she cleared her throat, "Before we begin, I have a special video for you, right from the Capitol!" excitement ran through her voice.
As per usual the same video played of President Snow, describing why the hunger games were an essential part of their lives and why it was such an honor to be part of them. Complete bullshit, Haymitch though, yet the inner Districts ate it up, brainwashing at its best. The video played across the faces of the children, some looked down, others gazed into the distance, he even caught one in prayer, poor bastards.
"Panem Today, Panem Tomorrow, Panem Forever" it ended with the Presidents voice booming out into distance.
"Lovely, that video always gives me the chills" Effie spoke out, smiling as the two glass bowls were brought out in front of her. The crowd tensed as Effie stepped forward.
"Let's get started shall we, ladies first, just good manners" she joked, letting out a little laugh. The crowd stood unamused, as she reached into the bowl, making a show of grabbing one the papers, twirling her hand about.
She selected a paper from the bottom and plucked it out, everyone held their breath as she opened the parcel.
"Birdalyn Mote" Effie said with happiness, "Our female tribute for District 12"
Haymitch saw heads turn to the very back, a small girl, who couldn't be older than thirteen, peeked out, pure horror on her face. She slowly made her way to the front of the Justice Hall, already crying, she wiped her tears on the back of her sleeve.
"C'mon dear" Effie encouraged extending her hand to the small raven haired girl. She didn't look Effie in the ye or take her hand as she stood directly in front of the glass bowl that just determined her fate.
"Now for the boys" she continued, as if there wasn't a sobbing child beside her.
Her hand swiftly picked out from the top of the boy's bowl, she clutched it like a vulture who just noticed fresh meat. She cleared her throat to announce the remaining tribute.
"Wendt Sise"
A blonde boy of nearly sixteen broke his way from the crowd, looking like a bewildered animal, eyes large and shaking like an earthquake was going through his body. He approached quicker than the girl, no doubt his adrenaline fueling him, he almost knocked over the bowl as he approached, stuttering his apology he stood at his spot, looking at his feet.
Effie steadied the bowl with a twinkling laugh, "Well looks like someone is at least excited" she said patting the boy on the shoulder. Haymitch had to contain a rueful laugh, not only is she brainwashed but stupid too, anyone with a normal brain span could tell that was not excitement from that poor boy.
"Thank you for your sacrifice District 12" Effie took the children's hands, "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor"
That was his cue to make his way to the train, not meeting anyone's eye he slipped into the shadows and started to make his way toward the platform. It was time to start his drinking again.
Still in the Justice Hall Effie rounded up the two children and escorted them to the back building where the train was waiting for them, eager to get started she let them say their customary goodbyes and scooted them along, talking excitedly about how much fun they were about to have.
Effie opened the doors to the train and let the two children board, she sat them down at the living quarters, her nose caught a whiff of whiskey. Haymitch must be making himself at home she thought with annoyance.
"So" she settled herself in the seat across from them, "How are we feeling"
Both the children didn't look at her, the boy concentrated on the food behind her and the girl was playing with with the edge of skirt. Effie had to restrain herself from taking the girls hand, as that kind of nervous behavior was not good manners. She remembered her mother fussing about the same habit Effie once had.
"Are you two excited to get to see the Capitol, it's so beautiful, such a treat for you two I'm sure" she tried again, smiling warmly at both of them.
Silence, again. Good time to bring Haymitch in she thought, she said a polite pardon to excuse herself and followed the scent of the whiskey. She needn't travel oo far as she found him slouched over the bar, eyes watching intently on the teleprompter that showed Reapings of the other districts.
He didn't have to see Effie, to know she was there, her smell was enough, he couldn't pinpoint exactly what fruit it reminded him off but it was strong and it made him want to gag. Damn woman just couldn't leave him be.
"Haymitch, I think it's time you went there and tried to talk to them, they won't peep a word to me" she said, sounding polite.
"Hah" he turned to face her, "You really think they are going to want to talk to someone who just sentenced them to death, are you just that big of an idiot or has the Capitol really brainwashed you into thinking these kids think this whole thing is an honor"
The words stung Effie more than they should have let them, "You know" she said her voice quivering slightly, "You are the one sentencing them to death by not trying to help them. This is your job, Haymitch, you're a mentor"
He raised a glass to her, "And a damn good one, I just let the kids sit back, enjoy the food and the comfort and make sure they know they have no chance of surviving"
"And you insult me with these jabs of being unfeeling and lacking intelligence, once again you show how much of a hypocrite you are" she spat back.
Haymitch smashed the glass on the bar, shards flying everywhere, "I'm not the one willing participating in this sweetheart, if it were up to me I'd lock myself away and never come out of that house, but you Capitol bastards drag me out, primp me and cast me into the spotlight. Tell me to smile pretty for the cameras so no one knows the true nature of life after these games, you make me sick"
Effie felt the tears form in her eyes, she quickly turned her back on the man, and walked out, slamming the door shut. Forgetting all her good manners.
The two children had helped themselves to the food while she was gone, the girl picked at her food like a baby bird and the boy was digging in like a piglet who had never eaten before.
She sat beside the girl, who froze up in her presence, dropping her food from her hand.
"You're such a delicate eater" Effie said gently, "You are a lady in the making"
"Thank you" the young girl responded still not looking at Effie. Poor thing must be exhausted from all the excitement from today, Effie thought sadly.
"Birdalyn is a beautiful name, although do you prefer a nickname" she asked trying to pry the girl to talk.
"Birdy" the little girl whispered, finally looking up at Effie, "It's what my mum calls me"
"Beautiful" Effie exclaimed, happiness filled her voice, the girl never responded back, picking back up her food, eating in silence.
Tut, tut, Effie thought, how could she produce victors if they weren't even brave enough to carry on a conversation. She wished Haymitch would get off his high horse and give these tributes some advice, she wasn't getting anywhere with them. She sighed and watched the two children eat, hoping Haymitch would have a change of heart.
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