Thank you everyone for your reviews :) Really appreciate it!

Disclaimer: Still not mine, not Suzanne Collins

Chapter 4

Haymitch stepped off the train into the orange glare of the setting sun. He glanced around and immediately noted the change in the Capitol. It was different from his time as a mentor.

It was as busy as ever with people rushing around to get to their destinations. But these people were not dressed in the usual arrogant Capitol fashion. As expected, their dressing and clothing were much more colourful than what one would normally find in the Districts. However, he saw fewer people with wigs and neon coloured hair; the Capitol residents were no longer as outlandish as they used to be.

"Oh wow, they almost look like us. Normal," Katniss observed, impressed.

"Yeah," Peeta nodded his agreement, looking at a man donned in a navy blue suit and white bow tie. "Come on, we'll be late the longer we stay here," Peeta said, dragging a very reluctant Katniss along with him.

President Paylor had turned the late President Snow's mansion into what the residents of the Capitol termed "The Cityhall". The representatives from the individual districts met there for official meetings and discussions. It was also a place where new laws for the governance of separate districts as well as Panem as a whole were drafted, and the plans for the rebuilding of each district were constructed. President Paylor's office was also in the Cityhall, although she resides elsewhere.

The Cityhall was also the venue where the Anniversary Ball was being held. Walking towards the double doors, Haymitch could hear the hubbub of the crowd, melodious music resonating through the corridors and saw the guests coming and going.

Haymitch's step faltered as a sudden thought entered his mind. Effie will be here, he realized in mounting horror. He wasn't ready to face her, he didn't know if he was ready to face her.

What would I do if Effie refused to look at me and walk away from me? And should Effie hate me, what would I do? These thoughts ran rampant in his mind as he made the slow walk to the ballroom.

"You okay?" Katniss turned around to ask when she realized he had fallen behind.

"Wha- Yes. You know how much I detest these kind of events," he said gesturing to the source of the music.

Katniss raised an eyebrow at him, finding his answer unconvincing, but she was too polite to point it out. When the three of them stepped in to the hall, the party had already started.

Good, we missed the speeches, Haymitch thought gleefully to himself, his despondent mood swings taking a turn for the better. Katniss and Haymitch had agreed the day before they were scheduled to leave District 12 that they would arrive spectacularly late; sparing themselves the arduous and torturously long speeches, as well as other self-congratulatory addresses, so often mandatory in official events.

Soon after they entered the hall, Katniss and Peeta had left him to his own devices as they made their way around the room to exchange pleasantries and greetings. Haymitch wandered off to the refreshment table, piling his plate high with food.

Walking off to find himself an empty table, he was intercepted by a few reporters who wanted to know how the infamously reclusive former mentor and rebel had been living his life. They soon lost interest when he only gave curt, non-committal replies.

He had greeted and exchanged small talk, something that he was incapable of, with Gale and Mrs. Everdeen, who was also invited. Hoping that nobody would notice him, he excused himself and sat alone at a table in a corner, attacking his food.

He was on his second plate of mango pudding when Annie marched over to say hello and introduced her little boy to him. Finnick, he was called, named after his father. Little Finnick's eyes were the exact same shade of green as his father, causing Haymitch to be taken by surprise when the boy looked at him, gurgling something unintelligible.

Haymitch lost his appetite soon after, the veritable mountain of food on his plate uneaten. Thoughts of how Finnick should have been there with his family, carrying his little boy and fending off the ladies throwing themselves at his feet occupied Haymitch's mind.

He went off to the balcony with a glass of punch in his hand, to clear his head and, mostly, to escape the crowd. He never did much like crowds. It was suffocating. Besides, there was no Effie Trinket by his side, whispering to him out of the corner of her mouth to mind his manners and put a smile on his face as people approached him.

Wandering out to the balcony, he heard the voices of a man and a woman talking and as he approached them, he heard a woman laughing. He knew that laugh; one that he would recognised it anywhere. It invaded his dream every night.

He walked in on Plutarch Heavensbee and Effie Trinket, her hand resting lightly on his upper arms as he regaled her with stories that got her laughing in stitches. They turned to him when he cleared his throat and Effie's laughter died on her lips.

"Uhhh, hello," he said, raising his right hand in greeting, masking his surprise at the sight of the two of them. "Didn't know there was anyone out here. Thought everyone would be inside enjoying the festivities."

"Haymitch!" Plutarch exclaimed, taking his hands and shaking it enthusiastically. "Didn't see you, my friend! When did you arrive?"

"'Bout an hour and a half ago, I think. You came from District 3, yeah?"

"Yes, yes. You came late, I presume?" he asked.

"Just be glad we came at all, Heavensbee," Haymitch replied, smiling.

"Ah, well, I have to go back inside. See you around and make sure you find me before you go back to Twelve!" he said waggling his index finger at Haymitch.

Haymitch laughed and gave him a two finger salute. He was acutely aware that he is now alone with Effie Trinket. He swallowed uncomfortably. Haymitch stood there awkwardly, taking a deep breath before turning to face her.

A/N: There'll be more Effie next chapter. & how will they react to each other? Hmmm. & i'll explain Plutarch next chapter.

Leave a review and let me know what you think!