AN: The last part of this chapter was inspired by this paragraph in the first book:
"Haymitch and Effie grill us throughout breakfast and dinner about every moment of the day…Not that Haymitch and Effie are fighting anymore. Instead, they seem to be of one mind, determined to whip us into shape." (p.99)
I used this line to help prove to my boyfriend that Haymitch and Effie don't actually hate eachother, though he still doesn't think they'd ever be a couple :P
Anyway, Katniss explained away these dinners in a short paragraph. But I have a more in-depth version.
Also, I take a line out of the movie in this one, just because I liked it.
The 74th Hunger Games: The Training Centre
The next morning, Effie was finishing up her make-up when Haymitch came bounding into her room. He'd had breakfast alone with the tributes. He said he didn't think they trusted her yet, which they probably didn't. Especially Katniss.
"I was right!" he exclaimed. "She can hunt. With a bow."
"A bow?" Effie turned in her chair and looked up at him, confused.
"Yeah, a bow. You know…" he mimed shooting an arrow.
"Oh!" Effie exclaimed. "I thought you meant…never mind," she couldn't hide her blush.
"What, a bow?" he walked up to her laughing and flicked one of the bows on her dress.
"Yes, shut up, it's early," she said. "Anyway, go on," she prodded him.
"Right. Well she can hunt. With a bow," he mimed shooting an arrow again, "and arrow. Peeta says she's good. Apparently she gets them in the eye."
Effie made a disgusted face, "Why would she do that?"
"So it won't ruin the meat," Haymitch explained, a bit impatiently.
"Oh," Effie said, feeling stupid again.
"She's got good aim, it looks like. She did with the knife anyway, so that's a good sign. Obviously she can't show us her archery skills though. And she knows some snares. You know, for trapping animals? And as for Peeta, Katniss says he's strong. He can lift a hundred-pound bag of flour. And he can wrestle. She says he came in second in the school competition."
"That's great!" Effie exclaimed. "You told them not to show the others their strengths though, right?"
"Obviously," Haymitch said, a little annoyed. "I told them to learn stuff they don't already know. And I told them to stick together. To appear…what's the word I used…amiable."
"Good word," Effie said with a grin.
"Surprised?" he joked.
"No," Effie joked back. "Your vocabulary improves vastly when you're sober."
"How drôle," he replied in a fake Capitol accent.
Effie laughed, "Anything else? I have to go soon."
"Umm, they're fine with being coached together, which will save some time, so that's good. And…well," he chuckled lightly, "they had a little fight. It was kinda cute actually. It reminded me of a certain other couple…" he smiled down at her and she smiled back, but then frowned.
"Yes well…we mustn't think like that. Only one of them will make it out of there," she said sensibly.
"You sound like me," he said, frowning back.
"Well…there's pessimism and then there's just realism," she retorted. "So do you think if he helps her, and then…she's left alone in there, do you think she'll have a shot?"
"Yes. But I definitely think they'll be stronger if they stick together," Haymitch replied.
"Do you think Katniss will agree to that?" Effie got the feeling she wouldn't.
Haymitch sighed, "I don't know. I couldn't really blame her if she didn't. Once you get in there…well you just want to get the hell away from everyone. Even people you trusted before," he got the far-away look in his eye that he always wore when he talked about his Games. "But who knows. She might come around in the end."
Effie stood up and patted his arm sympathetically. She never knew quite what to say when he talked about his Games, but he never really wanted her to say anything anyway.
"You better go now, you wouldn't want to get behind schedule," he switched back to his mocking tone and she gasped and looked at her watch. She turned and ran for the door, and Haymitch hit her playfully on the ass on the way out.
When Effie reached the elevator, Peeta was already there.
"Good morning, Peeta!" she said brightly, over-emphasizing his name. It was fun to say it in the clipped tones of her Capitol accent. Peet-ah!
"Good morning, Effie," he replied with a smile, but he looked a little tired.
"Are you excited for your first day of training?" she hated herself for asking such a moronic question.
"I guess," he said with a shrug.
"Don't worry! Just do exactly what Haymitch told you to do and you'll be fine! He does want what's best for you and Katniss, you know. He just has a funny way of showing it," she assured him. Peeta gave her the same odd look he'd given her yesterday on the train, after he'd found Haymitch in her bedroom.
"I guess you two know each other pretty well, huh?" he asked.
"Oh well, we've worked together for almost 20 years!" she replied, fighting against the blush that threatened to rise to her cheeks. Thankfully Katniss approached them just at that moment. Effie turned away from Peeta and smiled at her broadly. The girl had been biting her nails, but as soon as she saw them she lowered her hand hastily.
"Good morning, Katniss!" Effie exclaimed. "You're right on time!"
"Hi," Katniss replied, not bothering to pretend she was happy.
"Well, let's be off!" Effie said as she pressed the button for the elevator, which opened almost instantly. "It's going to be a big, big, big day!" she added as she ushered the kids into the elevator before stepping onto it herself. Her mother used to use this phrase when she was a child, and she always thought it sounded like the perfect thing for a Capitol woman to say.
Effie cleared her throat. "As I was just saying to Peeta, don't let Haymitch get to you, dear. He really does want to help you win. The both of you. He may not have the best manners, but he knows what he's talking about."
"I thought you hated Haymitch?" Katniss asked.
"No, I…" Effie turned from Katniss to Peeta, who was giving her that funny look again. A knowing look, she realized. "I hate it when he's irresponsible and rude, which is often. But he sees something in the both of you that he hasn't seen in a tribute for a long long time. So trust him." Both kids looked surprised by what Effie had just said, and she hoped it wasn't too rebellious for whoever else was listening. As they were about to reach the training room, she added. "And remember to stick together."
While Katniss and Peeta were training with the other tributes, Haymitch and Effie spent most of their time schmoozing with the Capitol elite. Haymitch hadn't been allowed to speak to sponsors before the opening ceremonies, but he could now that the Games had officially begun. The Viewing Centre wasn't open yet, but there was nothing stopping them from going to the bars and restaurants where the sponsors were all likely to hang out. With all the parties being held this time of year in anticipation for the Hunger Games, the escorts and mentors kept busy.
Effie was thrilled they had their old spark back. Haymitch was charming to the sponsors, and they worked together well. They had their old friendly banter back, and they even flirted a little. But at dinner, it was time to concentrate on the kids' training.
"Tell us everything," Haymitch demanded as soon as they sat down at the table. Effie was pleased that he'd been avoiding alcohol all day, although he'd accepted the Avox's offer of wine.
Katniss and Peeta looked at each other, then back at Haymitch. "Well, we avoided the archery and weightlifting stations, like you said," Peeta answered.
"Good. Good," Haymitch replied. "So what did you do first?"
"Tied knots," Katniss asked, then took a big bite of bread.
"And?" Haymitch prodded. Katniss shrugged, her mouth full.
"Well, Katniss mentioned she knew something about snares, so the trainer showed us a trap. See, it'll catch someone by the leg and dangle them upside-down. We spent an hour working on it and I think we both mastered it," he looked over at Katniss, who nodded.
"Oh, excellent!" Effie trilled. "You know, I think that's one of the more neglected training areas. But it's a very useful skill!"
"Right," Haymitch nodded.
Effie continued excitedly, "You never know what the arena will bring! Suppose you…suppose you have to dangle from a tree, or something. A good knot will come in handy there."
Katniss gave her a doubtful look and Peeta smiled.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Eff. We're gonna talk about the arenas later, remember?" Haymitch reminded her.
"Right, right," she said. "Go on, what did you do after that?" she asked the tributes.
"Well, we went to the camouflage station," Peeta replied, and looked a bit embarrassed.
"Peeta was really good!" Katniss exclaimed, almost angrily. "He painted his arm, and it looked just like real leaves in the woods."
"You didn't mention you were good with camouflage, dear," Effie said to Peeta.
"Oh, well…" he looked a bit sheepish. "I didn't know I was. See, I decorate the cakes back home, but -"
"You make those?" Haymitch interrupted. "They're really good!"
"Oh, so that's where your six-pack went," Effie joked and patted him on the stomach.
"Cute," he said to her wryly then turned back to Peeta. "I meant the designs…They taste good too though," he added with a grin. "That will definitely come in useful, if you need to hide. Good job," he said enthusiastically and turned on Katniss. "And what about you? Any good at camouflage?"
"Not really," she said with a shrug.
Haymitch glared slightly but went on. "Then what?"
"Are you two going to interrogate us all through dinner? Because I'd really like to enjoy my last few days -" Katniss started, but Haymitch interrupted aggressively.
"And I'd like you to enjoy the next 50 years! So shut up and tell us what happened."
Katniss gave him a rebellious grin, "How can I tell you what happened if I shut up?" Haymitch looked like he was about to hit her, so Effie put a calming hand on his arm.
"Really dear, we're just trying to help you," she said to Katniss with a smile.
"Stop calling me dear," Katniss snapped at her.
"You leave her alone," Haymitch snapped back.
"TRUCE!" Peeta shouted and stood up, holding his arms between Haymitch and Katniss.
Effie squeezed Haymitch's arm. "Truce," he said begrudgingly.
"Fine," Katniss said, and took a big bite out of the chicken that had just been placed in front of her.
Peeta sat back down. "We learned how to start fires. Katniss picked it up faster but I figured it out in the end. Then we did the edible plants test. I wasn't very good but Katniss got it perfect without even blinking an eye. And finally we started to learn how to make shelters. Neither of us got it though, so we told the trainer we'd come back and finish with her tomorrow."
"Excellent!" Effie exclaimed. "You should try to learn more about those plants though, Peeta. That will be a very useful skill in any woodland arena, which they do seem to choose more often than not."
Peeta nodded, looking a little guilty.
"Is that all you did today?" Haymitch asked. Effie was glad most of the anger had left his voice.
"Yeah," Peeta replied.
"Good. Survival skills are vital," Haymitch said encouragingly. "But when you finish making shelters tomorrow you should get some practice with weapons. You might not get a bow and arrow in the arena, Katniss, so you should hone your knife skills, if you can." Katniss nodded deftly, but didn't look at him. "What about the other tributes? Did anyone stand out?"
"Well…the Careers were all huge, obviously," Peeta replied. "And they were showing off."
"The boy from 2 shot a spear right through a dummy's heart from 15 yards away," Katniss chipped in, sounding depressed.
"Well. That's impressive," Haymitch said. "But from the sounds of it you could out-shoot him with your bow any day." Peeta nodded enthusiastically and Katniss looked like she was suppressing a smile. "And, more importantly, they don't know that you can do it. That's the Careers' biggest weakness. Arrogance."
Katniss finally looked up at Haymitch. She'd never thought of the Careers as having any weaknesses, but she realized he was right. They seemed to have their own silent truce in that moment, as they sat staring at each other. She wondered if she came off as arrogant; she knew Haymitch certainly did.
Effie broke the awkward silence. "And what about the other tributes. What were they like?"
"Small, most of them," Peeta started.
"No, that's not true. Most of them were bigger than me…though probably not bigger than Peeta," Katniss countered.
"Yeah, but they were skinny, and underfed. You've got some muscle on you," Peeta said firmly.
"How would you know?" she snapped at him.
"Whoa, relax, sweetheart," Haymitch chimed in. "Everybody can see it."
"It must be all those squirrels you eat," Effie added with a half-hearted chuckle. Peeta and Haymitch joined in nervously.
Katniss frowned and looked back down at her food. She wondered how Effie knew about the squirrels, but then she realized that of course Haymitch must have told her. She almost hated them more when they were getting along than when they were fighting.
"Anyway, they looked inexperienced. The others, I mean. I don't think most of them had ever even used a knife before," Peeta added.
"Well, of course, that's the same every year," Effie said adamantly. "We can write-off about half of them from the get-go."
Peeta and Katniss looked at her in surprise, and Haymitch's shocked expression was almost comical.
"Effie," he said with a gasp, "I've never heard you talk like that before."
"Well…it's true," she said nervously. She realized that it had sounded callous, but she had only said it to make the kids feel better. "It's sad, but it's true." She suddenly got a panicked expression on her face. She thought quickly. "It's sad that you won't get to fight all of them properly." She said stupidly and took a few quick forkfuls of rice. She hated the feeling that they were being watched…or listened to…or both.
"Why don't you tell them about the arenas now?" Haymitch said quickly. He knew she loved talking about them and he was a little worried about her.
"Okay!" Effie lit up, reached beside her chair, and pulled up her official Hunger Games briefcase. As much as she hated the Games, the arenas were her favourite part. They were deadly beautiful in their design. And some of them were just so unique that you couldn't help but be interested in them. She had taken a few architecture classes in university and talking about the arenas always excited her. Besides, this would give her a chance to praise the Gamemakers, so this was the perfect time for them to be listening.
She pulled out a neat stack of large papers and placed them in the middle of the table, facing the tributes. There were 25 of them, to be exact. Although the Gamemakers liked to have a unique design every year, they did tend to rotate between a few basic designs, or sometimes they would mix some aspects of several designs together. And there were a few that were truly unique, that had never been replicated since.
"I think you'll be familiar with the four most common designs. We have the forest, the industrial wasteland, the desert, and the mountains. Of course, there are many variation of these basic designs. For example, the forest can be a regular coniferous forest, or a rain forest. And these arenas usually include a meadow or a clearing of some-sort. Food sources can usually be found within the forest itself, and must be hunted, trapped, or picked. Then there's the industrial arenas. These are my personal favourite," she gave her fake Capitol laugh. "Food sources are generally found hidden in crates, scattered throughout the buildings. These arenas usually provided the best shelter," this was the main reason why they were her favourite. Plus, she had never been the outdoorsy type. "Now, I must tell you about one of the best arenas I've ever seen. It was long before your time. It all took place in a giant super-market. But surely you don't know what a super-market is, so let me explain." She pointed sharply to the paper at the top of the pile. "It's basically like a large store, made up of other stores. Imagine, Peeta, if your parents' bakery was in the same building as the butcher, and the grocer, and the dress shop, and every other shop in town! All in the same giant building. So, of course the tributes had everything they needed all in that one store. And they could find places to sleep up on the high high shelves. But, it was also hard to travel, or escape, since they never knew who was around the corner. And the Careers made camp where all the food was…"
She went on about the arenas for about 10 more minutes before she noticed that even Peeta had stopped paying attention. Haymitch had long since zoned out, having heard this presentation several times before, and Katniss really only listened when Effie talked about the forest arenas. Effie sighed and packed up her papers, promising to continue in the morning, when they'd all gotten some sleep.
The rest of their time with the tributes over the next few days went in much the same way. Haymitch and Effie expected a recap of exactly what they did, how well they did it, who watched them, and how all the others measured up. And they were endlessly giving them directions on what to do and what not to do.
They didn't even fight anymore, in front of the kids, or the sponsors, or when they were alone. It was as if they were of one mind, focusing solely on helping Katniss and Peeta win. Katniss or Peeta, Effie had to keep reminding herself.
AN: It was surprisingly confusing writing a conversation involving all four of these characters, especially since Haymitch and Effie were being nice to each other, Katniss was being mean to everyone, Haymitch was being mean to Katniss, and Peeta and Effie were being nice to everyone. It was like, whoa, worst family dinner ever. Did anybody else get that correlation?
Also, that little story about the super-market arena, I actually had a dream about it so I wanted to throw it into a fic! It was basically a giant Costco, and at one point I had to climb up this really high shelf to reach a sleeping bag. It was actually a pretty cool dream. Also terrifying though.
