*I've come to really enjoy Seneca. I never planned for him to be a prominent presence in the chapters. For now I hope you enjoy him. He certainly adds more drama to Hayffie. :) *
Effie nestled her head against Seneca's shoulder as his alarm went off for the 3rd round of snooze. He brushed back a stray hair from her face, "I really should go." He said gruffly and rubbed his face.
Effie slowly blinked and mumbled a response. She was still quite asleep despite the alarms going off. Seneca smiled and brushed a thumb across her cheek. "You've got to get up as well, love."
Her face scrunched up in protest, "Shh…" She breathed.
Seneca laughed and leaned over her kissing a soft trail over her cheek and neck. "You really ought to get up. I know you've got a busy day too."
Effie opened her eyes and looked up at Seneca, her fingers tracing the outlines of his finely designed beard. "Alright, I'm up." She sighed, letting herself indulge the kisses.
"While I have you here…" He smirked, laying over her and pecking her lips. "I have to ask you something."
Effie smiled, "What?"
"During the interviews tonight Caesar's asked me to do one, before the tributes do theirs. It's been a while since they've interviewed a Head Gamemaker. More so, he's asked you to come on stage with me." He looked down at her and waited.
Effie got the intention and bit her lip, "Do you think it's wise for us to be out there? Caesar's going to pry." She worried.
"The Capitol already knows we've been dating. They've seen us out all summer." He reaffirmed.
The thought made Effie uneasy even when she spent much of her time in the spotlight. Her silence on the matter caused Seneca to speak again.
"You're worried?" He asked, "We've been seeing each other since the end of last year's games. Almost a year, Effie."
So many things whirled about in her head. Her family, what would people say. What about the whole nation watching. Have Escorts ever dated Gamemakers? Seneca was a powerful man, what would it say about District 12 if their Escort was so involved with the man in charge of the games. As it always seemed to do, Haymitch circled into her mind. He'd be the one to voice his opinion. "I just don't know, it makes me nervous."
Seneca laughed and kissed her softly, "You are never nervous. You are too prepared and poised on camera to ever appear as such. I know you, Effie. Come on camera with me tonight. Have
Cinna plan up a dress for you. It won't detract from any of the time your tributes need you. You'll be done before District 1 goes on."
Seneca was good as talking, and much better at being charming. Effie smiled, "Okay."
With that answer he kissed her harder and cupped her face. As he broke away he mentioned, "I'm not sure when time will let us see each other. You'll call me if you need anything, right?"
His fingers played with her hair.
"Of course." She felt her eyes flutter. "It'll be hectic for a while. I know where to find you, though."
His free hand toyed with the lace edge on the hem of her nightie. "I know where to find you as well." He grinned against her neck.
By the time Seneca did leave her room, Effie was flying around in a fuss to get ready for the day. Severely behind schedule and flustered, she had to endure Haymitch knocking on her door to remind her twice that she was late. To which she didn't need to open the door to see the amused smile it put on his face.
Once out of her room, Haymitch smiled. "Well, I'd say good morning but it's almost noon."
Oliver laughed softly at the comment. Effie hastily checked her tablet, "It's 7 am, stop being so dramatic!"
"That's 45 minutes behind schedule." Haymitch reminded with a grin that suggested he knew was she was doing this morning.
He put her hand on her hip and gave Haymitch a stern look, "In fact we are right on time."
"Impossible." Haymitch uttered. Oliver sat by and watched the comical exchange across the breakfast table.
"I've learned, Haymitch, to tell you times to be ready that are 30-45 minutes early. That way I can make sure I'm ready and that you've at least gotten out of bed." She smiled brightly.
Haymitch plastered a frown on his face. She was clever and learned quick. Effie had gotten one up on him now. "Bravo, sweetheart." He raised suspiciously whisky smelling coffee up and took a sip.
Effie finished her coffee quickly, "Let go, everyone!" She chirped and motioned for the elevator. Oliver and Tabitha were due for a final time with their prep teams for the interviews. Tabitha was already there according to Cinna's update with her on the tablet. The hospital had made sure to get Tabitha there for Effie.
Together Effie and Haymitch got Oliver to his team. They were rather silent as they sat in the large room set aside for the District 12 prep teams and designers. Effie thumbed through sketches from Cinna and clicked away on her tablet.
"Oliver is set for the interview. He doesn't need any coaching." Haymitch stated, "Perhaps just a reminder to sit up straight and look at the audience every now and then."
Effie looked up, "I agree. But it'll be counterproductive for us to double team to train Tabitha. She'll be hostile."
Haymitch leaned back in his chair, "You go in and train her first. The important stuff. Like walking in heels."
Effie pursed her lips, "And what do I do when she's being combative?"
"Walk away. Send me in." He said shortly. "I know you want to see the good in that girl but I have no problem going in and being a tyrant. You just do what you have to do, Barbie."
Effie crossed her leg over her knee and sat back in her chair. "Do you do this just to make me angry?" She said quickly.
Haymitch frowned and looked at her having not expected a mood change. "I'm sorry. How can I not call you Barbie when you wear something as bright pink as that." He motioned to her outfit.
Effie had whiplash from his attitude yet again. Teasing and moody all night and this morning. Now he was professional and civil. "You're so frustrating!"
"You're fun to tease. Take a joke, Effie." He said quickly. He had to mask his feelings somehow. Sarcasm and humor worked well for him.
A tense silence covered them. Effie watched him sip his 2nd glass of liquor. Likewise he stole glances as she became once again transfixed with sketches in Cinna's notebook. He pushed back the words he wanted to say, "You're going on stage with him tonight?"
Effie peeked up at him and sighed, "Yes… How'd you know about that." She felt her stomach clench a little. Unsure of where Haymitch would take this.
"People talk, especially about him." He said pointedly.
Effie looked at him quizzically, "You don't think I should?"
Yes. His eyes said it. "No," he uttered, "Do what you want." He didn't mean to sound so clipped but it was hard to be anything but that when Seneca Crane was the matter of the conversation.
Her shoulders sagged. He left the sentence clipped for a reason and just to let her over analyze the length of it. "You clearly think I shouldn't. Why?"
"You haven't thought of the repercussions if you go on stage with him and broadcast your relationship." He said after a lengthy gaze at her.
"I have!" Effie fired off quickly, "I wouldn't have agreed to it if I didn't."
"Do you love him?" Haymitch asked.
Effie was flabberghasted, "Why would I tell you that."
"That's the first question Caesar will ask. How long have you been dating. What's your pet name? Wedding bells on the horizon? Do your jobs get in the way? What about a bias for District 12? Do you live together when the games are in the off season?" Haymitch fired at her. There was a motive to his madness. These questions he had heard before. When Victors dated each other. Whenever any couple was made an object of Capitol affection.
Panic laced her eyes, ice water ran through her veins. He saw her as the flighty bird again, scrambling to take flight and flee. "Stop it, Haymitch. Caesar is going to be interviewing Seneca about his new title." Effie's voice crumbled as she loosened the heavy necklace around her neck.
"You are delusional Effie." He shook his head and drained his drink. "If Caesar doesn't get to those questions, other reporters will. You'll be stuck in the same spotlight he is in. Privacy isn't a luxury Head Gamemakers get, neither is the luxury of a long life. There's been 6 new Head Gamemakers since I've been a Victor. He'll be gone as quickly as the others."
Effie trembled with anger, "You are cruel, Haymitch. Are you doing this just for your own amusement. Spite and cruelty don't become you. I can tolerate teasing and sarcasm. This is beyond anything I'm willing to stomach from you. Stop it!"
He tossed his glass onto the table with a clatter, "I'm preparing you for the worst, sweetheart. I was there once. I entertained interviewers with the details of the girl I loved. They ate it up. Do you know what it cost me? Her. All of my family and her. You'll give the Capitol one more person to use as leverage. As a way to hurt you. They killed them all. He'll be dead too. Maybe it won't be your fault he dies and maybe it'll be his own mistake. I'm preparing you for the pain that comes with the harmless thrill of a personal interview."
Haymitch took his turn to leave. Normally it was Effie who got to storm off, but he beat her too it. Taking Oliver with him. A crowd of their tributes, designers and prep teams had gathered for the last bit of the fight.
Effie mustered a smiled, "He's drunk again.." She offered. "Come, Tabitha. We've got work to do." Effie collected the girl and headed for the District 12 floor once again. Her heart fluttering for a million reasons and the last thought on her mind was the troubled girl next to her in the elevator.