Effie was styled and prepped during the interview for Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch. She was just backstage and kept an eye on them as they chatted with Caesar. Victoria happily played with the fluffy part of her dress. The crowd was enamored with the kids, to that Effie was pleased. Haymitch was amicable enough for the cameras. Especially when the subject of the riot that Effie was attacked in, Caesar painted Haymitch like a hero.
"What was going through your mind when Effie was caught up in the scuffle?" Caesar asked quickly.
Haymitch shrugged, "I couldn't leave her. We've worked together for so long and she's by no means helpless. Did you see the punch she landed?" Haymitch laughed. "I wanted to make sure she got out of there. The baby needs her."
Peeta chimed in, "Really we all need, Effie. Without her we'd be lost, late, and poorly dressed."
The crowd roared at the thought and Effie's heart fluttered.
"Speaking of Effie, I do believe she'll be joining us soon with the baby. Tell me what was it like having that precious baby on the tour? Did you get any sleep?" Caesar pried.
Katniss smiled, "Victoria is a really good baby. She doesn't cry that much. It was nice having her around."
Peeta nodded, "You really can't be stressed or upset around the baby, she's fun to be around."
Caesar ended the show on that high note. As the kids and Haymitch walked by Effie waved at them. They had to be restyled for the ball, and with their exit from the stage Effie was being ushered on. The sleek grey pencil skirt she wore paired nicely with a deep evergreen blouse. Victoria's outfit complimented her with a fluffy dark green dress and a bow Effie loved. Dark grey with green beads.
Effie found that she didn't quite like how heavily made up she used to get. Perhaps it was the baby changing her. She convinced the stylists to let her natural hair be curled and let down. Her make up was still heavier than she wanted, but it was void of garish colors.
"Effie!" Caesar clapped as he finished his introduction. Effie beamed and slipped into the seat, Victoria was nestled in her arms tightly, half awake. The poor things sleeping schedule had been thrown off.
"Caesar, it's been too long since I've seen you." She smiled softly.
He laughed, "Oh, yes. It's been too long, don't tell the other but I do quite enjoy our chats. You look stunning what's changed?" Caesar gestured to her comically. The crowd laughed along, knowing what had changed since he saw her last.
Effie looked down at Victoria, "Oh come now." Effie chuckled, "I'm less whale-like that before."
"Oh no, no, no. That won't do, Effie. Even whale-like you were stunning. Do tell me about this little angel in your arms. Your team seems to be completely taken with her, as are we all!" Caesar scooted closer.
She smiled and gently stroked Victoria's little hand that clasped at her shirt. "There's so much to tell. She's…" Effie for a moment got lost in just admiring her daughter. She hadn't realized how long she paused until Cesar cleared his throat. "Oh.. I'm sorry. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me. I didn't think I'd be happy again, after Seneca. She's completely changed my world."
Caesar clasped his hand and at the crowed aww-ed. "Do keep talking, I think I speak for everyone, we want to know everything. We've got so little information about this little one and you."
"Well, knowing you, I know you have questions, fire away." Effie answered. If snow wanted a performance he'd get one. As far as she could tell the attention this brought was distraction enough.
"Right you are, Effie. I have been collecting questions for weeks submitted by fans of my shows. The most popular question seems to be the details of her birth. What was it like?" He prodded.
Effie winced for effect, "Well, that's probably the part I'm less eager to relive. I am not exaggerating that it's probably the worst pain I've ever experienced. I didn't realize I was in labor and when I did, things moved very quickly for a while and then not at all. I was in the worst part of labor for many hours. She's a stubborn little thing and made me wait for her. I had her very early in the morning." Effie regaled.
"No!" Caesar gasped, "A sweet little thing like her put you through all that pain?"
Effie smirked, "Don't let the looks fool you. She's got a good set of lungs on her, she'll deafen you."
He shook his head and sighed, "Katniss and Peeta led us to believe she doesn't cry."
Effie laughed, "She loved them, she rarely cries around them. I hear otherwise, especially in the middle of the night."
"Do they help you out? I'm very intrigued now. Word has it that you're staying in 12?"
Effie nodded, "Staying in 12 for the time being works fantastically for me. It was so much work planning this tour and keeping everyone prepared. I can't imagine managing everything from the Capitol. Katniss and Peeta are wonderful. They do help out, I'm so grateful to have them as babysitters. I think they're well prepared for it. They survived the Hunger Games, they can handle a baby for an hour or two."
The crowd was roaring with laughter and Victoria fussed until Effie tugged a pacifier out of her pocket. "How did you decide on her name?"
Effie nodded, that was a good question. "Well, I had no idea what I was having. So I had to look at her and decide. It was so hard not to plan. I wanted her name to be special, and meaningful. Victoria. It's a beautiful name, isn't it?"
Caesar nodded, "Sounds a lot like victory. No doubt that had some influence."
"It did. Without a victory for 12, I'd honestly be lost. From the start, Katniss and Peeta grew on me. The thought of losing one of them was just unbearable. Without Seneca, I wouldn't have her. And I wanted to honor his memory and what he did for 12."
"Well that is something, isn't it? A huge name for such a little girl. Do tell us what her last name is."
Effie hadn't finished that conversation with Haymitch. "Oh, well Seneca and I weren't married. Victoria Trinket does have a beautiful ring to it."
"So does Victoria Crane." Caesar pointed out. "Nevertheless, you look amazing. You've done something different with your image."
Effie smiled, "Well I'm a mother now. I think I see myself differently. Fashion was so important to me before Victoria. Now, it's different. Sure I want to look nice but I'm exhausted! I've developed such a liking for clothes that are stretchy." Effie plucked at her skirt for effect.
"Well I like this new, fresh image. I do hope Cinna won't be too upset over your change in fashion."
Effie laughed, "Oh, he'll survive with his plans for Katniss and Peeta's wedding and he's designed everything Victoria wears. He's plenty busy without my fashion needs." She turned Victoria a bit so she was propped up, facing Caesar.
Caesar cooed over her for a bit, "Who does she take after? You or Seneca?"
Effie smiled, Victoria easily took after her. But Effie suspected as Victoria would grow she'd become much more like Haymitch. "Well she looks like me. Isn't she gorgeous? She's pretty happy and talkative when she has a full belly. I suppose she's a mini me. Who's to say. She's got a lot of growing to do first."
A clock chimed loudly off stage. Caesar clapped his hands excitedly, "My how an hour passes, I do believe you've got a ball to get to. Will little Victoria be joining you?"
Effie looked down at her, "I'm not sure. She's had such an eventful day. She got two shots today and she's due for a nap any moment. I may bring her for a while."
Caesar ended the show and walked with Effie off stage. He kissed her cheek, "She's just darling, Effie. I'm so sorry Seneca didn't get to meet her."
Effie winced a little. As much as she loved Haymitch, part of her was still reeling over Seneca's murder. "Me too."
Caesar nodded, "I do know we will be seeing each other very soon again. The news of the wedding has set the Capitol aflame. President Snow has expressed deep interest in a running series for the wedding planning. I'll be checking in periodically to get all the details."
Effie raised her eyebrows, "Oh, that is news to me. How wonderful!" She smiled. Effie spotted Cinna waving at her, he looked urgent. "I must go, I have to get ready. I know I'll see you later."
Caesar waved and Effie made her way through a sea of stylists and assistants. "What is it Cinna?"
"The ball is starting in 20 minutes, the schedules got all thrown off." Cinna hurried her towards the elevator.
I do think Caesar is my favorite person to bring into the stories I write. He makes me so happy. This chapter might not be the most interesting but I promise its all building up to the bombshell I'm ready to drop! What do you think could horribly go wrong now? I'd love to see if someone can guess what I've got planned next!