Hunting skills - that at least seemed to be the topic for District Twelve. For some time, Haymitch was gone. When he returned, he didn't make eye contact. He only pulled her aside and told her he needed to meet with the mentors from District Four.

"What for?"

"They've got more sponsors because of Finnick. They need water."

"Before you -"

"This is different. Keep our names going - but we're going to tap into District Four for now."

"All I'm talking about is hunting. And what did Plutarch say?"

Haymitch took a breath. "He doesn't know about Portia or Cinna. Listen - don't - don't start to panic, all right?"

Effie nodded, but it was nervous, it was shaky.

"And tonight? Where do I go?"

"They're going to be watching you. Go home. I'll meet you there."

"Do you even know where I live?"

"Plutarch does."

"And if they see you?"

"Well, you're the damn escort and they're the ones keeping the mentor away so I think we've got a pretty decent excuse. We just have to watch what we say. You're house is probably bugged."

"Likely if Aulus had a hand in it."

"Don't even say his name. Of all days - this is not the day to hear it." He snuck a kiss to her cheek. "I'll see you at your place, okay?"


She was already home by the time a silver parachute fell to the small group of Katniss, Peeta, Finnick, and Mags. Effie had no idea either what they had been sent - but knew Haymitch would tell her if she bothered him enough.

The walk home was simple - with the crowds on the street, Effie was able to slip through them without feeling as though she was being followed or that eyes were watching her. But she knew Haymitch was right. Her home would be watched. And it was more than likely bugged.

It felt so silent without Whiskey around.

Effie jumped at the leaking tap … she forgot to have it fixed.

She almost shouted when there was a pounding at the door. Taking little time to undo the locks, she let a tired Haymitch inside.

"What is that thing?" Effie asked, pointing to the screen.

"It's a spile. It'll get the water out of the trees."

"Then District Four helped?"

"Because of the alliance, yeah. And people will pay more to see the stronger ones fight in the end," he added that last bit for their hidden audience, Effie knew.

"And the arena - what do you make of it?"

"Well … I'd say Heavensbee outdid himself but this is his first time. I'd hate to see the next."

"Agreed."

Putting an arm around Effie didn't make much of a sound. Neither did a soft kiss to her temple.

"Fucking difficult trying to find this place. How are we supposed to actually work?"

Hamming it up for the listeners, Effie thought.

"I don't know. But follow the protocol for now. We'll make due. You can sleep on the sofa."

Haymitch mouthed 'no.'

Effie mouthed 'obviously not, you idiot.'

Haymitch shoved her away playfully and found the remote to her television. The Quell was being broadcast on every channel - so he hardly needed to search. Effie sat down on her sofa, pulling off her wig and just tossing it aside. It didn't matter. She began to clean her face with the box of tissues on the coffee table - Haymitch helped by finding the bathroom and getting her a damp cloth.

"Thank you," Effie said, scrubbing her face with it. "Have you heard from our stylists?"

"Yeah," Haymitch lied. It was better to lie. Right now - it was better to lie. "They're fine." He rubbed her arm, and looked her in the eye. "Don't worry." He turned at the screen. "Well look! They finally figured it out," Haymitch said. "The tap thing - see?"

"Oh good - at least you didn't leave them to dehydrate this time around." Effie, granted, didn't feel wholly calmed by what Haymitch had said - but she thought he would at least hint if there was something off.

Wouldn't he?

Effie pushed it out of her mind. It was the only thing to do. Continue with playful banter - there we go ...

"Do I have to explain -"

"Don't - don't," Effie said, forcing a laugh for the sake of their audience.

For a small while they sat together on the sofa, watching as Katniss and Peeta settled down - as they all got a drink of refreshing water. Effie and Haymitch too settled - Effie almost entirely in Haymitch's lap, his fingers absentmindedly twirling strands of her hair.

The sound of a 'bong' startled them both.

"What's that mean?" Effie asked.

Haymitch shrugged.

And then the rain began.

Followed by the mist.


"What do I say about Mags?" Effie asked as she and Haymitch rushed out the door before sunrise to get the headquarters early. With the events of the early morning - there was no time to waist to get to headquarters.

Haymitch was thinking fast. "Don't," he said. "Focus on the alliance between Finnick and the other two."

"But -"

"We can't afford to be sentimental. Not in there. You know it."

While in headquarters, neither Haymitch nor Effie could imagine what horrors that day was bring.

"Mutts?" Effie asked frantically, finding Haymitch actually downing a drink.

They turned to the screen just in time to see the Morphling from District Six throw herself on top of Peeta before Katniss had the chance.

"What do I even -"

"Crazed. I don't know. And you know they'll give her a proper send of …" Haymitch looked frustrated. "Just … pretend this is the last time. Work to the strengths that don't seem like total rebellion."

"Great," Effie said, exasperated. "I've got loads to work with then."

"Just … you can do it. I know you can."

And Effie tried her hardest. She put on the best smile she could muster. She was going to be the perfect escort if it tore her up inside or not.


"Give me names," Haymitch said a few hours later. Effie had no idea what time it was - she and Haymitch just kept moving.

"What for?"

"Sponsors!"

"Are you -"

"Give it!" Haymitch pulled the clipboard out of her hands and started on his way.

Effie didn't bat an eye, but instead pulled out her own small notepad to take down any details she would gather in the clipboard's absence.

Two parachutes - one even on request. One had medicine. One had bread.

"We didn't have enough for that medication," Effie said when Haymitch returned.

"I'm still working with four. We pulled resources."

"That's … three sponsor gifts. Haymitch -"

"Just keep going."

Effie could sense his franticness - and it was contagious. She went back to work - at least somewhat relieved to have the clipboard back - even if Haymitch's scribblings were all over it.


"We didn't take into account the forcefield," Effie said as they walked to her home together from headquarters.

"That's the least of our problems. And it was the first day … people will forget for now."

"For now?"

"Just don't bring it up to the sponsors."

Haymitch held open the door when Effie unlocked it, letting her in first and following.

"We have a bigger alliance," Effie said. "Do you approve?"

Haymitch knew what she meant. Was everything going according to plan in the arena? Where they making friends with the right people. "Yes," said Haymitch. "I - as you say - approve. Have anything to drink?"

"Wine," Effie said. "Good wine."


Effie was asleep - more from exhaustion than the wine. She had left a glass half full on the nightstand. Haymitch sat up in bed, rubbing his face. He looked over at Effie. It was like the train again - be as quiet as possible - but they both were too tired for anything more than fingers grazing over a thigh or a silent kiss. Taking Effie's glass of wine, Haymitch walked back out into her front room and sat on the sofa where the Games were still on.

They left them on not only for the noise - but to keep up with what was happening.

To keep up, Haymitch realized as Katniss herself said it, with the clock.