The words are ringing in Effie's ears over and over again. 'You're first case'. 'I'm keeping you'. She is stunned and her heart is pounding into her ears. Haymitch seems to be a little confused by her expression.
"Are you gonna say something?" he asks her.
Effie doesn't answer. She can not even think straight. Effie throws her arms around Haymitch's neck and gives him the tightest hug she can manage. He seems surprised but doesn't push her away. His own arms are finding their way around her little frame, awkwardly patting her back. He smells nice. A little like a mixture of coal. Probably the shampoo or perfume he is using. It smells very manly.
Her grip finally loosens again and his does too. Effie steps away, a little embarrassed. That was really improper of her. She looks at Haymitch but he didn't seem to mind at all. His signature smirk is back on his face and he looks at her expectingly. The folder. Right. She focuses back on the object in her hand.
"It's pink." Effie states, raising one perfectly shaped eyebrow.
"Figured it's a colour you like." He shrugs and Effie can't help the smile. "Not like it takes too long to notice that sweetheart." He adds, nodding to her hair. Effie pretends not to notice his ear tips turning a light shade of pink and he doesn't quite meet her eyes.
"What do you mean with ´I'll keep you´?" Effie asks instead, turning the focus on something else.
"Training time is over, princess. We'll get your badge in a few minutes. You can't work on your case alone. I think we would make a good enough team." Haymitch says and Effie gets the underlying question in there. "Doesn't have to be though. You can ask and choose whoever you like." He quickly adds. "You had a friend here too, right? You could choose her too."
It would be nice to work with Portia. They would certainly not argue each other's head off, but Haymitch doesn't seem so bad too. Yes, they do banter a lot but is it really that bad? Effie thinks Portia will be totally okay if she didn't choose her friend. After all, Portia does have Cinna. That doesn't seem like a bad pick at all.
"I think I am okay with you keeping me." Effie winks at Haymitch and the relieve on his face is so obvious she has to hold back a little giggle.
They will probably fight like cats and dogs but Effie kind off looks forward to work with him. Haymitch can be infuriating and rude and ill-mannered but from what she has seen he can also be very determined and smart. Effie respects him and under all the sarcastic remarks he does the same with her. No. Haymitch doesn't seem like a bad pick after all.
Together they go and get her badge. Effie also gets a whole set of gear. Various kinds of navy blue shirts and pants, all with the yellow FBI stitched on it. Two jackets and a cap also with the logo. A gun, a flashlight, pepper spray, a walkie talkie and many other things. Effie is thrilled. Even if the clothes are rather boring in her mind. They really could use some more colours.
Next stop is the office part of the building. Haymitch leads her through many hallways and staircases. The office room is very big. The whole room is divided in sectors. Depending on the sector there are either two desks or up to six desks facing each other. Haymitch walks her to sector 8. It is in the very back of the room.
His desk is a mess. Of course it would be. He nods to the desk right next to him. "That'll be yours."
The desk he nodded to is already in use. There are things all over it. Even a jacket hangs over the chair. There is a name tag too. Effie walks over and reads it.
"It's Chaff's desk. I can't just take it." Effie hisses. Truly, what does Haymitch expect her to do? Swoop off all the things and call it her own? How rude.
"He is retired." Haymitch states coldly.
"I don't understand." Effie says with furrowed eyebrows. Didn't she see his friend yesterday? She is sure he is in this building right now too.
"Chaff did retire before this whole training process happened. His Hand. He can't work anymore and he doesn't want to sit in the office all day." Haymitch explains, slouching in his chair. "They asked him to help them with the training one last time before he leaves. He agreed. Chaff will go and get his things sometime today."
That makes more sense. Effie didn't even think of the consequences when she saw Chaff is missing his hand. Haymitch seems a little hit by this so she doesn't ask him further questions on that subject.
Since she doesn't want to touch his friends things, because that would be utterly rude, Effie decides to sit down on Haymitch's desk. He doesn't say anything but Effie clearly noticed him rolling his eyes. She lays the folder next to her and starts looking through it. Haymitch plays with his keys in the meantime, not paying attention to her at all.
It's a missing girl. She is twelve years old and her name is Primrose Everdeen. The girl lives with her big sister and mother. The father died years ago duo to a car accident. There have been issues with custody. Their mother must have taken the death of her husband very badly. There was a deal. The mother has to talk to a therapist as well as agree to a house check every week so the girls can stay.
Primrose Everdeen was last seen on April the 7th in school. The girl was wearing a yellow sundress with a white sweater on top and brown sandals. She was supposed to be walking back home after that but she never arrived. Police filed a report for the missing girl. First thoughts were that the girl ran away from home because of the family's history. A few days later evidence for a possible crime were found. A little patch of blood near the path that should lead the twelve year old home. FBI took the case from there.
Under the report there is also a picture of the girl. Big hazel brown eyes, small nose and pale smiling lips are on her pale face. She wears her long blonde hair in a braid, perfectly framing the left side of her head. She looks pure and innocent. How could someone ever bring it over their heart to harm this little girl?
At the very bottom of the page is the telephone number of the mother and where they live. Effie decides to call the family. It would probably be best to talk about further things in person. Maybe the mother and sister could come here.
Effie tells Haymitch a short summary of the case. He listens carefully to her surprise. He furrows his brow when she mentions the girls name. He looks like he remembered something but then it's gone and he is paying attention again. He agrees that it would be best if she called the mother.
Right as she is about to pull out her cell phone, Haymitch stops her. "Never use your private phone, princess. Take it from someone who learned the hard way. Work and private life is something you want to keep separated from one another." There is a bitter undertone while he says that.
"Well, what phone should I use then? There isn't one on your desk." Effie asks, scanning his messy workspace. He really needs to get some order in there.
"You'll have to use Chaff's phone. Mine's broken." Haymitch sighs, nodding to his friends desk.
Effie does. The mother sounds very nice. Her voice is rather quiet and sometimes Effie has to listen very hard to make out what the woman is saying but altogether it is a nice conversation. Sadly, the family doesn't have a car anymore since the accident. Effie assures her that it's not a big problem and asks if it is okay for them to drive to the family's house for further questions. The mother agrees and soon Effie is politely saying her goodbyes.
The phone is carefully placed back onto Chaff's desk and slowly she makes her way back to Haymitch, who is waiting already.
"Are they coming, sweetheart?" he asks, stretching lazily in his chair.
"No. They don't have a car." Effie explains, sitting down right in front of Haymitch on his desk. "We'll be driving to the family."
Haymitch nods and opens the folder again. "It'll be a long drive." he leans back a bit. "If we drive now we could be there before dawn. I know someone there who can give us a place to stay. We'll sleep and in the morning we can already pay the family a visit. We can use my car if it's okay with you, princess." Effie nods. Sounds like a good plan. That way they can also plan some questions beforehand.
"Okay. Pack some clothes and stuff you need if we stay longer. Could pick you up at your house. Just need the address." He states, holding a pen in her direction. "No worry, sweetheart. I won't be paying surprise visits in the middle of the night or something." he winks at her and Effie raises an eyebrow at him.
"Maybe I wouldn't mind." She shoots right back and now it's his turn to raise an eyebrow while she winks right back with a smug expression.
With her perfectly manicured fingers she takes the pen and looks around for a smaller piece of paper. It takes her not even five seconds before she spots some left over paper on his desk. Effie makes a great effort to make her writing as fancy as possible and since they are partners she also puts her number under the address. No other reasons of course.
Effie gives him the sheet but doesn't wait to see how he reacts. She already turned around and is on her way out of the office. She can hear him yell "One Hour." after her and she gives a thumbs up.
At home she decides that it would probably be best if she packed one of her fancy pink suitcases. In it she puts all the FBI gear as well as other clothes for sleeping and underwear. A curling iron has to be in it too as well as most of her makeup products. There is no need to be unfashionable after all. Basic things like her toothbrush and woman products are also packed. In a matter of minutes the suitcase is packed to the brim with all of her things and that means something, since it's a rather big one. Well, what can she say. You can never be prepared enough. Especially if you are Effie Trinket.
She decides to fill her handbag with things for the car ride. A little bit of perfume, a mini hairbrush and emergency makeup find their way in her bag as well as a pink water bottle and some smaller snacks in case she gets hungry.
The hour is over in a blink and soon she finds herself standing outside of her apartment, waiting for Haymitch to pick her up. The fact that he is late doesn't surprise her at all. What does surprise her is the car he drives. Since Haymitch is rather a rough person she didn't really expect a fancy car but this. Whatever this is can barely be called a car in today's world. More like ruins with four wheels under it.
"When I said pack a few things, I didn't mean you're whole closet, princess." Haymitch mutters while getting out of the car. He grabs her suitcase and carries it to the trunk.
Effie winces at the loud screech of the trunk. "You know I thought you said car and not a wreck with wheels." She shoots right back and Haymitch glares at her like she just personally insulted him.
While Haymitch is busy grumbling under his breath Effie decides to make herself at home on the passenger seat. The state of his car is awful. The seats have stains on them, the floor is dirty and the dashboard is dusty. The only thing that isn't totally revolting is the smell. On the rear-view mirror hangs a small tree formed thing, giving off a nice scent.
Finally the trunk closes with a loud bang and the driver's door opens. He sits down, closing the door with another loud bang. She puts her seatbelt on. Haymitch doesn't and she gives him a pointed look. Sighting he does the same and Effie wears a triumphant grin. He starts the engine again and they start their long journey.
They don't talk a lot. There is an awkward silence hanging in the air. Normally they would have a lot of opportunities to banter or make sarcastic remarks but right now there isn't much to say. Effie tries to make small talk but he only answers with short sentences, so she stops and concentrates on her surroundings.
Effie watches the city out of the window. There are many huge buildings. Traffic is relatively light for the time of the day. Most people seem to be still at work.
"You don't have a navigation system. Didn't you say it's a long drive?" Effie asks at a red stop.
"Grew up there." Haymitch answers, scratching his beard. He really needs a trim. "Moved here when I was somewhat between 18 or 19."
"Oh that's amazing." Effie beams surprised. It makes sense though. He doesn't look like a city man. He's too rough for that. "Does your family live there too? Maybe you could introduce them to me. I would love to meet them." She exclaims happily.
Haymitch's expression changes to a hard one. His shoulders tense and he doesn't meet her eyes. Still, she can see the painful glint in them. The fact that he doesn't respond is answer enough. Something happened. Maybe he has a difficult relationship with them. She knows how that feels. Not being enough. Effie decides not to dig for an answer.
"When was the last time you have shaven?" Effie asks instead, hoping the change of subject might help the saddened mood.
It seems to work because even though his shoulder are still tense, his signature smirk is back on his face. "Why? Am I not handsome enough for you?"
With that sentence they are back in their banter game. The minutes pass fast and soon Effie can see the environment changing. Buildings get smaller and are placed further apart. The street turns into a smaller country road. Far in the distance woods are starting to show.
One hour later, Effie thinks it's a good time to refresh herself with a little snack. She eats a few peanuts and even Haymitch steals a few when he thinks Effie isn't looking. The salty snack makes her thirsty though. She reaches in her bag to take out her pink bottle but Haymitch stops her before she can bring it to her mouth.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." He states, not taking his eyes of the road. "You'll have to piss and we are only halfway through the drive."
"Truly, Haymitch! Mind your language!" Effie hisses, giving him a pointed look. "I am thirsty and I can manage." she snaps. She takes a few sips of her water and places the bottle back in her bag.
Granted, Effie maybe should have listened to his advice. Not even half an hour latter there is an uncomfortable pressure in her bladder. She crosses her legs in hope to find a little bit of relieve in another position but it doesn't hold long. Another ten minutes and she gets a fidgety.
Haymitch seems to notice that because he doesn't seem at all surprised when she finally asks him if there is a bathroom somewhere near. He only gives her the I-told-you glance and Effie throws back her I-absolutely-hate-you look.
"We are in the middle of a road, princess. There ain't no bathroom here." he sighs before stirring the wheel and stopping at the side of the road.
"What are you doing, Haymitch! Don't stop when I tell you I need to use the bathroom!" Effie hisses at him.
"Sweetheart, we are driving for at least another hour. You look in pain. Even I can see that." Haymitch says but she doesn't know what he is trying to tell her. "Just use the woods or something."
Effie's eyes widen and her mouth drops. "Are you crazy? No way I am peeing in a forest!" Is he absolutely insane?
"Are you trying to tell me you've never done that before?" Haymitch looks, clearly surprised and shocked by that. "Of course you didn't. That wouldn't be prim and proper." He sighs rubbing his eyes. "Look, people do it all the time. You really want to wait another hour?"
The real question is if she is able too. Yes, she definitely would rather wait another hour and use a proper bathroom but her bladder will not hold that long. If she had just listened to his stupid advise to not drink water.
"Promise you won't look and we'll never speak of it again." Effie ordered after a long pause.
"What do you think I am, princess? Some kind of pervert who wants to see your naked ass squatting down to pee?" Haymitch growls, narrowing his eyes at her.
"No but you certainly can't keep your eyes off me. Don't think I didn't notice you staring at my cleavage during the ride." She hisses back. "At one point I was afraid your eyes are going to fall out of their socket."
"I promise." Haymitch sighs, slouching in his seat. "Just get on with it. We don't have the whole god damn day."
Effie bites back her comment on his vulgarity. She grabs some tissues out of her bag and gets out of the car. She walks deep into the forest so that really no one can see her. Effie trusts Haymitch but not the fact that other cars could drive down this road too. It is a weird feeling to do something like that outside but Effie can't help but sigh when the pain finally disappears. She makes sure to clean herself thoroughly with the tissues before throwing them away and walking back to the car.
"And how was your first time pissing in the woods?" Haymitch chuckles when she enters the car and Effie punches him in the arm. "Ouch."
He unbuckles his seat belt and opens the door. "Where are you going?" Effie asks confused.
"Sweetheart, I might as well have a piss too." Haymitch answers a little too honest for Effie's taste.
It gets even worse when Haymitch doesn't even walk into the forest and only turns around, away from the car, to finish his business. Effie is glad he closed the door because that is something she never ever wants to hear. She looks in the other direction, waiting for him to get in the car again.
When he does Effie makes a great show of showing her distaste on her face. "Don't you have any sense of shame?" she asks, wrinkling her nose.
"Nope." He answers, making the p pop. "While you were away I called Sae." Haymitch says and starts the vehicle again. He seems to remember that Effie doesn't know that person. "She's the person I meant when I told you I knew someone for a place to stay. Anyways, she agreed. It's a small house. In summertime she makes her money with it because people often stay in the seam for holydays. We'll get the keys when we arrive."
Effie nods. Very generous of Sae to let them stay. She makes a mental note to thank the woman when they get the keys.
The rest of the drive is quiet. Effie looks peacefully out of the window. It's already night. The sky looks like a dark canvas freckled with a million droplets of white paint. It is truly beautiful. Effie has never seen anything like this. In the city it is very hard to see the night stars at all since the buildings are blocking most of the view.
Both Haymitch and Effie are exhausted when they finally arrive. Haymitch leads her through the small village. It is dimly lit by a few lanterns so Effie has to watch her steps. After a few minutes they seem to be at their goal because an old and very frail looking woman walks towards them and then hugs Haymitch.
"You look good, boy. It's been a while since I've last seen you." Sae says, her hands picking at Haymitch's cheeks with a motherly expression. Effie has to smile, especially since the woman called him a boy. Then the focus of Sae turns to Effie. "Well, look at that. You didn't mention you had a girl with you. I do hope you have a great time." The woman grins winking at them.
Effie's eyes widen a little. "We, no. I mean. We aren't." she stutters, very unlike herself. Her cheeks are burning.
"She's my partner." Haymitch says and then winces. "Work partner. We work together." He adds rubbing his neck.
"Oh, that's a shame." The woman says with disappointment in her voice. "She certainly looks like your type. Very pretty." Her skinny hand lifts Effie's chin a little, giving the woman a better view to inspect her. "What's your name, girl?"
"Effie Trinket." She answers not at all uncomfortable with the woman's touch. Sae is probably the mother hen of the village. At least that's how it seems. "Thank you for letting us stay."
"And very nice too. You could still make her yours, boy." Sae says over her shoulder to Haymitch who is probably ready to dig his head in the ground and pretend he isn't even there. "Or is she already taken?" the woman asks, turning back to her. Effie shakes her head slightly and Sae seems to be very happy about that.
Right as the woman is about to start talking again Haymitch interrupts her. "We're tired, Sae. It's been a long way here." The woman nods, giving him the keys and petting his shoulder before saying goodbye to both of them.
At the doorway Haymitch finally speaks again. "I'm sorry for that, Sae is.."
"A mother hen?" Effie finishes his sentence and they both chuckle a little. "I like her."
"I do too." Haymitch sighs. He unlocks the door and they both enter the house with their bags.
The inside of the house is just as cosy as the rest of the village. Warm colours are everywhere. Mostly oranges and browns. It is rather small but it is perfect in its own way. It is a nice contrast to the apartments she is used to in town.
The living and kitchen area are together in one room with a small dining table and matching chairs. There is a door right next to the entrance leading to a smaller bathroom. Only a toilette and a sink have space in it. Next to the brown leather couch is the only other door she can find.
Effie has a bad feeling that it won't lead to another hallway. Haymitch seems to realise the same thing. He walks over to it, Effie only a few steps behind him. He grabs the doorknob and a loud squeak halls through the living area.
She was right. "There's only one bed." Effie says while they enter the room.
The room has a double bed with two bedside tables on each side. Under it is a brownish carpet and there are also brown drapes at the window that is directly behind the bed. On the right side is a closet as well as a bigger plant. On the left is another door, probably the master bathroom.
Haymitch walks over to the bed and starts fluffing with the pillows, not giving her a second glance. "Yes, princess. I can see that."
Effie scowls. "Well I'm not sharing a bad with you." she states, putting her hands on her hips.
"Why? Afraid you won't resist me, sweetheart?" he says, giving her a wicked grin over his shoulder.
She narrows her eyes at him. "I'm a lady." She says standing up straight and jutting her chin in the air to prove her point. "It wouldn't be proper."
Haymitch starts laughing, truly laughing. "Princess you're no lady, but fine. If you don't want to sleep with me then you can sleep on the floor or the couch."
"I'm not sleeping on the floor like some barnyard animal!" Effie snaps enraged but he is already making himself comfortable. He doesn't even change into night clothes. Oh, if looks could kill.
"Come on, sweetheart. It's been a long day. Stop your pouting and get your ass in bed." He grumbles petting the blankets on the other side of the bed. "I promise I'll behave."
Effie tells herself it is just because she is really tired that she agrees. Since her sleeping clothes are in her suitcase and she doesn't want to go through that right now she chooses to stay in her current outfit too. She slips out of her shoes, turns of the lights and walks over to the mattress. She climbs under the blanket and keeps as much distance as she can to Haymitch who is finding the whole situation quite amusing. There isn't even light and she can still see his grin.
"Good night, princess." He mumbles after a few minutes, definitely on the edge of sleep.
"Good night, Haymitch." Effie whispers back, already half asleep too.
In bed with a handsome man. Her mother would probably throw a fit if she ever found out. It is improper after all to spend the night with a man you aren't engaged too. The longer Effie thinks about it the more she realises that it isn't so bad after all. There could be much worse ways to spend the night.