Haymitch worked on taking the attention away from Effie by doing something he's very good at: being drunk. It's worth humiliating himself than having Snow's eyes on Effie as her escort mask cracks. It's how Snow wants the whole Panem to see him in the first place. He thinks he's a threat when he won his game. Snow couldn't take the fact that he outsmarted his arena so he made it his life's mission to make him live a insufferable life. He learnt very early on that if he plays the role Snow wants, people around him will be safe. The last few years, his drunkard image faded because of Effie Trinket. It's been clear for everyone how she managed to change him and that's going to be a problem not for him, but for her.
He caused a scene to District Eight, Seven, and Four. Effie was shocked at first but played along. He was indeed drunk and in need of a little leash before he totally lost it. The thing about vices, they're hard to stop but easily to fall back into. He clings to alcohol so badly once again. It's like the year before he met Effie. He's constantly nursing a bottle here and there. If it was not a bottle, it was his flask given by her.
Effie did not say anything. She understood what he was doing, why he was doing it. Sometimes, she thinks he's going overboard, that he's no longer acting, but she cannot say anything. She promised to play her role and she refused to give President Snow an ammunition to cause more pain to Haymitch. She took care of him, the way she always does. It's like falling back into that pattern during her first year as escort. She picked him up when he passed out somewhere, took him to the bathroom to clean him up, and then dressed him up before putting him to bed.
At first, it was helping her in a way. It keeps her occupied. Keeping an eye on Haymitch and then taking care of him afterwards took up all her time and energy to think about other things like grief and guilt…but when it's all done and Haymitch is safe and sound in the comfort of his room, the darkness comes back for her and there's no one else to tell her that everything's going to be alright. She will find herself alone, smoking somewhere while drowning in the ocean of guilt and grief. Haymitch is protecting her from the monster outside but he cannot protect her from the monster inside her.
Finally, the Victory Tour landed on the Capitol, the last stop. Somehow, it put her at ease. She's home. In other districts, she cannot think of anywhere to go to and hide but in the Capitol, she knows the city by heart, every inch. If she wants to disappear for a few hours, she can do it.
Party is raging in one of their favorite bars. The Victors are celebrating at the lounge when she arrives there. They have a new member: Annie Cresta. She intended to go there to personally meet and congratulate the newest Victor but as soon as she saw Haymitch smiling and laughing with her, anger hits her. It's irrational, she knows. She told herself a million times, it's not the girl's fault, but she survived and her kids did not. Her fingers played around the bracelet Martha gave to her and she felt betrayed…by Haymitch. How could he be happy with them…with her?
Instead of heading their way, she went to the bar and ordered herself a drink. She needs a boost if she's going to survive this night. It's just one night. Tomorrow, the Victory Tour ends and she will have a few months to breathe before another season begins, before she reaps another pair of innocent children to die once more.
"You don't look like you're here to celebrate", Seneca said as he sat next to her.
Her eyes grew wide and glanced around.
"This is not a good idea. We've been talk of the whole Panem already and I don't want a repeat", she said.
He flashed her a smile.
"That was not my intention when we first met and you know that. This city…it thrives in that kind of thing. It's just the world we live in", he responded.
Of course, she's well-acquainted on how their world works. Everything is about image, reputation, name. Whoever makes the loudest noise is the most powerful. Fame is power.
"Planning on breaking any dam soon?" she snapped.
She just couldn't help it. Seneca is a gamemaker now and he's one of those responsible for that mishap that killed her tributes.
"That was an accident. Everyone was pressured to do something to get some action going. It was the wrong move", he explained.
She scoffed and raised her glass to that.
"Amen to that", she muttered.
Suddenly, Seneca grew stiff next to her before he moves closer to her, close enough to feel his breath on her skin.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Stop…they're watching. They're noticing your sympathy for your district and they don't like it. I don't want anything bad to happen to you so I suggest you play along. Be your charming self", he whispered to her ear.
She felt his lips brushed her ear and she became flushed all of a sudden. She always knew Seneca is not like the other gamemakers and him warning her like this proves that.
"Don't be rude, Seneca. If you want to woo a lady, you must buy her a drink first", she exclaimed in her escort voice.
Her words are strongly punctuated by her Capitol accent and it's loud enough for most of the people around her to hear. Her escort smile is plastered on her face and Seneca exhaled in relief before he played along with her.
"Bartender! Kindly provide this beautiful lady anything her heart desires. I am determined to win her over tonight", he declared with the same volume she spoke earlier.
Meanwhile, across the bar was a very angry Haymitch. He knows he's drunk…too drunk to keep his walk straight, but he knows he's doing it on purpose for her and what is she doing? Openly flirting with Seneca Crane? Did she forget that the man is one of those gamemakers who destroyed that dam that killed their tributes? He can understand her reason for falling for the guy during season break because she was alone and she couldn't handle her demons on her own without the aid of her destructive habit but he's there with her. He's in Capitol for her and where is she? At the bar, batting her eyelashes to Crane.
"Easy with the glaring, Haymitch. If looks can kill, Crane will drop dead right now. You've been sending him daggers since he sat next to your escort", Chaff said.
He groaned and downed a glass of whisky.
"Yeah, couldn't help it if my escort has a thing for gamemakers…" Haymitch slurred.
Everyone in the lounge except for Annie knows how he defended Effie from Chaff when he was the one accusing her of sleeping with Seneca because he's a gamemaker. They know better than to believe that Haymitch really doesn't care about her.
"Did you two fight?" Finnick asked in concern.
"Boy, we always fight. It's what we do. She's a major pain in the ass and she limits my drinks on the train and at the penthouse", he complained.
Mags did not buy a word he just said but he's convincing enough for anyone who might be listening. They're not blind by the sudden change between the two. Caesar labeled it as grief for their two lost tributes but they know Haymitch can go sober for Effie but he chose the other way to protect her. Whatever reason she has for flirting with Seneca, she knows it's valid too.
"If I am your escort, I will cut you off completely. I don't have her patience in dragging your ass to your room each time you passes out", she countered.
Chaff and Finnick both laughed while Annie Cresta only smiled. Her game did a number on her. She's a pure soul, innocent who does not deserve to witness the things she did and it has scarred her mind.
"That's why you're a Victor and not an escort", Haymitch snapped.
It is all amusing until Haymitch saw Seneca's hand landed on Effie's bare thigh and snaked higher. It does not help that Effie did not slap his hand away. At this point, he is already seething. He can actually burst into flames.
"Remember, he's a gamemaker, Haymitch. Don't ask for trouble", Chaff warned.
He gripped his glass tighter, downed the remaining content in one go before marching to the bar, right between Effie and Seneca, forcing the two to pull back to give him space.
"Bartender, one whisky please…the good stuff!" he ordered.
"Haymitch, seriously? Have you no manners left in your body?" she exclaimed and sounded clearly irritated the way he interrupted their moment.
He turned to her with a mocking glare before grabbing his glass from the bartender.
"Oh, sorry…didn't see you there, princess. Didn't mean to be a cockblocker", he threw in.
Her eyes widened in shock before tentatively glancing left and right.
"Language!" she turned to Seneca behind him, "I apologize for his ruffian behavior, Seneca. He's drunk…as usual", she apologized.
Haymitch then turned to the gamemaker with a smirk on his face.
"Yes…she does apologize for me. It's her job. She also told me it's rude to not introduce oneself so…Haymitch Abernathy", he extended his hand, the one holding the glass, to Seneca and it spilled all over the gamemaker's shirt, if you can call it that, "Ooops, forgot I'm holding my drink with that hand. Let's try the other one", Haymitch said proudly.
Of course, it's on purpose. Effie knows that very well.
"I am so sorry, Seneca", she was truly horrified.
"Don't worry about it, Effie. I understand the situation. Do you need help in getting him back at the penthouse?" he asked her like Haymitch was not there.
She shook her head and smiled.
"No, thank you. I can handle it. Send me the bill for the damage on your clothes and Haymitch will be happy to pay for it", she answered.
Haymitch glared at her but she ignored him.
"It's just a shirt, Effie. Take him back before he passes out on the street. Bailing him out of detention is inconvenient process", Seneca said before bidding them both goodnight.
She found Haymitch staring at her with a smirk on his face.
"You're insufferable man. Must you humiliate me like that and embarrass Seneca?" she asked.
"Sweetheart, I am only being polite like you taught me!" he feigned innocence which made her groaned.
Effie took the glass from his hand and pulled him by the arm.
"That's enough for you for the night. We're heading back", she said and took him away.
She leaned him on the elevator wall as they waited to reach the penthouse. He reeks of alcohol and the confined space makes it stronger for her nose. When they arrived at their destination, she tried to get him to his room but he resisted.
"Haymitch, stop fighting me and get inside!" she barked but he pulled his arm back and pushed her against the wall.
"Did I ruin your plans tonight to fuck Crane?" he asked with a growl.
"Language! And no, I was not planning on doing that and even if I did, it's none of your business since your business nowadays is drowning your liver in whisky", she answered.
"Oh, so this is retribution because I am drinking? Do I need to remind you why I am making an ass of myself in public?" he exclaimed.
She knows. She knows why but he went overboard. He succumbed to his addiction just like that.
"There's always a limit to everything and you stomped on yours justifying it in your head that it's for a good cause", she argued.
It seemed to infuriate him.
"So sorry this is such an inconvenience for you, princess…I am only trying to protect you and save your life!" he spat.
"…and I am losing you in the process!" she fought back.
They stared at each other for god knows how long. There's more to be said after that but they communicated through their eyes. What she was trying to say is that she's losing him to his addiction and she cannot even do something about it because she knows why he's doing it, to save her life…a life of being alone. The moment her eyes watered, Haymitch did something careless. He pressed his lips onto hers and she reciprocated.