The whole promotion went past them like a bliss. It's chaos to be honest. Most of the tributes showed promise. They all know how to work the crowd except for that girl from Seven, Joanna Mason. The audience as well as the Sponsors are divided on their bets. It was not even that hard for Effie to get Sponsors for her tributes unlike before. They did well during the interviews. They posed for photographs and they both can handle knives. It's not as good as the Career tributes but it's something for tributes from Twelve. The two kids are used to doing hard work in Twelve so they know how to skin animals for food. They've got good survival instincts.
When the game started, both of their tributes survived the Cornucopia and managed to find a safe place to rest and sleep. It's been an entertaining match for the Capitol audience, those who fought for weapons and supplies. They're all good and most of them died.
"Any thoughts on who's going to win this season?" Chaff asked while they're having a drink at the lounge.
It's been a while since Effie had joined them there and it felt strange for her in a way.
"The boy from One is strong and ruthless", Haymitch answered.
She glared at him but not strongly.
"Really, Haymitch…your support on your tributes is greatly appreciated", she remarked.
Chaff chuckled at that.
"My money is on Seven, Joanna Mason", Finnick said.
He is a grown man now compared to the boy Effie had met before. He held himself together and according to her friends in the Capitol, he managed to keep herself from predators by following her advice. He made a hobby of collecting secrets from people and traded them for other things. It's why Mags was confident enough to retire as Mentor because she knows Finnick can manage on his own without her.
"Nah…girl is too shy, too soft. She stumbles upon a Career pack and she's done for", Chaff disagreed.
Effie thought about that for a moment. She had seen the girl during the interview at Caesar's show. At the backstage, she kept to herself and barely spoke but when their eyes met, she saw something else. She saw fire in those eyes.
"Finnick was right. Joanna Mason is something else", she muttered.
Haymitch turned to her with an amused expression on his face.
"…and now you're betraying our tributes", he mocked.
"I am not betraying them. I am stating a fact. Ms. Mason has been playing a role ever since she stepped foot here in the Capitol. It's a perfect strategy if I am being honest. Make everyone think you're weak so they don't come after you first. Make everyone think you're no competition and then when the right time comes, you strike and take home the prize", she analyzed as she stared on her pink drink.
She did not know why she had not thought of that for her kids but then again, her tributes may have strong survival instincts but they're no fighters. What she saw in Joanna Mason's eyes, she saw no fear. The girl is a fighter, a caged lion waiting to be unleashed.
"Two minds think alike", Finnick toasted his glass with hers.
"Well, I'll be damned. Now, that I think about it…I can see what Trinket is rambling about", Chaff muttered.
Haymitch, on the other hand, stared at her in wonder. She may be talking about Joanna Mason but all he could think about while she was saying those words is her. Effie is literally describing herself without her knowing it. She pretends that she's weak, no threat to the Capitol so Snow wouldn't come after her and the people she cares about but when a situation arises, she strikes and boy, is she deadly…they all know how dangerous Effie Trinket can be when she wants to.
"We'll see then if your assessment of her is right", he said.
Effie wanted to say she's always right but stopped herself. She can't say that. She wished deep inside that she's wrong because if she's wrong, then her tributes have a chance to be the winner but she knows her instincts are always right.
It did not take long for her to be proven right. After most of the tributes died, including Twelve's tributes, Joanna Mason emerges with her deadly axe. It's a surprise no one saw coming except for Finnick and Effie. She moved swiftly and effortlessly. She killed the Career tributes in a flash and was crowned the Victor of the season.
"You're right about Mason", Haymitch said when she got back at the penthouse.
She sighed.
"I did not want to be right though", she replied.
He saw her struggling to light her cigarette.
"Come here", she frowned but went to him anyway, ignoring her pack of cigarette on the table, "I know you did not want to but it's not within our power, princess", he said as he put his arm around her.
She melted into his warmth and it instantly made her relaxed. Just like before, always better than nicotine.
"We survived another year and there's going to be another one and another one", she muttered.
His hold on her tightened.
"Effie…" he warned.
Of course, he had checked the penthouse for bugs but they never know whether there's an Avox looming around. It's not exactly late by Capitol standards and they could have company inside.
"Joanna Mason, I like her", she then said.
"How can you like her without meeting her?" he asked curiously.
Obviously, his escort has taken fancy on the Seven's Victor but he just thought it's her being naturally observant.
"It's just a feeling. She looked at me and I saw her determination to survive. There's fire in her, Haymitch…" she trailed, not able to voice out what she wants to say.
She does not need to finish it though because he already understood what she meant. She fears that Capitol will kill that fire in that girl. It's what Capitol does. It's what Snow does.
"We can reach out to her if it makes you feel better. Give her some pointers about her new role now as Mentor. She'll be fine", he suggested.
"That would be nice, Haymitch", she replied.
They spent the following days wrapped up in each other. Soon enough, he will go back to Twelve and she will be left alone in the Capitol. They wanted to cherish their remaining time together as much as possible.
When it's time to leave, she walked him to the train as usual, bid him goodbye and promised to call.
She had intended to take the season break to get away from all the craziness for a while and since she's not attending the Victory Tour, she can go to her parents' rest house and unwind for a few weeks before she has to reap another pair of children again.
On her way back to the penthouse to collect her things before going to her apartment, she saw Joanna Mason struggling with a very rich Sponsor at a dark alley. The man is trying to get her inside the limo and she's fighting back. A feeling of dread crept in her guts. At the back of her mind, she knows why the Sponsor is eager to get her in his car. Then, Joanna Mason punched the guy and broke his nose.
The Sponsor began yelling at her and the girl yelled back in kind. She noticed the girl has a sharp tongue as well. This is not good, she thought.
"Mr. Seamark! Fancy running into you in this place", the man looked alarmed upon seeing her and quickly covered his nose with a handkerchief, "Oh dear, are you hurt? Do you need me to call a medic? It does look horrific", she cut in.
Her cheerful tone was loud enough to attract attention in about a few minutes. It snapped the Sponsor from his rage and shrugged the incident off.
"That's kind of you, Ms. Trinket, but I will manage. It's nothing but an accident. Thank you", he responded and quickly went inside his car and leave.
She sighed in relief before turning to the girl behind her who's been shooting daggers onto the man.
"I don't need rescuing. I can handle myself", Joanna spat.
Effie made a mental note of teaching the girl some manners next time but now is not that time.
"That's not the case here, dear. Follow me before you get into trouble. Now", she made sure her tone is firm to make the girl obey.
Once they're inside the penthouse, she made sure there are no Avoxes around. Haymitch had always made sure to remove the bugs inside her bedroom so she took the girl there.
"Okay, first that ugly guy tried to drag me in his car so he can fuck me. Now, you drag me in your bedroom…what? To do the same?" Joanna asked.
"Language", she just couldn't help herself, "…and I did not drag you here in my bedroom. I asked you to come and before you ask, no, I was not planning on whatever it is you're thinking", she answered.
Joanna rolled her eyes around but did not run off.
"Why did you bring me here?" she asked again.
"Did Zetta talk to you about what happens after you won the game?" Joanna does not need to answer that. It's written all over her face that she's clueless, "Oh dear god…I'm going to murder her! How can she be so irresponsible?! Forgive me. Raising my voice is not proper at all", she exclaimed.
Zetta Underville is Seven's escort. She's not exactly new to the job but she's not that efficient. To be honest, she does not really care about her job. She's just using it for popularity.
"Okay, you obviously know something or you wouldn't panic. Tell me", the girl insisted.
So, Effie sat her down and explained to her everything and why Effie reacted the way she did when she saw her punched the Sponsor on the face.
"For fuck's sake! This is the glory you guys pitch after becoming a Victor? You whore us out?" Joanna exclaimed.
Effie quickly glanced around.
"Keep your voice down and manners…seriously", she took a deep breath, "None of us know about it until we're in the game…even escorts. It's not exactly advertised. I don't know what punching Mr. Seamark will cost you but if ever something like this happen again…if Zetta or you received another envelope again, you tell me. I will help", she offered.
Joanna eyed her carefully.
"What will you do? You're an escort", she asked.
She smiled sadly.
"I can keep them at bay. I don't know how long but I can do it until you find a way to protect yourself from that kind of offer. It worked with Finnick for a couple of years and then he learned a way of his own to protect himself", she simply answered.
The girl's eyes lit up upon mentioning Finnick's name. Perhaps, the girl liked the boy.
"You're friends with Finnick Odair?" it sounded like she couldn't believe it.
"I've known him since he won his game. Yes, he's a good friend. Just…watch yourself, Joanna. The danger outside the arena is far more threatening than what you have faced inside. Think about what I said and let me know when you need my help", she said and allowed the girl to go to her floor.
After which, she dragged her suitcase out of the penthouse and went to her apartment. What she saw that night haunted her as she tries to get some sleep. She fears for Joanna and what it would cost her. Haymitch told her how bad it can get. Snow does not tolerate insubordinate Victors. Haymitch lost his entire family for it. Effie dreaded to imagine the same will happen to the girl.
'Trinket'
"How do you it's me?" she asked while clinging to the phone.
'Who else will call me in the train? You okay?'
"Yes, I am fine. I just got back in my apartment and I needed to hear your voice…and also to make sure you're not drowning yourself in alcohol", she answered.
He chuckled on the other end.
'Okay, hit me up…what are you wearing, sweetheart?'