She kept quiet all throughout the drive back to the penthouse. He wanted to ask what happened, why she got so upset to the point of leaving but he does not want to push. It's obvious that it's something big because Effie is not one to storm out of a party. She deems it improper and rude. Sensing the kind of family she has, a lot has to come to his mind but something big enough to cause her to flee her own mother's party? He's dying to know.
When they got inside the penthouse, she's quick to unzip her dress but did not push it down her body. She just wants to breathe. Her hands found her precious pack of cigarette and lighter inside her purse that she left at the living room and quickly lit up the nicotine stick. With every inhale of the smoke, she grew more relaxed. She barely notices that Haymitch is right there with her, watching her carefully.
"Alright, care to tell me what spooked you, princess? Because I am starting to think of a lot of things and I am close to going back there and disrupt that awful party", he asked.
He can't stand seeing her that way especially if it's because of her family. It's not how family should make one feel, at least, from where he came from. He's not sure if that's normal for Capitol families.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. Father just informed me how much of a disappointment I am to the family and a disgrace. He couldn't understand why Ihave chosen this job", she chuckled in the absurdity of the thought.
Haymitch never met her father but he now wants to so badly just so he can punch the man and break his nose. Why on Panem would he tell his own daughter that? Of course, not all Capitols know what really goes on behind the curtains but he can't be that naïve to think that Effie would willingly choose to become an escort and throw away her private life. Maybe, he's just too stupid to even realize that. Capitol citizens can be very shallow.
"That's news, sweetheart. You've always known that before we got into that party. That's not what spooked you", he commented.
It will take so much more for her to abandon her manners and flee the scene. She dragged a long intake of smoke before she lets it out.
"I was told that I only have two more years after this season as an escort", he frowned, "They want me to retire", she revealed.
Haymitch is confused. In his years of being a Mentor, he had never heard of any escorts retiring. To be honest, he has no idea what happen to the other escorts that had disappeared from the scene. He never bothered to care what has become of them, no other Victor does.
"That's insane. The Head Gamemaker will not allow you to. You're the only escort capable of keeping me on my best behavior, remember? That's just a bluff", he denied.
"I don't think it's a bluff, Haymitch. We never had any Victors since I got on board in your district. Though I am good at my job, Hunger Games is still a form of entertainment to the Capitol, like any other TV programs. It's a shakeup. If Twelve does not have any new Victor soon, 74th Hunger Games will be my last year as an escort and I will be forced to retire", she explained.
"Bullshit…" he cursed.
It's nothing more than a trap. Snow knows that it's impossible for Twelve to have another Victor, not when he got his Peacekeepers keeping a close watch on his district. Training kids to be ready to fight for their lives in case they got reaped is forbidden when it's normal for the Career districts to do so. No one just wants to talk about it. Having another Victor from Twelve is a long shot. Making that the condition for Effie's job is unfair.
"Father told me that he also had arranged a marriage for me once I retire. A very wealthy man who wants to take me as a wife. He said it's the only thing I can contribute to the family after I tainted my reputation", his blood is now boiling, "It's funny though…" she trailed and kept on smoking.
He just realized that she's now on her third stick.
"What's so funny, Trinket?" he asked, unable to hide his temper in his voice.
She turned around to face him as she exhaled more smoke from her mouth.
"Have you known any other escorts to retire? Have you met ex-escorts somewhere?" she asked and that's enough for him to get what she meant.
His boiling blood rans cold. He thought about the previous escorts they said were too old to work anymore that had retired. He never saw them again, not even once. Though retired, they would still hold influence in the games. They should be hanging around bars, still part of the circle but no, they've gone silent. They have retired and he realized why Effie is on edge right now. The retirement is rather more permanent than what most people think.
"You're not retiring, princess", he muttered.
"I don't think that's up to you, Haymitch", she reminded him of how powerless he is on the matter.
"I will not let you", he growled.
He's pretty sure Snow wanted it this way. He does not know how he found out it will greatly affect him but they weren't exactly careful before. Chaff pointed that out so many times. Snow figured out he can make a pressure point of Effie and it will destroy him to lose her. This is Snow taunting him. Rubbing to his face that there's nothing he can do because it's not within his power to produce a Victor that will save Effie. Like she said, it's not up to him.
"Of course, you won't. You're too stubborn for that", she teased.
She's trying to lighten up the mood but it's not working. He's on the verge of punching someone to death and she already regretted telling him what happened.
"I will not let you retire, sweetheart. End of discussion", he repeated.
It's a promise, she knows. He's promising her that he will not let anything bad to happen to her. She's not sure how in Panem he will keep that but for now, for the sake of his peace of mind, she nodded.
"Thank you", she agreed.
As expected, their tributes both died at the Cornucopia. It did not hit Effie as bad as the previous years but it hurts all the same. She agreed when Haymitch suggested they should hit the bar with Chaff and Finnick to drink their grief away. It's not like they would be watching the games intently. That's too much for them to bear.
She was surprised to see Johanna Mason sitting with Chaff and Finnick when they arrived at their usual spot in the lounge. They always pick that spot because it's bug-free.
"Ms. Mason, how's your first year of mentoring?" she asked politely because she does not know how to address the girl.
The last time she saw her, she had punched a major Sponsor. She has no idea how she became friends with Chaff and Finnick fast but she's glad. At least, she's in good company. The Seven's Victor just glared at her and did not respond. She tried her best not to take offense but that was downright rude.
"Heard about your mother's birthday bash, love. Could have invited us too", Chaff remarked just to divert her attention from Johanna.
Something was up and she couldn't quite pinpoint it.
"Well, I was instructed to invite Haymitch. It's not proper to bring along those who are not invited", she replied casually.
It's not lost to her how Johanna observed her interacts with the other Victors. Finnick is telling her about Mags and Annie at Four while Haymitch is supplying her with cocktails. Chaff tried to banter with Haymitch but the atmosphere is just not right. It's not why she agreed to join them in the first place. If she wants to drown in sorrow, she would have just stayed at the penthouse.
"Have I done something to offend you, dear? You've been glaring at me since I sat here", she asked Johanna directly.
Perhaps, it's the alcohol in her system, but her temper is running low. It has been ever since she learned that she may have just two more years to live.
"Effie…" Finnick tried to warn but it's too late.
"You're a Capitol. That's what's wrong", Johanna spat.
She did not expect that. It's not like they're meeting for the first time.
"Hang on a minute…" Haymitch cut in but the younger Victor didn't want to be interrupted.
"She's Capitol and an escort. Why is she even here anyway? How can you stomach being near her and telling her your personal lives? You're just feeding her information that she can later use on you before she rats you out to her fucking government and have your family killed!" she exclaimed.
Effie became frozen.
"She's here because she's one of us. She has been even before you got here, before Finnick got here. Since you know nothing yet about the world around you, girl, I suggest you stop talking right now", Haymitch snapped.
Though he has a reputation for being a drunkard, he can be really scary when he wants to be. Everyone knows the only living Quell Victor and no one wants to be his enemy.
"What happened?" Effie found herself asking.
It's only then it dawned on both Chaff and Finnick that she does not know yet. Johanna just realized that too because she's now looking at the escort with a big question mark on her face.
"Let it go, Effie", Haymitch replied.
He had used her first name. Something did happen.
"Tell me now or I will find out about it some other way", she insisted.
When it became clear that no one is going to answer her, Johanna stepped in.
"Someone thought it's fun to burn my entire family alive", she answered.
"Damn it, Jo", Chaff cursed.
Johanna looked at him with a frown.
"What? You're worried it will cause her distress?" she asked.
She glanced around and saw Haymitch seething and Finnick alarmed and she cannot understand why.
"Wait here a moment. I need to use the ladies' room", Effie suddenly said.
Haymitch grabbed her arm before she could have left the lounge.
"You're not going anywhere, princess", he muttered.
The two glared at each other, staring each other down. It's a battle of gazes.
"Effie, it's not going to make any difference", Finnick said.
She glared at the boy which made him looked down. Johanna is puzzled at the amount of power she holds over the Victors.
"Let go, Haymitch", Effie breathed out.
He only tightened his grip on her arm.
"No", he refused.
There are people now staring at the two of them. There will be rumors about the scene in the morning.
"Quit it the two of you or you will grace tomorrow's headline", Chaff informed them.
"Effie…please, sit down", Haymitch said.
He rarely uses her first name. He almost never say please to her in public. That was enough to make her yield and sit back down.
"What the fuck was that about?" Johanna asked in confusion.
Effie downed her glass in one go.
"Language", she chided like Johanna is an eight-year-old girl, "I am not having fun anymore. I am going back to the penthouse. You can stay if you want to", she announced.
Haymitch finished his own drink too. He does not trust Effie not to do something impulsive.
"I'll go with you", he glanced to Chaff and Finnick and the two understood why he must left.
The two left the lounge leaving Johanna extremely puzzled.
"Okay, someone tell me what just happened with those two?" she asked and Chaff only raised his good arm, telling Finnick it's on him to tell the girl about the deal with Effie and Haymitch.