She kept a close eye on both Peeta and Katniss, assessing whether they will be just like the other tributes they had but something in her guts tells her that they're special. She couldn't quite pinpoint it yet. Peeta is not a fighter, obviously. The boy is soft and sweet but there's that star quality in him which is rare. He's naturally charismatic. Katniss, on the other hand, is a fighter. She can see that as clear as day. The girl will need a lot of work in terms of PR but she's a fighter. It's in her eyes, the same fire she saw in Johanna's eyes. It's there. She thought about pulling Johanna's card of pretending to be weak to avoid being targeted by the Career tributes but it's too late for that. Katniss volunteering will definitely catch everyone's attention.
She watched as the two tributes tried to grill Haymitch for any advice. He's grumpy this morning because he's exhausted. It's not her fault. It's his. He insisted that having sex would be better than her craving cigarette and him nursing whisky and she agreed. It was way better than their bad habits and now, he's grumpy and the two kids won't leave him in peace to eat his breakfast.
Then…
Katniss stabbed the poor table with a knife.
"That is mahogany!" she couldn't help herself.
It's not lost on her the way he smirked a little about her reaction. Of course, they ignored her. Haymitch noted about the girl's attitude and how that's going to be her downfall despite her competence when it comes to fighting.
"Stop bothering me and go bother Effie. She'll be able to help you more than I can", he then said.
Katniss snorted but Peeta seemed very curious.
"Of course, you'll pass us to your escort so you can be alone to drink", Katniss protested.
Haymitch turned to Effie with a shrug and she knows it's up to her to teach the two or otherwise, Haymitch will snap at them and it's not going to be pretty.
"The Hunger Games is not all about fighting in the arena, dear. It's a game of PR. It's all about the image and story you present to the audience", she explained.
Now, that got their attention.
"…but we'll be inside the arena. What good would it do if the audience likes our image and story?" Peeta asked.
"Sponsors are everything, sweetheart. Of course, you'll have to survive the Cornucopia but after that, what then? You'll need food, medicine, supplies. Sponsors can provide you that. It increased your chance of survival and you cannot have Sponsors if you're not going to charm them. It's a betting game for them. They spend money on their bets and you have to make them bet for you",
Haymitch sat back smugly as Effie commanded their attention. PR is Effie's game. She's the master of that art so he needs to let her excel at it.
"Now, the media is a huge tool in shaping the crowd's perception of you. They can make or break you. They can make you the most desirable tribute or the most despised, so it's a must to never pissed off Caesar or the gamemakers. They can destroy you before you even get inside the arena and that would be bad for all of us. You learn how to work the cameras, you will have a great chance of winning", Effie discussed.
Peeta is already smiling. Perhaps, he has already an idea how to do it but Katniss looked entirely clueless.
"I don't know how to pretend", she muttered.
"That much is clear, dear, but fret not. We are a team. You're not alone and we will help you, the both of you. To be honest, you don't have to do much. You're the first volunteer of District Twelve so that's your play. It's not something you have to pretend because that's true. You did it to save your sister. We will use that card. It will not be that hard…if you will promise to watch your attitude like stabbing a knife on a perfectly harmless table, you will be fine", Effie said.
After that, the two decided to go back to their rooms to rest so Effie proceeded to working on their schedules. She has a lot of plans for this year and for some reason, she's feeling a little hope in her chest that maybe, just maybe…it's not going to be her last year in this world.
"What do you think, princess?" Haymitch asked her.
He's nursing the flask she gave him but he's not drunk. He's pacing himself just like what they have agreed on.
"They could have a chance. As far as I know, Katniss is quite adept with bow and arrow. Peeta is strong, at least that's what I was told. I am still working on how to present Peeta but that's not going to be hard. He's charming. Katniss, on the other hand, could be the loving sister who sacrificed herself for that little girl but she's hardly the gentle type. There's that fire in her. It's in her eyes…"
He watched as the wheels in her brain turns while she's clicking the pain subconsciously.
"Girl on fire…" she muttered.
"What was that?" he asked in confusion.
"Katniss…she's the girl on fire!" she exclaimed in delight.
He's lost.
"I don't get it, sweetheart", he muttered.
"That's going to be her image, Haymitch. We cannot present her as the shy type or the loving type because there's so much fire in her. She got so much love, passion for family, and determination for survival. She's the girl on fire, Haymitch. She's strong but with a heart. It's perfect", she explained.
He agrees that there's something special with the girl, the kind that makes him nervous but he couldn't quite figure out why.
"How are you going to sell that? Set her on fire?" he asked.
It's meant to be a joke but he saw a spark in her eyes and knew he just gave her an idea.
"I have to make a call", she said and fled.
He had not seen Effie the entire day and when she came out of her room, she's exhausted. She's holding a bunch of paper which informed him she's been working nonstop.
"You looked terrible", he commented.
"Why thank you, Haymitch. You really know how to compliment a lady", she shot him a glare.
"Put that down and go to bed. You've been working the entire day. You need to rest. We'll be at the Capitol tomorrow", he said.
That's what scares her. She knows the season has begun but she couldn't quite feel it yet because they're still at the train. Once they set foot at the Capitol, she knows it will hit her hard. The pressure, her life on the edge of a cliff.
"You joining me?" she asked hesitantly.
She's not sure whether it's something he wants to do.
"I was going to even if you did not ask", he answered and together they went to her room to rest.
As expected, press flocked at the station waiting to catch a glimpse of Twelve's newest tributes. Katniss is obviously uncomfortable with all the fuss but Peeta is a natural. He smiled and waved at them and they can already see his charms affecting everyone.
"Come on, Katniss. Say hi", the boy urges the girl but she's too stubborn for that.
She could not understand why she would smile for them when they're the whole reason why her life is on the line right now. Is she supposed to be grateful?
"You gotta learn something from the boy", she turned to Haymitch, "He knows how to charm them. You need to learn to do the same or you will not make it there. Believe me", he advised before finding Effie.
She just got off the phone when he found her.
"Trouble?" he asked.
"No, just final touches before we leave. Are the kids ready?" she asked him back.
"If you can say that…Peeta is smiling and waving while Katniss is frowning", he answered.
Effie groaned.
"Katniss has to work hard. We should go or we will be behind schedule. I scheduled some makeover for the kids", she said.
That made him frown.
"Makeover? Since when?" he asked.
In their years together, a makeover was never done before to their tributes mainly because they don't have enough budget and their stylists weren't really dedicated to their district.
"Since now…come along", she answered briefly and strutted towards the exit.
Haymitch saw Katniss watching Effie as the media flocked around her as well. That's her magic. She's been in the spotlight for years and they still want more of her. Star power is what Mags used to call it.
"You'll get used to it. It's annoying but it's a necessary evil", he said to the girl.
"She does not like it", he frowned at her, "…being surrounded by all of them. She's uncomfortable but she's pretending", she muttered.
"How do you know she's pretending?" he asked curiously.
"Her eyes…they don't lie. I don't understand. She's Capitol. She's an escort. She's supposed to be liking all of…whatever this is, right?" she answered then asked him back.
Observant…it's a trait of a hunter. Katniss is a hunter. He should have known that she will be able to see through Effie's mask as well.
"Not everything is black and white. Just keep that in mind and watch the things you say because they're always listening", he responded and went to rescue Effie from the paparazzi.
Katniss watched as the escort thanked him silently for coming to her aid and quickly ushered her and Peeta out of the station and into their limo where she's finally able to breathe. The escort instantly dove into their schedule for the day like nothing happened. Haymitch was feeling the water beside her though he's holding a flask, she noticed he barely took a sip. Maybe he's not always the drunkard the media always says he is.
The media is a huge tool in shaping the crowd's perception of you. They can make or break you. They can make you the most desirable tribute or the most despised…
They have always been aware of the games based on what they've seen on the television. Now, they're in the game. They're finally seeing what goes on behind the scenes.
"Now, be on your best behaviors. Your stylists will be with you shortly and please, do not be rude", Effie bid them goodbye when they arrived at the Center.
The makeover part is mostly availed by the Career districts or those who got a very good stylists who are willing to spend money on the tributes to look good so they can model their designs properly.
"What have you got up your sleeves, princess?" he asked and she replied with a smirk on her face.
A moment later, two Capitol citizens approached them.
"Effie!" the woman greeted with genuine joy from seeing her.
Effie quickly beamed at their sight and hugged the woman.
"I am so glad you could have come. I am so sorry for the short notice", she then proceeded to hug the man, "Darling, I have missed you", she greeted them.
Haymitch felt a jealous knot in his guts. Who are these people? Who is that man she just hugged?
"We thought you would never asked us to be part of your team. I am almost crossed", the man teased which made her laughed.
"This is Haymitch Abernathy. Of course, you already know who he is. Haymitch, this is Portia and Cinna. They're going to be Katniss and Peeta's stylists", she introduced them all.
Portia was more than delighted to meet Haymitch which tells him that they are Effie's friends. That fact made him relaxed.
"Mr. Abernathy, it's an honor to finally meet you", Cinna said.
There's an air of mystery to him but he's genuine. Everything about him is genuine. No wonder Effie is friends with them. She hates faking herself in front of people for hours.
"I am not sure you'll still say that after spending more time with me", he muttered.
"Oh, please don't mind him. Now, Katniss and Peeta are waiting for you to work your magic. Please, kindly transform them to their full potential. I am counting on you two", Effie said and the two left to do a makeover on their tributes.