Katniss made an impression on Cinna and Effie is glad. She always wanted to get both Cinna and Portia to be the team's stylists but she has reservation in dragging the two of them in the dirty world of the Hunger Games but they offered during the season break and she's glad she accepted. Unlike the stylists before, the two care for Katniss and Peeta. Plus, it's nice to work with friends. It used to be just her and Haymitch working hard for the kids but now, they got them too as well.
"So, Cinna and Portia…spill", Haymitch said when they settled at the penthouse.
A cigarette is now dangling between her fingers. She had sent the Avox to buy her some because she's going to need it to calm herself down.
"They're good friends of mine…the real kind. Both of them are very successful designers in the Capitol. The other escorts tried to get them to style their tributes but they did not want to get involved in this business but during the break, they asked me why I never offered them the job. I thought they're just joking but it turns out, they're just waiting for me. I finally said yes and here they are", she shared.
He knows she used to be a model so it's natural for her to know designers, to have contacts. He just wondered if they are successful, why would they want to get involve now in the games. They don't need the publicity.
"When did you offer them the job?" he asked curiously.
"…while we were on the train. It's last minute. After I got the idea for the girl on fire, I called Cinna and asked if he can make that happen. He said yes so I gave them the job. Why is there a problem?" he did not answer. He's lost in contemplation, "You will love their designs, Haymitch. I know fashion is not your thing but they're the best at what they do. They will not the turn the kids into clowns. I promise", she answered.
He hummed and took a big gulp from his flask.
"It's Capitol fashion, sweetheart. I doubt I will anything even if you brainwash me", he retorted.
She simply rolled her eyes around and took a long drag from her cigarette before putting it out.
"You should get to know them, Haymitch. They're nice people. I have invited them to dinner tonight so behave", she said.
He's actually hoping to have more quality time with her but they're in the Capitol now and he can see she's working hard for Katniss and Peeta. He has a feeling that Effie feels the two have a chance. It could be that they really do have a chance or it is her last attempt to fight, he has no plan in stopping her.
"I'll be on my best behavior. I promise…as long as they will not pull a Capitol crap on me", he swore.
She smiled.
"Thank you…and they will not do what you just said", she replied.
They listened as Katniss complained about getting waxed and groomed like a Capitol doll. It's not customary for district women to be groomed like that whereas at the Capitol, even men are properly groomed from head to toe.
"It's the price of beauty, dear", Effie supplied as she waved her glass of wine.
Portia raised her glass to that in agreement.
"Do you remember the first time you walk that runway, Effie? You wore that ridiculous heels by Lavenne Twinkle", Cinna recalled.
Effie bowed her head in embarrassment.
"Oh, I remember! You did look fantastic that night but those shoes should be banned. Who else in Panem can walk in those monstrous things?" the other stylist exclaimed.
Haymitch, Katniss and Peeta stared at them cluelessly.
"Effie used to model for designers before she became an escort. When she modeled for Lavenne Twinkle, she made her wore that shoes. It's so uncomfortable and unbearable to walk into but since, it's Effie's first runway show, she grin and bear it", Cinna informed them.
"Effie being Effie managed to survive that night but she went home with blisters on her feet and a swollen ankle", Portia added.
That's when Effie decided to cut in.
"She is right here. Honestly, you two know it is rude to talk about a person who's right in front of you", she chided.
The two stylists only made faces which made Katniss and Peeta chuckled. Haymitch, who is keenly observing the two, realizes why Effie is fond of them. They may look like the usual Capitol citizens but there's something about the way they move that's so natural…like a normal human being. They're real.
"If you're uncomfortable with those shoes, why did you still wear it?" Peeta asked genuinely.
Effie gave him a sweet smile.
"…because it's Lavenne Twinkle…"
"Like that makes sense", Haymitch snorted which earned him a glare from Effie.
"She's one of the most sought after designers then and now. I was this ingénue in modeling who's aiming to impress people. It's hard to explain really", she continued.
Haymitch understood that clearly. She's trying to impress her parents and their stupid reputation. It's her first job as a model and despite the pain she was experiencing, she said nothing and carried on for the sake of their approval. He wondered if she got it then.
"You're trying to live up to the expectation set by others", heads turned to Katniss, "You shouldn't be. That's no way to live", the girl said.
It almost took Effie's breath away. It rendered her speechless which is odd enough because she's never speechless even when she's nervous or afraid or angry. She always covered her emotions up with talking.
"If only the world we're living in is that simple, what an easy life it would be", Cinna broke the silence and saved Effie for responding to the girl's sentiment.
After the dinner, Portia and Effie go over the designs for Peeta and Katniss' costumes for the parade tomorrow morning while Cinna and Haymitch remained at the dinner table to talk. It's Effie's idea so they can get to know each other. She knows Haymitch is still apprehensive about Cinna and Portia's presence but she wants him to get to know them and trust them too.
"Cinna wants to set me on fire?" Katniss asked with a ridiculous tone.
"No. He's not going to set the actual you on fire. You'll be wearing a jumpsuit which will contain the synthetic fire. It will not even reach your skin or your hair. The both of you will wear that as representation for your district. Coal Mining. The fire will be on command and it will ecstatic", Portia answered.
"It's meant to draw attention to the both of you. The rest of the districts will go for something elaborate and glamorous. They would want to appease the Capitol's fashion with flashy and colors. You will wear black. You will have simple makeup and they will see your fire", Effie added.
The two tributes studied the sketches and they looked good. They have seen tributes parade before and Twelve always looked like pair of kids that's been dragged out of the mud compared to the other districts. If their idea turned out good, it's going to be the best Twelve's tributes ever looked.
"Fine. As long as you're not going to burn the both of us", Katniss agreed.
"I can't wait. I've never worn a fire suit before", Peeta added with excitement.
Meanwhile, the air at the dining table is different. Haymitch is studying Cinna with keen eyes, assessing any threats, ready for any danger.
"Do you always look at people like you're skinning them alive in your head?" Cinna asked.
"It depends on the people", Haymitch simply answered.
The stylist smiled.
"We're not here to hurt Effie if that's what you're worried about. We all care about her", he said.
"Who says I care about an escort?" Haymitch asked.
That made Cinna raised a brow at him.
"Ah…I get it. Don't worry. It's safe to talk. Portia and I took care of the little bugs on this floor. We will not risk our lives by talking so openly if we know there are people listening. We're smarter than that. On that note, you can also stop pretending you don't care about Effie because anyone with a right pair of eyes can see that you do", he answered.
Alright…if he wants to play this way, I will, Haymitch thought.
"Why are you really here? Trinket said the other districts tried to have you work for them for years and you refused. You offered yourselves to her. Why?" he popped the question.
Cinna shrugged.
"She's our friend…even before she got dragged into this world. Playing in President Snow's ugly games is not our thing but we cannot let anything bad to happen to our friend", Haymitch frowned, "We know. This is supposed to be her last year as an escort. Unlike the others, Portia and I are no fools and so are you. We want to help and this is the only way we know how so we offered to work for Twelve. Portia and I will do everything we can in our power to make your tributes the most desirable and most popular tributes this season and you can do your best in mentoring them and getting them the Sponsors they need so they can win this madness. It's the only way to ensure Effie's safety", he added.
How many people know about Effie's situation?
"Who else knows?" he followed up.
"…not much. The senior gamemakers knew. We happened to know one of them who spilled the beans to us. Sponsors don't know. Victors don't know either unless they have means to make a senior gamemaker talk", Cinna answered.
Haymitch nervously ran his hand over his hair. They can work their asses of to exhaustion but at the end of the day, it's up to Katniss and Peeta if Effie is going to live.
"I am already doing what I can to help her, but we both know it's not up to us", he muttered.
The stylist sighed and they both stared at Peeta and Katniss who are both talking to Effie and Portia at the living room.
"Those two are different, Haymitch. I've been watching this whole fiasco for years and those two are special. They balanced each other. Katniss is all fire, impulsive, always in action. Peeta is calm, cautious, smart, and patient. They're a good combination. Have fate, my friend", he mused.
Haymitch scoffed and shook his head.
"You have no idea how many times I was told of that already", he said and drank his whisky.
Cinna is now studying him with keen eyes.
"I can see why she likes you very much. The others can't when some suggested it. They couldn't fathom an ill-mannered drunkard Victor coupled with the well-mannered darling of the Capitol but I see it. She's of pure heart and has always been craving for something real in this world. Panem is filled with illusion and deception and in the midst of them all, she found you. You're real. I am glad she was assigned to you and not the others. I couldn't begin to imagine what would have become of her otherwise", the stylist realized.
The thought of Effie being assigned to the Career districts and being forced to do things she would never want to do makes his blood boiled. That will destroy her for good.
"I'm no saint and I hurt her feelings all the time but I do my best", he simply replied.
Cinna smiled at him and offered his hand.
"In that case, you have my trust and my confidence. It's a pleasure to finally get to know the actual you", he said.
Haymitch eyed his hand before accepting it.
"Likewise…" he responded.
At the other end of the room, Effie watches the whole exchange without hearing what was being said. A smile formed upon her lips when she saw the two reached a common ground.
"Are you okay, dear?" Portia asked.
"Yes, dear. I am alright. Where were we?" she answered then asked back.
Portia pointed to the dress design for the interview with Caesar and Katniss groaned.
"Do I really need to twirl on stage and in front of everyone? I am not ten", she protested.
"It's the price of beauty, dear", Effie muttered with a smile.