It is obvious that the girl does not know how to smile. Cinna told her she does but so far, Effie is yet to witness that precious smile of Katniss Everdeen. It worked well though with their costume. They're not meant to be darlings. They're meant to be fierce and fiery. Her eyes glued to them when Peeta grabbed her hand and raised it and the entire crowd cheered.
"The boy learned a lot from you, princess", Haymitch muttered.
Peeta truly knows how to work the crowd. He knows what they like, what they want to see. It's a gift.
It is not lost on Haymitch how Snow's eyes are trained on Katniss the whole time and it's not good. Perhaps, he's sensing the girl has a chance. If he's being honest, Katniss has more chance of winning than Peeta despite the boy's talent for PR. Katniss is a hunter, a fighter. She got the survival instinct…and Snow knows that too.
"She caught the eyes of everyone", Cinna said.
"She definitely caught the eyes of everyone", Haymitch pointed out and he and the stylist locked eyes in agreement.
It's funny how short they've known each other and yet, they're already thinking alike. For a Capitol man, Cinna has a heart of a district man and a mind of a Victor.
"That's the aim, people. They're meant to dazzle everyone", Effie cut in and marched to the backstage to get the kids.
She showered them with compliments especially Peeta for that holdings hand move he pulled and despite Katniss disapproval, she also saw the benefit it did for their team.
"Now, we shall go to the penthouse so the two of you can rest. You are both scheduled for training this afternoon so you will need your full energy", she announced.
Katniss frowned.
"Training?" she asked.
"Yes, dear. I have mentioned about it yesterday. Perhaps, you weren't listening. Why am I even surprised?" she then glared to Haymitch as if it's his fault the girl was not listening to her yesterday, "You are complied and encouraged to attend the trainings scheduled for all of the tributes throughout the preparation. It is to, well, prepare you for the game. You can hone your skills in there, get acquainted with your preferred weapon of choice. I was told you're skilled in bow and arrow. Now, the bow and arrow available here in the Capitol is not made out of wood. It's metal so that should make a difference and something you have to work on. As for you Peeta, you can enhance your strength during training and explore other methods in surviving the arena", she answered.
She felt almost nauseous by just discussing their situation inside the arena. Talking about weapons and methods of surviving is not her thing. It's not her job and it's making her lightheaded to picture Katniss and Peeta both fighting for their lives. Though she tried to keep her distance from them, she's also working very hard to get them the best help they need for the game and that also means she has to work closely to them and she's getting attached. Thinking about what's going to happen to them inside the arena is almost unbearable.
"You can also use the training to your advantage", Haymitch pitched in.
She turned to him and smiled in gratefulness for coming to her rescue. He knows she's not comfortable doing the Mentor talk so he took over.
"How?" Peeta asked while Katniss focused her attention to him.
"Well, all of the tributes are going to be there. They will train, display what they can do. Some will even use that to intimidate others", Careers like to do that to other districts to scare them, "You can observe their skills, their moves. Learn how they play. Learn their weaknesses and find something that will work to your advantage. It is also during training that the Career pack scouted for tributes they will hunt first so you will do well to observe that too. Like I said, training is not just for get to know the weapons but also to get to know your enemies", he answered.
Effie had listened to Haymitch mentored other tributes before although he hardly tries sometimes but he does give good advice here and there but this is the first time she heard him talk about actual strategy. She does not know whether to be in awe or to be scared. It's not the she's scared of Haymitch. Never. It's just that it's easy to forget sometimes that he is the only living Quell Victor. He is cunning than most and he is in all sense dangerous…but not for her, never for her.
"Well, now that's clear. We should head back or we will be behind schedule", she said and hurried them all back at the penthouse.
Katniss and Peeta went to get some rest while Cinna and Portia disappeared to prepare for their clothes for Caesar's interview. Haymitch resumed nursing a bottle while Effie buried her head in a pile of paperwork.
"Princess, come here", he called.
She did not respond at first, completely occupied by whatever it is she's doing.
"Trinket, you gone deaf or something?" he asked in annoyance.
"I am working, Haymitch", she answered and resumed ignoring him.
He is getting bored and he got no one to talk to so he got up and went to sit next to her. She's analyzing her list of Sponsors, hand armed with highlighter.
"You're planning on going on a hunt", he stated.
She highlighted a couple of names before turning on the page.
"Katniss had drawn attention ever since she volunteered. When Peeta pulled off that holding hands act, Sponsors are intrigued about District Twelve. I got numerous calls already and I am sorting them all out. It would be impossible for us to meet all of them together so I am going through each and one of them and then we can share. Divide and conquer as they say", she explained.
He does not like that kind of play.
"I thought we agreed on hunting together", he reminded her.
She sighed. She knew he's not going to approve because Sponsors tend to get very handsy with her.
"Haymitch, I can handle myself. This is a different season and you know that. Katniss and Peeta is at the top of the list and we need to take advantage of that. They might have the skills and instincts to survive the Cornucopia but they're going to need our help. Let's give it to them", she said.
He watched her carefully as she played around that familiar bracelet around her arm. It's the one Martha Locksmith gave her as a thank you for looking after and caring for her children. He has not seen that last year mainly because it does not go with most of her clothes but she's wearing it now.
"Are we going to have another Bran and Grace in our hands, sweetheart?" he asked cautiously.
The first time they went through that, it turned out ugly. She was crushed and he was in pain seeing her crushed like that. They cannot afford to have another moment like that again, not this year.
"Haymitch…this might be my last year. I want to give them everything. It's the only thing I can do", she responded with a sad smile.
He felt an ache in his chest. He does not like her talking like that but the future is so uncertain. It's not like he can fight the entire Capitol to keep her safe. Her fate rests solely on the outcome of the game. That's the same reason why Cinna and Portia joined their team, to do their part to keep her alive.
"We divide and conquer then. As long as we do that in the same place. I can't work if you're not in my line of sight", he proposed.
He will just spend the entire time worrying about her and that's not going to be fruitful. That will make him grumpy, moody, and rude. It will not get him any Sponsors at all.
"Agreed. I like to keep an eye on you as well. Make sure you'll behave", she agreed.
Cinna and Portia agreed to take the kids to training to give Effie and Haymitch a break and time together.
"Haymitch…" she warned when he wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her closer.
"They will not be back in a few hours, princess", he whispered in her ears and bit her earlobe.
She almost melted in his arms.
"We have work to do", she tried her best to think clearly but with his nibbling on her neck, it's an impossible task.
"Want you", he mumbled and bit down her neck that had her gasping.
That's the last straw. Her restraint broke and she succumbed to Haymitch. She pressed her lips on his with nothing more than overwhelming passion. It took every bit of his control to think about getting caught by Avoxes if they continue in the living room so he picked her up and brought her to her bedroom. It's much neater than his. Clothes flew in every direction until they're both bare.
Effie is against marking but he could care less. He's out of control when he's with her and she's the same. Being with each other allows them to be just themselves, no pretense, no control Haymitch, on the other hand, has to retain even just a bit because he couldn't trust himself if he loses all of his control on Effie.
"Haymitch…please", he doesn't need to be told twice.
He slammed into her in one swift thrust that buried him to the hilt. She cried out loud. It's the mixture of pain and pleasure that had her eyes watering.
"Shit…are you okay?" he asked in concern.
"Better than fine. Don't stop", she answered and pressed her heels on his back to urge him.
He slowed it down at first but her constant moaning is driving him crazy and soon, the pace went frantic. He pounded into her like there's no tomorrow until they both reached their release.
"Tell me we have a chance this year", she muttered while they lie on the bed, panting.
"We have a chance this year", he repeated.
It's not a lie. They do have a chance and if they're going to play their cards right, they might be able to win.
"Thank you for always saying the right things even though it infuriates me sometimes", she said.
"You like it when I annoy you", he pointed out.
"I do", though she longs for him to say the other words she wants to hear but she does not need words. She can already feel it. "We can't stay here all day. The kids will be here any time soon. We need to take a shower and get dressed", she breathed out and pushed herself out of the bed.
He raised a brow at her and watched her walked around the room naked.
"Is that an invitation, princess?" he teased.
"Come and join me if you want to find out", she teased back which made him growled and stumbled after her.
Haymitch had spent time with the tributes as the two informed him of what they have observed during the training. It's the usual routine that happened for the following days. Katniss and Peeta reported to Haymitch what happened during the training and he will advise them on what to do next. They're forming a strategy for the game while Effie and the stylists worked on their media presence.
They only have a few hours before the interview with Caesar and Effie is bossing people around to make things happen for her tributes while Haymitch had taken the seat on the audience. Cinna and Portia bid the two a good luck before they joined Haymitch leaving Effie to escort them at the backstage.
"Is it normal for my palms to get sweaty?" Peeta asked.
"It's just nerves, dear. You will do great", she answered with a big smile.
She hopes that the boy will not back down in front of the camera since he's been great in PR from day one. Katniss remains stoic even though the girl already assured her that she got this. They're going to be the last to go on stage since they're from Twelve so they got a chance to see how the other tributes interact with Caesar and how they present themselves. Most girls went with being girly and darling type while most of the boys played the eligible bachelor type. They're cliches. Katniss and Peeta are not going to be like them.
"You're up Katniss. Remember what I taught you", she said before Katniss was ushered on stage.
Now, Effie just have to cross her fingers and pray to all the saints things will go well for her team.