Once they hit the Capitol, Effie barely stays at the penthouse. Cinna and Portia explained it well to them. She's taking care of everything for the party at the Presidential Mansion where the Victory Tour will end. It's the final stop so it has to be successful. She will only come back at night to crash on the bed. By the time they all wake up in the morning, she's ready to leave the penthouse. Haymitch knew she already stopped with her anti-anxiety medication just like what he wanted. He made the effort to sleep in her room because she once sneaked into his room to sleep next to him. She had woke him up so he wouldn't be startled and accidentally cut her with his knife. Just to be sure, he crashes in her bedroom so she does not have to sneak out in the middle of the night to be with him.
At the night of the party, Cinna and Portia once again outdid themselves. The two kids looked stunning while Effie…well, she looked like a giant purple ruffles if Haymitch is being completely honest. It's a bit toned down compared to things she wears at Capitol parties but it's still strange to look at her being enclosed by ruffles.
"Now, remember to act in love. Everyone is at that damn party so don't let your guard down", Haymitch advised before letting Effie took the kids out of the Center. He, along with Cinna and Portia, hopped on another limo.
The Presidential Mansion has been transformed. They don't have any idea how Effie pulled it off but it looks like a whole new world in there. It's colorful and bright but it's so…vibrant. There were flamethrowers on the sides to reflect Katniss' brand as Girl on Fire. The food is overflowing and the crowd…let's just say, everyone who is somebody is present at the party.
"The Presidential Palace, the party of the year. Now, remember…eyes bright, chins up, smiles on. I'm talking to you, Katniss", Effie strutted towards the entrance.
They stopped before they were able to get inside. She saw something sparkling by the arch which is something that was not there before when she oversaw the arrangement of the whole place. They had placed cameras all over the compound.
"Now, there will be photographers, interviews. Everyone will be here to celebrate you, my Victors", she took a deep breath. Pretending to be so damn happy can be very exhausting. "Breathe it all in children. This is all for you", she turned to face them.
None of them looked so happy about it and she cannot blame them really.
"Cozy", the boy muttered which almost made her gasped.
"Attitude", she chided and turned around.
She wondered when those two will ever learn how to play the game properly. They should know by now that outside the comfort of their penthouse, there's eyes everywhere, ears everywhere. She took one deep breath before putting the mask back on.
"Come, come", she invited and resumed walking.
Effie kept the two close to her as they walked around the party. People talked to them for a few minutes and whenever she senses the discomfort in the kids growing, she will excuse them and walk away. Katniss and Peeta will glance their thanks to her but as soon as they reached the center of the party, it's fair game to everyone. Snow made a speech from the balcony and he is addressing Katniss through his eyes while the girl did not even back down from the staring contest. Haymitch had to elbow the girl to break it off.
Dinner buffet has been opened to all and Effie allowed the two to indulge themselves while she made her own appearance to other people present. She saw Haymitch talking to Cinna and someone else not far from her but she couldn't detach herself from the major Sponsor hoarding her presence at the moment. It will be rude.
Then, that man Haymitch and Cinna were previously talking to had taken Katniss on the dancefloor for a slow dance. It did not make her feel relax so she politely excused herself and went to Haymitch.
"Who was that dancing with Katniss?" she asked in concern.
Haymitch is wearing a blank expression on his face. It's like he's in the middle of deep concentration.
"That is the new Head Gamemaker, princess. Plutarch Heavensbee", he answered.
New Head Gamemaker…of course, the former was already dead. She shook it off her brain. She cannot wallow right now about that.
"Why is he talking to Katniss? It's Peeta who should be dancing with her", she followed up.
Now that Katniss and Peeta are crowned Victors, Effie realized the other dangers looming above their heads. The envelopes…
She clenches her jaw and gripped her wine glass tighter. She can still protect them. The question is for how long but she can hold the fort as long as she can. If Haymitch will retain his position as Mentor, she will only have to fend off offers for one of them for a year. Having the two of them will be difficult. Having Katniss will be even more difficult.
"Calm down, sweetheart, or you will break that glass", he muttered.
She loosened her grip a little bit and breathed slowly. Imagining anyone hurting the children is making her blood boil fast. She has to work extra hard to gather more ammunition to help protect them for that scenario. Thank goodness for the season break. She will have more time.
"Do me a favor and take that man away from Katniss. It's not age appropriate for them to be seen dancing. Have Peeta take over. Now", she replied with slight irritation in her voice.
Somehow, he understood why she's getting worked up. He realized what made her angry all of a sudden so he made his way to Katniss and Plutarch and had Peeta took the man's place. When the new Head Gamemaker saw Effie, he walked towards him with Haymitch trailing behind him.
"Ms. Trinket, it's lovely to finally meet you", Plutarch greeted.
Effie welcomed his greetings and tentative hug because it's impolite to decline.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Mr. Heavensbee", she greeted back.
Haymitch detected a hint of disdain in her voice and it's not subtle. He's sure that the Head Gamemaker heard it too. He eyed her cautiously from Plutarch's back to remind her it is not the time to antagonize a newly promoted gamemaker.
"I see you inherited your father's fire. When I was told you were assigned as escort to Twelve, I had my reservation you would last but here we are and you have the first ever double Victors in the history of Hunger Games", he expressed.
Now, Haymitch is confused. Plutarch said it's lovely to finally meet Effie but with the way they were talking, it looks like they knew each other.
"I doubt it's got nothing to do with what I inherited from my father, Mr. Heavensbee. You very well know his disapproval about my lifestyle", she pointed out.
"I was aware but I don't think it matters now. You did well, Ms. Trinket. You've proven your family wrong about your skills and intelligence and you continue to surprise everyone", he responded.
So, Plutarch knows her family but not her personally.
"I still don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing", she muttered in defiance.
The Head Gamemaker smirked at her, impressed by her resolve to face him head on despite the looming threat above her head.
"I doubt this will be the last time we will see each other again, Ms. Trinket. Wonderful party, congratulations", he said and embraced her again.
"Thank you, Mr. Heavensbee", she replied before pulling back.
Plutarch walked away to mingle with other guests and Haymitch took her side.
"What was that about?" he asked in curiosity.
"Nothing. He and my father were sort of friends. That's all. I am sure by the end of the night, that talk will be reported to my parents and I will receive a call from my mother about how rude I've been towards Plutarch", she answered with slight annoyance.
Haymitch let it go at that. He did not tell her about the strange conversation he just had with that new Head Gamemaker and Cinna about something big on the works. It's a discreet talk but he knows how to read between the line. They're talking about a possible rebellion but everyone is gathering support. They want him to be a part of it along with Katniss and Peeta. As it turns out, Plutarch is not a big fan of Snow and after what happens to Seneca, they slowly realized that even Capitol citizens are not off-limits to the president's murderous tendencies. It's dangerous talk and he does not want to get Effie involved in that.
When they returned at the penthouse, everyone was finally able to breathe. The Victory Tour is over. So far, no Peacekeepers came in barging at the door so that means it's a success. Portia had opened the most expensive bottle at the bar to celebrate. Effie is still on-guard but after a few hours, she started to calm down. Maybe they really did survive the tour and things will settle down now.
"So, who is going to be the Mentor next season? I mean, Katniss and I are required to be Mentors, right?" the boy asked while they're at the living room.
"That's been discussed, yes. Haymitch will retain as Mentor for District Twelve and since Mentoring is supposed to be two persons job, we will be needing one of you. So, you my darling boy will go up first", Effie answered.
It is a sound decision for Cinna and Portia, but Katniss is lost.
"Why not just me and Peeta? Haymitch has been doing it forever. He can use a year of rest away from all of this", the girl pointed out.
Is it going to be a rest though? Effie kept that question to herself. He's been a Mentor all of his life. He's used to being at home during the break but to be at his house for an entire year alone? She's certain that it will drive him crazy or he will drink himself to death.
"…because if it's the two of you, you will have to keep up playing lovebirds for an entire season. Can you do that?" the two did not answer, "I thought so too. Having only one of you on the job will spare you that agony. You can go to interviews and say you missing the other back at home and all that shit but at least you won't have to pretend 24/7", Haymitch explained.
She's about to rebuke his language but held her tongue instead. Haymitch and Katniss are quite alike and the girl seemed to respond more with that kind of talk Haymitch is using so she let it slide.
"Alright, I'll go first. That's fine", Peeta agreed.
Later that night, Effie and Haymitch are cocooned in each other's arms in her bedroom. They will be apart once again and he cannot help but get worried for her. She will be alone in the city and anything can happen. Snow can strike any time he fancies and he wouldn't be there for her.
"Don't worry about me. I will be fine", she said like she can hear what he's thinking.
"You'll still be my escort next year, yeah?" he asked.
They got two Victors. The retirement should be out of the question. Other districts want her so making her quit will not be an option for the gamemakers.
"You're not getting rid of me that easily, Haymitch", she replied.
"I will never want to get rid of you. Why do you think I am sticking to mentoring?" he asked.
"…because you got no one else in your house. Capitol has unlimited alcohol at your disposal and you won't have me in your bed in Twelve", she answered.
He poked her side which made her giggled. She's kind of ticklish on some areas of her body and he's the only one who knows about it.
"You got it all right but the last part is the major reason why. It will drive me crazy thinking about you for an entire year, princess", he said.
She knows the feeling. It will drive her crazy as well.
"Don't worry. You won't know what that's like because we'll be right here next season", she replied.