Effie is used to facing a crowd. She knows perfectly how to work them but nothing has prepared her to the crowd she faced during the Reaping. The atmosphere is dull and grim. The people are all shaking from fear and nervousness. The children are all praying deep inside for her not to draw their names. No one has said a word but she can feel it in the air. They are afraid of her.

If anyone has told her they're scared of Effie Trinket, she will be amused and intrigued for she hasn't hurt a single fly in her life. She loves life and living it.

She cleared her throat as soon as she stepped in front of the microphone. She can feel herself already tired from the journey and wrestling verbally with Haymitch to get him ready but she composed herself and plastered a smile on her face. There is no way the crowd will cooperate with her to smile and be joyful. She figured that part out. Everything she saw when she was a kid was all edited. The people clapping, it's fake.

"Welcome to the 64th Hunger Games!" she started as her voice rang throughout the circle.

When she got no response from the audience, she proceeded as follows. She drew the names of a twelve-year old girl and a fourteen-year old boy. She knows it in her guts that they got no chance to win the games. The two looked incredibly innocent to be sent to the arena but she cannot take it back. Rules are rules and if she disobeys, it's her head on the platter so she kept on going with the fake smile on her face just like what her mother taught her.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour", she finished and then ushered the two kids to say goodbye to their families.

She stood by the hallway of the Justice Building as the kids spent time with their families inside the room. They're due to get on the train in five minutes and she wanted to maximize the time for the kids. They may not be able to see their families again.

"Not exactly fighters, are they?" Haymitch said with his head just above her shoulder, his face too close to hers.

She can smell the alcohol coming from him. He did take a shower before they left his house. She made sure of that but he managed to get drunk through the course of the ceremony.

"We don't know that yet. We're just starting. You need to help them", she said with her low voice.

Haymitch stepped in front of her and grabbed the schedule from her hands.

"Nothing I can do to help those poor kids. They're going to die and you know that too. I saw it in your face as soon as that little girl stepped forward. Learn to accept that or your heart will break into pieces", he said.

They locked eyes for a moment before Effie took back the schedule from his hand.

"You're the Mentor, Mr. Abernathy. I expect you to do your job and I will do mine to the best of my ability. I will get the kids. We're going to be late", she muttered and then put back on her escort smile.

The kids looked stunned when they stepped inside the train. District Twelve is the poorest district in Panem and seeing how extravagant the train is, it's overwhelming for them.

"Now, Leticia and Daryl…your rooms will be on the fourth cart, separate, of course. The beds are already made for you so if you both wish to rest while we travel, it's quite alright. Dinner will be at seven sharp. I expect you both to be on time. Any questions?" Effie asked the two innocent kids who are both staring at her like she's from another planet.

Haymitch took the seat so he can watch how she works with the kids. The past escorts were not kind to them. They only used their positions to gain popularity and never took the time to actually care for the kids.

"Do you sing?" the little girl asked Effie.

It's the escort's turned to be stunned by the question.

"Sing? Well, yes, but it's not a talent for me…just something I do out of habit. Why do you ask?" she answered then asked her back.

"Her mother used to sing her and her sisters to bed. They cannot sleep without being sung to", the boy answered.

Effie wanted to point out that it's not proper to answer a question directed for another person but the innocent look on his eyes stopped her.

"Well, that can be arranged. How about, if both of you stay in your best behaviour, I will sing you to sleep? You too Daryl if you want, of course", Effie proposed and that earned her an eyebrow from Haymitch.

The little girl's eyes lit up at the offer. The boy tried to look tough and grown up but it's obvious he wants that too.

"I can be behaved. Mom told me to be behave", Leticia accepted.

Effie smiled at the girl as she gently brushed her fingers on her cheek. There is no need for her to force a smile. It's just genuinely coming for her.

"I suppose you two wanted to share a room now, don't you?" she asked them both and they both nodded. "Cousins?" she asked again and they nodded once more. "Alright, go now to your room and you will find clothes I prepared for the both of you. Took a shower and put them on. You can rest for a while and I will see you at seven for dinner", she instructed and the two quickly disappeared.

Effie watched the two hurried to another cart to do what she said.

"Do you mean what you just promised to those two?" Haymitch asked.

She almost forgot he's there with them.

"Which part?" she asked him back.

"The part where you will sing them to sleep", he answered.

"Yes. It's not a big deal. They need sleep to prepare them so it's fine", she answered as well.

Haymitch got up and went to her.

"One piece of advice. Don't get too attached to the kids. It will be messy once they died and I won't be there to help you pull yourself together", he said.


Effie is always so motherly. I read somewhere she's described as coldhearted but I think at first she's not that at all. Perhaps, she learned to put a wall between her and the kids over the years to avoid getting her heart broken.