Soon enough, Effie's skills on PR and organizing schedules came to light. She can be perceived as control freak but no one can deny her efficiency on managing. She literally boss people around and they all listen to her, even the Peacekeepers. In all the years Haymitch has been mentoring, she is the only who actually made his life easier. All the paperwork is being taken care by her. He doesn't need to keep up with scheduled since she got it all memorized in her head. The prep team wasn't great but definitely better than the previous years. Where she found them? He has no idea. In all accounts, she's a miracle worker.

Effie has been teaching the two kids on proper manners and how to be sociable to Capitol people. She is patient but the kids are eager to win. Her energy and enthusiasm are infectious that he found himself giving an advice or two to the kids to which Effie is grateful.

The training went badly. Of course, the two kids don't have any skills to flaunt. They don't know any work at all. They can barely hold a knife properly and seeing their opponents scared them badly.

Effie has to spend a good two hours calming them down and making them relax enough to go to sleep without nightmares.

"Remember what I taught you. Do everything exactly as planned and things will go smoothly", Effie reminded Leticia before she goes to the stage for her interview.

Leticia is a darling. Her innocence didn't go unnoticed by the Capitol citizen but it's not enough either to make her a standout for the Sponsors.

Daryl, on the other hand, freaked out upon seeing the amount of people waiting for him and he stuttered at most of his words which didn't help both of them.

Effie was frustrated but she didn't take it out on the kids. Her patience is obviously a lot longer than her mentor. Haymitch watched her controlling her temper during dinner. The kids were quiet like they've done a naughty thing and afraid to get scolded at. The escort kept her mouth shut while focusing on her food.

"Hey, you both did good. It's not best but it's okay. Spotlight is tough when you're not used to it and for first timers like you, you did good. You can make it better but it's a good start", Haymitch broke the silence.

Effie looked at him, clearly not agreeing to what he just said but she didn't say a word.

Once the kids had been sent to bed, Haymitch found Effie smoking an expensive brand of cigarette near the bay window. The sight shocked him. She's not sporting a smile on her face. The usual annoying bubbliness is gone too. Her eyes are sad.

"Don't let the kids see you doing that. It's not a good example", he teased hoping to get a glare but nothing.

"They're not going to make it", she muttered as the smoke escapes her mouth.

It is an obvious fact for Haymitch from day one but hearing that from Effie hit him differently. She's always been optimistic since she was assigned to Twelve. The acceptance in her voice is painful for him to hear.

"Took you long enough but yeah", he agreed and grabbed one of the bottles on the counter.

"Getting Sponsors will be tough after what happened earlier. I can sell the innocent aspect of the kids and they're affection for one another since they're cousins but what happened during the interview and results of the training, it will be tough", she said casually which made him cringed.

It sounded so business-like. He hates it when she does that.

"Don't think about Sponsors that much. Twelve rarely gets more than one, sweetheart", it was meant to be a tease but it fell flat.

Effie lit up another stick without looking at Haymitch.

"I can work on that. I need your help though", she said.

"I told you. We're just wasting energy in trying", he declined.

Effie finally turned to him. He noticed her sore eyes. Did she cry? Do Capitol dolls cry for district children?

"I am not asking you to hunt Sponsors yourself. I cannot transfer the money without your signature so I am asking you to stay sober enough to affix your signature on the forms if I ever find one. That's not that hard to do", she clarified.

He looked at her with puzzlement. She seemed so sure she can get Sponsors for two hopeless kids.

"You are diving in a very deep hole here, sweetheart. You know they're not going to make it. Spare yourself the pain. You're already attached to them which is not good. Stop while you still can", he warned her.

He is constantly doing that since they got on the train and she doesn't listen. Her eyes are turning glassy but she's holding it in with every puff of smoke from her cigarette.

"It's the only thing I can do, Haymitch. I drew their names and now they're here. It's my job to take care of them and make sure they get everything they need. It's my job. I cannot force you to do yours but don't stop me from doing mine", she insisted, her voice almost broke.

He sighed.

"Fine. I will stay sober enough to sign whatever it is you want me to sign", he gave up.

"Thank you. That's all I ask", she replied and resumed smoking with her back on him.

He wanted to tell her she's making a mistake. He wanted to tell her she will just waste her time and her energy in getting them Sponsors but it's obvious she doesn't want to take that advice. He wonders if she really feels guilty about reaping them. The escorts that used to work for Twelve never give a single fuck about the children or actually doing their jobs. The thought of a Capitol citizen shedding tears for her tributes is a new territory for him. He doesn't know how to handle it, how to act around her. He's used to annoy his escorts to the point they actually quit.

"You should quit", he suddenly said.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked with a frown.

"…while there's still time. If you stay, the games will destroy you. You should quit now and save yourself", he answered.


Effie's eyes is finally opening to the odds. I hate breaking her heart but it is really bound to break.