The color-coded book of Sponsors proven to be useful. Haymitch, for the first time, enjoyed the hunting game. Effie was very detailed with her list. She put down the things they like, things they hate, what is their favourite drinks, political views, fashion sense, some even have very personal information. She surely did an extensive research. How she found out all of that? He can only wonder.
At the end of the night, he got six pledges under his belt. It's more than what Twelve ever got since the beginning of the games. He is having a blast that he forgot that all his efforts have a good chance to be put to waste since both their tributes have a slim chance of winning.
He spotted Effie by the bar laughing and talking to a potential Sponsor. She is obviously exhausted from working all night but she doesn't let it show.
"She's something, isn't she?" Mags commented behind him.
The former Victor served as his own Mentor when he's starting out. He thinks of her as his second mother. Therefore, values her opinion a lot.
"Trinket? You know her?" he asked.
A smile played upon her lips.
"Everyone knows her. That's the thing", she answered.
That is true. She is famous Escort or not. She has always been popular. Suddenly, he remembered that odd thing Effie did when they were in the train. The gesture only a handful of people know.
"You do know her, don't you?" he asked again in a more serious tone.
The smile disappeared on Mags' lips.
"Saw her few years back when she's starting her career as a model. The girl has a big heart. She's always sweet and what I like the most about her is that she never enjoyed the games", she answered and that earned her a curious look from Haymitch. "If you ask me, she doesn't belong in this industry. It's such a shame she has to be dragged into this life. Capitol has a way of picking innocent souls to destroy", she added.
He cannot believe what he's hearing. His mentor knows her escort and not just as someone she happened to cross path with. She actually knows her.
"This place is loud enough for the bugs to hear. Spill it", he demanded.
"I am afraid, I don't know what you're implying", she said but he didn't buy it.
"She knows the train is bugged. She did that thing we do. What is going on here?" he asked.
He didn't have the chance to confront Effie about that but Mags is in front of him and she should do.
"You have a habit of driving your escorts to quit. Everyone knows that. Snow is never your fan and he's deliberately throwing incompetent dolls your way. I am not sure whether to taunt you or sabotage the image of your district but he's doing it on purpose, in case you haven't noticed. When I heard Effie was being handpicked to work as an Escort, I couldn't resist to let her fall to the Careers. Those will ruin her for good. I would've wanted her for Four but we have Senya and she's a dear in her own way so I pulled some strings to put her to your district", she answered.
Mags rigging the system to put Effie on Twelve, now, that is a shocker or at least for Haymitch.
"You did what?" he asked.
"Thought you would appreciate the help. She's very efficient and not to mention her impressive skills when it comes to working the PR", she answered and it's a fact he cannot dispute. "Plus, she actually cares", she added and that stopped him.
He never wanted to acknowledge that part of Effie. He knows she cares. He saw her got torn apart when Leticia and Daryl died last year.
"That's a flaw. This is no place for people with hearts", he snarled.
"True but it's not like she has a choice on the matter. I simply helped her avoiding to be treated like shit by the higher districts. You know what they do to their escorts", she explained.
They fucked their escorts and sold them to Sponsors to get money for their tributes. Everyone knows that but no one has the guts to speak of it. Imagining Effie being put in that position made his stomach turned.
"I cannot save her, Mags. I am in no capacity to save anyone", he confessed.
He's been struggling with that. She is not his responsibility to protect since she's Capitol but ever since he saw her care about the kids, he felt the need to protect her from the world.
"I know but I also know you will do your best to shield her from things you can help her with. She's been put to Twelve to save you, you know", she agreed.
To save him?
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked again.
Mags rolled her eyes and turned to Effie's direction.
"You're on the edge, boy. You know that. Look at your state now. You're in a bar and yet you're not wasted. A little bit drunk but not drunk enough to send you to oblivion. When was the last time this happened? No one has managed to get you this sober before. No matter how much you hate it, that girl is good for you", she answered.
He glanced towards Effie who is still talking to the same guy. She met his eyes and she smiled briefly letting him know that she's fine. He wanted to ask her that but she seemed to have read his mind and gave him the answer through her smile. It's a shorthand they developed without actually realizing it.
"She's bossy. She nags me around and threatens to cut my supply", he said hoping that would cover for his sobriety.
Mags laughed and patted his shoulder.
"Oh, Haymitch…I knew I made the right choice. Do me a favour and take her away from that scum she's talking with before I go there and castrate him", she replied and that made him laughed.
Mags being motherly and mysterious. I always wanted a moment between her and Haymitch.
