Capitol women or not, that situation will always feel the same. Of course, she convinced herself it's for the children. She will volunteer to do it for the children. That's for sure. But the fact that she was taken by surprise, or rather played. That is something she cannot fully accept just yet. Sex is nothing for her. Sex is part of the culture in the Capitol and she's not an exception to that. For her though, sex should be two-way street. She doesn't like being forced to doing something and what happened with that Sponsor broke every rule she has in the bedroom.
She ran the water in the shower and scrubbed her skin hard hoping to remove the filth that man has inflicted on her body. Her creamy skin is already turning red but she's not bothered by it. She wanted to be clean again. When she realized that what she's doing is pointless, she gave up on scrubbing and broke down on the bathroom floor. She hugged her knees closed to her chest and succumbed to the emotion she's been fighting in front of Haymitch.
He would've killed that man for sure, if she told him his name and where he stays but she doesn't want him to get his hands dirty on purpose. He killed people in his game but that was for his survival. He got no choice on the matter. Defending her honor is something else. She cannot do that to him.
After her bath, she picked up her Sponsor files and did what she said to him. She blacklisted that man from their Sponsor list and then closed the book. She smoked two sticks of cigarettes before popping a sleeping pill and calling it a night.
On the other hand, Haymitch went down the bar since he became a bit claustrophobic inside the penthouse. The winner has been declared and he's right about Finnick Odair. The thought about that boy's future is a problem but he doesn't need to think about that now. He has Mags to do that for him.
"You're drinking. It's been some time", Chaff said from behind him when he got his glass from the bartender.
"What are you talking about? I am always drinking", he asked.
That is true. He drinks from time to time and Effie doesn't contest on it as long as he remains sober enough to hold conversations.
"I heard that new escort of yours has put a leash around your neck. Finally, got you to stop drinking", his best friend teased.
Gossip in the Capitol spreads like wildfire. It's not surprising people take interest in his drinking habits since he's known for being wasted all the time.
"I got no leash", he snapped.
Chaff frowned.
"You're in a mood. What gives?" he asked.
Haymitch watched Mags talked with a bunch of Sponsors congratulating her left and right.
"Do you know Effie?" he asked him back.
"Everyone knows your escort, Haymitch", he answered like it's no brainer.
"Yeah, Mags said the same thing too but she knows her really well. Do you?" Haymitch clarified and asked again.
Chaff turned serious and put his drink on the table. The bar is loud enough for the bugs to miss low conversations.
"I heard about her. Mags talked about her for weeks since it was announced she will work as an escort. She said the doll is nice and different from other escorts. Of course, I didn't believe her. Capitols are Capitols. They're all the same. Then I met her when the Head Gamemaker introduced the new line up of escorts to the Mentors. You weren't here. You went back to Twelve right after your tributes died. The Head Gamemaker wanted some sort of meet and greet. Mentors are allowed to interview the new escorts and if they like them, they can file a request to have them on their team", he answered.
Haymitch is now intrigued. He didn't hear any meet and greet but then again, those were the days he's drunk as fuck.
"You didn't file a request for her. I know how much you hate your escort", he commented.
Chaff chuckled.
"Well, I couldn't. Mags kept her to herself. She wouldn't let the other Mentors talk to her. I get it though, what Mags saw in Trinket. When Brutus asked her about how she feels watching children slit throats of each other, I swear I saw her winced a little but she's good at hiding it. Other escorts launched tales about how it's for the glory of Panem and all the shit but Trinket kept it shut. Then, I saw her with your kids. She's really different but she still Capitol though", Chaff said.
Chaff always hate Capitol citizens. He always messed with them and fuck Capitol women just to spite the Capitol. To hear that from him means Effie really did made an impression, and a good one, to his best friend even though he doesn't want to admit that.
"Well, Mags will have my head soon enough. I failed to protect her", Haymitch confessed.
"What do you mean?" Eleven's victor asked.
"She told me to protect Effie from this world. I told her I can't but she's right that I can protect her at some part of the games. It's why she didn't want Effie to be assigned to Careers district and I just screwed up again", he answered.
It's Chaff's turn to be intrigued.
"I am not following you. What happened?" he asked again.
"I let her do the work", Haymitch answered.
"You always let your escorts do the work", Chaff interrupted.
"No. I let her do all the work. She asked me to stay sober enough to sign the forms if she ever gets any Sponsors and I settled with that and let her hunt Sponsors for the kids when it is my job to do that. I sat on the sofa and enjoyed the whisky, watching the games while she's working her ass for them", he expanded.
"Mags will give you a piece of her mind on how you handle your job but she's not going to cut off your head for it", Chaff said.
Haymitch shook his head.
"A Sponsor hurt her", he snapped and that shocked the Eleven's victor.
It took him a minute to process it in his mind. Haymitch cannot properly convey what he wants to say but Chaff was able to piece it together.
"She's an escort. It's what they do", Chaff tried to pacify the situation.
"Not her. You know that", Haymitch spat.
He did know that. One look at Effie Trinket and he knows she's not like that. She will have sex with a guy for fun but not for money.
"Shit", Chaff muttered.
"Yeah, shit", Haymitch agreed.
"How's she doing?" Chaff asked trying to mask the concern in his voice.
"She said she's fine but I know better. She's putting a tough face. She's probably crying now in her bedroom. She always does that after the kids die. I asked her the name of the asshole but she didn't give it. She said a criminal record will not sit well with District Twelve", he answered.
Chaff nodded.
"Your escort is smart. She's tough and smart", he muttered and then sighed as they both looked at Mags who met their eyes and frowned. "Well, I guess you're right then. Mags will cut off your head", he said and then walked away when Mags walked their way.
Haymitch took a deep breath and downed his glass for courage. Mags stopped in front of him already feeling something is wrong.
"Come with me", Mags said and he followed.
She brought him at the back of the bar.
"Spill it out. This zone is clear", she commanded.
"Some Sponsor tricked Effie. She thought she's going on a dinner meeting but he took her to his hotel room. I know it's my fault. I should've been there. I should be the one dealing with Sponsors. I already talked with her about it. She's no longer dealing with them. I screwed up. She didn't tell me who it was. She's afraid I would get myself arrested. It's funny how she's still worried about me and not herself", he poured it all out.
Mags remained collected but her face is hard.
"You're right. It is your fault but you're not responsible for that bastard. I will take care of it and you're going to owe me one", she said.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Finnick. I need you to be there for Finnick", she answered.
Finnick is out of the arena and in with our family!
