The 66th Hunger Games started dull. Finnick's year was so popular that the gamemakers tried their best to top it for ratings. Effie came to Haymitch's house with sets of suits for him to choose for the Reapings.
Unlike the year the previous two years, Effie toned down her dress for the Reapings which raised Haymitch's eyebrows though he didn't ask. He knows. She had a good education within two years that she learned Twelve is not like the other districts. To his district, she is the personification of death and everyone sees her as either a monster, a doll, or a robot. She wanted to look a little like human without totally abandoning her Capitol fashion. She still looked hideous in his eyes with all the cake on her face but it was less than before. He also knows it will get worse once they hit the Capitol where she'll have the freedom to dress like a clown.
"…the black one", he said pointing at the suit she's holding with her left hand.
"I figured as much", she muttered and handed it to him.
She started fussing about his house and how untidy it is. As usual, she sent him upstairs to take a bath while she cleaned downstairs. Once he's done, he found her smoking at the back of his house.
"Still can't shake that from your system?" he asked but sounded more like stating a fact.
Effie tossed it on the ground and put it out with her heels and glared at him.
"Don't go lecturing me on my habit when you can't shake yours from your system", she snapped.
It is a mood to start the year.
Effie reaped another pair of young, innocent, dead kids. They happened to be both twelve years old and he saw how that upset her despite her efforts to hide it behind her makeup.
She sticks to the schedule and they all boarded the train to Capitol on time. Once they're on board, she finally relaxed. Her head is buried with papers with her third cup of coffee on the side. She is already done briefing the kids about the schedules and how things are going to go once they reached the Capitol so she sent them to their rooms to rest.
Haymitch changed to something more comfortable before going to the bar to fix himself a drink.
"How's the Capitol, sweetheart?" he tried to start a conversation.
"Same as before…parties and more parties. You will be happy to know that I didn't go there just to have fun. I added few more names to our list", she answered with her cheerful voice.
He didn't buy it at all. He sat next to her and just watched her work in silence. It's only been three years but he already seen her deteriorate fast. She lost weight when she doesn't have that much to lose and her smoking habits became worse if it's even possible.
"You look like shit, princess", he commented.
"Now, that is not a nice thing to say to a lady, Haymitch. It's very rude", she snapped but it's lacking of her usual fire.
He stopped her from scribbling on her notebook and forced her to look at him in the eye. The mask dropped in an instant and he's right to insist. She doesn't look so good.
"Tell me", he ordered.
"I was summoned by the Head Gamemaker Templesmith", she gave in.
"What for?" he asked while his brain is thinking of million horrible things why she was summoned.
"Apparently, my father requested for me to be transferred to another district…to a higher one to be precise. My family seems to think working for District Twelve is ruining our family name. I already told them it wasn't like that and that I love working for Twelve but Father insisted. They can't have their youngest daughter be a complete disappointment all her life", she answered.
He detected a pain in her voice but she was quick to mask that with a smile.
"What did Templesmith say?" he asked again hoping against all odds that he didn't agree to it because her transferring would mean that (a) he will have to bear with another escort that is for sure he will not like and (b) he cannot protect her from the nature of business in those districts.
"He said no", she answered and he felt himself relaxed. "It doesn't speak to my abilities as an escort. He did say that if it's just my skills alone, I will be promoted right away but unfortunately, I am too good at this job and he seemed to think my skills is a good fit for Twelve and its Mentor", she added.
It is true. She changed Twelve. With her PR skills and stubbornness, she was able to get him to go to interviews, parties, appeared presentable and sober enough in public. It's a hell of an improvement from those years before she came into the scene.
"Lucky me, I guess", he tried sounding disappointed but he's not.
"Yes, I supposed you are very lucky. Father was mad when he was told. Mother spent half an hour scolding me about the career I chose and why I cannot be like my sister. They basically enumerated on my face why I am such a disgrace to the family like I wanted to be that for them. That's okay though. I skipped the following Sunday brunches after that. I don't want to hear any more of it", she said.
He decided right then and there that he hate her family. How can someone be that shallow to their own daughter? It's reasonable if they're not related at all because Effie likes to make herself look like a fool when she's not but her own blood who has known her from the time she's born? It's downright cold.
"Well, I don't know if it's some sort of a consolation but I don't think you are a disappointment. You're the only escort I can bear to work with and the kids are lucky to have you as their escort. No other escort out there cares the way you do. It's foolish but it's nice. Plus, you get shit done", he said.
"Language", she snapped right away before softening her expression. "I am not used to a compliment coming from you but thank you. It's good to hear my work is appreciated", she said.
"Yeah, don't get used to it", he teased and gave her a smirk which made her a laugh a bit.
A little brief of Effie's family. Can't wait to add more of them in the mix!
