Their tributes are lost cause but Effie did her best to make them feel comfortable. She mothered them and just like the first year, the two kids got attached to her.

Him, on the other hand, made it a point not to get to know their names to avoid the emotions connected to it. He tried reminding Effie about it but she's too far gone. She didn't read them to sleep but she tucked them to bed every night.

The smoking never improved and she's attending parties nonstop. He's already exhausted from accompanying her since he promised she will never go alone again. The drinks kept him company but he never took it far. He's on guard duty and he doesn't know why he felt obligated but he does. If Effie is just any other Escort, he wouldn't bother but it's her.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" Chaff asked him and he nodded.

The two walked towards the speaker to give themselves some privacy.

"What's up?" Haymitch asked.

"Freya was talking earlier on the train about your doll", Chaff answered.

Freya Kingston is Chaff's escort. She's not nice. She's a total Capitol who is all about fame and glory. Chaff hates her but the gamemakers won't assign new girl for him.

"What did she say?" he asked again.

"She's gossiping with her friends about Trinket totally losing it during the game break, said she's going to bars every single night, totally getting wasted and hooking up with guys left and right", Chaff answered.

His fists clenched in anger. Gossip is natural for the Capitol but gossip involving his escort is another thing. It being true, well, it's the worst thing. She did admit to him going to parties during the break. What if the rest of the gossip is true?

"Yeah? Your escort is a bitch. It's not true", Haymitch said.

Chaff scoffed.

"Probably but she's not the only one talking about it. Cecilia said something about that too. Seeder heard the same thing from a Sponsor", he explained.

He then saw Effie laughing with some men at the corner. She's holding a glass of vodka on one hand and cigarette on the other. She doesn't even bother hiding that habit of hers anymore which means she had too much to drink. He has never seen her drunk before but he doesn't want to.

Before Chaff could've stop him, Haymitch is already on his way to her. He stood next to Effie and put his arms around her which made her tensed but she didn't let it show on her face.

"Hey, fellas…what do we have here?" he asked casually like it's natural for him to be that close to his escorts.

He used to fuck his previous escorts as his way to get back to the Capitol but not Effie.

"We just met your escort. She's a lovely, lovely woman and very beautiful, persuasive too", one of the men asked.

Effie blushed a little but he thinks it's because of the alcohol and not the guy's compliment. Haymitch just grinned through his teeth and then took the glass away from her hand and set it on the table to stop her from drinking.

"Sure she is but I am afraid I need to take her away, business matter", he excused and the gentlemen regretfully accepted.

He took Effie out of their sight right away and together they walked towards the elevator. He is very aware of the eyes following them including Chaff's but he ignored them all.

Effie remained quiet until they are inside the elevator and out of reach from other people.

"What is going on? I was in the middle of conversation with those people. They're potential Sponsors, Haymitch", she finally asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

"You're drunk", he muttered under his breath.

"I am not!" she denied.

"Oh, yes you are. I'm an expert on that department so don't lie to me", he snapped.

She knows she is but it's hurting her ego to admit she let herself drank too much.

"I just had a little too much but I can handle it", she said as an excused which he didn't buy.

They reached their floor and dragged her to the living room with little more force than he intended. He loosened his grip on her arm once he realized it's going to leave mark on her skin.

"The city is talking about you", he started which stopped Effie from asking another question. "They said you partied every night during the break, drunk yourself to oblivion and fucked men along the way", he continued with a snarl. "Is it true?" he asked.

He sounded angry which he has no right to since they're not even friends to begin with.

"I told you about the parties", she muttered.

"Yeah, didn't mention about the drinking and fucking marathon though", he spat and she flinched.

The alcohol is taking its toll and she's light headed. Her brain cannot function well to come up with excuses to say to him and her eyes are giving her away.

"I am an escort, Haymitch", she simply said which should be plain as it is but he knows how to read between the lines.

"Tell me how's that related to what I just asked you", he said.

Effie pursed her lips before surrendering to the truth.

"My service was requested and I had to…like I said it's my job", she said vaguely. He found himself holding her too tight again which informed her that she needs to give him more than that. She took a sigh. "It turns out Victors are not the only ones receiving envelopes. Unlike yours, gamemakers are a bit complicated to reason with", she added while lowering her voice so the bugs won't pick up her words.

"Stay here", he said and let go of her arm.

"Where are you going?" she asked as she watched him walks towards the elevator.

"Trust me", he answered as the elevator door closed.


the dirty side business of the game is for everyone so I figured Escorts are not safe from it too.