Gaius Flamsteed is the talk of the Capitol. He is from District One so there's a great chance he will win the season but that didn't stop Effie from doing her job again. She lectured the kids about public perception, the interviews, and the trainings during the day and she hounded Sponsors at night. Haymitch kept an eye on her to make sure she will be safe but they already lost the relationship that they had during the previous seasons. It's like they're back in square one, testing each other's waters. He resumed to his excessive drinking and he can swear that Effie has her own coping habits aside from smoking but he never caught her.

One drunken night, he started pressing her buttons at the penthouse just to make her talk to him again and that's the first time since the season started that her mask had cracked. He was able to see her true self and he made it his mission in life to annoy her every hour of the day just so he can see her again, the real her. Hence, the start of their bickering.

They became the talk of the season which is not intended considering the Tributes should be the center of attention. Everyone want to see them during interviews so they can see them bantering with each other. It was amusing to other Mentors and Escorts too. The Sponsors wanted to talk to the both of them just for that. Chaff enjoyed it as well but not Mags and Finnick.

Mags can see very well why Haymitch is making a fool of himself just so he can connect with Effie again. Finnick just wants to bond again with them together without them annoying each other to bits.

Twelve is already out but Effie and Haymitch still went to the bar for appearance purposes. Effie couldn't be more Capitol in her purple dress and purple wig. Her think Capitol accent can be heard from the bar all the way to the lounge where the others are. Haymitch is drinking himself to oblivion while watching Effie talk with Senya, Four's Escort. The chat seems friendly at first then Senya became a little bit panicked and Effie's face turned hard. Something is off. Mags also seemed off and Finnick is rather quiet on the side.

"What's up with you boy?" Haymitch asked him.

He looked pale. Haymitch knows that look. He had seen that look on his mirrors for years before he got used to it. It happened. He turned to Mags who looked furious like hell and it just confirmed his suspicion. Suddenly, he is sober. Chaff too. His best friend is fast to pick up and now they're all furious. Effie came in rushing and she's no longer in cheerful mode. She ignored Mags and went directly to Finnick.

"Name", she said firmly.

"Effie, dear…it's already done", Mags tried to pacify her but it didn't work.

"I am deeply aware that it's already done. Now, I want the name, Finnick Odair", Effie insisted.

Finnick looked crossed. He knows he shouldn't. It's one of the rules. You don't ever speak of the name of whoever paid for their company but it's also Effie. Haymitch knows the boy is not capable of lying to Effie.

"Stella St. Claire", he answered.

Just like that, Effie disappeared into the crowd. They hadn't seen her in an hour. When she reappeared, she's calmer and her escort mask is back. She greeted Senya before joining them at the lounge.

"The line at the bathroom is dreadful! If I had known this place will be this crowded, I would have suggested another bar to go to", she exclaimed trying to make a fuss about it even though it wasn't true.

The bar is indeed packed but there's no way a line in the bathroom will eat up an hour of her time, especially in her status. The Avox will just let her in first. They all know that she's just trying to make an excuse why she took so long. It's not the line and they all know it although no one dared to say anything.

"You should've smiled more, princess so they put you in front of the line first", Haymitch said mockingly just to support her and she glimpsed at him with appreciation before turning back on the mask.

"Well, they should've done their research more and learn who I am before making me wait that long when I am wearing this marvellous shoes!" she added.

A silence followed that but Haymitch saw Mags getting a hold of Effie's hand and squeezed it gently. No words had been said but it's enough that they all understood. Despite the gap between Haymitch and Effie, one thing still remains. She got their backs no matter what and for that, they got hers too.