Effie Trinket had lived in the Capitol all her life, and therefore had become accustomed to their control of the weather, only experiencing true weather when she came to the districts for the reapings and on the train back to the Capitol. She had only witnessed a few thunderstorms in her career as an escort and she hated them, the thunder scared her, made her jump she didn't like not knowing when it would come, or when the storm would be over. It was late, she could really have gone to bed, but she had her laptop open and was working her wig was off and her makeup was lighter than usual, she was wearing her pink silk nightdress and matching robe. No one would see her the only person up was Haymitch and she didn't really bother about hiding her hair from him these days it was too much effort.
"Hey princess." She heard his familiar voice from behind her (speak of the devil) she turned her head and he passed her a glass of wine, "Thank you." She smiled and he came to sit next to her "How can you still be working?" He asked not knowing how this woman could manage to work more than all the other escorts combined "Because I want them to have the best chance in the arena." She replied and suddenly there was another clap of thunder, she jumped and Haymitch noted, then came another strike of lightning and again she jumped, "You okay sweetheart?" He asked genuinely and she shrugged "I'm fine, I just don't like storms." She replied and he chuckled slightly "You're scared of lightning?" He asked and she nodded "But if you're just going to tease me about it I'll retire for the evening." She huffed and got up from the couch "Wait princess, wait, I'm sorry." He apologies and held out his hand which she reluctantly accepted.
He pulled her back down to sit with him, wrapping her in his arms "Haymitch this is improper." She complained but he payed no mind "who gives a damn, I'll protect you from the lightning." He teased and she slapped him playfully "I despise you." She said and then jumped at another lightning strike "Shh I got you princess, a storm can't hurt you." He said gently stroking her blonde curls, she gave up on the etiquette argument and rested her head against him.
"You're strong." She noted, she could feel it just from the strength of his grip on her, "Shit am I hurting you?" He asked, quickly removing his arms from her "No, I like it." She assured him lifting his arms back around her "I feel safe." She added absentmindedly "You are, I'd never let anyone hurt you sweetheart." He said and she smiled "I thought you hated me." She reminded him, when she first started he'd do everything to get her to quit "Nah I like you princess, no one else that would put up with my bullshit."
She laughed at that comment "Well you're currently putting up with me sitting on your lap like a child because I'm scared of storms." She reminded him and he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear "Maybe I like you on my lap." He whispered and she leaned in slightly waiting for any indication she was misreading the situation, she wasn't, he kissed her she was taken aback but not at all displeased, she kissed him back, her arms coming up around his neck. She continued to kiss him working herself up for something more "Not like this princess." He said gently "You're over tired and over worked, go to bed, we have all the time in the world to do this." He said and she nodded looking at him with tired eyes, "Goodnight." She said kissing him on the cheek then getting up to go to bed "Night princess, shout if you need me tonight." He told her and she shook her head "A lady never shouts, it's bad manners." She reminded him and he laughed "Well then come and knock on my door miss princess and proper." He teased and she nodded "I will." She said before going to her room.