Recap: Madge found a hidden library in the attic. She starts to explore the forest near the Victor's Village. One day, afterschool, she witness Rory asking Prim out but he is rejected. Madge accidently reveals her hidden spot while listening to him. Rory is hurt because of Prim and keeps coming back to Madge for advice and small talk. They keep their friendship in secret until Madge asks Rory to meet her in the woods at night. She shows him her secret library and starts teaching him everything on the books. Rory in return teaches her how to fight, hunt and cook. Rue wins the 74th Hunger Games. News of rebellion starts to form. The Capital decides for the special 75th Hunger Games to bring both tributes from the same district, in case they win, home. Posy gets drawn. Madge volunteers and so does Rory. Madge makes Peeta promise to keep Katniss company. Madge and Rory make an amazing debut at the Games attracting all attention of Panem. Katniss and Peeta watch the Games together.
Back to the Capitol…
Cinna looks at a cigar in his hands. His is trebling. Tonight exceeded his expectations. Both tributes from District 12 are strong. He needs to think on the arrangements for the interview dressing. Portia won't have much trouble. Boys are easier to dress after all. But girls are way other story. And Madge… who was this girl? Cinna knows about how low life is in other Districts. He has seen their sad eyes and heard their disheartening stories before. Madge was a Mayor's daughter. She would never be reaped in a Hunger Games unless her father disappointed Snow's Laws. And the boy, Rory… he could be in for the money and glory of course but the way he took Madge's side. The way both looked at each other.
He wasn't lying when he told Madge she was fire. Both Madge and Rory seemed to irradiate such power, such… fire. It wasn't the kind that could burn you but the kind that contagion. Was it love? Was it passion? No. It is just what Effie said… there wasn't chemistry. You could feel they were friends. Best friends. Something mystical that rarely happened between a single woman and a single man. It occasionally lead to love but in their case, no. No, their love was brotherly love. No more than that.
"Don't you dare start smoking now, Cinna! I'm will tear you apart if you do", a woman's voice advised him.
Speaking of love…
"My dear Portia, I would love for you to rip me apart but please let's keep my clothes intact", Cinna smiled. Portia was far more than his friend. She was his childhood crush. His muse. His everything. However, married to another guy. Widow in fact. Portia's husband was the stylist of District 12 about a year ago. But things led to another and the pressure led him to suicide. The pressure of seeing child after child never coming back. Portia almost lost herself. She really loved him. But she was committed to continue her life and her work. You can't just easily break a contract with the Capitol like that.
Cinna wasn't lying when he chose District 12. He chose it because of Portia. She was there for him when he was addicted for drugs. The cigar he was holding was a promise he made to never lit one again. Simple as that.
"The children are already asleep. We should discuss our plan for tomorrow", Portia said. She never wanted to assume anything with Cinna. They shared a kiss once or twice. Many years ago but nothing led to anything more serious. Cinna wasn't planning being a stylist. He was an artist. He designed only for the people he wanted. Signing a contract with the "Hunger Games" meant she had to design a lot for others too. No more free inspirations. But a day after the reaping Haymitch called. He said "Don't let me down this year, Portia".
It was a code. Their code.
Haymitch had contacts with the underworld and who knows who else. Portia was a double agent. Waiting for the right time. The right person. The one who could free Panem. So as soon they hanged of she called Cinna. Her best weapon. He too was a double agent.
When Rue won the 74th Games, all started to change. It wasn't a slow motion change. But a hurricane. Snow even gathered all gamemakers together to form a plan. They would erase all worries of the rebellion on the 75th Hunger Games. Stylist would use only the best material. Reporters would have more material and time from the tributes. Sponsors would be allowed to invest more money. The Gamemaker, would plan the best scenario ever exist.
Haymitch wasn't the leader of the rebellion but a commander. He waited for Cinna and Portia on the top roof of the building. It was always noisy there. The city never slept during the hunger games. Everything was a reason to celebrate. Every death.
"Cinna. Portia. I was wondering when would the loving couple join me", Haymitch said. He indeed looked better after Cinna makeover. Haymitch had to attract better contracts this year, so it was important for him to use his best weapon as well.
"Will Effie join us?", Cinna whispered. He was always concerned with hidden cameras and microphones.
"Ha! I like you already kid", Haymitch laughed hard.
"Effie isn't the best person to keep secrets. Although she cares a lot for the children and mourns their death, she is too loud if you know what I mean", Portia explained to Cinna. He was the only new crew here.
"Effie is our best disguise. She loves so much this place. She even follows all your stupid trends here", Haymitch says. "Enough of this. We need to decide our angle for these kids. The fire was already a explendid touch but we need more. After tonight, all smart couples from the other districts will also use a romantic angle. We need more. Something different but that them alive for more than 5 minutes."
"What makes you think the others will also use romance? No one showed a good time so far. Every will likely be decided with their score points. Does Madge and Rory even know how to survive?", Portia asks.
"Because my dear, even after 74 years of Hunger Games the best show ever given from the careers, especially them, was sex. Pure, wild, lust fucking sex. Those who signs the 24/7 love to watch a good carnal show. And this year won't be different. The fact that Madge and Rory already used contact and innocent touches already attracted the curiosity of all Panem confirms my suspicions. But Madge and Rory have something no other tribute has", Haymitch says.
"Which is?", Cinna and Portia both at the same time asks.
"Guts! Lots of guts!" , Haymicth cheerfully says.
"Okay, if he is back on drinking, I'm back on smoking!", Cinna says to Portia. Her mouth still hanged open from Haymitch speech.
"Haymitch… please… are we planning something or not?", Portia asks rubbing her head.
"Yes. Yes, I do. And no, I don't. I have something but I need some more thinking to do. What I need from you too is planning the most fantastic fabulous clothes ever. And Portia, don't keep it simple for the boy. He needs a new touch. Different stuff from suits, tuxedos, those ucking things. And Cinna, the girl is already a beauty. Don't try too hard on her dress. Nothing that outshines her and her partner. Work together on this, both of you", Haymitch says and quickly goes back to the apartment.
"Cinna, give me the cigar, will you?", Portia laughs.
"Fine. But I will want what he is having. Seems far more than any good stuff I ever had". Cinna hands her his cigar.
Haymitch meanwhile sat on the couch watching the city lights. He thinks about his family, house, friends. All burned because of him. He had a plan. A demolishing plan. Something that would change all hearts. Even the Capitol's frozen heart.
"Knock, knock Sunshine! Up, up, up!", Effie smiled cheerfully on Madge's door.
It took her a while to assemble all the facts around. Again, Madge thought she was home. She dreamt her aunt was there with her mother and her cousins. Maysileen was never picked on the Hunger Games and her sister Margaret never took her place. She couldn't see her uncle and cousins face. But they were there. She was happy with them. This was her last thought about her dream. Hapiness.
"Good morning, Miss Undersee. Today we have a busy day. From 9 am to 11 am, you have training in Survival skills. From 11:15 am to 13:00pm, lunch. I suggest you pick more protein food since from 13:15pm to 17:00pm you have training in fight skills. And finally from 17:15pm to 20:00 pm you have training in strategy skills with Haymitch. After that, just dinner.. We are expecting you in 15 minutes for breakfast. Do wish some help or have any questions?", Effie says. She rechecks all her agenda to make sure she said it all items.
"Yes, actually. What do you mean by 'strategy skills with Haymitch'?", Madge asks.
"Not sure, love. He just made me add this to your agenda. I think he might explain to you right now at breakfast. I will have to pick up some cloth material for Cinna and Portia and will be back just before you guys leave. I'm also curious for this item in particular. Never before Haymitch asked me to do this to a tribute. So… Up! Up! Up! We already lost 3 minutes with this small talk."
When Madge reached the living room, Cinna, Portia, Rory and Haymitch were already discussing the daily arrangements.
"… and about they swore they loved each other but after he went to sleep, BAM!, she killed him with an axe. Chopped his head with 1 hit only. The audience went nuts after that.", Haymitch was loudly speaking.
"And who was she?", Madge asks while she poured some tea and cookies in her plate.
"Morning, kiddo! Just telling these kids over here about Johanna Manson strategies. You and the boy will practice a few later with me", Haymitch says.
"Uh lala, I will be able to chop your head at practice today, huh?", Rory joked.
"Perhaps if you do it right you won't need a weapon. Just some actings will do."
"What actings?", Madge asks.
"Well, I have decided after long thinking that I finally found out my recipe for your game. You, my handsome boy and you, my beautiful flower, will star these games love couple! Brilliat right?", Haymitch smiles dumbfull.
"What the fuck, Haymitch!- err, sorry ladies. I thought YOU said that isn't the best strategy for these games", Cinna yells.
"Yeh, Mitchy! How are they gonna porn career stars?", Portia groans.
Madge and Rory only look at each other. They had no idea what these 'grownups' where doing. Better yet planning. So they kept their silent for now.
"Okay. I know what I said before. But they got there first. Look at the news! They are mystery. People are asking all over: are they in love? Are they friends? How? When?", Haymitch spins around the table. "Look at him. He is young, strong, charming! I bet he had all the girls at his feet. Didn't you, your dog?" Haymitch winks at Rory. "And look at her, precious, untouchable, innocent. The mayor's daughter in love with a poor man? I bet she never kissed a boy!". Haymitch smiles at his prizes. For an instant, all was silent but everyone started talking at the same time.
"No fucking way I will let Madge fuck a guy in front of millions of people you mad man! You better go to hell-", Cinna yelled.
"… you would dare to tell his mother his a dog? He could have a girlfriend already you demented bastard! And…", Portia growled while trying to punch Haymitch.
"Madge won't loose her virginity to me, you jerk! I prefer to die than make her father, the MAYOR, watches me kissing her!", Rory yelled while tossing his plate at Haymitch.
"… I have kissed before…", Madge shyly says.
This went on for about 50 seconds until the ding-ding from the elevator announced someone on their level.
"Okay, all of you SHHH! I Will demonstrate exactly what I need from Madge and Rory. No sex. Promise. Perhaps some kisses but only with they require some desperate measures. Now, please, sit." Haymitch gave his best deadly look. He smoothed his hair, bit his lips and pinched his cheeks. "Ow Effie, please some here. We urgently need your assistance on something."
Cinna, Portia, Rory and Madge right away understood what he was about to do. Cinna even arranged some popcorn out of nowhere and split with them. They all stared quietly at Haymitch.
"Haymitch, please. We are 2 minutes late. They need to change to their training outfits and go!", Effie comes to the living room. She stranges the weird behavior from the group.
"Here, Effie, please. Sit with me. It's hard for me to ask you this", Haymitch gently takes her hand and sits her in a two-sit couch across the others.
"No worries silly. I'm here to help the tributes", Effie smiles.
"It's just that… after all these years. I… I was never able to express myself with you. I always felt that I should thank you for everything you make. I'm always a dick around you and I shouldn't be this way. I own you so much." Haymitch looks down for a moment and than deeply in her eyes. He, somehow, hold a few tears and sobs a little.
"Oh. That is nice. I think. I'm here to serve. It's only my job" Effie says lightly, but then she is quiet, regretting her choice of words.
"I see. I understand that us, from District 12 must be hard work for you. You always say that you wish to make your family proud and I haven't been doing my job. Keeping these children alive… I disappointed you, didn't I?", Haymitch lets a few tears down.
Haymitch acts is really good. But Effie doesn't seem entangled. Madge couldn't understand were his conversation was leading but she couldn't take her eyes off them. It's like a good book that says 'He is gonna kiss her'. And you know by the title the spoilers but you still read it anyway to know how it all lead to the kiss. Ow… he was good. Now, she understood.
"No, no you didn't. You didn't fail them. You did told them not run to cornupia. You did told them not lit a fire at night. The ways to get water. To run and never look back. They only didn't have was hope. Your district never pursues the games like a few others do and I wished they didn't die. No matter how hard you tried, the odds… well… it's just what it is. I could never handle things the way you do. I probably would be a drunk hopeless woman as well." Effie forces a tiny smile.
"I have been having so many dreams Effie…" Haymitch approaches her.
"What? You want to talk with me about your dreams?", Effie laughs shyly. But stops as soon Haymitch cups her chin and touch her lips with his thumb, caressing her.
"Please, my dear Effie. Don't laugh at my dreams. Not with those sweet pink lips that I dream so much", he inclines his head towards her and for a brief moment he kisses her lips softly. And part away before she could answer with her own pressure.
He stands and looks at the group. "So? Was is a good demonstration or not?"
Cinna, Portia and Rory start to applaud and cheer for his act. Only Madge noticed Effie getting a vase of flowers nearby and – CLASH! – She aimed and hit Haymitch's head with the vase.
Silence.
Madge claps this time.
"Thank you. I hope the lame entertainment wasn't bowering you. Now, Up! Up! Move! Move!", Effie composed herself.
End of chapter.
Author's Note 2: Hey, just a filling in chapter. You guys know these kinds of thing. Next chapter I was wondering something between Gale's Point of View or Rory's Point of View. Review for inspiration!