Hey!
I wrote so much today, that I actually have another chapter for you all!
Now, I'm starting to use dialogue from the book. I'm doing this book-wise, not movie-wise. So I have to put in a disclaimer here: I do not own some of the dialogue here. Some of it belongs to Suzanne Collins. And the characters belong to her too, of course!
Right, after the very lemony past chapter, this one's a bit nicer!
I hope my three chapters in two days has helped to soften the blow of me not being around lately. You may get another one this week, but I'm not sure!
Please review, it makes me happy!

Haymitch

I watched as Effie ran out of the house, and then groaned mentally to myself. What was I doing? I had vowed over the past three years not to resume my relationship with her! But she was here, and she was saying all those things!

I had always thought that I was infallible. After my family's death, I thought that I had nothing to lose, nothing that the Capitol could take away from me. But now I knew my weakness was Effie. She was what I had to lose.

She had given herself to me, after a particularly horrible experience with sex. She had trusted me not to hurt her, and I hadn't. I did truly love her for that. I knew that she trusted me.

But there was still that part of me that remembered Nadyah. She died because I loved her. Would Effie suffer the same fate?

The thoughts of Effie and Nadyah, and glimpses of Maysilee too, ran through me. I quickly downed a glass of liquor, needing to be drunk for what was about to happen.

I got dressed quickly, realising that my hair had grown greasy again from perspiration. Not caring, I dressed haphazardly, and went about drinking again. I was never drunk enough for the reaping.

I hated reapings with a passion. I always saw two poor kids come up, already resigning themselves to their fate. They knew that I would never be able to bring them home, as I did.

I drank again, nearly getting to the bottom of my recently-opened bottle. I needed all of the alcohol I could get.

Effie

I stood on the stage, beaming out at the audience. This was the fifth time that I had done this, and it didn't get any easier.

The mayor started reading the history of Panem sombrely. I wasn't listening, my attentions were elsewhere. Where was Haymitch?

As Mayor Undersee reads the names of the two Victors from District Twelve, Balthazar Fiennes and Haymitch Abernathy, Haymitch staggers across the stage. I shoot up with relief, but my relief turns to shock as he staggers over to me and gives me a hug.

Normally, I'd be happy about the hug, but right here on stage, in front of the whole of Panem, the hug is wholly unwelcome. I try to push him off, and succeed, but I can tell that he's left me rather dishevelled.

The mayor introduces me, and I practically run to the microphone.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!" I trill, happily. "It is such an honour to be here today! Let's see if we can produce a Victor this year, okay?"

I knew that that was a tall order. Some of the kids below me rolled their eyes.

"Ladies first!" I cross over to the reaping ball for the girls; dig my hand around inside, and then pull out a single slip of paper, holding it up for the crowd to see.

I open the slip of paper, smooth it out, and read out a very pretty name.

"Primrose Everdeen!"

The crowd goes still. I see movement from the back of the crowd, and my heart sinks. A small girl walks out into the aisle, tucking in her shirt at the back. She's so pretty, with blonde hair in two plaits. Poor child, I have just signed her death sentence.

Suddenly, I hear another voice calling out, "Prim! Prim!"

An older girl stumbles out of the crowd of kids. She's a Seam child; she fits the description that Haymitch told me. She runs up to the little girl, pushes her away from the stage, and calls out two words that I'd never thought that I'd hear in District Twelve.

"I volunteer!"

My eyes widen. A volunteer?

"I volunteer as tribute." She says again, as if we hadn't quite registered it.

"Lovely! But I believe there's a small matter of introducing the reaping winner and then asking for volunteers, and if one does come forth then we... um..." I trail off. The protocol for volunteering has become rusty here, since there hasn't been a volunteer in decades. I certainly have never had this experience before.

"What does it matter?" Mayor Undersee spits, looking down at the volunteer. "What does it matter? Let her come forward."

The girl tries to come forward, but Primrose is clinging to her. "No, Katniss! No, you can't go!" She shrieks, wrapping her arms around the volunteer, Katniss. I realise now, by the similarities between them, despite their hair colours, that they must be sisters.

"Prim, let go." Katniss snarls and I can feel my heart breaking. I can see the pain in this girl's eyes, she doesn't want to leave her sister, but she also doesn't want to be branded as weak. "Let go!"

A boy has come forward, a tall Seam boy who looks about eighteen years old. He scoops Primrose up in his arms and mumbles something to Katniss before he takes the screaming girl away.

The volunteer walks up to the stage, and I clap excitedly. I had to keep up my facade.

"Well, bravo! That's the spirit of the Games!" I smiled at her as she came to stand beside me. "What is your name?"

"Katniss Everdeen." She said, her low murmur made louder by the microphone.

"I bet my buttons that was your sister! Don't want her to steal all the glory, do we? Come on everybody! Let's give a big round of applause to our newest tribute!"

Unsurprisingly, nobody claps. But then, something remarkable happens.

Every person in the crowd touches their three middle fingers to their lips and holds it out for Katniss. I know what this means, Haymitch told me that it was a way of saying goodbye to someone respected. The gesture almost moves me to tears.

Suddenly, Haymitch chooses this time to come forward. He hangs onto the poor girl, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Look at her, look at this one! I like her! Lots of..." he takes a while to think about it. "Spunk! More than you! More than you!" He points right into the camera, and I'm shocked. Is this Haymitch's way of proving how stupid he is? How easy it would be for him to slip up and put me in danger?

He oversteps himself, and plummets off the stage, knocking himself unconscious. It takes every ounce of me to act like I'm disappointed, and not run to help him.

"What an exciting day!" I screech, trying to get the attention away from Haymitch, who is being carried away by Peacekeepers. "But more excitement to come, time to chose our boy tribute!"

All I want to do is get this over with, today has been too exciting for my liking. I cross to the ball, pick out the first name I can get my fingers on, and walk back over to Katniss.

I read the name clearly. "Peeta Mellark!"

I see a boy from near the front of the crowd come out. He's handsome, with blonde hair and a strong jaw. The Capitol ladies will love him.

"Any volunteers?" I ask, when Peeta is standing beside Katniss. No-one comes up.

I step back and let the mayor read the Treaty of Treason. I pretend to be interested, but I'm not. I'm too busy thinking that this year, we may have a Victor! Katniss seems strong, and confident enough to volunteer for her sister. Haymitch seems to like her, but was that the alcohol talking?

The mayor wraps up, the tributes shake hands, and then I leave, running through the Justice Building to get to Haymitch. The Peacekeepers lead me into the room, where he's sitting on a sofa, rubbing his head.

"What was that all about?" I scream, not being able to be myself because of the Peacekeepers around us. "Assaulting me, saying all those things about Katniss, falling off the stage! Really Haymitch, can you not control yourself? You made me look foolish!"

The Peacekeepers got tired of my tirade and left, just as I had wanted them to. Peacekeepers didn't usually like screaming Capitol women, the accent and shrillness annoyed them.

"Sorry, sweetheart. Just got a bit carried away, that's all." He scooted over so I could sit next to him. As I did, I noticed that there was dried blood on his forehead.

I sighed and took a hankie from my bag. I started dabbing away at the drying blood coming from a gash, and he winced.

"Stop being a baby, you've lived through worse than this." I teased, kissing his cheek.

"When I was sober." He teased back.

We sat in silence while I cleaned Haymitch up, and then I got the courage to talk again.

"We have a volunteer." I say, simply.

"Yes."

"She could win."

He laughed darkly. "Hah, yeah. Just because she volunteered to save her sister doesn't mean that she's any good. Though, if she's like her father, maybe she will be okay."

"Who's her father?" I ask, curiously.

"Her father was a miner called Kenneth Everdeen. He died four years ago in a mine explosion, but before he died, he was a good hunter. He made his own bows and arrows, and brought lots of game into the Hob. I used to be friends with him at school, before the Quell." He looked down when he mentioned that they were friends.

"I'm sorry." I mumble.

"S'okay. If she's anything like him, we may have a winner. But I doubt it. She's a girl, I doubt Kenneth would have risked his girl's life like that."

We sat in silence until the Peacekeepers came to collect Haymitch. I had to collect the tributes, so I didn't go with them.

I met Katniss and Peeta, and led them towards the car. Katniss looked almost bored, but Peeta looked like he had been crying. Poor lad.

We worked our way through the cameras, and I led them onto the train. They were both gobsmacked at how nice the train was, as all of the tributes are.

I sent the kids to their rooms with the instructions to come down for dinner in an hour, but to do what they wanted until then. I wanted to go to Haymitch, but I had to do some paperwork first.

I went to my room, sat at my desk, and looked through the files that the mayor had given me about the tributes. I perused Katniss' one first, seeing that indeed her father had passed away in a mine accident. She had received a medal of valour for her father's work, being the eldest child. Her mother's maiden name was Jemima Rose, and she was a merchant's daughter before she married Kenneth. I wonder why she chose to marry so low. She must have loved him very much.

I realised that Jemima and Kenneth's situation was not unlike mine and Haymitch's. I am a higher standing woman, but I would gladly marry lower for love. If Haymitch ever wanted to get married.

I distracted myself from that thought by looking through Peeta's file. He was the third son of the town baker, quite well off, and was in the same year as Katniss. There was nothing particularly interesting about the boy's life; he was a merchant kid after all.

I went to the dinner car to see if the Avoxes had sorted out dinner yet. When I saw that they had, I went to collect Peeta and Katniss.

Once both of them were sitting down, I asked the question that was in my head. "Where's Haymitch?"

Both of them shrug. Peeta says something about him taking a nap. I can tell that they're hungry, so I decide that we'll start without him.

The kids eat decently enough. Peeta's probably used to eating with cutlery, but Katniss makes an effort to eat nicely too.

"At least you two have decent manners." I say, wiping my mouth gently with my napkin after the main course. "The pair last year ate everything with their hands like a couple of savages! Completely upset my digestion."

I could tell that my comment offended Katniss, as she started eating with her hands, and wiped her hands on the tablecloth. I pursed my lips together. She did have spunk. I liked it, but it was a little bit annoying that she was so defiant.

Once dinner was over, I led them into the living area to watch the reapings. The Careers look brutal this year, especially the boy from Two. The boy from Eleven looked scary too, but the little girl who stands next to him is so small, only a twelve year old. I think of how little Primrose could be here too, if her sister hadn't volunteered for her.

When it got to District Twelve's reaping, I'm appalled by how foolish Haymitch made me look. He even made my wig lose its alignment. I swear, if I didn't love that man too much, I would scold him for that.

"Your mentor has a lot to learn about presentation." I remark. "A lot about televised behaviour." But it wasn't like he was going to start learning now.

"He was drunk." Peeta laughs. "He's drunk every year."

"Every day." Katniss adds, smirking at Peeta, as if they're sharing an inside joke. The joke's on them, though, as I know that joke.

"Yes. How odd you two find it amusing. You know your mentor is your lifeline to the world in these Games. The one who advises you, lines up the sponsors, and dictates the presentation of any gifts. Haymitch can well be the difference between your life and your death!"

I could see their eyes widening. I grin, knowing that I've made an impression. And to hammer the point home, Haymitch staggers in, mumbled "Have I missed supper?" and vomits all over the floor.

I cannot help by find the situation amusing. Those two wanted to make fun of me, and now Haymitch and I have made fun of them. Haymitch indirectly, of course.

"So laugh away!" I trill, and leave them to clean up Haymitch's mess. I want to stay and help, but I'll break my facade if I do. Best to leave them to do it.

Haymitch

I watch from my pool of sick as Effie leaves the room, leaving me with my tributes.

They both take an arm each and help me to get up. I find myself looking at Kenneth's girl. She looks alot like him.

"I tripped?" I ask, wiping my hand on my nose to get rid of an itch. "Smells bad."

"Let's get you back to your room." The merchant boy says, "clean you up a bit." Is his name Peeka? Peela? I can't remember. I'm just focussed on Kenneth's girl.

They lead me to my room and dump me in the shower. The cold water that they turn on me feels nice. I hate being covered in sick.

When the merchant boy comes back in, I'm waiting for Kenneth's girl to come back. But she doesn't.

Peela strips me down and lays my clothes outside.

"Are you okay to wash? Or should I stay?" He asks.

"I... dunno... Peela." I slur.

"It's Peeta." He comments, and starts washing the vomit out of my hair.

Peeta, that's what his name was! I let him work on me, not caring that I'm basically naked in front of this boy. I wanted Effie to do this, but she was probably busy with paperwork or something.

When Peeta was finished, he helped me dry off and get into bed.

Before the kid could leave, I spoke. "So, whatd'youwant?"

"Nothing. Just wanted to help you." He said, and then left.

I stared, dumbfounded, after him. Kid wanted to help me? I wonder why.

I waited for a bit, twiddling my thumbs, and then I heard the door opening.

Effie slipped into the room, au natural now, her blonde hair hanging in waves down past her shoulders. I held out my arms to her, and she slipped into bed beside me.

"That's better. I was lonely without you, sweetheart." I say, holding her close to me.

"I'm glad you're cleaned up now, you stunk earlier." She commented, and I laughed.

"Peeta cleaned me up, actually. I've sobered up since then, but he had to help me earlier."

She looked up at me. "Peeta's a nice boy."

"He is."

We lay there, contemplating our situation. I hadn't had two tributes that I had felt so confident about in years. Kenneth's girl seemed strong, and Peeta was kind and had a way with words. He could charm over the Capitol ladies in a heartbeat.

I said as much to Effie, and she sighed. "Yes, I can imagine my co-workers' gushing. Oh, Peeta's so gorgeous! He's so handsome! Oh, I just love him!" She put on a high, Capitol accent not unlike her own when she wanted it to be.

I laughed and nudged her with my elbow. "You didn't even have to put on an accent then, sweetheart." I teased, and she hit me on the arm.

I missed this, I realised. Those three years that we had spent alienated from each other were torture, because I didn't have Effie with me. Being with her now made me realise that.

That night, I slept soundly, and so did she. I slept on my back, with Effie's head on my chest and my arm wrapped around her. I liked it like this, it made me feel protective over her.

In the morning, Effie slipped away to Capitol herself up, and I started drinking again. Had to play the part for the kids, after all.

I make myself look slightly more presentable, and head down to breakfast. Effie is there, and I wink at her before sitting down to eat.

Peeta comes in, says good morning and sits down. Effie strikes up a conversation with him about the food, about how he's probably never had breakfast like this before. I don't listen, only try and get myself as intoxicated as I can before we get to the Capitol. Once we're there, I'm not sure when I'll be able to get to a bottle, we'll have so much to do.

"Haymitch, I'll need you to approve some designs for the tributes from the new designers." Effie beamed, and I looked up.

"We have new designers?" I was glad, Faul and Lilia were very unoriginal with their designs, always the stupid miner costumes.

"Yes, we've got Portia, the new up-and-coming designer for men's wear, and Cinna!" She shrieked Cinna's name, clapping her hands.

"Who?" I asked nonchalantly, chewing my toast.

"Only the hottest new designer in the Capitol! He is so ingenious! His designs are wonderful, and his designs for Katniss and Peeta look amazing!" She gushed, not unlike the impression that she did last night of her co-workers.

"Alright, sweetheart. I'll look over them. Just don't expect me to be too happy about them. And calm down, why don't you? You might break a nail in your excitement."

It's not even that funny, but I start laughing anyway. Effie glares at me, but I can see the amusement in her eyes. She grabs her coffee and leaves, passing Kenneth's girl, who I remember is named Katniss. I see her and call out to her to sit down.

She gets served breakfast, and her and Peeta talk about hot chocolate. I watch as she takes a bite of roll dipped in the drink, and watch her face light up. It's always that same, every year. I love watching it.

Suddenly, a glimmer of gold catches my eye. I lower them to Katniss' chest, and find a familiar pin.

My heart stops beating for just a second. I know that pin. I'd remember it anywhere. And I remember its previous owner.

Maysilee.

The mockingjay pin that once graced Maysilee's tribute uniform is now pinned to Katniss' green dress. I knew that she was friends with the mayor's daughter, who just happened to be Maysilee's niece. That must have been where the girl got it from.

Memories of Maysilee filled me. No! This couldn't happen. I obviously wasn't quite drunk enough yet.

I thinned out cranberry juice with liquor, taking large gulps of it, wanting my head to start spinning. But every time I looked at that pin, Maysilee's smiling face came into my head, and my heart faltered.

Oh, Maysilee. I'm sorry.

I kept on drinking, trying to get her away.

"So, you're supposed to give us advice." I hear Kenneth's girl say. She's looking at me with hatred written on her face. Can't say I blame her.

"Here's some advice; stay alive." I blurt out, and find myself laughing before I even know what I'm doing. It was quite funny, but I can tell that the kids didn't find it amusing.

"That's very funny." Peeta says, and before I know it, he's lashed at the glass in my hand, knocking it away and letting it smash on the floor. "Only not to us."

I catch sight of the pin again, and when Maysilee's face is back, I decide what I want to do. I punch Peeta square on the jaw, which hurts me too. How dare he lash out at me?

I reach out for my alcohol, needing to drive Maysilee away, when suddenly, Katniss drives a knife into the table between my fingers.

I gasp in shock. Woah, they're both good.

"Well, what's this?" I say, amused. "Did I actually get a pair of fighters this year?"

Peeta gets up to get some ice for the bruise, but I stop him.

"No, let the bruise show. The audience will think that you've mixed it up with another tribute before you've even made it into the arena." It was a good idea, to give Peeta an edge.

"That's against the rules." He says, narrowing his eyes at me.

"Only if they catch you. The bruise will say that you fought, and you weren't caught, even better."

I look to Kenneth's girl, careful to avoid looking at the pin on her chest. "Can you hit anything with that knife besides a table?"

She contemplates this, and then decides to make her move. She pulls the knife out of the table, and throws it so it lodges between two wooden panels on the wall.

I whistled, and then turned back to the kids.

"Stand over here, both of you." I gesture to the middle of the room, and they do as I ask.

I circle them, looking them over. They were fit, strong, and Katniss was good with knives. This was good. They would be attractive when I gave them over to Cinna and Portia. Both of them actually stood a chance of winning. Maybe this year was my year. I could bring home a victor.

"All right, I'll make a deal with you. You don't interfere with my drinking, and I'll stay sober enough to help you. But you have to do exactly what I say."

They agree, and Katniss takes my deal for real. She starts asking questions about the Cornucopia. I raise my hand and cut her off.

"One thing at a time. In a few minutes, we'll be pulling into the station. You'll be put into the hands of your stylists. You're not going to like what they do to you, but no matter what it is, don't resist."

"But..." Katniss began.

"No buts." I interject. "Don't resist."

And with that, I leave the car to go to my room, taking a bottle with me. Elation filled me. I could actually have a winner this year!

We're getting into it now!
I'm glad I skipped ahead, I like writing with Katniss and Peeta! And I put in Haymitch's reaction to the pin, because he must have recognised it! He spent so long in his Games with Maysilee, so he must have recognised the pin and remembered it. And that was why he was drinking so much, and that was why he got mad when Peeta knocked his glass away! He's not as much of a self-abusing drunkard as you may think! At least, in my mind he's not!
I love Haymitch, y'see! :P
Please review, it makes me happy!
I hope you enjoyed it!
May the odds be ever in your favour! 3