As expected Effie got her apology from a very remorseful Tabitha that night before dinner. The meal went without a hitch and they turned in for bed early. Morning came by quickly and with it Effie's alarms and a video call from Seneca. Effie hadn't let Seneca see her without make-up until the call.

"Good morning, Effie." His voice rang through the screen, to which Effie smiled and tried to look her best.

"Good morning, have you been up long?" She noted how tired he looked.

"Haven't slept yet. I had an issue with the arena and the parade preparations." He smiled at her. "I've never seen you like this, Effie. You look beautiful without all that make-up."

Effie blushed, "Thank you, but you should be off to bed. Head Gamemakers can't be yawning through the parade."

"I'm headed for a nap soon, but I had one last thing to check off my list." Seneca yawned.

"What's that?" Effie got up and set the tablet on her vanity as she started brushing her hair.

"I heard there was an incident on the train involving District 12. Care to tell me what happened?" He looked intrigued and concerned.

Effie sighed, "It was nothing, I promise. Our girl tribute is quite upset with her reaping. I made a few attempts to be nice to her and she had an outburst. She knocked tea from my hands and it spilled."

Seneca nodded, "As I was told it was scalding hot and you were burned. And she said some outlandish things. Is that true, too?"

Effie felt her heart hammering, "Seneca… It's in the past. There barely any marks left. I've had worse things said to me. Honestly. Who told you? Haymitch?"

"Marks… It was that hot?" Seneca seemed upset about it. "You can deliver her to my office when you arrive. I'd like to talk to her."

"No!" Effie gasped, "I mean.. Seneca. It's not necessary please don't punish her."

"I won't punish her, Effie. I would just like to reiterate the ground rules on how she is to address staff around here. Simple as that." Seneca reassured her. "Next time something like this happens to you can you tell me right away, instead of me hearing about it through Peacekeepers?"

"I'm sorry I didn't think to call you. It was all handled here." Effie smiled, "I'll be arriving soon. I'll bring her by after the parade? I can't break schedule until after she's prepped and styled."

Seneca nodded, "Alright, get here safe. I missed you while you were away."

Effie grinned and laughed a little, "It's only been a week. I'll see you soon. Sleep well." She blew him a kiss and ended the video.

She hurried to dress and get her hair done just right. She emerged for coffee and fruit just as the train rolled in to the Capitol station. Haymitch was drinking as usual and slurred his good morning just slightly. "How is it that we all beat you to being ready and on time for breakfast." Haymitch teased.

"I slept in." Effie chirped and ushered the kids for the platform through the crowds of people.

"Lies." He leaned next to her as they walked. "How was lover boy this morning?"

Effie groaned, "You eaves dropped?"

"You're room is right next to the table. I heard everything." He laughed masking how much Seneca Crane simply irritated him.

"Oh great. So then you know Tabitha will be meeting with Seneca regardless. The peacekeepers passed on information of the whole ordeal." Effie directed them to the elevators and told them to press the 13th floor for the prep and style floors. Tabitha and Oliver were soon deposited in the care of the prep teams. Leaving Haymitch and Effie to go back to their floor.

"Aren't you going to go see Prince Charming?" Haymitch asked as he poured himself another drink.

"The teasing needs to stop. I get that you think it's cute, but it's not." Effie snapped. "You don't have to like him. I'm pretty sure we had the same talk last year."

"We had many talks last year." He said back quickly and sat on the couch across from her. "Refresh my memory was it one of the ones we had in your bed?"

Effie clinked her nails on her coffee mug. That was a low blow. "We haven't been back for more than 10 minutes and already you're being an ass, Haymitch."

"You may see it that way but I'm actually trying to look out for you." He swirled the liquor in his cup before drinking it.

"How so?" Effie fired back, "Shaming me for depending on you last year? Making me feel awful about how I recall both of us found comfort. You benefited from those talks last year, not just me."

"How is this year going to be any better? Sure you seem less emotional. But what happens when Seneca kills one or both of our tributes. It may be another tributes hand that does the dirty work but its Seneca's creation. It's his environment and all the horrors of it come from his mind. Will you be able to look him in the eye, minutes, hours, or days after he kills Tabitha or Oliver?" And there it was, what had truly been eating him. He knew Effie hadn't thought of that yet.

Effie set her mug down with a clatter and stood up. Fire in her eyes, "You are awful, Haymitch. Seriously, I'm happy with him. Can't you let me enjoy that? I had one glimpse of happiness for this year and you've ruined it. Who are you to talk to me about that. What do you know about happiness?"

"Happiness.. Love… Whatever you want to call it. I had it once. All it leaves is irreparable pain." He tipped his drink back and chased the vision of his girl from long ago.

"I doubt you find it in the random women you bring back to bed." Effie fired, her own low blow.

"You said you didn't come back that night." Haymitch inquired quickly, letting his anger and frustration simmer inside him. Whereas Effie was quick to wear it on her sleeves.

"I lied." Effie breathed.

"Well done, Princess." Haymitch sat back and finished off his drink.

Effie glared and headed for her room, "I'm done talking to you. We have to be on 13th floor in 3 hours. Try not to forget that between now and the next 2 glasses of liquor." She shut her door and wasn't heard from until she surfaced 3 hours later.

Effie held true to her word and didn't speak to him. She was silent beside him at the parade and gathering the kids afterwards. She went on her way later that night with Tabitha to see Seneca and came back for a painfully silent dinner as the kids tried to engage conversation.

Haymitch was as functionally drunk as he could be. Managing to compose himself decently enough to answer questions the kids had about the games. He couldn't figure out why Effie was mad about him and that woman.