Effie tossed her jacket aside as the past 3 hours of coaching had no effect on Tabitha. The girl was content to play along and do what Effie said. When it came to roleplaying an interview Tabitha unleashed her hostility.
"Tell us about your life back in District 12, Tabitha." Effie poised, pretending to be Caesar and smiling. Praying Tabitha was done trying her patience.
A coy smile came across the girls lips, "It's like everyone suspects. Bleak and dirty. Most people hate it there. If you'd like you can ask Miss Trinket. She knows the best way to escape the despair of District 12." Tabitha's eyes blazed with amusement.
Effie threw her hands up, "Fine, Tabitha. I'm done for the day." She rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. "If you want to make a fool of yourself on stage, go right ahead."
"The only fool I see is you. You're no better than a clown in that outfit." Tabitha glowered and leaned back in her chair.
Effie paced around the room, smoothing out her dress and turning on Tabitha, "What have I done to you?"
"You picked me." Tabitha growled. "You ruined my life."
Effie had enough of biting her tongue around this girl. Haymitch had grated her nerves all morning and now she had Tabitha testing every button she had. "Correction, Tabitha. You've ruined your life. You had every opportunity to succeed and fight for your life. You gave it up the minute you set foot here. Your actions will get you killed tomorrow. My boyfriend, in case you have forgotten is Seneca Crane and he knows every detail of what you've done. There's no turning that around." The words flowed room her mouth before she could over think them. The rolled off her tongue, laying out the most hurtful things she could think of. It was not like her to be so cruel. But she couldn't stop herself as she opened her mouth to continue.
"That's enough, Effie." Haymitch said sternly and gently grabbed her elbow.
She turned and looked up at him. His eyes were bleary and the faint smell of liquor perfumed his breath. He didn't let go of her elbow as he addressed Tabitha. "Your team is waiting to get you dressed. Go." He said quickly and with a tone that completely suggested he had come to the end of his rope with her as well.
Tabitha hurried out of the room, leaving Haymitch who still had a grip on her arm. He was dressed and ready for dinner before the interviews. As she figured Oliver was ready somewhere already waiting. "Cinna's waiting for you in your room." Haymitch said softly, and let her arm go. Partly he was surprised at Effie's outburst, he didn't think she was capable of being firm with a tribute.
Effie left and met with Cinna safely in her room. He as always delivered a fine creation, made quickly for Effie's appearance. "It's a mess up here, Effie." He commented as he zipped her into the fine dark blue dress. So dark that it almost looked black. A bejeweled belt at her waist and matching jewels for her hair.
"Well I know you're not talking about my room." She laughed as her room was pristine.
"You know what I mean." Cinna pulled at a few of the layers of lace that made the skirt of the dress a bit fuller.
Effie sighed and fidgeted with the belt, "It'll be a miracle if District 12 makes it out of tonight without a scandal."
Cinna's fingers smoothed out the scalloped edges of the lace sleeves on her arms, "Do your best, Effie and you'll surely put a stop on any scandal. You've done it before." He nudged her to step into the dazzling shoes that went with the outfit.
In the mirror Effie got a glimpse of herself. Not clownish or over the top like she usually dressed. Cinna managaed to turn a decadent outfit into something classy and beautiful. It was still well within the realms of fashion that she held in high regard. "Wow, you've out done yourself yet again!" She smiled.
Not one to bask in praise, Cinna smiled and stood in front of her. "I know he's frustrating but he's damaged Effie. You're still new here. It'll take time to understand how he works."
Effie turned back to him, "Cinna… He said something to me earlier. About a girl he loved. What do you know about that?"
"That's best left for him to explain, Effie. It wouldn't be fair of me to talk about it." Cinna was a respectable man and Effie honored that and didn't press the issue.
She mustered up her determination and headed for the door. "You should know that if he's talked about her to you, he's hurting in a bad way. I overheard that fight you two had… He's trying to protect you. In a poorly planned roundabout way. He's trying to help. He just doesn't know how."
"Thanks, Cinna." Effie smiled, "I'll keep that in mind."
Effie headed out for dinner, but barely managed a bite much like Oliver and Haymitch. Though Haymitch managed two drinks over the course of the silent meal, perhaps he had the right idea. Tabitha was silent for once and ate quietly. Effie tried to keep her eyes from wandering to Haymitch as her mind worked around the information Cinna gave her.
Effie lined up near Tabitha and Oliver at the end of the waiting tributes and mentors. In a few moments she would be in the spotlight. Her hair was back to its normal blonde but largely curled and studded with jewels for the outfit.
Haymitch was tightlipped and still while he steadily drank. The lights flickered once back stage and signaled the start of the show. Caesar's voice boomed over the crowd and Effie felt herself get nervous. Not for her own interview but for Tabitha's. A hand met her back and slid around to rest on her hip.
"You ready, Effie? We're on in 30 seconds." Seneca smiled. Tabitha noticeable shrunk and her features softened. Effie guessed that some of what she had said hit home with the girl. But by now it was practically too late for her to right any wrong. "You won't mind if I borrow your Escort for a while?" He asked the tributes.
Both said no and watched as Effie walked away. "I'm nervous, Seneca."
"It won't be so bad. I asked Caesar to keep it lighthearted. No need to worry, love." He led her to the alcove just off stage.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Headgamemaker Seneca Crane and District 12 Escort Effie Trinket!" Seneca grasped her hand and turned on a brilliant smile. He led her onto the stage and Effie quickly remembered to smile.
Effie sat closely to Seneca on the large chair, her knee touching his. She smiled and watched at Caesar interacted with Seneca first. Raving about his accomplishments so far in the new role as Headgamemaker.
"What a lucky man you are, new job and a beautiful girlfriend." His attention turned on Effie.
She laughed and played off his comment in dramatic fashion. "Oh, stop it Caesar!" Seneca chuckled as he watched.
"Effie, let's get to the information everyone was really waiting for. They've had enough of your other half over there." Caesar carried on to which Seneca smirked. The crowd ate up that comment.
Effie pouted and patted Seneca's knee. "Well, I know you, Caesar. What are you dying to ask?" She took her turn turning on the charm.
"Many spotted you two all summer around the Capitol. How long have you two been evading our attention, hmm?" The crowd cheered.
Effie glanced at Seneca, "Oh you won't like this." She teased and answered, "Nearly a year."
Gasps erupted from the audience and Caesar himself looked perplexed. "My, my, my. I think I speak for everyone when we suspected this was a new romance. A year!" He clapped his hands, "Well now you owe us some details, Miss Trinket."
Effie squirmed and squeezed Seneca's hand, "I suppose it's only fair we oblige you then."
"To an extent." Seneca added, "We can't give away all the fun details right away."
Caesar clapped, "You're as stingy with your details for the arena as you are with your relationship with this remarkable woman."
Seneca nodded, "You'll have all the details tomorrow morning. Just a little while longer."
"That we will." Caesar nodded, "Now Miss Trinket, how did this all start?"
Effie had to consider that question. She wasn't too sure of the answer at all. It just happened, "Well. It's not as exciting as you'd expect. We had so many meetings together. We would talk and I got to see him differently." She smiled. "One day he came to the District 12 floor and asked me to have lunch with him." Not to mention that Haymitch had been in her bed when that had happened.
Caesar seemed pleased with than answer, "He's a charming man isn't he?"
Effie flushed, "Yes, he is. He charmed me right into this interview."
Seneca laughed and confirmed that fact, "She wanted to keep this all a mystery."
"Seneca," Caesar started, "What made you ask her out? As I understand Miss Trinket is new to her role as Escort."
Seneca nodded, "Three or four years now?" He asked Effie who nodded in agreement. "Well, she beautiful. Just look at her." As if on cue Effie blushed and smiled softly. "There's that and how she's just compelling. There's more to her than the fashion and make-up." Nicely put, Seneca, Effie though to herself. Left a good deal of mystery for those to ponder what he really meant.
Effie crossed her legs and noted the light far above the crowd the blinked red. A signal to Caesar to wrap up. She was relieved.
"One last question, can we expect any big steps from the two of you?" Effie forced back the scoff. Haymitch was completely right. Marriage. Caesar would go there.
Seneca could take this question, Effie looked to him and decided to let him charm his way through this. He winked at Effie and turned to Caesar, "I hope you go easy on the tributes, you're quite the hard hitter when it comes to questions." He laughed, "You'll have to wait and see."
With that said Caesar shook Seneca's hand and then Effie's, before she knew it she was whisked off stage as District 1 readied to move. Effie followed him to a control room off to the back of the stage. It was full of monitors and screen and lacked any personnel.
Seneca pulled her close and kissed her, "You did brilliantly for someone who wasn't keen to do an interview."
Effie grinned, "You aren't the only one who can charm circles around people."
"I see that now, love." He kissed her again. His eyes glanced to a control screen and sighed. "I have to go. I just wanted to pull you aside for a few moments. You do look stunning." He kissed her gently once again and stepped back.
Effie smiled and fussed with his tie and jacket. Seneca tipped her chin up to him and looked into her eyes. "I know the timing is wrong but and this isn't a special moment. But I love you, Effie."
Effie felt the floor sweep out from under her. Blindsided by the comment, she was sure she wouldn't hear that word until at least after the games. She sighed and found her words, "I love you too."
Overhead an all call was issued for Seneca to head to some room. He pecked her cheek, "I can't guarantee I'll see you within the next 48 hours, I'll see you when I can." He led her out of the room and disappeared quickly. Leaving Effie to wander back to District 12. As she had worried about, everyone was looking at her differently. Surely the tributes thought District 12 would have some sort of advantage. That was until Tabitha shoved the District 11 boy in front of her for something he did. Of course, Haymitch was gone and left them unattended. All thoughts of District 12 getting any favor went out the door as Peacekeepers stepped toward Effie who was pulling Tabitha away. It would be a long night.
**Please let me know what you all are thinking. I appreciate feedback. I've been struggling if I should continue this story! **