The next few weeks spelled out hours of endless work for Effie. If she wasn't doing interviews for the Hunger Games, she was meeting with the Gamemakers about the pre-Games' festivities. If she wasn't doing that she was writing notes about her observations to slip to Spurius to send back to the Intelligence. In the rare occasions where she got a moment's respite from all of that, she was sitting in front of the mirror, perfecting her accent, actions, movements, and most importantly, her smile.

The one interview that was most stressful for Effie was the one that the Gamemakers insisted on doing to introduce her to the people of Panem. Effie suspected that as she would be the face of District 12, they felt they needed to get the message out to the other escorts about what happens if you don't do what you're meant to- you get replaced.

She dressed in an outfit the prep team put her in- a dress that was a mishmash of pastel feathers and sequins, paired with some pale white stockings and knee-high pastel pink boots. To top it off she was painted extremely pale with make-up, with thin, pink eyebrows and lips. The final accoutrement was a mint-green wig, styled with curls and sitting at least 15 centimetres from the top of her head.

She felt utterly ridiculous, but she didn't let it show as the prep-team gushed over how sublime she looked. She emulated their responses, knowing that this is how someone of her position should be acting. She was over-the-top thankful for how pretty they had made her and complimented their outfits that they themselves were wearing. She felt proud to have successfully blended in with the people of the Capitol.

When she was dressed she was met by the production team of the Hunger Games, who walked her through the maze of corridors while telling her about how long the interview would go for, what sort of questions they'd be asking, and what sort of topics would be off-limits.

She was dropped off at the side of the stage, which had a little screen so she could see what was happening while she was waiting. This interview would be live, part of the events leading up the nitty gritty of the Hunger Games, which would begin in a few weeks.

Caesar Flickerman was just talking to the crowd about how exciting this year's Games would be, based on how well last year's Games did- "And we know it only gets better every year!"- and how it was only a few more years until the Quarter Quell.

The audience was eating up every word he was saying, sitting on the edge of their seats to see who he was going to introduce. There was no doubt, people at home would be glued to their televisions to watch it. Effie wondered whether those back in England could view it live too, or if the rundown she would send them later would suffice.

"This year is extra special because we have a new member of the Crew joining us. Get ready to memorise her face because you'll be seeing her during the Reapings in just a few weeks' time! The young, the beautiful, Effie Trinket!"

Caesar's voice boomed around the auditorium, and Effie took her first steps into view of the cameras. She saw the audience cheering her on, despite never having seen her before, and gave them a small wave. She reached Caesar, who took her hand, raised it to his lips, and then held his other hand out to gesture for her to take a seat.

Effie sat down in the comfy chair, crossed her ankles, and put her hands in her lap. Caesar also took his seat and turned to her with his usual smile.

It took Effie a moment to soak in his look. The cameras didn't do it justice just how bright he was. His hair, lips and eyelids were all a shocking shade of orange. The kind of orange you would see on the fruit, or on a carrot. His skin looked relatively taut for someone of his age (Effie wasn't sure how old he was specifically, but he had been hosting the Games for well over 30 years), and his midnight blue suit Effie had seen in the footage was even brighter in person. The contrast between his appearance and his attire was staggering, and Effie's eyes were exhausted from trying to process it.

Effie tried to her best to maintain eye contact, as she knew that's how someone from the Capitol should act.

"Now Effie, how do you feel now that you've officially become an escort for The Hunger Games?"

Effie began babbling, trying to sound like a young girl who had made her big break, who didn't really understand the full meaning of what she was a part of. "I just feel so excited to finally be a part of the team. I've loved The Hunger Games ever since I was a little girl, and to finally be able to help make them great is like a dream come true."

"Always been a big fan of The Games then?"

"Oh yes," Effie nodded, "ever since I was a young girl living with my father. My mother died when I was a baby, and every year my dad and I would watch every minute of The Hunger Games when we were able."

"It's really great how The Hunger Games brings not only the Districts together, but also individual people," Caesar said. "How does your father feel now that you are joining the team of the Games?"

Effie put on her best sad expression. "He unfortunately passed away last year as well." The audience all let out a gasp, a sign of sadness for Effie, and the tragedy of him not knowing how well it turned out for her. "But it's okay, because now I feel connected to him just by being here." The audience sighed, taking solace in this fact.

This cover story was concocted for her by those back at the Intelligence. They felt it best if her fictitious parents weren't alive, so that if anybody actually went checking there was a reason they couldn't find them.

Effie's own parents back in England were very much alive, as far as she knew. She hadn't really spoken to them much since she joined the Intelligence. They had been notified of her leaving the country, but no one had called her, written to her, or come to see her off.

Caesar continued with his interview. "I also understand you flew out to District Twelve a few days ago, after learning of your appointment as their escort?"

Oh no, Effie thought. How did they know about that?

After taking a second to reflect, Effie felt stupid. Of course they knew that. They had cameras and peacekeepers everywhere. This also meant that they would have had no record of her ever being in District 12.

Effie just nodded her head, sheepishly. She tried to make it seem like it was because she was embarrassed since escorts don't usually do that, not because she was being caught out in a lie.

"How did you find it?" Caesar pried.

Effie had never been to District 12 in person, or anywhere else in Panem other than where she was, so she was the least equipped person to answer this question. But then Effie slowly realised, no one else really knew either.

"Well," Effie said, trying to sound factual, "we didn't touch down in District 12, because we didn't want to make a big fuss. But we looked down from the Hovercraft and I could see a lot. They aren't very big- but they have a lot of coal!" Effie chuckled. Hopefully her explanation would get her off the hook for not being seen in Twelve.

"Indeed, they do," Caesar snickered, joining in on Effie's joke.

They continued to talk a bit more about what to expect in this year's Games. Effie was extremely vague, considering she didn't know either, just stating "It will be the best Games ever!"

They finished off the interview and the lights went out.

"Well done," Caesar encouraged, before they both were escorted off the stage.

Effie felt encouraged by this interview. If she could present herself to the people of Panem, and no one realised she isn't who she says she is, then this assignment might be easier than it's cracked up to be.

With this newfound reassurance, Effie was able to get through the few weeks of preparation before the opening ceremonies of the Games were to begin. She attended parties, meetings, and interviews, projecting an air of confidence, which only increased with each new social event.

Eventually, the time came for her to board the train that would take her to District Twelve, to sentence two children to death.