Hi anon! And thanks for asking! (mini-oneshot, under the cut)
I always imagined Effie being Haymitchâs second escort when she was a young woman and he was a sorta young man.
On the train to Twelve, new on the job, sheâs very âfirst day of school! First day of school!â and eager to make a difference sort of like Sejanus Plinth. Sheâs ambitious and driven and also naive enough to think âwith me on board we will have victors left and right!â
Before the Reaping she decides on her own to visit the Victorâs Village and introduce herself personally to her now co-worker.
Sheâs quite star-struck I think, on the way over there - what with the romanticized image the Capitol has of him. Obviously she doesnât know the truth about Haymitchâs murdered family. No one really does in her city.
Sheâs also super impressed that he won The Second Quarter Quell - one of the most difficult Games in Panem's history, and without a mentor at that!
Sheâs probably a little smitten too (or at least she was as a young girl). Taken by those dark curls and intense gray eyes in a sort of âtoughened by life but love will set him freeâ kind of way.
But when she actually finally meet Mr. Haymitch Abernathy he effectively smashes all the illusions Effie ever had of him in less than five minutes.
She goes from dazzled to disbelieving to annoyed and they end up having the first of many arguments.
I imagine it went something like this:
Standing there in the middle of the kitchen Effie felt the mentorâs eyes travel up and down her body.
He held a bottle of spirits in one hand, elbows on the unbelievably filthy table. And in the other, a knife - an actual KNIFE!
âWho sent you?â he finally asked. âIt ainât mâbirthday.â
The shadow of a crease re-appeared between Effieâs eyebrows but then the smile was right back on.
âMr. Abernathy!â She stepped forward and extended a hand. âEuphemia. Euphemia Trinket, the new escort. My friends call me Effie. You can call me Effie if you want. Delighted to make your acquaintance and might I just add what an honor it is to finally meet. Iâve heard so much about you! Iâm sure weâre going to make the most fabulous of teams!â
Haymitch ignored the outstretched hand. Instead he brought the bottle to his lips, having a few good mouthfuls.
âWhat happened to Dandruff?" he asked in a bored voice. "Olâ bat finally bit the dust?"
âMrs Dandridge decided to retire. Iâm here in her place. Arrived just a few days ago, and my, am I already in LOVE with your ⌠your ⌠quaint district.â
âI know right,â he mimicked her voice, dripping with sarcasm. He poured a good amount of the clear liquid into a cracked glass full of sticky fingerprints and extended it to her. âWell, this calls for a toast, don't ya think? Bottomâs up, lilâ lady."
âUm, tempting but no thank you,â she said. âI donât make it a habit of drinking when I'm at work. Especially not this early. Got to keep a level head," she thrilled. "A big big big day today!â
Haymitch tsked, eyes on the ceiling.
"I'd say." And he downed the drink for her. âGuess this is my lucky day, huh? They finally got rid of olâ Ice Crotch and now a squeaky lilâ duckling fresh out of the eggâs gonna help me out.â
âW-wha ⌠excuse me? Duckling? Squeaky?! I think youâll find me more than qualified for the job. I graduated from the Academy at the top of my class!â
âYeah, takes a lot oâ brains to send kids off for slaughter.â
Effie stared at him.
âB-being chosen to participate in The Hunger Games - the biggest event of the year, is a great honor and âŚâ
âYeah, yeah, yeah,â he snarled. âSave it for the cameras, why donât ya?â
At a loss for words Effie watched the man finish his bottle, down to the last drop, only to reach for the next.
âThe Reaping is in an hour,â she said.
âSo?"
âSo maybe you ought to slow down? And I trust it youâll freshen up before then? Take a shower and find an outfit thatâs a little more, um, suitable for the ⌠special occasion.â
âMeh,â Haymitch shrugged. âHavenât decided if Iâm gonna go.â
âYou have to go!â The words burst from her lips before she could stop them. âYouâre expected! Iâll look like a fool!â
In reply, Haymitch snapped the seal on the bottle. With one expert twist.
âDonât need me for something you already accomplished, sweetheart.â He tipped the liquor into his mouth. âGuess Iâll be seeing you around.â