2 [Video]

[chinsup]

[Haymitch is gone.

Effie has looked all about the city, having stayed out of the battle with Alfheim, poked around his old room in the Loki welcome hall, and asked a few natives about what it means when names just simply aren't there in the registry. It takes some doing (and some brief panic that she needs to force down, where it resides in a nice little ball directly underneath her ribcage), but Effie Trinket knows nothing more than to approach upsetting news with a smile.

Eyes bright, chins up, smiles on.

She turns on her feed with that same bright smile, wearing a pale yellow dress this fine day, with a matching wig and pretty little dewdrop butterflies in her hair. She adjusts her camera quickly once she realizes it's a little off-center before speaking, with her odd Capitol accent (the over-enunciation, the emphasis on every other word) ringing in loud and clear.]

Well then! Now that everyone is settled and the city has returned to some level of normalcy given the state of things and that horrendous battle talk -- I suppose I'd like to make a brief announcement concerning some excellent ideas regarding my future here within Asgard.

[Wait for it.]

We are all tasked with maintaining the life of this city during our stay here, which is a worthy task -- and I would like very much to assist to the best of my ability, which is why I have been examining the idea of opening a business tailored to fashion. My own unique ability gifted to me from these gods seems to be absolutely perfect for this sort of thing -- and what better way to color a city than to add color? So I would like to entertain a few individuals with the same gift as I -- drawing things and having them brought to life, preferably with the fashion savvy in order to start our own little design boutique.

[This is a very proud moment for her, but really a large amount of distraction from the bigger issue at hand -- and that bright sunny smile falters slightly and Effie draws in a slight breath, because it really is her responsibility to inform the population. Not that many would care that Haymitch is gone, he's a rather horrendous individual, but he is also one of Effie's few true friends. If you could call him that.]

And, ah. Well.

[Suddenly, Effie feels slightly awkward, but she pulls herself together instantly.]

I believe Haymitch Abernathy has returned to Panem, to those that knew him for however brief a time he was here. I'm -- sorry.

[She pauses, quiet for a few moments, before Effie summons a smile again.]

But thank you for listening, and please let me know, fellow fashion aficionados!

[And she shuts off her video feed, before sending a text to Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.]

[Filtered to Katniss and Peeta // Private // Unhackable]

I'm so sorry, children, but I've searched the entire city and he simply isn't there. Perhaps it's better this way -- he seemed to hate it here, but then again, he seems to hate everything, doesn't he!

Please let me know if you need anything.

Comments

video;

[goldcomplex]

Are you skilled in making suits as well?

video;

[chinsup]

[Oh, thank goodness, a distraction.]

I am going to need a slight trial period in order to get used to my abilities and to gather up enough designers in order to assist me, but I don't see why not -- would you mind being a guinea pig? All mistakes and clothing not made to your liking would be free of charge, naturally.

video;

[failassassin]

You must be joking. [is he talking about Haymitch leaving or Effie's fashion aspirations? the correct answer is c: both.]

video;

[chinsup]

I don't tell jokes.

[:|]

May I ask what you find to be the punchline?

[Video]

[madcuriosity]

That sounds lovely, Miss Effie. I'm sure you will have an amazing boutique.

And... I'm sorry your friend is gone... My... My father is gone too...

[Video]

[chinsup]

[Effie opens her mouth to say that Haymitch is most definitely not her friend, but Alice's next statement distracts her, and she softens at the news. While Effie's task is morbid and horrendous, she does like children, and she's quiet for a few moments.]

-- would you like to help me, Alice?

The dress you designed for me was absolutely beautiful.

[Video]

[tonsofpun]

Hey, uh.

[Ellie makes an ineffectual little gesture towards her own slightly reddish ponytail, in the direction of the butterflies pinned to Effie's wig.]

You've got something in your hair.

[It's said in a tone caught between actually warning mixed with young-person delight. Ellie's never quite seen anything like her before -- she looks like everything yellow she's ever seen, mashed onto one person.]

[Video]

[chinsup]

[Effie looks a bit puzzled before her own hand mirrors Ellie's, touching her ornament before she brightens a bit.]

Isn't it lovely? I made it, using my gift -- I'm still quite new at it, as I can only draw things and pull them out of the paper at that same size... but it's quite useful for creating baubles and small pieces of jewelry.

video

[airborn]

[She's sad to hear that Haymitch is gone--he was funny, even if he'd seemed uneasy around her.]

Can I help pick the colors for the fabric?

[it's a hit and miss... Rue gets the feeling Effie was in the same boat as Haymitch when it came to her.]

video

[chinsup]

[She's gotten slightly better, enough to give Rue a genuinely warm smile upon seeing her.]

Of course.

I would love input on that.

[becauseichooseto]

Oh. What wonderful idea!

[He's spotted that previous conversation.] They're really very generous at the bank. We're here as their guests, so it shouldn't any trouble.

[chinsup]

Thank you!

[Quite brightly.]

And yes -- that's what I've been told, so I will need to examine that possibility as soon as possible.

video;

[companioning]

A design boutique sounds like a lovely idea. You will let me know when you have it up and running, won't you?

[Inara hesitates, her smile fading a little. She knows very well what it's like to lose someone close to you, more than she likes to admit actually.]

I'm very sorry to hear about your friend. Will you be all right?

video;

[chinsup]

Of course! It will take quite some time, I think, but I'll certainly let the population know.

[But Effie's bright and bubbly demeanor fades just the slightest amount before frowning.]

I don't see why I wouldn't be.

[audio - filter]

[unkneaded]

You don't have to apologize. You did your best, and we couldn't ask you for more than that.

[Peeta just feels bad for her, for all of them. They were a team, always stronger when they worked together.]

I have that drawing power too, you know. And I even had a new idea for a fashion trend.

[Isn't that what they're called? Wait for it, Effie.]

Flour sack dresses. The latest in bakery chic.

[audio - filter]

[chinsup]

[There's a brief pause before she laughs softly -- equal parts mortified at the idea and humored by Peeta's obvious joke.]

Something tells me that you could convince the entire city to wear them if you did draw them to reality, my dear.

video;

[madeforwalking]

( did you know that actual chinhandsing is a way to greet someone. no? now you do )

A worthy task. Why? Did you come up with a good answer yourself or are you just repeating the text the gods want us to spit out?

video;

[chinsup]

Well, there are faceless people wandering around with little to no personality -- some of the buildings are bright and full of color while others are not -- and we are here.

[Effie arches her eyebrows.]

I believe the saying goes 'the simplest explanation is often the best'.

[video]

[oceanborne]

[She wants to comment on Haymitch's departure, offer the knowledge that he'll tough it out at home and be all right, but frankly Effie and her determined Capitol ways make Annie nervous. Still, in a roundabout way they know each other and that counts for something.]

That's a clever idea, using your powers for a shop.

[video]

[chinsup]

[Ah, Annie. Poor mad Annie. Effie never quite knew how to handle herself around her, but she has since learned since her time as Escort in the Games to speak with a softer tone around her.]

Thank you -- it occurred to me this morning.

[She pauses.]

How are you, Annie?

video;

[writeswrongs]

[Blink.]

Are you... Lady Gaga? Or are you just a very devoted Little Monster?

[He's sorry about the loss of her friend but Castle just can't get over her appearance. Of course it's probably not Lady Gaga, but he feels like he has to check.]

video;

[chinsup]

[There's an equal amount of blinking in return, Castle, before Effie frowns.]

I've never heard of such a woman -- but my name is Effie.

You are?

[She's certainly not a monster, pls. >:(]

[Video]

[onebadapple]

Why! That's such a wonderful task you've taken on! I wasn't given the ability to draw, but I'm very good at sewing and mending. If you would like any help, I would be happy to offer.

[Video]

[chinsup]

Thank you! I would adore such help -- tiny details can often only be added on by hand, such as beadwork... I'm not certain how detailed my own drawings would need to be in order to bring that sort of thing to life.

video;

[truesight]

[ Rachel was kind of ready to open up a custom t-shirt place, but this is even better!! ]

Do you still need help from people with Drawing Life? I don't exactly have a fashion background, but I've got a pretty good eye for it, and art in general, and a really great color set to work with.

video;

[chinsup]

I am always on the lookout for help -- if not in fashion, then in practicing with my newfound gift.

[It does help to hear that she has an eye for fashion, though.]

What is your name?

video. private.

[empowers]

He was bound to leave at some point... I wish he'd been able to be a little less... tense, before he had to go. But it seems everyone here comes and goes. He'll be alright, I'm sure. [ And she is sure. Drowning himself in liquor, but fine. ]

video. private.

[chinsup]

Of course.

[With the briefest of smiles, encouraged by her words, though still... a bit less bubbly than usual.]

-- He was tense, wasn't he?

[Weight underneath something he was hiding from her, Effie is certain.]

I suppose we can only hope he remembers to take a breath upon arrival in Panem.

[riverrunswild]

Very sorry to hear about your friend. I have not known him, but I know how it feels to have someone be gone all of a sudden.

[Her compassionate expression turns into a smile.]

But your idea is perfect. I'm not blessed with the same ability as you unfortunately, but I'm very much looking forward to see what kind of clothes you'll put up for sale.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help regardless. I'm River Song, by the way.

[chinsup]

It is perfect, isn't it?

[It's said brightly, temporarily skipping over River's first statement to latch on to the compliment.]

It's a pleasure to meet you -- my name is Effie Trinket. And -- thank you, for your kindness.

[A bit more delicately, her bright smile melting into something a bit more soft.]

It's rather bizarre, not having him around -- I only see him once a year, but I suppose he is my friend.

[Horrific events tend to cause people to bond, even if they hate each other.]