Effie is taking a quiet moment, making her usual preparations, when Haymitch walks in.
“So,” he says, “what’s this for?”
“Whatever are you talking about?” she asks.
He gestures at her, over her whole body. “This. What you’re wearing. All this” – he frowns – “yellow: it’s kind of drab, for you, isn’t it?”
“The occasion dictates it,” she tells him. “Besides, I didn’t know you paid so much attention to my outfits.”
“Yeah, well …” He shuffles on the spot for a moment, and then says, awkwardly, “The occasion dictates it.”
Before the Reaping, there is only time for the quickest embrace.
Comments
Archived comments are included below. My replies have not been archived.
n° 1 (archived from archiveofourown.org)
2021-08-08it’s kind of drab, for you, isn’t it?”
“The occasion dictates it,” she tells him.
I love this so much, because it shows, so clearly and concretely, how much Effie has changed. She’s still herself, she still expresses herself through frills and colors, but she understands now that the occasion isn’t a joyous one, and her clothing reflects it.
n° 2 (archived from archiveofourown.org)
2021-08-08Awww!
n° 3 (archived from archiveofourown.org)
2021-08-11Oh this is such a cleverly conceived insight into both the characters as individuals and their relationship with each other. I love how resigned Effie is to the fact that it's a somber occasion, and how she expresses her emotion through what she chooses to wear (or not wear), even if it's still yellow. I also love that Haymitch notices. He's so quick and insightful, it's part of the reason why he and Katniss get on, and I really appreciate whenever that aspect of his personality is highlighted in a fic!
Also the little echo of "the occasion dictates it"?!?! I'm not crying, my eyes are just leaking.
Thank you for this. <3