trinkett | First Dispatch. How Utterly Dreadful. Voice.

[Anyone who meets Effie in this post will meet her in full Capitol fashion and makeup. She landed in the shop, you see. A stiff turquoise-blue structured gown, fortunately, landed beside her.

And the wig -- thank the Senate! There were plenty of wigs and there was HER wig, tight and blond and curled and fabulous -- and the new violet wings sprouting from her shoulders were quite irregular but one never drew attention to one's irregularities. If anyone asked, they were Fashion. With any luck everyone who was anyone in the Capitol would be wearing similar ones, soon.

The makeup took a bit longer. Effie finally settled on green because green is one of her Power Colors and it IS almost spring, after all. She drew her lips in a pursed bow to reflect her dissatisfaction with everything.

It had only taken a quick readthrough of the Guide for Effie to grasp somewhat what was going on. It wasn't terribly shocking, but it was highly disappointing. She'd wanted to be in the Capitol for Katniss and Peeta, not transferred to a new post just at the height of a possible professional and personal triumph. Her charges were brilliant! Cinna had shown their fire to everyone. The sensation had been rampant and her promotion near-assured. Effie Trinket's star had been rising in the Capitol, the heart of Panem and civilization.

And then Someone had Bumped her. It was the only explanation for all of this business of waking up in a clothing store in what was obviously a cheap, outlying serfdom of Panem. A lesser woman would have called that Bumping Someone a dirty word, but Effie had dignity and would find other ways to trample that usurper into dust once she got back on her feet and back to the Capitol.]

Attention, Attention:

[Her usual rather chirpy voice is a bit tempered by the fact that she has only recently awakened in a clothing shop in a strange town.]

Would any available Peacekeepers in District Luceti please report to the Clothing Emporium? I repeat: any available Peacekeepers. The Diplomatic Escort for the Tributes requires a full compliment of Security. [Yes: she was still clinging to what she assumed was her now-stripped title and position.]

Thank you.

[[[[IMPORTANT NOTE: While Effie WILL be in full Capitol couture clothing and makeup for this post, some of my icons are simply those of her PB, Elizabeth Banks. I will probably try to MOSTLY use the icons from the Hunger Games movie but just assume she's all made up and dressed to the very weird nines even if you get a plain Elizabeth Banks icon! THANKS.]]]]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well for one thing, most people I have met seem surprised by my...sense of fashion.

[And that has baffled her. In Panem, Effie represents the very height of style.]

It is unique.

[That is an understatement. She's fairly convinced you are some sort of whore. But she's far, far too refined to say anything of the sort. And gestures to her blue silk dress]

Simpler might do you better here.

But how do you tell each other apart? [Baffling!]

Faces?

[Obviously.]

No, no no! What I mean to say is, how do you tell where each person belongs?

[What class they are a part of; what dignity is due them.]

How do you tell slave from free? One District dweller from another? Who is highest ranked in your councils?

[Slaves? Districts? That word again.]

That would depend on which nation you come from. Where I am from, only nobles may wear a keisora [She touches a dangling blue jewel on her forehead], and the more elaborate the jewel, the higher one's station. [Hers is...quite large. In Cairhien she was of royal blood.]

In other lands, it could be cords of rank on ones arm or signet rings. Though we do not condone slavery. It is simply not done.

Now, what is a District? This seems to be an important concept to you, Lady Trinket

[She peers at the jewel while they walk, slowing her steps a bit to take it in.]

Your rank must be considerable, then. In any case, a District is a section of my land of Panem. They were formed years ago in order to enhance the beauty, order, and productivity of the republic.

[The gemstone spins on it's cord, all it's own. A small object of the One Power, after all]

And you mentioned you are from the Capital District. So there is a single country, with many Districts in Panem?

That is how it is divided, yes. Twelve districts, each with its own specialty as regards production, output, et cetera.

Ah. And what does your district produce?

[There is a bright, tinkling laugh at that.]

You must understand, I am a resident of the Capitol! I am not a dweller of any District. But the district I represent, District 12, is primarily concerned with mining.

Is there a difference? Does the Capitol not produce something?

We produce all of the necessary philosophies, entertainments, and other forms of good government to keep everyone happy and productive. That is VERY important if you consider the chaos that would result otherwise.

[The more she talks to you, the more she's starting to disagree...]

And what sort of entertainment and philosophy do you produce?

Might makes Right, of course. The Common Man has Common Thoughts. The Glitterati are the Literati. Don't Question Authority.

And you truly believe that?

[Light...this woman is a fool.]

It is not a matter of belief! It is a matter of order. Place. Etiquette.

Have you never questioned that place, then?

Mmmm? [Effie looks up from the path before them. A sign reading "Welcome Center" is reassuring.]

What do you mean, questioned? They are always willing to provide answers to questions.

Have you never thought to ask "Is this the right way?"

[Dear...Light! Save her...Effie you are so...lackwitted.]

How could it NOT be? [She asks this with a little laugh.] Everything runs so smoothly!

And are the people happy? How easy is their lot?

Of course they're happy! Who wouldn't be with such a safe world to live in?

[She avoids the "how easy is it" question. Even Effie knows it can't be easy for most of them.]

Safe and happy are not the same thing. Any ruler will tell you that.

[She sniffs quietly, the very picture of royalty.]

Surely you cannot have happiness without safety!

[action]

agelesseyes - 2013-04-16 01:36 (UTC) - Expand

trinkett - 2013-04-17 00:40 (UTC) - Expand