One of things she liked about the newly improved Haymitch was that he didn't take every obvious opportunity to mock her when it came to being sappy. She didn't like it, sometimes it just came out. Either way, his support meant everything to the girl and she wanted to be equally helpful in his own progress. Katniss was still determined to keep everyone safe but now she had a more pressing need to not just cast aside her own well-being. Now that she had remembered her family and friends, she knew she couldn't die being a martyr. That really wasn't who Katniss Everdeen was. It was what the Capitol wanted, perhaps. Then their troubles might be over if they go the rumblings in the distant Districts to die down. But Katniss wasn't about to roll over and die. No. She would fight, along with anyone else that she could trust but that list wasn't exactly extensive. For now, she was happy to focus on anything else and give her mind some rest.

At the table, Haymitch praised her efforts more than Peeta, which she had been secretly hoping. Peeta was trying to have a firm grasp on his tribute's actions but all of that didn't matter. All that remained was the interview night tomorrow and then that would be it. They'd be on their own, lost to blood-lust and survival. "Thanks." Katniss smiled at Haymitch when he suggested she take more pride in her actions. The meal was nice, considering there were minimal tensions regarding everyone's scoring and their competitors. The girl looked across the table at her best friend and sister who seemed to be chatting closely as well. It was good that they could both support each other but Katniss was still understandably worried about them. They could watch carnage on tv but being stuck in it, was something different and it would change their lives if they made it out alive. Katniss didn't want Prim or Gale changing because of her error but she also had to trust in their progress of skills. "I'm sure you did great, Prim." She spoke up.

Gale nodded at Katniss's words. "I'm sure they're taking a look at your skills, not just how accurate you are. There's probably a lot more to consider." He tried to assure the girl beside him. Gale was interested to hear about what Katniss had done, as well as Prim. Haymitch's display didn't surprise him much either. He knew Haymitch was strong, well stronger now than a year ago. "Me? Well I just did some tricks with the sword, tried a little too hard I'm afraid." He said, silently wishing he had been able to talk to Peeta more in depth about what to do since Peeta was always likable. It wasn't that Gale wasn't, but Peeta had a natural charm to him that made everyone, even his enmities as made evident by last year, enjoyed his personality and skills. Gale couldn't worry about the scoring anymore though, that was out of his hands and the only thing that could earn him a better favor was tomorrow night's interview.

"I'm sure all of us preformed well enough to make a statement, that District 12 is a strong team that won't be easily defeated." Gale said as the dinner began to wind down. Soon enough Effie left to go turn on the screen in the living room and Gale set his utensils down, finishing his appetite depleted. "Coming, Effie." He got up and placed a hand on Prim's shoulder before he headed down the stairs and walked over to where the anxious escort was. Gale took a seat and Prim joined him, taking a seat beside him with her fruity creamy dessert in hand. He leaned over and dipped his finger in and licked it. He gave her a teasing grin before his attention was returned to the tv in front of them. Katniss was slower to join, clearly not as nervous or as excited as everyone else. Even so, the dark haired male knew this was important to her as it was to them so he focused on the presentation. He was also making mental notes as to who to look out for and who could stay off his radar. As he watched, he found himself lucky to have Johanna as an ally and not an enemy, which had been tricky to sort out given her and Katniss' rocky friendship of sorts.

"Thanks, we've got plenty to be motivated by." Gale replied to Peeta.

First up was Primrose Everdeen and it was announced with a bit of dramatic pause that she had earned a score of 7.

"That's great Prim!" Gale took the opportunity to slip his arm around her waist and give her a bit of a sideways hug. "That's loads better than most of the fresh faced tributes." He said happily. 

"It's in the top=middle, very well done, Prim." Peeta nodded.

"I'm so proud of you." Katniss said to Prim and reached over Gale to give a kiss on the cheek. "See? You're a fighter, it's not just in my blood." She said, quite pleased with her sister's score. It could have been lower but it wasn't. Katniss was sure the others were now looking at Prim in a new light, that she wasn't some kind of baggage, that she could fend for her own, in her own right. 

Up next was Haymitch Abernathy who ended up scoring a 9. 

Gale glanced to Haymitch who was by Effie while Peeta stood behind the couch behind everyone. "Well done." Gale offered his light congratulations to Haymitch. Gale knew the man would score at least an 8 but a 9 was even better. So far, their hometown was getting plenty of praise and he hoped it didn't end up shooting them in the foot. 

"I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks." Peeta teased lightly.

Katniss looked to Haymitch and smiled but didn't say anything. She knew he would do damned good and he did. She had so much to be proud of her, her sister and friend, and even Haymitch and Peeta. Despite the stress of going back into the Games, Katniss was feeling surprisingly good at the moment. Internally, she couldn't help but wonder how attractive Haymitch must have looked, and in turn he got a prety good score, Katniss couldn't help but feel a bit flustered for a moment or two. Thankfully things moved on to Gale Hawthorne who mirrored Haymitch's score of a 9 which surprised Katniss, but only slightly. Gale was younger and offered more polished skills but even so, Gale was unprepared where Haymitch had wisdom. Comparing them wasn't easy but they both got a 9 so Katniss hoped this might somehow get both guys to accept one another as somewhat equals and leave any kind of pettiness behind before the the Games began. "Way to go Gale!" She said to him and patted his leg. "You've worked hard to get that."

"Well everyone's been working hard." Gale pointed out, slightly sheepish. He was pleased with the results but he was also pleased with Prim's and even Haymitch's. So far, things were going very well for them. Gale leaned over and rubbed Prim's waist softly, not really caring if anyone noticed or said anything about it. The fact was that he and Prim were no longer the scared wide eyed innocent victims of the Capitol's game, no they had fought hard to make something more of themselves, to help Peeta's plan and everyone else involved with it as well. Gale was pleased with the results and even Haymitch and Katniss had been able to better their own talents and short-comings. "It is still great to see hard working paying off." He couldn't help but admit. It seemed there was only one last score to reveal and Gale slowly removed his arm from around Primrose as the transmission fell silent. Would they give Katniss a low score on purpose? Would they make some retort about her presentation? Or would she get some high score that she earned, or that would label her the biggest threat in the arena?

She got an 11, the same as last year.

It was still among the top five highest scores of the 48 Tributes.

"Your risk paid off, it seems." Peeta had to admit as he leaned down and hugged Katniss from behind briefly. "I'm really proud of all of you. You all made District 12 and Effie, and myself very proud." He smiled to them.

"Wonderful scores, everyone!" Effie cheered and glanced to Peeta by her side. "All of this nervousness and excitement has worn me out, I'm afraid I must retire early but tomorrow is a relaxing day leading up to the interviews, after that it's..." She trailed off, unable to really say what the end meant to her. 

"Good night guys, well done, you've earned a big brunch tomorrow so feel free to sleep in if you'd like." Peeta added quickly before following Effie, intending to talk to her further in private about their plans for the upcoming Games. Now that scores were known, things had to be double checked with their allies behind the scenes. This left the four Tributes alone together, no longer bogged down by anything except interviews which were typically pretty harmless. Of course Effie and the others had a plan to make sure Katniss was still the image they had hoped she could become, a sign of a bright future that wasn't tarnished by the shrewd Capitol and its miserable traditions. Gale stood up and turned around to the others, still feeling like he was flying up to cloud nine. At the same time of course, he knew not to get too ahead of himself.

If Haymitch wasn't sober, he would have suggested they share a celebratory drink but for now he could only offer, "How about we have some tea and see what's left of the desserts." He suggested, not feeling too tired at the moment, not with such a weight lifted off his shoulders. If he liked dancing, he might have started to do just that.

Katniss looked over at Haymitch and tilted her head, hoping he wouldn't try to duck out of their informal celebration together. "Sure, I wouldn't mind another raspberry tart." She commented and got up and held her hand out for her sister, still feeling like a proud mother. "You know, I bet mom is back home, feeling just as good as we are. I can feel it." She told Prim.