What had been a pivotal day had turned into a rather relaxed night. The group seemed better, closer after commiserating over their scores from the private session and finally, the night was winding down. Even Haymitch was tired from such a long day, and he was nearly ready for bed when Prim and Gale decided to call it a night themselves. They left after saying goodnight, which Haymitch returned before turning to Katniss. He couldn't say that he was thrilled with her and what she had done to his ankle, but the former Victor wasn't about to ruin a perfectly good night by being petty. With the games a day away, Haymitch was determined to keep everyone on speaking terms before the real test started because once they were in the arena, they were all going to need each other in more ways than one.

The suite was now quiet, and Haymitch didn't mind turning in for the night. He left his teacup for the Avoxes to collect in the morning, and followed Katniss back to her room. There seemed to be a lot on her mind, but Haymitch knew better than to pry. Instead, he followed her out onto the balcony, appreciating the warm night air and the small moment of calm that came before the storm. With his arms braces against the railing, Haymitch turned his head to look at Katniss as she spoke, obviously worried about her inability to lie. If Haymitch thought that she was underestimating herself, he would have called her out on it, but her fabricated relationship during the games had been maintained almost entirely by Peeta.

Taking a deep breath, Haymitch exhaled slowly and folded his hands together. “So don't lie,” he suggested. “Be vague, refuse to talk about it, say it's too painful.” As someone who had been lying since his school days, Haymitch knew how to derail a question. “I'm sure you'll get other questions,” he added. “Prim's here. She was a big deal for you last year, and I'm sure people want to know how you feel about going in with her.” 

As for his own questions, Haymitch hadn't given them too much thought. He shrugged, brow slightly furrowed as he tried to figure out what Caesar would ask him. “Probably the basics, mostly how I feel about being back for a second quell and why I took Peeta's place in the games.” It was obvious, of course, and Haymitch's reasons weren't solely rooted in his feelings for Katniss. Sending Peeta back into the arena with that leg would have guaranteed his death and Haymitch had lived too long and too uselessly to be that selfish.

Straightening up, Haymitch turned to Katniss. “Why?” he asked, suddenly unsure of whether or not she was just making conversation. “Is there something you don't want me to say?” Even if he wanted to, or somehow thought that it would be a good idea, Haymitch wasn't going to tell all of Panem that he and Katniss had become something more than friends. Although it was sure to come out in the arena, he didn't want to piss off any sponsors prematurely and ruin the group's chances of collecting.

After calling it a night, Prim had gone back to her room with Gale, and changed into something to sleep in. The interviews that would take place the following night were still on her mind, and the blonde couldn't help but wonder if Haymitch was right. Being open and honest, behaving like a good tribute for the Capitol was sure to make surviving in the arena that much easier, but letting all of Panem into her relationship with Gale didn't feel right. It was a lot to think about, and part of Prim really wanted to ask for Peeta's advice, see what would be easiest all around. After all, once the four of them stepped into the arena, his job truly began.

Deep in thought, Prim wasn't made aware of Gale's return until his arms were around her. She sighed softly and leaned into him, blue eyes closing as she struggled for a better explanation of her racing thoughts. “If you want to tell them, I don't want to stop you. I won't be mad,” she said, looking up at him. What Gale said during his interview was up to him, but if they were going to be honest about everything, Prim wanted to be on the same page. It wouldn't be believable if one of them was over the moon and excited, and the other was demure and vague.

“It's just...” she paused, clearly frustrated. “I don't want our life to belong to them. Even if they'll find out in a few days, I still want [i]something[/i] to be on our terms.” It was easier said than done, of course, and Prim was starting to think that she and Gale would have to talk about each other. Now, it was just a matter of what questions they would be asked and how they could answer.

Settling, Prim leaned her head against the crook of Gale's neck and stared ahead at the holographic image on the wall. “Do you think we should talk to Peeta?” As someone who had a plan, he was sure to have a preference as well.