The interview process, invasive as it was, didn't bother Haymitch the way it seemed to bother everyone else. Even during his first games, he understood that the Capitol was only looking for a good show, and that playing nice and doing what was asked was the fastest way to get sponsors. People liked to see cooperation, even when it came to a bunch of kids being sent into an arena to kill one another, the Capitol still liked to see a human side to the tributes before that benevolence was stripped away by the first kill. The former Victor didn't care that he wouldn't be inviting all of Panem into his relationship with Katniss, and although she seemed to be upset by the lack of honesty in their lives, Haymitch didn't see it as a bad thing. What they had, the way it had come about and so soon after the demise of the lie that started it all; their relationship would never be cheered for.

“We are on the same page,” Haymitch promised quietly. The only thing that he envied about Prim and Gale was their ability to be close when someone was watching, other than that, being in love with someone and going into the games was difficult. Those words had apparently done little to ease Katniss's mind, and Haymitch breathed a sigh before leaving the balcony, agreeing that they should get some sleep. That nagging feeling inside of him was back, though, the one that continued to insist that he tell Katniss about Peeta's plan. She would worry less if she knew, she would be more confident...but something was always stopping him.

Now feeling like the worst kind of liar, Haymitch reluctantly climbed into bed beside Katniss and wrapped his arms around her. “It's going to be easy tomorrow,” he told her, compensating for the truth, “you probably won't even get asked about me, and you won't have to lie.” Gently, he pressed a kiss to her temple and closed his eyes. 

Everything that Gale said made sense, like always, but Prim was still unsure of what she was going to say if Caesar asked her about boys and love. All of the young tributes got many of the same questions, speculating about all of the dates they would get back home once they won the games. However, this time would be different and Prim knew that she wasn't just anyone. She had a special connection to Katniss, the most talked about tribute since Finnick and the blonde was sure that the Capitol would want to know the most ridiculous things about her. Being with those she cared about most, getting to fall asleep with Gale night after night kept Prim sane and she didn't want to give that up just because it might get her an extra blanket, or water when things got rough.

“I don't want to pretend that I'm not...” Prim began, and then paused, stopping short of saying those words. She shook her head, “I don't want everyone to think that it's some kind of gimmick, that we're just—[i]lying[/i] to look better.” Even if they weren't in the games together, Prim liked to think that she and Gale still would have ended up with one another, and that their time together hadn't been based on circumstance. 

Talking to Peeta seemed like the best bet, the safest thing to do when the plan was still in the back of her mind. Again, Prim agreed with Gale and softly returned his kiss. After, she got into bed with him, instantly relaxed with the warmth of Gale's body next to hers. The morning was going to be chaotic with the stylists rushing around, and Effie was more than likely going to be beside herself trying to keep everything organized. Prim was happy for the calm before the storm, the time that she got to relax and drift off to sleep peacefully beside Gale. Soon, these moments would just be a distant memory, and Prim desperately wanted to hang onto any shreds of normalcy that she could.

The morning had come all too quickly, and Haymitch felt like he hadn't slept at all. It was the first time he had been restless since falling asleep with Katniss night after night, and he was disappointed to find that not even her presence could guarantee him a good night's sleep. Turning over onto his back, the former Victor tried not to focus on how tired he still was, or the fact that soon, someone would poking and prodding him to get dressed and hold still. The interviews, which were normally done in a single, early evening, were now an all day event due to the massive amount of tributes. Everyone got ten minutes, six hundred seconds to give the Capitol and Panem an intimate look at who they were, how they had been before they were turned into a murderer. Lying there, Haymitch felt awful for what he was about to suffer through, putting himself out there again and things hadn't gone so well since the first time he'd been on that stage.

Next to him, Katniss was still asleep. He turned onto his side and stroked his fingers through her hair, combing out the slightly tangled strands. “I'm going to get some breakfast,” he whispered to her, which earned him a quiet noise of acknowledgment. Before getting up, Haymitch gave her shoulder a kiss and then made his way out into the suite. Their teacups and plates from the night before had been cleared away, and the living room looked as if no one had ever been there. Haymitch looked around, able to see that Effie and Peeta were already awake and mobile, chatting about something in rather hushed tones before the presence of the Avoxes serving breakfast halted their conversation.

“Morning,” he said to both of them before taking a seat at the table.

For some reason, Effie seemed delighted to see him and was quick to launch into a rundown of everything that would be happening that day. Although District 12 would be the last interviews of the night, it didn't mean that there was copious amounts of time to sit around. According to Effie, the stylists would be up by the time District 1 went on, but Haymitch didn't think it would take very long for he and Gale to get dressed—Prim and Katniss were the ones that would be dressed to impress, and Haymitch knew from years of experience that interview night was as much about the fashion as it was the substance. Digging into his breakfast, Haymitch grudgingly accepted that he wouldn't be able to relax or sneak a nap the way he wanted.

After having breakfast, but before the hectic parts of the day began to get underway, Prim made a point to find Peeta. He had been making himself scarce over the last few days, and the blonde could only assume that his diminished presence had something to do with putting the final touches on the plan. She could only hope that Peeta would fill them in on whatever gaps had come about before it was time to go into the arena. Nevertheless, Prim wanted Peeta's input on what could and couldn't be said during the upcoming interview.

“You don't have to keep it a secret if you don't want to,” Peeta responded. “And Haymitch was right, it will help you. It definitely helped me and Katniss last year.” There was no bitterness in his voice, and Prim trusted what Peeta had to say. “If you're asked, do whatever feels right.” 

Somehow, Prim was sure that her decision would be a snap one, something left to the last minute. It was a tough choice, however, even if the whole country was going to find out what was going on between her and Gale the very next day. There wasn't much time to dwell on Peeta's words, however, because the stylists had found their way up to the penthouse soon enough. The blonde girl could hear them already, Portia, Flavia, Octavia and of course, Cinna. Out of everyone's outfit that night, whatever they happened to be wearing, Prim was most excited to see what Cinna had put together for Katniss. She always looked so stunning in his creations, and Prim still remembered her reveal from the year before, all of that fire that had consumed the older girl. She hoped that Cinna would use Katniss's clothes to send another message to Snow.

Out in the living room, Haymitch had been sitting with Katniss when the stylists made their entrance. If he had known that they were going to come so early, he would have attempted to hide in some other part of the suite. They all seemed so excited to get to work, and Haymitch gave Katniss a look before Cinna whisked her away. Apparently, it took hours for hair and make up to be done, but the former Victor knew that the end result would be beautiful. Katniss always looked good, and it didn't matter if she was dressed up or down, or had just awoken for the day—in a way, Haymitch had always felt that way about her.

The process of getting ready was much of the same as it had been for the parade and the Ball. There was a bath, more of that pink foam that washed away every scar and imperfection that may have been procured during training. Then there was hair, trimming and plucking, primping every tress to perfection. There was only so much that Haymitch could sit through, but time seemed to be racing by. When the older man had finally gotten to take a break, halfway between Octavia fussing with his hair and having his suit tailored, Finnick was already on the television. He spoke vaguely of Annie, not mentioning her by name, but Haymitch knew the girl that he was leaving behind. Over the last few years, he had grown incredibly close with some of the other Victors, and seeing them back on stage, about to be thrown back into the gauntlet was surprisingly hard. It all seemed so much more final now that the games were closer.

When all was said and done, the sun had finally started to set and Haymitch was [url=http://i00.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/32264327710/Fashion-solid-color-business-font-b-casual-b-font-suits-men-england-font-b-style-b.jpg]dressed[/url] and ready to go. The suit was different than what he was used to, and not a color that he would have chosen for himself. Still, it fit correctly, and Haymitch didn't think that he would look too ridiculous when some of the other tributes had been put in full costume—like Blight who resembled a tree instead of a man. Johanna was sure to have a laugh about that later on. Currently, Haymitch was out in the living room, the first to be fully dressed before Gale came out to join him. The other man looked nice as well, his own outfit different from what he had worn to the Ball, but it was fitting. “We don't look as ridiculous as I thought we would,” he commented, laughing dryly.

One thing that Prim didn't ever think she would get used to was high heels. Although she had gotten better at walking in them since the parade, the blonde didn't think that feet were meant to bend that way and be walked on. Regardless, the prep team was finally done with her after hours of washing, straightening, braiding and powdering, her [url=http://www.polyvore.com/interview_night/set?id=141400423]dress[/url] had been pulled over her head, and she was sent out to join the others. The first person that she saw was Gale, standing there and looking handsome as ever. Her heart did a flip and the corners of her lips turned up into a smile. “You look nice,” she said softly, going over to him. “And you too, Haymitch,” she said, sincere. For once, District 12 wasn't going to the laughing stock of the games.

Finally, Katniss had arrived and the room fell silent. Cinna had really outdone himself, and Prim thought that her older sister looked like a real life princess. “Wow,” she gasped, looking the dark-haired girl over. Had Prim been less distracted, she would have noticed the way that Haymitch was looking at Katniss, stunned into silence by her beauty and unable to do anything but smile. 

On the way down to the sound stage, Haymitch continued to glance at Katniss, his eyes wandering over to her every few seconds. She was gorgeous, and it was hard for him to believe that she was all his. If they really did make it out of the arena alive, Haymitch would consider himself the luckiest man in the world. When they finally arrived, Effie and the stylists continued to fuss and give direction. Prim would go first, then Gale, himself and the show would end with Katniss. Haymitch thought the order was appropriate, something that he would have chosen himself if he still held his former position—maybe Peeta wasn't half bad at all of this.

“Hey,” Haymitch said, turning to Katniss behind him as they waited in the continually shortening line. “You look great. Best I've ever seen you, sweetheart.” He knew that dresses and make up weren't exactly Katniss's thing, but there was no denying that everything Cinna had done for her only helped to bring out her beauty. 

Being interviewed first wasn't something that bothered Prim. Although she was nervous, she told herself that it wouldn't be that bad and after catching bits and pieces of Caesar's work throughout the day, he seemed nice enough and easy to talk to. The only thing on her mind was whether or not to follow Peeta's advice, but every time she looked at Gale, she simply wanted to tell the world how wonderful he was. All of the other questions were easy, and the blonde knew to speak from the heart. “Are you ready?” Prim asked, looking to Gale as the new tribute from District 11 made her way onto the stage. Prim took a step forward, inching closer to her turn.