Although both Effie and Peeta didn't seem to be amused by Gale's honesty, Haymitch could appreciate it. Questioning the Capitol was never a good idea by anyone's standard, and with all that was currently going on in the districts, free thought was an even worse strategy. Being something of a pain in the ass himself, Haymitch had to give credit where credit was due. Looking around at the other tributes, mainly Prim as she watched Gale's interview proceed on the monitor, she appeared to be nothing short of enthralled. Haymitch supposed that it was a good thing, that the new couple were both charismatic and likable—it was sure to earn both of them gifts when the Games began and that could only help he and Katniss as well.

As much as Haymitch would have liked to stay off stage and chat with Gale about how well his interview had gone, Effie and her gang of stylist friends were making some very last-minute adjustments to his outfit as he was being herded toward the stage. There was a certain sense of déjà vu that came with the moments before being in front of the crowd once again, and Haymitch just hoped that he was still as charming as he had been twenty-five years ago. People had loved him back then; the underdog from the Seam, quick-witted and surprisingly lethal and impressive enough to stand out against forty-seven other tributes. The win was always going to be hard for him, but these second games were a chance to give sacrifice real meaning, and not just a way for the Capitol to scare the country into submission.

After a quick break between interviews, presumably so that Caesar could get something to drink and have a moment to rest his voice, but after that, the process started all over again. Soon enough, Haymitch got his cue and he stepped out onto the stage and in front of the audience for the second time. Ten minutes wasn't very long, Haymitch knew from experience and there was nothing for him to be nervous about when no one expected him to be a serious threat for very long.

“Haymitch Abernathy,” Caesar welcomed as the two men sat down. “We meet again!”

Relaxed in his hair, Haymitch crossed one ankle over his knee and listened as a portion of the audience began to sniffle. He had almost forgotten that he had fans out there. “Just couldn't stay away,” he grinned, though his voice was coated with sarcasm. Caesar sensed that and the blueish man's chuckle said that nothing had changed. “I hope you missed me as much as I missed you.”

The audience chuckled, a low murmur that collectively sounded like buzzing. “It's always good to have you here, Haymitch. You were quite the hit last time, if I remember correctly,” Caesar winked toward the cameras before taking on a more serious tone. “Why did you decide to join us again and volunteer in Peeta's place?”

The promise that Haymitch had made to Katniss shortly after the initial Quarter Quell announcement wasn't anyone's business. “It's what anyone with a conscience would have done,” he explained with a light shrug. “It was time for me to move on anyway, and his leg wasn't going to get him very far.” Out of all of them, Haymitch thought that Peeta deserved to live, that he had done nothing wrong in his life and it was only fair that he got to take his rightful place as a mentor for the first and last time. Would anyone in the audience or the Capitol understand the basic principles of human compassion? Haymitch had his doubts.

“That's incredibly kind of you, Haymitch,” Caesar said with a nod. “What is it like for you to be back as a tribute and not a mentor? It must be different than the first time.” 

Laughing lightly, Haymitch raised his hands, obviously at a loss. “Do you remember what I said the first time?” he questioned, and Caesar's expression prompted him to continue. “It's still twice as stupid, but this time it's a little more dirty. Me and Katniss, my friends were supposed to be safe from this kind of thing.” If Effie and Peeta thought that Gale would be the only interruption, they were mistaken. 

The comment didn't seem to throw Caesar off of his game. “We were all very shocked by the announcement,” he admitted. “But you have to some kind of strategy this time around, don't you?” 

“Of course I have a strategy,” Haymitch nodded but soon broke out into an evasive smile, “but you know I can't tell you that. I'm trying to stay alive here, Caesar! Not die the minute all the excitement starts.”

“And how exciting it will be!” Caesar agreed, and the cheering crowd roared back to life, apparently ready for their fair share of bloodshed. “Speaking of excitement, how have you been getting along with your fellow tributes from home?” 

The experience so far had been both bad and good, but no one wanted to hear about how annoyed he'd been with Gale, or how he and Katniss had barely spoken before coming to the Capitol together. “Let's just say, I picked the wrong time to stop drinking,” he laughed, and the other man did the same, his laughter the loudest of all. “Being a tribute is so much easier than being a mentor, though. I wouldn't want to be in Peeta's shoes for this. There's a lot to manage, a lot of personality to contain.”

“And I'm sure you're keeping him on his toes,” Caesar speculated. “And finally, how do you expect to fair in this years Quell? There's a lot of talent going into that arena.”

Little did Caesar know, a lot more talent would be coming out soon enough. Haymitch took a moment to a pause before answering, quiet and thoughtful as he carefully chose his words. “Are you asking if I think I can win again?” he questioned in returned, and the charismatic host nodded his head. Again, Haymitch was quiet, as if he really had to think about it. “I guess anything's possible, but if I thought I was going to come out of this alive, I wouldn't have volunteered. There are too many people going in that I care about this time and I've lived so much longer than so many of them.” 

Much like Prim's touching answers, Haymitch's words also earned a few tears and one rather loud sob. “These games didn't have to happen,” he added, looking directly into the camera.

Clearing his throat, Caesar was quick to stand up and practically yanked Haymitch from his hair. “We look forward to seeing you again, Haymitch. And as always, it's been a pleasure.”

It didn't feel like a pleasure, and as Haymitch walked off of the stage, he could already see the angry and slightly horrified look on Effie's face. There would be time for arguments later, in ten minutes and after one more interview. Looking to Katniss, Haymitch gave her a rather flat smile and hoped that she could close the show with something big. This wasn't just an excuse for Panem to come into their lives, it was an opportunity to fight back before they were tossed into the arena without mercy.