Although Katniss's answers were decisive, they didn't seem to quell Peeta's anger very much. Not being in on the original plan was frustrating for Haymitch, but he didn't care how Peeta wanted him to behave in front of the crowd when anyone who had any sense of decency knew that these games had been manufactured to hurt not only Katniss, but all of Panem for having the audacity to hope for a better, brighter future. There was no way that Haymitch was going to leave that stage without reminding the people back home that he was on their side, that he didn't want to be there and although he was talking with the Capitol, laughing with the Capitol, he didn't support a single thing that they did. The real enemy was Snow and the people who silently went along with everything he said and did. Complacency was just as bad as letting people starve to death, as kidnapping children for bloodsport.

With the other tributes backstage, there was no way for Haymitch and Peeta to have any kind of confrontation. District 12 had already sold themselves as a united front, in sync from tribute to mentor and escort, and getting into a fight in front of everyone was only going to make them look more vulnerable come the morning. Haymitch stood there silently and watched as Katniss spun around to reveal her Mockingjay dress, the previous red fabric burned away so that those long, elegant wings could be shown off to the cheering crowd. The look on Peeta's face was unreadable, and Haymitch was unable to tell if this too had been part of the plan all along.

Just after Katniss was done becoming the actual Mockingjay, the tributes were hauled back onto the stage for a second time. Prim lined up alongside Gale and the new male tribute from District 11 to show some kind of solidarity against the Capitol. The blonde girl didn't really understand why it was going on, or if it was even written into the show, but defiance seemed to be the last thing that Snow would want. Regardless, Prim kept the worry from her face and did her best to ignore Johanna's voice in her ear. Ever since that first encounter with the older woman in the elevator, Prim had been less than a fan. Knowing that she was part of their secret alliance was almost enough to make Prim think that Peeta had lost his mind.

Almost as soon as they had stepped out onto the stage, the lights were quickly shut off. Prim kept hold of Gale's hand and migrated her way through the darkness. It was easy to follow the send of Effie's voice, which was growing increasingly more loud as they left the show area and walked back toward the elevators. Before they arrived, Prim pulled Gale back and held onto his hand as she leaned on her toes to give his cheek a kiss. She hoped that Gale understood her meaning, that she felt the same way and was happy that they had been honest—even to total strangers across the country.

“What were you thinking?” Effie asked as soon as the elevator doors closed behind the six of them. Her voice sounded less shrill than normal, more defeated and possibly worried rather than offended by lack of manners. “Why would you say that? And directly to the cameras!?”

The energy in the elevator was tense, but Haymitch was fully prepared for what Effie and Peeta had to say. “Did you want me to lie? These games didn't have to happen. You know that, don't you—or has that wig finally choked off your last brain cell?” 

“You're not supposed to draw attention to yourself! Not like that!” Effie snapped, her voice shaking. “And you,” she turned her attention to Gale, “you ought to know better!”

Somehow, Haymitch thought that this outburst had everything to do with the plan, but he didn't regret what he'd said. “Leave him alone,” he said to Effie. “He doesn't want to be here any more than the rest of us.” 

“There were things you weren't supposed to say,” Peeta finally chimed in, his jaw clenched as the elevator doors parted for their floor. The others were quick to shuffle toward the exit, but Peeta stopped Haymitch before he could get out, one hand on the older man's chest. “You've undermined me this whole time. I'm the mentor now and I'm [i]trying[/i] to keep you alive.” 

Glaring, Haymitch stepped toward the shorter man. “Do your job right, and I'll take your advice.” For a long moment, the two men stared one another down and Haymitch had the passing thought to get physical, but it wasn't worth it. Peeta wasn't the enemy, that's what he needed to remember.

“Enough,” Effie said softly, her arm coming between them. Haymitch didn't take his eyes off of Peeta until they were out of the elevator and the tension from the floors below had leeched into the penthouse suite. No one was saying anything, and a night that should have been grounds for the slightest bittersweet celebration now felt completely ruined.

Watching as Effie and Peeta walked off, presumably to piece together damage control, or talk about whether or not Haymitch could be trusted, Prim looked around the room. The Avoxes had set out a few treats for them, but a bottle of sparkling cider was left to beautifully chill in the bucket by the snacks. Prim left Gale's side and walked over to it, her fingers wrapping around the thin neck as she lifted it out of the ice. “We said we'd go to the roof, right?” she asked, wanting her friends to be happier. After all, it was the night before everything changed, before reality got to be too much and Prim didn't want her last night of sanity to be marred with anger. She wanted to enjoy the time she had left with those who mattered most to her.

Looking to Katniss, all of them still in their interview clothes, the blonde offered a smile. “Lead the way?”