Haymitch didn't say much in regards to her thoughts on his spirit animal. It made her go back to thinking about Peeta and Gale and Prim. As she considered Gale, weighing his traits she knew so well, the man spoke up, regarding the career victors they'd be facing. She knew he was likely friends with many of them and that seeing them all in the arena would be painful, but she couldn't be as sentimental as he was. That was a strength for her as well as curse. She didn't know anyone else, she wasn't tied down emotionally. On the same issue, they knew each other well. They knew everyone's strengths and weaknesses while she was an outsider, still new to the damned politics of being a victor who had some kind of image to uphold. Katniss wasn't sure what to say to him. Her first instinct was to dismiss his comment about them not being all bad.

If he had personal reservations, then her plan had to change if she couldn't count on Haymitch to be loyal. Katniss just took another bite, soon finishing off the roll which would provide them with a decent amount of carbs. She was unsettled with the idea of how things would play out when they all had weapons. Would Haymitch be able to react? Or would he get cold feet? She tried to think what it might be like for Haymitch or the other veterans. To have to kill friends you knew and cared about, to have to kill when you thought you'd never have to. It was hard for her since making and keeping friends wasn't something the girl was used to doing. But the idea of killing loved ones and dirtying her hands again did bother her. She wasn't proud of those she killed even in defense. She dusted some crumbs off of her and shrugged at his next comment about refusing.

She knew he wasn't serious but the idea was so lame that it almost made her smile a little. 

Refusing would be even worse. There had to be some way to not become puppets again. Or as Peeta might say, a pawn in their game. What made things tricky was the idea of having experienced victors among fresh blood, tributes who already had terrible odds. What was the point in including them? It was sick. Katniss remained silent as she listened to the fire crackle between them. "Gale wanted us to run away last year, on the day of the reaping...I guess he had a bad feeling. Maybe I should have gone." Prim would be safe, like Gale and his own family. "Then you wouldn't be going back in and Peeta..." She trailed off, having forgotten about him. He still would have been reaped. Probably not made it out. She stopped herself from saying anything else after that. Running away wasn't something she ever considered though and while she sometimes thought about what ifs, she didn't regret staying. "I guess we can't fake being sick the day of the Games." She swung the tone back around to something light as she scratched her nails against the stone.

Gale was curious as to why Prim wanted to learn more about healing herbs and the like. He figured it was something to pass the time, which he understood. He slipped his hands into his pockets and nodded at her comment, not sure what to say. Usually things between him and Primrose were casual and if there was any silence, it wasn't at all awkward. And yet Gale felt very awkward in the moment with Prim. It was weird. He felt like quicksand had gotten hold of him and he was struggling to not sink further in. Still, he knew he had to be careful, try to tread lightly if possible. "Oh I've been hunting, taking walks, taking care of the others, the usual." He replied to her, not sure what she was really expecting to hear from him. His life wasn't that noteworthy, she knew that. She didn't have to ask but she did. Gale still wasn't sure how to read their situation but for now, he was just deal with it as best he could. Prim was around the age where feelings were complicated and muddled.

Thankfully they were called in to eat and he perked up, hungry but also relieved that they had a distraction.

Allowing Prim to go in first, he followed after her and moved to the large table where they could sit and eat, catch up. Gale helped himself to the food and began to eat. It was tasty and he made a mental note to bring home some to his family, if possible. He was usually allowed to without having to ask but now he felt like an outsider, a stranger in their home. He could sense things with Prim were still weird and he wondered if he should just cut off ties now, maybe that would be easier, better for her. That notion made his insides cringe. He had Katniss, he couldn't just pretend he and Prim weren't friends anymore, or ever for that matter. Gale complimented the meal and looked up, still not sure what to say to Prim. He wasn't sure if she was still cross with him or not and he didn't feel right about bringing it up, especially at the table so he went back to eating.

In the back of his mind, he wondered if he should try consulting Katniss would help. Maybe Katniss knew what was going on in her sister's mind. That didn't seem right though, not to Gale anyway. The dark haired man slowed down and sat back as he was almost done eating. He figured all of his work today had resulted in a hefty appetite. And he had things at home to eat too so he reminded himself not to be too greedy. "I hope you and Katniss are spending time together." He commented aloud. It was meant for Prim but he left it open in case her mother had anything to say on the matter. He knew Katniss should train but he also wanted to hang out before she left and he was sure her sister felt the same way. Maybe there was a way the three of them could hang out together. Or maybe tag along with Haymitch and Peeta. He wasn't sure but he knew their time was limited together, that was certain.