Haymitch's remark made her scoff in amusement, mostly because she knew it was true. But that felt like so long ago, and when you thought about what kind of people they were, not just to each other, time really seem to elongate itself. There wasn't enough time to look back and laugh at how things had changed. Even if she wanted to, it wasn't the right time nor place. Katniss hoped there would be time, whenever this was over. Maybe when it was, there would be a way to escape, to be rid of every stupid thing the Capitol had put everyone through. It was wishful thinking, the sort Katniss rarely indulged herself in, but it was better than thinking that in three days, her mother would be without both daughters.

No, she and Prim would somehow make it out and with any luck, Haymitch and Gale and everyone else who wanted something better, would be out of the clutches of the evil man who thought he could rule over everyone without any consequences. By the time she and Haymitch managed to make their escape, her mind was nowhere near Snow and what he was truly capable of, instead she was thinking about her survival and Haymitch's. They had a goal to get to the edge of the arena and at least that would grant the pair some protection. Whether or not it would pay off, was unknown but Katniss was willing to follow Haymitch's plan because it gave them something to strive for, no matter how small in the grand scheme of things.

Tiny pricks of pain attacked her ankles and calves and she chewed on her lower lip as a means to do something that didn't entail snapping out in anger. Thankfully Haymitch tended to the little buggers and she watched with a cringing face as he got them off of her. Even with them coming off, the pain hadn't gone away but she hoped it would, given a little bit of time. Her mind went to her sister and she felt a bundle of worry for the girl but also appreciation. Even Gale, had done so well with training and despite the grim obstacles in the arena, she was sure they were getting along fine, she could feel it and it made the pain slightly less annoying.

"Thanks..." She finally said after letting her breath out in small doses. "I...I don't...no." She bit down on her lower lip again but tasted blood so she stroked it with her tongue, not wanting a foolish accident to somehow be the thorn in her side that distracted her or became infected somehow. "I'll be fine though." Katniss waved a hand at the man, giving him a strained smile. Honesty wouldn't save them though, "It hurts but I think once we get moving, it'll go away." She told him now. 

"What about you?" The archer wondered. It seemed one had gotten hold of him and she was quick but careful to get it off of him. She flung it elsewhere over her shoulder and finally they got their feet. "I can't even see over the grass." She scowled and jumped from one foot to the other but was ultimately unable to get a good look at what was actually ahead of them. Katniss gave up and looked to Haymitch. "Anything could be hiding in there." She mentioned. In her mind, she saw beasts more than anything else, on the prowl much like themselves. "We could always try to kill something and use it for food?"

Gale was certain he could wait. The hunger wasn't new, in fact it was very much like an old friend. One that taunted him from time to time but was also there when not much else was except for those like Katniss and Primrose. Gale and his family knew luck as much as they did hunger and he wanted to wait until he didn't have a choice, until his body and mind were insisting that he eat something for the sake of continuing. For now though, he could greet the old friend with a fickle smile and know that in due time, they could find another meal and wouldn't have to resort to their ration so soon.

At the mention of rope, Gale felt rather stupid. "Right right." He nodded and then undid what he had done and threw it aside, finding no use for it. "Your memory is a lot better than mine." He laughed a little and could almost hear everyone else watching beyond the arena, having a good laugh at the boy's expense. It didn't matter though. The rope would be useful and then they could put it away again without wasting it or cutting it up. "It's fine, don't worry, I'll be fine." He told Prim lightly. Her concern was valid but he didn't think his clothes would matter much in a few days.

The attire they had to wear was somewhat confining, didn't suit Gale much anyway. He liked the lighter clothes that didn't feel so tight. He tried to shake off the mild embarrassment as she began to make a knot. Gale looked to her, not sure if she needed to work herself up over a simple gesture of him shedding his clothes. He didn't really care what happened to it but he also knew he couldn't be as careless as he was right now. Still, what was done was done and neither of them were going to take the time to sew it back so Gale wanted to move on and get going soon. With their backs to the marshy area, he still felt as though some kind of horrible thing could jump out and drag them into the murky depths where no remains could be found of them.

"If you need help, I can..." His voice trailed off when Prim finally made a knot. In his mind, a sleeve wasn't going to save him from a cut or some other thing. If anything, it would make sure he saw he had an injury in the first place. Plus the air felt nice. Still, he didn't want them talking in circles when they needed to actually move on now. Once they were attached and given a little more room to move around in case they needed to fight, they started to creep through the tickling grass.

With his bare arm, he felt the soft feathery touches and pursed his lips, trying not to break his serious expression. Gale found little point in looking around though, as there would be nothing noteworthy to see except the same bland color and shape all around them. He breathing in and out through his nose and kept looking ahead, hoping that wherever they were going, was safe. The ground under them was soft and dry and Gale was hoping the marsh had the worst of the trick's up its sleeve. After four or five minutes of slow progress, he finally noticed they were being watched. "Something is nearby." He said quietly and stopped. Yes, they were being watched by Gale couldn't hear anything distinguishable and wondered if it was a person or something else. As risky as it was, Gale began to undo the knot, needing them to evade quickly.