A big part of Gale wanted to support Katniss against Johanna but he didn't feel it would be as helpful as say Haymitch, who he still wasn't sure if he was at odds with Katniss or not. He wondered if Haymitch had sent Johanna for some kind of reason, other than being a dick. Mustering some will power not to gawk like others, he turned his attention to Prim once more, pleased to see that she was going better than he had originally anticipated. He kept a hand under her weight as he lifted freely but he wanted to be a support, more than a distraction. "You did?" He looked down at her, somewhat pleased that she had seen him with said weapon. It was new to him but he knew he'd have a better chance of getting more practice in tomorrow with Yelven or someone else. "Thanks." He replied to her. "You should do some experimenting of your own and see if you can find a weapon that suits you." Gale insisted. he knew Prim's outlook as to her fate, wasn't good in her mind but he hoped if she got some skills under her belt, she'd find the confidence and reasoning to want to survive.

Quickly bringing up her right hand, she blocked Johanna's punch with her palm but gritted her teeth. That hit really hurt. Katniss was also getting the conclusion that Johanna was making this personal and not toning it down as they had been warned to do in the lecture about safety and performance. Yes, they were being watched and evaluated but Katniss wasn't focused on anyone but Johanna. "I do not, you're the one who has to have everyone's eyes on you, too bad they don't have anything good to look at." Katniss shot back. She didn't say anything about what Johanna had said about Prim, she wasn't going to fall for that bait. "It's not my fault, blame President Snow." She huffed and stepped back a few paces. She threw another punch, not holding back anymore, not really caring how the fight may progress. Katniss was sick of people blaming her for everything and then expecting the world from her. Katniss was also sick of people like Johanna who had no idea what they were even talking about and she was ready to knock her teeth out.

Johanna retaliated with a quick blow to her stomach. Katniss doubled over, feeling the wind get knocked out of her.

Katniss stood up and found it a bit hard to breathe at the moment but she really didn't care. Katniss tightened her fists as she heard Haymitch speak up. Now he was on her side? She shook her head slightly, already able to tell by the look on Johanna's face that this wasn't just a sparring match anymore, it was an actual fight/ Good thing Katniss had some pent up anger of her own to unleash. People thought she was useless without her bow and arrow? Well she was about to prove them wrong. As much as Katniss wanted to break Johanna's arm, and could attempt it, she decided not to. Johanna lunged forward again and aimed another kick at her stomach. Katniss pushed her foot out of the way and wrapped her arm around Johanna's ankle and pulled her closer so she could used her left arm to land two strong punches into Johanna's thigh before she then pushed her down onto the ground, knowing that those two hits would help slow Johanna down a little bit since those muscles were known for being sensitive to hard consecutive hits.

Gale knew Prim wasn't too interested in weaponry but it was better to know how to use something than to have it in the arena and not know what to do. "Besides, I don't want you hurting yourself in the Games because you didn't learn how to hold a knife or something." He joked a little. Prim needed to get into the mindset of survival like everyone else. Katniss would come through for them but in the chance that she might not, it would do them all a lot of good if Prim was better prepared. "Katniss and I do believe in you, Prim. We know you can handle things on your own just fine. I mean Johanna and everyone else want to underestimate you but you can surprise all of them." He said gently. He knew she had some fight in her, like her sister who had just counterattacked a kick from the hot headed old woman, Johanna. Gale helped Prim finish the rest of her set before he put the weight back where it was. "Why don't we work on some cardio and then it might be time to go." He offered to her as he put a hand behind her back to help her sit up from the bench.

Now that she was on top, she used her weight to pin Johanna down, her legs were straddling the other's thighs so Johanna didn't try and kick her again. Johanna used her arms to grab Katniss' shoulders and roll them over so she was on top. Katniss then grabbed Johanna's shirt and managed to squeeze a leg between her and Johanna and used it to flip the older woman up and back a few feet. Katniss got to her feet, realizing it didn't matter where they were, Johanna was still being fickle about everything. If they needed to get everything out now, that was fine with the Girl on Fire. Johanna landed on her back with a thud which seemed to really tick her off. Johanna got to her feet and charged at Katniss, throwing several punches to her face and upper body. Some of them landed, and those that did really hurt. Katniss threw up an arm to guard herself and tried to get her foot around Johanna's while her attention was elsewhere in attempts of tripping her again but that didn't seem to happen as she caught one of Johanna's fists in her hand and then threw a punch herself, which Johanna also caught, leaving them in a temporary stalemate to see who had more drive. "My sister won't get killed, she's much stronger than you think." She muttered through clenched teeth.

Iva and Yelven made their way around the crowd where Prim and he were standing, away from the fray.

"Hey guys." He greeted them, some worry in his voice. From he could see, Johanna and Katniss were still going at it and people were starting to get more interested. Out of the corner of his eye, he could tell peacekeepers and trainers were keeping a close watch on the event. So far they hadn't been pulled off one another but in Gale's mind the fight should have ended with them on the floor. He knew they could be putting on a show but his heart went out to Katniss, she didn't ask to be part of the Games, she just wanted to keep her sister safe and when she saw she had a chance at surviving, she took it. Johanna and the others couldn't blame Katniss for the Capital's cruel response to the situation they themselves created. "Let's do some running and cool down with stretching." He said, looking back to the group, needing some distraction. They moved to the large area where they could all run in place and keep track of miles and distance. "I wonder who has the most endurance out of all us..." He smirked a little. "I bet it's you, Iva, you're pretty spry." No harm in having some friendly competition.

"It's gonna be me!" Yelver spoke up with a grin.