There was a very small window that was set aside for lunch before they needed to get back downstairs and keep training. Although the moments were fleeting, Prim was glad to have time with Katniss and Gale and she was glad that she and Katniss were back on good terms. The time spent with them was easy, less stressful and Prim almost forgot that the arena loomed in the short distance, a mere two weeks away. If she lied to herself just enough, lunch in the lavish suite almost felt like home, when Katniss and Gale had come in from a morning of hunting and Prim made a meal with the fresh meat. Those had been simpler times, and Prim was torn between missing them and appreciating the fact that they could still happen. Since being drawn into the Games, the little things started to matter more and more.

As the three of them were preparing to head back down to the training facility, Peeta finally made his appearance. Prim hadn't thought much of it until she saw the look in his eyes and heard his tone of voice when mentioning that he needed to talk with her and Gale. Instantly, the blonde was concerned, wondering why Katniss hadn't been included, or even Haymitch. She hugged her sister, though as she made her leave and followed Peeta into the common area. Prim settled onto the couch next to Gale, as his hand found hers, and braced herself for whatever Peeta was going to say.

The baker began to explain, talking of a plan that seemed too good to be true, a way out for almost all of them, but especially Katniss. It was hard to hear that both Iva and Yelven wouldn't be able to be saved, but Prim understood the risks that Peeta was already taking when it came to involving so many people. Perhaps it was a little callous, but the blonde didn't want to think about that right now. Instead, she continued to listen, coming to understand the importance of secrecy. Again, Prim knew that she was the weakest link, that it was hard for her to keep things from Katniss, but this had the potential to change everything and Prim wasn't going to mess that up. If Katniss didn't suspect anything, there would be nothing to tell. Still, seven days was a long time in the games, Prim knew that from the years she had watched and how most of the deaths occurred at the beginning, in the bloodbath. There was no guarantee that nature wouldn't intervene and cause complications. 

“We'll do whatever you need, Peeta,” Prim nodded, squeezing Gale's hand. There was a lot to think about, and Prim had so many questions, but there wasn't time to ask and she assumed Peeta would fill in the gaps after the ball. She trusted him. 

Time was of the essence, and Prim would have loved to stay and talk, to hear more details, but the training floor was calling. “We have to go,” she said, looking from Gale to Peeta. “They don't want us late.” Tardiness was suspicious, and Prim didn't want to give Snow or anyone else a reason to be look more closely at them.

As lunch began to come to a close, Haymitch prepared to get back into training for the rest of the afternoon. He hadn't expected Katniss to come over to him, but she brought good news and Haymitch was happy to hear that she and Prim had made up. A bond like theirs was more important than any alliance that could have been created in the arena, and Haymitch was glad that both girls understood that. “Good,” he nodded, offering a half-smile, although he didn't know why Katniss thought he wouldn't care, or see that information as useless. “Hope it stays that way.” There didn't need to be any bad blood going into the arena, no pettiness, nothing that would waste energy that could be better spent on winning, and getting out alive.

“Yeah, we could do that,” Haymitch chuckled, surprised that Katniss had suggested it. He already knew that they were capable of not getting in each others way. That much had been proven months ago back home when they had first started to train, no fancy simulation necessary. Still, it would have been fun to do something with her, and Katniss's skill would only make him look better. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent with Katniss at his side, and the two of them tackled the simulator on various settings. It was a good learning experience for both of them, and the more difficult the levels got, the harder Haymitch had to work to keep up with his younger counterpart. He wasn't as young and fast as he used to be, but the swing of his ax was still a force to be reckoned with, and by the end of it all, the new Careers had stopped looking at him as if he were an easy target. Haymitch was starting to see that Katniss made him a better person, that she brought out the best in him that had been buried under years of alcohol abuse and apathy. It was almost ironic, because Katniss was just as angry and withdrawn but somehow, she made him better. Realizing that was a good thing, but the timing couldn't have been worse.

“I think people are more afraid of you now,” Haymitch suggested to Katniss as he finished off a cold cup of complimentary water. He tossed the paper cup aside and began to leave the training area with the others. It was finally the end of the day, quitting time and the former Victor was sore and ready for some rest. He was looking forward to dinner without any interruptions, and the new calmness of the penthouse suite now that Prim and Katniss had made up. “Everyone might just leave you alone when the Games start,” he added, laughing at his own wishful thinking as he and Katniss caught up with Prim and Gale. Both of them had been working hard too.

Together, the four tributes from 12 caught an elevator together, one that was all to themselves. “You two made that simulator look easy,” Prim said, wanting to make conversation on the way up. If they were talking about training, it was easy not to think of Peeta plan, or how nervous she still was about it.

“That's all this one,” Haymitch replied, nodding toward Katniss. His arm brushed against her in the elevator, and their hands were just inches from one another, but the older man kept to himself. “She's good to go if the Games were tomorrow.”

Soon, the doors to the elevator parted and Haymitch was the last to enter the suite behind the others. Effie was already fluttering around, going on about what was for dinner and asking about the day they had just come in from, but Haymitch was looking for Peeta. He needed to talk to him, and he hoped that the blonde baker had come up with something for them, a saving grace.