Katniss glanced to Haymitch when he balked at the idea of special VIP guests mingling with the Tributes. She wasn't sure what the big deal was or why it might be unsettling or dangerous. Not much rattled Haymitch so it was a red flag if he discouraged certain things at the Ball. The Capitol itself was iffy but Katniss wondered what other horrible things they did behind closed doors. She didn't feel like finding out and just went back to her meal. Gale was certain Katniss wouldn't go off with anyone weird, if anything, she'd probably snap their neck if she felt threatening. As for him and Prim, he was sure they wouldn't run into anyone questionable but even so, he'd be sure to keep his eyes peeled for anyone unfamiliar. He was also pretty confident that he and Prim wouldn't be too far apart during the whole Ball. Surely others would want to dance with them but he didn't think he'd be interested in anyone else but Prim but should she wish to dance with someone else, he didn't mind stepping back and making sure things were alright.

When Haymitch mentioned he'd rather train than strand around, she glanced to him. He shared her same idea, couldn't they be using their time better than pretending to enjoy some extravagant party? Katniss noticed him smiling but he then went back to his plate. For some reason she found herself smiling as she went back to her food too. Gale glanced at them both and wondered if something was going on between them. Though Gale didn't know Haymitch well, he at least knew the guy wasn't the type to smile, let alone at Katniss, of all people. And then Katniss smile and looked off. Something was going on but Gale didn't need to ponder on that enigma. Instead, he turned back to the flower next to him, also wishing he could spend another night with her. "Tomorrow we get a chance to relax, rest, do whatever we want. And if you'd rather train, that's also possible." He considered.

"Oh Peeta, I have some wonderful, exciting and fantastic plans for your birthday on Saturday!" Effie interjected. Katniss glanced to him. She was right, Peeta was going to be 19 soon. She was glad to see him celebrating another year alive. She wondered what she could try and get him. She could make him something if they were back home but now she just felt guilty about not knowing what he wanted or could enjoy. "We can't invite other Tributes to our floor, that's not allowed." She commented. "But I am sure we can meet down in the lobby for some cocktails and hors d'oeuvres." Effie smiled. Then she reconsidered they wouldn't enjoy that as much. Though there wasn't a real drinking age restriction in Panem but she knew other drinks would need to be offered. "We have plenty to be happy for." She insisted, not wanting them to get too down or lost inside their own heads. Effie knew things would get even harder as the Games neared and she wanted everyone to remember they were strong and capable of surviving and using Peeta's plan to get out.

Peeta smiled and waved a hand. "You don't have to go to any trouble, Effie." He said but then recalled her idea might give him more time with the others without it looking too suspicious. "But thank you." He nodded. Unlike Katniss, Gale didn't consider the idea of trying to find or get something for Peeta. He and Peeta were friends at best and though they got along fine, the two hadn't really bonded that much. Their connection was Katniss and that was awkward enough. So Gale didn't feel compelled to get him something but he would be able to at least wish him an honest wish for good health. As dinner was winding down, the dessert cart made its way around the long table. Gale snagged himself an ice cream sandwich which he had never had before while Katniss grabbed a trio of chocolate covered strawberries. Gale took a small bite from his and was sure they had some time before people would retreat to their own rooms.

Even so, he felt like spending some time with Prim. He finished what he could since the ice cream sandwich was proving to be a sticky mess. He got up and turned around to where a small sink was. Getting the mess off of him, he turned around and looked to Prim. "Wanna go walk around for a bit?" He asked and could feel Katniss looking at him. He didn't care. Well he did but he wasn't going to make a big deal about it. He would let her throw crap his way until she got tired of it. He knew Katniss well enough that she'd get tired after a while and leave them be. She had a right as a sister to be protective but he and Prim were pretty responsible. Gale pulled out Prim's chair for her and headed down the stairs as they headed off to walk around the rest of the floor. "She'll relax, just give her time." Gale smiled as he looked to Prim, hoping she wasn't reconsidering them now that she told her sister. He put his arm around her shoulders, closing the small gap between them. He had also been wondering if it was okay for him and Prim to share a bed again. It had been nice but he didn't want Katniss pacing by the door with a butter knife. But he couldn't take her actions into consideration forever. 

"Maybe i can sneak into your room tonight." He muttered and realized how weird that may have sounded. "Shit, I sound like a pervert...sorry." He laughed and pressed his lips against the top of her head.

Meanwhile, Katniss had stopped watching Gale and Prim when they headed off to another part of the floor. She went back to her chocolate fruit and finished sucking in the last strawberry. She really didn't mind them together but it just gave her feelings of dread and worry and she didn't want to think about them. She got up and before she could go, Peeta excused himself. He headed down the stairs and headed tot he elevator. She gave him a look, not sure where he had to be at this hour. Katniss placed a hand on Haymitch's shoulder and pushed in her chair with the other with a sigh. The Avoxes came to clean up the dishes left by the others and the girl headed down the stairs and considered lounging in the living room but then headed back to her own room, a place she hadn't spent much time in during the past 24 hours. She wondered if she could just go back to Haymitch's room and bug him some more. With any luck he might not know where his own room was. 

She turned on the tv to some channel that was airing some soap opera and then moved over to the balcony and stepped outside. She reached forward and squinted, Beetee had taught her about force-fields and she was sure there was around them, probably preventing people from jumping from their rooms.