Few things sounded worse than the mandatory ball for the Quarter Quell, but inviting the other tributes to a party for Peeta's birthday sounded worse. Haymitch wasn't the sentimental type, but even he was more open to having something small in their suite for the new mentor as opposed to dragging him downstairs and forcing him to hang around people he either didn't know, or didn't like. Sometimes, Effie tried too hard to make the Capitol feel like a home, and while those rare glimpses of her nurturing personality were mostly appreciated, Haymitch thought that she was making a big mistake. There were too many things distracting everyone as it was, and on top of the pressing matters of the games, Peeta had bigger things to worry about than turning nineteen. 

Dinner had soon come to an end, and dessert was being served. Haymitch took one of the ornate fruit gelee and watched as Prim and Gale went off on their own. Something was definitely going on there, and again, Haymitch looked to Katniss. He knew that she was probably having a hard time with it, having taken care of Prim all her life, but Haymitch thought it was a good thing. She needed to let go a bit and move onto a different kind of relationship with her sister. After all, the two women would be forced to interact differently when the Games came into the picture, and it was best that Katniss get used to it beforehand. Quietly, he finished off his dessert and soon, he was the only one left at the table now that Peeta too had run off somewhere just before Katniss had.

It was starting to get late, but there was no need to rush to bed since there was no training in the morning. Haymitch wasn't tired yet, and he didn't feel as though much had been accomplished that day. As the Avoxes started coming around, the former Victor got up from his seat and wandered back toward his room, thinking he could read or possibly find something on the television. Slow nights made him miss the drink, and liquor had always been something to do when nothing else was going on. During any other year, Haymitch would have been out with the other mentors, having a drink, sharing stories, ignoring the wrong-doings of the Capitol for as long as everything was free. Sometimes, he was ashamed of his past.

Before Haymitch had reached his room, he came to Katniss's door and decided to knock, just to see what she was up to. When he got no response, he took it upon himself to enter anyway, since Katniss had done the same to him many times both there at the Capitol and back home in 12. When he walked in, he saw her out on the balcony, and walked out to join her. There was a light breeze in the air, and the temperature had started to warm with the approaching summer. “Nice night,” he said, leaning with his hands on the railing. He looked over to Katniss, thinking she looked strangely delicate in the soft light.

The Penthouse was large and there always seemed to be something new to look at. Although the many paintings and potted plants weren't things that Prim would have wanted in her own house, they made for excellent conversational pieces, nice distractions from thinking about the Games, or the ball that would take place the following evening. Of course, when Gale was around, Prim didn't need too many other distractions and she was happy to keep spending time with him. There was a part of her that had been worried about how he would take Katniss knowing, and she hadn't wanted him to be upset with her. Thankfully, he was as sweet as always.

When Gale suggested that he sneak into her room, Prim couldn't help but laugh. He was so clumsy with his words sometimes and she found it rather endearing. “Don't let Katniss know,” she teased him lightly. Although, Prim was slightly worried about what Katniss would say or do if she found out, especially after the comments she had made earlier. Prim knew that she could take care of herself, and that Gale was respectful, but Katniss was so overly protective sometimes and this sudden change in dynamic was new for everyone. It was obvious that the older girl would need time to adjust.

Sticking close by Gale, the two continued to explore the Penthouse. “Did we see this one yet?” she asked, tilting her head toward a painting on the wall. This one happened to a sunset over a city that looked similar to the view of the Capitol. There was nothing special about the painting, but the colors were beautiful and striking even in the semi-darkness. “I wonder if all the suites look the same.”