If there was a time she'd welcome his peculiar sense of humor, it would be now in the hopes that he was pulling her leg but much to her frustration, he was sincere with his claim to want to teach her to dance. "Oh like you have anywhere else to be." Katniss retorted when he mentioned she ought to hurry up. His hand held onto hers and his other moved to her waist. Katniss glanced down for a moment and looked to Haymitch, holding her tongue for the time being. The situation was one she had never found herself in so she knew she could only say so much before it was clearly bullshit and she thought it would be better for them both if she just gave in and let him do as he liked. Of course the record would show, Katniss Everdeen didn't back down for just anyone. "We must be pretty bored if this is what our evenings have boiled down to." She couldn't help but mutter. Did she mind that she was spending time with Haymitch? Not at all. And did she mind that he happened to pull her a bit closer? Nope, not at all. 

Haymitch then told her to pretty much shut up and let him lead. As much as she wanted to insist she could lead, she knew it would be pointless since she couldn't dance. So again, she had to let him take control of the situation. Having felt really out of her element, she was thankful he stopped goofing around, which allowed her to concentrate on what was going on. The girl moved where and when he prompted her to with only needing some adjusting as they went. When she finally got comfortable with the movements and pattern, she was finally able to actually look at Haymitch and enjoy being with him in such a funny situation. Would she admit she was enjoying herself, even a little? Perhaps. But being with Haymitch did give her some comfort and assurance. "No," She shook her head when he asked about her mother. "She offered Prim but I think I had somewhere else to be." She gave him a small smirk. 

That memory was a bit fuzzy to Katniss so she couldn't give it too much consideration. The two of them had moved a bit closer together, their gap pretty minimal now. Katniss had her other hand resting on his upper arm comfortably with she still had her other clasped with his own. Haymitch made a comment about her not needing to so afraid. "I'm not-I wasn't." She protested. "I guess it isn't so bad, dancing with you." She shrugged. "I'm not sure how useful this will be in a life or death situation, maybe I can distract a tribute with my terrible dancing." She joked a little and then pushed that wall of bullshit aside, as it was too easy to put up when she was getting nervous. And Haymitch definitely made her nervous. "Thanks." Katniss smiled to him and slipped her arm from his to around his shoulder, keeping them close. Sure, the night wasn't very cool but that didn't stop her from enjoying the warmth he had. If anyone had come in, she wouldn't have even noticed since she was too focused on studying Haymitch's face, specially those eyes of his.

No one would look like themselves, that was the point. They were all meant to get dressed up and pretend to be from the Capitol for appearance's sake. It was pointless but they had to play along. Everyone attending the Ball would be either drinking, dancing or do something else. Gale remembered Haymitch's warning and wondered what it meant. His expression when he mentioned it too, hadn't been that reassuring. Gale was certain the Capitol was dark and seedy but of course he had no idea that Victors and other possible Tributes were rented out like books to people who wanted them in certain settings and situations. if he heard the stories and secrets that Finnick had to tell, he would surely hate the notion of the Ball even more. It might be a means to let others take a closer look at what they could have for their own sick pleasures and whims. But since gale didn't know about any of that, he wasn't as worried as he ought to be. 

Prim replied and said she'd be his date. He nudged her leg back the same way she had done to him playfully. He grinned and laid back down where he was beside Prim, the two of them just laying down casually. He looked back over at the wall opposite them where the hologram would be, if he had turned it on. "Sounds like a plan. m'lady." He laughed a little. It was refreshing to be able to laugh and joke with Prim. Sure, he did those things with Katniss but when he was with Prim, it just felt better. It wasn't easy to explain but the boy was certain he loved Prim, which was why he was so happy to be around her, talking about the most stupid things like dancing at the Ball, or about trying to save the lives of those they loved, who didn't deserve to be in danger. What the capitol was doing was wrong and it had to be stopped. With any luck at all, the plan would work and everyone would have a brighter future far away from the Capitol.

What that was, had of course yet to be decided but if he had Prim with him, his future would already be pretty bright. He then got up and grabbed the remote and laid back down with Prim as he began to fiddle with the settings. He settle upon a green field and a starry sky with a detailed picture of the many stars and different colored galaxies. It looked so unreal to Gale and he rolled over on his stomach so he could look at it better. The hologram's grass were blowing in the wind and it made Gale wonder about what life could be like without being pinned down by the ruthless Capitol. "I'd love to see that for myself, to not be tied down like a prisoner." He muttered and looked to Prim. Everything looked and felt so real and now, possible. "I can image us living somewhere like that." He knew District 12 was their home but he couldn't help but consider somewhere else, somewhere no one had yet been before.