There was only so long that they could stay outside, and Haymitch knew that. One thing about the Capitol citizens was that they loved Katniss, and a lot of the guests at the Ball had contributed generously just to be around her for a few hours, and she was barely participating thanks to him. With the other Victors around, the demand for just one was down and many of the people who had come to attend the Ball were busily crowding around Finnick, wanting whatever pieces of him remained. Everyone in the Capitol had their favorites, even Haymitch had a fanclub of now middle-aged women, but that didn't make him feel any better about going back inside and mingling. Above all else, Haymitch had never wanted this type of life for Katniss, he had wanted her to go back home, enjoy herself and forget that the Games had ever happened. Even after she won, Haymitch unfortunately knew that would never be possible.

The quiet moments together was something that Haymitch would always remember. Katniss seemed more relaxed with him, especially after the previous night, and it was comforting to know that she felt safe with him. In a place where almost everyone was out to get her, Haymitch was happy to know that Katniss trusted him, that she felt safe with him. Everything would turn out fine if they just stuck together, and Haymitch would have to remember that when going into the arena, because now he had something new to fight for.

“You're going to disappoint a lot of people with that kind of talk,” he said, smirking softly at her words. Truthfully, Katniss was the only person that Haymitch wanted to dance with as well. He knew that when they got back inside that he would have to go a few rounds on the dancefloor with women he didn't like, women who had no substance to them and were just as transparent as some of their outfits—women who would make him wish that he was still outside in the garden and dancing with Katniss. Haymitch really did care for her, and although he wasn't the best at conveying that sort of sappy thing, he hoped that the girl in his arms understood.

Just for kicks, Haymitch spun her around and gave a half-hearted glance around the garden before giving Katniss a kiss once she came back to him. They were mostly alone, and the ones who were also out there with them were either too drunk to pay attention to their surroundings, or they simply weren't interested. “You're the only person I want to dance with tonight,” he said, wanting to assure her that they were on the same page.

Inside, Prim was ready to leave. Maybe if she and Gale had gone over to a different group, or if the people who lived in the Capitol were of better quality, but the blonde girl was feeling very uncomfortable with both Sindy and Daviod. The pair looked as though they wanted to eat her and Gale and Prim didn't want sponsors if it meant enduring more time with them. Sindy had already insulted District 12 and the way Daviod talked about her being nimble and flexible sent a chill down her spine; it was a bit much for a first interaction by anyone's standards, but Prim was hardly used to being looked at like a piece of meat.

Thankfully, Gale had the right idea and Prim was ready to follow him anywhere as long as it was away from these two. As they attempted to leave, Sindy suggested they split up and get better acquainted and Prim fought back a disgusted laugh. These people had to like them, and that wouldn't happen if Prim told Daviod that he was the last person she wished to know, or pointed out that Sinday was much too old for Gale and he wasn't interested. “Goodnight, nice meeting you,” she said before she and her date disappeared from view among the crowd. 

“More like terrible and humiliating,” Prim agreed, her mood lightening as Gale's hand found her own. She smiled and gave his hand a squeeze, blue eyes looking out for anyone expressing interest in them, when she saw no one, she quickly pressed a kiss to Gale's cheek; the tall shoes had come in handy. It was the most she could do for now when they were in such a public place. “I guess we should find someone new,” she sighed, not really feeling up for it, but if the Ball were meant for fun, they wouldn't have been forced to go.

Without much scrutiny, Prim lead the way over to another group of people. A man and a woman, who seemed to be around Effie's age, were dressed in match purple tones from head to toe, looking alien even by Capitol standards. Prim hoped they were less strange than the last two they had just talked to. “Excuse me,” she said with a smile, which she received in return from their plastic-like faces. “We're from District 12, we thought we could introduce ourselves. I'm Primrose Everdeen and this is--”

“Gale Hawthorne!” The man grinned and clasped his hands together excitedly. “We loved you! Absolutely loved you at the parade. You're so chic,” he winked, largely ignoring Prim. 

Yet another song had played through and Haymitch knew that he and Katniss had wasted enough time avoiding the Ball. “We should go inside,” he broke the news gently, whispering into Katniss's ear as his arms remained around her. Even though the night was early, they could soon make an excuse the leave. There was training in the morning, and tributes who stayed out all night were sure to suffer for it the next day—or rather, Haymitch just didn't want to be there anymore. He was sure that Katniss didn't either, but there was mandatory mingling to do, or else sponsors were at risk of thinking they were rude. Less money for 12 meant a harder seven days in the arena.