Having felt Haymitch surround her, the mockingjay let out a soft sigh and welcomed night once more. Her dreams were of many things. She saw Finnick but when she tried to talk to him about staying alive, he simply turned into some kind of horse with wings and flew away. Other snippets of the girl's dream included being back home and smelling roses everywhere she went. When she finally did arrive back home, where she and her family had struggled to make a home for years, she found Gale a Prim holding a child and telling Katniss they would go somewhere else since the wars were now fought and won. Katniss felt a flurry of confusion as she woke up but quickly fell back into dreamland. She then dreamed about being in an arena filled with ice and snow and the cold would have reached her, had it not been for Haymitch holding her hand and talking with her as they wandered around, wondering where the other tributes were.
For Gale Hawthorne, his own dreams weren't as scattered and sewn together as Katniss'. He couldn't remember what he saw or did but he remembered that what he felt was either joy or distrust. The latter was surely worrisome but for the man who liked to make plans and see the big picture, he wasn't much for reading too much into dreams. The man kept hold of Prim as the night wore on, his mind swaying from one emotion to the next as various abstract images flashed in his head. Gale often thought very little of his dreams but he noticed that the more he stayed inside the Capitol's grasp, the more peculiar his dreams were becoming. He shifted a little and took a deep breath, unable to figure out what time it was without opening eyes, a task that seemed too daunting at the moment, given how warm and comfortable he felt with Prim.
When Haymitch awoke, the woman beside him was still deep in a dream where she happened to be flying across the world, seeing so many new people and places and yet their faces and other details were a blur to her. Katniss felt the bed shift and she knew deep down that it was morning and which meant it was time to go back to solid ground. She was curled up in bed, her back turned to the wall as she clutched part of her pillow to her chest, enjoying the feel of something close to her. His voice penetrated her dream and she let out a small noise, hoping to get back to her dream, just for a little while longer. Fingers moved through her hair briefly before Haymitch moved once more and she felt his lips against her bare skin. Those tiny sensations would also make her smile and that's exactly what she did as the door close after Haymitch. Katniss squeezed her eyes closed but felt it impossible sleep any longer than she had.
Katniss pushed herself up and looked around, her vision still a little blurry as she adjusted to where she was, having been someplace very magical. She got dressed in some casual wear and headed out to the others, feeling ready to take on the day, even if it meant putting on a dress and some heels and pretending that she wasn't mad at everyone for where she and her loved ones now were. Breakfast went by smoothly enough. Katniss felt well rested enough but she couldn't shake the fact that she was still restless about something. The Game began the next day but that wasn't what was gnawing at her insides, no...it was something else. She wished she knew what was troubling her but she also knew that remaining focused on the unknown was a waste of time, as well as energy. When everyone was seated for breakfast, she made sure she contributed to the conversations as everyone was speaking about the interviews which had just begun, starting with the first district.
Waking for Gale wasn't too hard, nor was he plagued with his own doubt in regards to keeping secrets. His mind could stay focused on the big picture and he knew their alliances with Finnick, Beetee and the others would be very valuable. Gale also knew that keeping Katniss and Haymitch in the dark was also for the best, it was as if Gale could feel Snow's leer deepening as the Games were less than a day away now. It was true that the head Gamemaker was on their side and that they had plenty of sponsors to act as connections for special supplies. Everything was lining up and he knew that the next week would test more than their skills to survive and mental capacity to kill, it would also test their own relationships and he had faith that Katniss and Haymitch would be able to help, rather than get bogged down with hidden truths when they were out of the arena. Gale also knew the other districts were going to play a big role in getting them help. The Games were no longer about just themselves, but the entire world watching them.
By the time the morning meal had been over, Gale had gone off to do some light working out while he noticed Peeta and Prim head off. While he would have liked to be part of their conversation, he didn't want to tip Katniss or Haymitch off to anything, not when they had done so much work up to this point. The swordsman knew Prim had more concerns about the issue of making them public or not if the interview asked for some kind of statement, so he figured he'd like her talk to their mentor and see what he said, since Gale could go either way and knew the risks and rewards that came with being tight lipped or open and blunt about their feelings. Clearly the interviews weren't about the Tributes, as much as they were about making a statement and getting people excited for the Hunger Games, as the more excited they were, the more gifts they could get once things started.
Sitting beside Haymitch, Katniss heard the elevator door [i]woosh[i] open and turned to see the stylists had finally arrived. The tv was on but it was on a low volume since it was just background noise at this point. Still, Katniss had been picking up on what things the Careers were saying, hoping that any insight could provide with a weakness to exploit like family or something but they were careful, easily answering the questions which were probably told to them in advance. Seeing Cinna and the teams refueled the anxiety which had settled down momentarily. Giving the man next to her a look, she got up and knew the next few hours were going to be some kind of Hell. "Wish me luck." She told Haymitch before they were taken away to another part of the penthouse suite. Katniss spent the next couple of hours filling in Cinna in what she and Haymitch had been up to. Cinna didn't censor his surprise and amusement as he began to braid her
hair which was wavy and rested casually behind her as he created a tight braid around her head. It would be different than her usual kind of braids but it would still be comfortable and remind people who she was.
Part of Gale was a little saddened by the fact he hadn't been able to see Prim or say anything before the night fell and it would then be their turn to step on stage and dazzle everyone who was watching and waiting for something fantastic to happen. He was able to take a shower before getting ready though. The boys wouldn't take nearly as long as the ladies which meant he had gotten an extra ten minutes in with the weights before he finally admitted that there was nothing else to be done before the Games began. As the hour turned, the terror began to slowly creep up on him. There was nothing else to do, no other hoops to jump through. Now everything was up to Peeta, just as long as he and Prim and the others made sure to meet where they needed to, when they needed to it. Such a delicate plan had plenty of room for disruption or deception. He just hoped the four of them could make it out a alive, at the very least.
Though his worrying was interrupted as he was finally beckoned off to get ready. Snacks were provided as a late lunch while they got read. In the back of his mind, he tried to focus on Prim and what she'd look like. What she said would change what he said but he knew he couldn't worry about it. Prim would make the right choice and he would follow her lead. Whether she mentioned him, kept it vague or did something else altogether, Gale was just happy to have her in his life, as it was uncertain how long air would continue to fill his lungs. As the hours ticked by, Gale was finally done.
He had been given a rather casual look compared to Haymitch though he figured their different appearances may have something to do with their experience and what kind of "image" Peeta was going for when it came to consulting the stylists. As he adjusted his heavy brown blazer, he made his way out to the living room to see District 10 wrapping things up. "As long as we don't need to dance, I'll be happy." Gale smiled at Haymitch.
His thoughts of Prim were back as he knew it was only a matter of time before Katniss and Prim made their own appearance so they could all get down to the large hall where the interviews were being given and broadcast. For a moment, he wondered what those back home would think of him. He wasn't one for flair or neat clean wrinkle-free clothes. The Ball had been private and for that he was thankful. But now with everyone showing off, and in front of everyone, Gale began to feel a little uncertain which wasn't like him at all. Before he could voice his displeasure, someone came out and he turned to see Primrose in a very light colored dress. His worries were gone and he found himself grinning ear to ear. Prim looked amazing. "You look even better." Gale told Prim and took her hand, kissing the back of her hand, not caring anymore if Effie wanted to make a fuss. She was too busy gushing over everyone to scold the two lovebirds. His stomach was in knots but he wasn't complaining, not when Prim was so pretty and perfect. "They captured you...very well." Gale tried to speak but found his mouth suddenly dry.
t wasn't much of a shock that Katniss was taking the longest to get ready. She was fighting the issue of the heels. They weren't high but she just hated them. "No one is going to even see my shoes, why can't I wear my boots?" She protested as Cinna just slipped on the gold one inch heels, telling her they could have been higher if he wanted them to be and that the only reason they weren't is because he liked her so much. Katniss got up and steadied herself as she pushed the
red dress down. It was meant to make a statement, catch eyes and all that. Cinna said if she spun, there would be the usual flames but that there would be another surprise too, which meant she had to wait until the very end to get up and show off. That was weird for the girl but she shrugged it off and headed for the door. She had on her mockingjay pin and paused before looking back to her faithful friend and stylist. "Thank you." Katniss said. He waved her off and she went out to see how the others had turned out.
When she made her appearance, Gale quickly said she looked amazing though he was also drinking some bottled water, trying to regain the ability to actually form words. Her sister seemed happy too though Haymitch had turned rather quiet as they headed down together. Katniss hoped that was a good thing, as opposed to him just being cold or stuffy when things got serious. The girl's dress made sure to show off her waist and hips and of course her other assets as well. She was just thankful that the dress wasn't as skimpy as the black one she wore at the Ball, but then again, it did lead to some very very good things so Katniss couldn't discount the dress entirely. While Effie and Peeta were taking quickly, Haymitch finally seemed to pull himself together. "Thanks." She smiled to him. Her makeup had been modest, red lipstick, mascara, light fiery eye shadow and that was it. Katniss had to decline to the long nails and other tricks Cinna had up his sleeves. "You look pretty damn good yourself." She smirked. The color went well with his eyes but to her, they didn't need any help shining. "If I wasn't already in love with you-"
She was cut off by Effie calling for everyone's attention.
Gale looked to Prim who was about ready to go on as the last person for the eleventh district was wrapping things up.
"As ready as I'll ever be." He told Prim confidentially with a nod.
It would have been nice to go out with her but he knew she didn't need his support, that she would be incredible and blow everyone out of the water.
"Show them how easy it is to love you, you'll win them over in no time." Gale whispered to her softly.
Katniss didn't mind going last, it would give her time to collect herself.
The interviews were just another silly thing but at least thing time, she knew she didn't have to be afraid. She had Cinna and Peeta and everyone else and she wouldn't anyone down.
"You'll be good Prim, I promise!" Katniss leaned down and hugged her briefly before the cue was given for the girl to come out. As she did, the crowd seemed to get even louder, everyone eager to hear from Primrose Everdeen who was proving to be more than Katniss's little sister, that she was also a solid competitor who could stand on her own.
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