01 video.

[advising]

[ The feed flickers on, and the camera noisily jostles, the hands holding it trembling faintly, but not out of fear. The man that appears on the screen, ragged as he is, looks as far from fear as he can be. In fact, he's even mildly annoyed, instead, his face sporting a few bruises here and there. ]

Well, isn't this just cozy.

[ A rather unimpressed smirk twists over his lips. ]

Expected where I was going to be a lot less... formal. You know, the ritzy carpet here and the beds. Nice welcoming committee-- screaming ghost children. I think I like that one best. Really... authentic.

[ The styling of this place would make Effie Trinket sob. Even he finds it gaudy. He looks off screen for a moment, as if examining something (an empty flask), the clink of a metal lid being unscrewed, a scoff. As if he didn't both look and sound annoyed enough already. ]

I'm going to need to know a couple of things. One, has anyone gotten together any plans and information to get out of this place, or we all just going to sit and play patty-cake until something goes bump in the night? And two -- a drink. Something strong. I've run out, and I'm going to need another very soon, the way things are here.

[ Not that he would trust many (if any) of them, but better to use them for what they know now if it will help him and his get out of this place. Of course he's probably more concerned than he looks, but there's not a point in letting them see him sweat. Not when there doesn't appear to be any outright danger, but that is most concerning of all, of course. ]

Comments

perma-video;

[advising]

They're there, we just haven't found them yet. Or they haven't decided to play game master yet. We'll know when they decide they want to come out to the party, I promise you that.

[ Because if Snow is working alongside others, they're going to be in for a long life in this place. Hopefully they find a way to fool the system until then, so they can escape before everything starts going to hell and back. ]

More information is better than none. We'll have to monitor the place ourselves. I'm sure you've all made nice with several folks here, but we don't know why they're here, either. They can't be trusted.

perma-video;

[withbread]

That's not particularly encouraging, but I agree. Eventually they'll expose themselves.

[ He hesitates at that. ] I've made a few allies, but because of the circumstances I haven't been making the connections that I should have.

[ He'll be better about that. He nods at the 'can't be trusted' comment. He knows that even if there are a few people he wants to trust, a few people he wants to protect like that kid that gave him the blankets: Peter Pettigrew. ]

[advising]

They're going to have to.

[ It's good to hear that Peeta at least has made some allies -- in a place like this they're necessary. ] Can't say I blame you. Better to lie low until we understand this place.

[ At least that's what he'll tell Peeta and the others. He failed to protect most of them once, and that alone will weigh heavy on his mind for some time. ] We'll figure this place out soon enough. We'll survive.

[withbread]

[ Peeta nods a little at Haymitch's words. It's obvious that he relaxes a bit. It's good to have his mentor here because it does increase their chances of survival. He swallows hard and nods again. ]

Yeah. Yeah. Of course we will. [ He exhales, unaware he'd caught his breath and held it at all. ] Katniss will be glad to see you.

[advising]

[ It's sweet that Peeta has so much faith in him, but as it stands Haymitch can hardly think straight, suddenly wishing he'd at least shown up here after the addiction had worked its way out. ]

Remember that optimism we talked about? You've got heaps of it. [ Plucky Peeta. Haymitch laughs despite himself. ] I'm glad to see you both. [ It's not an admission he makes lightly, and don't expect to hear it again any time soon. ] I wasn't sure I would.

[withbread]

[ He hesitates but then nods. Haymitch is right, whether Peeta agrees or not. Besides, Peeta knows that people need optimism. If he can give that to anyone right now, he will.]

It's good to see you here, even if I don't really understand where here is. [ He presses his lips together. ] After the arena. Of course.

[advising]

Well aren't we all fuzzy and full of warmth.

[ Because he can't allow any moment like this to last too long, not when he has other things to focus on. Like not being sick -- that's a good one. ] Who knows where this is. We'll get out answers. Staying afloat is our first job, getting out is the second.

[withbread]

[ He smiles brilliantly ] It makes for good TV?

[ No, it really doesn't. People want to see cut throat violence. ]

So far, we're managing the first. The second is proving a little more difficult.

[advising]

And it's going to until whoever's started this gets too cocky, loses their edge. They can't be on full throttle all the time.

[ He shrugs, shaking his head at the thought. ] They'll make a mistake soon enough.

[withbread]

So we'll be ready. [ or they'll pay the price. Peeta doesn't like that thought. ]

We need to keep Katniss safe.[ always the same with this boy]

[advising]

We'll have to be.

[ And he's not surprised to hear the note about Katniss -- keeping her safe, keeping her cared for. It was true, they had to watch the fireball of a girl, but with Peeta alive and definitely well here, he makes it a quiet goal to keep him just as safe. ]

Yeah, don't we always? [ A wry grin. ] Stay alive, kid. Number one rule, remember. Be careful who you trust, and don't split up, never split up. Not for any period longer than this. [ After all, the pair of them seemed to do better when they were working together. ]