It was just a couple of days ago that Finnick and I discussed our options for the rescue of Katniss, Johanna, and Annie. We didn't come up with much, and we decided we needed the cunning, brutally honest mind that could only belong to Haymitch. We went out in search of him, who was nothing short of a challenge to find. After a few hours of searching for my mentor, we finally discovered him lying in a heap in one of 13's vacant rooms.
Ever since our arrival in 13, who, much to Haymitch's dismay, don't have a drop of liquor within the entirety of the place, Haymitch has been sobering up against his will in his own unconventional ways. Nobody really fought him on this, because nobody had any desire to be within a 200 foot radius of him in such an unpleasant condition. Like a hostile animal, Haymitch has busied himself these days by finding the most reclusive spots in the district and burrowing himself deep within them. He's almost completely sober now, or maybe he has been fully sober for a while now and he's just too much a creature of habit to break his routine of isolation.
Once we had finally cornered him, we told him our thoughts and pleaded with him to help us in whatever ways he can, and knowing Haymitch, his help is the best I can get. Once Finnick and I have poured our hearts out to Haymitch, he lets out a long sigh and rubs the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger for a moment before speaking.
"Okay, I agree with you that we need to get them out of the Capitol," Haymitch begins, and Finnick and I simultaneously sigh in relief. "But," he continues, "There's no way we're going to get anywhere close to the Capitol without the help of 13. So, what are you going to do to convince Coin that it wouldn't be an enormous waste of time, manpower, and provisions?"
Finnick speaks up before my mind has even begun to formulate my response. "We can offer to aid the rebellion," he says breathlessly, his eyes shining with sometime I haven't seen in so long that it takes a moment to recognize what that glimmer is. Hope. He takes a breath and continues. "If Coin agrees to help create and execute a plan to get the victors out of the Capitol, Peeta and I will agree to assist the rebellion in any way we can." The shine in his eyes only grows stronger as his idea flourishes.
Haymitch considers this before giving a stiff nod. "I think she would be very interested in getting you two to support the rebellion. Two victors could have an immeasurable effect on the districts that haven't joined the resistance. Let's pitch it to her."
Finnick and I exchange grins and head for the door to find Coin. Haymitch follows close behind. I'm certain we will convince Coin to get on board with the plan. There have only been a handful of times that I have utilized my talent of persuasion and eloquence desperately to try to sway someone of power to be in agreement with me. This will be one of those times.
. . . . .