"That was…" Reyna begins as she and Gale ascend from the depths of District 12's coal mine covered in coal dust.
"Hard?" Gale finishes
"I was going to say elucidating, but thanks." Reyna retorts, "can I keep this?" She says, holding up her hard hat.
"I don't know, but what are they going to do?" Gale says.
"Then it's settled. I'm taking it." Gale looks at her quizzically. "What?" Reyna asks. Gale smirks and shakes his head.
"Hey, is there a place a girl can get a drink around here?"
"Drinking is illegal in 12, remember?" Gale responds.
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean people don't drink."
"If I take you to get a drink, do you promise to keep mum about it?"
"Yes," Reyna says somewhat hesitantly.
"Good. Because a lot of people rely on this place to make ends meet. Including me, and I'm not going to be the one who let a Capitolite destroy it over a little White Lightnin'."
"White-what now?"
"You'll see," Gale says, picking up the pace and motioning for her to follow him to the Hob.
"Ripper!" Gale says as he reaches the counter. "Can I have two?"
"Gale Hawthorne, and who is this?"
Before Reyna can get a word out, Gale interrupts. "It doesn't matter," he says with finality.
"Okay then," Ripper says, clearly perturbed. "Grab a seat."
Ripper sets two drinks down as Reyna and Gale take their seats next to Thom and Bristel.
"So," Reyna says, sipping on her drink, I'm -Whoa that burns- Reyna."
"New miner? You'll get used to it," Thom says.
"In a way," Reyna replies, smiling slightly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bristel asks, annoyed.
"It means she's not going to be here long." Gale butts in.
Reyna has already finished her drink and motions for another. Gale and Thom talk shop while Reyna sips on her second drink. By her third, she's lost most of her filter and interrupts Thom's complaining. "Look, all I'm saying is that if the Peacekeepers and Foremen keep pushing like this, shit's gonna get real bad, real fast. People are already angry after Cray had that 8th Grader whipped for stealing a loaf of bread from the bakery-"
"That fucker did what?" Reyna says a little too angrily and loudly. "Keep your voice down," Gale says, "just because you might be immune to punishment, it doesn't mean the rest of us are."
"Your girlfriend's got fire, Hawthorne!" Thom says. Reyna's face quickly turns red.
"It's not like that," Gale responds.
"She looks at you like it is," Bristel says knowingly while Reyna's distracted watching a ruckus across the room.
Reyna places a banknote, a rarity in a District where no one has much money, on the counter, to the shock of Ripper and everyone else. They saw before Ripper quickly stuffed the bill in her apron.
"Anyway, guys, it was a pleasure, but I've got to get her home."
Gale walks Reyna back to Victors' Village.
Gale breaks the silence. "I don't know what it's like in the Capitol, but you can't criticize the government openly here; it'll just cause trouble."
"I thought we were in a black market?"
"We were, but Peacekeepers have needs too. You never know who might overhear."
"Oh, right," Reyna replies.
"Thanks for letting me follow you around, Gale. I really appreciate it, and I know Peeta does as well."
"Hey, thanks for saving me today. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Reyna." Gale says before turning to go back home
"Peeta?" Reyna said into the secure phone after Gale has left.
Peeta's voice comes in. "Hey, Reyna. How's 12."
"My day was great, thank you," Reyna replied sarcastically.
"I'm glad." Peeta deadpans.
"The mines are horrifyingly unsafe, Peeta. I don't know how there aren't multiple injuries a day-"
"-Maybe there are," Peeta interjects. They both silently acknowledge the uncomfortable truth that there likely are frequent unreported injuries.
"Those new safety regulations you had President Snow sign off on aren't being followed," Reyna informs him.
Peeta sighs. "I'll bring this up to Grandfather when we have lunch tomorrow."
"He cares about worker safety?"
"No, but he does care that people follow his orders to the letter," Peeta replies.
"You need to make sure that his anger doesn't come down on the foremen; they're good people who aren't being allowed to follow protocol. You need to direct whomever he sends to go after the higher-ups. Anyway," Reyna says after a pause, "I think Gale trusts me."
"Really?"
"Well, I did save his life today," Reyna says proudly.
"You're kidding," Peeta replies disbelievingly.
"No, really. Saved him from getting crushed by some equipment. I hear that's the best way to make friends." Reyna intones happily.
"Uh-huh."
"Besides, I need you to be my wingman."
"You like Gale?" Peeta says, surprised.
"You say it like that's a problem," Reyna replies.
"No, I've just never known you to like anyone like that."
"Yeah, because guys from the Capitol are pretentious jerks. Present company excluded."
"Thank you," Peeta says, satisfied.