Firo noted the flinching and held off on attacking once again. Instead he stepped back and spread his arms out. "C'mon, I've seen you do better than that."

He knew it was to his benefit to be surrounded by people foolishly merciful and that he shouldn't be questioning it. Let them pull their punches. But Firo himself was coming to realize that he had a bit too much of that kindness as well--he could blame his family for that.

And he could see this as a way to tweak the side of the Capitol by refusing to compete. That idea was pretty damn appealing.