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Post by Seryna on Apr 2, 2012 0:07:41 GMT -5
After the first day of training, all of the tributes were advised to meet with their mentors over dinner for a strategy session. Tank and Rory went up to the dining room where a full dinner was laid out before them. The center of the table had several fried chickens, a turret of lamb and plum stew and a rack of ribs. Several plates of rolls, roasted potatoes and steamed asparagus ringed them. The two tributes have the benefit of three mentors. The most recent mentor, Conrad, would be well known for you, for you had just watched his Hunger Games the past year. His father was a Hunger Games of the 8th Hunger Games.
The other district mentor, Apple, was a thin rake of a woman with piercing blue eyes; dark hair sheared short with no idea for style expect that it be short and not peek past her ears. It gave her a hawk - like appearance. Apple had been whip thin - looking rather undernourished - when she entered the Games at the age of 15, seven years ago. Today, her middle was beginning to look rather hefty.
Apple - a delicious name for a sour woman - was already picking her way through half a chicken. Watching her eat with her fingers reminded her of the way she had killed one of her opponents- a well placed finger to the eye socket followed by a shove down a thirty - meter cliff. She had bitterly complained for the camera and all of Panem to hear that she had been hoping for that tribute's coat. It had been a really nice coat and she'd tried to not get that wench's blood on it.
Apple sucked her thumb clean and surveyed you over the table. "Sit!" She commanded. "Eat. " She turns towards Conrad, shaking her head. "So thin." She remarked to him, giving him a shrewed glance. "What do you think they should do today?"
It almost sounded like a test.
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 2, 2012 0:44:32 GMT -5
Rory sits without a word, eying Apple for a moment before turning to her plate and pushing her food around with a fork. She has barely spoken a sentence or two since arriving at the training center. The look in her eyes is not one of defeat but one of silent contemplation. All of the questions Rory couldn't bring herself to answer are now demanding one from her. Could she kill? Is she truly unafraid to die? Rory searches her soul and finds the answers more terrifying than the questions themselves. Yes, she could kill if she had no choice. Yes, she is truly unafraid of death because the idea of winning frightened her more.
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Apr 2, 2012 3:33:20 GMT -5
Conrad recalled being in the place that the tributes across from him were sat at the moment. Only a year ago? Felt like a lifetime away and yet all too close now. Apple had given him the same comment twelve months previous. It didn't endear her to him then and it didn't do it now either.
Conrad directed his answer to the tributes and not Apple, smiling genuinely at the trio in the hopes it might put them more at eas- yeah, that wasn't going to happen. He'd been through it all and survived but at the end of the day he was looking at two people that definitely wouldn't be coming back. What on earth could make that better?
"Right now, I think its best we map out your strengths and weaknesses, then get as much training done as we can fit in to the next few days. I would recommend forming an alliance as well - it's a good way to survive the initial days of the Games. They don't let mentors in the training rooms, but you need to discuss anything day or night, I'll be on this level."
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Tank sat in the same manner Rory had - silence. The large tribute was more used to taking orders and following instructions than in thinking for himself. It was easier to sit back and listen while someone else took charge. That way Tank could focus on doing things that needed to be done. Strength. Tank was strong. Tank wasn't slow either. Weren't people always telling him they were pleased with how well he did things for them? He'd show them how strong he was.
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Post by Seryna on Apr 3, 2012 1:15:36 GMT -5
Rowan regarded the mentors with a flat, level gaze. She hadn't spoken a word since arriving. She had quickly polished off a single fried chicken and now seemed content to listen. At the mention of an alliance, she looks full on at Rory. The brunette tilted her head to evaluate Tank.
"An alliance," Apple plucked out. "- that you have to pick carefully. We've seen what happens when an alliance goes sour."
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 3, 2012 1:31:48 GMT -5
Rory gives Rowan a slight nod. They're already on the same page. Two volunteers from the same district. Rowan doesn't even have to ask. Rory's with her. At least until the end, because once she's given her word that's it.
"An alliance is the only chance any of us have at winning," Rory says quietly. She picks her head up and looks at Apple and then at Conrad. "Only one of us can go home. I'll do what it takes to make sure it's someone from District 7."
Her eyes settle on Rowan again and Rory nods once more. They have to stick together. She had to make sure at least one of them makes it back alive.
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Apr 3, 2012 4:43:40 GMT -5
"Yes..." Conrad said darkly, recalling his own experiences from the last Hunger Games.
"An alliance is helpful, but don't lose sight of each other. When that alliance breaks you need to know you can count on your district partners."
Tank nodded.
"We stick together." the large man intoned, placing a hand over that of Rowan and Rory. "Friends."
Conrad smiled. Already they had an alliance of three. It was a good start.
"Now, honestly, where would say your good and bad areas lie?"
Tank answered first.
"Tank strong... Tank last long time lifting things... Tank not too smart though..."
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 3, 2012 14:24:01 GMT -5
As Conrad speaks, Rory looks over to her district partners and smiles, placing her free hand on Tank's
"Friends," she replies. That is one member of the alliance down. Rory knew she'd need more. "I'm light on my feet. I'm not bad with an axe. And I'm like a flying tree squirrel... But I'm not strong. I'm not stealthy and I've never had any survival training."
Rory wants to say and she's a good leader. But she keeps her mouth shut. She doesn't want people looking to her for wisdom. She is just trying to get someone home... Hopefully, someone from District 7... Hopefully, Rowan.
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Post by Aeon The Phoenix on Apr 3, 2012 14:59:42 GMT -5
Conrad nodded. "Speed is good Rory. What they can't hit they can't... anyway, yes you might want to look into the camouflage training perhaps? I know throwing axes are potentially available in the Cornucopia gear, but it might be better to grab what you can and split... If I didn't ally with the Careers, I might not have stuck around there with Cy..."
Conrad broke off back into silence. A year on from her death and the topic would have been difficult enough from him to approach even without Rowan sat opposite him. So far he'd avoided looking at the girl for the most part - these three needed him to help them. He couldn't afford to lose himself in memories and regrets.
Tank grinned, as if something had just occurred to him. Which it had.
"Tank good with medicine. Help mother treat people. Make them better. That useful?"
The giant of the group looked at Conrad for approval. Conrad seized the change of subject gratefully.
"Yes, that's definitely useful. You might want to consider looking into expanding on that area during training Tank. You're big but you're not slow... unless you have any better ideas, I'd give an endurance course of some kind a try."
Tank beamed. Tank had two plans now.
"And Rowan... what are your strengths and weaknesses?" Conrad inquired, looking her directly in her eyes to remind himself this was not his old district partner sat before him.
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Post by Seryna on Apr 4, 2012 9:50:26 GMT -5
"You can say her name. Cypress." Rowan stated. Her voice was flat, nearly emotionless. Was she stating that to let you know she wasn't sensitive or was she purposely being insensitive to Conrad?
Is she on lock down refusing to let anything affect her right now? If so, will she melt down here at the center, where it wouldn't affect you much - or in the arena when you were relying on her? The brunette had watched Tank & Rory's pledge to one another silently. She glances to Conrad now, addressing his question.
"I didn't stay home with the kids like Cypress chose to. I went to work as a lumberjack last year. " She looked to Rory. "I know your dad." She glanced back to Conrad. "I can handle an axe better than I can balance on the tree limb - and I think I'm pretty good with an axe. I'm all right at moving through the woods." Rowan stated, glancing at Rory again. "My mother taught me that things can be found to treat illnesses and cook with in the woods, but I admit I could have paid better attention. I can't really remember what katniss looks like or if aloe comes from a cactus or a green, spiky plant. "
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CuteLikeMurder
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Post by CuteLikeMurder on Apr 4, 2012 10:20:22 GMT -5
She hates him, Rory thinks as she looks between Conrad and Rowan. Something is happening or did happen. And given Conrad's relationship with Rowan's cousin... Rory bets it's the latter. She doesn't blame Rowan.
Rory seems it's odd that Rowan doesn't affirm their pact. But she will not call attention to it. Only one person could go home. Friends are a luxury none of the could ill afford to have here. Rory understands.
"Tank could take point and we could flank them from the sides. If we can get away fast enough between the three of us with a good night's and a few well placed bandages we could be in fighting shape by morning." Rory says and then looks at Rowan. "I could take that edible and medicinal plants course. I pick up things pretty quickly."
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Post by Seryna on Apr 4, 2012 10:27:26 GMT -5
"That is a good idea. I really hate that stuff." Rowan replied to Rory. "Tank has medicine skills... so... maybe I'll start off with a survival skill. We can't get far without water. Last year they gave you dry skins, right?" Her gaze goes to Conrad.
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Post by Seryna on Apr 4, 2012 11:06:59 GMT -5
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