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Post by Seryna on Apr 13, 2012 14:25:29 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. Lallek, Pearl and his partner went up to the dining room where a full dinner was laid out before them. The center of the table had several chickens, a turret of lamb stew and a rack of ribs. Several plates of rolls, roasted potatoes and steamed asparagus ringed them.
Only four chairs were set; the absence of the frivolous stylist team was an obvious choice. As Lallek had previously stated that he wanted to be trained separately, lunch was a rather quiet affair. Rachel and Pearl completed thier meals and departed for the apartment. Pearl gave Lallek a curious look as she departs; but says nothing.
"You've made it through the first day." Nettle stated, pushing his plate away. "Did you do well at the throwing station? What did you see?"
Nettle is leanings lightly forward, curious. He reaches into his pocket for a pad of paper and a pencil; which he places on the table.
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Post by mrbrightside on Apr 16, 2012 16:12:53 GMT -5
Lallek takes the pad and begins to scribble out his day. He takes a few minutes but he tries to get down everything important. His brow furrows from time to time, but he is only making sure he isn't leaving out any details.
"I didn't throw any. I went to the hand-to-hand station. Me trying to fight is hopeless. I'm not big enough to do any good. They had me do an obstacle course, a hot one, that I made it through my first try. So did a lot of other tributes. The rest of the training session was at the camouflage station. I'm sneaky but not sneaky enough. There were plenty of tricks to pick up. I didn't see really anyone one else going that route."
The letters are bulky enough that Lallek has to flip to a new page.
"As for the tributes, none of them are terribly special. The careers are like every other. Physically impressive. They act tough, but I imagine they are close tears most of the time. One of them, Silver, has a mean streak. Showed off in the lunch room. There is a large alliance forming out of districts 7, 9 and maybe 4. I don't know. It won't last long. None of them are fighters. They just want a bit of comfort before the arena gets to them."
Again Lallek turns the page. He rarely wrote this much, but it felt good to do it. He missed stretching his mind like this and the thrill of the words showed just a touch in his face.
"Most of them were at the edible or medicinal plants stations. They are worried about survival, but none of them appear as warriors. It may just be for comfort. I'm not entirely sure. There is one tribute, Jace. He and are formed an alliance. He is an archer. I saw him shoot today. He is pretty good. Not like the others either. He is in pain, but he is using it. If he survives the bloodbath, he will live a long time. I like him."
Turning once more, Lallek moves on to the fourth page.
"My plan is to get my knives and get away from the others. Hopefully I can make some natural poisons in the arena and tip the knives with them. From there I will hunt at night, do quick hit and runs. If I can meet up with Jace, he and I can work together once the big alliance crumbles. With any luck the careers and the big alliance will thin each other out. I may trail behind one of them and clean up scragglers, not sure. Advice?"
The last word barely fit on the page, but Lallek manages. He tears the sheets loose and hands them to Nettle. The last bit was bitter and hard, but it needed to be said. He knew that he was small and vulnerable. His only chance at survival would be to take opportunities others would miss. Like a battle royale with the careers and the big alliance.
While Nettle is reading, Lallek realizes that he forgot a request and quickly scrawls a short message. "Can we meet with Jace and his mentor outside of the training center?" He looks hopefully at Nettle.
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Post by Seryna on Apr 26, 2012 17:49:21 GMT -5
"You've made some progress..." Nettle replies after he has spent some time reading in silence. "Always stay aware of what the others are doing. If a big pack of tributes are together; you can know to avoid where they have gone. Will you be avoiding the careers and this other big pack?" He questions.
"Your question may be do - able..."
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Post by mrbrightside on Apr 26, 2012 18:49:11 GMT -5
Nettle's approval was encouraging to a degree. This was a horrible subject to be discussing, but Lallek couldn't deny a certain sense of satisfaction from it all.
If he was finally able to communicate with Jace, with a pad and paper they might actually get something done. That was certainly encouraging news. He simply nods.
Scribbling out another reply, Lallek focuses more on making his handwriting neat this time. It was more fluid and less blocky than before. "I will avoid people as much as possible at first. The career pack is a danger, but there was tension in the lunch room. The careers sound like they will hunt down the big alliance early on. All I have to do is keep a low profile until they clash. Once they are weakened or removed as a factor, I will start worrying about individuals." Lallek slides the pad over to Nettle.
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Post by Seryna on Apr 30, 2012 13:23:16 GMT -5
There's a brief silence in the room as Nettle reads the note pad. He sets it down on the table, sliding it back towards Lallek.
"Its a good strategy." [/b]He nods. "I think you should commit to it. Now why do you want to specifically speak with Jace? I believe we may be able to get a meeting where I and his mentor are present. We can't let you be alone."
The implications were strong that foul play was the expected outcome.
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Post by mrbrightside on May 2, 2012 15:03:41 GMT -5
"I want to iron out the terms of our alliance if possible. I don't carry a notebook so communication has been difficult." The note is quickly scribbled out.
Lallek had no intention of fighting in the training center. Not without his knives. There wouldn't be much left of him if he tried. No, he wanted to be sure he was on clear terms with Jace, so that when the time came, they could operate with some degree of security.
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Post by Seryna on May 2, 2012 18:36:12 GMT -5
"I think something can be arranged so that you can talk. Give me a few minutes."[/b] Nettle departed for several minutes; leaving Lallek with his thoughts. He returned and stated. "If you want to come with me; we can meet with him now."New thread
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