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Who| Starkiller and You
What| Starkiller trains shortly after waking up from being dead
Where| The training rooms
When| Week 4
Warnings/Notes| N/A

[Dying had been one massive sense of deja vu. He hadn't even seen it coming, much like the first time it had happened to him when Darth Vader had betrayed him and literally stabbed him in the back. It hadn't been the same way, but when he awoke all he could think of was that betrayal. He didn't feel particularly angry about dying. In fact... After moving beyond the trauma and surprise of it having happened at all, he felt...

Relieved. But only because there was silence. He no longer wore those disgusting slippers, nor the pajamas that had been modeled after Vader.

His pride stings, but the pros outweigh the cons. Still, the pride issue is enough to make him determined not to let something like that happen again. So he decides to do what he does best; train and better himself. Learn how to defend against an even broader range of attacks. Before the arena, he hadn't done much in terms of training. He'd been stubborn. But now?

Now he will. He won't be killed in such a way again, nor will he sit idly by. No, after that kind of death he's more determined than ever to prove to people that he IS a threat. That he's someone they should fear and not take lightly.

When he makes it to the training room, he'll start simply and with something he knows. Taking a sword off the rack, he moves over to a training dummy and begins attacking it, moving agilely around it and slicing with aggressive, hard swings as he tries to get used to the weight of the sword when he's so used to lightsabers.

He continues this for a long while, tuning everyone out completely as he allows himself to be lost in his movements.

Maybe you decide to approach him while he's doing this.

Or alternatively, perhaps after he's finished warming up with the dummy, he approaches YOU. Because after he's grown tired of fighting the dummy, he does indeed scope out the room and pick someone to approach, going up to them with sword in hand.]

Do you want to spar with me?

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[Unsurprisingly, Hans has had more time to adjust than Star has. He'd woken up so very angry, but the gift bag had sated his sour mood. A liar's work is never done, so he's been busily schmoozing and making a name for himself as the poor little prince who froze to death.

It probably takes him this damn long to bother getting into the swing of training. He's had so much to learn and discover, fighting had been the least of his worries. He just supposes he might as well keep in shape, the over abundance of strange food isn't doing him any favors when he isn't keeping up the excersise.

He hadn't expected many tributes to be down here yet, but most of all, he hadn't expected to see Starkiller of all people. His nose crinkles a little as the wave of annoyance hits him. Very unimpressive work, he'd wanted to be friends with a victor. Alas, their alliance is still valuable and, since he really isn't interested in encouraging affection with Anna, he might as well test the waters with this one. If what happened in the Arena is any indication, he's already made himself important to the other man.

It's a slow approach as he stares in "disbelief", finally giving himself away with a gasp of realization.]

You're back! [He announces like Starkiller wouldn't know that.]

[Hans' voice is enough to pull him out of his focus and he stops mid swing, having been about to decapitate the dummy with a fierce and angry swing. He's unaware of any negative feelings Hans has towards him dying like that, though honestly he wouldn't blame Hans for being put out. His death was frustrating and entirely too soon, he can agree with that.

Though, he would resent the idea that Hans is important to him. Useful, maybe. Useful enough to try and save him when he was dying- but not important. There's a very large difference.

He turns around, letting his arm fall to his side, his chest heaving a little with the workout.]

Really? I hadn't noticed.

Ha! [That's all you're getting for that terrible, awful comeback. Look at you, degrading his excitement at seeing you! So cruel, so heartless, so desperately in need of more training so you don't die so early. It sickens him in a great way.

Once he's entirely sure he's done maiming the dummy, he approaches and very discreetly brushes his shoulder up against his arm. Really not all that concerned about personal space, are we?]

I don't want to add insult to injury, I just thought it would be at least a month until I saw you. [Look at that wittle smile that says he's so glad he didn't wait that long. Isn't it the cutest fucking thing? It undoubtedly is, don't kid yourself.]

Edited 2014-02-11 10:54 (UTC)

[HE needs more training? Someone needs to learn how to stay away from ice witches who freeze people. At least he didn't die slowly after hanging out with people who were obviously bad for him.

Starkiller is going to just take a step back, eyebrows furrowed, as Hans steps close to him. Personal space, man. Seriously.]

I appreciate the faith you apparently had in me, but unfortunately things took a turn a few days after your death.

[He raises an eyebrow.]

You seem happy I'm back.

Edited 2014-02-11 11:07 (UTC)

Of course I had faith in you, you're terrifying. [And that's really convincing coming from someone standing here smiling at Starkiller like he's an ice-cream truck.

He's polite enough to respect boundaries, so his hands are going behind his back where they usually are. It's a posture Princes have belted into them quite quickly. Fiddly hands are for peasants, etc.]

I think we both know not everything goes as expected. [He gives him a solemn look. Briefly. Before it begins to twist into a smile again.] I was never able to thank you properly for your assistance.

[Yes. He's so completely and utterly convinced that you're terrified of him. Really, that smile Hans is giving him is just so convincing. Not. Starkiller's expression flattens and he looks at him, his expression pretty unimpressed.]

Right.

[When Hans speaks again, he's a little surprised. Starkiller hadn't thought it was anything to thank him for, to be perfectly honest. In the end, he'd failed to help him so what's there to actually be grateful for?]

I can't really accept gratitude when it's undeserved. I did nothing remotely helpful, you were already too far gone. Killing those two from your planet would have been a much greater service to you.

[Hans shakes his head as Starkiller attempts to brush off his gratitude, giving him a meaningful look as he decides to stop respecting boundaries and place a gentle hand on his arm.]

You didn't have to stay with me, you didn't even have to try help me. But you did! And honestly, it was a little surprising. I wanted you to know that I appreciated it.

[There's a pause as he gets that out of the way before addressing the other small issue.] There's no need for that, they aren't dangerous under most circumstances.

[Starkiller tenses up as the hand moves to rest on his arm, but he doesn't pull away. Something about the look and how grateful Hans seems is enough to bring him up short. He hadn't realize what he had done would be so... nice to the other man. Really, it had just been Starkiller trying to prolong his alliance by keeping Hans alive. Apparently there was more sentimentality than that.]

You're... welcome, though you might be looking too far into it, I think.

[He disagrees with the statement that they aren't dangerous. They seem childish and immature, two very dangerous qualities when you're someone who feels inclined to keep in their company the way Hans apparently seems to.]

Either way, you don't intend to keep them around next arena, do you?

[Fortunately, the hand doesn't linger long before it returns behind his back. He just likes to establish a little contact between himself and whoever happens to be lucky enough to be deemed useful to him.

He's unconvinced about how little he should look into it. He'd established just how hopeless helping him would be and the other continued to waste time doing just that. Of course, it's purely because he needed an ally. Actually, Hans might believe that given how quickly he died.]

Regardless of how meaningless it might be, I still appreciate the gesture.

[He strains a little at that question, letting out a soft sigh.] Some time apart might be for the best, I think. Though it's a little hard to justify leaving them to their own means somewhere so dangerous.

[Starkiller lets out a scoff at the last bit, choosing to ignore the first part. He doesn't want the conversation to get hung up on what is and isn't meaningful. It would just over complicate something that should be nothing more than a simple partnership.]

"For the best" is a gross understatement.

[For the life of him, he can't figure out why Hans is so set on being nice to them.]

What do you gain by protecting them?

It's understated because I'm not interested in being over-dramatic. [He gives him a flat look.]

Remember when I told you that you don't know much about relationships? I'll be honest, it's becoming a little apparent now. [He shakes his head, but he's still smiling faintly.] It's not about what I can gain from them, they're important to me.

[Starkiller honestly can't help the scoff he gives Hans in response to his statement.]

You may think I know nothing of relationships, but I don't think it's very silly of me to think one ought to end when one half of the relationship is responsible for killing the other half.

[He seems to realize something as he speaks and he has to chuckle lightly.]

Or is that her primary programming?

[Inside joke, you wouldn't get it. God he suddenly misses Proxy.]

It's not, but the same circumstances don't apply to every situation. I think I can afford a little leniency given how hopeless the situation is, I know she'd never murder either myself or her sister willingly otherwise.

[Anyone else? He can't say for sure. She was awfully close to murdering that goon when he got too close to killing her, he can't vouche for her sanity.]

Her primary... Pardon? [He scrunches his face a little in confusion. With no knowledge of programming, he can only venture a few vague guesses. But. He's chuckling? SO Hans chuckles too.]

[Starkiller could continue arguing, but there are two things stopping him. One, he knows it's probably pointless and they're going to disagree until one of them is blue in the face. Two, he's a little bummed that his attempt at a joke falls flat. God, why can't you be from the future?]

It... was a joke. I guess you have no idea what droids are, do you?

[He sighs.]

Back where I'm from, there's this droid, Proxy. He's a machine. Anyway, he's programmed to kill me.

[That slight affectionate and nostalgic note is enough to tip anyone off that he considers Proxy a friend.

In reality he is Starkiller's best friend. Sometimes he really misses that damn droid.]

[Hans is glad when Starkiller drops it, because it means he’s technically won. He does very much enjoy winning. It also means Starkiller can stop rubbing salt into wounds he’d much rather ignore for the moment. Elsa and Anna were the last people he wanted to say, and the Arena certainly hadn’t endeared them to him. Having to fight so strongly to justify protecting them only wore on his patience more and more.

He shakes his head slowly, but he smiles wider as he realises Starkiller had been trying to joke around with him.] Absolutely not. I’ve never even heard the word before.

[He raises a brow at the elaboration, crinkling his nose ever so slightly. What a weirdo.] It’s strange to think how much I don’t know about you or your world… [He trails off, looking thoughtful.] I hardly know anything about where we are, come to think of it. [He certainly has not been studying intently. Why would he do that?]

[It doesn't mean that Hans won. It means they're both stubborn to the point there is no winner, so there. It's probably not the last that Hans is going to hear of it, though. Starkiller hates the two of them enough that he's definitely going to make his opinions known again in the future.

He resists the urge to sigh when Hans mentions he's never heard of the word before. Starkiller really hadn't realized just how far behind Hans was. He can't imagine not knowing what a droid is.]

Technology must be pitifully far behind where you come from.

[But still, he can agree with the latter. Starkiller doesn't know much about this place either. It's both advanced and yet rather far behind, considering they don't seem to have space travel yet.]

You must be out of your element here. Have you found it hard adjusting to the level of technology?

I suppose it is. [He lifts his shoulders in a small shrug.] Most people here seem to think Princes belong in history books and fairytales. I guess I must be outdated! [And he looks so good-natured about it.] You should have seen the look on my Stylist's face when I didn't know what a telephone was!

[He follows that with a short laugh, nodding slowly.] It's been.. difficult. But I'm adaptable, and I think I'm learning quite quickly. Is it much different here than it is back home for you? You don't seem to have much trouble with it all.

[Starkiller lets out a sound between a laugh and a scoff, as if he isn't sure whether he wants to be amused or just condescending. So all in all, it's a little bit of both in an awkward mishmash.

He supposes he'll refrain from mentioning how outdated even a telephone is compared to the technology from his world. It's a bit tactless.]

They tend to have outraged looks about a lot of things, though. You should have seen the looks on their face when they saw my scars. They had the audacity to say they're unattractive, as if I care.

[Starkiller actually does scoff this time.]

The stylists here are ridiculous. But you're right, I don't have much trouble with the tech here- honestly, a lot of it is outdated by my standards. Was there anything you're having trouble with most?

Oh yes, without a doubt. They aren't at all fond of my sideburns, I had to assure them that they gave me character. [And it seems to have created a pleasant little ripple effect, given the trend.] And likewise, I think your scars give you character. [The intensity of his smile softens a little.] If they took them away from you, they'd be taking away the evidence of your achievements.

[This feels like a moment for a hug, but Starkiller isn't so easily goaded with affection. Alas, a shoulder nudge will suffice for now.]

I can't think of anything off the top of my head, but the offer is appreciated. I think I'm getting the hang of my communicator- oh! And the machine that toasts bread? I used that this morning and it barely burnt at all.

[What Hans says is enough to leave Starkiller pausing. He's never been told anything like that before in his entire life. His first thought is to disagree, but he can't actually bring himself to. In all honesty, it makes him feel good to hear and he isn't exactly sure how to handle that. Anyone else would have said they're evidence of his failures- and Vader has said as much. Each injury is another failure, another attack unblocked. To have them turned around and presented as achievements... Well, that's foreign to him.

Fortunately, he's broken from his thoughts by the nudge.]

Not many people would see it that way.

[And that's all he really has to say. He never thought he would think so, but he's pretty glad that Hans hit him with wienerbrod. Hans is the first person he's felt close to in any capacity for a long time, aside from Proxy. And Proxy doesn't really count.]

Nice to see you're capable of making slightly burnt toast, you're well on your way to gourmet cuisine. Pretty soon you might be able to make some of those pastries to throw at my head.

[When Starkiller takes his sweet time responding, Hans almost worries that he's said something wrong and upset him somehow. Almost, of course. He's generally confident in his ability to interpret a situation and parrot back the best words, but Starkiller is very much like uncharted waters as far as his judgement goes. He doesn't know many men like him, so he continues to fascinate him with his reactions.

His smile only sweetens when he speaks, and he lets out a small chuckle.]

I think here more than anywhere, people would understand.

[He won't add more than that, but there's understanding in his tone to reflect what he's said. He's happy to move on with the conversation, not wanting Starkiller to feel uncomfortable.]

To be fair, the first time I tried the lowest setting and it was barely warm. Then I was bold enough to set it very high and I'm almost certain it disintegrated. [He lets out a faint chuckle.] Ugh, after living off those for weeks I can barely stand to look at them. It's sad, really.

Edited 2014-03-07 15:28 (UTC)

Mm...

[He gives a small nod, but otherwise he's going to just move on. He's got a lot to think about after this, but he's going to compartmentalize it and save it for later, opting instead to focus on other things for the time being.]

Yeah, that was pretty frustrating. [Even for someone who had found that he enjoyed the dessert, living off of them for the duration of his time in the arena was pretty disgusting. It makes him able to better appreciate the food he's able to eat now that he's back in the Capitol.]

But anyway. We've spent too much time talking. We both died, we should use that as motivation to train as hard as we can. Next arena, I refuse to die and I'm not letting you get off so easily, either.

[It's more genuine emotion than Hans expected to get out of him for a very long time, so he doesn't need to hear any more than he is. He'll just watch for the signs of it arising later eagerly.

He just chuckles in response to the frustration, focusing more on what Starkiller continues to say.]

Does that mean that you would like for our alliance to continue beyond the initial arena? [He raises a brow, his attention very much fixed on him.] I'd have thought you'd be eager to get rid of me after the note I finished on. Are you sure you can trust me?

[Starkiller lets out a small, vaguely amused scoff at Hans' question. The truth is, he hadn't ever thought their alliance would last beyond the first arena, when it had initially formed. But Hans had proven himself trustworthy and friendly, not to mention a skilled fighter. Aside from that, he thinks their alliance had been cut too short.

He sees no reason to end it just because of that. Starkiller is pretty sure they can be useful to each other next arena and, if they do things right this time, they will last much longer. Maybe even make it to the end.

There's no telling what might happen if that is the case- but he isn't going to think too heavily on it. All that matters is that they try and then cross that bridge when they get there.]

You've given me no reason, aside from questionable taste in company, to find you untrustworthy. So... yeah. If you're up for it, I still consider us allies and would like to stick together next arena.

[He holds his hand out.]

Partners?

[Wow, a scoff is the opposite of comforting. Luckily, Hans isn't really seeking it, nor is he seeking reassurance. He wants clarification more than anything, along with clear terms, it's just easy to put on a naive front when it goes along so well with how he's presented himself thus far.

His lips curl up into a small smile when Starkiller affirms his trust for him. He has no reason not to look pleased about it, after all. He nods along to confirm his stance on the matter, brightening considerably as he moves on from his display of hesitation.]

I can't think of anything I'd like more. [He slips his hand around Starkiller's for a confident, if not a little excitable, shake.] Partners. [He echoes, nodding his head as if it were necessary.] You won't regret it this time around, I promise!

If I do, then we'll have a serious problem.

[There's amusement in his voice, but all of a sudden he's twirling the sword in his hand around a few times in a few complicated moves, before swinging it through the air until it's an inch or so away from Hans' throat.]

Now let's train.

[Hans barely has time to respond when Starkiller starts to swing his sword. Obviously he has no sword of his own to combat it, so he has to endure the showmanship without any retaliation. Ugh.

He freezes anyway, widening his eyes at Starkiller before laughing and stepping away to find his own sword.]

Looks like we've got a lot of work ahead of us. [And Hans doesn't know the half of it.]

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