thecapitol | Imperfection is unacceptable.

Entry tags:

Imperfection is unacceptable.

Who: Azula and you
What: Daily Training is the key to perfection.
Where: The Tribute Center Training Hall.
When: Week six.
Notes: Azula is not a gentle instructor so who knows?

Azula had been working extra hard to make up for Enjolras refusing to do his job. It infuriated her in a way that made her consider not taking her medication.

Just...cutting loose on him a little. It would make her feel so much better.

But for now she would settle on seeing improvement in her team. Any improvement if possible. They had won the last round but she could only claim credit when in reality it was looking more and more like dumb luck.

Well luck could not be trusted. Luck was for the hopeful and optimistic just as bad luck was for the lazy and cynical. No a real warrior made her own luck.

And so here today she waited for each of her tributes to make their arrival so that she could improve the odds of their victory.

With enough training, the odds would be in their favor soon enough.

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[As promised, Hans arrives right on time for their pre-made appointment. Perhaps even a little early, but not too early. He wants to give her respect, but he wants to make it clear his time is his own. Between her and Starkiller prodding him into training, he doesn't think he'll see much of the Capitol outside of the center at this rate.

He exhales dramatically as he makes his way into the room, the princely air present and apparent in the straightness of his back and the arms neatly folded behind his back whilst he breezes in.]

Miss Azula. [He dips into a half-hearted bow, feeling as if the sentiment is pretty much lost here.]

[She smirks appreciating the respect and gives a nod]

Well met Prince Hans.

[Turning on him she paces deeper into the room]

I have excelled in a number of areas all useful in the arena. Different weapons, more passive skills.

What matters is improving upon the skills you already have, and making sure you are well equipped with a variety of others to suit any potential situation that you are thrust into.

[Glancing over her shoulder at him]

I trust you've been reviewing the recordings of past arenas?

[He'll flash the briefest of smiles at her approval, stepping after her as she paces forward before deciding he'd rather stand still and to attention. He nods along as she talks, indicating that he is, in fact, paying attention.]

Of course. [He affirms, it had been a little disturbing but certainly informative. It also shed some light on some familiar faces.] If it's not too bold to say, you were magnificent.

[She pauses, quirking an eyebrow at his praise as she sorts it out.]

Not too bold. Appreciated.

[A half a smirk]

What would you say you learned from watching that arena in particular.

Kankri wasn't sure what to think, but he was sure he couldn't stay in the District 5 suites for now, not after everything that had happened, not after waking to see the humiliating specials the Capitol had run on what had happened to him in the Arena.

Not that it was easy to look Tributes from the other Districts in the eye, either.

Restless, he finally decided to put his nervous energy to use and go to the training center. Figure out how to build a fire or some such. Something he could do while avoiding everyone and figuring out how to get a translation of the notes in his pocket with the least amount of contact possible.

[The smile returns as he's met with approval, widening some as he nods thoughtfully. He considers the question and reflects on what is and isn't appropriate to say before speaking up.]

I'd say you're not a woman to be trifled with. [He observes, taking on a more serious expression.] And someone with experience that ought to be respected.

Azula would not betray it but she was honestly surprised to see the troll arrive. He had seemed like one of the least interested in self improvement.

And after that less then impressive showing in the arena, clearly he needed it the most.

She folded her arms and watched to see where he would go once he had taken in the spread of skills and training stations. She would observe for now and step in as needed. Sometimes tributes learned better when given space like Shepherd.

[Ah yes praise. She soaks it up greedily but doesn't let anything more then a smirk betray her]

Well that's all well and good, but it will hardly aid you in your next arena. I meant what did you learn for yourself. What lessons can you apply to your own life. While respecting me will make it easier for you to learn from me it's not the most important thing in the arena.

[But oh how she liked to believe it was]

Venus and Fraysong had both expressed a desire to teach him to defend himself, but neither of them was here. Even if they were, he wasn't sure he could face up to them right now.

Instead, after some uncertain wandering and looking at the stations, he decided on the station for field medicine. He'd done reasonably well patching Venus up during the Arena, but he knew he could have done better if he knew what he was doing instead of just extrapolating on patching up his friends' minor scrapes the past sweep and a half.

"A wise choice."

Azula had crept up on him as he chose his station and was watching him with an appraising eye.

"The art of healing is useful on a number of levels, both offensively and defensively. Those with an intimate understanding of how the body works can use it against their enemies just as easily as they can use it to protect themselves and their friends."

Maybe not, but I'm already certain it's the most important thing out of it. [He gives her a wry smile, unable to resist one last schmooze before answering the question properly.]

I suppose it isn't too obvious to say that quick adaptation and resourcefulness are important skills? [He lifts a brow before his expression becomes more solemn.] And that compromise is necessary.

[She takes a moment to stare him down and evaluate his answers before giving a soft smile and nod]

Very good. We learn from the mistakes and success of others so that we don't follow in their foot steps. SO! How can we avoid what happened in this arena in the future?

[To add to the tension of the quiz Azula sauntered over to one of the tables picking up a throwing knife and testing it's balance on her finger. This was her world, this training hall was her court where she felt more like a queen then anywhere else. She may have lost when they were all returned to the arena for the special round, but that did not mean she'd lost any of her skills or ruthlessness.

Surely...surely she hadn't gotten any weaker in just a few years had she?]

[Hans steadies himself at the stare, entirely prepared for his answer to backfire though he's almost certain it's what she expects of him.

When she smiles, he can't help doing so as well. However, the mention of his own troubles in the arena wipes it away quickly.]

To better understand that there's a level of liability in trusting others. [He speaks slowly, as if it pains him to admit it.] And to act quicker rather than giving anyone the benefit of the doubt.

[It couldn't be more like his genuine, honest opinions, but the way he's saying them makes it sound like he doesn't at all believe them and doesn't want to.

He remains glued to the spot as she saunters, tensing as she raises the knife but making no move. Yet.]

Kankri startled at the voice behind him, but only gave Azula a glance to confirm her identity before he returned to the task he was focused on.

"I knew enough to help Venus, but I could have done more if I were capable, so...I thought that would be a good place to start. Certainly patching up hurts is never going to be less than useful in the Arena, from what I've seen."

His voice was soft, polite, more than a little tired. "And with those tense moments I had when I was attacked, it can't hurt to know how to make an opponent back away long enough to have a chance of running. I'm not the sort who's going to be able to shove an attacker off by brute force."

She nodded gently and watched him explore the items offered at the table, books, various first aid tools, some items for practice. After a moment she approached the table and took up What appeared to be a round ball of pink flesh like material.

"You understand your limitations, that is a good start." she encouraged.

"It's my duty to push you beyond them, to help you do things you never believed yourself capable of so that some day you may never have to raise hands to another living being."

Actually she could care less about the second half of that. But he didn't need to know that. Her voice was sincere. She flattened the flesh to the table gently so there was a raised lump in the middle. She took up a practice scalpel and demonstrated a smooth clean slice in the practice flesh.

Correct again.

[She grips the blade lightly in her fingertips, then flips it to the handle and buries the tip of the blade in the table]

You have intelligence, to what degree remains to be seen. You are charming that much is apparent. And you have some strength with a sword to be able to remove a head in one strike with a replica blade. Have you practiced with other weapons?

You flatter me.

[Even if every, single compliment there happened to have a backhanded edge to it. Beyond the one, glimmering compliment about his strength, which is genuinely appreciated.]

Beyond a sword, I didn't have access to much back home. I have quite good aim with a crossbow and I've dabbled in archery. Is there anything in particular you recommend?

[As she expected it seems.]

A sword is a solid start. A traditional bow and arrow is more likely to be found in the arena then a cross bow. But the most common weapon found in every arena is a knife. It's one of the only weapons that a mentor can send because due to it's lack of reach it is often overlooked in favor of spears, swords, and other more complex tools.

We can build up your proficiency with the tools you already have skills in and then branch out, or we can work on your neglected skills and trust in your earlier training to see you through with swords and crossbows.

[Because while she preferred having her way she learned a long time ago to provide the tributes with options so they feel like they have some power over their doomed fate.

It's certainly one of the more intimate weapons. [He muses, you have to get considerably close to make any real damage, but with more control one stab could be fatal.] I suppose a lot of people prefer to keep their distance.

[He hums in thought at the illusion of choice, but he already knows what he's more interested.]

I'm in the mood for something new. I'd rather cover more bases than build on the one, for now.

[Her lips curl, a cobra's smile]

Very well.

[Drawing further down the table she picks up a bo-staff and throws it through the air to him in a tall slow arc. As soon as he has it in hand she's rushed him and taking a swing for his legs. Another test?]

[His expression will momentarily emulate a deer-in-the-headlights look, but he doesn't falter in catching his staff and bringing it back toward himself defensively.

When she comes at him, he'll hop backward in a sprightly manner, not at all deterred by the aggressive assault. He's thrilled, really, but he's trying to be reserved in his enjoyment. He'll remain on the defensive side, making no move to attack her once he's rebuffed her, he's obviously waiting for her to come at him again.]

[The crack of their staffs connecting sends vibrations through the training weapons to sting at the hands. If it bothers her she doesn't show it as she gracefully withdraws from his block to strike higher from the same side, and predicting he might block again she moves fluidly into a strike from the other side, spinning the weapon to make it harder for him to follow.]

With a longer weapon like this it behooves you to be more aware of the sense of space between you and your opponent. As well as the strength of the material it is made of."

[It's not a sting he's accustomed to, but he can brush it off easy enough. The unpleasant tingle on his palms isn't intense enough to distract him from the literal barrage of woman that is Azula.

He's fast on his feet and his reflexes are sound, he can fumble to block her as she tries to trick him. She's both difficult and easy to read. She wears so much on her sleeve, but it's so intense that it's hard to follow. The block is clumsy, but he'll steady himself quickly enough.

He'll nod in acknowledgement at her words, trying to push his weight into his block so he can better close the distance between them]

[The superior weight serves him well and they draw close enough that he can catch a hint of Azula's perfume before she draws back her staff and thrusts it suddenly at his stomach hard.]

You're watching the weapon, watch my eyes. You're a smart boy you should be able to read your opponents eyes.

[Except that Azula's eyes only reflected back the noise in her head. So many thoughts buzzing through her slightly fractured psyche that it distracted her eyes enough they were unable to portray emotion properly. All that came across at the moment was a smug superiority that all royalty was likely familiar with.

[When he smells that perfume, it feels like a sweet, momentary victory for him, but he knows it won't be that easy. He might have battle experience, but she's credited with an entirely different sort of skill set, he hadn't gone into this expecting to be the brilliant pupil who would quickly out-do her.

That said, he hadn't quite expected the staff to hit his stomach, the force and surprise is enough to knock him to the ground momentarily. He takes that brief moment to take her advice, lifting his seemingly expressive, earnest hazel eyes up to search hers curiously before using the staff to haul himself up.]

Here I thought you were a woman who prided herself on being unreadable. [He muses aloud, circling her cautiously with his staff raised in defense. He heeds her advice, keeping his eyes trained on hers as he awaits a sign.]

[She's spinning her staff lightly from hand to hand now]

Well it wouldn't do you any good if I didn't train you how to read the eyes of others now would it?

[But to prove her point without changing her expression in the slightest, nor without even really looking at it she swings to rap him on the top of the head. Hard enough to sting but not completely daze him if it lands]

I'm listening if you have any point- Argh! [He isn't quick enough to dodge from that one. He knows he ought to be more attentive around Azula, but he keeps letting his curiosity get the better of him.

He grumbles, raising his hand to rub at his head dejectedly.] Point taken.

[An amused smirk, he's learning.]

The head is a delicate place. It would serve you well to always protect it from impact. Even something as simple as a well placed punch could cause you brain damage.

[Another graceful sweep of the staff to strike at his side.]

Imagine spending days, possibly weeks shuffling around a deadly arena knowing that you are not thinking clearly or to the best of your abilities and being unable to do a thing about it. A constant head ache, difficulty managing simple tasks of co-ordination or memory. All the while knowing that you should be capable of so much more. But because of a lucky strike to your skull you simply can't.

[There were recordings of tributes suffering in such a fashion. Brain damage was one of Azula's least favorite ways for a tribute to die if only because of her own mind being damaged not too long ago]

Kankri couldn't help his wince, but he didn't look away. He'd seen far worse by now, and he needed to learn this. He moved in to watch carefully; obviously humans and trolls did not have entirely the same physiology, their evolutionary ancestry being so different, but he had human friends he would like to be able to look after, and some of the general principles seemed to be the same.

"And if I or one of the others in our District wins, that helps the people there, right?" he asked quietly. "I'd like to do what I can for them. They were very kind."

"Precisely. So even if it is not you so long as it is a member of District Five you are ensuring that the entire city of men, women and children will not go hungry."

Of course it was never as bad in District Five as the seven districts below it, but Azula had her preferences.

She continued by showing him how to hold open the skin once an incision was made and using a pair of tweezers to pluck out a chunk of metal to represent shrapnel. Some of the Capitols all purpose antiseptic and then some quick work with a needle to close the wound.

"Are you however, willing to shoulder the burden of your own death time and time again? Eventually you will not wake up should you fail to remain interesting." She warned.

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