We are all strangers in a strange land [Open]

[calledmenasir]

WHO| Nasir and others
WHAT| Nasir decides the best way to cope with being brought to Panem is to try and hit people a lot spar.
WHEN| The same day as Nasir's arrival, lasting for most of the day.
WHERE| Training Center
WARNINGS| Violence, probably some cursing

Nasir knew he should get his bearings and explore the new city he found himself in but it was overwhelming. There was simply too much to process. Everything was unfamiliar from the clothes to the people to his own room. While it was more comfortable than the tent he’d lived in for months, he missed the tent all the same. As he missed many things, not the least of which his friends and lover. Even if he returned he didn’t know if he would find them: if Laeta and Sibyl had convinced Agron to move on beyond the grasp of Rome without Nasir or if he stubbornly remained waiting for him, at risk of his life.

Nasir's anger at being torn away-- enslaved again-- brought him to the training center. The journey there had been interesting to say the least and he did not care for that elevator room. But as soon as his hand grasped a spear he felt more at ease. Now if only he had something other than a target, someone who could give him a proper challenge.

Looking around, he spotted a figure and quickly approached them.

“I would spar with you, if you are of desire.” Nasir himself did not appear to be impressive. Short and lithe, he went shirtless and wore a necklace of what, on closer inspection, were three phalluses. But he had a determination in his eyes and he handled his spear with surety.

Comments

[gluteus]

Maximus was a regular face in the training center and kept extremely regular hours - one could probably set a watch to him, though of course he would never think of doing so. Even though he'd grown used to clocks since his arrival, he rarely thought about them.

Sparring, however, was something he thought about on a regular basis. Maximus was dressed in a very simple linen tunic, cinched with a wide leather belt.

"I would never turn down such an offer," Maximus said, looking at the man. He didn't recognize him. "Fresh tribute?"

[calledmenasir]

At least this man was wearing something he could recognize. However there was one very notable thing that gave Nasir pause. Where should be a normal leg there was what appeared to be metal, but fitted so well that he had not noticed at first.

Nasir stopped walking when they were not far apart. His fingers tightened around his spear, holding it upright with the head pointing toward the ceiling.

"I awoke this morning in a strange bed and in stranger surroundings." There was an undercurrent of anger in Nasir's voice, even if his body was held under tight control, but the widening of his eyes betrayed another emotion. "Still I stand confused." He pointed at Maximus's leg with the spear, quickly pointing it up again when he was done. "I have never seen such."

[gluteus]

That was a yes, then. When he'd been brought here his first night had been spent in the arena. He imagines he would find it completely overwhelming, if he'd been in the capitol instead.

"They call it a prosthetic," He explained, shifting his weight to his other foot so he could bend the metal one, flex the heel. It moved just like his normal leg would do, except for the fact that it creaked, gently. It needed to be oiled. "I lost mine fighting their battles, so they saw fit to replace it. As for the confusion, you are not alone. We are all of us confused, when we arrive."

He offers a stiff nod. "I am Maximus Decimus Meridius, District 3 mentor, at your service."

[calledmenasir]

Nasir watched, intrigued, as Maximus moved his leg. It was like any other limb, save for the faint creak and metal composition. He would not have thought such a thing was possible. But a great many things he hadn't dreamed were real.

Yet Nasir's fascination left when he heard that name.

"You are Roman?" Nasir's eyes narrowed.

While he had been moved to some form of pity with the Roman civilians he had captured and called Laeta a friend, it was different when meeting a fellow warrior. If they had met on the battle field he would not have hesitated to spear him. It was still a tempting prospect, one that would likely get him killed by his captors should he succeed.

[silberfuchs]

This is really only Albert's second time using a spear since Maximus showed him how in training. It's slow going for someone not only used to more modern technologies of war, but used to having said technologies attached to him. As a cyborg, Albert had barely had to think before using his weaponry, his gun arm and knife hand eventually responding to his thoughts as any other limb would. Second nature.

Learning to use a new weapon is more akin to when he'd first woken up all those decades ago with metal hands and virtually no fine motor function. It had taken him a week to hold a glass without breaking it and he'd never played the piano the same way. But as frustrated as he was, Albert knew he would learn and improve, he's just fairly certain he's not ready for trial combat yet. Something he's about to explain to the newcomer as he turns to answer and instead gets a face full of dicks, all words suddenly fleeing his head.

"Umm... I'm sorry?" He couldn't hear you over your choice in accessory.

[calledmenasir]

"I asked if you wish to spar." Nasir replied. "If you choose not to I will not force you." He remained standing as he was, waiting for a response. At times it was eery how still he could keep himself.

It did not escape his notice how the other man was staring at him. He was not unnerved. Unwanted attention was common as a slave though he had not been subjected to it for some time. Castus did not count. It did, however, make him self conscious. Why would this man stare at him so?

[silberfuchs]

"I'm inexperienced with this..." He trails off, motioning to the spear with his free hand uselessly for a moment while his brain tries to find words. "Weapon." There it is.

Except that's not exactly an answer to the man's question. "Ah, but, if you'd like we could go weaponless? Or.." He can't focus on the conversation at all. Is this just some cruel prank by this man's stylist or is that by choice? Who would wear that?

"I'm sorry, I have to ask. Why the necklace?"

[calledmenasir]

Ah, of course. Nasir had encountered similar confusion amongst Agron and the other Germans once he started wearing the necklace. Agron in particular had found it amusing though this man seemed to have another reaction entirely. He appeared to be more flustered than anything, a response Nasir was unused to.

"It protects from evil." As he spoke, Nasir reached to touch his necklace, which gave off a most unfortunate image. He laid it down flat against his chest and lowered his hand. "The phallus is a powerful symbol for Romans and though I am not one I have spent too long among them."

[celebrityskinned]

Venus isn't one of the people to underestimate Nasir; as a woman no taller than him, she's well-aware that lack of bulk can actually be a wealth of limberness and speed. It is, after all, how she gets the upper edge in a fight, using combat skill that has very little to do with her ability to benchpress and more to do with how fast she can turn a man's weight against him.

So when he approaches her as she ties her workout shoes on the bench, the smirk on her face is cocky but not stupid. She's confident in her own skills, but not in her assessment of this new face.

"I'm always looking for a good training partner." She raises an eyebrow as she takes in what she can of his stance and musculature. She stands. "Not that I know too awful much about spear fighting. Unless you're giving lessons as well as challenges, I'd rather do hand-to-hand, if that's up your alley?"

[calledmenasir]

Nasir was prepared to meet someone on equal footing. It was always best not to get too confident and he had known women possessed of equal or greater skill than him. Venus's presence here indicated that she could present a challenge.

Nasir's brow furrowed slightly at the "up your alley" comment. He supposed it was a saying of some kind but the meaning was clear enough.

"I am less familiar with hand-to-hand. You may find me a poor match yet I will not refuse. Yet if you seek training I can provide with both sword and spear."

Admittedly, the last time he'd trained someone while in a similar state as he was in now, it had not gone well at all for the trainee. It would probably be best for Venus if they went without weapons.

[celebrityskinned]

"So what would you do if someone knocked the spear out of your hand?" She puts a hand up, but doesn't actually go through with the gesture, just in case this guy's on edge.

"Here, how about we strike a deal. We spar spear to staff, at first, then we do hand-to-hand and we critique each other. That way we both learn and both get to get our asses kicked, okay?"

[calledmenasir]

Nasir instinctively shifted his spear to block whatever attack Venus might have followed through with. He'd never lost his spear in a fight so he doubted that whatever the woman might have tried would work, but he had been parted with his sword once, so it was not inconceivable.

"That is reasonable. I welcome the opportunity to learn." He took a step back and spun his spear in his hand, less because he was showing off and more to get a better sense of the weapon.

[atippleoftransparency]

"Well," Lyle said, looking the other sentient up and down from where he was sitting on a bench, "I've never had anyone describe me as 'of desire', but I do think I'm pretty foxy. Sure, why not? Just let me finish wrapping my hands."

He really missed the reinforced gloves on his costume, but he didn't miss them enough to mess up his hands punching things and sentients without some form of protection. Fortunately, he'd found some video tutorials on this sort of thing.

"I'm Lyle. What's your name?"

[calledmenasir]

"You mistake question for description." Nasir said flatly while Lyle finished wrapping his hands. He was too used to flirtation and equally accustomed to rejecting it. And this boy did not have the benefit of Castus's looks.

"I am called Nasir." And then, because he was not in much mood for small talk after that attempt, he continued. "Do you prefer spear, sword, or some other manner of combat?"

[atippleoftransparency]

"I mistake nothing," Lyle countered, then paused. "No, that's a lie, I once got myself into a conversation with-- well, details. But I'm not mistaken in this case; I do believe I'm foxy. Whether you agree is irrelevant to my self-assessment." He grinned cheekily at Nasir, then tipped himself forward off the bench into a roll and up to his feet.

"I'm generally fondest of fighting with my hands, but I don't object to you using a weapon if you'd prefer."

[calledmenasir]

Nasir did not roll his eyes but the look in his eyes was not favorable. Irritated was more like it.

"I will not fight you with spear if you bear no weapon." Though if they met in the arena or on the field and Lyle stood Roman... that was another matter entirely.

"You have too much confidence. It will ruin you."

Either that or he craved embarrassment. If he was so eager for it then perhaps Nasir would give it to him. Lyle clearly needed the lesson.

[metalicarus]

This visit to the training center found Jet trying to practice with a sword. He wasn't that great at it, but that just meant he had to work harder; eventually he'd get the hang of it the same way he got the hang of just about anything he tried.

With the number of them in the tower, running into someone else using the center at the same time was inevitable and the blond had been content to ignore the other man practicing with a spear. His movements were strong and fluid, graceful to match his lean form despite his height. Despite the fact he was fairly certain the movements of the blade were off, the movements he himself made looked more like dancing than practicing.

He was lost enough in thought that it took him a moment to register he'd been spoken to. His blade fell and he turned to look at the man he'd thought would ignore him as well. This guy talked funny. "Umm....sure? But I don't know how to use a spear."

[calledmenasir]

Nasir likewise found Jet's speech odd but Nasir was quickly making peace with the fact that no one else spoke as he did.

"Why should you need use of spear when you have sword?" Nasir was one of the few who used a spear in battle. He did not see why anyone else needed to change from their weapon of choice.

"Do you think others will use only swords when they face you in the arena?" Nasir's voice was the one he would take with fresh recruits. Harsh, demanding, and not betraying the patience that he truly had and he was using a great deal more of that patience than he normally would.

[metalicarus]

That tone of voice grated on every one of Jet's nerves. He was finding he had a lot more patience than he did when he was younger, but being talked down to by a guy likely only a quarter Jet's actual age wasn't within his spectrum of tolerance.

"No, they'll use daggers and bows and god knows what else, but since we're training, thought I'd offer you the option. Nevermind."

Jet took up his stance again, determination saturating his expression and posture. "Let's dance."

[retrieverchef]

Eliot looked over at the oddly worded request. "Yeah, sure," he replied, grabbing a knife and stepping into a fighting stance.

[calledmenasir]

That would not do. Nasir had far too much of and advantage with the reach of his spear.

"A moment." He went to exchange his spear for a sword, assuming that if the other man preferred knives he would be familiar enough to use them well.

He hefted the sword in his hand and returned. It was not his favored weapon but it had been the first he held in his hands and he used it regularly.

He took his place. "Now."

[retrieverchef]

He was indeed familiar with swords, moreso than spears although he was used to improvising when it came to weapons. He moved to attack the new Tribute, more to test his defenses than to truly attempt to disarm him.

[orestes]

Enjolras still felt more comfortable training on his own than with a partner. He knew there were limits to that approach, of course, but between the memories of the his spectacular failures both on the barricade and within the Arenas, he couldn't shake the desire for solitude in this. Most people knew him, or knew of him, enough to leave him alone, which is why Nasir's request left him momentarily at a loss.

He dropped the fists that had been curled protectively up near his face after recognizing that the voice was, in fact, directed at him. Nasir looked to be about his age and weight. It made logical sense that they might spare together were he anyone else.

And really, if he was to trust Venus (and he did trust her, almost implicitly by now), he was only acting against his best interest to refuse the combat experience. He swallowed, hard, brushing at the sweaty curls that threatened to fall into his face. "If you like, Monsieur, but I fear that I will not offer you much of a challenge."

[calledmenasir]

"I have heard that many times this day." Nasir would have thought, given the reason for their presence here, that more people would present the challenge he craved, but any fight would do.

"Fight me and we will see if words hold truth. What is your preferred weapon?"

Nasir was eager to begin. Introductions and pleasantries could be exchanged while preparing or not at all. That didn't mean he couldn't be sidetracked.

[orestes]

"A sword, though I have also been learning to use a knife." Enjolras tilted his head, blond curls bouncing airily with the movement. It was almost a shrug, but lacked the nonchalance to really manage it. "It is your preference, sir."

Fortunately, the weapons were all more or less kept in the same place, so with an assuredness that Nasir would follow, Enjolras set off in that direction. "I am a mentor for District 5. Are you new to Panem? I assume they have told you which District you are to represent."