➵ testing your mettle

[broadsidewaltz]

WHO| Hubert and you?!
WHAT| Getting in some practice. Or more like, coping with newly arriving here.
WHEN| 7/31
WHERE| The Training Center
WARNINGS| none

The words were still fresh in his mind as he stared at the weapons. A battle to the death... honored to compete... other tributes. Being brought to a new land that was presumably off the charts was decidedly new- although he had been to stranger places. He was still neck-deep in thought as he absently went for the sword, first. It was only suitable he get some training in with every weapon, after all. And since his trademark dual-blade was nowhere to be found, well... it seemed they had brought him without it.

Honestly, it was probably the part where they had taken him unconsciously that actually bothered him the most. After all- he was used to testing his strength at the stadiums in Warrior's Roost back home. Hubert always aspired to new heights, especially in combat training, so this kind of thing wasn't a shock.

Perhaps it was the wording, he mused as he tested the weapon's weight, moving away with it as he peered around the gymnasium. There were some empty targets he immediately made for, brandishing the sword firmly in his hand as he got some swings in first. Tributes. It sounded... strange, especially in this context. Sacrifices? Price to be paid?

Best believe he'd be slashing at that dummy soon enough, careful at first before he started getting more serious. Even if it wouldn't fight back, he would side-step and guard accordingly, trying to keep his instincts sharp and fresh in his mind. After all, these dummies wouldn't compare to the real targets- moving, breathing living people.

He had to make sure he'd survive. After all, the others were waiting for him back home.

Comments

[broadsidewaltz]

"A universal skill such as that certainly has multiple applications. It makes for a unique fighting style, as well."

Once more, Hubert adjusted his glasses- free hand finding itself on his hip as he let himself relax a little. He did cover basic survival skills in the Strahtan military, but it was always worth sharpening up. After all, things had finally reached peace in his world.

"I've learned basic survival skills in the military, and I traveled with company in the past." To save their world, but, details. "Although it's always worth it to hone my technique."

But there's a question. "Are the Arenas often in a wild setting?"

[revvinguptheharley]

"Alot of them are yeah." She gestured to some of the tables around them featuring rope work, trap setting and botany.

"The first arena I was in was a theme park, but after that was a kingdom made of candy, a barren desert, a tropical jungle island where all the plants and animals were poisonous, and then a museum. There were also two mini arenas, one that took place in a maze and one in a sinking ship."

[broadsidewaltz]

He'd move a bit closer to them to investigate, nodding curiously as he listened.

"That's quite... diverse." He admits, a little surprised. A kingdom made of candy? That had to be the strangest one. "... Was the candy edible?"

Important questions, Hubert has them. No, but really, that would have made it rather easy wouldn't it?

[revvinguptheharley]

"Most of it." She sighed. "Wouldn't ya know it? I was so excited to show up in Candy Kingdom? And the Capitol played this nasty joke on us where half of the tributes "died" right there on day one only to be woken up in the desert. The two arenas were connected you see? So Desert and Dessert!"

She laughed in spite of her irritation.

"So I never did get to eat any of the candy but some of it was poisoned as a trick. There was also this cheerful music that played loudly all day long, a sun that never set and these big eyed creatures that looked like cutie bunnies and things but would totally rip you to shreds."

[broadsidewaltz]

"What a play on words..."

Despite her laughter, Hubert can only find himself a little bothered by the concept. Playing tricks, were they? He can barely comprehend how ridiculous these Arenas seem to be, so it's always good to get more perspective. And what better way than speaking to a veteran?

"So, all in all, nothing is what it seems. Keeping one's guard up at all times must get tiring. Is there any time for rest at all? How long on average do these Arenas last?"

[revvinguptheharley]

"Actually...you'd be surprised how much downtime you get between life threatening events. Some people never notice it because they aren't used to so much action, but if you can find yourself a good place in the arena you can even get a good four hours of sleep at a time." She chuckled thinking about how she clearly enjoyed the arena more then others.

"As for how long they last? Weeks, almost months. It just depends on how fast all the tributes die off. It lasts until there's only one left standing of course."

hits late tags!!!

[broadsidewaltz]

"Really? That's reassuring." He won't keep his hope up, but four steady hours sounded good to him. And strangely enough, if this wasn't all some sick game, he might enjoy it a lot more. After all, he likes pushing his limits and testing himself.

"... Goodness. That's much longer than I anticipated. Although I suppose it's not necessarily a completely willing bloodbath."

[revvinguptheharley]

"Exactly." She snapped her fingers. "They bring in crazies like me who actually enjoy violence to balance out the decent people, but at the end of the day if they have to? They have ways of making you fight."

She waved him to follow her and brought him over to a TV screen. It took her some looking before she found what she was seeking and brought it up for him to see. A normal looking man, mild expression, well dressed.

"Here's a fella who used to be in the games. He hated the whole thing and would only fight in self defense or defense of others." she explained.

A few clicks of her remote and there was an image of him fighting a boy, both had swords and the man had a look of wild fury.

"This is him in the last few hours of an arena after chemicals the arena had hit him with drove him into a rage."

[revvinguptheharley]

"Precisely, and you gotta factor in how much space each arena has, and how many tributes are very, very skilled." She reminded him.

"The bloodbath starts at the Cornucopia because that's where all the items are. The very first few minutes are important because you can either snatch up something that could save your life or die painfully and humiliatingly."