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thecapitol2014-07-31 12:01 pm
stotte) wrote in thecapitol2014-07-31 12:01 pm
even a natural born fighter can find cause to break sometimes
Who| astrid and anyone
What| not getting the best first impressions on her first day
Where| training center (district 6 suites, halls/elevators, training room)
When| 7/31
Warnings/Notes| mentions of death
Astrid had grown up knowing nothing but how to fight. She came from a world where warring against dragons was once all that she had known, where there was only ever enough time to think of survival and whether she could be up enough of a defense to live for another day. But that had long since been over. It was years since the Vikings had made peace with the dragons, learning to live amongst them, obtaining the privilege to go about each day with harmony and the opportunity to just laugh without the constant fear of dying.
She never imagined being thrown back into a world like that, not in this way anyhow. Filled with strange foreign gadgets and nothing at all familiar from her home, all she's told is that she would be fighting for her survival--a tribute, they called her, yet all she can wonder if she had somehow been a sacrifice to the gods. Perhaps, that's what this was, a test of some kind. But even so, nothing explain this strange place she had been brought to. Where was Berk? Where were her friends? Where was Hiccup?
a ↠ district 6 suites
Insulation might be one of the first things she really takes notice of, oddly enough. But when you experience nine months of harsh winters in your home, it wouldn't take long to catch on to the incredible new sense of warmth that overtakes you. Not that the lack of cold truly made her feel better or safer in this situation anyway.
The entire floor was incredibly large, noting the almost endless amount of rooms that she'd learned belong to others much like herself. She finds herself in the common room, carefully touching the incredibly soft, bench-like furniture (Were those safe to sit on? Why were they so soft?) before noticing the moving paintings on the wall.
Except they weren't paintings at all, recalling someone mentioning televisions and that they would display everything she needed to know--about the "games", the Capitol, the tributes. She studies the screen with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, noting how the pictures seem to "speak" as well. But she hardly pays mind to the spoken words, not when suddenly the most disturbing deaths are displayed for her to see, horrifying images that even someone such as herself, so well acquainted with war, grows sick in the stomach just to watch.
The sequences switch through fast, but she has no doubt when she sees a well-known blond twin on the screen and subconsciously rejoices for a quick second at the sight of a familiar face before suddenly there's a bite at the neck and all she sees is Ruffnut being eaten alive.
A struggling gasp is all she can manage, the screen already switching to yet another gruesome death as if the one of her friend no longer mattered, just another number in the toll of all these people losing their lives so instantly lacking reason. If it weren't for an empty stomach, she'd have lost all its contents in that moment, not that it would do anything to help with taking in the next sight.
Hiccup.
It was only on the screen for mere seconds, but she knows that ruffled mess of hair and peg leg anywhere. And in a quick flash that she's convinced is an illusion, she watches as the love of her life gets stabbed in the chest, not even having put up a fight, falling hopelessly into death.
b ↠ halls / elevators
It wasn't exactly easy to be in the best of moods after seeing hundreds get murdered right before your eyes, including a close friend and your lover. But she needed to figure this place, figure out why she was here and what she needed to do to get out as soon as possible.
But this place was so large, odd contraptions scattered about, strange moving boxed rooms that took her up and down the height of the building--everything was too otherworldly, things she never could possibly understand. So in addition to the anger already dwelling up inside, frustration becomes a familiar friend as she wanders hopelessly through the different floors of the building, a lost Viking with no idea how to get out.
c ↠ training room
Finally, something familiar to her. Even if she's disgusted about this new environment, the sight of the double sided axe that she quickly takes in her hands brings an extreme comfort to her. Suddenly, she's much more protected. Even if it was just in this room, holding it brought forth a new sense of courage that she had yet to experience since she came upon this new world.
She swings around the axe with ease, and for a few moments, she forgets everything she's already seen that day, everything she's learned and her mind relaxes as her body becomes accustomed again to what she had always known well how to do: to fight.
What| not getting the best first impressions on her first day
Where| training center (district 6 suites, halls/elevators, training room)
When| 7/31
Warnings/Notes| mentions of death
Astrid had grown up knowing nothing but how to fight. She came from a world where warring against dragons was once all that she had known, where there was only ever enough time to think of survival and whether she could be up enough of a defense to live for another day. But that had long since been over. It was years since the Vikings had made peace with the dragons, learning to live amongst them, obtaining the privilege to go about each day with harmony and the opportunity to just laugh without the constant fear of dying.
She never imagined being thrown back into a world like that, not in this way anyhow. Filled with strange foreign gadgets and nothing at all familiar from her home, all she's told is that she would be fighting for her survival--a tribute, they called her, yet all she can wonder if she had somehow been a sacrifice to the gods. Perhaps, that's what this was, a test of some kind. But even so, nothing explain this strange place she had been brought to. Where was Berk? Where were her friends? Where was Hiccup?
a ↠ district 6 suites
Insulation might be one of the first things she really takes notice of, oddly enough. But when you experience nine months of harsh winters in your home, it wouldn't take long to catch on to the incredible new sense of warmth that overtakes you. Not that the lack of cold truly made her feel better or safer in this situation anyway.
The entire floor was incredibly large, noting the almost endless amount of rooms that she'd learned belong to others much like herself. She finds herself in the common room, carefully touching the incredibly soft, bench-like furniture (Were those safe to sit on? Why were they so soft?) before noticing the moving paintings on the wall.
Except they weren't paintings at all, recalling someone mentioning televisions and that they would display everything she needed to know--about the "games", the Capitol, the tributes. She studies the screen with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, noting how the pictures seem to "speak" as well. But she hardly pays mind to the spoken words, not when suddenly the most disturbing deaths are displayed for her to see, horrifying images that even someone such as herself, so well acquainted with war, grows sick in the stomach just to watch.
The sequences switch through fast, but she has no doubt when she sees a well-known blond twin on the screen and subconsciously rejoices for a quick second at the sight of a familiar face before suddenly there's a bite at the neck and all she sees is Ruffnut being eaten alive.
A struggling gasp is all she can manage, the screen already switching to yet another gruesome death as if the one of her friend no longer mattered, just another number in the toll of all these people losing their lives so instantly lacking reason. If it weren't for an empty stomach, she'd have lost all its contents in that moment, not that it would do anything to help with taking in the next sight.
Hiccup.
It was only on the screen for mere seconds, but she knows that ruffled mess of hair and peg leg anywhere. And in a quick flash that she's convinced is an illusion, she watches as the love of her life gets stabbed in the chest, not even having put up a fight, falling hopelessly into death.
b ↠ halls / elevators
It wasn't exactly easy to be in the best of moods after seeing hundreds get murdered right before your eyes, including a close friend and your lover. But she needed to figure this place, figure out why she was here and what she needed to do to get out as soon as possible.
But this place was so large, odd contraptions scattered about, strange moving boxed rooms that took her up and down the height of the building--everything was too otherworldly, things she never could possibly understand. So in addition to the anger already dwelling up inside, frustration becomes a familiar friend as she wanders hopelessly through the different floors of the building, a lost Viking with no idea how to get out.
c ↠ training room
Finally, something familiar to her. Even if she's disgusted about this new environment, the sight of the double sided axe that she quickly takes in her hands brings an extreme comfort to her. Suddenly, she's much more protected. Even if it was just in this room, holding it brought forth a new sense of courage that she had yet to experience since she came upon this new world.
She swings around the axe with ease, and for a few moments, she forgets everything she's already seen that day, everything she's learned and her mind relaxes as her body becomes accustomed again to what she had always known well how to do: to fight.
no subject
She knows people far too well. And with a place like this, it seemed too good to be true that there were people who'd gift much needed items for free without expecting something in return.
no subject
He taps his chin with a finger. "And, if they think you have a good chance of winning, they'll bet on you. If they do, and they think they can recoup what they spend on a sponsor gift with gambling winnings..." He leaves that open-ended; Astrid's more than bright enough to put it together.
no subject
Though Astrid's not minding the system, considering she's pretty sure her chances of winning are fairly good. Even if she just got here, she was one of the strongest on Berk, twice as fearsome when she rode on her dragon's back. Things might be different here, but she's sure she can adjust. She just needed to prove it.
"And what exactly do I need to do to get people to like me here? Back home, if you were strong, that was pretty much what guaranteed some attention. Do I need to wave around an axe or something?"
no subject
He gives her a searching look.
"Something tells me you already do."
no subject
But something to fight for? It didn't exactly take a genius to catch on to that one.
"Is that why they brought me here with him? Some sort of motivation?"
no subject
"Can you tell me about your relationship?"
no subject
"I used to hate him actually," she laughs a bit, reflecting on so many years past. "Hate is a strong word, I guess, but he was a pain in the ass and did pretty much nothing right, but ... he changed me. He changed everyone. With his recklessness and idiocy, he made everything better—brighter."
Her face softens, a slight smile appearing as her mind wanders. "He's the chief of our village now. Years ago, I would have been so angry that it wasn't me, but now I ... I just want to support him. I don't really know what else to say about it, other than the fact that I'm gonna stick by him no matter what, no matter what crazy messes we get in to together—because I know that if Hiccup's involved, it will turn into a mess—but I'll be there. He ... he has my heart."
She doesn't voice it often, and even with five years of closeness and kisses, speaking it has a rare blush spark on her face.
no subject
Oh, no. That was sweet.
A few months ago, Stephen would have been caught up in the drama of it: he would have felt nothing but delight over Astrid's story. Now, though? He can't help but think of Guy, who would never see Eep again all because he was brought here. He can't help but feel sad.
What happened to Guy was not going to happen to Astrid. Not if Stephen has anything to say about it.
"He's a lucky man. I hope you don't let him forget it."
no subject
"Look, I still don't really get much of this—it's kind of tough to wrap my head around of it. But if he's here, I want to do everything I can to protect him. So ..." She trails off, a bit reluctantly, but so far, she hasn't found much of a reason not to trust him. "So if you know of ways that could better my chances of doing that, I'd appreciate it."
no subject
no subject
"So, what, are people really going to like because we're together or something? Seems like a ridiculous thing to get caught up in." It did get people hyped about them back home a bit, especially since Hiccup was the chief's son and Astrid was one of their strongest.
"But either way, you're right, I'm not gonna leave his side if I can help it. I don't want that—" She gestures with a nod towards the television. "—happening to him again."
no subject
He sobered a little, and took a deep breath. "But it's true. The Capitol..." Stephen shakes his head. "The Capitol lives vicariously through the Tributes. You have things we want: strength, skill, romance -- and putting you in the Arena lets the Capitol watch you demonstrate those things. I'm saying this so you can understand, Astrid--" he adds, so that she'll know he's explaining, not excusing, "--so you can know what to do when the Arena comes."
Stephen has come to understand the nature Tributes' feelings about the Games far better over the past six months than he did in his five years of work before the Quell.
no subject
"Well, whether it's for the Capitol or whatever it is, I won't hesitate in there if that's the case. If Hiccup's with me, I won't be demonstrating for entertainment. I'll protect him from whatever they'll do because of my own terms." She figures she's already made it obvious, but she'll want to make it clear that she isn't going to exactly entirely depend on image either. Vikings protect their own, and that would be her main goal in all of this.
"But if that somehow gets people impressed that they're willing to help, that's fine too."
no subject