I want a girl with uninterrupted prosperity, who uses a machete to cut through red tape.

[burnedbrighter]

Who: Azula, Open to All
What: Just another day at the spa, because you deserve it.
Where: The New Image Day Spa.
When: After the Mini Arena.

In truth Azula suspected she spent far too much time at the Spa. But once a week was reasonable for someone who lived such a stressful life wasn't it?

Her favorite spa was always ready for her, always acted with absolute professionalism. She felt like royalty as she breezed through the doors and the greeters bowed politely taking her coat and guiding her immediately deeper into the building.

In a fit of charity, and a desire to connect deeper with her tributes she's invited a few to join her but she's not sure if or when they'll show up. For now she allows the staff to lead her from one room to the next, full body massage, seaweed wrap, and a trip to the open air mineral water hot springs to completely relax the body and pull out all the toxins and stress that built up in any busy persons life.

After the soak in the hot spring would begin the building up process again. Manicures and painting, hair styling and make up all to make sure that when you left the building you were stunning and beautiful. Depending on how you were dressed you might be ready for a night on the town (Presuming you had your curfew pass)

Today though Azula's plans were entirely focused on the spa and then returning to the tribute center. No more work outs, no more parties. She had to re-evaluate her plans. Things weren't progressing very much at all and it was starting to bother her. Her tributes had seemed to peek in both skill and ambition. Financial donors were getting bored and worst of all? She had joined the resistance months ago and hadn't come upon anything of use she could turn into an offering for them to prove her loyalty.

She was dedicated to the cause of changing the Capitol, she just didn't have a clue how to do it.

This would be an excellent place to think, she was sure of it.

Comments

[burnedbrighter]

"To the great orator then." She raises her drink half an inch in a tiny toast. "May he prove an inspiration to all who hear him for better or worse."

If the Capitol has anything to say about it, worse.

"If I'm entirely candid with you, and I strive to be more straight forward with my tributes these days. If I am honest I've always wanted to inspire others with my deeds. When I was young I was taught that being in the games was a great honor and would bring pride and respect to my family. That the entire district would honor me for what I've done for them."

It is painfully clear from the tone in her voice that this was not how things turned out, but she does not elaborate.

"When I returned to work as a mentor I found it was difficult to inspire the tributes into anything but disdain and irritation. I was just getting in their way the more I tried to enforce my influence over them. So for a man like that to simply stroll in and captivate a room full of strangers? It's a impressive power in it's own right."

A power she craves. A power even the Capitol seems to respect the way they tried to break his spirits.

[sizeofyourbaggage]

Sam considers all of that for a long moment.

"Maybe it's because you tried to enforce your influence over them." When Steve talks, at least from what Sam's heard - he never tries to make you do anything. He tells you what he's going to do, he tells you why he thinks it's right, but he leaves the decision up to you.

"I listened to you because you didn't bullshit me, you know? You've got your own motivations for doing what you do, and maybe you're not going to let me in on all of them, but the ones you did, well, they align with mine." He grins a little. "And you sounded like you knew what you were talking about, I'd be stupid not to take that into account."

[burnedbrighter]

She listened thoughtfully and cast a wary gaze at her own reflection in the water. She had...problems with reflections when she was off her medication. They had a tendency to inspire hallucinations and other unpleasant sensations. Just to be safe she dipped her fingertips in the water to cause ripples breaking up the image.

"Well to be fair, I've never credited out tributes for an abundance of common sense. Intelligence yes but stubborn. Especially Shepard. If you would believe it she sought to blackmail me the very first time we met. And all she wanted was for me to do exactly what I was already intending on doing. Procuring sponsorship for her and those that would aid her."

In all honesty she had only intended on supporting Shepard but if feeding her friends is what bought Shepard's loyalty it was a small price to pay.