[semi open] A World of Madness

[lionhearted_victor]

Who| Leo and any revived District 2 Tributes, along with any staff
What| Examining the recovery process through each arena and making sure
Where| D2 Floor and the Training facilities
When| Week 2
Warnings/Notes| Swearing and details about the Arena deaths.

A. Death's a Slap on the Wrist [Locked to D2]

Watching the Arenas as a spectator wasn't that uncommon an activity for Leonidas to partake. He would take notes and analyze the data gathered from it to attune his training sessions with his former clients. It was his duty as a former Career and to his District. But this was the first time he was doing all of this as a staff member. He had to commend the otherworlders and their efforts in survival: the Capitol truly brought strong ones to the bloodbath. But the moment he saw someone die, Leo bit back his arrogance and decided to wait for them. He had to see the process of revival from a physical and psychological point of view. He took a tasergun as a precaution against any particularly violent Tributes reeling from the procedure.

His curiosity always got the better of him but Leo made big boasts in his first communication with the Tributes. Time to come through with said words. 

B. Pride is totally not an issue

The numbers were dwindling and it was becoming obvious to Leo that his district was either going to break even with their kills or die horribly. Felicity was still in the competition and he'd have to eat his words towards her. Great in some aspects as she proved her worth were she needed to, bad because he'd have to apologize as soon as she came in. But in retrospect, Calendius' words fell on listening ears, and if Worthington didn't win, Leo would commend her and make sure she continues whatever she's doing.

The hobbit of a man rubbed his forehead as he worked on other things, but his eyes fell back to the Arena screening...and the sabertooth battles. "Shit, shit, shit," he spat out, "Don't let the close...break the nose and-" He stopped himself.

Comments

[lionhearted_victor]

"At least we're not in this weird hate-romance thing," says you Leo, "Or whatever's going on with the other Districts." Only time would tell how complicated some friendships became.

But the trainer didn't hesitate to say, "I was one of them. But at thirty three, I'm way past the enrollment age. These offworlders...they help the outer Districts but they have no comprehension of what the situation is."

[bravelyplucked]

"Sometimes, I have to wonder how much of that's really going on, or how much of it's a ruse to get the Sponsors' attention," Torin mused. "The gossip rags do eat that up..." As though some friendships needed another layer of complication.

"It's hard for them to know exactly what's going on here, I'd imagine." Torin sighs. "Perhaps if they took them around to visit the Districts so they could get an idea of what it was they were fighting for..." Not that Torin thought it was their fight, but toeing the current party line couldn't hurt.

[lionhearted_victor]

"At least on my end, it's 70/30 to get a rise out of him," Leo admitted, "The rest is theatrics to get District 2 on the map. Not always the best way to go about it, I know." Even then, there was a certain delight in making a performance for the Capitolites, the shallow creatures.

"That sounds like a plan, shall we get Jennifer Blackwood on it? As a way for good public relations."

[bravelyplucked]

"Nothing wrong with theatrics." Torin nods. "Sometimes, they're a necessary evil."

And there's another nod. "That's not a bad idea. She'll do a good job, and it'll help even out our own workloads as well."

[lionhearted_victor]

With a quick note in his records, the appointment with Blackwood would be assured in their next Capitol meet-up. Speaking of which, Torin would see Leo visibly grimace at the appointments and one in the past that still irked him to no end.

"She probably enjoyed the Staffer's Retreat much more than any of us. She's got the best interests at heart." And lord knows how much District 2 loved her nowadays if the rumors were true. He chose to believe the best in her and...strangely enough Calendius that they were just that: rumors.

[bravelyplucked]

"I think she does." Torin nodded and wondered at that grimace. Press the issue? Let it slide? "Are there any problems with the schedule?" It's a careful, neutral question. Let the schedule be the problem, rather than any of the people on it.

[lionhearted_victor]

"No no, just that it's going to be a parade of getting dressed up and talking about Tributes I'm still getting comfortable with...and then sell their attributes as if I've known them my entire life."

And not the few weeks he has been scrambling to get back in track with.

"Not looking forward to it but for the Games, I'll do it."

[bravelyplucked]

Torin gives him a nod. "Good man." And there's a sigh and a sympathetic smile. "I must confess, I'm feeling rather similarly about it."

[lionhearted_victor]

The answer catches Leo's attention, "I thought you were used to the publicity circuit...huh."

The Trainer still had that Career naivete about the true nature of the Games and the Capitol itself. "Great, just...great." Even he had something to learn in this new world, as he studied his Mentor, not just in the professional but in the body language. Raphael Cora would comment on Torin's coolness under pressure, how he kept his calm during the man's games.

[bravelyplucked]

"I'm not used to it when it's year round, or when we have so many Tributes to promote." Torin smiles. "Though I'm glad it's not obvious I feel a bit out of my depth at times with these new Games." Keeping one's cool is a survival skill, darnit. "Learning how to react to things is a big part of it--once you've got an idea of what they expect from you, the rest usually falls into place."

[lionhearted_victor]

"You really don't seem like it, could have fooled pretty much everyone on the street," Leo chuckled and followed through with his compliment, "Then again, you don't go from wrangling dinosaurs" REALLY THAT WAS THE BEST PART, "To handling the media just like that."

He snapped his fingers, "Though...how was it riding a dinosaur?" And there it was, the fanboy in Leonidas' mind.

[bravelyplucked]

There was a wistful sort of smile at that. "Greatest feeling in the world," he admitted. "Like absolutely nothing at all can stop you."

[lionhearted_victor]

Torin had probably been the first person to see Leo be the Games aficionado that he used to be. A tinier (if even possible) version of the man would run around and cheer for his District, and hoping for a chance to do the same.

"I can't imagine...destroying all obstacles in your path...spectacular. At least these new Arenas keep the grandeur."

Even more protecting dialogue delivered without a hint of irony or suspicion.

[bravelyplucked]

Torin nodded, a little bemused at that enthusiasm. Dealing with Games fans had always been strange for him. Oh, he could understand that enthusiasm from those who hadn't lived it. The Capitol was nothing if not excellent at packaging the whole thing as a grand spectacle. "Truly epic in scope, what with so many Tributes and so many challenges for them."

[lionhearted_victor]

With that earnest fanatic drive came a drive to be better than anyone else, to be as good as the past Victors. Working at the Capitol wore down some of the mystical grandeur they sold but Leo was still captivated and ready for work.

"Wise words, sir," he agreed, and watched the Peacekeepers smile along, sharing in the sentiment of well-behaved Districters in their presence. "The Tributes, they might understand soon enough, that what they do is give the District a chance to be represented. And to die with honor."

Something Leonidas had long since resigned would never happen to him.

[bravelyplucked]

"They'll develop a sense of duty soon enough, I think." Fanaticism and a willingness to die worried Torin, definitely, but he could appreciate loyalty. And it wasn't like Leo had been through the real thing, or had ever had a chance to learn otherwise...

[lionhearted_victor]

"They'd better," oh the bitterness was strong with Leo, "They'd better understand the stakes." They put District 2's pride on their shoulders, they'd better deliver. Such fervent disdain was classic of a Career Districter who only experienced the Arena from a distance, but unlike those, Leo's loyalty had fairly hidden limits.

One of those limits were the Capitolites treating the Districts like servants, like they weren't part of the system holding everything together.

[bravelyplucked]

"They will soon enough." Not that he was really sure how he was to get that sense of duty through to them. Not that he could really blame them for failing to have that. Not that he was in a position to say anything to that effect..."It might take a while, but I'm sure they'll come to learn what they're fighting for in time."

[lionhearted_victor]

Leo, being the proud bastard as he was, would prefer the old days but it was inevitable that these Tributes would be considered part of the Districts. He wasn't too happy about that but eh, it'll help somewhat.

"It'll all up to them and we're stuck hoping for the best," he tried to look at the positive side, "I just need to study them up and make sure one of them make it over." He meant it as much for the District and himself.

[wanna wrap this one up? sorry if i was rude]

[bravelyplucked]

"It only takes one." Torin nodded, willing to try this looking on the bright side stuff. "We can manage that much."

[We sure can; I think it's a good stopping point. And you weren't rude
at all, don't worry!]

[lionhearted_victor]

That vote of confidence from someone so experienced was something Leonidas needed in keeping his wits about him and not go off on a rant about the numbers being too low. Grabbing his notes and with a much less worried grin, Leo gave Torin a salute before heading out of the Tower for a good meal, as his father taught him to always do when in the presence of respectable people. Calendius Rey excluded.

"We will, somehow we will. Thank you sir,"

The Universe would like to call on that bet.