Open!

[contrarianlibrarian]

Who| China Sorrows and you!
What| Trying to acquire free labor and company, bringing gifts to District 11 Tributes, and creeping on Tower residents and the Arena
Where| Around the Tower, the District 11 Suite, and the Common Area
When| Week 5 and onward
Warnings/Notes| No warnings for now; if you’d like to set up another scenario, I’m open to anything

[All around the Tower]

Winding her way from the outside of the Tower to the elevators is China, a tall stack of books tucked under her chin. Though neither her body nor the stack waver an inch, suggesting she has everything under control, she approaches the first person she spots regardless.

With a bright but apologetic—not sheepish, though, she doesn’t do sheepish—China asks, “Excuse me. I hate to impose, but would you be willing to assist me with these?”

Why she doesn’t just ask an Avox may be one of the questions that springs to mind.

[District 11 Suite]

As Tributes return from the Arena, China’s stationed in the District 11 common area to meet them. She has herself sitting up perfectly straight on one of the couches, hands folded demurely on her lap. Spread out before her is a selection of books, enough so that there’s one for each Tribute and staff member in the District.

There’s a range of topics, from a book of tales about old Panem heroes with a cover verging on the garish to instructional texts on arts like flower arranging. Conspicuously absent from the pile are any factual accounts of history, politics, or warfare.

Inside each one is a small card on which is written, in flourished handwriting, “As thanks for your service to glorious Panem.” There’s the faintest hint of perfume on each one because China doesn’t like overdoing things. And perfume that nice gets expensive.

As anyone approaches the room—whether from outside the suite or their own room—she greets them with a soft smile, “Hello. Do you have a moment?”

[Common Area]

The Games are as enjoyable as ever, but now China watches with a new focus. As each Tribute appears on-screen, she writes something in elegantly looping hand in a tiny notebook. A clipboard would, of course, be much easier. But it just wouldn’t look quite as good; she’s an Escort, not some low-level administrator.

She does do this for every Tribute, so someone may see her jotting down notes on one of their charges or one of their friends.

They also might notice that her attention occasionally wanders from the Games to the other watchers; she doesn’t bother to hide it, though she politely refrains from making any notes on them.

Comments

[contrarianlibrarian]

She ran an adoring finger down the spine of one of the books in her hands. "Neither, at least for now. They're gifts for for my Tributes and fellow staff."

A laugh. "From what I've heard of your dedication, it could quite possibly be the former. The fact of the matter is, I'm the new Escort for District 11."

She dipped her head shyly, as if unconsciously betraying her nervousness about the task before her. Truthfully, she knew the staff didn't have an easy time of it, but any jitters were feigned. The less threatening everyone thought she was, the more open they'd be around her and the more she could learn.

[lionhearted_victor]

China would get a genuine laugh out of Leo, not to mock her but to congratulate her, "Welcome Aboard then, Miss. You're in for a ride, especially considering your Tributes."

District Eleven still had its fair share of tributes left in the game but it was best to keep the new escort as relaxed as possible. "You already know me, I don't know much about you, Miss...?" Smooth operator he's not.

[contrarianlibrarian]

"Is that supposed to be comforting to hear?" But she's smiling still; she can take a joke. "I've been watching them, of course. They're a very... interesting group."

"Sorrows, Mr. Cora. But you may call me China."

[lionhearted_victor]

"China, all right then. You may call me Leo," Cora then turned down the charm, as to better settle her in, "And you believe these books will help your Tributes in their stay here?"

Of course he peeked inside and took note of the titles for further reference later.

[contrarianlibrarian]

"It's a pleasure, Leo."

She nodded and straightened her stack with one hand. "I believe so."

The titles would reveal the books as nothing that would be useful in the Arena; the majority are about hobbies and crafts, with a couple storybooks mixed in. "I can't instruct them in weapons and survival as well as a Mentor would, but I can do my best to make them more comfortable here."

Complacent was a better term. She knew gaining their trust would be an uphill battle, but it would have to start with small steps like these gifts.

[lionhearted_victor]

Some of the choices were...intriguing to say the least. One doesn't need to know how to knit in the arena unless of course there is a needle to jab in someone's eye.

"At least they'll know someone takes care of them that isn't their assigned nurse," okay that was a slight moment of pride on his part. "If you do get their trust, I'd be surprised. Most of them have their own plans."

[contrarianlibrarian]

She'd raise an eyebrow at that remark, but elected to ignore it instead. It was better for her facade of kindness to focus on his final remarks instead.

"Yes, I realize." She sighed, dismay all too plain in it, as if she took the Tributes' misplaced priorities personally. it just wounded her delicate heart, it did. "Nevertheless, we must do our best to try, correct?"

"How do you connect to yours? Even with different plans, certainly they don't rebuff you completely?"

[lionhearted_victor]

"I have not...or at least I've let them join together in contempt towards me, and I them," Leo said without a hint of irony in his voice.

"I'm been sent from District 2 to aid Calendius Rey and Torin Byrd in securing another victor," he continued in his most professional tone and behavior. Especially considering he only one of those two mentioned. He could tell China was trying to play a game with him or the population entire, and he admired that.

[contrarianlibrarian]

"Contempt? Well, that's a pity. And I imagine it means they're completely impervious to charm."

The remark was intended, of course, as more of a stealth compliment to Leo.

"You're something like a, correct? So you determine their training regimes?"

[lionhearted_victor]

The compliment is well received if the smirk on his face is to be believed, "I suppose you could be right. But for now, I'm merely the trainer..." this next part irritates Leo to no end, "And the District 2 hobbit."

Calendius was on his shit list for eons at this rate.

"I do, but after talking to some of them, it is easier to come up with Arena strategies in that they can ensure one of them survives to the last cannon."

I didn't realize I left out a word there, sorry!

[contrarianlibrarian]

She shakes her head, about to ensure him that there's no 'merely' about it, but draws up short at that last word. "I'm sorry, 'hobbit'?"

"Interesting. Do you have them work together, then?"

It's all right! <3

[lionhearted_victor]

"Small human-like creature with big feet...We have a Hobbit tribute of that species," China can see the levels of hell Leo was probably sending his escort coworker for.

"Oh yes; if they pool enough resources and pick their alliances right," a bit cynical, but he'd seen how the Tributes behaved in the Arena. So, why not use it to the Capitol's advantage? He shrugged, "They can win."

Thanks! <3

[contrarianlibrarian]

"...Ah. Well, whoever gave you that name is quite rude. And perhaps blind."

"A sound plan. It almost reminds me of when our career Tributes would work together. These ones do seem so much more preoccupied with their friendships, though."

Many said it added drama, but China wasn't too fond of soap operas. Blood caught the eye much more easily.

np! <3

[lionhearted_victor]

Oh China, the hobbit thing is just the beginning between the Trainer and the D2 escort. Of course, Leo tries to be a consummate professional about this, okay? Stealth insults and girl names notwithstanding.

"Words that I would use to describe Calendius Rey? Maybe." And there's one of them right now.

"As long as they don't try to subvert the system that keeps them alive, let them have their alliances...they have to kill each other anyways." Leo knew that breaking those friendships was more of a pain in the ass than it needed to be. But he never forgot the Tributes were still people that were reaped. Human nature and common sense were at a premium sometimes.

[contrarianlibrarian]

"...Ah." She gave a short nod. This early on in her career, she wouldn't like to get too excited over insulting a coworker.

"True. It doesn't matter so much how they play when they don't have a choice in playing."

Some of them may have thought they did. It was amazing how persistently a person could delude themselves.

[lionhearted_victor]

"Don't worry, Miss Sorrows, my problems with him go way back, and those words, they're probably what I'd used to describe him on a normal basis," Leo quickly absolved China of any wrongdoing, as he put her in that position.

"Have you been up to date with the current Arena?" he switched to a more professional topic, "It seems to be working somehow."

[contrarianlibrarian]

She nodded her head, giving him a small smile of gratitude. Who couldn't appreciate a man who could read the situation like that?

“Oh, of course. I’ve always kept up with the Games; my family used to watch them all together when I was a child.” She exhaled a quiet sigh.

“There have been some strong alliances this round, haven’t there? Of course, it didn’t go so well, but I recall a few from District 11 teaming up at one point.” Obviously she couldn’t take credit for them, but the brightness of her smile suggested she was incredibly pleased with them nonetheless.

"And I believe some of yours have done well on the alliance front, haven't they?" Perhaps not within the District, but an inter-District alliance wasn't unheard of even in the old days. If you played the game right, it could be just as beneficial.

[lionhearted_victor]

"At the end of the day, Miss China, it's every Tribute for themselves and they should know that better. Would save them a lot of heart break when the inevitable betrayal happens at the end," Leo spoke of this like it was the daily news, mostly because it was. "District 11 and 12, I'm keeping an eye out for them as well. You never know."

"Speaking of family, how have they been? The Sorrows haven't set foot in the Capitol for quite a few years," the man had to ask, though he was more curious about the way China would react. Most Capitolites relished in gossip but a Districter like Leo? Strange enough as is.

[contrarianlibrarian]

She nodded. "One of the benefits to allowing the same Tributes to come back, I suppose. They can learn, adapt, and give us a new show."

"Grandmother, father, and mother are all solidly in their graves and don't show any signs of stirring. As for my brother, I don't believe he plans on coming back, which is likely for the best."

She delivered the words with the same calm smile she'd had when they were talking about less sour topics. Her isolation among her family members really hasn't disturbed her at all. Finally some peace and quiet.

"What of yours? Are they still in your District?"

[lionhearted_victor]

"I'm already looking forward to the next one." An idea formulated in Leo's mind, but first, he answered China's question with pride,

"Still in the District and still working. Not all of the stonemasons are active and for that, I'm thankful my father was spared an early retirement. There is use for us yet." The Cora family wasn't the wealthiest in District 2 but there was something about the rose Raphael always incorporated in his work, it made their work recognizable. It was his way of demonstrating his devotion and admiration towards his wife, a woman described to have the beauty and the barbs of a wild flower.

[contrarianlibrarian]

Another nod; that was a good attitude to have. China wasn't the hardest of workers by her own admission, but she appreciated it in others.

"I'm sure the District is very grateful as well. People say a lot about the skill that goes into their craft." She shook her head slightly. "I can hardly imagine having such a talent."

[lionhearted_victor]

"What, working the stones? It's not as glamorous as whatever the Capitol has, but there's a certain satisfaction of making a slab of marble into an exquisite work of art. What did you do before coming here? I've not seen anyone offer books as a gift to Tributes."

Cora grinned slightly, China was intriguing him that wasn't a lie.

[contrarianlibrarian]

She shook her head slightly. "Creating beauty is a noble pursuit no matter where you do it." Or how.

She smiles; China liked to be sure she was walking an original path. "I own a library. One of the few that deals in print books these days."

[lionhearted_victor]

"Oh? You still carry those relics? Why? Our tablets," he pointed to the one in his pocket, "They preserve the knowledge better than books have. It's allowed us to exist and remember the darker times."

Whatever warped sense of history that came with it. "Is it a niche of sorts?"

[contrarianlibrarian]

She smiled and looked away. "You call them relics and, to me, that implies a certain beauty. A tablet is a valuable tool, certainly, but a book is a cornucopia of sensation. The words and the covers are only the beginning--there's the scent, the feel of the paper, the sound of the pages... The experience simply cannot be replicated."

"It is a niche interest. But no less lovely for it."

It was China's niche and she liked it there.