thecapitol | Open!

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Open!

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.

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That lack of passion would be noted in Leonidas' mental file with China's demeanor. So humans were in a lesser rank than her books...then again, as a librarian, she would be keen to consider them as mere clients, passerby visitors.

But it was the consideration of the Tributes as humans, Leo always had a struggle with that. "What a kind and apt description you have for them, 'resources'." Resources that rendered him and his potential Career Tributes a moot point.

"Would you disagree? The time and energy you invest in your own Tributes would preclude anyone from claiming the don't have value."

And in her mind, value wasn't inferred by merely being human. So resources it was.

But she knew that the Career Districts were hardly fond of the Off-worlders. And why wouldn't they be? It was one fewer jewel in their crown and it erased the purpose of countless hours invested in training. It was a blow to some of Panem's more loyal Districters.

China would be spot-on towards Leo's feeling on the new Tributes. He wasn't fond of his own, save for those who have earned his respect. Even then, his resentment was evident, as his worth diminished with every new Tribute.

"I would not. They must earn their keep, their stay here. Some of these are not worth my time...and others have potential."

Yes, that was incredibly bitter of him.

She nodded. "It's sound logic. We invest quite a lot of resources into each one of them." And there were so many more than they'd had in years past.

"I would hope those with potential outweigh those without." She shook her head, disappointed. "But there are sayings about wishes and horses."

"I would hate to pry too much, so I won't ask which of yours have potential if you don't wish to answer."

"I used to be in the two-per-Arena cycles, Reapings were much more competitive than they are now," the coach replied as he allowed himself to read some of the pages, indulging in the experience China had offered. There was a charm about it, nostalgic to a fault, almost like the librarian herself. Almost.

"I can answer that question just fine: Thor, Felicity and Jet. They're the most combat and Arena savvy of the Tributes, though I have hopes for this Cullen, if he's able to hold his alliances tight and push forward," Leo answered on the spot, proving that while he wasn't fond of the Tributes, he could name them on the spot and memorized each of their stats and kills.

"Luke is still too emotionally dependent on the other Tributes in his alliance, but there is something there. Might not be Victor material yet, but Clara Murphy and the Signless has proven the game is really about the last stretch."

In his mind, and according to Capitol protocol, those were compliments.

China's smile grew enough to show a glint of her teeth as he read. Even if she didn't secure a convert to the print format, she could relish watching someone indulge her.

She shook her head at the mention of the past Victors, as if still in disbelief. "I'm glad I don't bet on the Games, because I certainly would have wagered on neither of them. Those three of yours you mentioned, on the other hand..." An appreciative nod. "And I'm sure you can mold the others into shape as well."

"I can only hope there's something to salvage and make due with what we've been given. Got any more books with...less mundane topics?" There is hope for Leo owning a printed book yet. Even if he just had it as a desk decoration, it would be interesting to partake in an almost symbolic activity of the days gone by.

He then looked to her, "Have you found any favorites on your end? You don't have to list them, but indulge me."

"I believe I have some in which you might be interested. A text on old fencing techniques, perhaps?" She raised an eyebrow and watched to gauge his interest. If he seemed amenable, the book would be out of her library and in his hands in mere days.

She paused to consider his question. "They're all sweet. How promising they are... I'm less schooled in matters of combat, so I can only speak of how they'll appeal to Sponsors. Coureyfac, Combeferre, and Milla are incredibly charming and polite--they should be no trouble."

Though Coureyfac had claimed he'd been falling out of favor. She aimed to fix that. "Haruto and Gary are more... childish. Cute, I suppose. And Thorongil can impress with his skill alone--he seems accustomed to similar affairs."

"Ooh, haven't done that in a while, that would be lovely," Leo spoke without a drop of irony in him as he acknowledged the interest in the book. "The lessons may be out of date but they still hold a certain elegance about them."

The book would be his to treasure and maybe even regard as a resource in his time off. But to hear her opinion on her Tributes, it showed a willingness to work unlike other Escorts he's seen, even if most of her Tributes were more personality than combat. Friendly advice could go a long way here.

"Focus on those suited for battle, or that can adapt fast."

That prompted the ghost of an actual, genuine smile from her. "Perfect. I'll see it reaches your quarters as soon as I can make the arrangements." She made it sound grander than it was; really, all she had to do was search it out from the shelves and send it over.

"Only allocate the resources to those who will last long enough to use them?" She pressed her finger to her chin and nodded. "I see the logic, though I believe it's my job to try and give all of them a fighting chance."

But her tone didn't take on any air of scolding. She'd leave it up to him to figure out how serious she was about fulfilling that task.

The gesture spoke more of China than the words she said: she took pride in her librarian work and cherished the printed word like a treasure. Cora had to admit, he was amused by it all, "I'll be waiting for its' arrival." A good history lesson never hurt anyone.

"Of course, you want to make sure your District wins, last Tribute standing, more so with the Arenas being so wildly unpredictable," Leo agreed only slightly with her, "But if I were a smart better, I'd go with the one who adapts the quickest. Sometimes the powerhouses end up losing miserably once the Game Makers throw in different variables."

Some of which would eventually decimate District 2 but that is neither here or there. Leonidas still carried the confidence of a man who knew a bet was closed.

She nodded, with a mixture of a student's attentiveness and the reluctance of one conceding an argument. "You're right, of course. I remember watching when I was a child--always disappointing to watch a promising Career or powerhouse be bitten by a snake or caught in a landslide."

Though, to be fair, she wasn't really sure how she'd tackle that issue if in the same situation herself. Not her job as a loyal Capitolite.

"I'll have to hope I have at least one like that."

There was something about that comment that impulsed Leo to give her a saving throw, "You have at least two, but as long as you keep them well supplied, maybe your district will stand a chance."

He couldn't help the competitive edge to his answer. "Again I wouldn't tell you how o do your job, mere suggestions only." Not many people reacted so favorably to advice.

"At least two? I hope you're not just raising my hopes."

She shook her head. "I appreciate any suggestions." China wasn't prickly enough to be insulted by someone offering her information. One way or another, she appreciated it and found it useful. Not only might it tell her something new about the world, it might tell her something new about the person. And that was fascinating.

"I'm certainly hoping we do better than stand a chance, though. The people of District 11 could really use one."

"We can prepare them all we can here, but at the end of the day, it's their luck and their skills in the Arena," that was probably the best advice Leo could give anyone without crossing the line into favoritism. He wasn't much for the lower Districts, he was more individual in trusting others or not. Time would tell if putting some of that trust into China would become an asset or a problem for District 2. After all, similar tastes can be helpful or bring ruin.

She nodded, a hint of concern wrinkling her brow. "And their motivation. That may be the part I'm most worried about."

She hadn't been able to talk to them properly to judge their loyalties, but she was sure they were neither with their District or the Capitol.

"Oh that, I'm still working on," Leo had to admit, there wasn't much to hide on that front. He was honest about it though.

"You relate to them, make them empathize with your District. They don't take to the Capitol, but," he shrugged, "Give them a reason to fight for you, Miss China. And maybe, they will fight with loyalty to Panem and for you."

"I imagine it's quite the challenge." Even a casual viewer could see the lessened urgency compared with the old Games. China had noticed, of course; it was one of the things she looked back on with nostalgia.

"Connecting on a personal level... Well, I can't promise it'll be easy, but I can certainly try. I'm not the kind who can launch a thousand ships..." There she dipped her head modestly. "But influencing individuals is a good bit easier, I would say."

"I can see you launching a fair bit to war for you," Leo flirted shamelessly, "Let them see what you know of your District, your books are a good start."

Not a method he'd use but his included teaching his Tributes on what weapons are best for mid-range combat rather than actual connections. But his pride was healthy enough to take the good and the bad. "I would venture to think you have an ability with influencing others."

Certainly has him on his toes.

She shook her head, a smile still on her lips. Right then, she didn't bother to try and make it look modest or baffled. "You flatter me, sir."

"That advice is a comfort. I have nothing but my knowledge to offer, so if that doesn't work..." She shrugged and let her lips fall into a brief pout.

It only took a second for the smile to return again. "I'd expect you're more than a fair judge of influence. Force and one's own voice aren't such different methods, when it comes to results."

Modesty never suited the Capitolites anyways, they weren't built for that sort of humility. Then again that could just be this particular person, if Leonidas were to be more vocal about it.

"No sir between us, I'm from District 2 remember?" he reminded her in both jest and to see just how much pride China had in her. Most of his lot were reduced to cave-dwellers and building rats. "In the short-term, yeah, they produce the same result but the long term? Better to be loved than feared."

Machiavelli may have disappeared to the annals of history before the great wars, but some of his work survived.

She shook her head, a small and bashful gesture. "I don't leave my politeness at the borders."

"I'm surprised to hear that from you. How often do you find yourself adhering to those words?" Her tone was teasing, but she really was curious. He did have a reputation and it wasn't a very cuddly one.

The gesture would get a cheeky grin in return, "You must be popular around these parts then. Didn't you know that I am below you?"

"Not as often as me saying them would make you think." Leo was well aware of his reputation, "For me to care about a Tribute, or anyone, they must prove their worth of my time." As haughty as that statement was, he managed to compliment China in a roundabout way: he considered her, even in this first meeting, worth his time and effort

Though the divide between their stations was smaller, Sergius had said something similar to her. She didn't want to risk bucking the status quo too much, so she tried to tread likely, even as she beamed at him. "I know that you do your best for Panem. That matters most."

"Oh, of course. You're very busy, I'm sure. I'd be tempted to say your time is worth more than money."

She considered being coy and trying to make that compliment more explicit, but that might be too much. Even for her.

"I would say the same, Miss Sorrows," Leo grinned right back and allowed himself to be playful in this cat and mouse routine. No, this had become a verbal dance, where both of them skirted around truths and flattery to get what they wanted. "On both our duties and times."

He offered her a bow, "I must head off to see the Games, and see the Tributes in action. I trust we'll meet again?"

[[wanna wrap this one up? china is so much fun <3]]

Edited 2015-05-05 05:47 (UTC)

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contrarianlibrarian - 2015-05-07 01:45 (UTC) - Expand

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