[open] Follow the Leader

[lionhearted_victor]

Who| Leonidas Cora and Open!
What| Leo catches up with his Tributes, the Capitol
Where| Training Center and the Capitol
When| August 7 and 8
Warnings/Notes| D2 Priorities, so expect callous description of murder and foul language


I – Training Center (Open to all)

The number of Tributes dwindled with every Arena and Leo wouldn’t be too surprised if some never really made it back at all. Garrett’s return was a boon; the thief had one Arena under his belt. Cullen had no real drive to be of any use…the Batter had the makings of being a Career but lacked the Arena experience. These were things he had to account for in the next Arena and ...well... Jet Link was permanently gone.

So yes, Leo is extra bitter this time around, because another Arena that could have been survivable if they played the rules right but nope. Worse, it was won by one of the oldest, if not THE oldest Tribute District 10 had…it said a lot about the odds in favor of his District. So if anyone were to find Cora, he’s training, stabbing something in the Training Room, or running so many simulations on the computer,

He’s sent all District 2 Tributes a summons to show up at different appointment, to hand them specific sponsors to appeal to and their performance in the last Arena. If Signless was taking a proactive approach to Mentoring, Cora wasn’t going to let him win this little competition they have.

II – Capitol Shopping District (Open)

No sleep was lost for Leo as the Tributes were forced to get jobs in and around the Capitol to make up for the Districts pay for their credit. He’d been wondering about the extravagant lifestyles some of them had and with no way to account for it. Sure, it meant that the staff had to scramble to find more sponsors and maybe even jobs if need be. The Capitol thrived on publicity, on making every Assi worth it.

For now, he sits in a coffee shop, to work somewhere outside from the Tower while also getting a proper gauge of how his District Tributes were seen. The man was clearly on a mission but he had to be a professional about it. From what he hears…it’s not great and

III – Training Center (Closed to China Sorrows)

The invitation sent to China’s suite was as every bit as Spartan as the training she would get from the Small Lion. It read:

You are cordially invited to take part in a fencing session. Please dress comfortably for the occasion, tea and snacks will be available.

I don’t go back on my word, Miss Sorrows. I hope this will be to your liking.

Leo was already making sure that every set of equipment was up to snuff…they were going to indulge in a bit of violent behavior within the Capitol.

Comments

I - Training Center

[fivefingereddiscount]

To say Garrett wasn't a fan of being given orders would be an understatement. He'd always been on his own, always taken jobs as a freelance thief, always lived by his own rules. However, he'd been in the Capitol long enough to recognize that he didn't have nearly as much freedom as he did back home. Otherwise, he would have ignored the summons entirely.

Since there were likely to be consequences, and unavoidable ones at that, Garrett makes his way to the Training Center. Instead of just walking there, however, he employs his stealth arsenal, partly to keep them sharp, but mostly so he can sneak up behind Leo like so. Garrett waits until he's sure Leo is absolutely not paying attention to the training block he's hiding behind before slipping out, padding silently over to Leo, and loudly clearing his throat directly behind him.

[lionhearted_victor]

Garrett was messing with a Career and normally, it would end with the thief having a pencil lined up to the eyes. But Leo simply pointed to the chair as he read off the simulations he'd been running around.

"Your power stems from an object on lodged in your eye but you wisely didn't use it." His tone is level as the trainer adds, "You got cocky though, that could be a problem in the long run, because you're actually competent in your survival as long as you focus. Do you still think you're going to win on skill alone? You're lacking in presence in the Capitol. Sponsors don't take to Tributes who have no presence, they want a show they can invest in..."

More so a historically winning District like his.

[fivefingereddiscount]

He takes the seat and relaxes, adopting a casual facade to hide how uncomfortable he found this entire situation,

"Aww, so you do like me."

Garrett raises a brow at the suggestion that he become more of a public figure.

"Old habits die hard. You know how you live long enough to become an old thief in The City? You stay the hell away from the public eye."

But that wasn't how it worked here, was it? Garrett thinks for a moment, subconsciously playing with the City coin in his pocket. It all came down to survival at the end of the day; it always had. Steal, sneak, stay hidden to survive, trust no one, take a life when you had to. Whatever it ultimately took.

"Tell you what. They want a show? I can give them a show. But I won't do any autographs or meet and greets. It doesn't go with my image."

[lionhearted_victor]

"I'm contractually obligated to like you." Maybe there's some truth to that but Leo's brand of humor was usually dark and almost unpalatable for Capitol tastes.

"I got you this: a security company would like to sponsor you if you test out their security measures. What better way to test Capitolite security than have an offworld thief try them out," Garrett, don't ever say Cora doesn't pay attention to your needs. "Good for publicity and you get training out of the deal. Or I could pimp you out like the other Districts have. Your choice."

1

[burningdaylight]

It's not often when he sees Leo and never by his own request. But, as always, he's punctual, wearing jeans and flannel and a neutral mask, jaw set, as he steps into the training centre expecting to be slapped across the face with a lecture.

Show some teeth.

Stop helping your friends.

He doesn't know what, if anything, Leo has taken away from the slander masquerading as an expose and after he had caved his best friend's skull in with a rock in the previous arena. But whatever the case might be, Luke's looking to get this over with as soon as possible.

He finds his mentor working up a sweat and makes his presence known with a nod and equally quiet "hey", whether or not he's been noticed, before slowing to a stop a respectful distance away. For a moment he just looks on expectantly, canting his head. "You wanted to see me?"

[lionhearted_victor]

Call Leo a mentor and he will chew you out, Luke...Cora is no mentor, as much as he wishes he were. He has the combat knowledge, the survival skills and the knowledge of Sponsors without ever setting foot in the Arena, a fact that kills him from the inside. But for now, he'll be setting that aside to meet this tribute for the first time.

"Yes, though I expected something a little more comfortable than what you're wearing," Leo remarked, "Your combat's barely passable and the only reasons you're a threat is the virus that reanimates you. How do you plan on keeping anyone safe if you can barely swim?"

[burningdaylight]

It’s hard to breathe through a sudden, winding tightness in his chest. And while his skull rocks with the blood that comes roaring hot through his eardrums, almost drowning out his thoughts, he debates whether he should open his mouth at all because the muscle flexing in the sharp line of his jaw and the way his brows settle low over his eyes speak volumes.

He should've guessed his drowning would be used as ammunition against him. Maybe, in a fucked up way, it's meant to have a motivational effect if it's not just a low-blow he's meant to take like one of the dull-eyed training dummies stationed in the room. It seems about right from what he knows of the Capitol.

"I ain't gon' pretend that I can protect them all the time. Ain't nobody out there who can, an' sure as hell not in them Games." It takes everything to bite back a handful of vicious adjectives to describe the arenas. His voice is low and barely controlled, the rise and fall of his chest quickening. "But if you wanna help them, then m'sure they'd appreciate all the supplies you'd be willin' to send."

[lionhearted_victor]

Leonidas would have thrived in the violence that bubbled underneath Luke's voice but he's learned how effective honey can be to flies. "Get mad at me all you want, but I'm not here to coddle you and say you did a good job out there," he explained, "If you've been here long enough, why haven't you improved? I can send all the supplies you want but there has to be a return in that investment, especially now."

Luke wasn't a big spender but D2 was furious nonetheless that they'd been paying for all this time.

"At this point, I'm not asking you or anyone in my District 2 to kill, I'm asking you all to survive. I can't break your ties to the others, it's not worth the trouble." This is as diplomatic as Leo will ever get.

II

[dead_black_eyes]

Linden's one of those staff members scrambling to make up for lost sponsors, but he is going above and beyond. Since Stephen left, he's been doing everything he can to ensure that his Tributes have enough to eat, and today, that means going to the coffee shop and bringing back drinks and donuts for all. He won't have them going into the arena only half-fed, even if this might be technically breaking some rules.

His glance meets Leo's as he turns away from the counter, arms loaded down with boxes of pastries with four cups of coffee balanced on top in a holder. "Cora," he greets, as though there's nothing unusual about this and it's a frequent sight to see the scrawny Linden leaving with thousands of calories worth of sustenance.

[lionhearted_victor]

"Lockhearst," Leonidas had seen the Mentor running around and carrying way more sugar than the norm. In fact, that's...enough for at least six people, even though Six was one of the worst Districts off after the Arena. From seven to three Tributes must not have been easy to take given the circumstances. He doesn't gloat or show it off...

He merely closes his computer and loads up his bag before silently helping Linden with the pastry load. "Heard about Stephen, that sucks losing your escort."

Let's not bring up the Arena Victor, yes? Yes. But Leo wouldn't be himself if he wasn't direct.

[dead_black_eyes]

It wasn't easy to take, and Linden's still reeling from the loss. It's nothing compared to the loss of Stephen, however, and Leo can probably see that he's struck a sensitive chord at the way Linden's eyes are immediately on the floor. Maybe he doesn't notice, busy with the boxes that Linden allows him to take without even a word of protest.

"Yeah," he agrees after a moment. "It... really sucks. We worked together for years."

It's bullshit, a shrill voice in the back of his head insists, but he tamps it down. Emotionlessness is easier than ever these days; feeling like he's reached his threshold for stress and tragedy, Linden just doesn't seem to have the energy to get worked up anymore.

[lionhearted_victor]

Cora has grown in the last few months than he has in years, more so when it came to reading people's reaction.

"I thought he was really working for the Districts. It was nice to see a Capitolite so invested in the well-being of others." The kicker? Cora meant it. With all the fuck-ups Stephen had done, he was sincere in his drive to help D6. Whatever Cyrus did, it took his brother's humanity with it.

"Have there been any new assignments to your District?"

III!

[contrarianlibrarian]

That China actually owns casual, comfortable clothes would no doubt come as a surprise to many of those who consider themselves her peers. She sees no reason to parade around the more active parts of her lifestyle. For one, sweat has little place in classiness. For another, a woman simply needs to have secrets, doesn’t she?

She makes her way to the Training Center quickly, quietly relishing the ease with which she can move in the light slacks, simple shirt, and one of the few pairs of sensible shoes she owns. No, they’re not what she’d choose for the general public to see her in—hence the speed with which she moves—but they do have their perks.

Her smile is bright as she steps into the Center and sees him hard at work. “I won’t insult you by saying I was pleasantly surprised to receive your message.” No, she’s not surprised at all that he would remember their discussion. “But I can honestly say that I was delighted to receive it. I place myself at your command, teacher."

[lionhearted_victor]

Well, look at that, a Capitolite wearing sensible clothes and shoes for the elegant and strenuous dance that is fencing. Leo chuckled with the inviting message, and handed China the protective gear to begin their lessons. "You know me well enough to know I keep my promises." Sword play may not be on Leo's top favorite methods of combat but it's still a much more efficient way to channel violent tendencies with structure.

"I take it you've reviewed from your books?" there's no mocking here, Cora has a feeling that the Escort would be ready in the theoretical aspects.

[contrarianlibrarian]

She took it with a smile and set about covering up with the gear. "True, you do. It's refreshing."

Pleased that he could guess, she nodded. "I've done my best to do so. I have the basic strikes and stances, I believe, if my poor arms can still wield the foil properly."

[lionhearted_victor]

Your poor arms? Don't make me laugh, Leo thought with a smirk, before he compliments in his own way, "Your arms can carry book piles that can weigh more than a child." She wasn't as weak as she let on but he's been wanting to see her ability in battle to be as quick as her wit and her scheming. Here, they were both equals in the eyes of chance.

"Show me what you've learned."

I

[revocation]

Cullen feels as though Cora and he have effectively reached some kind of mutual accord. Or at least an impasse, it's difficult to say which. He will (reluctantly) participate in the other man's inane training sessions, while Cora otherwise seems to leave him mostly to his own devices.

It's not perfect, but it works, as far as it goes.

So, Cullen shows up to his appointment, ready to spar and little else. Not interested in talking about his performance in the last arena.

"What's on the agenda for today?" he asks mildly, already rolling up his sleeves and eyeing the weapons racks.

[lionhearted_victor]

Leo enjoys throwing his Tributes curveballs and Cullen is no exception. The Thedian's ability in combat was thoroughly tested in the field. Instead of a sword, Cullen gets a small stack of papers along with the results from all the simulations the coach has run.

"I've seen enough of your fighting but these are all Sponsors that are interested in your presence in the Capitol. I can't assure their tastes match up to yours but those are the options. You're more than welcome to try and vent your frustrations with me or a dummy but I'm gonna make sure your fridge and Adella's are secured."

Surprise.

[revocation]

If Leo is throwing a curveball, (whatever that means, Cullen would have no idea), Cullen is giving it right back to him with his reaction. He doesn't protest, just glances idly at the stack of papers.

"I already have a few, but I'll check into these," he says quietly.

I

[bravelyplucked]

Torin's not here for the training, though he's not averse to making sure he's still in top shape. No, today is a bit of business. He trusts Leo's judgement in this, but it doesn't hurt to make sure that they're on the same page as far as training goes. "So what are your plans for the day?

[lionhearted_victor]

Torin's presence is always revered, even after all these months working as a team, as Leo turned to face him. "I've been giving the Tributes the opportunity to hone their survival in the Arena, but getting them Sponsors. With the credit lines being cut-off, they need to secure something in the Capitol."

Maybe the coach has learned a few things in business, and maybe he's not as corrosive as he once was. But there's no stopping some shots at the Tributes' expense.

[bravelyplucked]

Torin nods in understanding. "That's not a bad idea. Match them up with the right ones, and they'll be supporting themselves soon enough." Granted, he's more in favor of a middle ground that at least feeds the Tributes since they're already here working and training, but they've got to work with what they're given. "Do you need any help finding Sponsors for them? I know I've got more than a few contacts."

closed to Roland Deschain - Training Center

[lionhearted_victor]

Well, that's the last issue of Celebrus left in Leonidas' search...for today. He was quite tired of having the whole Black Romance mentioned over and over in some of the sponsor meetings, as if he were truly pursuing a hate romance with the likes of the Signless. The Victor was a goddamn TROLL for shit's sake! An off-worlder beyond the standards of the Capitol. Nope, nope, nope...what's more, he regretted ever sending that industrial sized bottle of worm tequila as a gesture of good faith.

He went to his usual spot in the training center and immediately got to work on turning 30 issues of the magazine into stabbing practice. There's nothing like the sound of paper sliced and diced until only tiny strips are left.

"Don't mind me," he says without much thought, "just getting some trash done."

Hey, he bought the issues with his money, they're his property now.

[ka_sera_sera]

Roland is practicing with the daggers himself. Less practice, really, than stress relief, that much he and the man next to him have in common. Roland will never need practice in convincing his eye and his hand to work with one another - except, maybe, with his right, for the cogs and gears which have taken the place of those first two fingers sometimes stick against one another, no matter that the clear rubber cover over them keeps most of the dirt and grit out to prevent that sort of thing. They need testing often.

Today he is throwing with his left. For a man whose life's work has mainly involved the kind of customer service which ends with bullets Roland is taking to his new job fairly well, but this does not mean he does not need sometimes to vent. Very quietly, very intently, to vent. Every dagger hits its target, although once the other man starts setting up Roland's throws come more slowly.

He watches, from the corner of his eye, while the targets are set up. He watches while they are shredded. He looks over, when invited. In the corner of his eye the image of Signless' face, torn in half from ear to jaw, wobbles in the breeze from the building's air machines. "Aye, I see. What kind of trash, if I might ask?"

His voice is bland as can be, which someone who knows him might pick up as a signal. Someone who doesn't, though - well, it could go either way, but it should be safe enough to let his voice show that much. Better that than sounding cold or defensive, because if he did that he doubts the man'd answer honestly.

[lionhearted_victor]

Leonidas didn't recognize the man before him so he simply answered, "Libel, trashy publications about romance that isn't there, par the course of Celebrus but not when my district's reputation is on the line."

As soon as the pieces are small enough to be jammed into a metal trash can, Cora simply pours some alcohol into the pile and then sets it all on fire. Whatever contents made up the drink, they gave the flame a lovely pink flame. "And done! That should be good enough for today."

With his moral boosted, the coach turns towards his fellow guest, "You seem familiar."