thecapitol | [open] Follow the Leader

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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.

"Wow, look at you, taking the initiative," it was hard to tell if Leo was being genuinely praising or his usual brand of biting commentary, but for now, it's best left to chance. "Have you given thought to petitioning out of the arenas as some of the other Tributes have?"

With newer tributes coming in, Cora didn't find it all that important for Rutherford to survive as much. The man had other plans and there's going around them. Unmovable object, meet unstoppable force. "Your performance in the last arena was average but at this point, we're better off making sure you and Adella survive together." Goddamn shippers; annoying as hell but they can spend money to keep their favorites alive.

Cullen snorts. "Something tells me neither of us would be good candidates for petitioning out."

As though it's as simple as that, as though the Capitol would allow anyone but a lickspittle like Black Tom to get out of their death trap of a game. There would be a catch, probably one he wouldn't like one bit.

"I can assure you, we - I - have a plan. Much as it pains me to have my personal life so public, I do understand that it can have power."

That he can use it to his advantage, help himself and Adella by playing on the sympathies of people who take an interest in their relationship.

"In that case, all I'll ask is what you need for the first two weeks of the Arena and you can leave if you deem it fit," Leo quipped, "You know the rules, nothing that gives you an unfair advantage, or anything bigger than a Morningstar." Cullen gets a quick overview because the man's already got sponsors for weeks if he can milk the relationship angle right. "Your next Arena, whenever it will be, give them something to root for. I trust in your capacity to think on your feet and not what's between them."

Cora adds, "Has your religious space been cared for?" He still remembered that request, time for a follow-up.

It's in every instinct Cullen has to bristle at the man's words, even well-intentioned as they are. He understands the divide between personal desire and duty - none better. How often has he sent Adella knowingly into danger, and stayed behind, because it was his duty and hers?

But there's no point snapping at the man.

"As long as food and water can be had in the arena, I should think all we need is weapons, something to hold water, and protection from the elements," he says with a shrug.

The religious comment throws him a little off-guard, however. He hasn't yet met a native who wasn't at best dismissive of his faith. "I was told such a thing would be frowned upon, so no, I've nowhere to pray aside from the privacy of my room."

"Strange, I thought Blackwood would have arranged for a small room at least. The Capitol aims to please its' Tributes before sending them to the Arena," Leo said with a shrug, "Not spreading seditious ideas from what I could tell." The Capitol thought of their religion as a mere eccentricty in their favorite celebrities, which added more to the coach's concerns. "I'll put in the request then, don't expect it to be big like a center," Cora added to his to-do list for the day, "I personally don't see the use of it but I can see that it has a positive effect on you and Adella."

"I - thank you," Cullen says, with a bit of surprise and - perhaps - a touch of suspicion as well. "That's - generous of you. We don't need a large space, there are only a few of us, anyway. We're not interested in converting anyone."

Cora smirked at the suspicion and simply leaned against his chair, "You're in service of District 2 and some of us would rather see that their Tributes do their best. That and some of my father's employees would like to sculpt some of the images your religion portrays. What can I say? They're show-offs and want to prove their worth. Everyone wins, right?"

It's not quite a step forward but Leo is willing to do his part in making sure his Tributes are comfortable in what they do.

"Anything else I can help with your training or your living conditions?" the most surprising part of this? He's not being an ass about it.

For a moment, Cullen pauses and actually considers that question - and considers whether he might not just divulge some of his plans to this man. In the end, though, he shakes his head.

"Not at the moment," he says - which is true enough. "But - if that changes, you may hear from me." Which is also true - because things might change for him, and soon, and he may want a change in living conditions.

"Then, we're done here," Leo's quick to tilt his head towards the door. "Your room should be furnished as soon as I get the approval from the Tower's administration." It's just too painless, it's as if the trainer had been studying his tributes all this time and knew what to say to calm their minds...

But that's exactly his job in this floor: make sure they live.

"All I ask is that you put your experience and strengths to good use in the Arenas."

And there's the catch.

"I'll do my best not to die," Cullen responds, perhaps somewhat acerbically, but then -

"Thank you."

[open] Follow the Leader

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